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← Knutsford And District University Of The Third Age

2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] April 2023 To 31[st] March 2024

Charity name: Knutsford and District University of the Third Age

Charity registration number: 1139427

Objectives and Activities

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |SORP reference| |Summary of the purposes of|Para 1.17|The object of Knutsford U3A is the| |the charity as set out in its|advancement of education, and in particular| |governing document|the education of older people and those who| |are retired from full time work, by all means,| |including associated activities conducive to| |learning and personal development.| |Summary of the main|Para 1.17 and|We are a self-help learning organisation for| |1.19| |activities in relation to those|all local retired people who wish to join| |purposes for the public|activities that will develop learning, skills,| |benefit, in particular, the|personal development, enjoyment and| |activities, projects or|friendship. We have three main kinds of| |services identified in the|activities.| |accounts.|We normally hold monthly meetings, with| |speakers on a wide range of topics, followed| |by refreshments and social interaction.| |We currently have 54 Activity Groups,| |offering|a|wide|range|of|learning| |experiences to suit different interests. They| |are led by Group Leaders, giving their time,| |often supported by a planning group. They| |are supported by the Committee through| |networking and training sessions.| |We have subcommittees which organise our| |speakers and outings, including trips to| |places of interest, and to concerts and| |theatres. We produce regular newsletters to| |keep our members informed of our activities,| |and those of our wider U3A network (such| |as Summer Schools).| |Statement confirming|Para 1.18|All trustees have regard to the guidance| |whether the trustees have|issued by the Charity Commission on| |had regard to the guidance|public benefit.| |issued by the Charity| |Commission on public| |benefit|

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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference

Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
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.		 Para 1.20 Our membership at the end of March 2024
was 760 which includes 43 Associate
Members (those who are also members of
other U3As).
Over the year we have inevitably had a few
groups that have run their course or could
not find a new leader and have had to close.
To offset this a great deal of work has been
done to facilitate the setting up of new
groups and 12 new ones have been set up
during this financial year.
Our Outings Committee organised 8 trips to
places of interest, including a holiday in
Slovenia, in the year, together with 9 theatre
trips.
The Committee organised three events that
support our organisation to grow and thrive.
These included a stall at the local Lions
Fayre, a stand at the ‘Knutsford Refresh’
event and In September we held our
‘Showcase event’ with displays provided by
many Activity groups so that both members
and the wider public can get a better idea of
what we do, and the groups themselves can
attract new members.
In the autumn we had a Group Leaders’
coffee morning. Also invited were key
members involved in the organisation of our
u3a, such as the technical team, and the
Outings’ and Speakers’ committees. This is
a networking event, usually with a theme, so
that key members can share ideas and
experiences to develop our organisation
We also held a coffee morning for new
members. Such events had been held in the
past but not for quite a while. We wanted to
make new members feel welcome, to give
them more information about what we do for
members and to get ideas from them as to
what type of activities they would be
interested in taking part in or setting up. We
wanted to emphasise the self-help nature of
the u3a movement. This event was much
appreciated by the new members and
several
ideas
for
new
groups
were
proposed. These ideas have been followed
up by our Groups Supporter and several
new groups formed as a result.
In addition to our monthly meetings where
an outside speaker gives a talk, we have
continued
with
our
‘Hidden
Talents’
programme which involves presentations by
Knutsford u3a members on a topic of their
choice to the membership. During this
period, we had four presentations on a
diverse range of subjects which were very
well received, and we intend to continue this
new programme into the future.
We claimed Gift Aid on our subscriptions for
the membership year 2023/24. This was the
first year of doing so and It was very
successful in raising extra income which will
enable us to reduce our subscriptions for the
following membership year_._

