Chiltern University of the Third Age
Annual Report of the Trustees
Year Ended 31 March 2023
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name: Chiltern University of the Third Age (hereinafter referred to as “Chiltern u3a”) Charity registration number: 1082794
Trustees
The following served during the year:
Helen Beaumont David Bender Jennifer Susan Harold-Barry (Treasurer) Mike Hender Jenny Jobson (Vice-Chair) Sarah Jones (Chair) Ernest Newhouse (Secretary) Jean Routly Appointed 18 August 2022 Christian Scott Carolyn Spencer Resigned 18 May 2022 Linda Walton Wallace Wormley
All the trustees in office at the end of the year were still in office when this report was signed.
Location
Chiltern u3a does not have premises of its own. The majority of its activities take place at the Amersham Community Centre and the nearby Chiltern Lifestyle Centre, Chiltern Avenue, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 5AH. The latter will accept correspondence addressed to Chiltern u3a.
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ. HSBC plc, 92 Sycamore Road, Amersham, HP6 5EW
Independent Examiner
Alex Hughes, ACCA, 95 Hundred Acres Lane, Amersham, Bucks. HP7 9BP.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Constitution of Chiltern u3a was adopted on 6 April 2000 and amended on 16 October 2002, 19 April 2004, 16 May 2012, 21 May 2014.and 24 February 2021.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees.
Trustees are elected for 2 year terms at the Annual General Meeting and may be re-elected. They are drawn from the membership of Chiltern u3a. When necessary, trustees may be coopted from the membership.
Risk Management
Risk Assessment procedures and appropriate insurances are in place. Appropriate protective software is installed on Chiltern u3a’s IT equipment and users are trained as necessary.
Objectives, Activities and Public Interest
The objectives of the charity are to advance the education of middle-aged and older citizens not in full time gainful employment and living in Amersham and Chesham and the surrounding locality; to provide facilities for leisure time and recreational activities aimed at improving the lifestyle and social welfare of those citizens.
Chiltern u3a traditionally holds one general meeting each month, at most of which a presentation by a member or an outside speaker is the main item on the agenda. A variety of interest groups meet, generally once or twice a month. These cover a range of academic, exercise, cultural and social matters according to the expressed wishes of the members and the willingness of organisers to come forward. Excursions are also arranged.
The trustees are satisfied that the objectives of the Trust meet the public interest.
Employees
Chiltern u3a does not have any employees.
Achievements and Performance
Following the end of the pandemic, the u3a’s activities have largely returned to their customary formats, with minimal use being made of Zoom. Those which took place in the former Amersham Leisure Centre have transferred into the new Chiltern Lifestyle Centre and teething problems are being ironed out. However, the Zoom ‘tea parties’, held 3 times a week have been continued and have been much appreciated.
It is pleasing to note that the decline in membership, noted in last year’s report, has largely been reversed. The membership at the year end was 1344 (Dec 22: 1338) [March 2022: 1245], near to the pre-pandemic level of 1352 at March 2021. At the end of the year there were 94 interest groups, including excursions, [March 2022: 93], ranging from Ancient Cultures to Yoga for Beginners. 4 new groups were formed and 3 were closed.
Chiltern u3a TAR 2023 Page 2 of 3
Plans for Future Periods
The trustees are continuing to maker particular efforts to attract new members, particularly from those recently retired. Particular efforts are being made to broaden the range of publicity outlets. They are also concerned about the difficulty of finding people to take on leadership roles in the various activities, which seems to be a common problem in many community groups.
Financial Review
Reserves Policy
Budgeting is based on a policy of maintaining a reserve broadly equivalent to 6 months’ expenditure. This year it is significantly larger since, as a result of the pandemic, room hire costs have been significantly reduced.
Fixed Assets
Chiltern u3a has no Fixed Assets apart from computers and similar equipment, which are written off to expenditure on acquisition.
Results for the Period
The accounts for the year are presented with this report.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are required to prepare accounts for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the financial period and of its surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing the accounts, suitable accounting policies have been used consistently and reasonable and prudent judgements made. The trustees are also responsible for maintaining accounting records, for safeguarding the assets of the trust and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are satisfied that Chiltern u3a is a going concern.
Audit
Under the terms of the Charities Act 2011, the size of Chiltern u3a is such that the trustees may choose between an audit and an independent examination. The trustees have determined that the accounts should be independently examined and the corresponding report follows the accounts.
This report was approved by the trustees on 20 April 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Sarah Jones Chair
Chiltern u3a TAR 2023 Page 3 of 3
CHRIST GOSPEL CHURCH INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1/4/2022 - 31/03/2023
| INCOME | £ | EXPENDITURE | £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| TITHES | 25720.20 | PASTOR'S WAGE | 12643.47 |
| OFFERINGS | 2744.00 | TAX / NI & PENSION | 4685.22 |
| FIRST FRUITS | 4300.99 | GAS | 284.00 |
| MISSIONS | 1384.44 | ELECTRICITY | 1960.22 |
| INTEREST ON SAVINGS | 267.88 | PHONE & FAX | 142.82 |
| TAX REBATE - COVENANTS | 5880.87 | REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE | 247.87 |
| MISCELLANEOUS INCOME | 570.00 | MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE | 1087.43 |
| CHURCH INSURANCE | 1577.12 | ||
| BRITISH & FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY | 180.00 | ||
| PRISON FELLOWSHIP SOCIETY | 200.00 | ||
| JEFFERSONVILLE -SUPPORT MATERIALS ETC | 5938.00 | ||
| MISSIONARY SUPPORT | 895.00 | ||
| TRANSFER TO SAVINGS | 11027.23 | ||
| TOTAL | 40868.38 | TOTAL | 40868.38 |
| DAVID FAWCETT, TREASURER | |||
| 24TH APRIL 2023 |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Christ Gospel Church of Buxton. report on the a¢counts of the Trust for the year ended 31. Mar¢h 2023, which are set out on pages O I to 02. Re.1 ecilve re. on.sibililie.f o rruslee.% ond eyamlner As the charity's trustees you are responsibl¢ for the preparation of ihe aecounts. you consider that th¢ audit requirement of section 43{2) of ilie Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply.lt is my responsibility to state. on (he basis of th¢ procedures spccified in the Generdl Dircctions given by thc Charitv Commissioners under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis o inde endenl aler s re ort My examination was carried out in accordance with ihe General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a rcview of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the a¢couniS presented with those records. It also ineludes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidcnce Ihat would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an aydit opinion on the view given by ihe accounts. Inde endeiil Miner'S slalemenl In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respe¢t the requirements To keep accounting records in aecordance with section 41 of the Act. and To prepare aceounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have noi been met. M9rk A. .Judd Furnace House Toadbole Furnace Oakerthorpe Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7LL 4th Septem ber 2023