CROYDON u3a Chair’s Annual Report 2023-2024
I hardly know where to start as I am so proud of Croydon u3a. We have a fantastically friendly, diverse and talented membership, which has been increasing steadily and gently.
Our Interest Groups continue to evolve and branch out on different ventures with new members coming forward to lead and support them. Our Monthly Meetings are well supported and reflect a good range and variety of topics and speakers. The quality of these presentations is outstanding, and all the guest speakers tell me afterwards how much they have enjoyed their visit, what a friendly bunch we are and what good questions we always have. I know they are not just saying that to be kind! I would like to record my thanks to Sally Bitten who works hard to provide us with the programme of talks. She does a mighty fine job.
I was pleased that we were able to contribute to the hedge planting in South Croydon earlier this year. The interest in this project followed on from our earlier fund raising for the trees on Breacon Beacon for the late Queen’s Green Canopy and the walking many of us undertook to support Croydon’s Walk4Trees as we liaised with
Croydon Climate Action. This climate awareness was also seen when members took part in the Restore Nature Now Rally in London in June. u3a were there adding their voices to the requests for policies and practices to be kinder to the planet.
Three other major projects we have been part of started with The 100 Faces of Croydon, where 5 members were selected to be representatives.
When 2 Dutch students decided to write their BA thesis about the power of social connections in alleviating loneliness, they came to Croydon for 10 weeks. They met many of you in groups, at the Monthly Meetings and in small focus settings. They are now graduates of Cultural Anthropology having scored 75% for their submission. I hope you were able to read my page in the u3a matters summer issue, where I referred to the value of intergenerational conversations.
We had hardly drawn breath when we were asked to host a delegation of 8 high powered professionals from Taiwan. They were only with us for one day, but were able to see 3 groups and meet 46 members to find out how the u3a works and Croydon in particular.
They left us in awe of the fact that we are a volunteer-led organisation, with no entry requirements or qualifications to be gained. This is very different from the Taiwan model with government-led programmes and paid instructors. I believe this reinforced our belief in the strength of the u3a movement with its emphasis on the members in the local setting.
We are busy developing a new website which will be going live very soon. This will have a modern look and feel, but will still hold all the information members and potential members need to know. I am very grateful to the small team who are working on this for the benefit of us all.
The August Summer Outings gave a new look to the previous Summer Activities programme. There will be discussions about what could be planned for 2025.
Our presence in local and neighbourhood on-line and print ‘newspapers’ continues to reflect our dynamic and inclusive policy. Our Social Media Facebook page is reaching many people with 2 aims – for current members informing them of upcoming events and about what went well and giving potential members a good idea what we are about, and directing them in ways to join. The most effective recruitment method is word of mouth – you telling others about us. The ‘packs’ with leaflets to hand out has proved to be a successful strategy.
Use of Zoom continues with some groups operating a dual system of online and face-to-face meetings. This has enabled members to participate whilst reducing their need to travel, but still maintaining some meetings in person. The flexible approach works very well, and is a lifeline for some.
The Committee will be reviewing updating our Development Plan. There are always new challenges and we must never get stale. We welcome suggestions and ideas to consider from you – the catch phrase is ‘the u3a is run by the members for the members’. Everyone is a part of the whole!
I should like to sum up that we have had a very successful year as we celebrated becoming 37 years young. Much of this is down to the work of the volunteers – the Group Leaders, their assistants, members who work ‘offcommittee’ and others who step up when there is a plea for help. I am very grateful for the work and support of the 3 Committee members who have stepped down – but I know that they will be there in the wings when extra help is needed.
This supportive, innovative and caring backdrop is what makes Croydon u3a great.
A big thank you to you all.
Jenny Wilson (Chair) Septemeber 2024
TREASURER’S REPORT 2023/24
We end the year with a very healthy balance and have managed to deal with last year’s price rises in the various services we use quite comfortably. Although our income was less than our expenditure over the year once you take out the Travel Team and Venue Hire restricted funds our core balance is slightly bigger than last year’s.
You are increasingly moving towards bank transfers rather than cheques when paying money to us. Please note that the Metro account 13630054 is only for paying in MEMBERSHIP FEES and Metro account 13630003 is for all other transactions you make. Also, please make sure you add a reference to any payment you make. I can receive hundreds of payments a month and need to be able to understand what each one is for. I must stress that both the above accounts are safe accounts even if your bank doesn’t always recognise them when you are making a payment.
Please consider Gift Aiding if you do not already do so and you are a UK tax payer. You can Email me at pscsc@msn.com if you are not sure whether you Gift Aid or whether you want a form to sign and I will send one to you with a SAE. We can then claim back 25% of your membership fee each year.
Finally, I would like to thank Peter Cload, our financial examiner, for the work he has done on the accounts. Also thank you to all of you who have dealt with me over the past year in such a positive and cooperative way. I wish you a happy and healthy year with Croydon u3a.
