OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-04-30-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT OF LEICESTER SIKH CENTRE &GURU AMARDAS GURDWARA (TRUST)

APRIL 2023 TO APRIL 2024

Leicester Sikh Centre as umbrella body has set up different services under different headings to fulfil different community needs

1: GURU AMARDAS GURDWARA: To meet all the religious needs of the community,hold morning and evening service.Daily special programme every Wednesdays and Fridays. All the weekend services on Saturdays and Sundays.Provide celebrate child birth ,Birthdays, weddings,Death services to name few.Gurdwara is open daily from 5.00am to 8.00pm 365 days of the year.

2 LUNCHEON CLUB

Originally it was set up with the help of the social services of Leicester City Council to provide lunch to 40 people very nominal amount was paid by city council for few years.Then city council stopped paying saying they have no funds. But centre has kept the Luncheon club going and it is very popular with congregation 50-80 people attend every week

3 FITNESS CLASSES

Fitness classes are held for men and women separately every Wednesdays and Fridays.

4 EDUCATION

Punjabi school is being run by the centre to teach language and culture.

5 LIBRARY

With the help of volunteers from management committee library is organised. This meet the needs of school; children and congregation. Computers and photocopy service is provided in the library.

6 GURDWARA VISITS

Are arranged for different school children and different groups like church people, police cadets and even army cadets.International students from Leicester University and Demontfort University come to visit Gurdwara and students come for free food every day.

7 SPORTS

A football team is playing in the lower league under the name of this gurdwara. From time to time we support Football team and KABBADI team and provide free food for their Tournaments.

8 CHARITABLE WORK

Although we are a charity. From time to time we do fund raising for other International charities like KHALSA AID,AND PINGLEWARA TRUST IN INDIA

9 We are fully joined up other similar charities of other religious like church and Hindu temples.

10 LOCAL BODIES

We are always in discussion with local authority to see how we can help each other.We hold regular discussions with Leicestershire Police and other local bodies like councillors and MP.

11 CCTV SYSTEM IS MAINTAINED IN the centre for security purposes burglar Alarm and Fire Alarm are regularly maintained.

We feel we had a good year and we are always looking at ways how can we improve services for the community.

Kind regards

S S SANGHA

CHAIRMAN

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1017427

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

for

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 14
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 15 to 16

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 April 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objectives of the charity as laid down in the Declaration of Trust dated 1 November 2014 are;

Page 1

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Significant activities

Leicester Sikh Centre as an umbrella body has set up different services under different headings to fulfill different community needs:

Guru Amardas Gurdwara: to meet all religious needs of the community, hold morning and evening service. Daily special programme every Wednesday and Friday. All the weekend services on Saturday and Sunday. Provide celebrate child birth, birthdays, weddings, death services to name a few. The Gurudwara is open daily from 5.00am to 8. 00pm 365 days of the year.

Luncheon club : Originally it was set up with the help of the sociol services of leicester City Council to provide lunch to 40 people and a nominal amount was paid by the city council for a few years. The city council then stopped paying as funds were low but the Leicester Sikh Centre has kept the luncheon club going and it very popular with the congregation and around 50-80 people attend each week.

Fitness classes: are held for men and women separately every Wednesday and Friday.

Education: Punjabi school is being run by the centre to teach language and culture.

Library: with the help of volunteers from the management committee, the library is organised. This meets the needs of the school, children and congregation. Computers and photocopy services are also provided by the library.

Gurdwara visits: are arranged for different school children and different groups such as church groups, police cadets and even army cadets. International students from Leicester University and Demontfort University come to visit the Gurdwara and student come for free food every day.

Sports: A football team plays in the lower league under the name of this gurdwara. From time to time we support the football and kabbadi team and provide free food for their tournaments.

Charitable work: although we are a charity, from time to time, we fundraiser for other international charities like Khalsa Aid and Pinglewara trust in India.

We are fully joined up to other similar charities of other religious beliefs such as the Church and Hindu Temple.

Local bodies: we are always in discussion with the local authority to see how we can help each other. We hold regular discussions with the Leicestershire Police and other local bodies like councillors and MOs.

CCTV System: is maintained in the centre for security purposes and the burglar and fire alarms are regularly maintained.

Public benefit

The trustees have had due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission with regard to public benefit and consider that the charity acts in accordance with guidance.

