Barnet
BARNET UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE
Registered Charity No. 1129309
ANNUAL REPORT
For the year ended 30 November 2025
Constitution
Barnet University of the Third Age was established by constitution recommended by the Third Age Trust and was formally adopted on 5th March 2009.
It was registered as a Charity on 24th April 2009.
Trustees during the year to 30th November 2025:
James Jenkins (Co-Chair) Averill Lovatt (Co-Chair) Johannah Fischer (Treasurer) Paul Phillips (Membership) (Resigned 3/4/25) Johanne Carstairs (Groups) Trevor Orr (Secretary) John Bent Joanna Tambouridou Brian Lipman (Resigned 18/9/25.) Kathryn Barber Sarah Beaumont (Resigned 3/4/25) Jenny Murley Hasan Mustafa Susan Price (Co-opted 15/7/25) Bankers:
HSBC Plc
Independent Examiner
Mrs M P Dye, FCA
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Registered Charity No. 1129309
BARNET UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE
Annual Report (continued) For the year ended 30 November 2025
Objectives
To advance the education of the public and in particular those not in fulltime employment in Barnet and its surrounding locality. The provision of facilities for leisure time and recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the above persons in the interests of their social welfare.
Finance
Annual subscriptions for the current year have been held at the same rate as last year and are at a level designed to cover our running costs. The financial statements that follow show a surplus on general funds of £8,203 (£7,663 in 2024) and a deficit of £1,332 on members activities (£273 surplus in 2024). Reserves are adequate to meet current requirements and anticipated cost increases.
Report for the year
Our membership numbered 1886 at 30th November 2025. Our objective is to offer activities on a shared participation basis over an expanding broad spectrum of educational and recreational groups, including crafts, physical activities, discussion forums and social events. Our activities are constantly evolving in order to satisfy member demands. Our monthly meetings with guest speakers continue to attract substantial attendances.
Future
We will encourage all groups and hope to increase educational activities, such as workshops, as well as hosting social events. We also hope to continue the travel offerings that have been hugely popular. Membership is growing and it would be appreciated if more individuals could volunteer to give assistance in some way for the general benefit of our highly successful Barnet u3a.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
James Jenkins Johannah Fischer Co Chair Treasurer 23rd February 2026 23rd February 2026
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BARNET UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE ON ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30th November 2025 which are set out on pages 4 to 6.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and report. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year {under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)}, and that an independent examination is needed. The Charity is preparing accrued accounts and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
It is my responsibility to:
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i Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
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ii To follow the procedures laid down in general directions given by the Charities Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
iii To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
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, seeking explanation from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all 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". The report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
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1 I have completed my examination and 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:
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i the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
ii the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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iii the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reporting) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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2 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.
Mrs M P Dye, FCA
Independent Examiner
10 Salisbury Road Barnet Hertfordshire EN5 4JP
24th February 2026
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BARNET UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 30 November 2025
