2021-10-02-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 03.10.2020 Period start date To 02.10.2021 Period end date

Charity name: Triratna East Kent Buddhist Group

Charity registration number: 1188543

Objectives and Activities

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SORP reference
Summary of the purposes Para 1.17 The purpose of the charity is to support
of the charity as set out the advancement of the Buddhist
in its governing religion, in particular by:
document
1. Teaching members of the public the
Buddhist practices of mindfulness and
meditation.
2. Promoting and teaching Budddhist
ethical values, thereby enabling people
to live more healthy and harmonious
lives.
3. Enhancing the understanding and
practice of spirituality in our local
community, in particular by co-
operating with other organisations
delivering similar benefits. (spirituality
being understood as pertaining to life’s
meaning and purpose.)
4. Supporting ordained members of
the Triratna Buddhist Community and
others (at the discretion of the charity),
who are working to actively promote
the above values and practices.
Summary of the main Para 1.17 and We have carried out the following
1.19
activities in relation to activities during the year to further the
those purposes for the charity’s purposes for the public
public benefit, in benefit.
particular, the activities,
projects or services Held services of worship and devotion
identified in the both in person and when that was not
accounts. possible, via zoom.
Organised lectures, courses, classes
and retreats, both in person and when
that was not possible, via zoom.
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Maintained contact and provided
information and resources primarily
online, for example via regular emails
and Facebook and Instagram.
Raised funds and invited and received
contributions.
Supported individuals to attend
learning events and retreats, both
online and in person.
Established and maintained
connections with the local community.
Continued to encourage and support
people to practise mindfulness and
meditation, with all their psychological
and spiritual benefits.
All our activities are designed to
encourage individuals to lead more
ethical purposeful, friendly and
compassionate lives; to deepen their
understanding and practice of
Buddhism through study, friendship
and events, and through working with
others for the benefit of the local
community and environment. Most of
our events are offered on a donation
basis and, where there is a charge, we
have a bursary available to help those
in need of support.
No Order members are currently
receiving ongoing support.
Statement confirming Para 1.18 We have carried out the charity’s
whether the trustees activities with regard to the Charity
have had regard to the Commission’s guidance on public
guidance issued by the benefit.
Charity Commission on
public benefit
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Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment

Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

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SORP reference
A new vision for our sangha
was established during the year.
After consultation with the
Summary of the main whole sangha, two principle aims were
achievements of the Para 1.20 recognised: to attract a younger and
charity, identifying the more diverse membership; and to have a
difference the charity’s greater community presence. A ‘Vision
work has made to the Team’ have been taking these aims
forward with further consultation with
circumstances of its
sangha members and the establishment
beneficiaries and any
of a larger team to develop different
wider benefits to society
areas, including social media,
as a whole.
newcomers’ courses and classes,
website design and publicity. The
trustees receive minutes of the Vision
Team meetings. There is energy
and enthusiasm in the sangha for our
vision, and also connection with the
wider Triratna Community to share ideas
and experience.
We continued using zoom for much of
the year for our sangha events. A
positive outcome of this was the
inclusion of people from a wider
geographical area, and others who find it
difficult to attend in-person events for
various reasons. Newcomers have been
able to find us on zoom and connect
with our teaching and practice events.
Zoom continues to enable connections
with the wider Triratna community in the
UK and internationally. Many sangha
members have taken part in online
retreats, classes and other events with
hundreds of others from our worldwide
community.
Once we were able to meet in person, we
alternated weekly in-person and
online Sangha evenings to cater for all
preferences and abilities, and both were
well attended. We have also held other
in-person events, including a Mitra
Ceremony.
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We continued to be able to invite high profile visiting speakers from other parts of the UK and abroad to lead events on zoom. Our weekday online lunchtime drop-in sessions were discontinued during the year, and an online Saturday morning meditation and Buddhism class aimed for newcomers and regulars, took place for several months. This attracted several newcomers who continued to attend our regular sangha events. Regular study groups continued throughout the year. A first-year study group was completed in the summer, and most participants continued to a second year. Three people from this study group became mitras (friends of the community) during the year. Our annual Buddhist Action Month event took place in June. The theme was “Speaking up in a Troubled World". Sangha members made personal pledges in line with environmental concerns and Buddhist ethical values. We made connections with local environmental groups for activities during the month, including Deal with It and East Kent Climate Action. These connections continued, offering the advantages of shared understanding, ethical values and practice, a sharing of resources, networking, and a greater presence in the community. During the month we held a very successful and inspiring fund-raising event for the Indian Sangha, connecting with them via zoom for talks and discussions. We fundraised £3,000 and sent it via Future Dharma Fund for the Indian sangha. Triratna Order members have been supported as necessary to attend events and retreats. Two members of our sangha were ordained; one preceptor was supported financially to attend the Ordination retreat.

