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