2024-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1134536

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Contents of the financial statements

				Page
1		Legal and administration information		3
	1.1		Registration Number	3
	1.2		Principal office	3
	1.3		Trustees	3
	1.4		Officers	3
	1.5		Independent Examiner	3
	1.6		Holding Trustees	3
2		Trustees' Annual Report		4
	2.1		Structure, governance and management	4
		2.1.1	Governing document	4
		2.1.2	Governance	4
		2.1.3	Appointment of Trustees	4
		2.1.4	Risk management	5
	2.2	Objectives and activities		5
		2.2.1	Objects	5
		2.2.2	Use of volunteers	5
		2.2.3	Grant making policy	5-6
	2.3	Performance		6
		2.3.1	Introduction	6
		2.3.2	Balby (Doncaster) Meeting	6-7
		2.3.3	Hope Valley LM	7
		2.3.4	Nether Edge LM	8
		2.3.5	Sheffield Central LM	8-9
		2.3.6	Area and Local Meeting action on environmental sustainability	9
			and responses to climate emergency
3		Financial review		10
	3.1		Major changes	10
		3.1.1	Yorkshire Quakers	10
		3.1.2	Youth Development Worker	10
		3.1.3	Premises Fund Management	10
	3.2	Fund-by-fund reports		10
		3.2.1	AM General fund (unrestricted)	10
		3.2.2	Bursary fund (restricted)	11
		3.2.3	Relief trusts (endowment) and Assistance fund (restricted)	11
		3.2.4	Property trusts (endowment) and Premises fund (designated)	11
		3.2.5	Youth Worker fund (restricted)	11
		3.2.6	Balby (Doncaster) Local Meeting	11
		3.2.7	Hope Valley Local Meeting	12
		3.2.8	Nether Edge Local Meeting	12
		3.2.9	Sheffield Central Local Meeting	12
		3.2.10	Sheffield Central Restricted fund	12
		3.2.11	Donation from Sheffield Adult School	12
4		Reserves policy		13
	4.1	Background		13
	4.2	Reserves summary		14
5		Investment policy and objectives		15
6		Statement of responsibilities of the trustees		15
7		Independent Examiner's report		16
	Financial statements
		Statement of financial activities		17
		Balance sheet		18
		Notes to the accounts		19-31	2

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Legal and administrative information

1 Legal and administrative information

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting is one of approximately 70 Area Meetings of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain. It comprises Quakers in Sheffield, Doncaster and Hope Valley. The Area Meeting (AM) incorporates the following Local Meetings (LM), which are to a great extent run independently of the Area Meeting:

Balby (Doncaster) Local Meeting Hope Valley Local Meeting Sheffield Central Local Meeting Sheffield Nether Edge Local Meeting

1.1 Registration Number

1134536

1.2 Principal office

Quaker Meeting House 10 James Street Sheffield S1 2EW

1.3 Trustees

Sallie Ashe Dilys Candler - appointed January 2025 Jill Cooper Kiri-Anne Smith: Safeguarding trustee Huw Evans - resigned December 2024 Richard Hoare: until June 2024: Treasurer & Acting Clerk to the Trustees from July 2024: Associate Treasurer & Clerk to Trustees Ian McHugh Tim Herrick

1.4 Officers

Lorna Buttrick Lettings officer, Balby Doncaster Meeting Brian Evans: Associate Treasurer, from July 2024 Treasurer

1.5 Independent Examiner

Faye Hazlehurst FMAAT Anston, Sheffield S25 4JU

1.6 Holding Trustees

Friends Trusts Limited Friends House 173 Euston Road London NW1 2BJ

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Trustees' annual report

for the year ended 31 December 2024

2 Trustees' Annual Report

The Trustees submit their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the governing document (see 2.1.1 below), and the 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) issued in October 2019.

2.1 Structure, Governance and Management

2.1.1 Governing document

The Religious Society of Friends in Britain is a Christian denomination founded in the seventeenth century. In legal terms it is a charity for the advancement of religion, which was excepted from registration by virtue of Statutory Instrument 180 of 1996, until the law was changed by the Charities Act 2006. Certain of its constituent Area Meetings, including Sheffield and Balby Area Quaker Meeting, then became liable to apply individually for registration from 2008 onwards.

Sheffield and Balby Area Quaker Meeting adopted an approved governing document in May 2008, and was registered as a charity on 26 February 2010. In 2014 the fourteen associated property charities, previously managed under a Charity Commission Scheme and Schedule of 1st October 1973, were combined into the same charity as the Area Meeting (AM). In May 2022 the governing document was amended to allow trustees to meet by telephone or video conference.

2.1.2 Governance

The Trustees meet four or more times a year and, until July 2024, included the Acting Clerk to Trustees and treasurer of the Area Meeting. Other appointees include representatives of the three larger local meetings and the AM safeguarding officer. Non-trustees invited to attend meetings include the Trustees’ administrative assistant (when in post), other non-trustee treasurers within the AM and, until July 2024, the AM Associate Treasurer. From July 2024, with no change of the personnel involved, the offices of AM Associate Treasurer and AM Treasurer were reversed, and the Acting Clerk to Trustees (now Associate AM Treasurer) became the permanent Clerk to Trustees.

The Meeting House in central Sheffield, which is the larger of two premises in the Area Meeting, with income from partial licensing out of parts of the building, is overseen by the Premises Committee of Sheffield Central Local Meeting with management partly outsourced to The Foundry Sheffield (charity 1162688). The Meeting House in Doncaster is managed by a part time lettings officer and assistant overseen by the Premises Committee of Balby (Doncaster) Local Meeting.

To clarify arrangements for delegation and roles, Memoranda of Understanding exist between the Area Meeting, its trustees and three of the Local Meetings: Sheffield Central, Balby (Doncaster) and Hope Valley. Nethe Edge has more recent terms of reference appropriate to the working of its “Servants of the Meeting” group.

