Farnborough & District u3a
- - Annual Report for period ending 31 Jul 2024
1. Commitee Membership
The composition of the Committee over the past year has been somewhat challenging.
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1.1. Our previous Chair, Jim McMillan resigned both as Chair and as a Committee Member with effect from the 2023 AGM on 30-Oct-2023.
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At that time, Jerry Carlsson became Chair, only joining the Committee at that time.
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1.2. Within days of the 2023 AGM and having been re-affirmed in post at that AGM, our Treasurer, Brian CottrellI decided that he needed to step back from his duties. In due course, on 04-Jan-2024 he resigned as both Treasurer and as a Committee Member
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1.3. Since Brian’s withdrawal and subsequent resignation, Jerry Carlsson took on the role of Treasurer (effectively for the whole year – see also 1.8 below).
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1.4. At the Committee Meeting on 20-Nov-2023, it was agreed by the Committee that Pam Hay should become Vice-Chair.
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1.5. On 12-Dec-2023, Lesley England resigned as both Secretary to the Committee and as a Committee Member.
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Pam took on the role of Secretary to the Committee which was confirmed by the Committee at its next meeting on 15-Jan-2024.
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1.6. On 20-Dec-2023, Martyn Marsh, a previous Vice-Chair of the Committee resigned as a Committee Member.
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1.7. On 18-Mar-2024, Andy Nelson was co-opted onto the Committee to take on the role of Secretary to the Committee.
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1.8. On 18-Mar-2024, Nick Bailey was co-opted onto the Committee to take on the role of Treasurer. On 19-Jun-2024, about a month after the final hand-over of financial details had been made to him by me, Nick resigned as both Treasurer and as a Committee Member.
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1.9. Whilst we have been actively seeking a new Treasurer for significant parts of the year, we have not been successful.
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1.10. It is not considered to be a ‘healthy’ situation if one individual simultaneously holds roles both as Chair and as Treasurer of an organisation. Nevertheless, circumstances have meant that this has happened.
2. Finance
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2.1. The outcome for the year was a cash surplus on Core Activities of £9,689 and a cash deficit on Study Group visits of £11,918 – net deficit of £2,229
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2.2. The overall Accumulated Reserves as at 31-Jul-2024 are £26,125.
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3. Actvites
At the start of the year there were 88 activities although one of them, namely IT Skills, never really got off the ground. During the year two further activities were added – Monthly Coffee Mornings and Pickleball (multiple sessions).
At the end of the year (after excluding IT skills) we therefore had 89 activities.
4. Membership
Our membership at the end of the year was just over 700, down from just under 800 the previous year.
It is thought that the greater number of members we can attract, the more interests/activities we can cater to. Nevertheless, any expansion of interests/activities is dependent on one of our members volunteering to be the Group Leader of the extra group. It would seem that this is the greatest impediment to the starting of interest/activities.
5. Beacon Database
Over the period of a few years, National u3a has developed a Membership Database system called Beacon. Insofar as this is a cloud-based solution it means that all and any authorised individuals can readily and simultaneously access the information held thereon.
Our previous Membership Database was an excel based system that was not necessarily always backed up in a timely manner. The result of this was that, in the event of a catastrophic failure, we would have no membership details available.
It was decided at the Committee Meeting on 18-Mar-2024 to adopt the Beacon system. It was intended that our u3a would be ‘live’ on the system by 31-Jul-2024.
The transition did not happen as seamlessly as hoped but the goal was achieved. The transition also threw up certain anomalies, which were unlikely to have been isolated but which were then addressed.
The Membership Database is therefore far more resilient whilst, at the same time, providing enhanced usefulness to the Committee (and to general members).
Beacon also offers a Finance Module which, after significant investigation, has not been adopted.
6. The forthcoming year
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6.1. Declining membership reduces income and steps may need to be taken as a consequence.
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6.2. One consequence is that it has been decided to investigate upgrading our website so as to attract more members. It has been established that National u3a has a solution that can be make available.
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6.3. Committee Membership
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a) The recruitment of a Treasurer is vital.
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b) Other resignations of experienced Committee Members (that have already happened), together with the possibility of further long-standing Committee Members deciding that they have ‘done their bit’ means that the ‘workload’ for each such member is increasing.
