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2023-12-31-accounts

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2023

Charity Number 1195588

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2023

Contents Page
Trustees annual report 1 to 10
Independent examiners report 11
Statement of Financial Activities (including 12
income and expenditure account)
Balance sheet 13
Notes to the financial statements 14 to 26

Registered Address: Quaker Meeting House, West Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4ES

Trustees who served in 2022

Gillian Gill (née Moore) - Co-Clerk to March 2022; Clerk from March 2022 Barbara Adshead Elizabeth Andersen Nigel Barnes – ex officio from the Finance Group Simon Court Marcia Lemon Ian Richardson Graham Taylor Cait Foley

Bankers

Cooperative Bank PLC, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP Lloyds Bank PLC, 25 Gresham Street, London, EC20 7HN CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Barclays Bank PLC, 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP COIF, 1 Angel Lane, London, EC4R 3AB

Investment Managers

Rathbone Investment Management Ltd, 10 Queen Street, Bristol, BS1 4NT

Independent Examiner

Connected Voice , One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BX

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

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1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

1.1 Status and objectives

Northumbria Area Quaker Meeting (NAM) is one of around 70 Meetings which make up The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, also known as Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM). It was registered (number 1195588) as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in August 2021.

1.2 Object

The object of Northumbria Area Quaker Meeting is the furtherance of the general religious and charitable purposes of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain in the area of Northumbria Area Meeting and beyond.

The CIO's income and property are used solely to further the Area Meeting's object by work such as:

1.3 Trustees

Up to 12 trustees are appointed by NAM in session, on the advice of the NAM Nominations Committee. They hold office for a term of three years and may be reappointed for a second term. The trustee body in session appoints one of their number to be Clerk.

1.3.1 Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming

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resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

Trustees are responsible for the practical aspects of our Meetings such as buildings, finances, and employees. The trustees met 8 times in the course of 2023:

17[th] January 2023

30[th] March 2023

17[th] June 2023

11[th] July 2023

10[th] September 2023

18[th] October 2023

27[th] November 2023

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1.4 Statement of public benefit

The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The principal public benefit is that at least weekly each of our eight Local Meetings holds a public Meeting for Worship. Most of these Meetings are held in person, but some are blended - allowing remote internet access to people not in the physical Meeting. There are also occasional purely internet-based Meetings. Our Meeting Houses are open to the public for divine Worship.

Our Meeting Houses are also made available to suitable local community and interest groups and charities where the purpose of the user is in line with our purposes.

1.5 Governance

Meetings for church affairs, in which the Religious Society conducts its business, are Meetings for Worship based on silence, carrying the expectation that God’s guidance can be discerned if members are truly listening together and to each other. The unity that is sought depends on the willingness of all to seek the truth in each other’s utterances. There is no voting in the meetings, because the Society believes that this would emphasise the divisions between differing views and inhibit the process of seeking to know the right way forward, the will of God as expressed in the sense of the meeting.

The clerk of the meeting bears the final responsibility for preparing the business, conducting the meeting and drafting the minutes of the meeting. Minutes are drafted and read out by the clerk during the course of the meeting, but the final decision about whether a minute represents the sense of the meeting is the responsibility of the meeting itself, not of the clerk.

The Area Meeting in session, open to all members of the Area Meeting, is held about four times each year. In addition, there are four Meetings of the Area Meeting Working Group each year which deal with more routine matters. The Working Group Meetings are also open to all members.

The day-to-day administration of the Area Meeting’s affairs are conducted by a body of trustees, ordinarily containing not fewer than five or more than twelve persons.

2. REPORT ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Finance

Area meeting appoints the Finance Group and appoints one of the Finance Group as an ex-officio trustee.

During the years 2020-2022, we ran at a deficit. This was partly due to the Covid pandemic, and partly to the sale of one of our larger Meeting Houses, in Sunderland, in 2021, as our room hire income decreased sharply, while we tried to support our staff. During 2023 however, income from the hire of Meeting House rooms has again become significant, predominantly in Newcastle.

