## **THAXTED AREA QUAKER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN** 

## **TRUSTEES REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** 

Address: Quaker Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1AA 

Friends who served as trustees in 2023: Jacqueline Bartlett John Capper (Treasurer) Karl Gibbs Heather Kent Jonathan Morrell (Clerk) 

Holding Trustees – Friends Trusts Ltd, Friends House,173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ 

Registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity no.1194893. Bankers – Cooperative Bank Ltd. PO Box 260, Delf House, Skelmersdale WN8 6WT and Barclays Bank PLC, 23 High Street, Royston, SG8 9AB 

Independent Examiners- Bentens, Abbey House, High Street, Saffron Walden CB10 1AF. 

Solicitors – Adams Harrison, Church Street, Saffron Walden. 

## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** . 

Thaxted Area Meeting is the main meeting for Church Affairs and is constituted of four Local Quaker Meetings at: 

Saffron Walden – membership 47 - average attendance 22 Stansted - membership 7 - average attendance 7 Bardfield - membership 9 - average attendance 7 Dunmow - membership 4 – average attendance 3 

We recorded 1 transfer in, 1 transfer out, 3 deaths and 1 resignation of membership. Total membership is 68 the same as 2022. There are approximately 36 attenders. 

Each Local Quaker Meeting is responsible for the day-to-day management of its own Meeting House - and in the case of Saffron Walden other local properties - reporting to, and seeking advice from, trustees as appropriate. Financial contributions from each Meeting to Area Meeting funds are agreed annually by Area Meeting in session. 

Thaxted Area Meeting operates according to its constitution as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The object of the constitution is the furtherance of the general and religious purposes of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, in Thaxted Area Meeting and beyond. 

## **Appointment of Trustees** 

Trustees are appointed from its membership by Area Meeting in session following nomination by the Area Meeting Nominations Committee for an initial period of three years. Several Friends agree to renomination after this period. New trustees are provided with a copy of the Constitution (Governing Document), Minutes and supporting papers from the previous year and guided to the Britain Yearly Meeting website for access to the trustees manual and other relevant information. 

Area Meeting Nominations committee has worked with the Area Meeting Safeguarding Co-ordinator in 2023 in order to comply with BYM Safeguarding recommendations when appointing trustees. 



## **Other appointments** 

Area Meeting also appoints a representative and alternate to Meeting for Sufferings, and is invited to appoint representatives to Quaker Life Representative Council, Sibford, Ackworth and Leighton Park Schools General Meetings and a correspondent to Quaker Council for Church and Interfaith Relations. It receives occasional reports from each of these bodies. The Area Meeting also appoints two Friends to serve as trustees for The Greenwood Educational Trust. 

## **FINANCE.** 

Trustees set financial reserves annually and submit to Area Meeting in session a proposed annual budget. The accounts are examined each year and are approved by the examiner. Accounts are submitted by the Treasurer to Friends House and the Charity Commission. 

A Reserves Statement for the year ending December 31[st] 2023 forms Appendix A to this report. 

## **Margaret Stubbs Memorial Fund. (MSMF)** 

The Margaret Stubbs Memorial Fund was established for the property at 2 Springhill Road Saffron Walden – a bequest from a Friend Jean Stubbs –and to benefit the Bursary Fund at Friends School Saffron Walden, (latterly Walden School). 

The closure of the school in 2017 left the fund with a balance of £6,407. A decision made by trustees in 2018 and confirmed in 2019 and 2020 allowed income derived from the rents to be used to support young people in the Area Meeting, the balance at the end of the year to be divided between the Friends Schools Bursaries Fund and the Greenwood Educational Trust a charity whose purpose is to distribute small grants to eligible young people from four Area Meetings in East Anglia for the benefit of their education.  Rather than draw on Greenwood Trust funds, grants agreed by Greenwood trustees to be made to young people from Thaxted Area Meeting are found from Thaxted’s own income. During 2023 a surplus of £4,600 from the Margaret Stubbs Memorial Fund was awarded jointly to Friends school in Ramallah, on the West Bank in Palestine and Brumanna High School near Beirut to reflect their greater need for funding during the continuing conflict. This decision was recommended by Saffron Walden Friends and approved by Area Meeting. 

## **PROPERTY** 

## **2 Springhill Rd. Saffron Walden.** 

The tenancy to this property, which in 2021 was extended to September 2025, has been beneficial to both the tenants and to the Area Meeting, granting time to Area Meeting to consider the long-term future of the property. 

Local Meetings were asked in late 2022 to consider the future of 2 Springhill Rd when the current lease expired. After consultation the following Minute was forwarded to Area Meeting in March 2023: 

“We are aware that Stansted friends have already agreed a minute asking Area Meeting to seek legal advice on the possible future use of 2 Springhill Road, Saffron Walden. We agree that it would be prudent for us, as trustees, to take expert legal advice on the implications of the benefactor’s letter of intent with regard to the future of the property now that the original purpose is no longer being met. This advice can then be used to help inform a discussion about the future of 2 Springhill Road at Area Meeting on 11[th] June 2023. We seek AM’s approval to pay for this advice.” 

It is clear from the legal advice received that the letter of wishes from Jean Stubbs about the use of the property has no legal force and does not create any binding legal obligations on the Area Meeting trustees.  Her letter was for guidance only with Friends having “discretionary 



powers at all times” which can be exercised “with reference to the changing scene in society”. With Friends School now closed, her main wish for the use of 2 Springhill Road cannot be fulfilled. 

Given that there is no legal obligation on trustees to sell the property or the allotment, we are content that the existing arrangements should continue for the foreseeable future, with the house being rented out and the income used for educational purposes and the allotment developed for public benefit. 

