2023-08-31-accounts

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing

Annual Report and Accounts

31 August 2023

Charity Registration Number 242715

Contents

Reports

Reference and administrative details of
the charity, its trustees and advisers	1
Trustees’ report	3
Independent auditor’s report	20
Accounts
Statement of financial activities	25
Balance sheet	26
Statement of cash flows	27
Principal accounting policies	28
Notes to the accounts	35

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Trustees	Rt Revd Dominic Taylor OSB (Chair)
	Revd Peter Burns OSB (resigned 3 April 2023)
	Very Revd Alexander Bevan OSB
	Revd Timothy Gorham OSB
	Revd Ambrose McCambridge OSB
	Revd Martin Shipperlee OSB (appointed 3 April 2023)
	(The trustees are incorporated under of the Charities Act
	2011)
Parish Priest	Revd Ambrose McCambridge OSB
Monastic Bursar	Very Revd Alexander Bevan OSB
Lay Bursar	Mrs S Daly FCA
Trust Finance Committee	Mr D Squire MA FCA (Chair)
	Mr G Gostwick BA Oxon
	Mr W Khadhouri MEng MA (appointed 23 February 2023)
Abbey address	Ealing Abbey
	Charlbury Grove
	Ealing
	London
	W5 2DY
Website	www.ealingmonks.org.uk
Telephone	020 8194 2300
Charity registration number	242715
Auditor	Buzzacott LLP
	130 Wood Street
	London
	EC2V 6DL

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 1

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Bankers HSBC Bank plc PO Box 260 46 The Broadway Ealing London W5 5JR Royal Bank of Scotland plc Wigan (G) Branch 1 Hardman Boulevard Manchester M3 3AQ Investment managers Cazenove Capital Management Limited 1 London Wall Place London EC2Y 5 AU Walker Crips Stockbrokers Limited Old Change House 128 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4BJ Insurance brokers PIB Insurance Brokers Limited Poppleton Grange Low Poppleton Lane York YO26 6GZ Solicitors Stone King LLP Upper Borough Court Upper Borough Walls Bath BA1 1RG Haworth & Gallagher LLP (Birkenhead) 39 Hamilton Square Birkenhead Merseyside CH41 5BP

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 2

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

The trustees present their report together with the accounts of The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 August 2023.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 28 to 34 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Objects, aims, activities and relevant policies

• Charitable objects

The charity’s objects are set out in a Scheme approved by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales dated 5 September 1997. The charity aims to promote the charitable works carried on, promoted and supported by the monks of Ealing Abbey.

• Public benefit

In meeting these objects, the Trust’s public benefit aims are to:

• Support the prayers and ministry of the Catholic Benedictine monks for the wider community.

• Support and promote the spiritual, charitable and social work of the Catholic community in Ealing and West London.

• Provide a first-rate medium to long term counselling service to fill the gaps in NHS provision.

• Provide an opportunity to the public for continuing Christian education and formation and thus benefit society in an age full of conflict and misunderstanding.

 Objectives for the year

During the year to 31 August 2023 the focus was as follows:

• To work to maintain a healthy and viable monastic life in the Abbey.

• To preserve and enhance the Parish as a centre of Roman Catholic sacramental and spiritual life.

• To maintain the service offered by the Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (EACS).

• To support the Benedictine ethos of St Benedict’s School.

• To continue and develop the work of the Benedictine Institute and the Liturgical Institute.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 3

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Objects, aims, activities and relevant policies (continued)

• Strategies to achieve the year’s objectives

To establish a programme of monastic renewal and spiritual formation to enable the monastic community to continue to support the running of the charity and to ensure that sufficient external consultancy and support is available to develop the financial administration of the Trust.

 Principal activities of the year

The trustees review the charity’s aims, objectives and activities each year to see what has been achieved over the previous year. The review looks at the success of each of the major activities and the benefits to the many beneficiaries. In furtherance of these aims, the trustees have complied with the duty contained within the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s published guidance concerning the operation of the Public Benefit requirement under that Act.

During the year to 31 August 2023, the charity’s activities fell into three main areas: Monastic life within the Abbey, pastoral work and education.

The Monastic Community

The centre of the work of the Trust is to sustain the community and prayer life of the Benedictine monastery of Ealing Abbey, much of which by its nature takes place out of public view. Six times every day the monks gather in the Abbey Church to pray the divine office and to celebrate the Eucharist, all of which are open to public participation. It is this work which makes it possible for the monks to engage in, support and promote a range of activities for the good of the wider community.

Pastoral work

Since the seventeenth century, monks of the English Benedictine Congregation have been engaged in pastoral work to support the Christian life of the Catholic community in England. For Ealing Abbey this has taken the form of a large diverse and active parish for which we have had responsibility since our foundation in 1897. The parish nourishes the sacramental and spiritual life of the parishioners, with an average of just over a thousand attending services on a Sunday with two thirds attending in person and a further third via the streaming service. The parish also promotes a wide range of catechetical and social activities.

Another aspect of pastoral engagement is the work of the Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (EACS), which was established in 1994 and has grown to help hundreds of people annually by providing low-cost medium and long term counselling, where it is not provided by the NHS. By its nature the activities of the Parish are directed at Roman Catholics, while EACS is open to all in need. EACS offers confidential, professional help to meet people’s needs regardless of age, belief, culture, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 4

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Objects, aims, activities and relevant policies (continued)

 Principal activities of the year (continued)

Pastoral work (continued)

It has in the region of 80 practitioners: 60+ counsellors who are in advanced training or qualified, and all of whom give their time for free; a small team of experienced assessors who carry out a comprehensive assessment of new clients and match them to appropriate counsellors; and a team of experienced, qualified supervisors who support the ongoing work of the counsellors in monthly supervision groups.

The staff team comprises of two part-time administrators and three part-time qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day management, recruitment, and development of the Service.

Education

Since its inception in the 17th Century the English Benedictine Congregation, of which Ealing Abbey is a member, has also been involved in education. St Benedict’s School was owned by the Trust until September 2012 when, following the recommendations of the report of Lord Carlile, ownership was passed to an independent charitable company. The Trust continues to support the ethos of St Benedict’s School by providing chaplains for sacramental and pastoral work within the School community. Two monks sit on the Board of Governors of the School.

The Trust also provides adult education through the work of the Benedictine Institute (BI). Students and staff share in elements of the monastic life and study in a context of hospitality and a life centred on community, reflection and prayer. BI also gives time to developing the progression in learning of the volunteers and instructors. The BI facilities also host the Lay Plainchant Workshop, Ealing Abbey Pottery, St Bede Library and the Liturgical Institute which, through summer courses, offers masters level studies of liturgical texts in the Catholic tradition.

 Listed investment policy

The charity has invested via two different investment advisers, Cazenove Capital Management Limited and Walker Crips Stockbrokers Limited. As at 31 August 2023 the charity had a portfolio of investments with a market value of £1,869,874 (2022 – £2,031,104). Additionally, at 31 August 2023, investment managers were holding a further £124,557 (2022 – £175,807) for reinvestment i.e. a total of £1,994,431 (2022 – £2,206,911).

There are no restrictions on the charity's power to invest. In 2022-2023, Cazenove Capital Management Limited and Walker Crips Stockbrokers Limited were each provided with an investment policy statement which provides guidance as to how the asset management functions delegated to them should be exercised. It was formulated with a view to ensuring that the asset management functions are exercised within the best interests of the charity. In January 2024, the Trust reassigned its investments held with Walker Crips Stockbrokers Limited to Rathbones Group plc.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 5

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Objects, aims, activities and relevant policies (continued)

 Listed investment policy (continued)

The trustees’ investment objective is that the real value of the charity’s assets be maintained and enhanced over the long term by investment in a portfolio comprising primarily equities, fixed income stocks, property and cash. The trustees have adopted the following ethical policy, the main purpose being to avoid investment in, and therefore support for, activities that are contrary to the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. Therefore, the trustees do not wish to invest in companies that are involved in unethical activities. Companies involved in unethical operations are deemed to be those that:

• Invest in hospitals/clinics that have abortions or euthanasia as a major role;

• Exploit the labour force in such a way that it is unjustifiable in the light of local circumstances;

• Have operations in areas of oppressive regimes where these operations contribute to the oppressive nature of these regimes;

• Have the manufacture of arms/weapons as a core activity;

• Are involved in pornography or obscenity.

Due regard shall be given to environmental concerns in all investment decisions.

The trustees receive regular reports on their listed investments and valuations. This information is reviewed by the trustees themselves and on the trustees’ behalf by the Trust Finance Committee.

 Property investment policy

The Trust has a number of properties which are rented to tenants at commercial rents. These properties, all of which are in Ealing, West London are included in the attached accounts at an estimate of their market value and at 31 August 2023 were considered to have a value of £8,700,000 (2022 – £8,700,000).

