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← North Hertfordshire And District Citizens Advice Bureau

2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04194542 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1086489

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

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NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

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Introduction About Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire How We Helped – 2024/25 Who We Helped – 2024/25 Our Impact on the Local Community Our Future Plans

STRATEGIC REPORT

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Structure, Governance and Management Risk and Internal Controls Financial Review Reference and Administrative Details

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Independent Examiner’s Report Statement of Financial Activities Statement of Financial Position Statement of Cash Flows Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows Notes to the Financial Statements

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Introduction

It has been evident for some time that the underlying issues impacting our communities and driving the demand for our services have not materially improved. Thousands of people from North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire continue to struggle with a complex set of issues, heightened by the continued cost-of-living pressures. Once again, the demand for our services has never been greater.

In recognition of these ongoing challenges to our communities, Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire (CANH) has applied its resources and adapted its services and service delivery model to better meet these needs. During this period, our service teams supported over 7,100 people with approximately 16,700 different issues; both these measures have significantly increased from the previous year, against a backdrop of reduced funding.

All of this has been possible thanks to our dedicated team and the support we receive from our funders. Time and time again, the team have shown considerable tenacity and agility in identifying and adapting to the needs of our communities, whilst continuing to deliver an outstanding service. Our funders continue to recognise the value of our services and the positive impact that those services have on our communities.

Looking forward, our communities continue to face significant challenges. We expect demand for our services to continue to increase, in a climate where attracting new funding is challenging. This environment will continue to test CANH’s ability to adapt accordingly.

Richard Thackeray

Chair of the Trustees

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About Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire

Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire (CANH) is an independent local charity, whose principal activity is the provision of a free, confidential, impartial, independent service of information, advice, guidance and support to anyone in North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire.

We work in partnership with other local voluntary, statutory and private agencies to help solve people’s practical problems and improve their quality of life. The engagement we have with our clients and partners helps us to develop our advice services in response to the changing needs of our community.

Clients can access advice in-person, by telephone and by email. We operate across the whole of North Hertfordshire and parts of South Cambridgeshire via our main office in Letchworth Garden City and our outreach services at our office in Royston and other facilities in the towns and villages across the area.

Our service is delivered by our highly trained people, a mixture of circa 60 local volunteers and circa 26 employed staff.

We are a member of the national Citizens Advice network and our services are provided in strict accordance with the aims and principles of the National Association of Citizens Advice and the requirements of the Advice Quality Standard. We are regulated for money advice by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Our Vision

A society where people face far fewer problems

Our Missions

Our Values

Client centred : We put our clients first, treating them with care, compassion and humility.

Caring : We are kind to all, open and honest in our communication, and champion a no-blame culture.

Enterprising : We commit to continually learning and embrace change in order to best serve our clients.

Collaborative : We are one team. We share our skills, insight and enthusiasm, and will tackle tough or complex situations with courage and candour.

Professional : We are resourceful, always accountable and aim to work to the highest standards.

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How We Helped – 2024/25

Information and Advice

CANH provides a general advice service available to anyone in North Hertfordshire and parts of South Cambridgeshire. Additionally, we work in partnership with the nine other local Citizens Advice offices in Hertfordshire to provide Hertfordshire Adviceline and other specialist services.

Clients can access our services five days a week in-person, by telephone and by email. We operate out of our main office in Letchworth Garden City and provide in-person advice from our office in Royston, the Melbourn Hub, Church House in Hitchin, Baldock Library and other partner locations across the district. Information about our services is provided on our website (www.northhertscab.org.uk).

North Herts Council provides a grant towards our core costs, which supports our general advice service. South Cambridgeshire District Council provides a grant to support residents in the area. Our general advice service provides signposting, assisted information and detailed advice. CANH also supports a range of funded projects that provide specialist advice and casework services.

In 2024/25, CANH supported 7,193 people with 16,668 different issues via our individual advice service. We reached an additional 1,380 people through our preventative workshops and outreach events.

Compared to 2023/24:

The top ten issues we advised on during 2024/25 were:

Enquiry Area Number of Issues 2024/25
Benefits 4,806
Housing 2,816
Debt 2,092
Legal 1,254
Relationships & Family 1,137
Employment 1,004
Charitable Support & Food Banks 923
Consumer 475
Financial Services & Capability 371
Health & Community Care 340

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Research and Campaigns

We identify cases of injustice in matters of social policy and work at both a local level and through the Citizens Advice network to bring about change.

In 2024/25, we:

Community Engagement

Our Community Engagement team works to reach more people than we can with our individual advice service. They focus on identifying systemic issues affecting our clients, promoting financial wellbeing and improving awareness of our services. In total, 76 workshops, events and outreach sessions were held, reaching 1,380 people.

In addition, we:

Household Support Fund

In 2024/25, CANH participated in the distribution of the Household Support Fund – an initiative set up by the Department for Work and Pensions – to support those most in need with the significantly rising living costs. CANH distributed £15,000 (via North Herts Council).

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Our Services

General Advice Services

North Hertfordshire General Advice (funded by North Herts Council) – Information, signposting and advice on all enquiry areas; available in-person in Letchworth, Royston, Baldock and Hitchin, via email, telephone and Herts Adviceline.

