Bengali Cultural Society, Reading Charity Reg. No : 1161671
Accounts For the period ended 31 March 2025
Payslip Accountants Accountants & Tax Advisers
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Bengali Cultural Society, Reading Independent examiner's report on accounts
For the period ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to trustees of Bengali Cultural Society, Reading
The trustees of the charity are responsible for preparing the financial statements and ensuring compliance with applicable accounting regulations. In accordance with Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011, the trustees have determined that an audit is not required for this financial period and that an independent examination is sufficient.
As an independent examiner, my responsibilities include:
• Conducting an examination of the charity’s accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 • Following the procedures set out in the general Directions issued by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act.
• Reporting on any matters of concern identified during the examination.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination has been carried out in accordance with the general Directions prescribed by the Charity Commission. The scope of the examination included:
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Reviewing the accounting records maintained by the charity.
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Comparing the financial statements with the underlying records.
• Assessing any unusual items or disclosures within the accounts and obtaining necessary explanations from the trustees.
It is important to note that an independent examination does not provide the same level of assurance as an audit. The procedures undertaken do not constitute an audit and therefore do not enable me to express an opinion as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view. My report is limited to the findings outlined in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
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accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Sumon Roy,MAAT(Licensed Accountant)
Payslip Accountants 141 Victoria Road Swindon SN1 3BU
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BENGALI CULTURAL SOCIETY, READING Charity Registration No: 1161671
Report of the Trustees for the year ended on 31 March 2025 (Unaudited)
The Board of Trustees of the Bengali Cultural Society, Reading (‘BCS’) presents the following report for the year 2024/25 to the members.
Activities:
The principal aim of BCS is to facilitate activities and events appropriate for the community, to raise awareness among the public by providing them with the opportunity to participate and appreciate the nature of Indian and Bengali culture. With this objective in mind, we organised the following events in the year:
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✓ Independence Day Celebration
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✓ Mahalaya
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✓ Dandiya
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✓ 12[th] Reading Autumn Festival/Durga Puja
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✓ Pous Parbon
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✓ Dol Utsab
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✓ Kali Puja
As we have crossed turbulent times during covid, we are now back to the natural rhythm of life after almost 2 years. We have started organizing regular event of BCS is full swing where all our members, patrons and well-wishers have started visiting all events in person.
Cancelled Aastha Gill Program
We had planned to organize a musical night with Aastha Gill on Sunday, June 16th, 2024. However, we had to cancel the program due to the unavailability of visa for the artist.
Kali Puja
BCS organised Kali puja for the 1st time at Wren School, 63 Bath Rd, Reading RG30 2BB on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The event was a huge success and was attended by 600+ devotees
Independent Examiners of the:
According to the regulations of the Charity Commission, where a charity’s annual income is in excess of £25,000 the Trustees must arrange for an Independent Person or Accountancy Firm to carry out an independent examination of its accounts. As the gross income of BCS for 2024/25 was above this threshold, the Trustees decided to arrange independent examination of BCS accounts for 2024/25. Trustees are, however, satisfied that the Report of Trustees and Annual Accounts of BCS being presented herewith give a true and fair view of affairs of BCS.
Financial Review
BCS Trustees manage the finances in a way that enables the charity to carry out its charitable purposes most effectively as set out in the objective’s clause of the constitution. Our principal funding sources are individual donations, commercial sponsorships at events, ticket sales and membership fees. There was no formal fund raising in the year 2024/25. It has been a uniquely challenging year due to high cost of commodities & unavailability of our regular venue for organizing Durga Puja but thanks to our financial prudence we have ensured that there was no significant depletion to our cash reserves from the previous year. Despite several fund generating avenues drying up during and after the pandemic, we are pleased that we had been able to maintain financial health of the organization.
✓ Mahalaya with Amith Das Live show
BCS organised Mahalaya at Coronation Hall, Woodley where 200+ people attended the function followed by dinner.
✓ Dandiya
This is the very first time BCS organised Dandiya to engage people from all parts of India. This was a huge success where 700+ people from in and around Reading actively participated at the same venue where we organised Durga Puja.
✓ 12th Reading Autumn Festival/Durga Puja
This was a very special event as we celebrated 12th year of Durga puja. This also provided BCS Trustee Board an opportunity to assess our ability to conduct further in-person events. 10th edition of Sharad Utsav/Reading Autumn Festival was organised in October at Emmbrook School. It was a successful event with circa 10000 visitors gracing the event over 5 days. Durga Puja was special last year as this was our 12th year of Celebration.
✓ Saraswati Puja
BCS organised a bigger place this year to accommodate more people to attend Saraswati Puja. The event was attended by almost 400+ visitors. Almost 20 kids were given “Hate Khori” during this year’s Saraswati Puja. We have served bhog to all attendees towards the end of event.
