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Easton Islami Darasgah
Castle Green Building
Greenbank Road
Bristol
BS5 6HE
Islam: The complete code of life.
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EASTON ISLAMI DARASGAH (BRISTOL)
Charity number 1040850
Report and Financial Statements Year ending 28 February 2023
Content
CONTENT .............................................................................................................................................. 2 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ............................................................ 3 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ............................................................................................................................ 3 BANKERS .............................................................................................................................................. 3 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT .................................................................. 4 GOVERNING DOCUMENT ....................................................................................................................... 4 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ............................................................................................................. 4 APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES ................................................................................................................. 4 RISK MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................................................. 4 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................... 5 OUR AIMS ............................................................................................................................................. 5 OUR OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................... 5 STRATEGIES .......................................................................................................................................... 5 USE OF VOLUNTEERS ............................................................................................................................ 6 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................................................................... 7 HOW OUR ACTIVITIES DELIVER PUBLIC BENEFIT ................................................................................... 7 RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................................................... 7 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................... 8 PARTNERSHIP WORKING........................................................................................................................ 8 FINANCIAL REVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 9 RESERVES POLICY ................................................................................................................................. 9 PRINCIPAL FUNDING SOURCES .............................................................................................................. 9 INVESTMENT POLICY AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................. 9 2022/23 REVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 10 THE YEAR IN PERSPECTIVE ................................................................................................................. 10 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................... 12
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The trustees present their annual report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2023 and confirm they comply with the Charities Act 1993, as amended by the Charities Act 2006 and the charity’s constitution.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name Easton Islami Darasgah (Bristol)
Charity Registration Number 1040850 Principal Office Castle Green Building Greenbank Road Bristol BS5 6HE
Board of Trustees
Imtiaz Ahmed (Chairman) Habib Rahman (Secretary) Syed Riazullah Hussaini (Joint Treasurer) Mohammed Abbas Khan (Joint Treasurer) Rizwan Tariq Zahid Nadeem Abdul Samad Tariq Hateem Mukarram Muhammad Bashir Mohammed Khaliq Sharif Tahir Iqbal Nadeem Mohammed Mohammed Tariq Muhammad Aamer (Left September 2022)
Bankers
Lloyds Bank Fishponds Branch, Bristol 697 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3UJ
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Structure, governance and management
Governing document
Easton Islami Darasgah (Bristol) is registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1040850. The governing instrument is the Charity’s Constitution last updated in June 2005.
Organisational structure
The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.
The trustees meet together as a body monthly and as and when necessary and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running facilities and the activities provided by the charity. The day-to-day management of facilities and projects are delegated to staff and volunteers where appropriate.
Appointment of trustees
The charity trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) every two years through an election process by the members of Easton Islami Darasgah.
In selecting new trustees, members seek to identify people who regularly attend programmes, events and functions organised by the charity, who are known to the members, who fully support the constitution, and who are willing to volunteer themselves practically to help in the management and running of the charity. New trustees are guided as to their role and responsibilities by more longstanding trustees. The trustees receive regular communications by email from the Charity Commission which enables the trustees to keep abreast of developments issued by the Charity Commission.
Risk management
The trustees regularly assess the risks the charity faces and are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand, to manage the risks that have been identified. In particular, insurance cover is in place and the finances of the organisation are kept under review. Appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks, supported by regularly reviewed policies, are made for all those who work with children or other vulnerable groups within the charity. Health & Safety policies are regularly reviewed to ensure absence of risk to health and safety of employees and others ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’. This year, the Trustees continued to consider the after effects of the Covid-19 outbreak on the charity’s activities and finances. These systems and/or arrangements are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.
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Objectives and activities
Our aims
The objects of the charity are set out in the charity's constitution and are summarised as follows:
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To promote Islam in accordance with the Holy Quran and Sunnah for the benefit of the public, in particular, through spiritual teaching and by conducting regular congregational prayers and ceremonies.
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To promote Islamic education amongst both Children and Adults through holding regular classes and organising events and functions from time to time.
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To relieve those Muslims who are in need.
Our objectives
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community aims. Each year our trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect our aims. In carrying out this review the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular, its supplementary public guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
Our dual aims remain to provide a facility where Muslims can worship and to provide a community facility for the inhabitants of Bristol. Our long-term ambition is to build the self-confidence of Bristol's Muslims in their faith, and through our facilities and activities, help make our area a peaceful, vibrant and harmonious community.
Strategies
We want to make our organisation an accessible and welcoming venue where all Muslims, or those who wish to know more about our faith can gather together to learn about their religion and worship. Easton Islami Darasgah is open at all times with daily prayers, the Friday prayers being a focus of our activities.