South Cambridgeshire General Advice (funded by South Cambridgeshire District Council) – Information, signposting and advice on all enquiry areas; available in-person at the Melbourn Hub and in Royston, via email and telephone.

Out of Hours Hertfordshire Adviceline (funded by Hertfordshire County Council and delivered cross-county by Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire and Citizens Advice Stevenage) – Information, signposting and advice on all enquiry areas; available weekday evenings and Saturdays.

Moving Forward Together (funded via North Herts Council and delivered in partnership with Create Community and North Herts & Stevenage CVS) – Information, signposting and advice to help prepare residents to take up employment or volunteering opportunities.

Advice in British Sign Language (funded by Hertfordshire County Council and delivered by Citizens Advice Welwyn Hatfield to our clients) – Information, signposting and advice on all enquiry areas.

Household Support Fund (funded by Hertfordshire County Council) – Additional generalist advice capacity.

Cost of Living Generalist Advice (Q1 only) (funded by Hertfordshire County Council) – Additional resource to help us respond to the increased demand on our service caused by the cost-of-living crisis. Information, signposting and advice.

Specialist Advice Services

Letchworth Financial Health (funded by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation) – Specialist advice and casework in benefits and debt for Letchworth residents. Financial capability support delivered in community settings, online and on a one-to-one basis.

Letchworth Food Bank Financial Inclusion (funded by Trussell via Letchworth Food Bank) – Specialist advice and casework in benefits and debt for people needing food bank support.

Homelessness Prevention (funded by North Herts Council) – Specialist housing advice and court desk representation service for clients facing eviction from their properties.

Crisis Intervention (funded by Hertfordshire County Council) – Specialist advice and casework for those in need of crisis support.

Disability Benefits Advice (funded by the Graham Rowlandson Foundation) – Specialist advice and casework for those applying for and appealing disability benefits decisions.

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Carer’s Money Matters (funded by Cadent via Carers in Herts) – Financial capability and energy talks and information sessions, plus one-to-one advice; runs across Hertfordshire by CANH and Citizens Advice East Herts.

Scams Champion (funded by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner) – Community talks and workshops to raise awareness of scams and what to do if you are a victim of one.

Financial Inclusion for settle Tenants (Q1 & 2 only) (funded by settle) – Specialist advice and casework in benefits and debt for settle tenants in North Hertfordshire.

Welfare Benefits Appeals (funded by Hertfordshire County Council and delivered cross-county by Citizens Advice Stevenage) – Advice for residents appealing benefits decisions. We can refer our clients to this service, capacity allowing.

Herts Economic Recovery Team (funded by Hertfordshire County Council and delivered crosscounty by Citizens Advice Hertsmere and Citizens Advice Watford) – Debt advice and casework for vulnerable residents. We can refer our clients to this service, capacity allowing.

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Who We Helped – 2024/25

CANH’s advice services are available to everyone, with most of our resources spent helping those who are most in need. Typically, these are people in crisis situations, those with one or more markers of vulnerability, and those in poverty.

The complexity of client cases continues to increase, and we are seeing more clients who are unable to access support services elsewhere due to funding and capacity challenges across the voluntary and public sector. The cost-of-living crisis, inflation and increased housing costs continued to cause hardship for many residents.

Debt issues rose by 5% from last year. Overall, debt assessments are up by 13% as cost-of-living pressures squeeze the ability to make ends meet and there is an increasing need to examine all options to reduce pressure on household finances.

Housing issues have increased every year since 2020 and, in 2024/25, the number of issues rose by a further 6%. We saw more people coming to us about local authority homelessness services and threatened homelessness, and an increase in queries about housing association properties.

Legal issues rose by 45%, with dramatic increases in queries about solicitors/barristers and family court proceedings. This goes together with a 10% increase in family issues, driven by divorce enquiries and enquiries related to children.

Mario’s story*

Mario was referred to us due to his large rent arrears.

He had been made redundant, so his debt was mounting up. He wasn’t paying his rent or any of his bills, and this was affecting his mental health.

Our adviser began by checking that Mario was receiving the correct benefits, and they helped Mario apply for what he was entitled to.

Next, we had to get an agreement in place with his landlord as Mario was in breach of his court order. This was due to him losing his job, so he wasn’t able to keep up the agreed payments.

We supported Mario with his finances, giving budgeting and debt advice. We managed to get some of his debts written off as his budget wouldn’t allow him to pay off his non-priority debt. We put in place a plan so that Mario could start paying off his rent arrears.

Over the months, we have built a trusting relationship with Mario. His mental health has improved so much that he has done some training to enable him to find work. This training has boosted his confidence, and Mario is focused on getting back to work to improve his life.

*Client name changed for confidentiality purposes

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Lewis’s story*

Lewis came to us due to a major life-change. Lewis is very young, with only a grandparent for support, and is recovering from major surgery. He had only recently started a new job before he had to go on sick leave due to the surgery.

Lewis’s new employer wasn’t paying Statutory Sick Pay as his earnings weren’t enough, so this meant he wasn’t getting any income. He had already applied for Universal Credit, so we explored with Lewis how we could increase his income and reduce his expenditure.