Paul Smith
University of the Third Age Croydon u3a
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 July 2024
Contents
Page 1 Independent Examiner’s Report Page 2 Income and Expenditure Report
Page 3 Balance Sheet
Page 4 Notes to the Financial Statement
University of the Third Age (Croydon u3a)
Page 1
Statement of Financial Activities
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Management Committee
This report on the financial statements of the University of the Third Age, Croydon, is for the year ended 31[st] July 2024, which are set out on pages 2 to 4.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
As the members of the management committee, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. You consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of this report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanation from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
-
to prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the requirements of the Act have not been met; or
-
(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
20/08/2024
Signed
Page 2
Croydon u3a 01/08/2023 to 31/07/2024
Income and Expenditure
| EXPENDITURE INCOME Member's subscriptions Gift Aid Reclaims Fundraising-raffle Tree Fund Summer Workshop Donations Group Venue Hire Refunds Bank Interest Travel Team Marketing TOTAL Hire of Rooms-U3a events and General meetings General meetings. Speakers-refreshments Group Resources Subsidy Claims Equipment and resources Insurance-licences-affiliations-third age matters Magazine and Bulletin Examiner fees Group Leaders lunch Postage-Stationery Group Venue Hire Summer workshops Committee and volunteer expenses Trees Xmas party Marketing Travel Team TOTAL surplus (deficit) |
2023/24 £ 16,821 £ 2,642 £ 556 £ 860 £ 51 £ 12,021 £ 105 £ 331 £ 17,997 £ 51,384 £ 1,919 £ 3,625 £ 348 £ 44 £ 6,006 £ 3,994 £ 340 £ 1,196 £ 800 £ 12,268 £ 805 £ 1,167 £ 172 £ 20,032 £ 52,717 -£ 1,333 |
2022/23 £ 15,654 £ 2,483 £ 506 -£ 333 £ 11,686 £ 537 £ 140 £ 11,262 |
|---|---|---|
| £ 41,935 £ 1,611 £ 2,875 £ 172 £ 30 £ 5,439 £ 2,699 £ 330 £ 1,091 £ 502 £ 10,514 £ 135 £ 458 £ 205 £ 9,649 |
||
| £ 6,226 £ 35,709 |
Page 3
Croydon u3a 01/08/2023
to
31/07/2024 Balance Sheet
| 2023/24 | notes | 2022/23 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | |||||
| Debtors | 1 | £ | 225 | ||
| Deposit at Virgin Money | |||||
| Metro Current Account | £ | 3,576 | £ | 7,487 | |
| Metro Savings Account | £ | 27,435 | £ | 20,410 | |
| Total Current Assets | £ | 31,012 | £ | 28,122 | |
| Current Liabilities | |||||
| Prepaid Fees | £ | 4,577 | £ | 1,164 | |
| Creditors | £ | 1,977 | 2 | £ | 1,167 |
| Accruals | |||||
| Total Current Liabilities | £ | 6,554 | £ | 2,331 | |
| Net Assets | £ | 24,458 | £ | 25,791 | |
| Financed By | |||||
| General Fund | 3 | ||||
| Balance From Previous Year | £ | 25,791 | £ | 19,565 | |
| Surplus (Deficit) | -£ | 1,333 | £ | 6,226 | |
| Balance at Year End | £ | 24,458 | £ | 25,791 |
| notes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | ||||
| 1 | |||||
| debtors | |||||
| summer activities | £ | 225 | |||
| £ | - | £ | 225 | ||
| 2 | |||||
| creditors | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||
| summer activities fees paid | £ | 777 | |||
| Environment Course | £ | 1,977 | £ | 390 | |
| £ | 1,977 | £ | 1,167 | ||
| 3 | |||||
| funds at year end | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||
| General Fund | £ | 17,293 | £ | 17,930 | |
| Environment Course | £ | 1,977 | £ | 390 | |
| Travel Team Designated Fund | £ | 3,938 | £ | 5,973 | |
| Venue Hire Designated Fund | £ | 1,250 | £ | 1,498 | |
| £ | 24,458 | £ | 25,791 |
University of the Third Age (Croydon u3a)
Page 4
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31[st] July 2024
Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 1993, together with applicable accounting standards.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statement includes all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the Committee is responsible in law.
Funds
Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for the Committee’s ordinary purposes.
Designated funds are funds set aside by the committee for a particular project. Funds so designated may be predesignated by the committee and so designation does not prevent funds being spent on any other purpose.
Restricted funds represent donations, fundraising and grants received for a specific object or invited by the committee for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund.
Incoming Resources – Receipts
Membership fees and venue fees are recognised in the year they are due. Tax refunds are recognised when they are received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the committee is legally entitled to the amounts due. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All income resources are accounted for gross.
Resources Expended – Payments
All expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are written off in the year in which they are acquired.