WEST YORKSHIRE FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S INSTITUTES Rodley Business Centre, 164/166 Town Street, Rodley, Leeds LS13 1HP 

Charity No. 1017012 

Incorporated in England and Wales as a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2737120 

## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES - (ex-officio on all Teams)** 

## **Officers** 

|Chair Tracey Lewis||Chair of the Membership Support Team, member of the|
|---|---|---|
|Appointed May 2021||Events Team, Health & Safety Team & WI Adviser|
|Honorary Treasurer– Sandra Dennis||Events Team, Membership Support Team & WI Adviser|
|Appointed May 2021|||
|Senior Vice Chair – Helen Cox||Events Team, Resolutions Co-ordinator, Health & Safety|
|Appointed May 2019||Officer & WI Adviser|
|Vice Chair – Christine Tall||Climate Change Lead for West Yorkshire Safeguarding|
|Appointed May 2021||Lead & Events Team|
||**Board Members**||
|Keeley Hawkins||Member of the Events Team|
|Appointed April 2023|||
|Liz Whitehead||Member of the Events Team|
|Appointed April 2024|||
|Pauline Gardiner||Board Member|
|Appointed April 2024|||
|Bernadette Busby||Board Member and 50/50 coordinator|
|Appointed April 2024|||
|Lily King||Board Member|
|Co-Opted December 2024|||



## **Resignations from the Board** 

Helena Harrington – resigned April 2024 Heather Ross – resigned April 2024 **Non-Board Sub-Team Chair** 

Helena Harrington – Events Team Chair 

## **Non-Board Federation Archivist** 

Sue Plant **Office Staff** Federation Secretary Elizabeth Walley Finance and Admin Secretary Alice Poon 

## **2024 ANNUAL REPORT** 

1 



## **CHAIRS ANNUAL REPORT – TRACEY LEWIS** 

This is my first annual report as Chair of the West Yorkshire Federation of WIs. A position I was honoured to be asked to take on following our Annual Meeting last April. I had been covering the role on an interim basis for 6 months prior and it was heartening to know my fellow trustees felt I should continue in the role. 

2024 has been a challenging year – many WIs were dissatisfied with the Federation (and National) and were loudly voicing this and, in particular, questioning why a Federation was needed as they could run themselves without any input needed from other levels of the WI organization. Prior to the Annual Meeting in April this had been discussed by the Board of Trustees and we recognized that changes needed to be made otherwise we were in danger of ‘going under’ and having to merge with another Federation, losing our West Yorkshire identity. Not something we wanted to happen. 

The Annual Meeting in April was to be our starting point – a new board was being elected and both myself and the Honorary Treasurer, Sandra, were honest with members as to where we were and what could happen if things didn’t change dramatically and quickly. When you only have an audience of 180 members out of a membership of just short of 3000, you can tell how disillusioned members were. 

Whatever we said must have touched a chord as we had requests to come and observe board and sub team meetings by the end of the day and we left the Annual Meeting hopeful that with hard work we could turn things around and get members on board. 

The Board of Trustees have made some bold decisions – the first one being to change the venue of the Annual Meeting and the day it was held. Next year the meeting will be held on a Saturday in the centre of Leeds. We are hoping the changing of day will enable more of our working members to attend and a central venue will suit as good access via car, bus or train. The Board are putting in a lot of work to make this a day of celebration for members. 

Another bold decision is the announcement that we are looking for alternative office premises. The current office has had its issues for a while and is not very accessible with limited parking and difficulties once you get inside. Members are reluctant to attend meetings / workshops there and the office facilities for Liz and Alice need improving. We know what we would like and know there is office space out there that will help us make some monetary savings; however, we are taking our time to make sure we make the right decision as the building needs to be ‘fit for the future’ and last for some considerable time. 

I would like to thank the Board of Trustees – Sandra Dennis (Honorary Treasurer), Helen Cox & Christine Tall (Vice Chairs), Keeley Hawkins, Bernadette Busby, Liz 

2 



Whitehead and Pauline Gardiner for their support and their willingness to accept and embrace the idea that change was needed. Sandra in particular has become used to my calls with my opening gambit being….” I’ve had an idea.” 

We merged most of the sub-teams into one large events team earlier this year and we have had a wonderful diverse programme of events on offer for members. We are now starting to see great support from members. It is encouraging to see members from WIs coming to events for the first time and experiencing what we can offer as additional support and resources for their members. We have taken events out and about West Yorkshire to encourage members to attend, covering a broad spectrum from crafting workshops to axe throwing and archery with plenty of zoom offerings. The calendar for next year is now complete and ready to release to members and there is something for everyone from empowering talks, craft workshops and look out for our murder mystery night next October – also look out for our 3 for 2 zoom offers and our early bird offers. 

My thanks go to the events team, headed by Helena Harrington, for the enthusiasm and work that has gone into the ideas this year and the plans already in place for 2025. 

The membership team have also been busy, however due to only having 3 trained advisers, we have struggled to visit WIs as often as we like to do. We set up a generic email group so we could handle any queries, and this has worked well. I am pleased to say we may double the number of advisers by the end of the year so we can resume our visits and be able to offer more support. Now we just need more FIFE volunteers!! 

Thank you Sandra Dennis and Helena Harrington for everything you do to support our WIs and Helena Harrington and Sue Waring for the work you both do as FIFE’s. 

I would also like to extend my thanks to both Liz and Alice who work tirelessly in the office, providing support and dealing with event bookings and of course producing the WYN every month. It is great to see so many WIs sending in photos and reports of events they have been involved with. We try & include as many as possible each month but occasionally need to carry over to the next month so don’t worry if you don’t see you feature straight away. I have been especially pleased for those WIs who have featured in the WI Life magazine – not an easy feat when you are competing with so many other WIs. 