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When Sunderland Meeting House was sold in 2021, it was expected that it could be very rapidly replaced. However, it has not proved easy to do so, and with the increase of interest rates, it was decided to put the proceeds of the sale into secure short-term investments, using the Flagstone platform. End funds have been chosen for financial security, interest yield, and to ensure that their purpose is in accordance with our ethical stance. Deposits have been made in the Nationwide Building Society, the Teachers Building Society, and Reliance Bank.

The need for an urgent decision on the redevelopment of one of our Meeting Houses in Monkseaton has provoked a more wide-ranging discussion among our membership about a coherent plan for the use of our capital resources, both financial and property. It is hoped to reach an agreed conclusion about this during 2024.

The Charity acts in a custodian role for the finances of the Hexham Debates (cf point 5.2 below).

2.2 Employment

The Area Meeting employs four staff. A full time Area Meeting Resource Manager has day-to- day responsibility for all our resources, mainly the buildings which NAM owns, and works closely with the Local Meetings.

He oversees and advises on issues such as room hire, health and safety, and sustainability and the use of our IT system. We also employ a part time administrator, and part time cleaners at our Newcastle and Stocksfield Meeting Houses.

Trustees are responsible for ensuring that proper employment contracts are in place. Northumbria Area Meeting is an accredited Living Wage employer (see 2.2). It has recently been brought to the attention of trustees that one of the Northumbria Area Meetings has been paying a cleaner at a level below the legally required government’s National Living Wage for some time. This matter has been investigated and rectified. (June 2024)

2.3 Property

The Trustees have oversight of all our property issues but delegate routine matters to the Area Meeting Resources Manager (cf para 2.2 -above).

All our properties have recently had quinquennial reports, which have identified a range of major issues. The capital resource plan (see para 2.1 above) will help us to prioritise these and to decide how we will spend our reserves to best meet our objectives. We have a Property Strategy agreed 4 years ago by the Area Meeting, which will assist in this process.

The Area Meeting also owns two other properties, which are rented out at commercial rents. These are the cottage attached to Allendale Meeting House, and a legacy property in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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2.4 Safeguarding

The Area Meeting takes its responsibility for all safeguarding, especially children and adults at risk, very seriously. We have two Safeguarding Officers who proactively maintain contact with Local Meetings to ensure safeguarding issues are kept under review.

2.5 Risk assessment and management

We are very aware of the need to manage the risks we face. This is not just in finance, but includes property, employment, provision for children and young people, data protection and safeguarding. Our policies on these matters and our risk register are reviewed regularly. We remind Friends involved in organising activities and events of the importance of carrying out risk assessments in advance. This work is assisted by our Area Meeting Resources Manager.

3. LOCAL MEETINGS

The Area Meeting comprises eight Local Meetings of which four own their own Meeting Houses. The remaining four Local Meetings meet in rented premises. The Meeting House in Monkseaton is in urgent need of substantial repairs. Monkseaton Meeting started to meet in rented premises in 2023. The AM has embarked upon a fundamental review of all the owned Meeting Houses in the context of the financial strength and reserves of the AM.

Owned Meeting Houses

Rented Premises

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3.1 Membership

The members of the Area Meeting are those persons whose names are for the time being recorded in the official register maintained in accordance with Quaker Faith and Practice (“QFP”) of Britain Yearly Meeting. At 31 December 2023 membership comprised:

----- Start of picture text -----
Local Meeting Members Attenders Total
2023 2023 2023
Allendale 8 3 11
Alnwick 7 3 10
Durham 27 11 38
Hexham 16 4 20
Monkseaton 16 11 27
Newcastle 71 25 96
Stocksfield 24 7 31
Sunderland 17 3 20
Unattached 15 15
TOTAL AM 201 67 268
----- End of picture text -----

4. GENERAL MATTERS

4.1. Financial review and reserves policy

During the year the charity received income of £185,781 (2022: £141,974) and incurred expenditure of £154,235 (2022: £170,162), a surplus of £31,546 (2022: deficit of £28,188) for the year, after the £41,705 investment gain (2022: £129,235 investment loss) and this includes depreciation of £18,013 (2022: £18,382). At 31 December 2023 the charity held permanent endowment funds of £17,000 (2022: £17,000), restricted reserves of £38,083 (2022: £38,083) and unrestricted reserves of £2,402,560 (2022: £2,308,809). These figures do not include the charity’s property, shown in the accounts as £350,500 (2022: £330,000)

The Trustees Reserves Policy is to hold 12 months general expenditure plus five years expenditure for property maintenance.

