Ourvision is a fair society for all, with lives well lived CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 March 2024 citizens advice Gateshead Company registration number 02631064 Company charity number 1020565 citizens advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Gateshead CONTENT Page Reference and Pddministration Detals Trustees, ReFM)rt IrKlependent Auth't(Ks' Rep(xt Consolidated Slalement of Financial Acli14rties Consolidated Balance Sheet Charilable Company Balance SPEet Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Notes to ihe Fin￿￿al Ststements 3-15 16-18 19-20 21 22 23 24-39 Repjrt Financial Srarerne loi ihe Year Endinv4 31 March 2024 •* AITA¢• iknt**h• cltfrzens advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Gateshead REFERENCE ANDADMINISTRATION DETAILS The Tru51e8S Submit tha'r report and the aLHJited accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024. Thoy c￿firM that the report and accounts confomi with current stalutory requirements and the charivs memorandum 8nd articles. and also the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charilies. Reference and admlnlstratlve details Reglstered Charlty Name: Charlty Number. Company reglstrallon number. Reglstered Addres5: Citizens Advice Gateshead lo20￿5 02631 The Davidson Building, Swan Street. Gateshead. Tyne and W NE8 1BG Trustees Chalr and Head of Rlsk & Compllance su group: Vice Chalr.. B Tayl HL Head of Flnance Sub-group". Head of Employeo Relatlons Sub￿0Up. Head of Research and Campalgns suWroup: RLee S G McHarg J Gibs￿) SP8eU E BrrJNn J D Fen*ick Resigned 12106123 ReS￿ned 28101r24 J R Sabarm C A Wnthker A A Marsh A TwTTKxe Resigned 14111123 Appointed 14109123 Apwnted 26109124 K Robertson Smcarr Volunteer Representative: M D(xkl An￿￿￿1 Repvfi.wd Financi14 5TAiemenis foi ibe Year Tr'ndin9 a i 2024 citizens advlc CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guwanlee) Gateshead REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Executlve L8adershlp Team Chlef Exe¢utlve Officer Chief Operatlng Offlcer Commerclal Dlrector P Oliv Dmay J WcKrfJ.Arcth Service Dellvery Olrnctor Flnances Auditors Robson La#Jler A(xountanls Limiied, Femwo(xJ HoLEe. FernwTr￿ Rd, JesmorKI, Newcaslle Tyne NE2 1TJ. 8ankers Unty Trust Bank Plc, Nine Brindey Pla￿, 4 Oozells Square, BirrniThJh8m. 812HB Annual Reptsn FinAIKIJ 51aTeimenis for ¥t4f Indthg I I P44rch 2024 • ell1￿￿ AdYk• f*l••thHd Iltiien5 advice Gateshead CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guaranlee) TRUSTEES REPORT FQR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees present their rewrt and financial ststernents for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared kn acc(*dan¢e ￿th Ihe aecounling poI￿leS set out in note 1 to the fi'nancial slatements and comply with charily's goveming document, Ihe Companies Act 2006 and "AccA)unling and Reporting by Chariltes.. Stalement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financlal Reporting Slandard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102- {as amended for accounting periods commenciT)g from 1 January 2016. Objectives and Activities Citizens Advice Gateshead is an independent charity based in the North East of England, deliveflng free. impartial. and confidential advice, information. guidance. and 5UPPOrt to people who live. wo￿, and study in Gateshead through our local community advice services. We a150 work regI￿allY and nationally funded partnerships delivered through our contact centre and legal teams. as well as expert welfare training. soual consult8w, and direct access advice services delivered through our trad￿g company. Society Matters Community Interest Company (Society Matters CIC). Our ambitious vision is for a fair society for all. with lives well lived, supported by our rn￿$10n to moblllse knowledgo so the system works, it works for everyone. and it powers the changes we need to be an equal and Inclusive society. purwse extends beyond simply reacliTYJ lo crises: we also have responsibility for findlng ways to stop the tide of problems we so adeptly resporKI to every day, Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) We desire lo be confident that our strategic vtsion applies to everyone we meet, and that our practices in both how we prowde inclusive actsss lo our advi￿ services and in how we behave as an equilable, diverse, and inclusive employer reflect that wsion. We acknowledge there are historic and System￿ ir4UStices ￿ our society and bdieve we must stand up for a fair society for all. wilh lives well lived. We speak out against racism. discrimination. oppression, and all forms of harassmenl as we strive to urKlerstsnd and value each other s culture, life experience. gender identity. disability, class. and sexuality. We reflect our arnbit￿n through our strategic plan, creating straiegK oty'eclives wilhin each of our strateglc prioritles directly addressing EDI issues. We have updated our values. slrengthening the old value of 'Stsnd up for Equality, Wlth a more robust and direct 'Stand Up, Speak Out. and we have sel up staff advis￿ groups for Ih05e with lived expenen( of race and LGBTQIA+ issues to ensure we w￿ude Ihose groups witlHn our decision making. We still have work to do- we recognise Ihat our Board of Trustees and management learn do nol reflect our communities. especially with respecl lo people in the Gbbal Ethnic Majorty. We are also aware that Ihere are more voices to be heard amongst our staff group specifully around dIsa￿,1$ty and neurodiversily and we will set up advisory groups to address this. Annual Report and Financial 5iaterntn15 for the Year Ending 31 March 2024 cltlzen5 ad¥lce Gateshead CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Llmiled by Guarantee) TRUSTEES REPORT (contlnued) FOR THE YEARENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Wider Context of our Work The last year has t¢en Me of carefijl expansion and devdopment in the face of challenges faced by bolh our clients and wider society. These are bofn frcxn a C￿Inc4dence of several f8CtcKs'. the continued pressure5 of Ihe cost-of-living crisis. Constrict￿￿5 ￿ Publ￿ sector spending, economic and polits'cal uncertainty. and changes in Ii)cal and regional derrK>graphTh, We have experienced an unpfecedented increase in demaThJ since 2020, with numbers peaking in 2022123 and showing a slight decline in 2023124, Some may view these changes in a binary manner and presume that the crises faced by our community are over. bul we must remember that demand is still at levels far beyo￿1 those ever imagined before the pandemic and research shows that those vtho have the least are finding it hardest lo get back on their feet. The nature of our clients has also changed. Within our local advic* work. we have seen increases in demand for crisis support. as the prevailing economic conditions take their loll on our communty We have also 8xpanded Ouf se1vi￿S in Ihe evening and at weekends to address increased demand from wcyking peoFAe who cannot attend our core daytime advice sessions. There have been p￿$S￿reS placed UPM)n the charity by the higher rate of ￿lIatiOn and ow determinats'on to be a Real Living Wage empk)yer. Funding packages were not de￿gned to accommodate these inllalionary pressure5, however, in line with our valu8s. we have managed these pressures arKI met our c(¥nrnitments to our staff. In a similar vein, we have evalualed the implementation of the four-day week in the charity and confirmed these arrangements as ongoing for all staff. The improvements we have seen to absenteeism, retention and staff satisfaction show that our commitment to challenging the status qw and lea(h'ThJ by example when it COn￿S to innovatlv8 workplace practice is paying off for our clierits and our staff. Achieving our Vision and Mission We are driven in everyth.ng that we do by our ViSiCJn and mission, and our actions are informed by our values. Through innovative seThice development, long-term planning and conlinuws improvwents aided by our 'flywheel' driven KPIS. we have achieved substantial progress in this financial year. The followng are the highlights of our charity's successes, We have detivefed a rec4)rd level of support Ihrough Crtizens Advice Gateshead and Society Matters CIC Citizens Advlce Gateshead is the largest branch by financial tumover and has seen 59.kn growth Sin￿ 2022. We have rnade changes in our employment practices and structu￿. to push Ilexibilty through retent￿￿ of our excel￿nI staff. We have achieved diver5tfKall(￿ of our nKOilisatI￿ of kn￿. expanding into new fiekls like employability and engaging with the LGBTQIA+ community. and setting up new Projects invdving asylum seekers and families living with newThliversrty. The implementation of new strategies to supyort staff following ihe Making Ends Meet surrfey speaks to our determination lo ￿hl@ve a life vdl lived for our staff as well as our clenls. Increasingly we are beirvJ acknowledged as subj'ect matter experts in the region. and nationally We adlvely have shared knowledge Ihrough prc¥ects, rwnd tatAes. speaking Invitat￿n$ and the'Thi5 is the Norlh. podcasts. AThnL￿1 Repvii i Inanc41 Sia¥en*nr5 for the Year Énding 31 March 2014 cltizens CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limite(I by Guarantee) Gateshead TRUSTEES REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Achievements and Performance In 2023124. we have seen In 2023124. we have seen 18.561 clients 8.2 issues In financlal galns on average per cllent (mywtdro2•.160￿.