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2025-03-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1119232

Big Ben Trust Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2025

HAFFNER HOFF LTD

Accountants 2nd Floor - Parkgates Bury New Road Prestwich Manchester M25 0TL

Big Ben Trust

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Page
Trustees' annual report 1
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Statement of financial position 7
Notes to the financial statements 8

Big Ben Trust

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Big Ben Trust Charity registration number 1119232 Principal office Lower Ground Floor 48 Castlewood Road London N16 6DW The trustees Mr M Benedikt Mr D M Benedikt Mr I Glausius Independent examiner Mr Howard Schwalbe ACA 2nd Floor - Parkgates Bury New Road Prestwich Manchester M25 0TL

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Big Ben Trust

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance and management

Big Ben Trust is constituted under a deed dated 12 April 2007. It was registered as a charity on 16 May 2007 with charity number 1119232.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees would be in line with the Trust deed and with the consent of the trustees. The criteria set for the suitable candidate would be someone who is sensitive to the needs and demands of the organisation.

There is no chief executive officer. The day-to-day affairs are undertaken by Mr M Benedikt on behalf of the trustees. All major decisions are taken collectively by the trustees, and all the trustees give of their time freely. The trustees are unpaid and details of any related party transactions are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the accounts. The arrangements for setting the pay of the charity’s employees are the sole domain of the trustees.

There are no policies for the induction or training of new trustees.

Risk review

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Trust and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage our exposure to the major risks.

The risks faced by the trust are principally operational risks from ineffective grant making. These risks are managed by the trustees researching potential beneficiaries before granting donations.

Report back and review procedures strengthen these safeguards to ensure public benefit is achieved from all grants.

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Big Ben Trust

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

The objects of the charity are (i) the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish Faith; (ii) the advancement of Orthodox Jewish religion education; (iii) the relief of poverty, sickness and infirmity amongst members of the Jewish faith; and (iv) such other purposes as are charitable according to English law.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting grant making policy for the year.

Grant making policy

The charity is funded by donations and investment income. The charity gives out grants in line with the above objects.

There were no grants paid to individuals during the year.

Grants made during the year to institutions are as detailed in the accounts.

The application of the funds are by way of grants to institutions.

The trustees consider they have met the public benefit test and outline these achievements below.

The trustees measure the success of achieving the stated aims by the number and value of grants paid out for each of the objects. The grants paid out in the year are detailed in the notes to the accounts and the trustees consider they have met their aims successfully this year.

The trustees consider the shorter-term aims to be similar to the longer term aims and assess the achievement of the charity in the same way.

Achievements and performance

The charity received £5,000 in donations during the year. The charity received £200,467 (2024: £197,137) in rental income during the year from properties held by the charity as investments. Of this £208,221 (2024: £423,939) was paid out by way of grants and support costs. These grants were made in line with the stated objects of the charity and were for relief of poverty and educational purposes.

The charity bought an investment property during the year.

The charity has low governance costs comprising professional fees.

Grants over £3,000 made during the year to institutions are as detailed in the accounts.

There were investment management costs of £49,832 (2024: £30,967) during the year.

Related party transactions are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the accounts.

There was net expenditure and a net movement in funds for the year amounting to £55,525 (2024: (£257,769)).

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Big Ben Trust

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Financial review

Investment performance

The investments of the charity have performed well in the year. There was a 7% gross return on investment.

The trustees consider this acceptable when compared with returns available on deposits in any of the banking institutions. These investment returns have been consistent for a number of years and are not at the expense of any exposure of loan to value covenants that would put these investments at risk.

Additionally, this does not take into account any future capital gains.

Reserves policy

The Unrestricted Fund represents the unrestricted funds arising from past operating results.

The Trustees are satisfied that the balance of the Fund is an acceptable level of reserves given the nature of revenue receipts against grants payable.

In considering the limited financial obligations of the charity, the trustees have resolved to maintain a minimum reserve roughly equal to the net current assets of the charity.

