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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1076252 (England and Wales)

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Joint Presidents Mr. Harvey Lawrence and Dr. John London Joint Treasurers Mr. Harvey Lawrence and Dr. John London Trustees Mr. Harvey Lawrence Dr. John London Mr. David Feldman Sir Michael Pepper

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity number 1076252 Principal address 36 Hallam Street London W1W 6NW Auditor Harold Everett Wreford LLP Portland Suite Audley House 12-12a Margaret Street London W1W 8JQ Bankers Barclays Bank PLC

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 2
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 3
Independent auditor's report 4 - 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 15

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects are to advance the Orthodox Jewish Religion and in particular enabling its members to attend Sabbath and other religious services at which the form of worship and religious observances shall be in accordance with Polish or German Ritual laid down for Orthodox Synagogues by the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are those of maintaining the Synagogue's charitable work to an ever increasing elderly community, and for the public benefit, and there has been no change in these policies during the year.

In February 2019 the charity entered into an Agreement with the United Synagogue, inter alia putting in place arrangements whereby the members of the West End Great Synagogue's congregation would be allowed to participate in the regular religious services of the Central Synagogue, Hallam Street, London W1W 6NW, the latter being a Member Synagogue of the United Synagogue. As part of this Agreement, Central Synagogue is providing office administration services to the charity, the charity no longer accepts new members, and the level of current membership fees is frozen for life.

The charity is committed to enabling as many people as possible to pray at services. The Synagogue’s former Minister is now employed by the Central Synagogue where he continues to minister to the charity’s members and also acts as a Chaplain to St. Mary's Hospital.

During the year the charity continued to solicit for donations and membership renewal fees with the aim of

pursuing its objectives.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

The Board of Management has complied with its duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission. The Board meets regularly and agrees broad strategy and areas of activity for the charity including consideration of grant making, reserves and risk management policies and performance.

Achievements and performance

During the year the charity continued with the provision of regular Sabbath and other religious services. The administrative and reporting functions continued to be reviewed during the year and, where necessary, steps were implemented to improve the administrative operations and information flow within the organisation.

At the end of the year there were 302 (2023 - 313) members, comprising:

Married couples 65 (2023 - 65) Single males 51 (2023 - 52) Single females 121 (2023 - 131)

Financial review

The charity received total income of £46,381 (2023 - £46,997) including contributions from members of £30,536 (2023 - £30,653). After accounting for Synagogue expenses, donations and administration costs the charity had net income of £3,949 (2023 - expenditure of £8,256), which included donations paid totalling £28,600 (2023 - £35,700).

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised when recovered.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

At the end of the financial year the reserves of the charity were £13,807 (2023 - £9,858), which the Board of Management has reviewed. This review encompassed the nature of the income and expenditure streams, the need to match income with the financial commitments and the nature of the reserves. The review concluded that to allow the charity to be managed efficiently and to provide a buffer for uninterrupted services, reserves should be maintained at the year end level.

The Board of Management has conducted its own review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. The major risk faced by the Synagogue is that of the adequacy of income to cover all its expenses. In order to minimise this risk the Board reviews members' contributions and return on investments at regular intervals.

Structure, governance and management

West End Great Synagogue became a registered charity on 24 June 1999, and is governed by its laws adopted on 14 March 1999 as amended by special resolution on 23 June 2013.

The trustees who served during the year were: Mr. Harvey Lawrence Dr. John London Mr. David Feldman Sir Michael Pepper

The power of appointment of new or additional members is vested in the current members of the charity as well as the current members of the Board of Management.

The charity is organised so that the trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. Mr. H. Lawrence has been appointed by the trustees to oversee the day to day operations of the charity.

The charity has no relationships with related parties as defined within the SORP.

Post-balance sheet events

The trustees are of the opinion that the Covid virus could have a negative effect on the charity's activities during the next year, but that they are unable to judge to what extent. The trustees and the charity's management actively monitor developments.