•nts th X¢32Q3 Comswe¢ tty5l1sjt￿pt1 ¢lrfni In 2022$73 In 2023124, we have seen In 2023124, we have seen £27.53m £3.19m In financial gains in savings to the system Cort.W7fEd* Lll.&lrn i022K23 Cory*Xtd to £2.2Sm In ￿?2/2] In 2023124. we have seen £30.72m Sn total financlal gains to our client5 and the system Annual Reporr Fllliincii* Sihieinenrs for rhe Year Énding 3 1 March 2024 Clllz•AA Ad¥lÈ• citizen5 Gateshead CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD {A Company Limited by Guarantee) TRUSTEES REPORT (contlnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Our advice serrfices C(￿lInue to expand and th'versify. We a￿ present in localty hubs and communlty outreaches across Gateshead. providing advth and supp(x1 f(x resKlents vh)ere they live and ending the subslantial barriers to advice of time and expense thal especially affecl Ihose IMr¥J in rnral areas of the borough. This is supplemented by our communlty advlce projecl which develi¥s advi￿ seNices within m￿gir￿lised and selthjm-heard communitie5. Our Energy Advice Service wovides deeper, k)ng-teTm support dienls witti serious energy issues. We continue to give specialist legal advlce around houslng for those who cannot accEs5 lega aid and Increasingly this service has been upskilling colleagues lo better address the needs of thi5 client group. We also offer speclallst debt advl¢e and income maximisation for Gateshead Council hOU￿ng tenants as one part of our partnership with Ihe local authority. Our Welfare Beneflts Servlce is helping ￿Sidents navlgate the benefits system, especially Universal Credit. This has been a critical service during the managed migrats'm of Gateshead residents onto Universal Credit and again. we have V￿rked in partnership with Ihe Council to ersure as many residents know theiT rights arKI resp￿sibilities. We have embedded a local contact centre providing a 'warm transl8r' for resKlents into advlce services and crisis support from the local council, One of the most frustrating parts of the client joumey is thè constant repetition of their case when they are referred from one agery to another. This Servi￿ eliminates thal and kxovides a fluld transfer into our advice service. We sup{￿ residents who are applyirYJ IC￿ local discretionary payment8. This ncludes working wtlh them if they need to apply for appeals or tribunals - where we have an 82Yo success rate fcff Ixjr dients. We continue our work supporting 8 diverse grtwp of private, public arKI charity secl(Y bo(Jles by ￿'nging dlrect advlce services to their clienls and staff. We with Newcastle Building Society, The Great North Children s Hospilal. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead and the Macmillan Cancer Trusl. amngst others. Cllent Case Study l Dana's Skny Dana. a parent of five. a 14-year￿d daughter *ilh a rare type ol leuknemia requlflng fulktim8 care. Overwhelmed by benefft claims s(x)n after her daughterfs hospitalisalion and ￿￿gnOsts, Dana strugg￿1 to navigale the wocess. We met Datia at the Great North Children's Hosprtal and assisted her over Ihe plK)ne. (x)mpletirwJ the Dssats"lity Living All(wance form on her behalf. This resUl1￿j In en award ￿ h￿her rale care and mobllity. and we also enswed her credit ￿as upjaled arKI advtyed M back payments with tyjr help. Dana's daims are rKM cur8Ctty Sn ￿. She understsrKts how to manage them movlr*J ft)nvard. She knows she can reach ￿1 lo our service anyts'me for lurther support. The Disability Living Allowance for Children. a￿7rded until 2027. provldes MUth-r￿ed8d financial support for her daughterfs care needs. Our assistsnce has relieved Dana of the stress of corTwleting the form herself. allowing her to focus on her chikf5 treatment. We estimate thal Dana'5 family wlll gain arrxnj £￿)00 through thi5 daim, with a slmllar arrounl If she dalms additl(mal lax credits arKI Carfs Alkrwano. Annual Ilepon FiTranC￿l Sraternen for th* Year Ending J l Mdich 2024 cltlzens advice CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD IA Company Llmrted by Guarante8) TRUSTEES REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Strategy and Business Planning This year we have implemented a new syslem overseeing wr business planriry. This has seen goals created around each strategic priority and objective and then monrtored and updated on a regular schedule, with changes recorded and reported. This is lied in the business plan to the KPIS and fiywheel model introduced last year and seen stronger through line betrmeen our aspirations as a charity and Ihe implementstM)n of those aspirations. As we approach our next strategic review cycle for the 202512028 period, this pr¢xess wll be evaluated and refined lo ensure the slralegi¢ dirèction of the charty is *ldressed in an accountable and transparenl fashi￿. Addressing our Strategic Priorities Strateglc Prlorlty 1". Help people to know and understand thelr social welfare rights and responsibilitie5 $0 they can improve their quallty of life We provided record levels of support. through our face-t(Fface and dlgital advice services. Servth Delivery drives innovation in advice provision. expanding the 'Hub and Spoke. mcéel of provision across Ihe borough. and reconfiguring services to be the only Citi'2ens Advice bfanch to offer a seven-day service. Legal Servlces has seen a change in focus. ￿￿th some areas of the service addressing demand Ihat brings funding into the charity. This has allowed Ihe housing arm of Legal Services lo exparKJ and Increase revenue for the charily. We have launched several prqects f￿￿Sed on speafic cKxNnunities of interest. SLx*s as families v4ith neurodivergence. refugees and asWum seekws, and the LGBTQIA+ community. We have made sthslantial improvemenls in t1￿ quality of our advice. irbtroducing new system5 that ensure c￿r clients Can be asSU￿d thal when Ihey conp to us, they are getting the best se￿1￿ possible. Strategic Priority 2: Progress to a system that supports and enables people to reach their fvll potential thal does not stlgmatise. cause hardship. or allow anyone to fall through the neL We have built our relationship wilh Gateshead Councjl and Ihe North of Tyne Combined Authority through our collaborative worf(. OUT research has provided both authonties with key in￿h15 into the i5sue5 being faced by thelr constituents. We have continued to lead on the Wam Spaces inrtiats.ve whrh slarted in Gateshead and Is n¢)w a national phenomenon. We have expanded this to indude Winter Warmer packs.. free items for aryone who needs them to keep warm in the winter. Our Winter Warnier Ball raised over £45.￿)0 to fund this inlb'ats've. Volunleers continue to be a crucial part of the dienl-facing functions of the charity, although rt Is Increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers amid a financidl crisis Ihal drives people to cut C051s and maximise their income wherever possible. One area where we have seen sUC￿$S in recruiling volunteer5 is wlthin Research and Campaigns where we have a record number of ￿$￿￿entS helping the leam. Annual Rtptyfi and FinanLial 51411LrnL'riis fur Year ttwjlng 3 i Mhich k024 t CltÈEM* Ad*k• G•l•sh••d citizens advice Gateshead CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee) TRUSTEES REPORT (contlnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 We have been reco3nised Ihis year for our work In Gateshead and in the charity seclix in th8 North East as a whrJe. winning the following awafds. Alison Dunn was awarded North East Charity Leader of the Year Ali50n Dunn was also awarded Northern Power Women Levelllng Up Leader We were awarded the Natlonal Cltlzens Advlco Champloning Equalty and Diversity award for our outreach V￿rk at St Chad'$. We are once again a Great Place to Work (ranking #34 in the Meijium BU$￿e$S category) Strategic Objective 3: Be an enduring and dynamlc charlty that never stands still until we have a falr society for all, wilh lives well lived. We have made substantial changes in our financial and personnel management systems. implementing a new payroll system, MHR, to streamline our payroll proGess arKI lo emp)wer managers with better control over their bud9els. We have stripped back (xjr management accounting feportiro to produce m(Ke Me￿ingfUl rewths