2023-12-31-accounts

26° Annual General Meeting — Reports

Chairman

Another year of u3a activities has passed. Members are at the heart of all the activities and the enthusiasm for new groups is very encouraging. New groups have started such as the pickle ball and current affairs to add to our repertoire of groups. We are fortunate in Cheadle u3a to have such a dedicated band of group leaders. It is a big commitment where you meet weekly or monthly. | thank you all, it is not an easy task, and we couldn't function without you or indeed the rank-and-file ua members.

The u3a committee continue to do a sterling job ensuring that all the t's are crossed and the l’s dotted. Committee meetings are lively affairs, and many a free and frank discussions take place. Why not think about joining? + Why not come to sit in on one of our meetings, it will give you an insight as to how things work. The u3a or indeed any organisation cannot function without a committee. There are some perks like a box of fig rolls at the Chairman’s expense! This year three committee members are standing down. | would like to thank Helen Wainwright, Michael Prince, and Alan Mendelson for their hard work. Helen is a founder member of our own ua, and Michael has been involved with matters u3a for many years and both have taken on several different roles to keep all running smoothly. Alan has been the key to keeping the membership database on track for the past three years, giving us an update at every opportunity. Sincere thanks.

We have had a committee observer, Maggs Kearney, who has seen how the u3a and committee works. We also welcome Margaret Stevenson, who supports the commitiee by taking the minutes at our meetings. | am sure Marj witli welcome her assistance. it is good to see some new blood coming into our usa.

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Itis with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to several group leaders. Trey wi De missed. We will be formally acknowledging their work at the AGM. Many thanxs to you al. Membership numbers are static at present, and | think we are still feeling the effects of the post Covid lull. One factor which influences membership these days is that the retirement age has been increasing over the years. We welcome members io u3a who are no longer in full-time work for whatever reason. Do bear in mind that to be a member of a u3a you can work part time but must not be in full time work. If you have time on your hands or are new to the area u3a is a great way of making friends and joining in new activities. Remember the motto of the u3a Live, Laugh, Learn.

it is now time for me to step down as Chairman. Little did | think whenI joined the ukulele group that Barry Barnett would encourage me to join the committee. | have very much enjoyed my time in role. | do spend a lot of time travelling to Cheadle, which is now at least four times a week. It is a good job | do not get travelling expenses!! | do hope to continue as Coffee Morning coordinator and Almoner. Rumour has it that Roy Scott has another role with my name on it so, no cuts in the travel! | wish Roy Scott good luck as he takes over the Chair mantle. | did talk him into being my vice chairman, | think a good choice. Just to reiterate my thanks to the membership of Cheadle u3a and fong may its success continue. | have made lots of friends in the town and | think ! know more people in Cheadle than | do in Stone. May Cheadle u3a go on from strength to strength.

Jenny Crump Chairman

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Group Coordinator

Since taking up the role of Group Co-ordinator on June 1%', 2023, my knowledge and understanding of our u3a has multiplied a thousand-fold. The past eleven months have proved to be both extremely interesting and enjoyable thanks to the group leaders and members I’ve met, who have consistently shown me a warm welcome during my drop in visits to their group sessions and been of great encouragement to me.

On my travels around the groups | have heard stories of twenty five year memberships, and group leaderships, the histories of how groups were started and what an important part they play in people’s lives, met new members who have spoken of warm welcomes, support and encouragement from existing members, and witnessed the huge amount of talent, sharing of knowledge and experience by group leaders and group members alike. There is no doubt that our activity groups are strongly underpinned by an ethos of kindness and the encouragement to learn and have fun.

As you will know, all members play a part in the success of our u3a from being welcoming to others, sharing skills, talking and listening to fellow members, telling others about our u3a and encouraging new memberships.

Five new groups have opened: Picklebail. Badminton, Table Top Games, Current Affairs and Chess. Group Leaders are Jenny Crump, John Sadler, Val Cooksey, and Roger Coleman. An additional Pickleball group is opening shortly. Building the number of groups, we have available is a critical part in ensuring the ongoing success of our u3a. A huge thank you to all those members who take up the role of GL and make it possible.

