•••+••++•++•+ Luton and Leighton Area Quaker Meeting of the Rcligious Society of Friends Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 lJ¢dl4Y4 Kcyne5 Lulon Bcrkhams Hemel FILMpCl Si Alban& 125 WAtfn •+••+•••••+••+••+•+•+++••••+••••••••+•' Registered Charity No.: 1173865 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Administrative information ANNUAL REPORT Introduction" what we are and what we do Structure and governance The year in retrospect Financial review FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows Notes to the Accounts 10 11
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Contact infomation: clerktotrustees uakers.or .uk Quaker Meeting House, 12 Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PD Website= htt =Illl uakers.or .uklarea meetin OFFICERS Co-clerks Treasurer Richard Cziborra and Rob Paton Martin Sale AM CLERKING TEAM (2023) Glorla Dobbin Ryan Kemp Linda Wood Assistant Clerk (Membership) Administration Support Anne Crofts Valerie Coast PRINCIPAL BANKERS Triodos Bank Deanery Road Bristol BS15AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE Friends Trusts Ltd, 173-177 Euston Road London NW12BJ TRUSTEES in 2023 Richard Cziborra Marianne Karger Martin Robert Sale Helen Osborn Robin Paton Trevor Evans stephen Kaim-caudle Stuart Prince (to 30lh June 2023} ACCOUNTANTS David Stephens FCCA. 13 Newlands Road. Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN4 9AS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Kevin Fisher Myrus Smith Chartered Accountants Norman House, 8 Burnell Road, Sutton, Surrey SM14BW
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING 1 Introduction- what we are and what we do The Area Meeting and its Local Meetings Luton and Leighton Area Meeting (LLAM) is part of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, and part of Ihe Britain Yearly Meeting {BYM) community. Nine Local Meetings (Lms).. Bedford, Berkhamsted, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Milton Keynes, St Albans and Watford make up the Area Meeting. Each of these Lms have their own Meeting House and hold Meetings for Worship. Friends in each of the Lms share with the Trustees the responsibility for the day-to-day care of their propety. LLAM also owns and lets some properly, notably the former Meeting House in Woburn Sands currently being used as a children's nursery. A burial ground is also maintained there- along with others in Ampthill, in Cranfield, and East-Hemel. Our activities- an overview Resources are used to deepen and share spiritual experience and lo support acts of witness which arise from our faith. Through local and national initiatives, we witness and work for peace and justice- a sustainable environment,. the alleviation of suffering. and the upholding of victims of oppression. Ourlocal meetings forworship are open to all. We have no tests of belief.. membership of our Society is open to anyone who is sincerely seeking truth. Our meeting houses are much valued public buildings available for a wide variety of uses including worship by other faiths, education and meetings organised by other charitable and community organisations. We have a continuing concern for suslainability and for accessibility in our buildings. This includes helping Lms with practical and measurable steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Institutional form and purpos6 The Area Meeting was registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 19 July 2017 with Registered Charity Number 1173865. This report and the accounts that follow cover the calendar year 2023. The objective of LLAM CIO is: 'the furtherance of the general religious and charitable pUoseS of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain in the area of Luton and Leighton Area Meeting and beyond,. We achieve our objective by carrying out work such as.. StTrngthening the life and witness of Quaker meetings in the area of LLAM and beyond. Spreading the message of Quakers and interpreting and developing the thought and practice of the Religious Society. Undertaking Quaker seNice for the relief of suffering at home and abroad. Funding the conGems that Quakers in the LLAM or beyond have agreed to support. Providing for the pastoral care of individual members and attenders including assistance to those in need and for education. Maintaining and developing Quakermeeting houses as places for public
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING worship, in the spirit of'AII are Welcome,, and from which to carry our witness into the world. Administering and maintaining the organisation of LLAM. Contributing to the support of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM). 2 Structure, Governance and Management The Goveming Document for the registration of the CIO defines the responsibilities of the Area Meeting Trustees. Local Meetings have one trustee designated as their Link Trustee on the Trustee body. The Clerk of Trustees sends a copy of Ihe minutes of each Trustees, meeting to each of the LMS. The Clerk of Trustees prepares the business, and conducts the meetings following usual Quaker practice. The Clerk may prepare drafts which are developed and agreed during the course of the meeting. TheTrustee group as a whole and not the Clerk alone decide whether the minute represents the sense of the meeting. Area Meeting in Session and Business Meetings in each constituent Local Meeting also use this procedure. Meetings for Worship for Business by which the Religious Society conducts its business are meetings for worship in which we try to discern what love requires of us Conrning the matters in question There is no voting in the meeting as Quakers believe that this would emphasise divisions between differing views and inhibit the prOsS of seeking unity around a right way foward. The Luton & Leighton Area Meeting Nominations Committee nominates individuals to be Trustees. Area Meeting in session appoints Trustees. Usually Trustees meet six times during the year. Three Trustees will complete their term each year. They might be reappointed (no more than lCe) or replaced by a Friend new to the role. This is in order to provide opportunities for a wider circle of Friends to experience this role and to give their service to the Society. Friends newly appointed are encouraged to attend the training courses in Trusteeship offered by Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. Birmingham. In line with our governing document, Trustees have been guided by the principles and practices commended in Quaker Faith & Practice. Trustees take care also to attend to the relevant Charity Commission guidance, to 'Right Ordering.. A Handbook of Business Practice within the Area Meeting, and to Britain Yearly Meeting documents including 'Handbook for Trustees of Quaker Meetings., A Memorandum of Understanding sets out the partnership between Trustees and Friends in Local Meetings. Ihlhen reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities, Trustees have been mindful of the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidan on public benefit and specifically to The Advanment Of Religion For The PubliG Benefit. 3 The year in retrospect Developments in governance During 2023 Trustees led a full review and revision of our Safeguarding Policy and documentation. This work involved extensive discussion within the Area and externally with many Friends in local Meetings contributing through faCe-tO-fa discussions and