Please make sure your WI receives the (e)WYN as it’s a great resource to highlight events being offered by the Federation. Some WIs have been so quick off the mark, some events have sold out within hours of being advertised. 

3 



This summer I was able to ‘tick off’ an item on my bucket list when I attended the National Annual Meeting at The Royal Albert Hall in London. As this meeting will only be held as a face-to-face event every 3 years, it was especially uplifting to share this event with a coach load of West Yorkshire WI ladies. 4000 plus all singing Jerusalem brings a lump in the throat moment every time. Excellent, thought-provoking speakers made for some lively chat on the way back to the hotel. 

Sandra Dennis and I attended the National Council meeting at the beginning of November. My first council meeting and Sandra’s last as she is stepping down as Honorary Treasurer next April (although staying on the board as a trustee). Lots of food for thought but good to realize we were ahead of the game in making bold decisions to secure our future. 

All in all, a challenging year however we are ending 2024 on some positive notes – 76 thriving WIs, over 3000 members, events at Federation selling out with waiting lists in case places become available and a lot to look forward to in 2025. 

4 



## **HONORARY TREASURERS REPORT – SANDRA DENNIS** 

As I do every year I must start by paying tribute to Federation Secretary, Liz Walley and Finance Secretary, Alice Poon, I couldn’t carry out the role without them. Without them the role of honorary treasurer would be a full-time job and not one I would be prepared or willing to do. 

This is my last report as your Honorary Treasurer, I am stepping down from this role in April 2025 I am thrilled to say someone has stepped up to take over from me. I will, however, be staying on the Board as a Trustee and will remain on the Events Team and Membership Support Team so you aren’t getting rid of me! Thanks to your support of WYFWI events, your generous fundraising on our behalf and your donations we have made it to the end of the year without touching our savings. Two years on the trot which is fantastic. 

Thank you to everyone who has registered with Easyfundraising.com If you do any shopping online please register and choose West Yorkshire Federation as your charity. We get donations at no extra cost to you. If you do the NFWI Lottery we also get a few pence from that. 

We are still holding Team meetings on Zoom, thus cutting down on expenses claims. 

Only three Board meetings are held face to face. Our Events Team have organised a range of events and workshops and it’s brilliant when these sell out. 

Please support our Zoom talks, you don’t have to leave home and far more interactive than sitting in front of your tv and you can still knit or crochet while you watch and listen. 

We continue to hold four accounts with COIF (Charitable Organisations Investment Fund) for a general fund that supports the bank account. A second account that holds money that we cannot touch as it is for event deposits. The third COIF account is for money we are holding for bursaries so has a specific purpose. The fourth holds money from WI’s that have suspended. We have to hold this money for three years. 

If the WI reforms within those three years the money returns to them. We also have some money in an investment account with St. James Place this is our rainy-day fund. 

Our accounting system QuickBooks is working well, Alice and I are learning all the time. WYCAS (West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service) our accountants, continue to support us. WYCAS will be auditing the 2024 accounts in January 2025. 

5 



We use online banking to both receive and make payments. This is saving on the use of cheques, envelopes and more importantly stamps! The cost of stamps now is astronomical! Please could Institutes or individuals who pay by BACS put a reference and/or email the office to give information about the payment so that we know where to allocate it. Any paperwork can follow later. 

Trying to track down payments with no reference takes up quite a lot of time. We are continuing to save on expenditure where we can. Liz works hard at looking at contracts and getting us the best deal. We have renewed the Zoom licence at a considerable discount due to the fact that we are a charity. We continue to try to be as paper free as possible, saving on photocopy costs, electricity, paper and postage. 

Not to mention saving trees and caring for the environment. 

As you know we are also looking to move office. This should lead to better working conditions for our staff, better accessibility for you, our members and fingers crossed should save us some money as we are looking for serviced accommodation where the utility bills are included in the rent. 

Thanks again to Liz and Alice who work so hard to support me and do all the day to day financial work, I am definitely an ‘honorary’ treasurer. My sincere thanks go to my fellow trustees who are so supportive and I know they will support my successor as she settles into the role. 

But the biggest thank you, must go to you, our WI members who support our events, and recruit new members and give your time for free to help us out. Without you there would be no point to the Federation being here! Remember the Federation is yours, the members, it is not the Board’s or the subgroups, it is yours. 

It is part of your WI membership and can enhance your WI experience. We are one big team. 

I have made so many good friends by being involved with the West Yorkshire Federation and you could too. 

6 



The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
arity number 1017012
A company limitoj by guarant￿ Thjmber 027371X)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
WEST YORKSHIRE
WYCAS

The West yO￿shIra Foderation of Women's Institutes
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
Contents
Page
Trustees. rewrt
2to4
Examinerfs rewrt
Stslement of financial actpirties
Balance sheet
Notes lo the accounts
8t014
Prepared by West Yorkshire ConNnunity Accountancy Service CIO

