Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/09/2023 Period start date To 31/08/2024 Period end date
Charity name : University of The Third Age Lancaster and Morecambe Charity registration number: 1014076
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Objectives of this u3a are to advance the education of retired and semi-retired people in the Lancaster and Morecambe area by providing activities of a mental, physical and social nature for its members. It is a self-help organisation open to all such persons as defined above without discrimination |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
In fulfilling these objectives, the Trustees are aware of and act according to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit, by providing a wide range of activities organised by members for members within interest groups and giving advice on other sources of education which may be appropriate. The u3a holds two meetings each month, open to all members, with regular special talks, at which paid speakers address members on a wide variety of subjects. A considerable number of members take active roles in the organisation, including teaching and assisting learning, organising meetings and activities for membership groups, helping communications between members, and providing refreshments at meetings. All roles within the charity are voluntary. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All trustees were inducted into the role of Trustee following the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, including the acceptance of the Code of Conduct for Trustees. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A – we do not make grants |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A – we do not do this |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | GROWTH: Lancaster and Morecambe u3a is steadily increasing its membership year on year and has continued to develop in ways that ensure its future sustainability. Our groups and activities include both on- line and in-person meetings. We continued to increase the number of groups and activities. ACHIEVEMENTS: Communication with such a large number of members is helped by the Beacon Management System which is part of our administrative processes and practices. Our website has been completely overhauled and is well maintained with relevant and current information. Its content is easily accessible to members and prospective members. This year we have added Accessibility Days to help our members learn about what are the issues and what help is available from many sources. EXTENDING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LINKS: We promote non-u3a educational activities at our Monthly Meetings as well as through the Newslink section on our website. We have informal links (through some group leaders and other members) with local interest groups and |
activities. The publicity group continued to keep in contact with the community through a public Facebook page, and articles in local newspapers. We have continued our links with Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine. LINKS WITH OTHER u3As: We are a member of local u3a networks which have declared aims to be a forum for the exchange of news, information, events and ideas; to encourage links between interest groups of the member u3as; and to encourage minority interest groups which are difficult for individual u3as to support. EVENTS: We continued to hold regular and well attended monthly meetings in both Morecambe and Lancaster. Members continue to have a very wide choice of groups, lectures and activities in which to engage, as well as the opportunity and support to set up new groups if they so wish. CONCLUSION: Our u3a is composed solely of volunteers. By providing and taking part in a wide range of learning opportunities – creative, academic and physical – these volunteers help protect themselves against loneliness and ill health as they grow older, while benefiting the wider community both by encouraging younger members to join and promoting educational and recreational activities throughout the wider community.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The L&M u3a financial position is healthy and stable. Our liquid funds at the end of the year were £55,329 (previous year £48,866). This includes the reserve of £10,000 noted below. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The L&M u3a holds a reserve fund in an account recommended by the Charities Commission with the aim of covering unforeseen contingencies. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £10,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A – reserves are held |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A - none |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A - none |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Income is generated from annual membership subscriptions and from event and group attendance fees. This is specifically to cover room hire and incidental expenses and the provision of technical expenses as needed by the groups. We claim Gift Aid refunds from HMRC each year. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | There are no major risks. The constantly increasing costs of room hire and potential increase in Third Age Trust contributions are both being monitored with reports to the Committee every month. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated Association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Since a change in the constitution in October 2022 the number of trustees shall be not less than 5 and not more than 15. Up to 12 Trustees may be elected for a term of 1 year by the membership present, or voting by proxy, at the AGM in February each year. There are 4 officers - chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer - who are normally directly elected each year by the annual general meeting. The existing trustees may co-opt additional trustees (up to the maximum overall trustee numbers of 15) to serve until the next annual general meeting. There are limits to both the continuous and overall periods that officers and committee members may serve on the committee to ensure that the committee membership is refreshed periodically. Trustees receive “The Essential Trustee: what you need to know” document (Charity Commission) and have a training session before taking on responsibilities. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Induction courses are held for new trustees before and after election to the post. Signed Trustee Eligibility forms and Code of Conduct forms are obtained from all Trustees. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | University of the Third Age Lancaster and Morecambe |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Lancaster and Morecambe u3a |
