OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau

2025-03-31-accounts

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau, trading as Citizens Advice North Somerset (A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Company number: 02906303 Charity Registered in England and Wales number: 1052967

Page 1

Contents
Trustees’ Report 3 - 27
Introduction and About Citizens Advice North
Somerset		 3
Who we are and What we do 10
Our Impact in 2024-25 14
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion 18
Research & Campaigns 19
Our structure, governance and management 20
Reference and Administrative details 22
Page 2 Page 2
Financial Reserves Policy & Financial Summary 23
Risk Management 24
Funding Sources 25
Future Plans 26
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 27
Financial Statements 28 - 48
Independent Auditor’s Report 28
Statement of Financial Activities 32
Balance Sheet 33
Statement of Cash Flows 34
Notes to the Financial Statements 35

A message from our Chair of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer

Our biggest challenge as a service has been to continue to respond to the chronic nature of cost of living issues, embedding preventative measures whilst supporting our clients through crisis and ensuring a proactive approach to the changes we are anticipate, both for our clients and for us as an organisation.

We have grappled with numerous complexities as part of this challenge, not least the navigation of a demanding funding landscape.

We have established a diverse funding base, our challenge is to sustain that whilst continuing to innovate, flexibly respond to client and community need and ensure that we are a cost effective business, utilising our resources for maximising impact for our clients and communities.

We have continued to invest in our paid and volunteer workforce to ensure they have the tools, training and support to fulfil their roles

Page 3

We continue to rely on our partners in the community to work together as a system, wrapping around clients and issues to respond to individual need and wider issues.

12,990 clients

49,169 advice issues

We have increased our consideration around the role technology has to play in our organisational development and how this may support service delivery models.

15 In-Person Locations

.

We have not lost sight of our role in tackling inequality and considering how we prioritise support for vulnerable and marginalised groups, ensuring fair access to advice and services, applying our Research, Campaigning and advocacy skills and enthusiasm to raise awareness of wider ranging concerns that affect us all.

We extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to all our volunteers and paid staff for their unwavering dedication in using their skills and knowledge for the benefit of local residents. What a tremendous difference they make in improving the life chances of so many people.

Thank you to our partners, funders, and the entire team for your incredible contributions and support. Together, we make a profound impact on the lives of North Somerset residents.

49 Volunteers

50 Paid Staff

£59.2 Public Value

£25m value to clients

15,132 volunteer hours

Farid Saada Amy Jones Chair of Trustees CEO

Page 4

Our Purpose:

To provide free, confidential, impartial and non-judgmental advice to help people overcome their problems.

To improve the policies and practices that affects people’s lives by becoming a voice for our clients and consumers on the issues that matter to them.

Our vision:

To improve the wellbeing and health of everyone living or working in North Somerset who needs our help and support, by providing accessible, effective and tailored information and advice that is free, independent, confidential and impartial.

ADVICE – CHANGING AND SAVING LIVES

Page 5

Strategic Business Plan 2024-2026

In designing our Strategic Business Plan, Trustees and Managers seek to maintain, build upon, and transform our high quality services. In doing this we have set ourselves 5 ambitions, to:

Page 6

Advice Strategy 2024-26

Access Community Needs

Enhance Accessibility

Ensure that advice services are accessible to everyone in the community

Improve Service Delivery

Enhancing the quality of advice provided is essential for effective service delivery

Increase Awareness and Outreach

Raise Awareness of the services offered and reach out underrepresented groups

Leverage Technology

Use technology to enhance service efficiency and effectiveness

Monitor and Evaluate

Continuous monitoring and evaluation help in adapting the strategy to meet evolving needs

Secure Funding and Resources

Cross reference with the Funding Strategy to ensure sustainable funding and resource allocation to maintain and expand services

Page 7

Standing up for Equality

At Citizens Advice North Somerset we believe that our common humanity makes us equal in worth, discrimination. dignity and rights. We value diversity , promote equality and challenge

ah Page 8

Our service is available to everyone living, working, or travelling through North Somerset, regardless of race or nationality, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or marital status. We want to make sure everyone has access to our services. We are constantly reviewing how we can improve what we do and how we do it, to reach all those people who need our help.

We will be a stronger champion for equality by:

Confidence in our Service

Our aim is to provide a quality service for everyone:

We are proud to be a member of Citizens Advice. Our membership sets out the detailed requirements all Citizens Advice local offices must meet in order to be part of the service. These include:

We will deliver this through:

We are proud of our Quality Marks that demonstrate we are organised, easily accessible, effectively managed and we employ staff with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of our clients.

ADVICE – CHANGING AND SAVING LIVES

Page 9

Page 8

Who we are and what we do

In 2024-25 CANS helped a total of 12,990 clients with 49,169 issues. Broadly we categorise our work into Generalist Advice, Specialist Debt Advice, Housing and Legal Aid, and Social Prescribing.

Generalist Advice Service (advice via telephone, email and in-person) is delivered by our team of Volunteer and paid Generalist Advisers, supported by a team of paid Advice Session Supervisors. They deal with the spectrum of advice issues including money advice, welfare rights, housing, family and relationships, fuel and utilities, charitable support.

In 2024-25 the Generalist Team helped 4,634 unique clients with over 20,653 issues.

