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← Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

2023-12-31-accounts

Company no. 07900649 Charity no. 1149956

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report and Unaudited Financial Statements 31 December 2023

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting
Contents
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2
Independent Examiner's Report 10
Statement of Financial Activities 11
Balance Sheet 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 14

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Company number 07900649 Charity number 1149956 Registered office and The Dorchester Quaker Meeting House operational address 8 Holloway Road Fordington Dorchester DT1 1LF Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: John Boyle Marilyn Derricott Appointed 7 February 2023 Diana Harris Strawberry Roth Company secretary Melissa Turner Resigned 31 March 2024 Chris Lord Appointed 1 April 2024 Bankers Charities Aid Foundation Ltd Triodos Bank West Malling Deanery Road Kent Bristol ME19 4TA BS1 5AS Lloyds Bank Dorchester Birmingham OSC Ariel House 2138 Coventry Road B26 3JW Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

1

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Objects and activities of the Area Meeting as a charity

The charity’s objects are the furtherance of the general religious and charitable purposes of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain.

The principal activity is the regular holding of meetings for worship in the constituent Local Meetings. The AM in 2023 had a total membership of 119 with an additional 100 regular attenders not in membership. LMs have met in person for most of the meetings with some LMs continuing to hold ‘blended’ meetings at which some Friends meet in person and some via Zoom. This has enabled some Friends with disability or living at a distance to attend who would not in the past have been able to do so.

Each LM has a Meeting for Worship for Business at least 6 times a year, feeding any matters relating to the whole AM to AM’s Meetings for Business. The AM sends a member to serve on Meeting for Sufferings, the executive body of Britain Yearly Meeting, and on the Quaker Life Committee.

Properties

The titles to all the properties owned by the AM are held by Friends Trusts Limited, as nominee. There are Quaker Meeting Houses (MHs) in Dorchester, Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Bridport, all owned by the AM. All were surveyed as part of the Heritage Project, supported by English Heritage, during 2016 and each had a professional revaluation of its rebuild value during 2017, totalling £3,140,000 for all the buildings. Each has undergone a quinquennial survey.

Dorchester MH no longer has a resident warden. The upstairs flat (formerly occupied by a resident warden), has undergone a complete refurbishment during 2023, including the creation of a separate entry and an improved fire exit, with the intention of letting it commercially during 2024.

Salisbury MH is a Grade 2 Listed building formerly known as Kennet Lodge. In 2010, after renovation, re-styling and modernisation it was renamed Quaker Meeting House. A flat above the Meeting House is commercially let and the income is paid into general AM funds. The Meeting House is taken care of by a part time non-resident Warden and a Lettings Officer. The gardens are maintained by a gardener with some work done by the warden and occasionally other Friends. The rear garden is affiliated to the Quiet Garden Trust.

Shaftesbury’s Meeting House is a mid-20th century bungalow in good condition and its Quaker garden has won awards. It is taken care of by a group of local Friends. A new heating system was installed in 2023 and it is intended that solar panels will be fitted in 2024, subject to planning permission.

Bridport’s 400-year-old Meeting House is a Grade 2 Listed building. The burial ground walls, also listed, are being repaired as necessary – an expensive exercise because of the requirement to use traditional materials. Part of the land alongside the burial ground is let at a peppercorn rent to a neighbour as an allotment.

2

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Burial grounds in Shaftesbury and Ashgrove (near Shaftesbury) are also owned by the AM and are covered by Charity Commission Schemes. Half of the Shaftesbury Burial ground forms the garden of a small, privately owned cottage. The lease allowing this is for a term of 75 years. The lease provides the AM with full burial rights on the ground and allows for access by the AM to inspect and maintain the gravestones.

Opportunities and risks

The statement made in this report for the last three years still holds, that balancing the needs of an ageing membership with the encouragement and liveliness needed to ensure a steady flow of new members is both an opportunity and a risk – and at times a challenge. It is noticeably more successful in those Meetings with a range of opportunities for discussion, social activities and learning, which varies according to the life and energy of each Meeting.

