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2022-12-31-accounts

Charity Number: 514937

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31st December 2022

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Reference and administrative information

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Charity number 514937
Registered office and operational address16/20 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DZ
Trustees Trustees who served during the year andup to the date of this report
were as follows:
Chris Effendowicz (Silabodhi) (Chair)
Claire Morris (Lilasuri)
 (Treasurer)
Ajay Gilbert (Aparajita)
 (Secretary)
Paul Whitehead (Vidyapala) left December 2022
Dharmachari Prasadu left June 2022
Ursula Tidd (Dharmakarunya) left December 2022
Keith Green (Vishangka)
Helen Ellis (Suryaka)
Sundeep Grewal (Aryaraksita)
Jeff Cole
 joined February 2023
Bankers Royal Bank of Scotland
Cooperative Bank
Independent Christy Lau FCCA CTA DChA
Examiner Slade & Cooper Limited
Beehive Mill, Jersey Street,
Ancoats Manchester, M4 6JG

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2022.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s trust deed and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

The purpose of the Manchester Buddhist Centre is set out in its governing document as follows:

The advancement of the Buddhist religion in particular by:

The main activities undertaken by the MBC in relation to the above purpose (as registered with the Charities Commission) are described as follows:

“The Manchester Buddhist Centre provides a place of peace in Manchester. We offer classes in meditation and Buddhism for Buddhists and non-Buddhists and, for those who ask for it, training for ordination. We welcome schools and community groups, having developed a reputation for excellence.”

The main activities undertaken to further the charity’s purposes for public benefit include:

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

The Trustees review the aims, objectives, and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The Trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the Trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Achievements and performance

Chair’s annual report for year ending 31 December 2022

2022 was marked by being liberated from the restrictions of Covid on the operations of the Centre, albeit that Sangha members were still contracting the illness, fortunately with considerably less severity. So, in many ways the year could be thought of as a return to ‘normality’, but this was far from the case: the post-Covid effect was a marked one for us and all Triratna centres. What was noticeable was changes in which Sangha demographics altered their presence in the building, how events changed their nature, coming out of being strictly online but often becoming hybrid, and the general nature of footfall, bookshop sales and attitudes to physical attendance at the MBC and Bodywise. It became clear Covid had brought about changes that would either take a long time to reset, or more likely might never do so for the Centre, central Manchester, and also society.

Young Buddhists grew in numbers and engagement in their own events, but also being upfront and participating in festivals and main Sangha gatherings. Whilst older Sangha members were either more cautious in physically attending, or had become attuned to a more online interaction with MBC events and groups, often owing to travel distance, age, health, disability or just a change in attitude; the Centre became noticeably less busy at least

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

for a while. With this, consequent reduced opening hours, and society’s ever faster move to online shopping, came a continued reduction in the MBC shop sales. Unfortunately, post Covid Bodywise also lost individual treatment numbers, though these climbed back. More noticeably their group events, especially yoga, lost numbers to a considerable extent, as did many in-person similar classes elsewhere. In turn this impacted on our rental income.

During 2022 we also engaged with several possible tenants in our basement café space, but even the most promising, Soul Kitchen, failed in the end from lack of financial backing. The really good news is that in November negotiations opened with a the very well-motivated Tibetan Kitchen, keen to set up in the space they’ve long admired - more to come in the 2023 report!

The trustees were aware that our long-time president, Arthapriya wished to finally step down from that role. With this in mind, we have been engaged in a lengthy search for a replacement. Necessarily Centre presidents are senior experienced Order members, and thus almost always busy people. Though all who we approached were flattered, none felt they had the time to take on such a significant post. However, in the light of later year developments, Arthapriya agreed to stay in post until major changes for the Centre were much progressed; we will return to the search process therefore in due course.

Considerable progress was made in the year with matters of diversity: Aryaraksita’s influence is definitely being felt regarding racial diversity work, with activities for POCs and much awareness raising activity taking place in the rest of the Sangha. The trustees and team also had a day’s session on Gender Diversity awareness from Shraddhasiddhi and Kamalanandi. It was very useful in broadening understanding in how the Centre can be both welcoming and responsive to complex sensitivities surrounding these societal developments. 2022 also saw the birth of the Manchester Earth Sangha, and it was very pleasing that we managed to clarify and agree the working parameters of this body in encouraging concern for our planet, but very much from a Dharmic perspective.

