**Charity Registration Number: 1148212 Company Registration Number: 07702161 (England and Wales)**
**For the year ended 31 July 2025**
**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
The Trustees present their annual report for the year ended 31 July 2025 under the Charities Act 2011, together with the audited financial statements for the year.
## **1. Reference and Administrative Information**
The a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles dated 12 July 2011, amended on 9 December 2025 and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
**Charity number:** 1148212 **Company number** : 07702161
## **Registered Office:**
Edinburgh Building, University of Sunderland, Chester Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 3SD
## **Charity Trustees:**
Jacqui Clements (Chair, appointed 7 October 2024) Kayleigh Hesse Al Lawley-Powell Joshua Richardson Adewunmi Adeoye (Appointed 15 July 2025) Suraj Acharaya (Appointed 15 July 2025) Matty Pendergast (Appointed 6 October 2025) Paul Athey (Appointed 6 October 2025) Jamie Young (Appointed 7 October 2024) Christiana Anim-Addo (Appointed 15 July 2025) Ishahak Khadgi (Appointed 15 July 2025) Prince Chinedu Ikechi (Resigned 15 July 2025) Babatunde Jimoh (Resigned 15 July 2025) Rose Guy (Resigned 15 July 2025) Oludolapo Dada (Resigned 15 July 2025) Jessica Fogarty (Resigned 15 July 2025) Jouhayna Mrabet (Resigned 27 April 2025) Felicia Udofiah (Resigned 31 December 2024) George Cosmas (Resigned 7 October 2024) Alison Kubwalo (Resigned 7 October 2024)
## **Company Secretary**
Philip Benton
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **Professional Advisers**
**Auditors** Azets Bulman House Regents Centre Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3LS **Bankers** Natwest Sunderland Branch 52 Fawcett Street Sunderland, SR1 1SB Charities Aid Foundation Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ **Advisers** Counterculture Partnership LLP 23 St Leonards Road Bexhill East Sussex TN40 1HH DAC Beachcroft LLP 3 Hardman Street Manchester M3 3HF
## **Key Management Personnel**
The Union employs a Chief Executive to work closely with the Trustee Board and ensure effective management of the charity as head of a management team as follows:
Chief Executive Katherine Luke (to 15 July 2025, maternity leave) Interim Chief Executive Sam Harris (from 15 July 2025) Interim Deputy Chief Executive Dan Fow HR and Operations Manager Louise Dixon Finance Manager Lynne Gordon Student Experience Manager Zoe Jones Student Communities Manager K J Senior (from March 2025) SU London Manager Amie Hammond
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **2. Structure, Governance, and Management**
The Union is constituted under the Education Act 1994 as a charity, with internal regulations or Rules approved by the governing body of the University of Sunderland (the University). charitable object is the advancement of education of the students of the University of Sunderland for the public benefit.
The Sabbatical Trustees are elected annually by cross-campus secret ballot of the membership. These two posts of President: Sunderland and President: London are full-time posts remunerated as authorised by the Education Acts and cannot exceed two years duration for each holder.
The two full-time Sabbatical Officers, four Student Trustees and five External Trustees are regarded as the charity trustees of the Union for the purposes of the Charities Acts and Company Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act. Student Trustees shall remain in office for a term of one or two years as agreed by the Appointments Committee, serving a maximum of two consecutive terms. The external trustees may serve a term of four years, renewable up to a maximum term of office of eight years.
## **Trustee training**
New trustees are inducted into the workings of the Union, as a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, including Board Policy and Procedures, at both internal and external training and induction workshops.
## **Organisational Management**
Day to day responsibility for services rests with the Chief Executive along with service managers and other staff. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that performance is monitored and controlled.
The remainder of the management team (as set out in the key management personnel), is The remuneration of key management personnel is set by the People and Governance Committee, with the policy objective of ensuring that they are rewarded for their individual contributions to the . Delivery of the charitable vision and purpose is primarily dependent on our key management personnel and staff costs are the largest single element of our charitable expenditure.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **Charity Governance Code Self-Assessment**
The Board undertook an assessment against the version of the code developed specifically for during 2022/23 together with a Board development session which considered feedback from the self-assessment, and identified an action plan and development tasks for the board to undertake over a three year period.
## **Relationship with University of Sunderland**
The relationship between the University and the Union is established in the regulations of the University and in the Relationship Agreement approved by both organisations. The Union receives a Block Grant from the University and part-occupies a building owned by the University, which also pays for utilities, caretaking and cleaning staff. This non-monetary support is intrinsic to the relationship between the University and the Union.
Although recommended by the Charities SORP, which has been adopted for this and future financial years for due compliance with the requirements the Charities Act 2011, it is not possible to identify an estimated value to the Union for this free serviced accommodation as the University does not separate out the property costs of individual floors of its buildings. Although the Union continues to generate supplementary funding from various financial support.
The trustees consider it reasonable to anticipate that this or equivalent support from the University will continue for the foreseeable future, as the Education Act 1994 imposes a duty on the University to ensure the financial viability of its student representative body in one form or another. The trustees therefore consider the Union to be financially viable for the foreseeable future.
