**Trustees' Annual Report for the period** Period start date Period end date 01 09 2023 31 08 2024 **From To** ## Section A Reference and administration details **Charity name** Ustinov College Graduate Common Room **Other names charity is known by** Ustinov GCR **Registered charity number (if any)** 1164865 **Charity's principal address** Ustinov GCR, Ustinov College, Sheraton House, Sheraton Park, Durham **Postcode DH1 4FL** ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
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15|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Anthony Jones|GCR President
2023-2024|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Ammar Alahmadi|GCR Treasurer
2023-2024|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Aparna Dinesh-
Shanoy|GCR Chairperson
2023-2024|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Jamie Hunter|GCR Vice-President
2023-2024|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Cory Winter|GCR Welfare Officer
2023-2024|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Katherine Schofield|Student Trustee|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Adam Fletcher|Student Trustee|September 2023-July
2024|Student Body| ||Thom Addinall-
Biddulph|Chair of Trustees||Appointments Committee| ||Ian MacDonald|External Trustee||Appointments Committee| ||RayMumford|External Trustee||Appointments Committee| ||Rachel Barclay|External Trustee||Appointments Committee| ||Evangelos
Vagenas-Nanos|Alumni Trustee||Appointments Committee| ||Ahmed Shafquat
Hassan|GCR President
2024-2025|July 2024-August 2024|Student Body| ||Artie Graham|GCR Vice-President
2024-2025|July 2024-August 2024|Student Body| ||Chris Johnson|GCR Welfare Officer
2024-2025|July 2024-August 2024|Student Body| **TAR** August **2024** 1 **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** **Name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**| |---|---|---| |**Type of adviser**
**Name**
**Address**||| |**Accountant**|B.H. Accountancy Ltd|363 West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 7NL| |||| |||| |||| |**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**||| |Anthony Jones (GCR President 2023-2024)||| Anthony Jones (GCR President 2023-2024) ## **Section B Structure, governance and management** ## **Description of the charity’s trusts** Constitution and Standing Orders Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Unincorporated Association How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Student Trustees and the GCR officers are elected at the Annual General Trustee selection methods Meeting at the beginning of summer by the wider membership in an (eg. appointed by, elected by) election process. The alumni and external trustees are both appointed by a simple majority vote of the Appointments Committee provided that the appointment of each Alumni Trustee is ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of a general meeting. ## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** The current trustee board comprises five officer roles (President, Vice President, Chair, Welfare Officer, and Treasurer). Along with being members of the Trustee board, these officers also sit on the executive committee and head the general GCR committee, which governs the dayto-day activities of the GCR. You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - The Trustee board also has space for up to three alumni trustees, of which - training of trustees; two positions are currently filled. There is space for up to three external - • the charity’s organisational trustees, of which we currently have three. The Trustee board also has structure and any wider space for two student trustees, of which two positions were filled until July network with which the charity 2024 and are now open for election in the new academic year 2024-25. works; The trustee board meets as needed or at least once per term. The trustee board also meets before the AGM of the GCR each year to approve the accounts before they are presented to the GCR body and ratified by a two-thirds majority. Trustees were recruited based on their knowledge and experience with Ustinov and/or Durham University. - relationship with any related parties; - trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system **TAR** August **2024** 2 and procedures to manage them. The Trustee Board's main objective is to ensure compliance with standing orders and the constitution. Both documents prioritise welfare support and enhance the overall student experience at Ustinov College. During the last year, Thom Addinall-Biddulph, alumni trustee, acted as the Chair of the Trustee Board. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** The GCR's objectives are outlined as followed by the constitution: "3. The GCR's objects are the advancement of the education of Students at Ustinov College for the public benefit by: 3.1 promoting the interests and welfare of Students at Ustinov College during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising Students; 3.2 being the recognised representative channel between Students and Ustinov College and any other external bodies, including the DSU and **Summary of the objects of the** Team Durham; **charity set out in its** 3.3 providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and **governing document** forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its Students; 3.4 promoting intercultural understanding among Students, informed by the College motto Diversitate Valemus; and 3.5 promoting ecological awareness among Students, and encouraging sustainable and environmentally-friendly behaviour, with the aim of improving the environment in which Students live, both locally and globally." **TAR** August **2024** 3 The GCR has been an inclusive hub of support and enrichment for postgraduate students, fostering fulfilling experiences throughout the academic journey. Among our most important activities are: Welfare Campaigns: The GCR has consistently championed the wellbeing of postgraduate students through targeted welfare