MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST-THE (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees (who are also the Directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006) present their annual report with the audited financial statements of The Mourne Heritage Trust (the company) for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Truslees confirm that Ihe Annual Report and financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requiremenls, the reqLJirements of the company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORP). applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) leffecllve 1 January 2019). Structure, governance and management Constitution The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 17 September 1997. The company is registered with the Charities Commission Nl under Charity Number NIC 105840. Pollcles adopted for the induction and training of Directors Trustees receive a thorough induction, including receipt of various key documents relating lo the operation of the Trust and a briefing with the Chairman and Chief Executive. Organlsatlonal structure and decision making Day lo day management of the charity is delegated to Ihe Chief Execulive Officer, Mr Marlin Carey. Trustees of Mourne H6rltag8 Trust were originally appointed by The Department of Agricullure and Rural Development, Environment and Haritage Service of the Department of Environment (now Northern Ireland Environment Agency), Banbridge, Down and Newry and Mourn8 District Councils (now replaced by Newry, Mourne and Down District Councll) and Ihe Northern Ireland Tourist Board (now Tourism Nll. {The successor agencies named remain funders of the Trust). In addition, a number of other Mourne interests were appointed by the nominated Trustees after expressions of interest and nominations were sought by public advertisement and a selection procedur8 was carried out. One third of the Board of Trustees retires from office each year al the Trust's AGM. The retiring Trustees are eligible for re-election. The Trust then fills the vacated office by electing a person thereto and, in default, the retiring Truslee, shall if offering themselves for re-election, be deemed lo have been elected. Persons other than a retiring Trustee can be eligible for election if recommended by the Board of Trustees or by nomination submilled before AGM by a member qualified to attend and vote al the meeting. Voting if necessary is carried out by a membership panel, composed of accredited bodies and other Mourne Interests. Risk management The Trustees have assessed the major risks lo which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charitable company, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST-THE (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Objectives and Activities The Mourne Heritage Trust provides landscape management and sustainable development services for the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Established in 1997, the Trust is a partnership of local and central government, local communities and key stakeholders. The aim of Mourne Heritage Tfust is as follows.. 'To sustain and enhance the environment, rural reggnaration, cultural heritage and visitor opportunitl8s of tha Mourn& Area of Outstanding Natural B8auty and contribute to the well-being of Mourne's communities. The following are the strateglc alms.. Natural Environment Enhancement and Protection 'Safeguard. enhance and promote appreciation of the quality and diversity of the landscapes and biodiversity of the Mourne Area of Outstanding NalLtral Beauty IAONB) and to manage and influence change appropriately,. Visltor Management and Visitor Services 'To provide and mainlain opportunities for public enjoyment, education and recreation within the Mourne AONB in ways which safeguard the environment and protect13nd management and community interests,. Built and Cultural Heritage 'To Identify, promote, safeguard and enhance the built and cultural herltag8 of the Mourne AONB,. Sustainablo Tourism 'To promote regeneration through the development and facililation of appropriate sustainable tourism nitialives in the Mourne AONB,. Creating Awareness and Promoting Understandlng 'To create awareness and promote greater understanding of the Mourne AONB as a unique and special area to local, regional, national and inlernational audiences,. Each kay objéctive is pursued through core operations and priority projacts. Cor8 operations arè provlded from the Trust's on-going core funding, and largely reflect the Trust's Service Level Agreements andlor grant applications with its core funders. The core resources also provide the base from which priority projects are developed for complementary additional activities and for which the Trust seeks specific project funding. Key Core activities revofve around coordinallon and implementation of Ihe Mourne AONB Management Plan. Environmental protection and enhancement services include heathland management, wildfire prevenlion and erosion control as well as various projects to enhance biodiversity in line with the Mourne Biodiversity Action Plan. This is complemented by visitor management services in which the Trust maintains car parks and amenity sites, forest walking trails and mountain bike trails, Public Rights of Way, stiles, cycle roules, interpretive panels and undertakes weekly lilter collection at visitor amenities. A Mourne Ranger SeNice is provided to monitor environmental issues and countryside access and promote positive links and understanding between landowners, local communities, visitors, business sectors and volunleers. Also important in core activity are visitor servicing and raising awareness of Ihe special qualities of the Mourne AONB through, among other things, publications and online platforms including the Mournelive website and social media sites. The development of sustainable tourism initiatives with local communities and tourism businesses includes a range of activities agreed annually with Tourism Nl.
