EAST GRINSTEAD U3A Accounts 31 August 2021
EAST GRINSTEAD U3A
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ending 31 August 2021
Registered Charity 1084934
Contact address: Langley Lowdells Lane East Grinstead RH19 ZAW
Trustees
Sandra Webb Chair John Wells Groups Coordinator Mary Hamilton Treasurer Linda Howard Secretary Danielle Clarke Events Coordinator David Bignell Membership Secretary Susan Hodgson Member and SUN representative Michael Kilfiger Newsletter Editor
Structure, governance and management
The charity is constituted as an unincorporated association. The governing document of East Grinstead U3A is its constitution as adopted in 1995 and amended 2001, 2005, 2018 and 2020.
Management of East Grinstead U3A is vested in a committee, whose members are the trustees of the charity. Trustees are appointed by the management committee and elected at the annual general meeting.
Objects of the charity
The advancement of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, by all means, including associated activines conducive to learning and personal development
Main activities
The promotion of educational activities among older people and the encouragement of social gatherings, achieved by the creation of separate self-help groups under the umbrella of our organisation. Typical groups include: bridge, singing, science, arts, conversation, foreign languages, discussion, psychology, walking etc.
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EAST GRINSTEAD U3A
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ending 31 August 2021 (continued)
Achievements and performance
The extraordinary events of this year continued to present some significant challenges, both for our committee and our membership, as two lockdowns and Covid restrictions curtailed our usual activities. During this period, our key priorities were to:- maintain as many activities as possible for members to enjoy; to maintain contact with all members; to encourage our existing members to renew their membership and to attract new members.
Some of our interest groups managed to keep meeting throughout the year, with the benefit of Zoom, and by the Autumn of 2020 we were able to recommence our Monthly Meetings with Speakers giving their talks via Zoom. We also used Zoom for a range of other activities, such as quizzes, informal chat sessions and ‘how to get the best from Zoom’ sessions. In addition, we introduced a Monthly Photo Competitic«.
Our AGM at the end of 2020 took the form of a paper/email event to allow all our members, regardless of internet status, to be involved. We also continued to deliver our Newsletter in paper and electronic format.
By the Spring of 2021 we were able to start the process of raising the profile of our u3a in order to attract new members. A Publicity Group was created and introduceda series of new initiatives, such as:-articles in local publications; an appearance on local radio; a Pop Up Stall in the High Street and developing our Enrolment Day into a well-advertised Open Day. From the feedback from our most recent members, we have identified that these initiatives played a key role in ‘spreading the word’ resulting in the recruitment of over a hundred new members.
Towards the end of the Summer, most interest groups were able to restart their activities, either by the continued use of Zoom or with face to face meetings. The number and range of interest groups increased with the introduction of a number of new groups.
Existing members, who chose to renew their membership, were rewarded with a discounted membership fee for their loyalty and the majority have chosen to renew. With the addition of our new members, our membership now stands at 679 members and continues to grow.
Reserves
At 31 August 2021, East Grinstead held bank balances of £21,360 after excluding balances held for specific groups.
The charity is in the process of developing its reserves policy. This report was approved by the Management Committee on Bfuf2u..... and signed on its behalf by:
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Sandra Webb Chair
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EAST GRINSTEAD U3A
Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of East Grinstead U3A
| report on the accounts of East Grinstead U3A for the year ended 31 August 2021, which are set out on page 4.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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e examine the financial statements under section 145 of the 2011 Act; e follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and
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e state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations 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:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and e to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011 have not been met: or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
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Alexandra Durrant Alexandra Durrant Ltd 10a/12a High Street WestEast Grinstead Sussex RH19 3AW
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EAST GRINSTEAD U3A
| EAST GRINSTEAD U3A | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year ending 31 August 2021 | ||
| Receipts & Payments Account Allreceipts &pavmentsare unrestricted |
2020/21 Total |
2019/20 Totai |
| £ | £ | |
| Memberships | 8,722 | 9,115 |
| Othergroupincome | 4,925 | 14,588 |
| Events&outings | 30,861 | 12,732 |
| Incometax recoverable | 0 | 1,225 |
| Interestreceived | i | S |
| TOTALRECEIPTS | 44,509 | 37,665 |
| Capitation | 1,936 | 2,555 |
| Affiliation fees | 0 | 35 |
| Newsletter Publicity |
408 348 |
567 0 |
| U3ANews | 1,021 | 1,897 |
| Group leaders’ meetings | 100 | 0 |
| Expenses ofopen meetings | 1,307 | 1,489 |
| Room hire&group expenses | 4,197 | 13,057 |
| Cost ofevents& outings | 35,004 | 8,638 |
| Officeexpenses | 2,230 | 3,604 |
| Independent examiner's fees | 330 | 315 |
| Payments to charities | 0 | 361 |
| 46,881 | 32,518 | |
| Assets purchased | 71 | 267 |
| TOTALPAYMENTS | 46,952 | 32,785 |
| NETRECEIPTS&PAYMENTS | -2,443 | 4,884 |
| Cashfunds brought forward | 27,904 | 23,020 |
| Cashfundscarried forward | 25,461 | 27,904 |
| Cash funds are allocated togroupsand U3A generally, | asfollows: | |
| U3A | 21,360 | 23,800 |
| Groups total | 4,101 | 4,104 |
| Assets retained forthe charity'sown use | ||
| Projectorscreen | 56 | 56 |
| Portable PA system inc microphones | 267 | 267 |
| Printer | 71 | |
| Liabilities | ||
| 2020/21 independentexamination fee | 342 | 330 |
| Memberships 2020/21 received early | 4.087 | 2207 |
| Contributions collected for | ||
| futureoutings&holidays | 0 | 4,471 |
The accounts were approved by the Management Committee on mT) EY eee and signed on its behalf by Sandra Webb Sa Ce bs Chair
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