which enable managers to understand the reaktime finan(?al posrtion ol all projects more efficientty. The Commercial directorate has seen significant develotKnent this year. the developmenl of activity 8round strategy and research wixk enc(xnpassing strategic and business planning, a￿1 investment in income generation in temis of staifing, lenderlng skills and support. Income generats'on has refocused on the management of the pr(￿S of b￿S arKI grants, along with traditional fundraising aclivitEs centering around specific events in the year, such as a wlnler fundraiser and the Great North Run. We are employ1￿j a record number of slaff. a challenge which has been m81 by our Learning and Development department continuing lo expand the range ol Iraining and developmenl opportunitie5 avallable lo staff. The chanty has launched ils own Managernenl Develotxnenl Pr(yJramme wm'ch will have its first run through into 2025. Our Business Support Team has worked lirelessly to improve the physical environmenl of the Davidson Building and provide wellbeing support for colleagues. We have achiev8d the Better Health at Work Silver a•vard and are working towards the presliglOU5 gold award. We have retaken the Society Matters Making Ends Meet survey (part of NTCA'S Child Povety Prevention Programme) and have stthvn progress in Ihe SUPkYJrt we give our staff lo avo*J in-work povety. Annual REp)rl dnd Finaricd SlJi¢mertS Ir)r Ilie Vear Fndlrhy J l March 2024 citlzens dvlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD {A Company Limiled by Guaranlee) Gateshead TRUSTEES REPORT {eontinued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Society Matters CIC Society Matters continues lo grow. developing beyond the original m(Klel of a Irainin9 provider into a more rounded provider of social consullancy. The leam is r￿W Ihe largest it has ever been delivering the broadest array of contènl in ils hislory. The continued slron9 relationship with the North of Tyne Combined Authorty lrnw the North East Combined Authority) through their Child Poverty Prevenbon Programme has formed the core of this development. The project has moved beyond ils original remit through the establishment of the Leaders for Change neiwork New proiects - Multiply and Career Kickslart - have t*oadened the scope of Society Matters and the newly acqLJired Suitabillty brand will increase penelration into the employabilty markeL l Doan llttèrton, Chlof ExoGulfjve YMCA North Tyneslde rtldp8tlng In t1￿ Maklng End8 Me8t 8uThy has been Incredlbly In-slghffiil forour org8nl$atlDn. It proOded us whh a c1earundethdi￿ of how the C4Xt-of4Mry rJ751s18 Impactlng ourwnpby898' h￿IbeIng andwod(Kflvrfy. Thfr su￿￿Y re&ufts hlghllghfed arnas could olfer￿ppQ￿ and oYsco¥ernd severnl low and n(Iwst measures to he￿ our work10￿6. Addlllonally, th8 suN8y h our employeos devebp new sklls to thelr finam'al b￿lIb￿n9. Th18 inRl8tfve has tnily made 8 p)sltlva dfference In our ¥￿r￿pkn. and gr8tefui for Annual Repurt FinJnLi& 51aicinLnis lor the Year (rsolnq J l Maich 2024 clilzens advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by GLJaranlee) Gateshead TRUSTEES REPORT (contlnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCM 2024 Future Plans 2024125 is ￿ exciting year for the charty, as we enter our next cyc18 of strategic ￿ann1r)g and plot the fLrture fof It. As part of this we will be carrying out a year4ong strategic review, Icoking at all parts of Ihe charity and ensurin9 thal evewhing - from our vision, mission. and values lo our day-lw presentalion. is ready for future challenges. We are also planning to: Expand our services inlo BlaYdL￿ Ltbrary, one of the last femaining parts of Gateshead we do not currently over through an outreach service Improved scope for immigration ajvice with further Irainlng f￿ our adm'sers. This is a rapidly expanding area of advice. Develop a direct referral pathway for elected COU￿11 members and members of parllamenl to support the important work they (SJ lo supp￿1 residents. Embedding Making Every C(x)tact Cwnt inlo all our delivery. (wtri￿ting lo improvements in public health. Enler research co1labcKat￿nS with Gateshead CwrKII so the ability shared by both organisalons can come together to enhance people's lives. Revisil the reffliitment of trustees to introduce representatic￿ gaps, especi811y in terms of ethnlu'ty and lived exPenen￿. Increase the number of volunteers wilhin the charty by diverstying the offer and the areas we loc* to fof volunteer recruitment. Continue to adapt to Ihe post covid hybrid working changes, evolving our use of informalion technology, and the cautious introtthjdion of Al lods. lo make our work more efficient and 8ffectiV8. Review and r8vise the Four Day Working initi'ab"ve to ensure thal rt stsys fit for purpose and delivers for both the organi5ation and the staff team. Cllent Case Study I Chanda'8 Story Chanda1Sves wlth her parents and younger sister. She has multiple h8allh18sues has never submitted fit notes or applied for Personal Independence Payment. Currenlly nemployed after four years of sporadic employment, Chanda feels lonely, isolated, and has frequent suicidal Idealion. She wanls to rrK)ve into supported living f(￿ under 255 but doesn'l wani to leave hef puppy. wbich limits her housing options. We listened to Chanda to fulty understand her needs and provided infom)ation aboul applying for Personal Independence Payment and Unlversal Credrt with Limited Capatm'lity for Wotk-R8lat8d Acllvlty. We reassured her that we could assist with the fonns. Chanda was happy lo be listened lo and helped towards her plans. We estimate that If she applles for ttre benefits we discussed, Str￿ wwld recefve over £9700 extra. knnual RtpK)ii dnd FI￿n(I*ll￿taTemgnis lor Ihe Year EThJiDg 31 March 2024 10 cItLta•g Ad¥lc• ￿1￿￿••1 ritizens advke CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD IA Company Limited by Guarantee) GateshEad TRUSTEES REPORT (contsnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 hlARCH 2024 Financial Review Financlal Position at the end of reporting period The charty has seen income during the year increase by £843.413 with new funding from exisling funders as well as new partnerships. The funding sources listed on page 12 show the funds received lo help run the organiSat￿n. The majority of the funding is sourcèd from grant funding, wilh additional income eamed through contracts wilh the Legal Aid Authority and secondment of staff. The charity acknowledges and gratefully thanks 811 its funders. staff and volunteers who contribute so substantially lo Ihe resources of the organisalion. Reserves Policy 11 is the policy of the charity lo hold free reseNes amountlng to 6 months. exper)dItU￿ (exduding deprecialion and direct payroll costs) which is currentty calculaled at £590,0110. This policy is monilored and roviewed by the Irusl8es annually. Free reseNes are classed as reser¥es not invested in tangible fixed assets. including associated loans. or designated for any purpose. Note 19 details the analysis of net assets between the fund types from which free reseryes can be identified. At 31 March 2024. free reserrfes were £85.831 in the year. We have made a conscious choth to use our unreslricled rese￿eS to off-set the econlynic condilions within whrh we affj operating. As detailed, in the reSe￿e'S notes, designated reserves amount to £611,792 {2023 - £435,541) and therefore the current level of free reserve5 are less than the targets sel by the trustees of £590.LYJO. The trustees continue to w(Yk with funders to provide improved organisational sustainability within b￿get5. Events that have impacted financial pertomiance Several evenls have significantly Impacted our financial performance over the last 12 months. Firstly, Ihe renewal percentage of grant contract income was lower than antiapated. Thi5 shortfall has affected our pnmary funding stream, leading to budget adju51ments and prioritization of 8SS8ntial aCtiVrt￿$. Addillonally. s(xne contracls ended and were nol renewed. This loss of exFeded income has further strained our financial rescrtjrces, necessltating a review of our proiecls and commitments. Moreover. the cost ol living wage increase has added to ow finarK4al burden. As we strive to support our slaff wilh fair wages. the increased costs have required careful financial plaming and reallocats.on of funds. Lastly. Ihe overall increase in costs. induding operational and project-related expenses. has put additional pressure on our budget. These rising costs have compelled us to seek more efficient ways lo manage our resources and explore alternative lunding sources. Annul RLpori F1rWn(i.