REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02969165 {England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1041830 st Albans Distrlct citlzens Advice Bureau Llmlted Report of the Trustees and Flnanclal Statsments Year Ended 31 March 2025
Cltlzens Advlce St Albans Dlstrict Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Page Report of the Trustees Ito7 Report of the Independent Examlner Statement of Financial Activities B8lanc8 Sheet 10 statement of Cash Flows 11 Notes to the Financlal Statements 12to21 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
citlzens Advice St Albans Dlstfi¢t Report of the Trustses for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The trustees, who are also dired¢Jrs of the charity for the pu&e8 of the Companies Act 2008, pr8S8nt their report with the financial statemenls of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The finan¢ial 6talemenls comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Articles of Association, and Accounting and R8porting by Charities: Statsment of Recommended Pr*tiC8 applicable to ¢hatitles preparing thelr accounts in accordance with the Financlal Réportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (Issued In October 2019). REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Reglstsred Name and Company numbor st Alban$ District Cllizens Adv1 Bureau Llmtted 02969165 (England and Wales) Rogistsred Charlty number 1041830 Reglstered ¢>ffice CMC Centre St P6t8r8 Str6et St Alb8n8 Hertfordshlre AL13JE TNsteeg A Berneye A Campbell G J Comninos D Gardlner P Gillingham C Phillips V Priestley J Van Schie A Zamgn (Chalr) (TreaSur} (Vice Chair) Representative of St Albans City and Dlstrfct Councll on the Tru$teo Board Councillor Sinead Howland. Company Secretary V Priestley {Appointed 0611112024) J Burley (Resigned 251D9f2024) Independent Examiner Merr & Hole LLP Steve Robinson FCA GIOustr House 72 London Road Sl Albans Hertfordshire AL1 INS Pagel I
Cluxens Advlce St Alban6 District Report of the Trustee5 - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Princlpal Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Klngs Hlll, West Malllng Kent ME194JQ The trustees hav8 complied wllh their duty (a8 defined by the Charitles Act 2011) to have due regard to guidanc8 published by the Charity Commission. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governlng document The charity is a company limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act2006, governed by its Articles of Association, Tru5te68 are directors under the Companies Act 2006 and Members in accAJrdance with Artldp6 of Associgtlon. It is registered as a tharity with the Charlty Gommi88ion. Re¢ruitment and appolntment of new trustees All dire¢tors of Ihe company are also trustees of the charity fcASTAD'). There are no other tru8lees. The maximum number of trustees shall be fifteen and the minimum four being either appointed 81 Ihe annual general me8ling. nominated by member organisations or co-optpd by the trustee board. Each appointmont of a cfHipled or nominated trus189 shall be made at an ordinary meeting of the triistee l)oard. The need for new Trustees is determined by a process of Board self-revlew and skills audit, leading to the determination of which partlcular skills are sought. Recrultment advertising is across many and varled channols to draw from as wide a potential pool a8 Possible, Potential rnndidates ale rwuired tg complete a Registration Form which indudes a declaration of their eligibility to serv8. The interview proc8SS is conducted by Trustees and the CEO and recommendations of the merits of ¢andidat6$ arg discussed by the Board. Approvpd Candidates are invlted to attend the next Truste& meeting and references 8re taken up before fomial appointment is mad¢. The directors and trustees who seNed during the year were.. A Bemeye J Burley A campbell G J Comninos D Gardlner P Gillingham C Phillips J Van Schi8 V Priestley S Yexlèy A Zaman (Resigned 2510912024) (Chair) (Appointed 1310812024) (Appointed 1310812024) (Appoinled 1310812024) (Resigned 1310512025) Induotlon and training of new Trystpes Newly appointed ttustees undergo a comprehensive inductlon process including observing the advisors interviewwng dients, attending a range of regular service meetings and are regularly Circulated with informatlDn regarding their legal obligations. All trustees are required to cornplete regular, mandatory, compllance training on GOPR and SMCR and are 8n¢ouraged tg complete Iraining In safeguarding, EDI and prevention of sexual hara$Fment. other $6lf-devplopm8nt training twstees und¢rtake is re(xJrded on a training log. Pag¢12
Citlz6n8 Advice St Albans Dlstrlct Report of the Trustses - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Organlgatlonai strucr8 We are an independent organisatlon but we are members of the Natlonal As$ociatlon of Citizens Advice Bureau {CitA} and our se1 Is audited and supported by CltA. Wider network We are Ilnked countyide. The network analyses data bcally and natlonally to identify common problems that niay be prevented by presentation of collediv8 8vidence to propose systemalic changes. Anonymtsed individual cases, where a need for polity improvement is Id8ntlfi8d, ar8 submitted by staff and volunteers to CitA to contribute to a body of research evidence. This Is Ihen used to campa5gn on anomalies in th8 practlCBS of government and other essential service providers. Related partles We work with St Albans City and Dlstrlct Council (SACDC), Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). town and paiish councils, all of whom Gontrlbute to our funding. SACDC sends a representative to observe al Board meetlngs. None of our funders have sought member&hip of the company or to nomlnate 8 Trustee to the Board. We also enjoy a working relationship wlth the local Strateglc Partn8rship, and other local Cltizens Advlc8 services (LCA) in Hertfordshire. We