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2024-03-31-accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 03617412

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1071297

Norfolk Citizens Advice Company Limited by Guarantee Financial statements

31 March 2024

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Page
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) 1
Independent auditor's report to the members 13
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) 17
Balance sheet 18
Statement of cash flows 19
Notes to the financial statements 20

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report)

Year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Norfolk Citizens Advice Charity registration number 1071297 Company registration number 03617412 Principal office and registered 83-87 Pottergate office Norwich Norfolk NR2 1DZ

The trustees

The trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval were as follows:

David Browne (Chair) Peta Banks Ian Davis Richard Gray Charlotte Land Roger Margand Mary Anne Massey Benjamin Meen Andy Mole Heather Peck (resigned 31 October 2023) Edward Connolly (appointed 22 March 2024) Anthony West (appointed 22 March 2024) Simon Smith

- 1 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Chief Executive Officer Mark Hitchcock
Auditor Lovewell Blake LLP
Chartered accountants & statutory auditor
Bankside 300
Peachman Way
Broadland Business Park
Norwich
NR7 0LB
Bankers CAF Bank Limited
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Redwood Bank
The Nexus Building
Broadway
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 3TA
Solicitors Cozens-Hardy LLP
Castle Chambers
Opie Street
Norwich
NR1 3DP
Leathes Prior
74 The Close
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 4DR

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities

The Citizens Advice service aims:

Advice provided by the Norfolk Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, sex, disability, sexuality or nationality. Norfolk Citizens Advice is a member of the national charity Citizens Advice which sets and enforces quality standards for the advice services provided, internal organisation, training, equal opportunities and accessibility.

Norfolk Citizens Advice activities are delivered by volunteers and paid staff. At 31 March 2024 we had 145 volunteers delivering an equivalent of approximately 38,000 hours of service. In addition to providing advice to our clients, we collect evidence of client experience where this may illustrate failings in local and national policies, and we bring this to the attention of authorities, mostly via Citizens Advice.

Public Benefit

The Trustees are mindful of the requirements of the Charity Commission regarding the Public Benefit test, and confirm that the activities of the charity will conform with these requirements, as stated in the Objectives and Activities above.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance

Our main offices are located as below, with additional outreach services operating across Norfolk:

Attleborough Dereham Fakenham Great Yarmouth Holt Kings Lynn North Walsham Norwich

In total we operating advice services from 62 locations across the county, including in community centres, primary care practices, commercial partners, foodbanks and hospitals.

People call on Norfolk Citizens Advice in large numbers, seeking advice and information to help them deal positively with the many challenges they face. During this year a total of 16,653 people came to us for help and advice with 53,468 issues. Collectively people who visited us have benefited from a total income gain of £3.5m.

People want to know where they stand, their rights, responsibilities and entitlements, or what other services are available to help them. Welfare Benefits, Employment, Housing, Debt and Family & Relationships continue to be the dominant areas of advice sought. Many people came to see us specifically about debt issues and collectively had their debt reduced by £2.7m where they were entitled to such redress.

Many of the people who come to us for help are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety due to the issues they face. Increasing numbers of people come to us with several, often related and complex issues that are adversely affecting their lives. The impact of the issues we resolve are often described as social determinants of health. Consequently, our help improves the health of our clients - last year, 43% of clients reported an improvement in physical health as a result of our quality-assured advice. Over 60% of clients reported improved mental health, increasing to over 75% of clients who received casework support.

We know from an HM Treasury approved model that, for a modest investment in our charity, we provided over £32m of benefit last year ensuring, amongst other things, a reduction in demand for statutory services. We maintain that the value and impact of our services must continue for the benefit of our local communities and funding to enable us to develop our work further should therefore be seen as a priority. We are satisfied that our prudent approach to effective budgetary controls have enabled us to deliver a modest unrestricted surplus to ensure we can remain a sustainable local charity.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

The Funders

Norfolk Citizens Advice acknowledges the funding sources that enable us to continue to deliver our core services, including:

Breckland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council , provide grant support for the residents of their region.

