## **NORTHWOOD AND DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE** 

Registered Charity Number 1144907 

## **ANNUAL REPORT (6 Pages)** 

for the period 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024 

## **Principal Address** 

45 Ivy House Road Ickenham Uxbridge UB10 8NG 

## **Names of the Trustees During the Year to 30 June 2024** 

Elizabeth Andrews Secretary Keith Cains Treasurer Roger Calverley Asst Treasurer Tricia Hooper Membership Secretary Sandra Jenkins Alan Lester Vice Chairman Jean Marks Ann Smith Rob Thomasson Chairman Wendy Wyatt 

Trustees are elected annually by members at the Annual General Meeting. 

## **Type of Governing Document** 

Northwood & District University of the Third Age was established by constitution as an Unincorporated Association. 

## **Objectives** 

The advancement of education and, in particular, 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. 

## **Main Activities Undertaken** 

The provision and support of around sixty groups for study, learning and leisure. There is a monthly meeting open to all members at which information is given about future activities and usually there is a a speaker to give a talk on a subject considered to be of interest to members.  A quarterly newsletter is issued and there is a website with group details in addition to policy statements. 

Page 1 



NORTHWOOD & DISTRICT U3A CHAIRMAN'S REPORT for 2023
2024
Our u3a feels to me to be much as it was at this time last year. and that is a good thing. It also
means that this report is broadly the same as last yearfs report with the notable exception
that our treasurer Keith Cains will be stepping down at the AGM. That brings into sharp focus
the lack of volunteers to take up committee, and other "across the u3a", positions. Other
notable changes this year are a recommendation that the membership subscription rate
increases and a recommendation that we introduce a hardship subscription rate. Finally I set
out the key objectives and challenges for the committee over the coming year
We currently have 690 members. compared to 694 last September. 70 of those 690 joined us
during the last twelve months compared to 71 in the previous12 months. As ever. the influx of
new members is an essential factor for our u3a to continue as a vibrant and rewarding entity.
There will always be members that do rK>t, or canrK>L renew but as we strive to minimise that
number. we do need to ensure that we can attract new. and hopefully younger. participants
that will help to keep us "on our toes".
The latest listing of our Interest Groups has 61 entries across a broad range of topics with an
average of around 90 sessions held every month. Whilst this is at the same level as last year.
there is clear scope and demand for more groups. We are an interesting and curious group of
people and whatever your own interest the chances are that there will be others that share it.
If you have even an inkling for a new group, then do take advantage of the support and
encouragement available to test the waters.
Over the last year we held twelve monthly general meetings with ten talks, one concert and
one Annual General Meeting. In addition. the Architecture. Buildings and Places (ABP) Group
have hosted eleven talks. The last eleven general meetings (excluding the AGM) had an
average attendance of 160 (compared to 145 in the previous year). The talks are deliberately
varied in style and topic, but they are always interestin& and the meetings provide a valuable
opportunity to meet familiar and new fellow members and to hear the latest news. A record
97 members booked in for this year's successful Anniversary Lunch.
Our prime means of communication is email. Members without email receive a printed bulletin
every six to seven weeks with every other posting including a copy of our quarterly newsletter
Northwood Times.
As explained in detail in the Treasurerfs Report our u3a recorded a deficit of £3.688 on our
core activities for the financial year to 30 June 2024, against an expected deficit of £4,700.
Our core activities are those covered by the membership fees. Our other activitie& such as
Day Trips. London Walks Visits. Theatre & Social Events. are referred to as social activities and
any difference between income and expenditure each year is purely a result of timing.
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Our biggest cost is the hiring of venues such as Fairfield Church and that rose by15%
compared to the previous year. That unexpected level of increase was primarily offset by
lower costs for printing & stationery. and an invoice for Third Age Matters that was paid after
the end of the financial year.
Our financial reserves policy means that we can have one more year with expenditure greater
than income before the two must balance each other out. Even with a planned deficit for the
coming year. the subscription rate will have to increase noticeably from the £35 that we have
enjoyed for the last two years. The committee recommend setting the 202412025
subscription rate at £42 per person. We estimate that this will result in a deficit of £3,610 (of
which £1,350 will be the Third Age Matters invoice delayed from the 202312024 year).
The committee also recommend the introduction of a Hardship Subscription Rate of £16 per
person. Anybody in receipt of a means tested benefit can apply for that lower rate - which is
enough to cover our per member fixed costs and make a small contribution to our variable
running costs.
The key objectives and challenges for the committee over the coming year are_
Provide and administer the framework that enables our group leaders and other
volunteers to focus on their groups and their tasks at hand.
Improve our visibility and presence in the local community.
Create the committ* of the future.