share our Civic Centre base wlth Healthy Hub partners including Communitles 1st, st Albans Community Bank, Shaw Trust. Women's Outreach, Herts Asian Women's Ass¢xlatlon, Age UK and The Llvlng Room. RIBk management General The trustees have a duty to idenllfy and rgvigw the risk8 to whiGh the charity IB exposed and to en8ure appropriate controls are In place to provide reasonablp assurance agalnst fraud and 8r. During the year the trustees revlewed and updated the process of assessing, documentlng and discussing the Identified risks to the organisation. The trustees have insurance cover to cope wlth rlsks where deemed appropnale. Th8 charity is actively working to imprové financral resilience through re88Nes. Risk assessments are carried out on new projects. Staff are enVraged to t8ke risks as part of improvlng organis8tlonal perforrnan and capabllily. Improvements to fa¢llttleg have been Implemented and reviews made to procedures where required. We are reassured that these processes were put in place to great effect as we manag@d lh8 impact of Coronavirns on the servlce and more rentlY as we corKlucted a successful dlsaster recov@ry exercise. Infomiation assurance The trustee board has approved a new information assurance strat8gy, having identifd th8 rtsk presented by the signlFicant amounts of client dats held. An information assurance management team exists to ensure the confidentlaltty, Inteyrfity and avallablllty of all our $6n81tlve data assets Is maIntainl to & level which 18 consislent wlth th8 requir8m6nts of our cllents, our funders and our strategic partners. Th6 charlly aim8 to achieve an appropriate level of ¢ompllan(* to the Data Protectlon Act, the Cabinet Offi,8 Securlly PollGy Framework and to industry best pradi¢¢, as deflned by the ISO 27000 series of standards. We continue to progress towards the Cyber Essentials stsndard. Flnanci81 As truslees we conslder our overridlng r8sponslbillty is to ensure the future sugt8lnablliÉy of the servlca. To that end we budget and forecast both our ReséNos and Cash. We are ¢areful lo ensure we do not over cornmlt reSoUrS ahead of securing income, keeping fixed overheads to a mlnlmum. Our monthly review of finances ensure we have an early wamlng system in pla to alert us to any deterioration in our finances. We review our Re8erv8s Pollcy and Flnancial procedures annually. We do not undertake speculative investmenls. Page13
Citizen8 Advice St Albans Dlstrlct Report of the Trustees - contlnued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ObJe¢tivos and aim5 The charity is constituted a company Ilmitgtl by guarantse. and 1$ therefore governed tyy artlcles of association. The charity's object and rts prlncipal actlvity is lo promote any charitable purpose for the public benefft by the advanMent of edy¢ation, Ihe proledi¢n and preseNation of he8Hh and the relief of poverty, sjokne88 and dlstr85$ in particular, bul without limttation, for the benefft of the community in the St Albans Distrlct and surround]ng areas. Annually we agree a 3-year business plaft recognisina external and internal factor6 impading our obillty to meet these overriding objectlV88. After several yeaws of changing our dellvery model lo Glients we are ¢ommltted to contlnuing to delivor face to fare alongside other rn8thod8. This Ss popular with staff and volunteerswhllst being essential for more vulnerable cliants. With that in mind we are a¢tively seeking partnership relationships which enable more outreach opportunities. We are also evolving our volunteer model extending opportunitles into all aaS of the operation, The anonymlsed data we hold can provido valuoble inslghts to local leadership end we int¢nd to ensure we usp this consliuctively and wtth foGus, to inform and build relatlonships. The chaiity is organised so that the trustees meet regulariy to provldp effèctive governance, oversight and support in rglation to the organi88tion'8 affairs. The Chiof Exe¢utive manages the day4aY oporatr>nS of the charlty. We are extremely grateful to the staff and its many volunteers for thelr ¢ontrlbuti¢n to the working of Ihe charty. Voluntsers In addition to our volunteer trustee board we have 82 volunteers who continue to giv@ their timo g8noTow&Iy and work bDlh from home andlor in the office In a hybrid seNlce dellvery model. The value of volunteer time donated this year has be8n rnlculated as £1,080,662. The comprehensive, competence-l)ased training represent$ o heavy Investment ¢f both the orggnisatlgn'B rg8ourc85 gnd Ihe volunteers, time and energies. After Initlal training in thegry. volunteers gain in knowledge end experience whilsl they are serving clients, supported and SVPEryised closely, untll achieving theli rtIfICate of competenc6. They are supported via reQular Individual reviews and in their conllnulng professional development thereafi&r. We are pleased thal we have again been able to suGcpssfully rpcrullmont g new Gohort of volunleers (11) to the class of'25 who stsrted thelr training in January. two have already completed their reception Irsining, with the remainder progresslng w811 through &sse$sor tralning. The class of '24 now work from th8 Task List as well as on Advloelirp, with some hopln9 to prpgress lo adyitsor training. staff The charity's 24 staff perfomi a vital role in managing and supporting the charity effeGtively. We are pleased that our gfaduale sGheme$ have resulted in one joining the t@8m after their plaGem&nt and hvo continuing as volunleer$ beyond their pl8Goment. For staff, volunteers and trustees we ¢ontinuÈ lo promote and develop our organi8atlonal values that were developed through workshops and consuttation, In conSunction wilh Hertfordshire Healthy Workplace {HHW) we contliiue to support the health and wellbeing of our teams. This year we introduced a newsletter"CASTAD Connects. lo k¢ep ev8ryone informed about Ihe team. our projeGI work and future 8o¢ial events and logether days. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charltable activitle The truslaes consider that the p8rformanc8 of the charity this yèar has been strong. We started the year wlth 8 Concern that securing new grant funding could be partlcularty challenglng, 80 we were particularty focus$ed on matching our expenditure to anticipated income, without impactlng on Ihe $erviGps w8 offeyed lo the district. Despite reduced income we recorded an exces5 of income over expenditure of £9,710 (2024 - £10,812), D¢mand for CASTAD'F gdvjGe servic8¥ Gonlinyes to be high and we have deali with 9,473 ¢lients P&B¢I4
