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2023-12-31-accounts

The Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities Trustees Report for the year ended 2023

Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities (GAQMC) is a registered charity in England & Wales no. 1134212.

Principal Address: GAQMC Treasurer Roseleigh Northfields Road Nailsworth Stroud Gloucestershire GL6 0NB Bankers: Co-operative Bank plc PO Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP CAF Bank Ltd Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4PY Triodos Bank Ltd Deanery Road Bristol BS1 5AS Treasurer: Marilyn Miles (retired 31[st] December 2023) Assistant Treasurer: Sarah Eilbeck Trustees: Andre Curtis (appointed on16th September 2023) Sarah Eilbeck (appointed 8[th] July 2023) Sarah Fishpool (appointed on 16[th] September 2023 to serve from 1[st] January 2024) Wendy Gerard (appointed on 11[th] November 2023 to serve as Clerk from 1[st] January 2024) Steven Goldblatt (died on 10[th] April 2024) Timothy Howarth (retired on 31[st] December 2023) Fiona Meadley (appointed on 11[th] February 2023) Gillian Metheringham (retired on 31[st] December 2023) Andrew Turrall (retired on 8[th] July 2023) Custodian Trustees: Friends Trusts Ltd

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Examiner of Accounts: Debby Metcalf FCA 22 Trowlock Avenue Teddington TW11 9QT

1.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS…………………………………page 2
2.
TRUSTEES – SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY……………………………………page 4
3.
FINANCIAL POLICY AND OUTCOMES……………………………………page 8
4.
SUSTAINABILITY………………………………………………………………page 12
5.
SAFEGUARDING………………………………………………………………page 13
Independent Examinerʼs Report…………………………………………………page 15
Statement of Financial Activities………………………………………………page 16
Balance Sheet………………………………………………………………………page 17
Notes to the financial statements………………………………………………page 18

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

An Area Meeting is the primary meeting for church affairs in Britain Yearly Meeting. The object of Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities is the furtherance of the general religious and charitable purposes of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, in the area of Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities (GAQMC) and beyond. To the best of the trustees’ knowledge and belief, GAQMC have continued to work to the furtherance of its objects during 2023.

The guide to the conduct of business continues to be Quaker Faith & Practice (QF&P) and the governing document, as amended and adopted by Area Meeting on 19[th] September 2009, registered with the Charity Commission on 9[th] February 2010 and amended on 26[th] November 2012, 8[th] April 2022 and 17[th] February 2024. Following the laying down of Wotton Under Edge Meeting on 8[th] July 2023, GAQMC consists of seven Local Meetings.

1.1 Constituent Meetings

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1.2 Meeting Membership on 31[st] December 2023

We have 225 members (223 in 2022). In 2023, seven members died, five members transferred in to our Area Meeting, and we gained four members by convincement. There were 110 attenders (87 in 2022) who took an active part in the meeting over the past year. There were also 10 children (17 in 2022). All children under the age of sixteen, not in membership but associated with the Meeting, are included whether they attend regularly or not.

Cheltenham 56 members and 14 adult attenders Cirencester 14 members and 24 adult attenders Forest of Dean 13 members and 7 adult attenders Gloucester 16 members and 11 adult attenders Nailsworth 72 members and 29 adult attenders and 10 children Painswick 19 members and 14 adult attenders Stroud 21 members and 11 adult attenders Wotton Laid down on 8[th] July 2024 Unattached 14 members.

1.3 Statement of public benefit

The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The main public benefit is the continuance of Meetings for Worship which are open to the public. During 2023 this has sometimes been via Zoom or face to face or a combination of both.

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1.4 Application of the Income and Property

Within Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities, income and property are used to further the Area Meeting’s object by work for the public benefit such as:

2 TRUSTEES – SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY

The trustees are appointed by Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities (GAQMC) in session on the advice of GAQMC nominations committee. They met 8 times during 2023. Their business covered:

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2.1 Trustees

No Clerk to Trustee was appointed to serve during 2023. The trustee body agreed to continue with the practice of maintaining a rotating list of acting clerks until a new clerk was appointed. One trustee would act as clerk for a specific meeting and this would be decided at the previous meeting. This has continued throughout 2023.

Tim Howarth was the acting Clerk on 17th January 2023, 28[th] February 2023, 12[th] April 2023 and 4[th] September 2023; Gillian Metheringham was the acting Clerk on 25[th] May 2023 and part of the meeting on 13[th] December 2023; Fiona Meadley was the acting Clerk on 14[th] July 2023; Wendy Gerard was acting Clerk on 24[th] October 2023 and part of the Meeting on 13[th] December 2023.

The Trustees’ work was enhanced by the ex officio attendance of Dorothy Cardus who linked with Trustees for Forest of Dean Local Meeting until she retired on 28th February 2023; Rosemary Andoh who linked with Trustees on behalf of Wotton Under Edge Local Meeting until she retired on 8th July 2023 and Andy Vivian who was appointed on 11th November 2022 to link with Trustees on behalf of Forest of Dean Meeting from 1st January 2024

No Trustee nor Link to Trustees had any conflict of interest.

2.2 Property management

Cheltenham, Cirencester, Nailsworth and Painswick Local Meetings each have a Finance and Property Committee which manage the Meeting Houses on a day-to-day basis, consulting trustees when necessary. Gloucester Meeting has appointed a Finance and Premises Committee in readiness for possible changes in the day to day management of the Meeting House as a result of the review undertaken during 2024

Ash & Co continued to oversee the day-to-day management of Gloucester Meeting House, taking bookings from hirers and managing security and cleaning.

