## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** **A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Registered Charity Number: 1181397** **Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts** **For** **The Year Ending 1[st] August 2022** **1 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## CONTENTS Page Introduction 3 Our Vision, Mission and Values 3 Legal and Administrative Information 4 Structure, Governance and Management 5 Objectives and Activities 5 Achievement and Performance 6 Financial Review 6 Statement of Financial Activities 8 Balance Sheet 9 **2 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## **Introduction** The fourth year of Bristol Puja Committee saw a gradual return to normal activities with the easing of pandemic restrictions. Durgotsav and Lakshmi Puja was celebrated with public participation. During the Durgotsav event, we had invited professional singers and dancers, almost 100 devotees and members had enjoyed the evening. Many local Bristol residents and performers also performed during the festival. ## **Vision** A harmonious society by promoting Hindu cultural and religious values and helping individuals, other charity during pandemic, flood and drought. ## **Mission** - Promoting Hindu cultural and religious values - Advancement of art, culture and heritage of Bengali and other South Asian communities - Provide a platform to people of all ages and faiths to enhance - personal and social skills - Help financially individuals, other charities during pandemic, flood, other natural calamities ## **Values** - Respect for individuals - Cooperation - Openness - Equality **3 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## **Legal and Administrative Information** ## **Name of Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO):** Bristol Puja Committee (BPC) ## **Registered Charity Number:** 1181397 ## **Trustees:** Mrs Souroni Hazra, appointed on 16/06/2018 Mr Dibakar Gayen appointed on 09/05/2020 Mr Rajib Roy appointed on 09/05/2020 Mr Manas Pratim Nath appointed on 09/05/2020 ## **Registered Address:** 54 Dirac Road, Ashley Down, Bristol BS7 9LP ## **Bankers:** HSBC UK Bank Plc 62 George White Street, Cabot Circus, Bristol, BS1 3BA **4 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Bristol Puja Committee (hereafter referred as the committee) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with Charity Commission on 03.01.2019 with registration number 1181397. The committee is governed by its constitution last updated on 23.04.2020. A board of appointed trustees run the organisation with the help of associate members and volunteers. ## **Objectives and Activities** The objective of the committee is to contribute towards a better society by promoting South Asian culture and Hindu religious values and the relief and assistance of people in need in the UK and overseas who are the victims of natural or other disaster, through the provision of grants. These are achieved by following activities: - Organise important pujas and festivals in timely manner to bring the flavour of sub-continental life - Encourage everyone, especially the young children to come forward and demonstrate their talent in contemporary art, music, dance and any other performances. - Organise professional performances to provide quality entertainment while raising the level of professionalism - Conduct worships in traditional ways and explain all procedures in simple English describing main purpose and relevance of each activity or rituals - Organise talks and presentations to highlight Hindu cultural and religious values providing a sense of belongingness - Create an environment of cooperation, kindness and friendliness - Inculcate the values of respect, tolerance and safety in young children - Providing authentic food/prasad to all devotees and participants to give a taste of continental life - Serve food to homeless people - Organise social events **5 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## **Achievement and Performance** In the fourth year of BPC, we received a grant from South Gloucestershire Council: MAF Grant £750. The grant amount of £700 received in the previous year has been utilised in this year’s project. Sarbojonin Durgotsav and Kojagori Mahalakshmi Puja were celebrated publicly for the first time since the pandemic disrupted normal way of life for most of us. There was lots of enthusiasm and active participation from members, devotees and general public. Many amateur and professional artists performed and enriched the experience for all participants. ## **Sarbojonin Durgotsav (16.10.2021- 17.10.2021)** A two-day celebration of Durga Puja, the most important festival for the Bengali and other communities, attracted about 300 devotees. Everyone was involved in puja procedures, cultural programmes and was offered bhog/prasad for meals. ## **Kojagori Mahalakshmi Puja (17.10.2021)** Lakshmi puja was celebrated immediately after the Durgotsav. The puja was followed by cultural programme and dinner for all participants. ## **Financial review** ## **Financial review details:** The committee’s main source of funding is from contribution from trustees, associate members and general public along with donations and sponsorships. Another source of funding is grant from local council and contribution from local businesses. **6 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** From July 2019 Members has started paying £10 monthly. About 9 families continued this monthly scheme. We found a few local businesses to sponsor the events. Unfortunately, we have lost a number of members in the past few years due to various reasons and that has made smooth functioning of the committee a bit difficult. Gift Aid claim from HMRC for the previous years has been successful and that has helped us to keep the deficit down. All money expensed during all events had been claimed. ## **Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves:** Due to the sort period of coverage for this year only two events have been organised so far. Though there is a fall in membership contribution incoming funds for Gift Aid and Grants from South Gloucestershire Council have helped us to manage the events without difficulty. Due to changing circumstances the trustees have decided that functioning of the committee is financially and logistically unviable. The trustees agreed to repay £6277 to Mrs Souroni Hazra, the founder against CIO loan amount of £6277 and after that the final balance in bank account is now zero. The bank account has now been closed. ## **Details of any funds materially in deficit:** Not applicable The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees **Name &** Dibakar Gayen **Signature** 11/02/2023 **Position** Chairperson **& Date** **7 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## _**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**_ _**For the Year Ended 1[st] August 2022**_ |
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Members Contributions
Loan Repayment Contribution by members
HMRC Gift Aid
Sale of idols
Donation Received
Grant Received
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR CHARITABLE
APPLICATIONS
**Less– General Expenses**
Durga Puja & Lakshmi Puja
Saraswati Puja
Holi
**Finance Costs**
Bank Charges
Repayment of Loan to CIO
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Net of Receipts/Payments (operating activities)
**Total Funds brought forward**
**Total funds carries forward**|**Unrestricted Funds**
**2021**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
1015
445
220
3565
1200
80
0
1095
1122
750
7302
586
4594
0
0
0
0
586
4594
-
10
6277
6287
586
10881
509
(3579)
(3257)
(2748)
(2748)
(6327)| |---|---| - The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year - - All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities |**RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**Unrestricted General Funds**
Opening Funds
Surplus (Deficit) for the period
Closing Funds on 1stAugust 2022|**2021**
**£**
(3257)
509
(2748)|**2022**
**£**
(2748)
(3579)
(6327)| |---|---|---| **8 |** P a g e ## **BRISTOL PUJA COMMITTEE** ## _**CHARITY BALANCE SHEET**_ |**_As at 1st August 2022_**
**UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUNDS**
Total Funds
**STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES**
**Tangible Fixed Assets**
**Less**- Accumulated Depreciation
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash in Hand
Cash at Bank
**Less- CURRENT LIABILITIES- amounts falling due within 12 months**
Creditors
**NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES)**
Loan to CIO
**EXCESS OF ASSETS OVER LIABILITIES**|**2021**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
(2748)
(6327)
-
-
-
-
-
-
3520
0
3520
0
-
3520
0
(6277)
(2757)
0
0| |---|---| For the year ending 1[st] August 2022 the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The trustees have not required the Charity to obtain an audit in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to Charities subject to the small companies regime. ## **Approved by the Board and Signed on its Behalf** ||**Name**
**&**
**Position**|Dibakar Gayen
Chairperson|**Signature**
**& Date**|11/02/2023| |---|---|---|---|---| **9 |** P a g e