Citlzen8 Advice St Albans Distrlct Report of the Trustso9 - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Charltable actlvitles (continued) P024-10,53T) coverlng 21,036 different Issu8s (2024- 23.246). We provide face-tr*face servlce wlth dients durfng Hub openlng hours alongsldé offefing multlpl8 channels for cllent8 to accttS8 help remotely; l¢xal phone appointments,. emails. Advicellne, a collaborative verrture between all H8rts Cit A., and self-help, through the publicly availabl8 websites at www Izens vlce. wlth extensive d8talls of local support oft www.citizensadvicestalbans.o . These muttiple channels asslst us trj serv8 a divers8 group of diefjls rartging wldely in age, ethnlcity and disability as w6 strlve to help all communities. We have successfully add8d lo our outreach into ¢ommunities. Supported by the Trussell Trust we attend 8 of their foodbank locations in the disttict. Also, we provlde outreath within London Coln8y funded by a grant from SACDC. as well as at the Harpgnden Trust Wellbean café, funded by the Tru81. Cttlzens Advlc£ conductè(J research Into fhe impact of advlee Ljslng New Economy, an HM Treasury approved flnancial mod811ing tool. to pla 8 value on Ihe impact of our work. (The Value of the Citizgns Advlce SenAc8.' Our Impact 2014/15 and Modelling the Value of the Citizens Advice Service feGhnlGal Annexe (2014). Available at- w .neweconom an¢ est .com ). This analysis has shown that for every £1 Invested in St Albans Citizens Advi¢e in 2024r2025 we genete £5.74 in f6scal benefits (sovings to government e.g., reducing pressur6 on public servi¢e¥)," £38.14 in wlder publ1¢ benefits {e.g., the improv8d participation and productlvily of those w8 help) and £21.96 In flnandal benefits to 1nd1vUaIS (a.g., debts written off, CDnsumer problems resolved, w8lfam b8nefi18 claimed). Th8 service is grateful for811 of the grants and donations tt recewl. Among others, we had continued support from SACDC, Harpenden Town Councll, Hertfordshlre County Councll, St Albans Dlocese. Wheathampslead and Redbourn Parish Councils, CitA (for Energy Advice. end Reglonal Energy Lead), Hertfordshire Communlty Foundation and Harp8nden Tru$l. CASTAD would not functlon wtthoth Ihe huge amount of time al effort given by many indlvkluals. We woukl Ilk8 to publlcly thank them for thelr valuable contsfjbution. FundraEsing a¢tiviti8s Fundraising a¢tivilies on our beh81f decreased to £1,692 {2024 - £8,382 when we were the beneficiary of a Christmas fundraiser run by Dalsy Cooper, MP for St Albans). The trustees recognlse the importance that ndraising brlngs to the organiSati as a means not only of finandal gain but of awareness of CASTAD'S ch8ritgble status. We have a wort(Ing party researchlng the most effective way of maximising Income from such activities, focusing on raising awarene63 of the fact that wè are a local charity and in need of funds. FINANCIAL REVIEW The chanty'$ Income for core and project 8er¥lc8s decreased to £512,556 from £608,040 in 2024. Tha Irustees are very appreclative that SACDC Gonts'nued Iheir fmancial support, Wtth the CO grant and the money advlce project funding, Addllionally, during the year, we 8uc¢es8fully applled for project funding forThe Healthy Hub., Outreach in London Colney, Advice in Refuge, and the renewal of the Homelessness Preventn Casewothers. HCC funded projects related to Crisis during the year and provided addilional grants to he Glients In particular need as a result of the increased demand. We are also grateful to local county councillors for their support from Locality Budgets. CitA have fa¢llitat@d grant fijnding for three Energy projects. We ara happy to hav8 developed mutually benefiGial relationships with other funders. Particularty with Hertft)rdshire Community Foundation, through whorn w8 were granted; a 2 year grant of £150,000 from Graham Rowlandson Foundation for Disabillty Benefi18 Advice, wEtich we deliver in partner8hip with fwe other Hetlfordshire Cib'zen Advl¢e 8eNices' A pllot grant for Core Servlcas., Employment adv1 and Money Page15
Citlzens Advice St Albans D15trlct Report of the Trustees - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 Financlal Review {continuedl Education in Schools. We al$0 have deliv¢red th¢ third year in a mutually beneficial prolect with the Tru$sell Trust providing advice to their cllents at their foodbanks in the distrlct. Oth&r funders include Awards for All Isupervlsion for new assessors),. Access to Justlce (Pro bono law cllnlc),, Ea$1 of England Local Govommenl Associalion (Hong Kong Brilish Nationals); St Albans Qld Peoples Trust (pension er6dit awareness)., th8 Harpenden Twst and Ag? UK. We recognlse there 1$ a level of uncertainly around fulure funding, In¢luding 8hort-term funding, real term dedines In the v91ue of grants, local authority funding pre$$ures and a shfft towards unitary authorlties. Wp continue to focus on our long-temi sustainability both by reduclng our cost base and dlversifylng our income strpams. Some of the initiatives Include,. revlsing our attitude to grant applicallon, applying to a wider range of funder8,' continulng to build relations with existing and potential grant providers,. seeking gr8nts that extend beyond a y8ar. Our peoplg are our biggesl asset $0 wfj need to pnsure wp re(xuit, retain gnd devplop our teams, focusing