ROYAL AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION YORK BRANCH FIIIANCIAL STATEIIIEII FOR THE YEAR ENOIN 31 OECEPABER 2023 TH YAL AIR FORCES IATION- YORK 8RANCH CERTIFICATE BY BRANCH OFFICERS We certlfy that lo the best of our kno￿edge and belief all the finan(ial transactions of the Branch have been recortted in the books and that the accounts and schedu are a cornplete and accurate record of the assets and liabilities and income and exwnditure of the Bran¢h. Christophor Tho T￿5$Urer Chalnnan Stephe Pearson Secretary THER YAL AIR FORCES moN- YORK BRANCH YORK 8RANCH I he￿bY certify that the a¢¢ounts on pages &5 are in a(tordan(* the books of account maintsinad ty the Royal Forces Association- York ￿anth as showi in their recofds. Date.. LVL SKJr*d.' David Bentky IrthFendent Examirw Branch Incom• and Ex￿ndItur9 Ac¢ount RAF A88oclation York 8r4nch For Yvar endlng 31 D•c 2023 INCOME 2022 2023 15,450 2,173 1,595 Wings Appeal Gross Proceeds Weffare Rèbatè from CHQ Member subscripb.ons rebate frcrfn CHQ Ordinary & Full Subscnplions Collected at Bran Bran¢h AssocAate Subs¢riptions Ineom8 from Social A¥ivEtie8 Club Rant l Hife Interest on D8POSits Donations recerved 19,868 3,233 1,366 17,623 23.102 1.595 1,366 3.550 514 826 4,475 657 977 4.890 24.108 6.t08 30,676 Less.. EXPEIIDITURE Insurances Repai￿. Rer￿￿lS & Maint9nanc* Rates 1,154 4.932 248 2,399 355 3,973 2.697 233 1.891 Prints"ng, Slalionary. AdvertislThJ & Postage sto￿ Variance Commèmtsrative goods Accountancy & Audit Fe9S IT Web site Donations Made Welfare &p•ThJitu Wings lo CHQ WiThJs Appeal &4)enses Soual Adivrties Expenses Branth Commrttee Expenses Delegates eypenses RAFA Meets"n9￿COn￿c8S Bank Charges Sundry ￿enSeS Depreuation on Fixad Assets 8 Property 45 119 1,000 50 91 2.000 15,450 19.86B 229 220 102 259 581 326 2.825 8urplu&llD•flcltl for y•ar 1.418 Blanch Welfar• Account RAF AMocl•tlon York Brnnch For Year •ndlng 31 D•¢ 2023 2022 2023 IMCOME RAF BENEVOLENT FUNO: Brought forward as al 1st January Received from the fvnd Less." Grants made during the year Wings Appoal rebate Bank & BuildiThJ SoGiety Interest 2,173 3,233 2,173 3.233 2.173 Caffl•d fO￿ard M at 31st D•c•mb•r 3.233 BRANCH LOANS Brought fO￿ard as at 1st January Loans mai1* during year 15.272 16,370 15,272 16.370 Less.. Repa￿ents during year Loans vrtitten off as Grants Carried FoThYard as at 31st C*(*wnber EXPENDITURE Weffare Officèrs expgnses RAFBF Grants Donations Gffts to Sick Members and Tributes Contributions to Wallara brgaks Othef Eypendfrture 229 102 1.000 2,000 1.229 2.106 Ltrss". Oeposit Accounl Interest Donations Received 154 209 154 209 Balan￿ transferred to l & E Account as at 31st Cecember Wlng• AppMI Income and Exp•nd1￿r• For Yoar •ndlng 31 Do¢ 2023 2022 2023 INCOIAE Balance brought Forww Collections ATC Easingwohj Coll8cllons Donab"ons Home Boxes 15.450 19.868 EXPENDITURE Payment io WirwJs Balance carried over 15.450 19,868 15.450 19.868 Branch Bal•n¢• Shwt RAF A8so¢latfjon York Brnnch Fow Ywr gndlng 31 DK 2023 2022 2023 Flx•d Ass•ts Freehold Property al cost as at 1st January Any Addth'ons duriThJ the year Oiher Ftxed Assets1oM deprecJalion 5.031 5,031 4.927 4.927 st￿#s Debto Deposits at CHQ Brand) General AccoLtnts Cash at Bank and in Hand Sa￿n95 Aetounts wella￿ Account Wings Appeal Aco)unt Any other 36,257 33.705 2.925 3,502 16,370 17,706 55,551 60.083 54.912 69,839 Less." Curront Cr8drto Loan from CHQ Loan from Bank Loan from Branth Club Subscript￿s in Advan 2,160 2,834 2,180 2.834 $8.423 Totsl AM•18 l•ts Curr•nt Ll•bllll*lCreditors & Acuued Expenses) 67.005 Accumu Fund Balan￿ as al 1st January Add.. Surplu￿[De￿¢ltI for the year 61,048 2.625 58.424 1.418 6BA24 Captt•l Employ•d 67.006 YR END REPORT ## **AGM FINANCIAL REPORT** ## **2023** **----- Start of picture text -----**
YORK BRANCH BALANCE SHEET
BRANCH FUND AS AT 1 JANUARY 2022 £ 61,048 2023 £ 58,423
PROFIT/LOSS ACCOUNT BALANCE -£ 2,625 -£ 1,418
BRANCH FUND AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 £ 58,423 2023 £ 57,005
MADE UP OF 2022 2023
Fixed Assets
Freehold Property at cost as at 1st January £ - £ -
Any Additions during the year
Other Fixed Assets less depreciation £ 5,031 £ 4,927
Current Assets £ 5,031 £ 4,927
Stocks £ - £ -
Debtors £ - £ -
Deposits at CHQ £ 36,257 £ 33,705
Branch General Accounts
Cash at Bank and in Hand £ 2,925 £ 3,502
Welfare Account £ 16,370 £ 17,706
£ 55,551 £ 54,912
Less: Current Liabilities
Creditors -£ 2,160 -£ 2,160 -£ 2,834 -£ 2,834
Loan from CHQ
Subscriptions in Advance