campaigns. Social Engagement: Our GCR has orchestrated various engaging and inclusive social events, creating opportunities for meaningful interactions among postgraduate students. From themed parties to our weekly pub quiz, these events are aimed to foster connections and forge lasting friendships with the students. **Summary of the main** Cultural Enrichment: The GCR has facilitated enriching cultural **activities undertaken for the** experiences through events and external excursions. These endeavours **public benefit in relation to** have allowed postgraduate students to explore local landmarks, historical **these objects (include within** sites, and diverse cultural offerings. **this section the statutory declaration that trustees have** Supportive Community: The GCR has created a welcoming and inclusive **had regard to the guidance** community beyond academic pursuits. By organising support groups and **issued by the Charity** informal gatherings, postgraduate students have found a network that **Commission on public** encourages personal development, shared learning, and mutual **benefit)** encouragement. Advocacy and Representation: The GCR has actively advocated for the needs and concerns of postgraduate students, acting as a voice to ensure their perspectives are heard and their interests are addressed within the broader university context. In summary, the GCR’s initiatives encompass comprehensive activities to support postgraduate students' well-being, social connections, cultural enrichment, and professional growth. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment and facilitating diverse experiences, the GCR plays a vital role in enhancing the overall student experience ## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** **TAR** August **2024** 4 In August/September 2023, we invested in the social space in the college, renamed ‘The Paddle’ as part of our activities to invest in the best facilities for our members and college more widely – these furnishing improvements have been retained on our asset list. You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: - policy on grantmaking; - policy programme related investment; - contribution made by volunteers. ## Section D Achievements and performance **TAR** August **2024** 5 Section D Achievements and erformance p This past year the GCR continued to commit to delivering events for our **Summary of the main** community. Redevelopment of the common room was undertaken in **achievements of the charity** September 2023, project managed by the President for 2023-2024 **during the year** Anthony Jones. The revamp signalled a renewal and commitment to delivering a firstclass environment and experience for all Ustinovians. Other significant milestones across various domains included: Postgraduate Engagement: Our charity has successfully cultivated a vibrant and engaged postgraduate community, fostering intellectual and social interaction among scholars from diverse backgrounds and nationalities (Ustinov College is the largest and most diverse from Durham University). Our events, discussions, and collaborative initiatives have led to a thriving network that has been praised by both students and staff. Biggest GCR membership: With well over 200 students now members , this year has been one of impactful and sustained work across many areas. The most important area is community. We continue to work hard as volunteers to bring together everyone studying at Ustinov. Cultural Enrichment: The GCR organized external trips to notable destinations. These excursions provided opportunities for cultural exploration, learning, and fostering bonds among students. Events: We are holding more events than ever and the Halloween Party, Summer Ball and Ustinov Day remain highlights, bringing together a record number of our students. Continued support for Clubs and Societies: We are proud to be home to a wide range of clubs and societies, both sporting and personal interests. We are now one of few colleges who do not require membership to participate in college sport, providing benefit to all of our members and the wider college. Formal dinners: We are hosting formals at various colleges around the University again. We hosted the first ever Cathedral formal in January 2024 – a first in Durham and a fantastic evening was had by all our members who attended. Impactful Welfare Campaigns: Our welfare team, led by our welfare officer, has continued to run events centred on wellness and wellbeing. We have a weekly tea and biscuits event that provides a space for students to talk in a supportive environment. In summary, the GCR’s achievements continue to reflect a deep commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive community, promoting excellence in sports and academics, and actively contributing to positive change through impactful initiatives and events. We remain dedicated to furthering our mission and creating a lasting impact for years to come. After the conclusion of the college day, the team running the GCR changes to the next group for the academic year. The transition this year has been very successful and the team of Shaf, Artie and Chris will now work to delivering freshers week in the new academic year. **TAR** August **2024** 6 ## **Section E Financial review** **Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves** The charity’s reserves are maintained such that any complication with the GCR’s relationship with the university would not result in a deficit in the GCR’s accounts. This effectively results in a reserve of £70,000, assuming that any dispute would be quickly resolved. Similarly, this would allow the GCR to continue functioning were our income to substantially change within the period of one year. Reserves stand at £70,000, which is currently the required amount. **Details of any funds materially in deficit** Not applicable. ## **Further financial review details (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about: - the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); - how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; - investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. ## **Section F Other optional information** ## **Section G Declaration** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** Thomas Addinall-Biddulph **Full name(s)** Anthony David Jones **Position (eg Secretary, Chair,** President 2023-2024 Chair of Trustees **etc) Date** 3rd September 2024 **TAR** August **2024** 7 ||**USTINOV COLLEGE GRADUATE COMMON ROOM**|**USTINOV COLLEGE GRADUATE COMMON ROOM**|**USTINOV COLLEGE GRADUATE COMMON ROOM**|**USTINOV COLLEGE GRADUATE COMMON ROOM**|**USTINOV COLLEGE GRADUATE COMMON ROOM**|**No (if any)**|**No (if any)**|**No (if any)**|**CC16a**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**For the period**
**from**||01/09/2023
Period start date||**To**||Period end date
