## **Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue**
## **Financial Accounts**
## **31 December 2025**
**Charity Number 1058913**
## **Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue**
## **Financial accounts**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Legal and Administrative Information|1|
|Trustees Report|2 - 4|
|Independent Examiners Report|5|
|Balance Sheet|6|
|Statement of Financial Activities|7|
|Notes to the accounts|8 – 11|
## **Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue**
## **Legal and Administrative Information**
## **Status**
The synagogue was registered with the Charity Commission on 23[rd] September 1996 and is governed by a constitution and rules adopted on 28[th] June 1978.
## **Trustees and Council Members**
Mrs Frances Gordon Honorary Co-Chair Mrs Priscilla Dorrance Honorary Co-Chair Mrs S Friedman Honorary Treasurer Mr M Neville Honorary Warden Mrs Alex Pachter Mr Martin Pachter Mr Steven Helfet Mr Jon Douglas-Bull Mr Malcolm Pruskin
## **Charity Number**
1058193
## **Principal Address**
Hainault Avenue Giffard Park Milton Keynes MK14 5PQ
## **Independent Examiner**
Mr N Boyce FCCA Hickeson Boyce 68A High Street Stony Stratford Milton Keynes MK11 1AQ
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank plc PO Box 170 Milton Keynes MK6 1AL
1
## **Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue**
## **Trustees Report for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2025**
The Trustees present their report along with the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 and comply with the applicable law and the requirements of SORP (FRS 102), Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
## **Constitution and Objects**
The Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue, known in Hebrew as Bet Echud, is constituted under a deed of trust established in 1979 and is a registered charity No 1058193.
The principal objects of the Synagogue are the promoting of Judaism in the spheres of public worship, religious, educational, social, cultural and charitable activities.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Synagogue's governing document is its constitution, which is reviewed periodically. The Trustees of the Synagogue are its Council Members, including the Honorary Officers, who are elected by the membership in open meeting. There is also provision for up to three members to be co-opted to serve on Council until the subsequent Annual General Meeting.
The Trustees normally meet ten to eleven times a year and there are Sub-committees and Groups that report to the council, which then approves their activities. The main Subcommittees and Groups are:
- Ritual: This committee deals with all aspects of the provision of Synagogue
- services including festivals;
- Cheder education: This committee deals with the provision of religious schooling
- for children of members, through to bar/bat mitzvah age and beyond.
- Security: This committee deals with meet-and-greet and other security efforts.
The Council, which takes appropriate external advice where necessary, makes all significant operational decisions except the appointment of a rabbi. The constitution requires that the appointment of a rabbi be approved by the membership in open meeting.
## **External Affiliations**
The constitution provides that the Synagogue shall be a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, for which benefit, affiliation fees are payable at a percentage of the previous year's subscription income. One of the benefits of membership of a synagogue is the availability of a burial plan, and a proportion of members' subscriptions are specifically levied in this respect: this is paid by the Synagogue to the Jewish Joint Burial Society.
## **Achievement of Objectives and Review of Activities**
A full review of Synagogue activities is contained in the Synagogue's latest Annual Review which is circulated to all members prior to the Annual General Meeting. The key achievements during the year referred to in the Annual Review were:
2
- Ritual: Service leadership was shared between visiting student rabbis and our
- own lay readers.
- Cheder and Education: Cheder classes for the children are held in the Synagogue. We held some adult education sessions which proved to be very popular.
- Social: We were able to hold parties to celebrate major Jewish holidays, including Purim, Sukkot and Chanukah. The Noshers and Sewing Group have met monthly.
- Welfare: The Welfare Group is running with the aim of keeping the Synagogue in touch with all members.
- Communication to Members: A weekly newsletter was sent to members via email. or post.
- Grants: This year the High Holy Day Appeal beneficiaries were Mental Health Cleaning, a local Charity plus the Jewish Childs Day project and the synagogue.
## **Plans for the Future**
Within each of our main categories, the following are the short/medium-term goals:
- Rabbinic Support: We will liaise closely with Leo Baeck College and the new
- Movement for Progressive Judaism to ensure that we have sufficient visits from Student Rabbis. We are looking into engaging an independent rabbi who will visit us more regularly.
- Ritual: We will continue to hold regular Shabbat services, alternating Friday
- evenings and Saturday mornings. We will hold services for the High Holy Days and major festivals. We will continue to hold some services in person and some online, to meet the varying needs of our members. The initiative to train new wardens and lay service leaders continues.
- Cheder and Education: We will continue to encourage local families with small children to join the community. We plan to continue further integration and merging between Cheder and the remainder of the community, with more social events and occasional child-friendly services.
- Programme Development: We will continue to evaluate methods of encouraging
- involvement by a broader range of members by offering more choices of activities.
- Welfare: We will continue to deliver support to the membership, particularly the elderly and recently bereaved. To build closer relationships between the Synagogue and the wider Milton Keynes community, we will continue to encourage the use of the hall by suitable outside groups.