TOTAL ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES 2022 £ 62,742 2023 £ 62,673
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2022 2023
INCOME
Wings Appeal Gross Proceeds £ 15,450 £ 19,868
Welfare Rebate from CHQ £ 2,173 £ 17,623 £ 3,233 £ 23,102
Member Subscriptions rebate from CHQ £ 1,595 £ 1,366
Ordinary & Full Subscriptions Collected at Branch £ - £ -
Branch Associate Subscriptions £ - £ 1,595 £ - £ 1,366
Income from Social Activities £ - £ -
Club Rent / Hire £ 3,550 £ 4,475
Interest on Deposits £ 514 £ 657
Donations received £ 826 £ 4,890 £ 977 £ 6,108
TOTAL INCOME £ 24,108 £ 30,576
Less: EXPENDITURE
Insurances £ 1,154 £ 3,973
Repairs, Renewals & Maintenance £ 4,932 £ 2,697
Rates £ 248 £ 233
Utilities £ 2,399 £ 1,891
Printing, Stationary, Advertising & Postage £ 355 £ 394
Accountancy & Audit Fees £ 45 £ 50
IT Web site £ 119 £ 91
Donations Made £ 1,000 £ 2,000
Welfare Expenditure £ - £ 4
Wings to CHQ £ 15,450 £ 19,868
Wings Appeal Expenses £ - £ -
Social Activities Expenses £ - £ -
Branch Committee Expenses £ 229 £ 102
Delegates expenses RAFA Meetings/Conferences £ 220 £ 259
Bank Charges £ - £ -
Sundry Expenses £ 581 £ 326
Depreciation on Fixed Assets & Property £ - £ 26,733 £ 104 £ 31,994
Surplus/(Deficit) for year 2022 -£ 2,625 2023 -£ 1,418
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 1 ROYAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family Trustees' Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year 4 J , January 2023 To 31 December 2023 ## Section A Reference and administration details Branch name York (No 0437) I (referred to hereinafter as either the "Branch" or the "Charity") Other names I number Branch is known by == Registered charity number (if any) [50097 m Branch's principal address RAFA House, 3-5 Aldwark, York Postcode Yo1 7BX ] Names of the Branch charity trustees who manage the charity (generally known as the Branch Committee) - Trustee name Office (if any) - 1 Andrew Bryne Chairman 2 Stephen Pearson Secretary Name of person (or body) Dates acted if not for whole entitled to appoint trustee year (if any) - 3 Christopher Thorpe Treasurer 4 Richard Gray President 5 Ronald Ford Vice Chairman 6 Ian Smith Wings Appeal Officer - 7 - 8 9 - 10 ## ROYAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family 1 1 ey 1 -------------+ es ---------+ ---------t 12 || 1 -------------+ ---------+ ---------t 13 || | | 1 -------------+ ---------+ ---------1 14 | | | | 15 ­ Names of any other trustees for the Branch (for example, any custodian trustees in relation to branch property) Name Dates acted if not for whole year ## Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address Independent Assessor David Bentley DB Bookkeeping 01904 700813 (finance) info@dbbookkeepingyork.co. uk ## Section B Structure, governance and management aeion So 50 Shuolae, govemenen onl manageneat 2 ## Description of the branch's trusts Type of governing document Royal Charter, Rules, Byelaws, Area and Branch Regulations of the Royal Air Forces Association. How the Branch charity is Unincorporated association constituted Trustee selection methods Elected by the branch membership ROYAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family ## Additional governance issues (Optional information} You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - the branch's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; - relationship with any related parties (including branch club); - trustees' consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. ## Charity's organisational structure The charity is a branch of the Royal Air Forces Association which is a Royal Charter body and registered as a charity in England and Wales under number 226686 and in Scotland under $C037673 ("the Association"). The Association has many branches all of which share the same charitable object as the Association and are subject to the same constitution. ## Trustee induction and training All trustees complete and sign the Declaration of Good Conduct forms. The Welfare Officer receives all necessary training specific to post. During this period, the Branch Secretary undertook online training concerning the requirements for DBS certification of trustees. All new trustees receive a comprehensive handover from the trustees they have replaced and review the Charity Commission Charity Trustee Welcome Guide. ## Related party relationships -- club (if operated} York Branch Club. ## Risk management The Branch Welfare Officer receives