The Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative

Transcription

1 The Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS The Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust is a public/private/voluntary sector partnership established in May 2002 as an independent company limited by guarantee. It includes representation from Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne, Limavady, Moyle and Newtownabbey Borough and District Councils in partnership with representatives from the environment sector, the community sector and the tourism and farming industries. The aim of the Trust is: To promote environmental management and sustainable tourism which aims to protect and enhance the unique heritage of the Causeway Coast & Glens area

2 Annual Report and Accounts Share capital The company is limited by guarantee, and therefore has no share capital. CONTENTS 1. Company Information 2. Chairman s perspective 3. Trust Directors report 4. Trust Management 5. Summary of works 6. Representation 7. Acknowledgement of funding 8. Accounts 9. Reconciliation of movements in funds Profit for the year 73,579 39,397 Opening funds 39,397 - Closing funds 112,976 39,397 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The additional information has been prepared from the accounting records of the company. While it does not form part of the statutory financial statements, it should be read in conjunction with them and the auditors report thereon. INCOME Ballymoney Borough Council 5,000 1,500 Carrickfergus Borough Council 5,000 1,500 Coleraine Borough Council 5,000 1,500 Newtownabbey Borough Council 5,000 1,500 Moyle District Council 5,000 5,262 Larne Borough Council 5,000 1,500 Limavady Borough Council 5,000 1,500 Ballymena Borough Council 5,000 1,500 NITB Grant 41,800 33,000 EHS Grant 40,000 38,734 DARD NRRTI 168,999 73, , ,046

3 Fixtures, 5. Tangible fixed assets fittings and equipment Total Cost At 1 April ,888 19,888 Additions 10,156 10,156 At 31 March ,044 30,044 Depreciation At 1 April ,978 3,978 Charge for the year 5,213 5,213 At 31 March ,191 9,191 Net book values At 31 March ,853 20,853 At 31 March ,910 15, Debtors Prepayments and accrued income 18, Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals and deferred income 15,794 7,008 CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS HERITAGE TRUST 1. COMPANY INFORMATION Directors Dr. D Erwin (Chairman) Mr D. Wilmont (Vice Chairman) Ald. H. Connolly Ald. D. Hilditch Ald J. Dolan Ald V. McWilliam Cllr N. Hillis Cllr R. Craig Cllr O. McMullan Cllr H. Nicholl Mr P. Mullan Mr J. Kitchen Mr D. Curry Mr V. McHenry Mr V. Robinson (resigned April 2003) Mr E. Crawford (resigned April 2003) Mr W. Burke (resigned April 2003) Mr M. Malley (resigned May 2003) Mrs S. Croskerry (resigned October 2003) New appointments during the period Mrs N. Delargy (appointed May 2003, resigned October 2003) Mrs S. Orr (appointed September 2003) Mrs A. McNickle (appointed October 2003) Mrs B. Delargy (appointed December 2003) Mr D. Southall (appointed December 2003) Mr J. Ward (appointed December 2003) Advisors Mr R. Gillen Ms M. Mann Mr K. McGarry Mr J. Paul Mr W. Young Mr H. Francis Mr J. Edgar Mr J. McCormick (until Sept 2003) Ms N. Dalcz (from Sept 2003)

4 Observers Mrs L. Browne Mr G. Seymour Mr J. Mckee Secretary Mr P.Harper Company Registration Number NI Registered Office Tilly Molloy s 18, Main Street, Armoy, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim. BT53 8RQ 3. Operating profit Operating profit is stated after charging: Depreciation and other amounts written off tangible assets 5,213 3,978 Auditors remuneration 940 1, Interest payable and similar charges Included in this category is the following: On bank loans and overdrafts - 19 Accountants Irwin Donaghey Stockman 23/25 Queen Street, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1BG Bankers Northern Bank Limited 6, High Street, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim BT53 6AD Solicitors Campbell McKee 84,Castle Street, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim BT54 6DW

