The trustees , who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
Chairperson’s Report
This has been another excellent year for Farranshane Community Trust. I would like to express my gratitude to the board for their attendance and constructive support in the strategic governance of Farranshane.
I would also like to express the gratitude of the board to the senior team. Under the very capable leadership of Lexi, they have been a constant support and a real credit to the charity.
We continue to provide a very effective shared space and our work on employment, learning, health and wellbeing has made significant contributions to the lives of our shared community.
The Board wanted to acknowledge the sad passing of Andy Little and Alison O'Neill who sadly passed earlier in the year. The Board wanted to share their condolences with the families and to record their thanks to these Trustees for the services and commitment they had shown to the people of Antrim.
Lowry Grant
Chariperson
Farranshane Community Trust was established in November 2006 as a Company limited by guarantee.
The objectives of the Company are:
The promotion for the public benefit of urban regeneration in the Rathenraw area and its environs (area of benefit), being an area of social and economic deprivation, by all or any of the following means:
The relief of poverty;
The relief of unemployment;
The advancement of education, training or retraining;
The creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings, and/or land for use on favourable terms;
The maintenance, improvement or provision of public amenities;
The provision of recreational facilities for the public at large or those who by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities;
The provision of public health facilities and childcare;
The promotion of public safety and prevention of crime.
To support and develop the work of the community and voluntary groups in charitable activity which seeks to relieve poverty, advance education, provide facilities for youth and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the area of benefit.
The Aims of the Company are:
Farranshane – Building Futures Together,
Shared Community Space,
Supporting Local enterprise & Employment,
Supporting Learning,
Supporting the Health & Well-being.
Farranshane - Building Futures Together
Under the objectives the Trustees seek to address the issue of social deprivation, and this is demonstrated through having the availability of community space for the benefit of all within the Rathenraw area and its environs regardless of disability/age/social economic circumstances. We seek to provide public health facilities and childcare support and also address the issue of public safety and prevention of crime. We seek to provide a shared space to support and develop the work of community groups, provide recreational and health facilities, which in turn will provide an improved quality of life for the local community. In respect of accommodation we can clearly demonstrate the need for community space and community based organisations, as confirmed by the range of tenants who currently use our premises. Tenants such as Community Advice and Little Steps SureStart . Both these organisations are dealing with issues that affect the community on a daily basis. Little Steps SureStart are currently helping to support 130+ adults and 120+ children in our catchment area. In addition to the ‘Little Steps SureStart’ tenancy a total of 21 programmes were accommodated on our premises between January and March of this year. Programmes ranged from Makaton training to Family Men , a group for dads, step dads & granddads, uncles or any other male role model in a child’s life to come along and share fun experiences through a variety of activities and outings.
At Farranshane Community Trust we are pleased to continue our partnerships with the Empower Project, Inspire Well-Being , and an increasing number of independent counsellors. Inspire Well-Being provide professional counselling services at Farranshane and deal with difficult issues such as bereavement and mental health. In January this year a total of 89 counselling sessions were accommodated at Farranshane. Clearly there is a need for these professional services and the fact that Farranshane can provide meeting rooms which can be booked for as little as one hour, provides the ideal environment for dealing with sensitive issues.
At Farranshane the Empower Project regularly hosts free training and networking days, for parents and the wider family circle and for those who need support with care for children with Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. This Family Programme will support children under 12, their parents and wider circle to develop skills to support their children. Clearly the subject matter has been an important consideration and on feedback and evaluation forms we understand that the importance of meeting and networking with other families has been very beneficial and rewarding to the workshop participants. The flexibility of rooms has been important as we have been able to provide a number of different options. The Boardroom is an ideal setting for parents and carers to meet, learn and network whilst they are happy for their children to enjoy new experiences in our Main hall, both rooms under the same roof.