The Money and Pension Service : Provided funding for our team of debt advisers and administrators, ensuring high-quality debt and money advice, income maximisation and exploration and advice on all appropriate options and support across Norfolk.

Food Bank Support : There has been a sustained increase in the demand for Food Vouchers at all our offices. Whilst delays in benefit payments leaving clients with gaps in income and clients whose benefits have been sanctioned make up the bulk of this work, many more low income families, not in receipt of welfare payments, are looking for foodbank help. Our partnerships with Foodbanks and the Trussell Trust across the county continues to be a vital lifeline to many families living on the margins and we expect this demand to continue increasing.

Interact : The service supports people with resilience whilst tackling the negative impact of housing and the home environment on health and wellbeing, with a focus on reducing inequalities through a multi-partner approach.

Norwich Social Prescribing : Norfolk Citizens Advice working in partnership with other voluntary organisations to deliver support to service users in Norwich primary care services, improving health and reducing reliance on clinical services.

National Lottery Community Fund : We are very grateful for the support from the National Lottery who have awarded us grant funding to enable us to run a Help Through Crisis project, in partnership with other local agencies, and support our digital and face-to-face delivery. Thank you to everyone who played the lottery and supported with their funds.

Chances : A project run by Norfolk County Council and funded by ESF, ran to September 2023. Chances offered personalised health and employment support to people living across Norfolk, to move them either into or closer to work.

Funded Energy advice projects : Provide specialist energy advice and income maximisation support to clients experiencing fuel poverty. Multiple energy programmes have been made available by funding allocated by national Citizens Advice and by the Energy Redress fund.

Carers Matters : Provides bespoke triage and advice to carers identified in Voluntary Norfolk projects primarily in the form of welfare rights, however where there are also debt issues these will be included to save multiple referrals for Service Users.

James Paget Hospital : The hospital hosts an adviser once a week to provide advice to the hospital staff on a range of issues, the aim being to improve their knowledge and wellbeing.

Ministry of Justice - (MOJ) : NCA are supporting St Giles in delivering Finance, Benefit and Debt to men in probation for the Ministry of Justice in the East of England. The advice will help individuals to access full benefit entitlements, improve financial skills and manage debts.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance (continued)

Other funding sources

One off donations and sponsorships are sometimes received from local businesses, local Trusts, Parish Councils and the public as part of general appeals.

We would particularly like to thank the Norfolk Community Advice Network for its collaboration and funding support in the past year.

Donations and pro-bono services

We receive a number of donations from individuals and the support of corporate partners throughout the year. We would particularly like to thank all the Lawyers and Solicitors for contributing their time and expertise giving pro-bono legal advice.

Thank you

Finally, all the above would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers. All strive towards excellence each day on behalf of our clients.

Thanks also go to all our named and unnamed funders and partners over the past year. We look forward to developing our relationship with them in the forthcoming year.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Financial review

The audited accounts of Norfolk Citizens Advice are attached to this report and full details of our financial position are contained therein together with the auditor's report to the trustees.

The trustees are confident that our future funding will be such that Norfolk Citizens Advice will be able to meet its obligations as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

The organisation has been run with a focus on sustainability and prudence in finance and operations. As such, we have developed a good level of reserves and will seek to invest this in the coming year. We expect to see a small deficit in the next budget as a result of our intention to invest in innovation of our service and to work with a number of sectors to develop long-term funding lines.

We also plan to invest some of the reserve in premises improvements to ensure the quality and capacity of advice is increased in the face of unprecedented pressure on the service. Wherever possible, premises will be secured through co-location and joint working with other charities and agencies. This not only offsets risk and cost for each organisation, but will deliver the integrated quality services that clients deserve and so badly need.

