Treasurer’s Report 2024-2025
- Triratna Liverpool Buddhist Centre Report June 2024 May 2025
Prepared by Ajitamati May 2025
1. General Summary
The last year has seen a steady and joyful continuation of the life of the centre, with growth in both numbers and a deepening of connections and friendships on all levels.
Although we are not a large centre we have a committed group of friends, Mitras and order members who have continued to attend and support the centre bringing life to the practice of the Dharmain Liverpool.
2. Events and Activities
Sangha evenings
We continue to have a thriving Sangha evening every Tuesday night which is attended on average by about 12/16 people.
Sangha over the last 12 months has settled into a regular format of Meditation and the study of a Dharma text. The Dharma texts studied has varied and included practice-based evenings where the focus has been on deepening our induvial experiences of meditating together.
We have celebrated our festival days together, with a shared meal, which is always looked forward to. These included Buddha Day in May, Dharma Day in July, Padmasambhava day in September.
During the year we have continued our full moon pujas. These have been very popular and have allowed newer members of the Sangha to experience puja. We have also taken the opportunity to introduce the different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas theming the pujas around them and expanding the variety of images and mantras.
Sangha Members
We currently have about 38 Sangha members, some who come to the centre very regularly and others infrequently.
We currently have 3 Mitras who have asked for Ordination, Elke, Caz and Mariana.
And in April we had Mitra ceremonies, Ruth, Jakie and Steve affirmed there personal commitment to the three jewels in a very simple but beautiful ritual which was attended by over twenty people including family and friends.
1
Treasurer’s Report 2024-2025
Meditation and Buddhism Courses
We didn’t run introductory Buddhism and Meditation courses but decided to offer Dana based monthly drop-in sessions instead. These have been lead in the main by Prasadashilla with help from Kshantabhandu, and support from Mitras and friends.
The numbers have varied but there are a number of people who attend regularly. Prasadashilla has extended the time slot so to incorporate an opportunity to explore the Dharma with those who are interested.
Dharma Study
Sumnadipa has lead Dharma study for men and women on a weekly basis for a number of years but the group has now completed the whole of the study material of the Mitra course and so the group has now finished. Thanks to Kshantabandhu for supporting Sumnadipa with the study group over the years and to those who have attended. And of course a huge thankyou to Sumnadipa who has given the Dharma to so many over the years.
We are looking to now provide study for our new Mitras and this will be in the form of the Foundation year module from the Mitra study course.
Events
Sumnadipa has continued leading a “Going Deeper” event, held monthly on a Saturday which has provided an opportunity for people to come together and deepen there understanding of the Dharma and Meditation. This has proved very popular and we look to continue this in the year ahead.
Kshantabandhu has also continued leading a Saturday early morning meditation session allowing people to start the weekend off with a shared meditation.
In May Caz set up a Mantra Workshop for people wishing to gain more experience of Mantra recitation.
Prison Service
Kshantabandhu has continued to visit prisoners in two local prisons, and has taken on a third prison where he provides Dharma activities for the prisoners including a large contingent of Vietnamese men.
3. Centre Team
All the people supporting our activities have given their time and energy freely and lovingly, we continue to support each other, doing what we can, when we can, and we look forward to another happy and safe 12 months.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Kshantabandhu for al his hard work both here at the centre, and at the 3 prisons. Kshantabandhu will be leaving us later
2
Treasurer’s Report 2024-2025
in the year and will be missed on so many levels by so many people. He is truly a Kalyana Mitrata to who ever comes through our door and we will miss Him.
Here is another year of being together in the Dharma,
Metta and love to us all.
3
Treasurer’s Report 2024-2025
Treasurer’s Report
- Financial Year 2024 2025
The financial position of the Centre has steady over the past 12 months. Most months we have had a healthy positive balance. Were we have not, it has been due to the rent for Melbourne Buildings and other larger bills coming out at the same time. Over the course of the year our income has been £14073 whilst our expenditure has been £15182, giving us a deficit of £1109. This is due to several reasons. Firstly, we have not received a gift aid reimbursement this year (this can be done in the next financial year). Secondly, as we only ran one course at the beginning of the year, our income from this area is significantly lower (being only £50, compared to over £1500 in previous years). Thirdly we have had a very small income from the shop and sale of books and fourthly which will impact us in the next financial year also, there has been a change in circumstances around the letting out of the flat in Minster Court.
Income
Our two main sources of income are the donations from our members and friends, and the rent from the flat. This last year donations have accounted for 70% of income and, the rent for 36%. The rest of our income has mainly come from donations from Plum Village. A small amount has come from a six-week course and sales from our small bookshop. In addition to this, we have also accumulated some interest on our savings via our Triodos account.
