# **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending** ## **31 March 2023** ## **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau** **DIRECTORS REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2023** 1 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31 March 2023** |**Contents**|**Page**| |---|---| |Legal and Administrative Information|3| |Chairman’s report|4| |Independent Examiners Report|6| |Statement of Financial Activities|7| |Balance Sheet|8| |Notes forming part of the Financial Statement|9 -13| 2 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31[st] March 2023** The Board of Directors presents its report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023. Reference and Administrative Information. Charity Name: **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Bureau (CAB)** Charity Registration Number: 1056390 Company Registration Number: 03205031 Registered Office and Operational Address: CAB House, 21 - 23 New Road, Kidderminster Worcestershire, DY10 1AF ## **Board of Trustees** Chris Jackson Chairman of Trustee Board (elected 23[rd] August 2022) Hayward Osborne Vice Chairman (elected 23[rd] August 2022) Paul Hodgson Treasurer (elected 23[rd] August 2022) Roger Cartwright Gail Rothnie John Bradford Vinh Diep (Appointed 17[th] March 2023) ## **Bankers.** CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Governance and Management: Whilst overall management of the organisation is delegated to the manager this is overseen by the trustees in accordance with our articles of incorporation ## **Aims and Objectives:** Our aims - To provide the advice people need for the problem they face. - To improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. Our principles. - Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. 3 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31 March 2023** ## **Chairman’s report for the period to 31[st] March 2023** This period was of course the first full year post “Covid” and in the main, most Covid restrictions had now been removed. This saw a quite definite change in the support and advice needs and it is of particular note that the demand for face-to-face appointments and ‘drop-ins’ grew heavily as the year progressed. Both the operational management and the Trustee Board agreed that we would react positively to that need and operated an open door policy where possible. Whilst demand for all types of advice and support remained high post Covid, World events really impacted on the overall public demand. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia brought many challenges with displaced Ukrainian citizens being directed to Citizens Advice for all sorts of advice, particularly in the area of benefits. One of the consequences of the conflict was the astronomical rise in energy costs and despite Government support, the number of people who fell into hardship and needed help was extraordinary. I am once again able to say that our staff and volunteers raised to the demands and challenges that we saw in this year in an exemplary, dedicated and highly professional way. I send them very sincere thanks from the whole Trustee Board for their actions. During the period, we worked closely with all of our funding partners and successfully delivered support as per our agreements. It is worthy of note that we strengthened our partnership with Wyre Forest District Council and agreed on an ongoing project whereby we distributed the government sponsored Household Support Fund (HSF) on behalf of the council, an initiative that we hope will stay in place as long as that particular central government support remains. On a strategic level, the Trustee Board developed a new 3 year business plan that switched its focus from Investment in Infrastructure’, to ‘Investment in people’ In the two previous years, we had refurbished and extended our premises to make it a comfortable place to work and we now aim to further develop, support and reward our staff and volunteers and put in place policies and rewards that recognise the great work that they do. I am also very pleased to report that we completed our mandatory year 2 ‘Leadership Skills Audit’ in January 2023 (audited by Citizens Advice National body – an audit that measures all pillars of management and Trustee Board governance) and we received a very high score of 92% I thank all the Operational Management and all of the Trustees for their input and work on achieving this outstanding result. Finally, I inform you that our Chief Officer / Office Manager, Elaine Lowe, informed me in December that she would be retiring in June of 2023 and that accordingly the Trustee Board started the process of recruiting a new Chief Officer early in the new financial year. **Chris Jackson** Chair Date: 31/10/23 4 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31st March 2023** ## **Independent Examiner** Geoff Boswell was appointed as the charitable company's independent examiner for accounts year ending 31st March 2023 The Trustees have taken advantage of the exemption conferred by section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 not to have these financial statements audited and confirm that no notice has been deposited to request an audit in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that: The company keeps accounting records which comply with the Companies Act 2006: The financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company as at 31 March 2020 and of its profit or loss for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements which otherwise comply with the requirements of the small companies regime, so far as applicable to the company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act relating to small companies, and charities commission standards of reporting practice (SORP) Approved by the Board of Directors on and signed on its behalf by: Paul Hodgson ## _P A Hodgson_ Treasurer Dated: 31/10/23 5 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31st March 2023** ## **EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the company and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and - to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Geoff Boswell Independent Examiner 2 Tuckingmill Cottages Canworthy Water Launceston PL15 8UW 6 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31 March 2023** ## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Report of the Directors for the year ending 31 March 2023 7 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31 March 2023** _The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements_ ## **BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31sr MARCH 2023** 8 For the year ended 31 March 2023, the Trustees have taken advantage of the exemption conferred by section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 not to have these financial statements audited. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for: - i) Ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with the Companies Act 2006 - ii) Preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of its profit and loss financial year, and which otherwise comply with the small companies regime requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts so far as applicable to the company. Approved by the Board of Directors on 31/10/23 and signed on its behalf by: ## _P A Hodgson_ Paul Hodgson Treasurer Dated: 31/10/23 9 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau** **Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31st March 2023** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' published in March 2005, applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006, except as explained in note 11, trustee's remuneration has not been disclosed due to its confidential nature. ## **1.2 Company status** The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company. ## **1.3 Fund accounting** General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes. ## **1.4 Incoming resources** All incoming resources are included in the Statement of financial activities when the company has entitlement to the funds, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Donated facilities are included at the value to the company where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. ## **1.5 Resources expended** All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. ## **1.6 Going concern** 10 The company has cash resources and has no requirement for external funding. The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They continue to believe the going concern basis of accounting appropriate in preparing the financial statements. ## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation** All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised. Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases: Fixtures & fittings 20% straight line basis Office equipment - 50% straight line basis Land and buildings are not depreciated ## **1.8 Pensions** The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year. At the end of March 2020, the company followed the correct procedure to re-auto enroll all employees to the pensions schemes and made the appropriate statutory declaration. 11 **Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Board of Directors for the year ending 31 March 2023** 12 2023 Restrided 220.786 2022 38.981 259.767 222.765 1.675 224 440 224 440 Tran￿ Tfavd Cctsts T(knl 2023 2022 18.034 16.049 5,351 17,842 1,135 198 Prof8S5Knal Fo&9 AL*Irt F88S MeTh￿hIP Sut•￿"pl.C 4.048 818 B*)k Chr￿$ 72 knc EX￿#•9 962 Total Cos 2023 2022 T(rt 222,765 Totsl Pewor 259.767 Th8 fuHtTh p4rt ¥l*ff in thè 3)23 2022 Full th.me staff Part ￿me stsff Total Staf 12 17 12 17 13 7. Taxallon There are no tsxation liabilities arising during 2022 of 2021 8. Flxed A••ets 2023 2022 Tangible Assets.. l.T. Equipment Depreciation Land and Buildings Fixtures and Fittings Dopreciation 71.250 71,250 Total 71,250 71,250 2023 2022 Accruals and Pre.payments 146,975 32,547 Total 146,975 32,547 10. Cr•dltorA, •mmount• falllng du• wlthln on• y•vl 2023 114.888 2022 20,042 Accruals and déf8r8d Incomg Accruals - creditors Other liablli1185. Pensions 30,704 1,383 11,410 1,095 Total 146,975 32,547 11. B•lan¢M 2023 Balanco 1 Aprll 2022 Incoming Outgoing Balance 31 March 2023 192,398 189,666 Fund balances are represented as follows.. 2023 79,220 110,446 189,666 2022 103,350 89,048 192,398 Unrestricted funds Reslricled funds Nel current assets 14