Portstewart Convention Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Th¢ trustees who are also directors of the charity for th¢ purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019). Objectives and aims In presenting this Report the Directors are mindful of the three "tactical plans and arrangements" set out in the Company's registration with the Charity Con]mission. These are the effective marketing of the Convention, the provision of a suitable programm¢ and the maintenance of the Company's property. Th¢ annual Convention which took place in Portst¢wart from Saturday 8 until Friday 14 July 2023 was th¢ fIrst to meet without the lingering constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendances showed an encouraging increase from the previous year. On several evenings the main marquee, seated for 1.000 people, was full and overflow arrangements were required. While use of the facilities is now close to capacity the Directors continue to monitor the appTOPTiateness of promotional and marketing aTrangements. The teaching theme - "Unshakeable was especially relevant in a society which, having come through the Covid-19 pandemic, is now facing many economic and social challenges at home and growing political uncertainties abroad. The importance of a confident, living Christian faith was explored through a series of talks in the mornings bascd on the Old Testament book of Daniel and in the cvenings in the central chapters of the New Testament Lett¢r to the Romans. It was plcasing to see the numbers of people using the coffee shop where they could discuss the talks they had listened to and share their own experiences with one another. The bookshop was well supported with good literature bcing bought as a source of further learning. There was good interest in the Missionary infornation points where opportunities for practical Christian s¢rvic¢ could be consider¢d. Once again ScriptUTe Unlon provided a well- structured progranune for children and young people. Through the year the Directors have continued routin¢ maintenance of the property and have undertaken some improvements to the marquee layout to ensure that the Propety is well suited to achieving the Convention's purpose. The carpark area remains under the management of Carpark Services Ltd on a "pay and display basis with the Convention having ex¢lusive use during the we¢k of the Convention. The Directois recognise that there is no practical means to measure the full outcome of the week of Conv¢ntion. This can only be se¢n in th¢ lives of people returning to their homes. Church¢s and districts to live in a manner which. in the words of the Convention's purpose, is God-honouring, helpful to and consideiate of others. The Directors give thanks to God for the evidence of his Spirit influencing and changing lives during the 2023 Convention. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position As shown morc llY in the attach¢d accounts the Convention's income from all sources in 2023 was £85.578. Apart from £8,11 I received as donations to the Missionary Fund this income was applied to the running costs of th¢ Convention. the maintenance and improvement of the site and to maintaining a reserve as a prud¢nt provision for future costs. The Missionary Fund incom¢ was distributed in its entirety to the designated projects. Page I
Portstewart Convention Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by its governing document and is constituted as a company lirnited by guarantee as defin¢d by the Companies Act 2006. The charity is managed by a Boaid of Directors which is assisted in practical arrangements by an Organising Committ¢e. The Board co-opted Mr Stephen Bailie as a Director at its meeting on 17 Nov¢mber 2023. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association Mr Bailie will retire at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and offer himself for re*lection. The Company did not employ any staff during the year. It engaged around 50 volunteers in the organisation of the Annual Conv¢ntion. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAtLS Registered Company number N1661299 (Northern treland) Registered Charity number 108158 Registered office 42 Rossburn Manor Kells Ballymena Co. Antrim BT42 3RB Trustees Rev Joseph Fell, Minister of Religion Rev Johnston Rea Lamb¢, Minister of Religion Rev Darren Basil Mccorriston, Minister of Religion Mr James Lawson McDonald, Retired Civil Servant Mr Stephen James Baili¢, Accountant (appointed 17.11.23) Company Secretary Mr David Preston Independent Examiner John Mccleary FCA Mccleary & Company Ltd Chart¢red Accountants Garvey Studios 14 Longstone Street Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 ITP Approved by OTder of the board of trustees on 30 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by.. Page 2
Portstewart Convention Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Mr James Lawson McDonald - Trustee Page 3