￿ sijiemenrs for Year Inding 31 M¥ch 2024 citizens advice Gateshead CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee> TRUSTEES REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Principal funding s(wrces The primary funding source for our organizaticffj is grants. These gfants are essential as Ihey Fwovid& the main incom8 stream, enabling us lo carry out our core activities and prqect5. Folbowing grants, our next significant source of income is earned income. includes revenue generated from services. woducts, and other adivities that align with our mission. Additionally. we receive sUppC￿t from trusts and foundatk)ns. These funds are Crucial for sp￿lfIC projects and initlatives, allowing us to expand our reach and impact. Lastly, donations from individua15 arKJ corporate partners play a vital role in our funding strategy. These conlribulions, although smaller in compari50n to grants and earned income, are invaluable for their ftexibility and the community support they represent. Fulure forecast Our objective is to build further on our delivery of Ioc81. regional and nalional services for three reasons.. to Increase capacity to respond to th8 continually growmg need I(￿allY in the Gateshead area to lackle the impacl of p)verty and deprivation,. to mob'lise our in-depth knowledge ar)d capability to exterKI and deepen the scale of our impacl- to recover the highest proportion possible of our overheads through contract dellvery in order to maximise the funds ava'lable for re-investm8nl in Ic¢81 servtce delivery. Investment policy Aside fr4Jm the pri￿lple of trying to retain a prudent amoLmt in reseThes nN)st of the charity's funds are spenl in the short term, so there ar8 few funds for long term inve5trnent. Having considered the c¥Jtions available. the trustee board has decided lo invest any surplus monies in a short-term interesl account and cash management platfomi soon. At Ihe balance sheet dale, the chanty has ITh wholly owned SUbS￿lary, Society Matters CIC. which gift aids available profits lo the charity Fundralsing policy The charity seeks lo raise wJdilion81 fu￿$ thr¢)ugh marketir¥J of the charity, Its and its impact on its beneflclaries. Fundraising takes the form of holding virtual and in person events. sponsorship for participats'on In public events, cashback through recycling, and running social media campa*3ns ￿lCh Pfovide donalions by text and online giving. The Gharity does not work any oJnmercial participators or professM)nal fundraisers, with donor fundraising activity being dispersed across several roles in Ihe executive team. FurKlraising is nK)nitored by the Commerual Director and complaints are dealt with by the Chair of Truste85. Prlnclpal Rlsks and Uncertainties The Iru51ees monitor risks using 2 Risk Register which is reviewed by the t)oard bI-m￿lhIY Risks and mitigating factors are assessed on a monthly basis and actioned by the Risk Committee which includes members of the trustee board and Ihe Executive Leadership Team. The trustees are sats"sfied that systems are in place lo mitigate exposure lo major risks. An￿￿￿ Rtpjri iinLI Firhincial Siarements for the Year En(hng al March 2024 12 Ill¥•h• Ad¥l¢• cltlzens CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limiled by Guar￿lee) Gthtes￿ad TRUSTEES REPORT (contlnuedj FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Going Concern Review The financial statements have been prepared on a going concem basi5. The dlreclors have prepared forecasts for the 12 months from Ihe dale of approval of these finarrial statements. which indicate that the chartty is able to continue in operational existence. Whilst future income streams can be drfficult lo predict. previous expen8nce and current communicalions do rnl currenuy indicate any significant changes to income. The director s executive management team regularly review key projects and have vari(xs ¢(￿ti￿encieS prepared should material changes evolve. New streams of income are constantly beiry sourced to li￿reasO OUT list of funders. The directOf5 therefore consider the charity able lo ￿ntIr￿e lo meet its debts as they lall due, and il remains appropriate lo prepare the financial stalemenls on a going c￿￿ern basis. Cll•nt Ca80 Study l 8111,8 Story 8111 Is a veteran with ffwltiple health corKlikns *tK) has nol worked since Ihe pandemK. He receives a waf pension and has not inveS￿ate￿I any benefits, retying instead on ongoing supwl from farnity rnmbers to help 7Mth his bills. However, Ihis Iwd become unlenable. and he had accrued debts he was unable to repay. To provkje Infttal support for Bin. we gave him a £100 supemarket vOuc￿r and carried wt a debl assessment and beneffit calculats'on. This shchved an entrtlement to c￿r￿lI Tax Reduclion. artd wfiile he was nol ellgible fcff Universal Credrt, he met the Cfiteria for Ihe Limrted Capabilty for Work-Relaled Activity element. We reC(Nn￿ that he investigate Pers(￿* IrK*per¥Jm Paynxnc scffielhlng we help hlm apply f(K. Bill has a new understanding of his benefft oPt￿S and the support available lo hlm. We estimate thal il Bill follows our advlce, he coukl gain nearty £16.(MJ) m(xe hlmself &)d his lanyty. Aiirtijal Kpport and frinattcial Sfarements lor rhp Year Enthng 31 March 2024 13 illwm Ad**• ty•t•sh•ad cltixens advlce Gateshoad CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD IA Company kn'mited by Guarantee) TRUSTEES REPORT (conflnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Structure, Govemance and Management l. Govemlng Documentlconstitution The organisats"￿ is a charitable company Ilmited by guaranlee, incorpor8ted on 22nd July 1991 but originally formed in May 1957 and govemed by the Memcfandum arKI Articles of AsSoC￿tion which were lasl amended in March 2021. The organisation is a registered charlty. TP* Ifustees, **)0 are also the diTectOT5 for the purpose of company law, who served during the year and up to the date of apwoval of the accounls we delale(l on page 1. 2. Trustee Appointmen( Inductlon and Tralning Citi'zens Advice Gateshead has a trustee board whth has a provis1f￿ 18. The trustees meet quarterly and are responsible for the strategic directi(￿ arKJ p0￿cY of the charity. At wesent th8 board consisls of 11 truslees from a variety of voknntary and professlcmal backgrounds ￿levant to the work of the charity. The trustee board seeks to ensure that the needs of our dients are approptiately ￿fie¢led and mel through the dlversty of the trustee board. which indudes member5 with local charitable and voluntary agency knowledge, tr8ditional business skills and expefierKe of slatul(xy 5errfices. Trustees are elected for a period of years after wh￿ti they r￿st b8 re-eleL*ed al th8 next Trustee Annual MeelirKJ. The trustee inducth)n process aims lo: infomi the new directorsllrustees about their roles. respcmSi￿.lrtles 8rKI liabilities- infom) them about the currenl work of the charity, the ￿SinesS and development plans" financial arKI staffing resources; quality, services and ndrai5ng requirements. identify the knowledge. skn'115 and experknce Uiat Ihe dIreCtr￿/trUstee brings to the truste8 iN)ar(J: identrfy any iTYtial training req￿red and any additional infonnation or support needed Training of irustees is also undertaken ￿ an oThJoing basis thrO￿3h tra￿l￿g specifically geared to the charilable seclor as well as learning and development enabled through I￿nIcal papers and wesentations delivered during and outside trustee board meetrtgs. The organisation has thre8 Twslee SU￿comMI118es W￿"¢h Ihe main t)oard has giv￿ delegated authority to. These are Finance: Rj'sk & Compli￿Ce and Employee Relabons. 3. CA Membership and related partles At Citizens Athice Galeshead we h￿hlY value our IcMVJ-estabh'shed affiliated membership of the Citizen5 Advice network. as one of 250 irKlependent chartties across England arNJ Wales. As a Citizens Advice member we research and canwaign on behalf ol our atizens. we contribute innovatson and lead best practice across the network. and we draw on the extensrve knowledge base and resources of the membership organi5ation. We are proud to uphold the immense value of the Citi'zens Advice brand through our work and we equally proud thal whilst (kniFVJ so we are pk)ughirMJ our ovm furrow as a local charity y￿th a national presence and an absolute commitment to delNerirvJ of our vision ol a fair swety all, with lives well lived. charity is a member of National As￿l8110n of Citizens Advice and as such. is regularly audiled against its membership requirements, indudlTrJ assessff￿nI of members, leadership capability which has be8n appraised at the highest level available. arKJ Ihis has been mwntained Ouring Ihe financial year 2023124. Annual Repon and Firpancid Slaitpm¢nlS tor the Yoaf Ending JI Maich 2024 14 cklzens advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guwanlee) Gateshead TRUSTEES REPORT (Gontinued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The charty's wholly owned subsmliary. Society MatteTS Community Interest Company (S￿lety Matters CIC) traded during the year. As a result. the charity has produced GroL¢) Financial Stslements, consolidating the group's financial activities. Available profits from the subsMJiary are generally gift aKled anrbually to the charity, l. Reference and Admlnlstratlve Detalls Referen¢e and ajminislrative detsils a￿ shown in tre ScI￿LIe of officers and professh)nal advis8rs on page 1 of the finar￿181 slalements 2. Organisational Structure and Decision Making The tnjstees have overall responsibility f(K the management of the charity. The Ch*f Executive Officer is appointed by the trustees and in conjunction with the execulive leadership team Idelailed on page 2), manages the day-to-day operations of the chariiy. 