We advised Lewis to apply for Council Tax Reduction, helped with applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment, spoke to the DWP and got his Universal Credit advance repayment knocked down by £30 a month.

We managed to put his council tax on hold for a month, his credit card on hold for 60 days and make a claim for Employment Support Allowance. We provided some budgeting advice to help Lewis prioritise his spending.

Lewis had already submitted a Personal Independence Payment claim before coming to us and is awaiting a decision.

A few weeks on, Lewis is slowly returning to work and has been able to manage since asking for our help. He keeps in contact, asking for support now and then, and is grateful for our help.

*Client name changed for confidentiality purposes

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Our Impact on the Local Community

Solving practical problems has wide-ranging and long-lasting positive effects on individuals and our local community.

People are financially better off as a result of our advice.

We generated £2.8 million in financial outcomes for our clients in 2024/25. These financial outcomes include benefits gained, debts managed, debts written off and refunds gained.

This means that people have more money in their pockets, are better able to manage any debt and have increased confidence in managing their money.

People’s health is improved as a result of our advice.

As well as financial outcomes for individuals and our community, practical advice has a positive impact on people’s health. Last year:[ 1 ]

Solving practical problems means that people are better able to cope with and participate in everyday life, including improved relationships with others and being better able to remain in or find employment.

Our advice has a wider positive impact on our local community.

For every £1 invested in our service in 2024/25, we generated:[ 2 ]

1 Data from Q4 2024/25 Client Experience survey – a follow-up survey conducted by national Citizens Advice with CANH clients between three and six months after receiving our advice

2 Data from national Citizens Advice’s Treasury-approved financial data modelling tool

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What Our Clients Are Telling Us

As part of our client survey, we asked people we have helped about their experience of the service:

Examples of CANH Client Feedback:

I would just like to say how fantastic they are. They have been a godsend to me. They have helped me with various forms I needed filling in. I used to be able to do it myself but now I have mental issues and am not capable of filling them in. My last interaction with the CAB, the lady came out to my mum to help her apply for attendance allowance. She was so good to come out to my mum and also fill and send the forms off as I couldn’t have filled that massive form in. I really appreciate it and like I said, they are a godsend.

All the staff are always helpful, understanding, kind and considerate. Without your help, many people will be in grave difficulties and desperate situations. Thank you and God bless you all.

My issue was with filling in government-based forms; this has caused me great concerns in the past. My concerns and fears were completely solved by my involvement with the Letchworth CAB. A wonderful service provided to my needs.

We were treated with kindness, patience & respect. It brought comfort to have the help & advice needed to see a way forward, even though still battling with the DWP. Thank you.

This is a great service I couldn’t do without.

Citizens Advice: I would highly recommend, to anyone needing or wanting advice. It was their knowledge and experience that really changed my life a great deal.

3 Data from 2024/25 Client Experience survey – a follow-up survey conducted by national Citizens Advice with CANH clients between three and six months after receiving our advice

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Our Future Plans

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we observe heightened inequality in our area, exacerbated by soaring housing costs, which has led to more individuals experiencing deprivation and seeking our assistance. Demand for our services has surged as individuals on the edge of managing their finances now find themselves in crisis, while even those in employment are seeking advice amid rising costs that outpace salaries and benefits. Financial vulnerability and negative budgets are now common. All our core advice areas have seen increases in client numbers over the past three years, particularly Housing, Benefits, Crisis Support and Family issues. The complexity of client enquiries has increased, with more people needing further guidance even after their initial queries are addressed.

We know we need to meet more demand and offer the services our community needs to support people who are in trouble. Our current three-year strategy addresses these needs.

We also need to ensure that the Citizens Advice service in North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire survives in the long term. We are seeing significant challenges in the charity funding environment. CANH has achieved substantial growth in recent years until 2024/25; income and expenses have grown by 106%, with an annual growth rate of approximately 18%. However, last year saw a decrease in our funding and therefore in our capacity. Increased demand and reduced funding means that we need to bring in new sources of income and create a more efficient organisation.

Underpinning our strategy is a commitment to partner and collaborate with other organisations where it benefits our clients and/or our organisation. We currently engage in many partnerships that deliver additional services or referral pathways for local residents. We will continue to build on these relationships over the next three years.

Strategic Goals

Strategic Goals
Accessible Advice
We will offer high-quality and
timely one-to-one advice
where and when people need
us.		 Advice in the Community
We will develop and provide
community engagement
initiatives delivering proactive
and early intervention to
reduce crisis.		 Inclusive Advice
We will increase the number
of people we support from
marginalised communities
and provide inclusive services.
Be Financially Secure
We will ensure our financial
resources are sufficient and
sustainable.		 Be a Great Place to Work
We will ensure our diverse
team is set up to deliver our
shared purpose.		 Work Smarter
We will ensure our
infrastructure is fit for
purpose.

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STRATEGIC REPORT

Structure, Governance and Management

Legal Status

North Hertfordshire and District Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered company and charity, incorporated on 4 April 2001 and registered as a charity on 4 May 2001.