Challenges

Meeting legal requirements - health and safety, employment legislation, public liability and preventing fraud to our finances or harm to our people, is demanding on the trustees and requires constant vigilance to ensure that it is all taken seriously by members. The trustees consider that this AM does achieve an adequate level of risk management and readily seeks professional advice on matters for which there are no suitably skilled members of the AM. The AM employs a part time administrator and bookkeeper, and uses a firm of accountants (Godfrey Wilson) to manage the accounts. This has enabled us to provide more in-house financial support to our treasurers and has thereby eased the burden on trustees, the clerk and the AM treasurer.

Buildings - the 4 buildings owned by AM are old, and some are listed. This presents a challenge in terms of upkeep, repair and maintenance and results in financial expense as well as significant demands on individuals’ time. This will naturally increase as the buildings age further. The programme of quinquennial surveys will give us insight regarding the works that may need acting on. Even so, unexpected problems arise and need attention, sometimes urgently and often professionally, placing responsibility on just a few Friends at the LM and AM level.

Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic had profoundly affected our Area Meeting; however, we have developed alternative ways of holding worship including using remote technology. This has enabled some Meetings for Worship to continue in modified form, and we shall be using this technology to hold business and committee meetings during the aftermath of this uncertain time.

Weymouth Meeting, having lost its hired premises at the start of the Covid lockdowns, has never reformed, but its members do communicate with each other and one or two of them attend Dorchester Meeting, either face to face or virtually, when possible.

Lyme Meeting maintained good communication across its members throughout Covid and regathered afterwards very effectively.

The effect over the past 3 years of the Covid-19 pandemic has left LMs and AM without the necessary ‘person power’ for many of the previously nominated posts, including nominations for trustee roles.

Meanwhile, the trustees will keep our risks and finances under regular review and take steps as appropriate to protect the life of our Quaker community and our charitable purpose.

3

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Safeguarding

Until recently this has been mostly about keeping our children safe, but at the present time, LMs have few children but an increasing number of very elderly and vulnerable adults. The prevalence of dementia in the population creates its own problems where Meetings for Worship are mostly silent and depend on the involvement and understanding of everyone present. AM has in place a safeguarding representative in each Local Meeting and an AM Safeguarding Coordinator, who arranges specific safeguarding training for individuals within LMs.

Opportunities

There are potential opportunities to increase our outreach and to attract new members amongst those seeking a spiritual path who may find a natural home with Quakers. However, our ability to take advantage of these opportunities depends on the energy and resources of our Local Meetings and the Area Meeting.

Some LMs have learnt about and embraced the ‘Simpler Meetings’ agenda, and made organisational changes towards time-limited working groups for some areas of activity. This has encouraged Friends to participate and give of their time and energy more freely.

The introduction by Quakers nationally of Local Development Workers affected this AM for the first time during 2023, when a new appointment of such a worker was shared across several AMs in this central southern part of the country. The weakness of this system is that such workers are not necessarily themselves Quakers and the potential strength is that this could open up new ideas, activities and interests – it is still too early to say yet what the local effect of this opportunity might be.

Public benefit

Quakerism is a way of life, not a religion for Sundays. In accordance with our testimonies, our members and attenders contribute to a wide range of activity in each local community, in local and national organisations and in the world-wide sphere. Quakers are relatively few in numbers but our values are quite widely known and we are often able to achieve influence well beyond what our small size would suggest.

The Religious Society of Friends is part of Churches Together in England and each LM takes part in and contributes to its local Churches Together group, where these are still active. Some of these are in Dorset and Wiltshire but others, at the borders of these counties, are in Somerset and Devon and a couple of them have disbanded after the Covid pandemic. However, where they are strong, as is currently the case in Dorchester and Bridport, for example, it enables a solid basis for working together or speaking out on local, national and international issues.

In planning activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

Employment

The AM is the employer of three staff members. One is a part-time administrator/bookkeeper who is responsible for the bookkeeping and for general administrative support and reports to the AM treasurer. Two are part-time staff for Salisbury Local Meeting (also members of this meeting), who are responsible for room hirings, and for meeting house maintenance. Their line-management is managed by Salisbury Local Meeting. The AM endeavours to be a good employer, and staff pay is reviewed each year in line with inflation.

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Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Hirings

Our Meeting Houses have been open again for hirings for local groups throughout 2023. Some meetings have found it easier than others to attract hirers back, but most are now almost as fully in use as they were before Covid. Income from hirings is still, however, rather variable across the AM.