Grantmaking

Grants are made to other institutions to provide relief of the aged, sick, infirm and disabled and of poverty.

Page 2

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

During the year the charity has provided a number of specific activities in accordance with its objectives:

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The total income for the year was £328,586 (2023: £259,795) which, after deducting expenditure of £185,937 (2023: £187,877) resulted in net income of £142,649 (2023: £71,918).

At 30 April 2024 the charity had total reserves of £1,244,088 (2023: £1,101,439). £17,472 (2023: £26,510) of this is held in restricted funds.

Donations are the principal funding source which allows the Charity to run the building and offer religious ceremonies, education and facilities to the local community.

Reserves policy

The trustees have agreed a reserves policy, that specifies a range of levels, considered necessary to protect the operations of the charity in the event of any loss of anticipated income. The levels set aim to cover a period between three to six months of unrestricted expenditure and a contingency in respect of costs associated with the premises.

The level of reserves held at 30 April 2024, after deducting the value of tangible assets, exceeded the level specified in the policy. The charity has considerable liquid reserves which are expected to be utilised in the continuing overhaul of the premises in order to maintain the aging premises and meet with the changing needs of the community.

Going concern

The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Trustees

The trustees were appointed because they had the skills required by the Charity to achieve its objectives.

Freehold Property

Jagdev Kaur Gill and Sukhdev Singh Sangha hold title to the Freehold Property on behalf of the charity.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

1017427

Page 3

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Principal address 219 - 227 Clarendon Park Road Leicester Leicestershire LE2 3AN

Trustees

S S Sangha D Singh A Singh J Singh S S Bains H S Gawera R S Gawera R S Minhas J K Gill H S Gill S S Bains R Rana A S Dosanjh H K Rai

Independent Examiner

Nishitkumar Bathia FCA torr waterfield Park House 37 Clarence Street Leicester Leicestershire LE1 3RW

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

................................................................. J Singh - Trustee

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Leicester Sikh Centre and

Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara (the Trust) for the year ended 30 April 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable 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.

Nishitkumar Bathia FCA

torr waterfield Park House 37 Clarence Street Leicester Leicestershire LE1 3RW

Date: .............................................

Page 5

Leicester Sikh Centre and

Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Investment income
2
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
3
Community Centre
Gurdwara
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
Unrestricted
fund
£
296,113
9,741
305,854
26,500
127,667
154,167
151,687
1,074,929
1,226,616
Restricted
funds
£
22,732
-
22,732
2,711
29,059
31,770
(9,038)
26,510
17,472
30.4.24
Total
funds
£
318,845
9,741
328,586
29,211
156,726
185,937
142,649
1,101,439
1,244,088
30.4.23
Total
funds
£
249,248
10,547
259,795
29,232
158,645
187,877
71,918
1,029,521
1,101,439

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Balance Sheet

30 April 2024

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
10
Investments
11
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
12
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
13
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Unrestricted
fund
£
596,871
2,515
582,396
46,334
631,245
(1,500)
629,745
1,226,616
1,226,616
Restricted
funds
£
17,472
-
-
-
-
-
-
17,472
17,472
30.4.24
Total
funds
£
614,343
2,515
582,396
46,334
631,245
(1,500)
629,745
1,244,088
1,244,088
1,226,616
17,472
1,244,088
30.4.23
Total
funds
£
651,775
3,579
256,047
195,698
455,324
(5,660)
449,664
1,101,439
1,101,439
1,074,929
26,510
1,101,439

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. J Singh - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property - 2% on cost and includes land not being depreciated
Improvements to property - 10% on cost
Plant and machinery - 20% on cost
Fixtures and fittings - 15% on cost
Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Page 8

continued...

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

Creditors

Short term trade creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Current asset investments

Current asset investments comprises cash on deposit with a maturity of less than one year, held for investment purposes rather than to meet short-term cash commitments.