The charity operates under the name Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire (CANH).

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It does not have a share capital. It is not liable for corporation tax on its investment income, nor on other income derived from carrying out its charitable objectives and applied for that purpose.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association and is governed under its Articles of Association (as adopted by a special resolution passed at a General Meeting held on 25 March 2019), which include the objectives and powers of the charitable company.

The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

Our People

Our team consists of highly skilled individuals acting as trustees, executive managers, advisers and support staff, who are either employed as paid staff or volunteer their services.

On average throughout the year, CANH employed 26 part-time and full-time paid staff, which equates to an average full-time equivalent of 16.8 people.

For 2024/25, the average number of volunteers was 60, which equates to an average full-time equivalent of 9.7 people. Our volunteers make a significant contribution, estimated to be worth over £596,720, to both the charity and the wider local community.

CANH recruited and trained 12 new volunteers in 2024/25 as part of its ongoing recruitment of new volunteers. We continued our successful summer holiday work experience scheme to introduce sixth form and university students to our advice and campaigning work, and to raise awareness of volunteering among a younger age group.

Organisation Structure

The charity is run by a Board of Trustees, currently nine members, all of whom are volunteers (see list below), who are also Directors of the Company and who meet at least quarterly. A Chief Executive has been appointed to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity.

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Our Trustees and Directors of the Company

Trustees currently serving

R. Boxall J. Brooks Vice Chair D. M. Currie C. Hayward Treasurer R. Liversidge Appointed 12/12/2024 K. Livingstone Appointed 17/01/2025 R. P. Thackeray Chair D. Watson Appointed 12/12/2024 F. Weir

Trustees who resigned during the period

S. Ross

Resigned 10/10/2024

Our management team

R. Waters Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary L. Fraser Head of Advice & Quality P. Vieira Head of Resources B. Morris Head of Community Engagement

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Statement of Trustee Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of North Hertfordshire and District 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:

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.

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Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees

Trustee vacancies are advertised from time to time. Applicants are invited for an interview, with a resulting recommendation being made as to their suitability for appointment as a trustee.

Each individual member trustee is elected (or re-elected) at an Annual General Meeting, which is held no more than 15 months after the previous meeting (a limited number of trustees may be coopted between Annual General Meetings). Co-opted trustees, and one third of other trustees, must stand down at each Annual General Meeting, but may stand for re-election. However, subject to limited exceptions, a trustee who has served for at least nine years will not be eligible for re-election. The trustees elect a Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer from among their number, normally at the first Trustee Board meeting following the AGM. Trustees are provided with a thorough induction process, and follow a training and development plan to support them in their role.

Public Benefit

The Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit includes two key principles, namely:

The principal activity of CANH is the provision of a free, confidential, impartial, independent service of information, advice, guidance and support to anyone in North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire. This is to meet the charity’s objects of promoting any charitable purpose for the public benefit by the advancement of education, protection and preservation of health and relief of poverty, sickness and distress.

The benefits to the public of carrying out this principal activity have been clearly identified and articulated in this report.

The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in exercising their powers and duties and are satisfied that the charity does meet the public benefit requirements.

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Risk and Internal Controls

Our trustees are responsible for the effective management of risk and for making sure that internal controls are in place and operating as designed. The Trustee Board conducted their periodic review of our policy on risk strategy.

Our strategy towards risk and our risk appetite are as follows:

Throughout the year, the CEO identifies new risks and validates existing risks, assesses the likelihood, impact and appetite for each risk, the plans for managing them and the adequacy of those plans. This is then recorded in the CANH Risk Register.

CANH operates a robust system of internal financial controls as laid out in various policies and procedures. On a periodic basis, the Trustee Board review and agree on budgeting systems and financial reports.

On a quarterly basis, the Trustee Board assess the key risks facing CANH, the severity of those risks and the plans to mitigate the likely impact of those risks.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.

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Financial Review

Income

In 2024/25, CANH received grants and other income totalling £724,832 , down from £845,566 in the prior year. This reduction is mainly a result of net decreases in income from grants.

Grant income is the predominate source of funding for CANH, primarily from the public and not-for-profit sectors. In 2024/25, grant income reduced to £685,726 from £798,340 in the prior year.

The significant streams of grant income received from our core funders include:

Grants are typically awarded for fixed terms of up to three years; a significant number of these grants were due to expire during 2025. Despite the significant pressures on public sector funding, CANH has been successful in retaining several of its existing grants, whilst attracting new funding to extend its service. These successes help provide for a level of financial stability for 2024/25 and beyond. CANH is very grateful to its core funders for this ongoing support.

However, it remains a strategic priority for CANH to continue working closely with its core funders to maintain existing funding, whilst identifying and securing additional income from a more diverse mix of sources.