The property (apart from the allotment) has been placed with Arkwright & Co of Saffron Walden for management. 

During 2023 the allotment has developed as a resource for use by community groups such as The Community Shed, Dig It and U3A. The allotment has full public liability insurance for third party use. 

## **69 High Street, Saffron Walden** 

Arkwright & Co of Saffron Walden continue to successfully manage this property on behalf of trustees. They are attempting to complete the leases for both the tenants but it is proving a long and tortuous business owing to continuing difficulties with the long-term tenant on the ground floor. 

## **Meeting Houses** 

During the lockdowns necessitated by the pandemic, some meetings began to use Zoom as a platform for Meetings for Worship and in some cases this has continued. Friends otherwise prevented from attending in person have found this to be a way of sharing in the life of the meeting. 

In 2023 trustees agreed to appoint surveyors to carry out a quinquennial survey on each of the 4 meeting houses. 

## **Saffron Walden Friends** 

In 2023 our membership numbers 47 with 24 Attenders. 4 of our members live abroad and several others are widespread around the UK. However. the pastoral team attempts to keep in touch here possible. 

Since Covid we have continued the practice of ‘blended’ Meetings for Worship using video conference facilities. This enables Friends who are living with disabilities or even living overseas to join us. The average attendance at Meeting is 15 to 20. 

Lettings of the meeting house are recovering although have not yet reached preCovid levels. Because of the increase in fuel prices, we have had to increase our charges to users. 

The meeting house remains a warm and welcoming environment for Friends and users and we are grateful to Helen Gibbs, our warden and Karl Gibbs her husband for work they do on our behalf. 

The ‘wilding’ of the Peace Garden, with mown paths and areas set aside for gatherings has proved a great success and is a source of pleasure to Friends and visitors. 

We have continued our representation with Churches Together and have been pleased that a representative has been allowed to attend meetings of church leaders. We have once again placed a wreath of white poppies on the local war memorial and have welcomed representatives of The Royal British Legion to visit the Commonwealth War Grave in the Meeting House burial ground. 

Saffron Walden Friends appoint a representative to the World Day of Prayer (previously The Women’s’ World Day of Prayer.) and in 2023 hosted the meeting welcoming representatives from other churches. 

The Children and Young People’s Group, (CYPG) continues to offer a space for families under the guidance of Clare Yerbury the Children and Young People’s Advocate, 



In this year there have been 4 families who attend on an irregular basis and I family who attend regularly.  The number of children has varied from 1 year to 16 years of age. The 16-year-old has begun to attend adult Meeting for Worship. Activities have been decided in discussions with parents and are frequently craft based or using learning from Quaker testimonies. 

To comply with the Area Meeting safeguarding policy 2 adults are present during CYPG sessions one whom must be DBS checked. 

Our children’s and Young Peoples Advocate and members of our Meeting keep in touch with some of the young people who do not attend Meeting with us, via email, text and occasionally in person. 

It is greatly appreciated that the Local and Area Meeting continue to offer encouragement and financial support for our children and young people. This year 6 of our young people received grants from The Greenwood Educational Trust. 

The safeguarding policy for Young Children and Vulnerable Adults is being reviewed. Our pastoral care team of four has striven to keep in touch regularly with everyone. They have found the work very rewarding and are glad to see people returning to Meeting although some still prefer to use Zoom as we continue to hold blended meetings with a Zoom Meeting on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. 

We have been aware of tensions in the meeting with regard to trusteeship and property ownership and recognise that we need to spend time strengthening our community and learning to deal tenderly with one another over our differences, 

## **Stansted Friends** 

In 2023 our membership numbers 7 with 5 Attenders. 

Stansted friends continue to offer the Meeting House as an opportunity for outreach  for hirers and visitors. 

Early in November 2023 the Meeting  hosted a visit by 1st Clavering cubs to help them gain a badge by learning about a religion or faith they knew nothing about before. It proved to be a richly rewarding form of outreach with 14 boy and girl cubs aged between eight and ten taking part along with two cub leaders and one or two parents. We have continued to meet on Zoom with Friends at Hill House Meeting in Accra, Ghana. This relationship is flourishing as we learn more about each other including how we understand what our Quakerism means to us. Topics for discussion have included Quaker testimonies and how they are inter-related. Most recently Friends held a discussion about the teachings of Christ and how central we consider them to be to Quaker practice. Interestingly, it became apparent that the words of Jesus have greater prominence for Friends in Ghana than perhaps they do for Friends in Britain. We look forward to building on our relationship with Accra friends in the coming year. 

Following the death of our clerk in 2022 we reviewed roles and responsibilities across the meeting to make the best use of the talents of members and attenders. This included appointing a new clerking team and assigning specific responsibility for the care of premises, music and fellowship on special occasions, eldership, pastoral care, treasurership, visibility and publicity and the Accra meeting fellowship group. 

The Experiment with Light group has continued to meet, normally on the second Saturday of each month. The healing group has also continued to meet. Both groups have provided a safe and confidential space for growth and to offer each other support. In November we laid an eco-friendly homemade wreath of white poppies in the Garden of Remembrance at St. John’s church. 

Stansted friends continue to be involved with the local community and contribute to the local newsletter ‘The Link’ as well as remaining active members of Churches Together. 



## **Bardfield Friends.** 

In 2023 our membership numbers 7 with 5 Attenders. We were delighted when one of our long-term Attenders was welcomed into membership in June. Our meeting continues to grow and we welcomed 2 new Attenders this year and we have been pleased to welcome Friends from other Meetings. 

Our silent worship is frequently deep and vocal ministry thoughtful. We value the period of Afterword at the end of meeting when we can share any thoughts that may have arisen from the silence or from vocal ministry. We especially value the time spent together over coffee in the kitchen. In being able to share with each other not only spiritual insights but also pleasures and concerns from our everyday lives, our small community has grown in trust and understanding. 

