Charlty reglstratlon numbar 1134787 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trust&¢s Mary Cundy Rttsigngd 31 December 2023 Paula Harvey Bridget Herring Susan Lake Appointed 1 January 2023, Resigned 14 February 2024 Silas Price Susan Sharpe Carole Thomas Caroline Tisdall David Knighton Roland Pascoe Peter Smith Appointed 21 January 2023 Appointed 1 January 2024 Appointed 1 January 2024 Charity number 1134787 Principal address 26 Pottergate Norwich NR2 1DX Prlnclpal offlcè of custodlan trUS￿S Friends Trust Ltd Friends House 173-177 Euslon Road London NW1 2BJ Auditor Mapus- Smith & Lemmon LLP 48 King Street Kings Lynn England PE30 1HE Main bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill Wesl Malling Kent ME19 4JQ The Co-operative Bank pl¢ 69 London Street Norwich Norfolk NR2 1HT Triodos Bank NV Deanery Road Bristol BS15AS NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Property agents Amolds Keys LLP 2 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk NR1 1LB Insuranca brokers Congregational & General Insurance plc Currer House Currer Street Bradford Wesl Yorkshire BD15BA Investment managers Rathtx)ne Investment Management Limited 10 Queen Square Bristol BS14NT Epworth Investment 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A4PE Solicitors Cozens-Hardy LLP Opie Street Norwich Norfolk NR13DP Birketts Kingfisher House 1 Gilders Way Norwich Norfolk NR3 1UB NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS CONTENTS Page Trustees, report Stsl8menl of trusle8s' responsibilities 20 Independent audilorfs report 21-24 Stalerllenl of financial activities 25-26 Balance sheet 27-28 Notes to the financial statements 29-52 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies sel out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 'Accounling and Reporting by Charities.. Slalemenl of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. leffeclive 1 January 20191. Objectives and activities About Quakers Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker meeting is one of the 70 area meetings of Quakers in Britain. We have no hierarchy. None of us has any ststus above another. This provides LJS With a resilience which has ensured the survival and relevance of our movement sin¢e il was founded in the mid-1600s. Quakers share a way of life and discover our unity in worshipping together. We are known best for our ¢ommitmenl to pea￿, simplicity, equality and truth. We are formally known as the Religious Society of Friends. We are religious, but not a religion.. we welcome people from all faith backgrounds land none) who want to explore and deepen their spiritual and human experien￿. We are a society.. we offer the chance to be part of a community of people who opl for simpler lives and who seek "to know one another better in things that are eternal" We are friends.. we recognise a fundamental equality of dignity in every person. To put it another way, we see 'lhat of God in everyone" For Quakers, the Area Meeting is the level at which membership is held, though we usually worship in local Meetings. In the Norfolk & Waveney area we have ten Local Meetings. The Area Meeting and its trustees work to support the affairs of the Society and to support local Meetings. The main ways we do that are sel out in our governing document, which is explained on the following pages. Our b8n•flt to thè publlc The trustees have paid due regard to guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. Meetings for worship were held every Sunday (coronavirus measures permiltingl at each of our Local Meetings. Some Local Meetings also hold midweek meetings. All of these were open to the public, and provide opportunities for worship and spiritual growth. Local Meetings within the Area Meeting support religious education in local schools. There is chaplaincy support al local prisons. We visit patients in hospital and residents in care homes. Our meeting houses are available for letting lo local groups al modest cost, which helps lo build and reinforce the community. Our spiritual experience leads us lo support those in our communities who are disadvantaged. The many ways in which we do this are explained in the following pages which set out the activities of our trustees and Local Meetings. Our commitment to peace leads us lo give financial support lo the Quaker United Nations Office and in lols of other ways lo support peaceful means lo resolve dIfferen￿S and injustices. This ￿port shows how our resources have been applied and how the public benefits from our work. 11 is not, however, possible lo show fully the wide range and depth of service which members of our Society individually and collectively m8ke to the communities in which they live and work. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 So¢lal Invesljnont We hold real property and listed financial se¢urities as investments which provide income to further our aims and objeclives. Our investment policy with regard to financial secLJrities is summarised later in Ihis report. The real property we hold is within the area of Norfolk & Waveney Area Meeting. Where possible, we use this property both to generate income and to fulfil a social purpose. This includes making property available in cenlral Norwich for use by the Salvation Army as an adull rehabiliiation ￿ntre and to Action for Children for use as a children's nursery. Our residential property is made available at affordable rates. We are nearing completion of the redevelopment of our buildings in central Non￿lch into flats for young people leavin9 care. We aim to be a responsible landlord. Grant-maklng Grants are made in accordance wilh OLJr governing document - either to fund the work of Britain Yearly Meeting or other Quaker organisations, or to fund concerns that Local Meetings, the Area Meeting or Britain Yearly Meeting have adopted or agreed to support. More informalion is in Ihe notes to the accounts. Volunteers OLJr Society relies heavily on the voluntary service of our members ond those who attend our meetings for worship, although we are looking at bringing in more paid providers, for instsn¢e for bookkeeping and administration. All our meetings for worship are made possible by the ministry and service of our members, which is unpaid. Virtually everyone involved in the life of the Society plays a part to some degree in sustaining our worshipping commLJnities. It is not possible to Measure with any reasonable degree of reliability the value of volunteer activity to the Society. The varieties of activity and service undertaken by volunteers include.. Arranging weekly meetings for worship, ensuring that these are held in accordance with Quaker Faith & Practice and ministering spiritually and practically to those who attend., Providing for the pastoral care of individual members and attenders, as well as patients in hospitals and those who are in prisons in our area., Making arrangements for marriages and funerals, liaising with the civil authorities and maintaining our burial grounds., Attending to the physical maintenan￿, safety and lawfulness of our meeting houses as public places of worship and as safe pla￿S for all, including the young and vulnerable., Administering and maintaining the organisation, finances and governance of the Area Meeting and representing il lo Britain Yearly Meeting, its committees and bodies. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Achlevements and porformance Review of activities in 2023 A Isham A blended Meeting for Worship is held every Sunday110.'30aml. On the second Wednesday there is an in-person Meeting for Worship 112 noon, for half an hour) and on the fourth Wednesday there is an in-person Meeting for Worship in Holt12.'30 pm, for half an hour) There is a monthly study group meeting on the second Sunday of each month which is also held on-line and we are estsblishing regular after meeting study session alternating with a shared lunch. We said farewell to a long standing Friend, Peter Moss and his wrfe Gonnie, who have moved to be closer to family in Pickering. What has o¢¢upied our attention a$ 8 meeting- We have sel in motion the provision of a more Child friendly atmosphere for our Small Meeting Room. Our blended meetings continue to support the 8ttend8nce of those living abroad and al some distance for the meeting hous&. What outrea¢h we've engaged In: We hav8 SLJPPOrtèd Mènd with Fri8nds, a non QLJakèr initiative, which is a Social Entèrpri$8 that tèaches visibly ménding of garments. Thèy arè in tho meeting house every first Saturday of the month with our refill station downstairs. The refill stall held on th8 first Saturday of the month to coincide with thè Aylsham Farmer's Market has continued suc￿SsfUllY providing a point of con-tact with the community. Donations in kind and financial are also made to the local FOOD BANK. The Meeting House was a walering stoplcheckpoint during the annual Norfolk Churches sponsored cyclelwalk. The Craft GroLJP meet once a month with a mix of Quakers and visitors. We have also hosted and attended Lent Lunches and a Christian Aid Coffee morning. How we've been involved in our local communities: We have been involved with the Aylsham Climate Emergency group supporting the provision of Tetra boxes for the collection of blister packs and in the Green Day held in the market place. We have been part of Churches Together in Aylsham. How we've made our buildings available to the community.. Our building has been hired by many different groups, art, yoga, counselling and music, all appreciating what il offers. How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere: Members and attenders have been involved nationally with.. Yearly Meeting Clerk's support group Meetings for Central Nominations Committee Meetings of the Group lo Review Central Sltuclures Meetings for Sufferings Quaker Voices for Mental Health Responding to requests from other meetings for donations As Indlvldual$: Att8nd8d Trustèè m88tings of Th8 John Homiman Childrèn's Trust and The Richard Waynforth Trust Attended various meetings of the search committee for QUIET Attended meetings of Trustees of St Andrew's school Aylmerton Attended Trustee meetings of the Bruamana School in Lebanon Wrilten a￿cleS for The Friend. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Be¢¢les What has occupl8d our meetlng. DLJring 2023, Beccles Quakers were occupied in making their Meeting Room a space thal com-bines practicality li.e. Zoom facilities), simplicily and a welcoming atmosphere thal encouraged Friends and visitors alike lo enter into a spirit of worship. This was enhanced with frequent ministry based on QLJaker Faith and Practice. Friends were involved in keeping our Notice Boards informative, our Library compact and easy to use and the gardens a delight for Friends and passers-by alike. Beccles Friends and visitors were asked to lead Friday discussions twi monthly which covered topics both spiritual and social. To these a craft group was added once a month. In the spirit of a wider loving concem we invited donations to home and overseas charities, chosen by Friends, for which information was given verbally and by e-mail. What Outreach we've been engaged in Beccles Quakers has a small outreach group who receive strong support from the meeting in general. During 2023 Beccles Quakers were engaged in a number of outreach activities. The outreach group worked closely with, the then newly-formed, Discovering Quakers to run two 'Discovering Quakers. events specifically for the Quaker-curious. Much work was pul into these evenings by the many members of the meeting who were involved in organising and presenting them. In June 2023 Beccles Quakers had a stall al Beccles Pride. This event was very well supported by members of the meeting. Throughout the year the Beccles Quakers website and Facebook page were kept up lo date and added to frequently w((h new and relevaril posts and articles. E8rfy in 2023, encouraged by their work with Discovering Quakers, the outreach group began lo create and Circulate a fortnightly newsletter. This featu￿d posts, news from the meeting and be-yond and upcoming events. 11 could b& requested by 8 link on the website. How we ar¢ Involved In our local ¢ommunltles In June we invitèd local pèople lo èxplore our 'Climate Imaginerium. èv8nt (part of the national big Grèan èv8nll whén thèy werè invited to write a letter to somèone 30 years on. Visitors included our lo¢al MP and the leader of the East Suffolk District CoLJncil. We held a Peats Vigil in the town square also in June. Our Meeting House provided refreshment for those in the Stride and Ride Historic Churches TrLJSt fLJnd raising event. Beccles Quakers also has Friends who regularly attend the lo¢al Christians Together group and and, as usual, led a worship session in Ihe annual Prayer for Christian Unily. We also provided representatives for the Civic event arranged for local Beccles organisalions. How we've made our building available to the Community. Local groups continue to use our building and we make our best efforts to ensure that there are none that are in Conflict with our Quaker testimonies e.g. our peace testimony. Our aim is lo increase its use and lo this end we attached an exterior notice and advertised on our website. How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere Our Quaker Life rep attended councils on behalf of Norfolk & Waveney Area Meeting We made our usual yearly donation to British Yearly Meeting. Also Quaker Social Action and Glebe House. (which though not actually Quaker organisalions were started by Quakers and still run along Quaker lines. The member of the Discovering Quaker team attended regular meetings and helped provide the technical support for their weekly Tuesday night 'Quaker Lives. Zoom sessions. A member hosts another meeting's zoom Meeting for Worship once a month lo enable the regular zoom host to worship, free of responsibility. Another gave ongoing support in helping with the Area Meeting finance operation. We also have Friends who are Area Trustees. As Individuals OLJr Meeting Friends suffered more than a usual share of serious illness but others SLJPPOrted them by visits and loving and uplifting messages. However, ¢ertainly one of our number was fil enough to ¢ompl&te another leg of a long-distanc8 bikè ridè. Sèvéral individuals w8r8 actively involvèd in environmèntal organisations while other musical frionds sang in choirs performing locally for charity or played in bands giving pleasiJr8 lo all who heard them. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Great Yarmouth Meetings for Worshlp We enjoyed being together for Meetings for Worship IMfWI every Sunday (apart from Christmas Evel and welcomed some new attenders and visitors. The average number attending was between seven and eight. On Ihe first Sunday of each month one or two Advices and Queries were read during Mfw. The same Advices and Queries were also sent via email to everyone on the meeting's list Ithis started when the meeting house was closed, 2020 to 2021, and has continued as a way of keeping in touch with those unable to altend Mfwl. The Meeting House was open for Heritage Open Day on 9th September and, on 17th December we invited friends and family to join us for Mfw and, or for refreshments aftetwards. There were twelve at Mfw that day. What has occupied our attention as a meeting7 We were always pleased to have news of any Friends not at Mfw. and after each Mfw we shared news of Friends. We had two meetings for business, one in February, when we agreed lo open the Meeting House IMHI for Heritage Open Day IHODI and to have a one off professional cleaning of the MH. The rllinutes of that meeting record that our treasurer of many years, and assistant treasurer, swapped roles on 1st January. Al the other business meeting, in October, we heard the report of the HOD and made plans for Christmas. What outreach we've engaged in The MH was open for HOD on 9th September, and 83 visitors attended. M8ny enjoyed the garden and were interested in the MH as well as Quaker worship. We were ple8sed that among the visitors were several families with child￿n. The lime of Mfw and Contsct details for the meeting are published in the Yarmouth Mercury every Friday. How we've been Involved In our local ¢ommunltl8s Thr89 Friends arè involvèd in Great YarmoLJth Inl8r Faith and B81ief Network. Som8 mgmbers of the Network ware invitèd to and attended the prg- Christmas Mfw. The members of our ministry and pastoral team mèt with thè tèams in Becclès and Pakefield Local Meetings twicè, once in Great Yamouth and once in Pakefield meeb'ng houses, the meeting at Beccles was postponed until early 2024. Ngw mgmbors, marrlagè$ and doaths Two new attenders, one who had been an occasional visitor for several years, started attending Mfw more regLJlarly. How we've made our buildings available to the community The Great Yarmouth Bagpipers use the MH one evening a week to practice. How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere As a Meeting: We SUPFX)rt Quaker work not only by individual giving but with an annual collection for BYM to be used where most needed. Individuals: One Friend has continued to do some work online with Restoring Relations la Quaker Recognised Body). Another Friend is one of the Clerks for auaker International Zoom Meeting for worship for Pea￿ worship al Spm UK lime daily and Clerk on Sundays. He is also the TechlHosl for the monthly meetings of the National Quaker Neurodiversity group via Zoom. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Kin What has occupl8d our attèntlon as a Meetlng: We are still a relatively small group of Friends Meeting regularly with a blended meeting every Sunday , and at our mid-week online Wednesday meeb'ng. We have a Shared vegetarian Lunch bi-monlhly, reflecting our concern for our animal friends. It is always a time when we get to know one another better and share ideas, and we sometimes have an invited speaker. We continue also with the Shared Reading group monthly. Our subject of study was "Telling the Truth About God" a Quaker Quick by Rhiannon Grant. It inspires us lo really think about the way we describe our spiritual experiences to one another both within Quakers, and with olhers. This is a real way we deepen our spiritual life and our relationships. To quote Rhiannan Grant . "Doing theology then, is an ongoing process in which a community of people reflect on their experiences." Our Experirllent with the Light Group has been running a couple of years now. Meeting monthly, witnessing the work of the Light in each others lives. We lake it in turns, choosing and reading the meditation, bringing into the Light our individual concerns and those situations and places of concern within the wider world. We have begun lo be a more creative, focusing more on our gifts and what is 'original good" within us. By continuing to repeat the meditation process il enables us to see what makes it like that, leading to a path of understanding, acceptance, a sense of inward peace and the strength to know how lo act. As 8 group we have shared so much, fell loved and supported as we accompany each other. The deepening understsnding and friendship has also slrenglhened our spiritual life. Our monthly meetings are held on line using zoom. We physically meet, sharing 8 meal 8fterw8rds, twice a year. Currently our group is made up of Friends from Kings Lynn and another Meeting bul is open to AM. Our use of le¢hnology overcoming the geogr8phi¢al disl8n¢e between us. The Meeting observed with great sadness the armed conflicts that raged in 2023 Sudan, in the Middle East and in many other locations. in Ukraine. in Yemen, in the Thè situation in Israel and Gaza was a particular cause for concern. Thè attack by Hamas on southem Israel in October 2023 ￿sUPted in the killing of over 1400 people and the taking of at least 200 hostages. This was followed by an longoingl assault by Israel on besI￿ed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip- over 30,000 have been killed to date. Individual members of KLQ wrote to local MP James Wild and signed pelitions Ljrging a ceasefire and calling for bolh the release of Israeli hostages and hLJmanitarian access to Palestinians in Gaza. This was followed lin January 20241 by pa￿CipatIon by one Friend in a large Pales-line Peace March in London, where he was able lo talk to a number of marchers and tell them about the Society and its work. Two British Quakers emerged Iseparalelyl from the crDwd having seen his °Quakers for Peace. badge. It was, one hoped, a small Contribution to finding a non- violent solution to a distressing crisis in which so many have suffered. We added smart controls to our heating system to match our lettings pattem, and to be more environmentally friendly. Our internet network has been improved lo better facilitate hybrid meetings. After Meeting on Christmas Eve, several of us met together to sing Christmas Carols as well. Thanks to the Work of one of our Friends, our garden is looking very loved and cared for, and provides us with constant blooms for our Meetings. We have also held a communal gardening day to re-wild a patch outside the Meeting House. What outreach we've engaged in: In our outreach into the community, Kings Lynn Meeting continue to uphold and sponsor "Companions in Bereavement" which meets weekly to support anyone who is grieving, no rllatter how long ago the bereavement may have taken pla￿. This provides a face-to-face social forum, as well as one-to-one support. How we've been involved in our local ¢omrnunities- Within our wider Community some of us are involved through various ways with Healing. Including membership of Quaker Fellowship of healing 8nd distsnce healing. Within our M&eling Friends live within urban and ruol locations. For rural friends community involvement brings people together and al times it's what enables 8 small community to continue. An example on a sm811 level of community involvement is ecumenical work between villages- a House Group. Hosted al a Friend's Home we have strèngthènad our fèllowship and it's providèd an opportunity to discuss topics. Enabling us lo learn from each other, sharing our spiritual journeys, ending with our Quaker pra¢ti¢g of a sharod meal togglhgr. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Some of us attended the Annual Holocaust Service held in the Town Hall as part of our Community outreach. We hosted the Norfolk Churches Trust AnnLJal Bike Ride. We also took part in Kings Lynn Heritage Day and served refreshments. We have an ongoing relationship with West Norfolk Churches Together forum and their various projects in the community. Some Quakers held a community Carol singing event the week before Christmas. Some of us joined in a "Walk for Nature" as part of a group of various organisations who are committed to worf(ing with nature, and in relation lo climate change. Another aspect of what concerns us as a Local Meeting. How we've made our buildings available to the communty . We have regular lettings throughout the week, with four different rooms available to accommodate many kinds of groups, such as local Buddhists, Pagans, WEA, How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere: We hosted the Area Meeting in March, as a partially successful blended meeting. We held a Kindlers Workshop in the Meeting House. The topic we chose was Seeing that of God in everyone and everything" We welcomed fourteen people who attended from all over Area Meeting. It was a thought provoking day, and also encouraged a deepening of relationships amongst those who attended. Some of us attended the Quaker"Lislening Space" online session.. developing a safe space, where we can Hear, Understand and Explore IHUEI with one another. Individuals= Our Meeting Hous& ¢onlains within il 8 s8lf-¢onlained fl81 which houses one of our members. Thus meeting the need of one member of our community. North Walsham During 2023 Meeting for Worship was held every Sunday at North Walsham Friends Meeting House, with usually between 5 & 10 Friends & attenders present each week. We also held a Business Meeting regularly . these were well attended with Flflriends taking an interest in the life of our Meeling. What has occuplgd our meetlng We held two Sales, in May & November, which were well attended. Donations at these events were split equally between our Meeting House funds and national charities. What outrea¢h we've ¢ngag*d in In addition, we opened the Meeting House in September for the Norfolk Churches Trust sponsored Cycle Ride. We also supported a number of charities with our monthly collections, & collected items for the local foodbank. How we've been involved in our local communities Various local groups have hired the Meeting House throughout the year, contriL)uting lo the life of the Meeting both rinancially & spiritually. The hirers tell us of their enjoyment of using our peaceful building, & of their gratitude for our welcome. We have ¢onlinued our participation with the North Walsham Chur¢hes Together, with a repre-sentslive of our Meeting attending as many of their gatherings as possible. In 2023, significant repair work had to be undertaken on the flooring of the Meeting House, both near the main dooT3. & by the back wall. Individuals: During the year we lost 2 of our oldest & longest-slanding members .' Jack Richards & David Correa-Hunl. They are both sadly missed. We held celebrations of their lives for both, and planted a tree for each of them near the Meeting House, in their memory. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Norwlch We ended 2023 al the beginning of a process lo discem our future plans in the light of financial constraints on maintaining our listed building Meeting House- a situation familiar lo many Meet-ings and other faith group. More of that in 2024. Despite these challenges, our own activities continued well. We attract about 35 Friends lo Sunday Meetings and 20 to the midday Wednesday Meetings. Our Children's Meeting is well supported. In November we hosted Area Meeting in the afternoon and ran a well-attended Death Café event in the moming. Our sustainability and environmenial COn￿rnS featured prorninently. In April Notwich Friends joined the demonstration in London demanding action on climate justice and protection of the natural world. They joined a strong contingent of Quakers in a moving and inspiring open-air Meeting for Worship. In November the Meeting House hosted a Possilopia event organised with the Interfaith Environmental Group. Bookings of the Meeting Hous8 by a variety of commLJnity groups remained strong. Foodcycl8, Norwich International Youth Project and Narcotics Anonymous are examples of hirers who continLJe to use the premises and meet particular needs of less advantaged members of the community. Many other community initiatives have taken pl8¢e at the Meeting House. We support a local primary school with our Food Bank collections. On a S8lurday in November, as one of the Norfolk Autumn festlV81 events, we hosted The Way of Sankofa, based on the principle of learning from the past to build for the future. People of different cultural backgrounds rnel for an enjoyable cglebralion of differen¢es and what unites us, wonderfully rounded off in Ihg evening with a pgrfomiance by the Afri¢an Choir of Norfolk. Outreach work remained a significant element of the life of the Meeting, both so as lo support new attenders and maintain inler-failh and community links. We held a Quaker Quest series of meetings, including consideration of our testirllonies and an examination of differing perspectives on God. We continued a strong Quaker presence al the monthly Saturday pea￿ vigils in the city cenlre. Improvements lo our website and the use of social media began duiing the year, as an important element of all outreach work. We again warmly acknowledge with thanks the work of our part-time Meeting House Manager and all the volunteering hours by members of the meeting, without which none of these initiatives would be possible. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Pakefield Meeting for Worship This is held every Sunday at 10.30am. Typical attendance is approximately 11 to 17 Friends. There is provision for children, as we have a young family with two primary school age boys. What ha5 occupied our attention as a Meeting? The o¢¢asion of an all-day Area Meeting at Pakefield on 20th May has required much exercise as a Meeting. This was the first Area Meeting to be held at Pakefield for some years. We took on re-sponsibility for organising activities for the moming including a walk along the cliff tops, water colour painting, textiles and writing poetry. We have also been engaged in exploring our spirituality, maintaining the garden, upholding Friends, working with our Eastern Collective colleagues and supporting our clerks. We also have a monthly newsletter which is distributed electronically to Friends and Attenders. Within the Meeting there is a new poetry writing group which had its first meeting on July 24th. What outreach we've been engaged in? An Oulrea¢h event was held on August Bank Holiday, where we h8d the Meeting House open from 1 Oam lo 4pm for anyone lo drop in for free refreshments and a ¢h81. With a fine day, and plenty of folk visiting the cliffs and beach which are just on our doorstep, we hoped to attract more visitors than we have in previous Quaker We&ks in October. Although not overwhelming, a steady stream of visitors called in. Some interested in the history of the building, others Curious about our wor-ship and beliets. We also opened the Me&ting House last Saturday as part of thé Rid& and Stride day for Churches. The refreshments we offered were wel¢omod by our visitors, as il tumgd out to be a vèry hot day. How we￿e been involved in our lo¢al communities We have two rooms available for hire to the local Community, the Meeting Room, and the Ashford Room at the rear of the building. Th8 premisos and its facilities wero extensively refurbished and re-equipp8d as part of works to extend the building. New Members, marriages and deaths. On 15th April 2023 the Pakefield Friends welcomed about 60 family, guests and Ffriends to witness the marriage of Matthew Filer and Verity Sharpe (daughter of Mary & Mick Williams). A very happy day, refreshments and special cupcakes were enjoyed after the Meeting for Worship. How we've made our buildings available to the community Over the past year our bLJilding has been used by Waveney Interfaith Circle, for rehearsals by two local theatre groLJPS, and occasionally by a 'Singing for Health, group. All these groups have some personal connection with Pakefield Friends. Additionally, there will soon be a regular Knit and Knatter group, meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. How wè'va b8•n supporting Quak8r work èls•wh•re: As individuals: Individual Friends give financial help to Quaker causes as they feel moved. Onè couplè in thè Meeting hava a son now working in Geneva for the Worfd Héalth Organisation, and as a consequence, have become interested in the work of the Quaker United Nations offi￿ which they have felt led to support financially. A Pakefield Member has assisted Quaker Social Action with three of their six week This Way Up courses, helping to host the event by running one of the breakout groups each week. This Way Up is programme of professional life Coaching and stress-reduction techniques airned at people on a low income. As a M•&tlng: For the past few years we have donated lo the Quaker Social Action Christmas appeal who continue their work in East London. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Sherin ham Last year much of our energy was devoted to continuing to manage our existing commitments and involving ourselves with new proiecls with fewer friends lo carry out the work. We are trying lo work as much as possible with the comrnunity and with other churches where appropriate. We continued lo hold our monthly Sustainability Saturday events with invited speakers from a variety of organisations and an audience from all sections of the town and surrounding villages. We regard this as our chief form of outreach as there is always Quaker literature available and friends willing lo engage in discussion over the lunch which follows the tslk. During Quaker Week we also opened the Meeting House and garden for anyone lo chat over coffee lo find out what we're all about. We also embarked on a major project with our local museum. Two of us are trustees of the museum and helped to research and present an exhibition for 2024 about the history of all the churches and chapels in Sheringham. This would enable outreach for 2024 as we would be there regularly lo answer questions about Quakers today. We have updated our website to make it easier for hirers to find out about and hire the meeting house. Hirings dropped after covid bLJt were beginning to improve during 2023. We ￿gUlarlY support Quaker work elsewhere by making monthly collections specifically for des-ignated Quaker bodies.we also have a Irusl&e on the bo8rd of Gl&be House and when she retir&d from that role were able lo replace her with someone froffl our Mseting. 10- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Wells What ha5 occupied your meeting The main event demanding our attention in 2023 was the death of our long -time Warden, Michael Sidwell, who died in the spring of 2023 after months of ill-health. The Meeting decided that it was now possible to manage without a full time Wardenlcaretaker. Instead we invited a member of the QLJaker Yard 'Yamily" who had helped Michael enormously while he was ill, doing much of his work, to be our part-time Caretaker, while the Clerk took over the boDkings of the Gallery, our self-contained apartment above the small meeling rcK>m. Thal way Michael's responsibilities were shared al a much lower cost. At the end of 2023 we also lost our beloved Friend Judith Knox (her husband George, a much be-loved mtsmber of Wells Meeting had died a year earlier). They are buried together in the ¢hur¢h-yard of Sl. Clemenl's Church in Bumham Overy Town, only a few hundred yards down the road from their home, Crooks Cottage. Judith's memorial servi￿, like George's was a mix ofAnglican and Quaker-partly due to the fact that our Meeting House could not have held all the people who wished to attend. Judith was a wonderfLJI woman who dedicated her life to others and was a pillar of Wells Meeb'ng. We also had land still havel two Friends who are in local care horlles, whom we still visit and who receive our weekly Newsleller. The weekly Newsletter has become a feature of the life of the Meeting. Started by the previous Clerk, David Saunders, during the Covid lockdown lo help Friends slay in touch with each other, il has been carried on by the Current Clerk, keeps Friends informed about Meeting activities and our lrfe as Quakers. It currently reaches about 30 Friends and friends of the Meeting. What outreach we've been engaged in The most importsnl part of our outreach has been the establishment of the Wells Community Lunch. Our Friends David and Joolz Saunders were instrumental in setting this up after Covid. Our Meeting had struggled with how lo help people in food and fuel povety-whelher lo make the Meeting House a 'lNarm" Communal hub or to try and offer food. In the end David and Joolz with others from Churches Together started a Community LLJn¢h in a hall belonging to the Congregational Chur¢h. It offers a good lunch for whatever people ¢an afford to pay- or free if they can't. Although it was originally set up to deal with food poverty it has in fact become a won-derful community centre particularly combatting loneliness among the elderfy of the town. How we are involved in the local ¢ornmunity We are active participants in Wells Churches Together.. during Lent we joined in discussion groups in the different churches and participated in Easter activities. Several member of the Meeting sing in the ecumenical choir and during a long fund-raising cam-paign for the local parish Church- St.Nicholas - al least four members of our Meeting played in Music Marathons- I three pianists and one percussionistl.one Quaker pianist plays regularly in the Church's summer Con￿rtS. How w9￿0 mad• the building available to th8 local community While the parish church was under repair land still is 11 Iheir'little fishes" toddlers group has been meeting in our Meeting House. The town discussion group meets in the Meeting House during the spring and autumn and rooms are available for rental by local groups. How we￿@ supported Quaker work •ls8wh•re Our fourth Sunday collection is for non-local causes.. usually six months for a charity in the UK and six months for one overseas. We sent donations lo Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank for example, and in the present circumstances in that area will continue to do so. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 mondham During 2023 Wymondham Meeting aimed lo keep the Sunday meeting for worship going in our rented premises in the Methodist Church. We have a small group group of'regulars, who sel up the room and aim lo provide a quiet and welcoming space for each other and our visitors. We usually have between 6 and 10 people al meeting. We use Zoom as a way of enabling people who cannot gel to rneeling in person lo remain in touch and this is much appreciated. We tske great care lo be aware of each other's needs and lo offer support where required which contributes to being a lov-ing and caring Community. This is further supported by our midweek meetings held on two Wednesday afternoons a month - 30 minutes or so of worship followed by refreshments over which conversation and discussion flows happily We have been very conscious of the need to relieve our treasurer of his role and the concern that no suitable replacement was emerging. We have kept the Area Meeting aware of our situation. Temporarily, Miranda Mugford has stepped in as Acting Treasurer and will keep our finances lick-ing over while a more permanent solution can be found. We have not been able lo engage actively in outreach because most of us are elderly and dealing with health issues andlor caring for family. Individuals take part in some local activities such as the Pabulum Cafe which meets weekly lo support dementia sufferers and their carers. We also chal with members of the Melhodisl congregation as we meet arriving and leaving our Sunday morning worship. Some people are active where they live or lake an interest in issues of concern such as climate change. We have been well SLJPPOrted financially by our gathered group and have been able to use funds which were not needed for our use by donating to Quaker and other charities. We also have a special collection running for two months at a time to raise money for good causes chosen to reflect local, national and international needs. Our primary aim in 2023 has been to hold together and seek to discern the best way fonfifard. 12- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Flnanclal rovlow Principal funding sources Our principal funding sources are.. contributions and donations from members of the Society, taking advantage of Gift Aid & GASDS when possible., income from the hire of our meeting houses and premises to local comrnunity groups., returns from funds invested responsibly in financial instruments., rent frorll properties put lo social use in the area of Norfolk & Waveney Area Meeting. These resources support the work of the Area Meeting by.. funding the rnaintenance of meeting houses as public pla￿S of worship., conlributs.ng financially to concerns Quaker Meetings have adopted or agreed lo support- supporting members of the Area Meeting with the costs of learning and training lo take on the wide variety of responsibilities borne in service lo the Society and society more widely.. paying lor the organisation, governance and management of the Society's affairs and spreading the message of Quakers., financing the grants and ¢onlribulions we make lo Britain Yearfy Meeting, Quaker United Nations Office, Friends Therapeutic Trust IGlebe House), Woodbrooke and others to spread the message of Qu8kers 8nd alleviate suffering here and elsewhere. Our finan¢lal posltlon After a review of our current auditors followed by a ftjll tènder process, Mapus-smith & Lemmon were appointed at the Area Meeting's accountants in May 2023. The firm now also provides us with professional bookkeeper to.. raise Area Meeting invoices., set up details for online payments., provide monthly management figure to the trustees,. and keep track of income statements. Both arrangements will be reviewed at the end of 2024. Support for Local Meeting Treasurers During 2023 our truslees began to develop a new network for Local Meeting Treasurers to help them become a mutually-supportive group, working lowards a uniform system easier for them, their SLJccessDrs and our auditors to use. So far this has induded.. Sharing good practice between meetings, e.g. for invoicing hirers. Testing a simple spreadsheet for regular financial recording & reporting, prodU￿d with help from Mapus- Smith & Lemon. Compiling a Govemance of the financial system and terms of reference for premises committees" Considering the use of a book keeper for all Local Meetings, which would simplify systems and perhaps allow more volunteers lo feel confident in taking up a Treasurer post. Exploring options around accounting packages and online packages which may have already been used successfully. Meeting with the auditors Training in SAGE being offered by our auditors, Mapus-smilh & Lemmon. InsuranGe for 2022/23 Our Insurance covers three important areas.. lal propety insurance Ibl public liability and Icl employer's liability. In 2023 trustees agreed to review the insur8n¢e cover annually each October, with our Propety Clerk updating the insurers when-ever there are relevant changes lo our properties. Budget for 2023 In preparing a draft budgot for 2023 a number of changos from 2022 were incorporated. These included.. Rèstarting contributions from Local Mèétings in 2023 towards thè ¢osl of the Churches Conservation Trust contract Isuspended during 2020-2022 due to the COVID pandemi¢l Paying for a part-time book-keeper from June onwards. Paying for two years (not one) of accounts to be prepared and audited, as we catch LJP from recent delays. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Resetves poll¢y In 2023 we maintained our reserve policy but due to circumstan￿$ outlined above have been unable to do so. Trustees aim to hold freely available reserves equivalent to at least 12 months worth of forecasted unreslri¢ted expenditure. We gave OLJrselves 20.10 leeway either side of the target. This amoLJnis to around.. 138.084 Itargetl At 31 D9¢ 2023 £'ooo 7,243 Alm £'ooo Totsl funds of the Area Meeting Deduct.. restricted funds permanently endowed funds gener81 funds held as tsngible fixed assets Ifun¢tion81 property + other) general funds held as iangible fixed assets (investment propertyl Free reserves of the Area Meetings Deduct.. free reserves held by LoGal Meetings & non-liquid reserves Free r¢$erves held ¢ontrally by Trustses 197 1,929 2,561 465 450 20 255 170 Al 31 December 2023, the Area Meeting held 1820/0 of the free reserves we aim lo hold overall, across the Area Meeting. This is within the 18rgel range of our reserves policy. Additionally, trustees held 12Vo of the free reserves we aim to hold centrally. This is below th& target r8nge of our reserves policy and the Trustees are actively working to improve the position in the Current ye8r. Financial effect of significant events During the course of 2023 our total funds decreased by £43,366, as last year, this resulted in large part.. from losses in the value of financial securities. This is simply a reflection of the movements in stock markets, heavily impaded by the war in Ukraine. The level of income in general funds held as investments and cash dropped by £82,090 The level of voluntary income dropped quite significantly in 2023 compared with 2022. The level of spend on maintenance of properties went up by £37,185 in 2023. We had hoped during 2023 to receive rental income frorn tenants in the inveslrnenl properties al 18 Upper Goal Lane & 24 Pottergale and 26 Pottergale, Norwich. D8lays in finalising the leases continued throughout the year, pushing completion into 2024. Rents are expected to be received from 2024 onwards. Meanwhile the properties continued lo place demands on us with expenditure on council tax, business rates and utilities. Some of this might be recoverable from tenants in 2024 when the leases are Completed. Several of the investment properties required significant expenditure on repair and refurbishment, inclLJding.' fire safety audit work, corrective plLJmbing and ele¢tri¢al works and other works to ¢omplete 18 Upper Goat Lane & 24 Pottergate, Norwich Ic. £86,000),. Gildencroft, Notwich 1¢. £30,000). QLJaker Cottage, Wells-next-the-sea became vacant upon the death of the Friend, Warden to Wells LM, in April 2023. The estimate cost of making it available to rent exceeded our available funds so it remains empty. We also contributed c. £73,000 towards repairs at Norwich Meeting House. 14- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Investment policy Trustees have the power to'make investments in accordance with legal constraints and the ethical leslimonies of the Religious Society.. The Area Meeting adopted our current investment policy in July 2017. Where we invest in listed financial securities, our objective is lo achieve a balance between capital growth and income. We aiTM to invest ethically, consistent with our Quaker witness and true lo our Quaker leslimonies. In surllmary, the following areas of economic activity are considered unsuitable for investment by the Area Meeting.. Tobacco, Alcohol, Gambling, Proslilulion. Pornography, Munitions & related products, Fossil fuel extraction. This led the A￿a Meeting in 2017 to sell all our holdings in BP PLC, Royal Dutch Shall pl¢ and Slaloil. Thes& holdings were valued at over £60,000 al the time of sale. Principle risks and uncertainties The principal risks and uncertainties we face are.. Being required to spend a lol of money quickly on a meeting house or investment property to allow il lo continue in use., Becoming unable lo fulfil the wide range of responsibilities our Society requires of us to function well as a worshipping community., In the longer term, experiencing 8 reduction in the number and physical vilalily of our membership to a degree which prevents us from operating well, To manage these risks, we have pul in pla¢e appropriate insurance policies and hold levels of free reserves which we Consider lo be appropriate lo the risks. Trustees work with the Chur¢hes Conservation Trust, which supports us in managing our mèating hous8s and inv6stm8nt propèrty in a way that r8duc8S thé lik81ihood of incurring signifi¢anl unforeseen expenditure. We continu8 to take steps to engage professional help for many of the morg damanding non-spiritLJal r8sponsibilities of thè Society, whilè rataining 8ff8Ctiv& ovèrsight of thos8 responsibilitiès. Future financial plans We plan lo Continue lo develop our 8pproa¢h to the m8nagemenl of our invested assets with 8n eye to both good slew8rdship and supporting our social objectives. In particular. we plan lo continue lo develop our long-lerm property stral8gy now that w8 have ten-year maintenance reports to base this on. We hope that this strategy will in lime enable us lo providg greater financial support to further our Charitable objectives both within and beyond the area of Norfolk and Waveney Artsa Meeting, as well as reducing the long-lerm risk carried by trustees. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Plans for fvture periods Aims & objectives As a longstanding religious so¢iety, our aims and objectives for the foreseeable future will remain unchanged. We plan lo continue lo further our objects as set out on page 5 of this annual report. Perspective on future direction In the medium term, trustees envisage.. developing our approach to the investment propety in the care of the Area Meeting,. lightening the burden on Friends of prosaic tasks and activities across the Area Meeting,. encouraging more of our energy and resoLJrces to being directed towards OLJtreach and strengthening the life and witness of our meetings. Activities Trustees planned, during 2024, to.. continue arrangements with the Churches Conservation Trust to lighlen the burden on Local Meelings and the Area Meeting by supporting the management of all the real propety under our care, including our meetings houses Isome of which are historic listed buildingsl., build on our commitment to acting as a socially responsible landlord by consolidating the professional management of nearfy all of our relationships with tenants., complete the redevelopment of unoccupied central Norwich properties and bring them back into use, generating an income for the Society and pulling them lo a socially-beneficial use. Build up our bank of the Society's Policies, particularly in relation lo Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Environment and Harassment & Bullying. Support the more slrudured approach lo the Quaker Camp in the summer How our experience influences future plans We are strengthened by Britsin Yeady Meeting and Woodbrooke (whilst recognising that Woodbrooke now plans to support the Society without its historic site al Bournvillel. This leads us to ensure we continue lo provide financial support lo these organisalions to the best of our ability. We recognise the value of paying for good professional help in supporting us in our property, financial, legal and governance responsibilities and will continue to develop in this dirg¢tion. We are increasingly ¢onscious that our investment propety is costing us as much money as it generates. Some of it may be a burden rather than an asset. We ¢ontinue to develop an approach which responds to this prompting. 16- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Structure, governance and management Norfolk and Waveney Area Quaker Meeting is a part of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers. We registered with the Charity Commission on 1 Oth March 2010 with charity registration number 1134787. The CDnsliluent Local Meetings and the Area Meetin9 are consolidated into this registration. A revised goveming document was approved by the Area Meeting in May 2009. Under the revised constitutional arrangements, the local meetings within the Norfolk & Waveney Area are to have their financial reports included within the Area Meeting's financial statements from that date. Within Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting, income and property are used lo further the Area Meeting's objects by.. strengthening the life and witness of Quaker meetings both in the area of Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting and beyond., spreading the message of Quakers and inlerpreling and developing the thought and pr8cli¢e of the Religious Society., undertaking Quaker service for the relief of suffering at home and abroad,. funding the concerns th81 Quaker meetings in the are8 of Norfolk 8nd Waveney Are8 Meeting or beyond have adopted or agreed to support., providing for the pastoral care of individual mgmbers and attgndees including assistsnce lo those in neod, and for èducation", maintaining and dgveloping Quaker meeting houses as places for public worship and from whi¢h lo carry our witness into the worfd., administering and maintaining the organisation of Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting and contributing to the support of Britain Yearly Meeting. Prior lo a name change in September 2007, the Norfolk and Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends was known as the Norwich and Lynn Monthly Meeting. All truslees. meetings are held as meetings for worship for business in accordance with Quaker faith & practi￿, the constitutional b(x)k of Christian discipline of Britain Yearly Meeting. The Clerk lo Trustees regularfy reports on the proceedings of trustees lo Area Meeting in session during the course of the year. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees who served during the year and up to the dale of signature of the financial statements are sel out below. The Trustees are appointed by the Area Meeting in session. The merNbers of the Area Meeting are all those persons whose names are for the time being recorded in the official register maintained in accordan￿ with Quaker Faith & PractlGe. The Area Meeting has the final power to remove trustees. Mary Cundy Wells Local Meeting Resigned 31 December 2023 Paula Harvey Propety Clerk King s Lynn Local Aleeling Bridget Hetring P8kefi8ld Loc81 Meeting Susan Lake A￿8 Meeting Treasurer Aylsham Local Meeting Appointed 1 January 2023 Silas Price Employment Cleth & Safeguarding Nonvich Local Meeting Susan Sharpe Clerk to the Trustees fmm l January 2022 Aylsham Local Meeting Carole Thomas Sheringham Local Meeting Caroline Tisdall Beccles Local Meeting David Knighlon Norwich Local Meeting from l May 2023 Appointed 21 January 2023 Roland Pascoe Appointed 1 January 2024 NO￿lCh Local Meeting from l January 2024 Peter Smith Wells Local Meeting from l January 2024 Appointed 1 January 2024 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Recruitment of trustees, induction and training Trustees, the Clerk to Trustees and the Treasurer are normally appointed for a term of three years. Reappointment is possible for second and third terms Ilhough for the Treasurer a third term is permitted only in exceptional circumslancesl. They are appointed by Area Meeting on the nomination of the Nominations Committee. New Trustees receive copies of recent minutes, our goveming document and terms of reference. We also provide induction and briefing materials which we look lo develop and improve. Britain Yearly Meeting produces a Handbook for Trustees of Quaker Meetings, lat present being revised and updaledl, which trustees are encouraged to read, along with Charity Commission guidance The Essential Trustee. New Trustees are supported in allending Being a Quaker Trustee, a course run by Woodbrooke Quaker Study Cenlre. Once a year il is the practice of Trustees lo reflect on how we are working logelhei and lo check that we ale relating our work lo the objects sel out in our governing document. There is an annual Trustees & Treasures, cOnfe￿nCe that Trustees can allend and a Clerk to Trustees Liason Group. The trustees. report was approved by the Board of Trustees. S Sharpe Trustee Dale.. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial ststements in ac¢ordan¢e with appli¢able law and United Kingdom A¢¢ounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Pra¢ti¢el. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial siatements for each financial year which give a true and lair view of the state of affairs of Ihe charity and of the incoming reSoUr￿S and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., slate whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the financial stslemenls on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate lo presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are ￿sponsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial slalemenls Comply with the Charities A¢t 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detsction of fraud and othgr irrggulariti8S. 20- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Oplnlon We have audited the financial statements of Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Ithe 'charity'l for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally A0￿pted Accounting Practice). In our opinion, the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as al 31 December 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended., have been properly prepared in a¢cord8n¢e with United Kingdom Generally Accepted A¢¢ounling Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basls for oplnlon We condLJcled our audit in accordan¢e with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKI} and appIl￿ble law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the AuditoEs responsibilities for the audil of the financial statements seclion of our report. We are independent of the charily in accordance with Ihe ethical requiremenls that are relevant to our audit Df the financial statements in the UK, inclLJding the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate lo provide a basis for our opinion. Con¢luslons relatlng to golng Concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability lo continue as a going concem for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are aulhorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concem are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other Informatlon The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report Ihereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial slalements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion Ihereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconslstent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtsined in the course of the audit, or olheTwise appears lo be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstslemenls, we are required lo determine whether this gives rise to a material misslalemenl in the financial stslemenls themselves. If, based on the work we have perforrned, we conclude that there is a material misslalemenl of this other information, we are required lo report that fact. Wtr havo nothing to report in this regard. 21 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Mattgrs on whlch we ar• requlrgd to report by ox¢¢ptlon We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the information given in the financial slalements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees, report,. or sufficient a¢¢ounling records have not been kept., or the financial ststements are not in agreement with the accounting records., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the slalement of Iruslees, responsibilities, the Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the financial stslemenls and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Iruslees determine is necessary lo enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misslalemenl, whether due lo fraud or error. In preparing the financial stalemenls, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability lo continue as a going concern, disclosing. as applicable, mallers related to going oncetn and using the going Con￿[￿ basis of accounting unless the Iruslees either intend lo cease operations, or have no realistic allernalive bul lo do so. Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect Ihereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due lo fraud or error, and lo issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance bul is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS IUKI will always delecl a material misststemenl when it exists. Misslaternenls can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected lo influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial stslerllenls. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, induding fraud, is detailed below. The extent to which the audit was considered eapablè of dètecting irrègularities including fraud Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material rnisstalement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows.. the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills lo identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations., we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with trustees and other management., we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial ststemenls or the operations of the charity, including the Charities Act 2011, taxation legislation, and employment legislation., we assessed the exlenl of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence., and identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularty and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. 22- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS We assessed the sus¢eptibility of the ¢haritls financial ststements to material misstatement. including obtsining an understsnding of how fraud might occur, by.. making enquiries of management as to where they wnsidered there was sus¢eptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud,. and considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulalions. To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we.. performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships., tested journals lo identify unusual transactions., assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accountin9 estimates were indicative of potential bias., and investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions. In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulalions, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to.. agreeing financial stalement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation., reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governan￿,. and enquiring of management as to actual and potential liligation and claims. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely il is that we would become aware of non-¢omplian¢e. ALJditing standards also limit the audit procedures reqLJired to identify non-complian￿ with laws and regLJlations lo enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any, Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on Ihe Financial Reporting Council's website at.. htlps'.Ilwww.frc.org.uklOur-WorfdAudiVAudit-and-assurancelStandards-and- guidancelstandards-and-guidanctrfor-auditorslAuditDrs-responsibilities-for-auditlDescription-of-auditors- responsibilities-for-audit.aspx. This description fom)s part of our auditor's report. A further description of our responsibilities is availablo on the Financial R8porting Council's website al.. https.'Il www.frc.org.uklaudilorsresponsibililies. This dgs¢riplion forms part of our audilovs report. Othèr mattèrs Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements 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 IFRS 1021. las amended) in preference lo the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the exlanl regulations but has now been withdrawn. This has been done in order for the financial slalemenls to provide a true and fair view in accordan￿ with current Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charity's Iruslees, as a body, in accordance wtth part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might stale lo the charity's trustees those matters we are required lo stsle to them In an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest exlenl permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for our audit work. for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 23- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Sharon Edwards Isenior Statutory Auditorl for and on behalf of Mapus- Srnith & Lemmon LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor 48 King Street Kings Lynn England PE30 1HE Mapus- Smith & Lemmon LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 24- Ln <0 FJ D co ¢n p4 Qb 7J Oi o) c)m ou>￿0 Z5 LY u) oc>(o o 7J TJ 75 Z5ty mw NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Notes Flxed a$$ets Tangible assets Investment property Investments 21 22 23 2,560,653 3,381,059 813,406 2,562,584 3,381,059 773,559 6,755,118 6,717,202 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 24 3,646 511,284 5,792 473,122 514,930 478,914 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 26 121,7141 128,8491 Net current assets 493,216 450,065 Total assets less current liabilities 7,248,334 7,167,267 Cr&dltors.' amounts falllng dua after more than one year 27 15,0001 111,4401 Nat assats 7,243,334 7,155,827 Capltal funds Endowment funds - general Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 28 1,928,886 1,896,270 29 196,961 5,117,487 245,944 5,013,613 7,243,334 7,155,827 27- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 The financial ststements were approved by the Trustees on . S Lake Trustee S Sharpe Trustee 28- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 A¢¢ountlng poll¢le$ Charity inforniation Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is part of the Religious Society of Friends, ￿MmOn1Y called QLJakers. The ¢harity is an unincorporated charity. 1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepa￿d in a¢¢ordan¢e with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" I'FRS 102.1 and the Charities SORP Accounting and Repo￿ng 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 1021" leffective 1 January 20191. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial slalemenls have departed from the Charities IA¢¢ounts and Reports) R￿UlatIonS 2008 only lo the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Ststement of Recommended Practice for Charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Ststement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are p￿pared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial slalemenls are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and lo include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concern Al the time of approving the financial stalemenls, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concem basis of accounting in preparing the financial ststemenls. 1.3 Charitsble funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtheran¢e of their charitsble objectives which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are subject to restrictions Dn their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the fi'nancial statements. Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity. 1.4 Income All income is re¢ognised in the Slalement of Financial Activities on¢e the ¢harily has entitlement lo the fund, il is probablé that thè in¢om& will be ree8lV8d and th8 amount can be measur9d reliably. 29- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Accounting policies Icontinuedl 1.5 Expendituro Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related lo the category. Where costs cannot be diredly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated lo activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Expenditure includes VAT, which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure lo which il relates. Costs of generating funds comprise those costs directly attributsble lo managing the investment properties and the investment portfolio and raising investment income. Charitable èxpanditurè comprisas thosè costs incurred in perfomiing th8 charity's activitias undèrtakèn in the course of fulfilling charitable objectives as described in the Trustees, Report. Other expenditure on charitable activities include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and stalutory requirements of the charity and indude the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. 1.6 Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially weasured al cost and subsequently measured al cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases.. Functional properties Equipment Computers Not depreciated 25 /0 reducing balance method 500/0 reducing balance method Functional freehold propety is slated in the a¢coLJnls at ils open market value. A full valuation of the propety is carried out every five years in the intervening years a valuation will be carried out only where il is likely ther8 has bgen a material change in valLJe. An annual impairmanl ￿vIeW is also carriéd out in yéars where no depreciation is provided on the grounds of immalerialily. The trustees rgvigw the matgriality of frgehold depreciation 8ach year. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the differen￿ belween the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. 1.7 Investment property Investment property, which is property held lo earn rentals andlor for capital appreciation, is initially recognised 81 ¢osl, which in¢lud&s the purchase Cost and any directly 8ttribul8ble expenditure. Subsequently il is measured at fair value al the reporting end dale. The surplus or deficit on revaluation 15 recognised in the SOFA. 1.8 Flxed asset Investments Fixed asset inveslments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net incomellexpenditurel for the year. Transact40n costs are expensed as incurred. 30- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Accounting policies Icontinuedl 1.9 Impairmont of fixod assets Al each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carying amounts of its tangible assets lo determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is eslimaled in order lo determine the extent of the impairment loss lif any). Critical accounting estimates and judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Iruslees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered lo be relevant. Actual results may differ from these eslimales. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions lo accounting eslimales are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. Net financial contribution, by activity 2023 Note £ 2022 Voluntary income Nel investment income generated for Quaker aclivities Net Income on activities for generating funds for Quaker activities Net expenditure on Quaker activities Grants Payable Net incoming resources for the year Voluntary income 197,807 38,742 9,033 129,179 93,548 9,510 11,559 172.602 13 130 124 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2023 2022 Contributions from Friends and Attenders Legacies receivable Other voluntary income 83,810 113,997 84,422 2,355 6,771 197,807 93,548 It is the practice of Friends lo make financial contributions to support the work of the Society. Gift Aid received is included within "Conlribulions from Friends and Attenders" 31 P4 0 O P) NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Room hlre costs, formlng part of actlvltles for goneratlng funds 2023 2023 2022 Notes Unrèstricted Restricted EndowmontTotal funds Total funds Share of total meeting house wsts 12 Share of total wardening costs 14 Allocated support costs 75 Room hi￿ ¢o$ts 20,288 22,998 20,288 22,998 25,792 25,311 Meeting houses and wardening support both Quaker activities and activities for generating funds (room hirel. Therefo￿, some costs 8re shown here and some are shown separately lon note 1218s ¢osls of Quaker a¢livities. Total meeting house costs are shown in note 12. Tol81 wardening costs are shown in note 14. Allocated support costs are shown in note 15. 34- o) ¢D orn o (0 15) QO u) ¢0 (o o>* NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Investment property costs 2023 2023 Notes Unrèstrictod Restrictèd Endowm•ntTotal funds 2022 Total funds Management fees other direct costs Allocated support costs 75 Totsl investment property ¢osts 6,592 101,111 6,592 101,111 5,534 66,718 109 609 109609 Most of the Area Meeting's relationships with tenants are professionally managed by property agents. This supports us in 8¢ting as a responsibl& and responsive 18ndlord. Management fees are paid for the management setvi¢es received. Other di￿¢1 wsts in 2023 include 181 compliance, utilities and Council lax costs relating lo 24 Pottergate following the completion of its redevelopment and prior lo il being lenanled Ibl the cost of utilities and business rates relating to 26 Pottergate whilst leases were being prepared Icl significant repairs relating to Gilden¢roft, especially the roof. Investment property costs indude allocated support costs Isee note 151 36- LuSLittOQO (n fo CY r u)r ¢0 Ln (O (N co co o corn (N o fo r ¢D (o o (N ¢X oor 0££ O (n (rj u) ¢5) ¢0 0> o) ¢D ￿ OCO c o) rfJcc lx O (00 c¢oo ¢0 (n 1111 l- al 00 00000 OLnLno )0 ry ￿r*I 0000000 O Lf) Q O Lr) ttJ(ic¥ LL￿clo NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 12 Totsl meetlng houso costs, shar&s ￿tween actlvltles 2023 2023 Unrastrictèd Restrictèd Endowment Total 2022 Total Area Meeting Great Yarmouth North Walsham Norwich Pakefield Sheringham Wells-next-the-sea Wells warden's Cotlage 2,000 71,094 500 200 28 10,779 10.779 1,306 1.306 Local Meetings Aylsham Be¢¢les Great Yarmouth King's Lynn North Walsham Norwich Pakefield Sheringham Wells-next-the-sea Wymondham Total meeting house costs 5,534 9.867 2,277 14,937 3,451 41,040 3,649 4,575 4,745 5.534 9,867 2,277 14,937 3,451 41,040 3,649 4,575 6,544 2,730 10,090 1,808 8,091 11,326 17,774 3,899 6,698 5,677 796 142 711 1,799 103 578 105 377 Allocation of meeting houseNotes costs lo the cost of generating income from room hire lo Quaker activities 20,288 20,288 25,792 116919 142 711 11a 103 578 105 377 13 Grants payable Grants 2023 Grants 2022 Grants to institutions.. The Benjamin Foundation 30,000 The Benjamin Foundation The one-off payment lo the Benjamin Foundation has been outlined in 8 grant ¥g￿eMent. The funds had originally been received from a separate trust, part of which lo be used for purchase of equipment, furniture and other items of an enduring nature for use by the ftjlure tenants of 24 Pollergale. £50,000 was therefore held as restricted funds for this purpose at the end of 2021. In the end, £30,000 was required by the Benjamin Foundation, and the rest spent on remaining works at 24 Pottergale. -42- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 14 Totsl cost of wardenlng, shared ￿t￿en actlvltles 2023 2022 Note Total cost of wardening Allo¢atlon of totsl ¢o$t of ward&nlng lo the cost of generating income from room hire lo Quaker activtties 75.kn 6 250/. If a 22,998 25,311 15 Support costs Support Governanc¢ ¢osts costs 2023 Support Governance sts ¢o$ts 2022 Depreciation Insuran Finance Charges Adminislralion and office costs Expenses, bursaries & other costs 1,931 1,931 2,575 13,760 334 2,575 13,760 334 316 316 3,206 3,206 2,889 2,889 2,173 2,173 1,488 1,488 Audit fees Accountancy Legal and professional 9,500 2,923 1,000 9,500 2,923 1,000 9,575 9,575 1,250 1,250 7,626 13,423 21,049 21,046 10,825 31,871 Analy5ed between Activities for generating ftjnds,. Investment property costs Room hire costs QLJakèr Activitiès.. Meeting house cosls and Friends, activities 1,906 3,813 8,015 5,708 8,01 S 13,827 10,067 13,880 8,119 1,907 3,356 5,263 7,323 2,706 10,029 7,626 13,423 21,049 21,046 10,825 31,871 16 Net movement in funds 2023 2022 The net movement in fvnds is stated after chargingllcredilingl.. Fees payable for the audit of the charily's financial statements Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 9,5C>O 1,931 9,575 2,575 -43- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 17 Trust&os Trustee5 re￿iVed no remuneration in the year. Trustees were not paid expenses in connection with Irusleeship in the year. 18 Employees The average monthly number of employees during the year was.. 2023 Number 2022 Number Wardens Employment costs 2023 2022 Wages and salaries 30,664 33,748 There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000. -44- ly < Z5 th LY < 7Y ry ui ly < 7Y YJ tst NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 20 Taxatlon The charity 15 exernpt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes. 21 Tangible fixed assets Fun¢tlonal properties Equlpm8nt Total Cost Al 1 January 2023 2,554,860 34,869 2,589,729 At 31 December 2023 2,554,860 34,869 2,589,729 Depraclatlon and Impalrm8nt Al 1 January 2023 Depreciation charged in the year 27.145 1,931 27.145 1,931 At 310ecember 2023 29.076 29.076 Carrying amount Al 31 December 2023 2,554,860 5,793 2,560,653 At 31 December 2022 2,554,860 7,724 2,562,584 The functional properties are made up of.. 2022 Total value Changes durlng 2023 2023 Total valua Meeting houses Aylsham Beccles Great Yarmouth King's Lynn North Walsham NoTwch Pakefield Sheringham Wells lincl. chalell Wells warden's Cottage Total 156,000 155,000 125,000 200,000 195,000 647,677 206,183 130,000 350,000 390 000 2 554 860 156,000 155,000 125,000 200,000 195,000 647,677 206,183 130,000 350,000 390 000 2 $54 860 The Trustees obtained a valuation by Arnolds Keys LLP (Chartered Surveyors) of all the charills properties al 31 December 2016 and these values have been adopted. Trustees are $81isfied that the above propety valuations as al 31 De￿rnber 2023 are not materially different in lotsl lo the market value as at 31 December 2016. -46- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 22 Investment property 2023 Falr value At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 3,381,059 The Trustees obtained a valuation by Arnolds Keys LLP Ichartered SuTveyorsl of all the charills properties al 31 December 2016 and these values have been adopted. Trustees are satisfied that the lolal value of investment property as al 31 December 2C>23 is not materially different in lotsl lo the market value as al 31 December 2016. "Improvem&nts' relates lo work undertake a124 Pollergale. 2023 2022 Fraehold Long leasehold Short leasehold 3,381,059 3,381.059 23 Fixed asset investments Listed investments Cost or valuation Al 1 January 2023 Additions Valuation changes Gainsllosses in the year Exchange rale variance Disposals 773,559 173,437 37,663 12,916 11,3341 1182,8351 At 31 December 2023 813,406 Carrying amount Al 31 December 2023 813,406 At 31 December 2022 773,559 Flxad asset Investmants ravaluad All investments are listed securities. No individual holdings exceed S°/D of the portfolio value at the year end. The historical cost of the investments as al 31 December 2023 was £657,73712022 £653,772). -47- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 24 Debtors 2023 2022 Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Other debtors 2,856 790 5,792 3,646 5,792 25 Loans and overdrafts 2023 2022 other loans 11,440 17,880 Payable within one year Payable after one year 6,440 5,000 6,440 11,440 Amounts included above which fall due after five years.. Payable by instalments S,ODO 11,440 The loan balan￿ is made up as follows: BYM Meeting Houses loan- £11,440 The loan from the Quaker Housing Trust was interest-free and repayable at a rate of £2,500 per year over a ten year period from 2013 to 2022. An administration fee of five per cent was payable with the last instalment. 26 Credltors: amounts falllng du• wlthln one y•ar 2023 2022 Borrowings Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income 6,440 1,517 4,137 9,620 6,440 772 3,017 18,620 21,714 28,849 -48- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 27 Credltors: amounts falllng duo after more than one year 2023 2022 Borrowings S,ODO 11,440 28 Endowment funds Endowment funds represent assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in a￿ordanCe with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any Capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund. At 1 January 2023 Resources expended Gains and 1055es At31 December 2023 Pernianent endowments SamLJel Robins Fund Helen Widdowson 1,857,951 38,319 15,0261 35,653 1,989 1,888,578 40,308 1,896,270 15,0261 37,642 1,928,886 Previous year= At 1 January 2022 Resources expended Gains and lo$ses At31 December 2022 Pemianont endowments SamLJel Robins Fund Helen Widdowson 1,992,878 44,012 15,3481 1129,5791 15,6931 1,857,951 38,319 2,036,890 15,3481 1135,2721 1,896,270 The Samuel Robins fund arose when Samuel Robins lin a will dated 23rd April 17111 beqLJealhed a building in Gentleman's Walk in the Market Place in Norwich to the Society. Today the fund principally consists Df lisled investments derived from the sale of the building in 2000, two properbes leased to the Assist Trusl, 24 Pottergate (together with the linked cottagel in central Norwich and cash on deposit to fund investment in the redevelopment of 24 Poltergate. Income arising from those this endowment fund can be used in accordance with the objects of the Area Meeting. Any capital gains or losses arising on the investments form part of the fund. Investment management charges and legal advice relating to the fund are charged against the fund. The Helen Widdowson fund arose from a bequest of a member of the Society, Helen Widdowson. Income arising from this endowment fund musl be used in accordance with the objects of the Area Meeting and, rf possible, lo support the upkeep of the fabric of North Walsham meeting house and ils conlenls. -49- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 29 Restrlcted funds The restricted funds of the charty comprise the unexpended balan￿S of donations and grants held on trust subject lo spectFic conditions by donors as lo how they may be used. At 1 January 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers Gains and losses At31 December 2023 Jay Reddaway Fund Thomas Buckingham fund Norwich feasibility study 180,502 1,799 14,8401 11,117 188,578 9,216 167 11,0001 8,383 $6,226 156,2261 245,944 1,966 15,8401 156,2261 11,117 196,961 Previous year= At 1 January 2022 Incorning resource5 Resources expended Transfers Gains and losses At31 December 2022 Jay Reddaway Fund Thomas Buckingham fund N Walsham Burial Ground N Walsham MH repairs N Walsham driveway Norwich feasibility study Pakefield pond fund 214,208 2,739 15,9841 130,4611 180,502 9,870 36 16901 9,216 701 17011 249 12491 2,336 12,3361 56,226 56,226 103 11031 283,693 2,775 17,7271 12,3361 130,4611 245,944 Restricted funds include the following.. The Jay Reddaway fund arose from a bequest of a member of the Society, Jay Reddaway. The fund musl be used within the objects of the Area Meeting and lo support Wells-next-the-sea Local Meeting. The Thomas Buckingham fund, which has arisen from a donation from the Thomas Buckingham Trust prior to the winding up of that charity. The fund is reslricled for the relief of poverty of poor Friends. 50- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 30 Unrestrl¢tsd funds The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subjed to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been sel aside out of unrestrictsd funds by the trustees for specific purposes. At 1 January 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers Gains and losses At31 December 2023 General funds 5,013,613 342,602 1294,7851 56,226 11691 5,117,487 Previous year: At 1 January 2022 Incoming resources Resources expended Transters Gains and losses At31 December 2022 General funds 5,163,825 225,297 1345,1211 2,336 132,7241 5,013,613 31 Analysls of nat assets betwoon funds Unrestricted funds 2023 Restricted Endowment funds funds 2023 2023 Total 2023 At 31 December 2023: Tangible assets Investment properties Investments Current assetsllliabililiesl Long term liabilities 2,560,653 2.089,871 2,041 464,922 2,560.653 3,381,059 813,406 493.216 15,0001 1,291,188 624,591 13,107 186,774 15,187 15,0001 5,117,487 196,961 1,928,886 7,243,334 Unrostricted funds 2022 Restrictèd Endowment funds funds 2022 2022 Total 2022 At 31 December 2022: Tangible assets Investment properties Investments Current assetsllliabililiesl Long term liabilities 2,562,584 2,089,871 31,460 331,138 11,4401 2,562,584 3,381.059 773,559 450,065 111,4401 1,291,188 574,617 30,465 167,482 88,462 110,0001 5,013,613 245,944 1,896,270 7,155,827 51 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 32 Relatsd party transactlons No Iruslee or other person related lo the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transactions entered into by the charity during the year12022.. £nill. 52- Charlty reglstratlon numbar 1134787 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trust&¢s Mary Cundy Rttsigngd 31 December 2023 Paula Harvey Bridget Herring Susan Lake Appointed 1 January 2023, Resigned 14 February 2024 Silas Price Susan Sharpe Carole Thomas Caroline Tisdall David Knighton Roland Pascoe Peter Smith Appointed 21 January 2023 Appointed 1 January 2024 Appointed 1 January 2024 Charity number 1134787 Principal address 26 Pottergate Norwich NR2 1DX Prlnclpal offlcè of custodlan trUS￿S Friends Trust Ltd Friends House 173-177 Euslon Road London NW1 2BJ Auditor Mapus- Smith & Lemmon LLP 48 King Street Kings Lynn England PE30 1HE Main bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill Wesl Malling Kent ME19 4JQ The Co-operative Bank pl¢ 69 London Street Norwich Norfolk NR2 1HT Triodos Bank NV Deanery Road Bristol BS15AS NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Property agents Amolds Keys LLP 2 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk NR1 1LB Insuranca brokers Congregational & General Insurance plc Currer House Currer Street Bradford Wesl Yorkshire BD15BA Investment managers Rathtx)ne Investment Management Limited 10 Queen Square Bristol BS14NT Epworth Investment 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A4PE Solicitors Cozens-Hardy LLP Opie Street Norwich Norfolk NR13DP Birketts Kingfisher House 1 Gilders Way Norwich Norfolk NR3 1UB NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS CONTENTS Page Trustees, report Stsl8menl of trusle8s' responsibilities 20 Independent audilorfs report 21-24 Stalerllenl of financial activities 25-26 Balance sheet 27-28 Notes to the financial statements 29-52 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies sel out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 'Accounling and Reporting by Charities.. Slalemenl of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. leffeclive 1 January 20191. Objectives and activities About Quakers Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker meeting is one of the 70 area meetings of Quakers in Britain. We have no hierarchy. None of us has any ststus above another. This provides LJS With a resilience which has ensured the survival and relevance of our movement sin¢e il was founded in the mid-1600s. Quakers share a way of life and discover our unity in worshipping together. We are known best for our ¢ommitmenl to pea￿, simplicity, equality and truth. We are formally known as the Religious Society of Friends. We are religious, but not a religion.. we welcome people from all faith backgrounds land none) who want to explore and deepen their spiritual and human experien￿. We are a society.. we offer the chance to be part of a community of people who opl for simpler lives and who seek "to know one another better in things that are eternal" We are friends.. we recognise a fundamental equality of dignity in every person. To put it another way, we see 'lhat of God in everyone" For Quakers, the Area Meeting is the level at which membership is held, though we usually worship in local Meetings. In the Norfolk & Waveney area we have ten Local Meetings. The Area Meeting and its trustees work to support the affairs of the Society and to support local Meetings. The main ways we do that are sel out in our governing document, which is explained on the following pages. Our b8n•flt to thè publlc The trustees have paid due regard to guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. Meetings for worship were held every Sunday (coronavirus measures permiltingl at each of our Local Meetings. Some Local Meetings also hold midweek meetings. All of these were open to the public, and provide opportunities for worship and spiritual growth. Local Meetings within the Area Meeting support religious education in local schools. There is chaplaincy support al local prisons. We visit patients in hospital and residents in care homes. Our meeting houses are available for letting lo local groups al modest cost, which helps lo build and reinforce the community. Our spiritual experience leads us lo support those in our communities who are disadvantaged. The many ways in which we do this are explained in the following pages which set out the activities of our trustees and Local Meetings. Our commitment to peace leads us lo give financial support lo the Quaker United Nations Office and in lols of other ways lo support peaceful means lo resolve dIfferen￿S and injustices. This ￿port shows how our resources have been applied and how the public benefits from our work. 11 is not, however, possible lo show fully the wide range and depth of service which members of our Society individually and collectively m8ke to the communities in which they live and work. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 So¢lal Invesljnont We hold real property and listed financial se¢urities as investments which provide income to further our aims and objeclives. Our investment policy with regard to financial secLJrities is summarised later in Ihis report. The real property we hold is within the area of Norfolk & Waveney Area Meeting. Where possible, we use this property both to generate income and to fulfil a social purpose. This includes making property available in cenlral Norwich for use by the Salvation Army as an adull rehabiliiation ￿ntre and to Action for Children for use as a children's nursery. Our residential property is made available at affordable rates. We are nearing completion of the redevelopment of our buildings in central Non￿lch into flats for young people leavin9 care. We aim to be a responsible landlord. Grant-maklng Grants are made in accordance wilh OLJr governing document - either to fund the work of Britain Yearly Meeting or other Quaker organisations, or to fund concerns that Local Meetings, the Area Meeting or Britain Yearly Meeting have adopted or agreed to support. More informalion is in Ihe notes to the accounts. Volunteers OLJr Society relies heavily on the voluntary service of our members ond those who attend our meetings for worship, although we are looking at bringing in more paid providers, for instsn¢e for bookkeeping and administration. All our meetings for worship are made possible by the ministry and service of our members, which is unpaid. Virtually everyone involved in the life of the Society plays a part to some degree in sustaining our worshipping commLJnities. It is not possible to Measure with any reasonable degree of reliability the value of volunteer activity to the Society. The varieties of activity and service undertaken by volunteers include.. Arranging weekly meetings for worship, ensuring that these are held in accordance with Quaker Faith & Practice and ministering spiritually and practically to those who attend., Providing for the pastoral care of individual members and attenders, as well as patients in hospitals and those who are in prisons in our area., Making arrangements for marriages and funerals, liaising with the civil authorities and maintaining our burial grounds., Attending to the physical maintenan￿, safety and lawfulness of our meeting houses as public places of worship and as safe pla￿S for all, including the young and vulnerable., Administering and maintaining the organisation, finances and governance of the Area Meeting and representing il lo Britain Yearly Meeting, its committees and bodies. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Achlevements and porformance Review of activities in 2023 A Isham A blended Meeting for Worship is held every Sunday110.'30aml. On the second Wednesday there is an in-person Meeting for Worship 112 noon, for half an hour) and on the fourth Wednesday there is an in-person Meeting for Worship in Holt12.'30 pm, for half an hour) There is a monthly study group meeting on the second Sunday of each month which is also held on-line and we are estsblishing regular after meeting study session alternating with a shared lunch. We said farewell to a long standing Friend, Peter Moss and his wrfe Gonnie, who have moved to be closer to family in Pickering. What has o¢¢upied our attention a$ 8 meeting- We have sel in motion the provision of a more Child friendly atmosphere for our Small Meeting Room. Our blended meetings continue to support the 8ttend8nce of those living abroad and al some distance for the meeting hous&. What outrea¢h we've engaged In: We hav8 SLJPPOrtèd Mènd with Fri8nds, a non QLJakèr initiative, which is a Social Entèrpri$8 that tèaches visibly ménding of garments. Thèy arè in tho meeting house every first Saturday of the month with our refill station downstairs. The refill stall held on th8 first Saturday of the month to coincide with thè Aylsham Farmer's Market has continued suc￿SsfUllY providing a point of con-tact with the community. Donations in kind and financial are also made to the local FOOD BANK. The Meeting House was a walering stoplcheckpoint during the annual Norfolk Churches sponsored cyclelwalk. The Craft GroLJP meet once a month with a mix of Quakers and visitors. We have also hosted and attended Lent Lunches and a Christian Aid Coffee morning. How we've been involved in our local communities: We have been involved with the Aylsham Climate Emergency group supporting the provision of Tetra boxes for the collection of blister packs and in the Green Day held in the market place. We have been part of Churches Together in Aylsham. How we've made our buildings available to the community.. Our building has been hired by many different groups, art, yoga, counselling and music, all appreciating what il offers. How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere: Members and attenders have been involved nationally with.. Yearly Meeting Clerk's support group Meetings for Central Nominations Committee Meetings of the Group lo Review Central Sltuclures Meetings for Sufferings Quaker Voices for Mental Health Responding to requests from other meetings for donations As Indlvldual$: Att8nd8d Trustèè m88tings of Th8 John Homiman Childrèn's Trust and The Richard Waynforth Trust Attended various meetings of the search committee for QUIET Attended meetings of Trustees of St Andrew's school Aylmerton Attended Trustee meetings of the Bruamana School in Lebanon Wrilten a￿cleS for The Friend. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Be¢¢les What has occupl8d our meetlng. DLJring 2023, Beccles Quakers were occupied in making their Meeting Room a space thal com-bines practicality li.e. Zoom facilities), simplicily and a welcoming atmosphere thal encouraged Friends and visitors alike lo enter into a spirit of worship. This was enhanced with frequent ministry based on QLJaker Faith and Practice. Friends were involved in keeping our Notice Boards informative, our Library compact and easy to use and the gardens a delight for Friends and passers-by alike. Beccles Friends and visitors were asked to lead Friday discussions twi monthly which covered topics both spiritual and social. To these a craft group was added once a month. In the spirit of a wider loving concem we invited donations to home and overseas charities, chosen by Friends, for which information was given verbally and by e-mail. What Outreach we've been engaged in Beccles Quakers has a small outreach group who receive strong support from the meeting in general. During 2023 Beccles Quakers were engaged in a number of outreach activities. The outreach group worked closely with, the then newly-formed, Discovering Quakers to run two 'Discovering Quakers. events specifically for the Quaker-curious. Much work was pul into these evenings by the many members of the meeting who were involved in organising and presenting them. In June 2023 Beccles Quakers had a stall al Beccles Pride. This event was very well supported by members of the meeting. Throughout the year the Beccles Quakers website and Facebook page were kept up lo date and added to frequently w((h new and relevaril posts and articles. E8rfy in 2023, encouraged by their work with Discovering Quakers, the outreach group began lo create and Circulate a fortnightly newsletter. This featu￿d posts, news from the meeting and be-yond and upcoming events. 11 could b& requested by 8 link on the website. How we ar¢ Involved In our local ¢ommunltles In June we invitèd local pèople lo èxplore our 'Climate Imaginerium. èv8nt (part of the national big Grèan èv8nll whén thèy werè invited to write a letter to somèone 30 years on. Visitors included our lo¢al MP and the leader of the East Suffolk District CoLJncil. We held a Peats Vigil in the town square also in June. Our Meeting House provided refreshment for those in the Stride and Ride Historic Churches TrLJSt fLJnd raising event. Beccles Quakers also has Friends who regularly attend the lo¢al Christians Together group and and, as usual, led a worship session in Ihe annual Prayer for Christian Unily. We also provided representatives for the Civic event arranged for local Beccles organisalions. How we've made our building available to the Community. Local groups continue to use our building and we make our best efforts to ensure that there are none that are in Conflict with our Quaker testimonies e.g. our peace testimony. Our aim is lo increase its use and lo this end we attached an exterior notice and advertised on our website. How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere Our Quaker Life rep attended councils on behalf of Norfolk & Waveney Area Meeting We made our usual yearly donation to British Yearly Meeting. Also Quaker Social Action and Glebe House. (which though not actually Quaker organisalions were started by Quakers and still run along Quaker lines. The member of the Discovering Quaker team attended regular meetings and helped provide the technical support for their weekly Tuesday night 'Quaker Lives. Zoom sessions. A member hosts another meeting's zoom Meeting for Worship once a month lo enable the regular zoom host to worship, free of responsibility. Another gave ongoing support in helping with the Area Meeting finance operation. We also have Friends who are Area Trustees. As Individuals OLJr Meeting Friends suffered more than a usual share of serious illness but others SLJPPOrted them by visits and loving and uplifting messages. However, ¢ertainly one of our number was fil enough to ¢ompl&te another leg of a long-distanc8 bikè ridè. Sèvéral individuals w8r8 actively involvèd in environmèntal organisations while other musical frionds sang in choirs performing locally for charity or played in bands giving pleasiJr8 lo all who heard them. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Great Yarmouth Meetings for Worshlp We enjoyed being together for Meetings for Worship IMfWI every Sunday (apart from Christmas Evel and welcomed some new attenders and visitors. The average number attending was between seven and eight. On Ihe first Sunday of each month one or two Advices and Queries were read during Mfw. The same Advices and Queries were also sent via email to everyone on the meeting's list Ithis started when the meeting house was closed, 2020 to 2021, and has continued as a way of keeping in touch with those unable to altend Mfwl. The Meeting House was open for Heritage Open Day on 9th September and, on 17th December we invited friends and family to join us for Mfw and, or for refreshments aftetwards. There were twelve at Mfw that day. What has occupied our attention as a meeting7 We were always pleased to have news of any Friends not at Mfw. and after each Mfw we shared news of Friends. We had two meetings for business, one in February, when we agreed lo open the Meeting House IMHI for Heritage Open Day IHODI and to have a one off professional cleaning of the MH. The rllinutes of that meeting record that our treasurer of many years, and assistant treasurer, swapped roles on 1st January. Al the other business meeting, in October, we heard the report of the HOD and made plans for Christmas. What outreach we've engaged in The MH was open for HOD on 9th September, and 83 visitors attended. M8ny enjoyed the garden and were interested in the MH as well as Quaker worship. We were ple8sed that among the visitors were several families with child￿n. The lime of Mfw and Contsct details for the meeting are published in the Yarmouth Mercury every Friday. How we've been Involved In our local ¢ommunltl8s Thr89 Friends arè involvèd in Great YarmoLJth Inl8r Faith and B81ief Network. Som8 mgmbers of the Network ware invitèd to and attended the prg- Christmas Mfw. The members of our ministry and pastoral team mèt with thè tèams in Becclès and Pakefield Local Meetings twicè, once in Great Yamouth and once in Pakefield meeb'ng houses, the meeting at Beccles was postponed until early 2024. Ngw mgmbors, marrlagè$ and doaths Two new attenders, one who had been an occasional visitor for several years, started attending Mfw more regLJlarly. How we've made our buildings available to the community The Great Yarmouth Bagpipers use the MH one evening a week to practice. How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere As a Meeting: We SUPFX)rt Quaker work not only by individual giving but with an annual collection for BYM to be used where most needed. Individuals: One Friend has continued to do some work online with Restoring Relations la Quaker Recognised Body). Another Friend is one of the Clerks for auaker International Zoom Meeting for worship for Pea￿ worship al Spm UK lime daily and Clerk on Sundays. He is also the TechlHosl for the monthly meetings of the National Quaker Neurodiversity group via Zoom. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Kin What has occupl8d our attèntlon as a Meetlng: We are still a relatively small group of Friends Meeting regularly with a blended meeting every Sunday , and at our mid-week online Wednesday meeb'ng. We have a Shared vegetarian Lunch bi-monlhly, reflecting our concern for our animal friends. It is always a time when we get to know one another better and share ideas, and we sometimes have an invited speaker. We continue also with the Shared Reading group monthly. Our subject of study was "Telling the Truth About God" a Quaker Quick by Rhiannon Grant. It inspires us lo really think about the way we describe our spiritual experiences to one another both within Quakers, and with olhers. This is a real way we deepen our spiritual life and our relationships. To quote Rhiannan Grant . "Doing theology then, is an ongoing process in which a community of people reflect on their experiences." Our Experirllent with the Light Group has been running a couple of years now. Meeting monthly, witnessing the work of the Light in each others lives. We lake it in turns, choosing and reading the meditation, bringing into the Light our individual concerns and those situations and places of concern within the wider world. We have begun lo be a more creative, focusing more on our gifts and what is 'original good" within us. By continuing to repeat the meditation process il enables us to see what makes it like that, leading to a path of understanding, acceptance, a sense of inward peace and the strength to know how lo act. As 8 group we have shared so much, fell loved and supported as we accompany each other. The deepening understsnding and friendship has also slrenglhened our spiritual life. Our monthly meetings are held on line using zoom. We physically meet, sharing 8 meal 8fterw8rds, twice a year. Currently our group is made up of Friends from Kings Lynn and another Meeting bul is open to AM. Our use of le¢hnology overcoming the geogr8phi¢al disl8n¢e between us. The Meeting observed with great sadness the armed conflicts that raged in 2023 Sudan, in the Middle East and in many other locations. in Ukraine. in Yemen, in the Thè situation in Israel and Gaza was a particular cause for concern. Thè attack by Hamas on southem Israel in October 2023 ￿sUPted in the killing of over 1400 people and the taking of at least 200 hostages. This was followed by an longoingl assault by Israel on besI￿ed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip- over 30,000 have been killed to date. Individual members of KLQ wrote to local MP James Wild and signed pelitions Ljrging a ceasefire and calling for bolh the release of Israeli hostages and hLJmanitarian access to Palestinians in Gaza. This was followed lin January 20241 by pa￿CipatIon by one Friend in a large Pales-line Peace March in London, where he was able lo talk to a number of marchers and tell them about the Society and its work. Two British Quakers emerged Iseparalelyl from the crDwd having seen his °Quakers for Peace. badge. It was, one hoped, a small Contribution to finding a non- violent solution to a distressing crisis in which so many have suffered. We added smart controls to our heating system to match our lettings pattem, and to be more environmentally friendly. Our internet network has been improved lo better facilitate hybrid meetings. After Meeting on Christmas Eve, several of us met together to sing Christmas Carols as well. Thanks to the Work of one of our Friends, our garden is looking very loved and cared for, and provides us with constant blooms for our Meetings. We have also held a communal gardening day to re-wild a patch outside the Meeting House. What outreach we've engaged in: In our outreach into the community, Kings Lynn Meeting continue to uphold and sponsor "Companions in Bereavement" which meets weekly to support anyone who is grieving, no rllatter how long ago the bereavement may have taken pla￿. This provides a face-to-face social forum, as well as one-to-one support. How we've been involved in our local ¢omrnunities- Within our wider Community some of us are involved through various ways with Healing. Including membership of Quaker Fellowship of healing 8nd distsnce healing. Within our M&eling Friends live within urban and ruol locations. For rural friends community involvement brings people together and al times it's what enables 8 small community to continue. An example on a sm811 level of community involvement is ecumenical work between villages- a House Group. Hosted al a Friend's Home we have strèngthènad our fèllowship and it's providèd an opportunity to discuss topics. Enabling us lo learn from each other, sharing our spiritual journeys, ending with our Quaker pra¢ti¢g of a sharod meal togglhgr. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Some of us attended the Annual Holocaust Service held in the Town Hall as part of our Community outreach. We hosted the Norfolk Churches Trust AnnLJal Bike Ride. We also took part in Kings Lynn Heritage Day and served refreshments. We have an ongoing relationship with West Norfolk Churches Together forum and their various projects in the community. Some Quakers held a community Carol singing event the week before Christmas. Some of us joined in a "Walk for Nature" as part of a group of various organisations who are committed to worf(ing with nature, and in relation lo climate change. Another aspect of what concerns us as a Local Meeting. How we've made our buildings available to the communty . We have regular lettings throughout the week, with four different rooms available to accommodate many kinds of groups, such as local Buddhists, Pagans, WEA, How we've been supporting Quaker work elsewhere: We hosted the Area Meeting in March, as a partially successful blended meeting. We held a Kindlers Workshop in the Meeting House. The topic we chose was Seeing that of God in everyone and everything" We welcomed fourteen people who attended from all over Area Meeting. It was a thought provoking day, and also encouraged a deepening of relationships amongst those who attended. Some of us attended the Quaker"Lislening Space" online session.. developing a safe space, where we can Hear, Understand and Explore IHUEI with one another. Individuals= Our Meeting Hous& ¢onlains within il 8 s8lf-¢onlained fl81 which houses one of our members. Thus meeting the need of one member of our community. North Walsham During 2023 Meeting for Worship was held every Sunday at North Walsham Friends Meeting House, with usually between 5 & 10 Friends & attenders present each week. We also held a Business Meeting regularly . these were well attended with Flflriends taking an interest in the life of our Meeling. What has occuplgd our meetlng We held two Sales, in May & November, which were well attended. Donations at these events were split equally between our Meeting House funds and national charities. What outrea¢h we've ¢ngag*d in In addition, we opened the Meeting House in September for the Norfolk Churches Trust sponsored Cycle Ride. We also supported a number of charities with our monthly collections, & collected items for the local foodbank. How we've been involved in our local communities Various local groups have hired the Meeting House throughout the year, contriL)uting lo the life of the Meeting both rinancially & spiritually. The hirers tell us of their enjoyment of using our peaceful building, & of their gratitude for our welcome. We have ¢onlinued our participation with the North Walsham Chur¢hes Together, with a repre-sentslive of our Meeting attending as many of their gatherings as possible. In 2023, significant repair work had to be undertaken on the flooring of the Meeting House, both near the main dooT3. & by the back wall. Individuals: During the year we lost 2 of our oldest & longest-slanding members .' Jack Richards & David Correa-Hunl. They are both sadly missed. We held celebrations of their lives for both, and planted a tree for each of them near the Meeting House, in their memory. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Norwlch We ended 2023 al the beginning of a process lo discem our future plans in the light of financial constraints on maintaining our listed building Meeting House- a situation familiar lo many Meet-ings and other faith group. More of that in 2024. Despite these challenges, our own activities continued well. We attract about 35 Friends lo Sunday Meetings and 20 to the midday Wednesday Meetings. Our Children's Meeting is well supported. In November we hosted Area Meeting in the afternoon and ran a well-attended Death Café event in the moming. Our sustainability and environmenial COn￿rnS featured prorninently. In April Notwich Friends joined the demonstration in London demanding action on climate justice and protection of the natural world. They joined a strong contingent of Quakers in a moving and inspiring open-air Meeting for Worship. In November the Meeting House hosted a Possilopia event organised with the Interfaith Environmental Group. Bookings of the Meeting Hous8 by a variety of commLJnity groups remained strong. Foodcycl8, Norwich International Youth Project and Narcotics Anonymous are examples of hirers who continLJe to use the premises and meet particular needs of less advantaged members of the community. Many other community initiatives have taken pl8¢e at the Meeting House. We support a local primary school with our Food Bank collections. On a S8lurday in November, as one of the Norfolk Autumn festlV81 events, we hosted The Way of Sankofa, based on the principle of learning from the past to build for the future. People of different cultural backgrounds rnel for an enjoyable cglebralion of differen¢es and what unites us, wonderfully rounded off in Ihg evening with a pgrfomiance by the Afri¢an Choir of Norfolk. Outreach work remained a significant element of the life of the Meeting, both so as lo support new attenders and maintain inler-failh and community links. We held a Quaker Quest series of meetings, including consideration of our testirllonies and an examination of differing perspectives on God. We continued a strong Quaker presence al the monthly Saturday pea￿ vigils in the city cenlre. Improvements lo our website and the use of social media began duiing the year, as an important element of all outreach work. We again warmly acknowledge with thanks the work of our part-time Meeting House Manager and all the volunteering hours by members of the meeting, without which none of these initiatives would be possible. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Pakefield Meeting for Worship This is held every Sunday at 10.30am. Typical attendance is approximately 11 to 17 Friends. There is provision for children, as we have a young family with two primary school age boys. What ha5 occupied our attention as a Meeting? The o¢¢asion of an all-day Area Meeting at Pakefield on 20th May has required much exercise as a Meeting. This was the first Area Meeting to be held at Pakefield for some years. We took on re-sponsibility for organising activities for the moming including a walk along the cliff tops, water colour painting, textiles and writing poetry. We have also been engaged in exploring our spirituality, maintaining the garden, upholding Friends, working with our Eastern Collective colleagues and supporting our clerks. We also have a monthly newsletter which is distributed electronically to Friends and Attenders. Within the Meeting there is a new poetry writing group which had its first meeting on July 24th. What outreach we've been engaged in? An Oulrea¢h event was held on August Bank Holiday, where we h8d the Meeting House open from 1 Oam lo 4pm for anyone lo drop in for free refreshments and a ¢h81. With a fine day, and plenty of folk visiting the cliffs and beach which are just on our doorstep, we hoped to attract more visitors than we have in previous Quaker We&ks in October. Although not overwhelming, a steady stream of visitors called in. Some interested in the history of the building, others Curious about our wor-ship and beliets. We also opened the Me&ting House last Saturday as part of thé Rid& and Stride day for Churches. The refreshments we offered were wel¢omod by our visitors, as il tumgd out to be a vèry hot day. How we￿e been involved in our lo¢al communities We have two rooms available for hire to the local Community, the Meeting Room, and the Ashford Room at the rear of the building. Th8 premisos and its facilities wero extensively refurbished and re-equipp8d as part of works to extend the building. New Members, marriages and deaths. On 15th April 2023 the Pakefield Friends welcomed about 60 family, guests and Ffriends to witness the marriage of Matthew Filer and Verity Sharpe (daughter of Mary & Mick Williams). A very happy day, refreshments and special cupcakes were enjoyed after the Meeting for Worship. How we've made our buildings available to the community Over the past year our bLJilding has been used by Waveney Interfaith Circle, for rehearsals by two local theatre groLJPS, and occasionally by a 'Singing for Health, group. All these groups have some personal connection with Pakefield Friends. Additionally, there will soon be a regular Knit and Knatter group, meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. How wè'va b8•n supporting Quak8r work èls•wh•re: As individuals: Individual Friends give financial help to Quaker causes as they feel moved. Onè couplè in thè Meeting hava a son now working in Geneva for the Worfd Héalth Organisation, and as a consequence, have become interested in the work of the Quaker United Nations offi￿ which they have felt led to support financially. A Pakefield Member has assisted Quaker Social Action with three of their six week This Way Up courses, helping to host the event by running one of the breakout groups each week. This Way Up is programme of professional life Coaching and stress-reduction techniques airned at people on a low income. As a M•&tlng: For the past few years we have donated lo the Quaker Social Action Christmas appeal who continue their work in East London. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Sherin ham Last year much of our energy was devoted to continuing to manage our existing commitments and involving ourselves with new proiecls with fewer friends lo carry out the work. We are trying lo work as much as possible with the comrnunity and with other churches where appropriate. We continued lo hold our monthly Sustainability Saturday events with invited speakers from a variety of organisations and an audience from all sections of the town and surrounding villages. We regard this as our chief form of outreach as there is always Quaker literature available and friends willing lo engage in discussion over the lunch which follows the tslk. During Quaker Week we also opened the Meeting House and garden for anyone lo chat over coffee lo find out what we're all about. We also embarked on a major project with our local museum. Two of us are trustees of the museum and helped to research and present an exhibition for 2024 about the history of all the churches and chapels in Sheringham. This would enable outreach for 2024 as we would be there regularly lo answer questions about Quakers today. We have updated our website to make it easier for hirers to find out about and hire the meeting house. Hirings dropped after covid bLJt were beginning to improve during 2023. We ￿gUlarlY support Quaker work elsewhere by making monthly collections specifically for des-ignated Quaker bodies.we also have a Irusl&e on the bo8rd of Gl&be House and when she retir&d from that role were able lo replace her with someone froffl our Mseting. 10- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Wells What ha5 occupied your meeting The main event demanding our attention in 2023 was the death of our long -time Warden, Michael Sidwell, who died in the spring of 2023 after months of ill-health. The Meeting decided that it was now possible to manage without a full time Wardenlcaretaker. Instead we invited a member of the QLJaker Yard 'Yamily" who had helped Michael enormously while he was ill, doing much of his work, to be our part-time Caretaker, while the Clerk took over the boDkings of the Gallery, our self-contained apartment above the small meeling rcK>m. Thal way Michael's responsibilities were shared al a much lower cost. At the end of 2023 we also lost our beloved Friend Judith Knox (her husband George, a much be-loved mtsmber of Wells Meeting had died a year earlier). They are buried together in the ¢hur¢h-yard of Sl. Clemenl's Church in Bumham Overy Town, only a few hundred yards down the road from their home, Crooks Cottage. Judith's memorial servi￿, like George's was a mix ofAnglican and Quaker-partly due to the fact that our Meeting House could not have held all the people who wished to attend. Judith was a wonderfLJI woman who dedicated her life to others and was a pillar of Wells Meeb'ng. We also had land still havel two Friends who are in local care horlles, whom we still visit and who receive our weekly Newsleller. The weekly Newsletter has become a feature of the life of the Meeting. Started by the previous Clerk, David Saunders, during the Covid lockdown lo help Friends slay in touch with each other, il has been carried on by the Current Clerk, keeps Friends informed about Meeting activities and our lrfe as Quakers. It currently reaches about 30 Friends and friends of the Meeting. What outreach we've been engaged in The most importsnl part of our outreach has been the establishment of the Wells Community Lunch. Our Friends David and Joolz Saunders were instrumental in setting this up after Covid. Our Meeting had struggled with how lo help people in food and fuel povety-whelher lo make the Meeting House a 'lNarm" Communal hub or to try and offer food. In the end David and Joolz with others from Churches Together started a Community LLJn¢h in a hall belonging to the Congregational Chur¢h. It offers a good lunch for whatever people ¢an afford to pay- or free if they can't. Although it was originally set up to deal with food poverty it has in fact become a won-derful community centre particularly combatting loneliness among the elderfy of the town. How we are involved in the local ¢ornmunity We are active participants in Wells Churches Together.. during Lent we joined in discussion groups in the different churches and participated in Easter activities. Several member of the Meeting sing in the ecumenical choir and during a long fund-raising cam-paign for the local parish Church- St.Nicholas - al least four members of our Meeting played in Music Marathons- I three pianists and one percussionistl.one Quaker pianist plays regularly in the Church's summer Con￿rtS. How w9￿0 mad• the building available to th8 local community While the parish church was under repair land still is 11 Iheir'little fishes" toddlers group has been meeting in our Meeting House. The town discussion group meets in the Meeting House during the spring and autumn and rooms are available for rental by local groups. How we￿@ supported Quaker work •ls8wh•re Our fourth Sunday collection is for non-local causes.. usually six months for a charity in the UK and six months for one overseas. We sent donations lo Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank for example, and in the present circumstances in that area will continue to do so. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 mondham During 2023 Wymondham Meeting aimed lo keep the Sunday meeting for worship going in our rented premises in the Methodist Church. We have a small group group of'regulars, who sel up the room and aim lo provide a quiet and welcoming space for each other and our visitors. We usually have between 6 and 10 people al meeting. We use Zoom as a way of enabling people who cannot gel to rneeling in person lo remain in touch and this is much appreciated. We tske great care lo be aware of each other's needs and lo offer support where required which contributes to being a lov-ing and caring Community. This is further supported by our midweek meetings held on two Wednesday afternoons a month - 30 minutes or so of worship followed by refreshments over which conversation and discussion flows happily We have been very conscious of the need to relieve our treasurer of his role and the concern that no suitable replacement was emerging. We have kept the Area Meeting aware of our situation. Temporarily, Miranda Mugford has stepped in as Acting Treasurer and will keep our finances lick-ing over while a more permanent solution can be found. We have not been able lo engage actively in outreach because most of us are elderly and dealing with health issues andlor caring for family. Individuals take part in some local activities such as the Pabulum Cafe which meets weekly lo support dementia sufferers and their carers. We also chal with members of the Melhodisl congregation as we meet arriving and leaving our Sunday morning worship. Some people are active where they live or lake an interest in issues of concern such as climate change. We have been well SLJPPOrted financially by our gathered group and have been able to use funds which were not needed for our use by donating to Quaker and other charities. We also have a special collection running for two months at a time to raise money for good causes chosen to reflect local, national and international needs. Our primary aim in 2023 has been to hold together and seek to discern the best way fonfifard. 12- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Flnanclal rovlow Principal funding sources Our principal funding sources are.. contributions and donations from members of the Society, taking advantage of Gift Aid & GASDS when possible., income from the hire of our meeting houses and premises to local comrnunity groups., returns from funds invested responsibly in financial instruments., rent frorll properties put lo social use in the area of Norfolk & Waveney Area Meeting. These resources support the work of the Area Meeting by.. funding the rnaintenance of meeting houses as public pla￿S of worship., conlributs.ng financially to concerns Quaker Meetings have adopted or agreed lo support- supporting members of the Area Meeting with the costs of learning and training lo take on the wide variety of responsibilities borne in service lo the Society and society more widely.. paying lor the organisation, governance and management of the Society's affairs and spreading the message of Quakers., financing the grants and ¢onlribulions we make lo Britain Yearfy Meeting, Quaker United Nations Office, Friends Therapeutic Trust IGlebe House), Woodbrooke and others to spread the message of Qu8kers 8nd alleviate suffering here and elsewhere. Our finan¢lal posltlon After a review of our current auditors followed by a ftjll tènder process, Mapus-smith & Lemmon were appointed at the Area Meeting's accountants in May 2023. The firm now also provides us with professional bookkeeper to.. raise Area Meeting invoices., set up details for online payments., provide monthly management figure to the trustees,. and keep track of income statements. Both arrangements will be reviewed at the end of 2024. Support for Local Meeting Treasurers During 2023 our truslees began to develop a new network for Local Meeting Treasurers to help them become a mutually-supportive group, working lowards a uniform system easier for them, their SLJccessDrs and our auditors to use. So far this has induded.. Sharing good practice between meetings, e.g. for invoicing hirers. Testing a simple spreadsheet for regular financial recording & reporting, prodU￿d with help from Mapus- Smith & Lemon. Compiling a Govemance of the financial system and terms of reference for premises committees" Considering the use of a book keeper for all Local Meetings, which would simplify systems and perhaps allow more volunteers lo feel confident in taking up a Treasurer post. Exploring options around accounting packages and online packages which may have already been used successfully. Meeting with the auditors Training in SAGE being offered by our auditors, Mapus-smilh & Lemmon. InsuranGe for 2022/23 Our Insurance covers three important areas.. lal propety insurance Ibl public liability and Icl employer's liability. In 2023 trustees agreed to review the insur8n¢e cover annually each October, with our Propety Clerk updating the insurers when-ever there are relevant changes lo our properties. Budget for 2023 In preparing a draft budgot for 2023 a number of changos from 2022 were incorporated. These included.. Rèstarting contributions from Local Mèétings in 2023 towards thè ¢osl of the Churches Conservation Trust contract Isuspended during 2020-2022 due to the COVID pandemi¢l Paying for a part-time book-keeper from June onwards. Paying for two years (not one) of accounts to be prepared and audited, as we catch LJP from recent delays. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Resetves poll¢y In 2023 we maintained our reserve policy but due to circumstan￿$ outlined above have been unable to do so. Trustees aim to hold freely available reserves equivalent to at least 12 months worth of forecasted unreslri¢ted expenditure. We gave OLJrselves 20.10 leeway either side of the target. This amoLJnis to around.. 138.084 Itargetl At 31 D9¢ 2023 £'ooo 7,243 Alm £'ooo Totsl funds of the Area Meeting Deduct.. restricted funds permanently endowed funds gener81 funds held as tsngible fixed assets Ifun¢tion81 property + other) general funds held as iangible fixed assets (investment propertyl Free reserves of the Area Meetings Deduct.. free reserves held by LoGal Meetings & non-liquid reserves Free r¢$erves held ¢ontrally by Trustses 197 1,929 2,561 465 450 20 255 170 Al 31 December 2023, the Area Meeting held 1820/0 of the free reserves we aim lo hold overall, across the Area Meeting. This is within the 18rgel range of our reserves policy. Additionally, trustees held 12Vo of the free reserves we aim to hold centrally. This is below th& target r8nge of our reserves policy and the Trustees are actively working to improve the position in the Current ye8r. Financial effect of significant events During the course of 2023 our total funds decreased by £43,366, as last year, this resulted in large part.. from losses in the value of financial securities. This is simply a reflection of the movements in stock markets, heavily impaded by the war in Ukraine. The level of income in general funds held as investments and cash dropped by £82,090 The level of voluntary income dropped quite significantly in 2023 compared with 2022. The level of spend on maintenance of properties went up by £37,185 in 2023. We had hoped during 2023 to receive rental income frorn tenants in the inveslrnenl properties al 18 Upper Goal Lane & 24 Pottergale and 26 Pottergale, Norwich. D8lays in finalising the leases continued throughout the year, pushing completion into 2024. Rents are expected to be received from 2024 onwards. Meanwhile the properties continued lo place demands on us with expenditure on council tax, business rates and utilities. Some of this might be recoverable from tenants in 2024 when the leases are Completed. Several of the investment properties required significant expenditure on repair and refurbishment, inclLJding.' fire safety audit work, corrective plLJmbing and ele¢tri¢al works and other works to ¢omplete 18 Upper Goat Lane & 24 Pottergate, Norwich Ic. £86,000),. Gildencroft, Notwich 1¢. £30,000). QLJaker Cottage, Wells-next-the-sea became vacant upon the death of the Friend, Warden to Wells LM, in April 2023. The estimate cost of making it available to rent exceeded our available funds so it remains empty. We also contributed c. £73,000 towards repairs at Norwich Meeting House. 14- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Investment policy Trustees have the power to'make investments in accordance with legal constraints and the ethical leslimonies of the Religious Society.. The Area Meeting adopted our current investment policy in July 2017. Where we invest in listed financial securities, our objective is lo achieve a balance between capital growth and income. We aiTM to invest ethically, consistent with our Quaker witness and true lo our Quaker leslimonies. In surllmary, the following areas of economic activity are considered unsuitable for investment by the Area Meeting.. Tobacco, Alcohol, Gambling, Proslilulion. Pornography, Munitions & related products, Fossil fuel extraction. This led the A￿a Meeting in 2017 to sell all our holdings in BP PLC, Royal Dutch Shall pl¢ and Slaloil. Thes& holdings were valued at over £60,000 al the time of sale. Principle risks and uncertainties The principal risks and uncertainties we face are.. Being required to spend a lol of money quickly on a meeting house or investment property to allow il lo continue in use., Becoming unable lo fulfil the wide range of responsibilities our Society requires of us to function well as a worshipping community., In the longer term, experiencing 8 reduction in the number and physical vilalily of our membership to a degree which prevents us from operating well, To manage these risks, we have pul in pla¢e appropriate insurance policies and hold levels of free reserves which we Consider lo be appropriate lo the risks. Trustees work with the Chur¢hes Conservation Trust, which supports us in managing our mèating hous8s and inv6stm8nt propèrty in a way that r8duc8S thé lik81ihood of incurring signifi¢anl unforeseen expenditure. We continu8 to take steps to engage professional help for many of the morg damanding non-spiritLJal r8sponsibilities of thè Society, whilè rataining 8ff8Ctiv& ovèrsight of thos8 responsibilitiès. Future financial plans We plan lo Continue lo develop our 8pproa¢h to the m8nagemenl of our invested assets with 8n eye to both good slew8rdship and supporting our social objectives. In particular. we plan lo continue lo develop our long-lerm property stral8gy now that w8 have ten-year maintenance reports to base this on. We hope that this strategy will in lime enable us lo providg greater financial support to further our Charitable objectives both within and beyond the area of Norfolk and Waveney Artsa Meeting, as well as reducing the long-lerm risk carried by trustees. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Plans for fvture periods Aims & objectives As a longstanding religious so¢iety, our aims and objectives for the foreseeable future will remain unchanged. We plan lo continue lo further our objects as set out on page 5 of this annual report. Perspective on future direction In the medium term, trustees envisage.. developing our approach to the investment propety in the care of the Area Meeting,. lightening the burden on Friends of prosaic tasks and activities across the Area Meeting,. encouraging more of our energy and resoLJrces to being directed towards OLJtreach and strengthening the life and witness of our meetings. Activities Trustees planned, during 2024, to.. continue arrangements with the Churches Conservation Trust to lighlen the burden on Local Meelings and the Area Meeting by supporting the management of all the real propety under our care, including our meetings houses Isome of which are historic listed buildingsl., build on our commitment to acting as a socially responsible landlord by consolidating the professional management of nearfy all of our relationships with tenants., complete the redevelopment of unoccupied central Norwich properties and bring them back into use, generating an income for the Society and pulling them lo a socially-beneficial use. Build up our bank of the Society's Policies, particularly in relation lo Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Environment and Harassment & Bullying. Support the more slrudured approach lo the Quaker Camp in the summer How our experience influences future plans We are strengthened by Britsin Yeady Meeting and Woodbrooke (whilst recognising that Woodbrooke now plans to support the Society without its historic site al Bournvillel. This leads us to ensure we continue lo provide financial support lo these organisalions to the best of our ability. We recognise the value of paying for good professional help in supporting us in our property, financial, legal and governance responsibilities and will continue to develop in this dirg¢tion. We are increasingly ¢onscious that our investment propety is costing us as much money as it generates. Some of it may be a burden rather than an asset. We ¢ontinue to develop an approach which responds to this prompting. 16- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Structure, governance and management Norfolk and Waveney Area Quaker Meeting is a part of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers. We registered with the Charity Commission on 1 Oth March 2010 with charity registration number 1134787. The CDnsliluent Local Meetings and the Area Meetin9 are consolidated into this registration. A revised goveming document was approved by the Area Meeting in May 2009. Under the revised constitutional arrangements, the local meetings within the Norfolk & Waveney Area are to have their financial reports included within the Area Meeting's financial statements from that date. Within Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting, income and property are used lo further the Area Meeting's objects by.. strengthening the life and witness of Quaker meetings both in the area of Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting and beyond., spreading the message of Quakers and inlerpreling and developing the thought and pr8cli¢e of the Religious Society., undertaking Quaker service for the relief of suffering at home and abroad,. funding the concerns th81 Quaker meetings in the are8 of Norfolk 8nd Waveney Are8 Meeting or beyond have adopted or agreed to support., providing for the pastoral care of individual mgmbers and attgndees including assistsnce lo those in neod, and for èducation", maintaining and dgveloping Quaker meeting houses as places for public worship and from whi¢h lo carry our witness into the worfd., administering and maintaining the organisation of Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting and contributing to the support of Britain Yearly Meeting. Prior lo a name change in September 2007, the Norfolk and Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends was known as the Norwich and Lynn Monthly Meeting. All truslees. meetings are held as meetings for worship for business in accordance with Quaker faith & practi￿, the constitutional b(x)k of Christian discipline of Britain Yearly Meeting. The Clerk lo Trustees regularfy reports on the proceedings of trustees lo Area Meeting in session during the course of the year. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees who served during the year and up to the dale of signature of the financial statements are sel out below. The Trustees are appointed by the Area Meeting in session. The merNbers of the Area Meeting are all those persons whose names are for the time being recorded in the official register maintained in accordan￿ with Quaker Faith & PractlGe. The Area Meeting has the final power to remove trustees. Mary Cundy Wells Local Meeting Resigned 31 December 2023 Paula Harvey Propety Clerk King s Lynn Local Aleeling Bridget Hetring P8kefi8ld Loc81 Meeting Susan Lake A￿8 Meeting Treasurer Aylsham Local Meeting Appointed 1 January 2023 Silas Price Employment Cleth & Safeguarding Nonvich Local Meeting Susan Sharpe Clerk to the Trustees fmm l January 2022 Aylsham Local Meeting Carole Thomas Sheringham Local Meeting Caroline Tisdall Beccles Local Meeting David Knighlon Norwich Local Meeting from l May 2023 Appointed 21 January 2023 Roland Pascoe Appointed 1 January 2024 NO￿lCh Local Meeting from l January 2024 Peter Smith Wells Local Meeting from l January 2024 Appointed 1 January 2024 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Recruitment of trustees, induction and training Trustees, the Clerk to Trustees and the Treasurer are normally appointed for a term of three years. Reappointment is possible for second and third terms Ilhough for the Treasurer a third term is permitted only in exceptional circumslancesl. They are appointed by Area Meeting on the nomination of the Nominations Committee. New Trustees receive copies of recent minutes, our goveming document and terms of reference. We also provide induction and briefing materials which we look lo develop and improve. Britain Yearly Meeting produces a Handbook for Trustees of Quaker Meetings, lat present being revised and updaledl, which trustees are encouraged to read, along with Charity Commission guidance The Essential Trustee. New Trustees are supported in allending Being a Quaker Trustee, a course run by Woodbrooke Quaker Study Cenlre. Once a year il is the practice of Trustees lo reflect on how we are working logelhei and lo check that we ale relating our work lo the objects sel out in our governing document. There is an annual Trustees & Treasures, cOnfe￿nCe that Trustees can allend and a Clerk to Trustees Liason Group. The trustees. report was approved by the Board of Trustees. S Sharpe Trustee Dale.. NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial ststements in ac¢ordan¢e with appli¢able law and United Kingdom A¢¢ounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Pra¢ti¢el. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial siatements for each financial year which give a true and lair view of the state of affairs of Ihe charity and of the incoming reSoUr￿S and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., slate whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the financial stslemenls on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate lo presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are ￿sponsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial slalemenls Comply with the Charities A¢t 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detsction of fraud and othgr irrggulariti8S. 20- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Oplnlon We have audited the financial statements of Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Ithe 'charity'l for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally A0￿pted Accounting Practice). In our opinion, the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as al 31 December 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended., have been properly prepared in a¢cord8n¢e with United Kingdom Generally Accepted A¢¢ounling Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basls for oplnlon We condLJcled our audit in accordan¢e with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKI} and appIl￿ble law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the AuditoEs responsibilities for the audil of the financial statements seclion of our report. We are independent of the charily in accordance with Ihe ethical requiremenls that are relevant to our audit Df the financial statements in the UK, inclLJding the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate lo provide a basis for our opinion. Con¢luslons relatlng to golng Concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability lo continue as a going concem for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are aulhorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concem are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other Informatlon The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report Ihereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial slalements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion Ihereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconslstent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtsined in the course of the audit, or olheTwise appears lo be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstslemenls, we are required lo determine whether this gives rise to a material misslalemenl in the financial stslemenls themselves. If, based on the work we have perforrned, we conclude that there is a material misslalemenl of this other information, we are required lo report that fact. Wtr havo nothing to report in this regard. 21 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Mattgrs on whlch we ar• requlrgd to report by ox¢¢ptlon We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the information given in the financial slalements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees, report,. or sufficient a¢¢ounling records have not been kept., or the financial ststements are not in agreement with the accounting records., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the slalement of Iruslees, responsibilities, the Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the financial stslemenls and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Iruslees determine is necessary lo enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misslalemenl, whether due lo fraud or error. In preparing the financial stalemenls, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability lo continue as a going concern, disclosing. as applicable, mallers related to going oncetn and using the going Con￿[￿ basis of accounting unless the Iruslees either intend lo cease operations, or have no realistic allernalive bul lo do so. Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect Ihereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due lo fraud or error, and lo issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance bul is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS IUKI will always delecl a material misststemenl when it exists. Misslaternenls can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected lo influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial stslerllenls. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, induding fraud, is detailed below. The extent to which the audit was considered eapablè of dètecting irrègularities including fraud Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material rnisstalement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows.. the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills lo identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations., we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with trustees and other management., we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial ststemenls or the operations of the charity, including the Charities Act 2011, taxation legislation, and employment legislation., we assessed the exlenl of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence., and identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularty and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. 22- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS We assessed the sus¢eptibility of the ¢haritls financial ststements to material misstatement. including obtsining an understsnding of how fraud might occur, by.. making enquiries of management as to where they wnsidered there was sus¢eptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud,. and considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulalions. To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we.. performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships., tested journals lo identify unusual transactions., assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accountin9 estimates were indicative of potential bias., and investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions. In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulalions, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to.. agreeing financial stalement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation., reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governan￿,. and enquiring of management as to actual and potential liligation and claims. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely il is that we would become aware of non-¢omplian¢e. ALJditing standards also limit the audit procedures reqLJired to identify non-complian￿ with laws and regLJlations lo enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any, Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on Ihe Financial Reporting Council's website at.. htlps'.Ilwww.frc.org.uklOur-WorfdAudiVAudit-and-assurancelStandards-and- guidancelstandards-and-guidanctrfor-auditorslAuditDrs-responsibilities-for-auditlDescription-of-auditors- responsibilities-for-audit.aspx. This description fom)s part of our auditor's report. A further description of our responsibilities is availablo on the Financial R8porting Council's website al.. https.'Il www.frc.org.uklaudilorsresponsibililies. This dgs¢riplion forms part of our audilovs report. Othèr mattèrs Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements 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 IFRS 1021. las amended) in preference lo the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the exlanl regulations but has now been withdrawn. This has been done in order for the financial slalemenls to provide a true and fair view in accordan￿ with current Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charity's Iruslees, as a body, in accordance wtth part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might stale lo the charity's trustees those matters we are required lo stsle to them In an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest exlenl permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for our audit work. for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 23- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Sharon Edwards Isenior Statutory Auditorl for and on behalf of Mapus- Srnith & Lemmon LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor 48 King Street Kings Lynn England PE30 1HE Mapus- Smith & Lemmon LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 24- Ln <0 FJ D co ¢n p4 Qb 7J Oi o) c)m ou>￿0 Z5 LY u) oc>(o o 7J TJ 75 Z5ty mw NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Notes Flxed a$$ets Tangible assets Investment property Investments 21 22 23 2,560,653 3,381,059 813,406 2,562,584 3,381,059 773,559 6,755,118 6,717,202 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 24 3,646 511,284 5,792 473,122 514,930 478,914 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 26 121,7141 128,8491 Net current assets 493,216 450,065 Total assets less current liabilities 7,248,334 7,167,267 Cr&dltors.' amounts falllng dua after more than one year 27 15,0001 111,4401 Nat assats 7,243,334 7,155,827 Capltal funds Endowment funds - general Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 28 1,928,886 1,896,270 29 196,961 5,117,487 245,944 5,013,613 7,243,334 7,155,827 27- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 The financial ststements were approved by the Trustees on . S Lake Trustee S Sharpe Trustee 28- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 A¢¢ountlng poll¢le$ Charity inforniation Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is part of the Religious Society of Friends, ￿MmOn1Y called QLJakers. The ¢harity is an unincorporated charity. 1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepa￿d in a¢¢ordan¢e with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" I'FRS 102.1 and the Charities SORP Accounting and Repo￿ng 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 1021" leffective 1 January 20191. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial slalemenls have departed from the Charities IA¢¢ounts and Reports) R￿UlatIonS 2008 only lo the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Ststement of Recommended Practice for Charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Ststement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are p￿pared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial slalemenls are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and lo include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concern Al the time of approving the financial stalemenls, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concem basis of accounting in preparing the financial ststemenls. 1.3 Charitsble funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtheran¢e of their charitsble objectives which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are subject to restrictions Dn their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the fi'nancial statements. Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity. 1.4 Income All income is re¢ognised in the Slalement of Financial Activities on¢e the ¢harily has entitlement lo the fund, il is probablé that thè in¢om& will be ree8lV8d and th8 amount can be measur9d reliably. 29- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Accounting policies Icontinuedl 1.5 Expendituro Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related lo the category. Where costs cannot be diredly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated lo activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Expenditure includes VAT, which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure lo which il relates. Costs of generating funds comprise those costs directly attributsble lo managing the investment properties and the investment portfolio and raising investment income. Charitable èxpanditurè comprisas thosè costs incurred in perfomiing th8 charity's activitias undèrtakèn in the course of fulfilling charitable objectives as described in the Trustees, Report. Other expenditure on charitable activities include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and stalutory requirements of the charity and indude the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. 1.6 Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially weasured al cost and subsequently measured al cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases.. Functional properties Equipment Computers Not depreciated 25 /0 reducing balance method 500/0 reducing balance method Functional freehold propety is slated in the a¢coLJnls at ils open market value. A full valuation of the propety is carried out every five years in the intervening years a valuation will be carried out only where il is likely ther8 has bgen a material change in valLJe. An annual impairmanl ￿vIeW is also carriéd out in yéars where no depreciation is provided on the grounds of immalerialily. The trustees rgvigw the matgriality of frgehold depreciation 8ach year. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the differen￿ belween the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. 1.7 Investment property Investment property, which is property held lo earn rentals andlor for capital appreciation, is initially recognised 81 ¢osl, which in¢lud&s the purchase Cost and any directly 8ttribul8ble expenditure. Subsequently il is measured at fair value al the reporting end dale. The surplus or deficit on revaluation 15 recognised in the SOFA. 1.8 Flxed asset Investments Fixed asset inveslments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net incomellexpenditurel for the year. Transact40n costs are expensed as incurred. 30- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Accounting policies Icontinuedl 1.9 Impairmont of fixod assets Al each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carying amounts of its tangible assets lo determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is eslimaled in order lo determine the extent of the impairment loss lif any). Critical accounting estimates and judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Iruslees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered lo be relevant. Actual results may differ from these eslimales. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions lo accounting eslimales are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. Net financial contribution, by activity 2023 Note £ 2022 Voluntary income Nel investment income generated for Quaker aclivities Net Income on activities for generating funds for Quaker activities Net expenditure on Quaker activities Grants Payable Net incoming resources for the year Voluntary income 197,807 38,742 9,033 129,179 93,548 9,510 11,559 172.602 13 130 124 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds 2023 2022 Contributions from Friends and Attenders Legacies receivable Other voluntary income 83,810 113,997 84,422 2,355 6,771 197,807 93,548 It is the practice of Friends lo make financial contributions to support the work of the Society. Gift Aid received is included within "Conlribulions from Friends and Attenders" 31 P4 0 O P) NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Room hlre costs, formlng part of actlvltles for goneratlng funds 2023 2023 2022 Notes Unrèstricted Restricted EndowmontTotal funds Total funds Share of total meeting house wsts 12 Share of total wardening costs 14 Allocated support costs 75 Room hi￿ ¢o$ts 20,288 22,998 20,288 22,998 25,792 25,311 Meeting houses and wardening support both Quaker activities and activities for generating funds (room hirel. Therefo￿, some costs 8re shown here and some are shown separately lon note 1218s ¢osls of Quaker a¢livities. Total meeting house costs are shown in note 12. Tol81 wardening costs are shown in note 14. Allocated support costs are shown in note 15. 34- o) ¢D orn o (0 15) QO u) ¢0 (o o>* NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Investment property costs 2023 2023 Notes Unrèstrictod Restrictèd Endowm•ntTotal funds 2022 Total funds Management fees other direct costs Allocated support costs 75 Totsl investment property ¢osts 6,592 101,111 6,592 101,111 5,534 66,718 109 609 109609 Most of the Area Meeting's relationships with tenants are professionally managed by property agents. This supports us in 8¢ting as a responsibl& and responsive 18ndlord. Management fees are paid for the management setvi¢es received. Other di￿¢1 wsts in 2023 include 181 compliance, utilities and Council lax costs relating lo 24 Pottergate following the completion of its redevelopment and prior lo il being lenanled Ibl the cost of utilities and business rates relating to 26 Pottergate whilst leases were being prepared Icl significant repairs relating to Gilden¢roft, especially the roof. Investment property costs indude allocated support costs Isee note 151 36- LuSLittOQO (n fo CY r u)r ¢0 Ln (O (N co co o corn (N o fo r ¢D (o o (N ¢X oor 0££ O (n (rj u) ¢5) ¢0 0> o) ¢D ￿ OCO c o) rfJcc lx O (00 c¢oo ¢0 (n 1111 l- al 00 00000 OLnLno )0 ry ￿r*I 0000000 O Lf) Q O Lr) ttJ(ic¥ LL￿clo NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 12 Totsl meetlng houso costs, shar&s ￿tween actlvltles 2023 2023 Unrastrictèd Restrictèd Endowment Total 2022 Total Area Meeting Great Yarmouth North Walsham Norwich Pakefield Sheringham Wells-next-the-sea Wells warden's Cotlage 2,000 71,094 500 200 28 10,779 10.779 1,306 1.306 Local Meetings Aylsham Be¢¢les Great Yarmouth King's Lynn North Walsham Norwich Pakefield Sheringham Wells-next-the-sea Wymondham Total meeting house costs 5,534 9.867 2,277 14,937 3,451 41,040 3,649 4,575 4,745 5.534 9,867 2,277 14,937 3,451 41,040 3,649 4,575 6,544 2,730 10,090 1,808 8,091 11,326 17,774 3,899 6,698 5,677 796 142 711 1,799 103 578 105 377 Allocation of meeting houseNotes costs lo the cost of generating income from room hire lo Quaker activities 20,288 20,288 25,792 116919 142 711 11a 103 578 105 377 13 Grants payable Grants 2023 Grants 2022 Grants to institutions.. The Benjamin Foundation 30,000 The Benjamin Foundation The one-off payment lo the Benjamin Foundation has been outlined in 8 grant ¥g￿eMent. The funds had originally been received from a separate trust, part of which lo be used for purchase of equipment, furniture and other items of an enduring nature for use by the ftjlure tenants of 24 Pollergale. £50,000 was therefore held as restricted funds for this purpose at the end of 2021. In the end, £30,000 was required by the Benjamin Foundation, and the rest spent on remaining works at 24 Pottergale. -42- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 14 Totsl cost of wardenlng, shared ￿t￿en actlvltles 2023 2022 Note Total cost of wardening Allo¢atlon of totsl ¢o$t of ward&nlng lo the cost of generating income from room hire lo Quaker activtties 75.kn 6 250/. If a 22,998 25,311 15 Support costs Support Governanc¢ ¢osts costs 2023 Support Governance sts ¢o$ts 2022 Depreciation Insuran Finance Charges Adminislralion and office costs Expenses, bursaries & other costs 1,931 1,931 2,575 13,760 334 2,575 13,760 334 316 316 3,206 3,206 2,889 2,889 2,173 2,173 1,488 1,488 Audit fees Accountancy Legal and professional 9,500 2,923 1,000 9,500 2,923 1,000 9,575 9,575 1,250 1,250 7,626 13,423 21,049 21,046 10,825 31,871 Analy5ed between Activities for generating ftjnds,. Investment property costs Room hire costs QLJakèr Activitiès.. Meeting house cosls and Friends, activities 1,906 3,813 8,015 5,708 8,01 S 13,827 10,067 13,880 8,119 1,907 3,356 5,263 7,323 2,706 10,029 7,626 13,423 21,049 21,046 10,825 31,871 16 Net movement in funds 2023 2022 The net movement in fvnds is stated after chargingllcredilingl.. Fees payable for the audit of the charily's financial statements Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 9,5C>O 1,931 9,575 2,575 -43- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 17 Trust&os Trustee5 re￿iVed no remuneration in the year. Trustees were not paid expenses in connection with Irusleeship in the year. 18 Employees The average monthly number of employees during the year was.. 2023 Number 2022 Number Wardens Employment costs 2023 2022 Wages and salaries 30,664 33,748 There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000. -44- ly < Z5 th LY < 7Y ry ui ly < 7Y YJ tst NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 20 Taxatlon The charity 15 exernpt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes. 21 Tangible fixed assets Fun¢tlonal properties Equlpm8nt Total Cost Al 1 January 2023 2,554,860 34,869 2,589,729 At 31 December 2023 2,554,860 34,869 2,589,729 Depraclatlon and Impalrm8nt Al 1 January 2023 Depreciation charged in the year 27.145 1,931 27.145 1,931 At 310ecember 2023 29.076 29.076 Carrying amount Al 31 December 2023 2,554,860 5,793 2,560,653 At 31 December 2022 2,554,860 7,724 2,562,584 The functional properties are made up of.. 2022 Total value Changes durlng 2023 2023 Total valua Meeting houses Aylsham Beccles Great Yarmouth King's Lynn North Walsham NoTwch Pakefield Sheringham Wells lincl. chalell Wells warden's Cottage Total 156,000 155,000 125,000 200,000 195,000 647,677 206,183 130,000 350,000 390 000 2 554 860 156,000 155,000 125,000 200,000 195,000 647,677 206,183 130,000 350,000 390 000 2 $54 860 The Trustees obtained a valuation by Arnolds Keys LLP (Chartered Surveyors) of all the charills properties al 31 December 2016 and these values have been adopted. Trustees are $81isfied that the above propety valuations as al 31 De￿rnber 2023 are not materially different in lotsl lo the market value as at 31 December 2016. -46- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 22 Investment property 2023 Falr value At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 3,381,059 The Trustees obtained a valuation by Arnolds Keys LLP Ichartered SuTveyorsl of all the charills properties al 31 December 2016 and these values have been adopted. Trustees are satisfied that the lolal value of investment property as al 31 December 2C>23 is not materially different in lotsl lo the market value as al 31 December 2016. "Improvem&nts' relates lo work undertake a124 Pollergale. 