There was a surplus for the year of £99,006 (2023: £86,951). The forecast for 2024/25 currently shows a deficit of circa £52,000. We continue to seek additional funding sources to underpin the work of Norfolk Citizens Advice.

Summary of previous five year's accounts

The following table is a summary of income and expenditure and the reserves position for the past five years.

years.
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
(restated for
merger)
£ £ £ £ £
Income 2,315,085 2,127,798 2,122,646 1,992,559 1,516,489
Expenditure 2,216,079 2,040,847 2,024,569 1,950,156 1,485,540
Surplus / (Deficit) 99,006 86,951 98,077 42,403 30,949
Staff costs 1,340,802 1,147,645 1,214,998 1,090,580 923,813
% of income 58 54 57 55 61
Number 49 39 45 39 39
Premises and other costs 124,231 125,716 133,480 198,264 180,695
% of income 5 6 6 10 12
Unrestricted reserves 948,484 795,074 762,244 534,621 532,639
Restricted reserves 31,448 85,852 31,731 161,277 120,856
Total reserves 979,932 880,926 793,975 695,898 653,495

Investment powers and policy

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Financial review (continued)

Reserves policy

The Trustee Board, having considered the potential risks facing the charity and assessed the future plans, would wish to aim to retain sufficient free reserves to meet running costs over a 4-month period prior to closure, should this be necessary. The Trustee Board require that as a minimum the free reserves should be sufficient to cover redundancy payments, meet contractual obligations and running costs during a withdrawal process. This has been reviewed and calculated at £435,709 which equates to four months of operating costs, and at that date free reserves were £947,700 (2023: £790,229). The trustees keep the reserves under regular review.

Plans for future periods

Meeting the increasingly complex needs of a growing number of Norfolk citizens who approach us for quality assured, accredited advice will continue to both challenge us and also provide an opportunity to develop the service innovatively. We will need to further develop our ability to provide advice and information through digital channels including webchats, phone, email and potentially other digital platforms (social media, Apps).

Moving forward we have a combined focus of our face-to-face service, offered free and impartially throughout the county and our Digital service to continue providing help and support. This will require the continued input of our teams of volunteers and staff but will also require more volunteers to join us and train as advisers. Our annual plan will indicate how we will achieve this.

We will also need to continue to focus on seeking new ways to supplement our main funding sources to ensure we can continue to meet the growing demand for our services. In all of this, it will be important to emphasise the impact and value we provide as a local charity for the benefit of the whole community, not just the people who come to us for essential advice and information.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in August 1998 under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company, and is governed under the Articles of Association.On 29 November 2012 the previously named Norwich and West Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau merged with two other local Bureaux to form the wider serving Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau. In 2019 we also successfully merged with Mid Norfolk Citizens Advice to bring both organisations together. Our trustees board sets the vision and gives strategic direction to Norfolk Citizens Advice. The trustees are also directors of the charitable company.

The Board of Trustees has 3 sub committees which meet regularly before each Board meeting. All Committees have terms of reference which are reviewed annually.

The Finance Committee provides financial oversight. Key areas include budgeting, financial monitoring and reporting and the creation and maintenance of internal controls.

The Governance Committee oversees Board and governance performance and leadership processes including the risk management framework.

The People and Performance Committee has strategic oversight of service delivery, customer experience and areas relating to people, pay and organisational culture.

Appointment of trustees

We recruit trustees through a transparent and competitive process, advertising widely to find trustees with the skills required by the Board. In 2023-24 we recruited 2 new trustees. The Articles of Association also allow potential trustees to stand for election at the Norfolk Citizens Advice AGM, provided they give sufficient notice of their intention.

Successful applicants are co-opted as Directors by the Trustees Board and then nominated at the next AGM for election to the Board for a further three years. All Trustees are nominated on a rotation basis for election at the AGM for a three year term of office and may be nominated again for a further three years. Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.