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEEMNG wrttten comments. The new approach and praCtIS aim to be simpler, more suitable to the circumstances of small meetings, and to better address the safeguarding- related questions that do, occasionally, arise. We continued to progress programmes of preventative Maintenan and renovations arising from the quinquennial reviews of our Meeting Houses. We were glad to support work in Watford and Milton Keynes, in Luton on the Meeting House and its adjacent properties, and to encourage proposals being prepared in other Meetings for renovations and sustainability enhancements. We are aware of the need to engage appropriate professional services. We are developing a constructive business relationship for Property assistance, and have extended the scope of our contract with Mindful Business Services for administrative support and (through the Quaker Meetings Network) a shared IT infrastructure. We ended the year preparing a consultation on a revised approach to our Financial Planning and a new Governan Document (to supersede and update the Memorandum of Understanding between Local meetings and Trustees). Membership At the end of 2023 {2022), the Area Meeting {AM) had 258 (270) members and 179 (212) adult non-members {attenders}. There were 29 (39) children recorded in theAM. The number of members decreased by 12 and the number of attenders recorded had decreased by 33 since 2022. We were saddened by the deaths of a number of Friends. Quaker funerals and memorial meetings were arranged as requested by the families and friends of those who had died. Managing our church affalrs The AM held five meetings for Worship for Church Affairs (business meetings) during 2023. one of these was held solely on Zoom and four were 'blended' with some Friends present in the designated Meeting House and others participating via Zoom. The meeting in November included the Annual General Meeting for the Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1173865. The number attending Ams for Church Affairs has ranged from 25 to 33 Friends. Some Friends prefer not to attend online meetings while, for others, it is an opportunity to participate in AM which would not otheiSe be possible, perhaps due to mobility issues, difficulties wwth travel, or for reasons of sustainability. At each meeting for Church Affairs, a Friend is invited from the hosting local meeting to share a brief contribution on My Faith in Practice, expressing an aspect of their 'spiritual journey,. These contributions are an important opening for the business meeting. Three Local Meetings (Bedford, Luton and Harpenden) presented their triennial reports on the well-being of their Meetings during the year. They cover the challenges and joys of the local meeting as a whole, including numbers attending, spiritual, social and Charitable activities. safeguarding processes and wocedures, record keeping, and the state of a meetings fInanS and building. AM received reports on four occasions from its Representatives on Meeting for Sufferings, the body that holds responsibility for the spiritual direction for Quakers in Britain nationally between Yearly Meetings. Area Meeting submitted comments to
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING Meeting for Sufferings on the drafts of two sections, being considered for what will become a revised edition of QuakerFaith & Practice- the Society's Book of Discipline. AM and its constituent local meetings support Britainyearly Meeting and other Quaker bodies with a substantial part of their funds. They also support individuals and non-Quaker organisations, whose objects and activities are in accordance with Quaker values as expressed in the Quaker Testimonies of peace, truth, justice, simplicity, equality and sustainability. Strengthening our community Area Meeting also held a Summer Gathering event. The Joumeymen Theatre came to an all day session at Milton Keynes Quaker Centre. This was an opportunity to learn, relate and grow in our Area Meeting community. Area Meeting also met once in person and once on zoom to consider the future of Area Meetings for business. We explored what do we enjoy and how do we create a sense of an Area Meeting community at the same time ensuring that we maintain proper governance at Area Meeting. The AM appoints the Elders and Pastoral Care Friends (previously known as Overseers) who serve in local meetings. Elders are charged with nurturing the spiritual health of their local meetings whilst pastoral care teams seek to provide pastoral care where needed. Elders & Pastoral Care Friends serve local meetings and supportArea Meetings in some business matters. The AM joint Elders and Pastoral care Friends met once in person to discuss matters of shared importance and to give support to one another. A further training session was arranged with Woodbrooke Study centre via zoom to consider the role of Elders & Pastoral care in Business Meetings. For our Quaker community, the nurturing of our spiritual lives is as important as our outward facing activities. It was with some sadness that Area Meeting agreed to lay down the Link group committee which has for many years arranged event for our young people. The annual AM Quaker camp, where Friends 'live a Quaker life in community., was held in a field in Talgarth, Wales for twelve days in the summer. The theme was 'mountains and valleys,. More than 100 Quakers associated with LLAM were present. Quakercamp was established in cooperation with two otherArea Meetings many years ago, together they make up Grand Union Quaker Camps committee. It oversees the equipment and arrangements. The committee is a separate charity with trustees appointed by each of the Area Meetings involved. Area Meeting keeps local meetings informed of planned activities through the monthly circulation of AM Notices. The Clerks of AM, of Trustees, of Elders and of Pastoral Care and of AM Nominations committee have met regularly online throughout the year to consider strategic issues. The AM clerks group has also met quarterly online with the clerks of each of the local meetings so that issues and successes could be shared. 2023 was a year in which our local meetings gradually returned to fa-to-faCe Meelings for Worship, as did some of our committees, study groups, and gatherings of the Quaker community. Online and blended meetings are continuing to take place, offering opportunities to some which were not there prior to the Covid pandemic. We have felt a renewed energy for involvement in spiritual, community and outward facing activities.
