Company Registration Number: 3765728 Charity Registration Number: 1077427
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau Financial Statements For the Year Ending 31 March 2023
JANE ASCROFT ACCOUNTANCY LIMITED
Chartered Accountants Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report) | 1 |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account) | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 |
| The Following Pages Do Not Form Part of the Financial Statements | |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 21 |
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Objectives and Activities
The Charity's objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in Barrow and district by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.
The trustees confirm that in reviewing and planning the charity's aims and objectives they have paid due regard to Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006.
Barrow CAB's aims are:
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To provide the advice people need for the problems they face and
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To improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives
The charity provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information to anyone regardless of personal circumstance. Barrow CAB values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.
Objectives, Strategies and Activities for the Year
Trustees' resolve for 2022 to 2023 was to "Keep calm and carry on", providing some stability for those needing our service during a time of austerity and upheaval.
Local government reorganisation, a hugely competitive local employment market and the cost of living crisis dominated in the last year presenting numerous challenges for Barrow CAB and for our local residents. As seven councils worked towards becoming two completely new local authorities business as usual activities such as council tax recovery and housing benefit processes were massively disrupted with usual communication routes rendered ineffective. Faced with such massive pressure and instability many of the key personnel with whom Barrow CAB has worked for many years opted for retirement or to leave. The incomparable incentives offered by BAE systems as they seek to employ thousands of workers led to a drain of experienced workers from all statutory agencies compounding the impact on their services.
The knock on effect for Barrow CAB included:
increased demand from dissatisfied individuals who could not get a response from statutory agencies and mistakenly believed Citizens Advice is part of and has special access to statutory services so could quickly resolve their query.
Increased wait times for our advisers when trying to confirm information necessary to resolving our clients' problems. The delays meant more adviser time being spent chasing unanswered requests for information or decisions. It also meant more time reassuring clients that their problem could be resolved but would take longer.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report) (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
Amongst the most significant challenges for our organisation was prolonged uncertainty about continued grant funding once the new Westmorland and Furness council took over in April 2023 and prolonged uncertainty about the lease on our office which was due to end in January 2023. Like many of our clients we faced the real possibility of a massive drop in income and being "homeless", both of which could potentially result in service cuts or planned closure of Barrow CAB. Almost inevitably this uncertainty lead to the loss of some of our workforce as they found more guaranteed work elsewhere.
The cost of living crisis brought fresh impetus to supporting our clients to achieve a level of financial resilience and improve their personal resilience. As more people were drawn in to the "just about managing (JAM)" group, or moved from JAM to living in poverty, Barrow CAB worked to maximise clients' incomes, securing more than £2million income gains and supporting those in crisis with immediate aid. With funding from Cumbria County Council and the Baywind Community Energy Trust we were able to to provide help with unaffordable energy bills, white goods, clothing, TV licenses and Debt relief order fees, whilst we worked to resolve the root causes of their crisis.
Despite this difficult background Barrow CAB kept calm and carried on to deliver high quality advice and support to 2846 clients about 15,341 separate issues. Of those we helped 61% were disabled or had long term health problems, 62% had a household income of £15,000 or less, 37% had children and 33% were in work. 22% were aged 65 and over. CAB remains a key organisation for people who have the fewest resources and greatest economic pressures. An independent survey of those helped showed:
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94% would recommend our service to others
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94% agreed we had helped them find a way forward with their issues
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93% found it easy to access our service
In terms of value for money, our advice service resulted in:
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£3,923,256 To the people we helped
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£6,653,852 Public value
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£1,128,679 Fiscal value
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£4,697,400 Public value of improving clients' emotional wellbeing, family relationships and
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positive functioning
Trustees wholly acknowledge these achievements result from the sustained efforts of the staff team who remain committed to ensuring clients receive high quality support and advice. The respect and appreciation felt for staff who have worked tirelessly in very frustrating circumstances over which they have little control is immense. Trustees have no hesitation in thanking everyone for their continued contribution to the organisation.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report) (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
Financial Review
Financial Position
The trustees are satisfied that the Charity has adequate reserves to continue its work for the next twelve months.
