Londonderry Bands Forum Financial Statements and Trustees Report For the Year ended 31st March 2023
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 The Trustees of The Londonderry Bands Forum are pleased to present their report for the year ended 31 March 2023. Purposes and Activities of the Charity The Forum is established "to challenge and communicate at all levels" To forward our aims is still relevant in the ongoing peace process and our partnerships with others has expanded our remit outside Londonderry, This is evident in our monthly Board reports and the Quarterly reports to funders. Chalrs report The past year has been eventful for the Londonderry Bands Forum, it has seen us continue to engage with our member bands and musicians, fostering a strong sense of community. We continued to hold regular meetings and training courses to help share information and up skill our members. We have actively engaged with local authorities around a number of issues including parading funding and support and continue to advoke for increased support for music education and preservation. Covid is still causing issues and it is taking longer to get people back to practSces and events. Budget restraints and a lack of government are not helping when applying for funding. We are fortunate to be in the first year of a 2-year commitment of funding from CRC. We are looking forward to strengthening our partnerships with other cultural groups and to continue to enhance our youth involvement through outreach programmes. Main Achievements In the year We ran a child protectlon training course which was well attended and important for the bands involved to maintain their governance. As part of CRC Good relations week, we again ran a number of podcasts looking at cross community work bands have engaged in the last 10 years. We counite to share a lot of the good work and event bands are engaged with. Christmas Saw the Britannia Concert band play in the city centre which was support by CCI. This was received well by the local shoppers around the town. Our Co-ordinator completed his level 5 in leadership, thanks to NICVA who facilitated the course. Public Benefit Statement The Trustees of The Londonderry Bands Forum confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17151 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the Society in the year to 31 March2023. Page I
Review of Financial posltion as at 31 March 2023 The Charity had surplus receipts over payments for the year to 31 March 2023 of £14,001 {2022: deficit £6,409). As at 31 March 2023 the Charity had no funds in material deficit No funds are held by the charity as a custodian trustee Trustee Selection and Management The Charity is managed by an Executive Committee which consists of all the appointed trustee5, and the selection of any new Trustees is dealt with by that Committee. The following served as Trustees and Committee Members of the Charity throughout the year to 31 March 2023, and were also Trustees and Committee Members as at the date of approval of this Report Trustees Kenneth McFarland Ryan Simpson Joanne Smyth Evans Darren Milligan Commlttee members Tim Cairns David Campbell Gordon Porter Brian Doughertv This Report was approved on 15 May 2024 and signed on behalf of the Trustees bv Kenneth McFarland, Chairperson The Londonderry Bands Forum Principal Address and Registered Office Address: New Gate Arts & Culture Centre, 20-22 Hawkin Street, Londonderry, BT48 6RE Northern Ireland Charity Number: 108021 Page 2
Independent examiner's report to the charity trustees of The Londonderry Bands Forum I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages I to 6. Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act, The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe: l. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2. That the accounts do not accord with those. accounting records 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, Page 3
Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (l) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. Keith McElhinney Chartered Accountant 42a Clooney Terrace Waterside Londonderry BT47 6AP 15 May 2024 Page 4
Londonde Bands Forum Recei ts&Pa ments Account Year ended 31 March 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds Total 2023 Recei Grants Community Relations Council Core Funding DC & SDC Peace IV DC & SDC Good Relations Grant Aid HMRC JRS Grant Northern Ireland Office DC & SDC Cultural Quarter City Centre Initiiative 57,750 57,750 8,516 9,643 4,200 11,728 4,000 4,000 30,000 1,225 500 30,000 1,225 500 Other External Project Funds Ukraine Fundraising 43,821 560 560 93,476 560 94,036 77,908 Pa ments Salaries & Pension costs Programme & Project costs Property costs Administration costs Bank Charges Accountancy fees Donations Rent 62,568 3,481 1,939 1,236 64,507 4,717 72,438 10,192 273 3,515 3,515 120 414 120 342 560 990 1,332 560 5,000 283 80,035 1,000 5,000 283 75,837 Insurance 4,197 84,317 Surplus receipts over payments 17,639 4.637 14,001 ,409 Reconciliatlon Cash at Bank and on Hand Surplus l (Deficit) this year Cash at Bank and on Hand 3110312022 -1.458 17,639 16,181 12,989 -3,637 9,352 11,531 14,001 2S,532 17,939 -6,409 11,530 3110312023 Kenneth McFarland (Chairperson) Londonderry Bands Forum 1510512024 Page 5
Londonder Bands Fornm Statement of Assets & Liabilities As at 31 March 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds Tot 2023 Funds Reconclllatlon Cash at Bank & in Hand 3103 22 Surplus / {deficitl this year end Cash at Bank & in Hand 3103 23 -1,458 17,639 16,181 12.989 -3.637 9,352 11,531 14,001 25,532 17,939 -6,409 11,530 Debtors DC&SDC Amounts dLJe from Funders 709 709 709 709 12,489 Bank & Cash Balances HSBC Bank Main Account HSBC No. 2 Account 23,104 2,428 25,532 11,236 295 11,531 OtherAssets (Restrlcted Fund) Music Equlpment (Estimated valuation) Computer Equipment (Estimated valuation) Fixtures & Fittings {Estimated valuation) 2,945 365 296 3,606 3,465 429 348 4,242 Llabllltles Underspend to be repaid to Community Relations Councll 2,689 2,689 Approved by the Trustees on 15 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by Kenneth McFarland (Chairperson) 15-May-24 Page 6