Our Funders

Our main funders during the period were:

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Expenditure

In 2024/25, the total resources expensed in running the charity reduced to £775,973 from £802,893 in the previous year. Detailed below are the key areas of expenditure:

Expense Type
Salaries and other employment costs
Staff and volunteer expenses
Office expenses
Premises
Governance
Other, including Hardship Fund
Depreciation – equipment, fixtures
and fittings
Total resources expensed		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
198,829
3,711
15,372
14,631
3,543
1,577
12,702
250,365		 Restricted
Funds
£
439,712
8,207
33,996
32,356
7,834
3,503
-
526,608		 31/03/2025
Total Funds
£
638,541
11,918
49,368
46,987
11,377
5,080
12,702
775,973		 31/03/2024
Total Funds
£
645,499
13,190
85,825
36,119
1,277
3,449
17,534
802,893

Key Highlights

Salaries and other employment costs

Salaries and other employment costs have reduced from £645,499 to £638,541 to match our costs more closely with the available revenues. The average number of full-time equivalents was 26, a small reduction from 28 in the previous year.

CANH continues to review its staff remuneration to remain competitive and, where possible, help offset the adverse impacts on our staff of rising living costs. However, there continues to be significant upward pressure on salaries and other employment costs because of three key challenges:

The ability of CANH to recoup these additional costs, due to the terms of its existing funding contracts, is limited. This is a key financial risk for CANH.

Non-salary expense categories

Significant effort has been employed to closely manage non-salary expenses, whilst maintaining investments in staff training and office equipment. These efforts have helped reduce non-salary expenses to £137,432 from £157,394 in the previous year. The outlook for 2025/26 could see

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increases due to the inflationary pressures on bought-in services. The ability of CANH to recoup these additional costs, due to the terms of its existing funding contracts, is limited.

Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2025, CANH held total funds of £302,339 , which is a reduction from £353,480 as at 31 March 2024. The decrease in total funds over the period of £51,141 represents the net loss for the current financial year.

CANH continues to benefit from a good cash flow, although cash resources have been reduced by the performance this year. The total cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March 2025 were £250,312 compared to £350,797 as at the end of the previous year. This decrease in cash and cash equivalents is partially offset by a decrease in creditors to £48,203 from £87,362 for the previous year, leaving net current assets at £290,696 , down from £329,135 in the previous year.

Reserves Policy

Deciding the level of reserves that a charity needs to hold is an important part of financial management and forward financial planning. Failure to do this may result in reserves levels which are either:

CANH trustees, on a regular basis, review the total amount and designation of reserves to ensure they are at a level that enables CANH to manage financial risk and income volatility over the medium to long term. The level of reserves should enable CANH to maintain an optimal level of service, whilst meeting its financial commitments as and when they fall due.

Reserves represent the total unrestricted funds at a point in time. As at 31 March 2025, CANH held £302,339 of unrestricted funds, of which £49,420 is held as general funds required to cover possible deficits in future years, and £252,919 has been designated to cover the following:

Finally, one key risk indicator is the level of reserves (unrestricted funds), less net book value of tangible fixed assets, as a proportion of annualised general running costs. As at 31 March 2025, CANH held reserves sufficient to cover more than three months’ worth of operating costs. This falls within the National Association of Citizens Advice low risk category of three to six months’ worth of costs.

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Investment of Reserves

CANH’s policies govern the investment of reserves, which includes guidelines on asset mix and types of investments, including equity fund investments. As at 31 March 2025, CANH:

Trustees review the investments at least annually to ensure they are consistent with liquidity and performance requirements of CANH.

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NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE Going Concern The financial position and performance have been outlined in the financial review. The trustees have assessed our position and concluded that CANH is well-placed to meet our liabilities as they fall due and to manage the business rlsks we face. This position is supported by a strong cash flow, sufficient reserves, good relationships with our key funders and a proven ability to secure new income. Our planning and reporting processes, including financial projections, take into consideration the current economic climate and it5 Potential impact on our various sources of income and planned expenditure. We have therefore adopted the going concern basis of preparation of these financial statements on the basis that we have concluded there is a reasonable expectation that we have sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial ststements. Approvals The Report of the Trustees. incorporating a Strategic Report was approved by order of the Board of Trustees, as the company directors, on 26 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by: R. Thackeray- Trustee- Chair 22

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered Name

The charity and company registered name is North Hertfordshire and District Citizens Advice Bureau. The charity operates under the name Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire (CANH).

Registered Company number

04194542 (England and Wales)

Chief Executive

R. Waters

Registered Charity number

1086489

Company Secretary

R. Waters

Registered principal office

49 Station Road Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3BQ

Other offices

Town Hall Melbourn Street Royston Hertfordshire SG8 7DA

Independent Examiner

Bradshaw Johnson Chartered Accountants Croft Chambers, 11 Bancroft Hitchin Hertfordshire SG5 1JQ

Bankers

CCLA Investment Management Ltd COIF Charity Funds Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

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

Solicitors

BWB Solicitors 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE

Heckford 19 Leys Avenue Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3EB

23

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU {'the company) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company forthe year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company {and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 20061'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 your 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 sertion 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a registered member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which 15 one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connertion with the examination giving me cause to believe: accountins records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006Act 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 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommersded Prartice for accounting and reporting by charities {applicable to charitie5 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 matter5 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. Neil Harding FCA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Bradshaw Johnson Chartered Accountants Croft Chambers. 11 Bancroft Hitchin. Hertfordshire SG5 1JQ Date: 9 October 2025 24

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable Activities
Grants received
6
Other trading activities
4
Investment income
5
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Running the charity
7
NET INCOME
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total Funds brought forward
Total Funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
28,289
160,118
331
10,486
199,224
250,365
(51,141)
353,480
302,339		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
525,608
-
-
525,608
525,608
-
-
-		 31/03/2025
Total Funds
£
28,289
685,726
331
10,486
724,832
775,973
(51,141)
353,480
302,339		 31/03/2024
Total Funds
£
20,461
798,340
2,160
24,606
845,566
802,893
42,673
310,807
353,480

Continuing Operations

All income and expenditure have arisen from continuing activities.

