Trlratna Buddhist Communlty (Leeds) rharity number 1132691 A company Ilmlted by guarantee number 06977449 Annual Report & Financial Statements for the perlod l August 2023 to 31 July 2024
Triratna Buddhist Community ILeeds) TTUStees' report for the year ended 31 July 2024 Reference and administratNe details of the charity, its trustees and advisors: The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: John Halsall Dharmachari Samanartha (resigned May 2024) Giles Watts Andrew Bickley Teresa Coldicott Nagaku5ala Dharmacharin Debra Keighley Kathy Jarvis {appointed March 2024) Charity number 1132691 Registered in England and Wales Company number 06977449 Registered in England and Wales Reglstered and prlnclpal address: Beech House, Troy Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5NQ Bankers: Charities Aid Foundation, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mallin& Kent ME19 4JQ. Triodos Bank, Deanery Rd, Bristol BSI SAS Independent examlners: Catherine Muller and Rachel Boyd Strurture. governance and management The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 30 July 2009. It is governed by a mernorandum and articles of association as amended on 26 October 2009 and 7 August 2012. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £10, Method of recruitment and appolntment of trustees The trustees of the charity are also the director5 for the purposes of company law and are appointed by the members at the AGM.
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) Trustees. report (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2024 Objertive5 and artivities The charity's objects: The advancement of the Buddhist Religion in particular: l. To encourage member5 to live in accordance with the teachings of the Buddh3. 2. To support ordained members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and duly ordained Buddhists, at +he di5cretionof the Directors of Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds). 3. To maintain close communication with and work under the guidance of the Triratna Buddhist Order and in co-operation with other groups with the same objects. 4. To use applications of the Buddha's teaching to promote the health and well-being of all. The charlty's maln actlvltles Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) runs Leeds Buddhist Centre and its activities. Through Leeds Buddhist Centre we have taught the practice of Buddhism and meditation since our foundation in 1983. The Centre is affiliated to the Triratna Buddhist Community, an international Buddhist movement with many Cent$ throughout the UK and the world. The Triratna Buddhist Community draws from different Buddhist traditions and aims to apply the principles of Buddhism to modern life. The main objectlve of Triratna (Leeds) is the advancement of the 8uddhist religion. In particular this means that we; Encourage members and others to live in accordance with the Teaching5 of tho Buddha. We aim to SUPPOrt people who want to learn about and practice Buddhism. To do this, we provide courses in Buddhist teaching (Dharma), including basic meditation techniques, and further classes and courses for those who want a deeper understanding of Buddhist practice and how this can be explored in contemporary society. We have a library to provide access to Buddhist literature not easily available elsewhere. Our work is done by Sangha (our community) members on a voluntary basis. We raise money from donations at the classes and events we run at the Centre, from donations from the community, and from courses we run for external organisatlons. We try and promote the Buddhist ethic of 'dana' or giving, so most of our activities are paid for by donation and people are free to attend even if they have no money. We have a commitment to making our activities and pMIseS accessible to all by providing access for disabled people. The centre has been adapted to provide access to most wheelchair users. The contribution made by members of the Triratna Buddhist Order remains essential to provide the experience. depth of prattice and understanding of Buddhism needed in a spiritual communityfft and to make this available to others. We maintain close communication with and work under the guidance of the Triratna Buddhist Order and in co-operation with other groups, with the same objects. We work in co-operation with other Triratna Centres, retreat centre5 and with the Preceptors College (which oversees the ordination process). This allows us to maintsin clarity with regard to our vision, to benefit from the experience of other groups with similar objectives, and so make the best use of the sOUrceS we have in Leeds.
