Charity Registratlon Number: 208563 GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 AUGUST 2024
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 The Trustees of Great Priory of the Order of the Temple Fund of Benevolence present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The Charity is the Great Priory of the Order of The Temple Fund of Benevolence and is a registered Charity under registration number 208563. The Charity's address is 86 St James's Street, London, SWIA IPL. TRUSTEES The Trustees of the Great Priory of the Order of the Temple Fund of Benevolence who served during the year and to the date of signing this report, unless otherwise stated, are: J R G Hilditch {Appointed 31 March 2025) J Prizeman R Wallis {Retired 31 March 20251 Newly appointed Trustees receive an induction from the President of the Grand Master's Council and Great Treasurer and attend training courses a5 necessary. ORGANISATION The Members of the Grand Master's Council of the Great Priory are responsible forthe administration of all aspects of the Great Priory of the Order of The Temple Fund of Benevolence. The members of the Grand Master's Council of the Great Priory, who are either appointed by the Grand Master of Great Priory or elected by the Great Priory of England and Wales, during the financial year and to the date of the signing of this report are: His Honour l D G Alexander, KC J M Beard Dr P R Calderwood, JP P R Clement J R G Hilditch (Elected 15 May 2024) G Hutchin50n K J Jones P A Norman {Appointed 15 May 2024) GL Perkins WJTPratt A C Rainbow R Scott Dr N F J Scott-moncrieff (Retired 15 May 2024) M E Slater, Ostl J Spence, DL (Appointed 15 May 2024) S J Warwick (Retired 15 May 20241 TJ Wheeler J C Whitaker, JP, DL- President Page I
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 PRINCIPAL ADVISERS BANKERS FUND MANAGERS Clydesdale Bank plc {Trading as J M Finn & Co Ltd Virgin Money) 4 Coleman Street 7 Gold Street London Northampton EC2R STA NNI IEN AUDITOR Crowe U.K. LLP 55 Ludgate Hill London EC4M 7JW CONSTITUTIONS AND OBJEcrs The Great Priory of the Order of The Temple Fund of Benevolence is governed by statute (Charities Acts), the Trust Deed dated 30 May 1928. The primary objects of the charity are Relief of members of the Order and their dependants. The charity may also relieve the need, hardship or distress of other member of the public, and such charities a5 recommended by the Grand Master's Council or Great Priory. The Fund of Benevolence is supported by contributions from Brethren, Ladies, Preceptories and Provinces and these take the form of either donations, covenants, legacies or bequests. The Charity's main income is from investments in most years, the Charity has not engaged with third parties to raise funds and there has been no direct approach to members of the public for funding. No complaints were received in relation to our fundraising activities. The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on the strategy towards and the achievements of the Charity against its objectives. GRANT MAKING POLICY The payments of grants are made to the needy who qualify according to the statutes of Great Priory. RESERVES POLICY At 31 August 2024, the free reserves amounted to £838,123 (2023: £ 836,0271. The Trustees believe that the level of reserves should provide a safety net for downturns in the market as well as providing a level of income to 5UPPOrt donations. However, the Trustees continue to review the level of reserves held. The Trustees consider that there are sufficient reserves held at 31 August 2024 to manage any foreseeable downturn in the market. The Trustees consider that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resourcesto continue in operational existence fortheforeseeable future and, for this reason, the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Page 2
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 INVESTMENT POWERS Investment powers are set out and operated within the provisions of the Trustee Act 21J)O. The investments are managed by the Investment Committee, which 15 advised by JM Finn & Co Limited. INVEsfMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE The only sources of income for the fund are receipts from individual Preceptories (including the sale of swift pins) and any investment income (including capital gains). Change5 are made to the investments held on the basis of seeking to maintain the existing funds and to increase them so far as possible. The intention is to invest in securities, which are likely to increase in value (including providing increased dividends), rather than by any other criteria. In accordance with these aims, the funds are managed by J M Finn & Co Limited. The Investment Committee reviews the funds on a regular basis. The value of the investments at the balance sheet date was £888,704 {2023: £815,822). ACTIVITIES Grants were paid in the year to 31 August 2024 amounting to £IOO,IJJO to the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital (2023: £nill. TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statement5 in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Charity law require5 the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standard5) and applicable law. Undercharity lawthe Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its net incoming/outgoing resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2(K)8 and the provisions of the charl5 constitution. 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. AUDITOR Crowe U.K. LLP has indicated its willingness to be reappointed as statutory auditor. Approved by the Trustees on 3 April 2025 and signed on their behalf by: J Prizem , Trustee Page 3
Independent Audltor's Report to the Trustees of the Great Priory of the Order of the Temple Fund of Benevolence Opinion We have audited the financial statements of the Great Priory of the Order of the Temple Fund of Benevolence for the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities. the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including significant accountfng 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.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 August 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basis for opinion We conducted our audlt In accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKI} 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 financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'5 Ethical Stsndard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We belleve that the audit evidence we have obtained is Sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Concluslons relatlng 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 fi'nancial 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 flnancial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibillties of the trustees with respert to going concern are described in the relevant sectlons of this report. Other informatlon The trustees are responsible fortheother information contained within the annual report. The other information comprises the information included In the annual report, other than the financial statements and our audltor's report thereon. Our oplnlon 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 audit or otherwlse appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whetherthis glves rise to a material misstatement in the financlal 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. Page 4