Naylor Powell continued to manage The Lodge at Gloucester Meeting House, which is let to the young family who moved there in 2018.

Cirencester Housing Association continued to manage the two flats at 49 Thomas Street, adjacent to Cirencester Meeting House until 31 January 2023. Leaders then became managing agents for Flat 1 until 12[th] September 2023 and for Flat 2 until 8[th] February 2024. 49 Thomas Street is now unoccupied and is managed by the trustees.

Nailsworth Local Meeting continued to manage the cottage rented in Quaker Close, adjacent to the Meeting House.

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With the exception of Gloucester, meetings that have hirers returned to or surpassed their pre-Covid level of hirings and income.

The maintenance and improvement of the fabric and sustainability of our Meeting Houses continues to be a major concern of our Trustees and a call upon our funds. During 2020, Trustees agreed to review long term policies for the management of all our properties. This work started in 2022 and continued throughout 2023. The revised Property Policy was made available to Area Meeting in February 2024. A Task Group was formed in July 2023 to consider the future of 49 Thomas Street, Cirencester. A detailed Options Report was prepared and taken by Trustees to Cirencester Local Meeting in November 2023 and to the Area Meeting in session on 17[th] February 2024, when it was agreed that 49 Thomas Street should be sold and the minute sent to Friends Trusts Ltd, the Custodian Trustees. A further Task Group was appointed to act on this decision. A RICS Valuation Report on the property has been prepared, a Land Registry compliant plan of the property boundary has been prepared, an estate agent and solicitor have been appointed and the Charity Commission has been contacted for advice.

The property was placed on the market on 4[th] June 2024. Our solicitor is satisfied that all the requirements of Sections 117 to 121 of the Charities Act 2011 have been complied with. We accepted an offer on 25[th] September 2024. Contracts have not yet been exchanged.

2.3 Area Meeting policies

Our Area and Local Meetings are committed to complying with the agreed policies for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, premises, including health and safety, and data protection. All seven Local Meetings, have completed and submitted compliance forms for safeguarding, health and safety and data protection. We also ask AM Clerks, AM Camp Coordinator and AM C&YP Link Group Coordinator to complete safeguarding compliance forms and these have been received. On 2[nd] September 2024 we agreed a Complaints Policy and Procedure for the Area Meeting and for the hirers of our premises.

2.4 Employees

GAQMC employ 1.08 FTE employees.

Employees’ Pay: Our wardens’ contracts of employment and occupancy agreements continued throughout 2023. We offer consistent arrangements for pay, pension and accommodation offset allowance to our two resident wardens. We increase rates of pay annually in line with the National Living Wage increase. Any employees not in our accommodation are paid the Real Living Wage or above.

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Cirencester’s Warden: The resident warden appointed at Cirencester Meeting House asked to share her role with a second employee. We implemented our employment policy and procedures and revised the terms and conditions related to the post to enable the reappointment of the resident warden and the appointment of an assistant warden on a short-term contract. The resident warden was appointed to the revised post from 19[th] September 2022 for a fixed term. An assistant warden was appointed from 19[th] September 2022 on a short-term contract. This arrangement was reviewed in May 2024. The assistant warden’s contract was not extended beyond 18[th] September. The resident warden has been re-appointed on a new contract as the resident warden for a further year starting on 19[th] September 2024.

Nailsworth’s Warden: The warden appointed to the role from January 2020 has continued in post throughout.

We are grateful to our wardens for their service.

2.5 Landlordʼs inspections and quinquennial reviews

All our properties are inspected regularly. All buildings, both Meeting Houses and accommodation, are reviewed by a qualified surveyor, usually every five years in a series of quinquennial reviews. No quinquennial reviews were carried out in 2022. Painswick Meeting House was reviewed in 2023 and Nailsworth Meeting House and 1 and 2 Quakers Close were reviewed in 2024.

The residential property at Gloucester is reviewed 6 monthly by the agent Naylor Powell, sometimes accompanied by a Trustee, and the property at Nailsworth was inspected in 2023 by a Member of the Finance and Property Committee and a Trustee. The bathroom in the Nailsworth property had become unsuitable for the tenant and was updated to a shower room. On-going repairs and maintenance were carried out when possible.

Rented properties were inspected either by our letting agents or by trustees, to make sure that the tenants and ourselves as landlords were complying with the condition of their tenancies.

Landlord’s inspections are also carried out for the wardens’ accommodation where there is a licence to occupy linked to their employment contract. The Cirencester warden’s accommodation was inspected in January 2024 and Nailsworth warden’s accommodation was inspected in October 2023 by a member of the Finance and Premises Committee for the Local Meeting and a Trustee.

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2.7 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

The MOU between Area Meeting, Local Meetings and the trustees continued in operation. The list of office holders has been regularly updated by Area Meeting and the MoU has been updated to reflect these changes.

At their meeting in February 2024, Trustees agreed to recommend to Area Meeting that we enter into the Memorandum of Understanding between organisations forming the Religious Society of Friends in Britain. This was agreed at Area Meeting in session on 8[th] June 2024.

