2023-03-31-annual-return

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

Company registration number: NI042835 Charity registration number: 106024

County Down Rural Community Network

(A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

KPS Chartered Accountants Chartered Tax Advisers Registered Auditors 35 Irish Street Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6BW

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details	1
Strategic Report	2 to 3
Trustees' Report	4 to 6
Independent Auditors' Report	7 to 10
Statement of Financial Activities	11
Balance Sheet	12
Statement of Cash Flows	13
Notes to the Financial Statements	14 to 23

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Reference and Administrative Details

Secretary Nicholas McCrickard Charity Registration Number 106024 Company Registration Number NI042835

The charity is incorporated in Northern Ireland. Registered Office Office Unit 2 Ballymote Centre 40 Killough Road Downpatrick Co Down BT30 6PY Auditor KPS Chartered Accountants Chartered Tax Advisers Registered Auditors 35 Irish Street Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6BW

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County Down Rural Community Network

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present their strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2023, in compliance with s414C of the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS102), in preparing their annual report and financial statements.

Achievements and performance

The Community Network sought and secured additional funds within the year over and above their main income streams and applied these funds to projects and initiatives addressing the needs of the community across County Down and South Armagh.These initiatives were aimed at tackling many issues from social isolation to physical and mental health and well-being and the “Cost of Living Crisis”.

The period under review reflects the uncertainty in local communities that followed the lock downs and upsets of the years 2020 and 2021 and the subsequent increase in interest rates and cost of living. The charity was at the centre of many schemes to protect the most vulnerable people in our community. Through its relationships with Councils and other partners, the Network helped to distribute food, fuel, vouchers and financial aid at various times.

The Network has become more embedded than ever in emergency and community planning and in influencing government policy at a time when the lack of an Executive at Stormont has damaged social policy and planning at a strategic level. Network staff are represented on a multitude of partnerships which help to bring the community sector together with the public and private sectors. For example, our manager is Chairman of the Newry, Mourne & Down Community Planning Partnership and Vice-Chair of the local Peaceplus Partnership and other staff are involved in many more partnerships and forums dealing with mental and physical health, economy, housing, physical infrastructure, etc.

As BREXIT and the wind down of EU Rural Development Funds caused a tightening on purse strings, the Network continued to assist local groups to seek alternative funding for rural and urban infrastructure. The charity's health and social prescribing programmes matured in this period but uncertainty in Health budgets and the slow collapse of local health services have put increasing strain on C&V sector services which were designed to try to mitigate NHS problems. This is an issue which will dominate into the future.

The network celebrated over 25 years in existence in October 2022 and a huge number of member groups reflected on the amazing growth of the organisation in that time, from just 5 groups to over 250 fully registered members. It was agreed that society is better when communities are organised and community volunteers are active everywhere. That organisation of community does not happen by accident. These Financial Statements tell part of the story of the work behind it all.

Financial review

At the end of the financial year the Charity has assets of £541,375 (2022: £673,969) and liabilities of £18,746 (2022: £120,785). The net assets of the Charity have decreased by £30,555.

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County Down Rural Community Network

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Policy on reserves

The trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be 4 months of annual budgeted expenditure. Budgeted expenditure for 2023/24 is approximately £1.1m and therefore the target is £366,666 of general unrestricted funds. The reserves are required to meet not only the working capital requirements of the charity enabling the charity to continue with future investments and also ensure that the charity would be able to cover the costs of winding up should the worst happen and the charity need to close.

The actual reserves at 31 March 2023 amounted to £521,911 of which unrestricted reserves totalled £376,001 which exceeds the target figure of £366,666 for unrestricted funds. In calculating reserves the net book value of fixed assets held (£718) have been excluded. This met the target policy target of 4 months.

The Directors are aware of the events occurring within the financial year and will continue to keep under constant review. It remains the strategy of continuing to build reserves and apply resources to the charity’s objectives and mission.