 Programme related investments

The freehold to the land and buildings that comprise St Benedict’s School, Ealing is held by the Trust. The buildings are used for educational purposes which are consistent with the Trust’s charitable objectives but they are occupied by a separate charitable company (please see note 24 to the attached accounts). Consequently, the land and buildings are classified as programme related investments. The land and buildings are included in the accounts at £9,784,693 being their carrying value as at 1 September 2012 i.e. the date on which the buildings were made available to St Benedict’s School, Ealing. The Trust receives an annual rent from the School which for the year to 31 August 2023 amounted to £525,478 (2022 – £486,249).

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 6

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Objects, aims, activities and relevant policies (continued)

• Tangible fixed assets

Acquisitions and disposals of tangible fixed assets during the year are recorded in the notes to the accounts. All tangible fixed assets, including freehold land and buildings, are recorded in the accounts at original cost less depreciation. The market values of freehold land and buildings are considered to be in excess of the amount at which they are recorded in the accounts.

 Employees

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing is an equal opportunities employer and will apply objective criteria to assess merit. It aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. The exception to this is in respect of certain posts that require the appointment of a Roman Catholic, where this is fundamental to the role.

Selection criteria and procedures are reviewed to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. All employees will be given equal opportunity and, where appropriate and possible, special training to enable them to progress both within and outside the organisation. The charity is committed to a programme of action to make this policy effective and bring it to the attention of all employees.

• Fundraising policy

The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. The charity takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity and the group manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of professional fundraisers. The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the year, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.

Review of achievements and performance for the year

The following paragraphs outline the main achievements during the year in each of the charity’s principal activities.

 The Monastic Community

During the year the number of monks in the community remained at 9. Post year-end, a postulant joined the community increasing the numbers in the monastic community to 10. The active contribution of the monastic community can be seen in the areas covered by this report, but the core of the life of the community is its life of prayer, in private and in the round of daily monastic offices sung in the Abbey Church, from Matins at 6am until Compline at 8pm. Nearly all of these are open to public participation. The leadership of the community is entrusted to its Abbot, who is elected for eight-year terms.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Review of achievements and performance for the year (continued)

• The Monastic Community (continued)

The Ealing Abbey Pottery is a small craft pottery. It is a work of the monastic community and part of the Benedictine Institute. The rhythm of the workshop fits well with the monastic routine and contemplative spirit. It is hoped that the work embodies and shares something of that spirit.

Ealing Abbey Lay Plainchant Choir (EALPC) is a work of the Benedictine Institute. It is a means by which lay people may share in this aspect of Benedictine spirituality. Membership is open to any one of any religious background. Members commit to attending a weekly rehearsal and attendance at the Mass at which the choir sings once a month. At each meeting members are asked to make a voluntary donation to choir funds. These are administered by the choir committee and are used for the purchase of books and in support of two training events each year, one of which is open to non-members.

Ealing Abbey Choir has continued to flourish under the guidance of its Director, Organist, Chaplain and Matron. The choir continues to be supported generously by the Monastic Community, the Friends of Ealing Abbey Choir, the chorister parents, the Abbey Choir Management Committee and the Trust.

Weekly sung worship remained at the heart of the life of the choir. Alongside this, the choir performed Handel’s Messiah in early December and Carols by Candlelight to a full Abbey Church before Christmas. After Easter, the choir toured Germany giving performances in Dusseldorf, Bonn and also in Cologne Cathedral, which was livestreamed to over 40,000 people.

The choir continues to build on the success of integrating girls’ voices to enhance its musical tradition. Recruitment of both girls’ and boys’ voices remains strong with five probationers appointed for 2023-24.

 Pastoral work

The Parish Catechetical programme took place between September and May and proved highly successful. Specifically, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme saw a considerable rise in interest with over 19 people attending the sessions during the week. The Catechetical Coordinator liaises closely with the Parish Safeguarding Representatives and the Westminster Safeguarding Team to ensure the safety of the candidates and Catechists in the implementation of the programme.

During the year there were: 73 baptisms; 2 receptions into the Church; 21 couples were prepared for marriage; 65 children were prepared for First Holy Communion; 67 young people were prepared for Confirmation and there were 54 funerals.

The Parish Pastoral Council met regularly throughout the year. The now annual Parish InCouncil meeting (Part 1) took place in February 2023. The meeting covered the following topics: an overall review of the year, Parish Catechesis, Pastoral Care, Parish Safeguarding, Parish Finances, and the role of our three Parish Deacons. The Parish St Vincent De Paul Society and Aid to the Church in Need groups gave an account of their activities during the year.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Review of achievements and performance for the year (continued)

 Pastoral work (continued)

The Justice & Peace group has been suspended for the moment as there were not enough parishioners to keep it active. However, individuals are continuing the monthly Food Bank collection and the CAFOD appeals. Parish In-Council (Part 2) this year will consist of a series of ‘Parish Forum’ meetings taking place after each mass from October onwards.

The Parish hosted the Ealing Churches Together Night Shelter Project in January and February again this year. Clients had their evening meal prepared by parishioners and stayed overnight in the Parish Hall. The work of the Parish Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society continues to form a key aspect of the parish outreach. During the winter months the Conference meets online but otherwise meets in-person every Monday during the year. The Parish Team continues to work very closely with the Society.

This year the Lenten Project supported Acton Homeless Concern which was founded in 1989. Acton Homeless Concern supports people who are suffering the effects of rough sleeping, poverty and the physical and mental consequences of alcohol and drug abuse and who are living with poor housing, unemployment, family break up and physical, emotional and sexual abuse. It provides food, clothing and other basic needs requirements, free of any charge but with an ultimate objective of steering people to other services that might improve their ongoing health and wellbeing. In total, the Parish Lenten Project raised £4,112 for the charity.

The Parish continues to support the Grove Community Project in Gurnell Grove. The Parish again supported the now annual Christmas Fair event with financial support for lighting, a Christmas tree and stand, general fixtures needed to decorate the area and the hiring of two donkeys for children to sit on and ride. The Parish also made a donation to the Project’s ‘Big Give’ campaign.

In addition to its normal remit, the Parish Finance Committee spent the year planning the ‘Planned Giving & Stewardship Campaign’ which took place over three Sundays (17 & 24 September & 1 October). The Campaign followed the Westminster Diocese Template and received advice, support and training from the Diocesan Fundraising & Stewardship Team. The basic goal was to increase the Parish Standing Orders from Parishioners by at least 25 percent. The initial signs are good and detailed figures are expected later in the year.

Ealing Abbey Parish’s online presence continues to grow. During the year 26,000 people visited the website (up a thousand from last year); 445 people subscribed to the Parish YouTube channel (2022 – 416) and there were 552 followers for the Parish Facebook group (2022 – 492); the Parish E-Newsletter was increasingly popular but is currently paused to review its costs. The livestream of Parish Masses from the Parish Website, www.ealingabbeyparish.uk welcomed 63,000 viewers during the year. This is a welcome, significant increase from last year.

The Parish continues to develop and promote its online presence to make the Parish more accessible and to communicate information on Parish Life.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Review of achievements and performance for the year (continued)

 Pastoral work (continued)

The Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (EACS): During 2023, EACS re-applied for local government funding to support its counselling and psychotherapy work and was delighted to be awarded an increase of funding (£65,000 per annum) for the next 4 years, running from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2027. The increase helps offset the impact of the cost-of-living crisis whereby clients have been making smaller contributions, which EACS has been subsidising through its reserves over the past couple of years.

Also this year, EACS supported the roll-out of an in-house trauma psycho-educational 6- week programme for women, which takes place three times a year. A significant cohort of our clients show signs and symptoms of trauma and can access the group either as an additional support alongside or at the end of their one-to-one therapy.

In September, EACS launched a new website and logo and was delighted to receive very positive feedback about the look and feel of the site, as well as the content.

EACS has registered as a Living Wage employer to show its commitment to this very worthy initiative and is proud to be a part of this campaign for a decent living wage for all.

 Education

The Benedictine Institute: The work of the Institute falls under the oversight of a new supervisory board with the Abbot as chair. During the year, the work initiated under Dom James Leachman OSB to provide therapy for those affected by abuse with counsellors and low-cost facilities hosted at the Institute continued. In addition, many rooms were made available for hire to other counsellors and therapy groups.

The major activities of the Benedictine Institute included:

• Liturgy Institute: The work of the Liturgy Institute falls under the oversight of a Board consisting of the Abbot of Ealing and the Abbot of Farnborough. Links with the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium continued with the accreditation for students in the Liturgy and Latin courses. This year a new Liturgy and Icon course was added as well as the opportunity to study Syriac. Overall courses were attended by 30 students from 8 countries representing 9 universities.

• Ealing Abbey Poetry Library: The library comprises a growing collection of poetry books which are catalogued online. Monthly poetry afternoons are held in either the Study Centre or the House for Guests. These gatherings are open to anyone of any religious background, although they may typically commence with a short prayer. Participants share poetry that might be of interest and there is open, informal discussion.

• Lectio Divina Sessions of shared prayerful reading and reflection on scripture offered as a way by which others may share something of Benedictine Spirituality. There are 20-minute ‘drop in’ sessions every weekday morning throughout the year. There is a longer evening session twice each month with some commitment to regular attendance presumed.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Review of achievements and performance for the year (continued)

 Education (continued)

• Lectio Divina Sessions (continued) The sessions share the Benedictine Institute's ecumenical ethos and are led either by a monk of Ealing Abbey or the pastor of another local Christian community.

