## **TRUSTEES REPORT 2023 – 2024** 

On 15[th ] June 2007 the Up Holland & District u3a was registered as a Charity and is administered by Trustees who are also the members of the Management Committee. The u3a is subject to the Charities Act and associated regulations, and the Trustees are accountable to the Charity Commission, as well as members, for the administration of the u3a. 

The Trustees (Management Committee) for the year 2023 – 2024 are: 

|Chair|Julian Finch|Vice Chair|Vacancy|
|---|---|---|---|
|Secretary|Beth Turton|Assistant Secretary|Vacancy|
|Treasurer|Alan Hough|Assistant Treasurer|Pauline Occleshaw|
|Membership|Hazel Pemberton|Asst. Membership|Stella Connor|
|Secretary||Secretary||
|Group Co-ordinator|Kevin Griffin|Communications/Publicity|Viv Newman|
|& Beacon Manager||Co-ordinator||



The Objects and Activities of the u3a are set out and governed by the amended (model) Constitution, adopted by the membership at the AGM held on 15[th] June 2021 and amended at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose on 16[th] April 2024. 

## **OBJECTS** 

The charitable purpose of the u3a is: 

The advancement of education, and in particular the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Up Holland and its surrounding locality. 

## **FINANCIAL RESOURCES** 

The membership fee for the year has proved to be adequate to meet the u3a running expenses. 

At the end of our 19[th] year, Up Holland & District u3a is again in a reasonable financial position. As a result, the Trustees have decided to keep the membership fee for 2024/2025 at £10 pa, with an additional admin. fee of £2.50 for all new members. Existing members who do not renew before the 31[st ] May will also be charged this admin. fee as they will be deemed to be a new member. Members who can show current membership of another u3a are charged a reduced fee. 

The accounts have been prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis, and therefore any 



surplus/deficit on the group accounts arises solely from the timing of receipts and payments. Capital expenditure within the general accounts is fully written off in the year of purchase. Balances in the General Account and the Investment Funds are healthy, as the Annual Accounts show. The principal source of income this year is from subscriptions. The main items of expenditure are Capitation Fees payable to the Third Age Trust, licences, insurances, printing and postage for ‘u3a Matters’ and voting papers and the cost of speakers at monthly meetings etc. 

Financial reserves are however slightly higher than our current policy guidelines, and the effect of any potential changes will continue to be monitored by the Trustees during 2024/2025. 

Money surplus to immediate requirements is invested in the Charities Official Investment Fund (COIF) where interest is paid without deduction of tax. In common with most investments, the returns of interest have improved this year. 

## **ACTIVITIES** 

Up Holland & District u3a was started in 2005 by a small group of enthusiasts. During the year from 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 membership has increased very slightly and at the end of March stands at 729 The affairs of the u3a are administered by the management committee which meets regularly. The committee also meets with group leaders every six months. Up 

Holland & District u3a is affiliated to the Third Age Trust, the provider of Third Age Matters (now u3a matters) magazine, insurances, resources and advice. We are associated with other u3as in Lancashire, Merseyside and other areas through the NW Region of u3as and our local network. 

Up Holland u3a members have been pro-active in the NW Region and the wider u3a movement.  The Region provides contacts and information flow and study days for committee members and members of the various u3as within the region. The Beacon Management System enables us to manage our membership information, financial systems and group records, as well as providing secure record storage. Members are issued with a plastic barcoded membership card which is scanned at coffee mornings, speaker meetings and some of the larger group meetings, and speeds up entry to the hall.  Attendance numbers can also be monitored. This year we have expressed interest, and work is ongoing, with regard to the potential migration of our website content to a new “Siteworks” website system which has been specifically designed by a team of volunteers from u3a’s across the country. 

We have actively sought ideas about keeping our u3a vibrant and increased the opportunities to inform members about what is happening in our u3a and how it is managed. This is done at our monthly coffee mornings, through consultation at biannual meetings with all group leaders Trustees Report 2023/2024 **Charity Number: 1119682** 



and through our monthly Newsletter. 

On May 4th, Up Holland u3a marked the occasion of King Charles Coronation, with a very special event at St. Teresa’s showcasing an array of entertaining talents, planting trees, and creating a large commemorative raised bed of flowers. 