Some of the groups who are pleased to hire meeting houses would find it hard to be accommodated in other halls because they include people working with issues (for example) of addiction. The charges are kept modest to enable such groups to have access and many groups comment on the peace and calm they feel in our Meeting Houses. The wear and tear on each building and the workload for those looking after the buildings are of course increased.

Outreach

Each LM aims to undertake some outreach action, often in Quaker Week in October, to ensure that our voice is heard and that local people have opportunities to know where and what we are. Bridport LM took part in the Architectural Heritage Week in the town, with public interest shown in the building and in Quakers.

Work is ongoing in individual LMs on matters of international concern , many carrying our Peace Testimony into action. During 2023, active work with former Syrian refugees, encouragement and support to Ukrainian refugees and active support for the people of Gaza have all been pursued.

Amongst the concerns taken forward over many years across the LMs are the Palestine/Israel situation, support for Christian Aid, child soldiers, children in prison, poverty in this country, homelessness, food banks, and immigration/refugee matters. Conscientious objection to militarism is not something just for wartime and there is local support to enable conscientious objection to that part of our taxes which is used for military purpose.

Quaker Prison Ministers : A member of Shaftesbury LM visits Guys Marsh prison regularly, despite the restrictions that were imposed last year. All the Meetings have tried to support the occupants of the Bibby Stockholm Barge, moored off Portland, with clothing and toiletries and, where possible, friendship.

Achievements

Our AM membership during 2023 has declined from 153 members to 119. However, this is not entirely due to deaths or resignations but because of some efforts to clarify if former members who have not had any contact with a LM wish to continue in membership.

There is a growing interest in exploring a spiritual journey by many people in their middle years and some seek this in the non-credal setting of a Quaker Meeting. Many such enquirers attend only for a matter of weeks or months but some, supported by discussion and teaching groups within our LMs, continue with their explorations of Quakerism and some eventually apply for membership.

New Quaker Courses have been offered by Woodbrooke under the heading of ‘Woodbrooke Where You Are’ and one such was taken up by our AM and held in Dorchester on the subject of Discernment and was well-attended and enjoyed by 28 Friends and attenders. Quaker educational experience is open to young and old and there is more work to be done so that such opportunities are taken up, whether online or face-to-face, during 2024.

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Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Sustainability

The AM and LMs have significantly reduced printing and the use of paper, using online secure storage sharing platforms for documents/policies, and using email as the main method of communication.

Sustainable transport is encouraged: including the use of public transport to travel to meetings / training courses etc. Local and Area Meetings are often attended by individuals who either walk / cycle or use public transport, where possible. The increase of virtual / blended meetings for business and worship over recent years has significantly reduced our carbon footprint with less need to travel.

DSWAQM intends to further encourage all means of reducing our carbon footprint, in particular by arranging energy assessments of Local Meeting Houses, and acting on them. We aim to facilitate energy saving and use of green energy sources by Meeting Houses and individual Friends. Shaftesbury LM changed their heating system from gas to electricity and Bridport intend to do the same when the current gas boilers reach the end of their useful life. Local Meetings encourage the reduction of the use of plastics, and promote the three pillars of “reduce, re-use and recycle”.

Both Dorchester Meeting House and Salisbury Meeting House have photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roof and Shaftesbury hopes to follow them during 2024.

Finance and accounting principles

Dorchester, Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Lyme Regis LM’s have their own treasurer, bank account and income and expenditure accounts. Financial decisions are taken at the LM for business in accordance with Quaker principles and following the relevant guidance in Quaker Faith and Practice. Bridport LM’s funds are held in the AM Bank account. During 2023 they did not have their own LM Treasurer but relied on the services of the AM bookkeeper.

There is a Memorandum of Understanding between AM and LMs which sets out the principles of the relationship, including financial delegation. The LM accounts are collated with those of the AM to form the complete picture of the financial position of the whole AM. This is a somewhat complicated process but is the historic practice in Quaker Area Meetings. The AM accountants together with the treasurer and our bookkeeper support the trustees in ensuring that these historic practices are managed, that the AM’s annual accounts are correctly prepared and that the process of financial management is adequately addressed throughout the year.

Investments

All investments of the AM are managed by Investing Ethically Ltd. The AM disinvested in fossil fuel extraction, as far as is possible for a small organisation, during 2016, achieving a 95% withdrawal from any fund that in any way supports fossil fuel extraction. This has not had a major deleterious effect on the income achieved from investments.