The strategic report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 14 December 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

A Poots 15/12/2023 18:06:44 ......................................... Alan David Poots Trustee

D Cole-Baker 15/12/2023 17:27:42

......................................... David Lawrence Cole Baker Trustee

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County Down Rural Community Network

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors' report of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

Vision

The vision of the Charity is of confident, connected communities throughout County Down and South Armagh.

Mission

The Charity’s mission is to enable and motivate people to help themselves to enhance and improve lives.

Strategic themes

To achieve our vision and mission we have focused our work under four strategic themes:

1. Empowering, connecting and strengthening communities

2. Supporting and enabling a strong community voice

3. Providing services to our members

4. Developing an adaptive and sustainable organisation

Public benefit

The direct benefits which flow from the purpose includes increased levels of community engagement; increased access to services, support, guidance, information and signposting; enhanced ability to participate in decision making on policies which affect rural life; improved governance in community organisations; improved access to funding; improved quality of life for all inhabitants through directly tackling issues that cause disadvantage and poverty within rural communities. These benefits are demonstrated through the number of community organisations seeking support to implement a wide range of community activities and services; the extent of dialogue and co-operation between different interest groups; the number of activities taking place within communities, the number of participants taking part in the activities, and regular and ongoing evaluation of programmes and activities. The purposes of our charity will not lead to any harm. The beneficiaries of the charity are the rural inhabitants living in the rural areas of County Down and its hinterland. A private benefit to trustees may arise from participating in activities. Trustees may gain skills and experience which are transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries.

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County Down Rural Community Network

Trustees' Report

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees:

Nicholas John Moore Loretta Gribben (appointed 15 February 2023) Helen Margaret Coulter Alan David Poots Brian John Graham Robin Eldred Holliday Kathy Graham (appointed 15 February 2023) Liam Devine Nicola Fitzsimons (appointed 15 February 2023) Patrick Killen Deborah Boden (appointed 15 February 2023) David Lawrence Cole Baker William Samuel Alexander Megraw

Secretary: Nicholas McCrickard

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

County Down Rural Community Network is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and is also registered as a company limited by guarantee.

Organisational structure

The Charity is governed by a Board of 13 Trustees who administer the Network and meet bi-monthly. Mr Nicholas McCrickard is the manager and manages the charity on a day-to-day basis.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of County Down Rural Community Network for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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County Down Rural Community Network

Trustees' Report

• state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 14 December 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

A Poots 15/12/2023 18:06:44 ......................................... Alan David Poots Trustee

D Cole-Baker 15/12/2023 17:27:42

......................................... David Lawrence Cole Baker Trustee

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County Down Rural Community Network

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of County Down Rural Community Network

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of County Down Rural Community Network (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2023, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

• In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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County Down Rural Community Network

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of County Down Rural Community Network

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

• In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the Strategic Report and Trustees' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the Strategic Report and Trustees' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of trustees remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of trustees' responsibilities (set out on page 5 and 6), the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Irregularities, including fraud are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

In identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:

• the nature of the industry, control environment and business performance;

• the results of our enquiries of management about their own identification of the risk of irregularities;

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County Down Rural Community Network

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of County Down Rural Community Network

• any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the charity's documentation of their policies and procedures; and

• the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. We also discussed the potential for non-compliance with laws and regulations.

We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to a potential material misstatement in the financial statements.

Our tests included, but were not limited to:

• Agreement of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

• In response to the risk of management override of controls, identifying and testing journal entries and other adjustments, in particular any unusual account combinations and journals posted by unexpected users;

• Evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business;

• Making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged frauds;

• Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate the risk of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations; and

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates and judgements.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charitable company’s internal control.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees

• Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.

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County Down Rural Community Network

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of County Down Rural Community Network

• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation (ie. gives a true and fair view).