Because of lapses in the regular readings of Advices and Queries we decided this year that in the future we will arrange for A & Q to be read on the first Sunday of each month. Likewise, we have agreed to hold more regular Meetings for Business. 

We intend to start regular Meetings for Learning led by Friends with a particular interest in the chosen topic. In this way we hope to encourage our Attenders to gain better understanding of Quakers. 

In this Coronation year one of our members arranged a (very Quakerly!) competition for local schoolchildren to design postage stamps for the new reign and make crowns. A ‘coronation’ was held in the Meeting House with the local vicar officiating. 

We were saddened by the death of a long-term Friend who had, for several years been unable to attend meeting. Her private funeral was held in Brighton and we held a Memorial Meeting for her in April. 

The Meeting House continues to be used by groups in the village and from further afield;-Heartsong Choir, Bardfield History and Horticultural Societies, Essex Audi Theatre and from time to time, the Parish Council. 

Throughout the summer months we are occasionally obliged to leave a notice on the gate saying there will be no Meeting for Worship that day, but by forward planning we can almost always make sure that at least one of us can be there to open up and welcome any visitors.  It is a pleasant surprise when someone from the AM or further afield joins us.  We are not struggling to keep going but instead rejoice on the days when all of us meet together.  We are in good heart. 

## **Dunmow Friends** 

In 2023 our membership numbers 4 with 2 Attenders. 

While a very small meeting, Dunmow Friends have continued to uphold each other in their weekly meetings and play an active role in the life of the Area Meeting. The work of the meeting has devolved very significantly onto a very small group of Friends. This year we began to consider the future of both the worshipping group at Dunmow and the Meeting House itself which is in a poor state of repair and may need substantial investment to restore it. A group pf Friends met with the trustees to begin the process of discernment. 

There have been some difficulties this year with the suppliers of electricity as the location of the electric meter has made reading the meter hazardous. We continue to work to resolve this. 

There have also been some frustrations with regard to opening a bank account. The Wren Nursery which is the only source of income except for contributions from Friends continues to use the Meeting House but we are aware of the possibility that this arrangement may have to cease owing to their financial difficulties. 

While we are not very active we uphold the work of Area Meeting and offer a place for quiet reflection. 



## **PUBLIC BENEFIT** 

All our Meeting Houses offer public worship each week as well as supporting local community activities principally through meeting house lettings and,  where appropriate, the use of our gardens as places of quiet reflection. 

## **SUSTAINABILITY** 

As well as meeting in person, we have continued to use Zoom and blended meetings where possible, thus helping to limit our carbon footprint by reducing the need to travel. Where possible we continue in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint including, for example, Stansted Friends buying energy from renewable sources including a biogas component and Saffron Walden and Bardfield Friends having contracts for green energy supply. Individual Friends remain active in local sustainability initiatives. 

## **SAFEGUARDING** 

Following Area Meeting’s adoption in December 2021 of the BYM Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding procedures/toolkit, a safeguarding subgroup was approved by AM, to undertake to review and monitor safeguarding matters across all meetings. Heather Kent was appointed as a trustee in June 2022, and confirmed in her role as AM Safeguarding Co-ordinator from that date. She is also a member of the National Safeguarding Forum for Quakers. 

The subgroup has met on three occasions via zoom, and engaged with aspects of the AM Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. Initial focus has been on:DBS matters, including the appointment of an AM DBS Verifier which AM confirmed in June 2022. 

   - Record keeping, safe storage and qualified/limited access. 

- Training via 31:8 online courses for roles deemed as ‘essential’ under the procedures – Safeguarding Co-ordinator; Clerk to Trustees; DBS Verifier; Pastoral Friends working with children and young adults and adults at risk. The courses have been paid by AM. 

- Safer Appointments, including using/adapting the suggested BYM procedure for the appointment of a Trustee and the preparation of Role Descriptions (deemed as essential under the Safeguarding Procedure) for all the notified forthcoming AM appointments. 

   - This year we have begun to examine the best ways to offer in house training for local meetings using the material in the toolkit. We expect to continue this work next year. 

   - 2023 is the completion of the first year of the subgroup’s work and we have reported to Area Meeting who have approved our report and agreed that we should continue for a further year. 

We are appreciative of the support offered by BYM Safeguarding Coordinator Mark Mitchell in the form of updates and bulletins to keep us abreast of the latest legislation. We are pleased that no safeguarding matters/concerns have been notified for 2023. 

## **ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.** 

- In 2023  our Area Meeting Clerk continued to work closely with the Regional Area Meeting Clerks Network and the Local Development Officer. They have begun to seek ways to work cooperatively across meetings in East Anglia. 

- Our trustees were represented at a consultation on the revision of the Trustees Handbook. 

- In September 2023 our Area Meeting treasurer attended the residential treasurers conference near Milton Keynes. 

- On November 5[th] all our trustees were present at a  special Area Meeting workshop on trusteeship. 



## **TRUSTEES AIMS FOR 2024** 

Our principal aim as trustees is to further the aims and purposes of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the living out of our Testimonies to Simplicity, Truth, Equality, Peace and Sustainability. 

We will continue to support the practical and spiritual life of our local meetings as well as making sure we have robust safeguarding arrangements in place across our Area Meeting. In doing so, we will be mindful of some of the areas in which current advice on best practice doesn’t accord with our spirit led tradition. We will continue to be open to advice and compromise. Trustees will also explore how AM’s nominations process can apply safer appointments practice. 

We will provide support to Area Meeting as it seeks to discern the way forward for the long-term future use of 2 Springhill Road and the associated allotment, taking into account legal advice and the wishes of local meetings. 

