REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06131892 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1118649
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
FOR ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
Xeinadin Swiss Cottage Limited Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH
ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report ofthe Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | ||
| NotestotheFinancialStatements | 6 | to | 10 |
ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06131892)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees, who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their annual report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 of the Accounts and comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Applicable to Charities Preparing their Accounts in accordance with the Financial Report Standard applicable in the UK and Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. This report also represents the Directors Report as required by the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. This report is in accordance with the SORP requirements and exemptions set out for smaller charities.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
St Albans Masorti Synagogue (SAMS) promotes and provides Jewish religious, educational, pastoral, cultural, and social services for its constituent members and associates in Hertfordshire and in the St Albans district area in particular.
SAMS aligns with Masorti Judaism, which upholds traditional Jewish practice while interpreting Jewish law and teachings in the light of modern scholarship and contemporary life.
Religious services remain at the heart of the community, with regular services held three times a week alongside festivals and holidays. The community, led by Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, supported by lay leaders, staff, and volunteers, continues to offer a rich variety of educational, cultural, and social programmes for members of all ages.
During the year, SAMS strengthened its engagement with families and youth, providing educational and social initiatives, while continuing to support older members through inclusive community activities such as Singing for Memory, which is also open to the wider St Albans and Hertfordshire community.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
As noted in previous reports, SAMS is in the final phase of its existing premises lease, which expires in June 2026. A Long Term Building Committee has been reviewing all options for the community's future premises. After consideration, negotiations commenced with the landlord for a lease extension of ten years, with a five-year break clause, expected to be finalised in July 2026. Membership growth continued strongly in 2024-25, reflecting the appeal of SAMS' family-oriented community and the MemberShare contribution model. Income increased accordingly, while expenditure also rose due to_ inflationary pressures and the trustees’ decision to improve pay and conditions for key operational staff.
For the year ended 31 March 2025, the charity recorded a deficit of £13,858 (2024: surplus £12,991). Total reserves at year-end stood at £199,772, which remains above the charity's minimum reserves policy threshold.
The Trustees recognise the need to diversify and strengthen income streams through membership, grants, donations, and possible commercial use of facilities, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the community.
Reserves policy
During the year the reserves policy remained at £90,000. The Trustees approved an increase to £95,000 for the year ending 31 March 2026 to reflect higher anticipated operating costs.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and governed by its Articles of Association (21 April 2022) and Constitution (amended 24 May 2022).
The Board of Trustees, elected annually by members, comprises four Officers (two Co-Chairs, Treasurer and Secretary) and up to six Trustees. When a new Co-Chair is appointed, the retiring Co-Chair serves as Immediate Past Co-Chair for one year. Officers and Trustees normally serve three-year terms and may be re-elected for up to two further terms, with a maximum service period of nine years.
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06131892)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Charity constitution
In the year to March 2025, the Board met eight times for regular business and held an additional strategic session in July 2024 to set objectives for the following year.
planning
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees The Board operates through committees with annually approved Terms of Reference. The charity's day-to-day activities are managed by the Rabbi, Community Coordinator, and Prayer & Ritual Manager, supported by contractors and volunteers.
A Data Protection Officer (DPO) continues to ensure compliance with UK GDPR, reporting directly to the Board.
Risk management
The Trustees regularly identify and review key risks facing the charity and ensure that effective internal controls are maintained to provide reasonable assurance against fraud, error, and financial mismanagement.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number
06131892 (Not specified/Other)
Registered Charity number 1118649
Registered office
Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH
| Trustees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name BeverlyCohen |
Position Co-Chair |
Appointed Date 2017; Co-Chairfrom 2022 |
| Moira Hart | Company Secretary | May 2022 |
| Michelle Keene | Co-Chair | 2021; Co-Chair from 2023 |
| Lionel Taylor | Treasurer | May 2024 |
| Jonathan Freedman | Trustee | September 2024 |
| Benjamin Roukin | Trustee | June 2020 |
| Simon Samuels | Trustee | June 2021 |
| Charlotte Schlosberg | Trustee | June 2021 |
| Ben Shapiro | Trustee | July 2023 |
| Company Secretary | ||
| PaulHoffbrand |
Independent Examiner
Anthony Cowan FCA Xeinadin Swiss Cottage Limited Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
: f = a nein iacaaeamaaaill Zz. ,
Lionel Elliott Taylor - Trustee
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|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
a
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of St Albans Masorti Synagogue (‘the Company’) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as_ carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act, or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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.