3 FINANCIAL POLICIES AND OUTCOMES

The trustees are responsible for the financial running and oversight of Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities (GAQMC) and the upkeep of the Meeting Houses and associated property. These are held in trust by Friends Trusts Limited. Our accounts and statements are prepared by separating income and expenditure and take into account transfers between Local Meetings and the Area Meeting.

Local Meetings control their own funds for day-to-day income and expenditure, and these are accounted for as designated funds. The bigger Local Meetings set budgets which are agreed at their Local Meeting for Business. Smaller Local Meetings are encouraged to set annual budgets and they continued to report regularly to their Meetings for Worship for Business about the Local Meetings’ finances.

Apart from the unrestricted fund there are the following main designated funds:

The following restricted funds were in place in 2023:

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Following the review of finances in 2018, trustees have continued to implement the recommendations and refine our processes. The Property Reserve Fund was established in 2019 to set aside funds for major property repairs. The Property Reserve Fund stood at £47,386 at the end of 2023 as compared to £75,560 in 2022. The income earned on the sale proceeds of 49 Thomas Street will also be available to help fund property repairs once the property has been sold.

All meetings now use Xero for their accounting records and use the services of a paid bookkeeper to maintain them. Each set of accounting records deals with a specific part of the activities of GAQMC, covering all financial transactions, facts and events relating to them. All the Local and Area Meeting accounts are examined by an independent examiner, who also prepares the Annual Financial Statements on behalf of GAQMC for consideration by the trustee body. In accordance with the governing document, the report is then presented to Area Meeting for acceptance.

With the exception of Cheltenham Meeting House, which was built in 1985, all the other property and burial grounds have been used as places of worship by Gloucestershire Quakers for more than a century and in most cases for several centuries.

All of these properties are subject to permanent endowment, with the exception of Gloucester Meeting House and Burial Ground, and accounted for as such in the financial statements.

Area Meeting continues to fund the costs of renting rooms for Local Meetings that do not have their own Meeting Houses.

Each year the trustees set a recommended or guide contribution for each of the Local Meetings. This is based on the number of Members and active Friends in each Meeting, who are each asked to make personal contributions. These contributions are the major source of income for the Area Meeting.

Trustees agree a budget for the Area Meeting at the beginning of the financial year. This takes into account expected expenditure on property maintenance and Quaker activities as identified by the Area Meeting and Local Meeting treasurers as well as the guide contributions from Local Meetings.

Other sources of income are residential rents, room hire charges and income from investments. Rents are reviewed annually.

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3. 1 Financial Review and Reserves Policy

During the year the charity received income of £199,950 (2022 £191,914) and incurred expenditure of £247,427 (2022 £181,266). The increase in expenditure was primarily due to an increase of over £53k in the cost of repairs and maintenance from the previous year, catching up on work postponed during the pandemic years. Other increased expenditure in the year (insurance, staff, energy, cleaning/gardening) reflect the increases in cost of living in 2023.

Investment gains totalled £19,059 (in 2022 losses totalled £38,393). This resulted in a deficit for the year of £28,418 (2022 deficit £27,745).

The property at 49 Thomas Street was valued prior to it being marketed for sale and this valuation of £325,000 resulted in a write down of £338,832 against the revaluation reserve.

At 31st December 2023 the charity held permanent endowment funds of £5,366,518 (2022: £7,267,566) representing the freehold Meeting Houses, the residential properties and burial grounds other than the Gloucester properties, which were transferred to unrestricted reserves following a review of the 2014 Charity Commission Scheme. Restricted reserves at 31st December 2023 were £25,174 (2022: £4,577) and unrestricted reserves were £2,229,444 (2022: £716,243).

Unrestricted reserves at 31st December 2023 comprised designated funds of £602,683 (2022: £614,427) and general funds of £1,626,761 (2022: £101,816). Designated funds mainly comprise funds held by Local Meetings and the Area Meeting Bursary and Property Reserve Funds. General funds include £1,562,216 transferred from endowment funds in respect of the Gloucester properties.

Full details of income and expenditure and fund balances for each fund is provided in note 15 to the financial statements.

Trustees decided to keep a minimum cash reserve of 6 months budgeted expenditure which in 2023 was £67,000.

This cash reserve is held in the main current and property accounts and totalled £66,843 at 31st December 2023 (2022: £86,814).

In addition, Area Meeting holds funds in a Triodos account for the benefit of the designated Bursary and Property Reserve Funds. The value of these designated cash reserves on 31st December 2023 was £50,970 (2022: £79,524)

Our long-term equity investments currently provide an income for the bursary fund. The value of Area Meeting equity investments in the Bursary Fund increased by 9% to £121,234 (in 2022 it decreased by 16.8% to £111,602). Cirencester LM also hold investment funds

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with Friends Trust Limited. These have been invested for capital growth rather than income generation.

GAQMC trustees are of the view that the unrestricted cash reserves of the charity together with committed and expected income will enable the charity to meet its obligations for the next 12 to 18 months and on this basis their assessment is that the charity is a going concern.

3. 2 Investment Policy

Equity investments have long been held. As in previous years, trustees continued their policy of holding them in ethical funds lodged with Friends Trusts Ltd in order to save trustees from making frequent investment decisions. Cirencester Local Meeting transferred its investments to Friends Trusts Ltd in 2017.

Trustees will review the investment policy when proceeds have been realised from the sale of 49 Thomas Street.

3.3 Review of Risks

The insurance of our buildings has been reviewed. Valuations of contents continue to be under review.

