C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (Rncludlng Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 The trustees, who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes ofcompany law, bave pleasure in prcsenting their Trusteeq, Report and the audited Fiiiancial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustee5 have adopted the provisions ()f Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Stst¢ment of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accDrdan¢c with the Financial Reporting Slandard applicabl¢ in lh¢ UK and Republic of Ircland (FRS 102), effective l January 2019 (Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102)), in preparing? the tn]stees' report und financial statements of the charitsbl¢ Lompany which are also prepared lo meet the requirements for a dire¢tors' report and a¥coiints for company and charity law purposcs. The Statement of FinanLial Activities (SOFA) shows the gross income from all sources. Chairperson's report I would like to lake the opporti)niry to acknowledge the Staff and Management for their determination, dedi¢ation and commitmeiil Iv oiir organi7.ation. As a voluntary Ex)ard we are aware of ihe Current ditficiilties aroiind the cojnmunity volUntY sector with reb?ardy lo loiig ILm] sustainability Ot project8 year on year. With that said I would lik¢ to thank our fuiideis who ¢onstiinily siipporr our stal'f and the devcloiimeiil of our orgF¢illi.5atiun by providing lis with the financial support for Loiiimunity progr(iinmes, and iii liirn allow lis to support our Loinniiinity groups and IoLal resid¢nls. Many conLcrns h1£ ve been raiscd rLgdrding hardships I"acing many of our pensioners in our commiiiiities in relation to the latest culslLliaiigpes lo the full Lyrdnis and pension paymenls. Cost of living is a c()nstant woiry for many in our local con)mLiniti¢s. Charter Nl slaft'conliniie lo be in ihc lorctroiil ot"d¢livering support iii inner BLlfast and OIiiLr East Belfast, ensuriiig Ilul those living in high areas of deprivation arc tlie forefTOlIt of our prosrainme% and activities. Tlitg year has geen i¥sues arige within LommunitlC8 rcgarding the cost of living crisis and our Staff worked Llosely with Belfast City Council und l-laiiwood Trust tor t.ood v()iivlierb loi. thu¥c families who Lanie t"oiwllrd f()r %Lipport in th¢ Orrniston C ouncil area. Stuff al80 distribiited lo those tamilies who n¢ed¢d .%'iipport at Christmay through tlie Cash for Kids Project. I woiild like to commend tl)e staff who took part iii these initiatives and tor the many hours that they put iii to ensure that the communities they work in daily, w¢re l.ully supported. I lake this opportunity to Iliank everyone that makey a difl¢r¢nce at Charter Nl eacli day, and look fonvard to next ycar. wheii it i.s hoped Ihal new oppurlunities will arise troni th¢ SF.UPB PcaLL Plus prO.a1meS. Until then we will continue to support the Managcineiit Cuinmittec, staff and the volunt¢ers that support Ih¢ir Communities daily. The board Lontinue to recognise there is a need to develop gFreater comrnunity leadership and a need for capacity building to hapi)en al a grass roots level, and wc are delighted tlial our staff have now taken up extra training and education prograrnmes to enhance their own knowledge and skills. This Iius resulted in Iwo staff joiningv the Community Development degree in Ulster University. Staff developmenl is very important lor our oi'gaiiisation movingy forward in the future and 18 something that, as cIMirmaii of Charter Nl, I totally support. Alberi Hem'ill (.'.H.A.R. T.E.R.for Norlherii IrelaFid C'hairper,so