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c) Accordingly, any member who would like to join the Committee, or who would be willing to provide assistance in any other way, is requested to contact the Vice Chair or Chair
Jerry Carlsson Chair 04- Oct-2024
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University of the Third Age Farnborough & Distric Reciepts & Payments for 12 monhs ended 31-Jul-2( Actual 2023124 Actual 2022123 CORE AcfiviTIES Income Main Membership Third A8e Matters Members 5ubscripricns Le55.- Receipt5 n Advance for 2023-2024 Main Memtership & Thircl 4e Matteys I'TAM'I Sub5CriPtiQA5- combntd Sub-Total Add .. Receipts in A(fvance ftsr 2024-2025 - Main Membership TAM Subscriptions Paper Newsletter Stsbscriptions Sy&Total Donation Gift Aid Class fees U3A Events Inet Baok InteiestiLtryalty 6onu5 TAT Re8ional Fund Othe, Total Income 32.382 300 112.0151 24.379 19361 31,446 10.545 Izo 30 35.174 593 12,015 43,461 212 2.122 21.184 202 336 26.398 45 865 63.075 67,517 Expendltura Room Hire 29.027 11.177 326 5.910 273 3,284 Tutor Fees Speakers for Monthly Meeting5 & Industrial Heritage Meetifi8S Admin15trarion Equipment Purchases Capitation 8e3coN Cost- NEW 14,7Q7 651 2.852 3.176 Bank Charges TAT Regional Fund ROUNDINGS Total Expenditurè Net Receipts I (Payments) for Core Actlvltles 67 261 53.677 50.Z59 9.398 qi 17,258 STUDY GROUPS Group V151ts Income Groug V151fs Cost5 78,803 58.445 70.870 Net Recelpts / (Payments) for Group VisltS 111.9181 112,4251 OVERALL Net Receipts / (Payments) 12.5201 4.833
University of the Third Age Farnborough & District Statement of Assets & Liabilities at Period End 31-Jul-24 31-Jul-23 CASH FUNDS Bank Petty Cash 51.231 51 53,460 51 53,511 TOTAL ASSETS 51.Z82 LIABILITIES GfOUP ViSlts- see analyses below TAT Regional Fund Gate Fund subscriptions in Advanct Pcint ng & Distrityutitsn Outstoundin8 Room HI Costs Outstounding Tuttsr Costs 5.777 203 17,696 203 300 12.015 4.9QO 3S6 10.795 7.5LXI 291 292 TOTAL LIABIUTIES 25.157 36.070 RESERVES Cash at YeJr End 51.Z82 IZ5.1571 26.125 53,511 136,070 17,441 TOTAL RESERVES Reserve5 aS-/o of Total ExpencS'.tUTe Represents in month5 of Income 48.f 5.8 months 34.7% 4.2 months GROUP VISITS ANALYSES Balance Brought Forward- amounts held on behèll of Groups Roundin8s correition Income for the period Expenditure for the period Balance carre For*4ard 17.6% 30.121 78.803 I.721) 5,777 58,445 170.8701 17,696 Represented by- Arnblin8 1 Cathedrals Gardenin6 Industrial Herita8e & Science Town & Country Fridoy- Walkin8 1 Friday- IValkin8 2 312 63 2.137 1281 3.425 557 11,057 4.610 Iz 710 5,777 17.696
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Exami$ Report Report to the trustees Univefsity of the Third Age Fambor1gh & Distn"ct On accounts for the year erKled 31 July 21r24 Charity no (if •ny) lo29 Set out on pagos 12be) I report to the trustees on my examinatK)n of the )Unts ofthg above tharity1lh6 Trusf) for the year eThled 31 July 2024. Rgsponsibilitios and basis of report As the charitys trustges, you arg fesponsibb for the preparation of the accounts in accordanc4 the wuirements of the Charities Acl 2011 Cthe Acn. I r8POrt in respe¢t of my examina"M of the Trust's a¢¢ounls carried out uThJer section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have folkjwed all the applicab DIreCtn$ given by the Charity C¢)mmisgion urbjer section 14515)Ibl of the ACL Independent ExawAnerf$ statémènt I have cLpted my exammiation. I ccyffim) that no material matters have come to my attention in Connectic the examinatKJn {othèr than that disdosed bel¢YN') whith givos m• cause to telieve that in. any material the accouth"rKJ records ere Mt kept in aeeordw th section 130 of the Charities A¢( or the ac¢x>unts did accord the accounting records., or the accounts did not cc¥mply wih the applicable requirements n¢eming the form arbj content of accourrts set OLrt in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Reguktions 2¢X)8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and frdif view vthich is not a matter consKlered as part of an inc*etthnt 6k•ninabon. I have no concems and have come aemss no 01hef matters in ¢onnectic th Ihe examinaton to whth attenti¢M shId be drawn in this report in derto enabl8 a proper understanding of the a¢cots to b¢ rea¢thed.. Slgned: Name: Peter Gardner Relevant profosslonal quallflcatlon{sl or body Irf any): CIPFA Addrem: 44 Manor Road FamtOrcgh GU147EU IER Oct 2018
Independent euminer's report to the trustees of U3A Farnborough {'tbe Trust,). I reN)rt to the charity tNstees of the TTUSt on my examion of the accounts of the Tr for th¢ year ended 31 July 2024 Responsibilities aud basis of report: As the trustees of the Trust you are resp)nsible for the prewation of the accounts in accordae with the requirements of the Chanties Acl 2011 ('the Act.). I rewrt in reS¢t of my examination of the Tntst's accoutrts carried out un(kr section 145 of the Act. In CayIng out my examllwtion I have followed all applithle Directs"ons Ven by the Charity Commission under seclioD 145(5Xb) of the 2011 A llldependent examiner's gtstemeDt- m*tter of concern identified I have completed my examinalion and there are no mat¢eT5 ar1sll from my examination for me to bring to your attention I confinn that no matters have come to my attention that giv¢ me cause to believe that in any material resrrttr. l. Accounting records We not kept in of the Tn as required by sectlon 130 of the Act. or 2. The accounts do not accord with those rrds. or 3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in Charities (Accounts and Retx>rts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true aThl fair vi¢w which is not a matt¢r nsIdered as of an Indendettt examinats"o I confirm that there are no matters to which your attention should be drnwn lo enable a prop under5tsnding of the accounts to be reacbe sid.. Name.. Peter GardneT Relevant professionaI qualificatiorfs) or memixrsbip of professional Ix)die5 (if any).. CIPFA Address.. 44 Manor ro Farnim)rOu Han GU14 7EU Date.. 3 October 2024 C:IUserslPetsr GardnerttkKumentslindependent examinatlonsllndndent examiner U3A 2024.docx