Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
Company registration number: 03836106
Charity number: 1077414
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2025
STEVENAGE CITIZENS
ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by
guarantee)
WEDNESDAY
A20
*AEHM4QTS*
17/12/2025
COMPANIES HOUSE
#119
MENZIES
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A.company limited by guarantee)
CONTENTS
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers
Trustees' report
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements
Statement of financial activities
Balance sheet
Statement of cash flows
Notes to the financial statements
Page
1
2-11
12 - 15
16
17
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19 - 32

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
• (A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS
TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees
Antony Egunjobi
Tim Wade
Malcolm Parry (resigned 12 December 2024)
Kevin Grix
Jamie Lyons (resigned 31 March 2025)
James Hurley
Mathew Lawson
Tracey Valentine
Sarah Neilson
Andrew Cheung (resigned 14 February 2025)
Paul Extance
Olufemi Oladiran
Company registered
number
Charity registered number
Principal and Registered
office
Chief executive officer
Independent auditors
• 03836106
1077414
Sixth Floor
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 1HN
C Blizzard-Welch
Menzies LLP
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Magna House
18-32 London Road
Staines-Upon-Thames
TW18 4BP
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
STRÚCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity was formed as a company limited by guarantee on 3rd September 1999 (Company Number: 03836106). The
full name of the charity is Stevenage Citizens Advice Bureau and was registered with the Charity Commission on 15th
September 1999 (charity Number: 1077414).
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. Citizens Advice Stevenage is governed by its Articles of Association
which replaced its previous Memorandum and Articles of Association and were passed by the company in general meeting
by special resolution on 9th March 2018.
Article 3.1 of the Articles of Association reads: "The Charity is established for the promotion of any charitable purposes 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 the Borough of Stevenage and
surrounding areas."
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The charity is governed through a trustee board. Trustees who have held office during the year are listed on page 3. The
Articles of Association provide for a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve elected trustees, with not more than 3
additional Trustees, who are co-opted at any time.
The trustees meet 4 times per year with additional quarterly meetings for the sub-committees listed below. The board is
supported by a network of sub-committees, covering Finance and Policy, Staffing and Premises and Development. The
Chief Executive attends all of these. The sub committees report to the full Board meetings. The Chief Executive Officer
also attends the main Board meetings but does not have voting rights.
As stated in the Articles of Association, one third of the elected trustees for the time being or if their number is not three or
a multiple of three, then the number nearest one third shall retire from office. A retiring elected trustee shall be eligible for
re-election by the members. An elected trustee may not continue to serve after nine years in office unless the
Board
resolves in exceptional circumstances that the relevant elected trustee may serve for an additional term of up to three
years.
Nominees appointed by Stevenage Borough Council are subject to the appointment processes of the Borough Council.
The trustees who have served during the year can be seen on the previous page. None of the trustees has any beneficial
interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a
winding up.
The organisation is co-ordinated from its office in Stevenage
Trustee induction and training
New trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of
Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the
charity. The comprehensive induction to Citizens Advice Stevenage includes visits to the organisation, appropriate reading
material, training courses and meeting key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate
external training events where these will facilitate the understanding of their role. This is all enshrined in a written induction
process.
Organisation Structure
Citizens Advice Stevenage is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens
Advice Bureaux, which provides a framework for standards of advice and casework management as well as monitoring
progress against these standards. Operating policies are independently determined by the Board of Directors in order to
fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements.
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 •
Citizens Advice Stevenage is governed by its Trustee Board, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the
organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the Bureau and
for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. The Trustee Board is independent from
management. A register of members' interests is maintained. at the registered office and is available to the public. At
present the Board has 9 members with voting rights and 1 non-voting member who is nominated by Stevenage Borough
Council, shown on page 1 as Representative Trustee.
The Chief Executive of the organisation has been appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the
charity. In addition, there is an experienced team of paid staff and volunteers who are key to the service offered by the
charity. Decisions are made by the trustee board in line with the Business Strategy and are reviewed at least annually.
The Senior Management Team meet to review progress against targets and the Charity's financial position and to discuss
issues referred to them by the trustee board. Reports and recommendations are then taken to the full board for approval,
and their implementation is organised by the Chief Executive and the staff team. There are regular staff, volunteer
meetings and senior management team meetings which ensure that progress is being made against targets. There is an
Annual General Meeting, which involves the staff team, trustee board, members, and other stakeholders.
Pay and Remuneration of Key Management Personnel
