British Friends of Quaker Council for European Affairs Registered charity 293776
APPROVED VERSION
Registered Address: C/O Finance and Property, Religious Society of Friends, Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ.
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2021
1. Purpose, Objectives and Activities
British Friends of Quaker Council for European Affairs (BfoQCEA) is a Quaker charity whose main purpose is to promote Quaker values at the European level. These values are based on Quaker testimonies to peace, integrity, simplicity, equality and good stewardship of the planet, which we commend to everyone. The Charity is also referred to as the British Committee of Quaker Council for European Affairs in our Governing Document.
The purpose of BfoQCEA is primarily achieved by supporting the work of Quaker Council For European Affairs (QCEA), an international non-profit charitable organisation registered and based in Brussels, Belgium and by promoting the work of QCEA within Britain Yearly Meeting, the national Quaker Church in Britain. Detailed information about the work of QCEA can be found here: https://www.qcea.org.
BfoQCEA raises sterling funds largely through unsolicited donations from individuals, Quaker Meetings and Charitable Trusts; acts as agent in the collection of some direct grants to QCEA such as that made by Britain Yearly Meeting; acts as agent in the collection of some membership and service fees charged by QCEA and makes sterling payments on behalf of QCEA such as the rent for Quaker House Brussels where QCEA is based.
BfoQCEA participates in the governance of QCEA by appointing a member of its Council, as do Britain Yearly Meeting and each of the Quaker Yearly Meetings in Europe. QCEA relies for funding from year to year entirely on the Yearly Meetings, Quaker Meetings, individual Friends and Quaker and other Charitable Trusts. BfoQCEA promotes the work of QCEA so that British Friends and other interested people are aware of the important work of speaking truth to power at the European level.
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In addition to fund raising, in 2021 the charity participated in the annual gathering of Quakers in Britain by holding two events to promote the work of QCEA and also commenced joint work with Northern Friends Peace Board (https://nfpb.org.uk) and QCEA to prepare an event on the relationship between militarism and climate change as a follow up to COP 26. This event took place in January 2022 and will be described in our 2022 Annual Report.
2. Governance
The Trustees of the charity have met regularly via Zoom video-conferencing throughout 2021.
At the time this Annual Report was approved the Trustees were:
John Crosfield Sarah Dodgson Marcie Winstanley Simon Bond Andrew Jameson Sue Myers Martin Hughes Elspeth Wollen Rebecca Gumbrell-McCormick Martin Ford
John Crosfield is the Clerk (Chair) and Martin Ford is the Treasurer.
A copy of our Governing Document and annual financial returns can be found on the Charities Commission website here: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/cy/charity-search/-/charity-details/293776.
John Crosfield was appointed as a member of the Executive Committee of QCEA in January 2022.
3. Financial Summary
The Income of the charity during 2021 was £186,424. This compares with £72,939 in 2020. The very significant increase in income for 2021 chiefly resulted from a number of donations from UK Registered Charitable Trusts, including a single donation of £85,000. Donations from Quaker Meetings also increased, but donations from individuals decreased. Our General Fund reserve at the end of the year was £8,883. The continuing Covid 19 pandemic prevented study tours of the work of QCEA, resulting in no requirement for bursary funding.
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We are pleased to be able to report that we were able to make a donation to QCEA of £182,798 in 2021.
| Donations to QCEA |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 182,798 | 63,000 | 83,000 | 88,000 | 59,250 |
| Euros | 210,823 | 70,280 | 95,590 | 96,681 | 66,876 |
This donation represents the most significant activity of the charity during 2021.
4. Looking ahead to 2022
During 2022 we will continue our core work of promoting Quaker values of peace and reconciliation by supporting, promoting and fund-raising for the work of QCEA with Quakers and Quaker Meetings throughout Britain. At the time of writing this report, the war in Ukraine continues and we are working with Friends World Council for Consultation (FWCC) to enable the raising of funds for relief of suffering of Ukrainian refugees.