Though festivals fall within the remit of the Mitra Convenors’ reports, I would like to mention how wonderfully run and superbly attended the 2022 festivals were, with great teams, primarily led by Vishangka, giving the Sangha uplifting, varied events, all topped off with inspiring Mitra ceremonies on all three of the major events; good to see the Mitra Sangha growing so robustly, alongside the continued ordination success the MBC is experiencing.

During the year, alongside the enormously successful Sangha retreat at Adhisthana with its theme of the history of the MBC and its origins and original contributors, we also had two enjoyable retreats at the newly discovered Brinscall Hall in Lancashire, followed by the MBC team retreat there too. This venue promises to be a first-class venue for us hopefully for a long time to come.

Two other new initiatives for the Centre were Dharmakarunya’s excellent Sutta study mornings, and the first of two MBC hostings of the European Chairs Executive two days meetings; this was a joy to be able to do, as an alternative to years of them being held at the London Buddhist centre.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

As with many businesses in the country, the MBC became deeply concerned by the massive energy price rises, first in late 2021 and then considerably more so in Jan 2022. The prospect of possible usage costs rising from £16k in 2019 to anywhere up to £82k if we kept full equivalent opening was alarming. In response we decided to keep the Centre opening hours of just 11 am – 3 pm on four days a week, to limit usage, and to help with post Covid staffing issues on reception. In addition, not having an active café kept costs down. As a result, and the government’s price cap, the usage is more in line with about £21k pa for now. To help mitigate this rise we also partially succeeded in apportioning the increase costs to the businesses and community in the building pro rata.

In September the trustees held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the viability of the Turner Street building in the light of its very poor energy efficiency, high maintenance costs, and more significantly the huge costs that would be incurred if the roof, windows and accessibility were to be repaired or improved. This then resulted in a decision that we would have to investigate selling the building and finding alternative premisses. This was a grave decision, given its serious impact on the community on the fourth floor, Bodywise, and any other businesses in the building, not to mention potential jobs in the Centre team and the welfare of the whole Manchester Sangha. Two Sangha consultations were held, but after some time the local Order felt that the decision needed to be paused, so that they could question and debate whether the conclusion to sell was indeed the correct one. As a result, the first of a series of Order events was held to begin engaging with this highly complex issue. This process is continuing in 2023.

At the time of the trustee’s decision, it was also agreed that such a large and challenging project would need a project manager with the relevant planning experience; fortunately for us, Lilasuri both qualified for the role and was prepared to take it on one day a week supported by the Centre. Since then, she has worked hard on constructing the necessary plans, with times and stages, risk assessments and skill requirements. Following this, a regular meeting of a project team, consisting of the Chair, the two Mitra Convenors, the Project Manager and a new-to-Manchester Order member with finance experience, Prasiddhi, has been convened. This team is working excellently together to investigate all angles of staying or leaving, and in conjunction with the new Order Engagement Kula, these findings are being conveyed to the local movement and will be actively debated.

In parallel with these investigations, property development experts are being engaged to discuss what might be possible for the existing centre, and what might be available in and around the city centre as an alternative. This vast project will continue on right through 2023 and probably into 2024.

Finally, some personnel news. The team said goodbye to Steve Hodgson Ridgeway after eight years of service as our maintenance manager, which brought further change for two of our newly ordained team members. Paranayaka (ex-Kevin) took over the maintenance role, and Candradipa (ex-Tom) added Team Coordinator to his comms management role. This was rounded off by Len, in Jan 2023, moving to run the MBC shop as a volunteer. These new appointments are all going very well, and have helped move on the goal to have a smaller, leaner, supported staff model to both reduce day to day running costs and at the same time,

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

further encourage the already very successful growth of a truly involved volunteering Sangha.

On the trustee’s side, we were sad to lose Prasadu and Vidyapala from the trustees in 2022, both who had been conscientious contributors, needless to say, the trustees have been working to identify Order members who could join them and contribute to the governance of the Centre going forward. With this in mind, we have also begun the process of changing the MBC’s charitable status to an incorporated model, regarded as more efficacious and lower in risk than our current status.