Regarding future courses, Bodhananda has very kindly and generously offered to support us in running more courses in the coming financial year. This will give us once again, a steady stream of income.
We are extremely grateful to those regular donors who have continued to support us throughout this year, particularly with the cost-of-living and cost of energy crisis.
The Gift Aid Scheme gives us an important, additional regular income. Although we did not receive a gift aid reimbursement this year, we will claim for both years in the time ahead. We will ensure that we continue to take advantage of the scheme and make everybody aware of their option to ‘gift aid’ with their donations and the benefits that follow.
The rental income from our flat is as always invaluable. Sadly, the tenant who was living on our property died in March this year. At this time income did cease understandably. Following an inspection from the estate agent, the extent of maintenance works, which we knew were needed in the near future we revealed. They were a lot more significant than we had anticipated. A first estimate for works and a refurbishment of at least the bathroom have been given around £10000. We are looking for further estimates and contractors to ensure that we find the best
4
Treasurer’s Report 2024-2025
trades people and prices for the work ahead. With discussions with the estate agent, we were pleased to hear that once the work has been completed, the value of the property and so the rental price will increase. We have therefore decided to keep the property and so ensure a stable income stream for the future.
Outgoings
The biggest of our outgoings is of course the rent for the Centre and whilst we acknowledge that it may have its shortcomings, we remain of the view that for a property in the city centre, the cost is not unreasonable. We are however, in further discussions around moving locations to either another rented premises or with a view to buy a property. A deposit for this will be possible with the savings we have held securely for several years, following a larger scale fundraiser for this exact purpose. (Further details on this are available if requested.)
Our electricity charges are still rather significant this year with it being one of our largest expenses. With the local rates increase, this has also had a significant effect on our expenditure.
A lot of time is given, and even some expenses are covered voluntarily by our members and friends and so again we express our gratitude to the commitment and generosity of all involved. It is only this commitment which allows the Centre to continue as a source of friendship and inspiration to those who use it.
Reserves
The total free reserves of the charity are £79679. Our policy is to keep around £10,000 in our current account as a working reserve. We have not done that this year to allow for the refurbishment of the flat. During the next financial year, we shall look at transferring funds into our savings account. The remainder is held in a savings account with the Triodos Bank.
Acknowledgements
Thank you and gratitude is extended to Prasadashila and Ajitamati for all your hard work and support throughout the handover and transitioning of the treasurer role, which is still ongoing.
With gratitude and metta
Caz
(Caroline McCann)
5
| Fiancial Year 2024 -2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Santander Account | ||
| BeginningBalance £17536.69 | April | May |
| Income | ||
| Minster Court-Rent | £457.60 | £457.60 |
| Room Use(cash) | £50.00 | £50.00 |
| Sangha Night(cash) | £3.00 | £90.52 |
| Practice Days(cash) | £0.00 | £15.00 |
| Courses | £50.00 | £0.00 |
| Events(cash) | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Dana(bank) | £895.00 | £710.00 |
| Gift Aid Repayment | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Books | £6.00 | £0.00 |
| Shop | £4.00 | £0.00 |
| Sangha Retreat | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Other | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £1,465.60 | £1,323.12 |
| Direct Costs - Minster Court | ||
| Estate Agent Fees | £315.00 | £0.00 |
| Maintenance | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Service Charge | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £315.00 | £0.00 |
| Direct Costs - Bank | ||
| Fees | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Charges | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Gross Profit | £1,150.60 | £1,323.12 |
| April | May | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Rent | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Water Rates | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| LCC Rates | £77.06 | £81.00 |
| Electricity | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Insurance | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Maintinance | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Phone | £10.00 | £10.00 |
| Internet | £18.50 | £18.50 |
| IT/Website | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Zoom | £15.59 | £15.59 |
| Sundries | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £121.15 | £125.09 |
| Provisions | ||
| Books | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Shop | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sangha Night | £0.00 | £79.90 |
| Practice Day | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Event | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Courses | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Shrine | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £0.00 | £79.90 |
| Sangha Retreat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Food | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Travel | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| BookingFee | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sundries | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Balance | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Triratna | ||