3. Rlsk Management Pollcy The Iruslees monitor risks using a Risk Register which is reviewed by the board quarterly. Risk5 and miligallng factors are assessed on an ￿gOIng basis and actt'oned by the Risk Committee which includes members ol the trustee board and the Executive Leadership Team. The trustees are sats'sfied Ihal systems are in place lo miligate exposure lo major risks. We have recentty Lylated our risk register to Ir￿Ude improved risk calegonsalion and added risk appetrte We￿hlIng5. Overall. our risk level ￿MaInS al 'medium' across the ch¥ity. The ITustees' report was approved on 041121024 by Ihe Board of Truslees. RLee Trustee Alin￿￿1 liepon Inancial SIAreinenrs fr)r The Ye31 Enthng 41 Marth 2024 15 & Cl11￿•￿ OA¥k• GJt•*h••d dtlzens advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Gateshead INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORTTO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD Oplnlon We have audited Ihe financlal statements of Citizens Advice Galeshead (the 'chanlable parent company'l and ils subsidiary (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which crxnprise the Statemenl of Financial Activities, Group and Charitable Ctynpany Balan￿ Sheet. the Cash Flow Statement and noles lo the financ￿1 statemenls. including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicab18 law and Uniled Kingdom Accounting StarKJards. including Finanaal Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Slandard appkable in the UK arKI Republi"c of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of Ihe stale of the group's aThJ parent charitab18 cTrnpanVs affairs as at 31 March 2024, and of the group.s inccming resources and app5ication of resources, including its income and expenditure, lor Ihe year then ended., have been properly wepwed In ￿OrdanCe ¥￿th Unrted Kingdom Generally AcLepted Accounling Pra￿￿,. and have been prepared in accordance with Ihe requirements ol the Companies Act 2006. Baslsfor opinlon We conducled our audil in accordance with International Stsndards on Audtling (UK) IISAS (UKI) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further de￿ribed in the Audilor s respons1t￿litIeS for the audit of the financial statemenls seclK)n of our report We are independent ol the ￿c￿P and chanlable c(ynpany in accordance with Ihe ethical r8quiremenls that are relevant to our audit of the financk81 statements in the UK. including the FRC'S Ethical standard, and we have fulfilled our olher ethical reSp￿SibIlrtles in accordance with Ihese requirements. We believe Ihal the audit evidence we have obtained is Suff￿￿ent and appropriate to provide a basis for Ouf opinion. Conclusions relatlng to goSng concern In auditing the financial ststements. we have condLJded thal Ihe Irustees. use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financ￿1 slalements is appropriate. Based on Ihe y￿rk we have perfomied, we have not identified any material uncetlwnties relaling to events or condilions thal, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubl on the group s and the parent charilable company s ability to continue as a w'ng conC￿rn for a penod ol al least twelve month5 from when the finanaal statements afe authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the reSpC￿s1￿.1itieS of the trustees vllh respect to going concem are descrlbed In the relevant sections of this report. Other Informatlon The other information comprises the inf0fmati￿ induded in the anrvjal report other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report thereon. The Iruslees are responsible for the other infomation contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial slatemenls does not cover Ihe other Inf￿natIOn and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion Ihereon. Our responsibility is lo read the other inforniation and. in doing so, consider whether the olher information is materially inconsistent wlth the finanaal statements or our knowledge oblained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materialty mi5Staled. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparenl malerial misslatemenls. we are required lo determine whether this gives rise lo a material misstatement in the financial statements themsefves. If. based on the work we have perfomied. we c4)nGlude that there is a malerial nisstatement of this other informalh)n. we are required lo report thal fact. We have nothiry to report in this regard. Annual Reporl dnd FiwborKIJ 510'kLyneflrs the Yedw Inding I I IAarch 2024 16 cltlzèns advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD {A Company Limited by Guarantee) GatesheJd INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Oplnlons on other matter8 prescrlbed by the Companles Act 2006 In our opinion. bas8d on Ihe work undertaken in the course of Ihe a￿"t: the inf0mat￿n given in Ihe trustees. reFX)rt {incryrakn'ry Ihe directors. report) for the financial yeaf for which the financial statements are prepared is consi5tenl wilh Ihe financial statemenls.. and the directors, report has fjeen prepared in accordance wrth applicable legal reqLArements. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In the light of our knowledge and understsnding of the grcAJP and parent tharrtable company and tts environment oblained in the ccwrse of Ihe audit. we have not Kjentrfied malerial misstatements in the directors, report. We have nothing to rewrt in respect cl the following maiter5 in relatK>n to whth Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: adequate accounting records have rM)t been kept by the parent charltable company. LY returns adequate for our audrt have not been received from branches not vI￿led by us: or the financial statements ar8 fKIt in agreement with the accounling records and rebjms.. L certain disclosures of directors, ￿muneratIon specified by law are not made,. c we have not received all the informats'on and explanat￿nS require for wr audit Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the tru5tee5' r8sponsikn.lilies slalemenl. Ihe trustees (who a￿ also the directors of the chantable company for the purposes of company law) are responssble for the preparation of the financial slatements and for being satssfied that they give a Irue and fair view, and lor such internal control as the trustees delerrnine 15 necessary to enable the weparalion ol financial statements that ar8 free Irom malerial misststemenl. whelher due lo fraud or error. In preparing the finanaal staIerr￿nts. the trustees are responsible for a5se5sing the group's and parent chantable company s ability to continue as a going concem. disdosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees eilher inlend lo liquidate the charitsble company or to cease operations. or have no realistic alternats.ve to do so. Auditors, responsibilities for the audlt ot flnanclal statements Our objectives are lo oblain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free frorn material rni5Statement, whelher due to fraud or error. to issue an auditor's rewrt that includes our opinion. Reasonable 8ssurance is a high level ot assurance but is nol a guarantee that an audit conducled in accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detect a material misstatemeril when rt exists. Misstatements Can arise from fraud Of error and are considered material if. individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected lo influence the economic decisions of users taken w the basis of Ihese financial statements. Th8 extenl to which our pro￿dureS are capable of delecting irregularities. indudirvJ fra￿1. is detailed below. The risk of material misststement due to err(x or fraud has been assessed in conjunclion with h(M internal controls may mitigale any such risk These controls are reviewed as part of the audti by performing Systems walklhroughs lo ensure they are operating effectively. Analytical revtew subslantive testing is also perfomied on all material balances and there1￿e any instsnces of non-compliance should be identified or considered as insignificanl. In identsfying and assessing risks of malenal misstatemenl in respect of irwularities, including fraud, the audit engagement leam., obtained an understanding of the nalure of the industry and