Registration No. NI636050
4 CORNERS FESTIVAL
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
4 CORNERS FESTIVAL
YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 1 |
| Members’ Report | 2-8 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Activity | 10-11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12-13 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 14 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 15-17 |
4 CORNERS FESTIVAL
YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Date of Incorporation | 27 January 2016 | |
|---|---|---|
| Members | Reverend David A Campton | |
| Dr Gladys A Ganiel | resigned 23/05/2022 |
|
| Anthony F Hennessey | ||
| Fr Martin J Magill (Co-Chair) | ||
| Edward J Petersen | ||
| Reverend Robert S | Stockman (Co-Chair) | |
| Steven Gregg | ||
| Heather Palmer | ||
| Registered Office | 77 University Street | |
| Belfast | ||
| Co Antrim | ||
| BT7 1HL | ||
| Administrator | Megan Boyd | |
| Company Registration No. | NI 636050 | |
| HMRC Charities Registration No. | NI 00955 | |
| Charities Commission NI Reg No. | NIC 107877 | |
| Bankers | Danske Bank | |
| Donegall Square West | ||
| Belfast | ||
| BT1 6JS |
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4 CORNERS FESTIVAL
YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
MEMBERS’ REPORT
The members present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023.The members confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) as amended by update Bulletin 1 (effective 1 January 2015).
Objectives and Activities
a. History and Purposes
4 Corners Festival was initially incorporated in January 2016 as a charitable company. It seeks to inspire people from across the city of Belfast to transform it for the peace and prosperity of all. It consists of innovative events designed to entice people out of their own "corners" of the city and into new places where they will encounter new perspectives, new ideas and new friends.
The objects of 4 Corners Festival are:
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a) The provision of an annual festival in Belfast which acts as an inspiration to people from across the city; to transform it for the peace and well-being of all.
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b) To engage in relationship building and conflict transformation activities which support communities and societies who are experiencing or have experienced conflict.
b. Public benefit
When setting our aims and objectives and in planning our activities for the year we 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.
The public benefit requirement states that purposes must be for the public benefit to be charitable. The benefits which flow from the Festival's purposes are increased opportunities for people living, working and socialising in Belfast to meet those from different backgrounds, become more familiar with and comfortable in shared spaces within the city and engage in cross-community consideration of issues affecting communities, leading to potential for improved community relations and a more peaceful and shared society.
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MEMBERS’ REPORT (Cont’d)
c. Achievements and Performance
4 Corners Festival 2023
The 2023 4 Corners Festival ran from 29 January - 5 February 2023. The theme was Dreams… Visions For Belfast and events were designed to share stories of personal and community dreams and inspire positive, inclusive attitudes towards the future development of Belfast. Most events were in-person, with some also streamed online and further online content including exhibitions and nightly prayer meetings.
As in previous years, the committee organised Festival events in all four corners of the city. Most events were open to the public and free to attend. Events included walking tours, panel discussions, drama, interviews, music and youth events.
The Festival opened in the Skainos Centre, East Belfast with an inspiring address by Julieann Moran exploring what we can all learn from the Worldwide Synod about walking together towards a shared dream for Belfast. Julieann also contributed to the Festival’s annual lunchtime discussion for students held at Queen’s University.
Following involvement in the final event of the 2022, the Festival was delighted to invite Dana Masters to an In Conversation event at which the musician performed and spoke to Rev Steve Stockman about her experiences of growing up in the USA with the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and moving to NI to become part of the community here.
‘We Have A Dream: The Role of Women In Peacebuilding’, celebrated the work of women in this area with a panel featuring Inspector Róísín Brown PSNI; Dr Maria-Adriana Deiana, Queen’s University; Eileen Weir, Shankill Women’s Centre; and Emma De Sousa. It was chaired by Professor Gladys Ganiel and music was provided by Ferna, recent winner of NI Music Awards’ Single of 2022.
Other key events included a screening of ‘The Letter’ exploring dreams for our environment and Mark Simpson interviewing David Goodwin, the captain of the Belfast Giants ice hockey team which is supported by people of all community backgrounds in Belfast. At the former event the Festival announced plans for a carbon offsetting initiative with aims to become carbon-neutral.
The Grief Of Dreams Unrealised provided a platform for the telling of stories from a range of perspectives, enabling the sharing of lament and learning from these experiences. The Morning Service broadcast by Radio Ulster featured Paul Lutton preaching on dreams, visions and prophetic imagination for Belfast.