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

K Smyth 19/12/2023 00:36:41 ...................................... Kyran Smyth Kyran Smyth (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of KPS Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Tax Advisers Registered Auditors 35 Irish Street Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6BW

14 December 2023

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County Down Rural Community Network

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

		Unrestricted			Restricted			Total
		funds			funds			2023
	Note	£			£			£
Income and Endowments from:
Charitable activities	3	-			1,049,861			1,049,861
Investment income	4	1,358			-			1,358
Other income		58,618			-			58,618
Total income		59,976			1,049,861			1,109,837
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities	5	(88,126)			(1,052,266)			(1,140,392)
Total expenditure		(88,126)			(1,052,266)			(1,140,392)
Net expenditure		(28,150)			(2,405)			(30,555)
Net movement in funds		(28,150)			(2,405)			(30,555)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward		404,151			149,033			553,184
Total funds carried forward	14	376,001			146,628			522,629
		Unrestricted			Restricted			Total
		funds			funds			2022
	Note	£			£			£
Income and Endowments from:
Charitable activities	3	-			1,008,308			1,008,308
Investment income	4	36			-			36
Other income		56,960			370			57,330
Total income		56,996			1,008,678			1,065,674
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities	5	(34,400)			(989,291)			(1,023,691)
Total expenditure		(34,400)			(989,291)			(1,023,691)
Net income		22,596			19,387			41,983
Net movement in funds		22,596			19,387			41,983
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward		381,555			129,646			511,201
Total funds carried forward	14	404,151			149,033			553,184

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2022 is shown in note 14.

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 11

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County Down Rural Community Network

(Registration number: NI042835) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023

		2023			2022
	Note	£			£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	10	718			987
Current assets
Debtors	11	99,498			170,680
Cash at bank and in hand	12	441,159			502,302
		540,657			672,982
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year	13	(18,746)			(120,785)
Net current assets		521,911			552,197
Net assets		522,629			553,184
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted Funds		146,628			149,033
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted Funds		376,001			404,151
Total funds	14	522,629			553,184

The financial statements on pages 11 to 23 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 14 December 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

A Poots 15/12/2023 18:06:44

......................................... Alan David Poots Trustee

D Cole-Baker 15/12/2023 17:27:42

......................................... David Lawrence Cole Baker Trustee

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12

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County Down Rural Community Network

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

		2023			2022
	Note	£			£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash (expenditure)/income		(30,555)			41,983
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation		269			269
Investment income		(1,358)			(36)
		(31,644)			42,216
Working capital adjustments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors	11	71,182			(50,669)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors	13	(102,039)			93,365
Net cash flows from operating activities		(62,501)			84,912
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received		1,358			36
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(61,143)			84,948
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April		502,302			417,354
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March		441,159			502,302

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13

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County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in Northern Ireland, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £Nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Office Unit 2 Ballymote Centre 40 Killough Road Downpatrick Co Down BT30 6PY

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 14 December 2023.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

County Down Rural Community Network meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

Judgements

Estimates and judgements made in the process of preparing the financial statements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Trustees do not consider that there are any critical judgements made in applying these charity accounting policies or that there are any critical accounting estimates or assumptions which may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

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County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Income and endowments

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Plant and machinery Fixtures and fittings

Depreciation method and rate 15% straight line 15% straight line

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County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Page 16

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

3 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
	Restricted			Total
	funds			2023
	£			£
DAERA - NMDDC	168,515			168,515
DAERA - Lisburn, Castlereagh & North Down	65,059			65,059
PHA - Health Development	255,789			255,789
NRI	28,999			28,999
Newry, Mourne & Down District Council	87,164			87,164
Ards & North Down District Council	12,933			12,933
Big Lottery - Social Prescribing	23,567			23,567
DAERA - Social Prescribing	20,383			20,383
SEH SCT (Multi Disciplinary Team)	60,135			60,135
CDHN - Elevate Programme	6,000			6,000
NMDDC - Action Cancer Buses	2,250			2,250
Newry, Mourne & Down District Council - SLA	47,923			47,923
Community Foundation NI	133,849			133,849
Big Lottery - People & Communities	86,379			86,379
DAERA - Micro Capital Grant Scheme	14,424			14,424
CDHN - Community Pharmacy Programme	2,400			2,400
Heart Project - HLCA	5,500			5,500
CCG - Crisis Fund	7,500			7,500
Choice Housing - Ballynahinch Health Fayre	2,000			2,000
Clanmil Housing Funding	3,134			3,134
Clanmil Programmes for Newcastle	4,958			4,958
Clear Project	4,999			4,999
DFC Capital Grant Marian Park	6,001			6,001
	1,049,861			1,049,861
	Restricted			Total
	funds			2022
	£			£
DAERA - NMDDC	162,670			162,670
DAERA - Lisburn, Castlereagh & North Down	62,981			62,981
PHA - Health Development	234,548			234,548
NRI	31,980			31,980
Newry, Mourne & Down District Council	64,727			64,727
Ards & North Down District Council	25,000			25,000
Big Lottery - Social Prescribing	20,441			20,441
DAERA - Social Prescribing	28,392			28,392
SEH SCT (Multi Disciplinary Team)	17,880			17,880
CDHN - Elevate Programme	6,000			6,000
NMDDC - Action Cancer Buses	870			870