Reserves policy
The charity follows the guidance issued by the Charity Commission and seeks to maintain adequate reserves to meet the charity's commitments. This amounts to the equivalent of 3 months running costs, currently £95,607. The trustees have also designated £60,292 to meet the cost of contractual commitments to staff, £229,283 in staffing costs for the First Contact service until 2025 and £5,000 for ICT upgrades. This gives total required reserves of £390,182. Actual unrestricted funds at 31st March 2023 excluding fixed assets were £392,944.
Investment policy
The recommended level of resources which the charity carries in its current account is maintained at not more than is required for a normal month's activity. A proportion of remaining monies are held in an interest bearing account giving as high a rate of return as possible whilst retaining flexibility to be able to draw down monies as and when required. The funds designated for future investment in front line services are placed in a range of savings accounts to achieve maximum interest so the organisation's strategic development plans are achieved.
Donations policy
The policy of the charity is not to give grants / donations to other charities or organisations.
Plans for Future Periods
Trustees recognise the economic challenges facing our local residents are likely to continue and even worsen over the coming years. This will mean our service needs to be as responsive as possible and that our limited resources remain targeted at those who are most in need and least able to help themselves. Every effort will be made to identify and secure funding to maintain and hopefully expand our current staff team so we are able to help more people. We also intend to work in greater collaboration with colleagues in South Lakes and Carlisle and Eden Citizens Advice to ensure consistency of service across the new Westmorland and Furness local authority.
Structure, Governance and Management
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau (Barrow CAB) is a company limited by guarantee, governed under Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Appointment of trustees
Trustees are elected at the annual general meeting, are appointed to the Board following nomination by member organisations or are co-opted by the Trustee Board. Appointment of nominated or co-opted Trustees is agreed at any ordinary meeting of the Board.
Recruitment, induction and training of trustees
The Trustee Board conducts an annual skills audit of Board members and actively seeks out new Trustees as appropriate to ensure the Board has the most useful skill mix possible and is representative of the local community.
All trustees are expected to be committed to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice and be willing to take an active role in the governance of Barrow CAB. Potential Trustees are selected on the basis of the expertise and experience they might bring to the organisation. Induction for all new Trustees covers the structure, aims and principles of Citizens Advice, legal obligations under charity and company law, the objectives and activities of Barrow CAB and current business and development plans.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report) (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
Organisational structure & networks
Barrow CAB is governed by the Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and has ultimate responsibility for the conduct of Barrow CAB and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Board meetings are held quarterly with additional meetings as necessary. The trustees meet twice yearly to carry out a full review of the current business plan and to determine future strategic direction of the organisation. Non Trustee members may be co-opted to attend meetings for a specific expertise they bring for time limited periods.
Operational management of Barrow CAB is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer who works closely with the First Contact Team Leader to ensure delivery of all services.
Barrow CAB is a member of the national Citizens Advice organisation. Barrow CAB actively participates in the development, planning and delivery of county wide services as part of the consortium of local Citizens Advice offices in Cumbria.
Barrow CAB is also one of the lead partners together with Mind in Furness, Barrow & District Disability Association, Barrow Foodbank and Project John in the Barrow Advice Hub. Together, we deliver projects which help the most disadvantaged residents of Barrow in times of crisis and help them build their personal resilience.
Services are delivered by a small team of committed paid workers.
Risks Policy
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place so timely action is taken to mitigate exposure to those risks.
The major risk to the organisation is loss of local authority funding in the immediate future and the impact of such financial instability on retention of our highly skilled workforce, without whom services cannot be provided. Barrow CAB is working closely with national Citizens Advice and other local Citizens Advice operating within the new Westmorland and Furness council area to secure local authority funding that offers a sustainable future as well as exploring other funding sources.
Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed by the trustees and staff to ensure they still meet the needs of the charity.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report) (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
Reference and Administrative Details
Registered charity name Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau Charity registration number 1077427 Company registration number 3765728 Principal office and registered Ramsden Hall office Abbey Road Barrow In Furness Cumbria LA14 5QW The Trustees
Ms W Robinson Mr S Trainer Mr M Waite (Retired 30 September 2022) Ms L Chambers Ms R Knagg Ms J Mayhew Company Secretary Ms M C McKinlay Independent Examiner Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab) Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT
Small Company Provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Ms M C McKinlay Charity Secretary
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Year Ended 31 March 2023
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab) Independent Examiner
Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | ||||
| funds | funds | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 5 | 16,980 | – | 16,980 | 5,040 |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 274,636 | 97,937 | 372,573 | 333,205 |
| Investment income | 7 | 2,747 | – | 2,747 | 378 |
| Other income | 8 | 5,000 | – | 5,000 | 4,000 |
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| Total income | 299,363 | 97,937 | 397,300 | 342,623 | |
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| Expenditure | |||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 9,10 | 286,245 | 105,315 | 391,560 | 370,667 |
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| Total expenditure | 286,245 | 105,315 | 391,560 | 370,667 | |
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| Net income/(expenditure) | 13,118 | (7,378) | 5,740 | (28,044) | |
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| Transfers between funds | (7,378) | 7,378 | – | – | |
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| Net movement in funds | 5,740 | – | 5,740 | (28,044) | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 387,204 | – | 387,204 | 415,248 | |
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| Total funds carried forward | 392,944 | – | 392,944 | 387,204 | |
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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 9 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Statement of Financial Position
31 March 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | ||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 16 | 2,895 | 7,464 | |
| Current Assets | ||||
| Debtors | 17 | 4,605 | 7,585 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 521,627 | 421,464 | ||
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| 526,232 | 429,049 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 18 | 136,183 | 49,309 | |
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| Net Current Assets | 390,049 | 379,740 | ||
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| Total Assets Less Current Liabilities | 392,944 | 387,204 | ||
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| Net Assets | 392,944 | 387,204 | ||
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| Funds of the Charity | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 392,944 | 387,204 | ||
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| Total charity funds | 20 | 392,944 | 387,204 | |
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For the year ending 31 March 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
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 ........................, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
Ms W Robinson Trustee
The notes on pages 9 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 March 2023
1. General Information
The charity is a public benefit entity and 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 Ramsden Hall, Abbey Road, Barrow In Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5QW.
2. Statement of Compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investments measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
The entity is a Public Benefit Entity.
Going Concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Trustees consider that there are no significant estimates or judgements affecting these accounts.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the purposes of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for specific purposes.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
3. Accounting Policies (continued)
Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Donations and legacy income is received by way of donations, legacies, grants and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Where legacies have been notified to the charity but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity, being the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market.
Investment income is included when receivable.
Income from charitable trading activity is accounted for when earned.
Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with attracting donations, grants and legacies and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned based on the number of staff working on each project.
Tangible Assets
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
3. Accounting Policies (continued)
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:
Office Equipment - 33% straight line Computer Equipment - 33% straight line Property Improvements - 20% straight line
Impairment of Fixed Assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Financial Instruments
The charity only has financial assets and 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.
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.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date.
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
3. Accounting Policies (continued)
Creditors
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Taxation
The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
4. Limited by Guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee. At 31st March 2023 there were 5 members each of whom had undertaken to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of a winding up.
The company is under the control of the board of trustees as a body and as such is not controlled by any individual.