Mitra convenor report 2022 - Suryaka

2022, I’m pleased to say has been a year where most of my Mitra convening work could take place in person, (as covid restrictions lifted more and more fully ) I’ve continued to really benefit from working closely with the Mitra convening assistant ( Karunatara ) and Mitra convening kula ( 5 experienced ordained women in our community ).

I've continued to maintain and develop relationships with local ordained women who provide so much of the direct guidance and support / Dharma training to many of the women who attend the Buddhist centre. Much gratitude to all of them, their contribution and friendship is vital in bringing into being a vibrant spiritual community. I’ve continued to see part of my role as supporting and encouraging Dharmacharinis to find ways to contribute and share their own passions with one another and the wider Sangha.

More broadly my role also involves working very closely with both the Chair and other Mitra convenor in looking at the bigger vision/spiritual direction of the Buddhist centre and also fulfilling our responsibilities as trustees of the charity .

In 2022 more of my time and energy has been spread across a number of responsibilities:

  1. Meeting with and supporting individual women who wish to explore how to deepen their commitment /next steps.

  2. Maintaining and building connections with local order members who offer friendship and Dharma training to women attending the MBC.

  3. Acting as a trustee along with other members of the charity exploring the viability of the Buddhist centre remaining at Turner Street.

  4. Offering some support to some members of the centre team who hold responsibility for the day to day running of the centre.

  5. A member of the red lotus kula - holding the spiritual vision / planning of events

  6. Co leading a weekly mixed young persons Dharma training group.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Who is involved? and milestones

We have 46 Dharmacharinis (ordained female Buddhists) connected to the MBC

93 active women mitras

48 of the above mitras are actively training for ordination

Several of the above women live beyond the Greater Manchester geographical boundary, demonstrating that the MBC is a hub for Dharma practice in the North West

13 women became mitras

4 women requested ordination in 2022

2 women were ordained into the Triratna Buddhist community

What conditions have supported women in our community in 2022?

Dharma training groups at different levels

10 Dharmacharinis with support from experienced mitras actively lead / support 9 groups offering study and friendship to 60 women

1 monthly pre mitra study Dharma training group

1 young person’s Dharma training group

4 Dharma training groups

New initiatives - thanks to all who have initiated these new groups

Women create sangha - informal monthly meetup for friendship / support

Women’s Over 70’s monthly meetup

People of colour group

Families group

Gender diverse Group

Other Regular groups

Kesa group

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

A group of women continue to meet regularly to make the ritual kesas given at ordination and deepen connections.

6 x Women’s going for refuge groups for those training for ordination (31 women)

Events

Some highlights re events specifically for women

Annual practice reviews for women training for ordination

21 women took the opportunity for a practice review (thanks to the 17 local order member who gave their time in this way)

2 x days for women training or ordination

‘’Thank you all so much for a wonderful day's retreat. I've learned a lot, so much to consider and very supportive of practice generally.’’

1x day for all women on mediation and movement

‘’It was just wonderful to take part in the movement session with everybody. I felt so different

afterwards, mentally, spiritually and physically.’’ ‘’I haven’t been to an event at the centre for ages.

Great to see so many new women and younger women. Thanks everyone.’’

1x Women’s weekend residential retreat

1x day for local Dharmacharinis on kulas and supporting women training for ordination

1x Young women’s day retreat

1x mixed mitra day

1x international women's day event (open to all)

What else?

We held our first online mitra convening review meeting with local Dharmacharinis to continue to develop closer relationships and collaboration in this work .

Support/ training to those leading study and mentoring continues to be offered by Taravandana

A personal highlight for me was being part of the team for the Big Sangha retreat. I facilitated some events on that retreat to recollect and celebrate our history of the MBC at Turner street and bridge the gap between newer people and more established members of our community.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Part way through the year the trustees agreed we should change our titles to “mitra convenor “rather than men/ women’s convenor as we have a growing number of gender diverse people attending the Buddhist centre and wanted to make it explicit that we are available to all members of our community but will retain a specific focus on men/ women in our roles .

Both myself and Vishangka are actively looking at ways to support both men / women and gender diverse members of our community

We are also supporting / encouraging the development of a family’s groups and a neuro diverse group and people of colour group

Myself and Karunatara have attended both personal retreats to support our Dharma practice and mitra convening meetings throughout the year to support our own development and deepen our Dharma practice.