Two annual festival favourites took place on the Saturday afternoon. Knitting 4 Corners Together brought together crafters from across the city for an afternoon of knitting for a good cause with the items produced gifted to asylum seekers and charities helping those who are
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
MEMBERS’ REPORT (Cont’d)
homeless. The Wonderful Wander guided walking tour wove through Belfast City Centre taking in reflections, drama and poems en route.
On Saturday evening Bright Umbrella Drama Company presented ‘A Farther Shore’, a drama exploring themes of boundary crossing, dreams and inclusion through a retelling of Simon Peter’s story.
The closing event was held in St John’s Parish, West Belfast, with reflections on issues raised during the festival and a keynote address by Rev Dr Inderjit Singh Bhogal OBE, founder of City of Sanctuary.
An exhibition and installation ran throughout the week of the Festival, sparking conversation around the dreams of sectors of the community who are sometimes misunderstood and under-represented. Never In My Wildest Dreams was a photography exhibition on the theme of homelessness curated by the Westcourt Centre. A series of powerful images explored the causes and impacts of homelessness. It was visited by Belfast’s Lord Mayor Tina Black and also served as the venue for a networking lunch for individuals and organisations interested in addressing the issues of homelessness in Belfast. Following the Festival, Westcourt have been pleased to receive invitations to show the exhibition in other venues across Northern Ireland.
As part of the 2023 Festival, Alternatives NI developed PresentFuture, an immersive video and audio installation which explored themes of dreams, aspirations and leadership from the perspective of children and young people in PUL communities in Northern Ireland. Jonathan Hodge of Wonder Arts developed the installation with content including images and voices of children and young people together with specially designed animations. The audience was invited to sit in a cube to experience different dreams and aspirations. PresentFuture created a new narrative around the future of PUL communities in a way that was unique and surprising, engaging a wider audience in a debate about how we give children and young people a better future.
The Festival committee were delighted to resume a full range of youth events following the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions. The Festival’s long-term collaboration with Ulster University resumed with an event for 35 sixth form students from across Belfast who participated in a cross-community day of activities exploring their individual and collective dreams for the city and capturing these through photography. Award-winning photographer Mal McCann (Irish News) facilitated sessions on smartphone photography and the resulting images were displayed in an online exhibition on the Festival’s website.
Two further successful partnership youth event formats used prior to the pandemic were also revisited and reshaped to reflect the 2023 theme. The Peace Players partnered with the Festival to deliver a Game Of Three Halves event for young people from the North, South, East and West of the city. Participants played a range of sports in integrated teams and completed group exercises on the theme of Dreams for Belfast. Play It By Ear drama company worked with the Festival for a fifth year, developing a bespoke drama project on
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
MEMBERS’ REPORT (Cont’d)
the theme of dreams. Four pairs of neighbouring primary schools took part, enabling pupils to consider the power of individual and collective dreams in an accessible and ageappropriate manner through drama workshops and engage in cross-community rehearsals and a final public performance in Methodist College’s Whitla Hall.
A new youth event was added to the programme in 2023. Members of youth clubs from across Belfast worked with members of the ambulance, council, fire and police services to tidy up an area of the city unfamiliar to them. Accompanied by their youth workers the young people went to the opposite part of their city to complete two hours of voluntary, environmental social action before all gathering together for food, discussion and friendship building.
Positive feedback was received from participants in all youth activities and we look forward to continuing to develop the successful working partnerships established with Ulster University, Peace Players and Play It By Ear. We are pleased to have been able to make new connections with local youth clubs; continue to support collaboration between neighbouring primary schools in Belfast and provide opportunities for children and young people to come together for fun, learning and creativity.
The streaming of a number of festival events, and provision of online content facilitated connections with those unable to attend in person, for example due to health or caring responsibilities. Excalibur Press, with support from Inside Voice Productions were contracted to provide digital event management and content remains accessible via the Festival’s website and YouTube channel, creating potential for increased engagement throughout the year.
The Festival benefitted over 3700 people during its delivery by providing them with opportunities to connect with new people, spaces and ideas either in person or online. All events were free to attend and online materials remain free to access via the Festival’s website and YouTube channel, increasing potential for more people to engage with this content and consider the issues explored. An online survey of attendees showed that the majority of respondents felt comfortable in a shared space/space they wouldn’t traditionally attend; felt more connected with others and increased their knowledge of cultural traditions and backgrounds as a result of attending a festival event. 98% felt that the event played a positive role in bringing people from different backgrounds together.