This year also, we marked u3a Week in September with a series of manned recruitment stalls over two weekends in principal shopping areas: the Concourse in Skelmersdale and the Galleries in Wigan. This was complemented by other well-presented displays of photos and publicity, strategically placed in shop windows and a local church. Just over 40 members volunteered their help in some way. Only a small number of new people joined, but it raised our profile and awareness of the u3a movement within the wider community. 

On January 31[st] the committee organised a very successful Volunteers Lunch and Quiz as a thank you for Group Leaders. 

Other highlights in 23 /24 included numerous day trips, evening outings, some fantastic group holidays, excellent variety shows, and an interesting programme of speakers. 

Although there were some changes during the year we have 58 interest groups providing a wide range of activities for our members. We continue to encourage the formation of new groups. 

## **THE FUTURE** 

In summary, this has been a very good year, but some challenges persist for Up Holland u3a which we are now endeavouring to address. We are aiming for a teamwork approach to the various functions of the committee, secretarial, financial, publicity and communications, group development and co-ordination, membership administration, logistics, catering, technology, policy development, special events etc. In this way, work can be shared out and we can avoid over-reliance on just one person. 

The Trustees have approved the Trustees report as above. 

Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees 

_Julian Finch_ 

Date: 30 April 2024 

Chair 

Trustees Report 2023/2024 

**Charity Number: 1119682** 



UPHOLLAND AND DISTRlCt U3A ACCOUNTS 202312024
Balances •t
311031Z024
3V0312023
2978.88
3159.10
CURRENT
19617.10
17447.71
GROUPS
10624.47
CHARfflES INVESfMEKf FUND
11140.97
33741.99
31236.32
TOTAL
A H¢XJGH
SECRETARY
E TURTON
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
G SMITH
Q< ￿4P
2014

UPHOLLAND AND DISTrICT U3A ACCOUNTS 202312024
YEAR TO 3VO¥2024
1473JlJ
7517.50
&ft
Pwthi*e vl
.SU X]
kni •rvJ . )i
.1557
93535
43.?4
4115
31.IS
.rAfy3
.739.
.SYIA9
.131.44
.1139.17
749
-37J.17
-IJISAI.
-•yD)
EWtrk4 i•rtir
PILMIL its ihe
.1 10..40
6714h
Ls.yl
U3A Cty¥
.Jn.PJ
-35.>1
43)25fj7
L78
Group
.24723.70
.yS4£XXJ
.9571.22
-11523 11
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-Y7,ry)
TIA6
6474&Y.>
.￿63*)1 .
151&17
)UJ6J2
•AiAIKL AT JyJ11014
3J741.•9

UPHOLLAND AND DISTRICT U3A ACCOUNTS 202312024
YEAR TO 3110312024
INCOME
17JO
o.
375
Sal* ol bc¥)kJ
salo of urd5
1458.95
884.73
1535
4oJ
qtnt and ¥Afi- ￿ teresaslw
Stafjonery Ind
.2$57.07
J7.75
-749.IXI
.2JU4
.1131.17
R￿1￿ch
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o.
-17Q.30
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Fl* ¢ablr•et Ilnd k**sl
Pkklèball eoJlpmwbt
113.99
1gY.98
59.xl
J73.A7

UPHOLLAND AND DISTRICT U3A ACCOUNTS 202312024
YEAR TO 3VO¥Z024
L￿￿l
44474J17
?ii.Jo
4J911.81
1.78
p £YEni (wye
CuKlI Il**
951122
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SU61
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•AlA1￿ AT JVY1•14

UPHOLLAND U3A AGM FINANCIAL REPORT 202312024
Upholland U3A holds 3 bank accounts, and a minimal amount of
petty cash.
In total we had funds of £33742 as at 31" March 2024, compared to
£31236 as at 315t March 2023. an increase of £2506.
This increase is explained later in this report.
An amount of £11141 is held in a reserve investment fund. This has
increased in the year by £517 due to interest received on this
account. appreciably higher than previous year5 due to interest rate
changes.
An amount of £2979 is held in the current account. This account
includes income from membership fees. payments to the Third Age
Trust. and other income and expenditure associated with the general
running of Upholland U3a.
It has decreased in the year by £180. Payments to the Third age Trust
have been made in the year amounting to £4960. re membership
fees, Beacon licence, and postage costs re the distribution of the U3A
magazine. Other significant expense was for rent from St Teresa's
club re usage for the monthly coffee and speaker meetings
amounting to £2557. Major income derives from membership fees
amounting to £7473 in the year (similar to the previous year).
An amount of £19617 is held in the bank by the various groups in the
Upholland U3A. Increasing by £2169 in the year. This represent5 the
timing differences between group activity receipt and payments. In
particular a surplus was recorded in the final month for a number of
groups who organised events for the Spring and received monies for
events which have not yet been paid for.

