NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/10/2022 Period start date To 30/09/2023 Period end date
Charity name: Nottingham Astronomical Society
Charity registration number:1174745
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To advance public interest and education in the science of astronomy and related subjects, to further the knowledge of its members, to promote and conduct research and observations, and to provide facilities for active participation in astronomical observation. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The society provides venues for its members to attend lectures, undertake activities and work with the public on a range of outreach activities. Meetings are advertised to the public, and various outreach activities undertaken e.g. Support for school courses on Astronomy, events with ‘Beavers’ groups in the area. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commissions guidance on Public Benefit and in relation to the activities of the society, we consider public engagement, and publicise our events; plus have consideration re risks when undertaking these. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | There is no formal policy on grant making as these do not form part of the operation of the society activities or considerations. No requests have been received. |
Page of 1 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | No requirement for such policy. |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Members of the society regularly assist with meetings, presenting on topics, support, management and development of the ‘observatory’ site etc. |
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The society has held regular public events each month (excluding August) when speakers are arranged to give presentations on various topics across the wide field of astronomy and space exploration etc. These are attended by a good proportion of the membership of the society and there has been an increase in the number of visitors (general public) attending these events. In addition we also hold Monthly, more informal meetings, to support members (and visitors) with a more generalist ‘feel’ than the more formal presentation meeting cycle. Various events held at the society observatory site for members. We have attended Emmanuel School in West Bridgford, Nottingham to assist with a session in their A level Astronomy course; plus also provided support to session on astronomy/telescopes at various Beaver club events. |
Page of 2 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Other than meeting schedules, and observatory management, use and events, no other objectives tracked. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable/non set as funds are subscription and donations based. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable other than bank interest. |
| Other | N/A |
Page of 3 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Treasurer provides a yearly update to members and in year updates to the Society committee/trustees. The year ending September 2023 saw revenue drop due to lower donations, and some lower Gift Aid,sales. The expenditure was however ‘flat’, but expenses at observatory site were lower and hence increase year on year of contribution available to balances. In general the society holds sufficient cash reserves and income (subscription and donations) to maintain normal level of activities and although costs are rising, we have maintained the subscription rates again for next years membership. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves’ - which in our case relates to cash balances, is maintained to facilitate Observatory development, maintain subscriptions at current rates, and accommodate increase costs for events, subject to impacts on yearly membership numbers/rates applied. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Bank balance £14487 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | In the 2022/23 year funding majority of funding provided by: Subscriptions 55% Donations 24% Gift Aid 16% Other 4% (Visitors, Interest etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | No investments are held other than simply interest bearing, easy access bank account, for which interest recorded and used in balances for day to day activites. |
Page of 4 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | There are no specific, identifiable, immediate risks being considered but we are always aware of the following: Membership Numbers:- whilst accepting that there will be always some drop out from some membership cohorts, but we are not seeing major changes year on year. Inflation: - again whilst aware of price rises the most impacting on our activities are room hire rates at venues etc. These are considered at renewal times etc. and options considered by the Trustees if needed. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | N/A |