There are a number of Buddhist groups in the Leeds area, supporting an estimated 2,900 Buddhists in the Leeds District (Census 2021). Our meditation classes are attended by people of different faiths and of none. We use the application of the Buddha's teaching to promote the health and well-being of all. Our practice as Buddhists means our concern for others, well-being extends beyond our own Sangha, and wherever possible we engage with and respond to the wider community. We feel we are an active part of the Leeds community, contributing to people's lives and well- being in our Sangha and beyond. We provide an accessible Buddhist Centre for Leeds, and West 3nd North Yorkshire, but there are no restrictions based on Whe people live. People currently come to our classes and sangha activities from as far away as Hebden Bridge, Keighley, Skipton, Huddersfield, Harrogate and York. Our community is made up of members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, Mitras people who have made a formal commitment to prattice wlth the Triratna Buddhist Community, and a wlder group of friends exploring Buddhism, meditation and mindfulness. Publlc beneflt statement In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of religion. Achievements and performance Our main community practice event continued to be our weekly Sangha Night meetings at our premises in Horsforth. Members of our community joined our Sangha Night meetings in-person or online. We continued our weekly drop-in guided meditation on Wednesday lunchtime5, which was open to everyone. These were held online throu8hout the year, and for the second part of the year people could join these meditations in-person too. On Tuesday evenings we held online-only practice evening5 for members of our community. This has been highly valued, including by those who cannot easily travel to our Buddhist Centre in the evenings. We offered three courses for newcomers starting in September, January and Aprll.. Radical Dharma & Meditation twice, and Exploring Buddhism and Buddhist Practice in our Everyday Lives. Each course comprised of six classes on Tuesday evenings at the Buddhist Centre. After each course we offered a follow-on course at our Thursday evening Sangha Nights. Durlng the year we also held two regular study classes for Mitras, people who have committed to practising in our community. One study group met online, and the other met face-to-face. In November and March we held residential weekend retreats of our community at The Beamsley Project in Wharfedale. Between September and July, we held a dozen or so day retreats at our Buddhist Centre. These included a women's day, two Order days, two study days, a Wesak (Buddha day) festival, a day for newcomers, a men's day, a day retreat for mitras and Order Members, and festival days for Padmasambhava, Triratna Day and Dharma Day. In late December, Sarahadaya and Jules hosted a mid-winter cultural evening at our Centre of music, singing, stories and poetry. And on New Year's Eve we held a puja.
On 28th September 2023, Cat, Hilary and Jan became Mitras at a ceremony witnessed by friends, family and members of our community. In April, George, Lukas and Ray became Mitras, and in May, Annie became a Mitra; each ceremony was witnessed by friends and family at our Centre. Our Centre is run and sustained by volunteers. This year our Heart Kula practice mornings for our volunteers resumed, to support each other and keep in communication. The gardening team has been looking after our garden. In April, Samanartha stepped down as a trustee having been one for almost thirty years. The trustees rejoiced in his service and his merits. Flnancial review The income for the year was £49103 and the expenditure was £30625, net income for the year was £18478. Trustees also personally settled contractors invoices for work to the value of £4200, this amount is included in donations. In 2023 The Windhorse Trust made secured loan of £150,000 for the purchase of our premises, repayable after 10 years. The terms of this loan were generous, with interest capped at 3°h for the first two years of the term. Interest thereafter would be variable at 2% above base rate. There are no capital repayments due for the first 2 years. Capital repayments begin at £2500 per quarter in January 2025 and increase annually thereafter. Our monthly income has increased in the last year and, having reviewed our forecasts and reserves, we have concluded that the organisation can continue and be treated as a going concern for the next 12 months and beyond. Reserves policy The Charitles reserves policy Is to have 3 months expenditure, measured by the net current assets