At the end of 2022 Karunatara has needed to reduce her contribution re mitra convening assistant role due to a change in her work commitments.

My questions for the year ahead?

How to help /encourage the flow of friendship across all ages / levels of experience across our growing community?

How to balance the different responsibilities I hold at the MBC in the time I have?

What is the best use of my particular skills / experience?

How can I best serve the situation?

I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity of serving the sangha in this role. It enriches my own Dharma practice and I gain such inspiration from being alongside others who are treading this path. It’s quite a privilege!!!.

Suryaka

Mitra Convenor report 2022 – Vishangka

2022 saw us return to some sort of normality as we came out of lockdown and the worst effects of the pandemic. It was great to see sangha members starting to return to the Centre in person. This was most noticeable at our festivals. Buddha Day was our first proper in-person festival since Covid, and it was a fantastic experience. Around 90 people came, and it was particularly wonderful to have Mahasukha with us to lead us in a workshop based on the Shakyamuni mantra. The Buddha was strongly evoked. This was a great atmosphere for the men and the women becoming Mitras on the day, to take that step within. It was a joy to see Simon, Sam and Jonathan become Mitras on the day. A similar strong atmosphere

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

was built at each major festival throughout the year. At Dharma Day we welcomed Tom and James to the Mitra sangha. On Sangha Day, Alex, Dan and David. Sadhu to them all. It is always a privilege to explore becoming a Mitra with each person who wishes to make this commitment. They all entrust me with sharing aspects of their lives as they explore their Buddhist practice with me. In turn, I witness their strength, integrity and vulnerability, as they take this step. I feel blessed to have this responsibility in the sangha, and to support those who wish to deepen their going for refuge.

A Kalyana Mitra ceremony took place in March. Priyavadita and I became the Kalyana Mitras of Tom Connolly. We ritually marked our deepening friendship and commitment to each other, with Sthirajyoti as celebrant. There was a particular significance for me, as Priyavadita is a previous Mitra Convenor. I had a strong sense of the lineage of friendship alive in Manchester - between the three of us, but also all the people we have become friends with on the path.

Also in March, we were blessed to hold the public ordination of Tom Llewellyn, who became Buddhasevaka - 'Servant of the Buddha'. It was a beautiful ceremony, led by Arthapriya. Mahasraddha was Buddhasevaka's Private Preceptor. The ordination was witnessed by around 30 people in the shrine room, including Buddhasevaka's family. Many people also joined us online. Many thanks to all involved in making this happen.

Two men from our sangha were ordained on the annual Guhyaloka ordination retreat. Kevin Statham became Paranayaka - ‘He who leads others to the Further Shore’. Tom Connolly became Candradipa - ‘Light of the Moon’. It was wonderful to witness them both joining the Order, after many years of deepening their going for refuge to the Three Jewels. They have both returned wholeheartedly and are sharing their practice and experience with others in many different contexts within the Centre and sangha.

Three men asked for ordination in 2022. Oskar (who actually asked in December 2021), Tom and Will have all started to engage with the ordination process, taking part in their going for refuge and study groups, attending retreats, and deepening friendships with each other and with Order members in Manchester.

A new mixed study group began for younger people in our sangha. Led by Aparajita, Lilasuri, Ratnasagara and Suryaka, the group has had a lot of energy, and friendships have deepened already between all the people involved. My long-standing study group came to an end in 2022. After around 9 years of meeting (in various permutations), we decided it was time to end the group and move on to new things. Thanks to all who have been involved in the group over the years, particularly to Silabodhi, who helped me set up the group, and co-led it with me for many years. I started a new study group for newer sangha members this year, co-led with Vidyapala, and supported by Sion and Len. It is a great group, and I find it moving to see the friendships deepening already between us all. Upekshapriya, Sanghadhara and Mahabodhi continue to lead their Dharma group, which has much energy and strong friendships within it.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Our annual Men's Retreat took place in September, on the theme of 'Entering the Realm of the Buddhas'. 30 men attended, and took part in meditation, ritual, groups and talks. It was particularly great to experience a new venue for our retreats - Brinscall Hall - which was very conducive to deepening our practice together. Thanks to Silabodhi, Candradipa, Stephen and Oskar for helping to lead the retreat. We also had a meditation practice day in July, led by Silabodhi, and a couple of visits to galleries - the Derek Jarman exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery in February, and the British Art Show at HOME in August.