2.1.3 Appointment of Trustees

The Trustees of the Area Meeting, who are also trustees of the Associated Charities, are appointed from among the members of the Area Meeting in session.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

2.1.4 Risk management

Sheffield Central Meeting is responsible for over 60% of the Area Meeting's annual income and almost half of its normal expenditure. The Premises and Lettings Committee of that meeting conduct a regular risk assessment. The Risk Assessment Schedule for the Area Meeting was created in 2011 and reviewed in subsequent years. Balby (Doncaster) Local Meeting, as the only other Local Meeting in the Area Meeting which owns its own premises, carries out regular risk assessments in respect of its own operations and assets. Other Trustees are responsible for risk assessment in the Local Meetings which they represent.

In 2011 the AM appointed a Data Protection Coordinator to standardise data management throughout the Meeting. The AM also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. The Data Protection Coordinator and the Safeguarding Coordinator (for children and vulnerable adults) report regularly to the Trustees. Since Sept 2021, the Safeguarding Coordinator or a representative of the safeguarding group has been appointed to the trustee body.

2.2 Objectives and activities

2.2.1 Objects

The object of Sheffield and Balby Area Quaker Meeting is the furtherance of the general religious and charitable purposes of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain in the area of Sheffield and Balby Area Meeting and beyond.

Activities undertaken for public benefit in relation to objects:

Meetings for worship throughout the Area are open to the general public. There are opportunities for those coming to meetings and not in membership (known as attenders) to learn about Quaker practices and beliefs and if appropriate, to apply for membership. The hiring of rooms, or the sub-lettings of larger areas in buildings in Doncaster and Sheffield also provides opportunities for the general public to find out about Quakers, or to benefit from Quaker-supported organisations. Providing affordable meeting spaces for a large number of community and support groups is supported by the Area Meeting as part of our Quaker witness to the wider community. During the year when relevant decisions were made by Trustees due regard was paid to the Charity Commission Guidance on public benefit.

2.2.2 Use of volunteers

Part-time paid employees comprised those recruited to manage the room hiring business of Sheffield and Doncaster Meeting Houses, a playworker and a bookkeeper at Sheffield Meeting House, and an assistant to the Trustees. All other aspects of running the organisation were undertaken by volunteers within the membership (who are entitled to the reimbursement of expenses). For most posts, members or attenders are appointed according to Quaker procedures and for a set period. There are a number of additional tasks undertaken by individuals or groups who volunteer their time and skills.

2.2.3 Grant making policy

The constituent meetings from time to time make donations to groups whose activities are in sympathy with the objects of the Area Meeting.

The AM has bursary funds to meet different needs of members and regular attenders whose requests for assistance must be supported by pastoral friends. These needs may include attendance on courses for personal religious or educational development, attendance at Britain Yearly Meeting or other Quaker gatherings, and financial assistance in times of personal hardship.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

Grants are also made by the AM for members and attenders attending various courses or conferences either as representatives of a Local Meeting or the AM, or for training as postholders. (In recent times these have been often online due to the Covid pandemic, which has helped to maintain the communal spiritual life of friends.) The AM also assists young people to attend regional activities for under 19 year-olds run by Quakers in Yorkshire and Britain Yearly Meeting.

It is the Area Meeting’s policy to offer financial support to any Member or Attender wishing to attend Britain Yearly Meeting (and the Yearly Meeting Gathering in years when BYM is held as part of this larger residential event).

2.3 Performance

2.3.1 Introduction

Each of the four Local Meetings within our Area Meeting holds regular Meetings for Worship open to the public. Abridged versions of reports from these Meetings to the Area Meeting on their activities in 2024 are set out below (2.3.2 to 2.3.5).

Meetings for Worship for Business for the AM itself were held six times during 2024 with varied formats, which continued to produce interesting and accessible meetings, including all age participation, and which help build the Area Meeting community while satisfying our business needs.

Representatives from across our AM have attended meetings of Quakers in Yorkshire and of the Northern Friends Peace Board (NFPB), bodies to which we provide support by grants and personal subscription. Representatives also attended Meeting for Sufferings, the standing representative body entrusted with the care of the business of Quaker meetings nationally, and other committees and activities which are part of Britain Yearly Meeting.

2.3.2 Balby (Doncaster) Meeting

“Our Local Meeting Support Group have had in mind three main themes, rejuvenation, reorganisation and reparations, while reflecting on a year of change and development".

The year started with a deep concern among Friends about the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East led to an exploration of the “The Quaker Peace Testimony in a time of Crisis” with Woodbrooke, leading to a meeting with Tanya Hubbard shared with Friends from Worksop Meeting Friends in February. Friends have also attended Woodbrooke courses either individually on Zoom, or jointly on “The heart of the Quaker Way” with Area Meeting.

We have engaged with the proposals for reorganising Yorkshire Quakers into a single charity, and hosted two of AM’s considerations on the subject. We minuted our recognition of the need for change, while acknowledging that much consideration needs to be given to the topic.

We met for Local Business bi-monthly and were represented at the six Area meetings in the year. We are represented by two Friends on the AM Trustee Group, and collaborate with other routine AM or trustee work as required.

We meet for worship on a Sunday followed by a useful “Afterword” period, and also on a Wednesday lunchtime. The Support Group met regularly with pastoral care for our members, and support for new attenders among other considerations, as well as “End of Life” matters. Three Group members joined other AM elders and pastoral care workers at a meeting in Sheffield in October facilitated by Craig Barnett, the Yorkshire Development Worker. Craig also visited us to consider how to make our meeting more welcoming and child-friendly.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

We responded to an AM invitation to reparations, in mitigating the harm done by local Quakers’ involvement in slavery, colonialism and economic exploitation, and after one Friend had consulted Doncaster Museum staff, we began to examine how far we could engage with this as a meeting. We recognised that hosting Doncaster Conversation Club represents a significant response to these issues, including asylum policy, colonialism and language use.

As a small meeting with a widely based membership, our outreach work takes varied forms. The high number of users of the meeting house see displays of posters and books. We joined “Discovering Quakers”, and were involved in local schemes including a Heart of Doncaster “Football Welcomes” project, “Right up your Street” community work, and a visit by the National Gallery with the local Museum, directed at refugees and asylum seekers on ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses.

The Meeting House has been improved with new heaters, new toilets, better wi-fi, and part paving of the garden with a wheelchair ramp to the fire exit. Costs have been met without recourse to the AM Premises Fund.

We have now joined the Quaker Meeting Network to provide our website, essential for Quaker Outreach and for our room Lettings Business.

