Whitemountain & District Community Association 2023/24 Annual General Meeting, 27 March 2024
Combined Secretary & Chairpersons Report
The 2023/24 year was another one of ‘consolidation’ following the disruption caused to society by the pandemic. Thanks to all on committee for attendance to on-line committee meetings.
The year did not really commence until we were gratefully awarded a LCCC grant as part of community groups effort to stay together and liaise with local residents in whatever way possible through leaflet campaigns or hosting workshops.
The LCCC Community Support Grant (CSG) has been crucial to our existence as it helped keep projects going, our insurance and general admin costs. Based on the feedbacks from the previous two years, three art themed workshops comprised the main events of the year. These were very well received and thanks to Ulster New Zealand Trust for use of their venue at Balance House.
Volunteering has become more critical though and was core to a decision not to apply for a CSG. Our finances are reasonably stable and can enable a watching brief on grant opportunities should project needs and volunteers support.
Alliances with the Belfast Hills Partnership and Ballymacash Scouts Group also continued (through tidy up projects at Belshaws Quarry Nature Reserve) and have built stronger with Ulster New Zealand Trust (UNZT). We are also especially thankful to Little Green Allotments for their storage of our gazebos and bench seats which became very useful at our 15[th] anniversary celebrations.
Correspondence to the association was largely from TADA, RCN and LCCC Community Support team which mostly advised of upcoming workshops on different topics or information on different activities by various organisations. Anything considered applicable was brought to the attention of committee.
Consultation on the Charities Commission NI has been made. The administration effort for such a small community group is not insignificant and already we have had inconsistencies in reporting processes from the commission. A big thanks to those on committee for agreeing to be Trustees.
Although the Mullaghglass landfill site is closed, there remains issues with the site and now also adjacent sites. There continues to be ‘challenging’ dialogue with the regulators. We continue to stand by our neighbouring Castlerobin Residents Association residents. Roads safety issues still continue with flooding on Whitemountain & Bensons Rd, huge potholes not being attended to and water main leaks. Flytipping is on the rise again, as recent as last Friday 22 March on Whitemountain Rd. These matters will require close monitoring and this report actions our local elected representatives to ensure relevant action is taken.
In closing, thanks go to the staff of Bridge Community Centre for their assistance all year and in particular Linda McCracken and Victoria Jackson for their assistance.
John Belshaw, Secretary 2023/24.
Liam Doyle, Chairperson 2023/24
Whitemountain & District Community Association 2023/24 Annual General Meeting, 27 March 2024 - Treasurers Report
The balance sheet for the period 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024 is shown below. This is calculated using the same spreadsheet format as directed for many years by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC).
| £ | £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NationwideBalance @1stMarch 2023 | 1,428.23 | ||
| Income | Expenditure | ||
| LCCC Grants | 1,825.00 | LCCC CSG Grant | 1,983.89 |
| DfC Grant | - | 0 | - |
| Bank Interest | - | 0 | - |
| Other Income (Workshops) | 230.00 | 0 | - |
| 0 | |||
| Total Income | 2,055.00 | Total Expenses | 1,983.89 |
| Ulster Bank Balance @ 29 February 2024 | 1,499.34 | ||
| 3,483.23 | 3,483.23 |
WDCA Summary of Accounts for 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024
Both Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) and the Charity Comnmission requires that an independent person conducts a check of our accounts. Note: This is not an audit in the formal sense. Thanks to Wilma Henderson, Treasurer of Stoneyford association for being the independent checker. This years full accounts will be submitted to the commission as soon as practicable after LCCC concur with the grant funds expenditure for 2023/24.
There are no outstanding grants monies due in or expenses due out at this time.
Given that we have not applied for the Community Support Grant, expenditure is likely to be on key core costs e.g. insurance & basic admin.
The most immediate expenditure item is annual insurance which was due on 21March from the same insurer as used for many years (Ansvar). The renewal premium was initially £308.47 which includes cover of our gazebos, bench seats and small transport trailer. John is agreeable to the trailer being stored at his house under his insurance. The gazebos and bench seats are very minimal risk and given the secure storage facility they are in and no use of same is planned then it is considered that they do not require cover. If both require use then any premium uplift should be covered at that time under whatever grant aid. This reduced the premium to £139. Accounting for this and predictable admin costs the closing balance in Feb 2025 could be assumed to be at least £1000.
We have no assets or liabilities
Proposal: That above summary of accounts are accepted for provision onwards to the Charity Commission.
Eimer Short, Treasurer 2023/24