CANS delivers In-reach Services which are dedicated services delivered by paid Advisers to service users of partner organisations.

Specialist Debt Advice, Housing and Legal Aid, and Social Prescribing are delivered through dedicated projects listed in the following pages.

15 locations: In-person advice services are available in

Page 10

Who we are and what we do

Dedicated Projects – we work in partnership with a number of local and national partners to deliver the following services:

Page 11

Who we are and what we do

Dedicated Projects – continued

Page 12

Who we are and what we do

Dedicated Projects – continued

• North Somerset Together Virtual Hub is a proof of concept collaboration between CANS, North Somerset Together, Curo Housing Association, Alliance Homes, North Somerset Wellbeing Collective, North Somerset Council, Woodspring Locality Partnership, One Weston Locality Partnership and Sirona with Citizens Advice North Somerset acting as lead agency. The service aims to provide a one-stop connector service for a wide range of community related support with an emphasis on loneliness and social isolation, and on the wider determinants of health, particularly low income, employment, learning, support, housing, financial management and domestic abuse. In 2024-25 we supported 668 local residents find a way forward.

• VCSE Locality Lead Partner (Woodspring) – this role is in partnership with BNSSG ICS, Sirona care and health, Voluntary Action North Somerset and the North Somerset Wellbeing Collective. The purpose of the role is to be an active member of and support the voices of the Woodspring community to be heard on the Integrated Locality Partnerships and the Integrated Care Board. We work closely with our VCFSE LLP partners in One Weston and across the BNSSG and we are members of the interim VCFSE Alliance.

Page 13

The Impact of Citizens Advice North Somerset – Advice Service

We create VALUE through everything we do and the way we do it. Through delivering advice to individuals who need it, we benefit them their communities and society at large. We also create benefits and impact through our campaigning and advocacy, which attempt to address the root causes of problems experienced by individuals and communities.

It’s impossible to put a financial value on everything we do – but where we can we have. We’ve used a Treasury approved model to do this. From our robust management information, we’ve also separately considered the financial benefits to the people we help, which is detailed on the previous pages of our annual report.

For every £1 invested in Citizens Advice North Somerset in 2024-25, we generated:

Fiscal value £2.55

Public value £19.46

People we help £18.71

Savings to local and national Government due to fewer payments for out-of-work benefits, costly evictions, re-housing evicted tenants and less demand on the NHS.

When people have fewer problems they have higher levels of wellbeing, participation in society and productivity.

Through helping clients achieve financial outcomes like getting back-dated benefits, writing-off debts and refunds for consumer issues.

£3,424,397 total value

£26,162,835 total value

£25,146,575 total value

Page 14

The Value of Volunteering ~~a~~ Research conducted by Sonnet Advisory & Impact and The Centre for Charity Effectiveness allows us to measure the value of activities and improved outcomes for our volunteers. In 2024-25 this totaled £478,149:

Value to our Value of time donated by volunteers - skills our volunteers development & £356,916 employability £27,186

Value to our volunteers - Health and wellbeing £94,047

Page 15

Client Experience – Advice Service ~~a~~ Advice clients are anonymously surveyed to learn more about their experiences of using our services. 8 in 10 people 8 in 10 people 7 in 10 people 9 in 10 people

Found it easy to access our service

Found our service helped them find a way forward

Felt their Would problem was recommend resolved after our service our help

Page 16

Some feedback from our clients…

“I am totally appreciative of support and advice given. Would have quite simply given up or taken a dive to a very bad self place.”

“Concise and informative with what was a complicated issue. Informed every step of the way in a way i could understand. Wouldn't hesitate to seek help again. I would not have been able to sort the problem without the help of citizens advice, as i had already tried!”

“The kindness, calmness and patience of the persons I spoke with and helped me with my issue, it really made a huge difference to my mental health. I would 100% recommend C.A. to everyone that struggle with solving their problems.”

“I honestly don't know if I could have got through the last 6 months without the support of the cab, the quality of my life has improved enormously thanks to the help and support I have received.”

Helping people today; stopping problems tomorrow. Whoever you are, whatever your problem

Page 17

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Together with National Citizens Advice, the charity believes that our common humanity makes us equal in worth, dignity and rights. The charity continues to implement the Citizens Advice Stand Up for Equality Strategy and work towards the National Citizens Advice Mission 2 “reducing the gap in access, experience and outcomes.”

In November 2024, our EDI campaigner was instrumental in organising an event with the Soroptimists, North Somerset Council and Next Link to mark United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.

Following the 2024 summer riots staff and volunteers were offered refresher training on how to support clients to report hate crimes. In October 2024 and February 2025 we hosted two ‘Advancing EDI’ sessions for staff, volunteers and trustees focusing on how to have courageous conversations.

The charity is an active participant in the following local events:

Page 18

Research & Campaigns (R&C)

Campaigning for change and advocacy are integral to the work carried out in the organisation. As a national and local service, we hold a huge amount of insight and data about the problems faced by our clients and their wider communities. We use this insight and data to do several things including to:

Over the last year the charity has been involved in:

Other notable activity in the year has been:

Our structure, governance and management North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau is Operating policies are independently

Operating policies are independently

determined by the Trustee Board of Citizens Advice North Somerset in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements.

a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee and operates under the name of Citizens Advice North Somerset. The Directors, who are also the Trustees for the purpose of charity law, present their report, together with the audited financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which have been prepared in accordance with the current statutory requirements, its governing documents and Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS 102- implemented 1 January 2019).