5 1. Accounting policies 1.1. Accounting convention The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention. The company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small company Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 20% Reducing Balance 2. Turnover The total turnover of the company for the year has been derived from its principal activity wholly undertaken in the UK. Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative Subgroup Members Mr K. McGarry (Joint Chair) Mr P. Mullan (Joint Chair) Ald H. Connolly Cllr R. Craig Cllr H. Nicholl Mr P. Butcher Mr R. Gillen Mrs A. McWilliams Mrs V. Stevenson Mrs M McFadden Mr W. Cross Mr N. Graham Mrs R. Savage Ex Officio Dr D. Erwin Mr D.Wilmont Observers Mr J. McKee Mr F. Kearney Ms R. Blair Staff P. Harper,Trust Director C. Dore,Natural Heritage Officer (until Feb 2004) M. Sizaret, Natural Heritage Officer (from Mar 2004) C. O Kane, Office Manager K. McCollum, NRRTI Project Officer M. Christie, NRRTI administrative Officer

6 2. CHAIRMAN S PERSPECTIVE The famous or infamous Chinese curse May you live in interesting times, may well have set upon us at our launch. It represents very well what we lived through in the first full year of the Trust. We started with what was probably naive confidence and optimism to deal with what we considered was a reasonably finite and controllable task. We ended the year somewhat shocked by the pace of change yet a lot more realistic about what we had taken on. We are beginning to recognise our real and vitally important role in managing the future of the region. Pressure and alterations of direction have been heaped upon us. Changes in NRRTI, future plans for three AONBs, possibilities for the World Heritage Site and the Minister s Master-plan for the Region have all been added to our undertakings. Yet, throughout, the Directors, Advisors and staff have shown themselves to be more than adequate to the increasing task. As the job grew, they grew in confidence and competence. Long hours became a way of life for the staff. Some Sub-group meetings started early in the morning and continued well into the evening! Board and Sub-group members from every Council and those representing community farming, tourism and environmental sectors often put their own positions to one side to reach agreed ways forward. Without the unstinting dedication of all we could not have achieved what, in retrospect, is a mammoth amount of work during the period. I thank each of them individually and all of them together for their freely given support throughout the decision making process. At times directions were taken which might have been contrary to their own position. Yet all were gradually forged together into a group seeking common ideals. We started as a group of individuals but are now welded together as a team seeking together the best solutions to the problems of the region. I am delighted to have been given the honour of leading the Trust. Our achievements, our status and our standing have all grown immeasurably in the period. I look forward to an interesting future. Details of the work carried out in the first year are laid out in this report. I commend it to you. Dr David G Erwin OBE CHAIRMAN DRAFT BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 5 20,853 15,910 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 18,768 - Cash at bank and in hand 89,149 30, ,917 30,495 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 7 (15,794) (7,008) NET CURRENT ASSETS 92,123 23,487 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 112,976 39,397 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Profit and loss account 112,976 39,397 FUNDS 9 112,976 39,397 The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part I of Schedule 8 of the Companies (NI) Order 1986 relating to small companies The financial statements were approved by the Board on and signed on its behalf by