Trustee induction and training

Norfolk Citizens Advice provides a programme of induction for all new trustees, which is determined by their previous experience and knowledge of the organisation. This may include:

Trustees complete mandatory training in key policy areas including data protection. Additional training is provided as required according to individual and corporate training need.

Organisation

The Trustee Board sets the governance for the organisation and in conjunction with the CEO agrees strategy. Trustees take into account the strategy set by Citizens Advice when developing the strategic plan for Norfolk Citizens Advice.

Authority is delegated to the CEO and senior management team who are responsible for the operational

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

management of the organisation.

Risk management

The trustees acknowledge the Charity Commission's requirement for them to undertake a review of the major risks to which the organisation is exposed and to establish systems to mitigate these risks.

An organisational risk register is reviewed regularly by the Board, which identifies significant risks, the level of risk before and after mitigation and any outstanding actions to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level.

The Governance Committee oversees the risk management framework as an essential part of governance and leadership, Risk management is linked to strategy and is an integral part of decision making.

We manage risk to:

Significant risks include a reduction in existing funding streams and failure to successfully retain staff and volunteers. As a result we are working on diversifying our funding streams, building relationships with funders and improving our offering to staff and our volunteer recruitment process.

As a member of the national association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, Norfolk Citizens Advice is audited every 3 years under the Leadership Self Assessment framework which provides assurance to funders and other stakeholders of the effectiveness of our governance, risk management and operational management. In 2023 we achieved the maximum score in all areas.

Safeguarding

As a charity which works with people who may be vulnerable, we have Safeguarding policies and procedures in place. All staff and volunteers receive Safeguarding training and DBS checks are carried out appropriate to role In 2023 we developed oversight of Safeguarding practice by the establishment of a Safeguarding working group which reports directly to the Board of trustees.

Data Protection

We adhere to data protection legislation and have data protection policies and procedures in place to manage information risk. We are committed to data security and have attained Cyber Essentials certification. All our staff and volunteers complete data protection training annually.

Fundraising

Norfolk Citizens Advice is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and follows the Code of Fundraising Practice. A small proportion of our funding comes from fundraising involving events with our partners and supporters and from public donations. We have received no complaints regarding our fundraising in 202324.

Pay policy for senior staff

The pay levels of senior staff are reviewed annually, reported on to the Board and decisions about pay rises are based on a combination of performance and inflation.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies' exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

10/12/2024 The trustees' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Roger Margand Trustee

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent auditor's report to the members of Norfolk Citizens Advice Year ended 31 March 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Norfolk Citizens Advice (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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 trustees' 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 charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent auditor's report to the members of Norfolk Citizens Advice

(continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity 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.

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

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement (set out on page 11), the trustees (who are also the directors of the charity 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 charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent auditor's report to the members of Norfolk Citizens Advice

(continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

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:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent auditor's report to the members of Norfolk Citizens Advice (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC’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 charity'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 charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mark Proctor FCA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants & statutory auditor Bankside 300 Peachman Way Broadland Business Park Norwich NR7 0LB 10/12/2024

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 5 7,125 7,125 43,644
Charitable activities 6 511,295 1,786,004 2,297,299 2,080,704
Other trading activities 7 3,230 3,230
Investment income 8 4,767 4,767 2,585
Other income 9 2,664 2,664 865
   
Total income 529,081 1,786,004 2,315,085 2,127,798
   
Expenditure
Charitable activities 10 (514,352) (1,701,727) (2,216,079) (2,040,847)
   
Total expenditure (514,352) (1,701,727) (2,216,079) (2,040,847)
   
Net income before transfer of funds 14,729 84,277 99,006 86,951
Transfers between funds 137,897 (137,897)
   
Net movement in funds 152,626 (53,620) 99,006 86,951
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 795,074 85,852 880,926 793,975
   
Total funds carried forward 947,700 32,232 979,932 880,926
   

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 20 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Balance sheet