on diversifylng recrultment and off&ring ongoing training and d6velopment opportunities. RESERVES POLICY As the naknre and divet3ity of our funding evolved the trustÈes have raviewed the res8Nes policy and continue to believo that we should aim to have reserves the equivalént lo Iwenly weeks expendrture in unrestrf¢ted funds (38%), Trustees believe that this accurately r¢flects the elapsed time from application for funding io reGeipt of fundiiig as our relian on securing l)rger nurnbers of smaller veluo inGome streams has increased. Al 31 March 2025 reserves represented 39V.12024- 34Vo) of anticipated expenditure for the following yèar. Al the year erKI, unrostricled reseJv@s ros6 to £196,56712024- £188,619), slightly above our policy. We hav8 unrestricted cash at the end of th8 year of £244.039 equlvalent 48 /0 (2024 - 42Yo) of anli¢ipated expenditure. The diffgrence betwepn Ihgsg bwo positio 18 our 5ong-term liabilily to fund our pension deficit. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS Our k8y prlority tEmalns Ihe provision of advlce to the citizens of, or connected to, St Aibans Dlstrlct. We continue to monitor the ¢hallenges facing dlerrts, partiwlarly with refrrence to the cost of living and how we can best serve Ihelr need$. Our five PTioritiDs for the coming y8ar aimed al achleving that are.. strengthening our financlal sustainabllity,, ensuiing wo have a stron9 and sustginable loaim. improving our partnership, mmunIty capa¢fiy and external communlcations., maltitaining and developing our IT and office inf¥astructure' and maintsining performanGe in areas whére we alr¢ady do well. Pag¢16
Citizens Advice St Albans District Report of the Trustses - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also the rfiredors of Sl Albans Dislrid Citizens AdVe Bureau Limited for the purposes of company law) are responble for preparing the Report of the Trust$ and the financial statements in accordan with applicable law and Untied lQngdom GerErally Accepted Accounting Practice. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under Company Law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they ate satisfied Ihal they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resour$ and application of resources, including the income and expendilure. of the tharÉtable company forthat period. In syeparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accourrting poli(ies and then apply them consistently, obseNe the methods and princTrples in the Chanty SORP12019 FRS 102): make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. stale whether applicable accounting slandards have been followed, subject to any material departure disdosed and explained in the finanual statements., and. prepare the financial statements on the going conrn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the tharitable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitsble company and to enable them lo ensure that the financial slatements comply with the Companies Act 201A. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Followng the Board's decision to take advantage of the audit exemptions made available to Ihem in the Chaiities and Company Acts and to elect for an independent examination of the accounts rather than a full audit, the trustee board appointed Mer & Hole LLP to ad as Independent Examiners. They were re- aprK)inted as Independent Examiners at the last Annual General meeb.ng and will be proposed for re- appointment again at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: C0hi644A A Campbell Director and Chair of the Board of Trustees 2025 Page17
Citizens Advicè St Albans Dlstrlct Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of St Albans Dlstrict Cltizens Advice Bureau Llmlted I report to the charity trustees on rny examination of Ihe accounts of the company for the year @nded 31 March 2025 whlch ar6 Set out on pages 1 to 21. Responglbllitieg and ba$iF of report As the charity twstees of the company (and also Its dlrectors for the purp08es of company law) you are respoiisible for the preparation of the accounts in a¢cordants wlth the requlrements of the Companles Act 2006 {'Ihe 2008 Act,). Having satlsfled myself that the accounts of the company are not required lo b8 audit8d under Part 18 of Ihe 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examinatlon. I report in respectof my examination of your companrf8 accounts as carried out under sedion 145 of Ihe Charities Act 2CSI 1 (the 2011 Act,). In carrying out my gxamlnation I have followed the Directions given by the Charfty Commisslon under $ectitsn 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Indeppndent examlner'$ statpment Slnce the compan5 gross income exceeded £250,000 your examlner must be a member of a body listed In section 145 of th8 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualrfRd lo undertake Ihe examlnatlon becau8p l arn a member of the Institute of Chartgred Afjwuntents of Englpnd gr7d Wale8, whiGh is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examinatlon. I confim) thal no matters have come to my attenOn in connection wiiti the examination giving me cause to believe that in any materlal respect.. awounting records were not kopt in respect of tho company as required by sedion 386 of the 2006 Act" or th6 accounts do not accord wlth those records. or 3. Ihe a¢Gounts do not ctsmply with the accounting requirements of seclion 396 of the 20Cé Acl olher than any requirement Ihat the a¢ry)unts glve a 'true 8nd fair Vie whidi Is not 8 matter ¢onsidered as parf of ali indèpendent examinats'on-, or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with th8 methods and pn'nciples of the Slatement of ReMMended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applic8ble to charities preparing their a¢counls in aGcordgnp with the FingnGig1 Reporting Standard opp11ble in Iho UK and Republi¢ of Ireland {FRS 102), I have no conc&ms and have come across no other matters in conneclion with the examination to whi¢h attention should be drawn in th1$ report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed- steve Inson FCA Mercer & Hole LLP Glou¢est8r House 72 London Road st. Albans AL11NS Date so Zo Page18
