The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
The Charity’s objects are to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Castlerock and its environs (without distinction) by associating with the statutory authorities, voluntary and community organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to:
Advance community development by providing resources, facilities, support and information for community and voluntary groups and organisations and encouraging and assisting such organisations to cooperate to achieve their aims
Promote culture, arts and heritage
Advance education and training and provide information and advice to local inhabitants and to visitors of the area
Promote good community relations, racial harmony, equality and diversity
Relieve those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability or other disadvantage
Provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupations with the object of improving the conditions of life for said residents
Advance environmental protection and improvement
Advance health and promote participation in healthy recreation in particular cycling, hiking and walking
All the directors/trustees and supporters of the Association are volunteers.
The Charity aims have been met through the delivery of the Village Plan. The production of the Village was informed by an extensive Community consultation process.
The Village Plan 2023-2027 can be located on its website www.castlerockni.co.uk and is the framework for CCA’s strategic direction.
The progress against each of the three headings in the past year is as follows:
Goal 1- Castlerock’s environment and infrastructure
Reinstall and maintain the historic railway bridge
Regular interface and updates received from CC&GBC Officers and Council Members. Council have appointed a contractor and it is anticipated that the bridge will be reinstalled in Spring 2026.
Improve facilities in the Village
In partnership with the Landscape Partnership Scheme a shelter was erected on the beach and outdoor shower installed.
Goal 2-Enhance and protect Castlerock’s natural environment
Village Beautiful
The annual hanging of c 64 baskets/tubs. CCA is grateful to CC&GBC for the planting of the tubs and regular watering throughout the Summer. A huge thanks also to the Volunteers who assist with the hanging up and taking down. Thanks also to the Volunteers who maintain the entrance to the Village throughout the year.
Environmental project-Live Here, Love Here.
Families/Individuals of all ages who are looking to maintain some physical/wellbeing alongside the opportunity to care for the Village continue to carry out regular litter picking alongside regular beach clean ups. CCA’s equipment was also used by 1s Castlerock Scout Group to carry out a beach clean up.
Goal 3-Support people and the wider community-programme of activities/services provided between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025
Deliver Inclusive programme of events
Community garden project. CCA owned polytunnel provides plots at Hezlett House to enable people to grow vegetables/fruits with the added bonus of improving health and wellbeing. There is a waiting list for when plots do become available
Staffing of the Community and Visitor Information Centre, dealing with enquiries from residents and visitors to the Centre
Easter activities-treasure hunt and picture competition
Castlerock’s Magical Christmas 6th December 2024 including the Christmas Light Switch on and Elf Hunt. Thank you to CC&GBC for granting an award of £2500 towards this event A cross-community event where CCA works with the local school, playgroup, scout group and businesses.
Craft Club, which is held monthly
Walkfest, in its 16th year continues to attract families/individuals who are keen to explore the Village and surrounding areas. Many thanks to Translink, National Trust and the dedicated team that continue to make this event a success
“Winter Warmer” -the Community and Visitor Information Centre provide a warm place for people to meet and enjoy a cup of coffee/tea and bowl of soup. The original concept was born as one of the consequences of post covid to provide a welcoming place and encourage social interaction.
A “Wine and Graze” fundraising event was hosted by The Neighbourhood Collective and BBQ Fundraising Event hosted by The Coffee Hut. Many thanks to Alison O’Hare and Alistair and Sandra Robinson respectively for their support.
The total number of participants for CCA’S programme of activities and services for the year end 31st March 2025 was c812. This does not include footfall into the Centre of c814
Communication and Information Sharing to promote good relations
CCA maintains a lively facebook and Instagram feeds, sharing information about local events and activities
Enhance use of the Community and Visitor Information Centre
CCA supports a number of other groups that use the Community and Visitor Information Centre on a regular basis for example, book club, creative writing club and the Royal British Legion
Enhance Political Engagement
Facilitating Networks hosting regular meetings with local Councillors and Senior Council Officers on issues of concerns such as the return of the historic railway bridge, traffic management and recreation facilities.
Hosting of clinics in the Community and Visitor Information Centre so that community members can interact with elected representatives from all parties to raise issues
CCA wishes to formally thank all the Volunteers that support the Association in its programme of activities and services. Additionally, thanks to local businesses, school, playgroup, churches and groups that play a vital role in making things happen and of course all those that participate in the events and activities.
The principal funding source for the Association continues to be the Village Draw, which was established in 2012. Where possible the Association reclaims tax through the Gift Aid scheme. The Association is also grateful for the £3,500 Community Development Support Grant from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. There are no paid staff.
Reserves Policy is reviewed on an annual basis as guided by the Charities Commission Northern Ireland. The Association is fully compliant with the policy.
The Association has a duty to identify principal risks and uncertainty affecting the Charity and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure that appropriate controls are in place to provide a reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Controls are regularly reviewed and discussed. The going concern for the year 25/26 will be the future of the Community and Visitor Information Centre.
The Community Association has leased premises since 2011 for a Community and Visitor Information Centre in the heart of the Village. At its busiest the Centre was open 6 days a week from 10am-4pm. However,over the last 5 years-particularly since the COVID pandemic-use of the Centre (pre-COVID the footfall figure was around 2,300). Currently the Centre is open Thursday to Saturday from 12noon-3pm. The figure for year ending 31st March 2025 was c814. Almost all the functions that were provided by the Centre are now available online and with smart phones almost universally available, the way people find information has changed.
The annual costs of running the Centre have increased by over 60% since 2023 and are forecast to rise further. In addition to the monetary cost, there are human resources, that is Volunteers that are required to manage and maintain the facility. The numbers have significantly dropped since COVID. Feedback informs us that Volunteers were not fully occupied when on duty due to the decrease in footfall.
As a charity, we must be mindful of how we use our income. The CCA’s funding mostly comes from individuals and businesses who generously donate. Too much of this income is now spent on maintaining the Centre rather than serving the Community.
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:
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.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 14.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
examine the financial statements under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
I have examined your charity financial statements as required under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 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 financial statements presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, 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 that:
1. Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
2. The financial statements do not accord with those accounting records; or
3. The financial statements 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 financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102); or
4. There is further information needed for a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
I have completed my examination and I 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.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Castlerock Community Association is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 2A Circular Road, CASTLEROCK, Co Londonderry, BT51 4XA.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". 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 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 financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 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.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. £17,174 of the unrestricted funds relate to designated funds. These funds were donated to the Charity on behalf of a deceased past Hon. Secretary.
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.
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. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
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 payments 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.
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.
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.
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, but they were reimbursed a total of £130 (2024: £258) in respect of expenses incurred on behalf of the charity.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
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.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).