**ITC Tamil Centre CIO Charity Registration Number: 1181972** ## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period ending 31 July2024.** ## **Trustees' Report** The Trustees of ITC Tamil Centre CIO were elected at the AGM held on 1 July 2023. Mr Maheswaran Shankar - Chair Dr Seevaratnam Jegandan - Secretary Mr Arumugam Gangeswaran - Treasurer Mr Karthi Kumar Kuppuswamy Mr Kanagasabai Ilankovan Mr Naganathan Nagendra Dr. Vivekanandan Ponnampalam Mr Balasingham Ravindran Mr.Sinnathamby Velkrishna Mr. Yogarajah Jayakanth - Mr. Bhranavaruban Sivapragasam Mr. Nagamany Veerasingham Kuralarasu Mr. Ramanan Mangalajeyanathan Mr. Rajendram Balendran - Mr. Satheesan Paramalingam ## **Structure, governance and management** The governing document of the charity by way of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is a Constitution based on the charity commission’s Association Model adopted on 09 February 2019. The registration number is 1181972. Trustees are appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting. Membership of the charity is open to any individual, a corporate body or organisation Interested in furthering the purposes and objects of the charity. ## **ITC Tamil Centre CIO Charity Registration Number: 1181972** ## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period ending 31 July 2024** The governance of the organisation is vested in a board of trustees. It has overall responsibility for management, policy, forward planning, finance, quality, monitoring and evaluation. The operation of activities are delegated to admin staff and teachers who work on a part time basis. ## Induction and Training of Trustees Induction and training of trustees is covered as presentations at the Trustee Board meetings. The new trustees normally receive their induction at the first meeting of the financial year. The policies and procedures are reviewed on a rolling program basis at the Trustee board meetings. Governance training for the trustees is organized on a need basis. ## Risks and Internal Control The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that ITC Tamil Centre has appropriate systems of control, both financial and operational. These systems are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. During the Period, the Trustees continued to review the major financial and operational risks facing ITC Tamil Centre and continue to monitor on a regular basis the implementation of any changes necessary to ensure that, as far as is reasonable, controls are in place to protect the organisation, its members, those working for it, the general public and other stakeholders. ## Strategic Development ITC Tamil Centre operates within a strategic framework in order to meet the objectives. The current business plan prepared with wider consultation with stake holders in 2017 was reviewed and updated in 2019. The key issues identified to tackle as priorities are: - Building a strong infrastructure - Improving Current services: - Incorporating new service developments - Community buy-in ITC Tamil centre has Financial Control policy, Reserve Policy, Equal Opportunity Policy, Child Safe Guarding Policy, Health and Safety policy in place which are reviewed annually. As a community organisation, it is vital ITC Tamil centre continues to represent the communities it serves, at all levels, and remains relevant and connected to the wider borough of Kingston upon Thames. ## **ITC Tamil Centre CIO Charity Registration Number: 1181972 Trustees' Annual Report for the period ending 31 July 2024** ITC Tamil centre works in collaboration with other strategic organisations within the Borough including Kingston Racial and Equalities Council, Kingston Voluntary Action and Global Arts Kingston. ITC Tamil Centre also partners in joint activities with the local authority and other community organisations. ## **Objectives and activities** The objects of the charity set out in the governing document are for public benefit, by way of education of the public, and in particular young people, within the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames and its environs, in Tamil culture and its language, arts and heritage by the provision and co-ordination of workshops, courses, events and language classes. The provision of the above facilities is in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals by reason of their youth, age, infirmity, disability, poverty or social and economic circumstances with the object of improving their lives. We are grateful for the many hours volunteers, including member volunteers, have spent in successfully carrying out the above activities. In order to achieve these objectives ITC Tamil centre organises the following main areas of work in furtherance of its public benefit duties: ## Kingston Tamil School For the public benefit to advance education and culture through classes in Tamil language, music, dance, celebration of cultural and all faith festivals ## ITC Fine Arts For the public benefit to advance performing arts through provision of workshops in music dance and theatre productions ## ITC Youth Sports Club For the public benefit to provide recreational activities through coaching and events in a variety of youth and sporting activities ## Kingston Community Centre For the public benefit to provide welfare activities, advice and information for adults ## **ITC Tamil Centre CIO Charity Registration Number: 1181972 Trustees' Annual Report for the period ending 31 July 2024** ## **Achievements and performance** Between April 2023 and July 2024 ITC Tamil Centre has worked and executed the following activities: - Classes every Saturday in Tamil language, vocal and variety of instrumental music and South Indian dance based at Tolworth Girls School in line with main stream school term dates. - Regular talks/ speeches about Tamil heritage and culture by scholars - Running workshops leading to performances - Football / Netball / Cricket practices on weekends and summer vacation. - Participating in friendly matches - Running keep fit classes - Providing advice and information ## **Our events:** The events listed below are those we organise annually which are key to advance and educate the public in our rich culture and traditions by encouraging our students to showcase what they have learnt in a classroom environment. They are well attended by parents, friends and local diverse communities. Other local community/cultural organisations are invited to attend and learn about our traditions and culture. The events are free of charge and a small fee is charged for some events to cover the cost. ## – 37[th] Anniversary Cultural Evening 1 April 2023 The anniversary cultural show was organised on 1 April 2023. The performances were given by our Tamil School students who have been attending regular classes throughout the year. The items performed were traditional dramas, speeches, poetry readings, storytelling, vocal, instrumental music, Bharatha Natyam dance and traditional tales presented as a puppet show. This programme was held at Tolworth Girls’ school large hall. Sir Ed Davey MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Cllr