4.2 Summary of main achievements

In the wake of the Covid pandemic we are now fully accustomed to regular blended Meetings for Worship and meetings for business matters in person and online. This has facilitated a greater degree of inclusion not only within the Quaker community but also amongst those community organisations whom we can serve by hiring out our premises. The online technology has strengthened the attraction of the Meeting Houses as a venue, boosting the numbers of lettings and increasing our income.

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4.3 Sustainability

For centuries Quakers have seen the responsibility to be Stewards of the Earth as central to our faith. We are mindful of the commitment of Quakers nationally to improve our sustainability on both a corporate and personal level.

The Climate Action Group- Northumbria Friends (CAG) has met monthly now for two years. Its aims: to acquire and share understanding of the Climate/Biodiversity Emergency and to take and promote effective action amongst and beyond Quakers to help mitigate and manage aspects of this crisis. CAG has been asked by an Area Meeting Minute “to ensure Greening is at the heart of all Area Meeting activities”.

4.4 Serious incidents

Safeguarding

A A safeguarding incident, which occurred on 12 March 2023, was reported to the safeguarding coordinator. He led an investigation into the occurrence, consulting the following: Friends who have pastoral responsibility in the Meeting in which the incident occurred, Mark Mitchell: Britain Yearly Meeting Safeguarding officer and The Safeguarding Advice Agency Thirty-one: eight. The Area Meeting safeguarding coordinator wrote a report which included a number of recommendations about the recognition and improvement of safeguarding procedures. This report was brought to the attention of Area Meeting trustees.

5. ACTIVITIES

5.1 Strengthening the life and witness of Quaker meetings both in the area of Northumbria Area Meeting and beyond .

The principal activity of the Northumbria Area Quaker Meeting is the holding of Meetings for Worship in the constituent Local Meetings: Allendale, Alnwick, Durham, Hexham, Monkseaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, Stocksfield and Sunderland. All members of the Area Meeting are entitled to take part in Meetings for Church Affairs which inter alia appoint the trustees.

5.2 Spreading the message of Quakers and interpreting and developing the thought and practice of the Religious Society.

This is done mainly through our Meetings for worship and related activities.

The Hexham Debates

One Meeting supports an initiative called The Hexham Debates (https://hexhamdebates.wordpress.com). This was established by a member of one Meeting 17 years ago to carry on “a tradition of active radical debate essential for ensuring freedom and justice for all”. The Debates are a series of public lectures, widely acclaimed in the surrounding area. Well-known speakers who are expert in their fields draw large audiences for lively discussions about topical subjects.

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Friends on Fridays

'Friends on Fridays' has been part of another Meeting's initiative with the support of its members and involves discussions around Quaker and non-Quaker topics. These gatherings are open to all who wish to attend and attract non-Quakers.

The Climate Action Group

CAG members have links with other Quaker and non-Quaker groups: the Quaker Ecochurch support group, Living Witness, Newcastle Climate Action Group. They took part in the Loving Earth Project, i.e. painting workshops to create pictures expressing the Climate/Biodiversity Emergency. A dozen of these paintings reproduced on a weatherproof banner now adorns the front of Newcastle Meeting House, after a period on display at Westminster at the request of Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

5.3 Undertaking Quaker service for the relief of suffering at home and abroad.

The Area Meeting has connections to Ramallah School in Palestine. For several years we have maintained an interest in this Quaker run, non-sectarian school. Friends have travelled there to visit; we invite two pupils to spend time in our Northern Young Friends summer school. After an interruption because of COVID-19, NCRN (Northumbria Conflict Resolution Network, see 5.4) has reviewed and renewed work on relations with the Friends School Ramallah and looks forward to a continuation of the exchanges between young British Quakers and their peers who have grown up in a situation of conflict.

The Area Meeting supports four Quaker Chaplains in their work in local hospitals, prisons, and universities.

5.4 Funding the concerns that Quaker meetings in the area of Northumbria Area Meeting or beyond have adopted or agreed to support .