specific risk management advice from attending the relevant courses provided by RAFA HQ. The Branch Club premises complies with current fire evacuation regulations and undertakes regular asbestos, electrical installation inspections and fire safety inspections in accordance with RAFA directives. The Branch President has undertaken comprehensive fire risk assessment training and all safety signage has been updated. A full PAT was also carried out by a professional electrician. The Branch Club has an operational, fully serviced stair-lift (with instructions) for members who require it. All potential trip and strike hazards are highlighted with suitable hazard warnings. Security and hygiene notices are displayed in the appropriate locations. Section C Objectives and activities RoVAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family Summary of the objects of the branch set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) To promote, through the comradeship engendered by its members, the welfare by charitable means of all serving and former members of His Majesty's Air Forces, their spouses and dependents, together with the widows and widowers and dependents of those who died whilst serving or subsequently. ## General York Branch has had a very busy year with a great deal of activity occurring both in the Club as well as Branch members being involved in a variety of events and ceremonies in the wider York area. The Wings Appeal collections this year have raised significant funds boosted by our involvement in a collection day at the Eber Festival at York Racecourse. Unfortunately, our Hon. Welfare Officer has been unwell and consequently we have had to refer a number of welfare cases to RAFA HQ for resolution. The Branch again submitted a bid to the Armed Forces Trust Fund for a grant to reconfigure the ground floor of RAFA House in order to improve overall accessibility and to update the inadequate toilet facilities. Unfortunately, the bid was unsuccessful. Despite this disappointment we continue to investigate other sources of funding, and have engaged a structural engineer to provide drawings and calculations to inform future bids. Our regular social programme includes meetings on Thursday evenings and Saturday lunchtimes, an annual dinner and a Christmas Draw, all of which have been well attended. ## RAFA York Branch Chairman's Report I began my second year as Branch Chairman after our AGM on 1 1 March 2023 and I am very grateful for the support of my fellow Committee members. This year has seen more Branch activity than 2022 and many more events at the Branch Club. I have been honoured to represent the Branch at several events, including the Escape Lines service at Eden Camp in April, the joint RBL/RAFA Annual Church service in June and the four Turning of the Page ceremonies in York Minster. The year began on a sombre note, with official Branch attendance at five funerals of Branch members in January and February. We also attended the funeral of a Branch Life vice-president in August. I assisted with a visit by our new Area President, Stuart Stirrat to the Branch and Club on 26 August as part of his Big RAFA Ride. The visit was expertly handled by our Branch Secretary and Club Chairman. Ro»VAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family September is usually a very busy month for our Branch, and this proved to be the case. We attended the Allied Air Forces Memorial Day at YAM Elvington, the All Services Parade at Eden Camp and the dedication of a memorial to a wartime Lancaster aircraft crash at Moor Monkton on 23 September. I represented the Branch at the RAFA National Conference as the Branch representative in October and took a great deal of useful information away from it as well as meeting up with fellow RAFA members. The event was slightly shorter in duration this year, but still very worthwhile. Branch members attended November ceremonies at several locations in York and also in London this year. So far, our application for funding for RAFA House, Aldwark from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust for funding to build better toilet facilities and to reconfigure the ground floor of the building for use as a social meeting place has been unsuccessful. However, we continue to work towards a satisfactory bid outcome and have received positive advice from a structural engineer. We are progressing with our aim to improve the facility and we have a shortlist of potential donor