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Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41

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Performance of
fundraising activities Para 1.41
against objectives set
Investment performance Para 1.41
against objectives
Other
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Financial Review

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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 Our finances have been healthy
financial position at the throughout the year. We have received
end of the period regular standing orders from sangha
members, one off donations for
specific events and also a legacy of
£166,000 from a sangha member.
£85,000 of this was paid into our
savings account in June, and £81,000
remained with the Executors awaiting
the opening of another bank account.
Our outgoings have included donations
to visiting speakers, Triratna retreat
centres, groups and organisations;
charitable payments; one off payments
such as web page, zoom and
insurance; and bank charges. All
donations are approved by the
Trustees. It was agreed to send a
‘thank you’ email to sangha members
noting to whom we have donated
during the year.
The bursary is not often used. It is
offered to sangha members to go on
retreat to Triratna centres when the
retreat is on a payment basis, and also
for travel costs. It is not used for dana
requests.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 We hold a reserve of unspent income
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policy for holding from a legacy of unrestricted funds
reserves stating why they received during the year. We intend to
are held use this as deposit for the purchase or
for rental of a centre for our charity
activities. This could not be met from
other income.
A centre will further the objects of our
CIO to support the advancement of the
Buddhist religion, help us be more
visible in the community and attract a
more diverse and younger age group.
We will spend our reserves after
researching the property market and
opportunities for growth in our
activities.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 We hold a reserve of unspent income
with a target range of £155,000 -
£163,000. This is from a legacy of
unrestricted funds received during the
year. The reserves are deposited in
bank accounts earning interest.
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 N/A
reserves
Details of fund materially Para 1.24 N/A
in deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 N/A
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern
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You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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The charity’s principal
sources of funds Para 1.47
(including any
fundraising)
Investment policy and
objectives including any Para 1.46
social investment policy
adopted
A description of the Para 1.46
principal risks facing the
charity
Other
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Structure, Governance and Management

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Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing Para 1.25 Constitution
document
(trust deed, royal
charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 CIO
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Trustee selection Para 1.25 The members of the charity trustees
methods including details may at any time decide to appoint a
of any constitutional new charity trustee. The maximum
provisions e.g. election to number of trustees is 12.
post or name of any
person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees
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Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction Para 1.51
and training of trustees
TEKBG is part of a worldwide network
of Triratna Buddhist Centres, Groups
The charity’s and practitioners – the Triratna
organisational structure Para 1.51 Buddhist Community – all sharing the
and any wider network same aims and objectives. This
with which the charity provides us with both support and
works access to retreat centres, study
materials, teachers, other centres and
other Buddhist practitioners with whom
we can share and discuss our plans
and vision.
Relationship with any Para 1.51
related parties
Other
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Reference and Administrative details

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Charity name Triratna East Kent Buddhist Group
Other name the charity Deal Buddhist Group
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uses
Registered charity 1188543
number
Charity’s principal 13 Herschell Square
address Deal,
Kent
CT14 7SH
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee
whole year
(if any)
Madeline Chair 3.10.20 – 14.9.21
1
Borland Trustee For whole year.
Graham John Safeguarding
2
Patterson Officer
3 Philippa Kelsall Group Treasurer 3.10.20 – 1.7.21
4 Carolyn Edwards 3.10.20 – 1.7.21
5 Geraldine Moon Group Secretary
6 Richard Gifford
Janice John Group Treasurer 1.7.21 – 2.10.21
7
Trustee For whole year
Marilyn Ann Chair 15.9.21 - 2.10.21
8
Williams Trustee For whole year
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

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Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole
year
N/A
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

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Description of the assets N/A
held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A
charity on whose behalf
the assets are held and
how this falls within the
custodian charity’s
objects
Details of arrangements N/A
for safe custody and
segregation of such
assets from the charity’s
own assets
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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

Other optional information

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

Charity Name No (if any)

Receipts and payments accounts Period start date Period end date To from 10/3/2020 10/2/2021

For the period from

Section A Receipts and payments

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Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Regular standing orders 3,765 - - 3,765
Sangha retreats 180 - - 180
Sangha evenings and days 2,161 - - 2,161
Study classes 410 - - 410
Women's/men's events 262 - - 262
Legacy 85,000 - - 85,000
Interest 15 - - 15
Other courses, classes, miscellaneous - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 91,793 - - 91,793
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - -
Total receipts 91,793 - - 91,793
A3 Payments
Premises fees - - -
Retreat venue fees - - - -
Travel and accommodation expenses - - - -
Purchases for events/sangha 149 - - 149
Refunds - - - -
Regular costs - insurance, zoom, etc 444 - - 444
Donatons to other Triratna charities 4,661 - - 4,661
Support for Ordination/mitra convenors etc 546 - - 546
- - - -
Sub total 5,800 - - 5,800
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total payments 5,800 - - 5,800
Net of receipts/(payments) 85,993 - - 85,993
A5 Transfers between funds - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 8,559 - - 8,559
Cash funds this year end 94,552 - - 94,552
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

			Unrestricted		Restricted
Categories	Details		funds		funds
B1 Cash funds	Current account Savings account	Total cash funds	to nearest £ 6,884 87,668 - 94,552		to nearest £ - - - -
	(agree balances	with receipts and payments account(s))	OK	OK
			Unrestricted		Restricted
			funds		funds
B2 Other monetary assets	Details		to nearest £ - - - - - -		to nearest £ - - - - - -
B3 Investment assets	Details		Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional) - - - - -
B4 Assets retained for the	Details		Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional) -
charity’s own use					- - - - - - - -
			Fund to which		Amount due
B5 Liabilities	Details		liability relates		- - - - - (optional)
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees	Signature		Print	Name

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CC16a
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Last year

to the nearest £

2,650 308 1,478 96 187 - 13 1,031 5,763

5,763

864 275 227 284 50 1,008 310 1,134 - 4,152

4,152 1,610 - 6,949 8,559

Endowment funds

to nearest £

-

OK

Endowment funds to nearest £

-

Current value (optional)

-

Current value (optional)

When due (optional)

Date of approval

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