| Development Fund | £30.00 | £30.00 |
| Chairs Retreat(inc travel) | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Sub Total | £30.00 | £30.00 |
| Total Expenditure | £151.15 | £234.99 |
| Movement Income - Expenditure | £999.45 | £1,088.13 |
| Openingbalance - bank | £17,536.69 | £18,536.14 |
| Closingbalance - bank | £18,536.14 | £19,624.27 |
| EndingBank Bal £16427.12 |
| Triodos Account | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opening Bank Bal £61495.58 | ||
| April | May | |
| Transfer from Santander | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Interest | £428.12 | £0.00 |
| Total | £428.12 | £0.00 |
| Opening Balance | £61,495.58 | £61,923.70 |
| Closing Balance | £61,923.70 | £61,923.70 |
| Ending Bank Bal £63252.61 |
| June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £457.60 | £457.60 | £457.60 | £457.60 | £457.60 |
| £75.00 | £30.00 | £0.00 | £55.00 | £113.00 |
| £45.55 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £65.00 | £35.00 |
| £5.00 | £78.60 | £0.00 | £30.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £50.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £685.00 | £875.00 | £740.00 | £725.00 | £710.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £2.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £1,318.15 | £1,441.20 | £1,197.60 | £1,334.60 | £1,315.60 |
| £0.00 | £315.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £315.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £315.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £315.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £1,318.15 | £1,126.20 | £1,197.60 | £1,334.60 | £1,000.60 |
| June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct |
| £2,875.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £2,875.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £81.00 | £81.00 | £81.00 | £81.00 | £81.00 |
| £287.78 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £245.53 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £10.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 |
| £18.50 | £18.50 | £18.50 | £18.50 | £18.50 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £119.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £15.59 | £15.59 | £15.59 | £15.59 | £15.59 |
| £4.58 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £10.74 |
| £3,292.45 | £125.09 | £244.09 | £3,245.62 | £135.83 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 |
| £3,322.45 | £155.09 | £274.09 | £3,275.62 | £165.83 |
| -£2,004.30 | £971.11 | £923.51 | -£1,941.02 | £834.77 |
| £19,624.27 | £17,619.97 | £18,591.08 | £19,514.59 | £17,573.57 |
| £17,619.97 | £18,591.08 | £19,514.59 | £17,573.57 | £18,408.34 |
| June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £431.09 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £456.59 |
| £0.00 | £431.09 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £456.59 |
| £61,923.70 | £61,923.70 | £62,354.79 | £62,354.79 | £62,354.79 |
| £61,923.70 | £62,354.79 | £62,354.79 | £62,354.79 | £62,811.38 |
| Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | March |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £457.60 | £457.60 | £457.60 | £457.60 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £145.00 | £60.00 | £0.00 | £197.00 |
| £0.00 | £35.00 | £20.00 | £0.00 | £45.00 |
| £0.00 | £45.00 | £34.00 | £0.00 | £100.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £890.00 | £540.00 | £745.00 | £700.00 | £900.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £17.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £1,347.60 | £1,222.60 | £1,316.60 | £1,157.60 | £1,259.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £315.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £24.90 | £341.22 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £339.90 | £341.22 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £1,347.60 | £1,222.60 | £976.70 | £816.38 | £1,259.00 |
| Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | March |
| £0.00 | £2,875.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £2,875.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £247.11 |
| £81.00 | £81.00 | £81.00 | £81.00 | £81.00 |
| £0.00 | £319.27 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £488.34 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £10.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 |
| £18.50 | £18.50 | £18.50 | £18.50 | £18.50 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £15.59 | £15.59 | £15.59 | £15.59 | £15.59 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £13.60 | £9.73 | £0.00 |
| £125.09 | £3,319.36 | £138.69 | £134.82 | £3,735.54 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 |
| £155.09 | £3,349.36 | £168.69 | £164.82 | £3,765.54 |
| £1,192.51 | -£2,126.76 | £808.01 | £651.56 | -£2,506.54 |
| £18,408.34 | £19,600.85 | £17,474.09 | £18,282.10 | £18,933.66 |
| £19,600.85 | £17,474.09 | £18,282.10 | £18,933.66 | £16,427.12 |
| Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | March |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £441.23 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £441.23 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| £62,811.38 | £62,811.38 | £62,811.38 | £63,252.61 | £63,252.61 |
| £62,811.38 | £62,811.38 | £63,252.61 | £63,252.61 | £63,252.61 |
Total £5,033.60 £775.00 £339.07 £307.60 £50.00 £50.00 £9,115.00 £0.00 £25.00 £4.00 £0.00 £0.00 £15,699.27 £1,260.00 £366.12 £0.00 £1,626.12 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £14,073.15 Total £11,500.00 £247.11 £968.06 £1,340.92 £0.00 £0.00 £120.00 £222.00 £119.00 £187.08 £38.65 £14,742.82 £0.00 £0.00 £79.90 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £79.90
£0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £360.00 £0.00 £360.00 £15,182.72 -£1,109.57
Total £1,757.03