The trustees consider that the board of trustees and the senior management team (SMT) comprișe the key management
personnel of the charity: The charity's senior management team are all paid in accordance with comparable rates used in
the voluntary sector. Any increases to these rates are approved by the trustee board. The chief executive's salary is
reviewed and approved by the trustee board separately but in line with the policy set out above.
Complaints
We received 10 formal complaints and 7 informal complaints during the year. All complaints are carefully investigated by
the Advice Quality and Operations Manager and a full response sent to the individual clients. The Board also review
complaints annually or sooner if required
Key risks and Uncertainties
The trustees, having had consideration to and mindful of the risk factors for the charity, identify the following Threats and
changes in our operating landscape and conditions could stop us from achieving our mission?
A.
Funders' financial stability/ health
Volunteering Challenges
Economic downturn/factors
Revisions to our National Membership
Key partner strategic changes
Trustees' plans and strategies for managing these risks:
A. Succession Planning: Develop a robust succession plans to ensure that key roles can be filled promptly in the event of
unexpected departures.
Talent Retention: Implement strategies to improve staff satisfaction and retention. This could
include a salary progression framework and professional development opportunities.
. B. Diversify Funding Sources: Reduce reliance on major funders by diversifying our funding sources. Financial Due
Diligence: Conduct thorough due diligence on potential funders to assess their financial stability. Regularly review and
evaluate the financial health of existing funders.
C. Engagement Programs: Develop comprehensive volunteer engagement programs that recognise and reward
volunteers for their contributions
Recruitment Strategies: Implement a recruitment strategy to attract a diverse pool of
volunteers.
Leverage online platforms, community outreach, and partnerships with educational institutions. Match
opportunity to volunteers motivation and likely length of service.
Financial Resilience Planning: Develop contingency plans and financial resilience strategies to navigate economic
downturns. This could involve creating a financial reserve, adjusting budgets, and identifying cost-control measures.
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3ВАА4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Diversify Revenue Streams: Explore alternative revenue streams that are less susceptible to economic fluctuations
This might include fee-for-service programs, social enterprise initiatives, or income-generating activities..
E. Engagement with consultations and coproduction: Ensure we remain engaged with the Local Service Offer
engagement opportunities and conduct planning exercises to anticipate potential challenges the withdrawal of existing
elements of the local service offer. Develop contingency plans that outline steps to be taken in case of different
scenarios, including key service offers being withdrawn.
F. Diversify Partnerships: Similar to funding sources, diversify our partnerships to. reduce dependence or isolation.
Develop relationships with multiple partners and sectors that share our mission. Continuous Communication: Maintain
open and transparent communication with key partners. Regularly check in to understand their strategic plans and
anticipate any changes that might impact our collaboration.
Factors that are likely to affect the financial performance or position in 2025/26 and further years:
Local offices traditionally depend on a mix of funding sources and the trend is for more commissioned services rather than
grants that are more flexible. This mix of funding can be positive, minimising the risk to financial stability. However,
receiving short-term pots of money from multiple funders brings an increase in demand for resources, both in maintaining
relationships and reporting requirements, as well as the continual need to seek new funding.
With an increasingly competitive funding environment, we have ensured we are providing a compelling high value offer to
funders.
Maintaining
relationships with existing funders has been key to securing continuation and additional funding for the
services we provide for our community. We have also been looking for new opportunities to provide the information and
advice people need for new and emerging advice needs identified through analysing advice trends, horizon scanning and
partnership working.
• Last years focus was to move to the new structure which took resource away from securing new funding. This means
the CEO and Head of Impact and Development need to take a proactive approach to prioritise fundraising this year.
• We continue to face issues with the high demand for our service from clients and the specialised nature of our work
means that recruitment and training can take time which requires senior staff to focus upon the day to day demands of
the service rather than development. With regards to volunteers the role of adviser at Citizens Advice Stevenage is
increasingly aligned to that of a magistrate, which makes our ability to attract new volunteers harder, and a
requirement to find the resource to put more paid staff at the front line:
• There are many economic hits facing the nation which is anticipated to drive up demand significantly. The political
environment remains uncertain, the impact of key national developments is still very much an 'unknown quantity' but
has the potential to impact on our position. This year we are preparing for the cuts to disability benefits. We are clear
that these cuts will force many disabled people into further poverty and hardship, and in turn increase demand on our
• A possible increased competition in an ever changing voluntary sector marketplace - we know that the voluntary sector
is becoming a much more competitive sector, particularly as funding becomes ever harder to access; as a result we
are seeing organisations diversifying their service offer and moving further towards our 'core market.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives
The charity's purposes, as set out in the objects contained in the Company's Articles of Association, are to promote any
charitable purpose for the benefit of the whole community of Stevenage and surrounding areas ("the area of benefit") by
the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.