The AM bank account unification allows our treasurer to give us a detailed bi-monthly report on our situation. Our lettings business enables us to accumulate free reserves, with which we have been able both to support Britain Yearly Meeting, AM and in part Quaker work in the Congo. Most importantly our Quaker testimonies are displayed to those who use the building. More than half of our usage involves work with refugees and those claiming asylum.

Our employees receive the Real Living wage, and we support the Yorkshire Youth Development Worker even though we have children’s meeting . We enjoy a shared lunch every third Sunday, as well as our annual trip to Barmoor in the North Yorkshire Moors where we can join friends from our meeting who have moved away.” [abridged]

2.3.3 Hope Valley LM

“Sunday meetings for worship are held at the Moore Memorial Hall, Bamford, preceded by introductions and news of Friends, and followed by Afterwords, notices and coffee. We have regular discussion groups, and occasional shared lunches. We do not have the resources to welcome Area Meetings.

Our meeting is nourished by our Afterwords sharing following worship, and we read and discuss Advices and Queries and Quaker Faith and Practice extracts. Our monthly discussion groups, covering a wide range of themes and following meeting for worship, are introduced by a Friend, and conducted in “worship sharing” mode, with equal opportunity for Friends to speak from their individual perspective without being “chaired”.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

We have co-clerks, and shared eldership and pastoral care, and we look after each other informally. We have addressed the need for safeguarding, training and understanding. Outreach has been limited to encouraging visitors, and individuals’ participation in various climate and other groups. Our finances mainly involve payment of rent, and without a schedule scheme, Friends are invited to contribute individually to Yearly and Area Meeting and other charities.” [abridged]

2.3.4 Nether Edge LM

“Meeting Life, practical and spiritual: Attendance has been quite unpredictable, with some members affected by health issues or balancing outside commitments. We share some of our attenders with Central meeting and some new attenders are still with us. We have had a number of enquiries through the Discovering Quakers website.

In the last moments of our regular Sunday meetings for worship, Friends are invited to offer ministry which might had been in their minds but unspoken. Refreshments served after meeting continue to help building fellowship, and we have a shared lunch on the first Sundays of the month. We continue holding our business meeting immediately after a shortened regular meeting for worship (and often before a shared meal). This has encouraged some attenders to stay for business, but others have too many pressures on their time. On the last Sunday, we have a discussion group, sometimes including Bible quotations to illustrate a theme.

Connections . We produce a monthly e-newspaper, and circulate news updates covering events at Sheffield Central meeting as well. When possible, a representative attends multi-faith events. We have connections with bodies including local political parties, anti-war organisations, and others supporting immigrant and ethnic minority groups. Some attended non-violent demonstrations against this summer’s riots.

As before, we were invited to hold a meeting for worship in St Andrew's Psalter Lane (in whose church house we meet). It opened with an introduction, and two readings, and several people offered ministry. It was thought to be a remarkable “gathered” meeting.

Servants Group

The Nether Edge “Servants of the Meeting” Group who share various roles is now completing its fifth year. There is a named convenor and a clerk for correspondence, pastoral and eldership responsibilities and the organisation of local meeting business meetings are shared, and the Treasurer is also a member. Current members of the Group have completed basic safe-guarding training The treasurer and previous treasurer have worked together with the Area Meeting treasurer in ensuring smooth transition to the new system using a single bank account to serve the funds of Area Meeting and three of our local meetings.” [abridged]

2.3.5 Sheffield Central LM

“Sheffield Elders report : In 2024 we have welcomed the joys and challenges of an increasing Meeting size (including young children and their parents), coupled with decreasing activity space (due to licencing out the top floor of the Meeting house. We continued to hold blended Sunday Meetings for Worship (including Zoom contact with those unable to be present), and are grateful to those who volunteer to help facilitate these in various ways.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

We have met monthly as Elders to uphold and reflect on the life of our Meeting including Childrens’ Meeting, Wednesday lunchtime Meetings, Breakfast Meetings and monthly Meetings for climate change. There are other groups of Friends that sometimes meet together for worship, including Spiritual Friendship groups. We have enabled and celebrated two weddings. As a group, we met in October with other Elders and Pastoral Care Friends in the Area Meeting to review our structures.

We have tried to support key members of those in the Committees concerned with the closure of the lettings business, and appreciate their dedication and contribution to our Meeting’s discernment the future of the building, and dealing with all the tasks previously covered by staff.

We have considered activities to nurture newer as well as longer-term Friends. These included a 5- week evening group exploring “Faith and Practice”, three sessions on “Spirituality” in the Autumn, an all age “life of the Meeting” day, and participation in a day entitled ”The Heart of the Quaker Way” facilitated by a Woodbrooke College tutor.

Pastoral Carers’ Report: We began the year with six Pastoral Carers meeting monthly to consider the twenty-five + Friends we each support. We are all DBS checked and have attended the “38:5” Safeguarding Course. After various changes, we hope for two or more Friends to be appointed to join us for next year.

We contact those on our lists at least annually and invite them to keep us informed of any needs for support they may have. Support is more frequent for older or more needy Friends and those who are ill, with cards, visits or practical help if possible. We publicise bursary grants available for attending Quaker-related courses, or financial hardship support.

We help to welcome new Attenders and Enquirers, and encourage them to have their names on our list when they feel ready. We offer name badges on the second Sunday of each month, to help introductions, and a shared lunch on those Sundays is popular.

Children and Young People’s Work Committee report: The Autumn saw increasing numbers at the Children’s Meeting. Following a session with Jo Baynham (our Yorkshire Youth Development Worker) and subsequent Life of Our Meeting” afternoon session, we received more offers of Meeting helpers and leaders, which we are still working through.

We are developing support for Sunday sessions during school holidays, with some Friends specifically offering such support.

At least thirty adults and twenty-seven children attended Sunday sessions during the year, most of them regularly, which made accommodation in a single basement space difficult at times.