31 March 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 16 4,845
Current assets
Debtors 17 189,815 221,889
Cash at bank and in hand 1,138,171 1,033,857
 
1,327,986 1,255,746
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year 18 (348,054) (379,665)
 
Net current assets 979,932 876,081
 
Total assets less current liabilities 979,932 880,926
 
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 32,232 85,852
Unrestricted funds 947,700 795,074
 
Total charity funds 20 979,932

880,926


These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 10/12/2024 ........................, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Roger Margand Trustee

Company registration number: 03617412

The notes on pages 20 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

- 18 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of cash flows

Year ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income 99,006 86,951
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 4,845 14,536
Other interest receivable and similar income (4,767) (2,585)
Accrued income (35,746)
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors 32,074 11,043
Trade and other creditors 4,135 205,277
 
Cash generated from operations 99,547 315,222
Interest received 4,767 2,585
 
Net cash from operating activities 104,314 317,807
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 104,314 317,807
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,033,857 716,050
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 1,138,171

1,033,857


The notes on pages 20 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

- 19 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

1. General information

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is The Millennium Library, The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1TF. The principal activity of the charity is detailed within the Trustees report.

2. Statement of compliance

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

3. Accounting policies

(a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

(b) Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

(c) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

(d) Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

- 20 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Income (continued)

(e) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

(f) Tangible assets

All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.

Assets donated to the bureau are capitalised at fair value.

Minor capital additions are written off to expenditure in the year of purchase. The capitalisation policy is to capitalise items over £1,000.

(g) Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Equipment

- 21 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

(h) Government grants

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the company will comply with the conditions attaching to them and the grants will be received.

Where the grant does not impose specified future performance-related conditions on the recipient, it is recognised in income when the grant proceeds are received or receivable. Where the grant does impose specified future performance-related conditions on the recipient, it is recognised in income only when the performance-related conditions have been met. Where grants received are prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria, they are recognised as a liability.

(i) Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

(j) Operating lease agreements

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged against profits on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

(k) Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

(l) Taxation

The charity has no liability to income or capital gains tax as surplus income and gains are applied for charitable purposes.

(m) Redundancy

Where an obligation to make a redundancy or termination payment exists, the costs incurred by the charity are accounted for on an accruals basis and included within employee benefits.

4. Limited by guarantee

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of a winding up is limited to £1.

- 22 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

5. Donations and legacies
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations
Donations and gifts 7,125 7,125
Legacies
Legacies
  
7,125 7,125
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Donations
Donations and gifts 28,637 14,907 43,544
Legacies
Legacies 100 100
  
28,737 14,907 43,644
  
6. Charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Grants - Local Authorities 478,307 416,801 895,108
Special contributions 32,988 1,369,203 1,402,191
  
511,295 1,786,004 2,297,299
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Grants - Local Authorities 444,842 122,490 567,332
Special contributions 66,057 1,447,315 1,513,372
  
510,899 1,569,805 2,080,704
  

Government funding received during the year totalled £895,108 (2023: £567,332).

7. Other trading activities

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Fundraising events 3,230 3,230
   

- 23 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

8. Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Bank interest receivable 4,767 4,767 2,585 2,585
   
9. Other income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Other income 2,664

2,664

865

865


- 24 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

10. Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Salaries 234,469 1,106,333 1,340,802
Course fees and training 3,840 1,250 5,090
Recruitment 4,309 3,822 8,131
Telephone 4,893 13,275 18,168
Publicity and information 7,580 8,617 16,197
Property costs 90,812 33,419 124,231
Travelling, volunteer expenses and disbursements 26,362 18,252 44,614
Repairs 22,976 1,659 24,635
Professional fees 31,230 10,457 41,687
Bank charges 249 249
Postage, printing and stationery 8,476 14,624 23,100
Other costs 17,001 8,719 25,720
Computer consumables 33,662 45,185 78,847
Partner payments 435,168 435,168
Bad debt 9,574 947 10,521
Depreciation 4,845 4,845
Governance 14,074 14,074
  
