2021-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021

Charity name: Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Britain (Charitable Incorporated Organisation).

Charity registration number: 1192134

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The furtherance of the general religious and charitable purposes of the Religious Society of Friends in Britain in Staffordshire and beyond.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit,in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Strengthening the life and witness of the Area Meeting and spreading the message of Quakers. Undertaking Quaker service for the relief of suffering at home and abroad. Funding the concerns that Staffordshire Quaker meetings have adopted or agreed to support. Through maintaining support for refugees and asylum seekers and prison visiting. Providing pastoral care for members and attenders. Maintaining and developing Staffordshire our Quaker Meeting Houses,meeting the costs of Meeting House maintenance from Area Funds via Trustees when requested. Administering and maintaining the organisation of Staffordshire Area Meeting, in the accounts are the Area Meeting contributions from Local Meetings. Also included are conference & travel costs for individuals attending approved courses or central Quaker committees.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Trustees are fully conversant with the Charity Commission’s guidance on the requirement to report on the public benefit derived from operating as a charity and consider that such benefit arises from all the activities of Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Grants are made to members/attenders of the Meeting attendance at approved educational and training needs, support for voluntary activities e.g. prison chaplains and for the relief of need (not covered by statutory bodies).
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	Not applicable
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting and its constituent local Meetings is a volunteer led organisation who provide the office holders and carry out administrative functions.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Staffordshire Area Meeting comprises of 7 local meetings (LMs) across the county; with one meeting in the county town and another in the counties’ cathedral city with its historical connections with George Fox (founder of Quakerism). Despite the Covid pandemic all meetings maintained the holding of Meeting for Worship through online meetings and maintained contacts by email and telephone while Meeting Houses were closed. From April 2021 Meeting Houses gradually reopened for in-person meetings, 4 meetings maintained online capability for those unable to attend in person. We gather as an Area Meeting seven times a year; for the past 18 months by Zoom and augmented by quarterly publication of The Staffordshire Quaker. Sanctuary, the Environment and The Quaker Service Memorial Trust are shared concerns among our many and varied interests.

Sanctuary
Wolverhampton meeting has a designated
Asylum Seeker Fund which is used to
relieve hardship and the meeting also
fundraises to take groups of Sanctuary
Seekers on holiday to a center in Wales by
the sea.
Quakers in Bishops Castle, Shropshire have
linked up with Wolverhampton and host a
day out in the summer and give other
generous support.
The meeting also works closely with
Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary.
Lichfield meeting works with asylum
charities based in Birmingham to support
and promote their work through fund raising
and through local hospitality events.
Leek meeting with support from Friends
across AM has produced knitted hats,
scarves and gloves for homeless people
and for refugees and asylum seekers
Stoke on Trent meeting works with the local
asylum charity Asha to support refugees
and promote inclusion.
Environment
Stafford, Stone and Stoke meetings played
a significant role in supporting a party of
climate activists walking to Glasgow for
COP26. The group reached Stone on 24
September, and on the following day walked
from Stone to Stoke Meeting House where
they stayed overnight.
Leek meeting is involved in creating eco
bricks to create a new raised bed in the
garden
Uttoxeter and Burton meeting received a
Churches Eco award in recognition of its
work in caring for the earth.
Stafford meetings climate vigil & welcoming
COP walkers.
Quaker Service Memorial
The QSM in the National Memorial
Arboretum at Alrewas originated within
Staffordshire AM.
Meetings for worship are held there annually
on Conscientious Objector’s Day.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	The objectives as set out in paragraph 3 of the CIO constitution were met, Maintaining our witness and Meeting for Worship during the Covid pandemic. Once Meeting Houses reopened, resuming community facilities for local community groups, although these were much reduced.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Funding from rental income was significantly reduced, as a direct result of the Covid pandemic.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	In 2019 £160,000 was invested, managed by Rathbone Green Bank on behalf of the Area Meeting to provide regular dividends in the medium term through Ethical investments. This was reviewed in September 2021, with a fund value of £190,000, providing 9% growth. The risk level was set to level 3 to cover inflation.
Other		Note: there are two financial reports. The collated accounts for the whole CIO, which includes the funds held by Local Meetings; and those funds and investments directly managed by the Area Meeting.

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The Charity is solvent, with £151,763 (£60,045 in restricted funds) in liquid funds and £195,203 in investments as of the 31stDecember 2021 as detailed in the accounts. Staffordshire Area Meeting Houses are insured for £3,819,244.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The main financial risk against which reserves are held involves the upkeep and maintenance of Meeting Houses, especially as 3 of them are listed buildings. This has been covered through the review and simplification of funds held in the Staffordshire Area Meeting Charities Account (completed 18/03/2021). Specific funds for property maintenance and Relief in Need have been set up.

Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Formal amount of reserves held by Area Meeting are £3,194, with a general fund of £14,594. There is a restricted property fund for the maintenance of buildings of £47,948
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	None
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There are no concerns regarding the charity as an ongoing concern as of the 31st December 2021. However, in 2022 there will be the start of a wide-ranging review of the future of Meeting Houses and Staffordshire Quakers.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s principal sources of funds are from, • Member contributions • Lettings income from the Meeting Houses. • Dividends on investments
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The investment policy is to maintain sufficient capital and income from ethical sources to maintain the objectives of the Charity
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The principal risks facing the charity are: • A reducing and aging congregation, leading to difficulties in filling positions to maintaining the running and achieving the objectives of the charity. • The maintenance of Meeting Houses, particularly those which are listed buildings.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Para 1.25	CIO constitution of the 18thOctober 2020. The Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting Charities 18thMarch 2021
How is the charity constituted?	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are nominated by Nominations Committee of Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting, subject to formal vetting procedures and ratified by Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting in session at an area meeting.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Newly appointed Trustees are encouraged and supported to attend/participate in formal training provided by Woodbrooke Quaker College in Birmingham
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting is part of Britain Yearly Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Staffordshire Area Meeting is made of seven local Quaker Meetings in Staffordshire and is the representative body that holds legal powers (Buildings, finance, employment, legal compliance etc.). Day to day activities and management are delivered by the local Quaker Meetings. Friends Trust Ltd,173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ in the Holding Trustee for land and Meeting Houses held by the Charity. Friends Trust Ltd are the holding Trustees
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	N/A

Other		Trustees met online 8 times throughout 2021. Business transacted included: • Insurance claim for £4,000 for monies stolen in 2020. • Complaint to the Banking Ombudsman regarding omissions by the Co-operative bank in regard to the above. • The review of 1984 Staffordshire Monthly Meeting United Charities Scheme. • Acceptance of the accounts for 2020. • Received compliance reports and summary form Local Meetings for 2020. • Review of Trustee appointments. • Review of ethical banking arrangements. • Approval of maintenance works for Stafford and Uttoxeter Meeting Houses. • Following the National Enquiry into Child Sex Abuse, commenced the review of Are Meeting policies and procedures. • Received a request for area Meeting to take over the running of the Quaker Service Memorial Trust.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain
Other name the charity uses	Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting (SAQM)
Registered charity number	1192134
Charity’s principal address	Friends Meeting House, 8B Summerfield Road, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 4PR

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole **year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Bryan Cleary	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Meeting
	Jonathan Heal	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Meeting
	Stephen Langford	Clerk to Trustees/ Health & Safetylead		Staffordshire Area Meeting
	Peter Moore	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Meeting
	Nigel Peckett	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Meeting
	Win Sutton	Area Trustee/ employment lead	Retired 31/12/2021	Staffordshire Area Meeting
	AnthonyWilson	Area Trustee	Retired 31/12/2021	Staffordshire Area Meeting

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved – N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity - Holding Trustees - Friends Trust Ltd, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ, Charity Commission Number: 237698

– Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others N/A

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
N/A

Exemptions from disclosure N/A

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

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Statementof Flnan¢Fal A¢t4Vitles Donation$ and Wcies Othertraing ￿t￿￿t￿$ Inve8Thents Charitsb activibes Otherincome Total Income and qndowmet)ts Expothdllurn on: Raisiw funds CharitsblE actimles Support Costs (with any derxeciationl Olh&rex nditure 31,S20 6,221 34,702 6,221 l.T18 8.￿￿0 45.916 8.020 50.777 {861 142 13.305 28,313 660 42.420 142 16.112 31,643 1,275 49.ln Note 2 Note2 Note2 2.807 615 6.752 Total •xpondiiur• N¢t Income b•f(O tranv&fers Nel Iranslers tolfrom Other funds & Mtir¥J5 11.8911 N(e 9 3,497 Gains Ilosse51 on investments Ng1 movamont In fvnds otal funds b￿ght foM¥rd. 1 Jan Prioryear 8dju$knent Totsl futrmbcarried fo￿4￿, 31 De¢ 11,8911 1.606 Note 7 1.606 150,158 88,222 61,938 91,719 60,04S 151,763 Fin￿￿yeAr721._revAoL4nWa1t¢Kxt

FfjxBd assots Land and buildwvJs Fikiuw and fittmgs Long teFrn investments Notee Nots7 Ctsrrent assots Depogt 8Jc Cutwt alc and ¢asn in hand Cash n hand or Gash Iloat Tot41 ¢urr•ntsets 32,540 $9,179 58.639 91,179 60.584 91.719 8OWS 151.763 Balanc• She•t-Analysi8 ot Funds General Fund Reserve Fund QPC Fund Educatr>n Fund Leek LIcr￿￿1 stsrord 20 14.595 3.194 1,947 1274 7.e91 7.961 15.9 4,981 2020 N(e 9 3,194 1.947 2.274 7.891 7,981 75,9 4,981 7,554 3,214 22,117 Stone Uttox¢ter& Burton Whampton 3,214 22.117 Leek Lichfield Stsfford Stokè Stone Uttoxeter & Burton Whampton Propety Fulld Rdief lft Need Fund (M) 100 42 42 1.264 46.396 12,243 46,396 12,243 Leek Lichfidd stoke Slone Uttoxeter & Bvrton W'harnpton Trtalsfwal funds 91.719 11 60.045 151.783 &gned tyorE ortsm ofthe trustees on behaifof au the trustees SkJnature Name S. A. LAA£FoR natu Name Cok1￿), F￿￿r￿￿Year¥￿I-_r￿.4opA￿￿u￿l￿1

Report of the inde endent examiner Section A Independent Examiner's Report This wording MUST be us¢dl Report to the tNslees I member5 of Stafford5hire Area Quaker hleetfjng on account5 forthe yeaT ended 31 December 2021 set out on pag88 4- 9 bdow. I reporf tothtr Irusts on my 8xamindi(Mi of1tr 8c¢ounts (¢the above charity I'fhg Trusfiforthe ended 31 D8¢èmber 2021. Re8pon5ibilities and ba515 of report As tho charity's tru￿88$, you sre responsib￿ for th£ prepAralion of Ihe 8¢wunts r accordarKewith th8 r8wiremenls of the Charities Act 2011 1.the A¢t'l. I repDrt in re5P8Ct of my ￿xamInatION of the Tmsi's accoJnts carried under Section 145 ofthè Actand in carrying out my exatnination, I hav8folbw8d all th8 arplic8blo Dir8¢t1￿$ giY8n byth Charity Commission undw 8ection 14515Xbl ofthe Act. IndependeTrtexaminert$ statement I have complal•J my 8xamination. I confim that r￿ material matters hav8 comg to my 8ftent￿n in connection with the examinati￿ (other than that disclosed below ) which giv8s ma caus&to believe Ih2t in, any maiÈrial ￿sp&￿' Ih8 8e(x)unliro records werè not Wl n 2¢￿rd￿n(£ vmth wtion 130 of the Ch8riti8s Act,. or Ih8 8(mJnls did not accord with 8ccx)untiw recA)rds." Ihe 8ccounl$ did not Comply with the applitsble r8quir&mgn18 ￿￿emIN￿ the form content of 8(xounts sei out in the Charities (Accounts ￿01 Reports) Regulati￿$ 2CM)8 trlhèrthan any requirément that the awunts g￿ve a Irue atKJ fair, viewwhich is not a matter £￿side￿d as partpf an iThJependent &X8m1r￿II0n. I h8v& no con¢wn$ 2nd have come dcros5 no other mgtters in connection with thtr examination lo thich attention should b8 drawn in this repLYt in order lo ena￿8 a proper und8r$tandiw ofihe fKcounls to be r8qth8(S. &gned.. Date.. Nam8'. ftWP05L- Relevant professional quallficattonlsl orbody lrfanyl: IFA Addrests.. SThrfrg &4Slf Pagw2

Sèction B Disclosure Only complete If thè examiner roeds lo highlight m8ierial matters of concern (see CC32, lTrdeppndÈni ex8mirtion ofckn8rity attounts.. diredions and gud￿Cef{X examiners) Giv• h&ro brfef details ofalw ttoms thatthe examtn•r wlsh•s to dlsclose. Ll Q4&S 1 .Ik.,Id C&y P49* 5