✓ Charitable Donations
The Trust has a policy of actively identifying and donating appropriate financial aid to charities of worthy causes. This year we donated a total of £50 to Local Charity.
✓ Membership
Several new members have joined the Society during the year as well as some previous members moving away from Reading leaving our membership strength at 165.
✓ Trustees
Consequent to the registration of BCS as a Charity, the management and administration of its affairs rest with the Board of Trustees. At the AGM held on May 2024, the following were elected to the Board of Trustees, and the Charity Commission had been notified accordingly. They were
✓ Aniruddha Bandyopadhyay (Chairperson)
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✓ Archana Das (General Secretary)
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✓ Sanjoy Paul (Jt. Treasurer)
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✓ Arpita Talukder (Jt. Treasure)
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✓ Ratna Ghosh
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✓ Chandan Kanti Bhowmik
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✓ Arpita Talukder
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✓ Ratna Ghosh
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✓ Avik Mitra
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✓ Sumit Roy
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✓ Samraggi Sarkar
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✓ Rana Ray
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✓ Aditi Choudhury
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✓ Neel Madhab Mondal
In accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the current Trustees will retire at the end of the AGM to be held on or before the maximum frame of 15 months from the last AGM. The retiring Trustees are eligible to seek re-election.
Aniruddha Bandyopadhyay Archana Das Sanjoy Paul Chairperson General Secretary Jt. Treasurers
Dated: 31 March 2025
Bengali Cultural Society, Reading Receipts and payments accounts For the period ended 31 March 2024
| Year 2024-25 Total funds to the nearest £ |
||
|---|---|---|
| Notes |
Year 2023-24 Total funds to the nearest £
Receipts
| Receipts | Notes | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members' Subscription | 1795.00 | 1370.00 | ||
| BCS Activities | 58313.51 | 44209.30 | ||
| Interest received | 446.55 | 87.30 | ||
| Gift Aid | 2875.25 | 0.00 | ||
| Other | 350.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 63780.31 | 45666.60 | ||
| Total receipts | 63780.31 | 45666.60 |
| Payments BCS Activities |
Payments BCS Activities |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badminton Tournament | 245.5 | 0 | ||
| 15th August Celebration | 486.09 | 0 | ||
| Football Tournament | 0 | 199.78 | ||
| Mahalaya | 1169.96 | 115 | ||
| Dandya | 234.49 | 1805.99 | ||
| ReadingAutumn Festival(Durga Puja) | 24530.14 | 30083.8 | ||
| Bijoya Sammeloni | 825.00 | 1035.09 | ||
| Poush Parbon Festival | 654.70 | 904.24 | ||
| Saraswati Puja | 1183.78 | 1124.33 | ||
| Basanta Utsab | 317.42 | 0 | ||
| Protima + Transport | 0 | 3028 | ||
| AGM | 1862 | 0 | ||
| Bank charge and other exp | 2268.4 | 60 | ||
| Amit Kumar Program | 15364 | 0 | ||
| Children's Festival | 281.92 | 0 | ||
| Total BCS activitiespayments | 49423.40 | 38356.23 | ||
| ICA subscription | 232.50 | 250.00 | ||
| Charitable donations | 50.00 | 900.00 | ||
| Others | 2135.76 | 2235.73 | ||
| Sub total | 2418.26 | 3385.73 | ||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Surplus funds from year end 2024 Surplus/(deficit) funds year end 31 Mar 2025 |
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| 51841.66 | 41741.96 | |||
| 11938.65 | 3924.64 | |||
| 41255.28 | 37330.64 | |||
| 53193.93 | 41255.28 |
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Bengali Cultural Society, Reading Statement of assets and liabilities
As at 31 March 2025
| Total current assets Details Paypal Cash in hand and at bank Debtors & Prepayments |
Total current assets Details Paypal Cash in hand and at bank Debtors & Prepayments |
2025 Total funds to nearest £ |
2024 Total funds to nearest £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | ||||
| Current Assets | 55.00 | 55.00 | |||
| 41681.40 | 38483.08 | ||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| 41736.40 | 38538.08 | ||||
| Current Liabilities | Details | Total current liabilities to nearest £ |
Total current liabilities to nearest £ |
||
| Payment Due | 15000.00 | 5624.00 | |||
| Total current liabilities | 15000.00 | 5624.00 | |||
| Provisions | Details | Total provisions to nearest £ |
Total provisions to nearest £ |
||
| New Idol (Protima) | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Total provisions | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Net Asstets | 26736.40 | 32914.08 | |||
| Members' fund Details Total Members's fund |
|||||
| Members' Fund | Total members' fund to nearest £ |
Total members' fund to nearest £ |
|||
| 26736.40 | 32914.08 | ||||
| 26736.40 | 32914.08 | ||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Print Name | Date Of Approval | ||
| a. | Mr. Abhijit Chakrabarti | ||||
| b. | Mr. Sanjoy Paul |
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