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Objectives and Activities Purposes and Objectives C.H.A.ILT.E.R. for Northern IrelAnd (hereinafter Charter Nl) Mission Statement is: To enable, Lquip empower cummunilieA io beii¢fil fi'om social uiid Lcoiiomic r¢gL)iieruliuii. Our Mission Statement recognises that when local community representatives and groups want to develop their cornmunities they need lo be enabled to do so by buildinby their own Capacity. Our choice of words reflects a commitrnent to helping people through providing support that allows them to artiLulate their own needs and sbape their future at local, regional and international levLI. ThL sUPPQrt which Charter NI has provided and Lunlinue¥ io provide is supported by local people with a thiist lo improve themselves and their communities in which they live. It is this with this support that w¢ have the confidence in the strategic direction of Charter NI and which scts us apart from other initiatives. Our supporl mechanisms consist of not just finanLial 8upporl, but support thal is driven by a community development ethos ol. supporting local people to build their Lapacity to regenerate their own areas, through education & training initiatives. The people in our commuiiities are people of ability and aspiration, who need a blend of support to enable them to lift themselves from low-lev¢l Noble categories into thriving, economically active, healthy and developing Communitics which work at a local l¢v¢l with ststiitory agencies. Charlcr Nl's vision as laid out in our Strategic Plan 2023-2026 is to play a leading part in the community regcneration of East Beltast & North Down, lo se¢ il develop into a safe, settled, prosperou% plaLe, Ihat is stable and rcsilient, at ¢ase with itselt" and its neighbours, culturally confidenl tolerant and welcoming to others. The vision will be delivered in the following six strategic areas,. Community and Cultural Confidence. Arts; R¢g¢neralion and RelatAonships' Training; Education, Employm¢nt and Engagem¢nt,' and Resources and R¢SICturIng. The programmes that Charter Nl's operational staff deliver, and will tender for in the tutur¢, all fEt into one or more of these six strategic aims.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trllstees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Achievements and Performance l. Tullycarnet Community RegeneratioD Project StArt date: 1st April 2016 End date: 31 st March 2026 Funded by: Department for Communities Partnership: Charter NI- Lead Aims: To work wtth 13-25 year-old.8 in Tullycarn¢l area. Provide access to programmes on suicide awar¢n¢ss, drug l alcohol awareness and health. Signpost to Charter Nl Tralning programrnes and provide access to volunteering. Support commiinity groups in the area. Establish inforrnation sharing in the comrnunity via a quarterly newsletter and social media. Maintain relationships with IoLal SLhools and other service providers. Objectives aiid TArgels: Buildiiig a confident Community and encouraging local groups and individuals to participate in capacity building activities. Encouraging and facilitating young people to participatc in community relations projects. During thAS period over 40 young people participated in community relations projects. Over 1,000 people parti¢ipated in coinmunity bonding projects. During this period an average of 44 youiig people a week engaged in youth to¢used activities. linprovittg connections between Tully¢&rnet, wider East Belfast and bcyond. Providing opportunities for Tullycarnet to d¢velop links and pdrtncrships wÈth other communities Many people volunteered for community development activities. Building a confident community. Siipporting and encouraging young people and local groups to participate in community development activities and capacity building programmes. Sharing information aboul opportunitie8 and events through the community website and social media. Contributing towai'ds a wide range ot community services and inilialives for and with children, adiilts and senior citizens. Improving educational outcomes for childr¢n and young pcople in the Ncighboiirhood Renewal Area. During the year w¢ provided strategic direction, ffftancial management and governance support to 9 uommunity/ voluntary sector groups. rn partnership with Dundonald Hi8h School we .8et up a GCSE support group with external trainers providing tailored support programm¢s for 40 young people from the Greater Tullycarnet Area. Supporting acccss to eduLationaL and development opportuniti¢s for all sections of the local communiry. 84 young people ben¢fitted directly from the projccL through parttcipaiion within the Charter Youth Grouprrp youth project and othcr initiatives.