5. Donations and Legacies
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2023 | Funds | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | ||||
| Donations | – | – | 40 | 40 |
| Grants | ||||
| Hadfield Trust | – | – | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Cita Cost of Living | 15,000 | 15,000 | – | – |
| Citizens Advice Cumbria | 1,980 | 1,980 | – | – |
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| 16,980 | 16,980 | 5,040 | 5,040 | |
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
6. Charitable Activities
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Barrow Borough Council | 99,280 | – | 99,280 | ||
| Cumbria County Council - General | 30,000 | – | 30,000 | ||
| CA Carlisle - Employment Advice | 10,000 | – | 10,000 | ||
| MAPS | – | 55,251 | 55,251 | ||
| Barrow Foodbank | – | 11,141 | 11,141 | ||
| CA Manchester (Energy NW) | 11,160 | – | 11,160 | ||
| Cumbria County Council - Money Advice | project | 57,060 | – | 57,060 | |
| Cumbria County Council - Mental Wellbeing project | 32,328 | – | 32,328 | ||
| Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits | 28,312 | – | 28,312 | ||
| Help Through Crisis | – | 31,545 | 31,545 | ||
| Other charitable income | 6,496 | – | 6,496 | ||
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| 274,636 | 97,937 | 372,573 | |||
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| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Barrow Borough Council | 99,280 | – | 99,280 | ||
| MAPS | – | 80,473 | 80,473 | ||
| Cumbria County Council - Money Advice | project | 57,060 | – | 57,060 | |
| Universal Credit Help to Claim | – | 32,632 | 32,632 | ||
| Cumbria County Council - Mental Wellbeing project | 2,155 | – | 2,155 | ||
| Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits | 26,862 | – | 26,862 | ||
| Help Through Crisis | – | 28,866 | 28,866 | ||
| Other charitable income | 5,877 | – | 5,877 | ||
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| 191,234 | 141,971 | 333,205 | |||
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| 7. | Investment Income | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2023 | Funds | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Bank interest receivable | 2,747 | 2,747 | 378 | 378 | |
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| 8. | Other Income | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2023 | Funds | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Employment allowance | 5,000 | 5,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | |
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 212,521 | 87,238 | 299,759 | ||
| Support costs | 73,724 | 18,077 | 91,801 | ||
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| 286,245 | 105,315 | 391,560 | |||
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| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 151,764 | 113,664 | 265,428 | ||
| Support costs | 64,983 | 40,256 | 105,239 | ||
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| 216,747 | 153,920 | 370,667 | |||
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| 10. | Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Activity Type | ||||
| Activities | |||||
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | |||
| directly | Support costs | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 299,759 | 91,801 |
391,560 | 370,667 | |
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| 11. | Net Income/(Expenditure) | ||||
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 4,569 | 4,563 | |||
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| 12. | Independent Examination and Audit Fees | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fees payable for: | |||||
| Independent examination of the financial | statements | 1,200 | – | ||
| Audit of the financial statements | – | 2,520 | |||
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| 1,200 | 2,520 | ||||
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| 13. | Staff Costs | ||||
| The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as | follows: | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Wages and salaries | 269,470 | 268,279 | |||
| Social security costs | 21,950 | 21,401 | |||
| Employer contributions to pension plans | 19,993 | 19,117 | |||
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| 311,413 | 308,797 | ||||
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Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
13. Staff Costs (continued)
The average head count of employees during the year was 16 (2022: 14). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2023 2022 No. No. Advice and information 16 14 ════ ════
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2022: Nil).
Key Management Personnel
Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £33,497 (2022:£32,724).
14. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses
No trustee has received any remuneration during the current or previous year. Trustees were reimbursed expenses of £Nil during the year (2022 - £Nil).
15. Transfers Between Funds
During the year £7,378 was transferred from unrestricted to restricted funds. This comprised:
2023 £ Match funding for MAPS 6,836 Match funding for Help Through Crisis 542 ─────── 7,378 ═══════
16. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Office | Computer | Property | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Equipment | Improvements | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | ||||
| At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 | 15,486 | 27,843 | 18,012 | 61,341 |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
|
| Depreciation | ||||
| At 1 April 2022 | 11,626 | 27,843 | 14,408 | 53,877 |
| Charge for the year | 965 | – | 3,604 | 4,569 |
──────── |
──────── |
──────── |
──────── |
|
| At 31 March 2023 | 12,591 | 27,843 | 18,012 | 58,446 |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
|
| Carrying amount | ||||
| At 31 March 2023 | 2,895 | – | – | 2,895 |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
|
| At 31 March 2022 | 3,860 | – | 3,604 | 7,464 |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
════════ |
- 15 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
17. Debtors
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Prepayments | 1,044 | 2,609 |
| Accrued income | 3,561 | 4,976 |
─────── |
─────── |
|
| 4,605 | 7,585 | |
═══════ |
═══════ |
|
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals | 4,044 | 3,944 |
| Social security and other taxes | 4,283 | 4,651 |
| Pension creditor | 1,555 | 282 |
| Deferred income | 126,301 | 38,578 |
| Other creditors | – | 1,854 |
───────── |
──────── |
|
136,183═════════ |
49,309════════ |
18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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 £19,993 (2022: £19,117).