## **Principal Risks and Uncertainties**
The Board reviews the current and planned future activities in the light of any major risks arising from time to time and the effectiveness of systems and procedures designed to manage them. The table below shows the principal risks and uncertainties currently facing the Union, as identified by the Board, and the level of residual risk each poses to the Union with mitigations in place.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Risk Rating
Risk to key stakeholder relationships should there be any changes in university
leadership. This could hold financial risk to the organisation in annual budget
planning rounds.
Officer/staff team to negatively impact relationship and reputation with
significant stakeholders.
Freedom of speech uncertainties and increased student demonstrations on
campus
Failure to build a relationship with the membership, leading to poor
engagement with the Union.
Uncertainties linked to the launch of the new free speech complaints scheme
which will enable past and present students to complain about free speech
issues
Governance structures fail to satisfy Charity Commission requirements.
**----- End of picture text -----**
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
Non-compliance with safeguarding, HR, H&S and Finance laws and regulations. Ensuring USSU employees comply with staff visa restrictions imposed on them. Loss of personal data. Non-compliance with DPA and GDPR regulations leading to investigation and fines. The Union fails to deliver on approved strategic plan leading to widespread dissatisfaction from members. This could occur if officers, teams, and staff are not kept on track to deliver the terms in the plan. Impact of cost-of-living crisis sees the union block grant funding reduced, this could impact ability to deliver or grow in the way the Union plans to. Cost of living could also see impact on retention levels and the ability to retain staff. Change in student profile means that our Union no longer provides appropriate services. Failure to acknowledge the need for physical space to enable the SU to operate and maximise its potential Ability to maintain cross campus relationships both internally and externally to the Union. Loss of data sharing agreement with the University both in Sunderland and London. and future developments leading to conflict or lack of support with University priorities. Ability to resource the spaces we have if there are any financial impacts to the Union. Failure to engage membership in democratic activity threatens legitimacy of Union.
Risk Key:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
High
Medium
Low
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These risks are regularly reviewed by the Board, with mitigation plans updated on a regular basis by the management team to ensure that the agreed control and mitigation measures are effective.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **3. Aims, Objectives and Activities**
The objects of the Union are the advancement of education of Students at the University of Sunderland for the public benefit by:
- promoting the interests and welfare of Students at the University of Sunderland during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students;
- being the recognised representative channel between Students and the University of Sunderland and any other external bodies; and
- providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its Students.
In pursuit of these aims for the public benefit, the Union will ensure the diversity of its membership is recognised, valued and supported and has established departments and services for use by its members and to support its work with the University and other organisations on behalf of students. Executive Officers of the Union sit on key committees of the University and meet regularly with providers of public services affecting students.
strategic plan sets out the following objectives for the organisation to pursue:
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# **UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
Our priorities are as follows:
- Increasing SU visibility and engagement, more students caring about what we do, transforming our visibility across each campus and online.
- Review our Democracy and Governance structures to ensure it meets the needs of our members.
- Deliver specific programmes of support for key student groups and their experience as students at the University of Sunderland.
- Understanding the next generations desires and needs and adapting to ensure the SU is relevant and fit for purpose for future students.
- Begin a realistic financial plan for resilience.
- Ongoing development on graduate outcomes, developing relationships with key stakeholders to support with opportunities such as volunteering, employability, and leadership skills.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
Our principles are:
## **Principle 1: PASSIONATE**
Your SU will help you love what you do and show it. We are proud of our student community, and we will offer the best opportunities to help you grow and achieve your goals.
## **Principle 2: INTEGRITY**
Your SU will create and sustain trust in all we do to support our students. We will respect all people and their perspectives, in our service to students.
## **Principle 3: EMPOWERING**
Your SU will help you be bold in trying new things, taking opportunities and providing students with the means to shape your own future.
## **Principle 4: SUCCESS**
Your SU will put success and your achievements at the heart of what we do as our ultimate goal.
## **Principle 5: INCLUSIVE**
Your SU will embrace and celebrate diversity, ensuring equal opportunities are available for everyone, knocking down the barriers in a supportive space.
When reviewing our objectives and planning our activities, we have given due consideration to the benefit. Union provides a wide range of representation, advocacy, advice, training, publications, events, personal development support, and other services to students at the University of Sunderland in furtherance of the educational mission of the institution.
and the wider Sunderland community who are affected by different policies, legislation and political agendas, and is recognised as the voice of Sunderland students.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **4. Achievements and Performance**
Collectively in 2024/25 has:
- Launched our new space - Your SU @ London in January 2025.
- Updated our democratic structures and governance processes following an extensive external review in order to make better connections with members.
- Launched our new Community Organising programme as an embedded model of Student Engagement across our Sunderland and London campuses.
- Maintained an above benchmark satisfaction score in the National Student Survey compared to both the North East region and across the UK.
- 14,500 interactions with students, across our services, societies and events.
- Built a 20% increase in society activities, with over 320 student led events across Sunderland and London.
- Seen our online engagement exceed 100,000 across our social media platforms with a 115% growth on London social media platforms alone.
## **Projects and initiatives**
new Strategic Plan which is being launched this coming year.
University wide projects. Two examples include consultations on the University accommodation provision as well as the Murray Library refurbishment project.
Several collaborative projects have been initiated with the University over the past year including the Welcome Project, aimed at improving the student experience on arrival at the University of Sunderland.
## **Student Voice**
During 2024/2025 we recruited and trained 459 Course Reps across both campuses of the University.