Trusta8s' r@port for th• ￿ar and￿ 31 Doe￿ib￿r 2024
Reference administr*ive delaAs of the ¢harty, its trustees and advisors
Itustees duriru the [inar￿la1 year upto arwj inchjding ttE tste re[￿rt aFprovecl were
Mame
Position
Sandra Denn's
Treasurer
klealher Ross
Tra￿Y Lewis
Helena Harriwon
Helen Cox
ChristirE Tall
Keeley Hawkir
E IEdLEth WhtetrEad
Joan Busty
Pauline GardirEr
Lity Kiru
Resi￿ed 16th April 2024
Cfpir
Res￿￿￿ 16th Awil 2024
V￿e Cha'r
V￿e Chai
A￿1[rted 16th AJil 2024
AFP)inted 16th AJil 2024
Apy)Inted 1Sth AJil 2024
Arv>irted 10M EkremtrEr 2D24
Chartynumber
101/012
RegIst￿e¢ In ErvJlana and Wales
onyarynumber
02131120
Regislered In ErvJland and Wales
Regi5tsred ar￿ principal address
Rodley 8u&ness Centre
164- 166 Tow'n Street
Rodley
Leeik LS13 1 HP
8anker5
Virgin Klorey
Waver Green
Puttsey
LS28
Investr￿￿t Managers
S". Jatne5'5 Pl￿e Weamh ManagerTE
st James's Pl￿e House
1 Tetbury Rc>ad
ci[en￿ster
Gk)uce5teishre GL7 1FP
Independent examlner
S mon Poslrom FCIE
West Yorkshire ComrTwnityAccountancy Service CIO
.riwer House
34 Lupton Street
Leed5
LS10￿w
structure. governance and mmgemènt
TkE chaiity Is a corrpany limitej ty guatanlee arKI was forTned on 4 A￿Ust 1992. It is goverrEd ty a
memrarthm and artic￿8 ol association amended tw srecial resolutk)n dated 12 Ar4712021 rre
Iiabilty of the ￿eM￿ErS in trE ￿ent of comr%iry I￿1r@ W0￿d ￿ Is linrt￿ to a surn not exceedirg
£1
Method of recrultn*nt and appolntment of trustees
ThE tILELees ol the GhaiiLy are a150 Ihe (threctD15 IDI IkE com￿ry law and are app)inted
the rner￿￿rs at the AGM

The West yo￿shir8 Federation of Women's Institutes
Trustees. report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024
Oblectlves acllvitles
The charrws objects
To further ItrE pjrpjses of W0￿Erf$ Instrtute MoverrEnt.
The chartws main act￿lt￿S
To imwove develop and a¢JvarrE edl￿ation for all 4K)men. to g￿,en cFporturity d %vorkirvJ together
through our organisalion pthiru into ￿￿tice ItrK>se IL*as for ¥thich It stsnts- truth, justice. t0￿ranGe
and fellowship TkE VVI exists lo e￿￿ate women lo enable lo pr(he an effectNe rok in tre c£mmunrty
to èxpa.Id their fonZ￿S to deveknp and rmss w Irryjtart thi
Public benefit Slatw￿nt
In setting our objectives and ￿a￿1r￿J our 2LtNrties our tr￿tee5 have gNen serious consideration to the
Charity Commtssittn's ￿rtIal g￿an¢t on I￿rIt in ￿nICUlar trt a(1va￿enErt of education for
rren anl girts
Achievements and performance
We h3rfe lun ￿anY everrt5 th15 yeai tfE5e 1rKlLN￿.
A ciaft Dabb￿ Day
Other craft workshws
z(￿M8 talks
A summer luwh
Talkiry Trees event
Yoikslire Water two y￿[15 to Ythrshire Water lor to￿ ofwater treatmert works
What ILrks rivers
SJrryBank Mi115 lour January Erpj Marrh
Aclwity Day shooting, arthery and aKe thrwThJ
Vve have tun e￿rrtS to SLPWrt Wl 017￿e[S..
eveniryj evert foi Wl C*tiTrr5
Vve have atten(Èd events to sp￿￿ tre wor(1 abo￿ tr* Wl arKI to re¢rLlll memtHs at..
Several U3A meeti
Financial review
The net Irmne for tre year was £3.788. Ir￿lJ￿1rQ rt Ir￿Orr￿ of £5,298 on Lnrestmted funds and rEt
exFErvJiture cf £1,510 on lesL-￿ted fL￿d5.
Reserves policy
The chanty's free reserrfes, exclL*Jing fixed assets. at ts year end viere £80,758.
Vve do r¥X have a lormal iesetves ryJli¢y. Hok*vei, n￿&¥we th)Id with St. James Flace would te usecl
for led1r￿nc1eS, le931 fEes elc if WYM to cltEe mersE with FedeiBtion.
10

The West yo￿shir8 Federation of Women's Institutes
Trustees. report (contlnued) for the y￿r ended 31 December 2024
tement of Iruslees. responsibilities
The Ituslees are also the directorsfor ltre purwses of company lalvl are resForsible lor yeparing the
TIu51ee5 iewrt and li* fb(E￿￿1 5taleneii15 in aoLoidarre with tre a0￿able arid UK AcGDunbng Standards.
Com•ny law rEp1jir￿ to t￿￿Te finanaal for each financ￿1 year which oive a true and fair
ew of slate of affairs ofthe c￿rIable Com￿nY arKJ or tf* i￿(￿nift9 resou'¢es atpl¢alion o. resources
Inclthing incDme arK1 expendrture. crf cforrtat4e comrAry lor tlE year. In preparnng these firBrtial
stalemert5 the tr￿tee$ are I￿1[ed to
select sutsble ac£ounting Frjlicies and apFty tr*m ccThistenty',
0È6er¥e the ffethods arKI princiF4es In Charrties SORP,.
make iudtFrrents arKJ eslimat* that ale reasOnaL￿e arKI ptuder*
stste ivhelher ap￿1¢able UK aCc￿r*ing standards h￿e t*en fdk)we¢ subi"e¢l to any material departu￿5
sclosed explained in the finanoal statements
rffjeparè ￿CoUntS on a t(￿eM basts urless t IS 1rn4rv(yh4tÈ to présumè thattt* chantsble
comKerty will wttinue In otEratiorL
trustees are resFK)nsiNe fo. kee￿"ng proper accourtirvJ recorcts ivhich discknse wilh reasonabk accuravrf at
ary time linawial positkin ol the charitable u)mrAry and TD enatle then to ersure that the financial aCCo￿tS
mFty wth the CornpEiEs Act 2006 Thry ale also les[￿SIble f[￿ saleguaidiru the a55et5 01 charity and
hence for takirwJ rea50r￿b￿ sty ftx IIE wevention arKJ {ktect￿n of fra￿1 and ittegLAairties.
This rep)rt has b￿￿ wepared in acCOrda￿e wrth StaterYEr* of RecoMr￿1£￿ pract￿e.. Accountiru arKI
Rèrortiro tN Charrtiès (chant￿ SORP IFRS10211. in ac￿rdar￿ wrth the srÈcial provisions of thè
CompanEs Act 20[￿ rdanng to small com￿r￿.
Approved ty the ￿ard ol trLtstees on 1MJJ2025
Sandra Dennis ￿rusteel