The charity's objects are defined as above. Our aims are focused on:
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
..
To provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and
To improve the policies ard practices that affect people's lives
Our service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities
We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We also conduct Research and Campaigns to help
gather evidence to influence policy change and to ensure individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge or an
inability to express their needs effectively.
This translates into the main charitable activity of providing advice by telephone and face to face, to the general public.
Ensuring our work delivers our aims
We have a locally developed business strategy, which we use to ensure we deliver on our aims and objectives. This
strategy is reviewed quarterly to measure our achievements and outcomes. Together with the success of individual key
projects and the benefits that have been born from them. In carrying out the review, we are ensuring that our aims
objectives and activities are in line with our stated purpose. Our main objectives for the year have been developing our
staffing structure so that it really meets the needs of the clients we are trying to support.
HOW OUR ACTIVITIES DELIVER PUBLIC BENEFIT
Our main activities and who we try to help are described below. All our charitable activities focus on providing the advice
people need for the problems they face and are undertaken specifically to provide public benefit. The board of trustees
have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of
the Charities Act 2011.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Advice and Information Services
The principal activity of Citizens Advice Stevenage remained the provision of free, confidential, independent and impartial
advice and information for members of the public. This is provided through telephone and digital channels and face-to-face
services at the main offices located at Daneshill. House.
The main areas of charitable activity are:
the provision of general advice and information services
the provision of specialist advice and casework services, and
guidance on the new pension regulations.
Throughout the year we have continued to offer Advice and Information in the following ways:
• Adviceline - participation is continuing as part of a group of other local Citizens Advice to provide our telephone
service. The line is covered on a rota basis between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm from Monday to Friday and
continue to deliver Out of Hours Adviceline, extending our opening hours to 9 pm in the evening, and between 10 am
and 4 pm on a Saturday. Outside of these times there is an automated advice service 24 hours a day.
Face to face services for those unable to use digital channels. We altered our delivery model reduced our services to
digital first as a result of the pandemic. An initial assessment takes via telephone or email and subject to criteria being
met clients are then seen in person. Urgent issues are responded to and clients are not turned away.
• Full advice -general and specialist advice through our team of trained advisers and paid staff.
• Information and Self Help.
In addition to generalist advice, the following specialist advisory services were provided:
CORE: The core service funded by a contract with Stevenage Borough Council to provide advice to local people to improve
financial inclusion.
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
• Caseworkers for debt / tenancy sustainment for tenants of Stevenage Borough Council
• Homelessness prevention and court desk representation funded by Stevenage Borough Council
• Crisis Intervention services funded by Hertfordshire County Council
• Welfare Benefit Appeals services funded by Hertfordshire County Council
• HertsHelp Adviceline funded by Hertfordshire County Council
• Pension Wise funded by the Department for Work and Pensions
• Help to claim funded by Citizens Advice National.
• Specialist family advice funded by the Follett Trust (Ended 2024/25)
• Specialist debt advice funded by Henry Smith Foundation
• Specialist employment advice service (our only paid for service) which provide specialist employment advice at
affordable rates
• Out of Hours Adviceline funded by Hertfordshire County Council
• Improving Outcomes Through Legal Support funded by Access to Justice
Immigration Advice funded by Hertfordshire County Council
:
Look back over 2024/25 and who used and benefited from our services?
This year, Citizens Advice Stevenage has continued to go through significant growth and transformation.
his year saw our Chairman Tim Wade step back into his role of Vice Chair, with Sarah Neilson taking over as Cha
Ve also said goodbye to Malcolm Parry, Andrew Cheung and Jamie Lyons, who we thank for their support during the
time with us.
Year One Review of the 2024-27 Business Strategy: Fit for the Future
In the first year of our 2024-27 strategy, our focus was on strengthening the organisational foundations to support
long-term sustainability, improved service delivery, and operational efficiency.
Year One Priorities and Progress
People, Skills & Culture
We initiated structural and cultural improvements to enhance staff experience and leadership capacity. This included:
Partnering with HR and change management consultants to review staffing structures, pay benchmarking, and internal
communications.
Introducing new job descriptions, launching staff feedback forums, and appointing a new Staff Representative
Implementing the first phase of a new operating model, with further work ongoing into Year Two due to resource
constraints.
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Tools & Technology
Our ambition to improve advice delivery through technology progressed with:
Commissioning an ICT strategy and running a successful procurement to modernise our infrastructure.
Beginning trials of Al-based meeting tools to improve internal efficiency.
Process & Structure
We aimed to fully integrate the HertsHelp project and develop a clear cost model to inform strategic decision-making:
• Embedded HertsHelp into core operations and improved referral pathways with partners.
• Delivered a Financial Management Charter and commenced development of a Delegation and Decision-Making
Framework.
Initiated a governance review and participated in the Better Boards programme, with outcomes including proposed
new board committees and improved trustee-SLT collaboration.