We also recruited 27 Student Voice Reps (21 in Sunderland and 6 in London). This number is the highest number of recruited roles for the full length of their service. Highlights and achievements for these posts include having representation at the Office for Students board meeting with John Blake and the BA(Hons) Community and Youth Course being reinstated.
Over the year we continued to enjoy University in the facilitation of Representation Roundtable events. These have brought together student representatives with academic and professional services staff to discuss and debate live issues and University developments. An example of a strategic discussion which took place was the development of the Universit s new Student Success Plan putting students at the heart of the decisions being taken by the University.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
These success stories demonstrate the impact student representation can have on all students studying at the University and the key role it plays in enhancing the student experience.
Your SU supported many national student campaigns during 2024/25 including:
- Give It A Go week
- Agent Integrity
- Black History Month
- NUS Elections
- Student Volunteer Week
## **Change It**
Change It continued during the 2024-2025 academic year as a process for students to develop ideas for Union campaigns and put them forward for consideration by the wider student body. Over the past year we had 12 submissions, publishing 6. Across those published submissions, there were 873 interactions (signatures, thumbs up, and thumbs down), as well as 155 comments. The current state
- Changing It 0
- It Has Changed 3
- Not Changed 3
Going into 2025/26, Change It has been paused pending discussion about how it can be rethought and reimagined to align with the new Community Organising model and governance structure.
A M was held on 14 November 2024 with 42 voting members present, which was below the quorum required for the meeting to take place that day. It reconvened on 21 November 2024. revised Articles were approved bye-laws were presented and approved, removing the obligation for a to take place and leaving it up to the discretion of the Trustees. The as well as implementing the new governance structure.
- Votes For - 38
- Votes Against - 2
- Abstentions - 0
## **NUS**
The Union continued to engage with the NUS this year, participating in the process to change its democratic structure. There was no National Conference this year due to the reorganisation. Instead, s Campaign Days, including the NUS National Lobby Day for No More Guarantors, which developed our relationship with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **Elections**
The 2024/25 spring elections were the first for the refreshed Sabbatical Officer model, reducing the posts to two full time officers, a President: Sunderland and a President: London. There were 3,844 votes cast from 2,489 individual voters. This was a turnout of 8.48% overall (12.4% with Hong Kong and other international partnership campuses removed from turnout). 1,268 voters were from London Campus. There were 11 confirmed candidates, with no withdrawals. To reflect the new governance structure, there were two posts for election this year rather than the 10 that were elected previously. The voting window was also reduced from 5 days to 3 days.
## **Advice**
The Advice Service has maintained its focus on supporting students across the full range of academic issues they may face, including Academic Misconduct allegations, Appeals and Complaints as well both General Misconduct and Fitness to Practice.
This year, the advice service handled 239 cases across the Sunderland and London campuses, broken down as follows:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Sunderland London Total
Academic Misconduct 37 12 49
Complaints 28 5 33
Appeals 81 9 90
Extenuating Circumstances 16 1 17
Changing/Leaving Course 10 1 11
Progression 2 0 2
General Misconduct / Fitness to Practice 19 1 20
Personal 3 0 3
**----- End of picture text -----**
Continued emphasis on awareness and promotion has seen Academic Misconduct, once our primary issue, decrease further. We also believe this may be attributed to work the Assessment Innovation Project has been engaged in, leading to a stabilising of the numbers of students engaging in academic misconduct.
For full context, although this looks to be drop in the overall number of cases compared to last year, there have been extended time periods where the advice service was operating at 50% staff capacity, either due to staff leaving and recruitment needing to be completed or long-term sick leave.
The advice service would also highlight that the complexity of cases is increasing, especially in the Complaints and General Misconduct/Fitness to Practice categories. The amount of time required from an Advice Caseworker for these types of cases can become quite time consuming. A case of particular note took just over 42 hours of staff time. In comparison, a relatively straight forward Academic Misconduct case averages 90 minutes of staff time.
The increase in complexity, and the consequent impact on stiff time has an effect on the total number of cases that can be handled at once.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **Events and Activities**
Our annual welcome program across both campuses saw over 3,500 attendees across both Sunderland and London. One of the biggest highlights for this academic year was launching a program of welcome activities in London targeted at integrating students into the University experience, alongside welcoming students to the city of London.
There were over 170 events hosted across both the Sunderland and London campuses.
Some of the event highlights from both Sunderland and London include: Global Culture Day, Diwali, Nigerian Independence Day and our London Summer Fete.
## **Societies**
Our societies continue to play a vital role in providing opportunities for new experiences to be fostered and belonging on campus. Society activities increased by 20% compared to 2023/24 with over 320 student led events taking place across the Sunderland and London campuses.
Academic Societies have continued to increase with a total of 21 now operating across both campuses. As part of the new models of student engagement and our deepened faculty engagement levels, this would be expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
In addition a total of 328 student-led events took place in 2024/25 which is a 23% increase on the previous total.
There were also 40 cultural events held in our spaces across both Sunderland and London representing a 110% increase compared to 2023/24.
## **Volunteering**
Volunteering and extracurricular offer, helping our students to meet new people, learn new skills and boost their employability too.
In 2024/25s year we have had 75 different student volunteers across the different roles and opportunities in Sunderland, including:
- 68 SU Buddies supporting students to help them and settle in Sunderland
- 49 volunteering opportunities with organisations and charities in Sunderland.