| 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Activity | General | Activity | |||||||
| Fund | Funds | Total | Fund | Funds | Total | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Income | ||||||||||
| 33,835 | 33,835 | Members' subscriptions | 35,192 | 35,192 | ||||||
| 5,400 | 5,400 | Gift Aid | 5,676 | 5,676 | ||||||
| 648 | 648 | Interest | 814 | 814 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | Other income | ||||||||
| 76,631 | 76,631 | Contributions from Member activities | 93,760 | 93,760 | ||||||
| 39,883 | 76,631 | 116,514 | Total Income | 41,682 | 93,760 | 135,442 | ||||
| Expenditure | ||||||||||
| 6,124 | 6,124 | Membership fees (to Third Age Trust) | 6,288 | 6,288 | ||||||
| 3,313 | 3,313 | Monthly / New member meetings | 4,215 | 4,215 | ||||||
| 3,120 | 3,120 | Co-ordinators' expenses contributions | 3,340 | 3,340 | ||||||
| 290 | 290 | Other co-ordinators' and committee costs | 336 | 336 | ||||||
| 558 | 558 | Study days and Seminars | 214 | 214 | ||||||
| 358 | 358 | Video conferencing | 268 | 268 | ||||||
| 4,499 | 4,499 | National magazine | 3,243 | 3,243 | ||||||
| 8,317 | 8,317 | Newsletter | 9,314 | 9,314 | ||||||
| 803 | 803 | Printing, stationery and telephone | 1,149 | 1,149 | ||||||
| 72 | 72 | Postage | 252 | 252 | ||||||
| 1,706 | 1,706 | Other costs including PO Box and other Licences | 1,364 | 1,364 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | Sundry equipment and IT costs | 299 | 299 | ||||||
| 1,641 | 1,641 | Membership system costs | 1,698 | 1,698 | ||||||
| 597 | 597 | Bank charges | 400 | 400 | ||||||
| 176 | 176 | Credit card fees | 248 | 248 | ||||||
| 646 | 646 | Depreciation of equipment | Note 2 | 851 | 851 | |||||
| 76,358 | 76,358 | Expenditure on Member activities | 95,092 | 95,092 | ||||||
| 32,220 | 76,358 | 108,578 | Total Expenditure | 33,479 | 95,092 | 128,571 | ||||
| 7,663 | 273 | 7,936 | Net Surplus | (Deficit) for year | 8,203 | (1,332) | 6,871 | |||
| 21,547 | 9,681 | 31,228 | Funds brought forward | 25,512 | 13,652 | 39,164 | ||||
| (3,698) | 3,698 | 0 | Transfers between funds | 2,572 | (2,572) | |||||
| 25,512 | 13,652 | 39,164 | Funds carried forward | 36,287 | 9,748 | 46,035 |
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BARNET UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE
Balance Sheet at 30 November 2025
| £ £ Fixed Assets Note 2 9,342 Cost 8,070 Less: accumulated depreciation 1,272 Current Assets 72,955 Bank Accounts 635 Deposits and Payments in advance Gift Aid Pending 73,590 74,862 Less: Current Liabilities 22,006 Members subscriptions in advance 631 Expense creditors 13,061 Creditors re Members activities 35,698 39,164 NET ASSETS Funds 25,512 General Fund 13,652 Activity funds Note 3 39,164 TOTAL FUNDS 2024 |
£ £ 10,433 8,921 1,512 77,943 5,670 1,405 85,018 86,530 26,650 707 13,138 40,495 46,035 36,287 9,748 46,035 2025 |
£ £ 10,433 8,921 1,512 77,943 5,670 1,405 85,018 86,530 26,650 707 13,138 40,495 46,035 36,287 9,748 46,035 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 86,530 40,495 |
||
| 46,035 | ||
| 36,287 9,748 |
||
| 46,035 |
James Jenkins Co Chair 23rd February 2026
Johannah Fischer Treasurer 23rd February 2026
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BARNET UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 November 2025
1 Policy on Funds
Surplus funds may arise in the course of normal activities and the committee believes these should be applied for the benefit of all current membership, subject to maintaining appropriate reserves.
| 2 Tangible Fixed Assets 3 Part Notice Boards Projector and Stand Laptop Lenovo Laptop Dell Inspiron 15 Projector Epson EBLI 61 Screen and Case for Projector Projector Screen and Stand Acer Laptop and Equipment Video Camera and memory cards Croquet Equipment Sound Equipment Microphone Banner Portable Ramp Pilates Equipment |
Opening Additions Total Accumulated Net Book Cost in 2025 Cost Depreciation Value 209 209 209 0 822 822 822 0 455 455 455 0 480 480 480 0 2,786 2,786 2,786 0 757 757 757 0 521 521 521 0 731 731 731 0 268 268 268 0 368 368 276 92 1,480 1,480 1,110 370 216 216 108 108 249 249 125 124 200 200 50 150 891 891 223 668 |
|---|---|
| 9,342 1,091 10,433 8,921 1,512 |
Notes:
Equipment costing less than £200 is not capitalised.
Substantial items in use, being depreciated on a straight line basis over four years, are shown above.
3 Activity Funds
These funds represent amounts available to cover anticipated expenditure on group activities. The intention is for each group to break even. Where expenditure is less than the income generated, surpluses may arise. Such surpluses are considered available for the general benefit of all our u3a members.
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