The vulnerability of the Meeting funds to embezzlement, fraud and error is kept under review. The treasurer makes a financial report to trustees at each meeting (usually six weekly) including the balances in each account as well as income and expenditure on the various headings against budget figures.

Pending the appointment of a treasurer for the new triennium in 2024, the outgoing Treasurer continues to be an authorised internet banking user for the Area Meeting accounts, as well as the assistant treasurer, one trustee and Stroud Local Meeting Clerk. Payments are checked against the annual budget, and any significant variations are brought to the Trustees for agreement.

Any changes in the investment portfolio require a minute from a meeting of trustees. Approval of the forthcoming budget and unexpected expenditure not within the budget on property is taken by trustees in a meeting. Urgent expenditure is agreed by trustees using email. No single trustee can make financial transactions on their own. Legacies, although in fact the property of Area Meeting, are often expressly linked to Local Meetings in legators’ wills. Trustees must discern the uses to which legacies are put and whenever possible respect legators’ preferences. By and large legacies are not used for day-to-day running expenditure. Legacies in 2023 amounted to £5,000 (2022: £5,202).

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3.4 Grant Making Policy

Grants from the Bursary Fund were decided in accordance with the established policy, by those appointed as overseers/pastoral friends in consultation with the treasurer. The Bursary Fund is primarily to enable young people to attend national Quaker events such as summer schools and senior conferences, though other Quakers are also eligible for courses for spiritual development. Two young people attended senior conference funded by the bursary fund. Other courses and conferences are covered by the general (unrestricted fund). This includes courses for AM role holders such as elders and pastoral friends.

4 SUSTAINABILITY

Our planet is increasingly affected by climate change, biodiversity loss and other environmental impacts such as pollution, and as the popular saying goes ‘there is no planet B’. Our lives are increasingly affected, and we know that future generations will probably be affected even more, so sustainability is not just a selfish concern. The interconnectedness of natural and culturally modified systems means that our actions have impacts far beyond our own immediate sphere.

In 2011 Britain Yearly Meeting committed Friends throughout Britain to acting in a more sustainable way (the Canterbury Declaration).

Britain Yearly Meeting asks all Quaker trustees to report on sustainability in their annual reports. Since then, our Local Meetings have put into place extensive energy saving measures.

The energy efficiency of GAQMC’s historic rental properties was considered by Trustees in 2023. The high cost of heating the properties, particularly with the increase in fuel prices, and the poor EPC rating makes them unsuitable for tenants on a low income.

In 2024 Meeting for Sufferings encouraged progress to our becoming a low carbon, sustainable community.

Trustees made the decision at its April 2024 meeting to create an Environment and Sustainability Policy. The draft was brought to the July Trustees Meeting and forwarded to Area Meeting for wider consultation. We will consider seeking advice from organisations such as the Severn Wye Energy Agency, our local adviser.

Trustees also invited our Local Meetings to make their own responses to creating a sustainable community.

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In their February Meeting for Business the Forest of Dean Meeting agreed that that they should collate all the steps that individual members have taken to reduce their carbon footprints and that at a future MfWfB they will decide how the Meeting wishes to track their record of sustainability going forward.

At their April Meeting for Business Nailsworth Meeting noted that

5. SAFEGUARDING

Minor amendments were made in October 2023 to the revised GAQMC Safeguarding Policy, Procedure and Toolkit that was agreed by trustees on 15th September 2022 and adopted by the Area Meeting on 8th October 2022.

In 2023 the Safeguarding Coordinators were Caroline Young and Sarah Fishpool who was appointed as Joint Safeguarding Coordinator on 8th July 2023. The Safeguarding Trustee (Safeguarding Lead) was Wendy Gerard. On 1st January 2024, Sarah Fishpool took up her appointment of Safeguarding Trustee. Due to difficulty in appointing to the full role of Safeguarding Coordinator, a role of Assistant Safeguarding Coordinator was agreed by

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Trustees in February 2024 and John Linsell was appointed on 14th April 2024. The updating of role descriptions has continued through 2023 in response to the agreed safer appointment procedures. GAQM Safeguarding Induction and Safeguarding Training took place on 8th and 15th October 2023 and were well attended by Friends appointed to roles requiring this. As further and newly appointed role holders need to attend, this induction and training are being repeated in 2024 with minor updates. Trustees have budgeted for Friends in defined roles to attend specialist safeguarding training with a range of providers.

The Safeguarding Trustee reports to each Trustees Meeting. A Safeguarding Report using an agreed proforma was completed by each Local Meeting, the AM Clerks, AM Camp Coordinator, the AM Link Group Coordinator, the Safeguarding Coordinators and Safeguarding Trustee as part of the revised Trustees’ annual Safeguarding Compliance procedures.

The Safeguarding Trustee responded to a request from BYM to complete an annual report from GAQMC on a standard template in January 2024.

Future reviews of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Toolkit will be informed by guidance from BYM, the Charity Commission and the statutory Gloucestershire Safeguarding Services.

The existence of Safeguarding policies, procedures and practices is advertised and emphasised among Friends where we meet and on the GAQMC website.

Serious Incident Report

There have been no reported serious safeguarding incidents during 2023.

