Trustees’ Report
Tonbridge u3a is a non-profit making charity registered by the Charity Commission as a private association run solely for the benefit of its members. It is affiliated to The Third Age Trust, a central organisation that gives assistance and advice, facilitates insurance and develops the interests of u3as throughout the country. Tonbridge u3a is autonomous, regulated by a self-perpetuating board of trustees. At the end of the year, the membership totalled 1,252 including 15 individual Associate Members, 4 joint Associate Members and 1 Honorary Member.
Tonbridge u3a is financed by membership fees that have been calculated to cover general and administrative costs and provide a small surplus to meet the requirements of the Charity Commission. Gift Aid is collected from HMRC on behalf of its taxpaying members. The accounts are examined by an Independent Examiner and are reported annually to the Commission.
Tonbridge u3a’s organisation provides a Public Benefit by informing and servicing its members in several different ways. In normal years, a lecturer is hired for one meeting in most months of the year. The meetings are held in a hall of sufficient size to accommodate all those wishing to attend. This year’s meetings have been held in person at the Angel Centre and where possible relayed over Zoom.
There are 80 plus special interest groups. Generally, groups meet monthly, usually in a home, to share interest, develop skills and to be entertained. Each group is self-funding and makes charges as appropriate to cover direct costs.
A Journal is distributed monthly to all members either by post, hand delivery or by email, giving full details of relevant events. Events organised centrally are open to all Tonbridge u3a members.
The Management Committee of up to 15 Trustees meets during the year and in most months. Each Trustee reports on their area of responsibility. Minutes are kept. As last year, Trustees are unpaid apart from the reasonable expenses incurred in the course of their committee work and reimbursement for food, drink etc., purchased for centrally organised events.
There are no transactions with related parties.
Risks
Tonbridge u3a has public liability insurance, but members are advised to accept responsibility for their own insurance. The insurers may extend third party liability to cover guest but they have reserved the right not to do so. The Trustees consider the charity to be a Going Concern and that there is sufficient working capital to cover all the risks that the Charity may encounter.
Our reserves at the end of last year were £46,478 which equates to 28 months of expenditure. This is higher than our policy of 3-6 months.
Bank Accounts
Two Lloyds Bank Accounts were used during the year: a Current Account and Membership Fee Account.
During the year, the former Travel Team Account was closed and the balance of funds transferred to the Tonbridge u3a Current Account.
Tonbridge u3a
Statement of Activities on the Accounts for the current year to 31 March 2025
| General Funds Membership Gift Aid Miscellaneous income Interest & Donations Affiliation Fee Third Age Trust Newsletters etc. Meetings Newsletter printing Newsletter postage Committee Expenses Study Days & General Activities Website & other IT Group Leaders lunch Banking Charges u3a Beacon System |
Income Expenditure Balance 31-Mar-24 17,997.25 0.00 17,997.25 17,947 2,506.19 0.00 2,506.19 2,539 49.00 0.00 49.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,892.00 (4,892.00) (4,872) 0.00 3,488.40 (3,488.40) (3,179) 0.00 3,384.29 (3,384.29) (2,867) 0.00 3,849.00 (3,849.00) (4,607) 0.00 1,602.26 (1,602.26) (1,299) 0.00 600.76 (600.76) (515) 0.00 273.26 (273.26) (118) 0.00 628.31 (628.31) (569) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (1,260) 0.00 18.06 (18.06) (9) 0.00 1,233.00 (1,233.00) (1,220) |
|---|---|
| SUB-TOTAL | 20,552.44 19,969.34 583.10 (29) |
| Social activities Central events 2024 /25 Quiz 2024 25th lunch Singalong Theatre group Travel team |
375.00 170.60 204.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 375.00 170.60 204.40 6,498.70 6,417.00 81.70 2,066.80 2,147.00 (80.20) 8,940.50 8,734.60 205.90 |
| SOCIAL ACTIVITIES | |
| OVERALL TOTAL | 789.00 |
Tonbridge u3a
Balance Sheet to 31/04/2025
| Current Assets Bank Accounts Lloyds Standing Orders A/c Travel Team Petty Cash Industrial & Engineering Petty Cash Debtors (see below) Assets Less: Creditors (see below) Represented by: General Funds, brought forward - Movement in year General Funds, carried forward Debtors Payments in advance Prepayments Hall Hire Jan - Nov 25 Creditors Receipts in advance Pickleball Industrial & Engineering History 25th lunch Singalong receipts less TOFS payment Theatre Top Hat Thetare Globe Theatre Prada Sub-total Outstanding payments Newsletter postage Other Total Creditors |
31 March 2025 50,473.99 814.94 0.00 210.40 64.00 890.55 52,453.88 5,975.83 46,478.05 45,689.05 789.00 46,478.05 - 890.55 890.55 372.03 539.00 2,742.00 430.00 1,063.00 507.00 237.50 5,890.53 82.80 2.50 5,975.83 |
31-Mar 2024 36,264.00 5,121.00 5,470.00 0.00 64.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,761.00 | ||
| 48,680.00 | ||
| 2,991.00 | ||
| 45,689.00 | ||
| 44,657.00 1,032.00 |
||
| 45,689.00 | ||
| 1,761.00 | ||
| 2,687.00 | ||
| 79.00 225.00 |
||
| 2,991.00 |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Tonbridge u3a Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Responsibllities of accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 as set out in pages 4 the and 5. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required Trustees and under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 'Charities Art,) and examiner that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charltfes Act, and to State whether partFcular matters have come to my attention. Basis ol Independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Dlrections given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5){b) of the Act. The examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the u3a ad a comparison of the accounts Wlth those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concernlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required In an audit, and consequently no opinion is glven 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. In connettion with my examination, no matter has come to my attention. Ind8P8ndont examlner's st8toment Which glves me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act, and To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and Regulations have not been met, or To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn, in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts be reached. Slgned: Date: 3({g{. Name: fvuib