| Registered charity number | 1014076 |
| Charity’s principal address | 41 Lune Square, Damside Street, Lancaster LA1 1AH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Howorth | Chair | 01.09.2023 – 27.02.2024 | Membershipat AGM | ||||
| Margaret Hemming | Chair | 27.02.2024 – 31.08.2024 | Membershipat AGM | ||||
| Margaret Hemming | 01.09.2023 – 27.02.2024 | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Sharon Garforth | Vice Chair | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Nigel Cole | Treasurer | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Clive Million | Secretary | 01.09.2023 – 27.02.2024 | Membershipat AGM | ||||
| Malcolm Hemming | Secretary | 27.02.2024 – 31.08.2024 | Membershipat AGM | ||||
| Malcolm Hemming | 01.09.2023 – 27.02.2024 | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Peter Jenner | Membershipat AGM | ||||||
| David Downes | Membershipat AGM | ||||||
| Jill Grindey | Membershipat AGM | ||||||
| Christine Jenner | 01.09.2023 – 27.02.2024 | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Pauline Horrocks | Membershipat AGM | ||||||
| Ruth-Ann Leak | Membershipat AGM | ||||||
| NancyBoston | 27.02.2024 – 17.03.2024 | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Belinda Hinsley | 27.02.2024 – 31.08.2024 | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Susan Pearson | 27.02.2024 – 31.08.2024 | Membershipat AGM | |||||
| Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A-none |
|||||||
| Director name | |||||||
| N/A-none | |||||||
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A-none | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A - none |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A - none |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A - none |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature{s) Full name{s) Position leg Secretary, Chair, etc) Malcolm Phillip Hemming Margaret Winrfred Hemming Secretary Chair Date
CHARITY COMMISSIO FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Lancaster and Morecambe u3a 1014076 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod from 01-Sep23 To 31-Aug-24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrfcted fund8 Restrlcted funds Endowment fund8 Total funds Last year to the neare8t £ to th• n•amt £ to the neare•t to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Memters Subscn'Frticms and Donats"on$ Gift aid Reftjnd GfOLlP acbvities Monthly Meets'ng and Special Lectures Miscellaneous Interest Receiv1 Field Study IN02 Accounti 22,321 22,321 20,511 2.719 30,907 2.719 30.907 3,289 137 921 7,138 22,804 1706 99 449 22,601 137 921 7,138 Sub total(Gross income for AR) 67.432 67.432 71,798 A2 Asset and Investment sales, 18ee table). Sub total 67.432 87,432 71,798 A3Pa fflents Third Age Tnjst Fees Ing & Licen Conferences & Delegate Fees Admin & Misell8reous Gr(yJp knvities Monthly Meets'ng Spea81 Lectures Field Study IN02 Accounti 9,792 S2 6,089 30,410 6,606 8,040 9,792 52 6,069 30,410 606 8,040 9,215 52 5,647 30.739 6,289 21,620 Sub total 60.969 60,969 73.562 A4 Asset and Inveslment purchase$, (see table) Sub total 60.969 60.969 73,562 Net of recelpts/(payments) A5 Transferg between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 6.463 6A63 1,764 48.866 55.329 48,866 55.329 50.830 48,866 CCXX Rl accounts {SSI IV1212024
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Restricted funds funds to n•arèst E to n8ar•st£ Endowment funds to nèar8St £ uategoric.%" Details Bl Cash funds Uoyds Bank No1 Acthunl 12,642 Uoyds Bank No2 Account 3,464 Uoyds Bank Savngs Ac(x)unt 28.OlJO COIF Regerye Acctunt 11,223 Total cash funds 55.329 18grea baknce8 vAth 8Trd paymanis 8ccounllsll Unrestricted fund8 to n•are8t £ Restricted funds to neare6t £ Endowment funds to nearest £ r&_I1 Fund to whlch 8•8ot b•lon Curr•nt valu• tlonal n+rtrit* Cost loptlonal) Fund to wthlch Bot bolon Current valu• onal Cost loptlonall B4 Assets retalned for the charity's own u8e Fund lo vknlch Amount lonal When due onal BS Llabllltle8 Signed ty one or tru$tee$ on behalf of all the trustees Signalure Date of roval Print Name Maryaret Hemmlng 1111212024 Nlgel Cole 1111212024 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 1111212024
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Charity Name LANCASTER & MORECAMBE U3A On accounts for Ihe year ended 31 AUGUST 2024 Charlty no (if any) 1014076 Set out on pages additional I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (h& Trust") for the year ended 31 August 2024 . Responsibllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my exarnination. I confirm thal no material matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives rne cause to believe thal in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examlner's statement I have no concems and have colne across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 11 December 2024 Name: SARAH FLYNN Relevant protesslonal qualificatlon(s) or body (if any): FCA Address: Summerdale. Head Dyke Lane, Pilling PRESTON PR3 6SJ IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detalls of any Items Ihat the examlner wishes to dlsclose. IER October 2018