Monkstown Community Forum - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: NI029711 (Northern Ireland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 102033

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended

30 September 2025

for

Monkstown Community Forum

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

15

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 2025. 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).

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.

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 29 June 1995 and registered as a charity in October 1995. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the charity being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

Unless otherwise determined by the charity in general meeting, the number of Trustees shall not be more than 10 or less than 3. One Trustee elects to retire from office each year at the Annual General Meeting. The Trustee to retire shall be the person who has been longest in office since his/her last election, but as between persons who became Trustees on the same day the person to retire shall be determined by lot. No person other than a Trustee retiring by rotation shall be appointed or reappointed a Trustee at any general meeting unless:

- he/she is recommended by the Trustee

- not less than 14 nor more than 35 clear days before the date appointed for the meeting, notice executed by a member qualified to vote at the meeting has been given to the charity of the intention to propose that person for appointment or reappointment together with notice executed by that person of his/her willingness to be appointed or reappointed.

Subject to Article 35, the Trustees have the power at any time to appoint any person to be a Trustee, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing Trustees. Any Trustee so appointed shall hold office only until the next Annual General Meeting and shall then be eligible for re-election, but shall not be taken into account in determining the Trustee who is to retire by rotation at such meeting.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in the notes of the accounts.

Trustee induction and training

Most Trustees are already familiar with the work of the charity and the community. Any new Trustees are advised of the obligations of Trustees, the Memorandum and Articles of the charity, resourcing, and the current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts, and any future plans and objectives.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

NI029711 (Northern Ireland)

Registered Charity number

102033

Registered office

18 Monkstown Village Centre

Monkstown Road

Newtownabbey

Co. Antrim

BT37 0HS

Trustees

Mr Stephen James Acheson

Mrs Gina Marion Baxter

Mr Brian Hunter

Mr Clifford William Lyons

Mr John Gault Mc Conaghie

Mr Peter Thomas Morrow

Mr Alan Robert Taylor

Mr Alan David Johnston (appointed 13/11/2025)

Company Secretary

Mr Colin Barr

Independent Examiner

M.B.McGrady & Co

Chartered Accountants

Suite 2B

Cadogan House

322 Lisburn Road

Belfast

Co. Antrim

BT9 6GH

RISK MANAGEMENT

The major risks to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the Trustees, have been reviewed.

Organisational structure

The charity has a Board of 7 Trustees who meet regularly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. All major decisions are undertaken by the Board, while day to day responsibility for the provision of services rests with the Company Secretary. The Company Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met.

Objectives and activities

Our charity's purposes, as set out in the objects contained in the charity's Memorandum, are to promote the public benefit of urban regeneration in the Monkstown area and its environs. The aims of our charity are to develop and maintain a multi-purpose facility which will be a focal point for residents and will aim to provide sustainable opportunities, facilities and services to groups and individuals in the Monkstown area. Our aims fully reflect the purposes that the charity was set up to further.

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months and helps us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes.

Our main objectives for the year continued to be job creation, provision of training and the development of entrepreneurial activity. The strategies we used to meet these objectives included:

- providing and maintaining a multi-purpose facility in the community; and

- providing funds generated from the above to local organisations to help them with urban regeneration.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the companies aims and objectives.

Principal activities

Our main activity this year involved the provision and maintenance of a multi-purpose facility which provides a variety of services and resources to the community. This in turn generated funds which we were able to donate to local organisations if the opportunity or need arose.

Achievements and performance

As a project promoter of the Areas at Risk programme, Monkstown Community Forum made contributions totalling £17,400 (2024: £17,400) - see Note 12 to the Financial Statements) to Monkstown Village Initiatives for the delivery of: youth work, cognitive behavioural therapy and gardening programmes for the benefit of the Monkstown community. This was funded by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council and the Department of Communities. These programmes have both prevention and intervention at their core. They have enabled trained staff to engage at a significant level with various local "at risk" and "vulnerable" groups and individuals.

