DUNGANNON MUSICAND DRAMA FESTIVALASSOCIATION TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT-YEAR TO 30 APRIL 2024 REFERENCE ANDADMINisfRATIVE DEfAILS Registered charity name Dungannon Music and Drama Festival Association (DMDFA) Charity number NIC 105556 Contact address 9 Lakeside Terrace. Dungannon, BT717PD Website dungannonfestival.com The trustees who served during the year were Miss AAnderson Mrs J Anderson Mrs E Hill Mr M Carson Mr R M Eitel Dungannon Music and Drama Festival Association is affiliated to the British and Internation8l Federation of Festivals for Music Dance and Speech. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMEKr The Trustees ofthe charity confirm that that they had due reg8rd for the guidance produced on public benefit bythe Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the charity are 1. To promote the study and learning and cultivation of music, drama and verse speaking in Dungannon and surroundingareas 2. To hold an Annual Festival consisting of competitive and non-competitive classes in music, drama and verse speaking The Festival gives the opportunity for amateurs to form an appreciation of artistic standards to perform and be assessed, encouraged and inspired by active professional adjudic8tors. Preparing for and performing at a Festival involves young people in group activity and individual achievement. They gain a deeper appreciation of their repertoire and of the work of others. It hones skills in group work. time management, listening, evaluation, presentation. for and giving a performance is a valuabl8 life skill which will be used atjob interviews. in the workplace, in leisure activities and interpersonal relationships throughout life. STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The Dungannon Music and Drama FestivalAssociation was established in 1922 and the present constitution was formally approved on 8 May 2024. The charitywas registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland in 2016 under reference NIC 105556. Members elect the General
Committee who appoint Officers and up to 8 members who form the Executive Committee. Officers are Trustees. In addition. the Executive committee can appoint up to 3 additional trustees. Management The day to day running of the charity has been designated to the Officers who are all trustees. Recruitment, appointment. Induction and training The present trustees have been involved with the charityfor severalyears and are so familiarwith its work. Trustees are appointed each year at the AGM. Appropriate training is available to all trustees. Flnancial risk management The trustees have overall responsibilityfor ensuring that the charity has in place an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise, to provide assurance that: The charity operates effectively. Its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition. Proper records are maintained, and financial information used within the charity or publication is reliable. The charity complies with relevant laws and regulations. The charity's Systems of financial control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute assurance against misstatement or loss. The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, those related to the operations and finances of the charity. The trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to major risks. Achlevement8 and Performance Total income for the year was £9640 (2023- £7294). Total expenditure for the year amounted to £10233 (2023- £7087). The net deficit for the yearwas £593 (2023- surplus of £207). Unlike previous years we did not receive a grant from The Mid Ulster Council {2023 - £840). The Trustees considers that the Charity is in a satisfactory position to carry on its charitable activities. The main achievements in the year are as follows. A Festival was planned, prepared and took place from 26 - 28 February for Music in The Drumgiass Parish Centre, Church of Ireland and from 4- 6 March in the Presbyterian Church Halls in Dungannon. The comments of the participants and those responsible for entering them were consistently positive and no complaints were received. The Adjudicators. engaged forthe Festival. provided a good seNice, all making contributionsto the event's success and all offering comments on the high standards of the entries which they assessed. The Festivalwas delivered on budget, and the chariVs financial resources remain sound. FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves policy It is the policy of the charity to maintain reserves which meets the needs of the charity now and in the future. The Trustees have decided to hold one year's costs as a reserve and make the balance available for long term development.
Funding The principal source of funding is from: Entryfees paid by or for those who took part in the Festival Admissions receipts In prior years the charity has had the benefit of a grant (2023- £840) from The Mid Ulster Council PLANS FOR THE FUTURE To continue to run the festival annually and increase participation. STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OFTHETRUSTEES The charity trustees are responsible for preparing accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northem Ireland) 2008. They have decided that the charity does not meet the requirements to provide accrual accounts and provides Receipts and Payments accounts. keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financiaL position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial st8tements comply with charities legislation for Northern Ireland. safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps forthe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charlty's website. Dlsclogura of Informatlon to Independent MInor So far as each of the trustees in office atthe date of approval of these financial statements is aw8re: There is no relevant information for the independent examination of which the charity's independent examiner is not aware: and They have taken aLI steps that they ought to have as trustees to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charity's independent examiner is aware of that information. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Noel Conn 8nd Company. Armagh will remain in office as independent examiner forthe coming year. CONTACT ADDRESS 9 Lakeside Terrace Dungannon BY ORDER OFTHETRUSTEES Miss A Anderson. Trustee Approved bythe Trustees on 9 September 2024