The charity aims to promote the Islamic faith by continuing to provide facilities for teaching both children and adults and through the holding of regular events for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Our two main strategies this year has been to ensure we continue to come through the after effects of the pandemic with minimal impact to our finances and services and to move forward with our vision; a strong Madrassah (Education) system, improving women/youth facilities/events and becoming a community hub.
On minimising the after effects of the pandemic on our organisation, we have devised strategies to keep a close eye on our finances due to the very high cost of living increases in all areas. To this end, we have devised a number of strategies to increase fund raising and reduce costs.
On moving forward with our vision, we are pleased to say the new Imam is in place and actively collaborating with us in meeting our objectives.
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An important part of our strategy is community welfare and education. All our community facilities and activities including classes, health initiatives and seminars are advertised and we welcome the participation of all in our local community, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. Most of our activities are free and supported by donations or grant funding. Where a charge is made, concessions are made for students, people on means-tested benefits and pensioners.
Funds are raised to meet the charity’s objectives by voluntary collections at the Mosque and on-line and from yearly donations from our members. The Madrassah classes (after school Islamic classes) are funded by contributions from the students’ parents/guardians. Gift Aid claims are submitted from time to time to claim back tax from our eligible donors.
Use of volunteers
Volunteers are an important resource in both our faith and community work. Volunteers are involved in most of our faith and community activities and we have over 5 people regularly giving their time. All our trustees also give of their time freely. We encourage all members of our organisation to be involved in voluntary activities and to share their skills with others. All those volunteers working with projects involving children or other vulnerable groups are DBS checked.
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Activities and achievements
How our activities deliver public benefit
The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims. The trustees consider that these activities, summarised below, provide benefit both to those who worship at Easton Islami Darasgah and the wider community of Bristol.
Religious activities
Easton Islami Darasgah provides a centre for our prayers and worship and for the activities associated with our faith. During this unprecedented year under review, we continued to offer a range of religious services and activities including:
Prayers: Easton Islami Darasgah is open for the 5 times daily and Friday prayers. The numbers attending are now returning back to pre-pandemic levels. During the week we have over 30 people who regularly attend daily prayers and over 300 who regularly attend Friday prayers.
Daily after school classes: Easton Islami Darasgah provides after school classes for children to be schooled in Islamic Education including reading the Muslim holy book The Holy Qur’aan. Students are taught the Islamic way of life so they can be model citizens. The classes are run by the Principal Sheikh Ilyas alongside 7 part time teachers. Annual examinations and award ceremony is held every year. Approximately 115 children attended after school classes.
Hifz classes: Memorisation of the Holy Qur’aan is considered an important element of religious education and training. Easton Islami Darasgah continued to provide this facility for the committed students who wish to memorise the Holy Qur’aan.
Islamic lectures: Islamic lectures are held on a daily and weekly basis to promote Islamic knowledge and awareness. Muslims are encouraged to attend these events. Special lectures are also organised throughout the year for the benefit of all people in the community. This year, a number of children workshops were held for under age children which has proved popular.
Festivals: The 2 Eid festivals are our focal points of the year and facilities are provided for the Muslims of Bristol to celebrate Eid in an Islamic manner. This year, Easton Islami Darasgah was pleased to facilitate the 2 EID festivals.
Funeral facilities: The Mosque provides a complete funeral service in line with the teachings of Islam. We relieve the deceased's bereaved relatives of the burden of organising burials. We also hold special classes to teach people how to proceed with Islamic burial procedures. Our funeral facilities and service have been widely used by people from as far afield as London and Cornwall and has been very much appreciated. This year, due to the pandemic, our funeral facilities were used in a limited capacity.
Nikkah (Islamic marriage) The Mosque provides Muslim couples with an appropriate location for their Nikkah (Islamic marriage).
Inter-faith dialogue: Easton Islami Darasgah is an active member of the Multi-Faith Forum for the Bristol area. We use this platform to promote inter-faith dialogue and social cohesion.
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Charitable giving: The alleviation of poverty and suffering lies at the heart of Islam and therefore charitable giving is greatly encouraged. Easton Islami Darasgah provides a venue from time to time, for registered charities to appeal to the congregation to give to worthwhile causes.
Community activities
Easton Islami Darasgah both facilitates and participates in a number of community activities and initiatives to help make our area a peaceful, vibrant and harmonious community. During the year under review, our range of community activities were greatly reduced due to the pandemic. We hope to increase these activities in the coming year. This years activities included:
School and Educational visits: We welcome visits from mainstream schools and other educational or faith based organisations. It enables the wider community to find out more about the workings of a mosque and the Islamic faith for projects and studies. The visit consists of an introductory lecture, a tour of the building and a Q&A session.
Council of Bristol Mosques: We are founding members of The Council of Bristol Mosques formed to give the Mosques in Bristol a stronger and united voice within the community at large. The Council of Mosques has continued to work with key stakeholders including NHS, Police, Bristol City Council, Government agencies and is considered a key Muslim stakeholder in Bristol.
Barakah Tots: We are pleased to launch a weekly mother and toddler playgroup at our premises to cater for mothers and their small children to meet up socially on a weekly basis. This is proving very popular.
Safeguarding training: We hosted a safeguarding training event aimed primarily at teachers. The event was well attended and useful to the teachers to acquire good safeguarding practices for their teaching.
Weekend Retreat: We hosted a 2 day retreat for students at our premises. This enabled students from across the city to meet up, get to know each other and learn Islamic knowledge in a spiritual environment. The retreat was very well attended.
Disaster Appeals: Sadly, a number of deadly disasters occurred during this period; Pakistan Floods, Turkey/Syria Earthquake, to name a few. In response to this, we organised collections for these causes within the community. We are pleased to announce that approximately £9000 was raised for these worthwhile causes.
Partnership working
In developing our community programmes we are pleased to work in partnership with other Muslim organisations, NHS, Police, Bristol City Council and Government agencies. We work with all of these agencies in promoting harmony, unity and diversity across all communities and are a key Muslim organisation in Bristol.
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Financial review
Reserves policy
The trustees have reviewed the reserves of the charity. The Trustees have considered the after effect of the Covid-19 outbreak and the very high cost of living on the charity’s activities. This is likely to cause a significant disruption to the charity’s income and continuing activities. Their policy this year was to continue to hold funds of at least £80,000 to meet the general running costs of the organisation and to cover unforeseen emergencies. The reserves policy will be reviewed at the start of the new financial year.
Principal funding sources
The charity's main source of income is giving. This is done through voluntary collections at Friday prayers and at the Eid festivals, contributions from parents/guardians of children attending the after school classes and yearly contributions from the members of Easton Islami Darasgah. We have also moved to online funding sources which has provided a good source of income for us. All these funding sources will enable us to smoothly maintain and run the premises and implement our strategies for this financial year.
Investment policy and objectives
The charity has no long-term investments.
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2022/23 Review
The Year in Perspective
The period 1[st] March 2022 to 28[th] February 2023 for Easton Islami Darasgah (Bristol) saw us transition to a post pandemic period where our organisation is still feeling the after effects of the pandemic but at the same time looking forward to a period of normality and stabilization.
Our dual priority has been to ensure we continue to come through the after effects of the pandemic with minimal impact to our finances and services and to move forward with our vision; a strong Madrassah (Education) system, improving women/youth facilities/events and becoming a community hub.
The post-pandemic high cost of living and inflation has meant our running costs have increased significantly compared to our income and efforts are being made to ensure the gap between income and expenditure is minimised. To this effect, appeals have also been made to our supporters and I am pleased to say we have had a good response.
Regarding implementing our vision; a strong Madrassah (Education) system, improving women/youth facilities/ events and becoming a community hub, our new Imam is actively helping us implement this and I am pleased to say good progress has been made.
On the finances, our income is slowly recovering from the after effects of the Pandemic period but the high cost of living and inflation has meant the net improvement is not as much as we had hoped. In addition to increased appeals to our supporters, we have increased our income streams by putting in place a permanent digital media infrastructure which has proved very valuable for our income streams and we hope to enhance these on-line funding and social media platform streams.
Many of our services/activities are returning to pre-pandemic levels and we all welcomed the return to normality for Ramadhan and Eid. We have started a weekly parent/toddler group Barakah Tots which has been popular and well received. In addition, we also hosted a 2 day retreat for Students which was popular and well received.
In other matters, the Madrassah (after school Islamic classes) is still slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. Approx. 115 students were back learning. We would like to thank the Principal M Ilyas and all supporting staff for their efforts in supporting the students during this transition year.
We are currently reviewing the Madrassah systems and hope to draw up a plan to improve the service for our students and Parents.
We have also participated actively in community initiatives with the Council, Police, NHS and inter-faith dialogues throughout the last year. We are playing an active role in the Council of Bristol Mosques and other relevant community initiatives. Also, a big thank you to the community for contributing towards the disaster relief appeals for Pakistan Floods and Turkey/Syria Earthquake appeals.
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Next year, we will need your active support (both financially & practically) for us to continue to deal with the after effects of the pandemic and for us to move forward with our vision. We have come through this year by all of us working and supporting one another and hope this can continue through next year.
Lastly, a note of thanks to the continued support from the members, without whom none of this work, would be possible.
Imtiaz Ahmed (Chair)
13 December 2023
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Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing an annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees for the purposes of charity law who served during the financial year 1[st] March 2022 to 28[th] February 2023 are set out on page 3.
The independently examined accounts of Easton Islami Darasgah (Bristol) for the period ended 28[th] February 2023 which were approved by the Trustees at their meeting on Wednesday 13[th] December 2023 and will be submitted to the Charity Commission.
Approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Imtiaz Ahmed (Chair)
13 December 2023
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Islam: The completecodeof life.Easton Islami Darasgah |
Easton Islami Darasgah(Bristol) Charity Name |
Easton Islami Darasgah(Bristol) Charity Name |
Easton Islami Darasgah(Bristol) Charity Name |
1040850 No (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
01/03/2022 Period start date |
To | 28/02/2023 Period end date |
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 48,277 33,274 13,836 3,041 3,202 - - - 101,630 - - - 101,630 82,954 7,572 5,123 9,151 - - - - 104,800 - - - 104,800 - 3,170 |
Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 48,277 33,274 13,836 3,041 3,202 - - - 101,630 - - - 101,630 82,954 7,572 5,123 9,151 - - - - 104,800 - - - 104,800 - 3,170 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 2,730 - - 11,667 - - - - 14,397 - - - 14,397 - - - 11,655 - - - - - 11,655 - - - 11,655 2,742 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 2,730 - - 11,667 - - - - 14,397 - - - 14,397 - - - 11,655 - - - - - 11,655 - - - 11,655 2,742 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 51,007 33,274 13,836 14,708 3,202 - - - 116,027 - - - 116,027 82,954 7,572 5,123 11,655 9,151 - - - - 116,455 - - - 116,455 - 428 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 51,007 33,274 13,836 14,708 3,202 - - - 116,027 - - - 116,027 82,954 7,572 5,123 11,655 9,151 - - - - 116,455 - - - 116,455 - 428 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 48,277 | 49,682 | |||||||
| Tuition Fees | 33,274 | 34,818 | |||||||
| Membershipfees | 13,836 | 13,703 | |||||||
| Targeted appeals | 3,041 | 4,190 | |||||||
| Fees for charitable services | 3,202 | 1,150 | |||||||
| Gift Aid claim | - | 14,500 | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
101,630 | 118,043 | |||||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| Loans received | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||
| 118,043 | |||||||||
| Wages | 82,954 | 81,233 | |||||||
| Light and Heat | 7,572 | 4,659 | |||||||
| Insurance | 5,123 | 5,419 | |||||||
| Targeted appeals | 1,820 | ||||||||
| Other expenditure | 9,151 | 6,087 | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| **Sub total ** | 104,800 | 99,218 | |||||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| Capital expenditure | - | - | |||||||
| Loan repayments | - | 1,000 | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | 1,000 | |||||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||||
| 100,218 | |||||||||
| - 3,170 | 2,742 | - | - 428 | 17,825 | |||||
| - | **- ** | - | - | - | |||||
| 152,658 | 208 | - | 152,866 | 135,041 | |||||
| 149,488 | 2,950 | - | 152,438 | 152,866 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
22/12/2023
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds |
Details None Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) None Details Cash at Bank Petty Cash Details |
Details None Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) None Details Cash at Bank Petty Cash Details |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149,414 | 2,950 | - | |||||
| 74 | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| 149,488 | 2,950 | - | |||||
| OK | |||||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| Current value (optional) |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| Current value (optional) |
|||||||
| Buildings occupied for charitable purposes - Castle Green |
Restricted | 1,797,381 | - | ||||
| Other Equipment | Unrestricted | 12,128 | - | ||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Details | Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
When due (optional) |
||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| Signature | Print Name Imtiaz Ahmed (Chair) |
||||||
| Date of approval |
|||||||
| Imtiaz Ahmed (Chair) | 13/12/2023 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
22/12/2023
2
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examlnees Report Rgport to the trusteesl members of Easton Islami D8rasgah (Brisloll On accounts for the y*ar ended 28 February 2023 Charity no {if any) 1040850 Set out on pages I report lo the iruslees on my examination ol the accoLtnts of the above charity Ilhe Trust") lor the year ended 28 102 12023. Rtr•pon•ibiliti•$ •nd A$ tho charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation ba•is of report ofthe accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act'i. l port in respect ol my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carrying Out my examination, I have followed Ihe 8p1¢3b1e Dire¢lions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl ol the Act. I have ¢¢Mett my examination. l ¢onfim that no material matters have come lo my attention in conneclion with the examinalicjn which gives me cause to believe that In. any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 01 the Act or the accounts do not accord th the accounting records Independent examlner'8 statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reach¢d. Slgned: Date: 11 Dec 2023 Name: Waseem Ahmed Relevant professional qualificatlonlsl or body Ilf any).. Fellow Chartered Accountant, ICAEW Addr¢$s'. 10 Momingside S¢Jtton Coldfield 873 68L IER Octobèr 2018
Section B Oisclosure Only complete il the examiner needs to highlight matters of ¢on¢em (see CC32, Indendent examination ol Chanty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Givo here brief dotail¥ of any Items thal the examiner wlshes to disclose. IER October 2018