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← Worcester Area Group U3A

2024-07-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 August 2023 To 31 July 2024 Charity name:

WORCESTER AREA GROUP U3A

Charity registration number: 702588

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document
Para 1.17
The advancement of education and, in
particular, the education of older people
and those who are retired from full-time
work by all means, including associated
activities conducive to learning and
personal development in Worcester and
its surrounding locality.		 Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document
Para 1.17
The advancement of education and, in
particular, the education of older people
and those who are retired from full-time
work by all means, including associated
activities conducive to learning and
personal development in Worcester and
its surrounding locality.		 Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document
Para 1.17
The advancement of education and, in
particular, the education of older people
and those who are retired from full-time
work by all means, including associated
activities conducive to learning and
personal development in Worcester and
its surrounding locality.
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		 Education and transfer of skills occurs
through shared learning, actively
involving members to improve their
knowledge, skills and wellbeing.
Members may join a variety of interest
groups, generally meeting fortnightly,
offering a range of subjects facilitated
by volunteers who give their time
freely.
Members may also participate in other
learning opportunities offered by Third
Age Trust, West Midlands u3a Region,
and Cotswold u3a Link network.
A members’ newsletter is published
regularly throughout the year and
circulated to members either in paper
copy or by email.
Worcester Area Group u3a supports
an active programme of trips and
events organised by interest groups
and the Trustees for the benefit of
members.
Meetings open to all members are
regularly held with speakers from a wide
variety of backgrounds and interests.
These meetings are open to older and
retired members of the public in line with
the charitable purpose of Worcester Area
Group U3A.

1

Information for members and the public
is available from the Worcester Area
Group u3a website.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees
have had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The Trustees have regard of the Charity
Commission guidance on public benefit
in meeting the charitable Object of
Worcester Area Group u3a to the benefit
of members and in publicising its
activities to the wider public of those no
longer in full-time employment.

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 Para 1.38 investment including program related investment Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers 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.		 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.
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 Worcester Area Group u3a continues to
serve the wider community and during
2023-2024attracted 193 new members,
This was an improvement over the
previous year. Membership remains at a
lower level (961 for all membership
classes) compared with pre-pandemic
numbers (1,066).
102 groups covering a full range of
activities and interests met over the year
(2022-2023) 92 groups).

2 Concessionary membership was 3 Concessionary rates continue to be available and are publicised alongside membership information. Open meetings and introductory sessions are offered to potential members and new opportunities for publicising the work of Worcester Area Group u3a are actively sought. Supported by a group website and word of mouth, Worcester Area Group u3a holds an annual open day at which a large number of interest groups and activities are represented, and attends local shows to introduce our u3A to the wider public.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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Achievements against Para 1.41
objectives set
Performance of Para 1.41
fundraising activities
against objectives set
Investment Para 1.41
performance against
objectives
Other
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3

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period		 Para 1.21 Accounts are prepared on the basis
of Receipts and Payments.
Total income for the year was
£53,890 (2022-23 was £63,475).
Overall subscriptions increased by
nearly £5,000 due to membership
growth and subscription increases,
whilst the number of members going
on walking tours was down. All
events are planned to be cash
neutral and should have no positive
or negative effect on Worcester
Area Group total funds.
A net deficit of £2,921 was recorded
for the year. Total funds at 31 July
2023 amounted to £45,856 (all
unrestricted).
Worcester Area Group u3a regularly
updates financial forecasts and is in a
strong financial position to deal with the
expected increase in costs resulting
from the present economic climate and
still support the cost of activities and
the start-up of new groups.
Statement explaining
the policy for holding
reserves stating why
they are held		 Para 1.22 The General Reserves Policy is set at an
amount equivalent to 3 months’ General
Fund expenditure, excluding Third Age
Trust and Independent Examiner fees,
both of which are provided for in full.
General Reserves exclude Trips &
Events and Coxon legacy funds.
Reserves are held to meet: day-to-
day commitments in the face of
unexpected fluctuations in income
and expenditure; fees due
retrospectively to Third Age Trust;
and, costs incurred in the event of the
dissolution of Worcester Area Group
U3A.
Events and trips are expected to be self
financing and a contingency of £500 is
held within the Events fund to cover
unexpected shortfalls.
There is no reserve policy for the Coxon
legacy fund which is applied on direction
of the Trustees for the benefit of the
wider membership and which will close
once the fund has been spent.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 General funds amounted to £24,140 at
the end of July 2024. excluding £19,054
held in the Coxon Legacy fund and
£2,662 in the Events fund.
Within these funds we maintain a
minimum reserve in the General fund
equal to the reserve policy, in 2024-
2025 this is £14,000 and a contingency
of £500 in the events fund.

4 Reasons for holding Para 1.22 zero reserves Details of fund materially Para 1.24 in deficit Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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The charity’s principal Para 1.47
sources of funds
(including any
fundraising)
Investment policy and Para 1.46
objectives including
any social investment
policy adopted
A description of the Para 1.46
principal risks facing the
charity
Other
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Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing
document		 Para 1.25 Constitution.
How is the charity
constituted?		 Para 1.25 Unincorporated association.
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

5

The Executive Committee consists of between 5 and 14 members: 4 honorary officers, and between 1 and 10 members elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Trustees may in addition appoint not more than 2 co-opted members who have full voting rights and tenure until the next Annual General Meeting. Vacancies on the Executive Committee of Trustees which arise through resignation or termination during the year can be filled from the membership and such an appointee completes the term of service of the member he or she is replacing and is eligible for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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Policies and Para 1.51
procedures adopted
for the induction and
training of trustees
The charity’s Para 1.51
organisational structure
and any wider network
with which the
charity works
Relationship with any Para 1.51
related parties
Other
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Reference and Administrative details