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING The life of our Local Plleetings The main activities of the constituent Local Meetings are the right holding of public meetings for worship. A meeting for business is generally held once each month or On every other month in smaller Meetings. Lms consider a wide range of topics throughout the year. Each of the Local Meetings has fomial and infomial programmes for developing the spiritual and social life of its members and attenders. Local Friends participate in interfaith and community cohesion activities. Outreach takes place through involvement in local organisations such as UNA. MIND, Citizens, and homelessness charities. Some support Quaker activities at AM and Britain Yearly Meeting through involvement on committees and working groups. Further and current information is available on LM websites. Friends in Local Meetings manage and maintain their meeting houses, wtththe support of AM Trustees. Local Meetings make their Meeting Houses available for use by the wider community such as the governments Warm Spaces initiative, pre-school nurseries, community groups and other faith groups who do not have their own premises. The hiring of premises can be a significant source of revenue for meetings - essential for the upkeep of the property. Charges for hiring rooms can be redUd to encourage groups that find it difficult to pay the standard amounts. Meeting houses are inspected annually and report to AM Trustees. AM Trustees and Local Meeting committees cooperate with respect to any improvements or changes that are required. 4 Financial Review As shown in the financial statements given below, the finances of the Charity remain healthy, with reserves in eXsS of the amount required by our reserves PDIicy. Overall in 2023, expenditure and income were reasonably well baland. In summary, compared to 2022, our income rose considerably, partly as a result of increased donations & legacies but mainly due to a substantial recovery in our lettings income, post-Sockdown. The increased income was offset by increased expenditure - mainly on maintenance and improvements to Meeting Houses. These costs had mostly been anticipated and some reflected delays in expenditure in the previous year. For obvious reasons. heating costs also rose. sin the audit of our statements, though undeway, has not yet been completed, we report that the delays arose from multiple role-holder changes and illness occurring during a time when we were also contracting increased administrative support with the need to bed down new procedures. At no point have those involved, including our own accountsnt, brought to our attention matters that have caused us concern. We benefit from voluntary work by Friends in many ways and we record our thanks for their generous giving. Investment and Freehold Properties The Financial Reporting Standard FRS102 permits the use of an initial "deemed cost" which can be based upon the insured value of Ihe properties. Trustees have decided that the cost of revaluation is not justified. Therefore, the valuation used in 2018 has been retained (£7,260,195)-
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING Bankers & insurance The Area Meeting and each of the Local Meetings manage their accounts individually and hold current and deposit accounts as required. It is our policy to hold funds in ethical banks (Co-operative, CAF & Triodos) and a number of building societies (Ecology, Harpenden and Yorkshire). Some historic funds are held in BMO Global Asset Management (previously F&C Stewardship) units. The buildings, contents and public etc. liability insurance is held with Congregational & General Insuran. Reserves Policy The Area Meeting has a policy of holding a cash reserve, as far as it is able, to cover six months, expenditure on running costs. In addition, other funds are held to provide for unexpected propety repairs and periodic major refurbishments, including provision for on-going sustainability enhancements, or other necessary work identified by quinquennial surveys. Richard Cziborra, Trevor Evans, Steve Kaim-caudle, Marianne Karger, Helen Osborne, Rob Paton. Luton & Leighton Area Meeting Trustees, 2023 Signed th Date.. 20 October 2024 Richard Cziborra Co-clerk of Trustees Rob Paton Co-clerk of Trustees
