## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024** **Charity name: Flintshire u3a** ## **Charity registration number: 1096025** ## **Objectives and Activities** Summary of the purposes of The charity’s objective is the advancement of education, the charity as set out in its and in particular the education of older people and those governing document retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Flintshire. Summary of the main Flintshire u3a provides a range of activities which are open activities in relation to those to all members to participate in. purposes for the public At 31[st] December 2024, Flintshire u3a had 831 members benefit, in particular, the who are retired and semi-retired from full time work (794 at activities, projects or 31.12.24). services identified in the accounts. There is an annual programme of events which includes: - • Open Meetings with a guest speaker. - Outings to places of interest - Social events At the year end, there were 59 interest groups meeting at various locations and on differing days of the week, providing opportunity for members to participate in learning, personal development and social interaction. Members can select the interest groups of their choice (subject to availability of places) in the following categories: - - Arts & Crafts - Card & Board Games - • Discussion & Debating - Local & Social History - Language - Music - Outdoor & Physical Activity - Reading and Writing - Theatre - • Dining Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit The Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit when planning activities for the membership. Consideration is given to ensure that the activities provided for members meet Flintshire u3a’s charitable objectives (as set out above) for older people and those retired from work in the County of Flintshire. ## **Additional information (optional)** |Policy on grant making|Flintshire u3a does not make grants to any external
organisations| |---|---| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Flintshire u3a does not engage in any Social Investment.| |Contribution made by
volunteers|As part of the u3a movement, Flintshire u3a is made up of
volunteers, who contribute their time and energy to running
all aspects of the organisation including:
•
Trustees
•
Co-ordinators of Interest Groups
•
Outings organiser
•
Newsletter editor
•
“STAR Team“ members who assist at events
There are no paid staff. Without volunteers, the
organisation could not carry out its work. No u3a member
receives payment for services rendered to any u3a.| |Other|| ## **Achievements and Performance** |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.||For 2024, Flintshire u3a established a plan which set out its
objectives for the year against which progress and
achievements could be monitored. The plan set out what
Flintshire u3a hoped to achieve in four categories:-
•
Supporting the Membership
•
Supporting Interest Groups
•
Underpinning Flintshire u3a Operations
•
Planning ahead
Supporting the Membership
During 2024, Flintshire u3a saw a steady increase in its
membership. The number of members grew by a net 37
(4.7%), from 794 at the start of the year to 831 as at
31stDecember 2024.
During the calendar year, 129 new members joined, with
92 leavers of whom 88 did not renew their membership
from 1stJanuary 2024.
Of the 831 members, 787 (95%) are primary members of
Flintshire u3a and 44 (5%) are Associate members, being
primary members of another u3a.| |---|---|---| The 59 interest groups provided opportunities for learning and personal development in a spirit of enjoyment and friendship. Groups were given the opportunity to showcase their groups to attract new members. It was pleasing to see the introduction of a new Boccia Group and the re-start of the Family History Group under a new Group Co-ordinator and Deputy. All members are invited to the Open Meetings held throughout the year. The popularity of the Open Meetings grew throughout the year, leading to a change of venue to accommodate the numbers wishing to attend. Each meeting had a guest speaker providing a varied range of topics. Similarly, the Events Programme continued to be popular with an increasing number of members attending events. The Christmas Concert was an opportunity not only for members to get together but for members of the music groups, drama group and others to entertain and showcase their talents. The outings programme went from strength to strength with 250 different members taking part in visits to six locations. Opportunities were made available to enable members to find out more about Flintshire u3a and the range of activities on offer. Circulation of the newsletter was increased and members offered assistance with using IT equipment to gain confidence in accessing the website and using digital channels. ## Supporting Interest Groups Whilst many members participate in activity across Flintshire u3a, for some their experience is largely through the Interest Groups that they attend. During the year, groups who required it were provided with IT and AV equipment to enhance the offer available to the members of the group. The coordinators of the groups were supported through information sharing sessions and the provision of information on copyright and the application of the financial policies for groups. Discussion is underway on how to encourage members to come forward to lead new groups to widen the availability for members. ## Underpinning Flintshire u3a operations Significant progress has been made in ensuring that equipment, systems, policies and procedures provide a stable basis to underpin Flintshire u3a’s operations through a review of the Constitution; Financial Strategy and Policies; securing IT provision; Equipment/Asset audit and securing a storage facility. ## Planning Ahead The Trustee Board has been strengthened with further co-options; by bringing the Web Admin and Deputy Web Admin positions onto the Committee and shadowing to ensure that there is cover for key roles. ## Benefits The benefits of membership of Flintshire u3a come from the opportunities it presents for those no longer in full time work to keep active and engaged. The benefits can be summed up in the u3a motto “Live, Laugh, Learn”. This is achieved through meeting others and making new friends; using existing skills and learning new ones; developing new interests; participating as much or a little depending on personal preference; contributing through volunteering and having fun! The benefits of planning ahead and have the policies and strategies in place are that Flintshire u3a is operating from a sound base to provide the opportunities for members to “Live, Laugh and Learn.” ## **Additional information (optional)** |Achievements against
objectives set|Significant progress has been made in all areas of the 2024
plan with many objectives achieved or having seen
substantial progress which will come to completion in 2025
as described in the section above.