Finally, I've also been very active as a Trustee this year. After making the initial decision to move from Turner Street, the Trustees have been engaged in a fruitful, sometimes challenging, dialogue with the local Order and sangha about the future of Manchester Buddhist Centre and sangha. Thanks to all in our sangha who have engaged in this process so far.

Vishangka 2022

FINANCIAL REPORT 2022

As we began 2022 we returned to more normal times. We came out of lockdown and the severity of Covid. Sangha Members began to return in person, especially people coming to our Centre for the first time, this being reflected in the numbers attending our teaching classes.

Rental from the Communities remained positive and strong. Rental from other businesses being variable.

We have introduced measures to look at our largest expenditure, Team Members’ Salaries. We have reduced staff numbers from 7.0 to 6.3 full-time equivalent employees during 2022.

Our Donations increased by 4.6% to £87,151 during 2022 showing a confidence in the decision to reopen the building, and the support of our Sangha more generally.

INCOME

Income from providing Dharma & Meditation Classes rose from £28,640 to £58,231 with higher numbers of people attending the classes in person.

Bookshop income rose from £19,740 to £31,942, however this is still drastically lower when compared with 2017–2019 takings of around £61,000. Shopping offline being much lower over retail more generally.

Room Hire income was £1,567.

Rental income from the three Community Houses went from £52,404 to £61,560 and the year ended with the three properties being at capacity.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Business rental income was £30,820. The basement Café space was vacated by Soul Kitchen in August and ended 2022 being refurbished and rent due to be paid from March 2023.

Fundraising remained strong throughout 2022. Donations from Sangha increased by 4.6%. We held a very successful Sponsored Sangha Walk that raised £6,309 which exceeded expectations, and The Skills Auction was lively and raised a fantastic £2,264.

BREAKDOWN OF INCOME £271,424

Fundraising & Donations 32%

Rental Income from Communities & Businesses 34%

Dharma and Meditation Classes 22%

Shop Sales 12%

EXPENDITURE

The Mortgages held on the two Healey Close properties began the year at £47k. During 2022 £22k was paid in interest and capital payments. We finished 2022 showing a balance of £25k.

Payroll fell by 8% during 2022, and we finished the year with a full-time equivalent level of staffing of 6.3 or 218 hours worked per week.

BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURE £280,216

Payroll 45%

Premises, Community, Insurance, Rates 14%

Events Costs & Team Training 12%

Finance Costs & Mortgage Payments 11%

Electricity and Gas 7%

Bookshop Purchases 5%

Publicity 2%

Miscellaneous 4%

We enter 2023 with a slimmer, more efficient Centre Team, with attendance for classes and groups high, and slightly increased Bookshop Takings.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

The Café in the MBC’s basement is being refurbished and is due to open in March 2023 producing a rent of £500 per month, rising during the year.

Energy costs for 2022 were £18,908. The two sides of this are that our consumption fell due to economical use and limited opening hours, also and occupancy of the Café was not 100% during the year, however the rates per kilowatt-hour rose substantially worldwide which made 2022’s bills much higher.

RESERVES POLICY

Our Reserves Policy has been to hold funds sufficient to cover three months’ operating costs in the event of income sources being lower than forecast, or costs being higher than expected. The Trustees review this policy annually. Our current cash in hand and at bank is more than sufficient for this.

Cash holdings finished the year at £82,113 which represents our loss for the year of £8,792.

At the balance sheet date, the charity’s total net assets were £751,641 of which £744,772 were unrestricted and £6,869 were restricted. The net book value of the tangible fixed assets of the charity was £687,184.

This net book value of the freehold building and other tangible fixed assets can only be realised on disposal of those assets.

Structure, governance and management

Potential new charity Trustees may be identified amongst the Membership of the Association (charity) and invited to consider joining the Council by the consensual agreement of the existing Council. Alternatively, Members of the Association may inform the Council that they wish stand for election to the Council at the Annual General Meeting.

Membership of the Council is open to members of the Association, in accordance with the policy for Membership of the Council, which is made available to any Member of the Association upon request.