Festival Promotion
Ruthless Media, with support from Excalibur Press were contracted to provide media and marketing support. The 2023 programme was released in December 2022 following a preview event for the Festival’s Friends, funders and event partners. The festival secured coverage in newspapers and on radio and TV. Social media continued to be a key method of connecting with audiences. Listings sites, mailing lists and the Festival’s website were also used to share information on events. The 2023 Festival across print, broadcast, online and social channels had a reach of approximately 3.5 million. Bringing the Festival’s message into the public square in this way promoted broader consideration and discussion of community relations issues and progress towards improved communication and peacebuilding initiatives.
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MEMBERS’ REPORT (Cont’d)
Income and Funding
All events were free to attend thanks to the generous support of funders and contributors. For the sixth year, a successful funding application was made to The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund. Further financial support for the 2023 Festival was secured from The Executive Office Central Good Relations Fund, Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Fund and St Anne’s Cathedral sit-out. A successful application was also made to this last fund in relation to 2023/24 and was awarded in Feb 2023. The Festival partnered with NI Alternatives to develop the PresentFuture installation at The Telegraph Building. The Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast partnered with the Festival to host an event for students and young clergy. Ulster University provided in-kind support for an event for sixth form pupils hosted at their Belfast Campus. The Friends of the Festival scheme that was established in 2019/2020 continues to welcome donations from supporters and one-off donations were also taken at events. These donations facilitate growth of the festival as well as improved sustainability and budget planning. The directors are grateful for the support of funding bodies, partner organisations, host venues and the general public as they seek to build the work of the Festival and improve financial sustainability.
Governance
During the period from 1 Apr 2022 - 31 March 2023, Dr Gladys Ganiel stepped down as a director but remained a valued member of the planning committee. Directors, committee members and staff continue to build good working relationships with others working in the sector, facilitating shared learning, partnership and increased promotional reach.
4 Corners Festival is a company limited by guarantee and registered with the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC 107877), governed by a Board of Trustees: Rev Fr Martin Magill, Parish Priest, St John The Evangelist, Rev Robert S Stockman, Minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Rev David Campton, Superintendent at Belfast Central Mission, Edward Petersen, Clonard Monastery Peace Ministry Co-ordinator, Anthony Hennessey, chartered accountant, Heather Palmer, HR Consultant and Steven Gregg, Engineer. The charity is controlled by its governing document, its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 22nd January 2016.
A scheme was introduced during the year 2022/2023 offering selected potential directors an opportunity to attend meetings and gain an understanding of the role and responsibilities of a director of the Festival for a trial period before both parties review whether an appointment would be suitable. Two potential directors are taking part in this scheme
The company's administrator is Megan Boyd.
The company's board and its administrator hold bi-monthly meetings. The company also has a planning committee comprising board representatives and other church and community participants. This committee meets monthly throughout the year.
The company applied for registration with the Charities Commission NI on 2nd March 2020 and this was confirmed on 7th September 2020.The organisation follows the Charities
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MEMBERS’ REPORT (Cont’d)
Commission's guidance and sets a target for reserves based on our cash flow requirements and an assessment of the risks facing the organisation. Our aim is to hold reserves at a level which is not excessive but does not put our solvency at risk. The trustees review the amount of reserves that are required to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil the charity's continuing obligations on a regular basis at their meetings.
We hold reserves for the following reasons
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a) To meet contractual liabilities should the company have to close, including redundancy pay and amounts due to creditors.
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b) To ensure that the charity can continue to provide a stable and quality programme of activity and allow for financial flexibility to respond to new initiatives and changing circumstances that may arise during the year.
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c) To fund risks that may materialise which may result in an unexpected increase in expenditure and/or a reduction in income.
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d) To provide working capital when funding is paid in arrears and place the charity in a position where it could apply for funding which can be paid up to 12 months in arrears.
The trustees have set aside reserves of £27,500 which they believe is adequate to provide both financial stability and the means for the development of our principal activity. Due to the Covid-19 worldwide epidemic the trustees have prepared a cashflow to 31st October 2024 and are satisfied that there is no material impact on income. An expenditure review shows that the organisation has adequate reserves to meet all predicted liabilities.
Statement of Members' Responsibilities
The members, who are also directors of 4 Corners Festival for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Members' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the Members to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these accounts, the Members are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them appropriately
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts and
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation.