Cltlzens Advice St Albans DI8triGt ststement of Financlal Actlvltles (Including Income and expenditure account) for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 Total Fund8 2024 Total Fund8 Unr68trlcted Fund$ Rostrlctad Funds Note INCOME Income from charitable activitie8- grants DonatSons and L8gacies Income from other activiti88- fundralsing Investment income 355,127 6,340 1,692 7,273 157,429 512,558 6,340 1,692 7,273 608,040 10,739 8,382 5,475 Total Income 370,432 157,429 527,861 632,636 EXPENDITURE Expendlture on charltable activiti88 367,950 150,201 518,151 621,824 Total Expendlture 367,950 150,201 518,151 621,824 NEf INCOME FOR THE YEAR 2N82 7,228 9,710 10,812 Fund$ Transfer 17 (5,466) NEf INCOME AND MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 7,948 1,762 9,710 10,812 RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS Total fund$ brought forwar(I 188,619 5,318 193,935 183,123 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 196,567 7,078 203,645 I9335 The statement of flnancial a¢Hvities indudes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All Income and expenditure dofive from contlnulng adhhtles. Separate funds spltt for th8 comparative are shown in note 18. Page19
Citizens Advice St Albans District Balance Sheet At 31 March 2025 2025 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds Unrestricted Restrtcted Funds Funds CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 13 39.304 39.304 263,558 40,868 253,602 283,343 19,519 302,862 294,470 CREDITORS Amounts falling due wthin one year 14 (52.776) (12.441) (65.21 n (60.535) NEf CURRENT ASSETS 230.567 7.078 237.645 233,935 PENSION LIABILITY 15 (34.OCK)) (34,(X> (40.CK)O) NET ASSETS 196.567 7,078 203,645 193.935 FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unreslricled Funds- General Unrestricled Funds- Designated 17 1.567 196,567 188,619 Unrestricted Funds- Total 1.567 196,567 188,619 Restricted funds 7,078 7.078 5.316 TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 196.567 7.078 203,645 193,935 For the finanaal year ending on 31 March 2025 the company was entttled lo exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of ils financial stalemenls for the year in question in accordance wtlh section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilty for (mpln9 wrth requirernents of the Act with respect to accounting rerdS and for the preparation of finanaal statements. These finanaal statements have been prepared in aCrdance vrith the provisions applicable to companies subject lo the small companies, regime and in accordan wrth the Financial Reporting Slandard (FRS 1021. The financial staternents were approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 1£025 and were signed on its behalf by. C_. G A Campbell- Director and Chair ofthe Board of Trustees Company number.. 2969165 (England and Wales) Page | 10
citizens Advl¢e St Alban8 DistriGt statement of Cash Flows At 31 March 2025 Note 2026 2024 Total Fund$ Total Funds CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTivrriES Net In¢omo 9,710 10,812 Adjustments for Interest from Bank Deposlts Decr6ase Illnc¥ease) In recelvablps (Decrpasè) IlntrÈase In payables (7,612) 1,664 4,682 (3.838) (19,499) (22.225) 12 14 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 8,344 (34750) CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Interest from Bank Deposlts 7,612 3,838 CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 7,612 3,838 CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payment to redu¢e penslon defidt 15 (8,000) (6,000) CASH FLOW FROWI FINANCING ACTIVITIES (6,000) 16,000) NET (DECREASE) IINCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equlvalents at 1 April 9,956 {36,912) 253,802 290,514 Gash and rash equivalents at 31 March 13 263,558 253,602 The accompanylng a¢countlng pollcles and notes form an Intègral part of thÈsÉ financlal gtat8m6nt8. Pagel 11
Clllzens Advice St Albans District Notes to the Flnanclal Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Baso of preparation note The finandal statements have bepn propaTed in a¢¢ordance wilh Accounting and Reporting by Charilies: Statement of Rocommended Practice 8pplicable to charities preparlng their acwunts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1 Q2) {i8sued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 10211. and the requir6ment8 of the Compgnies Act 2006. The flnandal statements have been rounded to the nearest £, Cltlzens Advice St Albans District meets the definition of 8 publ1¢ benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and118biliti6s are inrtially r8GOgnised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise slated In the relovont acwunting pplicy nolp(8) Golng Con¢ern At Ihe time of approving the financial ststemenls, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources lo continue in operational exlstence for the foreseeable future. Thus, th8 tru$tP8s continue to adopt Ihe going concern basis pf 8ccountlng In preparing Ihe financial 5talements. The charity continues to operats in an environtnent of uncertainty associated with the rurrent economic climate. The trustees and management are continuously monitoring the situation and are confident that they have Ihe resources lo deal wllh the changing ¢ir¢umstances forth8 fore8e8able future. Income All income is included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is leg81ty entitled to the income and the amoun can be quanllfied with reasonable accuraoy. Grants and Donation8 All income is r8cognised once the charity has 8ntitlernent to the incom8, il is pmbable that the income will be received and the