## **Area 6 Chairman’s Report** ## **AGM/Area Meeting - February 2025** As I write my final report as the Area 6 Chairman, I reflect on not only 2024 but my tenure as Chairman over the past 6 years, having taken over from Bob McGuinness in 2019. Since that time, I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team and I am confident it will continue to be one of the best Area’s within the country. Initially I found the Area to be very poorly attended and somewhat disjointed. Records and information on Branches was almost non existent and what was available, was on paper and usually out of date. This all changed over the next few years with the introduction of: - New Committee Members especially in key roles - The use of IT - Connecting and communicating with Branches no matter how small - Making the attendance of Area Meetings efficient but ‘fun’ allowing shipmates from around the Area to meet and get to know each other. - The introduction of a Area Steering Group that ‘brainstormed’ ideas to initiate improvements. The RNA as an organisation, has also changed over the past few years and is still having to adapt to new rules and regulations to make it compliant within the Charity Sector. The Area must continue to give its support to Branches especially in Communication, Welfare and Accounts and to be a link between CO and individual Branches. Something we have achieved and are continuing to build on. ## **THE YEAR OF 2024:** ## **The Area:** The AGM/Area Meeting was hosted by Rushden Branch. It was a great success and very well attended. There was an extremely good buffet provided, plus entertainment and a raffle. My thanks goes to everyone who contributed to the organisation of the event. The July Meeting was hosted by First Garden City Branch at the Jakeman Centre and my thanks goes to Penny Jarvis and all her team who worked hard to provide the facilities including an excellent buffet. Attendance was high, discussions were lively, which was coupled with good interactions between everyone. The October Meeting was as usual held via Zoom, setting the agenda for the 2025 AGM as well as analysing and discussing current issues. Attendance could have been better. In December Mike Milne in conjunction with Penny organised a Bucket Collection at Letchworth Tesco Supermarket. This was well supported by shipmates from around the Area and my thanks goes to everyone who gave up their time to help. Although the count was not as high as expected it still put much needed money into the Area Account and is a blueprint for future collections. ## **2025:** ## **Dates for your Diary:** Saturday July 12th - July Area Meeting - Venue tbc. Saturday 11 October - Area Meeting via Zoom. ## **National:** The Conference in 2024 was held in Cardiff, and although there were initial venue problems, the weekend was very successful. Drinks at the hotel were somewhat expensive, but ‘Jack and Jenny’ being resourceful, decided that the local Weatherspoon's (500 meters away) was the place to be!! The Sunday Parade was excellent being conducted at the harbour next to the Welsh Millennium Centre. In 2025 the Conference is to be in Portsmouth. Details are now available in the January Semaphore Circular. Accommodation is to be booked individually and the package of events will cost £120pp. This has been significantly subsidised. Remember the Conference is for everyone and a time to catch up with shipmates and to learn about what the RNA does for you. Other events that are also being held during the year include the Army Navy Rugby match at Twickenham on May 3rd. The Bicentennial Royal Naval Associations Parade at the Cenotaph on Sunday September 12th and the RNA’s 75th Anniversary Charity Concert starring Fishermen’s Friends, Royal Marines Band and our very own RNA Choir. Date: Wednesday 22 October in Portsmouth. Further details to follow. 2025 is also the 80th Anniversary of VE and VJ days. You are encouraged to support events wherever they may be. Details of some of the events are available via the RBL website. ## **Summary:** It has been a privilege to be the Area 6 Chairman but it is now time to hand over ‘Bridge Control’ to someone else. I am encouraged that a number of shipmates have put their names forward and will always be available to give support if required. Going forward, I will continue as a Branch delegate for the National Conference as well as the prime Branch Standard Bearer for Peterborough. I will also be willing to deputise for the Area Standard Bearer should I be available and if required. Yours Aye, Paul Godfrey Area 6 Chairman. AREA INCOME FOR YEAR 1 JANUARYTO 31 DECEMBER 2024 RNAAREA CHARITABLE GRANTS & DONATIONS RECEIVED BYTHE AREA IN 2024 more lines can be added lo this table if required OTHERAREA INCOME for2024 Sale of RNA Slops / Merchandise Donatlon / Capitation (Central Offlce & Branches) Bank Interest £140.15 Inv8Strnent Interest OtherArea Income for the Year as summarised below: So¢i81 Events £395.00 Misc- Swindon Branch £27.000.00 Fund Raising From Barclays + Cash- Carterton Branch From Natwest to Close- C8rterton Branch Expenses paid byArea refunded- Carterton Br8nch From Barclays + Cash- Leighton & Linslade From High Wycombe to Cash- High Wycombe From BankAC to Close- Banbury Br8nch Expenses paid byArea refunded- Swindon Branch £375.41 £1,424.50 £1.012.18 £251.72 £333.53 £1,568.61 £240.39 £174.11 TOTAL £32,915.60 Box2 more lines can be added to this table if required TOTALAREA INCOME for 2024 Charitable Grants & Donations received in 2024 (from Box 1) Other Income (from Box 2) rom Box1 From Box2 £32,915.60 TOTAL INCOME £32.915.60 Box3 Alltransactions, including cash, must be included Page3of8 RNA Form 2- Area Year End Returns 2024 AREA EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR 1 JANUARYTO 31 DECEMBER 2024 RNAAREA CHARITABLE GRANTS & DONATIONS MADE BYTHE AREA IN 2024 TOTAL Box4 more lines can be added to this table if required OTHER AREA EXPENDITURE for 2024 Life Membership Applicatlons Certificate of Appreciation Applications Purchases of RNA Slops / Merchandise Bank Charges OtherArea Expendlture for the Year as summarlsed below: Insurance £189.65 Social Events £329.91 Area Expenses £915.32 Rum £92.50 Admin Expenses Carterton Branch £129.53 £1,747.31 Banbury £16.39 Leighton & Linslad8 Swindon to HQ £55.28 £27.000.00 Swindon Expenses £174.11 Misc- Letchworth £50. Examiners £15 £65.00 TOTAL £30.715.00 Box more lines can be added to this table if required TOTAL AREA EXPENDITURE for 2024 Charitable Grants & Donations made bytheArea in 2024 {from Box4) From 80x4 Other Expenditure (from Box 5) £30.715.00 Box5 TOTAL EXPENDTURE £30,715.00 Box6 Alltransactions. including cash, must be included Page4of8 RNA Form 2- Area Year End Returns 2024 AREA BALANCE SHEET ASAT31 DECEMBER 2024 RNAAREA Charity Commission Number" 1073893 AREA FUNDS Balance BIFwd from 31 December 2023 See box 2 in 2023 returns £7,395.04 Add Total Area Income £32,915.60 Box3 Subtract Total Area Expenditure £30,715.00 Box6 Balance C/Fwd as at 31 December 2024 TOTAL £9,595.64 Box7 *Box 7 and Box 8 should agree LOCATION OFALLAREA FUNDS Investments Balance in Current Ac¢ount-Area 6 £6,583.69 Balance in ￿051t Current Account- Carterton Balance in Y+elkn Current-Account- High Wycombe Balance in Social Current Account- Leighton & Linslade Balance in ttnyotherthftk Current Account- Banbury Cash in Hand, including Petty Cash Loans {outstanding), if any Un-Presented Cheques (Cheques written out 2023, cleared on Bank Statement 2024) £941.09 £1,568.61 £278.25 £224.00 *Box 7 and Box 8 should agree TOTAL £9,595.64 Box8 The Balance Sheet is a snapshot of the worth of the Area at 31 December {Financial Year End). It shows what the Area owns (Bank. Cash etc) and what it owes (e.g. a Loan) The Income & Expenditure Statements on the previous pages details the items in and out of the Area accounts duringthe year. It therefore explains charitable artivity during the year and this information is used in the RNA report to the Charities Commission. Page5of8 RNA Form 2-Area Year End Returns 2024 It is important that all donations are in accordance with the RNA'S charitable objects. *if Area annual income regularly exceeds £5,000 then you should be registered with the Charity Comrnission. *lf your Area is currently a registered charity but your income from all sources is regularly le55 than £5,000, then you should consider de-registering with the Charity Commission. Remove a charit from the charities re ister- GOV.UK www. ov.uk Accounts scrutlny (by a competent flnance person) I certify that: AIL Area accounts and supporting records have been scrutinised and, as far as appears from my scrutiny of these, proper books of accounts have been maintained bi the Area. AIL Bank Statements pertaining to Area accounts have been witnessed and signed. The above Balance Sheet and attached Income & Expenditure Account have been prepared from the books and records of the Area, and according to the information and explanations given to me by Area Officers, and in my opinion, these are in accordance therewith. ACCOUNTS SCRUTINY Name Andrew Bowell Signature Date 5- ACIB Qualif ic8tion *Point 6 within the guidance notes at the beginning of this form details the level of scrutinythat the Area must adhere to relative to the value of assets {Box 718) Page6of8 RNA Form 2-Area Year End Returns 2024 AREA BANKACCOUNTS RNAAREA Area Area Account Name and Address of Bank: Natwest Borehamwood(A) Branch 80 ShenleyRoad Borehamwood, Herts WD6 IDZ Name ofAccount: ROYAL NA VALASSOCIA TION NUMBER SIXAREA Account Number: 50923730 Sortcode: 60-17-14 Name of Authorised Signatory 1 Gillian Clements Area Position: Treasurer Name of Authorised Signatory 2 Area Position: Geoff Apperley Secretary Name of Authorised Signatory 3 Paul Godfrey Area Position: Chairman Name of Authorised Signatory 4 Area Position: Ken Brown Committee Member Othercomments: (incLuding how many signatories are required to sign) 2 to sign On-Line Banking managed bythe Treasurer & Chairman Area Account Name and Address of Bank: Name ofAccount: Account Number: Sort Code: Name ofAuthorised Signatory 1 Area Position: Name of Authorised Signatory 2 Area Position: Name ofAuthorised Signatory 3 Area Position: Page7of8 RNA Form 2-Are8 Year End Returns 2024 Name ofAuthorised Signatory 4 Area Position: Other Comments: (including how many signatories are required to sign) more tables can be added to this document if required to cover all accounts Committee Check List before signature: Balance B/Fwd from 31 December 2023 entered in Area Funds Box is equivalent to the amount declared on the 2023 Area Returns Form Last year. A_ll Income and Expenditure has been correctLy and clearly declared ALI Area Funds (including alL cash) have been declared in the'Location of Area Funds, TabLe and correlate with bank statements AIL BankAccount Details are correctly Listed Bank Statements are availabLe for the 31st December 2024 for each Area BankAccount/ Investment Fund Accounts have been correctly audited relative to point 6 in the guidance notes and in any case is not one of. or related to any committee member of the Area. AREA CHAIRMAN Name Pa￿GodfreY Signature Date AREA SECRETARY Name GeoffApperley Signature fm Ik•rt 1