We are trying to prepare the children better for entering into the main meeting. It’s always a complex affair: the children’s voices are joyous amongst our silence, but everybody recognises that learning to allow the silence is part of the children’s experience.” [abridged]

2.3.6 Area and Local Meeting action on environmental sustainability and responses to climate emergency

One local meeting (Sheffield Central) has registered with Eco Church, and is planning to initiate a continuing process around Climate Change Action, structured using the Eco Church framework. They will contact half a dozen local Eco Church registered churches and charities to build up a support network. They look to programming five annual half-day meetings, commencing in October, and drawing in all Local Meeting participants including the children.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

3 Financial review

3.1 Major changes

3.1.1 Yorkshire Quakers

With our internal simplification now complete, so far as presently seems appropriate, for the Area, it can now be seen – partially, at least – as preparing ourselves for a far greater process. This is a proposal to replace eight separate charitable bodies across most of Yorkshire (i.e. except for those areas in the far north of the county who traditionally face the North-east) with a single new charity, Yorkshire Quakers. Throughout 2024, this proposal has been the subject of much discernment, as to its administration, operation and the financial implications of its introduction. While admitting its necessity in the light of the reduced availability of candidates for voluntary governance, this Area Meeting has greeted this proposal with caution and accorded acceptance only subject to conditions, particularly concerning its cost. The proposed timescale is presently aimed at a phased introduction with a starting date of January 2026.

3.1.2 Youth Development Worker

The presence of a Youth Development Worker (YDW) in the county in the last three years has been welcomed, and it is now planned for the post to be continued for another three-year term up to the summer of 2028. The cost of this provision has been a considerable burden for the Area Meetings. In our case, the first two years’ contributions were met from reserves, but little thought had been given to financing this, the third year. A reduced contribution was agreed and was partially met from personal donations. The prospect of a second triennium has been greeted with more positive planning, resulting in a separate Area Fund being set up to receive and invest donations in advance of contributions beginning later in 2025, and Sheffield Central Local Meeting has agreed to underwrite the whole three-year plan through its legacy funds.

3.1.3 Premises Fund Management

In 2024, Trustees adopted a new protocol for the administration of the Area’s Premises Fund. This fund is designated principally to assist the Local Meetings’ financing of major repairs to their Meeting Houses. Budgets were prepared, covering several years, of likely major works and the first few years of those budgets were used to compute an average contribution to spread those costs. A three-year review cycle was approved so that this figure will remain realistic. In operation, each Local Meeting can decide, when a major item occurs, whether it can meet the cost itself, or whether it should apply for assistance to the Fund. If, at the end of the year, it has sustained no major maintenance expenditure, then the computed contribution to the Fund is considered due.

3.2 Fund-by-fund reports

3.2.1 AM General fund (unrestricted)

Having started 2022 with a reserve of over £20,000 which, in two years, had diminished to just over £5,000, the General Fund was unable, as noted above (3.1.2), to sustain a third year’s contribution to the cost of the YDW. A total income of £4,774, comprising personal contributions, both directly and via schedules, and a small amount of bank interest, enabled payment of expenses totalling £5,592. This sum includes part of the much-reduced contribution to the YDW and also reflects the abandonment of the clerical assistance for Trustees trialled in 2023. Supplemented by a contribution of £2,000 from Balby (Doncaster) Local Meeting, this leaves the Fund with a balance at the year-end of £6,345.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

3.2.2 Bursary fund (restricted)

The activity of the Bursary Fund fluctuates over a three-year cycle to coincide with the Yearly Meeting Gathering, which occurs every three years, of which 2024 was one. However, with donations supplemented by bank interest resulting from an improved fund management strategy, total income this year of £1,403 has more than half met this year’s peak applications of £2,385. Surpluses in the last two years have meant that the Fund now stands at a healthy £18,100, which is only £230 lower than the sum brought forward from 2021.

3.2.3 Relief Trusts (endowment) and Assistance fund (restricted)

These two funds run in tandem, with the Relief Trusts’ balance remaining at an historical £27,380 while its income is granted to the Assistance Fund. The grant of £634 in 2024 was supplemented by further bank interest of £154 and, with no claims this year, the Fund now stands at £7,702.

3.2.4 Property Trusts (endowment) and Premises fund (designated)

In a similar way, these two funds are run in tandem, with the Property Trusts’ balance remaining at £27,589 while its income is granted to the Premises Fund. The grant of £754 in 2024 supplemented investment income of £4,413 to provide a total income of £5,167. The only expense of the Fund in the year was £1,100 to attend to the trees in the closed Woodhouse burial ground and, including a pledged contribution of £7,000 from Sheffield Central Local Meeting the Fund now stands at £162,369.

3.2.5 Youth Worker fund (restricted)

As noted above, this new Fund has been created to receive and invest donations towards the new threeyear commitment to fund the county Youth Development Worker. Through Local Meeting and personal donations, the fund stands at £700 at the end of 2024. So long as it is able, this fund will refund Sheffield Central Local Meeting’s undertaking to meet the required quarterly payments, which begins in September 2025.

3.2.6 Balby (Doncaster) Local Meeting

The income of this Local Meeting depends heavily on the net proceeds of letting out the facilities of its Meeting House to the local community. In 2023 these more than doubled, with a further increase of over 20% in 2024, to £31,826. Investment income, principally the rent from the adjacent bungalow, is £5,728, also an increase of over 20%, compared to 2023, partly due to a rent increase, but also a result of improved fund management and interest on the resulting higher level of deposits. Sadly, donation income has remained virtually static, any individual increases being negated by a drop-off in attendance and/or contributors. The total income was £44,150.

Total expenditure has increased by over 30% compared to 2023, partly as a result of a £5,000 donation to Britain Yearly Meeting. Maintenance expenses included the refurbishment of toilets in the Meeting House and clearing and paving part of the garden area behind it. There was also a heavy first-year depreciation charge on a new heating system. Many other items, notably energy, have increased significantly from year to year. After a transfer to Area General Fund (3.2.1 above), the year has left Balby (Doncaster) with a surplus of just £487, and reserves at the year-end of £38,549.

The balance on Balby (Doncaster)’s restricted fund remains unchanged apart from £2 bank interest, and stands at £159. Two appeals were undertaken during the year, for CRESST and the International AntiSlavery Fund, together raising some £328.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

3.2.7 Hope Valley Local Meeting

The finances of this small Local Meeting are simple, which is why no need was felt to join in the simplification process in recent years. In the last three years, expenses – chiefly the hire of a hall for meetings – have steadily increased while, overall, donations have declined. In 2024 income of £950 has failed to meet expenses of £1,127, and a third annual deficit has now reduced its reserves to £1,360.