We are also considering ways of clarifying the governance of the charity and simplifying our financial reporting where possible and appropriate.
5. Public Benefit
The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. British Friends of QCEA supports work that benefits the public in Britain as a part of Europe’s sphere of influence and elsewhere in the world by promoting the values of peace and human rights embodied in the Quaker testimonies to peace, simplicity integrity, and equality.
Signed: John Crosfield
John Crosfield, Clerk, April 05 2022
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6. Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of the British Committee of the Quaker Council for European Affairs
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity's trustees of the British Committee of the Quaker Council for European Affairs you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the British Committee of the Quaker Council for European Affairs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the British Committee of the Quaker Council for European Affairs as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and 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.
David Olver 18 February 2022
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Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ending 31st December 2021
| Income Note Gifts and donations 2 Conference fees 2 Interest 2 Receipts for QCEA 2 Total incoming resources Charitable Expenditure QHB rent paid by BfoQCEA BfoQCEA Grant to QCEA 3 Bursaries Acting for QCEA 3 Sub-total Governance (QCEA Trustee) Bank charges Admin & publicity Total resources expended Net incoming resources Gains/(losses) on investments Net movement in funds Transfers between funds Brought forward 1st January Carried forward 31st December |
Unrestricted funds | Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | Restricted funds | Restricted funds | Total 2021 |
Total 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General fund |
QCEA fund |
Ramallah Bursary |
DW Saunders | ||||
| Capital | Income | ||||||
| 186,421 0 3 1,613 186,424 1,613 6,062 176,487 0 1,613 |
0 0 0 0 |
0 98 0 98 0 0 0 |
186,421 0 101 1,613 188,135 6,062 176,487 0 1,613 |
72,931 0 216 25,538 98,685 6,152 63,000 0 25,974 |
|||
| 182,549 1,613 249 96 355 |
184,162 249 96 355 |
95,126 0 60 0 |
|||||
| 183,249 1,613 3,175 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 0 98 (98) |
184,862 3,273 (98) |
95,186 3,498 (138) |
|||
| 3,175 0 0 |
0 | (98) 98 0 0 |
3,175 0 |
3,360 0 |
|||
| 5,707 (225) |
1,103 | 17,218 607 |
24,410 | 21,031 | |||
| 8,883 (225) |
1,103 | 17,120 705 |
27,586 | 24,391 |
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Balance Sheet as of 31st December 2021
| 2.5% Index Linked Treasury 2024 Bond Fixed Assets CAF Bank current account CAF Bank Gold account Debtors & prepayments Current Assets Less creditors due within one year Net Assets |
9,123 9,123 9,221 |
9,123 9,123 9,221 |
|---|---|---|
| 100 100 8,783 (225) 1,103 7,997 705 18,362 |
100 15,070 |
|
| 8,883 (225) 1,103 7,997 705 27,586 0 0 |
24,391 0 |
|
| 8,883 (225) 1,103 17,120 705 27,586 |
24,391 |
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BfoQCEA = British Friends of Quaker House Brussels (also known as British Committee of QCEA, the term used by the Independent Examiner)
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QCEA = Quaker Council For European Affairs
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QHB = Quaker House Brussels
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DW Saunders funds were generated by an appeal in The Friend magazine to support the provision on bursaries for individuals to visit Brussels and learn more of QCEA’s work.
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Ramallah Bursary was specifically created to enable students at Ramallah School to visit Brussels and learn more of QCEA’s work. This fund has been exhausted for several years.
Note 1 Accounting Policies
A) Basis of accounting:
The accounts have been prepared:
1) On the accruals basis, with all known debtors and creditors at the year-end included in the figures for the year to which they relate.
2) Under the historic cost convention, but with investments shown at market value B) Foreign currencies
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are converted into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction.
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Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are converted into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the end of the Financial Year.