amount of th8 income reG8ivable can be measured rEliably. Grants and D¢nation$ 4re regnISed whgn the TnJ8t has be8n notifie¢ in wrttlng both of the amount and $ettlpm&nt date. In the event that a grant or donatlon is subject to conditions thal require a levèI of p&rforman¢e before the charity is entitled to the funds, the Income is defeed and not recognlsed untll either thoso conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions Is wholly Trmthin the control of the charyty and 11 18 Ptvbatyle that those cor7dition8 will be fulfi118d in th8 reportlng period. Legacy gift8 are recognlsed on a case by case basi6 following the granting of probat@ when the administratorlexeculor for the estate has communicated in writing both Ihe amount and settlement date. In the ev6nl that the gift is in the form of an asset other than c8sh or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognilion 1$ suble¢t to Ihe value of the gift being reliably measurable with 8 degreo of reasonable accuracy and the tille to the asset having been transferred to Ihe Charity. ITrttt receivable Interesl on fvnds held on deposlt Is included when receivable gnd the amount bè measured rgliably by the charity- this is nomially upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank. Expendlture Expenditur& 55 acwuntpd for on an a¢w&l$ basis and has tyoen cl¥ssifle¢ und8r headings that aggregate all cost related to the ¢ategory. Wher8 Costs Cannol be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to actlvities on a basls consistent with thè use of resources. Allo¢atlon and apportionmgnt of wsts Costs are allocaled to the fund to which they r8late. Where the costs relate lo one or mor6 fund they have been apportion8d on the basis lo best reflect the fund$ conc¢rnerl, Pag¢ | 12
citlzens Adviee St Albans Dlstrlot Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES {contlnuedl Opèratlng Leases The charily dassifies the lease of printlng equipmertt as operating lea88S' the titl8 to the equlpment remains with the lessor and Ihe equipm8nt Is replaced every 5 years whilst the economlc Ilfe of suGh equipment18 normally 10 years. Rental charges are charged on a stralght Ilne basls over the tarm of the Itase. Taxation The charliy is exempt from corporatlon tax on its charitable 8Ctivitie5. Fund ac¢ountlng Unrestricted funds can b8 used in accordance with the tharitsbl8 objectives at (he lscretIon of the trust8e8. R68tricted funds ¢an only be used for particular restricted purpose6 wlthln thg objects of Ihe charity. Restrfctions ari8e when spedfied by Ihe donor or when funds are Taised for particular restricied purposes. Further explanatlon of the nature and purpose of each fund 18 induded in the notes to the flnancial statsments. Pen81on c08ts and other post4etlr8menf benefits The charity C8gS8d to particlpate In a group dafined ben8fits p8n8ion scheme providing banefits based on final penslonable pay on the retirement of the last m8mber during Ihe year to 31 March 2012. Th& asset8 of thal scheme ar8 held separately from those of the charily. Full provision for penslon deficit liabilty on a cessation basis has been provided for and payTnents made to the scheme are used to reduce Ihat li8blllly. The ¢harity op8rates a Group Prfvete Penslon Plan. Contribullons are charged In the year in whlch they are pay8ble. Irrètoverabie VAT ExpendÉtur8 16 shown In the Flnancaal Statements inclusive of the assoclated VAT. Cash Cash al bank and in hand tncludes cash and short-tem Ilquld Investments or deposits wrth a short maturity o* typically between three Io six months. Debtors Trada and other debtors are recognised at the setllement amount due affer any trade discount offered, Prepayments ara valued at the amounl prepaid after taking account of any trad8 dt8coun18 due. Creditors and provisions Creditors and prO$10n5 are recognlsed where the company has a presenl obligation resulllng from a past event that will probably result in thg Iransfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle th@ obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provision8 are normally recognis al thelr settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. Finan¢lal Instruments The charity onty has flnancial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qU81ify as ba81¢ fInancl Instruments. Basie financlal instruments are inillally recognl£ed at transaction value and subsequenlly measured al their settlement value, Page | 13
citlzens Advlce St Albans D15tr1ct Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 LEGAL STATUS OF THE COMPANY The charity Is a company IlmlEed by guarantee and has no share capltal. In the event of the charlty bèing wound up, the liabllity in respoGt of the guarantee is limited to £1 p8r member of the Gharily. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - GRANTS 2025 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds Unrestricted Funds Re81ri¢ted Funds Grants Other receipt8- closure of Hertford8hir& LCA 351.715 3,412 157,429 509,144 3,412 608,040 355,127 157,429 512,556 608,040 Grant incoma in the current y88r includes £58,5W- £50,000 re1vd on behalf of others with respect to the Graham Rowlandson Disabillty Project and £8.500 rec&ived on behalf of iwo other LCAS with respect to the CitA CSDF Innovation grant (2024 £75,5Qh), £50,000 other LCAS from Graham Rowlandson and £25,500 with respectto the CitA GSDF Innovation grant), This anis)unt has also been induded in charitable expenditure. DONATION3 AND LEGACIES 2025 2024 Donatlons 8,340 10,739 Inciuded in donations Is £1,215 from Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Albans,- £400 8ach from Arnold Clart( Automobiles and Rotary Club St Albans,- £250 @acn from Morgan Slnd811 Property Services and The National Farmers Unlon Mutual broke and generous private donations, {2024- £1,WO from Cath6dral & Abtygy Church of St Albans, a leg4cy of £5,000 and generous private dpnafjons). INCOME FROM OTHER ACTIVITIES 2025 2Q24 Fundraising 1,692 8,382 This mostly rolates to cllent resldual baFanc89 from Taylor Wglton LLP,12024- Daisy Cooper MP for Sl AlbanF who supported us wilh a Christmas fundraisor). Page | 14