On behalf of the trustees

Mr. Harvey Lawrence

Joint President Dated: 10 July 2025

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The 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 state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient 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, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of West End Great Synagogue (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Harold Everett Wreford LLP, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants Portland Suite Audley House 12-12a Margaret Street London W1W 8JQ 17 July 2025

Harold Everett Wreford LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
12,842
16,342
-
Charitable activities
4
30,536
30,653
-
Investments
5
3,003
2
-
Total income
46,381
46,997
-
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Donations
6
28,600
35,700
-
Governance costs
6
13,832
19,508
45
Total charitable expenditure
42,432
55,208
45
Total expenditure
42,432
55,208
45
Net income/(expenditure)
3,949
(8,211)
(45)
Transfers between funds
-
17,832
(17,832)
Net movement in funds
8
3,949
9,621
(17,877)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 January 2024
9,858
237
17,877
Fund balances at 31 December 2024
13,807
9,858
-
Total
2023
£
16,342
30,653
2
46,997
35,700
19,553
55,253
55,253
(8,256)
-
(8,256)
18,114
9,858

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

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
2024
£
4,971
14,320
19,291
(5,486)
£
2
13,805
13,807
13,807
13,807
2023
£
3,551
11,204
14,755
(4,968)
£
71
9,787
9,858
9,858
9,858

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 10 July 2025

Mr. Harvey Lawrence Joint President

Dr. John London Joint President

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

West End Great Synagogue is a registered charity, and is governed by its laws adopted on 14 March 1999 as amended by special resolution on 23 June 2013.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

Unrestricted funds are membership contributions, donations and other incoming resources receivable for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.

1.4 Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation. Legacies are accounted for on a cash basis.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred and are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. The cost of overall direction and administration, comprising salaries and overhead costs of the central function, is not apportioned.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures, fittings & equipment

20% straight-line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

Sefer Torah Scrolls are stated at the Board of Management's valuation as at the balance sheet date.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Donations and gifts 7,862 11,182
Grants 4,980 5,160
12,842 16,342

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4 Membership contributions

Membership Membership
contributions contributions
receivable receivable
2024 2023
£ £
Contributions within charitable activities 30,536 30,653
Income from investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Interest receivable 3,003 2

5 Income from investments

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

6 Charitable activities

Donations Governance
costs
Reversal of
provision
for
irrecoverabl
e loans
£
£
£
Depreciation and impairment
-
69
-
Office expenses
-
10,763
-
Audit and accountancy
-
3,000
-
-
13,832
-
Grant funding of activities (see note 7)
28,600
-
-
28,600
13,832
-
Total
2024
£
69
10,763
3,000
13,832
28,600
42,432
Total
2023
£
138
16,415
3,000
19,553
35,700
55,253

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7 Grants payable

Donations Donations
2024 2023
£ £
Grants to institutions (2 grants):
Central Synagogue London 28,500 35,700
Other 100 -
8 Net movement in funds 2024 2023
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements 3,000 3,000
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 69 138

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration, other benefits or reimbursement of expenses from the charity during the year.

10 Employees

There were no employees during the year.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

11
Tangible fixed assets
Sefer Torah
Scrolls
Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
2
838
At 31 December 2024
2
838
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
-
769
Depreciation charged in the year
-
69
At 31 December 2024
-
838
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
2
-
At 31 December 2023
2
69
12
Debtors
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
Trade debtors
4,960
Prepayments and accrued income
11
4,971
13
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
£
Trade creditors
2,138
Other creditors
230
Accruals and deferred income
3,118
5,486
Total
£
840
840
769
69
838
2
71
2023
£
3,494
57
3,551
2023
£
1,684
230
3,054
4,968

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

14 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 January Incoming Resources Transfers At 31
2024 resources expended December
2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 9,858 46,381 (42,432) - 13,807
Previous year: At 1 January Incoming Resources Transfers At 31
2023 resources expended December
2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 237 46,997 (55,208) 17,832 9,858

15 Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

The charity has entered into an arrangement with Central Synagogue London whereby members' fees and certain other amounts collected by the charity are remitted as donations on a regular basis to Central Synagogue after making allowance for the charity's governance costs.

16 Events after the reporting date

The Trustees believe that the on-going effects of Covid-19 could have a negative effect on the charity's activities during the next year, but that they are currently unable to quantify this. The Trustees and the charity's management actively monitor developments.

17 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).