Page 17

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

					Restricted			Total
					funds			2022
					£			£
	Resurgam Community Development Trust				3,501			3,501
	Newry, Mourne & Down District Council - SLA				27,800			27,800
	Community Foundation NI				122,210			122,210
	Big Lottery - People & Communities				34,266			34,266
	DAERA - Micro Capital Grant Scheme				12,202			12,202
	Versus Arthritis				4,970			4,970
	CDHN - Community Pharmacy Programme				9,600			9,600
	Newry, Mourne & Down District Council - EOI				48,270			48,270
	Newry, Mourne & Down District Council - Family Hardship				60,000			60,000
	Newry, Mourne & Down District Council - Connectivity				30,000			30,000
					1,008,308			1,008,308
4	Investment income
					Unrestricted
					funds			Total
					General			2023
					£			£
Deposit account interest					1,358			1,358
					1,358			1,358
5	Expenditure on charitable activities
			Unrestricted
			funds		Restricted			Total
			General		funds			funds
		Note	£		£			£
Allocated support costs			12,268		92,186			104,454
Direct costs			75,858		960,080			1,035,938
Total for 2023		6	88,126		1,052,266			1,140,392
Total for 2022			34,400		989,291			1,023,691

Page 18

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

6 Analysis of support costs

Charitable activities expenditure

Charitable activities expenditure
	Unrestricted
	funds			Restricted			Total				Total
	General			funds			2023				2022
	£			£			£				£
Management	11,128			88,413			99,541				109,935
Finance	60			510				570				645
Other	269			-				269				269
Governance costs	811			3,263			4,074				6,268
	12,268			92,186			104,454				117,117

7 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year include:

7 Net incoming/outgoing resources Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year include:
	2023		2022
	£		£
Other non-audit services	4,073		6,268
Depreciation of fixed assets	269		269

8 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year.

9 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

9 Staff costs The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
	2023			2022
	£			£
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries	497,009			463,024
Social security costs	44,403			41,833
Pension costs	54,333			52,725
	595,745			557,582

Page 19

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

				2023	2022
				No	No
Total	number	of	staff	18	18

The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was:

£60,001 - £70,000

2023 No 1

10 Tangible fixed assets

10 Tangible fixed assets
		Fixtures and				Plant	and
		fittings				machinery						Total
		£				£						£
Cost
At 1 April 2022		78,034					1,794					79,828
At 31 March 2023		78,034					1,794					79,828
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022		78,034					807					78,841
Charge for the year		-					269					269
At 31 March 2023		78,034					1,076					79,110
Net book value
At 31 March 2023		-					718					718
At 31 March 2022		-					987					987
11 Debtors
						2023						2022
						£						£
Trade debtors						99,316						166,458
Other debtors							182					4,222
						99,498						170,680
12 Cash and cash equivalents
						2023						2022
						£						£
Cash on hand							-					601
Cash at bank						441,159						501,701
						441,159						502,302
	Page 20