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 Our ‘core’ income and expenditure relates
to the income (principally from membership
subscriptions), and the running costs of the
charity. This is ‘unrestricted funds’ in the
accounts. At the end of the financial year,
our income was £14,669.84, and our
expenditure was £10,266.32. Our other
funds are ‘restricted funds’, and they relate
to the Activity Groups and the outings, each
of which are self-funded. This income was
£57,944.77, and the expenditure was
£53,845.14 Our financial situation is
healthy, and at the end of March 2024 we
held £19,570.83 in unrestricted funds, and
£12,668.89 in the restricted funds..
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 Our reserves policy is to maintain a level
of reserves at a figure of 6 months
running costs for our ‘core’ organisation.
This is to allow for contingencies, such as
the need to replace or acquire necessary
equipment, and unexpected expenses.
For next year, we are planning to freeze
our membership subscription and
increase expenditure with a view to
gradually reduce the level of our
reserves.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 n/a
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 n/a
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 n/a

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 We are governed by our Constitution, first
adopted in 2010, and changed to a
modified version of the u3a model
constitution approved at our AGM of
November 2020
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 We are an independent charity, which is a
member of the Third Age Trust, as an
unincorporated 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		 Para 1.25

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 We carry out induction for new trustees,
using written information, discussion, and
observation at Committee meetings etc.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51 We are an independent charity, and are
members of the national body, the Third
Age Trust. We maintain relationships with
other local u3as, through the South and
Mid Cheshire Cluster Group, and the North
West Network.
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Knutsford and District U3A
Other name the charity uses Knutsford U3A
Registered charity number 1139427
Charity’s principal address 8 Bracken Way, Knutsford, Cheshire. WA16 9BU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Sue Allan Chair
Mark Barley Secretary
Adrian Long Treasurer
Robert Watson Vice Chair
WendyBrooks
Marian Goddard Sept 2023 to end ofyear
Helen Smith
Roger Brown
Stuart Allan
Irene Hardy
AnthonyAxon
Georgina
Blackburn

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for 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)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

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) Signature(s)
Pat
yeh
alo
f
,		 4
Full name(s) Full name(s)Susan Allan Adrian Long
Position (eg Secretary, Chair Treasurer
Chair, etc)
Date03/11/2024 03/11/2024

For Ihe Fmancial Year 2023 to Mari2024 2023124 ToT￿L 2023124 Lknrestriet￿ Fund5 Restricted FwKIs .'202WfJ. '.TOTAL .&bs(yplK)ns 5,05326 5.(I53.25 | £ 7,568.74 £ 4.081.00 7.568.74 8,190.05 ,&mUP &bs 194.70 1.766x2 58.365.54 ' £ 43,061.45 .B¥nk 5ntrt 86.93 | Indry thh Ino)me 4.57923 4.579.23 1 £ 6.413.92 1 72ffi14fi1 £ 61Vi6.42, 14.669A4 £ 5TW7T 49,344.73 ', £ 40245.13 O_30 1 t AooTn Hirelknt 1.775.C￿ I £ 2.548.00 1 £ 1,775.00 , £ 1.609.001 '.U3A&Js(xptXX15 2.548.(K) . £ 721.(M) .' £ U3A ￿bI￿at￿m$ 1.844.64 . £ 1.669.29 9￿.(￿) , £ 891.00 | 420.48 ¢￿￿ statknwy 863.53 | £ I EquiFXnt 1.028.40 £ 37&99 . £ 240.06 Tranng &N&workng 155.64 omoii)nd&ist unwty 20.40 ', £ . in¢Grfts 21.(X) i £ 165.06 ', £ 4.5c￿.4) 4.665.47 t 6,051.64 j .Total 10266a2 £ 53045.14 64,111A6 £ .'Surpthl Deficit 4N0352 £ 4mg 8503.15 £ 6W1a8, TOTAL TOTAL 9.4&3.90 ." £ 11.735.17 21219.07 1 £ 20.394.98 10.086.93 ' £ Cash In H&nd 933.72 933.72 £ 854.90 1>￿7￿83 £ 1166&89 32239.72 £ 21249￿8 AecunwlAted Fur ',Balance at 011041tJ 7.96124 20294.97 | £ 854.90 1 È &503.15 1 17,635.79 ash Qppnlny Iwus l 4,403.52 6.S91.38 3.764.91 1 ,,Year End accnwFs& 2.733.SB ,.Balanc• at 81103123 19.570.83 £ 21,249A8 '

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/
members of		 Charity Name
Knutsford & District u3a
On accounts for the year 31stMarch 2024 Charity no 1139427
ended (if any)
Set out on pages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended31 March 2023
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
basis of report 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:

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.