- 16 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
20. Analysis of Charitable Funds
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | At 31 March | ||||
| 1 April 2022 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Reserves | 172,149 | 299,363 | (281,676) | (59,922) | 129,914 |
| Capital Fund | 7,464 | – | (4,569) | – | 2,895 |
| Contractual | |||||
| commitments to staff | 62,411 | – | – | (2,119) | 60,292 |
| ICT upgrades and | |||||
| building works | 19,390 | – | – | (14,390) | 5,000 |
| First Contact Service | 125,790 | – | – | 69,053 | 194,843 |
───────── |
───────── |
───────── |
──────── |
───────── |
|
| 387,204 | 299,363 | (286,245) | (7,378) | 392,944 |
|
═════════ |
═════════ |
═════════ |
════════ |
═════════ |
|
| At | At 31 March | ||||
| 1 April 2021 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Reserves | 184,184 | 200,652 | (204,634) | (8,053) | 172,149 |
| Capital Fund | 7,206 | – | (4,563) | 4,821 | 7,464 |
| Contractual | |||||
| commitments to staff | 58,608 | – | – | 3,803 | 62,411 |
| ICT upgrades and | |||||
| building works | – | – | – | 19,390 | 19,390 |
| First Contact Service | 157,700 | – | – | (31,910) | 125,790 |
| Apprenticeship project | 7,550 | – | (7,550) | – | – |
───────── |
───────── |
───────── |
──────── |
───────── |
|
415,248═════════ |
200,652═════════ |
(216,747)═════════ |
(11,949)════════ |
387,204 ═════════ |
Funds have been designated for the following purposes:
First Contact service: The service continues to operate at a loss as combined funding is insufficient for staffing current levels. Maintaining this service is vital in order to meet local demand for advice. We have designated £157,700 for this service for 2021 to 2024.
Contractual obligations to staff: this is essential expenditure needed to meet redundancy and notice costs for all eligible staff should projects end. We have designated £58,602 for this financial year.
Building repairs: £15,550 to comply with our lease requirements to carry out repairs to the fabric of our building scheduled to take place in this financial year.
IT upgrade: £3,840 to replace out of date hardware in public areas.
- 17 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
20. Analysis of Charitable Funds (continued)
Restricted funds
| Restricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | At 31 March | ||||
| 1 April 2022 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| MAPS | – | 55,251 | (62,087) | 6,836 | – |
| Foodbank | – | 11,141 | (11,141) | – | – |
| Help thru Crisis | – | 8,104 | (8,646) | 542 | – |
| Help thru Crisis - | |||||
| Emergency Fund | – | 23,441 | (23,441) | – | – |
──── |
──────── |
───────── |
─────── |
──── |
|
| – | 97,937 | (105,315) | 7,378 | – | |
════ |
════════ |
═════════ |
═══════ |
════ |
|
| At | At 31 March | ||||
| 1 April 2021 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| MAPS | – | 80,473 | (78,121) | (2,352) | – |
| National Lottery | |||||
| Community Fund - Help | |||||
| Through Crisis | – | 28,866 | (31,927) | 3,061 | – |
| Universal Credit Help To | |||||
| Claim | – | 32,632 | (43,872) | 11,240 | – |
──── |
───────── |
───────── |
──────── |
──── |
|
| – | 141,971 | (153,920) | 11,949 | – | |
════ |
═════════ |
═════════ |
════════ |
════ |
The Money Advice Service project is funded by the Money Advice and Pensions Service in partnership with Citizens Advice. The contract funds debt caseworker hours at Barrow CAB. Help Through Crisis – the Lottery funded this project to support individuals in crisis get the advice they needed to resolve the crisis and then address its underlying causes.
Barrow Foodbank – provided a grant so individuals in urgent need of food and advice to resolve the underlying causes of hardship could be referred for immediate support and advice.