Constitution

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

CANS is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The maximum liability of each member is limited to £10. At 31 March 2025 the company had 20 members of whom 7 were Directors of the company. CANS is governed by its Articles of Association dated 3rd November 2022.

Related Parties :

CANS is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which monitors standards against a Performance Quality Framework (PQF) of key performance indicators as follows:

The registered name of the charity is North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau and from 6 November 2015 the charity has used the operating name of Citizens Advice North Somerset (CANS). The charity was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 9 March 1994. The charity commenced operations on

10 March 1994 at which date the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau were acquired.

Appointment of Members and Directors

The maximum number of Trustees shall be fifteen and the minimum shall be three. Trustees, who are also Directors of the organisation, are recruited based on their skill and knowledge and how they will contribute to the strategic direction of the charity. The Board of Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting (of which there are no more than ten) or are co-opted by the Trustee Board (of which there are no more than one third of the total number of Trustees). Following the Annual General Meeting the Trustee Board may elect from its number a Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer. The Reference and Administrative Details identifies the constituencies that elected each of the current Trustees. No other persons or bodies external to the charity are entitled to appoint persons to the Trustee Board.

Page 20

Our structure, governance and management

Newly appointed Trustees spend time in the offices observing interviews (with client’s permission), meeting staff (paid and volunteer) and observing current operational procedures in practice. In addition, they have a full briefing session with the Chair of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer which includes:

Guarantee

CANS does not have a share capital. Each member has guaranteed to contribute the sum of £10 in the event of the charity needing to close.

: Organisational Structure

The Trustee Board provides strategic direction and vision for Citizens Advice North Somerset. The board currently has 6 members, who are trustees under charitable law and Directors of the charitable company. There are 4 Board meetings each year, plus quarterly Governance & Strategy and Finance & Resource Committee meetings. In addition, Trustees hold working parties and additional workshops to shape the organisation’s strategic direction and develop as a team. The Chief Executive Officer, working with the senior management team, is responsible for delivering the strategy and day-to-day operations.

The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of CANS and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations within the requirements of the Articles of Association, Company and Charitable law. The Trustee Board is independent from management. A register of members' interests is maintained at the registered office and is available to the public.

Our senior management team is responsible for delivering the Trustee Board’s vision and for the day-to-day operation of Citizens Advice North Somerset.

Management Salaries:

Senior Management pay and remuneration, along with all staff salaries, are reviewed every two years. These have been reviewed in 2023/24 and set following a benchmarking exercise organised across the Citizens Advice local office network, using salary levels from comparable local offices.

Senior Management changes:

Fiona Cope, Chief Officer, left the employment of CANS on 31[st] July 2024, after leading the organisation for 9 years. Amy Jones, our new Chief Executive Officer Page 21 joined on 1[st] October 2024.

Reference and Administrative Details

Public benefit:

The Charity’s objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the public benefit by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress in particular, but without limitation, for the benefit of the community in North Somerset and surrounding areas.

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission of England and Wales.

Charity Details

Registered name North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau (trading as Citizens Advice North Somerset) Charity number 1052967 Company Number 02906303 Registered Office 39 Oxford Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1TN

Trustees (at the date of approval of the report)

Farid Saada Chair of Trustees Philippa Clark Vice Chair of Trustees John Reeve Trustee Peter Bray Trustee Jackie Smith Trustee Richard Penska Trustee

Senior Leadership Team (at the date of approval of the report)

Amy Jones Chief Executive Officer Holly Law Insights & Impact Manager Rhys Leece Finance & Resources Manager Sara Leeroth Advice Services Manager Sam Olliffe Advice Services Manager Wendy Fletcher Training Manager

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

Auditors Albert Goodman LLP, Goodwood House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, TA1 2PX

Directors (at the date of approval of the report)

Mr F Saada (Chair) Ms P Clark (Vice Chair) Mr J Reeve Mr P Bray Mrs J Smith Mr R Penska

Each Director is a member of North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau.

Page 22

Financial Reserves Policy and Financial Summary

Financial Reserves Policy

Financial Summary

CANS is required to ensure that free monies are available in each financial year to meet any reasonably foreseeable contingency. The charity maintains a projection of income for at least 3 years ahead and will ensure that this continues to be derived from as wide a variety of sources possible. As far as possible, we take steps to ensure that the cessation of one or more funding streams would not present so serious a challenge to the future of the charity as to jeopardise the delivery of services.

The Trustees believe that CANS should hold financial reserves in addition to Restricted Reserves and Designated Reserves in order to ensure that the charity can continue to operate and meet the needs of clients in the event of unforeseen and potentially financially damaging circumstances arising. These are referred to as Unrestricted Reserves.

CANS has consolidated it’s financial position following a number of years of significant growth.

Income for the year of £1.380m has risen from the previous year’s income of £1.230m, and in parallel expenditure has risen from £1.465m last year to £1.632m, as we have utilised restricted reserves and deferred income relating to this year’s projects.