The trustees consider the holding value of the investments to be the fair value.

The trustees are delighted to have made valuable contributions to the community as a result of this income and hope to be able to do so for many years to come.

The free reserves, which represent net current assets, stand at £83,430 (2024: £268,459), all of which are unrestricted.

Total funds held by the charity at the year-end were £2,418,154 (2024: £2,473,679), all of these are unrestricted.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 8 January 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mr D M Benedikt

Trustee

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Big Ben Trust

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Big Ben Trust

Year ended 31 March 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Big Ben Trust ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

Mr Howard Schwalbe ACA

Independent Examiner

2nd Floor - Parkgates Bury New Road Prestwich Manchester M25 0TL

8 January 2026

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Big Ben Trust

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 March 2025

2025 2025 2024
Unrestricted
funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 4 5,000 5,000
Investment income 5 200,467 200,467 197,137
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total income 205,467 205,467 197,137
================================ ================================ ================================
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds:
Investment management costs 6 49,832 49,832 30,967
Expenditure on charitable activities 7,8 208,221 208,221 423,939
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total expenditure 258,053 258,053 454,906
================================ ================================ ================================
Net losses on investments 11 (2,939) (2,939)
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net expenditure (55,525) (55,525) (257,769)
================================ ================================ ================================
Other recognised gains and losses
Fair value movements 371,207
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net movement in funds (55,525) (55,525) 113,438
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 2,473,679 2,473,679 2,360,241
----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total funds carried forward 2,418,154 2,418,154 2,473,679
========================================= ========================================= =========================================

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

The notes on pages 8 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

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Big Ben Trust

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

2025 2024
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Investments 15 2,790,749 2,659,842
Current assets
Debtors 16 1,266 2,890
Cash at bank and in hand 93,107 276,391
---------------------------- --------------------------------
94,373 279,281
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 10,943 10,822
---------------------------- --------------------------------
Net current assets 83,430 268,459
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 2,874,179 2,928,301
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 18 456,025 454,622
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net assets 2,418,154 2,473,679
========================================= =========================================
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 2,418,154 2,473,679
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total charity funds 19 2,418,154
=========================================
2,473,679
=========================================

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 8 January 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mr D M Benedikt Trustee

The notes on pages 8 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Lower Ground Floor, 48 Castlewood Road, London, N16 6DW.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements did not require management to make judgements, estimates or assumptions that affect the amounts reported besides the valuation of fixed asset investments at the year end.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Investments

Unlisted equity investments are initially recorded at cost and subsequently measured at fair value. If fair value cannot be reliably measured, assets are measured at cost less impairment.

Listed investments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in income or expenditure.

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Investment property

Investment property is initially recorded at cost, which includes purchase price and any directly attributable expenditure.

Investment property is revalued to its fair value at each reporting date as applicable and any changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.

Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.

For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.

Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.

4. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Donations
Donations 5,000 5,000
======================= ======================= ============== ==============
Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from investment properties 200,467
================================
200,467
================================
197,137
================================
197,137
================================

5. Investment income

6. Investment management costs

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Rent collection 4,355 4,355 7,822 7,822
Property repairs and maintenance
charges 36,350 36,350 13,336 13,336
Finance costs 9,127 9,127 9,809 9,809
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
49,832 49,832 30,967 30,967
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Grant Activity 206,629 206,629 422,618 422,618
Support costs 1,592 1,592 1,321 1,321
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
208,221 208,221 423,939 423,939
================================ ================================ ================================ ================================

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Grant funding Support Total funds Total fund
of activities costs 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Grant Activity 206,629 151 206,780 422,618
Governance costs 1,441 1,441 1,321
-------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
206,629 1,592 208,221 423,939
================================ ======================= ================================ ================================

9. Analysis of support costs

Analysis of
support costs Total 2025 Total 2024
£ £ £
General office 151 151
Governance costs 1,441 1,441 1,321
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
1,592 1,592 1,321
======================= ======================= =======================

