DOWNPATRICK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 The trustees of Downpatrick Community Collective are pleased to submit their annual report and accounts for the period I" April 2022 to March 31 ' 2023. Charity Status Downpatrick Community Collective was awarded Registered Charity Status by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 28 August 2018 - Registered Number NIC 107063. Executive Committee (from 151 April 2022- 31st March 2023) elected AGM 8th February 2023 Chairperson: Treasurer: Vice Chair: Secretary: Ass Secretary: Events: Health & Safety: Ass Events: Dan McEvoy Cadogan Enright Macartan Digney Susan Casement Donna M Gill Deborah Finlay Jeff Wall Liam Quinn DCC Trustees from l April 2022- 31. March 2023 Dan McEvoy Macartan Digney Peter Smyth Lilian Horrox Group Membership sl As of the 31 March 2023 our DCC membership consists of the following groups: Bridge Street and Mount Crescent Residents Association (BS&MCRA) Knocknashinna Residents Association (KRA) Meadowlands Community Association (MCA) Model Farni Community Association (MFCA) Gallaun Residents Association (GRA) Rathkeltair Community Association (RCA) Vianstowi] Heights Residents Association (VHRA) Ballyalton Community Association (BCA) Hunlers Mill Community Association (HMCA) Thomas Russell Park Group (TRPG) Associate Members: Downpatrick Men s Club (DMC)
DOWNPATRICK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 Membership of Forums DCC continue to meet our main aims and objectives through our representation on the t'ollowing key fonllns that operate within the Downpatrick DEA: Downpatrick District Electoral Area Fonlln Dow)patrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Downpatrick Housing Community Network Downpatrick Town Committee In addition to the above local forums our members continue to be involved in various community planning activities, youth activities and other local initiatives that help to improve the residential environment including Neighbourhood Watch network. Year Ending March 2023 The past 12 months (like the previous year} again proved challenging duc to the impact from the global pandemic - Coronavirus. DopatriCk Community Collective s calendar of events was adapted accordingly to ensure compliance with appropriate guidance and legislation. DCC were still in a position to deliver in part our regular events and continue our work as one of the main community entities within the greater Downpatrick towi area. Communication Downpatrick Community Collective were able to host "in person, member meetings during the period of this report but also continued with our online platfomis such as Zoom, Teams & Skype and internally our reliance on social media platforms such as WhatsApp & Facebook private group pages was high. Partnership Working Partnership working continued and the Collective continued to engage with NM&D District Council, PSNI, NIHE, PCSP, Dfc (NH), on a range of issues that impacted on our member groups and their respective community areas. These included addressing antisocial behaviour (ASB) related incidents and assisting with activities related to the bigger statutory body lead Coronavirus response. Annual events During this reporting period DCC did deliver our main annual public community events including: Annual BBQ beach event 21" August 2022 Culture Night 23, September 2022 st Halloween Festival 31 October 2022 Ih Downpatrick Christmas Light Switch On event- 4 December 2022 Ih Ih Mobile Santa Event 5 December to 9 December 2022
DOWNPATRICK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 DCC Membership No new groups joined the Collective membership during the period of this report. Main Achievements Projects Despite the continuing restrictions placed on society as a result of the global pandemic, the Collective continued to deliver against our key aims and objectives, in addition to the annual events detailed above DCC completed: DCC Executive meetings x4 DCC Events Sub Committee meetings x 8 Other meetings x23 (DEA, Downpatrick NHR, NIHE HCN, Markets, Downpatrick Town Committee) Volunteers engaged x30 DCC continue with our interest in Bees and during the period of this report relocated our hive to a new location and are now members of the Ballyalton Bee group. Our hive survived during the 22-23 season and we hope to have some products during the 23/24 season. Training DCC members participated in three training events during the period of this report: First Aid - May 2022 Financial Assistance - Dec 2022 Events Management - Feb 2023 Artisan Market - Downpatrick & Warrenpoint We agreed a 5th Service Level Agreement contract with NM&D District Council for a period of one year, ending March 31" 2023. Artisan Markets x 33 (Downpatrick xl I, Warrenpoint x I l & Newry xl l ) Social Enterprise- Celtair Lodge No progress was achieved during this reporting period. However, it still remains an objective of DCC to pursue our social enterprise proposal and where possible to assist in the regeneration ot" DowTrpatrick Town Centre through the creation of new jobs and through the partnership's work to increase tourism in the area which in turn will generate a much needed funding stream to local businesses throughout the local DEA - our proposal will benefit the whole of our DEA.
DOWNPATRICK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 Financial Review Financial perforn]ance in the year end to March 31 2023 has been consistent with previous years and despite the impact fomi the pandemic it has been in line with what trustees had forecast and expected. The year end bank account showed a balance of £12,251 compared to £16,209 from the previous year. Detailed accounts can be found further below in this report. si Accounts show income of £53,500 and expenditure of £55,458 i.e. deficit of £1,958 (2022 deficit £4,480). Aims and Objectives: The Collective was fonned in August 2012, when a group of community representatives came together to try and collectively reduce the continuing rise in the incidents of recorded Anti-social Behaviour associated with the traditional Halloween bonfire period. Whilst we still strive to reduce anti-social behaviour, the Collective continues to develop. Our main aims and objectives are: l. Th¢ advancement of community development for the public benefit within the Downpatrick District Electoral Area (DEA), in particular the promotion of the community and voluntary sector for the benefit of the public by: (i) Supporting and developing initiatives and projects that strengthen the community and voluntary sector in charitable activity and seek to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of ihe area of benefit including the promotion and development ot" Social Enterprise schemes. {ii) Organising or assisting in organising activities & events to promote health and well-being for residents in the area of benefit. (iii) Providing support services, inforn]ation, education and training. (iv) Providing and maintaining a forum where members can come together to find mutual support: exchange views, shar¢ common issues and infonnation, create a collective voice. To promote good community relations, religious and racial harniony, equality and diversity through engagement with local communities and working in partnership with recognised private and statutory bodies.
DOWNPATRICK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 Our current Constitution (8th February, 2023) records in more detail our many other aims and objectives. A copy of the current constitution is ai'ailable upoll request. Transactions with related parties During the year the Collective transacted with the chainnan and a number of trustees for work undertaken in the stewarding of events, running the Artisan Market and the supply of services for collective public events. on an arn] s length basis. Thanks As chairperson, I would like to acknow.ledge and record my thanks to every committee member within the Collective and in particular the officers of the committee. It is only through the dedication, commitment and '1111ngnesS (on a voluntary basis) of members to get involved that the Collective continues to grow as a prominent community organisation within the Downpatrick and wider area. I would like to acknowledge & record the Collective s thanks to the assistance offered throug the CDRCN pTRIc¥ Dan McEvoy Chairperson Downpatrick Community Collective