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA MEETING {Registered Charity number: 1473865) CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA MEETING l pOrt to the charity trustees on my examination of the annexed accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. Respong11)ilities and basis of roport As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the quirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act'i. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under sects'on 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. Independent exarnineT'¥ Statement sin the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that l am qualified lo undertake the examination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounlanls for Erigland and Wales, which Is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wrth the examination giving me Cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord wrth those records., or the accounts do not Comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities IAccounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come acloss no other matters in connectson with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. K C Fisher FCA clo Kingston Burrowes Audit Ltd 308 Ewell Road, Surbilon, Surrey. KT6 7AL Dated.. 10th March 2025
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Unresltthd Fu8 Restrid Fund$ Usts1o1ed Fund5 Loc81 ea Lixxl Totsi Area Local Restricted Total Note MtiNJ Meetlng8 Meetg Me&tngs 2023 Fundg IrKo Donauonsand legaciEs Otlririrtg 8diVilles InstMents 108,078 46,052 173.3 12,073 2.133 52.171 170.24e 218.451 SOO 101284 48,926 138251 6,4 547 11,288 1,000 35.000 1%,784 187,177 14.206 14.390 44.131 ChariLatAe acbvities 14,3eO 2,702 34,182 13,960 0th8r IrKc¥ntt 35,162 Total IrKome 77,515 321.741 62,171 461,427 68,318 2TO,946 3S.ODD 380.264 ExpOndir0 Charitable ac11veS 148.118 296,910 53,896 4,924 120.346 2.760 374.1 Total &xpendtture 146.118 2%,$10 $3.B98 4*.Q24 120,346 2,700 374.1f Netgainsllthsesl on invesbnwislpropety Nèt irKOmÈllexpedtture1 1.725 341.304 341,304 3S3.148 317.651 I.329) 11,502) I.357) 121.6841 198.656 233.656 183.825 169,9 $8.484 26.558 8.275 Tran8lor8 b•tsY8enfvn( 17.5B5 113,66SI 15.0001 1,000 1.019 rtst ¥•mntIn fvnd$ 40.919 12.991 838,304 9,275 317,651 184.3381 20,aÉ5 233,858 168,983 R•corKlliAlon of Thd5 Totsl funds browhi fotsya Prioryoeradlustsrent 678,556 246,362 7.493,B61 0 127,3241 0 8.418,769 27.324 762.894 225,697 7,2fQ,195 9,248.786 24 Total lundg¢arrfed forward £e37.837 £232.0 £7,830,155 £36.599 £8,736,420 £678.S5S £24e,362 £7.493.851 £8.418,769
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Unrqkned FUTr FrS Toi81 nrestrfthdFurth LpL Fwds 20 Note Min¢ Teelkn9$ Me¢iw$ Fixed assets In¥estmenfs 176,135 1D.079 1,8IV,79S 186.016 8. 1.343,52 1,517,897 Fwhoky wowty 17 S,1. 5.9B1.360 8.11S.325 <5,325 Cwrt assets 15,686 15. S,(Q4 Short twm depo1$ Cash at bank ID hand 2&5.347 X6,274 20.8 287.2 1,114 ,W X.S99 538.W2 307.250 214.469 5.Y19 Totsl cumJnia88•t8 461.5D2 231,874 ,0 26,5S9 759.975 513.524 239.( 35.UP) 787,573 Liabi1rf18 Crethtorsduewithin one year 9.924 1.042 Not current assets 461,502 721. 750.051 512.540 238.OD7 7.541 Total as66ts189¥ ¢urNir IlalAlllks 637,637 232.029 7,630.1 3&599 8.726.420 678.5 245. 7.493,$5 8.418.769 rotal £637,637 tt32. ZI,830.1SS t38.9 È8.726,420 £676.5% £240, £7.493,851 £8.418,789 Apwoved bylhe Irusisof Lulon& Ldghton Area Meeting on 08 Marth 2025 and 4gned Onlhelr behaKby. Ric141d Cb0[ra CTrCleTktotho Trust R¢b Paion colletkb1T[U5lees The notes form partof ihes8firbantr81 ststemty. Page 10
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 2D23 2022 C•gh Ilo¥Js Irom opernllng aElvhl•s: N¢t Ver[ntin funds per 5tatsmentoffinart1918¢UwUe$ 317,S51 169,9 AdiustrneDts fw. Inuesse in d8btus 110.e621 7,898 Ilease1{0eCrease) in ueditors 110.89)) NAtcash provlded by Mused ini a¢UvWe$ 314.887 157,382 catsh fl(Ysfrom op•raUmg acti05 Ri¥e in v8k af Invesknnts 3.148 1.825 NeL¢a¥h Fyo¥Kl4d byllused lnllnvtsny activities 140.4281 18,4431 Change in cash and ¢88h ewivsknls In the year 18,4431 Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 744.268 788.992 Cash and cash 1¥810 carded forward 744,288 T82.54# Anatysls ofc¥8h ¥hd cash oqul¥alert6 Cash atbk 744,288 782,$49 Total t744,2B8 £782,549 Page 11