sector, ir￿lUding the legal and regulatory framework, in which the charitabl8 ccMnp8ny operates and the comparry complies with that legal and regulatory framework. inquired wlh management ￿K1 those charged govern￿Ge a￿￿1 their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including any know actual, suspected or a118g8d instances of fraud. dlscussed with Tnanagement and those charged Mth govem8nce any non-compliance with laws and regulalions and how fraud might occur induding assessments of how and where the fir￿n￿al slatements may be susceptible to fraud. Annual Repofi anLI FinarKlaJ Sid¢unen15 14Ji Ihe Yei)r Indln4 J l March 2014 17 citiwis advlte CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee} Gateshead INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The flsk of management override of controls was also considered an area of w)tential misstatement due lo fraud. Audit Pfocedures perform8d included lesting of manual ioumal entries and other adfrustments and evaluating the buslness rationale in relation to s￿nIfICant, unusual trans&ll￿*S ￿ transactions entered inlo outside the normal course of busines5, A furlher description of our responsibilities for the audrt of Uie financbal slalements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website al: ￿W,frc.Ofg.Ukl8udrfOrsreSp￿SIb￿ltles. This descripts'(M forms part of our auth'lorfs report. Use of thls report This ￿port is made solely to the Charitab￿ coryany's members. as a body, n a¢￿dance wilh Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our aLxIrt work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable companys members those matters we are required lo stale to them in an auditorfs report and for no other purpose To the fullesl extent pem)ilted by law, we do not aC￿p1 or assume responsibility to anyone other Ihan Ihe chantable company and the charitable company's members as a l)oty. for our aui*l Wofk. for this report. or for the opinions we have formed. Nicholas Cunnlngham Msc Bsc ACCA {Senlor Statutory Audltor) For and on Behalf of Robson Laldler Accountants Limitéd Stalutory Audilors Fernwood House Fernwood Road Jesmond Newcastle Upon T Annu￿$ Rtpvri and FinatKial Sralemenrs f(>r The YÈaf Endir4 31 14arJarantee) Gateshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Accountlng pollcles 1, 1 Basls of preparatlon of flnanclal statements The financial stalements of the chafttable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102. have been prepared in accordance wilh the Charities SORP {FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities prepwing their accounls in accordance wilh th6 Financial Reporting Standard ap￿Icab￿ in the UK and Reputlic of Ireland IFRS 102) (effective 1 January 20191,. Financial Reporting Standard 102'The Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and Ihe Companies Act 2006. The financial State￿nts are prepared n sterfing, which is the functional currency of the chafty. Monetary amounts In these fin8rKial stalements are roLHKled lo the nearest £. Citizens Advice Galeshead meets the definition of a public b￿efft entity entry under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are Init￿llY recognised al hist￿Cal cost or transaCt￿n value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting wlicy notels). 1.2 Golng ¢oncem The financial statements have been prepared a goirvJ concem basis. The directors have prepared forecasts for the 12 months from Ihe date of approval of thes8 finanual slatemenls. which indicate that the charity is able to contsnue in tyerational existence. Whilst fuiure income stream5 can be dlfficult lo predict, previous experienc8 and curTent commun￿￿tIOnS not Cuffenty indir2te any significant changes to income. The director's executive management team regularly review key prqecls and have various contingencies prepared should any materi81 changes evolve. New streams of income are conslanlly being sourced lo increase our breadth of funders. The directors Iher8fore consKler the ch¥ty able to continue lo meet its debts as they fall due, and il remains appropriate lo prepare the fmarKial statements on a gcmng concem basis. 1.3 Basls ol consolldatlon The group fin8nci81 slalemenls c<)nsobidate the fin￿Cial stat8rn8nts of the charitable company and rts wholly owned subsidiary undertaking. s(￿1@1Y Matters CIC. on a line-by-line basis. A separate Slatemenl of Financial Activities for the chanty itself is nol presented tr*cause the charity has taken advantage of the exemplions afforded by sects'on 408 of fv Companies Act 21x16. A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the chartty. Conlrol 15 athieved where the charity has the power lo govem the financial and operaling FK)liGies of an enlity so as lo obtain benefits from its aclivili85. 1.4 Fund structure Unrestricted funds are available for use al the discrets'on of Ihe TrLtstees in furtherance of the genef81 objectives of Citizens Advice Gateshead and which have TK)t been de￿gnated for olhef Purposes. Designated funds are amounts which have been pul aside at the discretion of Ihe trustee5 and are therelo not availabl8 for other purposes. The aim arNJ use of each designated lund is sel out in the notes to the financial statements. Restr￿ed furKls are funds which are lo be used in accordance with speafic restri'ct￿ns imposed by donors which have been raised by Citizens Advice G8teshe2d for particular purp)se. The cost of raising and adminislering such funds are charged against speafic funds. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. ADnual ￿er￿rt.￿d frinancial Siaiem?n15 for ThÉ Year Ending 31 March 2024 24 cl¢l￿n$ advice CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Comp2ny Limiled by Guarantee GateshÈod NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 1.5 Income All incoming resources are included in Ihe Slalemenl of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is entrtled to the income and the amount can be quants'fied with reasonable accuracy. Grants recEivable are Tecognised when Ihe grwp has entidemenl to the funds and any conth'lions linked to the grants have been met. Where perfomiance conditions are attached lo the grant and are yet to be met. the income is recognised as a liability and induded on the balance sheet as deferred income to release. Donations and legacies are recognised when the charity is notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event a donation is subject lo conditions that require a levd of performance by Ihe charity. Ihe income is deferred and not fecognised until Ih05e cor¥Jitions are met. Gifts in kind are recognised in different ways depending on how they are used by Ihe charity. Those dcmaled fly resale prCxlU￿ income when they are sold and valued at the amount realised. Th058 donated for onward tran5mlssion to beneficwies are irK4Lthd in Ihe Slatement of Fin￿￿184 Actiw'ties as incoming resources and resources exFended when they ￿ distr￿uled. They are valued at Ihe amount the Charity would have to pay to wuire them. Those donated for use by the charity itself are induded when re￿1¥able. They are valued at the amount the charity would have to pay to acquire them. Investment incom8 is recc•Jnised on a receivable basi8. %then the amount Gan be measured ￿liablY. This is normally upon notificab.on from the bank. Income from charitable activities includes income re￿iVed under advance contract or where entillemenl to grant lunding is subject lo specitic performance conditions 15 recryJnised as earned las the related gwds or services are provided). Grant income induded in this caiegory provides funding to support dienl seNi¢e activilies and is reCOgn￿ed where there is enlitlemenl, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with 5ulfici8nt reliability. Income is deferred where related grants are received and the performanGe Conditsons relating to its entitlement are not met. 1.6 Expendlture and Irrecoverable VAT Expenditure Is recognised once there is a legal or ccms1ruc￿.ve obligation to transfer economic benefit lo a third paty, it is probable Ihal a Iransfer of economic benefrt will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation be measured reliably. ExpefKliture is Cate￿rised under the following headings-. Raising funds ao those costs incwred in the running of the trading subsKliary Charitable expenditure comprises those costs Ir￿urred by the charity in the delivery ol ils activities and services its beneficiaries. 