- 75 students paired with SU Buddies to access this support network across Sunderland.
- 12 Wellbeing Champions supporting and signposting students to Wellbeing Services.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **5. Future Plans**
Our key priorities for 2025/26 are:
- Ensuring that we are making the most effective use of our spaces as possible ensuring that our space in London is embedded as a core space for our organisation
- Embed Community Organising as a key model of Student Engagement Union out to students as much as possible
- Refresh our strategic plan during 2025, ensuring we are fit for purpose for our members across both Sunderland and London with a clear plan and commitment for the future
- Ensure that we focus on our systems and digital presence to ensure that the organisation is as agile as possible needs and adapting to ensure the SU is
- relevant and fit for purpose for future students.
- all planning spaces to do with
- NSS, Access and Participation and other key strategic projects to be able to show success within University within university collaboration whilst being able to maintain our scores above benchmark
- Kick start our work around sustainability, ensuring that an audit is carried out to identify any gap areas to build on in line with current sustainability shared through SOS-UK
## **What are our next challenges?**
- Ensure that the refresh of our strategic plan meets the needs of students both current and future across all of our campuses
- Recognising the financial challenges of the wider Higher Education sector in general, and the University of Sunderland in particular, we will strive to secure the best funding settlement possible to continue funding our ambitious plans
- Ensure that we allocate our financial resources across the organisation as best as possible, to ensure that both our campuses are in receipt of the best possible
- As we continue to focus on improving student engagement both in Sunderland and in London, we will continue to build on the infrastructure that the Union has created for our refreshed models of engaging students, ensuring that phase 2 of this planning feeds into the strategic planning process this coming year.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **6. Financial Review**
1,330,930 (2024: £1,410,964). Total expenditure of £1,215,388 (2024: £1,528,754) on the wide-ranging student benefits we provide within a broadly balanced budget, as well as on the modest fundraising and other revenuegenerating activities we undertake, left an operating surplus for the year of £118,542 (2024: deficit of £117,790) after movements between unrestricted and designated funds and the annual A debit of £7,195 within the operating costs relates to the adjustment of the pension liability as outlined below.
Since the entry into effect of FRS102 there has been a change of accounting policy regarding pension deficits. Previously, a prior year adjustment was recognised for the full SUSS deficit plan payable over 17 years allowing for the three year advance payment made in October 2014 and unwinding the discount received on that early payment. In June 2022 SUSS underwent its latest triennial actuarial valuation and the outcome was reported to member Unions in March 2023. Notifications of increases in deficit contributions were received in May 2023, and therefore the 7.
During the 2023/24 financial year, the Union made a three year lump sum deficit reduction contribution of £582,283. The year-end accounts have recalculated the net present value of the revised expected contributions up to May 2037. An adjustment to the revised future contributions has been debited £1,305,977 (2024: £1,424,519). Having made the three year payment in November 2023, the Union will not owe any further contributions until November 2026, and will be in negotiations with the University up to that point about how they will be able to support future deficit contributions withing the overall funding envelope awarded to the Union.
The Trustee Board took a decision in July 2016 to create a designated fund to contribute to the three year required from October 2017 onwards. At 1 August 2024 the fund stood at £156,154. No further expenditure was made from the fund during the 2024/25 financial year but at year end, following a transfer of £62,592 from general unrestricted funds, the fund stood at £218,746.
Additionally, at the end of the 2018/19 financial year another designated fund was established to strategic plan. This fund stood at £10,000 at the start of the 2024/25 financial year. No further funds were spent from this reserve during 2024/25 so it retained a balance of £10,000 at year end.
democracy and governance structure following the 2024 review of the Articles of Association. This fund held £10,000 at the start of the 2024/25 year. No expenditure was made in year, and a further £5,000 was added at year end leaving a balance of £15,000.
The Trustee Board made a decision at the end of 2024/25 to consolidate the remainder of its designated funds with balances of under £10,000 into a new reserve to provide funding for the 9 was moved from two other reserves, and a further £20,000 allocated to create a Designated Strategy Fund, holding £26,539.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **Reserves level and policy**
The Trustees have adopted a reserves policy, the objective of which is to protect the Union and its charitable activities by ensuring adequate liquidity while the organisation adjusts to any short term (two to three months) changes it encounters in its financial and operating environment. At the same time the Trustees wanted to ensure reserves were not too high in order to maximise the support the ongoing activities of the Union. Following this policy the Trustees have set a target of the Union holding £200,000 in unrestricted funds (not including the pension deficit reserve).
As noted above, due to the recognition of the pension scheme requirements of FRS102, the Union's income and expenditure reserves are an accumulated deficit of £1,305,977 (2024: £1,424,519). Within that figure, unrestricted reserves total £250,000 (2024: £220,000). As that figure exceeds the £200,000 target, the Union is confident that it has a sustainable level of reserves, subject to future changes in pension deficit contributions.
The implementation of this policy sees the Union holding the following reserves for the stated purpose:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Item 31 July 2024 31 July 2025
£ £
Unrestricted funds 220,000 250,000
Pension Reserve (1,842,601) (1,835,406)
Designated Capital Fund being a fund representing the 15,389 9,138
net book value of fixed assets owned by the charity
Designated Pension Deficit Payment Reserve being 156,154 218,752
a fund setting aside a contribution to future pension deficit
payments
Designated Staff Development Reserve - being a fund 10,000 10,000
to cover staff learning and development in support of the
people strategy
-
Designated Strategy Development Reserve - being a 26,539
strategic plan.