Our AM treasurer and trustees have regular engagement with our financial planner at Investing Ethically Ltd, which has given us the opportunity to revisit our objectives and plans. Given the continual changes in current investment and political environments, it has been useful to reflect how changes might influence our own plans for the future. Under the guidance and advice of our Investment Advisor, trustees have taken the view that our current investment strategy remains appropriate to our risk appetite and needs, and no substantive changes have been made.

6

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Income

The main sources of income are from individual members’ donations, from room hirings, and from investment income. This income is used to carry out our objectives, supporting Quaker work locally, nationally and internationally. Our properties require significant sums to be spent on maintenance, a cost shared by the LM and AM funds.

Separate collections are made in some LMs for charities whose work is in sympathy with Quaker values and testimonies.

Total income for the year amounted to £140,303 (2022: £176,079), including £7,419 restricted funds (2022: £5,343). The statement of financial activities shows net income of £13,883 (2022: net expenditure of £77,668).

Reserves

An updated Reserves Policy was prepared during 2016. As part of this, the trustees considered that they should maintain reserves of 12 months' normal expenditure, which equates to circa £120,000. At 31 December 2023, total reserves amounted to £2,115,963 (2022: £2,102,080), which were made up as follows:

Endowment funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
Invested in freehold property
Investments
Free reserves
Total		 2023
£
311,845
373,095
906,338
135,964
388,721
2,115,963		 2022
£
289,794
368,316
925,432
129,427
389,111
2,102,080

Use of surplus funds

Supporting Quaker Work through Britain Yearly Meeting .

In 2023 donations totalling £6,068 (2022: £11,281) were made to support the work of Britain Yearly Meeting. These funds contribute to the work of BYM including Quaker Peace and Social Witness, Quaker Life, Quaker Stewardship and other central work. This means that we are able to look beyond our Local and Area Meetings and engage with Quaker work nationally and internationally. This is something that our members value highly and that also contributes to our influence on local issues and outreach in our local communities.

Building reserve / support for Quaker Housing Trust (QHT)

The Area Meeting has held since 2016 a Treasurer’s Reserve account with Triodos Bank, the income from which has been used to support the work of the Quaker Housing Trust, reflecting our AM concern to support social housing. The funds in this account, currently totalling £116,701, can be added to or withdrawn at any time needed by the AM. In 2019 the Area Meeting agreed to regard the funds deposited in this account as a buildings reserve to be used to support major works which may arise in respect of our buildings. Meanwhile any interest continues to be allocated, by a decision taken each year by the AM, to the Quaker Housing Trust.

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Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Future plans

These have been referred to throughout this report. With the ageing membership of the Area Meeting, allowance has to be made for the loss of income as older members, many of whom are the most generous contributors to the Meeting, die. Legacy income cannot be relied on and may have restricted purposes. Nevertheless, there have been 2 legacies received during 2023. It is not wise for the AM to have expensive plans for the future but we are exhorted ‘to be open to new light, from whatever source it may come’. In this spirit we will endeavour to be adventurous with our available funds.

There is an increasing urgency to work towards Simpler Meetings, and it is the aim of BYM that this should be achieved across the country. In 2023 we encouraged any suggestions put forward by LMs and AM towards achieving some reduction in number of posts and simplification of our business administration and some of this has enabled work to continue. However, we recognise that we are still dependent on just a few very hard-working and aging members who need to be allowed to lay down some of their responsibilities.

Structure, governance and management

The Area Meeting (AM) is a registered charity, number 1149956. The Area Meeting is the administrative body for 6 Local Meetings (LMs), consisting of Shaftesbury, Salisbury, Dorchester, Bridport, Lyme Regis and Weymouth & Portland, of whom all but the last 2 have their own Meeting Houses. Meeting Houses are owned by the Area Meeting.

The Area Meeting was registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee, number 07900649 on 6 January 2012. Its financial year is aligned to the calendar year, which for Quakers is also the financial year.

The Company’s trustees/directors (referred to as simply ‘trustees’) are each appointed by the Area Meeting for a triennium, in the Quaker tradition. All trustees are eligible for re-appointment up to a maximum consecutive service of 9 years and the Articles of Association are based on the standard Quaker constitution for a charity. However, some have worked for far longer than a triennium and we thank them for their hard work and loyalty.