We will continue to support the work of our Local Development Worker and consider ways of working more closely with area meetings across East Anglia. 

August 2024 

## **APPENDIX A** 

## Thaxted Area Meeting Reserves December 2022 

At the end of 2022 the Area Meeting reserves were: Deposits (£) Investments (£)    Total (£)  Current Account MSM Account (restricted):      13 600           30 100             43 700                0 Area Meeting                           27 500         12 900            40 400           3 100 S Walden :                              36 300                                 36 300           8 900 Stansted                                                       48 500           48 500           14 100 Dunmow                                   2 900           18 100           21 000           5 300 Bardfield                                                                                                   5 800 Total (excluding Springhill Rd) 66 700          79 500          146 200         34 100 

£9 000 was withdrawn from Saffron Walden Reserves in 2022; The value of the existing investments has decreased so the total value has fallen by £13 000 this year. Restricted Reserves (MSM) are treated separately. Unrestricted Reserves total: £183 400 

For historic buildings it is recommend that 2% of the insured value is kept in reserves. Excluding Springhill Road, the insured value of the AMs property is 4 600 000. 2% of this is 92 000; 3% would be £138 000 

Stansted also has £15 000 on long term loan to Green Pastures 

Likely expenditure not covered from current income is: Dunmow:                £15 000 for central heating Saffron Walden:      some thousands dealing with the damp cellar in 69a 

£50-60 000 replacing heating system in the next 10 years 



|||Suggested Format for Reserves:|Suggested Format for Reserves:|Suggested Format for Reserves:|Suggested Format for Reserves:||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Meeting|Unforeseen<br>Emergency<br>2%<br>valuation|Uncertain<br>Income<br>2 months|Expected<br>Commitment|Uneven<br>Cash<br>Flow|Total<br>Required|Actual|
|Bardfield|11 800|1 000|||12 800|5 800|
|Dunmow|10 500|1 000|15 000 (central<br>heating)||11 500|26 300|
|Saffron<br>Walden|47 500<br>69    8 800<br>69a  5 800|11 600|In due course<br>55000<br>(Heating)||59 100<br>8 800<br>5 800|45 200|
|Stansted|3% 10 900|1 800|||12 700|62 600|
|Area<br>Meeting|0|1 000|0|4 000|5 000|43 500|
|Total|95 300|16 400|70 000||115 700|183 400|





RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023
The report and accompanying accounts (x)ver the financial affairs of Thaxied Area
Meeting consolidated with those of its four constituent meetings, namely Bardfield,
Dunmow. Saffron Walden and Stansted Local Meets'ngs.
As a charity the full Iwue is Yhaxted Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious society
of Friends (Quakers) in Britain". Thaxted Area Meeting in short. Registered number
1194893.
Ajthough the Area Meeting. through its trustees, is ults"mately responsible in practi
the care and maintenance of the Meeting Houses and other properties is undertaken
by the Local Meetings and this is reflected in their accounts.
The TNstees have an agreed reserves wlicy and review the reserves each year.
All Ihe accounts have been examined by a qualified person not connected with any
of the meetings.
John Capper, Treasurer
18 Landscape View. Saffron Walden. CB114AU
Page 1

Legal and AOrnintm*irf•_ 3p
Constitution and Purpose
The Area Meeting is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, charity number 1194893. Its
objects are defined in its constitthion, in particular tha furth4Jrance of the general reltgiou$ and
charitable purposes of the Religious SLKety of Friends (QLBker8) in Britain.
- princ',p31 activity is the holding of Me4tings fOr￿￿¥shIP in ts constituent local meetings
of Bardfield, D￿rnow, Saffron Walden and Starthd.
The affairs of the Area Meeting are goverrEd by "Quaker Faith and Practice", the Book of
DisGipline of Brttain Yeady Meeting. There are Memor2rvJa of Undetstanding with the Local
Meetings.
The members of the Area Meeting are all those persons whose names are recorded in its
official register. The Managing Trustees are appointed by a N4eeting for worship for Business
of the Area Meeting which also appoints a representative and an altemate to seNe onmeeting
for Sufferings, the representative body advtses the Trustee body for the ¢entrally
managed work of Britan Yearly MethJ.
Address for cOr￿spondenCe
Margaret SOMe￿ille, 54 Gtebe Aven￿. Braintr￿, Essex. CM7 4SR
PAeetln9 House Addresses
Bardfield Frierttls Meeting House. Brook Street, Great Bardfield. Essex, CP17 4SR
Dunmow Frtends Meeting House, New Street, Great Dunmow. Essex. CM6 18H
Saffron Watden Friends Meeting House, High Stre4. L?ffron Waklen. EsLcthx, CB10 1AA
st8nsted Ffiends Meeting House. 87 Chapel HIH. Stansted. Essex, CM24 BAE
Mana9in9 TnISt￿.
The following Friends LArved in 2023:
Jacqueline Bartlett. Clerk. 4 The Green Saffron Watden, Essex, CB10 2DS
John Capper, Treasurer, 18 Landscape ￿￿w. Saffron Walden. Essex, CB114AU
Jonathan Morrell, 4 Priory Court, Apton Road. Bishops Stortford. Herts, Cm23 3SF
Karl Gibbs, 69a High Street, SalFronWalden. Essex, CB1Es
Heather Kent 13, Tr Spike. RadwÉnter Road. Saffron Walden, CB113GA
BankerJ
Ctroperatsve Bank, P.0. Box 260, De￿ House, Scuthway, Skelmersdale. WNB 6WT
Barclays Bank PLC. 23 High Street Royston. SG8 9AB
Holding Trustee
FrEnds Trusts Ltd, Friends Hwse. 173 Euston Road. London. 2
Page 2