- Security: We are making an effort to improve our security efforts in line with the wishes of the community and advice from CST.
## **Reserves Policy**
It is the policy of the Synagogue to maintain our unrestricted funds, which are the free
3
reserves of the Synagogue, at a level that is adequate to keep the Synagogue solvent. In conjunction with the subscriptions and other incoming resources, this provides sufficient funds to cover the administrative and support costs of the Synagogue.
The restricted funds are funds donated to the Synagogue for expenditure of a specific purpose or nature and are held in an appropriate form to enable the funds to be applied for the purpose for which they were established.
## **Grant Making Policy**
The Synagogue pursues its charitable giving mainly through the High Holy Day Appeal. Our policy is to make grants out of donations received and only to registered charities, whether in the UK or overseas.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Synagogue faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to mitigate risks as appropriate.
## **Trustees’ Responsibilities in Relation to the Accounts**
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the board of trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the period end and of its incoming resources and resources expended during that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
- Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which 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 requirements of applicable law and regulations. 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 charity has taken advantage of the exemption in IAS1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement because it is a small charity.
This report was approved by the trustees on 3 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
**RSM Friedman** Treasurer
**Priscilla Dorrance**
Co-Chair of Council
4
## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue**
## **For the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
I report on the accounts for the trust for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
## **Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner**
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission, under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charities Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and, seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent Examiners Statement**
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met, nor:
2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
N Boyce FCCA Hickeson Boyce 68A High Street Stony Stratford Milton Keynes MK11 1AQ
Date: 17 July 2026
5
## **MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**
Notes
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
2025
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
Subscriptions (Net)
27533
27533
Income tax recoverable on subscriptions
5906
5906
Donations and legacies
7536
1175
8711
Grants
3822
3822
Income tax recoverable on donations
522
522
JJBS
10824
10824
Interest
1598
1598
Other incoming resources
[2]
8560
8560
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
51655
15821
67476
**EXPENDITURE**
Expenditure on raising funds:
Services and festivals
[3]
4748
4748
Education
[4]
3419
3419
JJBS
10824
10824
MRJ affiliation
Charitable Donations
1175
1175
8167
11999
20166
Building:
Running expenses
[5]
13132
3822
16954
Depreciation
[6]
7529
7529
20661
3822
24483
Other resources expended:
Administration
[7]
760
760
General expenses
[8]
4638
4638
Fund raising
5398
-
5398
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
34226
15821
50047
Net gains/losses on investments
2778
-
2778
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR**
20207
-
20207
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
total funds brought forward
215080
-
215080
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
235287
-
235287|Total Funds
2024
£
27562
5791
6676
15812
758
9371
1679
6451
74100
7697
3668
9371
-
1015
21751
40190
7969
48159
1183
5291
-
6474
76384
735
(1,549)
216629
215080|
|---|---|
6
## **MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|FIXED ASSETS
£
£
£
Cost
to date
Depreciation to
date
Net book value
2025
Building
[9]
159952
94972
64980
Religious Ritual Items
[9]
2566
2566
-
Furniture & Fittings
[9]
60787
53726
7061
Leasehold Land
[9]
15000
15000
238305
151264
87041
Investments
[10]
7032
94073
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors and Prepayments
[11]
8224
Cash at bank and in Hand
139251
147475
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Amounts falling due within one year
[12]
6261
NET CURRENT ASSETS
141214
235287
TOTAL NET ASSETS
235287
FINANCED BY
Unrestricted: General Fund
[13]
235287
235287|£
Net book value
2024
68979
-
10591
15000
94570
3741
98311
7914
117430
125344
8575
116769
215080
215080
215080
215080|
|---|---|
Approved by the Executive of the trustees (the synagogue council) on 3 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by
RSM Friedman
Trustee and Treasurer
7
## **MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
- 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- a) Accounting convention
The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis and under the historic cost convention and are shown in pounds sterling. They are in accordance with the requirements of the Statement Of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities (FRS102) under which advantage has been taken not to include a cash flow statement.
b) Subscriptions and other income Subscriptions are included on the basis of those due for the current year after making allowance for any amounts that are unlikely to be collected. Other income is recognised in the year to which it relates.
## c) Income tax recoverable
Income tax recoverable has been included to the extent that it arises on gift aided donations received during the year.
## d) Depreciation The building is being depreciated at 2.5% per annum on cost.
Where the trustees consider that there is no impairment in the value of the leasehold at the year end it continues to be reflected in the balance sheet at cost.
Religious Ritual Items are being depreciated at 25% per annum on cost. (2024:25%)
Furniture and fittings are being depreciated at 25% per annum on cost. (2024:25%)
## e) Funds accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available at the discretion of the Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are held for specific purposes.
- f) Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties relating to going concern and the accounts have therefore been prepared on this basis.