At Farranshane Community Trust we strive to consolidate and build on our links with existing organisations and seek to attract new groups and activities to our property. In this regard we were pleased that Antrim Sports Devils and Antrim FC (juniors) availed of the indoor sports facilities in our main hall.
In respect of diversity at Farranshane, one has only to look at our booking system to see the wide range of groups using the facility from the Youth Justice Agency , to classes for Dog Training to weekend slots for b irthday parties and family gatherings .
The range of rooms available varies from one to one settings that are used by counsellors to the large multi-purpose hall which is used for birthday parties and sports activities.
Farranshane Community Trust has been open since September 2010 and remains central to the local community it serves. Farranshane Community Trust continues to have a positive impact on people within this community and has built extensive networks and relationships with many different organisations. The centre has continued to be an effective, vibrant and high quality social enterprise operation, providing commercial letting space alongside a community meeting space that meets the needs of the local community and a wide range of businesses and organisations. Farranshane Community Trust is governed by a strong, committed Board of Trustees, drawn from the local community, who give their time and skills to the organisation on a voluntary basis.
Farranshane Community Trust is an established unique social enterprise organisation in Antrim and exercises its charitable objectives by working for the benefit of the people of the Rathenraw Area and in the wider Antrim town area.
Shared Community Space
Farranshane Community Trust is a purpose built community and workspace property comprising a number of elements which include community, office and retail/workshops space. The building has a total of approximately 10.9k sq ft and has parking for 36 vehicles. The creation of this social economy building was a result of a direct need identified by the local community of Rathenraw to address the issues of economic deprivation and unemployment.
By providing a range of rooms and facilities that are available most days, evenings and weekends we are promoting urban regeneration, improvement through the provision of public facilities and amenities. The availability of our rooms and facilities at Farranshane Community Trust will lead to employment opportunities whether it’s a franchise for early years childcare and development, or enabling an independent counselling opportunity to rent a room for as little as one hour.
We provide premises to cater for birthday parties and family gatherings. Since Jan 2018 Farranshane Community Trust has worked in conjunction with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Belfast Met to host the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Programme for Syrian vulnerable persons.
Farranshane Community Trust exists to support and develop the work of community groups to relieve poverty, advance education and provide facilities for youth and improve quality of life for its inhabitants. This is demonstrated through having the availability of the community shared space. The public benefit is the provision of function/meeting room space to run, events, courses and training programmes. The benefit is for all within the Rathenraw area and its environs regardless of disability/age/social/economic circumstances and this leads to increased knowledge and understanding to all in the area through a shared space to support and develop knowledge, skills and a programmes of activities for the inhabitants of the area and its surrounding environs. The benefits are demonstrated through the results achieved, through increased knowledge and training which leads to increased opportunity for employment. There is also an increase in health and well-being for the residents of the area. Examples of some of the Little Steps SureStart programmes are Toddler Soccer and the Choose to Lose Programme which are accommodated in our Main hall. Training for Baby Massage and the support programme Time for Me are welcomed in our Boardroom, which provides a warm and welcoming environment.
Supporting Local Enterprise and Employment
Farranshane Community makes a significant contribution to the local area. If we look at our objective under our constitution one of the main elements would be the relief of unemployment. Farranshane Community Trust has directly created 1 full time position and 3 part time positions. Our enterprise indirectly supports employment of over 40 people through the established enterprise facilities at Farranshane House.
At Farranshane Community Trust we provide a full range of services and facilities providing commercial letting space alongside meeting space that meets the need of the local community and a wider range of business and organisations. Farranshane Community Trust is specifically designed for start-up businesses who are taking their first steps in growing their business potential. The Trustees also offer ease of establishing a new venture in the building offering reduced start up rates to community organisations with a focus on groups who are employed or in need of support, with an easy in, easy out tenancy agreement. A typical start up unit at Farranshane could be as little as 390 sq ft.