AeeounliDg Polieies
8351s of accountlng.
These accounts have been prepaied in accordan￿ with the Charity Commission Statement of
Recojnmended Practice SORP 2015 (Statemellt of Financial Attivities).
Income and expendit[￿e.
Contribution5, gran￿ legacies, itttetesL dtviden&% and ients are" all tr.eated as iffcoine iti the in
which th￿Y ar¢ TeceivL4I. Gift Aid Tether￿ is treated a) incthme for thc in which thc donations
are made.
Lalld and buildings.
The properli¢% owlled by the Area Meetlllg (xymprising the 14eetinY Houges and w￿der<
acvommiidation are held lor the fiwihrnce of th¢ AEeaMeeling's cl)aritable obiecis.
TheK¢ ar¢ two investmnt properties, 69 High StffeL Saffl-on Il'alden
Saffron Walden.
On the recoo]melldatkon of the Quaker stev￿0s￿p Con]m￿ee of BrttaiEE Ye8rl}' Nle¢tin& the capital
valu¢ of the proFthte5 is illcluded in the accounts. The Tralu- of the properties is based the
illsuratEce value, whÉch is revievied cFery year by the fvf¢thodist Insurance Cottkpany. The contcnts of
the Meeting Houses are written off at purcbase.
SwingFiill Roa
Res¢aTes.
The Reserves are a liÈt]e les% pTimarity due to a drop in the Vah￿ of investm¢llts. Th¢y are in
line with th¢ reserves and are reviewed each year.
cal Me*tings.
In accordance with guidall￿ fmm the Cbaritycommissioll and the Quaker Stewardsbip Committee
Presentation of the Aeeounts
The accoullts have prwed usiag Data DeYek)pmtnts -Finance CIH)Tdinator". the softwAr¢
package by ACAT (Th¢ A￿lation of Chur¢b ACCOU￿ aod TreasTrirers). ThÉs d(Ks
ot support a spreadsheet showing one tabk a bT¢akdown of inCo￿te and ¢xpcnditEEre for the Area
Page 3

Report of the IndepeBdent ￿￿Miller
lyeport onthe consolidated of Th&xted Area Merfing fi*th¢year ended 31
2023 . which are set out below.
The charity's truste¢s aEe ￿sPonsible for the preparatffiw of Ihe ￿COunts.
The charitys truste¢s consider that all audit ts not Tequirryj for this year wtion 144(2) of
th¢ Charities Art 2011 (the 2011 Act) attdthat an Inde￿ examillation is necded.
It is my respons￿1 ilty to:
examine the accouJAts Ullder srttioo 145 of the 2011 Actr.
to follow the pr(K¢dwcs laid dovm in the gen¢ral Directions given by Ihe Charity Commission
under section 145(5Xb) of th¢ 2011 Ac¢ and
Basis of independent examiner's report
My aryamination ￿led out in thaoc¢ with the gen￿￿ Direclions given by the cI￿lty
Commission.
An exa￿lD￿tiOn inch￿e8 a review of the aecoUDtll￿ ￿CordS kw by the cbatity and a comparÉs(Trn
of th¢ accounts presented with those recy)rds. It aL<o includes consideration of unktsual ltell￿ or
disclosu￿ in the account% s¢¢king explanations from trustees concerning any such malters.
The pmcedur¢s undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be wired iri audit 3.nd
con8equelltly no opinion is given 8S to vkndher 1h¢ accou5￿ presellt a %Tue and fair view and the
report is limited to tI￿se n]atters set out in the staiement below.
Iiid¢peDdent oxamiDer's statement
In connection with my examlDaiio￿ no matter has cometo my attention:
(l) which gives me We￿￿￿h￿ cawe to believe that inany the tequiT¢1￿etsts.
to keep accowrting accor￿ with section 130 of thc 2011 Ac¢ and to prcpire accounts
which accord with the accounti￿ re£or& and c(xwity with the accoun￿8 Tequirnents of the 2011
Act have not been me¢ or
(2) to which, in my opinioJL att¢ntioB sl%)ukl be dra￿ in OTd¢rto enable a Proper Unde￿ing
of th¢ accoullts to ￿ reach￿.
igls l)6?q
Addtess. Bent¢DS, Ablw Hoose, 511Sgh Strt Saffm Wal(kn4 E&￿e￿ CBIO IAF

TH.4NTF.D ARE.4 1%.IF.ETlING
T.4TEIIEINT OF FI,%AINCltlL .4CI"IVITIES
PERIOD I J.4NI L'ARI'_ 31 DF,CEIMBER 2023
-i"0 r..KL I.'N.
HFSTRicfLD PRIOR YF.AR
I'OTAL FI":NtKs
Incotne'aiid endowmcnt$ from
DonaEions and le(TdLies
InLome froin charitabl¢ activities
Ini'esimcnls
Other
35548
66?49
215i
34082
51688
1858
103949
87758
Expetjditure
Raisiiits funds
ENpLndirure charitable activÉties
Other expcndilLtre
436i)
53654
50200
49582
Total expenditure
97664
99782
Excess income over expenditure
6286 (
12024)
Gainsllosses on investments
1386 (
15946}
Net incomelexpi'nditure
7672 (
27970)
Other rceounised gaÉnsAosses
Gains on revaluations
615J77
1?76525
Nct movetnCTEt in funds
623049
1248155
Total fixc(1 gsseL% blfwd
TY)tal other fuiids blfwd
Tu(dl bllwd
4866090
24004)
510613)
ii89965
268053
38i7978
Total clfwd
5729182
5106J33
PAGE S