C.H.A.ILT.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 l. Tullycarnet Community Regeneration Project- continued Many young people have benefitted through participation in programmes run by the Tullycarnet Football T¢am, Tullycarnet Boxing Club and The Tullycarnel Dancers. Chai'ter Nl Continues to collaborate with the Education Authority Youth Service and other youth providers on the pr()vision of outr¢aLh youth Services and other progrummes. We are particularly looking fonvard to 2025 as new youth workers have commenced work in th¢ area. W¢ have alre¢1dy started planning for new support progranmi¢5. 2. Diamond Project Start date.. I st April 2016 End date.. 31sl March 2024 Funded by: Belfast City Council Partnership: Charter Nl Lead Outputs: Resident forum (18 residents) A large niimber of residents from the local area infurm¢d about project.%, events and also training, employm¢nt and volui)teeriiig opporlunilies. Tliis will boost Lommiinity confidence and build sclf-esleem of local residents to ¢ngage in coinmunity devclopnieiit opportunitie5 in their immedidte area. Also, the forum will be allending various meetings and training opportunities across st Belfast and Lity wide. l OO+ meetings in total. Community news and infomiation A coinmiinily news sheet will provide information to the community on a quarterly basis. Inforn)aii(In pmvided will be relcvant plione nuinbers, Community events and training opporttinilies. Fivc inlorrnalion leaflets lu be given out to every household in the Diamoiid area {500+homes). Inter-agency resident led meetings (4 meetings per annum) Four interagency meetings with relevant stakeholders on a quarterly basis. These tneetings will involve housing providcr51 police, yoiith and community wvrkers, lo¢al churches and inforitjation group5. The meetings will be based on information sharing aiid bltler joincd up approaches lo tackling specific issu¢s in the local area. Four well attended inter agenLy meetings addi'e&sing specific Issues in the local area. Cross-coinmunily women's and yoiinger people's group (20 women / weekly s¢ssions} The rcsidenls meet wilh Short Strand women's group every Tuesdmy night. During these sessions they have compleied a number of training workshops around women's rights, capacity building, Lommunity dclOPMent process¢s and Good Relations PTojects, including arts & crafts. Summer cornmunity festival & bonfLre beacon 200 people attending Community fAmiLy fLm day. Halloween festival Remembrance event 4-day long reflection and remembrance event for 150 people. Christmas children's party Santa's grotto event for 150 young people and their families. Pensioners. Christmas Lunch 45 pensioners receiving a Christmas lunch and a visit from Santa.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 2. Diamond Project- continued Thc Community Regeneration Officer (CRO) has also been on the ground constantly and gained approximately £7,000 of cost-of- living support in partnership with FBCDA and BCC. This provided gas and electricity and door to door support for the vulnerable and ibose who were highly deprived. The CRO is still part of thc East Belfast Coronavirus Conunuiiity Support Group. Objectives: Engage every street in the Diamond project area. Identify issues oll a street by street basis. Recruit new volunteers. Create a saf¢ space for Ial restdents to discuss and address their issu¢s and solve local problems. Provide programmes and activities for local people to help improve th¢ir health and well-being. EIiLoiirag¢ young people to get involved in the local cornmunity and attend programmes and actlVLties in the con]muiiily hub. Develop OPPL)rtunities for local residents lo ¢ngage with and be part of tlie local community. Pathways Programme Start date: I st April 2016 End date: 3 1st March 2025 ContrJ)cted with: Public Health AgenLy Partnership: Cliarter Nl Lead. Parlncrs.. Allernatives Restorative Justice & East Belfast Mission Aim: Chgrtei. Nl was to provide and bignpost servil¢5 in a cornmuiiily setting where the client group feel at ease and confidentiality is seLur¢d. Charter Nl operales in ali environment crcatcd aiid managed by ex- prisoners and fainily members, so increasing the empathy will) the client group, which in turn reduces the sligmatisation and 4ense of isolation. Through this approach Charter Nl ainis to Improve information for the Llient and service provider and begin to collectively address the iieeds of Ibis clicnt group. Charter Nl aims lo assist througli partnership working with the other groups and organisations involved in this project to help ex-prisoners and their families bc ind¢pendent ai)d lo live a better quality of life, improve health and emottonal well- being for ex-prisoneiB and their famili¢s through counselling aiid aliemat2ve therapics. Objectives: Provid¢ counselling service to ex-prisoner5 and their families. Provide a ran£e of alternative therapie8 to ex-prisoner8 and their families. Raise awareness and inform potential clients about the service.