Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/08/2024 Period start date To 31/07/2025 Period end date
Charity name: Brighton & Hove U3A
Charity registration number: 294373
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the U3A are the advancement of education, and in particular the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work. |
| 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 |
Learning is by various means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development. Meetings are held in various venues throughout the city and on Zoom.. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have guidance from the Code of Conduct document on our website. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | |
| Other | ||
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 | In furtherance of our objectives and having regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit, over 80 different groups met during the year covering such diverse subjects as languages, local history, music, art, and both physical and social activities all led by our volunteer members. These activities were held year round with the vast majority being from September to July i.e. the academic year. Some activities were held virtually using Zoom to allow for those unable to travel to the venue. The membership at year end was its highest ever at almost 1,000 people. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Our financial position was healthy. |
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We revisited our reserves policy this financial year and voted to seek to retain 4 months running costs |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £6,910 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 | All funding is by membership fees or by donation. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | No investment policy to date. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Increased venue costs Unavailability of venues Significant drop in Membership |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated |
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 voted in by members yearly at our Annual General Meeting. All positions are voluntary. |
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 | Informal shadowing. New Trustee are provided with a Code of Conduct document which is also available to all members through our website. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | We have a Chairman and a Board of Trustees which meets at least 4 times a year plus sub-committies for specific pieces of work/events. We are open and inclusive and welcome input from the wider membership. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Brighton & Hove u3a come under the umbrella of the National u3a of which we are a paid up member. |
| Other | ||
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | BRIGHTON & HOVE U3A |
|---|---|
Other name the charity uses |
|
| Registered charity number | 294373 |
Charity’s principal address |
Clarke Goodhand Smith Ltd 12a Marlborough Place Brighton BN1 1WN |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|
| John McDermott | Chair | |
| Virginia Greenwood | Treasurer | |
| Katherine Hart | Business Secretary | 01/08-16/12 2024 |
| Elizabeth De Kadt | Business Secretary | 16/12 2024 -current |
| Janet Eldridge | ||
| Diana Gare | ||
| Michael Johnson | ||
| Martin Leach | ||
| Teresa Lipson | ||
| Colin Rogers March | retired 09/24 | |
| Gerard Walden | retired 05/25 | |
| Sheila Lovie | retired 05/25 |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) John McDermott Virginia Greenwood Full name(s) John McDermott Virginia Greenwood Position (eg Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc)[Chair ] Date 26 November 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE U3A Registered Charity No: 294373
12A Marlborough Place Brighton BN1 1WN
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 July 2025
CONTENTS
Income and expenditure account Statement of assets and liabilities
Page
2 3
TRUSTEES
John McDermott Chair Virginia Greenwood Treasurer Elisabeth De Kadt Business Secretary Martin Leach Committee Diane Gare Committee Katherine Hart Committee Janet Eldridge Committee Teresa Lipson Committee Michael Johnson Committee
Trustees responsibilities in relation to financial statements
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared an income and expenditure account and statement of assets and liabilities
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Signed by 2 Trustees on behalf of all Trustees
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Virginia Greenwood Treasurer
John McDermott Chair
Date of approval
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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
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2024 - 2025 INCOMINGS 2023 - 2024 INCOMINGS
Membership 34,259 Membership fees 25,507
Interest 507 Interest 717
Social events 2,009 Social events -
Donations 111 Donations 963
--------------------- ------------
36,886 27,186
2024 - 2025 OUTGOINGS 2023 - 2024 OUTGOINGS
U3A Capitation 3,744 U3A Capitation 3,236
U3A Magazine 592 U3A Magazine 1,556
Beacon software 936 Beacon software 809
Zoom accounts and Licence 128 Zoom accounts and Licence 471
Administration + postage 147 Administration + postage 1,010
Paypal & Sumup Fees 333 Paypal Fees 292
Social events 3,470 Social events 1,234
Banking fees 107 Banking fees 145
- -
Speakers Speakers
Accountant fees 420 Accountant fees 420
Venue Hires 30,794 Venue Hires 29,668
Ipage Fee 59 Ipage Fee 18
40,730 38,859
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Excess of (Expenditure) (3,845) Excess of (Expenditure) (11,673)
Balance of funds at 1 August 2024 10,754 Balance of funds at 1 August 2023 22,427
Balance of funds at 31 July 2025 6,910 Balance of funds at 31 July 2024 10,754
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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
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2024-2025 2023-2024
£ £
ASSETS due within 1 year
Cash at bank 41,828 33,657
Pre-paid expenses 1,139 488
42,968 34,144
LIABILITIES falling due within 1 year
Deferred membership income (36,058) (23,390)
- -
Prepaid venue contributions
- -
Expenses to be paid
(36,058) (23,390)
GENERAL FUNDS 6,910 10,754
(all unrestricted)
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Brighton & Hove U3A
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025 which are set out on pages 2 to 3.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner.
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) although an examination is required by the Charity’s Constitution.
It is my responsibility to
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given 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 a full audit, and consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention.
-
which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
AUSTIN HARRITY MA(Oxon) FCA
Signed Dated: 16 September 2025
Clarke Goodhand Smith Ltd t/a Gilbody & Co 12a Marlborough Place Brighton East Sussex BN1 1WN