## **BONG JUNCTION**
**Registered Charity Number: 1210997 Principal Office:** 18 Manor Road, Cheam, Sutton, SM2 7AF
## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE PERIOD 19 NOVEMBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **PART 1: TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT**
The Trustees of Bong Junction present their first Annual Report and the unaudited financial statements for the period from incorporation on 19 November 2024 to 31 August 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
## **1. Reference and Administrative Details**
- **Charity Name:** Bong Junction
- **Registered Charity Number:** 1210997 (Registered in England & Wales)
- **Governing Document:** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Constitution ("Foundation" Model)
- **Date of Registration:** 19 November 2024
- **Principal & Contact Address:** 18 Manor Road, Cheam, Sutton, SM2 7AF
- **Bankers:** * **Bank Name:** Metro Bank
- **Account Name:** BONG JUNCTION
- **Account Number:** 54121687
- **Sort Code:** 23-05-80
## **Trustees (who served during the period and up to the date of signing):**
The Charity's constitution states that the charity trustees have control of the CIO and its property. The original trustees who signed the constitution on 16 November 2024 and served throughout the period are:
1. **Sanjay Dasgupta** (President)
2. **Dr Arunava Dhar** (General Secretary)
3. **Somak Roy** (Trustee)
4. **Palash Chatterjee** (Trustee)
5. **Prasun Singha** (Trustee)
6. **Manojit Roy** (Trustee)
7. **Ranadip Chatterjee** (Treasurer)
8. **Subhashish Roy** (Trustee)
## **2. Structure, Governance, and Management**
## **2.1 Constitution and Governing Structure**
Bong Junction is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a "Foundation" model constitution dated 16 November 2024 and formally registered by the Charity Commission on 19 November 2024. Under the Foundation model, the only voting members of the CIO are its Charity Trustees.
## **2.2 Trustee Appointment and Induction**
The constitution dictates that:
- There must be at least three and not more than nine trustees.
- Every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
- New trustees are chosen based on their skills, experience, and commitment to the Charity's objects. Upon appointment, new trustees are provided with a copy of the constitution, the latest trustees' annual report and accounts, and relevant Charity Commission guidance (such as _The Essential Trustee (CC3)_ ).
## **2.3 Organizational Structure and Decision Making**
The Board of Trustees meets regularly (at least quarterly) to review strategic direction, financial performance, risk management, and operational initiatives. Day-to-day coordination of social, cultural, and fundraising activities is carried out collectively by the trustees alongside a dedicated team of community volunteers.
All decisions regarding significant expenditures, contract commitments, and policy changes are discussed and formally voted upon at trustee meetings, with minutes recorded and kept at the principal office.
## **2.4 Risk Management**
The trustees have reviewed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, particularly those related to the financial sustainability of community events, public safety during cultural festivals, and governance compliance. Adequate insurance has been taken from time to time to cover for exposed financial risks.
## **3. Objectives and Activities**
## **3.1 Charitable Objects**
As set out in Clause 3 of its Constitution, the objects of Bong Junction are for the public benefit:
1. **To advance the Hindu religion** by organising Hindu religious ceremonies and performing traditional rites and practices.
2. **To advance Bengali arts, culture, and heritage** by organizing various cultural events and social activities.
## **3.2 Vision, Core Ethos, and Guiding Principles**
Bong Junction was founded by a group of community members sharing a deep bond with their Bengali roots and an active desire to give back to society in the United Kingdom and internationally. The Charity is run on a set of core guiding principles:
- **No Personal Profiteering:** Absolutely no personal profiteering is permitted from the social or cultural activities of the Charity.
- **Financial Transparency:** Complete transparency of accounts and financial decisions is maintained with all members and supporters.
- **Intergenerational Engagement:** Bringing together all generations of the British-Bengali diaspora ( _Probashi Bangali_ ) in ways that encourage integration, learning, and celebration.
- **Meaningful Charitable Giving:** Creating an environment that gives back to broader society through targeted charitable initiatives.
- **Inclusivity:** Creating an open, collaborative environment that values every team member's contributions.
## **3.3 Main Activities and Public Benefit**
To achieve its objects, the Charity organizes religious events, cultural festivals, Bengali artistic sessions, sports tournaments, health workshops, and social gatherings.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on **Public Benefit** when planning and reviewing the Charity's activities. All events organized by Bong Junction are open to the general public, promoting cultural cohesion and religious understanding within the wider community of London and South England.
## **4. Achievements and Performance**
During its first operational period (19 November 2024 to 31 August 2025), Bong Junction established a vibrant presence, executing several landmark activities that attracted high community turnout and met both religious and cultural objectives.