7 8. ACCOUNTS DRAFT PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH Notes Turnover 2 290, ,046 Administrative expenses (219,824) (121,630) Operating profit 3 70,975 39,416 Interest receivable and similar income 2,604 - Interest payable and similar charges 4 - (19) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 73,579 39,397 Tax on profit on ordinary activities - - Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 73,579 39,397 Retained profit for the year 73,579 39,397 Retained profit brought forward 39,397 - Retained profit carried forward 112,976 39,397 There are no recognised gains or losses other than the profit or loss for the above two financial periods. 3. TRUST DIRECTOR S REPORT This year undoubtedly started on a high. In it s first full year of operation the Trust was selected as Area Tourism Initiative of the Year 2002 at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Awards! This was great recognition for all the hard work undertaken by everyone involved in helping to establish the Trust. The rest of the year proved extremely busy and challenging but was always rewarding. Several major initiatives were either initiated or completed during the year. Much of the Trust s efforts were directed to the promotion of sustainable tourism. This year saw the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative finalised, launched and in part delivered. The Trust worked closely with colleagues within DARD to help implement this Strategy against the backdrop of very challenging targets under N+2.Good progress was made during the year. Importantly this period also saw the announcement of a Ministerial Initiative to promote tourism within the Causeway Coast and Glens arising from ongoing discussion in relation to the replacement of visitor facilities at the Giant s Causeway. Plans were announced for a strategic initiative including an international competition for the redesign and build of the Giant s Causeway Visitor Centre, a World Heritage Site Management plan and a Tourism Masterplan for the wider Causeway Coast and Glens area. Collectively this represented a strategic framework for the development of the Causeway Coast and Glens as one of 5 signature projects identified by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board within it s strategic framework for tourism development. Still ongoing at the end of the period it was clear this would set the template for tourism development within the region for the next 5-10 years. Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust was represented on the Steering groups for both the World Heritage Site Management plan as required by UNESCO for the Giant s Causeway Site and the Tourism Masterplan. In the case of the latter completion of the Masterplan led to a revision of the existing NRRTI Strategy to fit with recommendations emerging within the Masterplan. This needed to be reconciled with changing targets for both commitment and spend under N+2.

8 Individual sustainable tourism initiatives within the NRRTI Strategy are also worthy of note. In association with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, South Armagh and the Mournes,sssssssss Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage took forward a groundbreaking Pilot Green Tourism Accreditation Scheme the first of it s type in Ireland. Similarly the Trust commissioned a feasibility study into the possible establishment of a visitor payback scheme within the Causeway Coast and Glens, again a first in Ireland. Work also began on a Causeway Coast and Glens website to promote environmental management and sustainable tourism. With regard to Environmental management the period saw a formal request from Environment and Heritage Service to set up a management group for the Causeway Coast AONB. Work also began on the establishment of a similar management group for the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB and, it agreed that similar consideration be given to the North Derry AONB. Following redesignation this was important recognition for the work of the Trust and is important groundwork undertaken to enable this work to be taken forward as a central part of the Trust s work programme during the incoming year. 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FUNDING Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust would like to thank all those organisations which have helped to fund the Trust s work during the period including: Ballymena Borough Council Ballymoney Borough Council Carrickfergus Borough Council Coleraine Borough Council Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Environment and Heritage Service E.U. Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation Larne Borough Council Limavady Borough Council Moyle District Council Newtownabbey Borough Council Northern Ireland Tourist Board With regard to networking the Trust continues to be represented on a range of bodies at both local and international level. Notably Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust became members of EUROPARC the European Protected Area network which opened up significant opportunities to share expertise with other practitioners in relation to protected area management. Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust continues to keep a watching brief on ongoing development within the Mourne s in relation to National Park status and the possible implications this may have for the Causeway Coast and Glens. Members during trip to Dover Whilst this year has been challenging there is no doubt that it has seen The Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust establish itself as a strong partnership working to promote both environmental management and sustainable tourism. The Trust will continue to act as a forum for the discussion of both and hopefully stimulate many lively debates over the incoming year! None of what we ve achieved over the last year would be possible without the continued support of the Chairman, the Board of Directors, Advisors and Observers in addition to the members of the NRRTI Subgroup who

9 6. REPRESENTATION Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust has been represented on the following bodies during the period: have all shown great commitment and endured many marathon meetings during the year. Their continued support in view of other commitments and competing interests is particularly valued. Countryside Access and Activities Network (C.A.A.N.) Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens Ltd. Causeway Coast and Glens Masterplan Management Group Countryside Exchange project, Noord Beveland, Holland Countryside Exchange project, Rathlin Island Inter Reg IIIa Partnership Lower Bann Partnership Northern Ireland Protected Area Network North Antrim Leader+ Northern Ireland NRRTI Network World Heritage Site Management Plan Steering Group Finally a word of thanks to all members of staff within the team whose professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment to the overall aims and objectives of the Trust has been second to none. I have no doubt that we will be able to build on our achievements over the incoming year Peter Harper TRUST DIRECTOR Minister Ian Pearson visits the office Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust Board Members, Observers and Advisors