This year we have seen a reduction in the overall reserves position as medium to long term funding for certain projects has come to an end and CANs : it has now decreased from £480,928 to £228,187. This balance remaining are unrestricted fund and can be further categorised:

The Trustees, following independent advice, consider that it would be prudent to set aside an amount equivalent to 3 – 4 months direct unrestricted costs (2025/26 this has created a range of £125k -£167k).

However, the Trustees recognise that not all unrestricted reserves (as identified in the financial statements) would be readily available in the case of a financial challenge and it may be desirable to hold a higher level of reserves than currently held particularly where CANS is faced with high levels of uncertainty.

Page 23

Risk Management

The Board of Trustees has in place a Risk Management Strategy and carry out an annual risk review which covers all areas of the organisation including financial and operational risks. The Trustees recognise that any major risks to which the charity is exposed need to be reviewed and systems put in place to mitigate those risks.

The most significant service delivery risk still relates to the demand for advice services through 2024/25 and beyond:

If client demand and complexity increases, then there will be detrimental impact on CANS clients and staff. This may lead to: staff working under increased stress, with less time to support complex cases; clients presenting in more desperate circumstances; reduction in services; and a potential failure to follow safeguarding procedures, presenting safety risks to staff and/or clients .

The impact of this risk for a staff welfare perspective has been minimised by: demand management procedures in place; a management focus on staff wellbeing and support; Staff Wellbeing group in place, promoting initiatives such as Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health awareness training for managers; and Employee Assistance Programmes in place.

The impact of this risk from a client welfare perspective has been minimised by: promotion of self-help, signposting and on-line channels in order to target f2f contact and telephony for the more complex and vulnerable customers; additional funding for services being sought, along with Client Crisis funding; robust safeguarding training, policies and reporting procedures in place.

The most significant resources risks in 2024/25 primarily relate to the organisational change carried out to respond to the reduction in funding and increased financial pressures in 2025/26.

This has presented material risks around:

The immediate financial risk has been mitigated through the establishment of a balanced budget for 2025/26, which has allowed time to develop a number of strategies to ensure that CANS is in a sustainable financial going forward.

The impact of the premises risk is being mitigated through the development of a Premises Strategy. The aim of the strategy to reduce down the number of main offices within Weston super Mare.

The impact of the risk in relation to Senior Management capacity is being managed through a number of strategic initiatives to determine a new operating model for the organisation.

Page 24

Funding Sources

The Trustees extend their continued gratitude to NSC, the Town Councils of Weston-super-Mare, Nailsea and Portishead and to the Parish Councils of Pill, Banwell and Winscombe who continue to support the operating capacity of the charity.

Additionally project-specific funding was received from:

The Trustees are also grateful for those funders who were able to provide clients with access to crisis funds:

Fundraising

CANS undertakes limited public fundraising, our approach is to allow donations by means of ensuring that we have donation boxes at our Advice locations and also when we hold networking or engagement events. Clients receiving advice are never asked for a donation for the assistance provided.

CANS voluntarily complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice, published by the Fundraising Regulator and developed by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) and the Public Fundraising Association (PFRA). We have received no complaints about our fundraising activities.

CANS always strives to protect our clients, as well as members of the general public from any unreasonable intrusion or unacceptable behaviour due to fundraising activities.

Page 25

Future Plans

Our Strategic Business Plan identifies the following key areas for our future focus :

Premises – providing safe, effective, accessible and welcoming spaces to our clients and workforce.

Services – prioritising our services to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our clients with relevant, high quality advice and support, embedding ways of working that are responsive and agile.

Governance & Compliance – ensuring accountability, transparency and trust, safeguarding our reputation and operations.

People – ongoing investment in our workforce to ensure a skilled and motivated team that can deliver compassionate and effective support.

Digital – embracing digital tools to improve service delivery and development, increase accessibility and enhance organisational development.

Financial sustainability – ensuring a strong financial foundation to enable us to continue to respond to emerging issues and continue to build on diverse funding sources.

Page 26

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Trustee Directors’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report (incorporating the directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Auditors

The auditors, Albert Goodman LLP, are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

By Order of the Board

F Saada - Chair

Date: 11 December 2025

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 27

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Independent Auditors' Report to the Trustees and Members For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (including an Income and Expenditure Account), Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustee’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Trustee Directors’ Report, other than the financial statements and our auditors’ report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 28

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Independent Auditors' Report to the Trustees and Members For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors' Report included within the Trustees’ Report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities set out on page 27, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 29

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Independent Auditors' Report to the Trustees and Members For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 30

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Independent Auditors' Report to the Trustees and Members For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

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

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members and trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

………………………………..

Michelle Ferris BSc (Hons) FCA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Albert Goodman LLP, Statutory Auditor Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton TA1 2PX