organisations. Our Welfare Officer has been undergoing medical treatment for a significant period this year and, as we do not have a deputy, we have had to rely on RAFA HQ staff to cover welfare needs, which, fortunately have been small. This was evidenced by our participation in Project Outreach, where 10 1 York branch members were contacted by RAFA HQ and only one person requested a "connections for life" service. I am pleased to report that our Welfare Officer is now recovered enough to undertake some duties. We have received excellent support from our affiliated RAF Air Cadet squadrons, and No 1 1 0 (City of York) Squadron personnel have been particularly supportive at several ceremonial and other events in 2023. Our Wings Appeal Officer has worked exceptionally hard and, with a relatively small team of Branch members, exceeded the sum of £20000.00 collected for Wings this year, an amazing result. Finally, 2023 has been a rather expensive one for the Branch, as our insurance has doubled to £4000.00 a year (mainly due to the revaluation of the building, which dates back to the 17" Century and lies within the City walls) and also due to meeting the recommendations of the 5-yearly EICR survey, which resulted in over £1000.00 of remedial work. However, we are satisfied that our Branch premises are as safe as possible, particularly as regards to electrical safety. Branch Treasurer's Report Our RAFA Branch in York continues to be a 'Going Concern'. The headline figure of a small loss of £1,418 records the position on 31[=] December 2023. At the time, we had not received the Club's ROYAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family contribution to insurance of £1,987 and had delayed our annual donation to Rothbury House; therefore, our actual position for 2023 is a small loss of £431. This is an improvement on 2022 when we made a loss of £2,160. Significant features of our General accounts are: an increase in building rent and hire income, primarily from the Club which pays £350 per month and from the York Branch of RBL and the Fellowship of = the Services whose annual fees increased by 10% last year; a halving in spending on Repairs, Renewals and Maintenance compared to 2022; an increase of 70% for Insurance-which the Branch Committee is seeking to reduce if possible but is becoming a significant single cost item; and a 21% decrease in expenditure on Utilities. The latter comes despite a small increase in charges since May 2022 and reflects the benefits of the new secondary glazing and a conscientious approach to energy saving by members. The concerns shared 12 months ago about energy costs have, thankfully, not materialised. Cash flow was managed by a transfer of £3,000 from the General Deposit Account at HQ to our Current Account. The Deposit Account stands at £33,705. The Branch Welfare Account enjoys a steady income from investments and the Wings Rebate which last year increased by 47% to £3,233 due to our successful Wings Appeal in 2022. We made a donation of £2,000 to HQ's Cost of Living Appeal. At the end of the year the Current and Deposit accounts hold £17,706 between them. ## Welfare Officer's Report Due to my hospitalisation in December 2022 for a major operation, I was unable to continue to act as the branch Honorary Welfare Officer. Therefore, the Chairman placed a notice in the Aldwark Chronicle, requesting assistance from branch members to volunteer to act as my deputy. Sadly no volunteers came forward. Due to my situation, I was unable to mix with anyone in closely confined areas and this precluded me from visiting the Club. However, I did continue to support the Club members by contacting them by telephone and I also continued to send birthday, Easter and Christmas cards to ensure regular contact was maintained. RAFA HQ and the 'Welfare Region North' were informed of the situation and agreed to suspend my national HWO duties until further notice. My medical situation has improved 'slightly' and I will continue to act as the branch HWO but cannot at the moment continue as the national HWO. I continued to work from home in support of club members, in addition to sending cards to let members know that they were not forgotten, I also arranged, on behalf of the Chairman and club members, for Get Well cards, flowers, chocolates and magazines to be delivered to those members who were ill, suffered accidents or were recovering from ROYAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family operations. Judging