The West Yorf(shire Federation of Women's Institutes
Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of The West Yorkshire
Federation of Women's Institutes
I report to the eharty trustees on my examination of Ihe account5 of the charrtable cornparry for the year
ended 31 December 2024, vknich are set out on page5 6 to 14.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charitys ttustees of the charitsble CoM￿nY land also rts directors forthe wrposes of company lawl
you are reSponsi￿e for the preparation of the accounts in accordance the requirements of the Companies
Act 20061.the 2006 Act)
Having satisfied myseff that the accounts of the charilable companyare not required to be audited under Part
16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent exarninab"on, I report in respect of wny examinab.on of your
charitys accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charibes Act llhe 2011 Act'l. In carryng out my
examinats.on I have follokned the Directions given bythe Charity Commission under section 145(51(bl of the
2011 Act_
Indepgndgnt 0xamin￿9 sta¢emont
I have completed rny exarnination_ I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection
¥￿th the examination gi￿ng me cause to believe that in any material respect..
1 accounting re¢cfds We￿ not kept in respe¢t of the ￿MpanY as required by section 386 of the 2006 A¢t' or
2 the accounts (k) not accord %%ith those records.. or
3 the accounts th) not compty vith the a¢¢ounting requiremerts of sedion 396 of the 2006 Act other than
any requirement that the accounts gNe a Irue and fair viewl vknich is not a matter Considered as part of an
independent examinats"on',
4 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance ￿1th the mdhods and principle5 of the Staternent of
Recommended Practice for accounb.ng and reporting by charib.es lapplicable to charits.es preparing their
accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of
Ireland IFRS 102)1
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection ￿1th the examinaticn to 4%hich
attentiN should be dravm in this report in order lo enable a proper understanthng of the accounts to be
reached.
Signed".
Name". Simon Bostrcyn FCIE
2410312025
West Yorkshiro ComnwnityAccowrtancy Servic• CIO
stn'nger House
34 Lupton Street
Leeds
LS10 2QW
12

The West Yorf(shire Federation of Women's Institutes
statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles
(including summary income and expenditure account)
for the year ended 31 December 2024
Nde5
3)24
2024
unreStnct￿j Restricted
fund5
2024
Total
fur¥ts
2023
Totsl
lunds
Incon* fTOm:
Fundraising actNities
Memtership fees
Clar*5
Suspended InstitLrtes
ank Interest
Prolf( on disF(6al ol assets
Total income
33,978
34,201
54,45
31,7
926
62
2,453
121
89,763
596
2,061
2,061
70.836
Expenditurè on:
Salares, Ni and Ftnsiorts
Cost of gerterating furyjs
Rent rates and water
Heat ancl light
Postage Stat￿ery
Photompier
TeleptrorE and compLrter
Tralel aThJ subsistence
RepFirs ar* reneyials
IncÈFendent examinathon
E*preciation
ot￿r expErxliture
Payroll cost
Trainiro COLxse¥ arK1 workshops
InSura￿e
Isaries
Total expenditur
Nel gain￿(loSses) on irNe5tments
Met income I lexpenditurel
Tran5fer5 lEtWee￿ lunds
14et moven*nt in funds
34,OS)
12,8ffj
7,1Z2
34,050
12,845
30,703
33.959
6,059
3,793
1,894
4,383
911
774
765
1,134
1,894
1,442
4.193
911
774
7&5
1 134
451
2.457
1.134
27
157
157
384
432
2,621
3,683
80
80
88,520
3,100
4,343
4.935
516
5298
11.5101
4.343
Fund balances broughtforward
Fund balan¢es ¢arried forward
76 432
82 154
85.94?
4.112
82,154
l incomiru resource5 and resowces extRno*d L*rP￿ from conts"niir¥J ￿tIl￿￿eS.
13

The West yO￿shIra Foderation of Women's Institutes
Balance sheet
as at 31 December 2024
2D24
2024
2023
Urwestricled
Restricted
Total
Total
Fixed a55ets
Tangitrje assets
Totsl fixed a55ets
1072
1,C72
1072
1,080
Current assets
stock
Debtors and prepaYr￿rts
Currert asset Inves-.merts
sh at tsnk and in triand
Total cUrr￿t ass*s
1.￿4
4,497
50,223
37.768
1.389
4,497
46.228
48.198
96,062
4112
4112
41 e80
98,104
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due wthin one year
Greditors and accrua s
Total current liabilrbe5
13.?34
13.￿4
13,=.34
14,988
Ilet cuirent assets I Iliabilities)
8Ji.158
4112
84,870
81,074
Ilet assets
81,83D
4112
85,942
82,154
Funds
Unieslricted lunds
Restricted furKIs
Tt)tsl funds
81,￿0
81,830
4112
85,942
76,532
4112
4112
81,83D
82,154
Fcr the year ending 31 Decernber 20241he charntstle ¢c￿waS ert￿ed to tcrn audl sed￿n 477 ofthe ccMp￿Ies
3)06 re18bng to Sr￿11 ¢trmpanie$
The members have nc* r￿ured the tharit￿ caiywlo¢tlain an accuthits k*lhe year In qllests￿ In accord&n¢e wth
seclior 476 The Iruslees (who are dsoLhe dred￿S trtne Fwposes of crmp&ny lkni A"KnrNhlèty Iher respr￿sibl1￿eS for cuTrplying
w*h Ihe rewirtymty)rs of the AttwiTh 10 *¢iJJnt#w rtctyds aThdltr* p￿#￿￿￿￿￿ ¢4 a¢¢¢yJnts
Th¢sea¢¢Mis h8* t*en prepared * &¢¢tr¢*¢¢ Ihe to¢tllVn*S WtyJt¢l Ioltre smaii ¢thYpanies' regime
and FRS 102 ieffettll¥e JaMary￿19).
finawial ststerrtnts were aFvove(l * trt t￿ard of trustees ￿ 13103r2025
Sandra Dennis (Trl￿tee)
14