Northern Friends Peace Board and Northumbria Conflict Resolution Network

The Area Meeting makes an annual donation to the Northern Friends Peace Board (https://nfpb.org.uk/ ) and provides a trustee for that organisation.

Northumbria Area Meeting itself seeks to prevent damaging conflict and promote positive wellbeing by establishing or supporting a range of local projects through the work of the Northumbria Conflict Resolution Network (NCRN).

In 2023, NCRN drew to a close a project on mindfulness in schools in East Newcastle. Training for staff in the schools was facilitated by the Mindfulness in Schools Project, funded by the Quaker Mental Health Fund via NCRN. This followed earlier work, funded by NCRN in association with Partnership for Children, to develop the Zippy’s Friends materials to promote emotional awareness amongst children.

NCRN has a history of facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges and is currently working on resources to foster awareness of trauma in community contexts and is renewing its interest in the issues faced by the children of people in prison.

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Tyne and Wear Citizens

The Area Meeting supported the founding of Tyne and Wear Citizens, part of Citizens UK (https://www.citizensuk.org/chapters/tyne-and-wear/) in 2015 and continues to be a member organisation. In 2023 Northumbria Quakers have taken an active part in the Living Wage and Green, Fair, Healthy action teams and contributed to a listening exercise across Tyne and Wear Citizens culminating in a November Delegates Assembly to agree the upcoming campaign priorities: Racial Justice in Education; Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis; a more Just Housing system for the region.

Skimstone Arts

Skimstone Arts (www.skimstone.org.uk), led by two Friends from Newcastle Meeting, is concerned with “socially engaged arts” which promote equality and visibility in the arts and society. Their mission is to support diverse artists and communities and those at risk of social isolation, to create work for and about the world that matters to them. They have three core areas of delivery:

The Area Meeting has supported the work of Skimstone Arts through legacy funding.

5.5 Providing for the pastoral care of individual members and attenders including assistance to those in need and for education .

Each Local Meeting appoints elders and pastoral friends whose role it is to support Members and Attenders both spiritually and practically. The Area Meeting and Local Meetings set aside funds to support the elders and pastoral friends in this work. In addition, the Area Meeting appoints a Registering Officer who is responsible for supporting Friends who wish to marry. Each Local Meeting has a small committee to support families of Friends who have died. Friends and Attenders are encouraged to attend courses to develop their Quaker witness. Funding is available to support attendance at such courses. The Area Meeting supports the Northern Friends Youth Education Trust with an annual donation and supports young people who wish to attend events provided by the Trust. Local Meetings run Bible study and book groups.

18.07.2024 Approved by the trustees on

and signed on their behalf by

Douglas Rennie Clerk to trustees

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

For the year ended 31 December 2023

I report on the financial statements of Northumbria Area Meeting Of The Religious Society Of Friends (Quakers) In Britain for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 12 to 26.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2022 ("the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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

Doug Maltman FMAAT Fellow Member of the Association of Accountancy Technicians Connected Voice Business Services One Strawberry Lane Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BX Date: 18.07.2024

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the year ended 31 December 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
For the
period 20
August 2021
to 31
Funds Funds Funds 2023 December
£ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 107,120 - - 107,120 80,953
Bequests and legacies 6 16,838 - - 16,838 -
Holding public meetings 7 5,650 - - 5,650 19,294
Other trading activities 8 28,471 - - 28,471 21,145
Investment income 9 27,702 - - 27,702 20,582
Total income 185,781 - - 185,781 141,974
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 10 5,591 - - 5,591 3,852
Holding of public meetings 11 148,644 - - 148,644 166,310
- -
Total expenditure 154,235 154,235 170,162
- -
Net income/(expenditure) before 31,546 31,546 ( 28,188 )
investment gains/(losses)
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed 18 20,500 - - 20,500 -
Net gains/(losses) on investments 19 41,705 - - 41,705 ( 129,235 )
Net movement of funds 93,751 - - 93,751 ( 157,423 )
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 2,308,809 38,083 17,000 2,363,892 2,521,315
Total funds carried forward 2,402,560 38,083 17,000 2,457,643 2,363,892
Notes
----- End of picture text -----

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 14 to 26 form an integral part of these accounts.