All our Meetings for Worship and Business are held in the manner of Friends, as described in the book ‘Quaker Faith and Practice’. The trustees meet quarterly and the AM meets 6 times a year, at rotating LM venues, keeping all Friends informed of its business and agreeing together its strategy and policy. The trustees present a report with a copy of their minutes at each meeting. The AGM of the Company took place within the AM held in May 2023.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been in existence since 2014, setting out the respective roles of AM and LMs in order to ensure good governance and financial management.

In summary

Trustees, professionals, LMs and AM have worked well together to carry out all the business of the year, whilst still observing right ordering and good Quaker business practices. Tasks such as responsibility for our properties and the legislation that is associated with this are delegated by trustees to LMs but monitoring this is an ongoing task that requires a regular calendar of work.

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Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with 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 Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 22 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Diana harris

Strawberry Roth - Trustee

Diana Harris - Trustee

9

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 11 to 30.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides ad hoc bookkeeping, payroll and consultancy services to the charitable company. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.

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

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

Date: 22 May 2024 Rob Wilson FCA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

10

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Endowment
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
-
Other trading activities
4
-
Investments
5
-
Other income
6
-
Total income
-
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
2,350
Total expenditure
7
2,350
Net gains / (losses) on investments
24,401
8
22,051
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
289,794
Total funds carried forward
311,845
Net income / (expenditure)
and movement in funds		 Restricted Unrestricted
£
£
-
56,767
-
68,975
7,419
7,142
-
-
7,419
132,884
-
5,034
6,797
148,486
6,797
153,520
4,157
7,689
4,779
(12,947)
368,316
1,443,970
373,095
1,431,023		 2023
Total
£
56,767
68,975
14,561
-
140,303
5,034
157,633
162,667
36,247
13,883
2,102,080
2,115,963		 2022
Total
£
35,320
55,201
7,979
77,579
176,079
5,036
158,567
163,603
(90,144)
(77,668)
2,179,748
2,102,080

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 16 to the accounts.

11

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Investments
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
14
Net current assets
Net assets
15
Funds
16
Endowment funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
18,077
399,085
417,162
(10,577)		 2023
£
1,248,738
460,640
1,709,378
406,585
2,115,963
311,845
373,095
954,705
476,318
2,115,963		 2022
£
1,274,232
427,860
1,702,092
13,009
397,865
410,874
(10,886)
399,988
2,102,080
289,794
368,316
973,799
470,171
2,102,080

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477(2), and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

12

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2023

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 22 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Diana harris

Strawberry Roth - Trustee

Diana Harris - Trustee

13

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

c) Income

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

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

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

d) Interest receivable

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

e) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

14

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued) f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

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

g) Allocation of support and governance costs

h) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Freehold property (buildings) Land

50 years straight line Not depreciated

Buildings are assumed to have a £nil residual value. Residual land values have been estimated based on insurance rebuild costing surveys and Land Registry value guides. These estimates are updated with reference to quinquennial building surveys. There was no change in 2023.

i) Investments

Investments held at the year end are valued at the current market value at that date. Investment income from dividends is included in incoming resources while realised and unrealised losses and gains on investments are shown separately on the statement of financial activities (SOFA). Realised gains and losses are calculated on investment disposals during the year as the difference between the opening market value and the proceeds received on sale. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated on investment holdings at the year end as the difference between the closing market value and the opening market value or purchase value during the year.

j) Debtors

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

k) Cash at bank and in hand

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

15

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

l) Creditors

m) Financial instruments

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

n) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key source of estimation uncertainty that has a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements is depreciation as described in note 1 (h) above.