The West yO￿shIr0 Federation of Women's Institut
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2024
1 Accounting ￿lIC
Basis of aC￿unting
These acry)unts have teen FYeFered uithr hislorical cost corNerthon ivith rterns recognised al cost
or tra75actian value Un￿5 OtkEtWlse Staled In r￿e￿arrt r¥Jiel51 tD ItrEse accounls. ThE"Inancial
stalemerts have teei t¥erBred In accorda*e with tre StsteffEnl ol Re￿)￿MerKYed Piacli¢
AGcountiw anc RewrtiryJ Ly CharilEs wetEnng tFEir acGo[￿ts in zGcordarKe wrth tre FinanGial
RewrtirE Stand8rd 8ppIIc8tle In the U< 8rKJ Repthli¢ of IrelarKt I-RS 1021 leffeclp/e 1 January 20191
nd with the Charibes Act 2011.
TkE charity wrEtitutes a Fjknlic tErEfit entity as ckfined i¥ FRS 102.
T￿re has been rn change to tke accourting mlicEs siwe bst year
Chan￿ beEn tnade to a(xwnts for twiixjsyears
Going concern
The Iruslees are Sati￿led that ItrEre are m material uwtairtie5 abc￿ chartys a￿"Ity to contin￿.
Incoming resources
l inetsmiry r￿OurceS are Iwlu(kd in tre StatenEnt (rf Finar4al ISOFAI wfEn ¢fwrity
ewmes enlrtle(I lo resoLJI(%s. If rt Is more likely than INAt tfE Iruslees will ￿￿1ve ihe resources
and the monetary valLE can iE measJred wrth sLff1c￿nt reliabilry
Grants and donations
Grar*s arQ donations are OW IrrILK￿l in IfrE S(FA wren tre ctrorty has Ur￿dit￿nal enlidemert to
the resources.
he￿ gTrnts are rdatsd tr) performance arKI SFe¢ffic deliveratrjes, they are ac¢ounted for as the charity
earrts tre right to cortsideffjtson ty ts tÈrforn*rMX.
Expenditure and liabilities
Expendrture Is rec(yJnised on an ￿C[￿l lJ3sis as a IrdlJ"lity is Ir￿L￿re￿. Liabilits'es are reCi￿nis￿ where Il
Is rnore Iikay tfran not that there is a Iwjl ot consliu¢tive oLAVati￿ corrynitting the Ghaiity lo pay out the
resoLrces and amourt Df trE obl1￿￿on can te me2sured wth re2sonalJe certainty
Taxation
As a ItE organisation LEnefits from rates relief ￿rEral￿ exempt Irom Ir￿Orr￿ tax and
prtal gairts tax but r#)t firxn VAT. Irrecoverat* VAT ts ind￿d in cxtsi of t￿￿)Se rterrts to which it
relates
Tanglble flxed assets
Tangitle-lxed asse-.s costing mre than ￿IK) are captaltsed aTh1 inclu(Èd at cost 1rdud1￿ any
IncicÈntal exF￿r￿e5 acqjisition. Crted a55et5 are al the valLJE to charity on re￿pt
EÈprecialion is PTOVI(*d or all ta￿lble fLKed a￿ts at rates calculaled to wrile off ItrE cost on a sliaight
linè basis ovèr thèir Èxr*ctecJ LtsÈfiJ economic INÈS as
0[f￿e equipment_ 250
Fixtures and fittings- 10% rethcing telaxe
Heritage assets- nil
Pensions
cl￿rIty OFEffttes 2 (tefirEd contritxjtson scr￿ for of Its emrl(ws costs of
contnbulions are r￿0gry￿d In ￿e year tw a￿ rwatAe
15

The West yO￿shIra Federation of Women's Institutes
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2024
l Accounting policies conlinued
Investments
Investrnents are stated at market ￿lue at ttrE telance street date Ttr￿ SOFA inc￿l*St￿ net g*ins and
losse5 ari51ry cn revalu4tions and dis￿5315 ￿roUghout ttrE yeai.
Fund accounting
Unresliicted lunds are availai* lor use at dI￿retIOn of I[L￿tee5 in furthera￿ d tIE general
otyectwes of the chanty
ReslnGtE￿ funlts are S￿￿ected to restnctiorB on th￿[ exFwJrtuie ImtX6ed ty the don￿ or ttwough the
terms ol an aptkal
Further explanation ol nature ar￿ wip)se of luThJ Is i￿U&& In ttre Tr)les to Ihe &COLnts
Leases
Rent¥ urKler operatiro leases are ¢h8rged on a straigN ne tosis over tre lease term or to an earlier
date if the lease can (￿ternined wrt.YJJt financial wnalty.
St￿k
Stock Is valu&1 al lower of costaThJ net real￿a￿e ￿￿lLE.