Charity name WORCESTER AREA GROUP U3A

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Other name the charity|Worcester u3a| |uses| |Registered charity number|702588| |—| |6| |Charity’s principal address|3 Lion Court, Worcester. WR1 1UT| |pf| |Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity| |Trustee name|Office (if any)|Dates acted if not for|Name of person (or body)| |whole year|entitled to appoint trustee (if| |any)| |Beryl CURTIS| |Pat DAVIS| |Adie DITCHBURN| |Claire LUCAS| |Fern O’BRIEN| |Ann PATTERSON|Secretary|From 25 October 2023| |Jean ROBB|Treasurer| |Stephen|Vice-chair| |THORNEYCROFT| |Janet WILSON| |Debbie SPOONER|From 1|[st]|April 2024| |Stephanie Bell|To 15|[th]|August 2023|

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– 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

7

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) Name Address Type of adviser

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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure Other o onal infomiation Declarations Slgn•d on beh•ff ol th• Ch•rlty'• lJust••s PMI Vk• Chalr Full Nam• Ll Slgnatur•

Prepared 23 August 2024

Worcester Area Group u3a

Registered Charity No. 702588

Statement of Financial Activities 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024

INCOME: General
Fund
Coxon Legacy
Fund
Events
Fund
Total
2023-24
2023-24
2023-24
2023-24
£
£
£
£		 Previous Year
Total
2022-2023
£		 Main
Movement
s
Annual Subscriptions 36,108
0
0
36,108		 31,170 4,938 Membership up from 869 to 917 (5.5%); subs up 5.7% (std), 8.5% (std
Trips & Events 0
0
13,785
13,785		 27,252 -13,467 Walking Tour numbers down
Donations & Grants 1,315
1,000
0
2,315		 332 1,983 Charities Trust & TAT Grants; Riviera Travel donations
Groups - Members' monies 0
0
936
936		 808 128
Interest Received 504
241
0
746		 253 493
Gift Aid 0
0
0
0		 3,660 -3,660 HMRC has not paid February 2022-23 claim
TOTAL INCOME 37,927
1,241
14,721
53,890		 63,475 -9,585
EXPENDITURE:
Events programme - Room hire 631
0
0
631		 312 319
Events programme - Refreshments 569
0
0
569		 351 219
Events programme - Speaker Fees 373
0
0
373		 495 -122
Publicity 337
0
0
337		 343 -6
Third Age Matters -241
0
0
-241		 1,993 -2,234 Members switched from paper to online magazine
Development Expenditure 1,670
0
0
1,670		 3,493 -1,823
Groups - Room hire 32,934
1,135
0
34,069		 26,373 7,696 Advance payments to Libraries (£2,300), new groups (£4,000)
Trips & Events 0
0
12,821
12,821		 27,469 -14,648 Walking Tour numbers down
Groups - Members' monies 0
0
665
665		 886 -221
Groups - Licences 119
0
0
119		 162 -43
Activities Expenditure 33,053
1,135
13,486
47,674		 54,890 -7,216
Third Age Trust membership fees 3,516
0
0
3,516		 3,440 76
Third Age Trust Beacon System 906
0
0
906		 891 15
Hire of Rooms - non groups 612
0
0
612		 243 369
PayPal & CardNet Commission 384
0
0
384		 412 -28
Miscellaneous Expenses 331
1,243
0
1,574		 361 1,213 Elizabeth Coxon Memorial Bench
Postage, Printing, Telephone & Stationery 255
0
0
255		 699 -444
Independent Examination 150
0
0
150		 150 0
Equipment 70
0
0
70		 733 -662 No new equipment
Administration Expenditure 6,224
1,243
0
7,467		 6,928 539
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 40,946
2,378
13,486
56,811		 65,311 -8,501
TOTAL NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS -3,019
-1,137
1,235
-2,921		 -1,837
Transfers between Funds 416
0
-416
0		 0
Funds brought forward 26,743
20,191
1,843
48,777		 50,614
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 24,140
19,054
2,662
45,856		 48,777
Worcester Area Group u3a Prepared 23 August 2024
Registered Charity No. 702588
BALANCES AT 31st JULY
PayPal & Current account
Deposit Account - General Funds
Cash at Bank - General Account
Deposit Account - Coxon Legacy
Cash at Bank - Events Account
Cash in Hand - Groups' Monies
TOTAL ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors
TOTAL NET ASSETS		 General
Fund
Coxon Legacy
Fund
Events
Fund
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
(Designated
Fund)
(Designated
Fund)
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
31/07/2024
31/07/2024
31/07/2024
31/07/2024
31/07/2023
£
£
£
£
£
100
0
0
100
100
22,879
0
0
22,879
25,585
1,160
0
0
1,160
1,057
0
19,054
0
19,054
20,191
0
0
2,143
2,143
1,450
0
0
520
520
393
24,140
19,054
2,662
45,856
48,777
0
0
0
0
0
24,140
19,054
2,662
45,856
48,777
_		 =

Independent Examiner's Report to the members/trustees of the University of the Third Age Worcester Area Group Charity Number 0702588

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner

The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

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 management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention (other than those disclosed below)

  1. which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Grahame Lucas 17[th] December 2024

120, Laugherne Road, St Johns Worcester. WR2 5LT