• Christian Meditation: There are ‘drop-in’ meditation sessions in the Study Centre every weekday morning throughout the year. These are led by a monk of Ealing Abbey. The sessions are 25 minutes in duration and open to all. Typically, the sessions commence with some brief guidance on Christian meditation and a short vocal prayer, otherwise they are silent.

• The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Dunstan Studio of Christian Art: The promotion of a Benedictine contribution to the visual arts at Ealing Abbey is under the direction and guidance of the Abbot of Ealing. The lay director works alongside the monk director who is the Abbot’s representative. There are two artists who work regularly in the studio and administer its use for others.

A four-year diploma course in the techniques of Icon Painting is being piloted from January 2024. This requires student attendance at weekly three-hour teaching sessions. Other short courses in aspects and techniques of Christian art are offered in October, February and May each year.

The studio also actively liaises with and develops co-operation with other institutes and professionals in the field of Christian art and undertakes the development of new courses in icon painting and other Christian arts. There are also courses at the Liturgical Institute which are complimentary to the activities of the studio. It is planned to organise a conference and exhibitions in the near future.

Financial report for the year

• Results for the year

A summary of the results for the year can be found on page 25 of the accounts.

Total income for the year amounted to £1,573,815 (2022 – £1,537,800). Of this, £614,232 (2022 – £645,407) was generated from donations and legacies, i.e. mainly parish collections and donations with legacy income being £21,814 (2022 – £209,883), £674,655 (2022 – £632,506) was investment income, and £277,174 (2022 – £249,150) was income from charitable activities. This latter category included income from grants and funding agreements and client contributions for the counselling services provided by the charity of £100,000 and £90,472 respectively (2022 – £100,000 and £82,601). During the year the charity realised gains of £260 on the disposal of tangible fixed assets (2022 – £nil).

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Financial report for the year (continued)

 Results for the year (continued)

Set off against this income was £1,637,260 (2022 – £1,566,700) of expenditure. £984,411 (2022 – £964,113) related to ministry and support of members of the Community. Included within this heading are legal and other professional fees of £74,119 (2022 – £79,952), £422,765 (2022 – £376,880) was the cost of upkeep of the Abbey Church and Parish Centre and administering the parish and £215,920 (2022 – £210,585) was the cost of providing counselling services.

Once expenditure is deducted from income, the charity shows a “deficit” or net expenditure for the year of £63,445 (2022 – a deficit of £28,900). Losses of £128,040 (2021 – losses of £157,267) on listed investments and gains of £nil (2022 – £2,380,000) on investment properties led to overall net expenditure of £191,485 (2022 – net income of £2,193,833).

The net movement in funds, after adjusting for a positive change in the pension deficit provision of £11,807 (2022 – positive change of £8,634), further details of which are provided in note 16 to the accounts, was a negative movement of £179,678 (2022 – a positive movement of £2,202,467).

 Reserves policy

The trustees consider that between £2 million and £3.5 million is an appropriate level of free reserves for the charity to maintain, based on future expenditure projections and the need for the Community to continue to develop its ministry following the transfer of the School to a separate charity.

The balance sheet shows total reserves of £22,856,050 (2022 – £23,035,728).

Of this, £2,094,176 is represented by tangible fixed assets essential for the support and work of the charity (2022 – £2,133,177). There is a tangible fixed assets fund equal to the net book value of tangible fixed assets to highlight their importance to the charity and to emphasise that funds equal to the value of the tangible fixed assets are not available to meet contingencies or ongoing expenditure.

A further £9,784,693 represents the freehold land and buildings comprising St Benedict’s School, Ealing (2022 – £9,784,693). These buildings are used for educational purposes consistent with the charity’s objects but they are occupied by a separate charitable company (see note 18 to the attached accounts).

£6,619,559 (2022 – £6,462,130) has been designated to provide funds for the members of the Community in their retirement, to maintain the charity’s properties, to develop the charity’s activities within the parish, to maintain the Ealing Abbey Bookshop and to support a former member of the Community. Further details of their funds are provided in note 19 to the accounts.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Financial report for the year (continued)

 Reserves policy (continued)

Restricted funds totalled £264,615 (2022 – £358,544) and comprise various monies given specifically for parish activities or specific aspects of the priests’ ministry and include ministry special funds for the counselling service of £164,817 (2022 – £190,265).

Funds available to support the work of the charity in the future, in particular to support the Community’s pastoral work and ministry, are shown on the balance sheet as general funds and amount to £4,093,007 (2022 – £4,297,184). These general funds comprise ‘free’ reserves of £4,284,066 (2022 – £4,515,113) less the pension scheme deficit of £191,059 (2022 – £217,929).

This figure of free reserves needs to be considered in the light of expected future recurring annual expenditure of approximately £1.1 million and the need for the charity to continue to support the work of the Community and also develop such work. The current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, however, may necessitate a delay in implementation and require caution with regard to financial decisions. Given this continuing prudence, the trustees are of the opinion that the free reserves are reasonable in the current circumstances.

Future plans

The trustees understand fully the need for a comprehensive strategic review and began this process in February 2020 at a meeting involving the Monastic Community, the Trust Finance Committee and professional advisors. Since that time, the strategic review has identified key performance indicators (KPIs) necessary to realise the defined mission and strategic objectives of the monastic community. The trustees engaged a consultant to advise and support the monastic community at Ealing Abbey to articulate a comprehensive strategic plan. Working parties have been formed and continue to prioritise opportunities and address generic challenges. The current macroeconomic uncertainty, however, has meant the timing of implementation will be reviewed in the new financial year.

Governance, structure and management

 Governance

Ealing Abbey is a monastery of the English Benedictine Congregation. It was founded from Downside Abbey at the end of the 19th century and gained its independence as Ealing Priory in 1947; it was raised to the rank of Abbey in 1955. Each monastery enjoys a wide measure of independence but, apart from its membership of a particular Congregation, is linked also with all other Benedictine monasteries worldwide through the Benedictine Confederation. There are 10 monks in the Community at Ealing.

The accounts accompanying this report are those of the charitable trust on which the assets of Ealing Abbey are held. The charity is regulated by a sub-trust of the Downside Abbey Trust Deed dated 1 August 1934, supplemented by two deeds dated 19 January 1948 and 2 July 1955, and in the matter of the Charities Act 2011 by a scheme approved by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales dated 5 September 1997.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management

 Governance (continued)

The body of trustees was incorporated under the name of ‘Ealing Abbey Trustees’ by a certificate of incorporation sealed by Order of the Commissioners on 13 March 1997.

The body of trustees consists of between three and seven members of the Monastic Community and is chaired by the Abbot of Ealing Abbey. The Abbot appoints the trustees who by convention are members of the Abbot’s Council. This Council, which is run in accordance with Canon Law and the Constitutions of the English Benedictine Congregation, consists of the Claustral Prior and a number of other members, half elected by the Monastic Chapter and half nominated by the Abbot. As members of the Community, the trustees live and work in the Monastery and hence are familiar with the operation of the charity. They attend regular meetings at which matters relating to the running of the charity are explained and debated. Specific training is given also by experts in charity finance and other relevant matters.

The names of the trustees who served during the year are set out as part of the reference and administrative details on page 1 of this annual report and accounts, and brief details of each of the trustees are given below.

Rt Revd Dominic Taylor OSB is the Abbot of Ealing Abbey, being elected during 2019. Before that he was Prior and Bursar as well as a member of the Parish Team and Novice Master.

Very Revd Alexander Bevan OSB is the Prior and Monastic Bursar. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and doctoral researcher in theology at KU Leuven. He is Chaplain to Ealing Abbey Choir and also serves as a Chaplain at St Benedict’s Senior School.

Revd Timothy Gorham OSB is a member of the parish team and the monastic safeguarding lead. He was the Clerical Chair of Christians Together in Central Ealing and is on the committee of Hillingdon Council of Christians and Jews. He previously worked as a chaplain of the Junior School and is now the Master of Oblates.

Revd Ambrose McCambridge OSB is a monk and Parish Priest of Ealing Abbey. He has had experience of teaching and social work.

Rt Revd Martin Shipperlee OSB was previously the Abbot of Ealing Abbey from 20002019 having previously been Headmaster of the St Benedict’s Junior School for seven years. He serves as a trustee of several charities.

Any charity will benefit from the expertise that can be provided by a varied body of trustees. In the case of The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing, as the trustees can only be chosen from a relatively small group, advisory bodies exist to supplement the knowledge and skills offered by the trustees.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

 Governance (continued)

The Trust Finance Committee was set up as an advisory committee appointed by the Abbot with expertise in financial, property, legal and managerial matters. It currently consists of the Abbot, three lay advisers, the Bursar, and the Lay Bursar. The Parish Priest is advised by the Parish Finance and Property Committee as required under Canon Law, as well as the Pastoral Council.

 Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing the accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and

• prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the relevant Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s governing document. 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 15

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

• Structure and management reporting

The charity is under the overall direction of the Abbot, who is Chair of the trustees. The trustees meet frequently. The trustees determine the general policy of the charity and review its overall management and control. The trustees authorise all major financial decisions within the charity, where necessary seeking the consent of the Monastic Community in accordance with the Constitutions of the English Benedictine Congregation. Consent is required for any project involving extraordinary expenditure exceeding £210,000 (2022 – £210,000) or expenditure on repairs and restorations of buildings exceeding £210,000 (2022 – £210,000).

Each area of the organisation has its own management structure and reporting line to the trustees:

• Parish matters are the responsibility of the Parish Priest, who heads the Parish Team. The Parish Team is made up of two monks, two permanent deacons, a Catechetical Co-ordinator, a Pastoral Co-ordinator, a Parish Co-ordinator for Youth Evangelisation and Formation, and a secretary. In carrying out his functions, the Parish Priest takes into account the views of the laity, principally through two advisory bodies, the Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance and Property Committee. The Pastoral Council advises on any matters that affect the life of the Parish.

The Parish Finance and Property Committee prepares and comments on the annual budget, keeps proper financial records and helps with fundraising. These activities are under the guidance of the overall charity. Minutes of meetings are copied to the Abbot and the Parish finances are reported to the trustees periodically by the Bursar.

The Chair of the Parish Finance Committee reports directly to the Monastic Community annually.

• The Benedictine Institute (BI) is governed by a Supervisory Board, which meets termly in order to monitor, evaluate, initiate and develop activities. These meetings are chaired by the Abbot and a representative of the Monastic Chapter and by the Bursar. Its finances are reported to the trustees periodically by the Bursar.

• Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (EACS) is run by a Directorate of two people; a Clinical Head and a Director of Assessment, Recruitment and Operations. The Directorate reports to the EACS Management Committee. This committee is composed of the Abbot, three lay advisors, the Directorate, and the Lay Bursar. Its finances are reported to the trustees periodically by the Lay Bursar, and the Clinical Head reports directly to the Monastic Community from time to time.

• The Guesthouse, currently not open to the public, is run by the Guest Master. The Abbey Choir is headed by the Director of the Abbey Choir. The Bookshop is run by a Committee of volunteers. Members of the Monastic Community are involved in all these areas and management accounts are prepared under the direction of the Lay Bursar and are reported to the trustees.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 16

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

• Key management personnel

The trustees consider that they together with the Parish Priest, who heads the Parish Team, the Director – Head of Services of Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (EACS), the Director of the Abbey Choir and the Lay Bursar comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the material charitable activities on a day-to-day basis.

The trustees are all members of the Community and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity they receive no remuneration or additional reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties to the charity.

• Risk management

The overall objective of the risk policy of the Trust is to ensure that all risks which are necessary in order to ensure the Trust achieves its objectives are identified and minimised to an acceptable level. The trustees are responsible for the management of the risks faced by the Trust. The Trust Finance Committee recommends the risk management strategy and is responsible for taking an overview of the whole Trust to ensure that all risks emanating from the Trust’s activities are properly managed. During the year, the Bursar had the particular day-to-day responsibility within the Trust of taking this overall view of risk management and reporting to the Abbot and the Trust Finance Committee.

Detailed considerations of risk are delegated to each of the management committees that supervise the discrete activities undertaken by the Trust. These responsible bodies formally review their risk map on a regular basis and at least annually. Each of these responsible bodies reports annually on their risk management activities to the Trust Finance Committee. The report confirms whether or not risks have been reviewed and highlights any specific risk issue if applicable.

The trustees believe that by following these procedures, monitoring reserve levels, ensuring controls exist over key financial systems and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the charity, they will continue to ensure that there are effective systems to mitigate risks. In particular, following the recommendations of the Carlile report in 2011 and IICSA in 2019, the trustees have ensured that additional controls have been put in place in respect of any issues arising that might involve abuse.

The areas identified for particular attention within our risk management strategy are:

•  Protection of finance and assets

Although financially stable and well-endowed with assets, the Trust has limited income streams. Accordingly, the trustees are actively examining how to make the best use of the Trust’s properties to generate future income and provide improved and additional facilities for the work of the Trust.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 17

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

 Risk management (continued)

•  Protection of finance and assets (continued)

The trustees are aware that there is both a moral and legal obligation to care for the older members. None of the members have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions, and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. As the age profile increases, so too does the need to provide care for the members. Key elements of the management of this risk are: (a) ensuring that the charity has the available financial resources to finance this care both now and in the years ahead by setting aside assets in a designated fund; and (b) ensuring that processes are in place to review regularly the ministries and needs of individual members encouraging those who need it to take on less demanding ministries and for identifying those who need extra care and help.

 Safeguarding

Following the implementation of new national Safeguarding Structures in 2021/22, the Trust now works with the new Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) and the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) in its ongoing compliance with the Safeguarding Standards for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. To date, the Trust has engaged with the RLSS in Safeguarding Training and the CSSA in the pilot of the Safeguarding audit process. During the realignment process, the Trust continued to engage with its Safeguarding partners including the Diocese of Westminster Safeguarding Team, the NSPCC and Praesidium. The latter, which is a US-based non-denominational Safeguarding organisation, acted as an independent auditor into the Trust’s compliance with Safeguarding Standards and its implementation of the policies of the former Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS).

Operationally, the charity works with vulnerable groups including children and the elderly. The trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those that the charity serves. This means that members engaged in any ministry and all those who work or volunteer for the charity and work with children or vulnerable adults must obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). In addition, through its collaboration with its Safeguarding Partners, the Trust ensures all members of the monastic community and employees receive regular and up-to-date training in Safeguarding. Through the Conference of Religious, the Trust actively collaborates in the “Safe Spaces” Joint Anglican and Catholic Church Initiative to provide a vital support service to the survivors of church-related abuse. The monastic community is committed to meeting with, and learning from, survivors of abuse and in its community prayer and discussions are discerning practical ways to maintain a safe environment for all those it serves.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 18

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

• Risk management (continued)

•  Investments

The charity's principal asset, apart from land and buildings, comprises listed investments, the value of which is dependent on movements in UK and world stock markets. The investments are managed by reputable investment managers who adhere to a policy agreed by the trustees. The trustees meet regularly with the investment managers and the manager's performance and that of the portfolio are monitored. The investment strategy is assessed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to the charity's needs – both now and in the future – and to the charity’s Catholic ethos.

By order of the trustees:

Rt Revd Dominic Taylor, OSB

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on: 19 April 2024

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 19

Independent auditor’s report Year to 31 August 2023

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2023, which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. 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 accounts:

•  Give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 August 2023 and of 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 audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts 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 accounts are authorised for issue.

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

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 20

Independent auditor’s report Year to 31 August 2023

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Accounts, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  The information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the accounts; or

•  Sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or

•  The accounts 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, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 21

Independent auditor’s report Year to 31 August 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

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

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

•  The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

•  We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with management and trustees and from our knowledge and experience of the charity sector;

•  We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the accounts or the activities of the charity. These included but were not limited to the Charities Act 2011; Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102); and

•  We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and review of minutes of trustees’ meetings.

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

•  Making enquiries of trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and

•  Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 22

Independent auditor’s report Year to 31 August 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud (continued)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

•  Performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;

•  Tested and reviewed journal entries to identify unusual transactions;

•  Carried out substantive testing of expenditure including the authorisation thereof;

•  Reviewed controls over the counting and recording of cash receipts;

•  Assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and

•  Investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

•  Agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

•  Reading the minutes of meetings of trustees; and

•  Enquiring of as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

We did not identify any irregularities, including fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 23

Independent auditor’s report Year to 31 August 2023

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 24

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 August 2023

Notes	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £
Income from: Donations and legacies 1 Investments and interest receivable 2 Charitable activities 3 Other sources: . Miscellaneous 4 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds . Investment management fees Charitable activities . Ministry and support of members of the Community 5 . Upkeep of the Church and administering the parish 6 . Counselling services 7 Total expenditure Net income (expenditure) before other (losses) gains 9 Net losses on the revaluation and disposal of listed investments 13 Gains on the revaluation of investment properties Net (expenditure) income Re-measurement of pension deficit provision 16 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances brought forward at 1 September 2022 Fund balances carried forward at 31 August 2023	574,905 674,655 61,224 260	39,327 — 215,950 7,494	614,232 674,655 277,174 7,754	622,066 632,506 48,229 2,943	23,341 — 200,921 7,794	645,407 632,506 249,150 10,737
	1,311,044	262,771	1,573,815	1,305,744	232,056	1,537,800
	14,164 925,151 341,245 —	— 59,260 81,520 215,920	14,164 984,411 422,765 215,920	15,122 921,569 375,398 —	— 42,544 1,482 210,585	15,122 964,113 376,880 210,585
	1,280,560	356,700	1,637,260	1,312,089	254,611	1,566,700
	30,484 (128,040) —	(93,929) — —	(63,445) (128,040) —	(6,345) (157,267) 2,380,000	(22,555) — —	(28,900) (157,267) 2,380,000
	(97,556) 11,807	(93,929) —	(191,485) 11,807	2,216,388 8,634	(22,555) —	2,193,833 8,634
	(85,749) 22,677,184	(93,929) 358,544	(179,678) 23,035,728	2,225,022 20,452,162	(22,555) 381,099	2,202,467 20,833,261
	22,591,435	264,615	22,856,050	22,677,184	358,544	23,035,728

All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.