514,352 1,701,727 2,216,079
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Salaries 305,890 841,755 1,147,645
Course fees and training 2,769 635 3,404
Recruitment 3,206 6,758 9,964
Telephone 9,478 9,208 18,686
Publicity and information 5,006 5,835 10,841
Property costs 87,014 38,702 125,716
Travelling, volunteer expenses and disbursements 13,514 15,722 29,236
Repairs 33,621 2,836 36,457
Professional fees 16,042 3,997 20,039
Bank charges 2,055 2,055
Postage, printing and stationery 6,949 9,425 16,374
Other costs 11,438 15,124 26,562
Computer consumables 29,199 24,642 53,841
Partner payments 502,485 502,485
Bad debt 8,579 2,711 11,290
Depreciation 14,536 14,536
Governance 11,716 11,716
  
561,012 1,479,835 2,040,847
  
Analysis of Governance costs
2024 2023
£ £
Audit and accountancy fees 13,364 11,083
Trustee expenses 134 242
Other 576 391
 
Total 14,074 11,716
 

- 25 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

11. Net income

Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):

2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 4,845 14,536
Operating lease rentals 115,966 117,519
 
12. Auditors remuneration
2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements 10,964 10,056
 
Fees payable to the charity's auditor and its associates for other services:
Other non-audit services 2,400 1,027
 

13. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 1,187,767 1,021,632
Social security costs 102,151 84,066
Employer contributions to pension plans 50,884 41,947
 
1,340,802 1,147,645
 

Key management personnel amounted to £173,093 in respect of three employees (2023 - £168,064 for three employees).

Wages and salaries for 2024 include £Nil (2023 - £9,711) of redundancy payments.

The bureau maintains its services to the public through the help of voluntary workers.

The average head count of employees during the year was 49 (2023: 46). The average number of fulltime equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:

2024 2023
No. No.
Administration and support 10 8
Direct charitable 28 31
 
38 39
 
The number of employees whose remuneration for the year fell within the following bands, were:
2024 2023
No. No.
£60,000 to £69,999 1 1
 

- 26 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

14. Trustee remuneration and expenses

The trustees did not receive any remuneration in the year.

The total reimbursed for expenses during the year was £134 to two trustees in relation to travel expenses to committee meetings (2023: £319 to three trustees in relation to travel expenses to committee meetings). No balance was outstanding at the year end.

15. Transfers between funds

Transfers between funds represent the element of projects which have been completed by volunteers and therefore have no cost to the charity.

16. Tangible fixed assets

Equipment Total
£ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 58,143 58,143
 
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 53,298 53,298
Charge for the year 4,845 4,845
 
At 31 March 2024 58,143 58,143
 
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
 
At 31 March 2023 4,845 4,845
 
Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Trade debtors 121,985 175,441
Prepayments and accrued income 67,667 46,285
Other debtors 163 163
 
189,815 221,889
 
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 104,156 91,425
Social security and other taxes 26,422 23,956
Accruals and deferred income 202,017 248,684
Other creditors 15,459 15,600
 
348,054 379,665
 

17. Debtors

18. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

- 27 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

18. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (continued)

2024 2023
£ £
Deferred income brought forward 201,546 61,786
Released during the year (201,546) (61,786)
Deferred during the year 166,270 201,546
 
Deferred income carried forward 166,270 201,546
 

Deferred income relates to funding received for future periods.

19. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £50,884 (2023: £41,947).

The amount outstanding as at 31 March 2024 was £15,598 (2023: £6,534).

20. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Year ended 31 March 2024

At 31 March
At 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 795,074 529,081 (514,352) 137,897 947,700
    
Year ended 31 March 2023
At 31 March
At 1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 762,244 543,086 (561,012) 50,756 795,074
    

- 28 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Restricted funds

Year ended 31 March 2024

Year ended 31 March 2024
At 31 March
At 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
MaPS 286,854 (283,357) (3,497)
Help Through Crisis 106 176,080 (185,764) 10,024 446
OneNorwich 18,511 479,035 (498,675) 1,129
Foodbank 137,113 (154,540) 19,017 1,590
NCC Chances 5,030 69,114 (70,000) (4,144)
EAP 37,800 (36,107) (1,693)
Cadent 3,542 46,659 (38,896) (11,305)
NCAN NCC Hardship Fund 311 56,697 (14,830) (42,178)
AGE UK Norfolk IAA 23,613 (23,613)
Voluntary Norfolk Carer's
Matter Norfolk 33,260 (15,405) (17,855)
Covid recovery Fund 20,112 51,704 (71,816)
OneNorwich Practises Interact 102,767 (100,668) 2,099
OneNorwich Practises PCCO 38,114 (43,888) 5,774
OneNorwich Practises
Secondary care 24,425 (18,223) (6,202)
Big Lottery Digital 40,000 (37,366) (2,634)
The Headley Trust 30,000 (25,687) (4,313)
Norfolk Community Foundation
Empowering Community Funds 8,333 1,667 (1,666) (8,334)
Aviva 14,907 (14,907)
Norfolk Community Foundation
Equinor 15,000 (15,000)
Breckland District Council 34,552 (32,842) 1,710
North Norfolk District Council 13,210 (8,678) 4,532
Mental Health Slippage 14,223 14,223
Ministry of Justice 22,438 (15,912) 6,526
Warm & Wise CADAT 4,114 (4,244) 130
Yorkshire Building Society 34,898 (34,898)
Citizens Advice Remote
Service Delivery 27,667 (26,561) 1,106
    
85,852

1,786,004

(1,701,727)

(137,897)

32,232


- 29 -

Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Year ended 31 March 2023
At 31 March
At 1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
MaPS 264,904 (264,904)
Help to Claim (1,321) (10) 1,331
Help Through Crisis 135,520 (135,414) 106
Civic 7,706 (7,706)
OneNorwich 18,995 527,999 (528,483) 18,511
Foodbank 50,863 (55,550) 4,687
NCC Chances 5,030 122,490 (122,490) 5,030
EAP, BESN and CMAP 48,803 (48,803)
CADAT Energy Redress 48,305 (49,743) 1,438
NCAN NCC Hardship Fund 50,714 (50,403) 311
AGE UK Norfolk IAA 21,865 (184) (21,681)
Voluntary Norfolk Carer's
Matter Norfolk 26,500 (26,500)
Covid recovery Fund 60,713 (40,601) 20,112
OneNorwich Practises Interact 78,000 (78,000)
OneNorwich Practises PCCO 37,575 (40,250) 2,675
Cadent 3,542 3,542
Big Lottery Digital 40,000 (40,000)
Norfolk Community Foundation
Family Flux 5,000 (5,000)
The Headley Trust 15,000 (15,000)
Norfolk Community Foundation
Empowering Community Funds 8,333 8,333
Norfolk Community Foundation
Advice hub 10,000 (10,000)
Aviva 14,907 14,907
Norfolk Community Foundation
Equinor 15,000 15,000
    
31,731 1,584,712 (1,479,835) (50,756) 85,852
    

MaPS Funding for the provision of debt advice.

Help Through Crisis Funding to provide support to those who are most vulnerable.

OneNorwich / Social prescribing Funding for our Social Prescribing project in Norwich and Broadband.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Foodbank - Dedicated Foodbank Project in Attleborough, Watton, King's Lynn, North Norfolk, Downham Market and Norwich through service level agreements.

Norfolk County Council Chances A locally integrated health and employment service to deliver personalised support to unemployed and inactive people with deep-seated barriers to work, including long term health conditions and a lack of employability skills, across Norfolk.