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

BALANCE SHEET

Charity Number 1195588

As at 31/12/2023

Fixed assets
Tangible assets
17
Investment property
18
Investments
19
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
20
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Creditors:amounts falling due within
one year
21
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets or liabilities
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
23
Revaluation reserves
23
Restricted fund
23
Endowment fund
23
Total funds
Notes		 £
15,001
718,798
733,799
( 7,833 )		 Total
2023
£
690,612
350,500
690,565
1,731,677
725,966
2,457,643
2,457,643
2,252,560
150,000
38,083
17,000
2,457,643		 £
19,148
695,441
714,589
( 6,777 )		 Total
2022
£
708,625
330,000
617,455
1,656,080
707,812
2,363,892
2,363,892
2,158,809
150,000
38,083
17,000
2,363,892

The notes on pages 14 to 26 form an integral part of these accounts.

18.07.2024

These financial statements were approved by the Board on:

and are signed on its behalf by:

Douglas Rennie Clerk to trustees

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1 Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2 Basis of accounting

2.1 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective October 2019) – Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2022.

Northumbria Area Meeting Of The Religious Society Of Friends (Quakers) In Britain meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

2.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The charity reported total unrestricted funds at the year end of £2,457,643 and has already secured a significant amount of funding for the current year. The trustees are of the view that the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months is secure and that on this basis the charity is a going concern.

On 25th January 2022 trustees received an Order under s.105 Charities Act 2022 by which the Charity Commission authorised the transfer of the assets and liabilities of The Trustees of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain – Northumbria Area Meeting, charity number 1134532 (an unincorporated charitable trust) to the newly formed CIO Northumbria Area Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, charity number 1195588 (a charitable incorporated organisation). The assets and liabilities of the unincorporated charity have therefore been transferred under merger accounting. The Unincorporated charity is deemed to be a going concern as the assets have been transferred under merger agreement. The accounts have therefore been presented as continuing to operate and all assets and liabilities remain at book or fair value as per the accounting notes.

3 Income

3.1 Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the resources, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is more likely than not that the resources will be received and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability

3.2 Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS102 SORP or FRS102.

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

3.3 Grants and donations

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

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria of income recognition are met.

3.4 Volunteer help

The value of volunteer help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual report.

3.5 Interest receivable

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

3.6 Investment gains and losses

This includes any realised or unrealised gains or losses on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

3.7 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

In December 2007 members of Stewardship Committee had a meeting with two officials of the Charity Commission to discuss the process of charitable registration which will affect about a third of our AMs during 2008. At this meeting we learned some points about the presentation of our accounts, in response to questions raised some time ago.

Local meetings, within which Friends meet and worship regularly, are regarded as "branches" of the area meeting, which is the overarching body and the charity for registration purposes. Each local meeting needs funds to run; it accounts for the stewardship of these funds to the area meeting. The AM treasurer reports by presenting a set of accounts that incorporates the local meeting accounts (see Quaker faith & practice §4.07 l; revised to become §4.10 in 2007).

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

3.7 Fund accounting (continued)

In order to differentiate how Funds can be used, they are categorised according to the following definitions:

Unrestricted Funds (UF) - Funds which are freely available for any purpose of Northumbria Area Meeting.

Designated Funds (DF) - are a subcategory of UF, and are funds which have been set aside for specific purposes, but which remain at the discretion of the Area Meeting. Following the advice of the Charity Commission, given above, Local Meeting Funds and the various Funds held at Area Meeting level are "Designated".

Restricted Funds (RF) - Funds which have been earmarked by the donor or testator for certain specific purposes.

Endowment Funds (EF) - Funds in which the capital must be preserved and only the income may be used for general or specific purposes as specified by the donor or testator.

Northumbria Area Meeting Trustees agreed that the categorisation of funds should follow the advice of the Charity Commission.

4 Expenditure and liabilities

4.1 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

4.2 Charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of grant offerings and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

4.3 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance cost and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

4.4 Creditors

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

4.5 Provisions for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

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NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

5 Assets

5.1 Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity

Individual fixed assets costing500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis, the charity does not currently have any tangible fixed assets:

Freehold 2% Straight line Investment property No depreciation Computer equipment 33% Straight line

The functional properties in this Area Meeting comprise 4 Meeting Houses.