All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 25

Balance sheet 31 August 2023

Notes	2023 £	2023 £	2022 £	2022 £
Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Investments 13 Current assets Debtors 14 Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Provision for liabilities 16 Total net assets The funds of the charity: Income funds: Unrestricted funds . Tangible fixed assets fund 17 . Programme related investment fund 18 . Designated funds 19 . General funds .. Free reserves .. Pension deficit liabilities Restricted funds 20 Total funds	55,465 334,977 242,648	2,094,176 20,479,124	63,266 327,399 155,098	2,133,177 20,691,604
		22,573,300 473,809		22,824,781 428,876
	633,090 (159,281)		545,763 (116,887)
		23,047,109 (191,059)		23,253,657 (217,929)
		22,856,050		23,035,728
		2,094,176 9,784,693 6,619,559		2,133,177 9,784,693 6,462,130
		4,284,066 **(191,059) **		4,515,113 (217,929)
		4,093,007		4,297,184
		22,591,435 264,615		22,677,184 358,544
		22,856,050		23,035,728

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Rt Revd Dominic Taylor, OSB

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on: 19 April 2024

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 26

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 August 2023

Notes	2023 £	2022 £
Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities A Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends, interest and rents from investments Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from the disposal of listed investments Purchase of listed investments Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 2022 B Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2023 B	**(624,237) **	(630,019)
	675,287 (40,621) 260 581,939 **(548,749) **	627,196 (33,538) — 436,601 (221,263)
	668,116	808,996
	43,879 658,304	178,977 479,327
	702,183	658,304

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 August 2023.

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

	2023 £	2022 £
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charge Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets Losses on listed investments Gains on the revaluation of investment properties Pension deficit remeasurement Pension deficit finance cost Pension deficit contributions Investment income and interest receivable Decrease (increase) in debtors Increase (decrease) in creditors Net cashprovided by (used in) operating activities	(179,678) 79,622 (260) 128,040 — (11,807) 8,858 (23,924) (674,655) 7,173 42,394	2,202,467 88,481 — 157,267 (2,380,000) (8,634) 2,597 (27,111) (632,506) (10,317) (22,263)
	(624,237)	(630,019)

B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
	2023 £	2022 £
Cash at bank and in hand Short term deposits (less than three months) Cash held by investment managers Total cash and cash equivalents	242,648 334,977 124,557	155,098 327,399 175,807
	702,183	658,304

No separate reconciliation of net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the net cash (debt) of the charity and the above cash and cash equivalents.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 27

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 August 2023 with comparative information given in respect to the year to 31 August 2022.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees and management to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

•  assessing the probability of the receipt of legacy income;

•  determining the apportionment of expenditure between governance and support costs and between support costs and the various categories of expenditure on charitable activities;

•  the judgements made by the trustees and management in estimating the fair values attributed to the charity’s investment properties;

•  the estimates of the useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets used to determine the annual depreciation charge;

•  the assumptions made in determining the likelihood of recovering the debtor balances;

•  the assumptions applied in determining the retirement reserve, created in order to provide for the continuing care of the members of the Community;

•  the assumptions adopted by the trustees and management in determining the value of any further designations required from the charity’s general unrestricted funds; and

•  estimating the future income and expenditure flows for the purpose of assessing going concern (see below).

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 28

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The trustees of the charity have concluded that the charity will have sufficient reserves to meet liabilities as they fall due. The trustees embarked on a comprehensive strategic review in 2020 with the aim of considering the work of the charity in the future and application of the charity’s assets so as to ensure the long-term sustainability of the charity and to reinvigorate its mission and purpose. The review has concluded although the current macro financial uncertainty may necessitate a delay in implementing the recommendations. In the meantime the trustees will continue to monitor reserves and budget carefully.

With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending 31 August 2024, the most significant areas that affect the carrying value of the assets held by the charity are the levels of investment income generally and the performance of the listed investment markets (see the investment policy and the risk management sections of the trustees’ report for more information).

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income and the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor or funder has specified that the income is to be expended in a future accounting period.

Income comprises donations (including grants receivable) and legacies; investment income from investment properties, programme related investments and listed investments income; interest receivable; income from charitable activities; and sundry income.

Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Grants from government, other agencies and voluntary bodies have been included as donations where the money is given in response to an appeal or with greater freedom of use (for example, monies for core funding) and as income from charitable activities where these relate to a specific activity.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 29

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Income recognition (continued)

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the charity.

Income from listed investments is recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. Income from investment property, comprising rent receivable, is recognised once the income is due under the tenancy agreement or relevant lease. Income from programme related investments comprises rental income from properties used by other registered charities for purposes consistent with the objects of The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing and is recognised when due under the lease arrangements between the two charities. Income from all investments is accounted for only when the receipt of such income is probable and the amount can be measured reliably.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid of payable by the bank.

Income from charitable activities comprises income in respect to the provision of counselling services; income from the sale of books, pamphlets and the provision of courses; and rental income. Income in respect to counselling services comprises contributions from clients which are voluntary in nature and which are accounted for in a manner consistent with other donations (see above). Income from grants and service level agreements from local government in respect to counselling services are recognised in accordance with the terms of the relevant funding agreement and to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the charity and the revenue can be measured reliably. Income from the sale of books, pamphlets and from the provision of courses etc is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding any discounts or rebates. Income from the rental of properties to third parties at below market rates in accordance with the charity’s charitable objectives, is recognised in accordance with tenancy agreements and to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the charity and the revenue can be measured reliably.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 30

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Income recognition (continued)

The surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets is equal to the difference between the net proceeds from disposal and the net book value of the relevant asset immediately prior to disposal. The surplus is accounted for on completion of the disposal.

Income derived from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is credited to the statement of financial activities once the charity is entitled to the funding and once the amount due has been quantified.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:

•  Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure associated with raising funds for the charity. This includes investment management fees and costs incurred in connection with the maintenance and administration of the charity’s investment properties.

•  Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the charity through the provision of its charitable activities. Such costs include direct and indirect expenditure on the support of members of the community and enabling their ministry, expenditure on the administration of Ealing Parish and the upkeep of the Church and expenditure on the provision of counselling services.

All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure to enable the Community to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment. Such costs are identifiable in respect to each charitable activity and hence they are allocated to the appropriate heading directly. There has been no apportionment between headings in the statement of financial activities.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Governance costs are apportioned using percentages based on the expenditure incurred on the activities of the charity.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 31

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £2,000 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

All assets are stated at cost net of depreciation.

Depreciation is calculated so as to write-off the cost of each asset, on a straight-line basis, over the expected useful economic lives of the assets.

The principal rates applied per annum are as follows:

• Freehold land and buildings 2%

• Property improvements comprising enhancements to existing freehold buildings:

•  Church project 1%  Other general improvements 10%

• • Motor vehicles 20% • Furniture, fittings and equipment 33.33%

Fixed asset investments

Listed investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

Freehold investment properties

Properties held for investment purposes are included in these accounts at fair value which is deemed to equate to open market value with vacant possession. The valuation has been determined by the trustees, with professional assistance.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 32

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Fixed asset investments (continued)

Programme related investments

Programme related investments include buildings owned by the charity but occupied by St Benedict's School, Ealing (a separate registered charity (see note 24), for the advancement of education. The buildings are included on the balance sheet based at their carrying value as at the date on which the buildings were made available to St Benedict's School, Ealing. All programme related investments are carried on the balance sheet net of any impairment provisions. Any gains (or losses) arising from the disposal or impairment of such investments are credited (or debited) to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they arise.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

The general fund comprises those monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charity and applied at the discretion of the trustees.

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets.

The programme related investment fund represents the carrying value of the charity’s programme related investments.

The designated funds are monies set aside out of general funds and designated for specific purposes by the trustees.

The restricted funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor-imposed conditions.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 33

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Pension costs

Contributions in respect to defined contribution schemes are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are payable to the scheme.

The charity participates in The Independent Schools’ Pension Scheme (ISPS), a pension scheme for non-teaching staff administered by TPT Retirement Solutions (formerly known as The Pensions Trust). The scheme is a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 66 non-associated employers. The scheme was a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore, it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme.

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore, the charity is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

As a member of the scheme, the charity has a legal obligation to make pension deficit reduction payments when required by the scheme’s actuary. The full cost of these repayments, discounted to present values, is recognised in the accounts as a provision for liabilities.