25

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
13
Investments
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors
Amounts falling due in one year
15
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
16
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
11,643
20,255
68,332
221,733
310,320
(19,624)
290,696
302,339
302,339
302,339
-
302,339		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
28,579
28,579
(28,579)
-
-
-
-
-
-		 31/03/2025
Total Funds
£
11,643
20,255
68,332
250,312
338,899
(48,203)
290,696
302,339
302,339
302,339
-
302,339		 31/03/2024
Total Funds
£
24,345
1,643
64,057
350,797
510,478
(87,362)
329,135
353,480
353,480
353,480
-
353,480

26

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for.. la) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006: and (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements. so far as applicable to the charitable company. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: R. Thackeray- Trustee- Chair 27

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of
Financial Activities)
1
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Gains/losses on investments
Debtors (increase/(decrease))
Creditors ((increase)/decrease)
Net cash generated from operating activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents in reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period		 31/03/2025
£
(51,141)
12,702
(4,275)
(18,612)
(39,159)
(100,485)
(100,485)
350,797
250,312		 31/03/2024
£
42,673
17,534
(11,881)
14,452
(139,355)
(76,577)
(76,577)
427,374
350,797

28

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025

1. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

Net cash
Cash at bank
Total
Liquid resources
Deposits included in cash
Current asset investments
Total		 As at
01/04/2024
£
350,797
350,797
-
64,057
414,854		 Cash Flow
£
(100,485)
(100,485)
-
-
(100,485)		 Other Non-
cash
£
-
-
-
4,275
4,275		 As at
31/03/2025
£
250,312
250,312
-
68,332
318,644

29

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

North Hertfordshire and District Citizens Advice Bureau is a charitable company incorporated in England. The registered office is: 49 Station Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3BQ.

The charitable company’s financial statements have been prepared in compliance with Charities SORP (FRS 102) as it applies to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

North Hertfordshire and District Citizens Advice Bureau meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

After making enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements as outlined in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities.

Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. 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.

30

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Minor additions of less than £1,000, or other additions as agreed by the Trustee Board, are not capitalised.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Pensions

During the year, the charitable company operated a pension scheme with the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). Contributions payable for the year are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Legal status of the charitable company

In the event of the charitable company being wound up, each trustee (being a member of the charity) has undertaken to contribute to the assets of the charitable company such amounts as required but not exceeding £1. This guarantee extends until one year after a trustee ceases to be a member. The trustees are directors of the charitable company.

Debtors and prepayments

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.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank 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.

31

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Creditors and provisions

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

Financial instruments

The investments are managed on behalf of the charity by Fidelity International.

Investments are stated at market value as of 25 March 2025. The market value is derived from the Valuation Statement supplied by Fidelity International.

The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses (realised and unrealised) arising on the revaluations and disposals throughout the year.

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.

3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations
4. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Fund raising		 31/03/25
£
28,289
31/03/25
£
331		 31/03/24
£
20,461
31/03/24
£
2,160

32

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5. INVESTMENT INCOME

31/03/25 31/03/24
£ £
10,486 24,606

6. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

31/03/25 31/03/24
£ £
Grants receivable 685,726 798,340

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

31/03/25 31/03/24
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Grantor Funded Activity Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
North Herts Council Core Grant – General Advice 160,118 160,118 208,134
Court Desk – Homelessness
North Herts Council Prevention 61,815 61,815 27,857
North Herts Council HSF Administration 5,000 5,000
Health Protection Board – Rural
North Herts Council Outreach 0 0 18,168
North Herts Council Moving Forward Together 12,000 12,000 12,000
South Cambs District Council General Advice 21,000 21,000 21,000
settle Financial Inclusion 57,500 57,500 110,500
Letchworth Garden City Heritage
Foundation Financial Health 150,000 150,000 142,500
Hertfordshire County Council Crisis Intervention 31,601 31,601 29,587