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 3. Pathways Programme continued Target Groups: Young People; Ex-prison¢rs' Sentor citizens- and Unemployed Charter Nl are a k¢y provider of servi¢¢s to ex-prisoners and they have formed a partnership along with the B¢lfast Health and Social Care Trust. East Belfast Alternatives and Easl Belfast Mission. The Pro.nne provided professional conftdential eommLinity-baqed Lounsellin8 sessions with a wraparound eumplimentary servicc which coinpribes alternative Iherapies helping clients lo enjoy b¢tt¢r health and a more vital life, encouragTing the client to feel Lomfortable and the motivation to utilisc coiinselling services. The project acted as a referral to th¢ Ejelfabt 14ealth and Social Services Trust. The s¢rvice will be delivered in a community setfing thereforc increasing aLLesyibility lu those ex-pri50ners and their famili¢s who may feel stigmatised or have perceptions around accesstng mainstream services or those provided by larger organisalions. The programme way closely monitored to get a b¢ttcr understanding of the key issu¢s for the Llient group, the service providers and the extent of tlie problem. Outputs: Number of people counselled 52. Number of counselling sessions 422. Number of people having alternative therapies 20. Number of th¢rapies 20. 4 infonnation qessions given. 4. Cultural Confidence in Young People Start Dxte: 1st April 2023 End date: 3 Ibt March 2024 Funded By.. TEO Good R¢lalions Partnership: Charter NI - Lead Partner, with Short Strand Partnership Young Peoples. Programme 12-16 year olds who would nol nomially ellgage outside of this programme as this was a cro8S community project between Short Strand and Inner East Belfast. This ensured that there was a fair engagement of15 from CNR backgrounds and 15 from PUL backgrounds.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024
4. Cultural Confidence in Young People Continued
30 Young pe()plc reLriiiled l O from PUL backgi-ound and l o froni LNR bdckground in partnership belween Lharl¢r
Nl and Short Strand Doyle Youth Club.
2 dcl ivery and planning SLs%ions complLtLd in botli areas (Lord Sireel llnd Shon Strand) lo incrLase tru%( and
coiifidLllcL.
12 (3hr) worksl)ops dLI ivLrcd a.% follows..
CulttirL & Divci-sity
Biillyin¥ & C'ybLr-biillying'
SL'Ltari<ini%in & R¢tLisin
.Sierec)typ¢s & Symbi)li%in
l..listoiy of tliL CrLllI)lin R()cid Cidol
FliNlOI'y of Dubliii Qrl'avLyai-ds , Lroke P(Irk, PcaLL wall% in l_ondonderry. Stormonl Esl4l¢
Par
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 5. Community Safety Programme, Tullycarnet The followilig support was provided: Safer Bonfire$ in partn¢rship with DFI, PSNI and NIHE sthff; Social Supern]arket support for tenants in November 2023 - February 2024. Dcveloped support for Mens Mentsl Health on a w¢ckly basis. Drng and Alcohol training and 8UPPOrt; Anti social behaviour around peoples properties. Comirjunity Safety event in December 2023; Help with DFI siipport around Street Lighting in Octob¢r 2023. Attending meetings with NIHE on a 10 year plan for the are4 with Deloitte. and Mecting ea¢h quarter with the statutory agencies in the area for potential redevelopment and other issues that may rise. 6. Diamond Health Hub StArt dAte: 1st April 2019 End date: 3 1st March 2024 Funded by.. TEO Urban Villages Partnership: Charter Nl - Lead Aims: Improve relationship5 betwcen and within communities Increase sense of communily b¢long. Increase use of shared spaces. Provide confident and enterprisliig corninunity.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 6. Diamond Health Hub continued Project Outcomes: Health & well-being programmes delivered to improve well-being. Ilnproved relationships with statulory partners through regular meetings. Improved sense of well-being for residcnts. Improved ac¢¢ss to services und advice through local surgcries. Better support for ethic minorities and integration within the lo¢al community Increased oppoitunilies tlwough volunteering opportunities. To develop a fiilly-functioiiing cominunily hub that can be used by local residents, partners and the wider conllnunity to improve h¢aLih and well-being and address iqsues at a local level. Groups involved Én weekly activity at Diamond Health Hiib.. 353 sessions. 72 Participants involved in Health activities on a weekly basis. Develop participation and increase relatioiiships with other Urban Village Areas. 