•
Supporting the Membership
•
Supporting Interest Groups
•
Underpinning Flintshire u3a Operations
•
Planning ahead| |---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Flintshire u3a’s principal source of income is from
membership subscriptions, including gift aid. Income from
membership subscriptions achieved the budgeted level for
the year. A gift aid claim for 2022- 2024 was made which
has established the current likely level of annual income to
include in future years budgets.
In addition, income is received from members paying for
outings, some events and group activities on a pay as you
go basis.
There is no other material fundraising.| |Investment performance
against objectives|Flintshire u3a’s financial resources are held within current
or deposit accounts.
There are no other financial investments.| |Other|| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**|| |---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Total funds held at 31stDecember 2024 were £22,057, all
of which were unrestricted.
Total receipts in the year were £45,517 and total payments
£45,266, giving rise to an in-year surplus of £251.| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|U3a guidance does not prescribe the level of reserves to
be held, but that the level should provide sufficient to fulfil
financial obligations for 6 to 12 months.
The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26, including
levels of reserves, was reviewed and approved by the
Trustees on 19thNovember 2024.| |Amount of reserves held|£22,057| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Not applicable| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Not applicable| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|There are no uncertainties about Flintshire u3a continuing
as a going concern.| ## **Additional information (optional)** |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|The principal source of income to Flintshire u3a is from
membership subscriptions. Subscriptions are paid by all
members on joining the organisation and at the annual
membership renewal. In addition, income is received from
gift aid, members paying for outings, some events and
group activities.| |---|---| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Flintshire u3a’s funds are held within Lloyds Bank, in a
combination of current and reserve accounts. The aim is to
maintain security of funds and low financial risk.| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|The principal risks to the charity emanate from people and
systems.
People:
As a membership organisation, Flintshire u3a is reliant on
members wishing to join and being willing to volunteer to
lead activities and interest groups or to be Trustees of the
Charity.
A reduction in membership numbers would reduce the
principal source of income and potentially curtail the
availability of opportunities open to members, which in turn
may further reduce the numbers of members wishing to join
or remain as members.
Inability to attract sufficient members to be Trustees of the
Charity would risk the charity being able to continue.| Flintshire u3a seeks to mitigate this risk by implementing appropriate membership recruitment measures; actively recognising the value of volunteer contributions, encouraging members to learn about the role of the Trustees and by ensuring that the offer of interest groups and social activities is well organised and supported. Systems: With over 800 members, 59 interest groups and a varied programme of events and outings, Flintshire u3a needs effective management and communication systems to underpin its operations. A review in 2024 identified the need to upgrade to a new Website and Management System to manage the risk in this area. Work has been underway since September and it is planned that the new Beacon/ Siteworks IT systems will be implemented in the Spring / early Summer of 2025. Other ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:|| |---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|
Flintshire u3a’s governing document is its Constitution.