flgure on the balance sheet, as it relates to 25% of the total expenditure as shown on tho income and expenditure account. Currently reserves, as defined above, are are £8851 and expected quarterly expenditure is £7565 so we are within our target. This assumes that expenditure continues at a similar level, and relates to 31n/2024. The charity's free reser4es, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were in deficit by £84099. This figure takes into account the long term creditor of £99950 relating to the loan to purchase the property. This deficit figure is considerably lower than that in 2023 (£108290) and the trustees are confident that the loan will be able to be repaid out of income in the year the repayments are due and that excluding the long term creditor figure gives a realistic free reserves figure. The charity held a designated fund at the end of the year of £367 to Cover future roof repairs
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) We report to the charity trustees on our examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 July 2024. which are set out on pages X to Y. Responslbilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied ourselves that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, we report in respect of our examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act,). In carrying out our examination we have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examlner's statement We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention In Connection1th the examination giving us cause to believe that in any material respect: l. accounting records were not kept in respert of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Art other than any requirnent that the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examlnation: or 4. the accounts have not been pPared in accordance with the methods and principles of the ststement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing theiraccounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. We 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. Rachel Boyd (CIPFA qualified) 11/01/25 Cath Muller A Commune in the North Ltd The Farmhouse, Jossey Lane Bentley DONCASTER DN5 OBS
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) Statement of Financial Activities summary income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 July 2024 Notes 2024 Tota I Funds 2023 Totsl Funds Income From: Grants and Donations Sales and Fees Fundraislng Bank Interest 48109 196 699 99 87086 124 2500 96 Total Income 49103 89806 Expendlture On: Stipends Retreats Centre Costs Other Admin Costs Premises Costs Independent Examination Collection For Individuals Loan Interest Legal and Professional Fees Depreciation 3985 3575 5586 5313 4002 2677 39 33879 1020 700 2904 2507 5713 8995 300 2471 5713 Total Expendlture 30625 58754 Next Income / Expenditure 18478 31052 Fund Balances Brought For4vard 171641 140589 Fund balances Carried Forwrd 190119 171641 All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds). Statement of Financial Activltles Balance Sheet lor the year ended 31 July 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Fixed Assets BukJinJ Total Flxed Assets 274218 274218 279931 279931 CurTent Assets QebtOf6 ar Pr8pawnerts Cash at bank aThJ at Total cuent Assets 4582 12169 16751 7082 19502 26584 Current Liabllitle8: amourts falling du8 in or£ sear Creditors aThJ Accruals Total Cunpnt Llabllttles 7900 7900 18081 18081 Net Current assets l (Ilablllllos) 8851 8503 Total assets less currant Ilabllltlos 283069 288434 Creditors: ar)l falEro die after one ar 92950 116793 Nel Assets 190119 171641 Desigtsd Fu1 (roof ropairs) General Fd Totsl Funds 367 189752 190119 For It¢ yearerthj 31vJuty IY24 clmrftatle crynFWy tttled lo exemfv frDm a1 Lvthrstth 477 ofthe Ojmpthes A¢t 20rA r85etlng lo Smdl cUnp106. Th& membors haw reryired ts ¢hwi1ae conpany to cbt81n an audil of116 accounts tslh8 y88rfn qu881ion In ¢(nCe SlIC 476. Th& Iwstees lth) are 81s0 th8 direcloTS trthe dcompary Wl a¢kme Ir reskKA151bllty fr)r ¢cmJylrffJ wlth the rwlr8m&s oflhe Act 1th res1 to vxwlng preparntScffl ofaccounts. Ih8se ¢nIS lkne in acCcrfda0 Milh th& ap[lalO Icffi ccrfnpani8s suty.t to tho small CCmnlaS JIm0 Ith FRS 1¢72. Ll Feb< fir181 statements yre approved byts board ofiiugtees on ................ .....................,..... .. .. (rnBtee)
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) Notes to the account5 for the year ended 31 July 2024 1. Accountlng Pollcles Basis of accounting These accounts ha been prepared under Ihe histryical cost c11t10n with items recognised at cost or transactlon lue unless othemse stated in releNsnt rthqs) to these accounts. The financial statements ha been pr8par&Y in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Pctice.. Accwntiro and Reporting by Charities prepariro their accounts in accordanc8 tha Financial Reportiro Standard applicable in ttp UK and Republic of Irdand (FRS 102) {efkntl 1 January 2019) arKJ wvith the charities act 2011 The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting poSicies since last year. No changes ha been made to the accounts for preiious years. Golng concam The trustees are satisffied that there are no material u[ertaIntieS about the charity's abllity to continue. InnIng PAUrc•S All Incoming sOurceS are included in Ihe Statement of Financial ActiNities (SOFA) when the charity b8comes entitled to the resources, if it ¢8 more Ilkely than not that the charfty wll recei th8 resources and th8 monetary lue can be measured w4th sufficient reliability Grants and Donatlons Grants and donations are only Included In the SOFA when the charfty has urndItIonal entltlement to the resources. Where grants are related to perfomiance and spgcifjc delIrableS, t1Y are account8d fry as the charlty eams the rfght to consid8ratlon by Its performance. Expendlturn and Ilabilltlas Expenditure is recognised on an accnkgl basis as a Ilability Is Incurred. Liabilili8s are recognised wthere It Is more lik61y than not that there is a IjaI or Cstnjcti obligatlon committing the charity to pay out the sources and the amount of the obligatlon can b8 measured w¢th reasonable certainty, Taxatlon As a charity the organisatlon beneffits from rates Trlief and is generally exempt from Income tax and capital gains tax but mt from VAT. Irrectherable VAT is included in cost of those items to which It relates. Tanglble Flxed knéts Tangle fixed assets costing more than £1000 a capitalised and Included at cost inclu(fing any incidtal expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are sFM)wn at the lue to thè charity on weipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fjxed assets at Rtes calculated to Wfite off the cost on a straight line basis ow their expected usefijl ecommic li as follows: Freehold LaThJ arKI Buildings., 0r 50 years Fund Accounting Unrestricted fvnds are alIable for use at the discretion of the trustees in rthernnce of the gene{ Objecti of the charity. Desigrkgted funds are unrestricted lunds eamiarked by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted fvnds are subjected to restrictions on thw'r expenditure imw)sed by donor or through the
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024 2. Grant and tk)nations 2024 2023 Retreats Other entS and classes Other donations {including gift aid) 7116 3940 37053 48109 5528 1082 80476 87086 3. Restricted funds A Fund entitled "New Building Fund" was a restricted ffijnd up to the end of the preMOUS accounting year. The purpose of the restriction was to promde fjjnds towards the purchase and refurbishment of a new building. This nd was closed and the balance of £22044 was transfeed to general funds 4. Tanglble Assets Land and Buildings Total At 1 August 2023 Additions At 31 July 2024 285644 285644 285644 285644 Depreclation At 1 August 2023 Charge for the year At 31 July 2024 5713 5713 11426 5713 5713 11426 Net bwk value At 1 August 2023 279931 279931 At 31 July 2024 274218 274218 S. Debtors and prepayments 2024 2023 Prepayments Other debtors 2332 2250 4582 1177 5905 7082 6. Cash at bank and at hand 2024 2023 Cash at bank Cash at hand 11839 330 12169 19727 55 19782
Triratna Buddhist Community (Leeds) Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024 7. Credltors and Accruals 2024 2023 Building Loan due Within one year Accfuals 7000 14157 3924 18081 8. credito Amounts falllng due aftar ono yoar 2024 2023 Building Loan 116793 116793 92950 SecuTIty Over Aats The WiThlhorse Trust tho has maje the loan to Triratna Bu(klhist Communty (Leeds) has a charge or the property Beech House. Troy Road, kk)rsforth. LS18 5NQ 9. Related party trdnsactlons Donallons from tru6es and related partlos The total %elu8 of unconditional donations to the charity from the tfttst or related parties VRS £4240 (2023; £42024) I rusteo oxpon808 ouriro the year trj twstees Vre paid a totsl of £145 In r88pect of tra1. (preouS year., one twstee was paid £338) Trustee remuneratlon and benefits No trustee reCeId any remuneration or banefft durlng thls or the prvious year. transactions wlth trustoes or rnlat8d partl•s 2024 2023 Nama of Tru0 Dhamiachari Samanartha Item Stipend 5313 5313 10. Funds held asagent 2024 2023 Gender DIrse Chapter of Triratna UK Funds at 1 August Inclir@ Funds Funds Expand1 Funds al 31 July 393 1101 1214 280 1316