33

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

Hertfordshire County Council
Crisis Enhancement
Hertfordshire County Council
Out of Hours Advice
Hertfordshire County Council
General Advice
Hertfordshire County Council
Cost of Living – Generalist Adviser
Hertfordshire Police & Crime
Commissioner
Scams Advice
Hertfordshire Citizens Advice
Communications Support
Graham Rowlandson Foundation
Disability Benefits Advice
National Association of Citizens Advice
Bureaux
CSDF
Trussell Trust Re Letchworth Food Bank Financial Inclusion
Various other one off-funding
Total
7. TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
Unrestricted
Expense type
Funds
£
Salaries and other employment
costs
198,829
Staff & volunteer expenses
3,711
Office expenses
15,372
Premises
14,631
Governance
3,543
Other, including Hardship Fund
1,577
Other apportionment
Depreciation – equip, fixt & ftngs
12,702
Total resources expensed
250,365		 34
0
0
19,050
70,530
70,530
98,101
20,000
20,000
0
3,175
3,175
28,575
5,000
5,000
2,500
0
0
11,666
10,000
10,000
10,000
4,250
4,250
12,750
61,390
61,390
45,952
12,347
12,347
0
525,608
685,726
798,340
31/03/25
31/03/24
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
638,541
645,499
11,918
13,190
49,368
85,825
46,987
36,119
11,377
1,277
5,080
3,449
-
12,702
17,534
775,973
802,893		 19,050
98,101
0
28,575
2,500
11,666
10,000
12,750
45,952
0
160,118 798,340
Restricted
Funds
£
439,712
8,207
33,996
32,356
7,834
3,503
0
525,608

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

31/03/25 31/03/24
£ £
Depreciation – owned assets 12,702 17,534

9. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

10. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Average monthly number of employees
Average monthly number of employees (Full-time equivalent)
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Total		 31/03/25
26

16.8
31/03/25
Total
£
569,507
45,931
23,103
638,541		 31/03/24
28
18.1
31/03/24
Total
£
580,716
42,481
22,302
645,499

35

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10. STAFF COSTS – continued

Key management personnel

CANH has identified the key management personnel as the executive team, as highlighted in the strategic report. Total employment costs for key management personnel are as follows:

31/03/25 31/03/24 Total Total £ £ Employment costs 163,548 155,655

36

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11. 2024 COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Grants receivable
Other trading activities
Investment income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Running the charity
Net gains on investments
NET INCOME
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
20,461
208,134
2,160
24,606
255,361
212,687
-
42,673
310,807
353,480		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
590,206
-
-
590,206
590,206
-
-
-
-		 37
31/03/24
Total
Funds
£
20,461
798,340
2,160
24,606
845,566
802,893
-
42,673
310,807
353,480

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Computers
£
Cost
At 1/4/24 289,300
Additions -
At 31/3/25 289,300
Depreciation
At 1/4/24 264,955
Charge for the year 12,702
At 31/3/25 277,657
Net Book Value
At 31/3/25 11,643
At 31/3/24 24,345
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31/03/25 31/03/24
£ £
Trade debtors (Accrued income) 15,305 -
Prepayments 4,950 1,643
20,255 1,643

13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

38

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS

Listed investments
This is made up as follows:
Listed investments		 31/03/25
£
68,332		 31/03/24
£
64,057
31/03/25
£
68,332

15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Accrued expenses
Deferred income
Other creditors		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
4,394
28,579
15,230
19,624
28,579		 31/03/25
Total
£
4,394
28,579
15,230
48,203		 31/03/24
Total
£
5,190
64,990
17,182
87,362

39

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
Gains Transfers
As at Incoming Resources and Between
31/03/24 Resources Expended Losses Funds 31/03/25
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund 108,173
199,224		 (250,365) (51,141)
(7,612)		 49,420
Designated Funds
Designated funds invested in fixed assets 41,879
-		 -
(30,236)		 11,643
Designated funds for baseline running costs 115,000
-		 - -
38,000		 153000
Designated funds for operating risks and
exception costs 12,500
-		 - -
-		 12,500
Designated fund for opportunities and future
investments 75,000
-		 - -
-		 75,000
Designated Hardship Fund 928
-		 - -
(152)		 776
Total Unrestricted Funds 353,480
199,224		 (250,365) (51,141)
-		 302,339
Restricted Funds
Grantor Funded Activity
North Herts Council Court Desk – Homelessness Prevention - 61,815 61,815 - -
North Herts Council HSF Admin - 5,000 5,000 - -
North Herts Council Moving Forward Together - 12,000 12,000 - -
South Cambridgeshire District Council General Advice - 21,000 21,000 - -
settle Financial Inclusion - 57,500 57,500 - -
Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation Financial Health - 150,000 150,000 - -
Hertfordshire County Council Crisis Intervention - 31,601 31,601 - -
Hertfordshire County Council Additional HSF Capacity - 20,000 20,000 - -
Hertfordshire County Council Out of Hours Advice - 70,530 70,530 - -
Hertfordshire County Council Generalist Adviser - 3,175 3,175 - -
Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner Scams Advice - 5,000 5,000 - -
Cadent via Carers Trust Carers Money Matters - 12,347 12,347 - -
Graham Rowlandson Foundation Disability Benefits Advice - 10,000 10,000 - -
Nat’ Assoc. of Citizens Advice Bureaux CSDF - 4,250 4,250 - -
Trussell Trust Re Letchworth Food Bank Financial Inclusion - 61,390 61,390- -
Total Restricted Funds - 525,608 525,608 - -
 -
TOTAL FUNDS 353,480 724,832 (775,973) (50,812) 302,339

40

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – continued

Purposes of Restricted Funds

North Herts Council – Homelessness Prevention : This fund provides representation and debt advice to clients finding themselves in financial hardship and facing threatened homelessness.

