Strule Tributsries and Rivers Trust Limited TRUSTEES, REPORT Charity Name: Strule Tributaries and Rivers Trust Charity Number: NIC 108872 Principal Address 28-30 Old Mounffield Road Omagh BT79 7BJ Charity Trustees as of 31st December 2023 Shane Colgan Peter Archdale Terry Smithson Kate Crane Robert Ellis Accountantl Independent Examiner Rodney Hamill BSC. FCA. TEP. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors, 28-30 Old Mountfield Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 7BJ Bank Danske Bank Donegall Square West Belfast BT16JS
strule Tributaries and Rivers Trust Limited TRUSTEES, REPORT STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The structure of the Trust is made up from members who had brought a case in terms of pollution against a government body. The external bodies made up of Riparian landowners and fishing clubs elected a board of Directors to oversee the running of the Trust. There are 5 directors and they are subject to re- election on a rotational basis each year. The governing documents are the Articles of Association and the Trust Deed. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The Loughs Agency was set up with the primary aim to conserve, protect, manage and improve the Fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency acting on its own behalf and also on behalf of local external parties received an out of court settlement in June 2009 for £500,000 relating to several pollution incidents from 1999 to 2004. Part of the terms of the agreement were that monies were to be spent on river rehabilitation works in accordance with North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization "NASCO" guidelines and overseen by a trustto ensure this money was kept separate from the Agency's core funding. The money was held by the Agency's solicitor in a high interest account until it was transferred to the Loughs Agency in February 2011 along with the interest earned. As the settlement funds are held on tntst and only to be used for specific purposes they have been included within deferred income as a provision against future costs. As these costs are incurred they are applied against the balance. There was just over £66,500 spent on projects over the year and the works included, bank revetment, spawning beds, nursery streams, and riparian strips to grow trees in and keep animals from the water courses. Extra funding was sought during the year and the trust received £14,448 in funding from DAERA for other schemes over and above the initial objective such as tree planting and fencing. In 2024 we hope to continue the spend on similar projects and also to seek extra funding to assist in the schemes planned. Vvhile the broad aim is to enhance and improve the rivers and tributaries within the Trust's area the benefit extends way beyond any increase in salmonid populations as by improving the quality of the river it has a knock-on effect on the invertebrates, birds and on up the food chain. It potentially helps with flood alleviation, community involvement, pride in the area, potential for an increase in angling tourism, fishing etc. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES The Company's objectives are specifically restricted to the following Objectives= To conserve, protect, rehabilitate, reinstate and improve the rivers, streams, watercourses and water impoundments of the catchments comprising the rivers River Strule and its tributaries above the confluence of the River Owenkillew. To carry out such works to reinstate or improve the habitat for inland fisheries of the Strule catchment upstream of, but excluding the River Owenkillew, in compliance with NASCO guidelines., To advance the education of the public, or any association, company, local authority, administrative or governmental agency or public body or representative body in the understanding, preservation and conservation of rivers, river corridors and catchments, including their fauna, flora, and economic or social activity, and river catchment management. To secure and distribute funding to assist in the implementation of the overall aim and objectives of the Trust. iv. To protect, conserve, rehabilitate, reinstate, improve and preserve, as far as is practically possible, forthe benefit ofthe public the local environment and the quality of the rivers, streams, watercourses and water impoundments and the better development of the rural and urban environment.
Strule Tributaries and Rivers Trust Limited TRUSTEES, REPORT PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees 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. FINANCIAL REVIEW The financial report relates to the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. All the Funds in the charity are restricted funds having been received from the court settlement as referred to above. The movement in the fund in the period was: 2023 2022 Opening balance Habitat improvement and protection scheme costs Sundry and bank fees Insurance Consultancy (265,864) 52,135 (347,873) 80,647 68 699 595 644 661 Closing balance (212,418) (265,864) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the charity in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the trustees at our annual general meeting on 29th April 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. Shane an (trustee)