THAXTF.D AREA MEETING
BALANCE SHEET- DETAILED
PERIOD I JANUARY - 31 DECEMBER 2023
As8t
A5at
3111212023
3111212022
Fixed Assets
SatTron Walden Meeting House
Stansted Meetsng House
Bardfield Meeting House
Dunmow Meetin(T Ilouse
69A I liJ(T Street (Watden's House)
69 FliJ Str¢et
2 Sprin&hill Road
2730141
2375212
398155
i61653
64789)
5x8452
5804()4
5•71 jj
3J4006
290584
i0567)
439935
28519)
283099
Tot21 Pixed Assets
5481467
4866090

Current Assets
De5igngted
Co-L)p Account SatTron Walden
COIF Deposit aecounE Saffton Waldcn
Colk Inveestinent Fund Accumulation Units
MSM Accouni Sprinuhill Road Barclays
MSM COIF Deposit Account
Smith & Nephew MSM Shares
Co-op Account Th&xted Area Meeting
Afvl COIF Deposit Account
M&(i Charibond Unit5 AM
B￿10 Ilnits AM
9705
8924
29ilO
13?Oi
13614
30140
30140
4601
3087
6818
6588
971
940
12744
12042
AM COIF Accumulation Uniis
23757
20Y62
DuiiTnow Friends ProvidenVBSO Investment
19924
18150
Dunmow Peity Cash
Dunrnow Co-op Account
Bardfield Co-op Bank
Bardlield Triodos Bank
39
34
5662
2932
3087
295?
2882
Stan51ed Barclay5 AucL)unt
Stan%ted CAI". l.-ixed Interes1 Investment
57982
48509
Stansted Green Pa5lures
15000
15000
Total Current Assets
247715
Net Asset surplus (Dcficit)
5729182
i1061iJ
PAGE 7

5106133
7672 (
38i7975
12024)
15946)
1276125
liil in period
Other o&ins (losses) in the period
GainsJl(losse5) OD revaluation of fixed a55ets
Rounding difE
61 i377
5729182
5106133

Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
Income and endowments
DtMafjons and legacies
20). Donat￿8¥*a LM
201- Collections
202-GiftAKI Reda*n
631 . Baydfiehl Conlthtims G*EAhl8ble
632. B8idfdd Contrbtthrts GiftAtilab
636. eardfield GiftAkl
701 ~ DunrnDW Contrknubons
706- DunmcAvN*5celt8neo
14.438.61
IIITI.61
444.71
1.300.
14.438.61
72.Iftr.61
5.444.71
1,￿.09
15,865.13
10.692.00
5.835.00
1,105.00
295.00
1,4>t.84
685.00
1.4Y.64
ZD)
35.547.5T .
35.547.57
2.13
26,￿1.
16.354.94
Iw.00
2D.W1.OD
16.3>4.94
l L6U.00
19,054.00
12,134_66
1.890.00
386.10
9,000.00
1.815.00
600.110
222.27
6.972.00
203- Leltings
204- 69 Hiyh Street Reni
S00- Contributions from Lhts
501- DniidendsThaxled AM
$60- Rent, 2 sp￿￿￿￿%11 RD•I
633- B3rdfwtd Hfrings
702- titJnmovJ Hirings
7US. DunrnLW Payments fromlthns
906- Stanstsd Letbnys
998- St8nsted Otherlncm8
9.IWJ.QO
9,180.00
1,500.
1.758.67
9,862.00
T,T5&67
9.6K2.IKJ
66.24&59
.248.59
52.074.03
Income from C￿rItabh actlvities
Totsls
344.21
344.21
254.48
829.40
459.07
bg.J=,
11.57
26.42
65.W2
857.89
131.54
190- Interest SWCOIF DeposrtAeoxJnt
191-AM COIF DeptsSftAc￿U1tt
561- Dividend Srnrth & Nephew
562. MSM CCiA Dep05itAccoLmt Irkne
630- Bat(ffield Triodos lfttstest
637-Triodos Extra Intsiest
703- Dunmow Bttslne￿ Irwestor Interest
704- Dunrnow Treasurers TrustAlc Itrter851
11.57
3.59
450.rJJ
Incury
2.407.75 .
1131.èo
2,407.75
l.i38.71
InvoStm9nts Totals
JV£ I 1rfrf£5YEIs fi*AIthS
Otherincome
130.00
130.00
txhor incomè Tola15
5334.91 8T,824.87
Income and endornts
Grdnd totals
105354.91
CXg1

Tola
"Raislng funits
522-65 Hyh Stre*
375.00
375.U)
Ralsingfiffids Totats
375.
301- Donationsto BYM
302- Donations tts QLthr Charrt
303- DonaÉMs to llOF> Qu*efChaFit*S
304. Grants agrBed byLocal M*tir
325- Annual Contribution toTWedAM
327.Anth￿al SubscripiYon5 eg CCLI, Ctsw
SS0- Cootses 3nd Conference5 Thaxled AM
551- Child ProteLtiofi Fee
552. Examinabon ofAccourts
553.AM Off￿er & Trnslee Expen585
554- Annual Subs LiviF59 We. QICJ
592- Grdnts to Youftg Frends
594- Grantto GrÈ8MvoodTTU5t
595- Grafiis lo au8k8rEd￿atlOfta1 Bthlies
640- Bardfield Clèaoer
641- B#rdfi>Ld MalEt
842. Bardfiekl Fire and
643. Bardfidj Etedr
644- Bardfiekt Water
645- Bardfield Gardener
846- B8r¢fi81d InsU￿[tre
647- Ba￿lf¢kI ContFI)￿￿oThto AM
15,645.&)
7,187.￿¢
4XJ7.50
15,645.50
7,187.50
4Z3750
5.237.50
8,757.5
2,525.
IOD.QU
1.080.DD
225.OCS
402.00
129.00
780.oj
108.37
142.00
1.150.QO
1,000.00
5.6UO.00
590.00
9.01
g4.00
500_78
163.42
370.00
796.52
720.00
460.30
145.WJ
145.00
186.82
14920
1.350.(KJ
186.82
149.20
1,350.00
5.3co.r
5.300.tXJ
845.OD
63.48
543.82
t56.28
240.OD
875.77
240.(KI
875.7T
751- Dtsnmowwater
752- Dunmow Electt¥Jty
753- Dunmow Gardè
754- Duftmow MainiÈnaneÈ& Rep2Ns
755- Dunmow Firè Prolectron
756. Ounmowmscellarjeous
757- In5uian(8
758- Ounmowcontribubth) tohm
891- SL>lictior Feè
955- Stansted Rwrs and
Ma*rrteTrance
957. Stsnsted Conlribulion to
MeEbng
958- StaFtsted CortribtthTrtoBYM
959- Startstad Donation$
2. Stansted Fumitvre & Eqw)v
3- Fire &windows wAinten•)t*
.94
513.24
225.￿j
267.94
543.24
225.00
273.52
1.323.77
275.OD
562.6D
67.92
72.42
26.OD
785.40
240.00
870.00
1.131.LKI
26.(
715.24
360.00
1.461.67
240
' 240.C
2.O90.00
3,017.89
39.99
165.
165.00
44.504.86
44,504.86
50,201.04
15 Marth 2024 Pag& 1D

