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2025-03-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1139436

Chovevei Torah Synagogue Unaudited Financial Statements 31 March 2025

HAFFNER HOFF LTD

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

Chovevei Torah Synagogue

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

Chovevei Torah Synagogue

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 Chovevei Torah Synagogue Charity registration number 1139436 Principal office 1 Parksway Prestwich Manchester M25 0JE The trustees Mrs F Levenberg M Levenberg J Warshawsky C Y Singer C Y Fulda Independent examiner Mr Howard Schwalbe ACA 2nd Floor - Parkgates Bury New Road Prestwich Manchester M25 0TL

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance and management

Chovevei Torah Synagogue is an unincorporated charity constituted under a trust deed dated 6 October 2010. It is a registered charity with a charity number being 1139436 and was registered as a charity on 22 December 2010.

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 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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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

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 religion; (ii) Relief of poverty; (iii) advancement of education and (iv) general charitable purposes.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit 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.

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

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 object. 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 £53,284 (2024: £26,636) in donations during the year. The charity paid out £61,010 (2024: £25,425) by way of grants and support costs. These grants were made in line with the stated objects of the charity and were for educational or relief of poverty purposes. The charity also paid out £15,734 (2024: £20,466) in direct charitable expenditure and £7,181 (2024: £9,540) in support costs.

The charity also had investment income receivable during the year amounting to £18,808 (2024: £22,897).

The charity has low governance costs comprising professional fees.

All other office costs are borne by the trustees.

Grants over £1,000 made during the year to institutions and individuals are as detailed in the accounts.

There were no material fundraising costs during the year.

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

There was a net expenditure and net movement of funds for the year amounting to £11,833. This compares with 2024 where there was net income and net movement of funds for the year amounting to £139,137.

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Financial review

Investment performance

The investments of the charity have performed well in the year. The gross return on the investments amounted to almost 5%. This return is exceptional when compared to returns from bank deposits for which returns are far lower and do not allow for capital growth potential.

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 have considered the market value of the investment property. The trustees consider the holding value to be the fair value.

The trustees are delighted to have made many 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, represented by the net current assets of the charity stand at £12,241 (2024: £642,927), all of which are unrestricted.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 5 January 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mrs F Levenberg Trustee

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Year ended 31 March 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Chovevei Torah Synagogue ('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

5 January 2026

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

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 53,284 53,284 26,636
Investment income 5 18,808 18,808 22,897
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total income 72,092 72,092 49,533
============================ ============================ ============================
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 6,7 83,925 83,925 55,431
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total expenditure 83,925 83,925 55,431
============================ ============================ ============================
Net gains on investments 10 145,035
---------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------
Net (expenditure)/income and net movement in funds (11,833) (11,833) 139,137
============================ ============================ ================================
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 1,349,831 1,349,831 1,210,694
----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total funds carried forward 1,337,998 1,337,998 1,349,831
========================================= ========================================= =========================================

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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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

2025 2024
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 14 978,863 282,698
Investments 15 396,288 470,000
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------
1,375,151 752,698
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand 13,741 644,367
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16 1,500 1,440
---------------------------- --------------------------------
Net current assets 12,241 642,927
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 1,387,392 1,395,625
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 17 49,394 45,794
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net assets 1,337,998 1,349,831
========================================= =========================================
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds:
Other unrestricted income funds 1,337,998 1,349,831
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total unrestricted funds 1,337,998 1,349,831
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Total charity funds 18 1,337,998
=========================================
1,349,831
=========================================

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 5 January 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mrs F Levenberg Trustee

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

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

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 1 Parksway, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 0JE.

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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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

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.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Tangible assets (continued)

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

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.

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 and any changes in fair

value are recognised in income or expenditure.

If a reliable measure of fair value is no longer available for an item of investment property, it shall be transferred to tangible assets and treated as such until it is expected that fair value will be reliably measurable on an on-going basis.

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.

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

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.