16

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Endowment
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
-
Other trading activities
-
Investments
-
Other income
-
Total income
-
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
2,514
Total expenditure
2,514
Net gains / (losses) on investments
(61,827)
Net income / (expenditure)
and net movement in funds
(64,341)		 Restricted
£
£
35
35,285
-
55,201
5,308
2,671
-
77,579
5,343
170,736
-
5,036
40,394
115,659
40,394
120,695
(9,894)
(18,423)
(44,945)
31,618
Unrestricted		 2022
Total
£
35,320
55,201
7,979
77,579
176,079
5,036
158,567
163,603
(90,144)
(77,668)

3. Income from donations and legacies

Income from donations and legacies
Donations and gift aid
Legacies
Total donations and legacies
Prior period comparative:
Donations and gift aid
Legacies
Total donations and legacies		 Restricted
£
£
-
31,767
-
25,000
-
56,767
Restricted
£
£
35
34,036
-
1,249
35
35,285
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
31,767
25,000
56,767
2022
Total
£
34,071
1,249
35,320

17

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

For the year ended 31 December 2023
4.
Income from other trading activities
Meeting house hirings
Salisbury flat lettings
Other income
Total other trading activities		 2023
Total
£
58,054
9,000
1,921
68,975		 2022
Total
£
44,011
8,898
2,292
55,201

All income from other trading activities was unrestricted in the current and prior year.

5.
Income from investments
Interest and dividends
Prior period comparative:
Interest and dividends
6.
Other income
Insurance claim
Legal case award		 Restricted
£
£
7,419
7,142
Restricted
£
£
5,308
2,671
2023
Total
£
-
-
-
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
14,561
2022
Total
£
7,979
2022
Total
£
37,902
39,677
77,579

All other income was unrestricted in the current and prior year.

18

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

For the year ended 31 December 2023
7.
Total expenditure
BYM contribution
Other donations
Meeting support costs
Meeting house costs:
Insurance
Survey costs
Repairs, maintenance and garden
Rent, rates and utilities
Depreciation
Staff costs (note 9)
Fundraising costs
Letting agents fees
Investment management costs
Legal fees
Independent examination
Bookkeeping fees
Administration costs
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 Raising funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
343
1,224
3,467
-
-
-
-
5,034
-
5,034		 Charitable
activities
£
6,068
2,625
5,649
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,342
143,291
157,633		 Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,840
3,055
3,929
10,824
(10,824)
-		 Support costs
£
-
-
-
5,753
1,655
53,048
23,392
25,494
22,210
-
-
-
915
-
-
-
132,467
(132,467)
-		 2023 Total
£
6,068
2,625
5,649
5,753
1,655
53,048
23,392
25,494
22,210
343
1,224
3,467
915
3,840
3,055
3,929
162,667
-
162,667

19

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

7. Total expenditure - prior period comparative

BYM contribution
Other donations
Meeting support costs
Meeting house costs:
Equipment and furniture repairs
Insurance
Survey costs
Repairs, maintenance and garden
Rent, rates and utilities
Depreciation
Staff costs (note 9)
Fundraising costs
Letting agents fees
Investment management costs
Legal fees
Independent examination
Bookkeeping fees
Administration costs
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 Raising funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
90
1,257
3,689
-
-
-
-
5,036
-
5,036		 Charitable
activities
£
5,592
6,348
4,447
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,387
142,180
158,567		 Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,660
3,793
4,849
12,302
(12,302)
-		 Support costs
£
-
-
-
324
6,179
2,315
26,858
17,751
25,494
21,100
-
-
-
29,857
-
-
-
129,878
(129,878)
-		 2022 Total
£
5,592
6,348
4,447
324
6,179
2,315
26,858
17,751
25,494
21,100
90
1,257
3,689
29,857
3,660
3,793
4,849
163,603
-
163,603

20

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

8. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Trustees' remuneration
Independent examiner's remuneration:
Independent examination (excluding VAT)
Other services (excluding VAT)		 2023
£
25,494
Nil
Nil
3,200
2,560		 2022
£
25,494
30
Nil
3,050
3,082

Trustees' reimbursed expenses represent payments to one trustee for administrative costs relating directly to the charity in the prior year.

9. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages 2023
£
22,210		 2022
£
21,100

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year. The key management personnel of the charity are deemed to be the trustees, none of whom were remunerated.

