NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST Annual Report For the financial year ended 31 March 2024
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Contents Page Trustees and Other Information Trustee5' Report Independent Auditorfs Report 8-11 Statement of Financial Activities 12 Statement of Financial Position 13 Statement of Cash Flow 14 Notes to the Financial Statement5 15-29
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTRUST TRUSTEES AND OTHER INFORMATION AT DATE OF APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Trustees P Sheridan {resigned January 20241 A Treacy A Wilson A Jennings R Singleton P Hilman K Rollo M Rainey Company Sectsry A McGowan Registered and Principal Office 18b Newforge Lane Belfast BT9 5NW Independent Auditors Ruddell & Company Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors 16- 18 Church Street Dungannon BT716AB Bankers Bank of Ireland l Donegall Square South Belfast BTI 5LR Solicitors Edwards & Co 28 Hill Street Belfast BTI 2LA Reglstered Number N1643348 Charity Commission Number 107999
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees submit their Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) {effective l January 20151 I'charities SORP {FRS 102)"), in preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Company. Reference and Administrative Details Details of the Registered Office, Trustees, Independent Advisers and other relevant information are given on page 2. Structure, Governance and Management Goveming Document Newforge Community Development Trust ("the Trusv,) is a Company Limited by Guarantee and therefore does not have share capital. Recruitment and Training of Trustees Trustees of the charity are elected in accordance with the Terms of Reference for the NCDT Board. Membership and composition of the Board is specified as follows: Chaired by Peter Sheridan {Co-Operation Ireland) for a 3 year tenure; I x representative Royal Ulster Constabulary Athletic Association IRUCAA), 18b Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5NW; I x representative Police Service of Northern Ireland IPSNII, 65 Knock Road, Belfast, BT5 6LD; I x representative Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service {NIFRSI, I Prince William Road, Lisburn, BT28 3AN; I x representative Northern Ireland Prison Service {NIPS), Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SU' I x representative An Garda Siochana (AGS), Phoenix Park, Dublin, D08 HN3X, Ireland. The Board may also co-opt additional Trustees to sufficiently meet the needs of the Trust in achieving its objectives. Trustees from sporting representatives of Pegasus Hockey and Netball Nl were appointed to support the Board. Organisation Management The Trustees of the charity are legally responsible for the overall management and control of the Trust. They meet on a quarterly basis. They receive detailed Management Accounts and a Management Report from the Chief Executive and his Senior Management Team who are tasked with the day to day running of the charity. A Project Board meets on a monthly basis and makes recommendations to the Executive Board on financial matters. A Steering Group also meets on a monthly basis and undertakes specific inspections of policies, procedures and their implementation, to ensure the highest level of probity and corporate governance are maintained within the charity. The Trustees have ultimate legal and financial responsibility for the affairs of the Trust. Day-to-day management is delegated to the permanent staff, through the Chief Executive. The Trustees of the Trust (as listed on page 2) at 31 March 2024, all have been Trustees for the whole of the year ended on that date, unless otherwise stated.
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (continued) Risk Management The Trustees of the charity are responsible for the management of risks faced by the Trust. Detailed consideration of risk is delegated to the Steering Committee assisted by the Chief Executive and his Senior Management Team. The key controls used by the charity include: Formal agendas for all Executive Board and all other Committee Meetings; Terms of Reference for all Committees; Delegation of Interests as an agenda item for all Committees; Comprehensive budgeting, management accounting and detailed reporting; Formal written policies which are reviewed on a regular basis; Clear authorisation and approval levels and transparent tendering procedure; Vetting procedures as required by law for the protection of the vulnerable; Vetting procedures for all employees to ensure the integrity of all personal information is maintained; Regular detailed surveys on all aspects of health and safety management. Through the risk management proce5S the Trustees are satisfied that the major risks have been identified and have been adequately mitigated where necessary. Internal Control The Trustees are ultimately responsible for monitoring that the Trust has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise, to provide reasonable assurance with respect to the: Business being operated efficiently and effectively," Safeguarding of assets against unauthorised use or disposal- Maintenance of proper records and the reliability of financial information used within the Association or for publication. Compliance with law and regulations. In assessing what constitutes reasonable assurance the Trustees have regard to the materiality of any financial risks involved, the likelihood of such risks crystallising and the cost of and benefits from particular aspects of the internal control system. The Trustees review the effectiveness of the system of control regularly. Charitable Objertives and Activities Newforge Community Development Trust INCDn is a visionary project designed to create a more cohesive society through community development, promotion of sport and advancement of the arts. NCDT promotes community participation in amateur sports and healthy recreation for the public at large. Public Benefit ststement Purposes The Trust's primary charitable purpose is to advance community development and active citizenship by: Promoting inclusivity, good community relations, social cohesion, racial and religious harmony and equality and diversity;
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (continued) Organising and delivering, for the public benefit, social, celebratory and community events and initiatives; Facilitating the availability and safeguarding of assets for use by the community and sports, community and voluntary sector groups and organisations. The Trustees believe that our purposes satisfy both elements of the Public Benefit requirement. The next section of our Annual Report comments on how the Trust's activities meet our charitable and operational objectives for the year ended 31 March 2024. Following significant delays, NCDfs "Hub" main building was completed and opened fully at the end of February 2024. The 6 multi-purpose rooms upstairs, downstairs gym and changing rooms had been open for the previous 12 months but the completion of the sports arena allowed the shared space building to finally open in full. From July 2021 until December 2023, using the upgraded outdoor facilities, NCDT completed 28 programmes which engaged several thousand participants in a range of sports, arts and environmental activities. These programmes were EU funded by Peace IV and included funding for two Outreach staff to implement them. The Outreach Staff completed their contracts in May 2023 and the EU Funding period of Peace IV concluded in December 2023. Delivery of the peace programmes were hampered by two factors. Firstly, the COVID19 pandemic delayed the onset of programmes by l year. They were originally planned to begin in April 2020 but due to lockdown legislation and the resultant restrictions, Outreach staff only started their contracts in March 2021. Secondly, the peace programmes were again set back due to construction delays. This was caused by supply chain issues as a result of the COVID pandemic and the many challenges brought about by the military conflict in Ukraine. The gym and multi-purpose rooms finally opened in March 2023, 12 months behind schedule. The Sports Arena finally opened in February 2024 almost 2 years behind schedule. The resultant effect was that peace programmes had to be repeatedly amended due to lack of facilities and, with the end of Outreach officer contracts looming, lack of time. Subsequently SEUPB agreed to grant a 'grace period, to Newforge so that we can deliver additional activities taking place at Newforge towards the overall targets of the project. During the reporting period of April 2023 to March 2024, NCDT continued to complete cross-community and cross-border programmes in line with PEACE IV funding requirements. The programmes completed included: Children & Youn8 People Programme (June to Nov 23} Working with PSNI, launch event in June 23; Youth Teambuilding day in Aug 23; Listening Event in Aug 23; final conference in Nov 23. 28 young people involved across the programme events. 43Yo CNR; 36% PUL; 18% no religion," 3% other religion. 68% female. 29% male. 3Yo non-binary. 79% white" 7% black,. 14% mixed race. Programme launch was at Newforge on 13 June. Youth th th Teambuilding day was on 14 August with a mix of sport and mindfulness sessions and interactions with PSNI th Dog Section. Listening event was on 24 August with PSNI reps mixing with young people and their families to engage in meaningful dialogue. Final conference in Nov did not take place due to young people unable to agree themes and content for the event. Exploring Amnesty Dialogue (Oct 23) - Two workshops to discuss the troubles and issues such as the legacy bill. Members of the police family in conversation with former journalists Brian Rowan and Mervyn Jess. The first event had 20 participants 14 male, 6 female; 85% PUL, 15% CNR. The second event had 24 participants 14 male, 10 female" 75% PUL, 25% CNR. On 9th Oct NCDT hosted the 25 pieces" event conversation and exhibition from news archive of journalist Brian Rowan. It follows the road to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the journey since. An in-depth discussion about the challenges of turning conflict into peace, and the role
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 {continued) of policing within that. Brian Rowan and Mervyn Jess discussed the artifacts on show and debated with the attendees. The follow up event was on 26th Oct at Newforge. The topic was "Making peace with the Past" and a legacy conversation in which Brian and Mervyn discussed issues from his book'Living with Ghosts,. Discussions on the conflict period and the many negotiations, agreements and disagreements on legacy as we strLAggle to find a way to answer the past. Ex-Prisoners/Combatants workshops (Sept 231 Cross-community programmes where Loyalists and Republicans, who had participated in the conflict, visited one anotherfs cultural sites and engaged in discussion groups. 10 participants in total. IOO¥o male. 50Yo PUL, 50% CNR. Part 1- 26th Sept 2023: NCDT arranged for the group to visit the Loyalist Conflict Museum in East Belfast. The group took the museum tour which tells the story of the formation of the UDA and their subsequent commitment to Peace. After the tour the group engaged in discu55ions about what they had learnt from the evening and expressed views on the issues highlighted. Part 2 10th Oct 2023: NCDT arranged for the group to visit the Roddy Mccorley Republican Heritage Centre in West Belfast. The group again took part in the museum tour which tells the story of the Republican struggle for independence dating back to the 1798 Rebellion, the revolutionary period of 1916, The Tan War, the prison Struggle through to the Peace Process of the 1990s. After the tour the group again engaged in discussion groups about what they had learnt and how it affected their opinions on dealing with the past. Girls Good Relations project in conjunction with Limestone Utd {Oct 23) - 8 participants in total, IOOYO U18 and IOOYO female. 50 Yo PUL and 50% CNR. 12th & 19th Sept 2023: Cross-community football programme was run in conjunction with Limestone Utd at the Newforge 2 consecutive weeks in September 23. Participants were teenage girls from the interface between Newington, figers Bay & Newlodge in Belfast. The girls all varied greatly in abilities, experience and knowledge of soccer. This was designed as an Introductory Programme to initiate them to the sport and each other. NCDT facilitated the girls for football coaching and strength & conditioning sessions. It is hoped to expand this programme in future. Re-imagining Police Remembrance Space (Oct 23} - Upgrade of the current memorial at front of old clubhouse to a purpose built garden of reflection on the restaurant terrace. The construction work for the garden was tendered and completed in 2023. The re-imagining is for a patio space turned into a "Garden of Reflection" for members at Newforge. The space is to be a memorial for police sports people who were killed in the troubles. The Garden is to be developed in an existing patio area to the side of the older Newforge Clubhouse. A formal openin8 of the garden, where stakeholders involved in the consultation of the design will be invited along, is planned for later in 2024. Diversity Inclusion Cup (July 231- I day event open to those with cognitive or physical disability from age 5 to adult. 212 participants in total. 159 male, 53 female. 46 CNR, 57 PUL, 109 no/other religion. The Diversity Cup took place on Sat 29th July 2023 at the Newforge. The event was run in conjunction with Glentoran Inclusion Academy and held over a full day. Participants took part in soccer matches through the day. The eventwas aimed at participants of all abilities and was inclusive of those with physical and/or learning disabilities. Residents Network (Sept 23) - sessions with local residents to build relationships. A group of 20 residents attended the shared space in Newforge on 7th February 2024. The session was facilitated by Alliance politician Paula Bradshaw, accompanied by Councillor Micky Murray. A second session was not possible as the engagementwas derailed by discussionsabout the deterioration of the road surface in Newforge Lane. Residents strongly sought an outcome to repair the lane. NCDT will seek to convene local residents again as soon as agreement can be reached with local stakeholders on how to repair Newforge Lane.
NEWFORGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 {continued) Access Policy The Trustees are very clear that access to our facility cannot be restricted by the cost of using our services. They have therefore sought to keep these costs to a minimum. At present, a "community rate" for service usage has been established to ensure that our facilities and services are affordable to all. Plans for Future Periods l. Devise a strategy for NCDT to utilise the shared space building Plan and deliver a range of cross-community and cross-border programmes 3. Increase footfall to the gym and sports arena 4. Facilitate two large events at the Hub Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities in respect of Financial Statements The Trustees 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). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year which 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 the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these Financial Statements, the Trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 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 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 the Charities Act {Northern Ireland} 2022. 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. Disclosure of Information to Auditors In so far as the Trustees are aware: There is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Auditors are aware of that information. Funds Held as Custodian Trustees on Behalf of Others The charity holds no funds as custodian Trustees on behalf of others. By Order of the Board, A McGowan {Company Secretaryj