Tf)t81
L￿ty0
Dtherexpendklure
300.WaFdèn Wages
305- InstJr8nce Saffron)NsSJèTr LM
3(￿. Reyai¢s and Maintensrtt Hc
307 Repaits and Maintena￿6￿4
308- Equpment
309- Garden
310. E￿r￿ty
22.836.47
3,034.62
1.418.72
20.99
948.21
1,467.S)
6,489.41
22.196.23
2W.47
J.034.62
1.418.72
1.39LI.80
677.23
241.97
2,360.30
5.437.32
884.42
2,485.89
484.59
33.66
476.08
1.467.
489.41
312- co￿￿1T&%
314. ClpafiwYJ MthlaLs
315- C*ering
35£. PublKity tnc NewsW, outreath
317-PathFEg Pe￿ts
318-BooNkeepercharge
319-Webs*e and Zoam
320- lrtem6t inG Si￿[￿$. rKéziwn
2.579.E
39113
13026
Z38.20
2,519.66
39113
130.25
106.CQ
453.OD
300.00
584.12
313.20
313.20
[111
97.(Kl
360.00
219.00
360.00
78.59
321- Fiiend
324-Window CEeaning
326-StabDnary & Po*ge
328-Telephone
33LI- Plaques
332- Hurnidth2T Expe115P>
59D- SpringhillRoad Insuranc
591 - SpringhiH Road Rep2u5 and MeintenarKe
595-Springhill Rad Garden
951- Stanstad CLeane
952- Stattsted MaterTrals & St*pfv
954- StanstedWatEr a Sew4È
955. %￿n51ed Gas, ekdrioty. Y
956- Stansted Insuran
960- Siaristed oth*r costs af Qua￿&1Y4
961- Stansted Gafdener
235.94
144.(Q
249.97
744.uo
249.97
374.
273.06
1.328.00
450.00
1,651.00
122.64
343.61
1.613.6B
512.18
2.878.85
2,878.85
1,260.0
189.50
232.76
1.69929
563.14
492.01
1.260.00
I￿.50
232.76
1.59929
.14
49101
0.00
875.QO
o.
Other expendith fot&ts
784.
52,784.01
49,582.39
Exppnditure Grand totals
9T.￿87
97,66387
"99,78X43
I5"ma￿ 2ff24 Page 71

A6 at 31 Deeember X123
Clas$ •nd nomlnal ¢odg
Lastye
31 .. SalTfOn Walden Paeetiny Ho
2.. St8nsted House
2,7Xt.141.LKI.
39B,155.iLI
Ino.141.OD
39B,755.00
2,375,2t2.1)J
361,653.OD
003.. 88rdfieid Fk*Jse
647.893.Wtr
647,893.00
588,452.IX)
5N404.(
s￿.40&00
527,155.00
4.￿593￿
4.¥￿,593.(mI
3,852,472.00
005". 69A Hiyh Strèet Wardens Ho￿}
006.. 69 High Street
007: 2 SpriFtyill Road
334,006.Tr)
S.675.(V)
334,006.00
505,675.00
290,584.00
35.00
.19I1JO
285.193.0
3,D59.20
1,124.874.
1.124.074.0?
1,013,618.20
Curr•ntasselt. Cash 8t ba￿{ and in harnl
1QO.. CTrop Account Saffron WaideTr LM
250.. MSM B8rdaysAttwntSpr¥Will Road
310.. CLbop AcwvnlTraxtedA¥&a PAeetlng
T13.. Dunm(w P* Cash
774: D1￿m}￿c￿Op Account
9.704.90
9,704.90
8.924.01
33.4fj
2.931.75
2.931.7>
5,651
5.661.93
870.. BardfEld Cwi bar*,
871 . Ba[dr￿d Tllodos Ba￿
4.6g1.OY
4,6LII.Og
3,Q87.49
2.952_16
2.952.16
2.88157
970.. StsnstEd Ba￿aY5AcCOurrt
57,981.59
57,987.Sg
14,19t>.95
83￿.￿
81905.71
37,688.0
1a4.. COIF ￿liActI)u￿S8ff[otI Wal*n
5: COIF Iwestsllent Fund AcoJnul8tion Unh5
251 .. MSM COIF Deposft Plcourrt
11.741.23
11.741.23
29,509.56
13,202.95
10.372.29
26,037 08
13.613.38
29.Xg.
13.WL95
).140.
30.140.011
30.140.00
6.588.?2
Q40.13
351 .. AM COIF deposf(AG¢ount
352". M & G Charibmd UntsAM
353.. BMO Unts TThf Coiumbk3ThTeadneath
6.817.97
6,817.97
97(F.Tt
1174426
Il744.26
12.042.$4
23757.19
20.Q61.59
354.. AmCOIFAc￿M￿7atltin Unts
23.757.19
19524A7
I9.￿24A7
18,149.C:
48,kQ) 31
971 . Stansied CP.F Fi¥ed Inleresilnvth)Ert
972: Stansted Green Pa5tuies
15,OIK).OQ
15,OQO.00
163.808.40
163.808.40
202,￿4.￿9
5, I06,132.Li
Nettolal ass•ts
5.729.181.t1
S.729,181.f1
15 March 2024 Page 12

