MIDLANDS GURDWARA CONFERENCE 2020

[singhbj singh]

Challenges for Gurdwara Management in the UK for the 21st Century

There are around 280 Gurdwaras in the UK. Their combined income is over £50 million per year. There is a growing band of Gurdwaras with a net income of around £1 million per year. Gurdwaras wealth has also increased through ownership of properties. A strong culture of donating, giving and sewa exists within the Sikh community which contributes heavily to their income. Gurdwaras largest expenditure is on salaries of ‘priests’, in-house ragis, maintenance, langar and repayment of loans for the purchase and refurbishment of buildings.

A growing number are filing charity commission returns late or not at all, and many are not taking advantage of gift aid and other income sources.

There are also an increasing number of internal disputes within Gurdwaras, which have resulted in court cases.

The 2018 Gurdwara standard constitution feasibility study found different and inconsistent approaches to Gurdwara management, governing documents and membership criteria. In general, elected Gurdwara committees have little knowledge of charity governance, of Trustees’ legal obligations, very little in terms of upskilling Trustees is seen, and there is evidence of inadequate financial management.

There is also a high expectation by Gurdwara committees’ of the Charity Commission but little understanding of how they work.

A significant number of Gurdwaras have not registered as charities and hence are operating illegally.

This presents many challenges that need to be tackled by UK Sikh Community.

This conference is the first regional conference following on from the National Gurdwara Conference 2019 held in Central London.

AGENDA

Introduction

Gurdwara feasibility Study Findings

Status of UK Gurdwaras 

The Charity Commission - Charities, Legal Requirements and Best Practice

Vegetarian lunch

Gurdwara Arbitration Service

Gurdwara / Charity legal Structure

Gurdwara / Charity Trustees, Committee Members and Holding Trustees

Security and Safety

Q&A and next steps

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midlands-gurdwara-conference-2020-tickets-90280175435