| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| for |
| Murlough House |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| for |
| Murlough House |
| Murlough House |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 | to | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 16 |
| Murlough House (Registered number: NI608913) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019). |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Objectives and aims |
| Our primary objective is the advancement of religion, specifically the Christian Faith, and as such are aims are: |
| 1. An improved sense of wellbeing and the spiritual, moral and intellectual development for those attending the organised activities at Murlough House, as they enjoy fellowship with others and receive teaching from the Bible. |
| 2. The promotion of Christian values for the benefit of individuals, with those using the various facilities available at Murlough House encouraged to adopt a moral framework where they are good citizens. |
| Murlough House as a charity offers facilities for private retreat, respite, group retreat, and conference facilities to church and para-church groups and individuals in sympathy with our Christian ethos. |
| Murlough House (Registered number: NI608913) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Significant activities |
| The reach of our charitable activities is still being affected by the mental turmoil following the pandemic, and also by the increase in costs which we have had to pass on through an increase in our prices. Coming to Murlough House is viewed by many as a luxury rather than a necessity and as such, when money is tight we drop off the radar, understandably. All this being said, for those who are coming the smaller numbers has given rise to great benefit as visitors are more focused on their aims and their group sessions operate at a deeper spiritual level as people are more willing to be open with one another. |
| Besides increased running costs, the greatest challenge we face remains a lack of manpower.Recruiting staff, in the hospitality sector, remains very challenging, as a consequence we are having to take breaks in the diary to enable staff to have much needed time off, to ensure that in looking after others, we ourselves do not fall apart, due to pressure of work. |
| Our finances are healthy, but only due to the generous donations from individuals and corporate supporters, again this year. The house is not meeting its own running costs due to the reduction in numbers and also those who most need to come to the house are normally the least able to pay and therefore we have used the donation kindly given to help both individuals and groups. |
| The costs of managing an old property are always high but we have once again had to invest quite heavily in repairs and maintenance, mainly on keeping a roof over our heads following the increased intensity of rain fall this year which has overwhelmed our spouting system causing ingress of water on the first floor. All the guttering are needing replaced along with the downspouts. However since these have to be in accordance with historic building regulations, this is a capital expenditure we can not currently afford. |
| The most noticeable change over the last year has been the number of group cancellations. We have had more cancellations during this year that we had in the previous 10 years. These have been financially devastating as they have occurred often within days of their due date meaning that we have not been able to find replacements. |
| The most notable change during the year was the launch of our Imbibe Coffee shop which opened in September and had to shut again in May. This was disappointing for some but was the right thing to do, as the project did not work out as intended. Our ambition was to have space for people to come and enjoy the surroundings as well as the coffee, but primarily for it to be a safe space where those who were lonely, could come and enjoy the company of others and feel appreciated. What actually happened was it became a favourite spot for those who have time to go out for lunches. Interestingly some people loved it so much they did not want others to come but wished to keep it to themselves. It never got to a level of traffic to be financially viable and if it had, it would have had disastrous consequences for those coming on retreat seeking peace and tranquility. Also the National Trust, who had originally been very supportive as they viewed it as an asset to the nature reserve, then asked us to close it because they claimed that a high percentage of visitors were stating they were going to the coffee shop to avoid paying the entrance fee. We now use the coffee shop as another space for people to book for gatherings of various sorts, as part of the overall product offering of the house. |
| Public benefit |
| The public benefit is always hard to measure with a facility like Murlough House, however many of those coming, have reported their experience as being highly significant to them and of great spiritual and physical benefit. |
| Murlough House (Registered number: NI608913) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Volunteers |
| We currently have two volunteers sporadically, to whom we are very grateful for their help and endeavours, one in the garden and one in the house. |
| Finding individuals willing to volunteer is again difficult as the work is manual labour and not very rewarding. |
| ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
| Fundraising activities |
| About half of the funds required to maintain our charitable activity comes from our trading position which is a dramatic reduction, but we have received several gifts to help us to continue our work. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| Due to the COVID19 pandemic there has been a significant reduction in income during the financial year but the cost of maintaining the utilities and services has remained. |
| FUTURE PLANS |
| Our plans for the future have changed in line with the needs and the experience of the last two years. With reduced numbers we do not need the whole house for retreat and as a consequence have been able to segregate the servants quarters for respite rather than retreat. We have made this change as we are getting more requests from individuals who need to be able to come on a longer basis than a couple of days during the week. Also it means we can still have room at weekends even when there is a group in the house for those who are unable to come on retreat on weekdays. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Trustees |
| The Trustees have not changed during the year |
| Company Secretary |
| Murlough House (Registered number: NI608913) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Independent Examiner |
| ASC Wylie UBU Ltd |
| Qualified Accountants, Tax & Business Advisors |
| 7 Lisburn Street |
| Royal Hillsborough |
| Co. Down |
| BT26 6AB |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
| Murlough House |
| I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 30 September 2024, which are set out on pages six to sixteen. |
| Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner |
| As the charity's trustees (and also the directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. |
| 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 |
| - | follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under Section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act |
| - | state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
| Basis of the independent examiner's report |
| 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. |
| My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe: |