Key Challenges
Progress in several areas was impacted by staffing capacity, competing service delivery demands, and limitations in digital
infrastructure. Addressing these issues will be a focus in Year Two, alongside completing the structural transformation and
scaling improvements in technology and financial management.
Our Service 2024/25
• In the year of 2024/25 we were successful in assisting 23,347 people with over 55 thousand issues. Undertaking
79,765 client contacts. 8 in 10 people said their problem was solved following our advice, and 9 out of 10 people said
we helped them find a way forward. The most prevalent advice areas remain:
Benefits and Universal Credit, reflecting continued challenges around income adequacy, conditionality, and
managed migration
• Debt, with council tax, rent arrears, and fuel debts leading, underscoring the cost-of-living pressures facing many
households.
• Housing and Charitable Support/Food Banks also remain significant
• We have seen increased presentations around housing, debt, and benefits, with spikes in key months that align
with national policy shifts and local financial pressures.
• The data shows that Universal Credit continues to dominate welfare-related issues, particularly around initial claims,
personal independence payments, and benefit entitlement.
Client Demographics
Our client profile reflects the diversity and vulnerability in our community:
59% of clients are female, with a strong presence across all working-age groups
47% of clients identify as either disabled or having a long-term health condition.
21% of clients are from Black, Asian, Mixed, or other minority ethnic backgrounds.
Outcomes and Impact
• We secured over £4.8 million in positive financial outcomes, including £827,000 in debts written off and nearly
£620,000 in income gains. This reflects the measurable difference our service makes in preventing crisis and
promoting financial stability.
Every year people come to us for help solving their problems. This means we're an important part of the community,
with a credible understanding of local needs. We use this to tailor our services and help improve local policies and
practices.
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
This year we worked to secure improvements for Universal Credit claimants, helping ensure people don't miss out on
Council Tax Reduction.
But what means the most is what our clients have to say: "yes, I can honestly say at the time of reaching out to citizens
advice, I was at my lowest, my wife was in intensive care, I had been made redundant, / was in debt, British gas would
not liaise with me, I felt suicidal, but after gathering courage to speak to citizens advice, slowly and surely my life
changed, I will be forever grateful to the people that did, and still are helping me cope"
Delivery Channels
Client contact continues to shift across multiple channels:
Over 25,000 contacts were made via Adviceline, our most used channel.
In-person appointments remain essential for complex cases and client reassurance.
Contribution of Volunteers and Paid Staff
The charity's success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The
• trustee board and senior management team recognise the tremendous contribution made by the charity's volunteers in
advising the public and administering the service without which the service could not operate. Throughout 2024/25 the
service employed an average over the year of 44 paid workers (36.88 FTE), and a total of 82 volunteers (including
trustees) together delivering our core service and projects.
Volunteers represent the indispensable core of the service for without them, there would not be a Citizens Advice service.
The volunteers contribute, on average, 597.5 hours per week. This may be expressed as an annualised value of
2024/25 £442,744. However, their value is inadequately expressed in monetary terms. Indeed, volunteers bring many skills
to the service and very
often the experience gained helps individuals return to full employment. During 2024/25, 13
volunteers left to take up paid employment.
Citizens Advice Stevenage are working hard to review our approach to attracting and keeping volunteers, through our
partnership with Hertfordshire University and the Job Centre Plus. It is our intention to consistently monitor our approach to
training, to provide an accessible and welcoming place to volunteer.
Factors Affecting the Achievement of Objectives
Maintaining sufficient funding to continue delivering the service remains a continual challenge. We are making sure that we
invest in fundraising and continue to diversify our approach to ensure we are delivering the most cost effective service we
•possibly can. This isn't about simply cutting costs, it is about delivering a service that genuinely meets clients'
make us as cost effective as possible.
• The complexity of the issues that clients are facing, and the additional challenges that clients are experiencing, places
additional demands on the service. The support networks that were previously in place for people are changing and we are
asked to offer support that falls outside the remit of direct advice. Where people are vulnerable, it is essential that we offer
support in a person-centred way and whilst necessary this can be resource intensive.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The availability of funding in the charity sector remains difficult in a period of austerity. The charity is focused on providing
added value to its funders from a base of sound financial management and ensuring that our services remain relevant to
the strategic objectives of stakeholders at local and national level.
The charity is working hard to deliver a cost-effective service that genuinely meets the needs of our clients. It remains a
challenging prospect to meet the ever-increasing demand with significantly reduced funding resources.
In the reporting period, the charity had a surplus of £36,066 (2023/24: £141,704) from a total income of £2,281,237
(2023/24: £1,757,431) and expenditure of £2,245, 171 (2023/24: £1,615,727). The increase in income and expenditure is
mainly due to the full year impact of projects which started part way thorough 2023/24. In addition, the charity has stepped
in to act as principal contract holder on behalf of other Hertfordshire Citizens Advice offices for the Crisis Intervention
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
service funded by Hertfordshire County Council. This funding is recorded as matching income and partner payment cost in
the accounts