7. East Belfast Cultural Confidence and Tolerance Summer Diversionary Programme Start dAte: Jiily 2023 End date: Septemb¢r 2023 Funded by: Belfast City Coiincil Our programme of activity included festivals for hiner and Outer East Belfast areas which aimed to enhance and compliment the eiiltural cel¢bration5 in the lead up to the Twelfth of July by positively promoting h¢ritage, edurating on broader cultural contexts, and show¢asingi lucdls, arlislry in th¢ developmeiit of new Lreativ¢ work. The$¢ events aimed to link Outer East Beifasl into Inner East Belfast U8ing diversionary aeiivities focusing on Bands. B()nfirc8. Hlstorical Talks, Safer Community partnerships and Community Celebralioiis that engaged wilh approximately 2,000 pcoplc. Other activitics incliid¢d workshops focusing on ireatiN'ity, bands & policing. The programme that we delivered was aiming to giiid¢ and mcnlor young people to choose a more wsilive way to expregs their ciilture, taking on board their views on their Lulture attitudes, stereotyping and awareness of what posilivc culture and other ¢ultures are. Events to compliment this also iiicluded sit¢ visits to those traditional bonfe8 acros5 Belfast that are kept tidy and those that use beacons instead.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND 10 Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 8. Cultural Programmes - Beacon Management and Cultural Celebrations Start Date: I si Junc 2023 End Date: 31 st August 2023 Contrxeted wiih: Belfast City Council and Building Coinmunities Network c.ultural celcbralions throubyhoui Inner East Belfast and Tully¢arncl area, during the summer months to help suppoit young pcople in r¢gards to celebrating7 Wlth a b¢a¢on instead ot traditional bonfwes. These programmes also increased confidence and Lollaborativ¢ working with young people and statutory agencies over the summer months. 9. King's Coronation Small Grants Programme Stxrt Date.. May 2023 End Dnte: 31st March 2024 Funded by: The National Lottery Award8 for All This fiinding was awarded to events and activities planned and delivered by the local East Belfast Coinrnunity to celebrate the coronaliun of King Charles. Eveiils and aLtivities plunned were a commuiiity fun day, arts tuid crafts. and an oldei. p¢oples' tea dance. These cvent5 w¢re attended by approx 350 people. 10. Core Funding Support Start date.. 1st April 2023 End date: 30th November 2023 Funded by: Halifax Foundation foi. NI To develop luti¢ opportunities within the organisation and promote staff development in the finance and administration departrnent. I l. Small Grants There are mai)y small funders within Charter NI projects which compliment the bigger projects stated above. Examples of these successful sinall¢r projeLts are.. Lisburn Cllstlereagh City Council - Good Relations and Cultural Identity- ciiltural programmes, workshops, and community arts proj¢¢ts with Loi)gstone Residents Association in the Ballyb¢¢n area. NIHE Cohesion - Christmas prograinrne and Knockagoncy Get Fit project working to build healthy activities in the Knocknagoney area as a starter programme. Staff development Th¢ charitabl¢ ¢ompany's most IrnPOTtant resource is its people, their knowledge and experience are crucial in meetillg our charitable objectives. Retention of key staff is critical and we have invested increasingly in employment training and dcvelopment. Our Volunteers It is vital that volunteering is recognised as a fundamental part of any ci)mmunity development framework and as a strategically importaiit element of it. There is an incxtricable link between volunteering a.8 a multifaceted activity and community developmcnt as a process. Volunteeiing happens in many ditferent forms and can be can.ied out on a contÉnuum of infonn8lity to fomiality. Both are equally valuable and contribute in a myriad of ways to building communities where people can feel happy, safe and fulfjlled. Wc in Chorter Nl will contiiiue to facilitat¢ thi3 process with the srn88roots communities that we work with.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND 11 Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including DRrectors' Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Environmental and health and safety The charitable company recogni8es ils responsibility lo carry oiit its ¢haritable operations whilst minirnising environmental irnpacts. The trustees, continued aim is lo ¢omply with all applicable environmental legislation, prevent pollution and reduce wastc wherever possible. The company is Committed to achieving the highest practicable standardg in health and safcty managcment and strive5 to make it8 office and a]1 sitcs safe environments for eimployees and vi51tors alik¢. Financial Review The financial statements deal with all the income and expenditurc of the charitable company, as well as its financial position at the year end. The