Annual Report for y/e 2022 The Trustees Report for year end 31/10/2022
In February of this year we opened our online Dharma Centre. We now provide online teachings, Zazen meditation and an opportunity to speak with a teacher about spiritual practice.
As we come out of the pandemic and associated restrictions, Europe once again has a war on its soil. The uncertainty of the last few years continues. Much of the world now faces increases in the cost of living and an energy crisis. We are already feeling these changes on the ground and the level of anxiety for the future is very real for many of our population.
This backdrop can only reinforce the Buddha’s message of the unreliability of staking happiness on that which is subject to change.
The Dharma Centre opened with a seven-part course called Living with Uncertainty: A Buddhist Primer that sought to tie in the current state of disruption with the perennial wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings. The course modules, which were pre-recorded, were interspersed with live tutorials on Zoom. Once the course was finished the members expressed a wish for some kind of regular contact to continue. So we now have a monthly tutorial where members can ask questions about daily life practice and talk about how their zazen practice is going. This interaction allows members to discuss the small, practical ways that the teachings can help with the problems that surface for us all from time to time.
The weekly live-streamed zazen meditation is now a regular feature with a small group of sitters either joining through the website or on our YouTube channel. This normally features a 30 minute period of sitting with some chanting and a few words on the dharma to finish off the session. We have also experimented with longer sittings of both 60 and 90 minutes, most recently for Rohatsu week. These sittings are very popular and there seems to be a taste amongst the members for more structured progression in training and discipline.
The magazine side of The Zen Gateway continues to perform well. We post three new items a week and send out the weekly newsletter to our 635 regular subscribers. We offer one item of dharma teaching a week as either an article or a recorded talk. All articles on literature, including book extracts and reviews, news items, and articles of historical and cultural interest are connected with the history and practice of Buddhism.
As you know the trustees of the Zen Centre and the Buddhist Society have decided to distance themselves from us. In practice this means we will no longer mention our relationship to them on the Zen Gateway platform and they will not promote us on theirs. The trigger for this was the opening of the Dharma Centre. The trustees’ reasons are laid out in the attached correspondence. We discussed ways that we might overcome their objections, but sadly they remain opposed to the online dharma centre in principle. Nonetheless we left the door open for future discussion should they relent and it remains our wish to foster a closer relationship with them in future.
This December 2022 AGM will include facts and figures on how we have been doing over the past 12 months along with a financial report for the past year and a projection of the funding we will require for 2023.
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022 Registered Charity No. 1185762
Page 1
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 10 OCTOBER 2022
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 |
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7-9 |
Page 2
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
Report of the independent examiners to the Zen Gateway Trust
We report on the accounts of the Zen Gatewat Trust for the year ended 10 October 2022 which are set out on pages 3 to 5
Trustees
The trustees at the financial year end were as follows: Mr Michael Hagging Mr John Eskenazi Mr Bruce Ginsberg
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is our responsibility to:
-
(a) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
(b) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
( c) to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
-
(1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
(b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed by : Jackson Robson Licence, Chartered Accountants
33-35 Exchange Street, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 6LL on 27th July 2023
Page 3
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 10 OCTOBER 2022
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:-
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates which are reasonable and prudent;
-
state which accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting by Charities; and
-
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the concern will continue in operation.
The trustees are required to act within the framework of trust law and the Charities Acts;they are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records. The trustees have a general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the funds and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Annual Report dated 27th July 2023
Page 4
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
| Note Incoming resources: Donations 2.1 Total incoming resources Resources used: Website expenditure 3.1 Total resources used: Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Net movement in funds |
TOTAL TOTAL General Restricted FUNDS General Retricted FUNDS Funds Funds 2021 Funds Funds 2020 £ £ £ £ £ £ 25,695 - 25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|---|---|
| 25,695 - 25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|
| 28,740 - 28,740 30,227 - 30,227 |
|
| 28,740 - 28,740 30,227 - 30,227 |
|
| 3,045 - - 3,045 - - - - |
|
| 3,045 - - 3,045 - - - - |
Page 5
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST BALANCE SHEET YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
| Note Fixed assets: Tangible fixed assets Intangible assets Current assets: Bank deposit account Bank current accounts Net current assets: Current Liabilities Accruals TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS: Capital Reserve 4 TOTAL FUNDS Signed by a Trustee Name: Date: Signature: ……………………………… |
TOTAL FUNDS 2021 £ - - - - 1,894 1,894 1,894 300 1,594 1,594 1,594 |
TOTAL FUNDS 2020 £ - - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| - 4,639 |