## **4.1 Key Events and Social Activities**
- **Gala Christmas Evening (7 December 2024):** The Charity hosted its inaugural festive evening shortly after registration. The event successfully brought families together to
celebrate the festive season, integrating western seasonal traditions with traditional Bengali hospitality. It featured children's cultural programs, community food stalls, and interactive games, successfully initiating our community engagement strategy.
- **Bong Junction - "Cha-er Adda" @ London Mahotsav 2025:** The Charity launched its highly popular "Cha-er Adda" discussion hub as an interactive platform at London Mahotsav 2025. This cultural and social pavilion served to promote Bengali heritage, foster lively community dialogue, support mental well-being, and plan our collaborative charitable and volunteer efforts for the upcoming seasons.
- **Preparatory Setup for Durga Puja 2025:** A substantial portion of the charity’s operational energy in mid-2025 was focused on securing venue hires, scheduling religious rites, and receiving subscriptions for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. This is the cornerstone religious celebration for our community, and the early booking of spaces and procurement of ritual goods ensured the festival could be delivered safely and successfully.
## **4.2 Volunteers and Support**
The Trustees express their deepest gratitude to the volunteers, coordinators, and local families whose unpaid efforts in setup, catering, performing, and managing venues made these events possible. Over 20 volunteers contributed their time, helping keep operational overheads remarkably low.
## **5. Financial Review**
## **5.1 Results for the Period**
The Charity’s financial position at 31 August 2025 is considered strong for its first year of operation.
- **Total Income:** £14,584.07
- **Total Expenditure:** £7,137.07
- **Net Surplus (Net Profit):** £7,447.00
## **5.2 Analysis of Income**
The principal funding sources during this initial period were:
1. **Durgapuja Subscription (£5,400.00 - 37% of income):** Advance registrations and dedicated contributions from members specifically restricted to facilitating the religious Durga Puja ceremonies.
2. **General Donations (£4,351.00 - 30% of income):** Generous direct contributions from trustees, members, and patrons to support the establishing phase of the Charity.
3. **Ticket Sales (£2,479.50 - 17% of income):** Income generated from cultural dinners, seasonal celebrations, and festive events.
4. **Member Subscriptions (£1,080.00 - 7% of income):** Annual contributions from registered members supporting the baseline operating costs.
5. **Other Trading and Commercial Income:** Comprising **Stall Space rentals** to community vendors (£550.00), **Corporate Sponsorships** (£670.00), and small-scale **General Sales**
(£53.57).
## **5.3 Analysis of Expenditure**
Total spending of £7,137.07 was split between direct event delivery and essential administrative overheads:
1. **Goods and Materials (£4,684.78 - 66% of expenditure):** Direct costs of purchasing festival materials, decorations, religious ceremonial items, food provisions, and community event supplies.
2. **Subcontractors (£1,620.00 - 23% of expenditure):** Engagement of external professional service providers, including sound engineers, venue decorators, and cultural performers.
3. **Rent (£519.15 - 7% of expenditure):** Venue and hall hire for community gatherings, picnics, and rehearsals.
4. **Governance & Administration (£313.14 - 4% of expenditure):** Comprising Business Insurance (£68.46), Accountancy Fees (£54.00), Website and software platforms (£40.69), Advertising and outreach (£88.65), Travel and subsistence (£56.80), and Bank charges (£4.54).
No trustee received any remuneration, benefits, or personal compensation during this financial period.
## **5.4 Reserves Policy**
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy to ensure the stability of the Charity's ongoing operations.
- **Target Reserve:** The Charity aims to maintain an unrestricted free reserve equivalent to at least **six months of essential operating and governance overheads** (estimated at approximately £1,500) plus a designated contingency of £2,000 to cover non-refundable deposits for major venue hires (such as halls for Durga Puja and cultural galas).
- **Current Reserves Position:** At 31 August 2025, the Charity held £7,447.00 in total reserves. This surplus is held entirely in cash within the Charity’s current account. A significant portion of this surplus is designated to fund the direct, upcoming delivery costs of the Autumn 2025 Durga Puja and Winter 2025 Christmas initiatives, leaving the baseline unrestricted reserves well within the target threshold.
## **6. Plans for Future Periods**
Bong Junction plans to build on the success of its initial months by:
1. **Securing Permanent Cultural Venue Partnerships:** Establishing long-term rental agreements with local community halls in Sutton to provide predictable scheduling for religious festivals and weekly workshops.
2. **Expanding Bengali Language and Arts Classes:** Initiating weekend cultural classes for children to teach Bengali language, classical music, and traditional arts, directly advancing our cultural preservation objects.
3. **Expanding Charitable Outreaches:** Initiating formal fundraising events to support local
food banks in Surrey and educational charities in West Bengal, India.
4. **HMRC Gift Aid Registration:** Registering the Charity with HMRC for Gift Aid to maximize the value of eligible individual donations by 25%.
## **Declaring Statement**
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Report above.
