# Poundbridge & District Community Association Trustees Report 2023 ## LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Charity Name: Poundbridge & District Community association Charity Address: 149 Ballylesson Road, Belfast BT8 8JU Registered Charity Number: 107682 Name of Trustees: Chairman: Mr. Leslie Conn Secretary: Mr. Ian Patterson Treasurer: Ms. Glenda Jess Committee: Mrs. Jill Conn Mrs. Maureen Boal Mr. Darwin Boal Mr. Nigel Sherrit The trustees were voted in by members of Poundbridge & District Community Association at their Annual General Meeting on 26.01.2023. The trustees will hold their position until they stand down or until the next AGM. ## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT The charity was registered with the Charity Commission NI in 2020 The constitution was readopted in 2020 following agreed amendments. Committee members of Poundbridge & District Community Association are residents of the local community are elected annually at an Annual General Meeting which takes place annually. The committee consists of Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Committee members. ## AIMS & OBJECTIVES The main goal of the Poundbridge & District Community Association is to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Ballyaughlis, Ballylesson, Drumbo, Purdysburn and District area without the distinction of age, sex, race, ability, political, religious or other opinion. Poundbridge & District Community Association work with statutory agencies, voluntary bodies, and residents to improve the social welfare for all within the local area. Furthermore, Poundbridge & District Community Association also engages in activities in the following ways: - The promotion of information regarding local issues and concerns to residents. - Organisation of meeting, classes, projects, events, and talks to positively impact the lives of residents. - Obtaining grants and funding to enable further deliverance and expansion of community activities. ## PUBLIC BENEFIT The trustees have given consideration and will adhere to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit. ## ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE During the reporting period the Poundbridge & District Community Association has been successful in hosting numerous events for the residents of our stated catchment area and surrounding area. The progress of previous years was built upon and many developments to the area were made. The events in 2023 were another well supported year with numerous events. The highlight of the year was the running of the Coronation Celebrations in the Village with nearly 1,000 attending the event, enjoying a fancy-dress parade, great entertainment, and afternoon teas. We ran new events that included Country Markets, tuition classes in our own Hall and increased events at Christmas. We looked further afield from our local community and focused on the B-Positive Charity. We will present the Charity a cheque in early 2024. Once again we were successful in gaining funding for a Yuletide festival that included a highly successful Christmas Market in the centre of Drumbo, a Christmas dinner for residents and the ever-popular Visit of Santa around the district. However, this year we added a Festive tractor run, where the local farmers decorated their tractors in Christmas lights to run round the local area. The Country File Ramble we organised for Children in Need in October was an even bigger success with the weather being favourable on the day. We were pleased to continue our leading of the Drumbo Area Action Team and the seven groups have been a really good asset to our work in the local area. WE meet regularly and it has enhanced the events that we can offer in the area. ## FINANCIAL REVIEW The trustees have comprehensive financial procedures in place for the income and expenditure of the Poundbridge & District Community Association We have no other investments aside from the finance within the bank. The accounts are prepared by the trustees and externally verified by an independent examiner. The independent examiner is nominated by all members at each annual general meeting. During this reporting period we were successful in gaining grants from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (7 different funds), Big Lottery Fund, Arts Council NI, and Good Relations Fund. The main items of expenditure were due to: Meeting Grant requirements and running of the hall. The main sources of income were generated through: Grant applications The accounts are independently examined by Roy Young ## DECLARATION The trustees declare they have approved the Trustee’s Report as accurate. Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees of Poundbridge & District Community Association: Completed by Ian Patterson Honorary Secretary Signature Date: 30/1/24