We are currently on the lookout for individuals who could lead one off short courses for example, a six-week basic language course or basic computer skills course or who have a particular interest they wish to share, maybe stamp collecting, quizzes or climate change. There are far too many potential options to list here. Suffice it to say, ‘the world is our oyster’. There have been some changes to group leaders in our existing groups: Mags Kearney - Drama. Roy Scott has decided to hand over ihe reins to Mags after his many years as the Drama group leader and to now take the time to enjoy being a member of the group whilst giving Mags the opportunity to take the lead. A huge thanks io Roy for his years of hard work and dedication as the Drama group leader and to Mags for leading the group going forwards. Cyril Colgate and Dave Burrage — Ramblers. Phil Lawion has, after many years as group leader, chosen to step back from the role and hand over to Cyril and Dave. I’m happy to say that Phil fully intends to continue as a member of the group. Thank you to Phil for everything he’s done over the years for the Ramblers and for his commitment to finding new group leaders to take over his role and keep the group going. Much appreciation to Cyril and Dave for ensuring this great group continues.

Liz Harris - Flower Arranging. Denise Strazaker has decided to no longer be a group leader. Thank you for your time and efforts in starting up the group Denise. Liz has stepped forwards to take up the role and the future for the group is looking ‘rosy’. Many, many thanks Liz. Lorraine Berks - Table Tennis. Mike Griffin has chosen to hang up his group leader table tennis bat. Thank you, Mike, for all of the support you have given to the group over the years. Grateful thanks to Lorraine for leading the group going forward.

Glenis Woodley -Sewing & All Sorts of Craft. Margot Colgate, after numerous years as group leader, has decided it’s time to step back from the role and take up new challenges. Margot, the dedication, and commitment you have demonstrated to your group is very much appreciated. Thank you, Glenis, for stepping into the group leader role and enabling the

group to continue.

We were sorry to see Adobe Photo shop, Creative Photography, Yoga, and the Cycling group close and give our sincere thanks to Linda Keighley, Ruth Mellor, Chris Hartley and Peter Brown for their hard work and dedication to their group leadership and wish them all well.

Val Cooksey

Membership Secretary Report.

As of the 1 March 2024 when the Cheadle u3a computer database was rationalised and the names of members who have not renewed their membership were removed the total number of members stood at 639. This includes 78 Concessionary Members, i.e. Honorary Members, Group Leaders, and Committee Members.

At the end of October 2023 we had 769 members, this is the number we declare to u3a Head Quarters and on which we pay HQ subscription. Any members joining on or after 4 November was classed as a 2024 member. The reduction in numbers equates to a loss of 16.6%. There has been a noticeable trend in the reduction of members over the last couple of years and it will be difficult to get back to the numbers experienced prior to Covid.

in real terms this means a noticeable reduction of our annual income and could possibly restrict the things that Cheadle u3a can do. Members must remember that the membership fee cannot be used io finance activities, activity groups must be self-funding. The Committee is always looking at costs and you will have noticed that ihis year the renewal forms were not sent out by post but disiributed at Coffee Mornings, by Group Leaders and at activity centres like the Cheadle Leisure Centre. This has reduced out postage cost noticeably so the process will continue. Also, AGM documentation will have gone out electronically further reducing operational costs. Only those members without internet access will receive notification by post.

Members may have noticed that their membership card for 2024 was a 2021 card hand modified to read 2024. We did this because due to Covid members did not have to renew their membership for 2021. This left around 4000 unused membership cards with a 2021 date on them. As we did not have membership cards for 2024 it was a relatively easy task to amend the cards by hand to read 2024 therefore saving the cost of purchasing new cards. New cards will have to be purchased for 2025 and following years if it is decided to continue issuing membership cards.

| am standing down as Membership Secretary at the AGM and would like to thank you for your support and understanding for the work | have done. | have been in the role for 3 years but the main reason for not continuing is over a disagreement with the Committee, following a few requests from members, regarding accepting subscription payment by BACS transfer. | believe that this will increase the amount of work for the Membership Secretary excessively and | am not prepared to take on that work. | wish my successor, Rea Parr, the best of luck.