APPROVED by the Trustees on 4[th] October 2024

and signed on their behalf by:

Wendy Gerard, Clerk to Trustees Fiona Meadley, Trustee

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities (“the Charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Date: 9[th] October 2024

Debby Metcalf FCA 22 Trowlock Ave Teddington TW11 9QT

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Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes
Income
Donations and
legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Total income
3
Expenditure
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
4
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
10
Net
income/(expenditure)
Transfers between
funds
15
Loss on revaluation of
fixed assets
9
Net movement in
funds
Total funds brought
forward
14,15
Total funds carried
forward
14,15		 2023
2022
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
£
97,771
22,043
-
119,814
112,424
8,563
1,095
-
9,658
5,755
63,704
-
-
63,704
70,198
6,774
-
-
6,774
3,537
176,812
23,138
-
199,950191,914
134,305
301
-
134,606
91,113
110,581
2,240
-
112,821
90,153
244,886
2,541
-
247,427
181,266
19,059
-
-
19,059
(38,393)
(49,015)
20,597
-
(28,418)
(27,745)
1,562,216
-
(1,562,216)
-
-
-
-
(338,832)
(338,832)
-
1,513,201
20,597
(1,901,048)
(367,250)
(27,745)
716,243
4,577
7,267,5667,988,386
8,016,131
2,229,444
25,174
5,366,518
7,621,136
7,988,386

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All the above results are derived from continuing activities.

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Gloucestershire Area Quaker Meeting Charities

Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Investments
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Investments
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the Charity
Endowment funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
General funds
Total charity funds
14,15		 2023
2022
Total
funds
Total
funds
£
£
6,764,767
7,429,926
217,152
197,740
6,981,919
7,627,666
18,967
17,408
325,000
-
307,686
353,397
651,653
370,805
(12,436)
(10,085)
639,217
360,720
7,621,136
7,988,386
5,366,518
7,267,566
25,174
4,577
602,683
614,427
1,626,761
101,816
7,621,136
7,988,386

The financial statements on pages 16 to 34 were approved by the trustees on 4th October 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:

Wendy Gerard, Clerk to Trustees

Fiona Meadley, Trustee

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Notes to the financial statements

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (“the SORP”) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (“FRS 102”). The accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and are prepared on a going concern basis.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

The charity has taken advantage of the disclosure exemption with regards to the requirements of section 7 Statement of Cash Flows in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.

1.2 Public benefit

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

1.3 Going concern.

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted cash reserves together with committed and expected income. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

1.4 Revenue recognition

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Legacy income is recognised as receivable once probate has been granted and notification has been received provided that sufficient information has been received to enable valuation of the charity’s entitlement.

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Notes to the financial statements

1.5 Investment income

Interest on funds held on deposit, dividends and other investment income is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity. This is normally upon notification of the amounts paid or payable by the bank or investment managers.

1.6 Funds accounting

Endowment funds are funds which are held on trust to be retained for the benefit of the charity as a capital fund. Where the trustees must permanently maintain the whole of the fund it is referred to as permanent endowment and such a fund cannot normally be spent as if it were income.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity or where funds are raised by the charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds include funds held by the local meetings for their own purposes and unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

1.7 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

All expenditure is accounted for in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis once costs have been incurred. Accruals for unpaid expenses relating to the reporting period are based on best estimates of amounts due.

The charity is not registered for VAT and cannot therefore recover VAT on costs incurred. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it was incurred.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes, and includes costs of all fundraising activities including property and investment management fees and an appropriate share of support costs.

Expenditure on charitable activities is that incurred on directly undertaking the activities which directly further the charity's objectives, including an appropriate share of support costs.

1.8 Taxation The Charity is a registered charity and all of its activities fall within the exemptions afforded to charities under tax legislation. No charge to taxation therefore arises.

1.9 Grants made

Grants are charged in the year in which the decision is made to grant them.

1.10 Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include meeting house costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs.

19

Notes to the financial statements

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, and include independent examination fees, legal advice (if any) for trustees and any other costs associated with constitutional and statutory as well as any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

Support and governance costs, including personnel costs, are allocated between the costs of raising funds and charitable activities based on their primary purpose and in proportion to the public and local meeting use of meeting house premises.

1.11 Tangible fixed assets

The freehold properties carried in the accounts consist of Meeting Houses, warden accommodation, rental properties and Burial Grounds and the title deeds are held in the name of Friends Trusts Limited. Historical costs were not known and the cost values were based on reinstatement values for insurance purposes, which were considered to represent deemed cost on transition to FRS102 at 1 January 2014.

The split between freehold land and buildings has been estimated on the basis of local government estimates for the value of land determined in 2014, and approximate hectarage of the land. The total deemed cost of the land at 31 December 2023 is estimated at £773,222 (2022: £980,075).

The trustees consider that certain of the rental properties owned by the charity constitute mixed-use properties with their respective meeting houses because they are intrinsically linked physically to the Meeting Houses to which they are attached and could not be sold separately. The trustees consider that the fair value of the investment property component cannot therefore be measured reliably for these rental properties and that the mixed-use properties in their entirety should be accounted for as tangible fixed asset properties.

Other tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost, which includes all costs incurred to bring the asset into its intended working condition. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life.

The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Freehold land Freehold land No depreciation charged
Meeting Houses and mixed-use No depreciation charged. The trustees consider that
properties any depreciation would be immaterial as the
programme of maintenance ensures that the
residual value of the properties at the end of their
useful life remains very high.
Other freehold buildings 50 years straight line
Property improvements 20 years straight line
Furniture, fittings, equipment 5 years straight line

Furniture, fittings and equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

20

Notes to the financial statements

1.12 Listed investments

Investments in quoted shares, traded bonds and similar investments are measured initially at cost and subsequently at fair value (their market value). The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year.