11 includes kx)th costs thal can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs ol an indirect nature necessary to support them. Support costs are tFNJse lunctions that as515t the work of the charity bul do not directly undertake charitable aGtivilies. SupFX)rt wsls Include back-office costs, linance, personnel. payroll and governan￿ costs which support the charity's (and group's) activities. The basis ￿ which the supwrt costs have been allocated is set out in the support cost nok. All expenditure is industve of irrecoverabbe VAT. 1.7 Leases Renlals payable under operating leases, induding any leas8 incenlives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of Ihe relevant lease. Annual Repurt and FIn￿r￿1& 5¢QIL¥IIPIIIS foi Ihe Year Endlnq 3 1 IKarch 2024 citizens dvlte CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee) GatesheaLI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (contlnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 1.8 Fixed assets Individual fixed assets ￿stIng £1,000 ￿ MO￿ are initially recorded at cosl. Tangible fixed assets are stated al cost I(￿ deemed cost} le55 accumulaled dep￿cIatIon and accumulated impaimient 105ses. Cost IrKludes costs directly altribulable to making the asset capab18 01 operating as intended. Equ￿ment - 20 % stra￿h1 l* Fixtsxes. fittings and furnishings - 20 % Straight I 1.9 Fixed asset investments Investments in sub&diaries a￿ at (x)st less impaimH 1.10 Impalrment of flxed assets Fixed sssets are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circuMstan￿S indicate Ihal the carrying amount o15uch assets may not be recoverable. If the￿ is an irKlication of possible impaim)8nl. the recoverable amount of any affected asset is estimated and compared againsl its carying amount. Where the estimated recoverable amount is lower, an imp8imient loss is recc*Jnised immediately in Fyofil and loss. 1,11 Intanglble fixed assets Intangible assets acquired separately Ir(yn a business are reojgnised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated arrKJrtisation and accumulaled inwairment losses. Amortisation is recagnised so as to wrlte off the cost or vaktalion of assets less theil residual values over thelr seful lives on the following bases.. Software - 20 % SlraNJht In8 1.12 Deblors Trade and other debtors are reco￿lsed at the setttement amount due after any trade discount offere¢J. Prepayments are valued al the amount prepaid nel of any tr￿Je discounts. 1.13 Creditors and provisions Creditor5 and provisions are recognised where the chanty has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds lo a third party, and the amount due lo settle Ihe oblig8tion can be measur8d or eslimaled reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised al thdf settlemenl after allowing lor an trade discounts. 1.14 Cash at bank and In hand Cash and cash equivalenls indude cash in harKI. depo￿lS held al call wrth banks, other short-term liquid investments Nmth orlginal maturities of tl*ee mMths or less. and bank ovefdfafts. Bank overdrafts are shown thin b(xrowings in current liabilities. 1.15 Corpordtion lax A5 a charity. the company is exempt from lax on income and gains lo Ihe extent that these are applied to its charrtable objects. No tax charges have arlsen in the Ch￿ty. 1.16 Pen8lon$ and other post-retirement obligations The group operated a defined contn'bution pen￿(￿ Schen￿ which is 8 Fensicn pl￿ under which fixed contributions are paid into a PenS￿n furmj and the group has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributiorv6 even if the fund does not hokj sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee seNice in the current and prior peri(MJs. Contnbutions lo defined Contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Fina￿181 Aclivrties when they are due. Annual Report al￿ FinarKial 5ialLyrirwil> lof tho Yeai lrtding 31 Marrh 2024 ¢ltlx¢ns advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Gu*anteel Gateshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (¢ontlnuedJ FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 hlARCH 2024 1.17 Judgements and key sources of eslimation uncertalnty In the application of the charitable CoMp￿Y'S acLwnting poliaes. Ihe Truslees are required to make judg8ments. estimates and assumptions aboul Ihe carying amount of the assets and liabilities Ihat are not readily apparent from other source5. Th8 estimates and assoryaled assumptions are based on historical expenence and other factor5 that are cwsidered lo be relevant. Actual resufts may differ these estimates. The e5timate5 and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revision5 to aCco￿tIng estimales are recognized in the period in which the estimale is revised where the revision affects onty that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revis1f￿ eflects tx)th current arKI lulure pen(bJs. There are no sigrxficant accounting eslimates wlM'¢h we ccxtsidered to materially impad the finar￿la1 statements. Donations and legacies Unrestricted funds Restrlcted lunds Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Donations Corporale donalions Trusts and loundah'cff)s 10,948 1tJ) 10.tKKJ 11,048 10,540 30,000 51.588 4,640 10.000 105.000 11.488 40.100 Income from Gharltable acttvltles Unrestricted fund5 Restrlcted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Grant Income.. Conlacl Cenlre Community Advice- Projects Community Advice - CIEnt Se￿iceS Community Advice Services - Social Welfare Legal Ser4ices Client Asstslance Proiects Equipment. sollptsjnes & environmental fundlng Other Grants 2,925,765 645.560 2,925,765 645,560 2.868.445 360,360 196.482 804,564 394.331 74,881 10.000 167,301 1.111.855 432,120 86.000 1,111.855 432.120 86,000 43,922 43,922 Contract andolher income.. Legal Aid AulhorTty Other income {induding slaff secA)rnYmenl) 805,294 13.672 805.294 122.461 477.387 117.924 108.789 818.966 5,354.011 6,172,977 5,471.675 Grant income has been provlded by the followlng organisations: National Association ol Citizens Advi￿ Bureaux. Gateshead CouTril, NPIS Nk)rth Easi & Ctsmbria Inlegraled Care Board. Tho Kay Kendall LeUkern￿ Fund. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Chanty, &"r James Knoll Trust. St￿k1￿ & oistn.ct AdV￿e & Inlomialion Service, Age UK Gateshead Ltd. Edbgrt5 House. Hadrian TTUSC Tyne and Wear C(Mnmunty Foundat￿n. The Wise Group. G￿￿1 North Childron's Hospilal Foundation. E.ON Next Etwgy Lid. Gateshead FC￿dba￿. NeI￿aStle Buikling Society. The AcGess to Justice Foundation and Hospiial ol God. Annu￿ REPOfl and FI￿arKI& 51Jcemenis lor the Yelli Endliiq 3114tsich 1024 27 Clllz•As Advk• 6*i•Ah•d ittzens advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Gateshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AIARCH 2024 Other trading activities Unrestrlcted funds Restricted funds Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Income from trading subsidiary Rental income Other income 401.129 13.810 7.336 422,275 401,129 13,810 10.913 425.852 228,899 10.880 7,685 247,464 3,577 Investment income Total 2024 Total 2023 Bank intthl receivatAe 26.1T1 6,086 All income from interest Is UnreStr￿ted in the cuffent and prior yEar Charitable activitie8 Total 2024 Totsl 2023 Grant supported actlvitles." Contacl Centre Communty Advice- P￿leCts Communty Adwce- Client serv Communty Advice Services- S￿131 Welfare Legal Servres Client Assistance Proiecls Equipment. soflphones & enV￿on￿￿nIal fundrKJ Other Grants Total reslrlclgd funds 2,967.791 624.092 2.547.546 371,954 183.945 953.724 373,837 201.386 9,376 194.190 4,835,958 1,058.409 415.825 109.347 6.327 17,897 $199,688 Contract and other Income.. Legal Authorty Olher ino)me (induding staff sec0fMJ￿￿Ij Designated furvjs Total unrostrlctod funds 710.170 501,592 75.738 1,287,500 357,252 325,SOg 22.297 705,058 Totsl funds 6,487.188 5,541,016 ArtllCi411 Ilpport Financtsl $1ottmenis for the YeaF Endin9 31 Mar£h IOZ4 Clll*•• Ad¥*• G*iMh•a• cltizens CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limited by Guwantee) Gateshezld NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (conlinued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Support costs Support costs included in the aL￿ve expenditure are as fol0￿, Total 2024 Total 2023 Staff costs Offke cosls Depreciation, amortisation and on asset dist￿SaI Premises costs Other costs Govemance (below) 843,300 208.078 12.389 135,491 200,759 23,311 1.423.328 610.105 140,698 27.550 123.291 104.504 59.472 1,065.620 Governance costs Auditor5 fees Legal and wofessional Other 10,700 2.603 10.008 23,311 7.850 39,203 12.419 59.472 Net Incomlng l outgolng resources Total 2024 Total 2023 Audil fees Depreciation of fixed assets Amortisation of ￿tsnglble assets 10.700 12.144 2.287 8,500 16,573 7,488 Annual Report and Finantldl siattmenis l¢Jv Iht Yeai Emling 31 Marih 1024 £. Cl11￿￿* Ad¥bB• ￿t•S￿lI￿ (itizens advice CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD Gateshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (contlnuedj FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 18. Statement of funds Balance at 1 Apr 2023 Galns Balance at Ilosses> 31 Mar 2024 Group- current year Income Expendlture General funds. 