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 53,284 53,284 26,636 26,636
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
5. Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from investment properties 18,808 18,808 22,897 22,897
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

6. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Synagogue expenses 15,734 15,734 20,466 20,466
Charitable grants 61,010 61,010 25,425 25,425
Support costs 7,181 7,181 9,540 9,540
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
83,925 83,925 55,431 55,431
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Activities
undertaken
Grant funding
Support Total funds Total fund
directly of activities costs 2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Synagogue expenses 15,734 5,680 21,414 28,565
Charitable grants 61,010 61,010 25,425
Governance costs 1,501 1,501 1,441
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
15,734 61,010 7,181 83,925 55,431
============================ ============================ ======================= ============================ ============================

8. Analysis of support costs

Analysis of
support costs
activity 1 Total 2025 Total 2024
£ £ £
General office 5,680 5,680 8,100
Governance costs 1,501 1,501 1,440
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
7,181 7,181 9,540
======================= ======================= =======================
9. Analysis of grants
2025 2024
£ £
Grants to institutions
Ahavas Chesed Trust 500 5,900
Bederech Kovod 1,200
Grants under £1000 1,000 25
The Prestwich Foundation 6,815 10,000
----------------------- ----------------------------
8,315 17,125
Grants to individuals
Grants to individuals 52,695 8,300
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total grants 61,010 25,425
============================ ============================

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

10. Net gains on investments

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Unrealised gains/(losses) on
investment property 145,035 145,035
============== ============== ================================ ================================
11. Independent examination fees
2025 2024
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 1,500
=======================
1,440
=======================

12. Staff costs

The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: Nil).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

13. Trustee remuneration and expenses

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

14. Tangible fixed assets

Freehold
property
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024 282,698
Additions 696,165
--------------------------------
At 31 March 2025 978,863
================================
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
================================
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025 978,863
================================
At 31 March 2024 282,698
================================

Freehold property represents a wholly owned building that the charity owns. This building has been renovated for use as a Synagogue.

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

15. Investments

Investment
properties
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 470,000
Additions
Disposals (73,712)
--------------------------------
At 31 March 2025 396,288
================================
Impairment
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025 396,288
================================
At 31 March 2024 470,000
================================

All investments shown above are held at valuation.

Investment properties

Investment properties are made up of UK investment property wholly owned by the charity. The valuation is at fair value in the opinion of the trustees.

Other investments are made up of unlisted UK investments that are managed by a third party. The valuation is at fair value in the opinion of the third-party managers.

16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2025 2024
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 1,500 1,440
======================= =======================
17. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2025 2024
£ £
Director loan accounts 49,394 45,794
============================ ============================

Creditors falling due after more than one year relates to funds lent to the charity on an interest free basis by a trustee.

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

18. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

At
At Gains and 31 Mar 202
1 Apr 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers losses 5
£ £ £ £ £ £
General funds 1,349,831 72,092 (83,925) 1,337,998
Revaluation
reserve
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -----------------------------------------
1,349,831 72,092 (83,925) 1,337,998
========================================= ============================ ============================ ============== ============== =========================================
At
At Gains and 31 Mar 202
1 Apr 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers losses 4
£ £ £ £ £ £
General funds 975,448 49,533 (55,431) 235,246 145,035 1,349,831
Revaluation
reserve 235,246 (235,246)
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
1,210,694 49,533 (55,431) 145,035 1,349,831
========================================= ============================ ============================ ================================ ================================ =========================================

19. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025
£ £
Tangible fixed assets 978,863 978,863
Investments 396,288 396,288
Current assets 13,741 13,741
Creditors less than 1 year (1,500) (1,500)
Creditors greater than 1 year (49,394) (49,394)
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net assets 1,337,998 1,337,998
========================================= =========================================
Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024
£ £
Tangible fixed assets 282,698 282,698
Investments 470,000 470,000
Current assets 644,367 644,367
Creditors less than 1 year (1,440) (1,440)
Creditors greater than 1 year (45,794) (45,794)
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net assets 1,349,831 1,349,831
========================================= =========================================

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Chovevei Torah Synagogue

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

20. Related parties

Mrs F Levenberg & Mr J Warshawsky, trustees of Chovevei Torah Synagogue, are also trustees of The Prestwich Foundation. During the year, the charity donated £6,815 to The Prestwich Foundation.

Mr M Levenberg trustee of the charity received £1,850 in travel expenses and £1,840 with regards to the purchase of the Sefer Torah Mantel.

At the year end the charity owed trustee Mrs F Levenberg £49,394. The loan is interest free and repayable on demand.

Following clearance from charities commission the house of trustee Mrs F Levenberg was sold to the charity for £696,165. This decision was taken by the other trustees and it was an arm’s length transaction.

21. Taxation

Chovevei Torah Synagogue is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

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