Cltlzens Advl¢g St Albans Dlstrlct Notes to the Flnancial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 INVESTMENT INCOME 2025 2024 U K Bank interest recelvable 7,273 5,475 Interest Réceivablg consi8t8 of £7,612 cash rac8iV8d and a decrease of £339 in interest r8C8lvab18 12024- £3,838 cash reived and an inryease of £1,637 in intsrest receivab18). PENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2025 T¢)tal Funds 2024 Total Funds Unrestricled Funds Restrlcled Funds Man8gem8nt Flnan Govemance costs 365,417 149,939 515,356 618.344 60 3,420 2,472 262 2,734 367,950 150,201 518,151 621,824 NEf INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE} FOR THE YEAR This is stated afier chargingllcreditlng)- 2025 2024 Independent Examination fee Operallng Lease charges- equlpment 2,700 603 3,420 400 TRUSTEES. REP41UNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no Iruslees, remuneration or othbr ben8fits for the yèsr ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024. Trustee$. Expenses Two Trustees, Claimed expen8es totalllng £138 for the year ended 31 March 2025 (2024 £0). Page | 15
Citizens Advice St Albans Di8trlct Notes to the Flnanclal Statements . continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 10, STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 we$ and salaries Social s8curity ¢osts Pension costs 382,394 19,122 18,330 430,924 21,939 419,846 474,241 The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows.. 2025 2024 Administration (full time equivalent) 13 14 Atthe end of the firwicial year we had 24 employee5, 3 full time and 21 part tlme (2024- 27, 3 fijll time, 24 part tlme) No employees had emolumenl$ in exGes$ of £fjO,QQO (2024.. ni51. The key management per50nnel of CASTAD, comprl8e the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. Th8 totsl employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £50,996 (2024 £53.238), Tru$lee$ received no remuneration (2024- nil), PENSION COSTS CASTAD op@rates a Group Personal Pen8ion Plan and it had seventeen active members, al the year ended 31 MarGh 2025 (2024 eighteen). Ocogsionally we 8l$o contribute to the privale pension schemes of gur interim project worketE. Thè 8ss0¢iated pension charge forthe yearwas £18.330 (2024 - £21,378). In Addrtion lo the pensign ¢harge above is £6,000 (2024 - £6,000) paid into Hertfordshire County Council Pension Schem& to reduce the fund deficit in that scheme atttibtrtable to CASTAD members. The Hertfordshire County Council Pension Scheme is a multi-employer defined benefTt Scheme CASTAD no longer ha$ any employees who are ¢ontribuling members to the Scheme, but has three pensioners in Ihe scheme. In 2017 the actuary of Ihe Hertford8hire County Council Pension Scheme completed a triennial valuat40n of the Scheme as of 31 March 2016. The valuation Showed that CASTAD'S deficit was £71,000 on a cessatlon basis, with a funding level of 71¢/o at 31 March 2016. An agreement is in place betwpen the trustees and the Hertfordshlre County Council Pension Scheme that an annual defiGtt Gonlribulion would be pald down at a ral8 of £8,000 annually. The defiGIt now stands at £34,OCQ (2024- £40,000). PAg¢ | 16
Citlzens Advice St Albans Dlstrlct Notes to the Flnancial Statements - continuod for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 12. DEBTORS: AMOUNT8 FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Other Debtors 39,304 39,304 40,868 13. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND 2025 Total Funds 2024 Total Fund8 Unrestricted Fund8 Restricted Funds CAF Bank Cambridge Building Society United Trust Bank Petty Cash 105,885 50,534 87,426 194 1919 125,404 50,534 87,426 194 168,557 85.000 244,039 19,519 263.558 253,602 14. CREDITORS. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 Total Funds 2024 Totsl Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Creditors A¢cruals Deferred Income 10.838 20,477 10,838 20,477 21,067 32,782 52,776 12,441 65217 60,535 Pagel 17
Citizens Advice St Albans District Notes to the Flnanclal Statements . continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 15. PENSION LIA8IUTY 2025 Total Funds 2024 Tot81 Funds Unreslricted Funds R6Stricted Funds Pension Defl¢il 34,000 40.000 34,000 34.000 40,QOO The Pension Li8bility relates to Hertlord$hire County Coun¢il Pension Scheme which is a mulli- èmployer defined benefit schsme. CASTAD has three pensioners in the scheme but no longer h8s any employees who are Gontributlng members to the Schemo. In 2017 the actuary of th6 Hertfordshlre Counly Counuil Pension Scheme completed a Iriennial valuation of the Scheme as ¢f 31 March 2016, The valuation showed thal CASTAD'S deflctt was £71.000 on a Cessation b8sls, wlth a funding level of 71¢/0 at 31 March 2016. The defldt now stands at £34,000 (2024- £40,000) as a result of paymonts made in th@ InteNening Yea to HCG Pension Scheme. 16. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS LESSEE At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitmgnts for Ihg future mlnimum lease payments under non-canlIable op8rating18ase8, which fall due as follows,. 2025, 2024 Wthin one year Between two and five years 681 2,254 133 2,935 133 Pag¢l 18
