This message from the committee was emailed to all members on 16th December.
There will be no need for any of you to pay group fees in January or indeed in the summer term, if your groups continue then 🙂🎁.
For a full explanation please read below.
In September 2025, the group fees for non-venue (outdoor) groups were removed to make life easier for leaders and potential leaders of such groups. The need to reduce our financial reserve was highlighted at the 2025 AGM, so the loss of about £1500 income over the year would help reduce the surplus. This was extended at the same time to groups meeting in non-chargeable venues such as members' homes since those groups also don't cost the u3a money in hire fees. This was not communicated to members directly - it went instead via relevant group leaders, and some confusion resulted. As it spread on the grapevine, some thought that chargeable venue-based groups with smaller numbers were at risk, some considered it was simply unfair, and some pointed out that at the AGM in May 2025 it was stated by the committee that there would be no changes to fees. These points are reasonable.
As the committee takes stock now of the financial position with a new Chair, and new Vice Chair, we have been informed by the SW regional u3a we are still close to breaching our maximum allowed financial reserve, caused by a number of years of accumulated surpluses. The committee will consider several longer term options, and look at the financial impact and fairness of each option, and present them for full and transparent review and debate with members at the AGM in May 2026, ready for the new u3a year beginning September 2026.
However, the committee is permitted (and has a responsibility) to act now to do something short term to reduce the financial reserve, even if that is different from what we said in May 2025. Our immediate decision is to remove the group fees for all groups from January 2026 to end of August 2026. This should reduce our financial reserve by about a further £7800. So in this year we will reduce our financial reserve by about £9300. We have confirmation from our regional council representative that this is an appropriate action to take, and our overall position next summer will still be a healthy one.
We believe this is fair for all members. We recognise that this might result in some popular groups becoming full and waiting lists getting longer. Please, therefore, help group leaders by contacting them before turning up for the first time to ensure that you can be accommodated. Existing group members have priority, of course.
This will only be a temporary 8 month group fee “holiday”, like that already in place since September for non-chargeable venues which will of course continue for the next 8 months
Group leaders can be contacted via the "Groups List" page of our website at https://streetandglastonbury.u3asite.uk/groups-list/. Click the Group Leader's name to send an email, or call if a phone number is provided.