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

10. Analysis of grants

2025 2024
£ £
Grants to institutions
Amud Hatzedko Trust 3,110
Beis Hatalmud 5,000
Bnois Jerusalem 7,500
C M L 14,240 16,950
Eitz Chayim 138,000 300,000
Grants < £3,000 36,589 27,158
Gur Trust 5,000
Inspirations 5,000
New Rachmastrivka 5,550
Reb Shayeles Tzeduko 4,600 12,500
Shir Chesed Beis Yisroel 3,000
SOWS 5,850
Tevini Ltd 4,200 11,000
TTBA Belz 10,000
Yeshivas Lev Simcha 5,000
Yeshiva Horomo 4,000
Yeshiva Lezeirim 5,000
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
206,629 422,618
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total grants 206,629
================================
422,618
================================

11. Net losses on investments

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Gains/(losses) on investment property (2,939)
(2,939)
======================= ======================= ============== ==============
12. Independent examination fees
2025 2024
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 1,440
=======================
1,320
=======================

13. Staff costs

The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2020: Nil).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2020: Nil).

14. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received or expenses reimbursed by the trustees.

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

15. Investments

Investment
properties
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 2,659,842
Additions 130,907
-----------------------------------------
At 31 March 2025 2,790,749
=========================================
Impairment
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025 2,790,749
=========================================
At 31 March 2024 2,659,842
=========================================

All investments shown above are held at valuation.

Investment properties

The investment properties comprise wholly owned properties and one syndicate property with a holding of 3% and a cost of £137,094.

Valuation of the properties is at fair value. Where necessary the trustees have used an independent valuer to ascertain the value.

On one of the properties there is a bank loan secured on the property. The ratio of equity to loan is considered safe.

16. Debtors

2025 2024
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 1,266 2,890
======================= =======================
17. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts 9,000 8,999
Accruals and deferred income 1,943 1,823
---------------------------- ----------------------------
10,943 10,822
============================ ============================

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured on the properties of the charity.

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

18. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

2025 2024
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts 162,208 172,899
Other creditors 293,817 281,723
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
456,025 454,622
================================ ================================

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured on the properties of the charity.

19. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
At 01 Gains and At 31
Apr 2024 Income Expenditure losses Mar 2025
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 2,473,679 205,467 (258,053) (2,939) 2,418,154
Fair value reserve
----------------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------------------------
2,473,679 205,467 (258,053) (2,939) 2,418,154
========================================= ================================ ================================ ======================= =========================================
At 01 Gains and At 31
Apr 2023 Income Expenditure losses Mar 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 2,360,241 197,137 (454,906) 2,102,472
Fair value reserve 371,207 371,207
----------------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
2,360,241 197,137 (454,906) 371,207 2,473,679
========================================= ================================ ================================ ================================ =========================================

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Big Ben Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025
£ £
Investments 2,790,749 2,790,749
Current assets 94,373 94,373
Creditors less than 1 year (10,943)
(10,943)
Creditors greater than 1 year (456,025)
(456,025)
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net assets 2,418,154 2,418,154
========================================= =========================================
Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024
£ £
Investments 2,659,842 2,659,842
Current assets 279,281 279,281
Creditors less than 1 year (10,822)
(10,822)
Creditors greater than 1 year (454,622)
(454,622)
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net assets 2,473,679 2,473,679
========================================= =========================================

21. Related parties

Mr D M Benedikt, a trustee of Big Ben Trust, is also a director and shareholder of Dowsett Estates Ltd. At the end of the year the charity owed Dowsett Estates Ltd £12,632.

Mr D M Benedikt, a trustee of Big Ben Trust, is also a trustee of Etz Chaim. During the year, Big Ben Trust donated £138,000 to Etz Chaim.

Mr D M Benedikt & Mr I Glausius, trustees of Big Ben Trust, are also directors and shareholder of Big Ben Estates Ltd. During the year, Big Ben Estates donated £5,000 to the charity.

22. Taxation

Big Ben Trust is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

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