1.13 Unlisted investments

Unlisted investments comprise investments in co-operative share capital and similar investments, which are held at fair value. These investments do not appreciate in value and the fair value is deemed to be the same as the historic cost less any impairment.

1.14 Debtors

Debtors include amounts owed to the charity as at the period end for the provision of goods and services before the period end or amounts the charity has paid in advance for the goods and services it will receive. Debtors and prepayments are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

1.15 Current asset investments

Current asset investments comprise investment properties held for resale and are valued at estimated market value.

1.16 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.17 Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions include amounts owing by the charity as at the period end for goods and services received before the period end. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

21

Notes to the financial statements

2 Detailed comparatives for the Statement of Financial Activities

Notes
Income
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Total income
3
Expenditure
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
4
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
10
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
15
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
14,15
Total funds carried
forward
14,15		 2022
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
109,186
3,238
-
112,424
5,755
-
-
5,755
70,198
-
-
70,198
3,537
-
-
3,537
188,676
3,238
-
191,914
90,865
248
-
91,113
87,555
2,598
-
90,153
178,420
2,846
-
181,266
(38,393)
-
-
(38,393)
(28,137)
392
-
(27,745)
(675)
675
-
-
(28,812)
1,067
-
(27,745)
745,055
3,510
7,267,566
8,016,131
716,243
4,577
7,267,566
7,988,386

22

Notes to the financial statements

3 Income

Donations and legacies
Donations
Grants
Legacies
Total donations and
legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Meeting House lettings
Residential rents
Energy generation
Total other trading
activities
Investments
Dividends & interest from
investments
Bank interest
Total investments
Total income		 2023
2022
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
£
92,771
16,039
-
108,810
106,108
-
6,004
-
6,004
1,114
5,000
-
-
5,000
5,202
97,771
22,043
-
119,814
112,424
8,563
1,095
-
9,658
5,755
39,340
-
-
39,340
45,198
23,592
-
-
23,592
24,270
772
-
-
772
730
63,704
-
-
63,704
70,198
2,420
-
-
2,420
2,185
4,354
-
-
4,354
1,352
6,774
-
-
6,774
3,537
176,812
23,138
-
199,950
191,914

23

Notes to the financial statements

Prior year comparative
Donations and legacies
Donations
Grants
Legacies
Total donations and
legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Meeting House lettings
Residential rents
Energy generation
Total other trading
activities
Investments
Dividends & interest from
investments
Bank interest
Total investments
Total income		 2022
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
103,984
2,124
-
106,108
-
1,114
-
1,114
5,202
-
-
5,202
109,186
3,238
-
112,424
5,755
-
-
5,755
45,198
-
-
45,198
24,270
-
-
24,270
730
-
-
730
70,198
-
-
70,198
2,185
-
-
2,185
1,352
-
-
1,352
3,537
-
-
3,537
188,676
3,238
-
191,914

24

Notes to the financial statements

4 Total expenditure

Staff costs (note 5)
Grants and donations payable (note 6)
Property management fees
Other fundraising costs
Local meeting activities
Cleaning and gardening
Depreciation
Energy & water
Graveyard expenses
Insurances
Repairs and maintenance
Other local meeting running costs
Accountancy and Independent
Examination
Other governance costs
Allocation of support & governance costs
Analysis of expenditure by fund type:
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment		 Raising
funds
Charitable
activities
Support &
governance
costs
2023 Total
£
£
£
£
-
-
16,062
16,062
-
27,943
-
27,943
5,856
-
-
5,856
207
-
-
207
-
13,492
-
13,492
-
-
17,857
17,857
-
-
12,608
12,608
-
-
15,699
15,699
-
-
686
686
-
-
17,666
17,666
12,170
-
71,728
83,898
-
4,896
13,112
18,008
-
-
17,325
17,325
-
-
120
120
18,233
46,331
182,863
247,427
116,373
66,490
(182,863)
-
134,606
112,821
-
247,427
134,305
110,581
-
244,886
301
2,240
-
2,541
-
-
-
-
134,606
112,821
-
247,427

Governance costs totalled £2,370 (2022: £2,065) and include £2,250 fees in respect of the independent examination of these financial statements (2022: £2,000).

25

Notes to the financial statements

Prior year comparative
Staff costs (note 5)
Grants and donations payable (note 6)
Property management fees
Other fundraising costs
Local meeting activities
Cleaning and gardening
Depreciation
Energy & water
Graveyard expenses
Insurances
Repairs and maintenance
Other local meeting running costs
Bank charges
Accountancy and Independent
Examination
Other governance costs
Allocation of support & governance costs
Analysis of expenditure by fund type:
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment		 Raising
funds
Charitable
activities
Support &
governance
costs
2022 Total
£
£
£
£
-
-
14,713
14,713
-
31,613
-
31,613
6,009
-
-
6,009
1,746
-
-
1,746
-
11,215
-
11,215
-
-
15,843
15,843
-
-
11,436
11,436
-
-
12,692
12,692
-
-
1,806
1,806
-
-
16,026
16,026
15,528
-
14,997
30,525
-
3,143
11,128
14,271
-
-
30
30
-
-
13,276
13,276
-
-
65
65
23,283
45,971
112,012
181,266
67,830
44,182
(112,012)
-
91,113
90,153
-
181,266
90,865
87,555
-
178,420
248
2,598
-
2,846
-
-
-
-
91,113
90,153
-
181,266

