Charity registration number NIC103014
Company registration number NI054077 (Northern Ireland)
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
CONTENTS
Page
Charity Information
1
Trustees' report
2 - 3
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
4
Independent examiner's report
5
Statement of financial activities
6
Balance sheet
7
Notes to the financial statements
8 - 12
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
- 1 -
Trustees
Ms Tracy Hamilton
Mr Trevor Edwards
Mr Terence Reeves-Smyth
Dr Mark Johnston
Mr Michael Burrows
Ms Jackie Harte
Trust Secretary
Ms Tracy Hamilton
Charity number
NIC103014
Company number
NI054077
Registered office
12 Meadow Way
Crawfordsburn
Bangor
Down
BT19 1JJ
Independent examiner
Moore (N.I.) LLP
4th Floor Donegall House
7 Donegall Square North
Belfast
BT1 5GB
Bankers
Danske Bank
Donegall Square West
Belfast
BT1  6JS
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 2 -

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements 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)

Objectives and activities

The Charity's objects are:

 

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

Our conference was held in the Mount Errigal Hotel, in Letterkenny on 5-7th October, 2023 with the title “Robinsonian Gardening. A Living Legacy.”

 

It was a huge success with 100 attendees accommodated and catered for extremely well by the hotel. On both the Friday and Saturday afternoons we had garden visits. 

 

Firstly we visited Glenveagh Castle Gardens, where Sean O'Gaoithin led us around the sumptuous planting on the shore of Lough Beagh.

 

The following day we went to Carrablagh at Port Salon, by kind permission of John and Jan Mulcahy, and were led by Brendan Little. Both are stunning gardens in their own right, enhanced by their geographical situations. 

 

We held our Spring lecture via Zoom again in March and on this occasion Dr. Christy Boylan, landscape consultant and Dublin lecturer gave an interesting presentation of "The Parks and Gardens of Dublin”, which is also the title of his recently published book.

Financial review

Net income of £8,712 was recorded in the financial year (2023: £7,281). The finances of the Trust remain in a very healthy state.

It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds, which have not been designated for a specific use, should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee.

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:

Ms Tracy Hamilton
Mr Trevor Edwards
Mr Terence Reeves-Smyth
Dr Mark Johnston
Mr Michael Burrows
Ms Jackie Harte
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 3 -

None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of The Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.

 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

Plans for future periods

Plans are currently being developed for our annual conference in October 2023 in Letterkenny, Donegal on the subject Robinsonian Gardening, A Living Legacy.

 

Risk Management

We acknowledge our responsibility to both identify and manage risks, in particular at committee meetings, and at conference and lecture venues.

 

The process is as follows:-

1. Identify the hazards;

2. Decide who might be harmed and how;

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions;

4. Implement findings; and

5. Review our assessment and update if necessary.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr Michael Burrows
Director
Dated: 8 October 2024
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 4 -

The Trustees, who are also the directors of The Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.

 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
- 5 -

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust (the Charity) for the year ended 28 February 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is our responsibility to:

 

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and 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. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Dr R.I. Peters Gallagher OBE FCA
For and on behalf of Moore (N.I.) LLP
4th Floor Donegall House
7 Donegall Square North
Belfast
BT1 5GB
Dated: 8 October 2024
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 6 -
Unrestricted
Total
funds
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Charitable activities
3
22,840
19,075

Investments

4
54
5
Total income
22,894
19,080
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
14,182
11,799
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
8,712
7,281
Fund balances at 1 March 2023
23,466
16,185
Fund balances at 28 February 2024
32,178
23,466

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2024
28 February 2024
- 7 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
11
221
199
Cash at bank and in hand
32,677
23,267
32,898
23,466
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
12
(720)
-
Net current assets
32,178
23,466
Net assets
32,178
23,466
The funds of the Charity
Unrestricted funds
32,178
23,466
32,178
23,466

The company is entitled to exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 28 February 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 8 October 2024
Mr Michael Burrows
Director
Company registration number NI054077 (Northern Ireland)
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 8 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

The Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 12 Meadow Way, Crawfordsburn, Bangor, Down, BT19 1JJ.

1.1
Accounting convention

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 amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

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.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors 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.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the Charity.
1.4
Incoming resources
Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.

1.5
Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

1.6
Cash and cash equivalents

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 NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -
1.7
Financial instruments

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

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

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 payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

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.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

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.

THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 10 -
3
Charitable activities
2024
2023
£
£
Donations
22,840
19,075
4
Income from investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Interest receivable
54
5
5
Charitable activities
2024
2023
£
£
Conference expenses
11,692
10,487
Insurance
378
392
Administration and Website Expenses
1,336
1,005
Bank Fees
345
376
Gain on foreign exchange
(289)
(461)
13,462
11,799
Share of governance costs (see note 6)
720
-
14,182
11,799
6
Support costs allocated to activities
2024
2023
£
£
Governance costs
720
-
Analysed between:
Charitable activities
720
-
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 11 -
7
Net movement in funds
2024
2023
£
£
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial statements
720
-
8
Trustees
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year.
9
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
Total
-
0
-
0
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
10
Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

11
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Prepayments and accrued income
221
199
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Accruals and deferred income
720
-
THE NORTHERN IRELAND HERITAGE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 12 -
13
Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 March 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 28 February 2024
£
£
£
£
General funds
23,466
22,894
(14,182)
32,178
Previous year:
At 1 March 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 28 February 2023
£
£
£
£
General funds
16,185
19,080
(11,799)
23,466
14
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

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