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST- THE (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Priority Projects in 2023/24 included.. Eastern Mournes Habitat Management - Heathland and peatland restoration Ihrough survey, management interventions and targeted grazing. Engagement Rangers - Promotion of responsible recr8ation and environmental awareness. Trees for Mourne - Native woodland creation. Key Objectives and detailed actlvities and targets in pursuit of the various core activities and key project5 areas are set out in the Mourne AONB Management Plan and Action Plan. Mourne Heritage Trust makes significant use of volunteers in the course of undertaking a wide range of both core and project activities. Achievements and performanco Review of activltles The Trust's main activities and outcomes in 2023124 include the following., Natural Environment Enhancement and Protection Ranger Service {1 x full and 2 x part-time staff} retained providing proactive idenlificalion and mitigation of environmental issues. Al least weekly litler patrol coverin9 12 key siles and ad hoc clearance of approximately 1100 kgs of accumulated litter, abandoned camps and fly lipping al other locations. Four key survey programmes in the eastern Mournes of, respectively, peat depth, heathland habitat condition, erosion in access corridors and invasive species and staff capacity training in G IS recording. Participation in Northern Ireland Peatland Partnership and Practitioners Groups respectively. Development and submission, with partners, of major funding application for peatland and h8alhland enhancem8nt lo PEACE Plus (European Funds). Completion of Eastern Mournes Special Area of Cons8rvalion Management Plan and coordlnation of landowner input and implementalion. Development and deployment of a Mourne Grazing Ranger Service for Eastern Mournes Catchment11 part-lime post). Four key habitats and species enhancement programmes as follows.. Red squirrel in 2 core siles and 3 'satellita' sites. Native hedge plants and wildflower establishment and enhancement at 6 sites. Pollinators including maintenance of apiary, support to local beekeepers and awareness raising. (Activity immediately above also benefitling pollinators). Juniper propagation including processing of 126 cuttings and 22 seeds along with planling out of 12 semi-mature plants. Agreement with partners (National Trust, Nl Water and Woodland Trust) of governance arrangements for the Forever Mournes partnership, priorilisation of work programme and atlraction of funding for the following.. Car park & Visitor Facilities Review (High Mournes) Accessibiltty Audit (Forest Parks & Nature Reserve) Forever Mournes joint website Volunteer & Apprenticeship Strategy Interpretation Masterplan
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST- THE (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Natural Envlronment Enhancement and Protectlon (Lontinucd) Native Woodland Creation Programme including.. Trees for Mourne planting programme achieving plantation of 2047 trees across 7 small woodland and 3 agro-forestry sltes totalling 2.27 hectares and an add ilional 566 linear melres of boundary planting. Survey and maintenance al 2 prèviously planted agro-for8Stry sites. 32,000 trees al 2 sites across 15 hectares in conjunction with Woodland Trust and with Funding from Lloyds TSB. Assistance to 30 landowners with applications for grant assistance for native woodland schemes. Management of contractors planting 75,000 native trees on N I Waler land at various locations. Maintenance of 2 tree nursery siles including expansion planning and assessm8nt of requirements for membership l standards assurance certification for both through UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown Assurance Scheme (UKISG). Provision of 600 tre@s to community groups and individuals for small scale plantirlg. Developrnent of capacity for proce55ing and storing native tree seed, identification of 5 collection siles and gathering of 13.1 kgs of seed of 6 species. AONB wide landscape change monitoring through quarterly fixed-point photography al 8 sites. Support to Nl Fire & Rescue Service in wildfire conlrol, including maintenance and mobilisation as required of specialist vehicles. Programme of training and capacity building lo enhance GIS survey and recording capability. Visitor Management and Visitor Servlces Weekly inspection and maintenance at 21 amenity sites throughout the Mourne AONB. Maintenance of 52 Public Rights of Way, Green Lanes and Paths, 7 Way-marked Cycle Routes, 70+ stiles and over 100 interprelalive panels. Inspection and maintenance of long-distance walking trails Mourne Way & Newcastle Way (26 and 28 miles respectively) - and key walking routes, including recently upgraded Granite Trail13 miles) and Silent Valley Nature Trail along with 19 x other accredited Quality Walks. Day-to-day trail inspection, maintenance and user engagement at Mourne Mountain Bike Trails (Casllewellan and Roslrevorl and forest walking trails IC8sllewellanl. Refurbishment of mountain bike pump track at Casllew&llan. Securing of funding for and deployment of Mourne Engagement Ranger Service (Phase 111) promoting responsible recreation in 6 key access corridors in the High Mournes plus ad hoc 'outlying' site visits. Appointment of Countryside Services Programmes Co-ordinator. Recruitment and development of in-house upland erosion control and heathland enhancement team of 3 Countryside Officers. Path improvement and Erosion Gontrol works at the following upland locations tolalling 1879 linear metres protecting corridor areas of 9395 square metres. Detai led condition survey on a further 2.023 kilometres. Lower Glen River, Slieve Donard comprising 43 melres of branch and aggregate path, 53 granite treads and 10 m path widening. Glen River middle section, Slieve Donard (2nd to 3rd bridge) comprising 258 metres condition survey and 150 melres major works completed. Glen River upper13rd bridge to National Trust boundary) comprising 500m condition survey and 85m maintenance and reconstruction. Brandy Pad at Donard 'Triangle' 790 metres path restoration. Carrick little track to Binnian south tor via Mourne Wall lower section 310 metres digger assisted path reconstruction. Carrick little track to Binnian south tor via Mourne Wall middle & upper sections 1.5km condition survey.
