Arnold u3a
Registered Charity No. 1153672
Annual Report to the Charity Commission for Year ended 31[st] October 2024
Arnold u3a is managed by a committee that is appointed or re-appointed at the Annual General Meeting held in March each year. The committee are the trustees of the Arnold u3a Charity. The constitution adopted on 6[th] March 2018 is the governing document of Arnold u3a. At the AGM in March 2024 a minor amendment to the constitution approved that the quorum of the number of members of the u3a required to be present for a General meeting to proceed should be reduced from 20% to 10% of the members.
Membership of Arnold u3a is open to older people and those retired from full time work living in Arnold and its surrounding area. Members pay an annual fee of £15 to be a full member of the u3a or, if they are a full member of another u3a, they pay an annual fee of £11 .These fees cover the cost of managing the u3a.
Membership numbers for 2023-24 year totaled 489 slightly down from the previous year by 10. The vast majority of our members are individual members (464) as opposed to associate members(25 ….an associate member is one who is a full member of another u3a who has also joined Arnold u3a). These figures include 61 new members.
Interest groups within the u3a are set up by members. These groups are led by one or more members who voluntarily share their expertise and knowledge with the group. No qualifications are sought or offered . Learning is for its own sake , with enjoyment being the prime objective, not qualifications or awards. The philosophy of the u3a movement “Learn, Laugh, Live “ is behind all group activities as is the principle “by the members for the members”.
Groups are self-financing and meet in a variety of venues and at times determined by each group.. Arnold u3a has 69 groups that could be divided into those providing an opportunity to learn (e.g. languages, history , psychology, science , Shakespeare and classical music ); others that encourage the creative arts ( e.g. art and painting, creative writing, patchwork and quilting , photography) whilst some provide an opportunity
for members to meet up and enjoy shared experiences of theatre and cinema visits, playing board and card games . In addition to these groups there are those that cater for the physical wellbeing of their members offering the opportunity to exercise together …..Arnold has several walking groups and a Yoga group that meet regularly throughout the year. In the year being reviewed a Short Lawn Bowls group was set up which sees members bowling outdoors over a shorter distance than the traditional lawn bowls .
There 69 groups within Arnold u3a led by 57 members , some of whom lead more than one group.
In addition to group meetings there is a general monthly meeting which is open to all members. The format for these meetings is the presentation of notices from groups, refreshments and then there is usually an outside speaker . Average attendance at these meetings is 148. In addition to the members who manage groups there are other members who help with the running of the general monthly meetings by meeting and greeting and being “buddies” to new members and providing refreshments at those meetings.
In September 2024 the trustees approved a written Financial Policy to be adopted by Arnold u3a.This document set down the policies and procedures that should be followed to ensure the efficient running of the u3a and the safeguarding of its assets in compliance with Charity Commission regulations. ( Group leaders have always had to follow procedures set down in the Group Leaders Handbook).
Treasurer’s Report on the Accounts for the Year ended 31[st] October 2024
Arnold u3a is a registered charity and an associate member of the Third Age Trust and as such it is required to comply with regulations issued by the Charity Commission and follow guidelines set by the Third Age Trust. The Finance Policy that has recently been added to Arnold u3a website sets down the policies and procedures that should be followed to enable the u3a to be run efficiently and safeguard its assets.
In order to comply with the Charity Commission regulation that the accounts of a charity with income in excess of £25,000 should be independently examined , the accounts before you have been independently examined by Barbara Eustace, a member of this u3a. Thank you Barbara.
The General Account includes the membership income and the costs of running the u3a; the receipts and payments of the groups within the u3a are aggregated in the Education and Social Activities section of the accounts .
Arnold u3a has 2 current bank accounts , one for the general management of the u3a and a second one for transactions of the groups within the u3a. We also have a deposit account for the collection of membership income paid by bank transfer. All three accounts are with the Co-operative Bank. There is a PayPal account that members can use to pay their membership fee.
The General Account
In the year to 31[st] October 2024 the General Fund has increased by £1,688 . Income from membership fees (£6,987 ) covers the cost of running the u3a (£6,847) . The surplus on the Fund is generated by Gift Aid, Commission ( paid by Riviera Travel) and interest paid on the deposit account held by the u3a.
Education and Social Activities Account
This account consolidates the receipts and payments of the many groups within the u3a . All groups are self- financing ( fees are collected from group members to cover the expenditure of the group ).