At the year end the charity's total funds stand at £648,806 (2023/24: £612,740) of which £608,982 is unrestricted and
£39,824 is restricted
Financial position
The Board decided in 2023 to allocate £15,000 of these unrestricted funds for possible redundancy costs as funding
streams end and are not renewed and has set aside a further £126,299 in a redevelopment fund to support efforts towards
finding new project funding. These funds remain in place in the current year as the environment remains challenging
In addition, £20,440 remains set aside to vital asset replacements.
Cash balances have moved from £1,161,641 at the end of the 2023/24 financial year to £1,312,996 at the end of
2024/25. This is due to funding for 2025/26 received in advance, resulting in an increase in deferred income on the balance
Principal funding sources
The Directors extend their thanks to Stevenage Borough Council which has continued its funding to enable us to provide
our core service. The Council also provides funding for other services such as a Court Desk debt worker, and a full-time
equivalent caseworker through the Stevenage Housing department to help clients in rent arrears or in need of other advice
funded projects in Stevenage.
Investment powers; policy and performance
As required in Article 4.1 of its Articles of Association, the charity has the power, which may be used only to promote the
accumulate expendable endowment.
Reserves policy
Citizens Advice Stevenage is required to ensure that free monies are available in each financial year to meet any
reasonably foreseeable contingency.
Citizens Advice Stevenage will maintain 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 as possible. They will take all
necessary steps to ensure that at no time within this period would it be possible for the cessation of one or more funding
streams to present so serious a challenge to the future of the organisation that it could not be managed so as to continue
to provide a best value advice service.
In reviewing the potential costs that could arise should a significant reduction in income be incurred, the Trustees have
determined that 'free' reserves should be maintained at a minimum of 3.5 months of operating costs
The level of reserves held meets the reserves policy requirement. At 31st March 2025 total reserves were £ 648,806
(£612,740 in 2023/24), of which £ 608,982 represented general unrestricted funds.
Going Concern
After making further appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Strategic Vision for 2025/26 and Beyond
Citizens Advice Stevenage has always been a progressive and ambitious service and over the past few years we have
grown and changed significantly as an organisation. Our primary purpose remains providing resilient and accessible advice
services to Stevenage residents. While we have successfully secured new funding and recommissioning rounds, many
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Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
funding streams have remained flat in cash terms, resulting in real-term cuts. Despite setting a deficit budget last year, we
managed to turn it around through one-off funding awards and staff turnover. This year, we are likely to set another deficit
budget, requiring careful consideration of our options to address these challenges.
In March 2024 board formally signed off our Business Strategy 2024-27: Fit for the Future. This is was the start of an
excellent new phase for Citizens Advice Stevenage. Using internal and external context (e.g. risk, client data, evolving
strategy) we engaged a range of stakeholders from the autumn of 2023, to make sure our strategic decision making was
reflective of the team's views and the reality our service faces, to make sure that our plan is relevant to the things we must
do rather than blue sky, nice to have, aspirations.
This strategy aims to ensure that Citizens Advice Stevenage is optimally positioned to:
• Fulfil all its commitments, continuing to support the growing numbers of people coming to us. Where possible we will
be seeking to operate an integrated delivery model which efficiently leads to more impactful outcomes for clients
• Create an environment conducive to a positive work and volunteer experience, supporting our team to be best placed
to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.
• Be responsive to the evolving needs of clients, the society in which they live and the sector within which we operate
and remain prepared for the forthcoming challenges and opportunities.
As we move into 2025/26, we remain committed to delivering responsive, high-quality advice services that meet the
evolving needs of our residents. Over the 2024/25, we have laid the groundwork to ensure our service is fit for the future —
building the right structure, investing in staff and volunteers, and enhancing how we use insight and data to shape service
delivery.
People, Skills & Culture
We will focus on embedding the new operating model, implementing our Post-Restructure Culture Recovery Plan, and
launching a clear progression framework. A full pay review will be presented following Henley's recommendations. We aim
to expand training—particularly leadership, development-and strengthen engagement through improved feedback and
collaboration. Trustee and senior leadership collaboration will also be enhanced.
Tools & Technology
We will complete the onboarding of a new IT provider and begin implementation of the ICT strategy, ensuring our systems
are modern, secure, and fit for purpose.
Process & Structure
Key priorities include finalising the Governance Manual and Delegation Framework, improving financial planning, and
introducing
trustee
committees for stronger oversight. We will also enhance advice delivery through streamlined
processes, automation, and adviser training, and continue to build cross-office collaboration for long-term sustainability
Auditors
Under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006, Menzies LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28
days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the
accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.
The Trustees (who are also the directors of Stevenage Citizens Advice Bureau for the purposes of company law) are
responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (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 incoming resources and application of resources, including the
income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees
are required to
Page 10