lastyw
1.846.1
1.846.04
Zd.213.80
{1,432.261
23?13.80
23.213.80
6.844.66
6.590.18
Dg5iqnated.AMr
DesSgn8led. B
Dewwated. 8aTthkl
OesigD*ed- Dunrnow
Des￿nated-
Designated-MSMDep
De$19￿318d- MandG
Qes>gnaled- SWLM
De5ign8ted-SmithNeph
D65Tgnatsd- Started
D¥Tgnal¢d-ZPensir>
6,844.66
14,287.16
14,222.98
14.287.16
594,421.4
550.720.84
655,44625
eth.¢Y2929
655.446.25
6D6,029.29
281,455.39
278.970.19
281,455.39
12.612.34
13.482.34
12.61134
I.￿.97
l.(WJ6.97
1.026.33
3,151.062.48
34,524.00
3.F20.751.
34.524.fKS
3,62D.757.00
34,524.00
471.135.59
439.353.26
471,136.59
122.38}
(22.381
(22.38}
5.729.181.11
5,729.181.11
5.106.132.80

to the Accounts
Tr￿￿tee Ren)uneration
Tn￿tee Expenses
There were expenses ¢lainKd by the Tr[￿eeS 2023.
Related Party Tr%nsactioDs
Ex Grati¥t Payme.nts
Contributions to BYM aDd other tharities.
Local Me¢tings agree any grants to Britain Yearty Meeting.
Saffton Walden has weekly coll(*tAolls. The cbarity to be colle¢teAI for OD a particular week
is agtted at a local meeting forbusiDCSS and individual Friends contributions iftheywish
to support the charity concerned. the last coll¢ction each month is for Itntral fiinds.
Oc¢asionally a local meetÈng for business will agree to support a partkcular appeal, often for
Local Meeting Buji ding Appeals, from Local Me¢ting fimd5" these are sbown seydfdtely in the
accounts und¢r-Grants agreed by Local Meeting-.
PagE 14

Rg¢elpts and payments
Selectsd ￿. 01 January 2023 to 31 DeCem￿r 2023
Thaxted Area laeet•¥
2023 01 January 2022
T• ￿ ol￿ber2023 31 Dec￿nber 2022
1,89b.00
28S.10
495.98
'. 75&98
2,276.10
1.755.98
276.10
ExPTrnth￿rè
402.C
f29.
780.00
10B.37
142.00
chi￿ ProtethoTh Fee
AM OffKw &TTUStee Expense5
Annual Subs Ltr4ingWage. QICJ
1&.82
148.20
1.911.02
1,5S1.37
1311.02
1.SS1.37
20FebNary 2024 Page 15

Report of the Independent Examiner
Decembcr 2023 , wbiGh set out below.
The charitys trustees are wnsible for the pryatation of the accounts.
Th¢ cbartty's t￿Ste¢S c4)nsid¢r that an audit is not required for Lhis year ulld¢r Section 144(2) of
the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) alldthat an Inde￿dent exatnination is needed.
It is my Tesponsil)ility to..
examine the acwunts wtion 145 ofth¢ 2011 Act"
to follow the pT(Kedwe5 laid dovm in the gen¢Trl Directions given by the Clwity Commi&%ion
nder sertion 145(5Xb) of the 2011 A¢L and
to state whether parti¢tdar mJtteTS b￿¢ cometo my attentiOAL
Basis gf independent examiDu's report
My cxarnin2tion was canied out in thaac¢ with the general Ditertions given b). tlke Charity
Commissiim.
ATr examinatictk includes a reviev4 of the accoillthg records kept by the cbarity and a compatison
of the accounts PT¢sented wtth those rec4)rds. Tt aLoo includcs contrderation of any unusllal items or
disclosures in the account4 s¢eking W1￿1{)￿s from InL8tees ¢4mc¢rning any such malters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidett¢¢ that woiild be reqiiired in an Riidit g.nd
consequentty no Opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a %rue aDd fair view and the
report is limited to those n]atters set out in the staiement below.
IndepeD_deDt ￿￿mine￿5 statement
In co1)n￿tiOn with my exami￿0￿ no matter has come to attentiOD:
(l} which Eiv¢s me r£asowble ¢ause to believe Ihat 1&a￿Y Materi￿ re4)ect the fequiremetkts..
to keep ac¢ountiEk.tv ths in accord￿ with section 130 of the 2011 Act and to pre￿¢ accounts
Iwhich accord with th¢ accoullting Eecords and compty with the awJ*g requiremeth5 of tht 2011
Act hav¢ not beeTh met: or
(2) to Whic￿ iD my opinio￿ attention should be drawn in OTdcrto cnable apToper Und¢r¥￿nding
of the ac¢owkts to be reached.
isls l?62q
Addr¢ss: Bentm Abbey Housw 51158b Strrt Saffron walde￿ CBIO IAF
Page 4