by the telephone calls and thankyou cards I received they were well received by the members. Isolation and loneliness continued to be an issue. With the assistance of the Branch Chairman and Secretary we have made numerous telephone calls to members to offer moral support during their time of need. Therefore, please note that if any branch member is aware of any isolated or lonely members, please let me know and I will arrange to contact them in order to provide support. Remember that we are their eyes and ears, and it would be appreciated if you could keep me informed of any issues. · We have certainly had an eventful year and our Branch and Club committees have been busy, especially our Branch chairman Andy Bryne, who has been fully supportive throughout the year. None of my efforts would have been possible without his support and that of our Club Chairperson Denise Edgar and her committee. Therefore, and on behalf of all the members of the branch, I would like to thank them for their support. Notwithstanding my medical issues, I have maintained regular contact with members. In particular I would like to thank those who have kept me informed of the illnesses, accidents and hospital admissions of branch members which allowed me to provide comfort and support to them, albeit by telephone only. It has been a privilege to serve and support so many of our members, and with the help of our chairman and secretary, we have successfully secured assistance from the RAF Association. In conclusion, please keep your eyes and ears open and if you hear of anyone who may need assistance, please let me know. ## Wing's Appeal Officer's Report Our Branch has been on the waiting list to be allowed to collect at York Race course since May 2015, so it came as a surprise when, out of the blue the secretary received an email from the newly appointed Director of Operations asking if we would like to hold a fund raising day. The email was passed to me and on 23" August the first day of the Ebor Festival it went ahead. The Festival was opened by the RAF parachute team the Falcons and the President and I took their salute at the winning post. A successful day that, at first count raised over £3900, but further investigation revealed that due to our presence a number of racegoers had donated on line to RAFAHQ. These donations were credited to us which bought the amount to over £4500 So a very good day. Thanks to our President 2023 also saw the introduction of personal ID cards for collectors and our Treasurer organised a QR code for those who didn't carry cash and wanted to donate. ROYAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family I would like to thank the many members that made donations to this year's appeal It was very generous of you all. The Harry Cowan trophy was once again awarded to Barry Snaith for collecting the most individually. In conclusion I'm delighted to report that the amount raised was over the year was £20,601.92 ## Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information) You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: - policy on grant making; - policy programme related investment; - contribution made by volunteers. QRovAL AIR FORCES Association The charity that supports the RAF family Section D Achievements and performance - . 1 . Wings Appeal collections raised over £20000. Summary of the main 2. Welfare visits and contacts. achievements of the branch 3. Participation in the RAFA HQ National Outreach Campaign. during the year 4. The Branch Club provides a venue for members to meet in a warm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere. Hot f d is provided regularly on Saturdays at very reasonable prices. 5. Attendance at members' funerals, if requested by relatives, at which the Branch Standard is usually paraded. 6. Attendance at ceremonial events. = Section E Financial review Further steps were taken during the year to transfer more reserves to the Brief statement of the RAF Association HQ Savings Account due to the extremely poor interest branch's policy on reserves rates currently offered by banks and building societies. . Further steps were taken during the year to transfer more reserves to the RAF Association HQ Savings Account due to the extremely poor interest rates currently offered by banks and building societies. . Details of any funds materially 1 in deficit Further financial review details (Optional information} .. u-h e 'd.h t i e . ii± 3less- it .,., ,· .. . . - .