Average head count 2023
No.
3		 2022
No.
3

10. Taxation

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

21

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

11. Tangible fixed assets

Bridport
Dorchester
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2023
400,000
41,365
Additions in year
-
-
At 31 December 2023
400,000
41,365
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
51,200
-
Charge for the year
6,400
-
At 31 December 2023
57,600
-
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
342,400
41,365
At 31 December 2022
348,800
41,365
12. Investments
Listed investments:
Market value at 1 January 2023
Net gains / (losses)
Investment manager fees
Market value at 31 December 2023
13. Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
Freehold property		 Salisbury
Shaftesbury
£
£
909,624
165,080
-
-
909,624
165,080
165,620
25,017
16,592
2,502
182,212
27,519
727,412
137,561
744,004
140,063
2023
£
427,860
36,247
(3,467)
460,640
2023
£
8,541
4,510
4,975
51
18,077
(meeting houses)		 Total
£
1,516,069
-
1,516,069
241,837
25,494
267,331
1,248,738
1,274,232
2022
£
521,692
(90,143)
(3,689)
427,860
2022
£
3,988
4,250
4,728
43
13,009

22

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

14. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

Creditors: amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors		 2023
£
233
6,579
3,765
10,577		 2022
£
1,598
5,749
3,539
10,886

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2023
Prior period comparative
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2022		 £
-
311,845
-
-
311,845
£
-
289,794
-
-
289,794
Endowment
funds
Endowment
funds		 Restricted
funds
£
342,400
12,831
17,864
-
373,095
Restricted
funds
£
348,800
8,639
10,877
-
368,316		 Designated
funds
£
906,338
48,367
-
-
954,705
Designated
funds
£
925,432
48,367
-
-
973,799		 General
funds
£
-
87,597
399,298
(10,577)
476,318
General
funds
£
-
81,060
399,997
(10,886)
470,171		 Total
funds
£
1,248,738
460,640
417,162
(10,577)
2,115,963
Total
funds
£
1,274,232
427,860
410,874
(10,886)
2,102,080

23

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Movements in funds

Movements in funds
Endowment funds
Poor funds - capital
George Inn - capital
Educational fund - capital
Shaftesbury burial ground - capital
Marnhull burial ground - capital
Dunster Trust - capital
Total endowment funds
Restricted funds
George Inn - income
Educational fund - income
Dunster Trust meeting house
Dunster Trust general funds
Monies donated to BYM
Ann Dannatt’s fund
Poor funds - income
Marnhull burial ground - income
Total restricted funds		 At 1 January
2023
£
4,727
234,036
20,585
12,770
2,998
14,678
289,794
9,879
503
348,800
8,639
35
215
81
164
368,316		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,141
500
-
432
-
-
-
346
7,419		 £
(38)
(1,897)
(168)
(104)
(24)
(119)
(2,350)
-
-
(6,400)
(397)
-
-
-
-
(6,797)
Expenditure		 £
£
403
5,092
19,580
251,719
1,757
22,174
1,221
13,887
255
3,229
1,185
15,744
24,401
311,845
-
16,020
-
1,003
-
342,400
4,157
12,831
-
35
-
215
-
81
-
510
4,157
373,095
Investment
gains / (losses)
At 31
December 2023
311,845
16,020
1,003
342,400
12,831
35
215
81
510
373,095

24

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Movements in funds (continued)

Movements in funds (continued)
Designated funds:
Meeting houses
Meeting houses major works fund
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds		 At 1 January
2023
£
925,432
48,367
973,799
470,171
1,443,970
2,102,080		 Income
£
-
-
-
132,884
132,884
140,303		 £
(19,094)
-
(19,094)
(134,426)
(153,520)
(162,667)
Expenditure		 £
£
-
906,338
-
48,367
-
954,705
7,689
476,318
7,689
1,431,023
36,247
2,115,963
Investment
gains / (losses)
At 31
December 2023
954,705
476,318
1,431,023
2,115,963

25

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Movements in funds (continued)

Purposes of endowment funds

Poor funds - an amalgamation of five historic trusts which became a permanent endowment under the respective Charity Commission scheme. The income is restricted (see below).

George Inn fund - the capital originally arises from a gift from William Scott dated 28 July 1693. It has been enhanced by the increase in value of investments, especially the sale of 27 St. George Street, Sherborne in 2011. The income is restricted (see below).

Educational fund - (formerly Somerset Friends) - the fund was created on the dissolution of the Friends Somerset Charities in 2010. The income is restricted (see below).

Shaftesbury Burial Ground - the capital was raised from the granting of a lease of half of the burial ground. The income is unrestricted, though by decision of the Area Meeting the first call on this income is the needs of the burial ground.

Marnhull Burial Ground - a permanent endowment derived from the sale of a historical Quaker burial ground. The income is restricted (see below).