result5 for the year and th¢ fin41ncial position wcre considered satisfaLtory by the tmstees. The company returned net outgoing resources for the year of £22.421 (2023.. net incoming resources of £16.920) split rcstricted deficit £8.3881 unresli-icted d¢ticit £14.033. which reflectcd the compl¢tion of a number of projects during the year. All moni¢s received supported key objectives of the Lharitable coinp8ny. funding charitable avtivity uosts aiid sUPPOrt ¢05ts. as well as capital expenditure. At 31 M'Ch 2024, total fijnds wer¢ £270,978 (2023.. £293,399), a decrease of £22,421 from the previous year, with a decrease of £14,033 in unrestricted funds. Unreqtricted fuiids at 31 March 2024 were £82.506 {2023: £96,539), of whiLh £43,287 were de.signated for specific uses (2023: £42,055) and £5,949 (2023.. £6,105) would only be reulisable through the disposal of fixed assets. The organisation ¢ontinuey to work tirelessly to seciire income from various sources to fin&n¢e its ongoing activities with its key stakeholders. The main source of funding are granty r¢¢eived from various bodies as disclosed in note 3 in the financial slatemciils. Risk management The charity's operations expose it lo a variety of financial risks thal include the effects of chang7¢5 in liqiiidity risk and restricted fiiiiding cash flow risk. The charildble CoMpY has in place a risk maiiagement programme that seeks to reduce the adverse effects on the fu]anLial perforniance of th¢ company by monitoring levels of cash and maintaining no debt. Giv¢n the size of the charity, the trustees have delegated the responsibility of monitoring financial risk management to the management group with details of aLI accouIits verified at board meetings. The policies set by the board of diieLtors are implemented by the charity's senior management team. Going concern Atl¢r n]aking appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasoiiable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For tliis reason. they continue to adopt the going concern basis in pr¢parÈng the fiiiancial statements. Fuither details regardin8 the adoption of the goin£4 COnLern basis cali be FO]d Én the Accounting PoliGies.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) 12 Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Reserves poliey The charity's policy is lo build and r¢tain a level of res¢rv¢s which matchcs the Tha3 of the organisation both at the current tÉme and in the foreseeable ftiture. The trustees are striving to secur¢ reserves in th¢ future suffickent to m¢et statutory obligattons, committed expenditure, core salaries and running cost8 for a period equivalent lo 6 months annual expenditure. The trustees believe that Ihe period of 6 months is necessary in order that th¢r¢ is continuity of service, and wÉll work towards th¢ implementation of this policy. Th¢ company has developed a plan lo eslablis,h and maintain thi5 agreed level of reserves. The Lompany will ¢ontinue to monitor compliancc with t]iis policy on a i-egiilar basi5 and the Board will revi¢w the appropriateness of the poliLy annually, Free rcs¢i'ves ar¢ those unr¢sti'icted reserves not designated for, nor inv¢st¢d in f¢d assets, which are available for general use and which can be designated for future devclopmenls. At 31 March 2024 their level was £33,270 (2023: £48,379), which would covcr almost 4 moiiihs ¢orc salarie5 and running costs, whilsi the redulld]¢Y pay res¢rve plus 6 months core salaries and running costs would approximately equate to £70,000. Public benefit The truqtee8 believe that the organisalion provides a public beD¢fit iii a number of ways and mosl obvioiisly Ihrougli its efforts to promot¢ community devclopiiicnt and the advanceinent of re¢onLilidtion as well as conflict resolulion. This is achieved by undertaking a rangc of projects lo siipport r¢conLiliation and proinole Lominunity cohesion. The trustees are fully aware of the guidelines from th¢ Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to comply with the Charities Act. and believe they arc operating eiitirely within those guidelines. Plans for the future Charter Nl's origins and foLUS to date refl¢ct8 the challenges facing the communities it represents. Many of these challenges are clearly evident and well doknumented and itflect deep seated stniLtiiral problems including high levels of miiltiple deprivation, low level% of educational achievement, commiinity divisfftons aiid safcty issues, lin]iled Lonununily confidence and engagement, drug and alcohol Abuse, willi a poor physical iiifrastructurc and environment. Combined, the.se issues have led the communilie5 and the areas to be described or categoris¢d as hard to reaLh and di5Lonn¢cted. AgLiin.