Designated Change Management Fund being a fund 10,000 15,000
and governance structure
-
Designated Website Development Reserve being a 1,539
fund to support the redesign and restructuring of the
**----- End of picture text -----**
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
|||**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**|**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Designated Data & Insight Reserve**
being a fund to||5,000|-|
|**Total Reserves**||**(1,424,519)**|**(1,305,977)**|
## **Going Concern**
Following negotiations with the University the Union has been successful in retaining significant block grant funding for 2025/26. The budget indicates that a small operating loss would be incurred that may require the Union to utilise some of its unrestricted reserves to cover the shortfall, should savings not be made in the course of the year.
The trustees continue to review and update their financial forecasts for the short- and mediumterm future. senior leadership and are reassured that the University remains committed to maintaining its grant funding of the Union at the current level for at least the next financial year. The trustee board also financial support for the Union. At the point of signing the accounts, the trustees are satisfied that Sunderland SU remains a going concern.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **7.**
statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102);
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
In so far as the trustees are aware at the date of approval of this report:
- the trustees have taken all steps they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
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**UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS UNION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 8 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
## Chair of the Trustee Board
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Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS. UNION
Opinion
We have audited the financial stslements of University of Sundedand Students, Union (the 'tharity'l for the year
ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the slalement of financial aclivilies. the balance sheet, the slalement of cash
flows and notes lo the financial statements, including significant aOUntIng policies. The financial reporting
framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards,
including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable the UK and Republic of
Iland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel.
In our opinion, the financial slatemenls..
give a true and fail view of the slate of the charitable company's affairs as al 31 July 2025 and of ils incoming
resources and application of resources, including ils income and expenditure, for the year then ended.,
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,.
and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Stsndards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable
law. Our responsibilities under those standards are ftjrther described in the Audilorts SponsIbl1rfAes for the audit of
the finanoi81 statements sedion of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethi¢al
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical
standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance ¥Mth these requirements. We believe
that the audit evidence we have obtsined is sufficient and appropriate lo provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial stalemenls, we have concluded that the Iruslees, use of the going concern basis of
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or
conditions that, individually Dr collectively, may casl significant doubt on Ihe charity's ability to continue as a going
concern for a period of at least Melve rnonlhs from ¥Nhen the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees wth respect lo going concern are described in the
relevant sections of this report.
other inforniation
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial $18lements
and our audilorfs report Ihereon. The Iruslees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual
report. Our opinion on the fi'nancial slalemenls does not cover the other infomiation and. except to the exlenl
otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any fomi of assuran conclLJsion thereon. Our
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially
inconsistent ¥Mth the finanaal slalements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or olhenNise appears
to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstalemenls, we are
required to determine whether this gives rise to 8 material misstatement in the financial stslemenls themselves. If,
based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misslatemenl of this other information,
we a required lo report that fact.
We have nothing lo report in this regard.
Oplnlons on other matters prescrlbed by the Companles Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit..
the information given in the Iruslees, report for the financial year for whieh the financial slalements are
prepared, which includes the directors, report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the
financial slalemenls", and
the directors. report included within the trustees. report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal
requirements.
19-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS. UNION
Matters on which are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understsnding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the
audit. we have not identified material misststemenls in the directors, report included wthin the Iruslees, report.
We have nothing lo report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires
us to report lo you if, in our opinion.
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been reiVed
from branches not visited by us., or
the financial slalements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns., or
certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made., or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or
the Iruslees were not entitled lo prepare the financial slalements in accordance with the small Companies
regime and take advantage of the small companies, exemptions in preparing the trustees, report and from the
requirement lo prepare a strategic report.
Respon$lbllltles of tru$tee$
As explained more fully in the statement of Iruslees. responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the
charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial slalemenls and for being
satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Iruslees determine 15 necessary lo
enable the preparation of financial slalemenls that are free from material misslalement, whether due lo fraud or
error. In preparing the financial slatemenls, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability lo
continue as a going Concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related lo going Concern and using the going
concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease
operations, or have no realistic altemative but to do so.
Auditorfs responsibilities for tho audit of the financial statoments
Our objectives are lo obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from
material misslalemenl, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an audilorfs report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance bul is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance
with ISAS IUKI will always detect a material misstslemenl when il exists. Misslalemenls can arise from fraud or
error and are considered material if. individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected lo influence
the e¢onomi¢ decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial slatemenls.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website al.. https'.11
www.fr¢.org.uklaudilorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
-20-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS. UNION
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Itregularilies, Induding fraud, are Instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in
line wth our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council's website, lo delect material
misslalements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
We obtain and update our understsnding of the entity. ils aclivilies. ils control environment. and likely future
developments. including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying
with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks,
and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes
consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary lo applicable laws and regulations, in¢luding fraud.
We identified the followng applicable laws and regulations as those most likely to have a material impact on the
financial stslemenls. Health and Safely.. employment law (including the Working Time Dire¢tivel', and Compliance
with both the UK Companies Act and Charities Act.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance wth laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed
procedures which induded..