10 3. TRUST MANAGEMENT Secretarial duties Trust Staff provided secretarial services for the Board which met on 10 occasions during the period one of which was a special Board meeting to discuss recommendations arising from the Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan. The Trust also provided secretarial services for the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative Subgroup which met on 11 occasions during the period. It was also invited by EHS to help establish and provide a secretarial service for AONB Management Groups within the Causeway Coast and the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB and in time the possibility of similar arrangements for the North Derry AONB following a boundary review. Staff Changes In February Clare Dore,our first Natural Heritage Officer, left to take up employment with DARD Countryside Management Division. Clare made a valuable contribution in helping to establish the Trust and her input was much appreciated. She was replaced by Maxime Sizaret who joined the Trust in March having previously worked in protected area management and private sector consultancy in France. Objective 7 : Co ordinate an integrated approach to Countryside Management by the partnership bodies. The further consolidation of the Board of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust during this period helped to achieve this objective. Ongoing networking and liaison with other stakeholder organisations also helped to support this objective. Again it is expected this area of work will expand over the incoming year. Some of the main achievements during the period included: Consolidation of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust still a relatively newly formed organisation. Website initial work on Causeway Coast and Glens website. Further development will help promote this objective. Ongoing Liasion with other key stakeholder organisations Ongoing representational duties on other partnerships/initiatives. Ongoing Networking with other stakeholders within both the Causeway Coast and Glens and further afield. Objective 8: To secure and distribute funding to assist in the implementation of partnership objectives. Management Structure Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust NRRTI Causeway Antrim Coast North Derry Other Subgroup Coast AONB & Glens AONB AONB Initiatives Management Management Management Group Group Group Whilst core funding was successfully secured for both this and the incoming period it will be important for the Trust to endeavour to satisfy the requirements of all core funders. More time and resources will be allocated over the incoming year to identify new sources of funding both for core activity and for project work. Some of the main achievements during the period were as follows: Core funding secured from local authorities, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Environment and Heritage Service. Programme funding secured for the delivery of the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative. Some additional funding also secured from Dard in relation to fasttracking delivery of NRRTI. Initial investigation of other funding possibilities

11 accreditation scheme for tourism business. The Pilot scheme was initiated jointly with colleagues in South Armagh and the Mournes in association with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and is a first in Ireland. Visitor Payback feasibility Study completed during the period. Examined several visitor payback schemes throughout the U.K with a view to the establishment of a scheme within the Causeway Coast and Glens. Again this is the first time Visitor Payback has been considered in Ireland. Audit of Events based on Natural and Cultural Heritage within the Causeway Coast and Glens- First study of it s type within the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Undertaken with the intention of informing events planning and the implementation of the Causeway Coast and Glens NRRTI Strategy. Objective 6: Provide a mechanism to assist with the management of AONB s in the area. Whilst this period did not see the establishment of AONB management groups within the area significant progress was made including the agreement of a management structure for the Causeway Coast AONB and initial consideration of similar structures for the Antrim Coast and Glens and North Derry AONB s. Although progress was delayed because of other work priorities,notably the Tourism Masterplan, there is no doubt this area of work will expand to become a central objective for the Trust over the incoming year. Key achievements during the period included: Invitation by EHS to establish AONB management groups for the Causeway Coast, Antrim Coast and Glens and following re designation the possibility of similar arrangements for North Derry AONB. Causeway Coast AONB Formal agreement of a management structure for the Causeway Coast AONB management Group. Antrim Coast and Glens AONB- Initial consideration of possible management structures. 5. SUMMARY OF WORK Objective 1: to provide strategic direction and implement funding programmes aimed at the promotion of sustainable tourism in the area. Significant progress has been made in relation to this objective which should lay the foundations for sustainable tourism development within the area for the next 5-10 years. A particular highlight came early in the year when the Trust was awarded Area based Tourism Initiative of the year 2002 in recognition of work undertaken by both the Trust and it s predecessor the Causeway Initiative. Some of the main achievements during the period included: Finalisation of strategy, launch and delivery of the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative under this initiative over 2.5 million was made available from the E.U. Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for sustainable tourism projects within the area. Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan-Four representatives from Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust were invited by DETI to sit on the Steering Group involved in the preparation of the Tourism Masterplan. Pilot Green Tourism Accreditation Scheme- delivered jointly with colleagues in South Armagh and the Mournes and in association with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. On completion the pilot green accreditation scheme will be the first of its kind in Ireland. Northern Ireland Tourist Board Awards - Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust was judged Area Based Tourism Initiative of the Year 2002 at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Awards. Objective 2: To promote high quality visitor management programmes and the conservation of the natural biodiversity and important landscapes of the area Good progress was also made in relation to this objective. Of particular importance was work in relation to the Giant s Causeway World Heritage Site. Some of the main achievements during the period included:

12 World Heritage Site Management Plan Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust was invited by EHS to sit on the Steering Group for the preparation of a World Heritage Site Management Plan for the Giant s Causeway. Still ongoing, completion of a management plan for the site is a requirement from UNESCO and central to the retention of World Heritage Site status for the site. It is also a part of the three strand ministerial sustainable tourism initiative for the Causeway Coast and Glens. AONB Management Ongoing discussion with EHS during the period resulting in Causeway Coast and Glens being formally invited by EHS to establish management groups for the Causeway Coast AONB,Antrim Coast and Glens AONB and, following re designation, the possibility of similar arrangements for the North Derry AONB. Progress with these important initiatives was delayed to allow for completion of the Tourism Masterplan and implementation of the NRRTI programme. Europarc Membership- this period saw Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust becoming full members of the Europarc network which promotes networking and shared best practice between professionals working in protected area management throughout Europe Objective 3: To promote greater understanding of the special qualities of the natural resource amongst both local people and visitors Whilst progress was also made under this objective it is hoped that this area of work will expand over the incoming year. It is considered this objective is central to the overall aim of the Trust. Some of the main achievements during the period included: Awareness raising sessions with presentations to local authorities, higher and further education establishments, schools and other organisations. In addition trust staff hosted several visiting groups. Natural Heritage Site Directory The production of a Natural Heritage Site Directory listing all designated natural heritage sites within the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Built Heritage Site Directory Initial work undertaken in relation to the production of a Built Heritage Site Directory. Study Trip Trust Staff organised a successful study trip for Board Members and Subgroup Members to the East Devon and Dorset Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The trip included guided tours of the Dorset and East Devon AONB s, visits to best practice sustainable tourism projects and an additional visit to the Stonehenge World Heritage site. Website Initial work began on the production of a Causeway Coast and Glens website part of which would address this issue. Objective 4 : Help to spread both visitor pressure and the economic benefits of tourism more evenly throughout the area. Efforts were made to ensure this objective was successfully incorporated within both the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative Sustainable Tourism Strategy and within recommendations emerging within the Tourism Masterplan. It remains a central objective of the Trust. Some achievements during the period included: Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative- this objective incorporated within the Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the initiative. Tourism Masterplan- again this objective incorporated within recommendations emerging within the Tourism Masterplan. Domestic marketing initiative- in conjunction with colleagues within the Regional Tourism Organisation several initiatives were completed or initiated during the period including a Rathlin Island guide and a visitors guide to the Glens of Antrim which helped to address this objective. Photography Ongoing photography project to profile natural heritage sites within less visited parts of the Causeway Coast and Glens. Objective 5: Initiate research and monitoring programmes on sustainable tourism and visitor and environmental management issues. Several important initiatives were undertaken during the period. In several instances these were groundbreaking initiatives. Some of the main highlights included: NRRTI Sustainable Tourism Strategy finalised, launched and in part delivered during the period. Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan progressed to final draft stage during the period. Pilot Green Tourism Accreditation Scheme- this study outlined a green