%t tliis backdrop the political situation remains uncertain, with the only ccrtainly b¥ing less Inoney tor public serviccs and reduced budgets for those engaged in front line community services and greater competition for funding. Wliile not uiidcrestiinating th¢ challeng¢s, the local communitics have InuLh to offer in terms of community pride. a history of voluntary aLtivity and sclf-lielp through church aiid voluntary groups, a rich cultural and industrial tradition and of local business developm¢nt. Charler NI'S work has reflected the reality of the situation on the ground, while being awar¢ of the potential within th¢ local omiiiunities aiid pro-actively seeking out new opporliinities. Thes¢ will include seeking funding for Core stafy lind sustainable programmes that can build thc capacity of local volunteers 2nd groups. Charter Nt will conlinue to seek opportunitie5 Ihat will support the aims of our organization. It is vital that we continuc to provide opportunities to en11¢¢ the Lapacity of th¢ communitics we serve.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND 13 Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Reference and Administrative Details Registered and Principal Office First Floor 275a Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 IAF Company Registration number N1054626 (Northern Ir¢I}d) HMRC Charity Registration number M00816 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Registration number NIC105834 Directors/Trustees And Senior Management The tiN51ees who served the charity during the year and up to the date of approval were as follows: Br¢iidan Mackin Jim Birch Rev William Shaw Deiiis Rowan Craig Browii Albert Hewitt (Chairperson) Peter Bunting c.ompany secretary Craig Brown Senior Management Personnel Operali0118 ManAger- Caroline Birch General Mager/Head of Finance- Charlcn¢ Sheridan Bankers First Trust Bank 11- 15 Donegall Square North B¢lfast BTI 5GB Independent auditor CG Taggart Ac¢ountancy Services 17 Cypress Crescent Donaghadee Co Down BT21 OQG
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND 14 Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Structure, Governance and Management Governing document The Lharitable company is controlled by its governing document. its Articles of Association, and constitutes a limi¢¢d company limited by guarantee, as dcfined by the Companies Act 2006. Governance of the charity Diiringv the period under review the directors met al least 7 times, usually at bi-monthly intervals. Trusteesldirectors are appointed by noininations. made in writing by any existing direLtor. Ai the General Meeting nominated directors are appointed by election. The trustees have ov¢rall responsibility for the organisation and for direLting thc activity, ensuring it is well and deliverin¥ the outcomeg for whiLh it has be¢n sct up. The day-to-day managemcnt and operation of activities is carried out by 5tatT lcd by the senior management group comprising Operations Managycr C.ar()liiie Birch and General Maiiager/Head ofFinance Charlene Sh¢ridan, supported by Company S¢¢retary Craig Brown, and reporting to the board at each meeting. Related parties None of the IrLlStees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charitable company. All Directors aiid Senioi. staff coniplete a conflict of interest register annually in resp¢LI of pot¢iilial transactions between Charter NI and ils connected parties. Pay policy for senior staff Thc pay of senior 8taff i5 reviewed annually. In view of the nature of the charitable Comply4 the trust¢¢s bcnchmark against pay levels in oiher community organisations working within the sector. Risk management Thc prin¢iplcs of good governance arc ¢mbLdded within all aspects of Charter Nl's operations with management and staff being keenly aware of th¢ Board's responsibility of ensuring that the organisalion protects its¢lf from financial exposure and reputalioiial damag¢. A close working relationship is maintained between the Bourd and management to ensure that operationally statl. are awdre of the standards reqliired of them by the Board and that the B()ard are always in a position to providi guidance and support to mana&ieinenl in the di%¢harge of their duties. This two-way relalion511ip is a key leature of Chaner Nl's governance arrangements and is a key stren8th of the charitable company. A conscicntioiis approach to ensiiring that contractual project requirements are achieved has beeii maintained at all limes boih in the accountiiig pcriod bcimg reported on and since Charter Nl's establishment. All financial conunitments ure inaintain¢d al all tKines, th¢re are very light financial contro15 on expenditure and project statf have been trained and have become experienced in budgelary contro15. In botli these areas ie projecl delivery and fiiiancial controls managemenL