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable
company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any
time the financial position of the charitable company and to 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.
In so far as the Trustees are aware:
There is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make them aware of any relevant audit
information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
•Signed by:
Sarale Milson
-ADA64DSF6C2845D...
Sarah Neilson
Chair of the Board
Date:
16-Sep-2025
Page 11

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
MENZIES
BRIGHTER THINKING
INDEPEDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STEVENAGE
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Opinion
'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial
statements section
of our report.
We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethic
equirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financi
Reporting Council'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 charitable company'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 Annual report other than the financial statements and our
Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. 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
Page 12

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STEVENAGE
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CONTINUED)
. Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinión, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the Trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is
consistent with the financial statements
•
the Trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
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 Trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in'respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report
to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from
branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime
and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the Trustees' report and from the requirement
to prepare a Strategic report.:
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities
statement, 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.
Page 13

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STEVENAGE
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CONTINUED)
Auditors' 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 Auditors' 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:
The charitable company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including
financial reporting legislation. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant including
FRS 102, Charities SORP, Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011 and compliance with the National Citizens
Advice Bureax policies. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our
procedures on the related financial statement items.
• We understood how the charitable company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by, making
inquiries to management, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the company secretary. We
corroborated our inquiries through our review of board minutes.
• The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and
capabilities to identify or recognize non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment did not identify any
issues in this area.
• We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement, including
how fraud might occur. We considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud
and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas; management override of controls to manipulate
results, or to cause the charitable company to enter into transactions not in its best interests.
Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect
fraud;
Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls
or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;
Challenging assumptions and judgments made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and
Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
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.
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 Auditors' report.
Page 14

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3ВАА4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STEVENAGE
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CONTINUED)
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
those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' 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 its members,
as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed
•DocuSigned by:
Janice Matthews
Janice Matthews FCA (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of
Menzies LLP
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Magna House
18-32 London Road
Staines-Upon-Thames
TW18 4BP
Date: 16-Sep-2025
Page 15

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903СE3ВАA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND
EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Total
Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure/income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
3
4
5
6
14
1,961,981
-
1,961,981
1,965,389
1,965,389
(3,408)
(23,192)
(26,600)
66,424
(26,600)
39,824
95,753
200,101
23,402
319,256
279,782
279,782
39,474
23,192
62,666
546,316
62,666
608,982
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 19 to 32 form part of these financial statements.
95,753
2,162,082
23,402
2,281,237
1 2,245,171
2,245,171
36,066
106,386
1,639,523
11,522
1,757,431
1,615,727
1,615,727
141,704
36,066
612,740
36,066
648,806
141,704
471,036
141,704
612,740
)
Page 16

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BАА4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 03836106
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
€
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Note
11
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
12
202,476
1,312,996
1,515,472
141,655
1,161,641
1,303,296
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
13
(866,666)
(690,556)
Total assets less current liabilities
. Total net assets
648,806
648,806
648,806
612,740
612,740
612,740
Charity funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
14
14
Total funds
39,824
608,982
648,806
66,424
546,316
612,740
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting
records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small
companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
•Signed by:
Sarale Milson
~ADA64DSF6G2846D..
Sarah Neilson
Chair of the Board
Date: 16-Sep-2025
The notes on pages 19 to 32 form part of these financial statements.
Page 17

(
Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
The notes on pages 19 to 32 form part of these financial statements
2026
127,955
23,401
23,401
151,356
1,161,641
1,312,997
2024
581,162
11,522
11,522
592,684
568,957
1,161,641
Page 18

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1.
General information
Stevenage Citizens Advice Bureau is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity, both registered in
England and Wales. The charity and company registration numbers, along with the registered office address, can
be found within the reference and administrative details on page 1.
2.
Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of
•Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Stevenage Citizens Advice Bureau 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.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees believe that the charity has sufficient resources to continue its operations from at least twelve
months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The accounts are accordingly prepared on
the Going Concern basis.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be
received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of incomê
received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the
Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and
included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is
accrued.
Gifts in kind donated are included at valuation on receipt. Donated professional services and facilities are
recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount it would have been willing to
pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount
is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a
third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of
the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are
made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each
activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which
contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are
apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are
allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's
objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Page 19

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2.
3.
• Accounting policies (continued)
2.4 Expenditure (continued)
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.5 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the
Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds
are deposited.
2.6 Financial instruments
The Charity only has
financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial
instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently
measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at
amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2.7 Pensions
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts
payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
2.8 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 Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise
unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular
purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or
which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such
funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to
the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Income from donations and legacies
Donations
Unrestricted
funds
2025
€
95,753
Total
funds
2025
95,753
Total
funds
2024
106,386
Total 2024
106,386
106,386
Page 20

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
4.
Income from charitable activities
• Grants
Total 2024
. Investment income
Restricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
€
2025
1,961,981
1,357,617
200,101
281,906
5.
Unrestricted
funds
2025
23,402
11,522
6.
Deposit account interest
Total 2024
Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Summary by fund type
Direct charitable expenditure
Total 2024
Restricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
€
1,965,389
1,305,038
279,782
310,689
2,162,082
1,639,523
Total
funds
2025
23,402
11,522
Total
2025
€
2,245,171
1,615,727
Lunas
2024
1,639,523
Total
funds
2024
11,522
Total
2024
1,615,727
Page 21

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Analysis of expenditure by activities
Direct charitable expenditure
Total 2024
Activities
undertaken
directly
2025
€
1,895,840
1,326,676
Support
costs
2025
349,331
289,051
Analysis of direct costs
Staff costs
Staff and Volunteer costs
Office costs
Premises,
Other costs
Partner Payment
Governance costs
Total 2024
Activities
2025
1,045,146
13,037
22,910
90,000
3,830
713,754
7,163
1,895,840
1,326,676
2,245,171
1,615,727
Total
funds
2025
€
1,045,146
13,037
22,910
90,000
3,830
713,754
7,163
1,895,840
1,326,676
Total
funds
2024
£
1,615,727
Total
funds
2024
£
779,556
8,866
61,918
89,999
11,358
362,309
- 12,670
1,326,676
Page 22