3.2.8 Nether Edge Local Meeting

The income of this Local Meeting fluctuates and, consequently, so does its capacity to support other Quaker work, both locally and nationally. It thus keeps its expenditure within its means. Income from donations in 2024 of £2,661 was supplemented, as a result of the improved fund management strategy mentioned above (3.2.2) following simplification, by interest of £129. From this total of £2,790, expenses of £2,402 (principally room hire) have left a surplus of £388, giving reserves at the year-end of £5,633.

3.2.9 Sheffield Central Local Meeting

In 2023 this Local Meeting came to terms with the insufficient recovery of its lettings business from the rigours of Covid, and intense activity since the closure of the business that autumn has seen a partial recovery, securing a degree of replacement income through alternative uses for their Meeting House. Thus, while lettings income of almost £9,000 has replaced an inadequate £61,000 in 2023, total expenditure has reduced from over £123,000 to just £33,923.

Alongside this, additional sources of regular income have come on stream helping to raise donations and contributions from £1,513 to £6,024, while contributions from schedules have also increased by 25% to £27,119. Together with legacies of just over £25,000 (2023: nil) and investment income of £2,153 (2023: £1,748), these have yielded total income in 2024 of £69,454, giving an operating surplus of £35,530, out of which a contribution of £7,000 (in keeping with the new protocol noted at 3.1.3 above) has been pledged to the Premises Fund. Allowing for this pledge, reserves at the yearend stood at £104,776. Part of this total is the Legacies fund, which has enabled the Meeting to underwrite the Area’s Youth Worker commitment (3.1.2 above).

3.2.10 Sheffield Central Restricted Fund

In addition to the sum for general use reported above, Sheffield Central’s schedules scheme has also raised a further £23,914 for distribution to Britain Yearly Meeting and other Quaker operations. A further £3,630 was collected from members in response to regular appeals throughout the year.

3.2.11 Donation from Sheffield Adult School

This has bedevilled accounting for Sheffield Central’s operations for two years. It arrived in 2022 as a generous donation, but with restrictions that ultimately meant it was unusable by the Local Meeting within these confines. After many meetings, discussions and investigations, a list of nine local organisations whose aims were sufficiently similar to those of the original donors was presented to the Local Meeting and, with the approval of Trustees, the money was distributed in the autumn of 2024. Further details can be found in note 7.

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Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

4 Reserves policy

4.1 Background

The Area Meeting has an established reserves policy that seeks to maintain sufficient designated funds for the following long-term and statutory requirements:

• Funding for large capital/maintenance items.

• Operational and contingency reserves sufficient to cover risks with major impacts on lettings

• costs and income. This includes sufficient provision to cover any redundancy liabilities

Due to the charity being organised into local meetings and other sub groups, with some financial responsibility delegated to these areas, the charity considers that the reserves policy needs to include both general and designated funds (excluding fixed assets).

Sheffield Central Meeting House is a substantial city centre building, and although both this and the Balby (Doncaster) Meeting House and bungalow are well maintained, Trustees have made provision in our reserves policy for a designated fund (the Premises Fund) large enough to cover major repair or renewal costs. This had generally been topped up by annual contributions which lapsed during the recent financial stringency, but which have been resumed in 2024 by Sheffield Central, and rebated for Balby (Doncaster) by significant premises expense from their own funds.

Trustees are content that the Fund balance (ca. £160K) is adequate at present. Clearer processes for its maintenance and use have been drawn up, including medium term costed repair and renewal schedules for the premises at Sheffield (to 2040) and Doncaster (to 2048), and recommended annual topping-up contributions from local meetings to the Fund looking six years ahead. Periodic building assessments are organised for our Meeting houses and we agreed to combine a review of these processes alongside this when they are next undertaken.

In 2020 the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic prompted us to review our major risk provision, and Trustees agreed it would be prudent to take a long-term approach, and that we should set a target reserve amount for the two larger Local Meetings based on 6-8 months of expenditure. Sufficient resources were already in place for Doncaster, but to meet this target level for Sheffield Central it was agreed to re-allocate a proportion of funds currently held as unspent legacies as operational reserve. (For clarity, unspent legacies that were re-allocated were not subject to any limitations or restraints to their use other than to support the Sheffield Quaker Meeting.) In 2023, the closure of the lettings business at Sheffield Central and release of the lettings staff team has reduced the scale of financial activity, though for the time being, we note that the Sheffield Central designated fund (including unrestricted legacies) is still adequate on the 2019 expenditure basis.

13

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Directorsreport (incorporating the Trustees annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

4.2 Reserves Summary

The table below gives a summary of our reserves provision, from the Reserves Policy review approved by Trustees in July 2024.

Funds within balances held as reserves	Balance at 31 Dec 2024 (excluding tangible fixed assets)	Target Recommendations and Notes
AM General Fund (unrestricted)	£6,345	After two years direct support for the Yorkshire Regional Youth worker, in 2024 no funding was required from AM. With current turnover at £5,592, there is an acceptable level of free reserves.
AM Premises Fund (designated)	£162,369	Trustees believe the current level is acceptable to manage annual fluctuations in capital work and to accommodate large risk items, as well as providing a designated reserve for occasional large contingencies elsewhereintheAreaMeeting.
Operational/Contingency Funds for Local Meetings:-
Hope Valley (designated)	£1,360	Recommended reserve level around £1,127(12 mo. turnover). Satisfactory
Nether Edge (designated)	£5,633	Recommended reserve level around £2,402 (12 mo. turnover). Reasonable free reserves, available to support chosenQuakercauses.
Sheffield Central (designated)	£88,939 (including designated unspent legacies)	With a turnover of £41K, in new circumstances, this large reserve is still justified in view of bedding in new property licensing and management arrangements, and by reasonable allowance for designating legacy funds. Recommended level to be reviewed.
Balby (Doncaster) (designated)	£33,688	Recommendation is to maintain a target of between £21,000 and £27,000 (based on 6-8 months expenditure in 2023). Reasonable free reserves allow for property work, sparing the premises fund.