Council Members serve as Trustees of the Association (charity) for a period of one year when they become eligible for re-election. All candidates for election to the Council must satisfy the Council that they are professed Buddhists supportive of the Triratna Buddhist Tradition and are able to fulfil the obligations of a Council Member. They are elected from a list of candidates agreed in advance by the Council.

Vacancies on the Council, including Officers, are filled during the year by co-option. Such members hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.

Officers are elected by the Council at the first Council meeting after the Annual General Meeting, and holds office for one year and then become eligible for re-election.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

The organisation is an unincorporated charity, registered as a charity on 2 April 1984 in England and Wales.

The charity is constituted under a trust deed 17/12/2014. The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The Charity does not hold funds as custodian trustee on behalf of others

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Statement of responsibilities of the Trustees

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on its behalf by:

Silabodhi (Chris Effendowicz) (Chair)

9[th] September 2023

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Independent examiner’s report

for the year ended 31[st] December 2022

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 which are set out on pages 18 to 36.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Christy Lau FCCA CTA DChA Slade & Cooper Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Beehive Mill Jersey Street Ancoats Manchester M4 6JG Date

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
86,496
Charitable activities
4
184,120
Investments
5
153
Total income
270,769
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
279,746
Total expenditure
279,746
7
(8,977)
Transfer between funds
-
Net movement in funds for the year
(8,977)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
753,749
Total funds carried forward
744,772
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year		 Restricted
funds
£
655
-
-
655
470
470
185
-
185
6,684
6,869		 Total funds
2022
£
87,151
184,120
153
271,424
280,216
280,216
(8,792)
-
(8,792)
760,433
751,641		 Total funds
2021
£
113,503
127,167
-
240,670
256,277
256,277
(15,607)
-
(15,607)
776,040
760,433

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

A full comparative SOFA is available on the last page of the financial statements.

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Manchester Buddhist Centre

Balance Sheet

as at 31 December 2022

Note
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
687,184
Total fixed assets
687,184
Current assets
Stock
13,705
Debtors
11
10,497
Cash at bank and in hand
82,113
Total current assets
106,315
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
12
(33,387)
Net current assets
72,928
Total assets less current liabilities
760,112
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
13
(8,471)
Net assets
751,641
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
14
6,869
Unrestricted income funds
15
744,772
Total charity funds
751,641
2022		 £
£
705,396
705,396
16,867
11,477
94,263
122,607
(39,910)
82,697
788,093
(27,660)
760,433
6,684
753,749
760,433
2021		 £
£
705,396
705,396
16,867
11,477
94,263
122,607
(39,910)
82,697
788,093
(27,660)
760,433
6,684
753,749
760,433
2021
705,396
82,697
788,093
(27,660)
760,433
6,684
753,749
760,433

The notes on pages 21 to 36 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees on 09/09/2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Chris Effendowicz (Trustee)

19

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ending 31 December 2022

Note
2022
£
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
18
(12,303)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
153
Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
153
(12,150)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
94,263
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
82,113
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents in the year		 2021
£
(15,081)
-
-
(15,081)
94,263
79,182

20

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), second edition - October 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair view' and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), second edition - October 2019, rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Manchester Buddhist Centre meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

There are no key judgments which the trustees have made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

21

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

c Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

d Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

22

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

f Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

g Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h Operating leases

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

i Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £2,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Per annum
Buildings (excluding value of land) 2%
Library 5%
Ground floor refurbishment 10%
Fixtures & fittings 25%

23

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

j Stock

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value. In general, cost is determined on a first in, first out basis. Net realisable value is the price at which stocks can be sold in the normal course of business after allowing for the costs of realisation. Provision is made where necessary for obsolete, slow moving, and defective stocks. Donated items of stock are recognised at fair value which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market.

k Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

l Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

m Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

n Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

24

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

o Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution ‘money purchase’ scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 8. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is an unincorporated charity, registered as a charity in England & Wales. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Total
Donations
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Total
Current reporting
period
Previous reporting
period		 Unrestricted
£
86,496
86,496
Unrestricted
£
83,263
30,210
113,473		 Restricted
£
655
655
Restricted
£
30
-
30		 Total 2022
£
87,151
87,151
Total 2021
£
83,293
30,210
113,503