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 1. Unrestricted fund$ {Area Meeting} Gen&ral camp mmittee SlaOeton Fund Totsi TDtal 2023 2022 Donakns and legaoes Othertradmg acÈivitigs lTrvestmenlS SOD 46.Q52 12.018 46.0 48.È2e 6.634 11.258 55 12.073 Ch8dtstyl& a¢tKvilieg 14.390 14.3 ¢)lherinte 5.0 Total Incom 63,070 14.H5 77.515 68.318 ExpdItUr• ch9r1tsb aGti¥itie& 133.090 13.058 133.080 12D.34S Total expendStur2 133.080 13.058 133.060 120.346 Net gain911105se5} on Investm8nts 133.3281 InE0eA{expendtturnI 59.871 1,387 58,484 185,3571 Tr•nsfers btheen fund5 Frorn LoGa5 Meetings To Local Meetings 36,581 I15.0) 36,581 22,930 Tr8ngferbettfuts 21,5B1 17,565 NAtmDvemÈntln fvnd5 (38.2901 1,387 140.9191 (84.3881 RBcon¢iliation offunds Tokl funds bToughlfoTh¥ard 496,659 15,120 166.777 $78,586 762.894 Total funds tarrièd foN¥ard 4SB,369 18,507 162,761 837.637 678.59 45 Inv99tments 174,273 176.1JS 168.016 Total flxed assets 176.135 176.136 1ee.016 Debto 1.000 205,274 )7,250 Short temi dèposi Cash atbank hand 174.273 174.273 107.981 16.507 152.761 287.Lg Totlll GLvrenta5Ee 282.234 16.507 162.761 461.502 513.524 Lass.. Cr8dlltyS the Withln oneyear 19841 Wet Current a55ets 282.234 16.507 182,761 461.602 512.S40 Total assets less cUrret IFabilikn08 £458.369 £16.507 £162,761 £fj37.637 £678.556 Wilh the excepbon or Gènèra Fu1 Ige are de5ignatsd funds Ythich have b set Bgide by the trusts9s in a*r to make prov1On for firture expenditureonthe purpose5 Indica byihetitièof each fvnd. The purwse& fOrMth th1vlS a uged remnE atthe di8cfditin orthèAwMe•tiru. Page 12
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (contl 2. Uml¥lVi¢1odfuDOs (LoGN•gSl Beik'm thohion Harwden p$1¢ 8uzzard On Tot81 Tol Nol8 88dtoi Lthon Keyrk9 Ab$ 2023 2D22 Inc¢xTr DDnalions legaaes 01trading aCtivrfs Invement$ 15.897 12.685 7.258 2.437 5.ST3 3.261 36,148 27,208 6.976 18.2$4 105 .241 30.609 108,078 172,399 2.133 10128é 138.251 S47 35.814 8.402 33.828 12.671 12B 824 375 691 2.702 .162 (Xhèf irttsme 7,520 21.698 6.329 39,1S1 TorAIkncorno 51,869 9.577 47.337 20,304 15,530 5,633 64.518 47.043 59,870 321,741 276,9d6 34,7ao 51.778 22,884 32.141 5,599 £5.07S 36.406 49,43e 29$.910 253.760 Total eXpeN1re 3é.730 8.45 51.778 22.884 32.141 5S.078 36.806 49,438 296.910 253.760 Nei gn{b)S$e5] on Inve51ments 1.725 .725 P4etlncoThWloxpendtturel {8551 54 9.502 10,237 10,432 28.556 21.684 Tr4nsfvrs b•kn8Bn fud5 ConlfibuYonstoArEa Mecting3 OthertrBftsfers le.$331 13,5931 4.016 13.2561 5.000 {8.8201 11.0001 16.3691 136.$811 23.D16 122,9301 15,00 TrAn¥ws 16.5331 423 1.734 15,000 {O.e201 16.2691 18,OODI 113.5651 N¢tmovemeThtin 10.808 B79 3,868 2.432 20,865 ReccnCiliatv Fu$brOughIfOrnard PrforyradJUStyDgnt 2,836 0.996 54,702 25,128 1Q,562 4,688 52,850 10.980 47.820 246,362 22S,697 127.3241 {27.3241 FundscaTrfed lorward t43,442 OD £8,115.00 £50,884.00 E26,007.w eu,951.C4) ,722. £25,208.00 £14.848.00 E50,052.00 E232.029.W Q46.362. HBM InVBslMB1¥ Y2D 10,079 8,3 Total fixèd a66e 9,859 22Q 10.079 8,355 4,004 3.300 7.304 31.074 193.496 4,024 20,556 214.489 Short kn d¥wits Cath &t krlland in hgnd 20.4L 10.668 36.084 23,036 8.11S 5e.354 8.951 4.722 25.208 14,878 Totsl curr9nlas5 43.442 00.8 19,eT41 16.14 8.951 4.722 252( 14,878 60.052 231.574 19.924} 238.049 11,0421 Le53.' cred%)t one ywai NetCurrertaets 43.442 50.684 16.148 8.951 4.722 252 14.628 50.052 221,950 238.r Totri4s6ets less£entl1abl1es £43.442 £50.684 8.007 £8.951 £4.722 f25.208 £14,848 £50.052 £232,929 £246.362 Page 13
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 {cont} 3. Accountlng policies (ap Basls of preparation The Charity meets the definition of a publlc benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Staternent ol Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wllh the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, the Chartlies Act 2011 and UK Generally Ac¢epled Accounting Practice. There are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue its activities and therefore the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention and are presented in sterfing, which is the functional currency of the entity. The significant a¢counting policies applied in the preparation of these nnancial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistenlty applied for all years presentecl unless Otherwise stated. Ib) Incoming recognition poll¢les Income is recognised and included in the financial statements when all the following criterta are met.. The Charrty has enlitlemenl to the funds", any performan conditions