## **Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees:**
**Sanjay Dasgupta, President** Date: 24 May 2026
**Dr Arunava Dhar, General Secretary** Date: 24 May 2026
## **PART 2: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **Receipts and Payments Account**
## **For the period 19 November 2024 to 31 August 2025**
|**Category**|**Note**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds (£)**|**Restricted**
**Funds (£)**|**Total Funds**
**2025 (£)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**RECEIPTS**|||||
|Donations and
Legacies|3|4,351.00|-|4,351.00|
|Member
Subscriptions||1,080.00|-|1,080.00|
|Ticket Sales||2,479.50|-|2,479.50|
|Durga Puja
Subscriptions|4|-|5,400.00|5,400.00|
|Stall Space
Rental||550.00|-|550.00|
|Corporate
Sponsorship||670.00|-|670.00|
|General Sales||53.57|-|53.57|
|**Total Receipts**||**9,184.07**|**5,400.00**|**14,584.07**|
||**(A)**
**PAYMENTS**
Goods,
Materials &
Supplies
5
2,184.78
2,500.00
4,684.78
Subcontractor
s
620.00
1,000.00
1,620.00
Venue Rent
519.15
-
519.15
Business
Insurance
68.46
-
68.46
Accountancy &
Filing Fees
54.00
-
54.00
Website &
Sofware
Costs
40.69
-
40.69
Advertising &
Outreach
88.65
-
88.65
Travel &
Subsistence
56.80
-
56.80
Bank Charges
4.54
-
4.54
**Total**
**Payments (B)**
**3,637.07**
**3,500.00**
**7,137.07**
**Net Receipts /**
**(Payments) (A**
**- B)**
**5,547.00**
**1,900.00**
**7,447.00**
Cash funds at
start of period
-
-
-|
|---|---|
|**Cash funds at**
**end of period**||**5,547.00**|**1,900.00**|**7,447.00**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities**
## **As of 31 August 2025**
|**Asset**
**Category**|**Description**|**Unrestricted**
**(£)**|**Restricted (£)**|**Total (£)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**CASH FUNDS**|||||
|Bank Current
Account|Barclays
Business
Account|5,547.00|1,900.00|7,447.00|
|**Total Cash**
**Funds**||**5,547.00**|**1,900.00**|**7,447.00**|
||||||
|**OTHER**
**ASSETS**|||||
|Equipment|Pre-paid
storage items /
banners|350.00|-|350.00|
|Debtors|Outstanding
sponsorships|-|-|-|
|**LIABILITIES**|||||
|Accruals|Unpaid
invoices at
period end|(54.00)|-|(54.00)|
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
## **Note 1: Basis of Preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared on a "Receipts and Payments" basis, which is
allowable for small Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) with an annual gross income of £250,000 or less under the Charities Act 2011. All transactions are recorded at the point where physical cash is paid out or received into the Charity's bank account.
## **Note 2: Funds Accounting**
- **Unrestricted Funds:** These represent general funds that can be used at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of any of the Charity's objects.
- **Restricted Funds:** These are funds received with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. Bong Junction's restricted funds during the period relate directly to the **Durga Puja Subscriptions** , which were raised specifically to cover materials, priestly rites, venue rental, and cultural items associated only with the Durga Puja religious celebrations.
## **Note 3: Donations & Legacies**
General donations of £4,351.00 include start-up gifts provided directly by the establishing trustees and community patrons to facilitate the immediate legal setup, insurance, and operational costs of the CIO.
## **Note 4: Restricted Durga Puja Fund**
During the period, £5,400.00 was raised via designated subscriptions for Durga Puja. Of this, £3,500.00 was spent during the financial period on essential puja goods, materials, and preparatory sub-contractors. The remaining balance of £1,900.00 is held as restricted cash carried forward and is fully allocated to be spent during the Autumn 2025 festival delivery.
## **Note 5: Goods, Materials & Supplies**
This category includes:
- Festive catering & communal food preparations ( _Prasad_ and _Bhog_ ): £2,150.00
- Traditional ritual items, idols, and decorations: £1,580.00
- Event safety materials, banners, and stationery: £954.78
- **Total:** £4,684.78
## **Note 6: Trustee Remuneration and Expenses**
- No Trustee received any remuneration, salary, or financial benefit from the Charity during the period.
- No Trustee was reimbursed for personal expenses, except for direct material purchases made on behalf of the Charity, which were fully evidenced by third-party receipts and approved in accordance with the Internal Financial Controls Policy.
## **PART 3: DECLARATION AND APPROVAL**
The Trustees approve these accounts and confirm that they have made available all relevant
records and information for their compilation.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on **24 May 2026** and signed on their behalf by:
**Sanjay Dasgupta, President** ____________________________________________
**Dr Arunava Dhar, General Secretary** _____________________________________ **Ranadip Chatterjee, Treasurer** ____________________________________________