all staff have established clos¢ workinLy relalioiiships with fuiiding organisdlions to ensure all mandatory standards are consistently achieved. Board representatives also actively engage with I'unding bodies. The Board, management and staff are fully aware Ihal the nature of the work in which Charler Nl is Ènvolved can bring with it a high level of scrutiny lo ¢n5ure that all activities are fiilly compliant with funding requirements and, theret"ore, beyond reproach. The Board ofcharter Nl is, therefore, greatly reassured of the charitablc company's ¢oinplianc¢ wilh the highest of standards of governance on the basis that all monitoring and evaluation of projeLt deliv¢ry demonstrates achievement of all funders. objectives and that fuiiders. Audit5 aiid vouching ot- tinancial expenditure and thc statutory audit confwm compliance with both probity and re&lu1llY in the use of monies rGIved. During the accounting period, and since, Charter NI has maintained close working relationships witb funding bodi¢s. Charter Nl has taken part in verification visits from The ExLCUtive Otficc, SEUPB: Int¢rnational Committee of the Red Cross and Urban Villages. These checks have resulted in a positive track record of the highest professional standards achieved. Currently Charter NI, and all other organisations in the community and voluntary 3¢Ctor, look forward to the new fancIal y¢ar with considerable uncertainly around government budgets. Charter NI will continue to look to our success1 project track record and provcn flnancial probity as the bcst means of continuing to achieve th¢ positive impact and bencfLt to our communities which we have achieved in r¢cent years. The trustees Continue to assess the major iisks to which the charitable company is exposed, those related to the reputstion, operations and fmances of the charitsble company. and are satisfied thai the systems are in place lo mitigate any expowre to th¢ major risks.
C.H.A.R.T.E.R. FOR NORTHERN IRELAND 15 Communities Having a Response Towards Economic Regeneration (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees, report (including Directors, Report) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Trustees, responsibilities statement The trustees (who are also tlie directors of CharterNI for the purposes of company law) are responsible forpreparin8 the Trustees, Report and the financlal statem¢nts in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each fmancial yeat. Und¢r that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with Unit¢d kn'ngdom G¢n¢rally Accepted Accounting Practice {United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the ¢Stee5 must not approve the fmancial statements unless they ar¢ satisfied that they give a te and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the income and cxp¢nditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the truqtees are required to: select 5Ultable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. obs¢TVC the methods and principl¢s in the Charilies SORP (FRS102)' make judgements and accounting estimates that 8re reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable UK AccountÈng Standards have been followed, subject to any materlal departures disclosed and explained in the financial 8t8tements' and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable ompany will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to sbow and explain the charitsble compuny's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial posilion of the charitable compaiiy and enable them to ensure that the financial 8tatcmenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company &nd hentie for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and otber irregularities. The trustees arc responsible for the maAntenance and int¢grity of the corporate and fJDancial inforniation included on the company's website. Statement of disclosure of information to audiLtors Th¢ trnstees at the time when the Truste¢s' report is approved have confimied that: so far as they are awarc, there is no r¢lcvanl audit infomiation of which tlie charitable company's auditor is unaw8re' they have taken all the steps that ought to have been lakcn as a director in order to be aware of any information needed by the ¢haritablc company'5 auditor in connection with preparing their report and to e8tablish that the charitable company's auditor is aware of that infonnation. Independent auditor The aiiditor, Grace Taggart of CG Taggart Accountancy Services has indicated her willingness to continue in otTice and a resolution that she be re-dppointed will be proposed at the annulll gcnei'al meeting. Approved by the board and signed on its behalf: fvllaJLJ/ - Albert Hewitt- ChAirperson raig Brown - Trustee 12 December 2024