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2023-04-30-annual-report

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report and Public Benefit Reporting for Year 1[st] May2022 to30[th] April 2023

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report of the charity for the year 1[st] May 2022– 30[th] April 2023

Reference and administrative details, Registered charity name: Knocknagin Hall Committee Charity registration number: NIC107121 Company registration number: Nl645386 Principal office and registered office: 53 Knocknagin Road Desertmartin Magherafelt BT45 5LQ Co Derry The trustees: Mr. Gerard Walls Chair Ms. Kathleen Mallon Secretary Mr. Seamus O'Hagan Vice Treasurer Fr. Dermott McGirr Mrs. Annie McGuigan Mr. Bernard Walls Miss Olive Walls Mrs. Mary Wilson Mr. Michael Higgins Non-trustee committee members Mrs Catherine Ferguson Treasurer Mrs Anne Moran Mr Patrick McQuillan Michael Hegarty Independent examiner: PFS Accountants and Auditors Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 122 Main Street Dungiven Co Derry BT47 4LG Bankers: Santander 9 Rainey Street Magherafelt BT45 5DA

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Knocknagin Hall Committee

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report and Public Benefit Reporting for Year 1[st] May2022 to30[th] April 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 24th April 2017 and registered as a charity on 15th August 2018. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association adopted: February 2017, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Management Committee. There are three additional non-trustee members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the Management Committee are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

PURPOSES:

The main objectives of Knocknagin Hall Committee, as set out in our Articles of Association, are to manage Knocknagin Hall on behalf of the wider community in order to provide effective and necessary services and activities for our isolated rural community. To advance education, including vocational training, relieve poverty and to conserve and protect the local environment and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or leisuretime occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for all the inhabitants of the Desertmartin area without distinction of gender, race or of political, religious or other opinions.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Knocknagin Hall Committee (KHC) focussed on providing classes to promote health and wellbeing. The following activities were provided:

In addition the hall committee and additional volunteers hosted the following events:

Towards the end of the financial year the committee were in discussion with Helena Quinn of Mid Ulster NHSCT Health Wellbeing Team with a view to setting up a “Read Yourself Well initiative” in the Hall.

In addition, the number of functions and activities in the Hall has been gradually increasing, and there is more demand from groups seeking to make use of the facilities, The following groups regularly use the facilities:

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report and Public Benefit Reporting for Year 1[st] May2022 to30[th] April 2023

During the year the local community continued to leave clothes for recycling, which continued to be a significant fund raiser.

In the previous financial year, a project was initiated with the aim of regenerating the ‘Old Footsticks Walkway’, a pathway used by our ancestors to access Desertmartin from the foothills of Slieve Gallion. This project seeks to provide a safe and desirable environment for taking part in outdoor recreation by a creating a relatively natural and relatively un-obstructed / car free walking path from Longfield Road to the new, recently completed play park in Iniscarn forest and wider Slieve Gallion area. Although this project has the support of local groups and the community at large, due to the lack of attracting grant funding and the steep increase in costs due to inflation, it has been put on hold for the foreseeable future.

With the gift of land from a local farmer, the plans to modify an existing outdoor area behind the community premises began in October 2022. A group of 12 volunteers have repositioned the boundary fence and oil tank as well putting down 12[3] meters of concrete. This is an ongoing project and it is hoped that funds permitting, the remaining concrete and other improvements to fully develop this area, will continue to evolve over several years.

With plans also in the pipeline to further renovate the area under the stage, these projects will enhance our community hub allowing the committee to offer more and varied activities and services to our local community.

During the financial year, we repaid the final £5,000 of the £50,580.00 interest free loans we received from the local community, for refurbishment of the hall, with the final cheque only being cashed in early June 2023. The total outlay was £20,700 as £29,880.00 of the debt was generously donated back into the hall funds. We express our gratitude to the generosity of the community for their contributions and help in securing the funding to refurbish the hall, especially to those who donated their loan back into the hall funds.

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Company Limited by Guarantee

FUNDING

Table 1 and Fig 1 below show the income generated over the year with the most income generated by Fund Raising. However after expenses, the income generated by Fund Raising is actually reduced to £5569.70, the breakdown of which is shown in Table 2/Fig 2. The hall is now widely used by many groups and also by individuals and funding generated (£4370) contributes greatly to much needed funds. During the year KHC applied and were successful in attracting grant funding to the value of £3485. A further government grant of £600 (no application required) was awarded by the Government to help with the increased cost of living expenses. All grant income awarded is restricted and was spent as per application (described in paragraph above).Income from reimbursable expenses was obtained for refreshments and courses facilitated by KHC and do not contribute to the funds of KHC.