Alan Mendelson Membership Secretary

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Treasurer's Report 2023

2023 has been a busy and good financial year for Cheadle u3a. The goal at the end of 2022 was to top up our contingency fund to the level of pre-covid, and this has now been achieved. This means that we have a surplus of £3000 to spend on capital equipment and an increase to £1000 for publicity and recruitment of new members.

The decision of the committee to increase the weekly fees to £2 has proved to be the right one. The total income from course fees was £28503 while the cost of the room hire was, £25400 with outstanding invoices for over £3000. Most of this amount was due to an invoice for two years from Dilhorne Village Hall due to their oversight.

Because of the problems and limitations of our account with Barclays Bank it was decided by the committee to open a further account with Lloyds Bank for 2024 membership fees. This additional account will enable usto make electronic payments and set up standing orders.

TAT fees and overheads will be paid from the Lloyds account. We will also be applying for a card payment machine for use at the coffee mornings after the AGM when the new committee is appointed. The Barclays account will be used for the collection of course fees (paid in by Post Office card as at present) and the payment of venue hire charges. Our contingency fund in leek United Building Society now stands at £15722.67 which would be the running costs for 6 months if no other income was received. This is a requirement of the Charity Commission.

) ~~ Because of the current national financial situation, we are expecting an increase in most of the hire charges for the premises we use, which is reflected in the proposed budget for 2024 which is attached.

Thanks to allof you for continuing to support the committee and fellow members of Cheadle u3a, and we can hopefully look forward to a better financial future and an increase in membership and interest groups, which is the main aim of Cheadle u3a.

Marian Corbishley TREASURER

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CHEADLE(STAFFS)u3a ANNUAL ACCOUNTS TO 315s DECEMBER 2023

BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD FROM 2022

Bank		15104.61
Building Society		10188.79
FloatiorMembership	Secretary	50.00
INCOME	£	£	EXPENDITURE		£	£
CourseFees		28503.20		CourseExpenditure
			Teaching Aids		342.74
			Hire of Premises		25093.15
			Cash Allocations		240.48
						25435.89
Membership Fees		4638.00		Administration Expenditure
Membership 2024		4168.00	Postage		605.44
Sale ofTable		20.00	Stationery		317.82
UnpaidCheque		0.00	Photocopier		1426.44
InterestBank	0.00		Printing		1375.00
Interest Building Society	33.88	33.88	Publicity(incOpenDay) Internet/Telephone		289.62 342.40
			Travel		36.10
Donation -Social Donations . TaxRebate(GiftAid) ThirdAge Matters		0.00 122.00 402.71 228.00	Licence toperform	Meetings GroupLeaders AGM		143.88 422.02 0.00
			Affiliation Fees (TAT)			3140.00
			Other(Gifts/Software)			507.29
			ThirdAgeMatters			289.85
			CapitalEquipment			661.98
TOTALIINCOME		38115.79	TOTALEXPENDITURE
BALANCECARRIED FORWARD TO2024		toes
Barclays Lloyds BuildingSociety FloatforMembershipSecretary		10228.31 2224.00 15722.67 50.00	Accounts Examined including all ledgers, invoices, receipts, bankstatements and building society bookforthe accounting periodending31®* December2023.
Signed....Marian Corbishley....Date... 22/2/24 Tressurer			. ; SignedDavidJBarnes	FA(SA)CIS	22/2/24

NOTE: £5500 WAS TRANSFERRED FROM BARCLAYS ACCOUNT TO CONTINGENCY FUND IN APRIL 2023

| have examined the accounts records and Bank statements of the Cheadle U3A for the financial year ended 31* December 2023. According to these andto the explanations given to me it would appear that proper records have been kept and they give an accurate picture of the financial affairs of the organisation. , | f | - : only yeaa

David J Barnes. FA(SA), CIS,.