ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 The Iruslees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of Ulster University Students, Union (the Union) for the period ended 31 July 2022. The financial slalements have been prepared in accordan with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Stslemenl of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance wth the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective 1 January 20191 Icharilies SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006. Objectives and activities The Union's objective is the advancement of the education of students al Ulster University for the public benefit by.. promoting the interests and welfare of students al Ulster University during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students., being the recognised repsentatIVe channel between students and Ulster University and any other external bodies.. and providing social. cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its students.
ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 Achievements and performance The 2021122 academic year saw a transition back lo campus following the previous year of home working and studying. This dual approach brought its own Challenges. bul the Students, Union continued lo represent the sludenl voice both internally and externally lo ensure that members have had effe¢tive. ac¢ounlable representation on issues that affect them. The officer team led campaigns on the importance of mental health, sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion. Mental health look a primary role across the scope of campaigns where projects included providing a phoneline checking in wth students and highlighting issues through the UOK? Campaign. This was delivered in conjunction with Advice Nl, with 5,000 outbound calls made lo members wlh a scripted convèrsation held to understand any wellbeing or mental health issues that may be prevalent across the sludenl wmmunity. This understanding has been invaluable and pointed towards key 'triggers' where early intervention would be useful to support the student community. 11 is these early 'lriggers' around elements su¢h as finan or a life event where most impact can be made to support the stLJdent community across mental wellbeing needs. In addition, we created a series of'UUSU Meets... videos which have taken four sludenl relatable individuals in the public eye who have had lo look after their own mentsl wellbeing. These are frank and honest assessment pieces of how mental health can Impact anyone and how it has been managed or overcome. These are critical assets as they will outlive the current campaign work and can be used well into the future with new groups of students. To compliment further, a peer buddy scheme has been developed and was launched in February wfch good engagement and students signing up as Peer Buddy Volunteers and Peer Buddies. 11 is hoped that that the scheme will continue lo grow and act as another long-lerm intervention for positive mental health and wellbeing. The sustainability campaign saw a partnership wth the University rolling out the Net Zero challenge and Green week was an opportunity lo engage with external stakeholders whilst len societies held climate themed events. The Wellbeing Garden in Magee was created as a community allolmenl and allowed students the opportunity to grow organic produce. Offerings in both Coleraine and Belfast arè planned, and funding has been secured for thèse. The 2021122 sludenl officer elections saw the first full-lime role dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and in¢lusion, in the shape of a VP for Equality and Belonging. and this position was taken up on 1 July 2022. This officer supports a variety of student communities and neorkS and is supported by specific student counsellors following a restructure of student council. All this work was recognised by UUSU receiving the award for Large Officer Team of the Year from the Union of Students In Ireland. The sports dubs saw a significant increase in partiapalion with 1,600 members playing a variety of sports despite leaching being a combination of online and face-to-face. The academic representslive structure had a successful year with 678 students being elected lo represent their course and ensure that any issues were reported and dealt wth as soon as practical. The advice bureau saw an increase in queries dealing with individual student problems with academic appeals and housing being the recurring concerns. 16 new societies were set up during the year and the long-eslablished societies continued lo attract new members and hold events across the campuses. To support and underpin the representative structures, UUSU also held ils first ever Student Summit for active members, which brought them together lo explore and plan p0511ive inlervenlion5 for members in the future. Finally, 2022 saw the return of UUSU'S sludenl awards season, celebrating academic. sporting. and representslive exllenCe across the membership. Around 600 attendees took part across the events wf(h winners from across the membership representing the success and dedication to our mission. Further information on the impact UUSU has made over the last 12 months can be found online as part of our Impact Report for 2022123.
ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 Raising of funds The Union's main source of income is by way of block grant awarded by Ulster University. Other income is generated through sponsorship, advertising and ad hoc grants. Governance Governance of the organisalion is of vitsl importance and is assessed on a regular basis through the review of the Strategic Plan. Risk Register and Financial Memorandum. The Students, Union Sludenl Executive. consisting of seven full time elected Officers and relevant staff. meets every three weeks to discuss Students. Union poli and membership issues. The Senior Management Team meets every 2-3 weeks to review operational matters. The quarterly meetings of the Trustee Board include the review of management accounts, progress of the strategic Operating Plan, and monitoring of the Risk Register. Financial review The Student5, Union income for the current year was £2,426,350 12021 £2,359,815) and nel income before exceptional pension movements was £388,965 12021 £692,439). After accounting for movements in the pension provision the net income for the period was £264,35212021- £566,974). The net deficit of the charity al 31 July 2022 was £3,036,92912021 £3,301,281). The main reason for the deficit is the deficit funding commitment in relation to the Students, Union Superannuation Scheme, which amounted to £3,956,156 at 31 July 2022 12021 £4.085,0401. At 31 July 2022, restricted funds were £338,222 12021 £537,175) and general unrestricted funds tolalled £562,711 12021 £232,870). Designated funds at 31 July 2022 of £20,29412021 £13,714) relate lo the balance of funds held in relation to thè Unique shop and National Lottery Community Fund Wèllbeing giant after income and expenditure during the year. ReseeS Policy Reserves will be established lo safeguard activity should funding not be available from the principal funding source. Al 31 July 2022 the Union had free reserves of £551,20612021- £206,899). P17ncipal Fun(ling Sour The principal funder is Ulster University through the allocation of block grant funding to the Union. Rl$k Management The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Union has in place an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise, to provide reasonable assurance that.. the Union is operating efficiently and effectively", its assets are safeguarded against unaulhorised use or disposition", proper records are maintsined, and financial information used wthin the organisalion or for publication is reliable., it complies with relevant laws and regulations,. and that the systems of financial control are designed lo provide reasonable, bul not absolute assurance against material misslalemttnl or loss. The major risks, lo which the Union is exposed, are set out in the Risk register and systems have been established to mitigate those risks.
ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 Future Plans The Union will continue lo represent students both through academic issues and the provision of social opportunities lo meèt other students through engagement in sport and societies. The academic year 2022123 sees the move lo the Belfast campus and the Union will Continue to work with the University to ensure a smooth transition for stsff and students. There ll11 be an investment in resources in marketing and ¢ommunications to ensure that students are aware of the work that the Students. Union does on their behalf and the OPPDrtunities available to them. Funding was acquired in the 2021122 year to roll out the Wellbeing Garden inilialives to the other campuses so space will be Identified for the Coleraine and Belfast campuses lo facilitate this project. Further funding is on the radar to offer additional Investment into sludenl focused services and opportunities. As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, this will be a core campaign strand for UUSU and working wth the University and other partners it is hoped that tangible inleNentions will be made to support students. We are Currently working on such intetvenlions bul hope that these will in¢lude positive announcements such as rent freezes, reduction on travel costs, support with living costs, discounted food and free breakfast on campuses, a removal of hidden course costs, as well as much more. We are also developing a Mental Health Action Plan, which has been drafted in conjunction with our members. 11 is anli¢ipaled that this will put in place a series of actions that UUSU can support or further, which will benefit students into the longer term. UUSU will be creating a new strategy document to be launched al some point in the 2023124 academic year. Consultation wll be carried out rith various stskeholders lo ensure that strategic objectives are relevant to the current dimate and are representative of the membership needs. There has been substantial change since the last strategic process was carried out in relation to how membership engage wth further education through the use of digital technology and the emphasis placed on sustainability and how this is manifested through social change. Whilst the organisation would like to plan for the longer tem, change is so fast moving any strategy that is developed will need lo be adaptable to societal events.
ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 structure. governance and management The charity is a company limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital.11 was incorporated on 15 June 2017 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 15 June 2017. The members of the charity for the purposes of company law are the trustees and the liability of each member is limited lo an amount not exceeding £1. Prior lo 1 September 2017 the activities of the Students, Union were carried out through an unincorporated entity and were govemed by the Conslilulion of the unincorporated enlily. On 1 September 2017 the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated entity were transferred lo the charity and il commenced ils activities on that dale. The total amount transferred was net liabilities of £2,566,431. The Board of Ttuslees is responsible for the management and administration of the Union and may exercise all the powers of the Union. The application lo become a registered Charity was approved by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 12 April 2019. The charity number is NIC 107053. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were.. Ms K Hewitt Ms A Neill MrA Ward Mr D FOer Ms A Probets Ms G Boyle Mr R Harling Mr O Mccloskey M5 R Allen Mr E Davies Ms S Hilditch Mr R Millar (Resigned 8 September 2022} (Resigned 30 June 20221 (Resigned 30 June 20221 (Appointed 19 July 20221 (Appointed 27 October 20211 (Appointed 19 July 20221 The trustees are made up of the following persons". Four student officer trustees agreed by the Student Executive Two sludenl Iruslees appointed by application and selection pro$$ Five external trustees appointed by application and selection process. student Officer trustees can serve a maximum of three years in single year terms, student Iruslees can serve a maximum of iwo terms, each term lasting two years and extemal trustees may serve a maximum of two terms., each term being a maximum of four years in duration. The Chief Executive. Mr D Longstsff, carries out the day to day management of the Union. The Iruslees meet on a quarterly basis. There are other committees in place lo manage specific areas of the organisation. PrOdureS have been pul in Pla for the induction and training of Iruslees and the Union ensures trustees are aware of their responsibilities on Corporate Governan. Relationship with Related Parties The relationship between Ulster University and the Union is established in an Ordinance of the University's Governing Documents and the Union receives a block grant from the University, by agreement with the University on an annual basis. There is also non-monelary support which Is intrinsic lo the relationship between the University and the Union in relation lo the provision of office space. Although the Union ¢onlinues lo generate supplementary funding from various mutual trading aclivilies. it is dependent on the University's financial support. There is no reason to believe that this or equivalent support from the University will not continue for the foreseeable future.
ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. UNION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORTI IcoKfiNUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 SIAt•mènt of trust••8' respon8lbllltl•s The twslees. who are also the directors of Ulster Univer3ity Slud&nls' UnK)n foi the purpo$¢ of company law. are responsible for pr&paring the Truslees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United ngdorn Accounting Slandards {Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepled Accounting Practscel. CompAny Law requires the truste8s to pfepare f nancial statements for each financjal year which give a true and fair view ol the slate of affairs of Ihe chaiity and ol tho incoming r¢sour¢¢s and appli¢alion of resourc¥$, induding the income and expenditure, of Ihe Charitab Company for that yeaf. In preparing thes& finanaal slalements, the Iruslees are required lo: - Se¢t suilabla a¢t¢Junling pOIè$ and Ihèn appty tham consisl8ntty; - obs8rv8 thé melhods and prinuples in the Charit$ SORP,. make judg8m8nts and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl.. slate whether appliCae UK Accounting Standards have been lomowèd, subjed io any material departures disdosèd and explained in th8 financial statements., and prepare the financial slalemenls on Ihe gokng concem basi5 unle53 11 is inappropriato to pre5uffle th81 the tharity will continue In Operatn. The Iruslees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any tim¢ lh¢ ffin¥nci81 position of the eharity and ènable them to ensure that the finandal statements eomply wth the Compan5 Act 20(. They are also responsib for safegLJarding the assets of the charty and hènce for taking reasonab steps lor the prevention and dèlèdion ol fraud and othèr itrègulaiities. Sm•ll ¢ompanSè0 8x•mptlon In pr¢paring Ihis report. the directors have laken advanlage of th8 small companies exemptions Provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 20c. DL*clo8ure of Inforniation to auditor Each ol the tru51ees has confirmed that Ihere is no inlormalion of whh they ale aware which is relevarbl lo the audrt. bul of which the audrtor is unaware. They have further confimed Ihal they have tsken appropriate steps lo idenllfy such relevanl inlomialion and to estabksh that Ihe auditor 15 aware of such information. The Irustetrs, r•port was approved by thè Board of Trustees. M5 G Boyle Chalrpgrson ol th• Tru$ts• Board Dated.. 24 Novembef 2022