Leased assets

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 34

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

1 Income from: Donations and legacies

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £ 1,136 10,557 27,634 — 39,327	2023 Total funds £ 98,066 463,848 30,504 21,814 614,232	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £ 84,413 337,310 13,801 209,883 645,407
Covenanted pensions and monastic income Parish collections and donations Other donations Legacies	96,930 453,291 2,870 21,814			84,413 325,494 2,276 209,883	— 11,816 11,525 —
	574,905			622,066	23,341

2 Income from: Investments and interest receivable

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £
Income from listed investments Income from programme related investments Rental income from investment properties Bank interest receivable	51,254 453,640 160,828 8,933	— — — —	51,254 453,640 160,828 8,933	53,658 422,303 155,777 768	— — — —	53,658 422,303 155,777 768
	674,655	—	674,655	632,506	—	632,506

3 Income from: Charitable activities

Counselling services . Income from grants and funding agreements . Client contributions Rents receivable Other charitable activities . Book shop sales . Other courses and activities	Unrestricted funds £ — — 57,643 3,581 — 61,224	Restricted funds £ 100,000 90,472 — — 25,478 215,950	2023 Total funds £ 100,000 90,472 57,643 3,581 25,478 277,174	Unrestricted funds £ — — 45,062 3,167 — 48,229	Restricted funds £ 100,000 82,601 — — 18,320 200,921	2022 Total funds £ 100,000 82,601 45,062 3,167 18,320 249,150

4 Income from: Other sources – miscellaneous

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme HMRC employment allowance Choir income Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets	— — — 260	— — 7,494 —	— — 7,494 260	1,933 1,010 — —	— — 7,794 —	1,933 1,010 7,794 —
	260	7,494	7,754	2,943	7,794	10,737

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 35

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

5 Expenditure on: Ministry and support of members of the Community

Expenditure on the support of members of the Community and their ministry enables the members of the Community to carry out the work of the charity in the areas of the advancement of the Roman Catholic faith, the advancement of education and the relief of poverty and suffering. Such expenditure comprises:

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £	Unrestricted funds £ 283,312 263,585 130,191 25,256 79,952 90,537 35,005 2,595 11,136 921,569	Restricted funds £ — 4,792 1,470 — — — 36,282 — — 42,544	2022 Total funds £
Staff costs Premises costs Personal and living expenses Education, training and spiritual renewal Legal and professional fees Support costs Other costs Pension interest cost Governance costs (note 8)	310,878 250,970 117,276 30,563 74,119 72,520 48,001 8,858 11,966	— 7,735 222 914 — 4,424 45,965 — —	310,878 258,705 117,498 31,477 74,119 76,944 93,966 8,858 11,966			283,312 268,377 131,661 25,256 79,952 90,537 71,287 2,595 11,136
	925,151	59,260	984,411			964,113

6 Expenditure on: Upkeep of the Church and administering the parish

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £ 117,012 34,197 182,448 41,072 44,464 3,572 422,765	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £
Staff costs Church expenses Premises Diocesan levies Other costs Governance costs (note 8)	117,012 7,140 172,448 41,072 — 3,572	— 27,057 10,000 — 44,464 —		115,075 26,020 157,272 49,015 24,565 3,451	— — — — 1,482 —	115,075 26,020 157,272 49,015 26,047 3,451
	341,244	81,521		375,398	1,482	376,880

7 Expenditure on: Counselling services

Staff costs Payments to members of the funding consortium (note 20) Support and other costs Governance costs (note 8)	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £ 151,992 53,700 7,906 2,322 215,920	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £
	— — — —	151,992 53,700 7,906 2,322		— — — —	147,431 53,700 7,119 2,335	147,431 53,700 7,119 2,335
	—	215,920		—	210,585	210,585

Further information about payments to members of the funding consortium are given in note 20 to these accounts.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 36

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

8 Governance costs

Governance costs
	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £
Professional fees Legal fees Auditor’s fees (note 9)	1,409 1,096 13,033	211 164 1,947	1,620 1,260 14,980	— — 14,587	— — 2,335	— — 16,922
	15,538	2,322	17,860	14,587	2,335	16,922

Allocated as follows:

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023 Total funds £	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2022 Total funds £ 11,136 3,451 2,335 16,922
Ministry and support of members of the Community Upkeep of the Church and administering the parish Counselling service	11,966 3,572 —	— — 2,322	11,966 3,572 2,322	11,136 3,451 —	— — 2,335
	15,538	2,322	17,860	14,587	2,335

9 Net income (expenditure) before other (losses) gains

This is stated after charging:

	2023 £	2022 £
Staff costs (note 10) Depreciation Operating lease rentals Auditor’s remuneration (excluding VAT) . Statutory audit .. Current year . Non-audit services: HR consultancy and other advisory services FRS 102 interest expense(note 16)	579,883 79,622 3,180 14,980 6,372 8,858	545,819 88,481 — 16,922 7,256 2,594

10 Staff costs, key management personnel and trustees’ remuneration

	2023 £	2022 £
Staff costs during the year were as follows: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Redundancy and other severance costs Self-employed counselling consultants’ costs Staff costs per function were as follows: Support of members of the Community and their ministry Upkeep of the Church and administering the parish Counselling service	478,637 34,326 14,455	478,803 34,386 14,887
	527,418 33,000 19,465	528,076 — 17,743
	579,883	545,819
	310,879 117,012 151,992	283,312 115,075 147,432
	579,883	545,819

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 37

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

10 Staff costs, key management personnel and trustees’ remuneration (continued)

For the purposes of these accounts, no monetary value has been placed on administrative and other services provided to the charity by members of the Community.

The average number of employees during the year, analysed by function, was as follows:

	Full time equivalents	Full time equivalents	Average	numbers
	2023	2022	2023	2022
Support of members of the Community and their ministry Upkeep of the Church and administering the parish Counselling	7 5 3	8 4 3	13 7 5	15 7 8
	15	15	25	30

No employee earned over £60,000 (including taxable benefits but excluding employer pension contributions) during the year (2022 – none).

The trustees consider that they together with the Parish Priest, who heads the Parish Team, the Director – Head of Services of Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (EACS), the Director of the Abbey Choir and the Lay Bursar comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the material charitable activities on a day to day basis.

The trustees are all members of the Community and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity they receive no remuneration or additional reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties to the charity.

The Parish Priest is a member of the Community and as such does not receive any remuneration for his services to the Parish. The remuneration of the Director – Head of Services of EACS is set by the other members of EACS Management Committee i.e. the Abbot, three lay advisors and the Bursar. The remuneration of the Director of the Abbey Choir and that of the Lay Bursar is set by the Abbot, four lay advisors and the Bursar.

The total remuneration of the key management personnel during the year was £95,353 (2022 – £94,281).

Transactions with trustees

No trustee received remuneration in respect to his services during the year (2022 – none)

As members of a religious community the trustees’ living and personal expenses during the year were borne by the charity, but they were not reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their duties during the year (2022 – £nil). These expenses included the cost of doctoral studies for one trustee of £27,634.

As members of The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing, none of the trustees have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income has been donated to the charity. During the year, a total of £40,178 was donated by the trustees to the charity (2022 – £28,923).

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 38

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

11 Taxation

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income or gains derived from its charitable activities, as they fall within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

12 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
	Freehold land and buildings (incl. The Cloisters) £	Property improve- ments (incl. Church project) £	Motor vehicles £	Furniture, fittings and equipment £	Total £ 4,843,974 40,621 (6,000) 4,878,595 2,710,797 79,622 (6,000) 2,784,419 2,094,176 2,133,177
Cost At 1 September 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 August 2023 Depreciation At 1 September 2022 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal At 31 August 2023 Net book values At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022	100,406 — —	4,445,159 — —	44,331 40,621 (6,000)	254,078 — —
	100,406	4,445,159	78,952	254,078
	100,387 — —	2,321,195 65,529 —	43,769 8,405 (6,000)	245,446 5,688 —
	100,387	2,386,724	46,174	251,134
	19	2,058,435	32,778	2,944
	19	2,123,964	562	8,632

13 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments
	2023 £ 8,700,000 9,784,693 1,869,874 124,557 20,479,124	2022 £
Freehold investment properties (see (a) below) Programme related investments (see (b) below) Listed investments (see (c) below) Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment		8,700,000 9,784,693 2,031,104 175,807
		20,691,604

(a) Freehold investment properties

	2023 £ 8,700,000 — 8,700,000	2022 £
Fair value at 1 September 2022 Revaluation Fair value at 31 August 2023		6,320,000 2,380,000
		8,700,000

With the exception of the freehold investment property previously classified as a tangible fixed asset, all investment properties were revalued as at 31 August 2021 by the trustees, having sought professional assistance, on an open market value basis assuming vacant possession. The trustees believe this valuation remains a reasonable estimate of fair value as at 31 August 2023. The cost of the investment properties is not readily available.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 39

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

13 Fixed asset investments (continued)

(b) Programme related investments

The programme related investments comprise several properties owned by the charity which have been made available to St Benedict's School, Ealing to be used for educational purposes. These are stated at the net book value at 1 September 2012, the date that these were reclassified as programme related investments. The cost of these properties is not readily available.