Allendale Meeting House, Wooley Burnfoot, Allendale, NE47 9AA Newcastle Meeting House West Avenue, Gosforth, NE3 4ES Monkseaton Meeting House, 23 Front Street, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, NE25 8A Stocksfield Meeting House, Branch End, Stocksfield, NE43 7NA

These properties are held for the furtherance of the Area Meeting's charitable purposes.

There is, in addition, investment properties in the locations of the Newcastle Local Meeting area and the Allendale Local Meeting area.

After careful review of the guidance contained in the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting by Charities" (2005 edition) the trustees decided with effect from 31st December 2009 to include the above properties on the Balance Sheet at a reasonable estimate of their current value. open market valuations were Newcastle Local Meeting area £35,500 and Allendale Local Meeting area £135,00 as at 31 December 2023.

A revaluation was carried out by the trustees of all the functional and investment properties on a fair value basis as at 31st December 2012. Changes in fair value are transferred to the Revaluation Reserve.

5.2 Investments

Fixed asset investments in quoted shares, traded bonds and similar investments are valued at initially at cost and subsequently at fair value (their market value) at the year end. The same treatment is applied to unlisted investments unless fair value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment.

Investments held for resale or pending their sale and cash and cash equivalents with a maturity date of less than 1 year are treated as current asset investments.

Investment property is shown at most recent valuation. Any aggregate surplus or deficit arising from changes in fair value is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

17

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Analysis of income

6
Funding
Bequests and legacies
7
Holding public meetings
Friends payment
Conf/events
8
Other trading activities
Sales
Other income
Meeting House lettings
9
Investment Income
Investment property rent
Dividends
Interest
Analysis of expenditure on charitable
10 Raising funds
Investment management fees		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
16,838
16,838
5,650
-
5,650
51
984
27,436
28,471
10,203
14,533
2,966
27,702
activities
Unrestricted
Funds
£
5,591
5,591		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Funds
£
-
-
Endownment
Endowment		 Total
2023
£
16,838
16,838
5,650
-
5,650
51
984
27,436
28,471
10,203
14,533
2,966
27,702
Total
2023
£
5,591
5,591		 Total
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
2022
£
-
-
12,500
6,794
19,294
10
8,283
12,852
21,145
9,199
10,754
629
20,582
Total
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
2022
£
3,852
3,852

18

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

11 Holding of public meetings
Direct costs
Salaries and wages
Children and Young People
Rates and water
Premises Insurance
Light and heat
Staff expenses
Advertising
Cleaning
Clerks and Treasurer expenses
Elders
Overseers
Office costs
Subscriptions
Books and literature
Event costs
IT costs
Conference
Contributions to BYM
Grant to other Quakers
Grant to non Quakers
Rent
Security
Maintenance
Repairs
Other premises costs
Equipment purchases
Payroll fees
Depreciation
Other expenditure
Support costs
Independent examination
Professional fees		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
32,838
406
741
7,563
7,196
4,495
1,467
3,616
31
20
427
3,410
1,854
759
6,366
323
3,653
20,140
3,498
-
5,477
581
4,240
6,141
1,100
920
377
18,013
3,141
6,243
3,608
148,644		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Endowment		 Total
2023
£
32,838
406
741
7,563
7,196
4,495
1,467
3,616
31
20
427
3,410
1,854
759
6,366
323
3,653
20,140
3,498
-
5,477
581
4,240
6,141
1,100
920
377
18,013
3,141
6,243
3,608
148,644		 Total
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
2022
£
35,440
1,973
533
7,893
8,164
2,300
510
1,891
527
158
14
2,023
1,811
529
6,275
369
2,192
23,948
7,571
784
4,558
1,866
3,910
17,426
640
3,814
418
18,382
-
3,587
6,804
166,310

19

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

12 Fees for examination of the accounts

Independent examiner's fees for reporting on the accounts
Other accountancy services paid to the examiner
There were no other fees paid to the examiner (2022: £nil).		 2023
£
3,243
3,000
6,243		 For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
£
3,587
-
3,587

13 Analysis of staff costs and the cost of key management personnel

Salaries and wages
Employers NI
Pension costs		 2023
£
29,292
2,594
952
32,838		 For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
£
31,542
2,835
1,063
35,440

No employee received remuneration above £60,000 (2022: £nil)

The key management personnel of the charity, comprise the Trustees. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £nil.