The Constitution was first adopted 5thDecember 2001, as
amended 10thFebruary 2010, 9thFebruary 2011, 12thJuly
2018, 30thSeptember 2021 and 24thNovember 2024.| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Flintshire u3a is an unincorporated member’s association.| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Trustee selection is set out in Section 17 of the Constitution
“Appointment of Trustees.”
Trustee nominations are made by members of Flintshire
u3a, with the nominees being members of Flintshire u3a.| ## **Additional information (optional)** |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees|All new Trustees are provided with an overview of their
responsibilities as a Trustee of the Charity on taking up
their role as a Trustee.| |---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Flintshire u3a is part of a UK-wide movement of locally run
interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities
to come together to learn for fun.
Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally
independent, but is also a member of the u3a national
body, the Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the
guiding principles of the u3a movement.
The
Third
Age
Trust
provides
educational
and
administrative support to all u3a’s in the UK.
All u3as across the UK are part of a regional group. There
are twelve regions that cover different geographic areas of
the UK, nine in England and one each for Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland.
Flintshire u3a seeks to engage positively in national and
regional networks and is an active member of the North
Wales network. This provides opportunity for exchange of
information; sharing of good practice and ideas; providing
and receiving mutual support; planning and organising
shared events; developing shared links with outside bodies.| |Relationship with any
related parties|There are no relationships with other related parties outside
of the relationships within the u3a network described
above.| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Flintshire u3a| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|None| |Registered charity number|1096025| |Charity’s principal address|7 Church Lane
Mold
Flintshire
CH7 1BW| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|**Name of person (or**
**body) entitled to appoint**
**trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||HilaryJones|Chair||The
members
of
Flintshire u3a at the
AGM, or
Co-option
by
the
elected Trustees.
As set out in detail in
Section
17
of
Flintshire
u3a’s
Constitution| ||Lynne Ingman|Vice-Chair||| ||Angie Heys|Secretary||| ||KerryFeather|Treasurer||| ||TrudyEllis||18.06.24 – 31.12.24|| ||Sue Evans||01.01.24 – 22.09.24|| ||Karen Green|||| ||Jude Jones|||| ||Alan Lloyd||01.01.24 – 07.03.24|| ||Peter Mather|||| ||Joan Maw||19.11.24 – 31.12.24|| ||Ian Nicoll||20.08.24 – 31.12.24|| ||Jon Payne|||| ||Barbara Thomas||07.03.24 – 31.12.24|| ||Sue Wilcox|||| ||Mike Whiteaker||18.06.24 – 31.12.24|| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| ## – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved **Director name** None Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year **|| |---|---|---| |None||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the Not Applicable assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not Applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Type of**|**Name**|**Address**| |---|---|---| |**adviser**||| ## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** Flintshire u3a does not have any employees ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details Not Applicable ## **Other optional information** ## **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** |**Signature(s)**
**Full name(s)**
**Position (eg Secretary,**
**Chair, etc) **
**Date**||| |---|---|---| ||Hilary Jones|Kerry Feather| ||
Chair|Treasurer| |||| |||| ||**Unrestricted**
**funds**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Endowment**
**funds**||**Total funds**||**Last year**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**to the nearest**
**£**|**to the nearest**|**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**| |**A1 Receipts**|||||||||| |Membership&general|**12,542**||**-**||**-**||**12,542**||**10,858**| |Events & outings|**11,070**||**-**||**-**||**11,070**||**6,241**| |Groupincome|**21,817**||**-**||**-**||**21,817**||**20,227**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|**45,429**||**-**||**-**||**45,429**||**37,326**| |~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~| |Interest
~~S555~~|**88**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**88**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**53**
~~S555~~| |~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~| |**_Sub total_**