Anthony Cowan FCA
Xeinadin Swiss Cottage Limited Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH
24 December 2025
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|funds|funds|funds|funds|
|Notes|£|£|£|£|
|INCOME|AND|ENDOWMENTS|FROM|
|Donations|and|legacies|341,875|-|341,875|311,519|
|Other|trading|activities|2|19,130|-|19,130|25,138|
|Investment|income|3|5,956|-|5,956|3,568|
|Total|366,961|-|366,961|340,225|
|EXPENDITURE|ON|
|Raising|funds|202,246|-|202,246|165,227|
|Charitable|activities|
|Support|Costs|178,573|-|178,573|162,007|
|Total|380,819|-|380,819|327,234|
|NET|INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)|(13,858)|-|(13,858)|12,991|
|RECONCILIATION|OF|FUNDS|
|Total|funds|brought|forward|213,630|-|213,630|200,639|
|TOTAL|FUNDS CARRIED|FORWARD|199,772|-|199,772|213,630|
----- End of picture text -----
The notes form part of these financial statements
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06131892)
BALANCE SHEET
31 MARCH 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible assets | 8 | 32,292 | - | 32,292 | 54,591 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors | 9 | 72,779 | - | 72,779 | 69,532 |
| Cash at bank | 117,692 | 18,399 | 136,091 | 132,278 | |
| 190,471 | 18,399 | 208,870 | 201,810 | ||
| CREDITORS | |||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | (22,991) | (18,399) | (41,390) | (42,771) |
| NETCURRENTASSETS | 167,480 | - | 167,480 | 159,039 | |
| TOTALASSETS LESSCURRENT LIABILITIES | 199,772 | - | 199,772 | 213,630 | |
| NETASSETS | 199,772 | - | 199,772 | 213,630 | |
| FUNDS | 11 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 199,772 | 213,630 | |||
| TOTALFUNDS | 199,772 | 213,630 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 24 December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Lionel Elliott Taylor - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income may be deferred where it enables matching with expenses that are expected to occur in a future period. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Short leasehold - Straight line over 14 years Improvements to property - Straight line over 14 years Fixtures and fittings - 25% on reducing balance Sefer Torahs - not depreciated Computer equipment - 25% on reducing balance
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| OTHER TRADINGTRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Advertising | 760 | 782 |
| Other income | 10,954 | 12,741 |
| Events Income | 7,161 | 11,473 |
| Memorial wall income | 255 | (5) |
| Cheder income | - | 147 |
| 19,130 | 25,138 |
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Deposit account interest | 5,956 | 3,568 | |
| 4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Depreciation - owned assets | 22,299 | 22,139 | |
| Otheroperatingleases | 71,568 | 70,574 |
- TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
- STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Charitable activities | 1 | 2 |
| Rabbinical | 1 | 1 |
| Administration | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 |
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £80,001 | - | £90,000 | 1 | 1 |
- 73 PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT
There was a misstatement identified in last year's financial statements in relation to deferral of grant income where an incorrect amount of a particular grant was recognised in the Balance Sheet at 31st March 2024. The position has now been corrected meaning the position is correct at 31st March 2025.
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
- TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 8. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short leasehold |
Improvements to property |
Fixtures and fittings |
||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| COST | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 | 55,359 | 236,417 | 56,857 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 47,449 | 201,737 | 54,273 | |
| Charge for year | 3,954 | 16,887 | 646 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 51,403 | 218,624 | 54,919 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 3,956 | 17,793 | 1,938 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 7,910 | 34,680 | 2,584 | |
| Sefer | Computer | |||
| Torahs | equipment | Totals | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| COST | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 | 7,000 | 7,831 | 363,464 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | - | 5,414 | 308,873 | |
| Charge for year | - | 812 | 22,299 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | - | 6,226 | 331,172 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 7,000 | 1,605 | 32,292 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 7,000 | 2,417 | 54,591 | |
| 9. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Trade debtors | 95 | 434 | ||
| Other debtors | 48,610 | 46,894 | ||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 24,074 | 22,204 | ||
| 72,779 | 69,532 |
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
- CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade creditors | 1,133 | 533 | |
| Other creditors | 29,384 | 24,555 | |
| Accrued expenses | 10,873 | 17,683 | |
| 41,390 | 42,771 | ||
| MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
| Net | |||
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | 31.3.25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 213,630 | (13,858) | 199,772 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 213,630 | (13,858) | 199,772 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 366,961 | (380,819) | (13,858) |
| TOTALFUNDS | 366,961 | (380,819) | (13,858) |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | |||
| Net | |||
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 200,639 | 12,991 | 213,630 |
| TOTALFUNDS | 200,639 | 12,991 | 213,630 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 340,225 | (327,234) | 12,991 |
| TOTALFUNDS | 340,225 | (327,234) | 12,991 |
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
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ST ALBANS MASORTI SYNAGOGUE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
rene tte
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
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||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Net|
|movement|At|
|At|1.4.23|in|funds|31.3,25|
|Unrestricted|funds|£|£|£|
|General|fund|200,639|(867)|199,772|
|TOTAL FUNDS|200,639|(867)|199,772|
----- End of picture text -----
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|resources|expended|in|funds|
|Unrestricted|funds|£|£|£|
|General|fund|707,186|(708,053)|(867)|
|TOTAL FUNDS|707,186|(708,053)|(867)|
|12.|RELATED|PARTY|DISCLOSURES|
----- End of picture text -----
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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