2023 2022 Fraehold Long leasehold Short leasehold 3,381,059 3,381.059 23 Fixed asset investments Listed investments Cost or valuation Al 1 January 2023 Additions Valuation changes Gainsllosses in the year Exchange rale variance Disposals 773,559 173,437 37,663 12,916 11,3341 1182,8351 At 31 December 2023 813,406 Carrying amount Al 31 December 2023 813,406 At 31 December 2022 773,559 Flxad asset Investmants ravaluad All investments are listed securities. No individual holdings exceed S°/D of the portfolio value at the year end. The historical cost of the investments as al 31 December 2023 was £657,73712022 £653,772). -47- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 24 Debtors 2023 2022 Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Other debtors 2,856 790 5,792 3,646 5,792 25 Loans and overdrafts 2023 2022 other loans 11,440 17,880 Payable within one year Payable after one year 6,440 5,000 6,440 11,440 Amounts included above which fall due after five years.. Payable by instalments S,ODO 11,440 The loan balan￿ is made up as follows: BYM Meeting Houses loan- £11,440 The loan from the Quaker Housing Trust was interest-free and repayable at a rate of £2,500 per year over a ten year period from 2013 to 2022. An administration fee of five per cent was payable with the last instalment. 26 Credltors: amounts falllng du• wlthln one y•ar 2023 2022 Borrowings Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income 6,440 1,517 4,137 9,620 6,440 772 3,017 18,620 21,714 28,849 -48- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 27 Credltors: amounts falllng duo after more than one year 2023 2022 Borrowings S,ODO 11,440 28 Endowment funds Endowment funds represent assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in a￿ordanCe with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any Capital gains or losses arising on the assets form part of the fund. At 1 January 2023 Resources expended Gains and 1055es At31 December 2023 Pernianent endowments SamLJel Robins Fund Helen Widdowson 1,857,951 38,319 15,0261 35,653 1,989 1,888,578 40,308 1,896,270 15,0261 37,642 1,928,886 Previous year= At 1 January 2022 Resources expended Gains and lo$ses At31 December 2022 Pemianont endowments SamLJel Robins Fund Helen Widdowson 1,992,878 44,012 15,3481 1129,5791 15,6931 1,857,951 38,319 2,036,890 15,3481 1135,2721 1,896,270 The Samuel Robins fund arose when Samuel Robins lin a will dated 23rd April 17111 beqLJealhed a building in Gentleman's Walk in the Market Place in Norwich to the Society. Today the fund principally consists Df lisled investments derived from the sale of the building in 2000, two properbes leased to the Assist Trusl, 24 Pottergate (together with the linked cottagel in central Norwich and cash on deposit to fund investment in the redevelopment of 24 Poltergate. Income arising from those this endowment fund can be used in accordance with the objects of the Area Meeting. Any capital gains or losses arising on the investments form part of the fund. Investment management charges and legal advice relating to the fund are charged against the fund. The Helen Widdowson fund arose from a bequest of a member of the Society, Helen Widdowson. Income arising from this endowment fund musl be used in accordance with the objects of the Area Meeting and, rf possible, lo support the upkeep of the fabric of North Walsham meeting house and ils conlenls. -49- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 29 Restrlcted funds The restricted funds of the charty comprise the unexpended balan￿S of donations and grants held on trust subject lo spectFic conditions by donors as lo how they may be used. At 1 January 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers Gains and losses At31 December 2023 Jay Reddaway Fund Thomas Buckingham fund Norwich feasibility study 180,502 1,799 14,8401 11,117 188,578 9,216 167 11,0001 8,383 $6,226 156,2261 245,944 1,966 15,8401 156,2261 11,117 196,961 Previous year= At 1 January 2022 Incorning resource5 Resources expended Transfers Gains and losses At31 December 2022 Jay Reddaway Fund Thomas Buckingham fund N Walsham Burial Ground N Walsham MH repairs N Walsham driveway Norwich feasibility study Pakefield pond fund 214,208 2,739 15,9841 130,4611 180,502 9,870 36 16901 9,216 701 17011 249 12491 2,336 12,3361 56,226 56,226 103 11031 283,693 2,775 17,7271 12,3361 130,4611 245,944 Restricted funds include the following.. The Jay Reddaway fund arose from a bequest of a member of the Society, Jay Reddaway. The fund musl be used within the objects of the Area Meeting and lo support Wells-next-the-sea Local Meeting. The Thomas Buckingham fund, which has arisen from a donation from the Thomas Buckingham Trust prior to the winding up of that charity. The fund is reslricled for the relief of poverty of poor Friends. 50- NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 30 Unrestrl¢tsd funds The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subjed to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been sel aside out of unrestrictsd funds by the trustees for specific purposes. At 1 January 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers Gains and losses At31 December 2023 General funds 5,013,613 342,602 1294,7851 56,226 11691 5,117,487 Previous year: At 1 January 2022 Incoming resources Resources expended Transters Gains and losses At31 December 2022 General funds 5,163,825 225,297 1345,1211 2,336 132,7241 5,013,613 31 Analysls of nat assets betwoon funds Unrestricted funds 2023 Restricted Endowment funds funds 2023 2023 Total 2023 At 31 December 2023: Tangible assets Investment properties Investments Current assetsllliabililiesl Long term liabilities 2,560,653 2.089,871 2,041 464,922 2,560.653 3,381,059 813,406 493.216 15,0001 1,291,188 624,591 13,107 186,774 15,187 15,0001 5,117,487 196,961 1,928,886 7,243,334 Unrostricted funds 2022 Restrictèd Endowment funds funds 2022 2022 Total 2022 At 31 December 2022: Tangible assets Investment properties Investments Current assetsllliabililiesl Long term liabilities 2,562,584 2,089,871 31,460 331,138 11,4401 2,562,584 3,381.059 773,559 450,065 111,4401 1,291,188 574,617 30,465 167,482 88,462 110,0001 5,013,613 245,944 1,896,270 7,155,827 51 NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 32 Relatsd party transactlons No Iruslee or other person related lo the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transactions entered into by the charity during the year12022.. £nill. 52- **NORFOLK & WAVENEY AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Letter of comment and audit findings** Year Ended 31 December 2023 MAPUS-SMITH & LEMMON LLP ## **Contents** - Introduction - Ethical responsibilities - Approach to the audit - Materiality and risks - Audit issues and adjustments - Other matters and report - Appendices Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Introduction** We have been engaged by the Trustees of Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (further referred to as “The Charity”) to perform an audit of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The terms of the engagement are set out in our engagement letter dated 25 May 2023. The audit has been performed in line with International Standards on Auditing (UK). Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 Ethical responsibilities ## **Audit independence and objectivity** We confirm we have complied with the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) Ethical Standard and are able to issue an objective opinion on the financial statements. We have considered our integrity, independence and objectivity in respect of audit services provided and have identified potential threats for which we have applied appropriate safeguards as follows: Preparation of the statutory accounts from the extended trial balances extracted from Excel reports. The preparation of accounts is considered a mechanical exercise from the TB which has been extracted from the excel cashbooks prepared by local treasurers. Any adjustments identified are approved by management to mitigate this risk. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 Approach to the audit ## **General approach** Our general audit approach has been determined by our assessment of the audit risk, both in terms of the potential misstatement in the financial statements and of the control environment in which the company operates. To summarise our approach, we have: - Updated our understanding of the charitable organisation and its environment; Significant risks will arise on most audits and are often derived from organisational risks that may result in a material misstatement, relate to unusual transactions that occur infrequently, or judgemental matters where measurement is uncertain. In areas where we identified the potential for significant risk, we extended our audit testing to include more detailed substantive work. Our work in other areas will be proportionally less. - Reviewed the design and implementation of key internal financial control systems; and - Planned and performed an audit with professional scepticism recognising that circumstances may exist that cause the financial statements to be materially misstated. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Understanding the charitable organisation** Events with a significant impact on the charity during the year were - Treasurer changes at Local Meeting Level. - Continued development of Pottergate premises. We were not advised of any other changes/events occurring during the year. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Fraud** ## **Responsibilities** It is those charged with governance who are responsible for the detection and prevention of fraud and error. Our objective was to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. ## **Guidance** A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/OurWork/Audit/Audit-andassurance/Standards-and-guidance/Standardsand-guidance-forauditors/Auditorsresponsibilities-for-audit/Description-of-auditorsresponsibilities-foraudit.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. ## **Findings** During our audit work performed we have not identified or been alerted to any instances of fraud. If management are aware of any instances of fraud, please inform Sharon Edwards. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 Materiality and risks ## **Materiality** We applied the concept of materiality both in planning and performing the audit, and in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit and of uncorrected misstatements. In general, misstatements, including omissions, are considered to be material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Component Materiality Performance Triviality
Materiality
Norfolk and 90,000 67,500 4,500
Waveney Quakers
**----- End of picture text -----**
Judgements about materiality are made in the light of surrounding circumstances, and are affected by our perception of the financial information needs of users of the financial statements, and by the size or nature of a misstatement, or a combination of both. Any errors greater than triviality have been recorded and discussed with you and, if not adjusted, confirmed as immaterial as part of your letter of representation to us. Materiality was set at £90,000 with triviality set at £4,500. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Risks** |Significant Risk|Audit approach|Audit findings| |---|---|---| |Fraud concerning revenue
recognition|We have performed substantive testing on the completeness and
occurrence of income, ensuring that our samples reflect the higher risk
associated with a significant risk. Furthermore, journals were reviewed
to ensure no unusual postings were made to revenue to boost turnover
and surplus funds.|We
did
not
identify
any
issues
regarding
fraud
regarding
revenue
recognition.| |Management override of
controls|1.
Journal entry testing performed by looking at unusual journal entries
posted which impacted on the profit of the entity as well as unusual
postings at weekends and by individuals who we would not be
expect to post to the ledgers.
2.
Audit staff remained sceptical at all times challenging management
with estimates and workings provided.
3.
Appropriateness of adjustments have been challenged and agreed
with management.|Following our work performed we are
comfortable
that
the
financial
statements appear free from material
misstatement which would have arisen
from the override of controls. It is
important to note we have not placed
any reliance on controls.| |Records presented in different
formats by local treasurers|1.
Ensure all relevant results are discussed with both local treasurers
and area management for any discrepancies found.|No issues found which would affect the
material misstatement of the financial
statements.| Significant risks areas identified at the planning stage of the audit and how these areas have been addressed are detailed to the left. We have detailed the approach we took to mitigate the specified risk and concluded on whether there were any issues identified from our testing performed. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Risks** |Significant Risk|Audit approach|Audit findings| |---|---|---| |Property valuation not
performed for several years.|1.
Review any documentation previously derived by third parties.
2.
Enquire into similar property valuations around the area, take into
consideration allowance for rented properties, and buildings used for
specific purpose.
3.
Discuss any valuations queried with informed management.|We are satisfied upon work done to last
years audit and representation made
with the trustees, that due to the nature
of the properties discussed, valuation of
property is consistently applied and no
material
revaluation
adjustment
is
needed. The charity undertake a third
party to value the assets.| |Going Concern|1.
Review any budgets for 2024 and 25 to ascertain future expected
cash balance.
2.
Review other methods available to the charity in generating
additional funds.|We have reviewed going concern for
the charity and whilst the cash position
may not be healthy, the charity has
options to sell properties if needed.| Significant risks areas identified at the planning stage of the audit and how these areas have been addressed are detailed to the left. We have detailed the approach we took to mitigate the specified risk and concluded on whether there were any issues identified from our testing performed. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 Audit issues and adjustments ## **Audit issues** |Issue|Risk|Recommendation| |---|---|---| |No valuation of properties
has been performed since
2016.|Property valuations have increased since this time. Risk that
balance sheet and SOFA is understated due to market
values of properties.|Consider
a
fresh
valuation
of
properties
to
be
undertaken
by
Arnold
Keys,
possibly
once
the
Pottergate development is complete.| |No terms could be seen for
the
loans
provided
by
British Yearly Meeting.|There is a risk that disclosures relating to the terms of the
loans are missing from the financial statements.|Ensure
evidence
relating
to
the
loans
provided
to
Norwich
and
Norfolk
Areas
are
documented
properly and any agreements with
British Yearly Meeting attaining to
these are documented.| |No specific records were
maintained relating to the
monitoring
of
Restricted
and Endowment funds by
the treasurers.|Risk that expenditure relating to funds held for these
purposes, are not correctly recorded, meaning these specific
funds could be misstated in the financial statements.|Each Local Meeting to keep analysis
of all restricted funds it holds, with
the
Area
Meeting
reviewing
any
documentation along with its own
endowment funds.| |Some of the excel working
spreadsheets
for
the
cashbook
(notably
Kings
Lynn), had broken down,
meaning information came
in a different format, or had
to be written up by the
accounts team.|Risk
that
income
and
expense
categories
are
not
appropriately analysed according to the cost.|The
audit
partner
has
already
engaged in software training post
year end to aid in immigrating this
risk.| Through our audit testing performed we identified a number of control deficiencies or areas which are to be reviewed by management to ensure accurate financial information going forward along with mitigating risk. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Audit issues** |Issue|Risk|Recommendation| |---|---|---| |Sheringham
loan
incorrectly recorded as a
loan
rather
than
a
donation.|There is a risk that balance sheet items are overstated and
therefore an overstatement of the funds available to the
charity.|Ensure all balance sheet amounts
are routinely reviewed to confirm the
treatment is correct.| Through our audit testing performed we identified a number of control deficiencies or areas which are to be reviewed by management to ensure accurate financial information going forward along with mitigating risk. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Adjustments – Norfolk & Waveney Area Quakers** |**Description of adjustment**|**Type**|**Profit and loss**
**Dr/(Cr)**|**Balance Sheet**
**Dr/(Cr)**| |---|---|---|---| |Trade Debtors – Introduce Gift aid debtor|Factual|(2,855.56)|2,855.56| |Adjust – Lift expenditure to Meeting House Costs|Reclassification|(1,092.80)|(1,092.80)| |Depreciation – Reverse depreciation charged on lift|Reclassification|(273.20)|273.20| |Adjust costs – Update support costs|Reclassification|273.15/
(273.15)|-| |Donations – Reclassify donations received|Reclassification|2,000.00/
(2,000.00)|-| |Adjust costs – Meeting house costs splits|Reclassification|214.05/
(214.05)|-| |Other Debtors – Reclassification of St Andrews Loan to donations|Reclassification|(5,000.00)|5,000.00| Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 Other matters and report ## **Other matters** 1. Please refer to pages titled “Audit issues” for items identified relating to the qualitative aspects of the accounting practices and financial reporting. We have no other comments to make. 5. As you are aware from our letter of engagement, our audit procedures were directed towards testing the accounting systems in operation upon which we have based our assessment of the accounts. Refer to section “Audit issues and adjustments” within this report in which details of actual and potential weaknesses identified during the course of our audit and our recommendations for improvements are detailed. It is not meant to be a full and accurate reflection of all weaknesses that may be present in your system. 2. Please refer to pages titled “Audit issues”, for significant difficulties during the audit. There are no other significant findings from the audit to draw to your attention. 3. A draft of our proposed letter of representation has already been provided to you. We draw your attention to the paragraphs concerning going concern. In other respects, the letter is routine. 6. In making our recommendations, we have considered the size of your business and the number of staff you employ. We shall be glad if you will let us know what steps have been taken in connection with the above. 4. Please refer to Appendix I for all unadjusted items determined during the course of our audit, except for those considered to be clearly trivial. 7. We do not propose any modifications to our audit opinion and hence will be issuing a clean audit report. 8. We have discussed with you the fact that we provide accounting and taxation services to the company in addition to acting as auditors. As previously highlighted in the report we wish to confirm to you that in our opinion the provision of such services do not affect our independence as the additional services provided are of a routine compliance nature and the director takes any decisions where judgement is required. Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 ## **Report** We would like to take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to your staff for their assistance during the course of our audit. Please note that this report has been prepared for the sole use of Norfolk and Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. It must not be disclosed to third parties, quoted or referred to, without our prior written consent. No responsibility is assumed by us to any other person. The purpose of the audit was to enable us to express an opinion on the financial statements. The audit included consideration of internal control relevant to the preparation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control. The matters reported above are limited to those deficiencies that the auditor has identified during the audit and that the auditor has concluded are of sufficient importance to merit being reported to those charged with governance. If we can be of any further assistance, please contact Sharon Edwards. Yours faithfully, ## **Mapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP** Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023 Appendices ## **– Appendix I Unadjusted items** ||**Impact**|**Impact**| |---|---|---| ||**P&L**
Dr/(Cr)|**BS**
Dr/(Cr)| |Debtors cut off – Dec 23 banking relating to Jan 24 room hire|128.00|(128.00)| |Debtors cut off – Jan 24 bankings relating to Dec 23 room hire|(169.00)|169.00| |Debtors cut off – Rent received Jan 24 relating to Dec 23|(3,636.54)|3,636.54| |Rental income – Being increase in gross HFW rent|(754.47)|754.47| |Creditors cut off – Being prepayment of subscription|(114.00)|114.00| |Creditors cut off – Being additional creditors identified|1,028.82|(1,028.82)| |Creditors cut off – Being additional accrued expenses|783.99|(783.99)| |Income cut off – Being additional investment income identified|(1,647.95)|1,647.95| |**TOTAL**|**(4,381.15)**|**4,381.15**| Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends – 31 December 2023