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

						2023			2022
						£			£
Trade creditors						15,089			115,308
Other creditors						657			1,265
Accruals						3,000			4,212
						18,746			120,785
14 Funds
	Balance at 1			Incoming		Resources			Balance at 31
	April 2022			resources		expended			March 2023
	£			£		£			£
Unrestricted funds
General	404,151			59,976		(88,126)			376,001
Restricted funds	149,033			1,049,861		(1,052,266)			146,628
Total funds	553,184			1,109,837		(1,140,392)			522,629

Page 21

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

	Balance at 1			Incoming			Resources			Balance at 31	Balance at 31
	April 2022			resources			expended			March	2023
	£			£			£			£
Unrestricted funds
General
General	404,151			59,976			(88,126)			376,001
Restricted funds
DAERA - NMDDC	12,533			168,515			(183,042)				(1,994)
DAERA - Lisburn, Castlereagh &
North Down	3,723			65,059			(65,454)				3,328
PHA - Health Development	-			255,789			(255,789)				-
NRI	(1,345)			28,999			(24,931)				2,723
Newry, Mourne & Down District
Council	(18,147)			87,164			(59,561)				9,456
Ards & North Down Borough Council	1,527			12,933			(11,761)				2,699
Big Lottery - Social Prescribing	-			23,567			(20,901)				2,666
DAERA - Social Prescribing	-			20,383			(20,543)				(160)
SEH SCT (Multi Disciplinary Team)	872			60,135			(43,110)			17,897
CDHN - Elevate Programme	-			6,000			(6,000)				-
NMDDC - Action Cancer Buses	-			2,250			(2,250)				-
Heart Project - HLCA	(1,645)			5,500			(3,855)				-
Newry, Mourne & Down District
Council - SLA	-			47,923			(47,923)				-
Community Foundation NI	95,793			133,849			(192,176)			37,466
Big Lottery - People & Communities	44,372			86,379			(62,662)			68,089
DAERA - Micro Capital Grant Scheme	-			14,424			(14,424)				-
Versus Arthritis	1,750			-			(1,750)				-
CDHN - Community Pharmacy
Programme	9,600			2,400			(12,000)				-
CCG - Crisis Fund	-			7,500			(7,500)				-
Choice Housing - Ballynahinch Health
Fayre	-			2,000			(2,000)				-
Clanmil Housing Funding	-			3,134			(3,134)				-
Clanmil Programmes for Newcastle	-			4,958			(500)				4,458
Clear Project	-			4,999			(4,999)				-
DFC - Capital Grant Marian Park	-			6,001			(6,001)				-
	149,033			1,049,861			(1,052,266)			146,628
Total funds	553,184			1,109,837			(1,140,392)			522,629

Page 22

E-Sign ID: 11c27c37-99d5-4b09-b473-d2c0727c5c3d

County Down Rural Community Network

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

	Balance at 1			Incoming			Resources			Balance at 31
	April 2021			resources			expended			March 2022
	£			£			£			£
Unrestricted funds
General	381,555			56,996			(34,400)			404,151
Restricted funds	129,646			1,008,678			(989,291)			149,033
Total funds	511,201			1,065,674			(1,023,691)			553,184

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

15 Analysis of net assets between funds
		Unrestricted						Total funds at
		funds			Restricted			31 March
		General			funds			2023
		£			£			£
Tangible fixed assets		718			-			718
Current assets		391,874			148,783			540,657
Current liabilities		(16,590)			(2,156)			(18,746)
Total net assets		376,002			146,627			522,629
		Unrestricted						Total funds at
		funds			Restricted			31 March
		General			funds			2022
		£			£			£
Tangible fixed assets		987			-			987
Current assets		499,159			173,823			672,982
Current liabilities		(95,994)			(24,791)			(120,785)
Total net assets		404,152			149,032			553,184
16 Analysis of net funds
								At 31 March
		At 1 April 2022			Cash flows			2023
		£			£			£
Cash at bank and in hand		502,302			(61,143)			441,159
Net debt		502,302			(61,143)			441,159
					Financing			At 31 March
		At 1 April 2021			cash flows			2022
		£			£			£
Cash at bank and in hand		417,354			84,948			502,302
Net debt		417,354			84,948			502,302

17 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

Page 23

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Title	County Down Rural Community Network
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