Date: 18 December 2025

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 31

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Statement of Financial Activities (including an Income and Expenditure account) For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
£
Income:
Donations and legacies
2
276,787
Investments
3
7,155
Charitable activities
4
186,688
Total income
470,630
Expenditure:
Charitable activities
5
491,154
Interest payable
4,567
Total expenditure
495,721
Net income / (expenditure)
for the year
(25,091)
Transfers between funds
16
(20,340)
Net movement in
funds for the year
(45,431)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
287,879
Total funds carried forward
242,448
Unre-
stricted		 Notes
£
Income:
Donations and legacies
2
276,787
Investments
3
7,155
Charitable activities
4
186,688
Total income
470,630
Expenditure:
Charitable activities
5
491,154
Interest payable
4,567
Total expenditure
495,721
Net income / (expenditure)
for the year
(25,091)
Transfers between funds
16
(20,340)
Net movement in
funds for the year
(45,431)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
287,879
Total funds carried forward
242,448
Unre-
stricted		 £
6,904
-
903,298
Re-stricted		 £
283,691
7,155
1,089,986
Total 2025		 £
221,488
9,742
150,820
Unre-
stricted		 £
£
5,500
226,988
-
9,742
842,880
993,700
848,380
1,230,430
944,883
1,460,663
-
4,935
944,883
1,465,598
(96,503)
(235,168)
43,807
-
(52,696)
(235,168)
245,115
715,466
192,419
480,298
Total 2024
Re-
stricted
910,202
1,137,222
-		 1,380,832
1,628,376
4,567		 382,050
515,780
4,935
1,137,222
(227,020)
20,340		 1,632,943
(252,111)
-		 520,715
(138,665)
(43,807)
(45,431)
287,879		 (206,680)
192,419		 (252,111)
480,298		 (182,472)
470,351
242,448 (14,261) 228,187 287,879

The results for the year derive from continuing activities and there are no gains or losses other than those shown above.

The statement of financial activities incorporates the income and expenditure account.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 32

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau - Company Registration Number: 02906303 Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2025

2025 2024
£ £
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 8 198,177 212,977
198,177 212,977
Current assets
Stock 11 6,300 15,392
Debtors 12 84,550 141,958
Cash at bank and in hand 247,590 420,896
338,440 578,246
Liabilities:
Creditors falling due within one year 13 (217,999) (212,372)
Net current assets 120,441 365,874
Creditors falling due in more than one year 14 (90,431) (98,553)
Total net assets 228,187 480,298
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds 16 (14,261) 192,419
Unrestricted funds 16 242,448 287,879
Total charity funds 228,187 480,298

The financial statements have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Approved by the Board of Directors for issue on 11 December 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

F Saada Chair

J Reeve Trustee

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 33

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Net movements in funds for the year
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation and amortisation
8
Finance income
3
Working capital adjustments
(Increase)/decrease in stock
11
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
12
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
13
Net cash flow from operations
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
3
Purchase of fixed assets
8
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long term loans
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period
Cash & Cash equivalents reconciliation:
Cash at bank
Total cash & cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period		 £
£
(252,111)
(235,168)
24,468
24,062
(7,155)
(9,742)
(234,798)
(220,848)
9,092
(11,059)
57,408
178,704
5,627
39,024
(162,671)
(14,179)
7,155
9,742
(9,668)
(24,320)
(2,513)
(14,578)
(8,122)
(7,754)
(8,122)
(7,754)
(173,306)
(36,511)
420,896
457,407
247,590
420,896
247,590
420,896
247,590
420,896
Total 2025
Total 2024

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 34

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting Policies

1.1 General information and basis of accounting

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act. Each member of the charity undertakes to contribute a maximum of £1 to the charity’s assets if it should be wound up while they are a member or within one year after they cease to be a member. The address of the registered office is given on page 1. The nature of the charity’s operations and its principal activities are set out in the Trustee Directors’ Report on pages 3 – 27.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)- (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

1.2

Income

Income from donations is recognised in the accounts when receivable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Income from grants is accounted for when unconditionally due and reasonable assurance can be gained that it will be received. Income from charitable activities is recognised when either unconditionally due or when the service is completed depending on the nature of funding. Where funds are received in advance, for a specified period, these funds are deferred and recognised in the period to which they relate.

Income from investments is recognised in the accounts when receivable.

1.3

Government grants

Government grants are recognised when unconditionally due and reasonable assurance can be gained that they will be received. Where funds are received in advance, for a specified period, these funds are deferred in creditors and then recognised in the period to which they relate. Where funds are due but not yet received, they are accrued in debtors in the current period.

1.4

Donated services

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the unpaid volunteer time is not recognised in the financial statements. Refer to the Trustee Directors’ Report for more information about their contribution.

Donated goods, facilities and services are recognised as income and an equal expense when the charity is entitled, it is probable and fair value can be measured reliably.

1.5

Expenditure

Resources expended are accounted for on the accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised in the accounting period to which they relate.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 35

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1.6 Fixed assets

Fixed assets are valued at cost or valuation less depreciation. Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their residual value, over their estimated useful lives at the following rates:

Furniture and Fittings – 3 years straight line Computer Equipment – 3 years straight line Land and buildings – 50 years straight line

Land and buildings are subject to the revaluation model with assets held at fair value less subsequent depreciation and impairment losses. Gains and losses on revaluation are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities. Where revaluation exceeds the original cost, the excess will be recognised in the revaluation reserve.

1.7 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due and prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. Debtors relating to accrued income are recognised when unconditionally due and reasonable assurance can be gained they will be received.

Where funds are due but have not yet been received, they are accrued in debtors and recognised in the period to which they relate.

1.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

1.9 Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount.

Where grants are received in advance, for a specified period, these funds are deferred and recognised in the period to which they relate.

1.10 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore not liable to corporation tax on its charitable activities to the extent that income and gains are applied to charitable purposes.