The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 December 2024
2 Fundraising Activrties
?024
Total
funds
20
Total
func
Qwta
Anmal nat￿nal iaffle
AGM
Other lederab'on events
Atts and kvjrneciaft cotrmit'.ee
Carn[X3￿rE and current affairs
Memtership
50150 Incone
Social events arKJ leisure corrmrttee
VWN irrome
Year txok income
Insurance Income
(Yfice thnatior
I stationery
Fundfftisirg
Sales
Other dOnat￿S
632
1,041
367
5,029
1,1£
3.529
433
163
1,711
14,803
8,195
1,440
,901
3,4
214
2,134
3,6
15
316
22
74
334
54,458
3 Staff costs and nunthrs
24
20
Gross salaries
SoGial securty costs
Employment all(Avan¢e
FèrEior.s
32.831
2,020
12,0201
,g82
1,8Z3
11 6271
34.0
,703
The average numbei of ￿nPlOyeeS dur r¥J the year wa5 2, tElry an average of 1 2 lull time equil￿1￿￿[2023".
2. 12 FtEI. There were no e.TFloi'ees with emcAuments atove £60.OW
tlefined contrljulion pension schem•
2024
20
Ci%sts of tkE sckErne to the cfEity for year
1.219
525
10

The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 December 2024
4 Cost ¢f generaling funds
Proiecl or activity
2024
20
Anwal n8t￿n81 rafne
AGM
2,829
1,9
Othei federation events
CarnpaErts and cuThert affairs
Memtership
Social events arvj leisure cottKniti
117
,4
534
1,038
9.220
413
50150
VWN
Year Lwk
Total
1?845
,959
5 Restricled furK15
Balarre
It￿[￿n￿g
OLtyir
Transfers
Balance
AgrEs Salter yavel fund
Amv Cro4vtherl ￿phrE Bursary
Derman College Y<xks Room
PArbara Powell Bwsary
Charles Hickson &rsary
Sus￿n(￿d Instit￿.eS
est Yorkshire Fed'n Wrsary
857
857
14771
18851
16791
80
2￿
1,014
2041
4,112
596
12,0261
?.C)41
12.0261
Fund nam8
Purpose of restrKtion
AqrES Salter fund
To cover yavel ccE15 rrEmLET5 alte￿Ir￿ courses.
Amy Cr<%vtfErJ Daph￿ Bursary For trLrsaries aw3rd#J to r￿￿tEr% to wver course ccsis The Iiartsfer
relatest) this fu￿ beirvJ c¢ThOlKjat￿ wrth two cltrErs lo forrn the new Wesl
Yorkshire FeL*[at￿n &Jrsary Lwn the ckjsure of Eenman College
FurKIs coIWec for the repair ard [&￿rt)IShrTErrt cf the Yorkshiie Roorn
The transler relates to thisfund xng consclidated with two others lo form
new West Yorksfire FedEralion ￿[sary tFE c105UIP LI DElltnan
C<￿￿ge.
For ￿r$arleS aware￿ to rnemters to atteré Federation events or activrf(Es
The transfer relates to th1sfu￿ wng consclidated witr two others to form
ne￿ West YorksNre Federation ￿TSary upon t￿ closure cl Denman
ColÈge
For ￿rSarleS awarded to rrEmtErs to a11e￿ a tknman course
Fu￿8 held In rèlation to Irtstiiutes
FurYJ5 are I￿ld fL¥ t￿ee year5. If the iVI reforrThs funds are relumed If
do mt refL¥m wtfin years Ife mrw bLromes ItE PlOkErty ol
the WYFINI. the transfer ielates lo this amount
West Yorkshire Feyj'n ￿[Sary This fLm(J Is IfE amatymalK)n o131unLls prevKj￿ty art Is foi
rsar￿S
Denrnan College Yorks Roo
83rbara 90￿Ell 8wsary
Charks Hickson ￿rsary
SustÉnckd InstitLrtÈs
11
18

The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 December 2024
6 Tanglble assets
Heritsge
assels
Off￿e
equiwnent
FixtLJres
ar¥J fittings
Totsl
At 1 January 2024
Adchtiors
Al 31 Decemter 2024
1,￿0
68[
790
8,5
1.000
790
8,5
Al 1 Januafy .
Charge tDr year
Al 31 DecemtEr 2024
68(
710
68(
718
Mel book value
At 31 Decernter 2024
1,000
72
At 31 De¢emt*r 3)23
1,000
80
1,J
7 Debtors and prepawiients
2024
20
F¥epayments
Accrued Incx)rne
122
247
8 Current asset inve5tment5
2024
2023
sled IrNestments
50 223
46,228
46,228
9 Cash at bank and In hand
2024
2023
Cash at bank
Cash in hand
41,855
25
41,880
48,173
48198
10 Credltors and accruals
2024
20
AccruaLs
O*ei Creditors
1,134
1 134
13,854
14988
12
19

The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 December 2024
11 Relat￿ party transactlons
Trustee expenses
the Y￿r 1 tr￿ee was reid a trtal of £227 In of Iravel Ir*evKJus year. 3 trustees £3K51.
Truslee remunerallon and benefits
rth) trustee rwk.ved ank remurkiatson ￿ tErefit tIMs FXt*I(xJsyeaT.
12 Qperaung leases
ExpEcted future ffliniThm lease ￿er reffwiniry life of the
lease. ana￿￿e(j into ihe In wh￿h c(wllmitrEnt the"
24
2023
Vvithin one year
In the second lo fifth sears I￿l￿Ne
3096
4,128
1,224
13
20