14

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Paeetlng of the Religious Soclety of Friends Directors" report (incorporating the Trustees" annual report) continued for the year ended 31 December 2024 5 Investment policy and objectfrves 'The policy for investrnent is to avoid high risk and to seek the htghest overall return consistent with Quaker values. This generally means investment in °ethical" organisatTrons. in which reference to the °Elhical Consumerf magazine's researth has been useful. At present. Trustees mainlain balar￿S fft ihe C￿peratiVe Bank. Triodos (an invesknent bank), and the Ecoltsjy Building Society Tlw indude the proceeds of sale of a unrt tnjst holdrng in 2020, representrng the Property and RelEf Tnjsts. beGause of dwbts about its ethical stsnding. They congder that the present spread of funds between three tKJlies with high "Ethical Consumerf ranking gives us adequate diversity, though a parb.al rwnvestment in stock has not been ruled out. 6 Ststement of responsibilitles ot the trustees Law applicable to charrties in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each finanaal year which give a true and fair of the chartys financial aciivFties during the period and its financial po&tson at the end of the peri¢)d. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view. the trustees aim to folk)w best praCt￿e and: Select suitable accounting polices and then apply them consistenty Obsetve the methods and w'nuples in the Charrttes SORP Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and wudent State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended have been followed. SUb￿t to any material departures disdosed and gxplainod in tho financial statements Prepare the finxial statements on the wing concem basis unless li is inappropriate to presume that the chanty will continue in operation The trustees are responsible for kee￿ng proper acccJuntirrfJ reC(￿d$ that disc5ose ith reasonable accuracy at any time the financial postlion of the tharity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charib'es A(# 2011. they are also resp)nsible for safeguarding fv assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsitrfe for the maintenarK* and intem of C￿porate and financial infomiatK)n induded on the charitys website. LegslatK>n in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and dissemination of financial ststements may differ frIKn legislab'on in other jurisdtctions. Fallowino review and approval by our Area MeetsrKJ, th• T￿￿tea$. Nmnual report ha8 been approved by the Irustees on "Od&r2oir and Si￿ed ￿ their behalf by.. THOAR Clerk to the Trustees Print Name: 15

Independent examiners report to the trustees of Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends for the year ended 31 December 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the period ending 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity trustees 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 no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning form and content of accounts set out in the Charities/Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an Independent examination.

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: 15 October 2025 comesSv

F Hazlehurst, FMAAT Community Accountant FH Accountancy Services Anston, Sheffield S25 4JU

16

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Permanent Unrestricted Restricted Endowment 2024 Funds Funds funds Total INCOMING RESOURCES £ £ £ £ Donations, legacies and grants 2 73,962 30,109 - 104,071 Room hire and services 40,802 - - 40,802 Investments 3 12,525 657 1,389 14,571 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 127,289 30,766 1,389 159,444 RESOURCES EXPENDED Room hire 4 34,678 - - 34,678 Charitable activities - support of meeting 5 51,134 79,818 13,339 144,291 TOTAL EXPENDED RESOURCES 85,812 79,818 13,339 178,969 Net income/expenditure 41,477 (49,052) (11,950) (19,525) Transfers between funds 14 - - - - Net movement in funds 41,477 (49,052) (11,950) (19,525) Total funds brought forward 277,555 75,714 863,269 1,216,538 Total funds carried forward 319,032 26,662 851,319 1,197,013	2023 Total £ 60,497 88,598 11,846
	160,941
	96,816 112,532
	209,348
	(48,407) - (48,407) 1,264,945
	1,216,538

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

Prior year comparatives by fund are detailed in the notes to the accounts.

17

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Iqeetlng of the Religious Soci•ty of Friends 8alance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Flxed assets Tangible fixed assets 11 802,138 809.532 Current assets Debtors Short tenrt deposits Cash at Bank and in hand Total assets 12 16.225 374.357 12.624 403,206 16.875 372,498 30,929 420,303 Liabllftles Creditors - due wilhin one year Totsl Ilabllftles 13 (8.329) (8.329) (13,296) 113,296) Not curront assets 394.877 407.CN)6 Total assets loss current Ilabllltles 1,197,013 1.216.538 Represontsd by: General Funds Designated fund Reslncted Funds Endowment fijnds Total Charfty fun(ts 6,345 312.687 26.662 851,319 1,197,013 5,163 272,392 75,714 863,269 1.216.538 14 14 14 Approved by the trustees on their behalf ty: a￿1 suned on s￿ned. Name.. 71 T 14oAR¥ Trustee 18

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and are rounded to the nearest £1.

b) Income

Income is recognised in the SOFA when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the monies have been met, the receipt of the income is probable and its 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.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in while or in part is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executors intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

c) Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the trustees' annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

19

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the Financial Statements Continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

d) Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

e) Tangible Fixed Assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives at annual rates as follows:

Freehold land 0% straight line Freehold buildings 2% straight line Fixtures and fittings 20% reducing balance Computer equipment 25% straight line

Functional properties are owned by the Area Meeting. These comprise Sheffield Central Meeting House and Doncaster Meeting House, which includes Warden's accommodation, which are held for the furtherance of the Area Meeting's charitable objects. These buildings were valued in June 2019 by an independent professional valuer on freehold market value basis and the valuations have been included in the accounts for the first time in the 2018 accounts. In previous years the only items included in the accounts in respect of land and buildings were improvements made to the buildings made since 2008.

The Doncaster Meeting House warden's accommodation is rented out to a third party, therefore the building is mixed used property held for operation use and investment property. The fair value of the investment property component cannot be measured reliably so the entire property is accounted for as a property within tangible fixed assets.

In 2023 the cost and accumulated depreciation of both Sheffield meeting house and Doncaster meeting house including the land was reclassified to the endowment fund in line with the terms of the governing document, schedule 1.

Titles to the properties are held by the holding trustees.

f) Fixed asset investments

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.

The main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in investment markets.

g) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

20

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the Financial Statements Continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

h) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount is offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts.

i) Trade creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past even that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

j) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

k) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income receivable or generated for the objects of the organisation without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

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.