1.11 Pension contributions

For qualifying employees, they are auto enrolled into a defined contribution pension scheme, unless they have exercised their right to opt out of scheme membership, and the charity contributes into this scheme. Contributions are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

1.12 Allocation of costs

Costs incurred by projects include amounts of pre-determined overhead expenditure.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 36

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1.13 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the directors for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets this criterion is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

1.14 Operating leases

The charity has a number of equipment operating leases. The title to the leased equipment remains with the lessor. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred over the term of the lease. Lease incentives are recognised over the lease term on a straight line basis.

1.15 VAT

The charity is not VAT registered. All amounts are therefore shown gross of VAT where appropriate.

1.16 Financial instruments

The charity only holds basic financial instruments as defined in FRS 102. The financial assets and liabilities of the charity and their measurements are as follows:

Financial assets – trade and other debtors are basic financial instruments and are debt instruments measured at amortised cost. Prepayments are not financial instruments.

Cash at bank – is classified as a basic financial instrument and is measured at face value.

Financial liabilities – trade creditors, accruals, other creditors and bank loans are financial instruments, and are measured at amortised cost. Taxation and social security are not included in the financial instruments disclosure definition. Deferred income is not seemed to be a financial liability, as the cash settlement has already taken place and there is an obligation to deliver services rather than cash or another financial instrument.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 37

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2. Income from donations and legacies

----- Start of picture text -----
Unre- Re- Unre- Re-
stricted stricted 2025 stricted stricted 2024
funds funds Total funds funds Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donations and legacies
NSC - Core funding 156,016 5,000 161,016 120,984 5,000 125,984
Donations 4,636 - 4,636 3,327 500 3,827
- - - -
Legacies 9,412 9,412
Miscellaneous income 1,341 1,904 3,245 1,355 - 1,355
Income from town councils;
Weston town council 50,000 - 50,000 25,000 - 25,000
Clevedon town council 3,000 - 3,000 - - -
Portishead town council 26,523 - 26,523 25,750 - 25,750
Nailsea town council 20,042 - 20,042 19,458 - 19,458
Parish councils 15,229 - 15,229 16,202 - 16,202
276,787 6,904 283,691 221,488 5,500 226,988
----- End of picture text -----

*Denotes government grant

3. Investment income

Unre-
stricted
funds
£		 Re-
stricted
funds
£		 2025
Total
£		 Unre-
stricted
funds
£		 Re-
stricted
2024
funds
Total
£
£
Bank interest 7,155 - 7,155 9,742 -
9,742
-
9,742
7,155 - 7,155 9,742

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 38

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

4. Income from charitable activities

----- Start of picture text -----
Unre- Re- Unre- Re-
stricted stricted 2025 stricted stricted 2024
funds funds Total funds funds Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Legal Services
Commission - 40,871 40,871 - 22,292 22,292
Bristol Wessex Water - 26,650 26,650 - 22,750 22,750
MacMillan - 141,716 141,716 - 105,556 105,556
MAS - 100,548 100,548 - 106,944 106,944
Pier Health - 247,788 247,788 - 230,968 230,968
Sirona - 29,000 29,000 - 20,000 20,000
NSC - Housing Advice
Grant 28,802 - 28,802 28,802 - 28,802
- - - -
NSC Energy Debt 20,000 20,000
- -
NSC Vulnerable People 57,484 57,484 57,484 57,484
NSC Virtual Hub - - - - 50,000 50,000
- -
NSC Litigants in Person 42,872 42,872 42,872 42,872
Clevedon Foodbank 14,243 - 14,243 8,990 - 8,990
- -
#First Steps 28,898 28,898 28,898 28,898
Foodbank - Weston 26,071 - 26,071 26,883 - 26,883
- - - - - -
Talking Money
- -
Help to Claim 146,290 146,290 132,059 132,059
- -
Big Worle 7,437 7,437 6,398 6,398
The Access to
Justice Foundation - 98,664 98,664 - - -
WHAM - - - - 21,550 21,550
Citizens Advice - - - 2,263 54,999 57,262
Seetec 10,567 - 10,567 - - -
Centre for Sustainable
- - - -
Energy 34,610 34,610
Under £5k 7,474 1 7,475 - 3,992 3,992
186,688 903,298 1,089,986 150,820 842,880 993,700
----- End of picture text -----

*Denotes government grant

Where grants are received in advance, for a specified period, these funds are deferred in creditors and recognised in the period to which they relate. Where funds are due but have not yet been received, they are accrued in debtors and recognised in the period to which they relate.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 39

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5. Expenditure on charitable activities

----- Start of picture text -----
Unre- Re- Unre- Re-
stricted stricted 2025 stricted stricted 2024
funds funds Total funds funds Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Depreciation & loss on
- -
disposal of assets 24,468 24,468 24,062 24,062
Staff costs 420,285 901,549 1,321,834 462,365 722,510 1,184,875
Allocated support costs 24,382 231,909 256,291 3,733 220,920 224,653
-
Accountancy fees 10,942 1,200 12,142 12,872 12,872
Legal & professional fees 1,665 1,335 3,000 156 1,108 1,264
Trade subscriptions 9,412 1,229 10,641 12,592 345 12,937
491,154 1,137,222 1,628,376 515,780 944,883 1,460,663
----- End of picture text -----

6. Employees and employment costs

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
2024
£
£
1,199,477
1,083,678
97,506
79,648
24,851
21,549
1,321,834
1,184,875

Defined contribution pension scheme:

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £24,851 (2024 - £21,549).

