## **Whitemountain & District Community Association 2024/25 Annual General Meeting, 19 March 2025** ## **Combined Secretary & Chairpersons Report** The 2024/25 year was one of the association being in ‘tickover’ mode. The association did not apply for grants and did not conduct specific projects. Therefore, there were no specific committee meetings required throughout the year. There were no proposed events requiring volunteering which has become more critical over the recent years. This is not peculiar to WDCA but is key to the running of the organisation. The Treasurers report shows that 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 with Ulster New Zealand Trust (UNZT) continued throughout the year even if no events were conducted with either organisation. We are still especially thankful to Little Green Allotments for storage of our gazebos and bench seats. 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 not yet resulted in any change of status. The administration effort for such a small community group is not insignificant but fortunately no issues have arisen from submission of our first accounts to the commission for the 2023/2024 year. A reminder from the commission to upload the 2024/2025 documents has been received. A big thanks to those on committee for agreeing to be Trustees. Although the Mullaghglass landfill site is closed, we continue to stand by our neighbouring Castlerobin Residents Association residents. Roads safety issues still continue in the area with huge potholes still appearing at random. Flytipping has still been evident on occasions. These matters will require close monitoring and if no action by the authorities is taken reported to our local elected representatives to ensure relevant action is taken. Flood risk at Belshaw’s quarry nature reserve has reduced due to a full replacement of the under road culvert. NIEA though appear to struggle keeping the paths at full width and this will be followed up with them. The reserve was once again used as a site for bumblebee monitoring under the All Ireland Pollinator Plan with monthly reports from March to October 2024 available on-line. Same will continue in 2025. 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 2024/25. Liam Doyle, Chairperson 2024/25 ## **Whitemountain & District Community Association 2024/25 Annual General Meeting, 19 March 2025 - Treasurers Report** The balance sheet for the period 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025 is shown below. This is calculated using the same spreadsheet format as directed for many years by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC). ||**£**||**£**| |---|---|---|---| |Nationwide Balance @ 1st March 2024|1,499.34||| ||||| |**Income**||**Expenditure**|| |LCCC Grants|-|Insurance|139.91| |DfC Grant|-|Web & e mail|74.12| |Bank Interest|-|Expenses|33.90| |Other Income (Workshops)|-||-| |**Total Income**|-|**Total Expenses**|247.93| ||||| |||Ulster Bank Balance @ 28 February 2025|1,251.41| ||1,499.34||1,499.34| ||||| |Notes: None|||| WDCA Summary of Accounts for 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025 Although there were no Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) grant monies applied for, LCCC and the Charity Comnmission require 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 herein will be submitted to the commission. 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. basic admin. The most immediate expenditure item is annual insurance which is due on 21March from the same insurer as used for many years (Ansvar). The renewal premium is £178.50 (up from £138 for 2024/25) which excludes 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. Accounting for above and predictable admin costs the closing balance in Feb 2026 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.** Declan Hoey, Treasurer 2024/25