Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 Nov 2021 Period start date To 31 Oct 2022 Period end date
Charity name: MILTON KEYNES VIHARA: COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Charity registration number: 1183908
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the public benefit, to advance Buddhism in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area, in particular but not exclusively by: (a) facilitating the teaching of Theravada Buddhism and to provide opportunities for the study and practice of Buddhist philosophy, meditation and mindfulness (b) conducting regular lessons in Buddhism for devotees. (c) establishing centres for the practice of Buddhism and meditation (d) providing residential facilities for Buddhist monks to teach and practice Buddhism. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
• Conducting regular classes teaching Theravada Buddhism to children • Conducting a regular programme of meditation courses • Organising regular talks and discussions on Buddhism and meditation practice that are open to anyone to attend • Maintaining accommodation for the resident monks on the vihara premises |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Yes, all trustees have read this guidance. |
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policyongrant making | Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | • Volunteers contribute their time and expertise to support the activities of the Milton Keynes Vihara summarised above. This includes: oFacilitating children’s Buddhism programme oFacilitating regular Buddhism talks and discussions that are open to the public oWorking to maintain the Vihara premises |
| Other | Not applicable |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | • Milton Keynes Vihara has continued to conduct a regular series of events aimed at supporting the community gain a greater understanding of Buddhist teachings and develop their practice of meditation. • The children’s Dhamma School programme continued through the year, moving to a schedule of online sessions every two weeks. • Organisation of Buddhist cultural events, such as a programme of devotional songs to mark the Poson full moon day in July 2022. • Organisation of special blessings ceremonies and formal invitation of monks to spend the rains retreat at the vihara (Vas Aradhana), followed by the Katina Ceremony at the end of the rains retreat. • Supporting the wider Milton Keynes community, for example by participating in events organised by the Milton Keynes Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Peace Pagoda. See https://mkvihara.org/gallery/ |
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Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | No additional information to add to that provided above. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising to support the activities of the vihara have been through one-off donations from individuals visiting the Vihara or regular contributions from well-wishers and members of the community. The funds raised have been sufficient to meet the essential expenses of maintaining the Vihara premises (rent, utilities, telephone / broadband and council tax). |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable |
| Other | Not applicable |
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Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 |
The operating deficit of -£3872 reported in the accounts is due to several factors: • a fall in regular and general donations, attributable to lower numbers of visitors to the vihara during the COVID period and cost of living pressures on donors • the timing of the Kathina Ceremonies in 2021 and 2022, where income and expenditure occurs close to the end of the financial reporting period. Some income associated with the 2022 ceremony will be reported in next year’s accounts. Earlier in 2023, the trustees have made a special appeal to the community which has received good support. As a result, the operating costs of the vihara are now being met. The trustees would also like to note that a rounding error resulted in last year’s closing year balance being reported as £9477. This has been corrected to reflect the end of 2020/21 bank balance of £9477.80 and is now shown as £9478. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 |
Not applicable |
| Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 |
£0 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 |
The Milton Keynes Vihara is now in its 4th year of operation and the trustees are now planning the longer term development of the vihara. These plans include establishing a new premises for the vihara, and in support of this the trustees have opened a new‘Building Fund’ account. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 |
None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
The current rented premises of the vihara may be sold by the landlord. However, as noted above plans are being developed to establish a new, permanent home for the vihara, along with any required transitional arrangements. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Not applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Not applicable |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Loss of physical premises Cost of living pressures leading to further operating deficits. |
| Other | Not applicable |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The founding trustees were volunteers from the community who wanted to support the establishment of the Milton Keynes Vihara. This includes i. Head of the Centre; ii. President; iii. Secretary; and iv. Treasurer of the Milton Keynes Vihara who are ex-officio trustees as defined in the CIO’s constitution. We still have a vacancy for a new trustee and treasurer. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Induction: Trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: 1. a copy of the CIO constitution and any amendments made to it; and 2. a copy of the CIO’s latest trustees’ annual report and statement of accounts. 3. Induction meetings with the Head of Centre and President of the Vihara |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Not applicable |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Not applicable |
| Other | Not applicable |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | MILTON KEYNES VIHARA: COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR MINDFULNESS MEDITATION |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | MILTON KEYNES VIHARA |
| Registered charity number | 1183908 |
| Charity’s principal address | 3 Aldrich Drive Willen Milton Keynes MK15 9HP |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof. Arosha K. Bandara | President | |||
| Dr. Ajit De Silva | Secretary | |||
| Ven. Akurala Samithasiri | Head of Centre | |||
| Dr. Dinuka De Silva | Trustee | |||
| Dr. Mahesh Dias | Trustee | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
Not applicable |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
Not applicable
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Arosha K. Bandara | Dr. Ajit A. De Silva | |
President |
Secretary | |
| 12 May 2023 | 12 May 2023 |
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tru8teesl members of Milton Keynes Vihara.. Community Centre for Mindfulness Meditation 31 OCT 2022 On accounts for the year ended Charlty no (If any) 1183908 Set out on pages 01-oz l port lo t Iruslees on my examination charity l.the Trust.) for the year ended 31 the ccounts of the above 1012D2L Responsibillties and As the charity Iruslees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'lhe Act'i. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2017 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have ¢ome to my attention {other than that disclosed belr)w ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, ary material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the 8fcounts do not accord wtth the accounting records Independent examineffs statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable 8 proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Ple lete the words in the brackels ifthey do not 8ppty. Date: Signed: 23 D6 Namfr.. RA-j I r 202 Relèvant professional qualificationls} or body lif any): is£D lThJ£i ifL)J E- Addres8: ARF)
LL gL)eo&y IER October 2018
Sèction B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give h•re brief detalls of any items that the oxaminer wishgs to disclose. D 16Ri•FL l£gLI&-S IC ES IER October 2018
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO ANO WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Fortho rIod Irom To Section A Receipts and payments Uniostricled fun(18 1tyth•YI Rèairictsd funds Endowmènt fundl t¢ilhi nNr•itÉ Total L•eiy•r Al Rocol Kknmly sIdin tolhanHr•itE OfdÈr Iiw 7.620 4,J4 10.30$ Sub tolal(Gffjss m¢om& lorAR) A#¥pt and Inwsknoht le, Isle 141 i¥ st total 23.641 24ts41 A3Pa m?nts Ron1 Wis05 COLWI TBX 14¢ 1,17T 1S.L 2,1fy) Wal 418 327 J8J Exwns0siK82O?1r22 0lhorèw%{Prt221 Reld DOWID loo 7.115 7.6 Sub tol31 27,61) loo 14993 17M13 A4 As88tand Inen[ purcha$o•, 15oe tabl61 Sub total Totlwyments 27.51J 2T,513 18.993 Notolrecoip(P8Yrn8n) S 7rin$fprn botwepn fund6 A6 C4&h fund• la•tyè•r end C•5h lurtds Ihls y*arend 3,172 5,203 9.47 9,478 4,27 Section B Statemenl of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted lunds Rgstricied funds Endo¥¥int fvnds B1 Cash lund 31 Tolel ¢th¥h funds urtet•d fund• R•¥thcted funds Endowment fund$ DBtails t47 82 Other monetsry aisets
tktsi B3 Invo¥tm•nt a88•ts Fundto¥Jfaoh •1••1 Curr•il ¥4lu chartty'8 own Furtd toWGh •Jnount¢hJv Dotai16 85 L¢abiliti¢& Print Dats of8pprov Ilthllu4iee6 Aroehp K Bandaf Pr¢$ithnt Ilde Silv¥ {sretary1 12 May 2023 12 May 2023