(c) Listed investments and cash held for reinvestment

	2023 £	2022 £ 2,403,709 221,263 (480,085) (113,783) 2,031,104 1,813,809
Listed investments Fair (market) value at 1 September 2022 Additions at cost Disposals at opening market value (proceeds £581,939; realised losses £18,009) Net unrealised investment losses Fair (market) value at 31 August 2023 Cost of listed investments at 31 August 2023	2,031,104 548,749 (599,948) **(110,031) **
	1,869,874
	1,706,995

Listed investments held at 31 August 2023 comprised the following:

	2023 £	2022 £ 1,000,237 315,413 637,340 58,550 19,564 2,031,104
UK equities and unitised funds UK fixed interest and unitised funds Overseas equities and unitised funds Overseas fixed interest and unitised funds Commodities and hedge funds	624,086 161,001 470,092 425,265 189,430
	1,869,874

All listed investments were dealt in on a recognised stock exchange.

At 31 August 2023 listed investments included the following individual holdings deemed material when compared with the overall portfolio valuation as at that date:

	Market value of holding £ 286,834 119,875 111,906 Market value of holding £ 155,438 105,891 143,501	Percentage of portfolio %
Charity Multi-Asset Fund Charities Property Fund M&G Global Dividend Fund Shares Class I Income units		15.3% 6.4% 6.0%
2022		Percentage of portfolio %
M&G Global Dividend Fund Shares Class I Income units Capita Trojan Fund Charities PropertyFund		7.7 5.2 7.1

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 40

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

14 Debtors

Debtors
Grants receivable Investment income receivable Other debtors	2023 £ 15,551 13,615 26,299 55,465	2022 £
		15,551 13,938 33,777
		63,266

15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals and deferred income Other creditors	2023 £ 51,405 107,876 159,281	2022 £
		51,265 65,622
		116,887

Included in accruals and deferred income is deferred income (i.e. grants received in advance) as set out below:

	2023 £ 23,150 26,800 (23,150) 26,800	2022 £
Deferred income brought forward at 1 September 2022 Additional income deferred during the year Brought forward funds spent in the year Deferred income carried forward at 31 August 2023		36,575 23,150 (36,575) 23,150

16 Provision for liabilities

The charity participates in The Independent Schools’ Pension Scheme (ISPS), a pension scheme for non-teaching staff administered by TPT Retirement Solutions (formerly known as The Pensions Trust) (see note 22).

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore the charity is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers report annually on their financial position and this is monitored by the scheme to ensure their financial viability. Employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

Actuarial valuation at 30 September 2020

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2020. This actuarial valuation was certified on 27 December 2021 and showed assets of £201.1m, liabilities of £256.3m and a deficit of £55.2m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee of the scheme has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 41

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

16 Provision for liabilities (continued)

Deficit contributions

£2,687,000 per annum From 1 September 2022 to 30 June 2032: (payable monthly and increasing by 3% on each 1 September)

The scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2017. This valuation showed assets of £149.4m, liabilities of £187.6m and a deficit of £38.2m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions

£2,387,357 per annum From 1 September 2019 to 31 April ``2030: (payable monthly and increasing by 3% on each 1st September)

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the scheme liabilities.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the charity has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the charity recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate disclosed below. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.

Present values of provision

	31 August 2023 £’000	31 August 2022 £’000	31 August 2021 £’000	31 August 2020 £’000
Present value ofprovision	191	218	251	277

Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions

	31 August 2023 £’000	31 August 2022 £’000
Provision at start of period Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense) Deficit contribution paid Re-measurements – impact of any change in assumptions Re-measurements – amendments to the contribution schedule Provision at end ofperiod	218 9 (24)	251 3 (27)
	(12) —	(36) 27
	(12)	(9)
	191	218

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 42

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

16 Provision for liabilities (continued)

Statement of financial activities impact

			31 August 2023 £’000	31 August 2022 £’000
Interest expense Re-measurements – impact of any change in assumptions Re-measurements – amendments to the contribution schedule Net impact			9	2
			(12) —	(36) 27
			(12)	(9)
			(3)	(6)
Assumptions	31 August 2023 % per annum	31 August 2022 % per annum	31 August 2021 % per annum	31 August 2020 % per annum
Rate of discount	5.79	4.31	1.09	0.9

The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions.

The liabilities are predicted to fall due as follows:

	2023 £’000	2022 £’000
Provision for pension scheme deficit reduction payments . Payable within one year . Payable within one to two years . Payable within two to five years . Payable after five years	25 24 68 74	24 24 68 102
	191	218

17 Tangible fixed assets fund

Tangible fixed assets fund
	2023 £	2022 £
At 1 September 2022 Net movement in year At 31 August 2023	2,133,177 (39,001)	2,188,120 (54,943)
	2,094,176	2,133,177

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets. A decision was made to separate this fund from the general fund in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are used in the day-to-day work of the charity, and the fund value would not be easily realisable if needed to meet future contingencies.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 43

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

18 Programme related investment fund

	Total £
At 31 August 2022 and 31 August 2023	9,784,693

This fund represents the carrying value of the charity’s programme related investments. The amount has been set aside from the charity’s general funds in recognition of the fact that the assets have been made available to St Benedict’s School, Ealing and therefore cannot be regarded as funds that would be available to meet future contingencies.

19 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted funds for specific purposes:

	At 1 September 2022 £	New designations £	Utilised or released £	At 31 August 2023 £
Retirement reserve Property and strategic development fund Parish funds Other monastic activities funds	4,000,000 2,400,000 23,175 38,955	— — 453,291 3,581	— — (297,692) (1,751)	4,000,000 2,400,000 178,774 40,785
	6,462,130	456,872	**(299,443) **	6,619,559
	At 1 September 2021 £	New designations £	Utilised or released £	At 31 August 2022 £
Retirement reserve Property and strategic development fund Parish funds Other monastic activities funds	4,000,000 2,400,000 7,499 117,683	— — 325,494 —	— — (309,818) (78,728)	4,000,000 2,400,000 23,175 38,955
	6,525,182	325,494	(388,546)	6,462,130

Retirement reserve

The retirement reserve represents monies designated by the trustees to provide for the members of the Community in their retirement. It has been calculated using actuarial principles and is reviewed regularly by the trustees in light of the reserves available.

Property and strategic development fund

The property and strategic development fund represents monies designated by the trustees to enable the implementation of the charity’s strategic development plan which is in the process of being formulated. This may include decisions to repair, refurbish or replace a number of the charity’s freehold premises.

Parish funds

These funds comprise monies set aside for the continued provision, and development, of activities within the Parish.

Other monastic activities funds

These funds represent monies set aside for the continued provision and development of various monastic activities carried out by the members of the community.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 44

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

20 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trusts to be applied for specific purposes:

	At 1 September 2022 £	Income £	Expenditure £	At 31 August 2023 £
Parish funds Friends of Ealing Abbey Choir fund Benedictine Study and Arts Centre Ministry special funds – counselling The Neocatechumenal Way fund Diocese of Westminster – Growing in Faith fund Sick and retired clergy fund Monks’ training fund Church furnishings fund Hadewijch of Brabant fund Other funds	106,104 11,693 1,956 190,265 11,977 198 — — 10,000 8,895 17,456	10,557 7,494 25,478 190,472 — — 222 914 — 27,634 —	(59,544) (10,160) (27,434) (215,920) (11,977) — (222) (914) (10,000) (20,529) —	57,117 9,027 — 164,817 — 198 — — — 16,000 17,456
	358,544	262,771	(356,700)	264,615

	At 1 September 2021 £	Income £	Expenditure £	At 31 August 2022 £
Parish funds Friends of Ealing Abbey Choir fund Benedictine Study and Arts Centre Ministry special funds – counselling The Neocatechumenal Way fund Diocese of Westminster – Growing in Faith fund Church furnishings fund Hadewijch of Brabant fund Other funds	95,769 8,762 11,641 218,249 19,024 198 10,000 — 17,456	11,816 7,794 18,320 182,601 1,160 — — 10,365	(1,481) (4,863) (28,005) (210,585) (8,207) — — (1,470) —	106,104 11,693 1,956 190,265 11,977 198 10,000 8,895 17,456
	381,099	232,056	(254,611)	358,544

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Parish funds

These funds comprise monies to be used for the continued provision of, and development of, specific activities within the parish.

Friends of Ealing Abbey Choir fund

This fund comprises monies raised by “Friends” of the choir for use towards Ealing Abbey Choir activities.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 45

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

20 Restricted funds (continued)

Benedictine Study and Arts Centre

This fund comprised money donated for the employment of an administrator at the Study Centre together with donations to enable disabled access or bursaries and to develop the library.

Ministry special funds

These funds comprise monies to be applied in support of the work of Ealing Abbey Counselling Service and include grants receivable, contributions from clients and donations received for the services provided.