Note 2 General Fund Income
| Gifts & donations Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) Trusts Quaker Meetings Individuals From part of Ireland Yearly Meeting Other donations Conference fees Interest Bank interest Receipts for QCEA Direct Grants Associate Membership subs Supporting Membership subs Around Europe subscriptions Study Tour - UK participants Brussels Conference Fees BYM for European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) BYM landlord's expenses Miscellaneous Inc received for QCEA Sub-total Total income |
2021 £ 31,000 £ 121,200 £ 13,777 £ 14,953 £ 970 £ 4,522 £- £ 186,421 £ 3 £ 186,424 £ - £- £ 186,424 1,577 0 36 1,613£ 1,613 |
2021 £ 31,000 £ 121,200 £ 13,777 £ 14,953 £ 970 £ 4,522 £- £ 186,421 £ 3 £ 186,424 £ - £- £ 186,424 1,577 0 36 1,613£ 1,613 |
2020 £ 25,564 £ 11,400 £ 10,129 £ 24,292 £ 1,545 £ - £- £ 72,931 £ 9 £ 72,939 £ 21,764 21,764 £ 94,703 2,561 460 172 3,193£ 3,193 |
2020 £ 25,564 £ 11,400 £ 10,129 £ 24,292 £ 1,545 £ - £- £ 72,931 £ 9 £ 72,939 £ 21,764 21,764 £ 94,703 2,561 460 172 3,193£ 3,193 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 186,421 £ 3 |
£ 72,931 £ 9 |
|||
| £ 186,424 £- |
£ 72,939 21,764 |
|||
| £ 186,424 £ 1,613 |
£ 94,703 £ 3,193 |
|||
| 1,613 | 3,193 | |||
| £ 188,037 | ||||
| 0 0 0 0 0 |
£ 1,613 | 150 431 0 0 1 |
£ 25,538 | |
| £ 188,037 | £ 98,478 |
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Note 3 Periodic transfers to QCEA
Periodically, BfoQCEA make a transfer to QCEA in Brussels comprised as follows: A) A grant made by BfoQCEA to QCEA to fund its work (Notes 4 and 5) B) Add amounts received in Sterling on behalf of QCEA and transferred to them C) Deduct Sterling expenses incurred by QCEA and paid on behalf of QCEA
| Payment 15 April 23 April 14 July 16 December Plus amounts awaiting transfer Total |
BfoQCEA grant Bursaries £ 100.00 £ - £ 50,777.98 £ - £ 99,315.98 £ - £ 32,604.55 £- |
Sterling receipts Less Sterling expenses Total £ - £ - £ 100.00 £ 638.00 -£ 1,515.98 £ 49,900.00 £ 200.00 -£ 1,515.98 £ 98,000.00 £ 775.00 -£ 3,279.55 £ 30,100.00 |
|---|---|---|
| £ 182,798.51 £ - |
£ 1,613.00 -£ 6,311.51 £ 178,100.00 0 1,613 |
Note 4 BfoQCEA grant to QCEA
For 2021, British Friends of QCEA agreed to make a grant to QCEA of £182,798.51. This was made up of the payments below. Sterling expenses paid on behalf of QCEA are deducted from the grant. BfoQCEA pays the rent for Quaker House Brussels (QHB) to the landlords BYM, on behalf of QCEA.
Note 5 Transferring Sterling payments to QCEA in Euros
| Sterling | Euro | Sterling | Euro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment | Exchange rate | grant | equivalent | transfer | equivalent |
| 15 April | 1.102900 | £ 100.00 | € 110.29 | £ 100.00 | € 110.29 |
| 23 April | 1.138400 | £ 50,777.98 | € 57,805.65 | £ 49,900.00 | € 56,806.16 |
| 14 July | 1.158000 | £ 99,315.98 | € 115,007.90 | £ 98,000.00 | € 113,484.00 |
| 16 December | 1.162400 | £ 32,604.55 | € 37,899.53 | £ 30,100.00 | € 34,988.24 |
| Totals | £182,798.51 | € 210,823.38 | £ 178,100.00 | € 205,388.69 |
Signed: John Crosfield, Clerk, 5 April 2022 Signed: Martin Ford, Treasurer, 5 April 2022
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