Chairman’s Report to the 30[th] AGM of Warrington u3a
Overall, last year was another successful year for Warrington U3A.
You may remember that 2023 was full of uncertainties with three Prime Ministers within 12 months, rising interest rates and soaring inflation. Your Committee were very concerned that increases in energy and heating costs would cause room hire rates to rise substantially; these accounting for around 75% of our expenditure.
We were also concerned that our membership numbers, which are our only income stream, had not fully recovered to pre-covid levels, and that an increase in subscriptions to cover the full anticipated costs would impact on renewals. The decision was therefore taken to limit the increase in subscriptions to £35 and bear any loss from our reserves. In the event, most costs came in under budget, membership numbers were not affected and still exceed 1000 and the budgeted loss came in as the small profit you can see in the accounts.
Our main concern this year is that large increases in accommodation costs will begin to materialise, particularly at Winmarleigh House, our largest cost, where our contract is due for renewal in 2024. We are, therefore, prudently recommending a further increase in subscriptions this year.
The last 10 years have seen a big growth in our ‘music related’ groups and these continue to be popular with another group, ‘Make Music Rock’, starting in September. With sufficient income and a good level of reserves we see no difficulty in funding any requests for new groups, equipment or accommodation in the future.
Some members have asked why we don’t advertise more. This is mainly because of the expense and the difficultly of gauging its success. Indeed, new members have indicated that ‘Friends and Family’ and ‘Google’ were the main sources of their information. We are, therefore, using this knowledge to push into new areas of publicity. In 2024 we have already attended a public exhibition at Padgate Community Centre and will shortly be represented at Stockton Heath Festival by a ‘stand’ and by a singing performance from the ‘Sea Shanties’ group - both of which are low cost options.
Finally, may I thank all those who have contributed to our success over the last 12 months. Group Leaders and Assistants work tirelessly to promote their activities although we still need more members to come forward to assist or replace existing leaders (with the Computer and Croquet Groups having particularly difficulties). Thanks also to our Social Committee and Webmaster for their work.
My own personal thanks also go to our Executive Committee members for taking the time and effort to work in supporting me and our U3A in its work, and finally to all of our members for their support without which we would not have achieved so much.
Unfortunately, I am not able to continue for another year as Chairman but I am sure I leave the organisation in good hands and in 12 months time my successor will be able to report another successful year.
Eion MacDonald, Chairman
Warrin ton U3A Charity Number: 1085069 INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1st A SOCIAL ACCOUNT ril 2024 EXPENDITURE Art for All Walklng Garden Appreciation Away Day Family History Stroller Social Other SUB- TOTAL EXPENDITURE 202212023 605.00 934.20 6,994.25 11,493.54 580.12 202312024 828.50 INCOME Art for All Walking Garden Appreciation Away Day Family History Stroller Social Other SUB-TOTAL INCOME 202212023 450.00 934.20 7,571.00 12,063.65 580.00 2023/2024 575.00 8,893,40 9,601.50 9,454.00 11,053.00 883.50 2,677.55 883.50 2,754.00 2,421,91 395,00 23,424.02 1,359.83 24,783.85 2,525.00 660.00 24,783.85 22,884.45 1,835,05 24,719.50 24,719.50 Excess of Income over Expendlture TOTAL Excess of Expenditure over Income TOTAL 24,783.85 24,719.50 MAIN ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE Accommodation Magazine costs Reprographics Capitatlon Fees Third Age Trust Purchase of Equipment Laptop purchased with WCT grant Administration, Licences Speaker and Tutor Fees Other SUB- TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2022/2023 32,954.35 1,992.90 648.29 4,253,02 2,278.75 2023/2024 32,968,98 1,449.50 281.52 4,240.00 567.84 599,00 450.72 1,295.50 901.27 42,754.33 INCOME Members Subscription Magazlne subscriptlons Glft Aid Refund Group Contributlons Donatlons & Refunds Warrington Charitable Trust Grant Other 202212023 31,584.50 202312024 36,498.00 570.00 5,105.76 70.00 100.00 600.00 28.39 6,795.26 55.00 616.80 1,774.00 964.57 45,482.68 71.51 SUB- TOTAL INCOME 38,506.27 42,972.15 Excess of Income over Expenditure 217.82 Excess of Expendlture over Income TOTAL 6,976,41 TOTAL 45,482.68 42,972.15 45,482.68 42,972.15 DEPOSIT ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE 202212023 0.00 202312024 0.00 INCOME Bank Interest 2022/2023 26.68 202312024 147.62 SUB- TOTAL EXPENDITURE 0.00 0.00 SUB- TOTAL INCOME 26.68 147.62 Excess of Incorne over Expenditure 26.68 147.62 Excess of Expenditure over Income 0.00 0.00 TOTAL 26.68 147.62 TOTAL 26.68 147.62 GRAND TOTAL EXPENDITURE 68,906.70 65,638.78 GRAND TOTAL INCOME 63,316.80 67,839.27 Prepared by Deborah Taylor, Treasurer, Warrlngton U3A Audited By Pauline Thompson, Hon Auditor Signed... Signed.............. .. Dated....................
Warrin ton U3A Charity Number: 1085069 BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1st A ril 2024 2022/2023 202312024 202212023 2023/2024 Bank Accumulated Sur lus CO-O erative Social Account Co-op Bank Account- Social Account CO-O erative Social Account Surplus B/ Fwd - Social Account Add Surplus/(Deficlt) for the Year Sub Total 10,605.18 12,440.23 9,245.35 1,359.83 10,605.18 10,605.18 1,835.05 12,440.23 Sub Total 10,605.18 12,440.23 CO-O erative Main Account Co-op Bank Account- Main Account CO-O erative Main Account Surplus B/ Fwd - Main Account Net transfer from /{to) Santander a/c Net transfer from /{to) Co-op Deposit a/c Add Surplus/{Deficit) for the Year Sub Total 23,517.15 1,634.97 2,993.56 27,500.00 23,517.15 4,500.00 (26,600.00) 217.82 1,634.97 <6,976.41) 23,517.15 Sub Total 23,517,15 1,634.97 CO-O erative De osit Account Co-op Bank Account- Deposit Account CO-O erative De osit Account Surplus B/ Fwd - Deposit Account Net transfer from /(to) Co-op Main a/c 26,600.00 0.00 0.00 26,600.00 Sub Total 0.00 26,600.00 Sub Total 0.00 26,600.00 Santander Savin s Account Santander Savings Account Santander Savin s Account Surplus B/ Fwd - Santander Account Net Transfer from / Ito) Co op Main Account Add Surplus/{Deficit) for the Year Sub Total 4,561.10 208.72 32,034.42 (27,500.00) 26.68 4,561.10 4,561.10 (4,500.00) 147.62 208.72 Sub Total 4,561.10 208.72 TOTAL NET ASSETS 38,683.43 40,883.92 ACCUMULATED SURPLUS 38.683.43 40,883.92 Prepared by Deborah Taylor, Treasurer, Warrington U3A Audited By Pauline Thompson, Hon Auditor Signed. Signed........ Dated..
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees The Warrington U3A On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) 01.04.24 1085069 Set out on pages 3&4 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 0110412024 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 1210412024 Name: Pauline M Thompson Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): IER Oct 2018
Address: 9 Coverdale Close Great Sankey Warrington WA5 3DH Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018