Financial review

Against the backdrop of the current economic climate, the charity incurred net outgoing resources of £67,994 (2024: £8,462). An amount of £25,700 was transferred from the capital grant reserve to the general reserve which is in line with the depreciation rate used for Land and Buildings.

Principal funding sources

The main income generated by the charity is from rental and service charge income arising from the letting of units at the multi-purpose facility. In addition, a total of £1,285,000 was received and held in capital grant reserves from Newtownabbey Local Strategy Partnership, International Fund for Ireland, Groundwork NI and Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council for the purposes of the charity. This fund is reduced over the useful economic life of Land and Buildings in line with depreciation.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed to planned maintenance or purchase of fixed assets should be between 3 and 6 months of expenditure. Budgeted expenditure for 2025/26 is £209,918 while closing general reserves as at 30 September 2025 are £498,363. These reserves are required to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and the Trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding or tenants.

Plans for future periods

The charity plans to continue the activities outlined above in the forthcoming years. The Trustees will continue to review and assess any opportunities that may arise which will further the charity's purpose of promoting the public benefit of urban regeneration in Monkstown.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 12 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr John Gault Mc Conaghie - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Monkstown Community Forum ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its 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 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts 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 accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

Kim Rainey FCA

M.B.McGrady & Co

Chartered Accountants

Suite 2B

Cadogan House

322 Lisburn Road

Belfast

Co. Antrim

BT9 6GH

12 January 2026

30/9/25

30/9/24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

270,512

17,400

287,912

272,750

Investment income

2

15,870

-

15,870

12,857

Total

286,382

17,400

303,782

285,607

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

3

1,165

-

1,165

187

Charitable activities

353,211

17,400

370,611

293,882

Total

354,376

17,400

371,776

294,069

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(67,994

)

-

(67,994

)

(8,462

)

Transfers between funds

12

25,700

(25,700

)

-

Net movement in funds

(42,294

)

(25,700

)

(67,994

)

(8,462

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

540,657

822,400

1,363,057

1,371,519

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

498,363

796,700

1,295,063

1,363,057

30/9/25

30/9/24

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

8

927,509

959,400

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

9

16,278

29,238

Cash at bank

379,741

395,801

396,019

425,039

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

10

(28,465

)

(21,382

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

367,554

403,657

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

1,295,063

1,363,057

NET ASSETS

1,295,063

1,363,057

FUNDS

12

Unrestricted funds

498,363

540,657

Restricted funds

796,700

822,400

TOTAL FUNDS

1,295,063

1,363,057

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30 September 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 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.

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 12 January 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr John Gault Mc Conaghie - Trustee

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.

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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property

-

2% on cost

Fixtures and fittings

-

15% on reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

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.

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds are earmarked formally by the organisation for a particular purpose.

The nature and purpose of each fund is included below:

Contingency Fund - set aside in the event of (significant) loss of income

Maintenance Fund - for the maintenance of the property and major renovations or refurbishment work

Succession Fund - for transition of management/staff

IT Fund - for the replacement/addition of MVC equipment/software

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.	INVESTMENT INCOME

30/9/25

30/9/24

£

Deposit account interest

15,870

12,857

3.	RAISING FUNDS

Raising donations and legacies

30/9/25

30/9/24

£

Support costs

1,165

187

4.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

30/9/25

30/9/24

£

Depreciation - owned assets

31,891

32,102

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 September 2025 nor for the year ended 30 September 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 September 2025 nor for the year ended 30 September 2024.