The Wost Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles Includlng comparatlvos for all funds
(includiny summary income and expenditure account)
for the year ended 31 December 2024
2024
2023
2024
23
Ur*èstrctèd uryeStr￿ed Restrrted Restncted
furvJ5
fU￿S
funds
2024
Total
funo
2023
Total
funots
Income
Fuidrai&ng ￿1vI￿"e5
Memtersfip fees
Grants
SUSFEn￿ Institutes
Bank Interest
Profit on di8wsal of assets
Total incomè
54,458
31,743
54,458
34,201
34,201
Q26
926
62
2,453
121
89,763
596
596
2,061
2,￿1
2,453
121
88.-,
596
Expènditurè
Salaneg, Nl and Ktngons
C￿1 of generating fun<ts
Rent otes arKY water
Heat aid I￿j￿i
Postace and stationery
Phot￿[plet
Telephone and compJter
Travel and sut6isten
Repairs and renewa
I￿ependent exaMirEtion
Depr￿lation
other expendrture
Bank Charges
Payroll ￿$t
SusFenced Institute rnoney ret￿ned
Training Cours￿ and woikskK)t
IrEwance
Bursaries
Total expenditure
Nel p nsll ossesl on InvesttrErts
Net incomel lexpenditurel
Transfers between funds
Net movèmÈnt In funds
34,0
12,845
7,122
3. 193
1,894
30,703
33.959
6,059
34,0
12,845
7,1
3,793
1,894
4383
911
30,703
33.959
6,059
1,442
4,193
1,442
4,193
911
774
765
451
2,457
1,134
27
1,531
1.134
27
926
1,134
157
157
375
432
2.621
2,&21
3,683
80
ao
80
926
88,520
3,100
4,3L3
3.100
4.28-
3.27?
516
5.298
4,286
11.5101
57
4,343
Fund balan¢es broughl foThv¥d
Fund balances carried foThvard
81.clo )
4.112
82.154
14
21

## **MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT & FIFE SUB TEAM CHAIR REPORT – TRACEY LEWIS** 

2024 has been another challenging year for the Membership Support Team. The number of committee members reduced from 5 to 4 and WI Advisers went down from 4 to 3. However, we have continued to work hard to support the WI members and set up a generic email account so the 3 WIAs could answer queries regardless of where the WI was based in West Yorkshire. 

Membership has steadily grown, and we now have over 3000 members. Sandra Dennis opened a new WI in Lindley (near Huddersfield), and they soon filled their places with a waiting list. New WIs are being planned in Horsforth and possibly Bramhope due to waiting list numbers. 

All 3 advisers were re-appointed in 2024, and we have been joined by 2 further trainee WIAs – Amanda Rosewell and Helen Cox who are shadowing existing WIAs to complete their training. 

The 4 main Board of Trustee officers held an officers workshop inviting a number of WIs from Wetherby to Garforth and all points in-between. It was good to engage with so many officers from at least 6 WIs to give a greater understanding of how the Federation works and can help existing WIs. It is planned to host another event in the New Year in another part of West Yorkshire and these will continue until all areas and groups have been covered. 

The Federation still only has 2 FIFEs, both have been reappointed for a further year. We are still not able to offer the service we would like to in this area however we have recently had some interest from a couple of members so ‘watch this space’ – the number of FIFE’s may double in the New Year. 

Sue Plant, our Federation Archivist has continued to monitor this important area and makes sure we are compliant with what needs to be kept and for how long. We have found a wonderful book of notes kept for a WI at Harewood back in the 1920’s – some of the records have been done by Lady Harewood who was the king’s daughter. We are copying the records so we can offer the book to Harewood House for their collection of memorable objects. Sue Plant is also an invaluable part of the Membership team, taking the minutes of our meetings which are circulated to all the Board of Trustees. 

WI Advisers will continue to promote the role and try to encourage more WI members to consider becoming WI Advisers. Over the past year the Team has met virtually to keep costs down and managed WI visits by sending an adviser nearest to the WI to keep travel expenses as low as possible. 

22 



## **ARCHIVE REPORT – SUE PLANT FEDERATION ARCHIVIST** 

The WI was established in the UK in 1915 to ensure that women are able to play an effective part in their communities, to improve and develop the quality of life for everyone, sharing skills and making friends. Tackling issues of local, regional, national and international concern has been a feature of the WI right from the start. 

The remarkable history of our movement, of thousands of women in England and Wales is documented because of the Minute and Record taking of countless WI secretaries. 

Scholes WI celebrated its centenary in 2024, a wonderful achievement, and in many respects the world we live in today would be unrecognisable to our earliest members- no tv, internet, central heating, NHS. Many homes would not have had electricity, telephone, or hot water and would only have had an outside toilet. 

At the NFWI AGM in 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, members debated and passed a Resolution about “Dental Health Matters”. At the AGM one hundred years earlier in 1924, there were several Resolutions debated and passed including “WIs be asked to use their influence to secure an increase in the number of women police throughout the country and to ensure that wherever possible the taking of statements from, and the questioning of, girls should be in the hands of women police officers.” Another Resolution “...urges that the NFWI calls upon the government to introduce legislation giving pension to civilian widows with dependent children, free from the taint of Poor Law relief.” 1924 marked the year WI members sang “Jerusalem” at the AGM for the very first time. It was adopted by the WI because of its links with the Suffrage movement. At the end of 1924 there were 3,223 WIs across England and Wales. 

Jane Robinson, author of several books including “A Force to be Reckoned With.. A History of the WI” spoke at Federation Annual Meeting 2024 about reading through Minutes and Records as part of her research. They are not just a legal requirement but a fascinating glimpse of social history. 

NFWI Archives are stored in the Women’s Library at London Metropolitan University. The WI archive includes Minutes of NFWI committee meetings going back to 1916. 

WI Archives are the documents, records and artefacts which, pieced together, are your WIs history. A local WI should only keep items that relate to itself, not those that come from Federation or National- they are kept in other archives. Archives of WIs in West Yorkshire that have been suspended are kept at the 

23 



office for 3 years. If the WI re-forms the archives can be returned, but if not , they are transferred to Wakefield Archive Service where there are ideal storage conditions, temperature and humidity controlled. 