Signed: Date:17thOctober 2024
~~—~~		 Date:17thOctober 2024
~~—~~
Name: Robert David Beale
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):

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1 Styal Close, Kingsmead,

Address:

Northwich

CW9 8FG

Section B Disclosure

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 .

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Knutsford u3a

A report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Knutsford u3a for the year ended 31 March 2024.

General Comments

The Knutsford u3a gross income exceeds £25,000 and therefore requires an independent examination to satisfy the Trustees that there are no material matters of concern.

I have completed an examination of the Summary Income & Expenditure Account, the Spreadsheet Accounts and the support documentation. The accounts are accurately recorded on spreadsheets and the support documentation is clearly contained in a lever arch file. The records are kept in a way that makes it easy to track spreadsheet entries to the support documentation and hence the accounts are clear and transparent.

When the Accounts were initially presented Adrian reported that he had been unable to get the Membership Account and the Activity Account to fully balance. The discrepancies were small £0.30 on the Membership Account and £9.04 on the Activity Account. During the course of the inspection, I was able to identify the source of these errors and Adrian was able to correct them at a follow-up meeting held on 30[th] September 2024. Part of the reason for the errors in the balance were small recording errors/omissions but these were compounded by accrual errors.

The inspection included a detailed check on the income and expenditure figures in the Balance Sheet against the source data in the account spreadsheets. There was almost total agreement except where the recording errors mentioned above gave rise to the failure to balance the Accounts. Once the errors/omissions were corrected then the source data and Summary Account were in full agreement.

The spreadsheet banking records and reconciliations were checked against the Natwest bank statements for the “Main” and “Activity” accounts. One omission was identified and subsequently corrected.

As a secondary check of the accounting system, a random number of the individual spreadsheet entries were checked with the receipt and expenditure documentation. All the entries, that were checked, had support documentation. I found 2 entries where there appeared to be slight anomalies between the hardcopy receipts and invoices and their corresponding spreadsheet entries. These were discussed with Adrian at our review meeting and were fully resolved. The errors were found to lie with the hardcopy record as the bank statement entries and the account spreadsheet fully agreed. My observations and queries arising during the inspection were raised with Adrian Long by email. They were also discussed directly in a meeting on 30[th] September 2024. A copy of these observations and the responses to them, are attached.

Recommendations and Suggestions .

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financial year, but trying to record it on a monthly basis makes the accounts difficult. I suggest that the Treasurer considers removing Accruals from the Accounts.

Robert Beale 17th October 2024

The examiner is a Trustee for Northwich u3a and is independent and has no connection with Knutsford u3a. Relevant experience includes 30 years of experience preparing and managing departmental budgets and as a qualified auditor of regulatory compliance, management systems and procedures.

Support Information

List of Examination Checks

  1. Accounts Reporting System Check

There are acceptable computerised spreadsheets for data recording and report production

  1. Accounts Records/Documentation System Check

The main records are contained in a segmented lever arch file with separate sections for bank statements, invoices and receipts.

  1. Summary Accounts Report Check

All the entries in the Summary Account were checked with the source data in the individual spreadsheets and the carry forward figures were checked against the Summary account for the previous year.

  1. Accuracy of Spreadsheets Check

A random check was made on the row and column totals in the spreadsheets and some of the formulae for calculating totals was checked

  1. Hardcopy documentation Spot Checks

A random number of checks were made to verify that there were both receipt and invoice documentation and they agreed with the entries within the various spreadsheets.

  1. Check on Assets and Reconciliations

Hardcopy bank statements were checked against the monthly reconciliations for both the “Main” and the “Activity” accounts.

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