Enquiry of management and those charged with goveman¢e around actual and potential liligalion and
claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud",
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governan..
Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material
effect on the financial stslements or the operations of the enlily through enquiry and inspection..
Reviewing financial statement disdosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.,
Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including lesling of
journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant
transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting eslimales for indi¢8tors of
potential bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those
leading to a material misslatemenl in the financial slalements or non-¢omplian¢e wrth regulation. This risk
increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected
in the financial statements, as we wll be less likely to become aware of InStanS of non-compliance. The risk of
not detecting a material misslatemenl resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
21
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS. UNION
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16
of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might stale to the charitable ¢ompany's
members those matters we are required lo slate lo them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable
company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we
have formed.
Simon Brown BA ACA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Azets Audit Services. Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountsnts
Bulman House
Regent Centre
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3LS
Date..
-22-
TJ (Tr 7J 6fj * ¢bt
7J trj Ln W
x£c
WUJ
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
BALANCE SHEET
ASAT31 JULY2025
2025
2024
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
9,138
15,388
Current assets
Stocks
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
12
13
5,837
13,160
1,836,126
6,282
27,111
473,459
1,855,123
506,852
Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln
one year
14
11,334,841)
1104,1671
Net current assets
520,282
402,685
Total assets less current liabilities
529,420
418,073
Credrtors: arnounts falling due after
more than one year
Other creditors
1,835,397
1.842,592
11,835,397)
{1,842,5921
Net Ilabllltles
11,305,977)
{1,424,5191
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds- general
Unrestricted funds- Designated Funds
18
17
250,000
11,555,977)
220,001
{1,644.5201
11,305,977)
{1,424,5191
The notes on page$ 27 to 37 form part of these financial ststements.
The financial slalements were approved by the trustees on 08 December 2025
Chalr of the Tru$lg9 Board
Company registration number 07702161 (England and Wales)
-25-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
2025
2024
Notes
Cash flows from operatlng actlvltles
Cash generated fromllabsorbed by)
operations
21
1,349,362
1538,8511
Invg$tlng a1¥111$
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from disposal of tangible fixed
assets
Investment income received
14,1681
4,675
17,568
13,305
Net cash generated from investing activities
13,305
18,075
Not ¢a$h gengratgd from flnan¢lng a1vItIeS
Net increaselldecreasel in cash and cash
equlvalents
1,362,687
1520,7761
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
473,459
994,235
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
1,836,126
473,459
The notes on pages 27 10 37 form part of these financial stslemenls.
-26-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Accounting policies
Charity inforniation
University of Sunderland Students, Union is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and
Wales, INO 077021611 and not having a share capital. In the event of the company being wound up, the
liability in respect of the guarantee is limited lo £1 per member of the charity.
1.1 Accountlng conventlon
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the
Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Finanaal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of
Ireland" and the Charities SORP Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended
Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Irèland IFRS 1021" The charity is a Public Benefit Enlily as defined by
FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared In sleding, which Is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary
amounts in these financial stslemenls are rounded lo the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention or revaluation unless
otherwise slated in the relevant accounting policy nolelsl The principal accounting policies adopted are sel
out below.
1.2 Going ¢on¢em
The Union is dependent, in the absen of other funding, on the continued financial support of the University
of Sunderland. The trLJslees believe, on the basis of diswssions held, that further support will continue lo be
made available from the University.
A pension liability of £1,835,406 shown in notes 14 has been provided in the financial statements in
accordance with FRS 102. The liabilty represents the additional ¢onlribulion5 required in line with the
Recovery Plan which runs lo 2035. Further detail in relation lo the recognition of the liability can be found in
note 14. The pension liability does not fall due immediately thefore the trustees continue lo prepare the
financial slalements on a going concern basis.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use al the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable
objectives and have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Directors for particular
purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Reslricled funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The
putpose5 and uses of the restricted fund5 are sel out In the note5 to the financial 5ts1emenls. The cost of
raising anf administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.
1.4 Income
Donated serViS and facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any
conditions associated wth the donated item have been mel, and the reIpl of economic benefit can be
measured reliably. In accordance wth the Charities SORP IFRS 1021, the general volunteer lime is not
recognised and refer lo the directors report for more information about their conlribulion.
Donated services and donated facilities are regnised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which
is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent benefit on
the open market,. a corresponding amount is then recognised in the expenditure for the period.
-27-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Accountlng pollcles
Icontlnuedl
l incoming resources are included in the Slalemenl of Financial Activities ISOFAI when the charity has
enlillement to the funds, any performance conditions have been mel, the amount can be measured reliably
and it is probable that the income will be received.
Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant
funding is subject lo specific performance conditions and is recognised as earned. Grant income included in
this category provides funding to support performance activities and Is recognised where there is enlillement,
certainly of receipt and the amount can be measured wth reasonable certainly. Income received lo deliver
services over a specific period covering more than one financial year is accounted for over the specific period.,
related expenditure is accounted when incurred.
Investment income relates to interest earned through holding assets on deposf(.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation lo transfer economic benefit lo a
third paty. il is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of
the obligation Can be measured reliably.
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable acitivites
and include office costs, governance costs and adminislralive payroll costs. They are incurred directly in
support of expenditure on the objects of the charity.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured al wst and subsequently measured at cost or valuation. net of
depreciation and any impaimient losses.