It is recommended that Minutes and Records are clearly dated including the year, and that photos have names, dates and event/ occasion written on. Try to include members full names- in 50 years’ time first names will mean nothing. And please don’t use staples or plastic folders. If WIs find their archives are becoming too large and onerous, they can be brought to the office and then transferred to Wakefield Archive Service. This is helping to preserve history for the next 200-300 years. 

24 



## **EVENTS TEAM – HELENA HARRINGTON & HELEN COX** 

The last event of 2023 for the Social Events & Craft Committee was the Christmas Lunch, always an enjoyable day meeting old and new friends. The last events for the Public Affairs Committee were a guided visit to Halifax Piece Hall and Minister in October and in November a talk by Sahera Patel on life in Britain as a Muslim Woman. 

Early in 2024 the Board of Trustees posed the question that due to a lack of helpers could Public Affairs Committee merge with the Social Events and Craft Committee. The overlap between the two had become slightly blurred over time. Both committees discussed this, as the way of organising events was so completely different in both. The merger was agreed and it was agreed that the new Team would be announced at the Federation’s Annual Meeting in April with the title Social Events Team. 

In January there was a repeat of the Sunny Bank Mills Archives Tour and talk. The Mills have a very interesting history and it was an enjoyable visit. 

In February there was a visit to Shipley Library to discover “What lurks in our rivers” an opportunity to hear a talk linked to the resolution Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife. 

This was followed in March by a Zoom talk by Lorna Reay, hearing about her interesting life. An event the same month to celebrate International Women’s Day, titled “Inspirational Women “ had to be cancelled due to low numbers. 

Also cancelled for the same reason was the Federation Resolution Conference. 

Another visit to Sunny Bank Mills was arranged for this month. April was, of course the month of the Federation‘s Annual Meeting when the merger of the two former committees was announced. 

In May there was a visit to the Yorkshire Water Works, Headingly treatment plant. As this visit was oversubscribed a second visit was arranged for later in the year in September. Also in May was a Zoom meeting to look at what makes a good resolution and the way to set about composing one. May also saw the Federation’s visit to Bradley Woods for an outdoor adventure which included archery, shooting and tomahawk throwing. The day was hugely enjoyable. 

Early in June there was a visit to Newmillerdam, as part of the Great Big Green event where Roger Parkinson from the Woodland Trust spoke in the morning and led a walk in the Country Park in the afternoon. June also saw the Summer Lunch take place, not as well attended as in previous years but still an enjoyable day. 

25 



July offered members the opportunity to learn, “How to knit a sock”. Suffice to say, some members did try while others actually completed the project. Also, in July we learned how to do Sachiko Embroidery, a Japanese way of embroidery. 

The Craft Dabble Day was held in August where members were able to try their hand at needle felting, Mandala painting, Zentangle and paper crafting from scrap. A very pleasant time was had by all who attended. 

We had another Zoom talk in October by the lady historian, Mildred Freeman talking about the worlds’ oldest profession entitled Licentious Ladies of 18th and 19th century. Later in the month we had a craft day learning how to make a Bargello Keyring a craft that is so effective with coloured wools. 

At the time of preparing this report there are still four events to take place, the first a visit to Belvoir Castle near Grantham, Christmas workshops at John Lewis in Leeds, a Resolution Selection Zoom and to finish the year our Christmas lunch. 

I would like to express my thanks to all the members of the Team for all their hard work. 

My thanks also to those members who retired from both former Committees in April 2024. 

Helena Harrington, Social Events Team Public Affairs Team, Helen Cox 

26 



## **WYN EDITOR - LIZ WALLEY** 

2024 has seen another great year for WYN content and my thanks go to our WIs that have contributed and shown us how wonderful being a member of the WI is and the support given to our local communities. 

Paper copy numbers slightly decreased this year, which we welcome as this is better for the environment. 

I would like to thank Christine Tall and all the Climate Ambassadors for their hard work and content of the articles we have had again this year, this has truly highlighted some serious issues and given us great insight and education into how we can help fight Climate Change. The Green Takeover in the June edition was a great way to highlight how we can make small steps to help. 

We have had some fantastic photos sent in from all around West Yorkshire highlighting what our WIs get up to and also providing inspiration for other WIs in our region. It was lovely to see the photos from the NFWI AGM in London. 

We welcome suggestions from members, especially if there is a social event that you would like to attend that wouldn’t be suited to your WI. If you would like to see any changes to WYN please get in touch, we welcome feedback. 

27 



## **CLIMATE AMBASSADOR LEAD – CHRISTINE TALL** 

Our team of Climate Ambassadors (CA) have met regularly this year via zoom to exchange ideas, information and make plans. They prepared for the General Election by joining hustings meetings and getting to know potential MPs in order to raise their Climate concerns. 

The CA stand at our Annual Meeting at Ilkley was well attended and many members took away Climate Change games to use in their meetings. 

A Green WYN was full of articles informing us about how to make small changes in our lives to help the planet and the monthly CA articles were on a diverse range of topics. We culminated with a quiz in December which everyone enjoyed. 

The WI Clean Rivers campaign prompted some of our CAs to undergo training from the Rivers Trust, to test and report the quality of their local waterways, though they did report that accessing the waterways down steep banks was very challenging. 

We took part in The Big Plastic Count this year and were amazed at collecting so many pieces of single use plastic in our homes. We aim to reduce this number next year. 

We are thrilled that 2 of this year’s resolutions are topics close to our hearts – Repairing & Blister pack recycling – and look forward to working on these. 

We started the year with 7 Climate Ambassadors and finish with 5 due to illness and busy schedules. We encourage anyone wanting to get their WI interested in Climate Change topics and specifically what you can do in your communities to contact us via Federation office. Join our zoom meetings as an observer to see how interesting this topic is. 

28 



## **SAFEGUARDING LEAD – CHRISTINE TALL** 

There have been no concerns raised re: safeguarding issues this year. 

29 