5 Staff costs


Staff costs
Gross salaries
Wardens' accommodation offset
Employer's pension contributions to defined contribution pension
schemes
Recruitment & training costs		 2023
2022
£
£
22,168
20,689
(6,556)
(6,288)
15,612
14,401
340
312
110
-
16,062
14,713

The charity employs 4 part-time members of staff: the average head count in the year was 4 (2022: 3.33) and the average number of full-time equivalent employees was 1.09 (2022: 1.08). There were no employees with total employee benefits above £60,000 in 2023 or 2022.

26

Notes to the financial statements

6 Grants and donations payable


Grants and donations payable
Donations to other Quaker bodies (2 institutions, 2022: 4)
Donations to non-Quaker bodies (9 institutions, 2022: 8)
Donations to British Yearly Meeting
Grants to individuals (2022: 5 individuals)		 2023
2022
£
£
240
660
1,468
1,818
26,235
27,785
-
1,350
27,943
31,613

7 Trustee remuneration and related party transactions

Trustees received no remuneration in either 2023 or 2022 and, except for the reimbursement of expenses incurred when acting as agent for the charity, no expenses were paid to (or for) trustees in either period.

The trustees are not aware of any related party transactions in either period.

A total of £4,525 (2022: £5,410) was donated by trustees and their close families.

8 Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

27

Notes to the financial statements

9 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions in year
Transfers in year
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for year
Impairment in year
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022		 Endowment
freehold
property
Other
freehold
property
Property
improvements
Furniture,
fittings,
equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
£
7,267,566
63,195
126,020
19,904
7,476,685
-
-
6,019
5,262
11,281
(1,887,216)
1,562,216
-
-
(325,000)
5,380,350
1,625,411
132,039
25,166
7,162,966
-
6,320
26,286
14,153
46,759
-
1,264
6,602
4,742
12,608
338,832
-
-
-
338,832
338,832
7,584
32,888
18,895
398,199
5,041,518
1,617,827
99,151
6,271
6,764,767
7,267,566
56,875
99,734
5,751
7,429,926

The freehold properties carried in the accounts consist primarily of Meeting Houses, warden accommodation, mixed-use rental properties and Burial Grounds.

Included in endowment and other freehold property is land totalling £773,222 that is not depreciated (2022: £980,075). No depreciation is charged on endowment properties and meeting houses classified as other freehold property due to the high residual value of the land and the programme of regular maintenance carried out.

A decision was made during 2023 to dispose of the rental property at 49 Thomas Street, Cirencester, which had previously been accounted for as a mixed-use property with Cirencester Meeting House. 49 Thomas Street was valued by a RICS Surveyor for this purpose at £325,000, which resulted in an £338,832 impairment in the value of the property, and it has been reclassified as a current asset investment.

A review of the 2014 Charity Commission Scheme showed that the charity’s property in Gloucester was not in fact endowment property and it has been transferred in the year to unrestricted other freehold property.

28

Notes to the financial statements

10 Investments

Market value 1 January 2023
Additions at cost
Net gain/(loss) on disposals and year-
end revaluation
Market value at 31 December 2023
Historic cost at 31 December 2023		 Listed
investments
Unlisted
investments
2023
Total
2022
Total
£
£
£
£
194,854
2,886
197,740
235,753
324
29
353
380
19,059
-
19,059
(38,393)
214,237
2,915
217,152
197,740
82,487
2,500
84,987
84,987

Unlisted investments comprise investments in co-operative share capital and similar investments, which do not appreciate in value. These investments are reviewed annually for any diminution in value and are believed to be worth the amount stated in the balance sheet.

11 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade debtors
Accrued income
Other debtors
Prepayments		 2023
2022
£
£
1,684
3,650
7,945
2,644
8,516
9,579
822
1,535
18,967
17,408

12 Current asset investments

Investment properties held for sale, at market value 2023
2022
£
£
325,000
-
325,000
-

29

Notes to the financial statements

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Accruals
Other taxation and social security
Pension costs
Other creditors		 2023
2022
£
£
2,629
2,718
8,788
7,299
38
15
58
53
923
-
12,436
10,085

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2023
Prior year comparative
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
1,719,566
3,683
5,041,5186,764,767
217,152
-
-
217,152
305,150
21,503
325,000
651,653
(12,424)
(12)
-
(12,436)
2,229,444
25,174
5,366,518
7,621,136
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
158,473
3,887
7,267,566 7,429,926
197,740
-
-
197,740
370,076
729
-
370,805
(10,046)
(39)
-
(10,085)
716,243
4,577
7,267,566
7,988,386