By providing a range of rooms and facilities that are available most days, evenings and weekends we are promoting urban regeneration, improvement, and the provision of public facilities and amenities, the availability of our rooms and facilities will lead to employment opportunities for the independent instructors who run a yoga class in our multi-purpose hall, or for the suppliers who supply goods and services for the birthday parties and family gatherings that are held each weekend.
We have a range of retail and service providers which are key elements in the local area. A number of these organisations provide school leavers with the opportunity for on-the-job training, for skills such as hairdressing and dog grooming.
Supporting Learning
We are delighted to be involved with a number of specific programmes to support training and development of the local community. Little Steps SureStart is fully funded by the Department of Education through the Health and Social Care Board . The services provided are delivered by their partners Action for Children and the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trust . An example would be the Nurturing Programme which runs for ten weeks and aims to help parents become more positive and nurturing in their relationships with each other and their children. Topics include; building self-esteem, positive discipline and stress management.
We wish to highlight the work carried out by the Empower Programme , which is funded under the Big Lottery Reaching Out Fund . This family programme supports free training for parents, wider family circle and stakeholders who support/care for children with Autism, Dyslexia or Dyspraxia. From January to March of this year we have hosted 14 free training sessions for the Empower Programme . The sessions took place on Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings covering a range of topics from navigating an Autistic Sensory System to ADHD and Social Skills.
Farranshane Community Trust is also pleased to be involved with the ESOL programme for Syrian vulnerable persons. Belfast Met and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Counci l, provides weekly classes to provide teaching of English for speakers of other languages. Such is the size of the class that this is accommodated in our Main hall, with an additional room being provided for the children’s crèche.
Supporting Health & Well-Being:
Farranshane Community Trust is pleased to receive funding from the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in respect of its Antrim Areas at Risk programme , for the Super Output Areas (S.O.A’s) of Farranshane, Ballycraigy, Stiles and Steeple.
The basis of our programme is to provide a safe and shared environment as a resource for children’s development and well-being. Training and strategies were put in place to assist with learning, with mindfulness sessions to help with breathing, resilience and confidence building.
The Light up Teen’s emotion resilience workshops took place in March of this year and were attended by 12 year eight students who recorded full attendance on all four Monday evenings. 16 parents attended a follow up two hour session after their children’s course. During the workshops the children were taught a series of techniques to restore calm following emotional overwhelm to improve mood and emotion to create resilience and development of a positive growth in mind-set.
At the end of last year we set up a Body Brain Fit Programme , in conjunction with Antrim Tutoring and Heat Mixed Martial Arts . The programme was to encourage children to engage in academic work balanced with the reward of sporting activities .The group consisted of eight children ranging from 6 – 16 years, six of the children have a ASD diagnosis, one with specific learning difficulties. Feedback details improved teamwork which improved their ability to build relationships more quickly. Relaxation techniques were quickly absorbed by the children who clearly benefited in their own emotional well-being.
The support of well-being for the local area is reflected in our tenant mix, with a Hairdresser, Reflexology and Holistic Studio, alongside a resident Pilates instructor.
We provide public health facilities and childcare support and also address the issue of public safety and prevention of crime.
Reserves Policy:
The Trustees have established the level of reserves (that is, the funds that are freely available) that the charity requires to deliver its operations and services. Reserves are needed to bridge the funding gaps between spending on and receiving resources through rental income and grants providing funding. The Trustees therefore consider that the ideal level of reserves as at 31 st March 2019 would be 3 months of operating costs.
The actual unrestricted reserves at 31 st March 2019 were £76,045, however this figure includes the building less deferred grants of £177,763. If the building were to be removed from this figure the reserves figure would be a negative amount.
Risk Management
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurances against fraud and error.
Risk is reviewed on a regular basis and actions and controls to mitigate against risk are developed and agreed by the Trustees.