attached lo the income have been met or are fully within the control of the Charity., there is suffi'cient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable- the amount can be measured reliably. {cl Expenditure recognition Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or conslruclive obligation to make a payment to a third party, il is probable that settlement will be retluired and the amount of the obligation can be measures reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings.. Raising funds., Charitable activities includes the cost undertaken to further the purposes of the Charity and their associated support costs. Id) Allocation of support costs Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the Charrty but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include baGk offi¢e Costs. finance, personnel, payroll and govemance costs which support the Charitls activities. le) Land and buildings Details of the functional properties owned by the Area Meeting are given in note 17 to the financial statements. These comprtse meeting houses and wardens accommodation whi¢h is held for the furtherance of the Charity's charitable objects. The land and buildings of the meeting houses afft included at cost subject lo depreciation. The insured value value of the properlyes has been adopted as the deemed cost, exercising the option available on the adopb.on of FRS 102. In the opinion of the trustees, the greater part of the value lies in Ihe freehold land rather than the buitdings. Given the v81ue of the land element in the carrying value and the programme of maintenance of the buildings, any depreciation in relation to the meeb.ng houses is considered immaterial. Major addilons to those meeting houses will be included at their cost and depreciated over their expected life. (fj Investment assets Investments are initially recognise(S at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their market value at the Balance Sheet date using the quoted market price. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses on revaluats'ons and disposals. Page 14
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont) If) Investment assets (conti Investment properb'es are stated at fair value and any change is recognised as part of the net income. Ig} Furniturg and equipment The cost of furniture and equipment is included as expenditure of the year in which it is incurred and nol IhP Financial instruments Debtors and creditors with no slated interest rate and which are receivable or payable within one year are {il Taxatlon All the activities of the area meeting are charitable and therefore exempt from Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and til Fund accounting Funds are categorised according to the followng definitions.. Unrestricted.. general fvnds which are freely available for any purpose of the Area Meetrng and designated fvnds whi¢h have been set aside by the Meeting for specific PLErposes but which remain at the discretion of the Meeting. Restricted.. lunds subject to restricttons on their expenditure as earmarked by the donor or testator. Endowment.. funds that the Meeting must keep and only the income may be used for general or specrfic purposes Trade and other debtors are wognised al the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. 4. Donations and legacles Unrestncted Restried Total 2023 Total 2022 Donations and contributions Legacies 62,171 170,249 134,463 2,321 £108,078 £62.171 £170.249 £136,784 Year ended 31 December 2022 £101,784 £35,000 S. Income from other trading a¢tlvltles Total 2023 Total 2022 Letting5 £218,451 £187,177 All amounts received relate to unrestricted funds 6. Investment Income Total 2023 Total 2022 Bank interest and dividends received 14206 £7.181 All amounts received relate to unrestri¢ted fvnds Page 15
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont) 7. Expgnditure on charitable actlvities Direct Grants Support Total 2023 Total 2022 Events and COnferenS Children and young people Outreach, library, literature elG Catering and hospitality Elders and overseas Governance Inote 131 Contribution lo yearfy meeting Other ¢ontribulions Grants to individuals Contributlons and subscriptions other Premises repair and maintenance Premises improvemenls Insurance and other Wardens, caretaking and cleaning Heat, light and services Furniture and equipment and other 14,715 90 7,402 1,100 62 14,715 14,650 90 103 7,402 5,285 1,100 450 62 179 5.044 5,809 81,919 60,300 10,098 5,621 479 500 4,272 4,272 5,358 69,873 69,873 23,286 0 153,082 153,082 144,964 45,780 45,780 1,088 9,523 9,523 16,218 56,425 56,425 55,279 30,900 30,900 28,430 6,160 6.160 S,786 5,044 81,919 10,098 479 £23,369 £92,496 £381,059 £496,924 £374,106 The 2023 amounts include £4,016 12022 £7,479) from the Stapleton fund spent by Harpenden Quaker Meeting. Other includes Peace Works Zimbabwe, Friends of Hlekweni and Zim Resources expenditure tolalling £53,896 12022 £13,381). Durrng the year grants and donations received for this work lotalled £62,171. In addition the Milton Keynes Local Meeting gave £1,000 to these concerns. 8. Tru$tee muneratIon and expenses No trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration in respect of seNice given during the year {2002'. £nil}. Trustees are enlilled to reimbursement of expenses in the performance of their duties. Any claim for expenses is subject to the Charity's normal internal control procedures. 9. Transfer between funds In OTder to provide the Area Meeting with funds to meet the costs of adminislr8tion and for the upkeep and development of propety Local Meeting ¢ontribulions were transferred to the General Fund from the Local Meetings in proportion to their membership. 10. Debtors General Berk'mstead Harpenden Leighton Fund LM LM Buzzard LM Milton Watford Total Keynes LM 2023 LM Total 2022 Lettings Gift Aid refund Sundry debtors 1,665 1,814 525 1,665 5,114 8,907 1,736 1,789 1,499 3,300 8,382 £0 £0 £4,004 £0 £8,382 £3,300 £15,686 £5,024 11. Creditors General Berk'mstead Harpenden Leighlon Fund LM LM Buzzard LM Mitton Keynes LM st Total Albans 2023 LM Total 2022 Sundry creditors £0 £0 £9.674 £0 £0 £250 £9,924 £2,026 Page 16
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont) 12. Contrlbutlons and grants Area Lo1 Reslricled Total hAeetlng Meetings FLJnds 2023 Total 2022 To Brit8in Ye8rfy Meeting To other charitable causes To individuals 81,919 10,098 479 81,919 10,093 479 60,300 5,621 500 Total £0 £92,4S6 £0 £92.496 £66,421 13. Governance 2023 2022 Auditor's remuneration Other costs 1,020 4,024 984 4,e25 Total £5.044 £5,609 14. Acting as agent 2023 2022 In Out 4,168 14,168) 4,740 14,7401 Total £D. £0 15. Staff costs 2023 2022 Salaries Social Securfty costs and pension costs 37,466 55.279 Total £37,486 £55,279 No employee received totsl employee benefits lexeludlng employer's pension costs) over £60,000 in either year. The average number of employees dur&ng the year was 312022..61 The lotsl employee beneffts received by key management personnel was £nil12022-£nill 16. Inve¥tments 2023 2022 Quoted investments Investment properties 186,214 174,371 1,818,795 1,343,526 Total £2,005,009 £1,517,897 2023 2022 Quoted investments Market value a11 January On acquisition Net unrealised gainlllossl 174,371 209.202 11.843 134,8311 Market value al 31 December £186,214 £174.371 Page 17
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (conti 16. Investrn8nts lconti Quoted Inve$tments General Hèmel Fund Hampskad St bans Total 2023 Totsl 2022 The market value of investmènts held at 31 De[nbBrwaS. Responsiblè Funds Epworth Climate Stewardship Fund Rathbones Fund5 Aber4een Ethical World Unit Twst Traidctaft lunquotedl 87,781 47.881 40,473 87,781 47.881 40.473 9,859 220 82,669 46,211 37,136 8,135 220 9.859 220 Total £176,135 £9.859 £220 £186,214 £174,421 Inve5tmEnt properties 2023 2022 Woburn Sand$ Is@8 1 belowl Lulon Cottage (see 2 below) Total 1.394,409 1,245,008 424,386 98.518 £1.818,795 £1,343,526 111 The forrner mèeting htsuse at HardWk Road. Wobum Sand$ let to Larchfield Nursery LLP on a full repairing 8s& for 10 y8ar5 from 6 Jjty 2015 at an 8nnual rentsl of £25.000 (insured value £1,3944091. 121 The flat at 30a CTthey Gwn Road, Luton tat io a prwate tenant on a $horthold 1885e at a reDt of £710 per month. In 2023 the frorner Carètakers cottage at 30 Cra9Y Green Road was kt to a pnvate tenant at £900 per Month Iln5ur£d Value £4243861 In additson to the propert8 above. the followng investsnent propertPS 8r8 h81d forwhich no separate valuation availab18 31 The top-floor flat a15A landsdohvne Road. Bedford let to a private tenant on a shorthold lea8e at a rent of £600 per rnth (Not Seperately valu8dl 141 The flat at St Mary'5 Road. Hemel Hempslead let to a prwate tenant o a shothold lease at a rent of £850 per month (not sep&ratdy valued). 