Table 1 Table 1
Income(£)
Fund Raising 9330.55
Use of Hall Facilities 4370.00
Grants 4085.00
Donations 1047.00
Reimbursable expenses 482.23
Total 19314.78

Fig1

----- Start of picture text -----
Income
Fund Raising
Use of Hall Facilities
Grants
Donations
Reimbursable Expenses
----- End of picture text -----

Company Limited by Guarantee

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Trustees' Annual Report and Public Benefit Reporting for Year 1[st] May2022 to30[th] April 2023

Table 2 and Fig 2 display the breakdown of income accrued through Fund Raising events. Since the reinstatement of the Social Dances in June 2022, most income is generated by this method of fund raising, while at the same time increasing health and wellbeing in keeping with the ethos of KHC.

Table 2

Table 2 Table 2
Actual Fund Raising Income after Expenses (£)
Social Dances 2312.35
Clothes Recycling 1303.05
Craft Fair 1082.52
Chair Exercises 424.00
Line Dancing 327.00
Knit and Natter 80.00
Flower Arranging 25.00
Amazon Smile 15.78
Total 5569.70

Fig 2

Fund Raising Income afer Expenses

----- Start of picture text -----
Monthly Dances
Clothes Recycling
Craft Fair
Chair Exercises
Line Dancing
Knit and Natter
Flower Arranging
Amazon Smile
----- End of picture text -----

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report and Public Benefit Reporting for Year 1[st] May2022 to30[th] April 2023

Table 3 and Fig 3 display the expenses incurred in the financial year with repairs and maintenance being the greatest expense. Total expenses for the year were up 133% on the previous year, although this figure is artificially inflated due to the repayment of deferred loans. When the deferred loans are omitted, the increase in expenses is 77% and is largely due to increased use of the facilities and inflationary challenges. Total income during the year increased 17.5% on the previous year but this is insufficient to offset the increased costs.

Table 3 Table 3
Expenses
Repairs/Maintenance 5466.35
Deferred Loans Repaid 4500.00
Fees 4285.00
Utilities 2910.27
Miscellaneous 524.85
Reimbursable Expenses 482.23
Advertising 96.00
Awards and Grants 50.00
Total Expenses 18314.70

Fig 3

----- Start of picture text -----
Expenses
Repairs/Maintenance
Deferred Loans Repaid
Fees
Utilities
Miscellaneous
(refreshments/commodities)
Reimbursable Expenses
Advertising
----- End of picture text -----

Company Limited by Guarantee

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Trustees' Annual Report and Public Benefit Reporting for Year 1[st] May2022 to30[th] April 2023

BENEFITS and BENEFICIARIES

The benefits that flow from our purpose include provision of a safe recreational facility, whichcan be accessed freely by people of all ages and abilities within the rural community of Desertmartin and surrounding areas. The benefit of this extends to local people being able to fully identify their needs and allow them to develop local solutions to improve the quality of life for people living within the community. This helps the area tackle issues around environmental issues, rural isolation, poverty and deprivation. Our work creates a space in which people can meet in a safe environment and has positive implications for the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of local people. By improving their health and wellbeing and reducing their social isolation, this contributes to a healthy, vibrant and sustainable community, thus reducing levels of stress and anxiety.

The benefits of the work also include building civic pride within the local community. Through this work, people are animated about their local community and are given opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the social and cultural life within the area.

The charity’s beneficiaries are primarily people of all ages and abilities living in and around Desertmartin and surrounding rural hinterland area of Mid Ulster District Council, who have been identified as being rurally isolated and / or socially excluded.

The benefits of our charity are demonstrated through feedback from all users and regular evaluation of our services. The benefits of our work are also evidenced by the demand for our charitable activities and wide community support through our fund-raising events.

RESTRICTIONS ON WHO CAN BENEFIT

There are no restrictions on who can benefit. All activities and services are open to all regardless of, ability, race, gender, creed, or of political, religious or other opinions.

HARM

No harm has flowed from any of our Purposes.

PRIVATE BENEFIT

There is no private benefit to any individual.

SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING

There are no serious incidents to report.

VULNERABLE BENFICIARIES

Appropriate Policies, Procedures and Training are in place such as POCVA Policy & Procedures.

Knocknagin Hall Committee

Company Limited by Guarantee

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries .

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 31 August 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mr Gerard Walls Director