25

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

4 Income from charitable activities

Fees and other income
Room Hire
Bookshop Sales
Charges for classes/events
Rental Income:
Right Livelihood Businesses
Spiritual Communities
Total
Fees and other income
Room Hire
Bookshop Sales
Charges for classes/events
Rental Income:
Right Livelihood Businesses
Spiritual Communities
Total
Current reporting
period
Previous reporting
period		 Unrestricted
£
1,567
31,942
58,231
30,820
61,560
184,120
Unrestricted
£
-
19,740
28,640
26,383
52,404
127,167		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total 2022
£
1,567
31,942
58,231
30,820
61,560
184,120
Total 2021
£
-
19,740
28,640
26,383
52,404
127,167

26

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

5 Investment income

All of the charity's investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. All investment income is unrestricted.

6 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Staff costs
Bookshop stock & expenses
Services/Utilities
Maintenance/H&S
Administration
Loans/mortgages/interest
Depreciation
Other costs
Governance costs
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Total 2022
£
141,114
18,021
31,752
17,476
14,806
1,393
18,212
32,402
5,040
280,216
2022
£
470
279,746
280,216		 Total 2021
£
153,471
11,246
23,835
11,300
13,648
1,992
19,879
15,760
5,146
256,277
2021
£
-
256,277
256,277

27

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

7 Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation
Independent examiner's remuneration:
Independent examination
Accountancy fees
Staff costs
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Team support
Training		 2022
£
18,212
600
1,545
2022
£
124,856
724
1,682
780
13,072
141,114		 2021
£
19,879
600
1,442
2021
£
136,208
2,254
1,950
2,444
10,615
153,471

8 Staff costs

No employees has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2021: Nil).

The average number of staff employed during the period was 11 (2021: 12).

The Manchester Buddhist Centre operates a flat management structure, with decisions being taken collectively by staff. The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the staff team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £127,262 (2021: £140,412).

28

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

9 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

The charity is part of a network of connected charities, similar organisations, each of which is legally autonomous. The various charities in the network co-operate in their shared objectives of advancing the Buddhist religion. Specifically, the charity aims to contribute financially to the Triratna Development Fund, an organisation which provides help and guidance to Triratna centres. In 2022, the charity made a payment of £5,000 to this fund.

The charity rents out parts of the main building to other businesses which are connected with the centre. These are: Breathworks, a company that teaches mindfulness-based approaches to managing pain and other chronic conditions; Bodywise, a company that offers complementary therapies (such as massage, acupuncture, and shiatsu) as well as teaching yoga and Chi Kung; and OneTek, an ethical Fast Fibre business. The Café was largely untenanted through 2022.

Dayanandi is a tenant in one of the community houses.

The transactions between the charity and the above related parties are as follows:

Bodywise
Breathworks
One Tek
Soul Kitchen
Abhayaratna Trust
Four Side Pizza
Dayanandi, trustee and tenant
Vishangka
Silabodhi
Aryaraksita
Suryaka
Acharashraddha
Support received by the Trustees in 2022 are as
follows:
Rental income to the charity:		 2022
£
11,922
7,490
5,172
5,000
-
-
-
2022
£
14,990
12,947
-
11,779
-		 2021
£
5,319
9,114
4,900
-
(150)
7,200
3,538
2021
£
14,223
13,457
10,235
-
8,345

The charity’s rules allow for support – such as living allowances mentioned above – to be given to the Trustees (ie. members of the charity’s council who are members of the Triratna Buddhist Order).

And, the Trustees have claimed £45 expenses in 2022 (2021: £80).

29

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

10 Fixed assets: tangible assets

Fixed assets: tangible assets
Cost
Additions
Depreciation
Charge for the year
Net book value
At 31 December 2022
At 1 January 2022
At 1 January 2022
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2021		 Freehold
Land and
Buildings
£
909,129
-
909,129
203,733
18,212
221,945
687,184
705,396		 Office and
Computer
Equipment
£
51,400
-
51,400
51,400
-
51,400
-
-		 £
2,409
-
2,409
2,409
-
2,409
-
-
Library		 £
962,938
-
Total
962,938
257,542
18,212
275,754
687,184
705,396