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

INVESTMENT INCOME
Rents received
Bank interest
30.4.24
£
6,000
3,741
9,741
30.4.23
£
6,000
4,547
10,547

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Grant
funding of
activities
Direct
(see note
Costs
4)
£
£
Community Centre
-
-
Gurdwara
84,563
4,000
84,563
4,000
GRANTS PAYABLE
Gurdwara
The total grants paid to institutions during the year was as follows:
Leicester Kabaddi Club
GNG Football Club
Pingalwarra
London Hearts
Support
costs (see
note 5)
£
29,211
68,163
97,374
30.4.24
£
4,000
30.4.24
£
1,000
1,000
2,000
-
4,000
Totals
£
29,211
156,726
Totals
£
29,211
156,726
185,937
30.4.23
£
4,857
30.4.23
£
2,000
1,000
1,000
857
4,857
4,857

4. GRANTS PAYABLE

Page 9

continued...

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

5. SUPPORT COSTS

Management
£
Community Centre
28,051
Gurdwara
65,455
93,506
Governance
Finance
costs
£
£
188
972
440
2,268
628
3,240
Totals
£
29,211
68,163
97,374

Activity Basis of allocation Management Non-direct costs are split 30% Community Centre and 70% Gurdwara Finance Non-direct costs are split 30% Community Centre and 70% Gurdwara Governance costs Non-direct costs are split 30% Community Centre and 70% Gurdwara

These proportions are based on management time allocated to each charitable activity.

6. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION

30.4.23 30.4.21
£ £
Independent Examiner's Fees - External scrutiny and report 500 500
Independent Examiner's Fees - Accountancy services 1,000 1,000
1,500 1,500

7.

TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 April 2024 nor for the year ended 30 April 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 April 2024 nor for the year ended 30 April 2023.

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Community Centre
Gurdwara
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Unrestricted
fund
£
225,021
10,547
235,568
27,063
129,357
156,420
79,148
Restricted
funds
£
24,227
-
24,227
2,169
29,288
31,457
(7,230)
Total
funds
£
249,248
10,547
259,795
29,232
158,645
187,877
71,918

Page 10

continued...

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

8.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
£
£
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
995,781
33,740
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
1,074,929
26,510
9.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Improvements
Freehold
to
property
property
£
£
COST
At 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024
527,279
99,021
DEPRECIATION
At 1 May 2023
16,872
27,706
Charge for year
8,436
9,902
At 30 April 2024
25,308
37,608
NET BOOK VALUE
At 30 April 2024
501,971
61,413
At 30 April 2023
510,407
71,315
Fixtures
and
Computer
fittings
equipment
£
£
COST
At 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024
126,003
1,825
DEPRECIATION
At 1 May 2023
56,777
1,808
Charge for year
18,807
17
At 30 April 2024
75,584
1,825
NET BOOK VALUE
At 30 April 2024
50,419
-
At 30 April 2023
69,226
17
Total
funds
£
1,029,521
1,101,439
Plant and
machinery
£
1,350
540
270
810
540
810
Totals
£
755,478
103,703
37,432
141,135
614,343
651,775

Included in cost or valuation of land and buildings is freehold land of £105,455 (2023 - £105,455) which is not depreciated.

Page 11

continued...

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

10.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Prepayments and accrued income
11.
CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS
Short term deposits
12.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
13.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1.5.23
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
1,074,929
Restricted funds
CCTV and Security
26,510
TOTAL FUNDS
1,101,439
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
305,854
Restricted funds
Giani
22,732
CCTV and Security
-
22,732
TOTAL FUNDS
328,586
30.4.24
£
2,515
30.4.24
£
582,396
30.4.24
£
-
1,500
1,500
Net
movement
in funds
£
151,687
(9,038)
142,649
Resources
expended
£
(154,167)
(22,732)
(9,038)
(31,770)
(185,937)
30.4.23
£
3,579
30.4.23
£
256,047
30.4.23
£
4,159
1,501
5,660
At
30.4.24
£
1,226,616
17,472
1,244,088
Movement
in funds
£
151,687
-
(9,038)
(9,038)
142,649

Page 12

continued...

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
CCTV and Security
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Giani
CCTV and Security
TOTAL FUNDS
At 1.5.22
£
995,781
33,740
1,029,521
are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
235,568
24,227
-
24,227
259,795
Net
movement
in funds
£
79,148
(7,230)
71,918
Resources
expended
£
(156,420)
(24,227)
(7,230)
(31,457)
(187,877)
At
30.4.23
£
1,074,929
26,510
1,101,439
Movement
in funds
£
79,148
-
(7,230)
(7,230)
71,918

Giani fund

The Giani fund consists of donations received by the Charity for onward payment to the priests. All donations received are paid in the same accounting period.