Matters on whlch we are requlred 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 require us to report to you If, in our opinion: the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees, report; or sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the trustees. responsibilities statement set out on page 3, the trustees are responsible forthe preparation of the financial Statements and for being satistied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of fi'nancial statements that are free from material mi55tatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements. the trustees are re5pon5ible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. disclosing. a5 applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Audltor's responsibilitie5 for the audit of the flnanclal statements We have been appointed a5 auditor under section 144 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 oplnlon. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS {UKI wlll 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. Irregularlties, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and gUlatIOnS. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above. to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the linancial statements is located on the Financial Reporbng Council'5 website at- www.frc.or auditorsre5 onslbllities. This description forms part of our auditor'5 report. Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities. including fraud Irregularities, including fraud. are instan5 of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial Statements from irregularities. whether due to fraud or error, and discussed these between our audit team members. We then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Page 5
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charity and group operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Charities Act 2011 together with the Charities SORP IFRS 102). We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items. In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the charity's and the group's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charity and the group forfraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this contextfor the UK operations included General Data Protection Regulation IGDPRI. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if anv. We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be within the timing of recognition of income and the override of controls by management. Our audit proceduresto respond to these risks included enquiries of management and the Management Board about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the postin8 of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, sample testing of income, reviewing regulatory correspondence, and readlng mlnutes of meetings of those charged with governance. Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have deterted some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limlted procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non- compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations. 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 chariws trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. (IP Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor London Date: 23.04.2025 Crowe U.K. LLP Is ellglble for appointment as auditor of the charity by vlrtue of it5 eligibility for appolntment as auditor of a company under section 1212 ofthe Companies Art 2006. Page 6
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Income and endowments from: Donations Bank Interest Investments 3,255 819 24,915 53,981 1,309 25,893 TOTAL 28.989 81,183 Expenditure on: Investment management costs Charitable artivities 4.073 310 4.048 Benevolent grants 100,000 TOTAL 104,383 OPERATING (LOSS) / SURPLUS (75,394) 77,135 Net realised and unreali5ed gains / (losses) on investments 77,490 (74,460) NEf INCOME 2.096 2,675 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 2.096 2,675 FUNDS Balance at I September 2023 836,027 833,352 BALANCE AT 31 AUGUST 2024 838,123 836,027 All of the above are represented by continuing operations. The are no recognised gains or losses other than those shown above. The notes on page 9 to 10 form part of these financlal statements. Page 7
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2024 2024 2023 Notes FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS Quoted securities at market value Cost £635,22112023 £628,350) 888.704 815,822 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank 7.607 42,062 7,634 12,821 49.669 20,455 CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry creditors 100,250 250 NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES) /ASSETS (50,581) 20,205 NET ASSETS 838,123 836,027 Represented by: UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 838,123 836,027 Approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on 3 April 2025 and signed on their behalf by: VbL J R G Hilditch Trustee The notss on page 9 to 10 form part of these financial statements. Page 8
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 CHARITY INFORMATION The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity registered as an unincorporated charity in England and Wales (registration no. 208563) and operates from Mark Masons, Hall, 86 St. James's Street, London, SWIA IPL. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Accounting The h'nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP {FRS1021 applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Charwties Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from l January 2015. The financial statements have been prepared to give a "true and fair" view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a "true and fair" view. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporling by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from l April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. Having considered post year end results and reserves, the Trustees consider the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties. Accordingly, the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. Investments Fixed asset investments are revalued to market value at the balance sheet date and the surplus or deficit of this revaluation represents unrealised gains or losses. The differences between the carrying value (or cost if acquired in the year) and the proceeds of investments disposed of represent realised investment gains or losses. Net realised and unrealised gains or losses are shown as a combined figure in the Statement of Financial Activities. Investment Income Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis. {d) Grants Payable Grants are accounted for when they are paid. Financial Instruments The charity has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financia l instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash and bank and in hand, together with accrued income. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise grants payable and accruals. Page 9
GREAT PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 {e) Financial Instruments (continued) Investments, including bond5 held as part of an investment portfolio are held at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, with gains and losses being recognised within income and expenditure. (f) Critical accountlng Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty In the application of the charity's accounting policies, Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates, assumptions about the carryingvalues of assets and liabilitiesthat are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimate5 and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual result5 may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying a55umption5 are reviewed on an on%oing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects the current and future periods. In the view of the Trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets and liabilities at the balance Sheet date a likely to result in a material adjustment to their carrying amounts in the next financial year. GRANTS All benevolent grants in the year were paid to the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. INVESTMENTS 2024 2023 Market value at I September 2023 Less: Disposal proceeds Add: Acquisitions at cost Net realised and unrealised gains/llosses) Market value at 31 August 2024 815,822 894,644 (113,435) 1132,835) 108,827 128,473 77,490 {74,460) 888,704 815,822 C05t at 31 August 2024 635,221 628,350 Unrealised gains/{losses} amounting to £253,483 {2023: £187,472) are based on a valuation at the year-end which is unlikely to equate to the actual gains and105ses which will arise on the subsequent realisation of those investments. TRUSTEE REMUNERATION No Trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses during the current or previous year. There are no related party transactions in the reporting period. Page 10