A Health and Social Care grant of £100,000 (2022 – £100,000) was received from the Ealing Borough Council for providing services through a Counselling Consortium Partnership of five members where Ealing Abbey Counselling Service is the lead member. Expenditure includes payments made to members of the consortium as detailed below:

	2023 £	2022 £
Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy Service (‘MCPS’) Bereft Bereavement Support (‘Bereft’) Asian Family Counselling Service (‘AFCS’)	27,950 7,500 18,250	27,950 7,500 18,250
	53,700	53,700

The Neocatechumenal Way fund

The Neocatechumenal Way fund comprises monies collected by the 2[nd] Neocatechumenal Community in Ealing Abbey to be used to help the poor in the parish.

Sick and retired clergy fund

The sick and retired clergy fund comprises donations and grants received for the care of sick and retired clergy.

Church furnishings fund

The Church furnishings fund represents a donation received during the year to be used for furnishing the Church.

Monks’ training fund

This fund represents money collected in the parish specifically for monks’ training. The fund is currently applied to Brother Bede, who is studying in Oxford.

Hadewijch of Brabant fund

This fund comprised money received as a grant from a European awarding body to support the academic research of a member of the monastic community in his doctoral studies.

Other funds

Other funds comprise monies received for specific activities.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 46

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

21 Analysis of net assets between funds

	General funds £	Tangible fixed assets fund £	Programme related investment fund £	Designated funds £	Restricted funds £	Total funds £ 2,094,176 20,479,124 473,809 (191,059) 22,856,050
Fund balances at 31 August 2023 are represented by Tangible fixed assets Investments Net current assets Provision for liabilities Total net assets	— 4,294,431 (10,365) (191,059)	2,094,176 — — —	— 9,784,693 — —	— 6,400,000 219,559 —	— — 264,615 —
	4,093,007	2,094,176	9,784,693	6,619,559	264,615
	General funds £	Tangible fixed assets fund £	Programme related investment fund £	Designated funds £	Restricted funds £	Total funds £ 2,133,177 20,691,604 428,876 (217,929) 23,035,728
Fund balances at 31 August 2022 are represented by Tangible fixed assets Investments Net current assets Provision for liabilities Total net assets	— 4,506,911 8,202 (217,929)	2,133,177 — — —	— 9,784,693 — —	— 6,400,000 62,130 —	— 358,544 —
	4,297,184	2,133,177	9,784,693	6,462,130	358,544

	2023 £ 162,879 217,295 55,615 (110,031) 162,879	2022 £
Unrealised gains included above on listed investments: Total unrealised gains at 31 August 2023 Reconciliation of movements in unrealised gains Total unrealised gains at 1 September 2022 In respect to disposals in the year Net losses arising on revaluation in the year Total unrealisedgains at 31 August 2023		217,295
		515,266 (184,188) (113,783)
		217,295

The charity’s investment properties and programme related investments were acquired many years ago and precise figures for the historical cost of the properties are not available.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 47

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

22 Pension commitments

The Pensions Trust

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing participated in The Independent Schools’ Pension Scheme (the Scheme), which is a funded multi-employer defined benefit (DB) scheme with approximately 5,200 members. The Scheme is contracted-out of the State scheme.

A defined contribution (DC) benefit structure was made available from 1 September 2013. On 1 September 2022 the final active member of the DB scheme was transferred to the DC scheme.

During the accounting period, the Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing paid a joint contribution rate of 8% comprising employer contribution of 3% and member contributions of 5%. Contributions paid for the member who transferred from the DB scheme were jointly 30.5% comprising employer contributions of 22.5% and member contributions of 8%.

The Trustee of the Scheme commissions an actuarial valuation of the Scheme every three years. The main purpose of the valuation is to determine the financial position of the Scheme in order to determine the level of future contributions required, in respect of each benefit structure, so that the Scheme can meet its pension obligations as they fall due. The actuarial valuation assesses whether the Scheme’s assets at the valuation date are likely to be sufficient to pay the pension benefits accrued by members as at the valuation date. Asset values are calculated by reference to market levels. Accrued pension benefits are valued by discounting expected future benefit payments using a discount rate calculated by reference to the expected future investment returns.

It is not possible in the normal course of events to identify on a consistent and reasonable basis the share of underlying assets and liabilities belonging to individual participating employers. This is because the Scheme is a multi-employer scheme where the Scheme assets are co-mingled for investment purposes and benefits are paid from the total Scheme assets. Accordingly, due to the nature of the Scheme, the accounting charge for the period under FRS 102 represents the employer contribution payable.

The last formal valuation of the Scheme was performed as at 30 September 2020 by a professionally qualified actuary using the Projected Unit Method was completed on 27 December 2021. The market value of the Scheme’s assets at the valuation date was £201.13 million. The valuation revealed a shortfall of assets compared with the value of liabilities of £55.15 million, equivalent to a past service funding level of 78%.

Following a change in legislation in September 2005 there is a potential debt on the employer that could be levied by the Trustee of the Scheme. The debt is due in the event of the employer ceasing to participate in the Scheme or the Scheme winding up. No debt was levied as a result of the final member leaving the DB scheme as under the rules of the scheme an employer may close DB membership to all its members and providing that it has an active member in the ISPS DC structure the employer will not trigger payment of its debt withdrawal in respect of DB liability.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 48

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

22 Pension commitments (continued)

The Pensions Trust (continued)

The debt for the Scheme as a whole is calculated by comparing the liabilities for the Scheme (calculated on a buy-out basis i.e. the cost of securing benefits by purchasing annuity policies from an insurer, plus an allowance for expenses) with the assets of the Scheme. If the liabilities exceed assets there is a buy-out debt.

23 Guarantees

• The Independent Schools’ Pension Scheme

With effect from 1 September 2012, the charity provided to The Pensions Trust such guarantee as it reasonably required in order to permit participation in the ISPS of those non-teaching staff who were members of the ISPS at midnight on 31 August 2012 and who transferred their employment under the legal Deed of Transfer to St Benedict’s School, Ealing. The charity carries out an annual review of the guarantee provided using financial information as at 31 August of each prior year to be provided to it by St Benedict’s School, Ealing by 30 November. At 31 August 2022, the guarantee provided by the charity to St Benedict’s School, Ealing was £3.49 million (2022 – £3.49 million).

In addition, in the event of St Benedict’s School, Ealing becoming insolvent, winding up or for any other reason withdrawing from the ISPS, the charity agreed to make good such deficit then arising in respect to those employees as may be calculated by the actuary of the ISPS.

In return for the charity providing the above guarantees, with effect from 31 August 2012 St Benedict’s School, Ealing agreed not to offer membership of the defined benefit section of the ISPS to new employees or to employees who are not members of the ISPS as at 31 August 2012. St Benedict’s School, Ealing agreed to not exercise any power vested in it as a participating employer of ISPS or grant any discretionary benefit that would increase the liability of the charity under the guarantees without the consent of the charity in writing, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

 General guarantee

In the event that the charity’s auditor determines that St Benedict’s School, Ealing is at risk of insolvency, the charity guarantees to:

1. Pay any creditors of St Benedict’s School, Ealing; and

2. Provide all necessary financial support to St Benedict’s School, Ealing to enable it to continue on its business.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 49

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

23 Related party transactions

The charity is connected to St Benedict’s School, Ealing, (Company Registration Number 8093330 (England and Wales), Charity Registration Number 1148512) (“the School”), by virtue of the fact that the two charities have some trustees in common.

The transactions between the charity and the School during the year were as follows:

•  The School paid £525,478 (2022 – £486,249) to the Trust being the rent for the School premises and the properties rented by School employees.

•  The School paid a net teaching salary of £5,124 (2022 – £7,332) to one member of the Community. This salary was gifted to the charity by the relevant member of the Community.

•  The charity also agreed to guarantee the pension liability of the Independent School's Pension scheme as well as pay all creditors and provided assistance in case of the school being declared insolvent.

There are no other related party transactions requiring disclosure (2022 – none).

24 Contingent liability

A contingent liability arises with respect to potential claims against the charity concerning the welfare of children. The amounts involved cannot be quantified at the current time. At the time of signing these accounts, the trustees have been made aware of one legal claim for the settlement of damages. Discussions continue in respect to this claim. No provision has been made within these accounts for any settlement payable and it is not possible at this stage to provide any meaningful estimate of any potential liability.

25 Leasing commitments

Operating leases

At 31 August 2023, the charity had the following future minimum commitments under noncancellable operating leases in respect to equipment:

Amounts fallingdue:	Furniture and equipment 2023 £ 2022 £ 4,320 — 15,480 — 19,800 —	Furniture and equipment 2023 £ 2022 £ 4,320 — 15,480 — 19,800 —
. Within one year . After one but within five years Total	4,320 15,480	— —
	19,800	—

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 50

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

26 Ultimate control

The charity, which is constituted as a trust, was controlled throughout the period by the English Benedictine Community of Ealing Abbey by virtue of the fact that the Abbot of the Community appoints the trustees. The Community does not hold any assets, incur liabilities or enter into any transactions in its own right. Assets and liabilities of the Community are vested in the trustees of the charity, which undertake all transactions entered into in the course of the Community’s charitable activities.

The Trust of St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing 51