Depreaation is recognised so as lo write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their
useful lives on the following bases..
Fixtures and fittings
200h and 330h on a slr8ighl line basis
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds
and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial ath'vib'es.
l assets costing more than £500 a capitslised.
1.7 Impalrment of flxed assets
At each reporb'ng end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of ils tangible assets lo determine
whether there Is any indication that those assets have suffered an Impairment loss. If any such Indication
exists, the recoverable amount ol the asset is eslimaled in order lo determine the extent of the impairment
loss lif any).
1.8 Stocks
Stocks are slated al the lower of cost and eslimaled selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost
comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been
incurred in bringing the stocks lo their present location and condition.
Nel realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be
incurred in marketing. selling and distribution.
1.9 Cash and cash equlvalents
Cash and cash equivalents indude cash in hand, deposits held al call wth banks, other short-lerm liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.
-28-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Accountlng pollcles
Icontlnuedl
1.10 Flnanclal Instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section 12
'other Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of ils finanaal inslrumenls.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party lo the
conlraclual provisions of the Inslrumenl.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, wf(h the net amounts presented in the financial slatemenls, when
there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net
basis or to realise the asset and setue the liability simLJltaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured al
transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried al amortised cost using the effective
interest method unless the arrangement conslilules a financing Ir8nsaclion, where the transaction is
measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted al a market rale of interest. Financial assets
classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised al transaction price unless
the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrLJment is measured at the present
value of the fijture payments discounted al a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable
within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carrieLI al amortised cost, using the effective Interest rale method.
Trade creditors are obligations lo pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of
operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one
year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially al
transaction price and subsequendy measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or
cancelled.
1.11 Taxation
The charity is an exempl charity wi(hin the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered
lo pass the tests sel out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore il meets the
definition of a charitable company for UK corporation lax purposes.
1.12 Employee beneflts
The cost of any unused holiday enlitiement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are
received.
Temiination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed
lo lerminale the employment of an employee or to provide lerminalion benefits.
-29-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Accountlng pollcles
Icontlnuedl
1.13 Penslons
University of Sunderland Students, Union participates in the Students, Union Superannuation Scheme, a
defined benefit scheme which is externally funded and contracted DUI of the Stale Second Pension. The fund
is valued al least every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary wth the rates of
contribution payable being determined by the Iruslees on the advice of the actuary. The scheme operates as a
pooled arrangement, wrth contributions paid al a centrally agreed rate. As a consequence, no share of thè
undedying assets and liabilities can be directly attributed to the University of Sunderland Students, Union.
Under the terms of FRS17, in these circumstsnces contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a
defined contribution scheme based on actual contributions paid throughout the year.
In line with FRS 102 any contributions required as part of a recovery plan need to be recognised in full at net
present value al the balan sheet dale.
1.14 Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The charity makes eslimales and assumptions concèrning the future. The resulting accounting eslimales wll,
by definition, seldom equ81 the related actual results. The eslimales and assumptions that have a significant
risk of causing a material adjustment lo the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities wthin the next financial
year are addressed below. The trustees consider that the principal accounting estimate is in relation lo the
discount rate used in the valuation of the pension scheme liability.
Crltlcal accountlng estlmates and Judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Iruslees are required to make judgements, estimates
and assumptions about the carrying amount ol assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. The eslimales and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that
are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting
eslimales are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that
period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future
periods.
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
funds
2025
Unrestricted
funds
2024
Block grant
1,244,000
1,296,000
30-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Income from charitable activities
Unrestrlcted Unrestrlcted
funds
funds
2025
2024
Charitable activities
Student services
Commercial income
76,625
84,939
12,457
76,625
97,396
Income from investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
Deposit account interest
13,305
17,568
Expendlture on charltsble actlvltles
Charitable Unwinding
activities of pension
liabillty
2025
Total
Charitable
activities
202S
2025
2024
Dlrect Costs
staff costs
Student services
880,566
259,311
880,566
259,311
956,721
308,749
1,139,877
1,139,877
1,265,470
Share of support and governance costs Isee note 71
Support
Governance
71,206
11,500
17,1951
64,011
11,500
257,684
5,600
1.222.583
17,1951 1,215,388
1,528,754
Analysls by fund
Unrestricted funds- general
Unrestricted funds- Designated Funds
1,216,206
6,377
1,216,206
18181
1,508,190
20,564
17,1951
1,222,583
17,1951 1,215,388
1,528,754
31
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Support costs allocated to activities
2025
2024
Depreciation
Finance
Adminislralion
Information technology
Governance costs
6,250
26,824
24,509
6,428
11,500
7,582
92,615
157,187
300
5,600
75,511
263,284
Analysed between:
Charitable activities
Unwinding of pension liability
82,706
17,1951
263,284
75,511
263,284
Net movement In funds
2025
2024
The nel movement in funds is slated after chargingllcredilingl..
Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial slalemenls
Depreaation of owned tangible fixed assets
11,500
6.250
5,600
7,582
Employees
The average monthly number of employees dLJring the year was..