The f irst of these three is the core function of the committee.
A big factor in the second is the pending move of our website to a new platform which will
enable us to have a much more attractive, informative and useful -shop windovf for both
prospective and existing members. In addition. we can further improve on our existing
promotion - through flyers. residents association newsletters and other opportunities - but
only if we can find a volunteer to spearhead that activity.
This brings me on to the third and last point. My general and personal calls for new blood on
the committee have not generated results. Current committee members are stepping down
now and more will do so in a yearfs time. Specifically, nobody has (yet) suggested that they
can take over from Keith as treasurer which presents an immediate problem. Although this is a
typical situation as an organisation ages, it does need to be solved during the coming year.
As I close. let us pause to recognise that it has been another great year for Northwood &
District u3a. This is a testament to the efforts and to the attitude of so many wonderful
people across our membership. Youlthey have embodied the u3a ethos of mutual support
and gained value by volunteering and being p* of a positive and shared experience. Every
year. writing these reports causes me to pause and remember just how fortunate l am to be a
member of this u3a.
The u3a strapline is "Leam. Laugh. Live" to which I will add "People. Purpose. Passion".
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Treasurerfs Report forthe Flnanclal Year Ended 30 June 2024
o be read in con"unction with attached Income and Ex
enditure Accounts
J11￿p0th- The accounts for the period 1st Juty 2023 to 30th June 2024 referred to as this year, have
been prepared on a receipts and payment basis. Charrty Commission regulations require that all activities
should be treated equally but to make it clearer Social and core activities have ben Separated. While there
May be exceptions theyare of little significance. Annual accounts should be an indication of what has
happened duringthe year to ￿lch they apply and are correct at the 30th June.
following points_apply to core acti￿￿e5 in 202312412022123 in brackets).
> Income of £23,995 (£24,535) was received by way of subscriptions from members, who paid £35 for a full
year, which was the same rate as the preViOUS year. Payments Were received from 677 for the current
membership year plus 9 from the preViOUS year {ending 31st October 2023) making a total of 68617201.
> The financialyearwhich ended 30th June should not be confused with the membershipyearwhich ends
31st October. Some subscriptions are received in between, so the numbers may not match.
> With increased interest rates. the feselve was switched to a higher rate account with the Natwest Bank.
The only downside being the fequilement foi 95 days notice of withdiawaL Even so the interest received
rose by Over £500 to £642 {£108).
> Gift Aid is claimed each year based on the previousfinancialyearwhich was 2022123. The increase of the
subscription rate to £35 had a knock-on effect on the claim of £5,1991£3,172).
> The most significant cost is forthe hire of premises. Most of these rates are now increased on an annual
basis. This year there was a rise in cost to £26.3101£22.878). or 15% in Percentage tefms.
> With more communications being via the intemet Printing & Stati(Mlery costs reduced to £323 (£7%).
> Cateringwas £2381£165), while the aftemoon tea was £2991£319) - a combined total of £5371£4851.
> There was expenditure of £2601£OI on equipment, the cost of a surtable printer to replace the old one.
> The Third Age Matters magazine is charged Per delivery address lor four iSSUeS Peiyear. In 2021122 no
paymentwas made as the invoice was delayed. This year only one invoice has been paid. so the Second
payment has been deferred for anothefyear.
> The cost of speakers has been held at £820 {£949), but is expected to rise as prices are increased.
> Membetship of the Third Age Trust fellto£2.6561£2,744). due to the drop in our membership numbers.
> Also based ￿ our membership numbers the fee for the use of the Beacon system fell to £664 {£686),
> Other licenceslfees at £2991£144) covered the cost of Zoom kn'cence plus the cost of collecting fees.
> Other Expenditure of £3921£3191 applies to other minor items not covered elsewhere.
> The c￿0p Bank account is Used mainlyforthe day to day running of core activities, while the Natwest
account is Used for dayto day SOcialactMtieS. There are now two reserve accounts both held with the
Natwest Bank. One is an instant access, while the Other is a 95 day accountwhich pays a better rate of
interest as reflected in the accounts.
Page 4

## **Statutory Declaration** 

The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefits. 

## **Policy on Reserves** 

The U3A aims to keep a level of reserves that will cover six to twelve months of regular operating costs. This is considered by the committee to be a reasonable level for this type of charity. Social activities, such as theatre visits and days out, are excluded from this figure as they are entirely self-financing. 

## **Principal Source of Funds** 

The main source of Income is from the membership subscription. 

## **Declaration** 

The trustees declare they have approved this annual report. 

Signed on behalf of the trustees 

Robert William Thomasson Chairman 

Keith Cains Treasurer 

Page 5 



|U3A Northwood & District|U3A Northwood & District||
|---|---|---|
|Accounts examined 10/9/23|||
|CORE ACTIVITIES<br>£|27,816<br>£|29,836|
|B.Hall<br>TOTAL INCOME<br>£|75,079<br>£|73,960|



U3A Northwood & District DEFICIT ON CORE ACTIVITIES 2023/24: 

Accounts examined 28/8/24 

## U3A Northwood & District 

## Accounts examined 

## B.Hall 28/8/24 

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