## g) Grants receivable
The charity receives grants in respect of security costs, solar panel installation and building works. Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.
## h) Investments
Investments are shown at fair value as at the year end with any gains or losses being shown in the Statement of Financial Activities.
|2
OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES
Quiz
Hall hire
Judaica
Rituals festivals
Non cash asset donation
Solar Panels
TOTAL
3
SERVICES AND FESTIVALS
Kiddush and catering
Lay Readers, visiting rabbis
Prayer books
Ritual, festivals, choir
TOTAL
4
EDUCATION
Cheder materials
Cheder teachers
Adult Education
Conference bursaries
TOTAL|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
2025
£
144
144
5735
5735
27
27
791
791
513
513
1350
1350
8560
-
8560
1150
1150
3453
3453
145
145
4748
-
4748
375
375
2924
2924
120
120
3419
-
3419|Total
Funds
2024
£
120
5081
2
871
377
-
6451
687
3428
2293
1289
7697
509
2366
178
615
3668|
|---|---|---|
8
## **MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|5
BUILDING
Electricity
Water
Garden
Cleaning/ hygiene consumables
Repairs and maintenance
Electrical work
Security guards
Security: keyholding
Furniture & fittings <£1,000
TOTAL
6
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation on Furniture & Fittings
Depreciation on ritual assets
Depreciation on Building
TOTAL
7
ADMINISTRATION
Postage
Telephone
Data Protection
TOTAL
8
GENERAL EXPENSES
Insurance
Professional fees
Council member expenses
Non trustee expenses
Website
Welfare
Social events
9
Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Disposals
At 31 DECEMBER 2025
Depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 DECEMBER 2025
Net book value
AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
At 31 DECEMBER 2024|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
2025
£
2355
2355
477
477
1870
1870
2586
2586
1062
1062
176
176
3557
3822
7379
639
639
410
410
13132
3822
16954
3530
3530
-
-
3999
3999
7529
-
7529
14
14
711
711
35
35
760
-
760
2464
2464
1012
1012
188
188
211
211
186
186
306
306
271
271
4638
-
4638
Leasehold
Land and
Building
Religious Ritual
items
Furniture and
Fittings
£
£
£
174952
2566
60787
174952
2566
60787
90973
2566
50196
3999
3530
94972
2566
53726
79980
-
7061
83979
-
10591|Total
Funds
2024
3006
504
1252
3396
21559
1599
-
7710
1164
40190
3970
-
3999
7969
97
1051
35
1183
2348
670
445
244
311
754
519
5291
Total
£
238305
-
-
238305
143735
7529
-
151264
87041
94570|
|---|---|---|
9
## **MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|10
**INVESTMENTS**
COST
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At 31 December 2025
Amortisation
At January 2025
Charge for year
On disposals
At 31 December 2025
Net Book Value
At 31 Dec 2025
At 31 Dec 2024
11
DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
CST Grant
Tax Refund on Gift Aid subscriptions
Tax Refund on Gift Aid donations
Insurance (prepayment)
Hall hire
Solar panel income
Website
TOTAL
12
CREDITORS
Student Rabbi
Cleaner
Willen Hospice
telephone
Building maintenance
Non councl expense
key deposits
Security
JJBS Refundable travel
Key holder security
Subs paid in advance
Outreach School expenses
Course fees
Chedar consultant
Garden
TOTAL|Other
Investments
£
3741
513
2778
7032
-
-
-
-
7032
3741
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total Funds
2025
£
461
461
5905
5905
522
522
197
197
910
910
43
43
186
186
7763
461
8224
180
180
27
27
14
14
145
145
346
461
807
1450
1450
163
163
1286
1286
162
162
120
120
977
977
930
930
4205
2056
6261|Total
Funds
2024
£
759
5791
758
187
48
-
371
7914
1105
200
54
1000
28
95
949
1450
149
3545
8575|
|---|---|---|
10
## **MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|13
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
At 1st January 2025
Net incoming resources/(resources
expended) for the year
Appropriations in the year
At 31st December 2025
DESIGNATED FUNDS
At 1st January 2025
Appropriations in the year
At 31st December 2025|Designated Funds
Undesignated
Funds
Total
Unrestricted
Funds
£
£
£
89,610
125,470
215,080
-
20,207
20,207
-
-
-
89,610
145,677
235,287
Rabbinic Fund
Building Fund
Kitchen Fund
Total
Designated
Funds
47,540
31570
10500
89,610
-
-
-
-
47,540
31,570
10,500
89,610|
|---|---|
The designated funds represent amounts set aside for anticipated expenses relating to the building and for Rabbinic Services.
## 14 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There was no related party transactions that require disclosure.
## 15 TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
During the year no trustees received any remuneration. Charitable, education, building, administartion and fundraising expenses totalling £159.55 were reimbursed (2024 - £445).
## 16 STAFF COSTS
During the year there were no members of staff employed by the charity.
11