Bank balances are reconciled monthly. No payments can be made
without authorisation by the treasurer and one other member of the
committee. Accounts are reported monthly to the committee, and
the bank balances and transactions are available to view online at
any time by the chairman and secretary in addition to the treasurer.
Online banking is now used for both the current and groups
accounts. Direct online payments by bacs still require dual
authorisation.
Payment of membership fees direct to our current account
continued to be used in the year (approx. 33% uptake) and proved
successful with less dependence on cash and cheques. This facility
will continue in 2024/5.
In 2020 we more clearly stated the policy for financial reserves, being
more specific on how the amount required in reserve should be
calculated. Based on this calculation reserves of cash should be
£12300 at the end of the year (based on expenditure in 2023/2024).
Actual reserve5 are £14125. This means we are over the
requirement.
Overall therefore the accounts are in a healthy position, with
contingency for any unforeseen circumstances, yet being financially
able to improve facilities and support existing and new interest
groups where required.
As a final point please can I thank all the volunteer group leaders and
their treasurers for reporting all their financial transactions so timely
to myself. Thanks also to the membership team for their efforts in
collecting fees.
A Hough
Treasurer
h April 2024.

CHARtTY COMMISSION I Independent examinerfs report on the
FOR E￿[A￿) AND WAL£5 |
accounts
Section A
Indèpendenl Examiner's Report
UPHOLLAND AND DISTRICT U3A
On xcounts for the year
31- MARCH 2024
Chartty no
(rf any)
111
1arKI 2
I rory)rt to the trwtees my ex(HninalKm of tho ac￿￿￿nts of the above
anty (Ihe Trust") for ￿ year ended 3110312024.
Rosponsibilities and
basls of r•port
As" Ihe chantys trusteos, you arc reS[X)￿S1ts1e tor Ihe wewdlk)n of thg.
accounts in a(xYxdance wllh the requiremorts of the Chanties Acl 2011
rthe Ad").
I rew)rt in rospcd of my examination d Ihe Trus1'S arj￿rtS ￿lOd (xrt
under sth 145 of the 2011 Act arKI in C¢irrybrKJ (xrt my &xarninatK)n. I
havg folkmcxl all thc applicable DireclKJn5 gven by Ihe Chty C(xrwntss
urKler 1445Xb) of thc Al
Independent I havo C￿lpleted my examination. I conflm) that M matarial matters have
examlnefs statement CAY￿ to my att&ntK)n in conncctK)n wrth the eXam1r￿lk>D wes r
cause to believe Ihai In, any matarial rospcd:
of Ihe Charilies Aix:
the accounl5 did noi (xynply ¥Mth tha applicable requirernents"
oncemiry form and ttjntént of a(xx)unts set (xrt in the Chwllbes
(Accounts and Rep(xts) Regu￿1￿)nS 2008 othor than any requirrnl
that thc a(￿￿nts give a arKI lair, view is not a matt
cfx)sKler8d as part of an in￿wident examinatth.
with the examinalion to whKth aiienlion SIMX￿d bo drawn in this rEPL¥t in
der to enable a FXDper understarKling of tho ac￿￿nts to be read￿d.
Signed:
Nam•:
James Gerald Srnilh
Relired Banker
qualification(s) or body
(If any):
Addrnss:
Flat 4. 249 Wgan Road. SI*M￿sh, WN12RF
IER
Oct 2018

Sèction 8
Disclosure
Only c(xnplete if the exarniner lo highlighl rnalerial mallepi ol
(saa CC32, Indopondont 0xaminab￿l of chanty aCCo￿ts. th'rections arKI
guKlanGe for exluniners).
Glve her• brkl datalls of
any Items that th•
examlner wlsh•s to
dosclose.
IER
Oct 2018