2025
Number
2024
Number
Direct
Admin
Management
21
Total
24
29
Employment costs
2025
2024
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
766,633
77,851
36,082
842,046
72,028
42,647
880,566
956,721
32-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
Employees
Icontlnuedl
The trustees are made up of external Iruslees and sabbatical officers., external Iruslees were not paid or
reiVed any other benefits from employment in the year12024 - £nill, sabbatical Iruslees were paid £70,205
12024 - £42,596) as pemiitled by the Students, Union's Ordinance and Regulations. No trustee reiVed
payment for professional or other services SLJpplied to the charity12024 £nill.
The reimbursement of trustees expenses were £2,84412024- £4,8641.
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Chief Executive Officer, Interim Deputy Chief
Executive, HR and Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Student Experience Manager, Student
Communities Manager, SU London Manager and Head of Sludenl Engagement. The totsl employee benefits
of the key management personnel of the charity were £323,83012024 - £304.9121
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows..
202S
Number
2024
Number
£60,000 to £70,000
10 Taxatlon
The charity is exempt from laxalion on its activities because all ils income is applied for charitable purposes.
11 Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fitting5
Cost
At 1 August 2024
92,017
Al 31 July 2025
92,017
Depreclatlon and Impalment
At 1 AugLJSt 2024
Depreciation charged in the year
76.629
6,250
At 31 July 2025
82,879
Carrylng amount
Al 31 July 2025
9,138
At 31 July 2024
15,388
12 Stocks
2025
2024
Finished goods and goods for resale
5,837
6,282
33-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
13 Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
10,769
407
1,984
18,006
4,413
4,692
13,160
27,111
14 Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year
2025
2024
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
22,482
11,068
24,988
1,276,303
22,690
34,168
21,752
25,557
1,334,841
104,167
In other cred(tors are funds of £13,741 12024- £15,675) held on behalf of the Students, Union societies.
15 Creditors- amounts falling due after more than one year
2025
2024
Trade creditors
1,835,397
1,842,592
16 Retirement benefit schemes
2026
2024
Defined contribution schemes
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
36.082
42,647
34-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
17 Unrestricted funds- Designated Funds
These are unreslricled fvnds which are material lo the charity's activities.
At 1 August
2024
Resources
expended
Transfers
At31 July
2025
Pension deficit
Capital fund
Pension payment fund
Staff development fund
Website development fund
Data and insight fund
Change management
Strategy fund
11,842,601)
15,388
158,154
10,000
1,539
5,000
10,000
7,195
16,2501
{1,835,4061
9,138
218,752
10,000
62,598
127
11.5391
15,0001
5,000
26,539
11271
15,000
26,539
11,644,520)
818
87,725
{1,555.9771
Previous year:
At 1 August
2023
Resources
expended
Transfers
At31 July
2024
Pension deficit
Capital ftjnd
Pension payment fund
Staff development fund
Website development fund
Articles review fund
Data and insight fund
Change management
12,257,071)
24,618
255,129
11,470
7,125
7,000
5,000
414,470
19,2301
198,9751
6,508
{1,842,6011
15.388
156,154
10,000
1,539
17,9781
15,5861
17,0001
5,000
10,000
10,000
11,946,729)
120,5641
322.773
{1,644,5201
18 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are
not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as lo how they may be used. These Indude
designated funds which have been sel aside out of unreslricled funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
At 1 August
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers
At31 July
2025
General funds
220,001
1,333,930
11,216,206)
187,7251
250,000
35-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
18 Unrestrlcted funds
Icontlnuedl
Prevlous year:
At 1 August
2023
Incomlng
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers
At31 July
2024
General funds
200,000
1,410,964
11,508,190)
117,227
220,001
19 Analysls of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
general Designated
Funds
2025
Total
2025
2025
At 31 July 2025:
Tangible assets
Current assetsllliabilitiesl
Long term liabilities
15,388
234,812
16,2501
9,138
285,670
520,282
11,835,397) {1,835,3971
250,000
11,555,977) {1,305,9771
Unrestrlcled Unrestrlctgd
funds
funds
general Designated
Funds
2024
Totsl
2024
2024
At 31 July 2024:
Tangible assets
Current assetsllliabililiesl
Long temi liabilities
15,388
204,613
15,388
198,072
402,685
11,842.5921 {1,842,5921
220,001
11.644,5201 {1,424,5191
20 Related party transactlons
The nature of the relationship with the Universty of Sunderland is such that the following transactions have
been reported as related party transactions..
Block grant received.. £1,224,00012024.. £1,296,000).
Other income.. £9,311 12024." £24,957)
Balance included in debtors." £4,631 12024.. £3,252)
Balance included in deferred income.. £1,244,00012024'. nil)
The balance in deferred income is the block grant for 2026.
36-
Docusign Envelope ID.. B3B5CC61-3B024904-B344-5F5304945F30
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENTS, UNION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2025
21 Cash generated fromllabsorbed by) operations
2025
2024
Surpluslldeficill for the year
118,542
1117,7901
Adjustments for-
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Depreaalion and impairment of tangible fixed assets
113,3051
6,250
117,5681
7,582
Movements in working capital:
Decrease in stocks
Decrease in debtors
Increaselldecreasel in creditors
445
13.951
1,223,479
2,662
23,061
1436,7981
Cash gonoratad fromllabsorbad by) operations
1,349.362
1538,8511
22 Anatysis of changes in net funds
The charity had no material debt during the year.
37-