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
7.
Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of support costs
8.
9.
Total
funds
2025
€
Total
funds
2024
Staff costs
Staff and Volunteer costs
Office costs
Premises
Other costs
Governance costs
174,698
31,265
105,440
307
682
36,939
187,818
14,550
67,588
2,085
2,393
14,617
Total 2025
349,331
289,051
Support costs are allocated to each activity according to the number of Full Time Equivalent Number of Staff
working on each activity.
Auditors' remuneration
The auditors' remuneration amounts to an auditor fee of £10,500 (2024 - £8,750), and Preparation of statutory
financial statements of £2,100 (2024 - £1,750):
Staff costs
• Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
2025
1,081,209
91,538
47,097
1,219,844
2024
856,191
68,858
42,325
967,374
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
Advice and Information
Administration and support
2025
No.
34
9
43
2024
No.
35
7
42
Page 23

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
9.
Staff costs (continued)
The average headcount expressed as full-time equivalents was:
Advice and Information
Administration and support
2025
No.
29
8
37
2024
No.
25
7
32
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
Total key management personnel remuneration (including benefits) was £218,962 (2024: £158,742).
10.
Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - ENIL).
During the year ended 31 March 2025, expenses totalling £174 were reimbursed or paid directly to 1 Trustee (2024
- ENIL to Trustee), for travel and parking costs for meetings.
11.
. Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fittings
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
19,409
19,409
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
19,409
19,409
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
Page 24

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12. Debtors
2025
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
139,443
5,749
57,284
202,476
13.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
2025
€
87,286
20,633
201,073
557,674
866,666
Included within accruals and deferred income is:.
Deferred income
Deferred income at 1 April 2024
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods
Deferred income at 31 March 2025
2025
•f
394,192
483,797
(394,192)
483,797
Deferred income relates to Grant income given for use in future periods.
2024
£
118,156
23,499
141,655
2024
72,501
17,661
195,702
404,692
690,556
2024
128,285
394,192
(128,285)
394,192
Page 25

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
14.
Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
Balance at 1
April 2024
€
Income Expenditure
Transfers Balance at 31
in/out
March 2025
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Asset Replacement Fund
Digital and Redevelopment Fund
Redundancy Fund
20,440
126,299
15,000
161,739
20,440
126,299
15,000
161,739
General funds
General Fund
Total Unrestricted funds
384,577
546,316
319,256
319,256
. (279,782)
(279,782)
23,192
23,192
447,243
608,982
Designated funds:
Asset Replacement fund - A reserve to ensure that there is sufficient money to replace equipment when it
becomes obsolete or beyond economic repair.
Digital and Redevelopment fund - to fund additional resources associated with finding new funding or
redesigning our operating model/ investment in new ways of working/ efficiencies etc. Ultimately this fund i
important in ensuring that even in tight financial times, we can still invest where necessary in developing th
service to the benefit of our clients..
Redundancy fund - A reserve to cover the possible costs of staff redundancies, in the event that project contracts
are not renewed
Page 26

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
14. Statement of funds (continued)
Restricted funds
Henry Smith
COL Advisor
HCAS Project Management
HCAS Welfare Benefits
BLC Law Student
HCAS Crisis
SBC Housing Debt Advice
SBC Court Desk
CA PensionWise
CA HTC
Follet Family
Immigration Support
Out of Hours Advice
HertsHelp
A2JLS
57,737
(57,737)
13,252
23,192
7,323
6,998
15,429
230
66,424
362,446
32,673
31,306
26,010
113,936
219,586
17,201
22,228
46,445
/ 960,662
71,751
1,961,981
(361,301)
(36,996)
(31,306)
(26,240)
(113,936)
(219,586)
(17,201)
(22,228).
(46,445)
(960,662)
(71,751)
(1,965,389)
Total of funds
612,740
2,281,237
(2,245,171)
(13,252)
(23,192)
6,998
(6,998)
13,252
(23,192)
15,466
24,358
39,824
648,806
Page 27

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 :
14.
Statement of funds (continued)
Court Desk - Court desk representation for clients due to attend a possession hearing
and homelessness
prevention advice
Pensión Wise - Delivery of face-to-face pension guidance
sessions to empower customers in their pension
Henry Smith - Specialist advice and advocacy for clients with both priority and non-priority debts funded by Henry
Smith Foundation.
COL Advisor - Cost of Living Adviser funded by Hertfordshire County Council to support with the cost of living
crisis and provide generalist advice.
HAS Welfare Benefits - Our Welfare Benefit Appeals project aims to support, advocate, and represent clients at
benefit tribunals, when their benefits have been turned down. The appeals caseload is intensive and requires in
depth understanding of welfare benefit rules and regulations.
HCAS Crisis - One to one specialist advice to people in crisis situations, or at times of exceptional hardship.
SBC Housing Debt Advice - Working with clients who have local authority rent arrears, putting them back on
track with their finances and working to reduce their rent arrears. Negotiating affordable repayment plans to
empower residents to take back control of their financial situation.
CA HTC - A telephone and web chat service for those looking for support to make a claim for Universal Credit
funded by Citizens Advice National.
Follet Family - Specialist support on family and relationship matters, such as divorce, separation, children and
residence issues. Including practical advice for victims of domestic abuse.
HertsHelp - A 7 day a week Adviceline connecting Hertfordshire residents to the right services for their needs
funded by Hertfordshire County Council. Our HertsHelp team listen, research, refer and signpost people to
community organisations that work together to provide information and advice on community services in
Hertfordshire.
A2JLS - working to sustain and improve access to early social welfare and family legal advice, to enable users to
resolve these problems as early as possible and avoid the need for court or tribunal proceedings where possible.
funded by Access to Justice.
BLC Law Student partnered with the Money Advice Unit and University of Hertfordshire Law Clinic to enhance
capacity and provide students with a unique opportunity to gain vital knowledge and experience in this field, under
the supervision of our specialist caseworker.
Out of Hours Advice - Out of Hours Adviceline so residents can speak to a fully trained adviser at a time that suits
them without needing to take time out of their working day or interrupting their caring responsibilities in order to get
the help they need, funded by Hertfordshire County Council.
HCAS Project Management - Project management and impact analysis of the Crisis Intervention, Hertfordshire
Welfare Benefits and BSL services.
HAS BDM - Working on behalf of Citizens Advice in Hertfordshire to provide business development to develop
services to benefit our collective clients.
MaPS - Debt advice project funded by the Money and Pensions Service.
VCFSE Alliance - Hosting the secretariat to support the day-to-day operations of Herts and West Essex VCFSE
Alliance. The overall aims of Hertfordshire and West Essex VCFSE Alliance are to achieve tangible outcomes for
the sector and communities through presenting a unified voice within a newly created Integrated Care System.
Herts Comm No1 - Adviser Capacity to provide generalist advice.
Page 28

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4ĘFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO'THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
14. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
Unrestricted funds
Asset Replacement Fund
Digital and Redevelopment Fund
Redundancy Fund
Balance at
1 April 2023
. 20,440
126,299
15,000
161,7.39
General funds
General Fund
Total Unrestricted funds
295,452
457,191
399,814
399,814
Restricted funds
Court Desk
Pension Wise
Henry Smith
Money and Pensions Service
COL Advisor
VCFSE Alliance
Herts Comm No 1
HCAS Project Management
HCAS Welfare Benefits
BLC Law Student
HCAS Crisis
SBC Housing Debt Advice
CA HTC
Follet Family:
Partner Payments
Out of Hours Advice
HertsHelp
A2JLS
230
3,008
1,832
3,679
764
4,259
73
24,790
118,309
45,809
38,100
42,522
46,686
39,480
15,127
50,111
35,974
173,908
24,329
24,715
31,278
619,763
26,716
Expenditure
(310,689)
(310,689)
(24,790)
(121,317)
(47,641)
• (3,679)
(25,612)
(46,781)
(73)
(23,494)
(32,157)
(8,129)
(34,682)
(35,974)
(173,908)
(24,329)
(24,715)
(31,278)
(619,763)
(26,716)
Balance at
31 March
2024
20,440
.126,299
15,000
161,739
384,577
546,316
230
13,252
23,192
7,323
6,998
15,429
Page 29

..-
Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
14.
Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year (continued)
Balance at
1 April 2023
Income
13,845
1,357,617
Toi
ta
of funds
471,036
1,757,431
Expenditure
(1,305,038)
(1,615, 727)
Balance at
31 March
2024
66,424
612,740
Page 30

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3BAA4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
15.
Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Balance at 1
April 2024
161,739
384,577
66,424
612,740
Income
319,256
1,961,981
2,281,237
Expenditure
(279,782)
(1,965,389)
(2,245,171)
Transfers Balance at 31
in/out
March 2025
€
23,192
(23,192)
161,739
447,243
39,824
648,806
Summary of funds - prior year
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Balance at
1 April 2023
£
161,739
295,452
13,845
471,036
Income
Expenditure
399,814
1,357,617
1,757,431
(310,689)
(1,305,038)
(1,615,727)
Balance at
31 March
2024
161,739
384,577
66,424
612,740
16.
Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
. Total
Restricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
€
39,824
39,824
1,475,649
(866,666)
608,983
Total
funds
2025
. €
1,515,473
(866,666)
648,807
Page 31

Docusign Envelope ID: FDEFAE66-C1F3-4EFE-9977-903CE3ВАА4AF
STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
16. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
Restricted
funds
2024
66,424
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total
66,424
Unrestricted
funds
2024
1,236,872
(690,556)
546,316
Total
funds
2024
1,303,296
(690,556)
612,740
17.
Related party transactions
The Charity has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding
balances owing between related parties and the Charity at 31 March 2025.
Page 32