30

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

11
Debtors
2022
£
HMRC (tax for Gift Aid donations)
1,386
Prepayments
8,779
Other debtors
332
10,497
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2022
£
Triodos Mortgages
19,236
Other Creditors and Accruals
14,151
Taxation and social security costs
-
33,387
13
Creditors: amounts falling after more than one year
2022
£
Personal Loan
2,250
Triodos Mortgages
6,221
8,471
Repayable after more than 5 years by instalments
-		 2021
£
1,920
9,557
-
11,477
2021
£
21,415
17,656
839
39,910
2021
£
2,250
25,410
27,660
-

The Triodos mortgages were taken out to purchase 2 & 4 Healey Close Salford and the mortgages are secured on the properties with variable interest rates. The mortgages are repaid on a capital and interest basis by regular monthly payments over a repayment profile of 12 years. The mortgages represent 6.70% of the carrying value of the properties.

31

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

14 Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Total
Total
Stan Kukalowisz
Bursury Fund
Vajra Hall Fund
Stan Kukalowisz
Bursury Fund
Vajra Hall Fund
Other
Other
Current reporting
period
Previous reporting
period		 Balance at 1
January
2022
£
951
4,478
1,255
6,684
Balance at
1 January
2021
£
921
4,478
1,255
6,654
 Income
£
655
-
-
655
Income
£
30
-
-
30		 Expenditure
£
(470)
-
-
(470)
Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
31
December
2022
£
1,136
4,478
1,255
6,869
Balance at
31
December
2021
£
951
4,478
1,255
6,684

32

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

14 Analysis of movements in restricted funds (cont.)

Stan Kukalowisz This money has been donated specifically to the fund to enable those with Bursury Fund low incomes to be able to apply for a Bursury. This can be used primarily to pay for or contribute towards the cost of our local residential retreats organised by the Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Vajra Hall Fund This is money fundraised to enable us to fit secondary glazing to the windows of the Vajra Hall Shrine room.

Other Other smaller restricted amounts collected and dispersed during the year

15 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

General fund
Previous reporting
period
Current reporting
period
Name of
unrestricted fund
General fund		 Balance at
1 January
2022
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
£
753,749
270,769
(279,746)
-
753,749
270,769
(279,746)
-
Balance at
1 January
2021
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
769,386
240,640
(256,277)
-
769,386
240,640
(256,277)
-
Description, nature and purposes of the fund
 As at 31
December
2022
£
744,772
744,772
As at 31
December
2021
753,749
753,749

General fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds

33

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Creditors of more than one year
Total
Tangible fixed assets
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Creditors of more than one year
Total
Previous reporting
period		 General
fund
£
687,184
66,059
(8,471)
744,772
General
fund
£
705,396
76,013
(27,660)
753,749		 Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
£
-
6,869
-
6,869
Restricted
funds
£
-
6,684
-
6,684		 Total
£
687,184
72,928
(8,471)
751,641
Total
£
705,396
82,697
(27,660)
760,433

34

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)

17 Financial instruments

Financial instruments measured at amortised cost comprise the loan financing provided by Triodos bank to the charity.

Loan payable falling due within one year
Loan payable falling due in more than one year
but in less than five years		 2022
£
19,236
6,221
25,457		 2021
£
21,415
25,410
46,825

The Triodos mortgages were taken out to purchase 2 & 4 Healey Close Salford and the mortgages are secured on the properties with variable interest rates. The mortgages are repaid on a capital and interest basis by regular monthly payments over a repayment profile of 12 years. The mortgages represent 6.70% of the carrying value of the properties.

18 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Decrease/(increase) in stock
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating		 2022
£
(8,792)
18,212
(153)
3,162
980
(25,712)
(12,303)		 2021
£
(15,607)
19,879
-
743
(8,714)
(11,382)
(15,081)

35

Manchester Buddhist Centre

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Prior year Statement of Financial Activities

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
113,473
Charitable activities
4
127,167
Investments
5
Total income
240,640
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
256,277
Total expenditure
256,277
7
(15,637)
Transfer between funds
-
Net movement in funds for the year
(15,637)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
769,386
Total funds carried forward
753,749
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year		 Restricted
funds
£
30
-
-
30
-
-
30
-
30
6,654
6,684		 Total funds
2021
£
113,503
127,167
-
240,670
256,277
256,277
(15,607)
-
(15,607)
776,040
760,433		 Total funds
2020
£
138,755
144,040
35
282,830
267,273
267,273
15,557
-
15,557
760,483
776,040

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

36