Future Plans:
The Board of Trustees will continue to work to achieve its aims and objectives as detailed in the Articles of Association. The Board of Trustees are pleased to report that once again they have received funding from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council under the Antrim Areas at Risk Programme . Following on from our work on the Children’s Development and Well-Being Programme, our project will continue to provide a resource for children’s development and Well-Being in the Antrim Areas with specific emphasis on the communities of Farranshane, Ballycraigy, Steeple and Stiles. We provide workshops and training to provide a friendly, stimulating and comfortable learning experience for the children of our community. Our partnership with Belfast Met and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council continues with the ESOL programme, with an extensive list of dates for 2020. We also have series of planned workshop bookings by the Childcare Partnership who provide training for childminders and childcare providers.
Interest has also been shown by a number of independent coaches, and we hope to increase our offer with evening dancing and yoga classes.
Acknowledgements:
In Kind Support;
Antrim Community Forum
Antrim Enterprise Agency
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Community Team
Enkalon Foundation
Family Caring Centre
Lloyds TSB Foundation
Rathenraw Youth Scheme
Rehability
The charity is regulated by its governing document, a deed of trust, and its memorandum and article of association and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Farranshane Community Trust is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Registration No: NI 062957
It is recognised by the Northern Ireland Charity Commission.
Charity Ref: NIC 100887
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Induction and training of new Trustees
New Trustees undergo orientation to brief them on their obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making processes, the business plan and financial performance of the charity.
The trustees' r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2019, which are set out on pages 10 to 20.
The charity’s trustees, who are also the directors of Farranshane Community Trust for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 65 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) ; and
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act. 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. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. the procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Your attention is also drawn to the fact that the charity has departed from the SORP in relation to the treatment of capital grants. The trustees have adopted SSAP 4. They felt that as they had previously adopted SSAP 4 for capital grants a consistent approach should be maintained to provide a true and fair view of the charity's annual activity. When the terms and conditions for full entitlement to the grants have been met in December 2019 the trustees will change the accounting policy and the full amount of the deferred grant will be released in the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2020.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Farranshane Community Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 1 Ballygore Road, Rathenraw, Antrim, BT41 2RN.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling , which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary a mounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Unrestricted income was received from rental income and income from vending machines. This income met the charitable objectives of the organisation, as the reduced rental rates set for local businesses and room hire, meant that the facilities could be used to promote the public benefit of urban regeneration in the Rathenraw area and its environs.
Restricted income was received from Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council. The purpose of this income was to contribute towards some of the overheads of the building which are necessary in order for them to be able to facilitate the above.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any ) .
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future p aymen ts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Capital grants
The Charity has adopted SSAP 4. Grants made as a specific contribution towards specific expenditure on fixed assets are recognised over the useful economic life of the related assets. This is a departure from SORP accounting policy. The SORP policy would result in initially high profits being followed by continued losses due to depreciation. The trustees feel that this would not be a true and fair view of the Charity's annual activity. The trustees feel that having previously adopted SSAP 4 to capital grants, that a consistent approach should be maintained.
Where a grant has been deferred on an asset which is now subject to an impairment charge, the deferred grant shall be released to the Statement of Financial Activities with the same amount as the asset impairment charge.
Grants of a capital nature are credited to a Fixed Assets Deferred Grant fund. The related asset is shown in the Balance Sheet at the full cost of acquisition. As the related assets are depreciated, then a transfer is made from the Fixed Asset Deferred Grant Fund to unrestricted revenue reserves to reflect the diminution in the asset.
The clawback conditions of the deferred grants will expire in December 2019. It is the intention of the trustees to change to the SORP policy after that.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Income from charitable activities
Charitable expenditure
Governance
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The independent examiner's remuneration was £1,935.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
A contingent liability exists in relation to the capital grants received from IFI in respect of capital work done to the building. The conditions of the grants stipulate that there will be a clawback of the grants if Farranshane Community Trust disposes or loses any interest in the building within ten years of the completion date. The building date of completion was December 2009.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2018 - none).