14 Staff numbers

The average monthly head count was 1 staff (2022: 1 staff) and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year were as follows:

Charitable activities
The parts of the charity in which the employee's work		 2023
Number
1.0
1.0		 For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
Number
1.0
1.0

20

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

15 Transactions with trustees

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustees' expenses

No trustee expenses have been incurred in the year.

Transaction(s) with related parties

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.

16 Corporation Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives.

17 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
Balance brought forward
Additions
Disposals
Balance carried forward
Depreciation
Basis
Rate
Balance brought forward
Depreciation charge for year
Disposals
Balance carried forward
Net book value
Brought forward
Carried forward		 Computer
Equipment
£
938
-
-
938
SL
33.0%
313
313
-
626
625
312		 Freehold
Property
£
885,000
-
-
885,000
SL
2.5%
177,000
17,700
-
194,700
708,000
690,300		 Total
£
885,938
-
-
885,938
177,313
18,013
-
195,326
708,625
690,612

The following are the properties included in the Freehold Property fixed.

Property name
Allendale Meeting house
Monkseaton Meeting House
Newcastle Meeting house
Stocksfield Meeting House
Balance carried forward		 Cost
£
100,000
200,000
525,000
60,000
885,000		 Depreciation
£
( 22,000 )
( 44,000 )
( 115,500 )
( 13,200 )
( 194,700 )		 NBV
£
78,000
156,000
409,500
46,800
690,300

21

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

18 Investment Property

Carrying (fair) value at the beginning of period
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
Carrying (fair) value at end of year		 2023
£
330,000
-
-
20,500
350,500		 period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
2022
£
330,000
-
-
-
330,000

Allendale Meeting House Cottage was valued at an advise market asking price of £220,000. Newcastle 39 Benton Park Road was valued at an advise market asking price of £110,000 based on a vacant possession value.

Listed
19 Investment
£
Carrying (fair) value at the beginning of period
613,226
Revaluation
41,705
Carrying (fair) value at end of year
654,931
20 Debtors and prepayments (receivable within 1 year)
Gift aid claim
Other debtors
Prepayments		 Unlisted
£
35,634
-
35,634
2023
£
5,927
8,274
800
15,001		 2023
£
648,860
41,705
690,565
For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
£
11,415
4,213
3,520
19,148		 For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
£
746,690
( 129,235 )
617,455

22

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

21 Creditors and accruals (payable within 1 year)

Other creditors
Accruals		 2023
£
3,000
4,833
7,833		 For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
£
6,588
189
6,777

22 Events after the end of the reporting period

No other events (not requiring adjustment to the accounts) have occurred after the end of the reporting period but before the accounts are authorised which relate to conditions that arose after the end of the reporting period.

23

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23 Analysis of charitable funds