North Herts Council – HSF Admin : Distribution of the Household Support Fund – an initiative set up by the Department for Work and Pensions – to support those most in need with the significantly rising living costs.

North Herts Council – Moving Forward Together : Information, signposting and advice to help prepare residents to take up employment or volunteering opportunities.

South Cambridgeshire District Council – General Advice : This fund provides for general advice and specialist (disability) welfare advice to the residents of South Cambridgeshire. It supports the provision of our outreach service in Melbourn.

settle : This fund provides support for the delivery of money advice to help clients with debt issues to budget their income and expenditure, enabling them to draw up acceptable and realistic repayment plans for priority creditors.

Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation – Financial Health : This fund provides for

specialist advice and casework in benefits and debt for Letchworth residents. Financial capability support is delivered in community settings, online and on a one-to-one basis.

Hertfordshire County Council – Crisis Intervention : This project provides in-depth support and casework for people with urgent or complex needs through debt, benefits, housing or other advice.

Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner – Scams Champion : Community talks and workshops to raise awareness of scams and what to do if you are a victim of one.

Hertfordshire County Council – Household Support Fund : In 2021/22 and 2022/23, Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire participated in the distribution of the Household Support Fund – an initiative set up by the Department for Work and Pensions – to support those most in need with the significantly rising living costs.

Hertfordshire County Council – Hertfordshire Family Centres : Advice and support for families at outreach locations. A three-month pilot project to provide generalist advice to families at local Family Centres in Baldock, Royston and Hitchin.

Hertfordshire County Council – Out of Hours Hertfordshire Advice : Information, signposting, and advice on all enquiry areas.

41

NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – continued

Hertfordshire County Council – Cost of Living Generalist Adviser : Additional resource to help us respond to the increased demand on our service caused by the cost-of-living crisis. Information, signposting and advice.

Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner – Scams Advice : Community talks and workshops to raise awareness of scams and what to do if you are a victim of one.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation – Frank Litchfield : A pilot scheme to help increase access

to our services in rural areas, with an emphasis on the issues that are most affecting residents postCOVID and during the cost-of-living crisis.

Hertfordshire Citizens Advice – Communications Support : Support for Hertfordshire Citizens

Advice communications strategy.

Graham Rowlandson Foundation : This project provides advice and support to clients needing help with disability benefits.

Help to Claim : This project (provided by grants from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux originating from the Department for Work and Pensions) provides support for clients making their initial Universal Credit applications.

Energy Advice Programme : This fund (provided by grants from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux originating from energy suppliers) supports the delivery of group sessions to frontline staff and community groups on energy advice, and the delivery of energy advice appointments to clients. In addition, it has funded an Energy Champion role to engage with local stakeholders, provide peer-to-peer support and training within the Citizens Advice network regionally and to assess the impact of advice.

Money and Pensions Service : These funds support a debt advice service.

Trussell Trust Re Letchworth Food Bank – Financial Inclusion : Specialist advice and casework in benefits and debt for people needing food bank support.

Purposes of Unrestricted Funds

General : This fund reflects the accumulated surplus arising from the general activity of the charity after allocating income and expenditure to other funds where appropriate and consistent with the policy of the charity.

Designated – Investments in Fixed Assets : This fund represents amounts set aside to fund the depreciation of the fit-out costs associated with relocation in 2016 to the charity’s current main office in Letchworth.

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NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – continued

Designated – Baseline Running Costs : This fund provides for the impact of key financial risk scenarios, including income, liquidity and cessation risks, which could result from a significant decrease in core funding.

Designated – Operating Risks and Exceptional Costs : This fund provides for the financial impact of exceptional items that are not covered in the annual planning cycle, including operating risks that could result in an exceptional cost.

Designated – Opportunities and Future Investments : To provide financial resources to cover the costs of investment in people and resources to better support existing and anticipated growth in client demand for advice services. This includes future investments in IT equipment.

Designated – Hardship : This represents a fund established by donations to be used for discretionary hardship payments to clients (e.g. local travel costs related to accessing our advice or resolving an issue).

17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

18. LEASING COMMITMENTS

The company signed a new lease in June 2016 on its principal office (which is also its registered office) for a period of 15 years (with a break option after 10 years) from 30 June 2016 at the rate of £19,800 per annum (including VAT at the current rate of 20%). Its commitments are as follows:

31/03/25 31/03/24
£ £
Due within one year 20,810 20,810
Due within two to five years Min 86,425 107,235
Max 112,016 136,105

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NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU operating as CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

Citizens Advice helps people find a way forward.

We provide free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems.

We are a voice for our clients and consumers on the issues that matter to them.

We value diversity, champion equality and challenge discrimination and harassment.

We’re here for everyone.

northhertscab.org.uk

Published October 2025

Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire is the operating name of North Hertfordshire and District

Citizens Advice Bureau

Registered charity number: 1086489

Company number: 4194542

Citizens Advice membership number: 70/0004

Registered by the Financial Conduct Authority: FRN 617683

Registered office: 49 Station Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3BQ

Telephone: 01462 689801

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