Citizens Advice National Energy Advice Programme, Big Energy Saving Network and Carbon Monoxide Advice Project- To provide one to one energy advice appointments to fuel poor and vulnerable consumers who are struggling to pay their bills. and provide carbon monoxide awareness discussions to their clients.

CADAT Energy Redress Norfolk Warm & Wise Partnership project funding to support energy customers in vulnerable situations.

NCAN NCC Hardship Fund - Delivery of hardship information, advice and support with an overall objective to reduce hardship for Norfolk residents, which should include accredited help to reduce debt such as Debt Relief Orders. AGE UK Norfolk IAA funding to provide information, advice and advocacy services.

Voluntary Norfolk Carer's Matter Norfolk funding to provide bespoke triage and advice to carers identified in Voluntary Norfolk projects

Covid recovery fund relates to funding from in Great Yarmouth, Norwich, South Norfolk, West Norfolk and Broadland District to tackle the health and wellbeing impacts of Covid-19 and to focus efforts on recovery.

OneNorwich Practises Interact - provide the management and employment of Social Prescribers funded by the community transformation fund, administered by ONP. This will enable the delivery of locally focused social prescribing activities in the Primary Care Network.

OneNorwich PCCO funding for a Primary Care Community Officer whom will enable Primary healthcare provision in Norwich to work collaboratively and in partnership with the local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in order to deliver better health outcomes for the local population.

Cadent funding is to help households in their region improve their financial wellbeing and become more energy efficient

Big lottery Digital Norfolk relates to funding from the Community Fund for digital inclusion.

The Headley Trust is funding for the provision of financial advice, benefit checking and income maximisation, and referral to domestic heating and home insulation schemes, food banks and food, clothing and household goods distribution services to those families and individuals most in need because of the rapid increase in the cost of living, particularly in energy and food prices

Norfolk Community Foundation Empowering Community funding for a new part-time staff role to help people access vital benefits.

Aviva Crowdfunding - Help Through Crisis funding to provide in-depth, expert advice and support to local people facing crisis in Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Norwich.

Norfolk Community Foundation Equinor - to establish a pilot project in Great Yarmouth which seeks to support young people with sustainable employment outcomes.

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Breckland District Council - to develop a strategic partnership between Breckland Council and Norfolk Citizens Advice to increase capacity to deliver a dedicated debt advice service to Breckland residents.

North Norfolk District Council- Debt Advisor service to be based at NNDC offices in Cromer.

St Giles Trust Ministry of Justice - supporting St Giles in delivering Finance, Benefit and Debt Services (FBD) for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in the East of England.

Yorkshire Building Society - provide qualified generalist advice at Yorkshire Building Society's offices, to support customers who have been identified by YBS as having additional support needs. Citizens Advice Remote Service Delivery - the funding is to enable the additional remote delivery of advice to more clients via phone, chat, email and/or video.

Help To Claim Funding to provide support to those who are most vulnerable.

Civic Fundraiser income as a result of our being involved in the Norwich Civic Charity which was then shared equally between all partner charities.

Norfolk Community Foundation Family Flux funding to support vulnerable people in the community. Norfolk Community Foundation Advice Hub was funding for the provision of an advice hub.

21. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets 947,700 32,232 979,932
  
Net assets 947,700 32,232 979,932
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 4,845 4,845
Current assets 790,229 85,852 876,081
  
Net assets 795,074 85,852 880,926
  
Analysis of changes in net debt
At
At 1 Apr 2023 Cash flows 31 Mar 2024
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 1,033,857 104,314 1,138,171
  

22. Analysis of changes in net debt

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Norfolk Citizens Advice

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

23. Operating lease commitments

The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Not later than 1 year 46,040 47,778
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 15,389 25,934
 
61,429 73,712
 

24. Related parties

During the year £10 was charged by Spire Solicitors LLP for charges for acting in connection with Companies House Fee, R Margand is a LLP Designated Member.

There were no related party transactions during the year ended 31 March 2023.

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