u3a CO￿te>th0vpQ COUNTESTHORPE u3a FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 COUNTESTHORPE u3a REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1084302 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: 4 Southfield Close Countesthorpe Leicester LE8 SUZ WEBSITE: www.countesthorpeu3a.co.uk CONTACT TELEPHONE: 07854 799136 TRUSTEES: David Hebblewhite Chair David Hetterley Treasurer Janine Tibbles Secretary June Hawklns Information & Publlclty Officer, Groups Co-ordlnator Barry Hillyard Membership Secretary, Vice Chair Jlll Clayton Beryl Lishman Gillian Brown Dorothy Ivatt David Norris Barbara Talbot Barbara Talbotjoined as a committee member. All other committee members and officers continued in post from 2022-23. GOVERNING DOCUMENT: Constitution adopted on 11 November 2CMJO wlth amendments on 9 May 2017 and 8 May 2018 BANK: HSBC 2-6 Gallovrtree Gate Leicester LEI IDA INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Peter Holdridge COUNTESTHORPE u3a INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF COUNTESTHORPE u3a I report to the trustees on my examination of the Countesthorpe u3a {u3a) for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responslbllltles and basls of report As the charity trustees of the Countesthorpe u3a, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the ACVI. I report in respect of my examlnation of the Countesthorpe u3a's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8 Out my examlnatlon I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commlssion under section 145 {5) (bl of the Act. Independent examlnerfs ststement I have completed rny examination. I confirm that no materlal matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination givin8 me cause to believe that in any material respect: accountlng records were not kept In respect of the u3a as required by Section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with those records; or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concernlng the form and content of account5 set out In the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Re8ulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and falr vlew which Is not a matter considered as part of an independent examlnatlon. I have no concerns and I have come acros5 no other Matters In connectlon wlth the examlnatlon to whlch attention should be drawn in this report In order to enable a proper understanding of the account5 to be reached. Signed: Pets Name: Peter Holdridge Address: 25 Linden Avenue, Countesthorpe, Lelcester, LE8 5PG Date: 31 January 2025 Countesthorpe u3a/final accounts/2023-24 COUNTESTHORPE u3a TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared In accordance with accountlng pollcies as set out by charity law, The report includes the Information 8lven in the Reference and Admlnlstratlon sectlon, see page l. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The Countesthorpe u3a Is controlled by its 8overnln8 document whlch was adopted on 11 November 2000 with its various revisions. The latest version of the Constitution, dated 8 May 2018, which was adopted atthe AGM on that date and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The elected Executive Committee Officers shall be the 8overning body of the u3a and its board of trustees. RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES Trustees are recrulted frorn the general membership to be appointed at an Annual General Meeting. Non-offlcer members retire after their period of two years to assure a degree of rotation of membership whllst provldlng contlnulty. Executlve Officers retire at the end of the perlod speclfled In the constitution. th The Annual General Meetlng took place on 14 May, 2024. The Commlttee Offlcers announced thelr declslons to contlnue and were duly re-elected by the membershlp present. OBJEcnvES, AIMS AND AcfiviTIES The objectives of the u3a as stated in Its constitution are: "The advancement of educatlon and In partlcular the education of older people and those who are retired from full- time work by all means, including associated activitie5 conducive to learning and personal development." Public Beneflt The Trustees have revlewed the outcomes and achlevements of the objectives and attlvltles for the year to ensure they remain focused on the u3a's goals and continue to deliver benefits to the public. Countesthorpe u3a Is dedicated to providing a supportlve learnlng and development environment for those people In the locality who are no lon8er in full-time employment. We are conscious of the need to do what we can to alleviate the issues faced by those livlng alone, who have suffered Ilfe-changln8 events such as loss of employment or bereavement. We publicise the health and wellbeing benefits of u3a membership to the community by themed artlcles in the local newspaper IThe Countesthorpe Herald). We advertise widely, having our own website (www.countesthorpeu3a.co.ukl, as well as an entry on the local parish website. In previous years we have undertaken an 'outreach' campalgn to ralse awareness of the u3a and its many beneflts, We have also approached the local Health Centre where referrals might be forthcoming for those people who could benefit from our offerings. We produce twice yearly Newsletters, and a monthly Whavs On bulletln, whlch are available to all members and the general public in the local library and charity shop. The Trustees are satisfied that the charity's activitie5 provide a wide public benefit. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable artivities Membership rs open to individuals who are in their Yhird Age" and are interested in participating in and helpingto further the work of the u3a. Membership, Is still recovering slowly post pandemic with many members coming from outside the Countesthorpe/Blaby area {numbers now stand at around 340}. The ethos of the u3a has contlnued to benefit from the work of those members who act 35 Group Leaders and are prepared to share their skills and knowledge wrth other members to encourage everyone to personally develop. We have a range of more than thirty-six different activity groups covering creative activitie5/the arts, learnin8, music, physlcal actlvltiesi games and outlngs - all with the focus on personal development and sUPPOrtive companlonshlp. Monthly meetings are held in the local village hall to enable member5 to meet up to listen to a wide ran8e of speakers and to access information on current activities. A monthly bulletln inforrns members of "What's On" and a twice-yearly newsletter gives an overall update on the Countesthorpe u3a. These are supported by a widely used website. FINANCIAL REVIEW The General