Milton Keynes Hindu Association Ferry Meadows Close Milton Keynes MK109QY Tel: 0300 365 1008 e-mail.. info@mkha.org secretary@mkha.org To Preserve & Promote Hindu Culture Registered Charity Number: 802344 Trustees, Annual Report Trustees, Annual Report The trustees are pleased to present their annual report along with the financial statements for the Milton Keynes Hindu Association (MKHA) for the year ending 31 March 2024. Objectives and Activities The charity organizes weekly events at our community centre to preserve and promote Hindu culture. These events arc open to the community frcc of charg¢, fostering an inclusive and wclcoming environment. This year, we have significantly increased the number of events following the pandemic lockdown. Our centre remains a safe and healthy space for all. Additionally, we have been expanding our online presence through social media, with ongoing plans to enhance our website and digital platfonns. A major milestone this year has been the progress of Phase 2 of our Main Community Centre development, featuring the addition of the Silver Lotus-a luxury marquee that has exceeded expectations in quality and utility. Despite challenges such as planning perniissions and building control requirements, we successfully completcd this phase. Infrastructure enhancements include groundworks, drainage, security, and a marquee capable of seating 500 people. This new structure helps address space limitations and serves as a vital resource for fundraising, advancing the next stage of our development. Achievements and Performance The centre continues to see increasing attendance at regular events. OUT activities include: Educational classes in Hindi, Gujarati, and Bollywood dancing Wellbeing Programs such as a lunch club for the elderly Health and wellbeing seminars Regular prayers and musical events Key celebrations this year included Ganesh Utsav, Holi, Ram Navami, Hanuman Jai'anti, Jalaram Jayanti, Janmashtami, Mahashivratri, and Navratri, with the new Silver Lotus marquee playing a central role. We also successfully hosted Navratri 2024 in the marquee and a Diwali show at Denbigh School. Our bereavement team has continued to provide essential support to families in difficult tirnes. In line with our commitment to inclusivity, our facilities remain available for regular functions, irrespective of faith or background. MKHA- Trustee Report Jan 2025 Pagelof3 Additionally, MKHA has collaborated with Arts and Heritage on multiple community Projects and has contributed to food banks and international crisis appeals. We proudly celebrated the 6th anniversary of our community centre with a well-attended event that highlighted our impact and achievements. Financial Review The charity concludes the financial year with a negative balance of £4,078. While we received generous donations and support, substantial investments were made in the Silver Lotus project. Additionally, we prepaid rent for the marquee for four years, securing a discounted rate savings in excess £40,000. These expenses have been anticipated as part of the project's initial setup. MKHA relies primarily on volunteers, with the exception of educational class teachers, who are compensated for their services. We are immensely grateful to patrons who provided interest-free loans, enabling the realisation of the Silver Lotus project. Although a RICS valuation was not conductcd this year, wc ¢stimate that the valuc of our prcmises remains stabl¢. Our cash reserves, including loans and donations, total approximately £137,000, which will support Phase 2 development and day-to-day operations. Revenue generated from the Silver Lotus will be used primarily for loan repayments, complemented by ongoing fundraising efforts. Structure, Governance. and Management The charity continues to operate in accordance with its constitution. Our dedicated team of volunteers brings a diverse range of skills, including first aid, health and safety, maintenance, event planningg management, and compliance. Future Plans We intend to introduce a new constitution to our members, transitioning to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) model. This transition aligns with our long-tenn goals and will be proposed at our next AGM in February 2025. We are confident that the Silver Lotus marquee will generate the necessary revenue to support Phase 2 of our development. While the marquee remains a temporary structure with three years left in its terni, it offers valuable experience in managing similar ventures. As attendance at the centre continues to grow, advancing the next phase of development has become a top priority- Registered Charity Number: 802344 Milton Keynes Hindu Association Ferry Meadows Close Milton Keynes MKIO 9QY Tel: 0300 365 1008 e-mail.. info@mkha.org secretary@mkha.org To Preserve & Promote Hindu Culture Registered Charity Number: 802344 Reference and Administrative Details Charity Name: Milton Keynes Hindu Association Charity Number: 802344 Charity Address: MKHA Community Centre, Ferry Meadows Close, Broughton, Milton Keynes, MKIO 9QY Trustees.. Satmesh Panchal (Chair) Nayana Tailor Manjula Koria Sunil Gandhi Accountants.. ACE Accounts & Tax Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 2 Whittle Coiirt, Knowhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8FT Exemptionsfrom Disclosure Due to unavoidable circumstances, our AGM has been rescheduled to 9th February 2025. Satmesh Panchal Trustee (Chair), Milton Keynes Hindu Association MKHA- Trustee Report Jan 2025 Page3of3