Endowment funds are not expendable by the charity, and only the income may be used for general or specific purposes a specified in the terms of the endowment.

l) Pensions

The organisation has defined contributions pension scheme. Employees of the charity are entitled to join the defined contribution scheme. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end. The charity has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employees' contributions. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

m) Operating lease rentals

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

21

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the Financial Statements Continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

n) Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

o) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

22

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

2 Income from donations, legacies and grants

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ £ Donations and collections 14,636 4,158 - 18,794 Schedules 33,386 25,317 - 58,703 Legacies 25,040 - - 25,040 Grants 900 634 1,534 73,962 30,109 - 104,071 Total 2023 38,807 21,690 - 60,497	Total 2023 £ 10,814 48,311 - 1,372
	60,497

3 Income from Investments

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ £ Bank interest 7,653 657 1,389 9,699 Rental income 4,872 - - 4,872 12,525 657 1,389 14,571 Total 2023 10,229 462 1,155 11,846	Total 2023 £ 7,426 4,420
	11,846

4 Expenditure on room hire

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ £ Salaries 6 12,478 - - 12,478 Subcontracted services - - - - Premises and admin 22,200 - - 22,200 34,678 - - 34,678 Total 2023 96,816 - - 96,816	Total 2023 £ 56,899 4,214 35,703
	96,816

23

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

5 Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ £ Salaries 6 4,853 - - 4,853 Premises & admin 29,739 - - 29,739 Grants 7 7,366 78,518 1,389 87,273 Support of meeting expenses 4,786 - - 4,786 Depreciation 1,446 - 11,950 13,396 Other 848 1,300 - 2,148 Governance: Independent examination 8 1,100 - - 1,100 Other 996 996 51,134 79,818 13,339 144,291 Total 2023 78,223 21,204 13,105 112,532 6 Staff Costs Total 2024 £ Salaries 17,331 Employer's National Insurance - Employer Allowance - Employer Pension costs - Redundancy costs - 17,331	Total 2023 £ 28,574 24,685 33,849 4,602 12,258 389 2,350 5,825
	112,532
	Total 2023 £ 71,136 2,663 (2,663) 2,863 11,474
	85,473

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000. The average number of employees during the period was 4 (2023:8.7).

7 Grants made Quaker: Britain Yearly Meeting Other Quaker Non-Quaker: Other non-Quaker In addition to the Britain Yearly Meeting grant, other grants made to other Quaker organisations over £1,000 were: Northern Friends Peace Board	Total 2024 £ 27,377 6,378 53,518 87,273 1,200 1,200	Total 2023 £ 27,637 5,198 1,014
		33,849
		£ 1,943
		1,943

24

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

7 Grants made (continued) Non-Quaker grants distributed during the year: CRESST Ben's Place Chilypep Element Society Emmaus Sheffield GROW Heeley City Farm Kaleido Arts for Wellbeing Roundabout Zest Grants less than £1,000	Total 2024 £ 6,228 1,076 5,507 5,507 5,507 5,507 5,507 5,507 5,507 5,507 2,160 53,518	Total 2023 £ - - - - - - - - - - 1,014
		1,014

8 Independent examination and accountancy services

During the period, the cost of the independent examination and accountancy services was £1,100 (2023: £1,100).

9 Trustees remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

The trustees were not paid or received any other benefits other than reimbursed expenses during the year (2023: £nil).

10 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year, (2023: none).

A number of trustees have made donations to the charity throughout the year.

25

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

11 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost or Valuation as at 1 January 2024 Additions as at 31 December 2024 Depreciation as at 1 January 2024 Charge this period at 31 December 2024 Net book value at 31 December 2024 Net book value at 31 December 2023 12 Debtors Trade debtors Accrued income Prepayments Other debtors 13 Creditors Accounts payable Accruals Other creditors	Freehold land & buildings £ 880,000 - 880,000 71,700 11,950 83,650 796,350 808,300	Fixture & fittings £ 156,807 6,000 162,807 155,575 1,446 157,021 5,786 1,232	Computer equipment £ 6,205 - 6,205 6,205 - 6,205 - - 2024 £ 2,513 9,574 4,138 - 16,225 2024 £ 857 7,303 169 8,329	Total £ 1,043,012 6,000
				1,049,012
				233,480 13,396
				246,876
				802,136
				809,532
				2023 £ 3,501 6,611 6,118 645
				16,875
				2023 £ - 12,181 1,115
				13,296

26

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

14 Funds

2024 Brought forward Unrestricted funds AM General fund 5,163 Designated funds Premises fund 151,302 Sheffield Central 76,245 Balby Doncaster 38,063 Nether Edge 5,245 Hope Valley 1,537 Total designated funds 272,392 Total unrestricted funds 277,555 Restricted funds Assistance fund 6,914 Bursary fund 19,082 Balby Doncaster 157 Yorkshire Youth Worker fund - Sheffield Central 49,560 Total restricted funds 75,714 Permanent endowment funds Property Trusts 27,589 Relief Trusts 27,380 Property Reserve 808,300 Total endowment funds 863,269 Total funds 1,216,538	Incoming Resources 4,774 5,167 69,454 44,154 2,790 950 122,515 127,289 788 1,403 330 700 27,545 30,766 755 634 - 1,389 159,444	Resources Expended (5,592) (1,100) (33,923) (41,668) (2,402) (1,127) (80,220) (85,812) - (2,385) (328) - (77,105) (79,818) (755) (634) (11,950) (13,339) (178,969)	Transfers in/(out) 2,000 7,000 (7,000) (2,000) (2,000) - - - - - - - - - - - -	Carried forward 6,345 162,369 104,776 38,549 5,633 1,360 312,687
				319,032
				7,702 18,100 159 700 -
				26,662
				27,589 27,380 796,350
				851,319
				1,197,013

Transfers between funds

Balby Doncaster contributed £2,000 from its designated funds to the area meeting general fund.

Sheffield Central pledged contribution of £7,000 from its designated funds to the designated Premises fund.