Emergency Fund – Cumbria County Council and the Baywind Community Energy Trust provided grants to enable Barrow CAB to provide support to individuals struggling to meet their energy costs.
- 18 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
21. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 2,895 | 2,895 |
| Current assets | 526,232 | 526,232 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (136,183) | (136,183) |
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Net assets | 392,944 | 392,944 |
═════════ |
═════════ |
|
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 7,464 | 7,464 |
| Current assets | 429,049 | 429,049 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (49,309) | (49,309) |
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Net assets | 387,204 | 387,204 |
═════════ |
═════════ |
22. Operating Lease Commitments
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Not later than | 1 | year | – | 6 |
════ |
════ |
23. Transactions With Connected Charities
During the year Ms M C McKinlay (Company Secretary) and Ms W Robinson were also trustees of Citizens Advice Cumbria (CAC), a consortium of the Citizens Advice Bureaux in Cumbria. The following funding has been received through CAC during the year:
| 2023 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Macmillan Cancer Support | 28,312 |
════════ |
- 19 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Management Information
Year Ended 31 March 2023
The Following Pages Do Not Form Part of the Financial Statements.
- 20 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Year Ended 31 March 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | – | 40 |
| Hadfield Trust | – | 5,000 |
| Cita Cost of Living | 15,000 | – |
| Citizens Advice Cumbria | 1,980 | – |
──────── |
─────── |
|
| 16,980 | 5,040 | |
──────── |
─────── |
|
| Charitable activities | ||
| Barrow Borough Council | 99,280 | 99,280 |
| Cumbria County Council - General | 30,000 | – |
| CA Carlisle - Employment Advice | 10,000 | – |
| MAPS | 55,251 | 80,473 |
| Barrow Foodbank | 11,141 | – |
| CA Manchester (Energy NW) | 11,160 | – |
| Cumbria County Council - Money Advice project | 57,060 | 57,060 |
| Universal Credit Help to Claim | – | 32,632 |
| Cumbria County Council - Mental Wellbeing project | 32,328 | 2,155 |
| Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits | 28,312 | 26,862 |
| Help Through Crisis | 31,545 | 28,866 |
| Other charitable income | 6,496 | 5,877 |
───────── |
───────── |
|
| 372,573 | 333,205 | |
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Investment income | ||
| Bank interest receivable | 2,747 | 378 |
─────── |
──── |
|
| Other income | ||
| Employment allowance | 5,000 | 4,000 |
─────── |
─────── |
|
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Total income | 397,300 | 342,623 |
═════════ |
═════════ |
- 21 -
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities (continued)
Year Ended 31 March 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Activities undertaken directly | ||
| Wages & salaries | 229,781 | 210,181 |
| NIC | 21,950 | 21,401 |
| Pension costs | 19,993 | 19,117 |
| Partner payments | – | 1,689 |
| Computer expenses | – | 7,100 |
| Training | 3,894 | 420 |
| Sundry costs | 24,141 | 5,520 |
───────── |
───────── |
|
| 299,759 | 265,428 | |
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Support costs | ||
| Wages and salaries | 39,689 | 58,098 |
| Rent, rates and water | 2,621 | 2,268 |
| Light & heat | 8,220 | 1,590 |
| Insurance | 2,681 | 1,882 |
| Cleaning, waste collection, repairs and maintenance | 9,075 | 9,557 |
| L&P fees | 5,151 | 8,952 |
| Telephone | 8,049 | 8,014 |
| Postage, stationery and other office costs | 4,146 | 3,480 |
| Depreciation | 4,569 | 4,563 |
| Computer expenses | 1,513 | 2,848 |
| Travel | 105 | 211 |
| Training | 3,222 | 1,728 |
| Other staff and volunteer costs | 2,760 | 2,048 |
──────── |
───────── |
|
| 91,801 | 105,239 | |
──────── |
───────── |
|
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Total expenditure | 391,560 | 370,667 |
═════════ |
═════════ |
|
───────── |
───────── |
|
| Net income/(expenditure) | 5,740 | (28,044) |
═════════ |
═════════ |
- 22 -