Page of 5 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution - as part of the CIO registration, and defines the Society Objects, Powers, Trustees, Membership, Meeting and other areas of its operation. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO Registration 20th September 2017 |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are selected by vote at AGM (December) for next year (all trustees/ positions are elected/re-elected every year) and some specific appointed to hold various positions e.g. Chair, Treasurer, Secretary etc., and who also form the Executive Committee of the society. The various functions, duties and eligibility, number of, appointment, meetings etc. are all covered in the Constitution. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | The Constitution advises on information to be supplied to new trustees (it should be noted that Trustees are usually long serving). In addition Charity Commission documents are advised for review. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | There is an Executive Committee of Trustees, and these hold positions of: Chair (and Vice Chair) Secretary Treasurer and other operational aspect roles e.g. Membership Secretary Observatory Director IT/Webmaster Journal Editor Other generalist Committee/Trustee members. There are no other specific wider ‘working’ networks. ALL Trustees are unpaid |
Page of 6 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The Society is a member of: Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS), although this is not engaged with the management of the society, simply a support organisation for - Access to Public Liability Insurance for* societies Resource Centre containing documents providing a common framework for astronomical societies and their outreach activities. Newsletter where societies can feature their events and information. British Astronomical Association(BAA) again not involved with management of society and we are simply an affiliated member as closely associated aims such as scientific observation, a mutual help relationship - many of our society members/trustees are are also BAA individual members. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Observatory site is leased from Severn Trent Water plc, and we have a long standing relationship from 1980’s when site acquired (99 year lease) - again no impact with society management other than terms of lease re site maintenance and use etc. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Nottingham Astronomical Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1174745 |
| Charity’s principal address | c/o 3 Hoopers Close Bottesford Nottingham NG130FH |
Page of 7 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
Julian Paul Onions |
Chair | ||
| Christine Margaret Sneddon |
Secretary | |||
| Andrew Charles Green |
Treasurer | |||
| Richard Thomas Severn |
Vice Chair and Membership Secretary |
|||
| James Dawson | Observatory Director | |||
| Leigh Edward Blake |
Webmaster | |||
| William Roy Gretton |
Journal Editor | |||
| - vacant - | ||||
| - vacant - | ||||
| - vacant - | ||||
| - vacant - | ||||
| - vacant - |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name NONE
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| No land/property titles | ||
Page of 8 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser None
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional ~~information)~~
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
None
Other optional information
None
Page of 9 10
NAS Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022-23
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Julian Paul Onions Andrew Charles Green Position (eg Chair Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 17th June 2024
Page 10 of 10
U V 00 tyoc O Ln LU
,NOTTINGHAM ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Re¥slrvdCMIltsL4èlncorpoAitd orynltbcl Nts- 1174745 Foundoo in 1946 ts al iNBiesfeO In 85lronomy NAS rwn•r¢ylhP ityrt>¥rt Sk IN ME AND EXP CCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED Oth EPTEMBER 2023 Ch&nyÈsfrom 2021 202112022 2022 2023 INCOME MembershlDsubscrigtsor DonaDon5 Sale of 24 tde5COP 6iftA 2.34250 2,4$4.00 1.6W.00 l.Q81 63 31% 32% 21% 14% 2,390.00 I.QW7.00 55% 24% 2% 686.so 16% 47.00 141.00 7.61 Business ReseD {sag$) Interest glher Income ith).00 52.44 1% 4,324.55 11) 48% 43% TOTAL INCOME 7.625.13 loo% PENDIT R fnNG Room hire Spe4kers' even Meeting refreshmems 9[.00 1.266. 117.03 188.14 458.65 184.38 1.549.03 1.571.17 36% 1% Obsetvatory maimen¥nce bseryatorydevelopmènt BQexpenses 515.50 60.75 287.12 6.091.52 64.3S 63.25 4,671.37 87% 411.12 io% -94% ADMINISTRATI N A14D website and internet Accountant's fees Zoom fees tbsCrIp0ThS and insuran¢ ststionery Miscellaneous HER 216. 216 IOD.00 t.73 o.oo 522.69 46.20 555 98 29.98 Lii.99 310.26 .097.61 14% 1,212.22 28% TarAL EXpENDVRE 9,318.01 122% 3.19451 74% XCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDIT RE -1,692.88 -22% 1.130.¢M 26% -167% Notes.. 11 Negative monetary v3lues are shown in bracker5throughout Th note does noi foim partof the Actounts h in CurrentAcc Bankat ittOttober2022 11,66746 Ee$S of In¢omeover Expendlbjre 1.130.04 Cash in 5avin8sAcc Bank at tsiottober2022 Cash in Hand at 1st OttobEr 2022 15.00 Add backamount dueio Etnmanuel School Sdd back amount ttueto Bumside Metnori31 Hall 72.00 Cash In CrntACtBaTrk at 31hb5eptember2023 Cash In Sèv4n8S ACC Bankit 30th Septémber2023 35h at30th September 2023 2,955.89 11,507.61 24.CK) Cash rnovementsfrom 202112022 Balance Sheet.. ubtTro arnouni gaid to Burnside Memorial Hall Add backamount reteived frumWarwickUniveE5ity 30.00 I,E. Increa5eilDetrea5el Cash 2,805.04 Cash movement Z.8O5.O4