M.Yoganathan Mayor of RBK, Mr.John Azah CEO of Kingston Race and Equalities Council and Parents and local residents from diverse communities also attended. ## **ITC Tamil Centre CIO** ## **Charity Registration Number: 1181972 Trustees' Annual Report for the period ending 31 July 2024** ## - Sports day 8 July 2023 Although we are a cultural organisation, yet we still encourage our students to be physically active and fit. Our annul sports day was organised on 8 July 2023 at the sports ground in Tolworth Girls School to give them that opportunity to participate in sports activities. It was a competitive event between three inter-houses and is contested in athletics, football and netball. It is the first outdoor event for many of our students. They thoroughly enjoyed the participation in athletic and fun races. New Arts class for students - 7 October 2023 Kingston Tamil school started classes in painting arts due to popular demand. The class started with five students but has grown into double figures at 11 students. ## – Medical camp 4 November 2023 ITC community Centre organised this free medical camp for parents and children. GP’s and Dentists conducted a well being session with medical check-up including dentist and wellbeing advice session. We are grateful foe few of our old students who are in medical profession provided their services. Annual Innovation Talent show and Deepavali Celebration -18 November 2023 Our programme titled ‘Innovations’ which showcases and educates the public in traditional classic Fine Arts was held at Tolworth Girls School to coincide with Diwali celebration. It was an event filled with music, dance and orchestra performed by students and budding artistes. Other communities and organisations were also invited to showcase their cultures. This year it was a talent show to encourage competitive participation and spotting talents within the community. Many students showed their talents in music, Dance and instruments. ## Navarathiri - 21 October 2023 In tradition with our culture, we celebrated this ‘festival of nine nights’ on Saturday, 21 October 2023 on the sixth day of Navarathri. All performances are given by our Tamil School students and with the support of our teachers. The traditional Navarathri food is also served as part of the celebrations. This event was well attended by all communities. ## – Estate planning 2 December 2023 ITC community Centre organised this free estate planning seminar for parents and children. Free estate planning seminar advice session about will writing and financial estate planning. We are grateful for old student who is a practicing legal professional for providing their services. ## Christmas celebrations - 9 December 2023: ITC has an equal opportunity policy to embrace and respect all cultures and faiths. This programme was organised during the day mainly for the children and parents to reflect the spirit and traditions of Christmas. Children performed nativity plays, songs and talks about Christmas. Father Christmas also joined and gave presents to the children. ## Sports Awards Night - 9 December 2023: The netball / football players who participated and performed well in tournaments with other organisations were awarded trophies and certificates for their performances. This is to award the winners and motivate them to perform better. ## - Thai Pongal 20 January 2024 Organised during the day at our school – nearest Saturday to the Thai Pongal day. Children are encouraged to learn about this auspicious festival and participate in related activities. We hold drawing competition for our school children, to bring out their imagination about the purpose of and how the Pongal celebration is carried out. Further we exhibit how a typical Pongal would be celebrated with a display with “Kolam, Pot, etc”. We end the day with serving the traditional 'Thai Pongal Pukkai” and other short-eats “Vadai, Kadali” etc. Parents of students and local residents from various communities attend and enjoy the traditions. ## – Kingston Heritage Festival 2024 21 January 2024 ITC Tamil Centre’s object is education of the public in Tamil culture and its language, arts and heritage. Kingston Heritage group organised a Tamil Heritage festival to celebrate Thai Pongal (Harvest festival) and the heritage month on 21st January 2024. It is a collaborative event of Community Centre for Development and the Tamil Schools including Kingston Tamil School with Kingston Council. It was a successful event held in the Jubilee square in New Malden with Tamil traditional music, dance and heritage exhibition. – Medical camp 1 February 2024 ITC community Centre organised this free seminar for parents and children about the importance of winter vaccine presented by medical staff associated with NHS. ## – 38[th] Anniversary Cultural Evening 24 February 2024 The anniversary cultural show was organised on 24 February 2024. The performances were given by our Tamil School students who have been attending regular classes throughout the year. The items performed were traditional dramas, speeches, poetry readings, storytelling, vocal, instrumental music, Bharatha Natyam dance and traditional tales presented as a puppet show. This programme was held at Tolworth Girls’ school large hall. Sir Ed Davey MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Mr.John Azah CEO of Kingston Race and Equalities Council and Parents and local residents from diverse communities also attended. Sports day - 22 June 2024 Although we are a cultural organisation, yet we still encourage our students to be physically active and fit. Our annul sports day was organised on 22 June 2024 at the sports ground in Tolworth Girls School to give them that opportunity to participate in sports activities. It was a competitive event between three inter-houses and is contested in athletics, football and netball. It is the first outdoor event for many of our students. They thoroughly enjoyed the participation in athletic and fun races. ## **ITC Tamil Centre CIO Charity Registration Number: 1181972** ## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period ending 31 July 2024** ## Financial review As at 31 July 2024 the cash at bank was £51k in Unrestricted Funds. The funds are held to cover ongoing operational costs in the event of a loss of income and to meet any unforeseen expenditure that may occur in line with the reserve policy. ## Reserves Policy The main aim of the Trustees is to ensure that ITC Tamil Centre holds adequate reserves for working capital purposes and has sufficient funds to meet contractual liabilities and winding down costs, were the organisation to close. This includes redundancy pay, were there to be any employees, amounts due to creditors and commitments under contracts. In addition to the contingency reserve, the current general unrestricted will be used for administration and running costs, as well as fundraising and project planning. The main sources of income for the period ended 31 July 2024 has been tuition fees, and fund raising events. The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Trustees' report. 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