account direct income was £7793 with expendlture of £7,983 givin8 a small1055 on activity of £190. However, the Groups bank account was closed durlng the year and the History 8roup ceased to operate and the balances added to the General account (see detalls below). Cash held In the bank account was £10,176 and petty cash held was £137. The main 50vrce of incDme is through membershlp subscriptions (now set at £20 p.a. for full members and £10 for associate members) and Gift Aid, In 2023124, thls amounted to £6831 and £945 respectlvely. Additionally, a grant of £200 was received frorn Countesthorpe Parish Council to assist with the purchase of equipment for the new Pickleball 8roup. ReseNes pollcy In 2019 the basls of the preparation of the accounts was changed by an agreement between the Third Age Trust and the Charity Commission. The financial activities of groups are now included In the annual accounts as their finances are all part of the u3a. The groups continue to be self-financing but with asslstance from the maln u3a for specialised equlpment and Start-up costs if required. The u3a'5 policy on reserves is to malntaln these at a level roughly equal to twelve months of outgolngs. A5 Stated, small surplus was recorded for the year and the reserves remain at a satisfactory level. As there are no known contingent Ilabillties, the trustees are satlsfied that the Countesthorpe u33 15 in a stable financial position and can continue operating for at least twelve months from the signature date on the Balance Sheet. The Countesthorpe u3a maintains a current bank account with HSBC for General income and expenditure The second current account for the Internal Groups (those coming under the responslbility of the Treasurer) was closed on 22108123 and the balance of £752.62 transferred to the General account. The rationale forthis decision was to reduce the effect of accotjnt charges {introduced by HSBC In December 2021), whlch at the time Included both a monthly fee of £5 and transaction costs for both credits and cheques. This decision gave an immediate saving in costs of £60 per year. Transactiotls for the Internal Groups are now recorded through the General account. Countesthorpe u3alfinal accountsl2023-24 The Theatre, Travel and Outings groups have their own bank accounts. Their figures are audited and verified by the Treasurer at the year elld and Incorporated into the final account5 {5hown as External Groups). The History group also had its own bank account but the group ceased to operate on 18103/24 and the balance of £1785.51 was transferred to the General account, along with an additional £53.70 in cash. Taken overall. a surplus of £552 was recorded for the year, with the total fund balance as at 31103/24 standing at £17186. Groups, both internal and external are self-financin8 and we are happy that all are operating viably. The General account is checked by an external examiner, who a150 helps in the preparation of the Trial Balance. Flnancial Statement and Balance Sheet. Risk ManagÈment The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are In place to provide reasonable a55urance against fraud and error. The trustees will keep th15 risk under review on a regular basis. The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the ¢harltVs Trustees: Mr D Hebwhfe Chairman Date: Mr D Hetterley, Treasurer Date: COUNTESTHORPE u3a STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Notes 2024 2023 INCOMING RESOURCES Direct charitable income Membership Groups Miscellaneous Sub Totsl 7,793 57,399 322 65.514 7052 60,329 67,381 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 65.514 RESOURCES EXPENDED Direct charitab16 expenditure Groups Monthly meetings Newsletters, printing Group support costs (equipment) Slationery & misc costs TAT Capitation fee TAT Beacon Licence TAT License TAT Magazines TAT Ne￿Ork News Website costs Bank charges - General alc Miscellaneous - Group alc 56,979 2,626 656 428 67 1,376 353 56,652 2,439 573 261 1,648 411 60 885 813 608 128 1,365 246 1,029 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED Net Incoming resources 552 2,292 Fund balance 1 April 2023 16,634 14,342 Fund balance 31 March 2024 16,634 Countesthorpe u3a/final accounts/2023-24 COUNTESTHORPE u3a BALANCE SHEET ASAT 31 MARCH 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Tangiblo Assets Website at cost Depreciation to date 3,015 3,010 3,015 3,010 Currant Assets Bank accounts Cash 23,646 17,257 1,814 Dèbtors and prepaymonts Prepayments Group funds paid in advance 566 2,890 610 15809 Total curr8nt a880ts Creditor84mount falling due within ona year Accruals Group funds received in advance Total Ilabilitlos 636 10,984 262 18,599 18,861 17,181 16.629 Net A8sets 16,634 FUNDS Unrestricted funds 17,186 17.186 16,634 Countesthorpe u3a/final accounts/2023-24 NOTES TO ACCOUNTS 2024 2023 1 General Income Subscriptions Gift Aid Monthly visitors Diaries Donations Amazon Smiley Group AIC transfer in Group AIC contra 6,831 945 6,376 347 17 60 23 14 203 22 7,052 7,793 2 Groups Income Internal Groups Bank Internal Groups Cash External Groups External Groups Cash 12,649 591 42,598 1,561 10,468 203 48,308 1,350 3 Group8 Expen808 Internal Groups 12,575 11,060 Exlernal Groups 44,404 44,293 1,299 4 Bank General Account Internal Groups External Groups 10,176 5.759 962 10,537 17,258 13,470 23.646 S Cash General Account Internal Group8 External Groups 138 1,272 289 106 1,556 152 1,814 Countesthorpe u3a/final accounts/2023-24 COUNTESTHORPE U3A NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMf5 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Accounting policies The flnancial statements are prepared under the historical cost conventlon. The accounts are in accordance with the Charitie5 SORP 2005 (Accounting and Reporting by Charltlesl and comply with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2005 issued under the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements are prepared on an accruals basls. Tangible fixed assets are capitalised where expenditure exceeds £500 and are stated at cost less accumulated depreclation. Any assets over £500 are depreclated on a straight-line basis over three years. Fund accounting- unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees: restricted funds represent funds for a speclflc object and can only be expended on the specific objert for which they were given. Payments to trustees and related partles Out of pocket expenses are refunded to trustees for costs incurred on behalf of the U3A whlch have been allocated to 8roup support, membership and mlscellaneous costs. No remuneration was paid to any trustees. Countesthorpe u3a/final accounts/2023-24