No individual employee was paid over £60,000 (2024 - nil).

No remuneration was paid to any directors during the year (2024 – none).

The charity reimbursed trustee travel expenses totalling £135 to one trustee during the year (2024 - £81 to one trustee).

The key management personnel of the charity are considered to be those listed under management on page 1. The total costs to the charity of employee benefits for the key management personnel were £78,360 (2024 - £79,591).

The average monthly head count during the year was 56 (2024: 53) and the average full time equivalent was 42 (2024: 42).

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 40

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

7. Net incoming resources/operating surplus

This is stated after charging:
Depreciation
Operating leases- property rent
Operating leases- other
Auditors' remuneration- Audit fee
Auditors' remuneration- Accountancy & other		 2025
2024
£
£
24,468
24,062
8,678
26,265
18,107
18,107
9,840
8,072
2,302
4,800

8. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2025		 Land
and
Buildings
£
193,898
-
193,898
14,612
4,023
18,635
179,286
175,263		 Furniture
and
Fittings
Total
£
£
102,550
296,448
9,668
9,668
112,218
306,116
68,859
83,471
20,445
24,468
89,304
107,939
33,691
212,977
22,914
198,177

Included in the above is £175,263 (2024: £179,286) of assets pledged as security against borrowings.

The land and buildings class of fixed assets was revalued on 31/03/2021 by the directors. The basis of the valuation was open market value based on existing use. The directors consider that the valuation remains appropriate.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 41

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

9 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).

10 Government grants

Income from government grants comprise grants made by local authorities to fund the principal activities and objectives of the charity via core funding and funding for specific restricted projects. See notes 2 & 4 for more information and to the amount and source of these grants. There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attached to these grants.

11 Stocks

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £
Work in progress 6,300 15,392
12 Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 6,122 79,212
Prepayments 13,608 7,654
Accrued income 64,820 55,092
84,550 141,958
----- End of picture text -----

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 42

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

13 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 11,799 7,117
Accruals 33,080 47,228
Deferred income 111,648 101,157
Social security 31,111 20,303
Other creditors 23,561 29,767
Bank loan 6,800 6,800
217,999 212,372
Deferred Income
Deferred income brought forward 101,157 94,611
Released in year (101,157) (94,611)
Deferred income in year 111,648 101,157
Deferred income carried forward 111,648 101,157
----- End of picture text -----

Where grants are received in advance, for a specified period, these funds are deferred and recognised in the period to which they relate.

Grants deferred in the year relate to Access to Justice Foundation and other small items of funding, which specifies the amounts as being for 2025/26.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 43

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

14 Creditors: Amounts falling due in over one year

14
Creditors: Amounts falling due in over one year
Bank loan
Bank loans
Total amount due
Less due in < 1 year
Due 1-2 years
Due 2-5 years
Due >5 years		 2025
£
90,431
90,431
2025
£
97,231
(6,800)
90,431
6,800
20,400
63,231
90,431		 2024
£
98,553
98,553
2024
£
105,353
(6,800)
98,553
6,800
20,400
71,353
98,553

The above amount relates to one loan from HSBC UK Bank plc with a total balance of £97,231 owing at 31 March 2025, and is due for repayment in March 2035. Interest is charged at a fixed rate of 4.49% per annum. The loan is secured against the freehold property known as 39 Oxford Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset.

15 Financial commitments

At 31 March 2025 the charity was committed to making the following payments under non-cancellable operating leases:

Operating leases which expire:
Within one year
Within two and five years
More than five years		 2025
2024
£
£
18,107
18,107
21,398
54,320
-
3,291
39,505
75,718

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 44

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

16 Funds – current year

----- Start of picture text -----
Balance at 1 Balance at
April 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 31 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund 188,445 470,630 (462,404) (37,701) 158,970
Maintenance Fund 11,880 - (26,434) 20,000 5,446
IT Hardware replacements 6,821 - (6,883) 62 -
Premises Fund 80,733 - - (2,701) 78,032
Total unrestricted funds 287,879 470,630 (495,721) (20,340) 242,448
Restricted Funds
MAS - 102,452 (102,516) 64 -
Macmillan 20,017 141,716 (161,844) 111 -
Help to Claim 36 146,290 (152,235) - (5,909)
- -
#First Steps 28,898 (33,675) 4,777
Wessex Water - 26,650 (31,733) 5,083 -
Pier Health - 247,788 (247,892) 104 -
Sirona - 29,000 (29,066) 66 -
Cost of Living 8,882 1 (8,883) - -
Virtual Hub 159,688 - (159,928) 240 -
- -
Legal Services Commission 40,871 (50,707) 9,836
North Somerset Council 3,796 5,000 (8,814) 18 -
Litigants in person - 42,872 (42,913) 41 -
Access to Justice Foundation - 98,664 (107,016) - (8,352)
Total restricted funds 192,419 910,202 (1,137,222) 20,340 (14,261)
Total funds 480,298 1,380,832 (1,632,943) - 228,187
----- End of picture text -----

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 45

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

16 Funds – prior year

Balance at 1
April 2023
£
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
379,404
Maintenance Fund
13,945
IT Hardware replacements
-
Premises Fund
77,002
Total unrestricted funds
470,351
Restricted Funds
MAS
1,422
Macmillan
-
Help to Claim
12,982
#First Steps
130
Wessex Water
-
WHAM
605
Pier Health
-
CJF
4,178
Sirona
165
Quartet Community
Foundation
-
Cost of Living
15,000
Virtual Hub
210,471
Legal Services Commission
162
Citizens advice
-
North Somerset Council
-
Litigants in person
-
FAHLC
-
Total restricted funds
245,115
Total funds
715,466		 Income Expenditure
£
£
382,050
(476,263)
-
(25,325)
-
(19,127)
-
-
382,050
(520,715)
106,944
(108,522)
105,556
(85,539)
132,059
(145,005)
28,898
(29,028)
22,750
(40,306)
21,550
(22,155)
231,468
(231,468)
-
(4,178)
20,000
(20,165)
-
(19,999)
-
(6,118)
50,000
(100,783)
22,292
(22,454)
54,999
(61,095)
5,000
(1,204)
42,872
(42,872)
3,992
(3,992)
848,380
(944,883)
1,230,430
(1,465,598)		 Balance at
Transfers 31 March 2024
£
£
(96,746)
188,445
23,260
11,880
25,948
6,821
3,731
80,733
(43,807)
287,879
156
-
-
20,017
-
36
-
-
17,556
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,999
-
-
8,882
-
159,688
-
-
6,096
-
-
3,796
-
-
-
-
43,807
192,419
-
480,298

Unrestricted Funds

General funds are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objective of the charity.

Premises fund is the Net Book Value of the premises minus the total loan amount due over one year which is associated with the premises.

Maintenance fund is a fund designated towards the maintenance of the premises.

The IT Hardware replacements fund has been created in the year towards IT Hardware replacements.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 46

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Restricted funds

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. The material restricted funds are as follows:

MacMillan Cancer Support – A restricted fund provided by MacMillan Cancer Support to fund the provision of an outreach Welfare Benefits Caseworker, to work with individuals affected by cancer to ensure that they receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. This project is funded for 5 years.

MAS (Formerly F2F Debt Advice Project) – A restricted fund, Money West, a partnership funded by the Money Advice Service and led by Talking Money providing free, independent debt advice across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Stroud and Gloucester.

#FirstSteps (Formerly South Ward Initiative) – A restricted fund. First Steps is a partnership between North Somerset Council, Liberata and Citizens Advice North Somerset. The aim of the project is to help residents across North Somerset who are in receipt of Council Tax Support and in arrears with council tax.

Help to Claim – A restricted fund provided by The Department of Work and Pensions and managed by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. The Help to Claim service supports clients in the early stages of their Universal Credit claim, from the application through to first payment. Our trained advisers help with things like how to gather evidence for a client’s application or how to prepare for a first Jobcentre appointment. The overspend carry forward will be covered by future income into the fund.

WHAM - Warm Homes Advice and Money - a partnership between Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), Talking Money, We Care Home Improvements, Citizens Advice Bristol, Bristol Energy Network, North Somerset Council and Bristol City Council with the aim of developing a joint programme of support for low income groups in private accommodation who are in or at risk of being in fuel poverty.

Pier Health - a partnership between Pier Health PCN, Citizens Advice North Somerset and Alliance Homes to provide a one-stop connector service for a wide range of community related support with an emphasis on loneliness and isolation. Funds have been received post year end to cover the negative carry forward.

CJF - Community Justice Fund, provided by The Access to Justice fund to assist organisation in adapting to increase technological demands.

Sirona - Funding to provide input and leadership for the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) a key element of the Health and Wellbeing Programme of the local NHS.

Wessex Water – Funding provided by the local water company for the provision of identifying suitable candidates for social tariffs and getting clients with arrears back into the habit of regular bill payment.

Legal Services Commission - For the provision of solicitor level Legal Aid advice to Clients undergoing possession proceedings.

Quartet Community Foundation - Funding provided to provide additional service capacity to assist older people access advice and support.

Cost of Living - Funding provided to support operational cost increases associated with meeting Cost of Living demand for advice services.

Virtual Hub - Funding provided to support the North Somerset Together care navigation pilot.

Litigants in person – funding provided by North Somerset Council to support clients experiencing domestic abuse.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 47

North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Restricted funds (continued)

Access to Justice Foundation - Improving Lives through Advice project to deliver specialist benefit advice for those facing benefit appeals. The overspend carry forward will be covered by future income into the fund.

17 Analysis of net assets between funds

----- Start of picture text -----
Unre- Re- Unre- Re-
stricted stricted 2025 stricted stricted 2024
funds funds Total funds funds Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
- -
Tangible fixed assets 198,177 198,177 212,977 212,977
Current assets 254,037 84,403 338,440 291,216 287,030 578,246
Current liabilities (119,335) (98,664) (217,999) (117,761) (94,611) (212,372)
Non current liabilities (90,431) - (90,431) (98,553) - (98,553)
242,448 (14,261) 228,187 287,879 192,419 480,298
----- End of picture text -----

18 Company limited by guarantee

The company was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guarantee to the company is £10 per member on winding up of the company. At 31 March 2025 the company had 20 members and the total guaranteed is therefore £200.

Produced by Albert Goodman LLP

Page 48