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Fund
balances
brought
forward
Unrestricted funds
£
Area Meeting General
( 27,545 )
Area Meeting Buildings
( 48,311 )
Allendale Local Meeting
188,979
Alnwick Local Meeting
3,447
Durham Local Meeting
19,150
Hexham Local Meeting
10,079
Monkseaton Local Meeting
170,354
Newcastle Local Meeting
Stocksfield Local Meeting
83,883
Sunderland Local Meeting
487,127
Fund
balances
brought
forward
Revaluation reserve
£
Allendale Local Meeting
120,000
Newcastle Local Meeting
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Fund
balances
brought
forward
Unrestricted funds
£
Area Meeting General
( 27,545 )
Area Meeting Buildings
5,318
Allendale Local Meeting
187,473
Alnwick Local Meeting
3,072
Durham Local Meeting
16,349
Hexham Local Meeting
6,745
Monkseaton Local Meeting
171,665
Newcastle Local Meeting
Stocksfield Local Meeting
81,399
Sunderland Local Meeting
479,094
1,392,662
2,316,232
1,271,646
2,158,809
30,000
150,000		 Income
resource
£
-
55,379
2,822
2,540
5,955
6,067
5,495
72,402
12,118
4,805
167,583
Income
resource
£
-
-
-
Income
resource
£
-
24,914
5,170
1,345
6,003
5,453
4,652
69,736
13,194
11,507
141,974		 Resources
expended
£
-
( 39,361 )
( 2,811 )
( 1,640 )
( 2,642 )
( 2,907 )
( 2,214 )
( 36,912 )
( 5,325 )
( 1,382 )
( 95,194 )
Resources
expended
£
-
-
-
Resources
expended
£
-
( 78,543 )
( 3,664 )
( 970 )
( 3,202 )
( 2,119 )
( 5,963 )
( 61,517 )
( 10,710 )
( 3,474 )
( 170,162 )		 Transfers
£
2,025,172
32,293
( 182,190 )
( 2,835 )
( 10,824 )
( 6,633 )
( 164,522 )
( 1,166,385 )
( 48,531 )
( 475,545 )
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Gains /
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
41,705
-
-
41,705
Gains /
(losses)
£
15,000
5,500
20,500
Gains /
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 129,235 )
-
-
( 129,235 )		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
1,997,627
-
6,800
1,512
11,639
6,606
9,113
182,456
42,145
15,005
2,272,903
Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
135,000
35,500
170,500
Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
( 27,545 )
( 48,311 )
188,979
3,447
19,150
10,079
170,354
1,271,646
83,883
487,127
2,158,809

24

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23 Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2022

Revaluation reserve
Allendale Local Meeting
Newcastle Local Meeting		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
120,000
30,000
150,000		 Income
resource
£
-
-
-		 Resources
expended
£
-
-
-		 Transfers
£
-
-
-		 Gains /
(losses)
£
-
-
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
120,000
30,000
150,000

General unrestricted fund The 'free reserves' for the local areas Revaluation reserve Investment property revaluation reserves per note 16

Analysis of charitable funds

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Fund
balances
brought
forward
Restricted funds
£
McClelland Legacy
38,083
Endowment
Newcastle
10,000
Stocksfield
7,000
55,083
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Fund
balances
brought
forward
Restricted funds
£
McClelland Legacy
38,083
Endowment
Newcastle
10,000
Stocksfield
7,000
55,083		 Income
resource
£
-
-
-
-
Income
resource
£
-
-
-
-		 Resources
expended
£
-
-
-
-
Resources
expended
£
-
-
-
-		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-		 Gains /
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
Gains /
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
38,083
10,000
7,000
55,083
Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
38,083
10,000
7,000
55,083

25

NORTHUMBRIA AREA MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) IN BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Purpose of restricted funds

Restricted funds represent income resources used for a specific purpose within the charity as identified by the donor

McClelland Legacy A legacy of £100,000 was received in 2014 from the estate of the late Grigor McClelland. The terms of the legacy are:

(a) I GIVE the sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds to the NEWCASTLE LOCAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS to be used for the purposes of individual and corporate development and 'outreach' and services to benefit the local community.

Endowment funds During the Year Ended 31 December 2023, there was no movement in the Stocksfield Endowment Fund which had a balance of £7,000. There was also no movement in the Newcastle Endowment Fund (Regnart Legacy) of £10,000 which was received in 2012 by Newcastle Local Meeting and used as investments.

24 Capital commitments

As at 31/12/2023, the charity had no capital commitments (2022: £nil).

25 Analysis of net assets between funds

Current assets - debtors
Cash at bank
Current liabilities - creditors
Investments
Tangible fixed assets		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
690,612
986,276
15,001
718,504
( 7,833 )
2,402,560		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
54,789
-
( 16,706 )
-
38,083		 Funds
£
-
-
-
17,000
-
17,000
Endowment		 Total
2023
£
690,612
1,041,065
15,001
718,798
( 7,833 )
2,457,643		 Total
For the
period 20
August
2021 to 31
December
2022
£
708,625
947,455
19,148
695,441
( 6,777 )
2,363,892

26