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST- THE (A company limited by guarantee} DIRECTORS, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Vlsilor Management and Visitor Services (Luiitiiiiieil) Carrick little quarry track comprising 393m digger repair work including.. 6 rolling dip drainage, 110 metres major track regrading, 40 metres intermediate track regrading and 60 metres of ditching. Slieve Gu Ilion 40 metres intensive path repair on gradients of up to 470/0. Development of outline forward plan for erosion control and heathland enhancement works to 2026. Sustainable Tourism Visitor impact monitoring programme through at least monthly trail corridor inspections. Quarterly visitor monitoring (electronic counters) and year-end report. Weekly qualitative visitor experience monitoring and year-end report. Survey of attitudes to tourism informing development of community tourism engagement and development plan. Collation of comp8ndium of ongoing and near futur8 tourism d8velopm8nt projects and opportunities in the Mourne destination. 2 x focus groups, 12 x bilateral meetings and social media plafform engagement informing detailed response to draft Nl Tourism Strategy. Chairing of Mourne Gullion Slrangford Geopark Management Group. Eco-tourism networking study visit lo County Clare and Burren Geopark. Input to formation of Tourism Nl led Outdoor Tourism Partnership. Responsive tourism buslness support service including advice on experience development and promotion. High Season Programme of Mourne Heritage Talks. Bullt and Cultural Herltage Annual survey of stiles, maintenance as requlred and full replacement of three such structures protecting the Mourne Vvall. Dry stone wall repair at 18 sites on Public Rights of Way network. Expert input to Mourne Wall and Historic Estates Steering Group overseeing programmes of repairs on the listed Mourne Wall and various other listed and heritage buildings and structures associated with water supply. Input to completion of Silent Valley Masterplan and, with N I Water, submission of major funding application to PEACE Plus (European Funds). New signage and way markers al four historic lanes and benches featuring C.S Lewis quotes al Kilbroney Park and Rostrevor Forest, all using reclaimed limber. AONB Photography competition and calendar in conjunction with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Quarterly AONB co-ordination meetings Council officers and Slrangford & Lecale and Ring of Gullion officers. Creating Awareness and Promoting Undorstanding Mourne Conservation Volunteering Programme delivering 2,086 hours activity through 237 separate individuals in the following key groups.. c) Volunteer path team (membership of 6 maintained) - 37 events n Volunteer Nursery Team (membership increased from 2 to 101- 39 events o Corporate and other ad hoc groups- 24 events o Special Needs Group - 20 events Mourne Young Ambassadors110 young people) - 7 events.