27

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

14 Funds

2023 Unrestricted funds AM General fund Designated funds Premises fund Sheffield Central Balby Doncaster Nether Edge Hope Valley Property Reserve Total designated funds Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Assistance fund Woodbrooke Bursary fund Bursary fund Balby Doncaster Restricted funds Sheffield Central Restricted funds Total restricted funds Permanent endowment funds Property Trusts Relief Trusts Property Reserve Total endowment funds Total funds	Brought forward 14,117 135,229 120,333 172,685 5,095 1,540 685,618 1,120,500 1,134,617 6,249 1,965 16,835 156 50,153 75,359 27,589 27,380 - 54,969 1,264,945	Incoming Resources 4,088 4,256 86,018 39,028 3,147 1,097 - 133,546 137,634 665 - 945 1 20,541 22,152 617 538 - 1,155 160,941	Resources Expended (14,042) - (123,727) (33,173) (2,997) (1,100) - (160,997) (175,039) - - (663) - (20,541) (21,204) (617) (538) (11,950) (13,105) (209,348)	Reclassification in/(out) - - (14,423) (120,209) - - (685,618) (820,250) (820,250) - - - - - - - - 820,250 820,250 -	Transfers in/(out) 1,000 11,817 8,044 (20,268) - - - (407) 593 - (1,965) 1,965 - (593) (593) - - - - -	Carried forward 5,163 151,302 76,245 38,063 5,245 1,537 -
						272,392
						277,555
						6,914 - 19,082 157 49,560
						75,714
						27,589 27,380 808,300
						863,269
						1,216,538

Reclassification of assets

During 2023 Sheffield and Doncaster meeting house including the land were re-classified. The properties are now correctly classified as per the governing document, schedule 1 which states the properties should be held as a permanent endowment. The bungalow dwelling built on part of the land of Balby (Doncaster) was valued in June 2019 with a value of £36,483 this does not have the same restrictions, and is an unrestricted asset, however the land on which it sits is part of the permanent endowment.

Transfers between funds

The transfer of expenditure into Sheffield Central Restricted funds from Sheffield Designated funds is to cover expenditure incurred in 2021 for a coffee morning which was incorrectly reported at the time.

The Woodbrooke fund had been formally merged with the Bursary Fund back in 2018 but due to continuing donations, it continued to have a de facto existence. With approval of Area Meeting, the trustees approved the use of the fund balance £1,965 to organise a local Woodbrooke event within a reasonable period. Other than this exception the Bursary Fund is only for personal use, and does not support organisations.

28

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

14 Funds - continued

Name of fund

Unrestricted funds

AM General fund

The money is available to the AM for its general organisation and activities.

Designated funds

Premises fund

This designated fund represents accumulated income from the proceeds of sale of the Woodhouse Meeting House in the early 1980's, and other smaller property-related trusts together with unrestricted income from the Property Trusts, and transfers from Local Meetings' designated funds.

Area Meeting has chosen to designate this money for property purposes, including the maintenance of the Woodhouse Burial Ground.

Local Meeting funds:

Sheffield Central, Balby Doncaster, Nether Edge and Hope Valley There are four local meetings within Sheffield and Balby AM. These accounts provide a summary of financial activities in each meeting. Constituent Meetings take responsibility for finances relating to their affairs and for the management of their Meeting Houses. The local meeting Treasurers provide more detailed financial reports of their own Meetings.

Property Reserve

The fund has been set up to identify those funds which resulting from the 2018 revaluation of the Sheffield and Balby (Doncaster) LM meeting houses and land. The reserve is depreciated in line with the depreciation accounting policy. During 2023 the land and buildings have been reclassified to endowment funds as per the governing document, schedule 1.

Restricted funds

Assistance fund

This fund is a bursary fund for the support of Friends in financial need. The fund receives the income of the AM Relief Trusts (see Endowed Funds). Applications are dealt with by the Bursary Funds' Treasurer, with advice and support from overseers as necessary.

Bursary fund

This fund has been transferred from designated funds as at 31 December 2021. Applications for personal grants to Friends are dealt with by the Treasurer of the AM Bursary Funds, with advice and support of the Pastoral Friends.

Balby Doncaster

Restricted funds belonging to Balby (Doncaster).

29

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

14 Funds - continued

Name of fund

The (Yorkshire) Youth Development Worker

In common with many Quaker regions, a tentative appointment was made by Britain Yearly Meeting in the Autumn of 2022 of a Youth Worker to work across the Yorkshire region for three years and Area Meetings were asked to contribute to the cost. We were able to do so from general reserves but only for part of that period. In the event, the appointment was so successful that it has been extended for another three-year period up to August 2028. With sufficient notice, a fund-raising campaign has been initiated to provide for our share of the cost. The Restricted Fund is the result; standing at £700 at 31 December 2024.

Sheffield Central

Restricted funds belonging to Sheffield Central for grants given or collections made for specific purposes.

Permanent endowment funds

AM Property Trusts

This group of mainly property funds comprises capital from the sale of Woodhouse Meeting House and most of its burial ground in the early 1980's, together with six of the AM Trusts (Le Tall, Halifax, Pacey, Dearman, Wade and Girdom), and a 5/7 portion of a seventh (Coisley Hill). The capital of this fund may only be used in the provision of new meeting houses or burial grounds, but the income is available for general purposes, and is paid into the designated AM Premises fund.

AM Relief Trusts

This group of relief funds comprises three of the ten previous 'AM Trusts' (Taylor, Rodes & Madin) and 2/7 of a fourth (Coisley Hill). The capital of these funds must be maintained and the income, whose use is restricted to the relief of hardship , is paid into the AM Assistance fund.

Property Reserve

This fund has been reclassified from designated funds to endowment funds as per the governing document treatment on properties. This fund was originally set up in 2018 to identify those funds resulting from the revaluation of the Sheffield and Balby (Doncaster) LM meeting houses and land. The reserve is depreciated in line with the depreciation policy.

30

Sheffield & Balby Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 December 2024

15 Analysis of net assets by fund

As at 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Funds £ Fixed Assets - Net current assets/(liabilities) 6,345 6,345 As at 31 December 2023 Unrestricted Funds £ Fixed Assets - Net current assets/(liabilities) 5,163 5,163	Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds funds 2024 £ £ £ £ 5,786 - 796,350 802,136 306,901 26,662 54,969 394,877
	312,687 26,662 851,319 1,197,013
	Designated Restricted Endowment Total Funds Funds funds 2023 £ £ £ £ 1,232 - 808,300 809,532 271,160 75,714 54,969 407,006
	272,392 75,714 863,269 1,216,538

31