| 1. | That accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 |
| 2. | That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records |
| 3. | That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the 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 |
| 4. | That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
| Independent examiner's statement |
| I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. |
| Mr ASC Wylie FCA |
| ASC Wylie UBU Ltd |
| Qualified Accountants, Tax & Business Advisors |
| 7 Lisburn Street |
| Royal Hillsborough |
| Co. Down |
| BT26 6AB |
| 10 June 2025 |
| Murlough House |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Unrestricted | Total |
| fund | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Other trading activities | 2 |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Cost of generating voluntary income |
| Charitable activities |
| Total |
| NET INCOME |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 184,997 |
| Murlough House (Registered number: NI608913) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 30 September 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Unrestricted | Total |
| fund | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 9 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Debtors | 10 |
| Cash at bank |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 11 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 12 |
| Unrestricted funds: |
| General fund | 195,239 | 184,997 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 184,997 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30 September 2024. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
| (a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
| (b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
| Murlough House (Registered number: NI608913) |
| Balance Sheet - continued |
| 30 September 2024 |
| These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
| The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland': |
| • | the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows; |
| • | the requirement of paragraph 3.17(d); |
| • | the requirements of paragraphs 11.42, 11.44, 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c); |
| • | the requirements of paragraphs 12.26, 12.27, 12.29(a), 12.29(b) and 12.29A; |
| • | the requirement of paragraph 33.7. |
| Income |
| All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
| Expenditure |
| 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. |
| Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Improvements to property | - |
| Plant and machinery | - |
| Fixtures and fittings | - |
| Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
| Fund accounting |
| Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Fund accounting |
| Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
| The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. |
| 2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Fee income |
| Retreat income |
| Coffee shop income | 2,798 | - |
| Conference income | 2,866 | 1,041 |
| US Team income | 16,674 | - |
| Other Income | 4,070 | 232 |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Deposit account interest |
| 4. | SUPPORT COSTS |
| Governance |
| Management | Finance | costs | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Support costs | 114,038 | 784 | (414 | ) | 114,408 |
| Governance costs | - | - | 8,818 | 8,818 |
| 114,038 | 784 | 8,404 | 123,226 |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 4. | SUPPORT COSTS - continued |
| Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: |
| Management |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Support | Total |
| costs | activities |
| £ | £ |
| Wages | 54,102 | 54,574 |
| Pensions | 734 | 537 |
| Insurance | 8,633 | 7,809 |
| Light and heat | 14,803 | 13,855 |
| Phone, internet & website | 4,033 | 2,069 |
| Post, stationery & office | 555 | 568 |
| Sundries | 248 | 1,116 |
| Coach Hire | 6,690 | 5,906 |
| Depreciation of tangible and heritage assets |
9,445 |
11,681 |
| Repairs & maintenance | 14,795 | 19,162 |
| 114,038 | 117,277 |
| Finance |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Support | Total |
| costs | activities |
| £ | £ |
| Bank charges | 784 | - |
| Governance costs |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Support | Governance | Total | Total |
| costs | costs | activities | activities |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Legal & professional | - | 4,675 | 4,675 | 1,586 |
| Accountancy | (414 | ) | 4,143 | 3,729 | 4,060 |
| (414 | ) | 8,818 | 8,404 | 5,646 |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 5. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| 6. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 September 2024 nor for the year ended 30 September 2023. |
| Trustees' expenses |
| There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 September 2024 nor for the year ended 30 September 2023. |
| 7. | STAFF COSTS |
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Administration |
| 8. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted |
| fund |
| £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Other trading activities |
| Investment income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Cost of generating voluntary income |
| Charitable activities |
| Total |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 8. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
| Unrestricted |
| fund |
| £ |
| NET INCOME |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
184,997 |
| 9. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Improvements | Fixtures |
| to | Plant and | and |
| property | machinery | fittings | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1 October 2023 |
| Additions |
| At 30 September 2024 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 October 2023 |
| Charge for year |
| At 30 September 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 30 September 2024 |
| At 30 September 2023 |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 10. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade debtors |
| 11. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Social security and other taxes |
| Pension | 190 | - |
| Accruals and deferred income |
| 12. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net |
| At | movement | At |
| 1/10/23 | in funds | 30/9/24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 184,997 | 10,242 | 195,239 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 10,242 | 195,239 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 174,486 | (164,244 | ) | 10,242 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 10,242 |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net |
| At | movement | At |
| 1/10/22 | in funds | 30/9/23 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 146,909 | 38,088 | 184,997 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 146,909 | 38,088 | 184,997 |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 12. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 192,830 | (154,742 | ) | 38,088 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 192,830 | (154,742 | ) | 38,088 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
| Net |
| At | movement | At |
| 1/10/22 | in funds | 30/9/24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 146,909 | 48,330 | 195,239 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 146,909 | 48,330 | 195,239 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 367,316 | (318,986 | ) | 48,330 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 367,316 | (318,986 | ) | 48,330 |
| Murlough House |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 |
| 13. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |