2022-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting Period start date 1[st] January 2022 To 31[st] December 2022 Period end date

Charity name: Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain

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.  Agreed to support Sanctuary seekers and prison visiting.  Providing pastoral care for members and attenders.  Maintaining and developing our Staffordshire 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, as shown 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 committee
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). During the year there was continued recovery from the Covid pandemic, with all Local Meetings returning to face to face Meetings for Worship, with 4 Meetings providing online facilities for Friends unable to attend in person. Also, Community Groups were able to resume activities at our Meeting Houses. Letting’s fees are charged at anot-for-profit rate, enabling many small community groups to meet, who would otherwise find accommodation difficult to obtain. This letting income also enables Quaker Meeting Houses to continue in operation. Area Meeting met seven times in 2022, augmented by quarterly publication of The Staffordshire Quaker. Staffordshire Quakers continue to be

involved in work supporting sanctuary seekers, Lichfield meeting has supported an annual picnic for Women with Hope in August and supporting “Warm Place” initiative for people in need over the winter months. Wolverhampton Meeting continues to support local sanctuary seekers, in conjunction with Wolverhampton City of Sanctury. These include holiday and day trip arrangements, benefiting between 200 to 250 people. Stafford Meeting held an open day in October. Leek, Stoke, Stone and Uttoxeter Meetings have concentrated on in Meeting activities. All Meetings have concentrated on pastoral work following the Covid pandemic.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	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.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	With the reopening of Meeting Houses following the pandemic, there has been a gradual increase in lettings income during 2022.
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. As of 31stDecember 2022, a fund value of £164,823 reflecting market turbulence during the year. The risk level was set to level 3 to cover inflation.
Other

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 £76,393 (£62,137 in restricted funds) in liquid funds and £164,823 in investments as of the 31stDecember 2022 as detailed in the accounts. Staffordshire Area Meeting Houses are insured for £4,121,523.
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 £11,061. There is a restricted property fund for the maintenance of buildings of £45,673.
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 2022. However, with a declining and ageing membership and difficulties in finding people to fill posts, there is an ongoing wide-ranging review of the future of Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting.

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		Trustees met online 5 times in 2022, covering the following;  Safeguarding policy and procedures were extensively reviewed and adopted.  Safeguarding training rolled out across the Area Meeting  Safer recruitment procedures for office holders across the Area Meeting adopted.  Stoke-on-Trent Meeting finances reviewed (because of Covid lettings reductions) and a one-off grant made.  Received report of independent Health & safety review for Wolverhampton Meeting.  Resolved Wolverhampton Meeting Warden tax liabilities with HMRC.  GDPR policy and associated documents reviewed and adopted.  Conclusion of the Banking Ombudsman complaint against the Co-operative Bank.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	CIO constitution of the 18thOctober 2020. The Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting Charities 18thMarch 2021.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	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 participate in formal training provided by Woodbrooke Quaker College in Birmingham (now online)
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	Not applicable
Other

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 6 7	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Richard Ashwell	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting
	Bryan Cleary	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting
	Berry Dicker	Area Trustee Safeguarding lead		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting
	Jonathan Heal	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting
	Stephen Langford	Clerk to Trustees Health & Safety Lead		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting
	Peter Moore	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting
	Nigel Peckett	Area Trustee		Staffordshire Area Quaker meeting

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved – not applicable.

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
Friends Trust Ltd, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ, Charity Commission Number: 237698

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others – not applicable.

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)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s)

Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date

Staffordshire Area Meeting 2022 Accounts Charlty number ao 1192134 Income and expenditure foryearend 31 Dec 2022 2022 2021 Cash books opening balances. Triodos Reliance 58638.89 22010.05 / 80648.94 59593.82 16654.66 76248.48 INCOME Rathbone dlvldends Area meetln8 transfers. Dcnatlonslsales Interest Triodos bank. Insurance contribution. Fund ￿¢0very 2310.58 2140.00 0.00 267.09 1724.56 1990.00 92.00 53.76 200.00 50CK),00 0.00 4717.67 9060.32 EXPENDITURE Peacemakers donatlon. Exam accounts. Bank charges Commltteeslconferènce. Support Costs. Supplies/prlntlng Outreach Fees Payment to Stoke Building work 500.00 500.00 70.70. 235.00 133.77 234.00 0.00 0.00 4000.00 3300.00 500.00 500.00 53.30 66.99 50.75 95.01 63.81 3330.0 8973.47 4659.86 Gish books at 31 De¢ 2022 76393.14. 80648.94 Represented by . Triodos. Rellance. 57916.56 18476.58 58638.89 22010.05 BANK FUNDS General Fund in Reliance Bank. Educational Fund in Reliance Bank Reserve Fund In Reliance Bank Quaker prison Chaplain Fund in Rellance bank Property Fund in Triodos Bank Relief in Need Fund in Triodos bank 11061.06 2273.74 3194.42 1947.36 45673.55 12243.01 14594.53 2273.74 3194.42 1947.36 46395.88 12243.01 PAC6 1

Staffordshire Area Meeting Investment Funds Rathbone Greenbank 2022 2021 Opening value at start of year Valuatlon at end of year 195,203.04. 164,823.90. 178,580.00 195.203.04 Meetlng House Insurance valuation 813,445 695,081 788.722 407,319 1,416,956 753,434 643,935 731,081 377,392 1.313,382 Stafford Stoke Uttoxeter Wolverhampton Notes I, Rathbone investmènt estlmated annual Income- £26051 yleld-1,58%1 2. There are slx designated funds, two are restricted l Rellef in need and Property I held In the Trlodos bank- the four other funds are in the Reliance bank. 3. Meeting house insurance is paid by the Local meetln8. fAQr L

Staffordshire Area Quaker Meeting Treasurers, Guide 2023 - Examlner's statement Independent Examiner's Statement Thls indeFendent examinerfs report template (SORP FRS 102) was taken from HM Government's website on 01-12-2022: httPS'.//www.gov. uk/government/publicationsllndependent-examiners-report- template-sorp-frs- 102 NB: The wordlng given below should al￿￿¥& be used by the independent examlner. It supersedes earller versions. CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examlnefs report on the accounts S?ct40n A Indep¢n¢Jent Examlner'$ Report A•portto th• tru•l••&ldlr•¢tor•l sitiile h£cA Quaker MeetSng ecli 20tL Ch•TIty no.: 1192134 I rewl to the Clwly trust8gs on ol tha ac4xAmls ol th8 R••ponBfbUltl••nd A5 thè chwtys In￿1885 CO tho Cwwny ltho arg also dtrèdors trflh• b••l• ol r•port CunpaThos Act 21Th1'bae 2006 Acri. to bo 8udrtwF for this y•er under Pert 16 of thg 2CKIO Ad el•3lblo th￿￿e￿t&x￿rynfikn, I Inresmx ofmy wmbnglth olyo a5 e8med ￿d￿r socits)n 145 ot ChwRlos 2011 nhe 2011 Ad'l. In cenyw out ry eXAmm￿￿, I havg foll¢Atyd the DKacltffts ChNtyCrynmBskn sedm 145(SMbldth• 2011 Ad. Ind•p•ml•nl •xamln•rf• xtat•m•nl tKt 396 oftho comp￿Te5 Ad 20￿ oth8rthgn ￿Y tww￿￿lthQt tt Ajunts give 8 Iw8 ar¥J fo￿ vlewthch is not a mNttgr ¢imS￿d 85 Wt an &y2rninab￿, or SORP (FRS1￿2l. Octob•r 2018

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