Clfjzens Advlce St Albans Dlstrict Notes to the Flnanclal Statements - contlnued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement At 31.03.25 In funds At 01.04.24 Unrostrlcted Fund8 General Fund 188,619 7,948 196,567 Total Unrestricted Funds 188.619 7,948 196,567 Re8trlcted Fund8 SACDC- Homele$sness Prevention Caseworkers HCF- Rowlandson (Disability Benefits Advke> HCF- Harpenden Building Soci8ty (Money in Schools) HCF- Employment HCF- Supportfor Ukrainians Access lo Justlca 2,474 316 (805) 4,079 SW 329 (2,Q30) (311) 1,669 4,395 500 82$ 496 2,030 (3111 Restrlcted Fund8 3,316 1,762 TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 193,935 9,710 203,645 Net movement In funds, includ1 in the abov8 are as follows: 2025 Income 2025 Expendilure 2025 Transfers 2025 Npt Movement In funds Unrestricted Funds G8neral Fund 370,432 {367,950) 5,466 7.948 Total Unre8trlcted Funds 370,432 (367,9501 5,466 7,948 RestriGted Funds SACDC- Homelessness Pr8vention caaewo¢kers HCF- Rowlandson (Disability Benefits Advlce) HCF- Harpendon Bulldlng Society (Mon8y in Schools) HCF- Employment HCF- Support for Ukrainians Access to Justice Hong Kong Brili8h Nationals 55,0fj1 80,OQD 4,719 {53,393) (75,605) (4,219) {2,47• (316) (805) 4,079 500 7,501 (6,676) (4*) (2,030) 329 (2,03D) (311) 9,997 151 (10,308) (151) Total Restrf¢ted Funds 157,429 1150,201) {0,4661 1,762 TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 527,861 (518,151 9,710 The Restricted Funds deta118d above ara grants r8c8iv6d under 8pecifi& restrictive terms which may require repayment rf the grant is not spent or S8le targets are not met. HCF Employment grant and Access to Justi Span the fiscal years 24125, 25128. All other projects were compl8t6d within this fisc81 year or before. P&ge | 19
Citlzens Advlce St Albans Dlstrlct Notes to the Financial Statements - contlnued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 q8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- COMPARATIVE FUNDS Net movem8nt Al 31.03.24 in funds At 01.04.23 Unrestricted Fund8 General Fund 17,275 188,819 Total Unre8tricted Funds R8Ftrlcted Funds BEIS Cil A- MAPS Trainee SAGDC- Homelessness Pravention Caseworkery6 HCF- Rowlandson (Disabillty Bengftts A¢tvice) HCF - workfor Development HCF- Employment HCF - Support for Ukrainians HGF- PG&C (Saams) 171,344 17,275 188,619 5,127 6,648 759 20 {243) (5,127) (3,174) (4431 {201 739 2,030 (468} 2,474 31e 496 2,030 468 Restricted Funds 11,779 {6,463} 5,316 TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 183,123 10,812 193,935 Net movement in funds, incltKlpAI in the abowe are as follow8". 2D24 InGome 2Q24 Expandtturè 2024 Transfers Net Movement in funds Unrestricted Funds General Fund 442.904 (432,987) 7,358 17,275 Totsl Unrestrleted Funds 442,904 (432,987} 7,358 17,275 Restrlcted Funds BEIS Cit A- MAPS trainee SACDC- Homelessness Prevention Caseworkevs H¢F- Rowlan(tson (Oisability Benefits Advi¢el HCF - Workplac8 Dev8lopment HCF- Leadership Trainlng 14CF- Employment HCF- Support for Ukrainians BCF (Luton Airport) - Training HCF P&CC {Scam8) Communities Organlsations Cost of Livlng (5,127) {5,648) (5,127) (3,174) 55,081 (52,58n 77.156 (7G,840) {759) (20) (443) {20) 1,200 4,125 10,000 9,835 (1,200) (3,386) (7,970) (14,287> 739 2,030 4.452 (468) 212 {468) 32,355 (32,587) Ti)tal Restricted Funds 189,732 (188,83n (7,3581 (6,463) TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 632,636 1621,824) 10,812 Page | 20
Citizons Advlce St Albans Dlstrlct Notes to the Flnancial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - COMPARATIVE FUNDS (continued) The R8Strfcted Funds detalled above are grant8 received under specific, r8Stnctive temis which may require repaymént if the grant is not spent or servl¢e targets ar8 not met. HCF Employment grant span the fiscal years 22123. 23124. All other pro1 were completed wlthln thls fiscal year or befor&. 2024 Restiicted Total Fund8 Funds unstrIcted Funds Note INCOME Income fn)m charftable 8Ctiviti8s- grants Donations and legacies Inome from other trading actlvStles- fundralslng Investment income 418,308 10,739 8,382 5,475 189,732 608,040 10,739 8,382 5,475 Totsl Income 442,904 189,732 632,836 EXPENDITURE Expendlture on charltable actlvltle$ 432,987 188,837 621,824 Total expendlture 432,987 188,837 621,824 NEf INCOME FOR THE YEAR 9,917 895 10,812 Funds Transfer 7,358 (7,368) NET INCOME AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 17,275 (6,483) 10.812 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds broughtforward 171,344 11,779 183,123 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 188,619 5,316 193,935 19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS There were no related party transactlons, as defined by FRS 102, in the year (202¥ nll). There were payments made by CASTAD to the National Association of Citlzens Advlce Bureau (CItA} and funding was se¢ured from CStA, St Albans Clty and Distrlct Council, Hertfonlshire County Coun¢ll and Local Parish Councils. None of th&se bodles appoint trustees to the board. 20. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES We recewed £1,489 frcm Taylor Walton LLP which wa$ from thelr cllent resldual balances, so hence could be reclaimed in th8 future (2024- £01. Page | 21
cItiZons Advice St Alban8 Distrlct Detailed Statement of Flnancial Activitles for th& Year Ended 31 March 2D25 2025 2024 INCOl4lE Incom& from charltable actlvities Donations Grants 8,340 10,739 608,040 518.896 818,77S Income from other actlvities Fundraising events 1,692 8,382 Investment Income U K Bank interest re1vable Total Income 527.861 632,838 EXPENDITURE Expenditure on char4tBble activiti88 Govèrnance co$ts Indepenolent Examination fee other ¢ost8 2.700 3.420 2.734 3,420 Support costs Management Wages Social securily Pensions Life assuranc8 Telephone and Broadband (Incl. £1.8k old provlsion release) Postage, statSonery and CL)pying Sundries Ireduced staff and volunteer appreciation) Staff and volunteer expenses Recruitm8nt (video) Office equipment Infomiation services Payroll services Training (2024 incl. Personal safety Iraining) IT (2024 incl. £6k fvnded by COCOL for additional capacity) Insuranc9 382,394 19,122 18,330 3,035 6,971 2,623 511 5.907 430,924 21.939 21,378 2.600 0,468 6,552 5,082 11,897 1,200 1,783 6,771 2,292 5,859 12.148 628 8,700 2,217 3,728 2,$37 456,856 542,844 Partner Paymerrts 515,356 618,344 Flnance Bank charoes 61 Total expendlture 518,151 621.824 Net Income 10,812 Page | 22