6.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

30/9/25

30/9/24

Administrative

5

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

7.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

255,350

17,400

272,750

Investment income

12,857

-

12,857

Total

268,207

17,400

285,607

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

187

-

187

Charitable activities

276,482

17,400

293,882

Total

276,669

17,400

294,069

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(8,462

)

-

(8,462

)

Transfers between funds

25,700

(25,700

)

-

Net movement in funds

17,238

(25,700

)

(8,462

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

523,419

848,100

1,371,519

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

540,657

822,400

1,363,057

8.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Freehold

and

property

fittings

Totals

£

COST

At 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025

1,534,509

40,400

1,574,909

DEPRECIATION

At 1 October 2024

583,110

32,399

615,509

Charge for year

30,691

1,200

31,891

At 30 September 2025

613,801

33,599

647,400

NET BOOK VALUE

At 30 September 2025

920,708

6,801

927,509

At 30 September 2024

951,399

8,001

959,400

9.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

30/9/25

30/9/24

£

Trade debtors

2,512

15,598

Other debtors

7,148

4,913

C&W Service income due

3,716

6,539

Prepayments

2,902

2,188

16,278

29,238

10.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

30/9/25

30/9/24

£

Trade creditors

1,788

44

VAT

5,162

8,372

Deposits held

10,458

4,833

Deferred income

6,604

3,917

Accrued expenses

4,453

4,216

28,465

21,382

11.	ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

30/9/25

30/9/24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

£

Fixed assets

130,809

796,700

927,509

959,400

Current assets

396,019

-

396,019

425,039

Current liabilities

(28,465

)

-

(28,465

)

(21,382

)

498,363

796,700

1,295,063

1,363,057

12.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

At

movement

between

At

1/10/24

in funds

funds

30/9/25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

330,523

(67,994

)

22,879

285,408

Designated Funds

210,134

-

2,821

212,955

540,657

(67,994

)

25,700

498,363

Restricted funds

Capital Grant Fund

822,400

-

(25,700

)

796,700

TOTAL FUNDS

1,363,057

(67,994

)

-

1,295,063

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

286,382

(354,376

)

(67,994

)

Restricted funds

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Grants

17,400

(17,400

)

-

TOTAL FUNDS

303,782

(371,776

)

(67,994

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

At

movement

between

At

1/10/23

in funds

funds

30/9/24

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

523,419

(8,462

)

(184,434

)

330,523

Designated Funds

-

210,134

523,419

(8,462

)

25,700

540,657

Restricted funds

Capital Grant Fund

848,100

-

(25,700

)

822,400

TOTAL FUNDS

1,371,519

(8,462

)

-

1,363,057

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

268,207

(276,669

)

(8,462

)

Restricted funds

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Grants

17,400

(17,400

)

-

TOTAL FUNDS

285,607

(294,069

)

(8,462

)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

Transfers

At

movement

between

At

1/10/23

in funds

funds

30/9/25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

523,419

(76,456

)

(161,555

)

285,408

Designated Funds

-

212,955

523,419

(76,456

)

51,400

498,363

Restricted funds

Capital Grant Fund

848,100

-

(51,400

)

796,700

TOTAL FUNDS

1,371,519

(76,456

)

-

1,295,063

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

554,589

(631,045

)

(76,456

)

Restricted funds

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Grants

34,800

(34,800

)

-

TOTAL FUNDS

589,389

(665,845

)

(76,456

)

Transfers between funds

Designated funds of £212,955 includes £184,630 of unrestricted funding, designated to the following purposes:

Contingency Fund £125,000, Maintenance Fund £33,811 Succession Fund £15,601, IT Fund £10,218.

Details of the various funds are explained in the accounting policies note on page 8.

13.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Three Trustees of Monkstown Community Forum (Alan Taylor, Cliff Lyons and Stephen Acheson) are also Trustees of Monkstown Village Initiative. During the year MCF made contributions of £91,774 towards the cost of Youth Workers' salaries, gardener and the Area at Risk program.

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council

The Forum received £17,400 from Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council in relation to the Areas at Risk Programme. This programme is promoted by Monkstown Community Forum and the programme content is delivered by Monkstown Village Initiatives. At the Balance Sheet date £17,400 had been paid over to Monkstown Village Initiatives.