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MEMBERS’ REPORT (Cont’d)
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
| Incoming Resources Notes Donations & Misc Inc Grant Income 1 Outgoing Resources Salaries Events Other Expenses Net Incoming Resources Balance brought forward Transfer to designated funds |
Unres’ted Res'ted Desig'ed 2022 Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ £ 14,619 - - 14,619 9,149 62,411 - 62,411 59,893 |
|---|---|
| 14,619 62,411 - 77,030 69,042 |
|
| £ £ £ £ £ 1,983 19,995 - 21,978 18,020 6,131 41,701 - 47,832 42,601 453 715 - 1,168 724 |
|
| 8,567 62,411 - 70,978 61,345 |
|
| 6,052 - - 6,052 7,697 22,485 - 19,500 41,985 34,288 - 8000 - 8000 - - |
|
| 20,537 - 27,500 48,037 41,985 |
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Cont’d)
All amounts above relate to the continuing operations of the company
The company has no recognised gains or losses other than those included in the results above and therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been presented.
There is no difference between the net incoming resources and the funds retained for the period stated above and their historic cost equivalents.
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH 2023
| Notes Current Assets Cash at bank and on hand Debtors and Prepayments 5 Stock Current Liabilities Creditors and Accruals 6 Net Current Assets Represented by Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Designated Funds |
2023 £ 25,720 27,108 - 52,828 4,791 48,037 £ 20,537 - 27,500 48,037 |
2022 £ 20,156 23,070 - |
|---|---|---|
| 43,226 | ||
| 1,241 | ||
| 41,985 | ||
| £ 22,485 - 19,500 |
||
| 41,985 |
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| Surplus for the year Add: Depreciation Investment income received Fixed Assets purchased Increase in Debtors Decrease in Creditors Decrease in Stock Increase in Bank Balance Opening Bank Balance Closing Bank Balance |
2023 2022 £ £ 6,052 7,697 - - |
|---|---|
| 6,052 7,697 - - - - |
|
| 6,052 7,697 - 4,038 - 7,888 3,550 - 1,163 - - 200 |
|
| 5,564 - 1,154 |
|
| 5,564 - 1,154 20,156 21,310 |
|
| 25,720 20,156 |
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Grant Income
| 1. Grant Income The Executive Office Central Good Relations Funding Belfast City Council - Good Relations Funding Linen Quarter BID Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade - Reconciliation Fund St Anne’s Cathedral Sit-out |
2023 2022 £ £ 37,350 36,579 3,850 - - 1,399 20,611 20,915 600 1,000 |
|---|---|
| 62,411 59,893 |
2. General Information
The company is a private company, limited by guarantee, incorporated in Northern Ireland.
The address of its registered office is:
| 77 University Street | |
|---|---|
| Belfast BT7 1HL | |
| HMRC Charities Number | NI 00955 |
| Company Registration No | NI 636050 |
| NI Charities Commission Ref Number | NIC 107877 |
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YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont’d)
3. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. They have been consistently applied to all of the years presented unless otherwise stated.
Statement of Compliance
3.1 These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 1A – ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. They have been prepared in accordance with the company's governing document. The company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
Notwithstanding the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 the directors have decided to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
3.2 Going Concern
At the time of approving the accounts the Members have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The directors have reviewed the ongoing impact of Covid - 19 and are satisfied that it will not have a negative effect on the charity's going concern assumption.
3.3 Charities Commission NI
The company applied for registration with the Charities Commission NI on 2nd March 2020 and this was confirmed on 7th September 2020. The company was recognised as a charity for tax purposes by H M Revenue and Customs in line with Para 1 of Schedule 6 Finance Act 2020 with effect from 27th January 2016.
3.4 Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention.
3.5 Charitable Funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the members in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Designated funds are funds set aside by the members for specific future projects and to meet contractual liabilities should the charity have to close including redundancy payments, amounts due to creditors and commitments under leases.
3.6 Incoming Resources
Income is recognised when the company is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised upon receipt.
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont’d)
3.7 Resources Expended
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the company to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be reliably measured. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
3.8 Stock
Stock is stated at the lower of cost and nett realisable value.
4. Staff numbers
The average number of employees for the year was 1.
5. Debtors
----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ £
Grants due 23,120 22,084
6. Creditors and Accruals
£ £
Creditors & Accruals: falling due within one year 4,791 1,241
----- End of picture text -----
6. Creditors and Accruals
7. Members
None of the members (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the company during the year.
8. Related Party Transactions
There were no related party transactions during the year. (2022 - none)
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