||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
Page 6
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
1. Accounting policies (this note should be read in conjunction with the following notes 2 to 10)
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of tangible fixed assets and investment properties which are included at valuation, and investment assets, included at market value.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Page 7
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ( continued ) YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
| 2. Incoming resources 2.1 Donations Total incoming resources 3. Resources used 3.1 Expenditure Website / IT Website up keep Content creations Filming & editorial Accountancy Sundry Total resources used Excess income over expenditure 4. Capital Reserves Movements on the Capital reserves were: Capital Reserves at 11 October 2021 Total net movement in funds Capital Reserves at 10 October 2022 |
General Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 25,695 - |
TOTAL TOTAL FUNDS General Restricted FUNDS 2022 Funds Funds 2021 £ £ £ £ 25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|---|---|---|
| 25,695 - |
25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|
| General Restricted Funds Funds £ 5,180 - 11,200 - 10,200 - 1,810 - 300 - 50 - |
TOTAL TOTAL FUNDS General Restricted FUNDS 2022 Funds Funds 2021 £ £ £ 5,180 12,587 - 12,587 11,200 6,216 - 6,216 10,200 10,200 - 10,200 1,810 1,224 - 1,224 300 - - - 50 - - - |
|
| 28,740 - |
28,740 30,227 - 30,227 |
|
| (3,045) 0 |
(3,045) (1,887) 0 (1,887) |
|
| £ 4,639 (3,045) 1,594 |
Page 8
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022 Registered Charity No. 1185762
Page 1
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 10 OCTOBER 2022
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 |
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7-9 |
Page 2
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
Report of the independent examiners to the Zen Gateway Trust
We report on the accounts of the Zen Gatewat Trust for the year ended 10 October 2022 which are set out on pages 3 to 5
Trustees
The trustees at the financial year end were as follows: Mr Michael Hagging Mr John Eskenazi Mr Bruce Ginsberg
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is our responsibility to:
-
(a) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
(b) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
( c) to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
-
(1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
(b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed by : Jackson Robson Licence, Chartered Accountants
33-35 Exchange Street, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 6LL on 27th July 2023
Page 3
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 10 OCTOBER 2022
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:-
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates which are reasonable and prudent;
-
state which accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting by Charities; and
-
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the concern will continue in operation.
The trustees are required to act within the framework of trust law and the Charities Acts;they are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records. The trustees have a general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the funds and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Annual Report dated 27th July 2023
Page 4
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
| Note Incoming resources: Donations 2.1 Total incoming resources Resources used: Website expenditure 3.1 Total resources used: Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Net movement in funds |
TOTAL TOTAL General Restricted FUNDS General Retricted FUNDS Funds Funds 2021 Funds Funds 2020 £ £ £ £ £ £ 25,695 - 25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|---|---|
| 25,695 - 25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|
| 28,740 - 28,740 30,227 - 30,227 |
|
| 28,740 - 28,740 30,227 - 30,227 |
|
| 3,045 - - 3,045 - - - - |
|
| 3,045 - - 3,045 - - - - |
Page 5
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST BALANCE SHEET YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
| Note Fixed assets: Tangible fixed assets Intangible assets Current assets: Bank deposit account Bank current accounts Net current assets: Current Liabilities Accruals TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS: Capital Reserve 4 TOTAL FUNDS Signed by a Trustee Name: Date: Signature: ……………………………… |
TOTAL FUNDS 2021 £ - - - - 1,894 1,894 1,894 300 1,594 1,594 1,594 |
TOTAL FUNDS 2020 £ - - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| - 4,639 |
||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
| 4,639 | ||
Page 6
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
1. Accounting policies (this note should be read in conjunction with the following notes 2 to 10)
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of tangible fixed assets and investment properties which are included at valuation, and investment assets, included at market value.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Page 7
THE ZEN GATEWAY TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ( continued ) YEAR ENDED 10 OCTOBER 2022
| 2. Incoming resources 2.1 Donations Total incoming resources 3. Resources used 3.1 Expenditure Website / IT Website up keep Content creations Filming & editorial Accountancy Sundry Total resources used Excess income over expenditure 4. Capital Reserves Movements on the Capital reserves were: Capital Reserves at 11 October 2021 Total net movement in funds Capital Reserves at 10 October 2022 |
General Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 25,695 - |
TOTAL TOTAL FUNDS General Restricted FUNDS 2022 Funds Funds 2021 £ £ £ £ 25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|---|---|---|
| 25,695 - |
25,695 28,340 - 28,340 |
|
| General Restricted Funds Funds £ 5,180 - 11,200 - 10,200 - 1,810 - 300 - 50 - |
TOTAL TOTAL FUNDS General Restricted FUNDS 2022 Funds Funds 2021 £ £ £ 5,180 12,587 - 12,587 11,200 6,216 - 6,216 10,200 10,200 - 10,200 1,810 1,224 - 1,224 300 - - - 50 - - - |
|
| 28,740 - |
28,740 30,227 - 30,227 |
|
| (3,045) 0 |
(3,045) (1,887) 0 (1,887) |
|
| £ 4,639 (3,045) 1,594 |
Page 8