~~S555~~|**88**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**88**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**53**
~~S555~~| |~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**45,517**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~| |**_Total receipts_ **
~~S555~~|**45,517**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~|**-**
~~S555~~|~~S555~~||~~S555~~|**37,379**
~~S555~~| |~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~|~~S555~~| |**A3 Payments**|||||||||| |AGM & Meetings|**1,575**||**-**||**-**||**1,575**||**1,007**| |Newsletter|**870**||**-**||**-**||**870**||**997**| |IT & Website|**1,133**||**-**||**-**||**1,133**||**636**| |Telephone,postage, stationery, storage|**419**||**-**||**-**||**419**||**742**| |Fees & Charges|**280**||**-**||**-**||**280**||**75**| |Equipment|**1,957**||**-**||**-**||**1,957**||**296**| |Third Age Trust|**4,938**||**-**||**-**||**4,938**||**4,619**| |Events & Outings|**12,086**||**-**||**-**||**12,086**||**7,977**| |GroupCosts & GroupOutings|**22,008**||**-**||**-**||**22,008**||**19,791**| |**_Sub total_ **|**45,266**||**-**||**-**||**45,266**||**36,140**| |~~=~~|~~=~~|~~=~~|~~=~~|~~====~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**
~~=~~|~~=~~|~~=~~|~~=~~|~~====~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~| |~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~====~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~| |~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~====~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~| |**_Sub total_ **
~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~====~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|**-**
~~===~~| |~~=~~|~~=~~|~~=~~|~~=~~|~~====~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~|~~===~~| |**_Totalpayments_ **
~~=~~|**45,266**
~~=~~|~~=~~|**-**
~~=~~|~~====~~|**-**
~~===~~|~~===~~|**45,266**
~~===~~|~~===~~|**36,140**
~~===~~| |~~=~~
~~SS~~|~~=~~
~~SS~~|~~=~~
~~SSSSS~~|~~=~~
~~SSS~~|~~====~~
~~SSS~~|~~===~~
~~SSS~~|~~===~~
~~SSS~~|~~===~~
~~SSS~~|~~===~~|~~===~~| |**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
~~SS~~|**251**
~~SS~~|**251**
~~SSSSS~~|**-**
~~SSS~~|**-**
~~SSS~~|**- 251**
~~SSS~~|**- 251**
~~SSS~~|**- 251**
~~SSS~~|**- 251**|**1,239**| |**A5 Transfers between funds**
~~SS~~|**-**
~~SS~~|**-**
~~SSSSS~~|**- -**
~~SSS~~|**- -**
~~SSS~~|**- -**
~~SSS~~|~~SSS~~|**-**
~~SSS~~||**-**| |**A6 Cash funds lastyear end**
~~SS~~|**21,806**
~~SS~~|**806**
~~SSSSS~~|**- -**
~~SSS~~|**- -**
~~SSS~~|**- -**
~~SSS~~|~~SSS~~|**21,806**
~~SSS~~||**20,567**| |**_Cash funds thisyear end_**
~~SS~~|**22,057**
~~SS~~|**057**
~~SSSSS~~|**-**
~~SSS~~|**-**
~~SSS~~|**- 22**
~~SSS~~|**- 22**
~~SSS~~|**- 22,057**
~~SSS~~||**21,806**| ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**|**Details**|**Details**|**Details**||**Unrestricted**
**funds**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Endowment**
**funds**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**| |**B1 Cash funds**|Current accounts||||**10,906**||**-**||**-**| ||Deposit account||||**8,218**||**-**||**-**| ||Cash accounts||||**2,933**||**-**||**-**| ||**_Total cash funds_**||||**22,057**||**-**||**-**| ||(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))||||OK||||OK| ||||||**Unrestricted**
**funds**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Endowment**
**funds**| ||**Details**||||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**| |**B2 Other monetary assets**|||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||**Details**||||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**||**Current value**
**(optional)**| |**B3 Investment assets**|||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||**Details**||||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**||**Current value**
**(optional)**| |**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**|||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||**-**||**-**| ||||||||||| ||**Details**||||**Fund to which**
**liability relates**||**Amount due**
**(optional)**||**When due**
**(optional)**| |**B5 Liabilities**|||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||**-**||| ||||||||||| |Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees|Signature||||Print Name||||Date of
approval| ||||||Hilary Jones||||| ||||||Kerry Feather||||| CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Flintshire u3a On accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Charity no (if any) 1096025 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3111212024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: C5z Name: Lynda Ann Roberts Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Chartered Certified Accountant Address: The Old Barn, Tyn y Minffordd LIan￿rOg Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 2LL IER October 2018