30

Notes to the financial statements

15 Movement in funds

At 1 Transfers At 31
January Gains/ between December
2023 Income Expenditure (losses) funds 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Permanent endowment funds
Land & buildings 7,267,566 - - (338,832) (1,887,216) 5,041,518
Investment
property - - - - 325,000 325,000
7,267,566 - - (338,832) (1,562,216) 5,366,518
Restricted funds
Burial grounds 295 200 (495) - - -
British Yearly
Meeting 23 840 (713) - - 150
Cheltenham MH
kitchen - 5,804 - - - 5,804
Cirencester MH 2,280 - (120) - - 2,160
Community
Support Fund 279 1,294 (1,035) - - 538
Gloucester MH - 15,000 - - - 15,000
Peace Garden 1,700 - (178) - - 1,522
4,577 23,138 (2,541) - - 25,174
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Cheltenham LM 76,118 39,917 (30,872) - (11,025) 74,138
Cirencester LM 155,586 33,676 (22,929) 9,427 (5,026) 170,734
Forest of Dean
LM 6,490 4,359 (867) - (3,081) 6,901
Gloucester LM 24,465 9,263 (5,366) - (6,053) 22,309
Nailsworth LM 102,920 40,224 (27,767) - (12,809) 102,568
Painswick LM 18,478 5,962 (5,572) - (5,026) 13,842
Stroud LM 855 2,824 (610) - (2,300) 769
Wotton LM 245 702 (491) - (350) 106
Bursary 123,681 2,192 (200) 9,632 - 135,305
Camp 3,895 3,447 (2,133) - - 5,209
Property reserve 75,560 1,826 - - (30,000) 47,386
Nailsworth
improvements 12,500 - (1,971) - - 10,529
Quaker Close 13,634 - (747) - - 12,887
Total designated
funds 614,427 144,392 (99,525) 19,059 (75,670) 602,683
General funds 101,816 32,420 (145,361) - 1,637,886 1,626,761
Total unrestricted
funds 716,243 176,812 (244,886) 19,059 1,562,216 2,229,444
Total funds 7,988,386 199,950 (247,427) (319,773) - 7,621,136

31

Notes to the financial statements

Purposes of endowment and restricted funds

Land & buildings

Freehold meeting houses, associated housing and burial grounds held on permanent endowment for general charitable purposes.

Burial Grounds For the maintenance of Shortwood Burial Ground and publication of a history of the former Quaker burial ground in Cheltenham.

British Yearly Meeting Specific donations received towards Local Meeting donations to British Yearly Meeting. Cheltenham MH kitchen For the upgrade of the kitchen facilities. Cirencester MH The fund is being used to part cover the cost of depreciating the Cirencester garden room over 20 years. Community Support Fund For the provision of a community kitchen at the Cheltenham Meeting House. Gloucester MH For site improvements. Peace Garden For the purchase of a water feature for the Nailsworth Peace Garden. The fund is being used to cover the cost of depreciating the asset over 20 years.

Purposes of designated funds

Local Meeting designated Funds held by Local Meetings for their own purposes. funds Bursary For the support of members attending Quaker events and hardship grants. Camp For the support of the annual Camp. Property reserve Provision for major repair projects. Nailsworth improvements For general improvements to the amenities of Nailsworth Meeting House. Quaker Close For the refurbishment of the Nailsworth’s warden flat.

Transfers during the year comprise:

32

Notes to the financial statements

At 1 Transfers At 31
Prior year January Gains/ between December
comparative 2022 Income Expenditure (losses) funds 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Permanent endowment funds
Land & buildings 7,267,566 -
-		 - - 7,267,566
Restricted funds
Burial grounds - 495 (200) - - 295
British Yearly
Meeting		 - 811 (788) - - 23
Cirencester MH 2,400 -
(120)		 - - 2,280
Community
Support Fund		 - 1,932 (1,653) - - 279
Peace Garden 1,110 - (85) - 675 1,700
3,510 3,238 (2,846) - 675 4,577
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Cheltenham LM 77,970 34,850 (26,979) - (9,723) 76,118
Cirencester LM 174,734 29,372 (27,765) (15,792) (4,963) 155,586
Forest of Dean
LM		 8,448 3,035 (1,253) - (3,740) 6,490
Gloucester LM 23,578 9,884 (3,211) - (5,786) 24,465
Nailsworth LM 104,839 33,598 (22,242) - (13,275) 102,920
Painswick LM 18,190 12,498 (7,783) - (4,427) 18,478
Stroud LM 1,706 3,389 (1,840) - (2,400) 855
Wotton LM 1,005 1,789 (1,399) - (1,150) 245
Bursary 145,479 1,852 (1,049) (22,601) - 123,681
Camp 3,010 3,645 (2,760) - - 3,895
Property reserve 75,175 385 - - - 75,560
Nailsworth
improvements		 - 12,500 - - - 12,500
Quaker Close 14,381 -
(747)		 - - 13,634
Total designated
funds		 648,515 146,797 (97,028) (38,393) (45,464) 614,427
General funds 96,540 41,879 (81,392) - 44,789 101,816
Total unrestricted
funds		 745,055 188,676 (178,420) (38,393) (675) 716,243
Total funds 8,016,131 191,914 (181,266) (38,393) - 7,988,386

33

Notes to the financial statements

16 Acting as Agent

Collections made for other organisations are excluded from these financial statements.

Acting as Agent receipts in the year
Acting as Agent receipts in the year not yet paid over as at
31 December 2023		 2023
2022
£
£
17,520
16,908
2,462
5,728

17 Post balance sheet events

Wotton local meeting was laid down on July 8[th] 2023 at the Area Meeting held that day at Nailsworth. The remaining funds of that meeting totalling £106 were transferred to the Area Meeting in May 2024 once the 2023 Gift Aid claim had been processed.

34