Dunster Trust - the Dunster Trust formerly owned the Meeting House in Bridport. The Meeting House and supporting investments were subsequently taken over by the Area Meeting. The investments comprised a permanent endowment element and an element of available restricted funds (see below).

26

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Movements in funds (continued)

Purposes of restricted funds

George Inn fund - income may be used for the maintenance of meeting houses and burial grounds. Surplus income may be paid to the Poor Fund.

Educational fund - (formerly Somerset Friends) - income may be used for the relief of poverty, provision of educational and travel costs and the service of truth without limitation.

Dunster Trust (Meeting House and general funds) - the income from the permanent endowment and the available (restricted) funds may be spent on the upkeep and maintenance of Bridport Meeting House, and for educational purposes.

Monies donated to BYM - ad-hoc donations from Friends to be allocated to BYM contributions from Local Meetings.

Ann Dannatt's fund - legacy of £10,000 donated in 2020 for all premises spending for Shaftesbury Local Meeting House and burial ground.

Poor funds - income may be used for the relief of poverty among Friends within the Area Meeting.

Marnhull Burial Ground - the income from the permanent endowment may be used for the upkeep of Meeting Houses within the Area Meeting.

Purposes of designated funds

The net book value of meeting houses not funded from restricted funds is shown as a separate designated fund to distinguish them from the free reserves of the charity. The trustees have set aside funds as a reserve towards major works required on meeting houses.

27

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Movements in funds (continued) Prior period comparative

Endowment funds
Poor funds - capital
George Inn - capital
Educational fund - capital
Shaftesbury burial ground - capital
Marnhull burial ground - capital
Dunster Trust - capital
Total endowment funds
Restricted funds
George Inn - income
Educational fund - income
Dunster Trust meeting house
Dunster Trust general funds
Monies donated to BYM
Ann Dannatt’s fund
Poor funds - income
Marnhull burial ground - income
Total restricted funds		 At 1 January
2022
£
5,727
286,635
24,777
15,661
3,631
17,704
354,135
5,530
354
355,200
48,277
-
3,768
81
51
413,261		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,349
345
-
501
35
-
-
113
5,343		 £
(41)
(2,030)
(179)
(108)
(25)
(131)
(2,514)
-
(196)
(6,400)
(30,245)
-
(3,553)
-
-
(40,394)
Expenditure		 £
£
(959)
4,727
(50,569)
234,036
(4,013)
20,585
(2,783)
12,770
(608)
2,998
(2,895)
14,678
(61,827)
289,794
-
9,879
-
503
-
348,800
(9,894)
8,639
-
35
-
215
-
81
-
164
(9,894)
368,316
At 31 December
2022
Investment
gains / (losses)		 £
£
(959)
4,727
(50,569)
234,036
(4,013)
20,585
(2,783)
12,770
(608)
2,998
(2,895)
14,678
(61,827)
289,794
-
9,879
-
503
-
348,800
(9,894)
8,639
-
35
-
215
-
81
-
164
(9,894)
368,316
At 31 December
2022
Investment
gains / (losses)
289,794
9,879
503
348,800
8,639
35
215
81
164
368,316

28

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Movements in funds (continued)
Prior period comparative
Designated funds:
Meeting houses
Meeting houses major works fund
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds		 At 1 January
2022
944,526
48,367
992,893
419,459
1,412,352
2,179,748		 Income
-
-
-
170,736
170,736
176,079		 (19,094)
-
(19,094)
(101,601)
(120,695)
(163,603)
Expenditure		 -
925,432
-
48,367
-
973,799
(18,423)
470,171
(18,423)
1,443,970
(90,144)
2,102,080
Investment
gains / (losses)
At 31 December
2022		 -
925,432
-
48,367
-
973,799
(18,423)
470,171
(18,423)
1,443,970
(90,144)
2,102,080
Investment
gains / (losses)
At 31 December
2022
973,799
470,171
1,443,970
2,102,080

29

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting

Dorset & South Wiltshire Area Quaker Meeting
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

17. Financial instruments at fair value
Financial assets measured at fair value		 2023
£
460,640		 2022
£
427,860

Financial assets measured at fair value comprise listed investments only.

18. Related party transactions

One trustee hired a meeting house space in the prior year. This transaction happened at arms length.

30