Total expenditure by the groups in the year to 31[st] October 2024 was £41,503 . Total income in the same period was £42,824 resulting in an increase of £1,321 in the funds held on behalf of groups. Here I want to thank Pam for taking on the responsibility of banking group funds each month. Whilst most of the money to be banked is paid by cheque these all have to be listed …..not a five minute job. Thank you Pam.
At the 31[st] October 2024 funds held by the groups totalled £9,258. These funds are the working balances of the groups who have to collect fees from their members in advance of any expenditure being incurred .
Conclusion
The accounts that you have before you show that the finances of Arnold u3a are in a healthy position. The General Fund stands at £18,044 whilst the “working balances” of the groups amount to £9,258.
I want to finish my report by thanking all group leaders and members within groups who have taken on the responsibility for the finances of their respective groups for their co-operation in following procedures that have been established to ensure that the information they provide is given in such a way that facilitates the consolidation of the group finances .
As I step down as treasurer I would like to wish Glynis Hunt all the very best in her tenure as treasurer of Arnold u3a.
Chris Gardner
Treasurer Arnold u3a March 2025
Ctsoc£ca B6 111212c)*S Education and Social General Account Activlties Total Subscrfptlons and sttOr Donatlons Sales GIftAld Grant Commlsslon Interest Holidays and Outlngs Mlscellaneous Income Development Fund TOTAL INCOME 21,509 9,670 1,145 6.987 16,054 12,883 23,041 12,883 i.oii I,oii 678 154 9.421 156 2T7 277 ,1.:k2A 260 13,887 13.887 42,733 8,535 42,824 51,359 Room Hlre Equlpment Hlre Tutor Fees Prlntlng,Statlonery,Postages Purchases Membershlp Subscrlptlon Thlrd Age T Dlrect Mall Copyrfght Llcence Speakers and Soclal Events Committee and Caterlng Costs Membershlp Expenses Webslte Beacon Notts Network Membershlp Card Prlnter and Scanner Tickets for resale Transport Holldays al Outlngs Sundry Expenses Mlni Projector National u3a Day Contributions from Contingency Funi Contributlon from Development Func 9,696 3,268 1.840 8.956 10,556 3,960 1.750 653 1,750 196 457 1.696 1,696 889 67 3,063 1,100 87 170 562 413 2,988 931 120 397 471 2,893 413 455 15 83 455 15 83 10,704 15 6.847 10,704 9.241 20 12,960 12,960 52 52 187 19 54 30 TOTAL EXPENDITURE NEf EXPENDITUREI INCOME 6,847 41,503 1,321 350 3.183
Educatlon and Soclal GeneralAccount Actlvltles Total Cash at bank and In hand 19,244 9,258 28.502 Pald In A(fvance Total CurrentAssets 200 19,444 200 28,702 9,258 Credltors Recelpts In Advance Total CuThent Uablutles Net CurrentAssets TOTALASSErs 1,400 9,258 27.302 Cumulatlve Surplus 31st OctOber2023 SurplusYE 31110124 Funds held 3tst October 2024 16,356 1,688 18,044 7,937 24.293 1,321 3,009 General Educatlon and Social Actlvltles Groups Development Contlngency Funds Heid at 31st October2024 18,044 18.044 6,745 1,903 611 6,745 1.903 611 18,1)44 ils cor/
Monthly Transactions E) C I11 21 zo2f 2710112025 11:11 Balance Sheet Detail Cash Current Account Balance at 31st October 2024 Fees not banked Unpresented Cheque Fee Account Petty Cash 1466.39 12.00 -54.18 1.424.21 17.792.10 27.93 19,244.24 Payments In Advance Beacon Ravenshead Comm Transport 184.50 15.00 199.50 Current assets Current Liabillties Fees Paid Sn Advance re 24125 19.443.74 1,400.00 18,043.74 Funds In Hand 31st October2023 Surplus 2023 24 Income 8535.34 Expendlture 6846.83 Funds In Hand 31st October 2024 16,355.23 There Is an hlstoricaldlfference of £.37 In the fund figures 1.688.51 18,043.74 httPS:Ild.docs.INe.neV382d5917e1046dOd/DocumentslArnold U3AJ2023 241General Accounumonthly Transactions
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of FIoK)oLD L) è A On accounts for the year ended .bl 1101 &03-L¥ Charity no (if any) Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independant examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 11 loa 202 Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: IER October 2018