259,914 1.298.573 (1.211,762 (181.991) 164,734 Designated Redundancy REACT Pcrf)I Cycle lo Work Real Livlng Wa Development Fund Efficiency Projed Salary Benchrnarking Contingency Support for Single Queue Commercial Team Learnlng and D8vek)pment Total deslgnated 60,000 65,000 15,CM)O {15,(M)O) {19.885) 16,351 91,793 19,885 {16.750) {15.(M)O) 150,OCM) 25,000 251,394 15.1 19.885 133.41 75.500 50,IX)O 16.750 15.000 149,757 92.150 69,885 175,738 150.000 25,000 611.792 435.541 175,738> Totsl unrestrlcted 695.455 1299.168 11.287,SC(I) 69,403 776.526 Restrlcted Contract Centre Services Communty Advice- Prqect5 Community Advice- Scrial Welfare Legal Services Client aSsistar￿e F¥qects Equipment Olher 66.463 144.480 100.526 3.038.131 645.560 1.111.855 432.120 116.OlJ) {2.967.791 } (624.0921 11.058,409) {415,825) (109,3471 (6,3271 {17,8971 15,199,688 62.030 43,759 (131.9711 {14.919) 5,597 2,256 {36.125} 169,4031 198,833 209,707 22,001 1.346 28,991 16.741 4.071 54.022 5.397,688 Total reslrlcted 332281 460,878 Total funds 1.027.736 6.6%.856 (6,487,188) 1.237,404 Annual Fllunr￿I Siaremenrs frjr thÉ Year Ending 31 March 2024 • Cllla•ftb Ad¥lE• Gal•*h•ad ci¢izen5 advice CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD {A Company Limited by Guar￿lee) Gateshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 18. Statement of furKts Iconlinued) Balance at 1 Apr 2022 Gains Balance at (Ios8es) 31 Mar 2023 Group- prlor year Income Expendlture General funds 186,171 861,461 (683.￿1 ) (11M.657) 259,914 Deslgnated Redundancy REACT Pool Cyde lo Wcffk Real Living Wage Development FuThJ Effi￿enCy Project Salary BenthmaTking Conlingency Support for SirKJle QLM Total designaled 16.316 (22,703) 60,000 50,000 15,000 19,885 133,406 75,500 50,000 16,750 15,000 435,541 95,000 15,(M)O 40.CMJO 69.￿0 (22.297) (20,115) 64.406 75,500 50.(K)O 16,750 15.000 195,154 262.684 {22.297 Total unrestrictod 448,855 861.461 (705.358) ,497 695.455 Restrlcted Conlrdcl Centre Services Community A(fvice- Projects Client Welfare- Client Servic8S Community AdvKe- Soclal Welfare Legal Se￿ice5 Client a5SiStance Prolects Equipment Other 51,821 161,767 2.563.526 360.360 1￿.482 1.1tY3.565 394,331 1￿.417 10,WO 167.301 4,991.982 12.547,546) {371.954) {183,645) 1953.724) (373,837) (201,386) 19,3761 cl94.1￿) (4,835.6581 (1,338) (5.693) (12,83n (58,901) (21,494} 395 66.463 144,480 100,526 27,315 3,448 17,517 266.454 16.741 4.071 9,371 {￿,497 Total restrfcted 332,281 Total funds 715.309 5.B53.443 (5,$41,0161 1,027.736 The specific purpose for which the funds are lo be applied are as k)Ik)w5: Deslgnated Funds Redundancy fund: Fund set aside to fund potential liatillties s￿)Uld projects cease or rKJt be renewed and where TUPE does rK)l ak¥)ly. Fund created to enable the recruilmenl ol additional advisers who can Ih8n be transferred to operational arKI new projects allowing the projecl lo be niobilized qUiGkly. The funding covers salaries, supeThision and incremental costs. Funds set aside by the Trustees lo be retained to build the base level of reserves held by the charity, REACT Pool: Developmenl ff￿d.. Annual Rvvt)ii •id friitsncial Statements for rhe Year Endiny 31 Maich 2024 ¢It￿en9 advke CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD {A Company Limited by Guarantee) Gatèshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (contlnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 18. ststemont of funds (contlnued) Efficiency fund.. Salary Benchmarking., Funds set asKle to Thet costs of developing new efficiency programmes. Funds set aside to support salaries not currently funded. Klenllfied as parl of a benchmarking review. To SUPFX)rt new salaries in c￿rcial le*n to strer¥Jthen our income generation cq)ablity Special training fL￿d set aside to support investing in staff IrainiThJ Commercial Development: Leaming and Development Reslrlcted funds Contract Centre Servlces Provide a number of ￿ViCe 58rvlces involving specialist le￿ph￿e, chal and email thi'ce for clients across England & wa￿5, including.. Consumer Servl¢e Including Energy - providiry adwce on consumer goods and SerV￿S. including advice on energy provisic￿ with onward referrals to the Energy Ornbudsman. energy suppliers or for complex cases, a dedlcated support learn. Advice is also prov￿￿$ C￿ regulated poslal services and for complex cas&s. create referrals for a dedicaled supporl team. Wltness - providirvJ support for ￿tneSSeS and viclims of crlme who have been called to provide evidence in criminal courts. National Adviceline - provide generalist advice lo Glienls contacting NaliMal Citi-zens Advlce_ Help Throughout Hardshlp {Trussel Trust Foodbank Hotline) - providing tailored advice to foodbank users in order lo empower clients lo take action to resolve immediate crises they face. Single Queue- the local telephone advice seprfice wovided io dients contscting Citizens Advice Gateshead. Communlly S6Thlee Proleels Providing social welfar8 advis(Y5 inlo heallhcare settings suth as North East and Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead and Great Norlh Children's Hosprtal. Addilional projects support specif communities of interesl as identified by Ihe sponw or grant prOv￿er. Communlty Advlce Services - Social Welfare Advisef5 Providing soclal welfare advlsers to the local community from various community hubs based around the Galeshead region. Also pr0Vtd￿g specialtst energy and support k)cally lo Gateshead residents. Legal Senilces Prov￿Ing specialist debt and fIn￿CIal incktsM)n. housing and dIS￿lmin81￿?Tr alfv'b￿ to cl'ents across Engk3nd and Wales. 19. Analysis of net assets between funds Urweslrlcted Fund$ Designated Funds Restricted Funds Group- current year Total Tangible fixed assets Nel current assets l (liabiliti'es) Creditors due in more than 1 ye 19.887 538,242 1393.395) 164.734 19,887 1,610,912 (393,395) 1,237,404 611,792 460,878 611,792 460,878 Anllual lie￿)rt and FI1￿￿131 Statements lor rhe Year Ending 31 March 2024 37 cltizen5 advlce CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Limlted by Guar8ntee) Gateshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continuedJ FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 19. Analysis of net assets between funds (contlnued) UnreslriGted Deslgnaled Funds Fund3 Restrlcted Funds Group- prlor year Tolal Tangible fixed assets Net current assets I Iliabilrtiesl Credilors due in more than 1 year 52,189 627.246 (419.521) 259.914 52,189 1,395,068 1419,521 } 1,027,736 435,541 332.281 435.541 332.281 20. Reconclllallon of net movement In funds to net cash flow from operatlng actlvltles 2024 2023 Net income l {8xpenthture) for ihe year 209,668 312,427 Adjustrnents for. Interest rec*ived from investrEnts DepreCIa￿on of tangible assets Amortizatiiyt of intaryible assets (Profrtl I loss disposal of tangible l intangible assets (Increase) I decrease in debtors Increase I decrease in creditLXS 126,171) 12,144 2.287 32,584 (139.959) 44,001 134.554 16,086) 16.573 7.488 3,099 (239.9971 174.857) 18.647 Net ¢a8h provlded by operatlng actfvttles 21. Analy51$ of changes in net debt At 1 April 2023 Cash tlow$ At 31 March 2024 Cash and cash equivalents 1,150,081 121,128 1,271,209 Loans due within 1 year Loans due more than 1 (24.883) (419.521 } (444.404) (1,242) 26,126 24,884 (26,125) {393,395 (419,520 705.677 146,012 851.689 An￿￿11 RtWlT aiid F￿nat￿l31 ￿ateMentS fTrr the Year Ending 31 March 2024 citiTrns CITIZENS ADVICE GATESHEAD (A Company Llmiled by Guarantee) Gareshead NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (contlnued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 22. Penslon commitmenls Th8 group operates a defined contnbulion pension scheme. The assets of Ihe schème are held separalely from those of thè group in an independently administered fund. The penslon cosl charge represents contnbutions payable by the group lo the fund and amounted to £95,500 (2023.. £78,123) in Ihe year. Al Ihe babnce sheet date amounts were payable lo the fund of £19:721 (2023: £17:318} which are included in creditors. 23. Related party tran8a¢tlons Charlty At the balan￿ sheet date, the an￿Unt due from Society Mattets CIC lotal8d £61.443 <2023: £3,563) Society Matters CIC is a wholty owned subsKJiary ol Citizens Advice Gateshead. Donations received from one trustee In the year tolaled £30,IJJO (2023". £105.tMXI). 24. Legal status Citizens Advice Gateshead is a company limited by guarantee. regislered in England and Wales (number.. 02631064} and not having share capital. In Ihe event of tr* ¢￿ary being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is Ilmited to £1 per member of the charity. 25. Operating lease commitments Lessee At the reporting eThJ date the company had outstanding cc¥nnMtments for future minimum kase payments under non-cancellable operaling leases. which fall due as folkiws: 2024 2023 Within one ye Belween two and five ye¥s In over five ye 17,500 17.500 17.500 17.5 Ann4Jal Reptsri FInd￿*￿¢S[￿lL¥Tl￿ll[s loi ihe ¥tal Endinq J I llirih 2024