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST-THE (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Creating Awareness and Promoting Understanding Engagement with circa 2,500 users of main high Mournes access corridors. Provision of 12 walks for wellbeing in association with County Down Rural Community Network. Delivery of 8 community environmental projects. Awareness and engagement stand at 9 large scale local events and festivals. 250 heritage and conservation features on Mournelive social media platforms Facebook (20,000 followers) and Instagram (2,000 followers). 4 Mourne AON8 e-zines and regular updates of Mournelive website. Series of Mourne nature talks with Libraries Nl also slreamed online. Establishment of 2 new sub-groups for AONB management liaison Mourne Graziers Liaison Group and Eastern Mournes SAC Landowners Group- and maintenance of Mourne Outdoor Recreation Forum. Collaboration with 5 thlrd level academic studie5 relevant to th8 Mournes, including Queens University Belfast. Birmingham University and Manchester University. Input to various 10 major policy and strategy development initlatlves Iconsullatlons including Strategic Way Forward for Wildfires In Northern Ireland, National Lottery Heritage Fund Nl Landscape Inltiative, Office for Environmental Protection inquiry on management of conservation deslgnalions. Development of a communications plan to raise awareness of impacts of dogs on grazing animals and wildlife in upland areas. Penslon fund Consistent with many other charities and not for proflt organisalions, Mourn8 Heritage Trust Limlted {"MHT"I had partaken in a multi-employer defined benefit pension scheme operated by NILGOSC. The Trust exited this scheme effective from 31st December 2022. Following an actuarial valuation on exit, the Charity received a repayment of £436,400, being the fund surplus of assets over liabilities, less professional fees at the exil date. The charitable company agreed specific defined contribution pension scheme terms with those employees affected by the exit from the NILGOSC scheme. MHT continues to offer the standard defined contribution pension scheme lo all new employees.
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST- THE (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Financial review The results for the year are sel out on page 14 of the accompanying financial statements. The Mourne Heritage Trust accounts this year are showing an operation deficit of £30.39612023 surplus £44,305) before taking account of the extraordinary income of £nil (2023- £436,400 actuarial gain} received on exiting the NILGOSC multi-employar defined benefit pension scheme. Th8 total deficit reported is £30,396 {2023 - surplus £480,705). Core funders of The Mourne Herltage Trust are detalled below. and amounts contributed for the year 2023124: Northern Ireland Envlronment Agency Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Tourism Northern Ireland £ 400,000 £ 325,000 £ 65,000 Major Project Funders for the year 202312024 were as follows: Active Llfeslyles Programme CiliGroup Belfast,. Department for Communitl8S, National Lotte Herita 8 Fund Eastem Moumes Habitat Management Nl Water Moume Wall and Historlc Estate Nl Wal8r Engagement Ranger Project Sport Nl Trees for Moume Woodland Trust Slieve Gulllon Erosion Control Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Going concern After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Trustees continue lo adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Going Concern Accounling Policy and Going Concern review (see note 24). Reserves policy The Trustees have established a policy to designate funds for particular purposes, if decided necessary by the Board, and lo restrict funds which are lo be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Trustees have confirmed that the charity's assets are available and adequate to fulfil the obligations of the charity. The funds historically held by the charity have been boosted significantly following the charity's exit from the NILGOSC pension scheme. The level of uncertainty that the charity historically had to plan for has also been reduced. Al the balance sheet date, the unrestricted reserves of the charity amounted to £1,103,651 (2023 £1 ,113,9191. Wilhin this total the General fund held reserves of £589,651 12023 £1 ,113,919}, apprOXmatelY six months core wage & overhead costs, and £514,000 12023 £nil} of funds which were designated for specific purposes by the Board in line with current spending priorities (see note 161.
MOURNE HERITAGE TRUST- THE (A company limited by guarantee} DIRECTORS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Al the balance sheet date, the restricted reserves of the charity amounted to £71,698 (2023 - £91,826). Future developments Our work will be guided by the Mourne AONB Management Plan and AONB Action Plan for 2023 2027. Copies are available on W.mOU[ne1lve.cQm. Directors. responsibilltles statement The Directors (who ara also Directors of The Mourne Heritage Trust for the purpos8s of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Directors, report and Ihe financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requir8S the Directors to prepar8 financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied Ihat they give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, incluéing Ihe income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing Ihese financial slatemenls, the Directors are required lo.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consislenlly. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basls unless it is inappropriatè to pr8sume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are suffSclenl to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tlm8 the financlal position of the charitable company and enabl& them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the pr8vention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Disclosure of Information to audltor The Directors have confirmed that there is no information which they are aware of which is relevant to the audit, bul of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confi rmed that they have taken appropriate Steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditors are aware of such information. Auditors A resolution to re-appoint UHY Hacker Young Fitch Llmit&d will b@ proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. This report was approved by the Directors and authorised for issue on behalf by.. and signed on their David Maginn Chairman