31/08/2024||| ||||||||||| |**Section A Receipts and payments**|||||||||| |**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**13,083**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**22,588**
**26,728**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**13,083**
**-**
**22,588**
**26,728**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| |UNIVERSITY GRANT|**13,083**||**-**||**-**||**13,083**||**12,885**| |INTEREST EARNED|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |GCR LEVIES|**-**||**22,588**||**-**||**22,588**||**11,505**| |RECEIPTS FROM ACTIVITIES|**-**||**26,728**||**-**||**26,728**||**8,634**| |TRANSITIONAL FUND|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |OTHER INCOME|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|
**13,083**||**49,316**||**-**||**62,399**||**33,024**| ||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**||| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**|||||||||| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_**|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Total receipts_**
**A3 Payments**|**13,083**
**17,204**
**-**
**2,165**
**-**
**2,375**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**49,316**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**40,005**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**62,399**
**17,204**
**2,165**
**-**
**2,375**
**40,005**
**-**
**-**||| ||||||||||**33,024**| ||||||||||| |CLUBS AND SOCIETIES|**17,204**||**-**||**-**||**17,204**||**3,402**| |COMMON ROOM|**-**||**-**||**-**||||**17,754**| |ADMIN AND WELFARE|**2,165**||**-**||**-**||**2,165**||**1,029**| |TV AND RADIO|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |LICENSING AND INSURANCE|**2,375**||**-**||**-**||**2,375**||**2,389**| |ACTIVITIES|**-**||**40,005**||**-**||**40,005**||**37,420**| |MERCHANDISE|**-**||**-**||**-**||||**-**| |TRAVEL COSTS|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |ACCOUNTANCY|**-**||**-**||**-**||||**-**| |DONATIONS|**-**||**-**||**-**||||**-**| |BANK CHARGES|**-**||**-**||**-**||||**-**| |OTHER EXPENSES|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_ **|**21,744**||**40,005**||**-**||**61,749**||**61,994**| ||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**||| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**|||||||||| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Sub total_ **|**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| |**_Total payments_**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds this year end_**|**21,744**
**- 8,661**
**-**
**40,211**
**31,550**||**40,005**
**9,311**
**-**
**39,291**
**48,602**||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**||**61,749**
**650**||| ||||||||||**61,994**| ||||||||||| ||**- 8,661**||**9,311**||**-**||**650**||**- 28,970**| ||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**| ||**40,211**||**39,291**||**-**||**79,502**||**108,472**| ||**31,550**||**48,602**||**-**||**80,152**||**79,502**| 17/06/2025 CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 1 |**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|| |---|---|---|---| |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B5 Liabilities**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B1 Cash funds**|Signature
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
LOAN TO UNIVERSITY
**Details**
CURRENT ACCOUNT
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**31,551**
**48,602**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**31,551**
**48,602**
Agreement Error
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**1,500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Thomas Addinall-Biddulph
Anthony Jones|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Thomas Addinall-Biddulph|**03/09/2024**| |||Anthony Jones|**03/09/2024**| 17/06/2025 CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 2 (IIARIIY F 0￿1551 Independent examiner's report on the accounts S8Ction A Independent Examine￿$ Report Report to the trusteesl members of USTINOV COLLEGE GRADUATE COMMON ROOM On accounts for the year ended 31ST AUGUST 2024 Charity no lif any) 1164865 Set out on pages Respective The charity's trustees a￿ reSponsi￿e for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to-. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 14515)Ibl of the Charities Act, and to stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner's statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether Ihe accounts present a 'true and fair, view, and the report is limited lo those matters sel out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination. no rnatter has come to my attention examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in. any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met", or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Signed: Date: 2610612025 Name: B.H. ACCOUNTANCY LTD Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body: THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES Address: 363 WEST ROAD, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, TYNE AND WEAR, NE15 7NL IER March 2012 Section B Disclosure Only complete if Ihe examiner needs to highlight rnatenal problems. Glve here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER March 2012