151 Cottages ¥tjacent to Leighton Buzzard meets.ng house 258 to Hohtown Praatrjrian Housing Association for 99 years from 1987 21 an annual rent of £30. 161 The dlsused burial ground al Boum8 End. Cranfiekl 8$ed to a private tenant at an annual rental of 50 P8nc8. 171 The disused burial ground at Victoria Street, st Alb8n$ on a 125 year 8$& to St Albans Dlstrkt Council from Novemb8r 2020 to be kept as 8 Quaker Garden al an annual ntaI of £1,000, doubliNJ every 25 years. 181 ThÈ dSert burt21 ground at Wood End. Cross lanÈ8. Hemel Hemp51ead les5ed to a privat$ tenant for 21 191 The activ8 burial ground at Baker Stre8( Ampthill Inotloasedl. 1101 acuve burial grouThl at Hogsty End, Hartr*i¢k Roacl. Woburn Sands (not SeI Page 18
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (¢ont} 17. Tanoible Ilxed ass8ts- Fr8ehold properti&8 The freehold properties (Meeting Houses) have been introduced at a deemed cost b8sed upon their insured values. The insured propety values were based upon a valuation by McNeill, Lowe and Palmer, Chartered Surveyors on 15 August 2015. Original Date of Additions cost acqulsition Date of Deemed oddition Cost 2023 The Area Meeting is the beneficial owner of the following functional Bedford meeting house.'5 Lansdowne Road, Bf0rd MK40 2BY Berkhamsted meeting house and burial ground'.289 High Street, Berkhams. Harpendèn meeting hoLtse.'12 Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1 PD 3,000 469 1,500 1955 1818 1931 157,097 1999 1,230,000 395,000 525.000 Hemel Hempst8ad meeting house burial ground".22 St Mary's Road, Ht 132 Leighlon Buzzard meeting house and burial ground25 North Street, Leighto Gift Lulon meeting house and coltage.'28 Crawley Green Road. Luton LU2 OQX 11,029 Lulon burial ground 200 Milton Kèynès meeting house.. 1 Oakley GardensDownhead Park: MiJtDn Ki 232,000 Sl Albans meeting house'.7 Upper Lattimore Road, Sl Albans ALI 3UD 490 Watford meeting hous2'.150 Church Road, Watford WD1 3QB 1,200 1718 1744 1*3 1864 1986 1912 1953 37,741 940,000 365,325 236,035 885,000 505,000 900,000 209,475 253,231 1996 2007 Total £5,981,360 18. Unrestrictsd funds Area Local Meeting Meetings Total 2023 Total 2022 Balance brought fonNard ?t 1 January Nel loulgoingllincoming resources Gainslllossesl on investments Transfer between funds Prior year adjustment Balance Saed forward al 31 December 678,556 246.362 163,6031 24,831 10,119 1,725 12,565 113.5651 0 127.3241 £637,637 £232,029 £869,666 £924,918 924,918 988,591 {38,7721 128,8421 11,844 134,8311 (1,0001 127,3241 Rostrict•d funds Area Local Meeting Meetings Total 2023 Total 2022 Balance brought forward 811 Janijary Net loutgoingllincoming fesources Gainslllossesl on investments Transler beeen funds Prior year adjustment Gainsl{losses) on investments 7,493,851 15,0001 7.493,851 7,260,195 3,275 8,275 35,000 1,000 27,324 1,000 27,324 341.304 341,304 198,656 Balance carriecl forward at 31 December £7,830,155 £36,599 £7.866,754 £7,493,851 Total funds £8,467,792 £268,628 £8.738,420 £8,418,769 Page 19
LUTON & LEIGHTON AREA QUAKER MEETING NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont) 19. Analysis of n8t assets bgtW8èn funds at 31 December 2023 Unrestricted Area Local Meeting Meetings Restricted Area Meeting Total funds Local Meetings Investment8 Investment properties Freehold properties Current assets Current liabilities 176,135 10,079 186,214 1,818,795 0 5,981,360 36,599 759,975 19,924} 1,818,795 5,981,360 30,0 461,502 231,874 19,924} £637,637 £232,029 £7.830,155 £36,599 £8,736,420 20. Other income Includes Covid insurance claim £21,698. 21. R8lat8d party transaction In 2022 a donation lotalling £35,000 was received from a trust& restricted in use for maintenants of Hemel Hempslead Meeting House. In the year to 31 December 2023 £5,000 was transferred to the Hemel Hampstead Local Meeting lor the maintenance of the Meeting House 22. Stocks uther tnan a small Incidental stock Ot cleaning maienals, catering supplies and statTh)ary which are not valu8d, the Lhanty hOILJS no sttxks12022. Nill. 23. Penslon commitments The Charity operates an auto enrolment money purchase pension scheme with NEST Pensions. 24. Prior Year Adjustment Cash funds held by M((lon Keynes Area Meeting for restricted purposes were reported in previous years as unrestricted gener81 funds. Page 20