CCTV and Security

A grant of £48,200 was received during the year ended 30 April 2021 from the Protective Security funding scheme towards the cost of installing CCTV and Security at the Gurdwara. This amount was fully expended during that year. The fund balance of £17,472 represents the net book value of the CCTV and Security assets held at 30 April 2024.

Page 13

continued...

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30 April 2024.

Page 14

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 30 April 2024
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations to Gianis
Donations
Investment income
Rents received
Bank interest
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Donations to Gianis
Other donations
Priest fees
Groceries
Grants to institutions
Support costs
Management
Rates and water
Insurance
Light and heat
Postage and stationery
Sundries
Repairs and renewals
Motor and travel
Cleaning
Freehold property
Improvements to property
Plant and machinery
Fixtures and fittings
Computer equipment
Finance
Bank charges
Governance costs
Independent examiner's remuneration
Carried forward
30.4.24
£
22,732
296,113
318,845
6,000
3,741
9,741
328,586
22,732
125
28,340
33,366
4,000
88,563
7,618
3,665
11,385
2,912
2,567
20,169
50
7,708
8,436
9,902
270
18,807
17
93,506
628
1,800
1,800
30.4.23
£
24,227
225,021
249,248
6,000
4,547
10,547
259,795
24,227
-
29,875
31,475
4,857
90,434
6,521
3,731
19,191
395
1,780
17,960
40
7,735
8,436
9,902
270
18,807
603
95,371
272
1,500
1,500

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 15

Leicester Sikh Centre and Guru Amardas Gurdwara

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 30 April 2024
Governance costs
Brought forward
Legal fees
Total resources expended
Net income
30.4.24
£
1,800
1,440
3,240
185,937
142,649
30.4.23
£
1,500
300
1,800
187,877
71,918

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16

14 February 2025 Our Ref: RM / NB / 4856

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL The Board of Trustees Leicester Sikh Centre 219-227 Clarendon Park Road Leicester Leicestershire LE2 3AN

Dear Sirs

INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LEICESTER SIKH CENTRE REPORT TO MANAGEMENT

We are pleased to report to you that we have completed the independent examination of the financial statements of Leicester Sikh Centre for the year ended 30 April 2024.

As part of our communication with you at the end of the examination, we have discussed in the forthcoming paragraphs certain matters that need to be communicated to the trustees.

Other findings and recommendations

As part of our examination, we also aim to provide value-added recommendations which may not constitute a material misstatement of the financial statements or a significant deficiency in the charity’s controls.

A number of such matters were identified in the examination for Leicester Sikh Centre which we consider should be brought to your attention. Accompanying this letter is a memorandum (Appendix 1) noting these points together with any recommendations we have for possible improvements which could be made. We shall be grateful if you will enter the Board's comments against each point under the "comments" column of the memorandum and return it to us in due course.

This report has been prepared for the sole use of the trustees of Leicester Sikh Centre and must not be shown to third parties without our prior written consent. No responsibilities are accepted by Torr Waterfield Limited towards any party acting or refraining from action as a result of this report.

Finally, we would like to express our thanks to all members of staff at Leicester Sikh Centre who assisted us in carrying out our work.

Yours faithfully

Torr Waterfield Limited

APPENDIX 1

LEICESTER SIKH CENTRE

Points noted during the course of our examination for the year ended 30 April 2024

1. Cash Expenses

A large portion of the Charity’s expenditure is paid using petty cash generated from donations, which has been recorded in the Charity’s cash book records.

To improve the audit trail and internal controls of Charities, the Charity Commission recommends that cash collected is banked by the charity as soon as possible without the deduction of expenses. Subsequent payments should be made electronically.

All source documentation such as purchase invoices should be retained by the Charity to support payments made (whether by cash or by electronic means) and should be available for inspection during the independent examination.

Comment:

2. Petty cash count

Regular petty cash counts should take place to reconcile the amount held per the cash book agrees to the physical cash held.

Comment:

3. Governing document audit requirement

The governing document provided specifies an audit is required however we believe there is a later version of the deed of trust in issue. If the latest version still refers to an audit then we would suggest this is updated to include reference to ‘external scrutiny as required by the Charities Act 2011’ which allows an independent examination to take place. Until the deed of trust is updated, the audit exemption of the charity could be challenged.

Comment: