Annual Report Citizens Advice Thanet 2020-2021 cltlzens advlce
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Annual Report
From the Chair
From the Chair
This has been the most challenging year that we have had to face at Citizens Advice Thanet. The pandemic meant that we had to close the office and stop doing face to face consultations. Fortunately, our Chief Officer, Jan Stewart,
was able to establish a phone and email service run from the homes of staff and volunteers so that we could continue to offer a service to the people of Thanet. Several volunteers were not comfortable with running the service from their homes and as a result left the Service. The Board would like to thank them for the valuable contribution they made to Citizens Advice as without their contribution many people in Thanet would not have been helped.
The staff and volunteers who were left demonstrated their commitment and enthusiasm in serving the needs of our clients and without them we would not have been able to maintain the service. The Board would like to thank them all.
One of the highlights of the year was the result of our Leadership Self-Assessment. This is an external measurement of how the bureau is operating. It is carried out by an external assessor and is required to see that we are maintaining our Advice Quality Standard. Due to the hard work carried out particularly by Jan, Amanda, and the Board we were able to pass the assessment with flying colours.
The big challenges for the Bureau continue to be finance and attracting sufficient volunteers. Without the volunteers who give the advice we would have no service and I would encourage everyone reading this to consider joining us in this rewarding venture.
Finally I would personally like to thank all our staff and volunteers for their service and wish them all a healthy and stress free future.
Geoff
Our Board of Trustee
Geoff Lindley (Chair) Danni Barnes (Vice Chair) Simon Farrer (Treasurer) Maggie Fairweather Rebecca Kirkpatrick Andy Wallis Gerald Dineley Kani Kundu
Staff Rep: Angela Drew Robinson Volunteer Rep: Jan Robinson TDC Council Rep: Cllr Heather Keen
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From the Chief Officer
Clearly 2020/21 will go down in history as a unique year for so many reasons.
Few of us will be able to remember a time like this and certainly few of us will ever forget .
When the pandemic hit our service, we rallied round and managed to get a service up and running within a few days. I had all the phone numbers directed to my home and we managed to get laptops out quickly to all who opted to work from home.
Thanks to a mammoth effort by everyone on the team we were ready to take calls very quickly indeed and were able to help clients through this unknown future we were all facing.
Clients have been extremely grateful that we were there for them, which of course is what Citizens Advice is all about.
You will see on later pages just how many clients we helped through this year. This is even more remarkable when you realise that we were functioning with only about 6 advisers.
I cant thank everyone enough for their efforts and sheer dedication to this service. We even have one of our newsletters in the national archive for future generations to see what we all went through.
I came to Thanet as a temporary stand in for six months nearly two years ago. During that time I have met and worked with some great people.
It has not always been easy, but it has been a challenge which is why I agreed to come in the first place.
Leaving is tinged with some sadness but I know that the current team of advisers will take this service forward with strength and dedication.
Thank you so much to those who supported me throughout my time in Thanet.
Special thanks to Thanet District Council
We would like to thank both Thanet District Council and Ramsgate Town Council for the support and confidence in the service we offer at Citi-zens Advice Thanet. The funding for both Mill Lane and Plains of Waterloo as well as our core grant helps us to deliver our vital services to the community of Thanet. We along with the thousands of people we are able to help, are so very grateful to the Councils for their continued support.
Central Government is certainly squeezing our local Councils but they have recognised the significant and fundamental support we are giving to the people of Thanet.
Key Statistics Thanel District (Mrnb) ur6 ad¥KÈ Surnmary Issues Age ci l)Jicl¢lwnt¢c 1,710 Ll Eth Eryp Activiti 5,7 Outcomes eInteoI Cthv Channel Top benefrt issues Gender IFwk 04Lthlbitgb5XmthgThP 9% DIbilIty} Long4eM health ',nii 2CQ 4W ICI ICI 11DI Top debt Issues cth Icts* Elhnitty Icth OIFudth Iv,Thr lub l Jf¢i
Ageless Thanet Life Planning
Funded by the National Lottery, Ageless Thanet has now completed its 6[th] year. Life Planning is a 3 month service for the 50+ age group in Thanet, who are facing difficulty due to life changing circumstances. Life Planners advise, help, support and build confidence to adapt to things proving challenging. The aim to improve wellbeing and avoid the risk of becoming socially isolated.
This is funded as a test and learn project. An important part has been the evaluation through baseline and follow up questionnaires regarding wellbeing and social isolation. Our report for the first five years regarding learning and outcomes can be found on www.agelessthanet.org.uk under ‘Learning Reports’ - Planning for Later Life.
Staff
At the beginning of lockdown admin Anne Harvey went on ‘Furlough’ for a period. Nicola Parmar left Life Planning in October, 2020 to take up a post with Thanet District Council. The service continued with one Life Planner Angela Drew-Robinson and admin Anne Harvey. An extension of funding from National Lottery for one Life Planner was granted to continue the service from January 2021 up until December 2021. Anne Harvey continued to work for the project in a reduced capacity of 2 days a week.
Covid 19
We had to modify from lockdown in March 2020 from a face to face service (which previously included home visits for more vulnerable clients unable to get to the office) to a telephone service.
We worked remotely from home. One of the main challenges was accessing paperwork of digitally excluded clients. We found ways around this, by arranging for clients to post to Ramsgate Office, and at later times, picking up from the household where this was too difficult. We managed referrals, by keeping in touch with our various partners and being able to take on referrals from Core service. We are pleased to say we continued to meet our targets and satisfy our funders.
Here are a couple of testimonials from our partners with regards to our working relationship with them
Ageless Thanet Life Planning Service has been amazing at helping the patients I have referred from NHS Ramsgate Primary Care Network. Their support has been invaluable to those needing support with benefits, debts, grants and housing. Encouraging people to move forward with their lives in a positive way. They have been generous to us within the NHS sharing their knowledge, providing information and guidance to help us with
. our patients
Sue Lewis, Ramsgate PCN Focused Care Co-ordinator, East Cliff Practice.
Stroke Association
Our client group are Stroke Survivors. We have referred to the Life Planning Service on many occasions. The service has been faultless from our point of view as a referrer organisation. We see the interest and professionalism with regard to the cases every time we refer a client. Clients have been called straightaway and clients have reported being “happy and feeling unburdened” once the Life Planning have acted upon their need.
We value the Life Planning service very highly, as we know the service is always available to our clients. During the Pandemic the service continued remotely, this showed the adaptability of the project keeping the focus on client’s needs. Strokes did not stop during the Pandemic and this service has been of incredible value Maria Clayton – Stroke Support Co-ordinator Thanet
Partnership Working
A key part of the project has been partnership working. We engage continuously with other Ageless Thanet workstreams. Lunchtime Teams catch ups every Wednesday. Monthly workstream meetings to assess what we are all doing and how we can all get the best for our client groups. We work with various GP Surgeries connecting mainly through their ‘Focused Care Co-ordinators, Stroke Association, Social Services, DWP, AGE UK, Porchlight, Connect Well Community Care Navigator, Crossroads, MIND, Community Wardens.
Evaluation
National Lottery decided we should not continue with the baseline/follow up questionnaire during this period. Due to the fact the statistics could not be compared to early times and would not be appropriate.
We continued to collect testimonials and gather our own feedback during this time. This was very positive and on the whole ‘wellbeing’ improved for majority of our clients.
Examples
Client 67 years old trigger eviction/financial
“ Earlier this year we found ourselves having to find somewhere to live and as I and my husband are both disabled pensioners, it seemed a daunting task. I was fortunate enough to find Ageless Thanet and have been advised by Angela regarding benefit entitlements. Angela kept in touch over the a few months, advised us and kept us positive. Having this support has helped in so many ways, it has meant our stress levels decreased, we are actually getting some sleep and we find ourselves in a new home with all our finances and rights sorted out.
This service is an invaluable lifeline for those with issues that need a resolution. I have learnt so much and hope to volunteer myself when the lockdown is over.” Client 76 trigger – worsening health/ entitlement to other benefits, concern over future care options
Angela was so kind and understanding, she guided and advised me on a number of issues, enabling me to approach old age with greater confidence.”
Cl 68 – trigger – separation/ financial
“ It has really helped to take check of my situation, the Life Planner was so helpful, reassuring and supportive. She helped me with my finances. Life Planning is a real asset to Thanet, we really need people like this to guide us during difficult times.” Targets
Number of clients seen between 1[st] April 2020 until March 2021 = 114, original target set was 160 clients, however this was adjusted from September 2020 to reflect one Life Planner working on project to 114 clients for this year. Target met
Test and learn
During the Pandemic period this mainly related to the disadvantage and marginalisation of people without digital skills or access to IT. This affected not only for a smooth running of advice but also social isolation of those living e.g. on own and not able to communicate on platforms such as ‘Zoom’, face time, Whats App etc.
Maximising Income
Life Planners have maximised income by £294,225.10 during period April 2020 to March 2021. The running total over the duration of the project up to the end of March 2021 is £1,877,501.02 . Maximisation achieved mainly through successful benefit claims, benefit appeals and charitable awards.
Forward Planning
To keep on target with numbers of clients seen. This has been increased from 7 to 8 new clients per month.
Baseline and follow up questionnaires to restart in May 2021.
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Volunteering
Volunteering for Citizen Advice
Volunteering can make a real difference to your own life and the lives of those around you. There are loads of ways to get involved
So how do you go about finding the right volunteering role for you? Here are three steps to follow:
- Think about what interests or excites you. This could be something you enjoyed doing before, or something completely new.
Think about what time or skills you can give. With so many opportunities to choose from, it's a great idea to narrow down the choices by deciding what you're willing to give.
To Be a Volunteer
To be a volunteer, it takes...
Generosity, a willingness to give your time to others Understanding, because their lives might be very different from your own Empathy, an ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and feel what they must feel
Compassion, to truly care about making someone else's life better Patience, because the process doesn't always go as smoothly as it might Dedication, to stick with the project and see it through.
If you are interested in Volunteering with at Citizens Advice Thanet then please contact us by emailing volunteers@thanetcitizensadvice.org.uk
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Annual Report
General overview of Thanet deprivation figures
The Index of Multiple Deprivation IMD2019) is the official measure of relative deprivation in England and is part of a suite of outputs that form the English Indices of Deprivation 2019 (IoD2019). • There are 901 Lower Super Output Areas LSOAs) in Kent. A total of 555 remained within he same decile for IMD2019 as they were in IMD2015. This accounts for 62% of all Kent LSOAs.
- The number of Kent LSOAs that are within the 10% most deprived LSOAs in England between the IMD2019 and the previous IMD2015 remains at 51.
• The level of deprivation in nine out of 12 Kent local authority districts has increased since IMD2015 relative to other areas in England.
• Thanet continues to rank as the most deprived local authority in Kent. Deprivation in many parts of the county is getting worse, according to shock government figures.
And the gap between the most affluent parts of the county in the west and its poorest areas in the east is growing.
The data, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, shows that deprivation in eight Kent districts has worsened since 2007 and fallen in just four. Thanet, already the county’s key unemployment blackspot, emerges as Kent’s most deprived area and has seen its ranking nationally drop even further since 2007. It now ranks as the country’s 49th most deprived area out of 326 authorities - a fall of eleven places compared to similar data published in 2007. That places it as among the top 20 per cent . most deprived areas nationally There is no single definitive measure of child poverty. Using the Children in Low income Families Local Measure 14.7% of children (44,710 children) in Kent are living in absolute low income families. This is above the South East average of 12.0% but below the England average of 15.3%. This has increased by 13.4% in Kent over the last 5 years (+5,273 children) • 16.8% of children (51,145 children) in Kent are living in relative low income families. This is above the South East average of 13.7% but below the England average of 18.4%. This has increased in Kent by 32.8% over the last 5 years (+12,622 children). • 11.9% of children aged under 18 in Kent live in out of work benefit households. • 5.1% of households in Kent have no adult working and dependent children • All of the top 20 most deprived areas in Kent according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index are in coastal areas. • One area in Thanet is the 5th most deprived in the country for the IMD 2019 indicator measuring children & young people’s education, skills and training (IMD2019)
Even more reasons why our service is essential in Thanet.
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Round up of Citizens Advice services and actions 2020/21
Citizens advice debt helpline
Our debt helpline helps people all over England deal with their debts, maximise their income and improve their overall budgeting skills. Since the launch of the national helpline in February, we’ve already answered thousands of calls. Often our advisers support people through extremely challenging times in their lives. Their work is vital. So it’s important we take time to reflect on some of their stories and successes. We asked members of the team to tell us how they helped and what being an adviser on the helpline is really like…
Lyn, a Money Advice Caseworker
When I first joined Citizens Advice 22 years ago, I started as an Advice Service Manager. Now I work on the Debt Helpline. On a typical shift I’ll take a call as soon as I log in. I Introduce myself and briefly explain what our service provides. I tell them: “We’re here to help people who have taken that brave first step of seeking debt advice. Our service is free, impartial, and confidential.”
I recently advised a client who owed over £2000 in Council Tax arrears. She’d also never paid any Council Tax at her current address. She has depression and anxiety and feared enforcement agents attending her home. We identified that she’d never claimed the 25% single adult Council Tax discount. I advised her how to do so, and how to backdate this to when she first moved in, reducing her debt by £642.17 straightaway. We prepared a budget for her which would enable her to clear her full remaining Council Tax debt in under 6 months. This was 3 months sooner than under the repayment plan her local authority had put in place. We reassured her no enforcement agents could attend her property until after her liability hearing. As this was over a month away, it would give her time to claim the 25% single adult Council Tax discount. She’d also be able to tell the Council Tax Unit about her circumstances and that she could make payments soon. Sometimes all a client wants is to receive the advice needed to self-assist, and at other times, to be supported through the process from start to finish, but on every call, I do my very best to ensure that all clients are better equipped to deal with their debt situation by having contacted us.
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Why did the Green Homes Grant fail?
If the government is to meet its new, ambitious target to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, it’s a critical question.
The challenge of improving the energy efficiency of our homes will be key to reducing carbon emissions and, ultimately, reaching net zero. We know people are willing to make these changes, but we also know they need help and support to do it. With MPs set to debate the future of the Green Homes Grant scheme on Thursday, it’s vital the government understands why the scheme failed — or risk failing to meet its climate targets.
What’s the Green Homes Grant?
The Green Homes Grant was the first new scheme to help people pay for energy efficiency changes to their homes since the introduction of the 2050 net zero target. Homeowners and residential landlords could apply to the scheme to get a voucher covering up to two-thirds of the cost of installing energy efficient improvements in their homes.
However, the scheme was closed to new applications on 31 March this year, and at the time of writing only 14,500 households were able to use the scheme to make energy efficiency improvements.
As the statutory watchdog for energy consumers across Great Britain, we have extensive experience monitoring previous energy schemes and infrastructure projects on behalf of consumers.
Here’s what we’ve heard from consumers who engaged with the scheme and came to Citizens Advice for support.
It’s an opportunity for scammers
Advice about scams was the single biggest issue people contacted us about. We heard from people when they felt unsure about whether an installer (or what an installer told them) was legitimate. Many people who contacted us said they don’t have access to the internet, are older or in other, potentially vulnerable circumstances which made it harder to make decisions about costly changes to their homes.
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Mental health work
in the last 12 months, Citizens Advice helped 100,000 clients with mental health problems. We know that the cognitive and behavioural symptoms of poor mental health can make it much more difficult to cope with everyday tasks, like paying bills on time or switching suppliers at the end of your contract. n March, we published research which showed people with mental health problems can end up paying between £1,100 and £1,550 each year as a result of inaccessible services and inadequate support. To calculate this, we surveyed 1,706 people with diagnosed mental health conditions. We focused on the costs experienced by those who said their mental health reduced their ability to carry out activities by either ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’ (1,527 in total). To find out more about that survey, you can read our detailed research methodology. We gathered way more evidence than we could use in one report. And we couldn’t always quantify the cost. Here’s some data on the other costs consumers with mental health problems face.
1. Healthcare costs
Of those whose mental health impacted them ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’, 1 in 2 had paid for prescriptions related to their mental health in the past year. And 2 in 5 had paid for private psychological therapy.
2. Benefits-related costs
In the past year, nearly 1 in 10 respondents had paid for medical evidence as part of a claim for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA). And 1 in 2 had paid transport costs for journeys made to medical appointments, benefits assessment appointments or trips to their local jobcentre.
3. Getting insurance, and making a claim 2 in 5 people with mental health problems couldn’t make an insurance claim because they struggled with the process, found the thought of making a claim overwhelming, or didn’t feel able to speak to customer service staff. Among those whose mental health problem impacts their life a lot, this rises to 1 in 2.
4. Hidden consumer costs Mental health problems can make it more difficult to understand, and act on, complex information, making hidden costs and unfair terms difficult to avoid.
Citizens Advice Thanet
The 2021AGM is being held Video Link on the 16th November 2021 at 2pm .
This is an open meeting so members of the public are welcome Please email AGM@thanetcitizensadvice.org.uk For joining instructions
Aims
We held the 2020 AGM remotely
The meeting was presented by Jan Stewart the Chief Officer and Dr Geoff Lindley the chair.
After the usual reports were delivered the meeting had the opportunity to listen to some impact stories that our staff had been involved with over the year.
A huge Thank You to all those who attended.
The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
The service aims are:
To provide the advice people need for the problems they face.
To improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.
We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.
Established in 1939 as an emergency war service, the Citizens Advice Service has developed into the UK’s largest independent advice provider.
Current Opening Times
Our drop in sessions are currently suspended to Covid, however you can access our service by contacting us by phone and email. We are operating Monday to Friday 9-5pm
Citizens Advice Ramsgate 38/40 Plains of Waterloo Ramsgate CT11 8HX
CAB Website Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Citizens Advice National HELPLINE 03444111444
Citizens Advice Margate 2nd Floor, Mill Lane House Mill Lane Margate CT9 1LB
Editor Jan Stewart & Amanda Cook: With thanks to all staff and volunteers who contributed to the compilation and proof reading of this Annual Report and apologies for any omissions or errors in the text.
Citizens Advice Thanet, Mill Lane House, Mill Lane, Margate, CT9 1LB
Registered company number - 04176324
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET (A COMPANY LIMTED BY GUARANTEE)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Charity Number 1086799
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
CONTENTS
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report | 1 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 15 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors' report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity Registration Number Company Registration Number 1086799 04176324 Registered Office 2nd Floor Wing Mill Lane House Mill Lane Margate Kent CT9 1LB Trustees/Directors Dr Geoff Lindley Chairman Mr Simon Farrer Treasurer as from 20.7.20 Mrs Margaret Fairweather Mrs Rebecca Kirkpatrick Mrs Danielle Barnes Vice Chair Mr Gerald Dineley Mr John Quinlan (resigned 29.4.21) Mr Andrew Wallis Miss K Kundu (appointed 3.12.20, resigned 5.8.21) Co-Opted Local Authority Representatives Cllr Heather Keen Cllr Aram Rawf Chief Officer and company secretary Mrs Jan Stewart (resigned 31.8.21) Mrs Angela Drew-Robinson (appointed 1.11.21) Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner
Mr S J Wren FCCA Accountancy Matters (Kent) Limited 31 Queen Street Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DZ
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Citizens Advice Thanet is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 9 March 2001. It was established under a memorandum of association and is governed by its articles of association.
Recruitment and appointment of trustee directors
Trustees Board vacancies are advertised on the national Citizens Advice website and other appropriate media. Applicants for vacancies will be selected by a short listing and interview process which will be based on a published job description and person specification. This process will be carried out by a small group of Trustees especially appointed for this purpose. The Charity aims to have a balanced makeup which reflects the community the Service serves.
Organisational structure
Citizens Advice Thanet is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet at least quarterly. Day to day running of the Charity is supervised by the Chief Officer who reports to the Trustees on a quarterly basis. The Trustees and the Chief Executive are the Key Management Personnel as defined by the Charities SORP FRS102.
Related parties
Citizens Advice Thanet has membership of the national body now called Citizens Advice, which provides a framework for the standards of advice and casework managements as well as monitoring progress against these standards. Operating policies are independently determined by the Trustee Board in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements.
Risk assessment
The Charity has adopted a policy of regularly reviewing the risks to the operations of the Charity, to ensure that adequate steps are taken to mitigate such risks.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives
To deliver the Citizens Advice Service to the people of Thanet, ensuring as far as possible that we provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that effect peoples' lives. We will endeavour to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities, whilst valuing diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination.
Activities and achievements, performance and factors affecting achievement of objectives
This year has been the most challenging year that Citizens Advice Thanet have had to face due to the Corona Virus pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, we had to close the office and stop doing face to face consultations. Our Chief Officer quickly established a phone and email service run from the homes of staff and volunteers so that we could continue to operate a service for the people of Thanet. Whilst some volunteers did not feel comfortable offering the service in this way, many continued to provide this essential service. It is only with the commitment of these staff and volunteers that we were able to meet our client’s needs. Fortunately, our funding from Thanet District Council, the Money Advice Service, Ageless Thanet and Help to Claim continued throughout the year allowing us to keep Citizens Advice Thanet open. The ongoing problems of debt, benefits and employment were highlighted by the pandemic and presented many new challenges for our staff and volunteers to deal with.
National Citizens Advice once again carried out their annual Leadership Assessment of the Bureau and we were pleased that as a result of the high standards achieved, we will not be subjected to an external audit in the year 2021/22.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The total income for the year was £405,615, a slight reduction from the previous year's income of £411,264. Thanet District Council Continue to be a valued supporter of the work of Thanet Citizens Advice. Their funding agreement provides for the core services with additional funding provided for specific projects, Rough Sleeper Navigators and Winter Project during the last year. Other significant funders during the year were Ramsgate Town Council, Cit A (funding for several projects) and Social Enterprise Kent CIC (Ageless Thanet).
The year was disrupted due to the Covid -19 pandemic that required changes in the way the service operated and total resources expended were £344,683. Staffing costs represent 76% of total expenditure.
Total funds held at the end of the financial year, 31 March 2021, were £128,541. This is made up of restricted funds of £12,229, designated funds of £92,968 (fixed assets of £2,968, charity closure costs of £40,000 and relocation £50,000) and unrestricted funds of £23,344.
Reserves Policy and going concern
Citizens Advice Thanet operates on grant and project funding. Funding for core services is provided through grants by Thanet District Council. The Council traditionally has given a 3-year funding agreement. The current agreement commenced in April 2019.
The Directors consider that Citizens Advice Thanet is able to operate as a going concern over the next twelve months and to run its existing core services and projects that fit with the charitable objects.
The reserves policy has been prepared with reference to the Charity Commission's publication 'Charities and Reserves'. CC19, 2016.
The trustees believe that Citizens Advice Thanet should hold financial reserves in order to ensure that the charity can continue to operate and meet the needs of clients in the event of unforeseen and difficult financial circumstances.
In determining the level of reserves consideration will be given to:
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a) The risk of unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds.
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b) Covering unforeseen day-to-day operational costs.
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c) Funds to provide time for trustees to take action if income falls below expectation.
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d) Planned commitments, or designations, that cannot be met by future income alone. e) The need to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget.
The trustees have three designated funds. One designated fund is in respect of the net book value of fixed assets which although form part of general funds, they cannot be utilised for future expenditure. The second designated fund is to cover the costs of closure of the charity were this to occur due to a lack of funding. This would enable the charity to meet its financial commitments on closure. The third fund is for the potential relocation from the current offices in Margate.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Investment policy and activities
The current policy is to keep reserves in an interest-bearing account and for sufficient funds to be available should they be required in an emergency.
PLANNING OUR FUTURE AND THE TASKS AHEAD
The coming year will once again be governed by the progress of the pandemic. It will be our aim to continue with our support via email and phone but to start to return to an office-based service as soon as the pandemic allows.
Unfortunately, we will have lost a number of volunteers over the period of the pandemic and the challenge will be to attract and train new volunteers so that we can continue to grow the service that we offer
It has become clear that we cannot afford to remain in our current office space in Margate so a major challenge for the next year will be to find new offices that will allow us to continue a service in Margate. Fortunately, our Ramsgate office is still provided by the Ramsgate Council and for this we are very grateful. We are pleased that our funding from Thanet Council is secured for this year allowing us to maintain our core service.
We will continue to offer our Money Advice debt service based in Ramsgate for this year but the Ageless Thanet funding will come to an end in December having reached the end of this very successful project
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty as prescribed by section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission public benefit guidance.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees by :
Geoff Lindley - Chairman
Date : 3 November 2021
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
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CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are set out on pages 6 to 15.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also 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 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 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 section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the Company'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 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 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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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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3 the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 386 of the 2006 Act other than any requirements 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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4 the accounts 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 the 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.
S J Wren FCCA Accountancy Matters (Kent) Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 31 Queen Street Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DZ
Date : 23 November 2021
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 6
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes Unrestricted funds £ INCOME Donations and grants 2 27,075 Charitable activities 3 166,278 Investment income 4 - Fundraising income - TOTAL INCOME 193,353 EXPENDITURE Cost of raising funds 5 5,671 Charitable activities 5 160,280 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 165,951 NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME FOR THE YEAR BEFORE TRANSFERS 6 27,402 Transfers between funds 12 34,604 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 62,006 Balance as at 1 April 2020 54,306 BALANCE AT 31 MARCH 2021 116,312 |
Restricted funds £ 3,270 208,992 - - 212,262 - 178,732 178,732 33,530 (34,604) (1,074) 13,303 12,229 |
Total Total funds funds 2020 2019 £ £ 30,345 1,748 375,270 409,516 - - - - 405,615 411,264 5,671 8,187 339,012 400,311 344,683 408,498 60,932 2,766 - - 60,932 2,766 67,609 64,843 128,541 67,609 |
|---|---|---|
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 7
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 8 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments 9 Cash at bank and in hand CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 NET ASSETS 11 Represented by: FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted general fund 12 Designated funds 12 Restricted funds 12 TOTAL FUNDS |
13,529 153,166 166,695 41,122 |
2021 £ 2,968 16,783 78,922 95,705 34,594 125,573 128,541 23,344 92,968 12,229 128,541 |
2020 £ 6,498 61,111 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67,609 | |||
| 7,808 46,498 13,303 |
|||
| 67,609 |
For the financial year ended 31 March 2021 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s.477 Companies Act 2006 and no members have deposited a notice under s.476 requiring an audit.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with s.386 of the Act for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the 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 accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and in accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102.
Approved and signed for issue by the trustees on 3 November 2021.
Geoff Lindley - Chairman
Simon Farrer - Treasurer
Company registration number - 04176324
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Page 8
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities : Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006.
Citizens Advice Thanet meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
Citizens Advice Thanet operates on grant and project funding. Funding for core services is currently funded through grants by Thanet District Council. A 3-year funding agreement is in place from April 2019. The premises in Mill lane are leased. Funding for the lease was generously provided by Thanet District Council for the year 2020/21, but this funding will not continue into the year 2021/22.
The Directors consider that Citizens Advice Thanet is able to operate as a going concern for at least the twelve months from the date these accounts are formally approved. It is anticipated the funding agreement with Thanet District Council will be renewed and sufficient reserves are in place for the service to continue to operate. Without additional continued funding towards the rental costs for the Mill Lane premises alternative, less costly, premises will need to be secured from April 2022. It is expected that the current plans will enable the adopting of an affordable budget for the year 2022/23.
c) Income
Grants receivable - grants made to finance the activities of the Charity are credited to the statement of financial activities (SOFA) accounting in the period to which they relate.
Bank interest - bank interest is included in the income and expenditure account on receipt.
Other income - other income, including donations and gifts are included as they were received.
Gifts and intangible income - in addition to the above, the charity also receives help and support in the form of voluntary assistance in advising the public. This help and support is not included in the financial statements. However, its value to the charity has been estimated and disclosed in the trustees' report.
Deferred income - grants received in advance of the period in which the funder requires the expenditure to be applied will be reflected within deferred income on the balance sheet.
d) Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes VAT where applicable. All expenditure directly related to the provision of the advisory services is included within the charitable expenditure. Other costs incurred have been allocated between activities for generating funds and governance as appropriate. Where such costs relate to more than one functional cost category they have been split on an estimate of time spent.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 9
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
e) Depreciation of fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows :
Leasehold improvements Over the term of the lease Computers, software and equipment 33% straight line Furniture and equipment 25% straight line
f) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are grants, donations and other incoming resources receivable by the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds relates to income to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor.
g) Leases
Rental costs are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
h) Significant judgements and estimates
No significant judgements or estimates have had to be made by the Trustees in preparing these financial statements
| Unrestricted funds £ 2 DONATIONS AND GRANTS Cit A - Broadband 500 Cit A - Computers - Cit A - Softphones 1,300 Broadstairs Town Council 1,000 Thanet District Council - Small Business Grant 10,000 Thanet District Council - Covid 19 9,000 Donations 5,275 27,075 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Thanet District Council 121,000 Ramsgate Town Council 20,000 We Are Digital Training Limited (1,995) Cit A - Money Advice Service - Cit A - DRO's 87 Cit A - Help to Claim - Cit A - HMPT 10,000 Thanet District Council - Rough Sleeper Navigators - Thanet District Council - Covid Winter Grant 11,800 Southern Water 386 Citizens Advice Maidstone - Room hire 5,000 Social Enterprise Kent CIC - Ageless Thanet - 166,278 |
Restricted funds £ - 3,270 - - - - - 3,270 - - - 53,169 - 55,203 26,752 - - 73,868 208,992 |
2021 Total funds £ 500 3,270 1,300 1,000 10,000 9,000 5,275 30,345 121,000 20,000 (1,995) 53,169 87 55,203 10,000 26,752 11,800 386 5,000 73,868 375,270 |
2020 Total funds £ - - - - - - 1,748 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,748 | |||
| 121,000 12,000 19,388 52,416 611 37,474 64,734 - - 5,000 96,893 |
|||
| 409,516 |
Bank interest receivable - - - -
4 INVESTMENT INCOME
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 10
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 5 EXPENDITURE Unrestricted funds £ Costs of raising funds : Wages and salaries 5,671 Fundraising costs - 5,671 Charitable activities Wages and salaries 56,938 Subcontract labour - Travel and other staff and volunteer costs 1,048 Consultancy - Rent and room hire 29,714 Light, heat and water 3,086 Property repairs and maintenance 3,730 Computer costs and IT support 714 Office equipment repairs 108 Insurance 6,669 Telephone 8,168 Publicity - Printing post and stationery 4,983 Training 265 CAB subscription costs 5,999 Books and publications 868 Sundries 79 Depreciation 6,617 Loss on disposal of fixed assets - Support costs Wages and salaries 21,963 Accountancy fees 1,464 Payroll costs 1,139 Governance costs Wages and salaries 5,193 Board and AGM meeting expenses - Legal and professional 35 Independent Examiner's fee 1,500 160,280 Total expenditure 165,951 |
Restricted funds £ - - - 155,860 2,123 1,069 2,850 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16,830 - - - - - - 178,732 178,732 |
2021 2020 Total Total funds funds £ £ 5,671 8,187 - - 5,671 8,187 212,798 246,392 2,123 - 2,117 12,450 2,850 300 29,714 27,986 3,086 5,822 3,730 4,252 714 3,413 108 281 6,669 7,026 8,168 9,430 - 1,168 4,983 6,114 265 2,717 5,999 7,352 868 1,697 79 60 6,617 8,401 - - 38,793 44,493 1,464 1,728 1,139 1,222 5,193 6,217 - 255 35 35 1,500 1,500 339,012 400,311 344,683 408,498 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | NET INCOME | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| This is stated after charging: | |||
| Depreciation | 6,617 | 8,401 | |
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | - | - | |
| Independent Examiner's remuneration : Management accounts | 1,464 | 1,728 | |
| Payroll fees | 984 | - | |
| Independent Examiners' fee | 1,500 | 1,500 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 11
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 7 INFORMATION REGARDING EMPLOYEES Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension contributions Redundancy costs DWP reimbursements Employment Allowance |
2021 2020 £ £ 230,399 288,697 18,120 23,381 3,677 4,540 14,259 1,308 - (9,637) (4,000) (3,000) 262,455 305,289 |
|---|---|
The average monthly head count was 11 staff (2020 - 14 staff).
The average number of employees based on full time equivalents analysed by function was:
| Advisory services Management and administration |
2021 2020 Number Number 8 9 1 1 9 10 |
|---|---|
No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year or the preceding year.
No trustees received remuneration or were reimbursed expenses. (2020 - £Nil).
The total employee benefits (including employers national insurance) of the key management personnel of the charity were £22,685 (2020 - £32,751)
8 FIXED ASSETS
| Cost As at 1 April 2020 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2021 Depreciation As at 1 April 2020 Charge for the year Disposals As at 31 March 2021 Net book value As at 31 March 2021 As at 31 March 2020 |
Leasehold Imp'ments 56,494 - - 56,494 56,494 - - 56,494 - - |
£ 54,956 3,086 - 58,042 48,593 6,481 - 55,074 2,968 6,363 Equipment Computer |
Fixtures & fittings 13,070 - - 13,070 12,935 135 - 13,070 - 135 |
Total £ 124,520 3,086 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127,606 | ||||
| 118,022 6,616 - |
||||
| 124,638 | ||||
| 2,968 | ||||
| 6,498 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 12
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 9 DEBTORS Other debtors Prepayments Accrued income 10 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Other creditors Taxation and social security Accruals Deferred income 11 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUND General Designated funds funds £ £ Fixed assets 2,968 Current assets 61,498 92,968 Current liabilities (41,122) - Net assets as at 31 March 2021 23,344 92,968 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUND - PREVIOUS YEAR General Designated funds funds £ £ Fixed assets - 6,498 Current assets 42,402 40,000 Current liabilities (34,594) - Net assets as at 31 March 2020 7,808 46,498 |
2021 £ - 9,374 4,155 13,529 2021 £ 1,300 15,938 7,811 2,873 13,200 41,122 Restricted funds £ - 12,229 - 12,229 Restricted funds £ - 13,303 - 13,303 |
2020 £ 2,000 8,633 6,150 |
|---|---|---|
| 16,783 | ||
| 2020 £ 2,207 3,231 5,219 2,228 21,709 |
||
| 34,594 | ||
| Total £ 2,968 166,695 (41,122) |
||
| 128,541 | ||
| Total £ 6,498 95,705 (34,594) |
||
| 67,609 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 13
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 12 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS As at 1 04 2020 £ Restricted funds Money Advice Service - Rough Sleeper Navigators 3,907 Cit A - Help to Claim - Ageless Thanet 9,396 Cit A - Computers - Total restricted funds 13,303 Designated funds Fixed assets 6,498 Relocation - Charity closure 40,000 Total designated funds 46,498 Unrestricted general funds 7,808 Total funds 67,609 |
IncomeExpenditure £ £ 53,169 (47,428) 26,752 (24,681) 55,203 (47,463) 73,868 (59,160) 3,270 - 212,262 (178,732) - - - - - - - - 193,353 (165,951) 405,615 (344,683) |
As at Transfers 31 03 2021 £ £ (5,741) - (5,978) - (7,701) 39 (11,914) 12,190 (3,270) - (34,604) 12,229 (3,530) 2,968 50,000 50,000 - 40,000 46,470 92,968 (11,866) 23,344 - 128,541 |
|---|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Money Advice Service
This contract is to provide second tier money advice support to the people of Thanet, which will assist in all debt casework, including Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Debt Relief Orders (DRO's). The end date of this contract is 31 March 2022. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Rough Sleeper Navigators
Funding has been received from Thanet District Council to provide support to homeless people who are being housed to help them with behavioural change to adapt to a new life. This project ended in November 2020. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Cit A - Help to Claim
Funding has been received from the DWP (via Cit A) to assist clients on their journey to claim Universal Credit, including technical support to complete their claim on line and assist them through the process until they receive their first full payment. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Ageless Thanet
Citizens Advice is leading on the Planning for Later Life stream of this 5 year Big Lottery funded project. Social Enterprise Kent CIC are the lead partners. It began in April 2015..and will conclude in December 2021 as we secured funding for an extra 9 months. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Cit A - Computers
This Grant was awarded by Citizens Advice to be used for computers for home working caused by the Covid Pandemic, all of the grant was spent on acquiring 8 Laptops that have been used by volunteers. The transfer to unrestricted funds represent the cost of the laptops which are shown as fixed assets on the balance sheet.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 14
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Fixed assets
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the net book value of the charity's fixed assets at the balance sheet date. The fund was created due to the increase in fixed assets and although they are within general funds the value of the assets cannot be utilised for future expenditure.
Relocation
The Trustees consider the current premises in Mill Lane to be unaffordable and are seeking to secure alternative premises at a greatly reduced rental. The fund has been created to fund dilapidations at Mill Lane required by the landlord, the adaption of alternative premises to meet the needs of Citizens Advice Thanet, the costs of removal from Mill Lane to new premises and to provide funds to the charity closure fund to cover rental liabilities.
Charity closure
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the estimated costs of the charity having to close due to a lack of funding.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
| As at 1 04 2019 £ Restricted funds Money Advice Service 52 Rough Sleeper Navigators 924 Cit A - Help to Claim - Ageless Thanet - Total restricted funds 976 Designated funds Fixed assets 12,168 Charity closure 40,000 Total designated funds 52,168 Unrestricted general funds 11,699 Total funds 64,843 |
IncomeExpenditure £ £ 52,416 (53,657) 64,734 (61,751) 37,474 (38,052) 96,893 (87,497) 251,517 (240,957) - - - - - - 159,747 (167,541) 411,264 (408,498) |
As at Transfers 31 03 2020 £ £ 1,189 - - 3,907 578 - - 9,396 1,767 13,303 (5,670) 6,498 - 40,000 (5,670) 46,498 3,903 7,808 - 67,609 |
|---|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
Money Advice Service
This contract is to provide second tier money advice support to the people of Thanet, which will assist in all debt casework, including Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Debt Relief Orders (DRO's). The end date of this contract is 31 March 2021. The transfer from unrestricted funds represents a small overspend on the service. funds represents a contribution towards rent and other accommodation costs.
Rough Sleeper Navigators
Funding has been received from Thanet District Council to provide support to homeless people who are being housed to help them with behavioural change to adapt to a new life. This project is now in its
Cit A - Help to Claim
Funding has been received from the DWP (via Cit A) to assist clients on their journey to claim Universal Credit, including technical support to complete their claim on line and assist them through the process until they receive their first full payment. The transfer from unrestricted funds represents a small
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 15
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
RESTRICTED FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
Ageless Thanet
Citizens Advice is leading on the Planning for Later Life stream of this 5 year Big Lottery funded project. Social Enterprise Kent CIC are the lead partners. It began in April 2015..
DESIGNATED FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
Fixed assets
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the net book value of the charity's fixed assets at the balance sheet date. The fund was created due to the increase in fixed assets and although they are within general funds the value of the assets cannot be utilised for future expenditure.
Charity closure
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the estimated costs of the charity having to close due to a lack of funding.
13 FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
At 31 March 2021 the charity had future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| leases as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| within one year | 23,436 | 23,436 |
| within two to five years | 703 | 1,406 |
| after five years | - | - |
14 MEMBERS LIABILITY
The company is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Charity undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1, to the Charity's assets if it should be wound up while they are a member or within one year after they ceased to be a member, for the costs of winding up and for the adjustment of the rights of persons who have contributed to the Charity's assets.
15 CORPORATION TAXATION
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
16 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The MAS debt advice project requires a specialist Technical Supervisor. This is a role that requires a few hours each month from a suitably qualified debt adviser, which is a role that is not easily filled. The Technical Supervision work for Citizens Advice Thanet is carried out by Kani Kandu. When appointed as a Trustee Kani Kandu continued as Technical Supervisor. The Trustees were in the process of seeking to amend the Articles to allow the payment of Trustees as a consultant, where this is appropriate. Kani Kandu resigned as a Trustee before the change in the Articles could be made. Payments totalling £2,250 were paid to Kani Kandu for the period from the date she was appointed as a Trustee until 31 March 2021.
Other than the above, the charity did not undertake any other transactions with related parties that require disclosure.
Registered company number - 04176324
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET (A COMPANY LIMTED BY GUARANTEE)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Charity Number 1086799
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
CONTENTS
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report | 1 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 15 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 1
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors' report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity Registration Number Company Registration Number 1086799 04176324 Registered Office 2nd Floor Wing Mill Lane House Mill Lane Margate Kent CT9 1LB Trustees/Directors Dr Geoff Lindley Chairman Mr Simon Farrer Treasurer as from 20.7.20 Mrs Margaret Fairweather Mrs Rebecca Kirkpatrick Mrs Danielle Barnes Vice Chair Mr Gerald Dineley Mr John Quinlan (resigned 29.4.21) Mr Andrew Wallis Miss K Kundu (appointed 3.12.20, resigned 5.8.21) Co-Opted Local Authority Representatives Cllr Heather Keen Cllr Aram Rawf Chief Officer and company secretary Mrs Jan Stewart (resigned 31.8.21) Mrs Angela Drew-Robinson (appointed 1.11.21) Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner
Mr S J Wren FCCA Accountancy Matters (Kent) Limited 31 Queen Street Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DZ
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 2
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Citizens Advice Thanet is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 9 March 2001. It was established under a memorandum of association and is governed by its articles of association.
Recruitment and appointment of trustee directors
Trustees Board vacancies are advertised on the national Citizens Advice website and other appropriate media. Applicants for vacancies will be selected by a short listing and interview process which will be based on a published job description and person specification. This process will be carried out by a small group of Trustees especially appointed for this purpose. The Charity aims to have a balanced makeup which reflects the community the Service serves.
Organisational structure
Citizens Advice Thanet is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet at least quarterly. Day to day running of the Charity is supervised by the Chief Officer who reports to the Trustees on a quarterly basis. The Trustees and the Chief Executive are the Key Management Personnel as defined by the Charities SORP FRS102.
Related parties
Citizens Advice Thanet has membership of the national body now called Citizens Advice, which provides a framework for the standards of advice and casework managements as well as monitoring progress against these standards. Operating policies are independently determined by the Trustee Board in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements.
Risk assessment
The Charity has adopted a policy of regularly reviewing the risks to the operations of the Charity, to ensure that adequate steps are taken to mitigate such risks.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives
To deliver the Citizens Advice Service to the people of Thanet, ensuring as far as possible that we provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that effect peoples' lives. We will endeavour to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities, whilst valuing diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination.
Activities and achievements, performance and factors affecting achievement of objectives
This year has been the most challenging year that Citizens Advice Thanet have had to face due to the Corona Virus pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, we had to close the office and stop doing face to face consultations. Our Chief Officer quickly established a phone and email service run from the homes of staff and volunteers so that we could continue to operate a service for the people of Thanet. Whilst some volunteers did not feel comfortable offering the service in this way, many continued to provide this essential service. It is only with the commitment of these staff and volunteers that we were able to meet our client’s needs. Fortunately, our funding from Thanet District Council, the Money Advice Service, Ageless Thanet and Help to Claim continued throughout the year allowing us to keep Citizens Advice Thanet open. The ongoing problems of debt, benefits and employment were highlighted by the pandemic and presented many new challenges for our staff and volunteers to deal with.
National Citizens Advice once again carried out their annual Leadership Assessment of the Bureau and we were pleased that as a result of the high standards achieved, we will not be subjected to an external audit in the year 2021/22.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 3
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The total income for the year was £405,615, a slight reduction from the previous year's income of £411,264. Thanet District Council Continue to be a valued supporter of the work of Thanet Citizens Advice. Their funding agreement provides for the core services with additional funding provided for specific projects, Rough Sleeper Navigators and Winter Project during the last year. Other significant funders during the year were Ramsgate Town Council, Cit A (funding for several projects) and Social Enterprise Kent CIC (Ageless Thanet).
The year was disrupted due to the Covid -19 pandemic that required changes in the way the service operated and total resources expended were £344,683. Staffing costs represent 76% of total expenditure.
Total funds held at the end of the financial year, 31 March 2021, were £128,541. This is made up of restricted funds of £12,229, designated funds of £92,968 (fixed assets of £2,968, charity closure costs of £40,000 and relocation £50,000) and unrestricted funds of £23,344.
Reserves Policy and going concern
Citizens Advice Thanet operates on grant and project funding. Funding for core services is provided through grants by Thanet District Council. The Council traditionally has given a 3-year funding agreement. The current agreement commenced in April 2019.
The Directors consider that Citizens Advice Thanet is able to operate as a going concern over the next twelve months and to run its existing core services and projects that fit with the charitable objects.
The reserves policy has been prepared with reference to the Charity Commission's publication 'Charities and Reserves'. CC19, 2016.
The trustees believe that Citizens Advice Thanet should hold financial reserves in order to ensure that the charity can continue to operate and meet the needs of clients in the event of unforeseen and difficult financial circumstances.
In determining the level of reserves consideration will be given to:
-
a) The risk of unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds.
-
b) Covering unforeseen day-to-day operational costs.
-
c) Funds to provide time for trustees to take action if income falls below expectation.
-
d) Planned commitments, or designations, that cannot be met by future income alone. e) The need to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget.
The trustees have three designated funds. One designated fund is in respect of the net book value of fixed assets which although form part of general funds, they cannot be utilised for future expenditure. The second designated fund is to cover the costs of closure of the charity were this to occur due to a lack of funding. This would enable the charity to meet its financial commitments on closure. The third fund is for the potential relocation from the current offices in Margate.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 4
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Investment policy and activities
The current policy is to keep reserves in an interest-bearing account and for sufficient funds to be available should they be required in an emergency.
PLANNING OUR FUTURE AND THE TASKS AHEAD
The coming year will once again be governed by the progress of the pandemic. It will be our aim to continue with our support via email and phone but to start to return to an office-based service as soon as the pandemic allows.
Unfortunately, we will have lost a number of volunteers over the period of the pandemic and the challenge will be to attract and train new volunteers so that we can continue to grow the service that we offer
It has become clear that we cannot afford to remain in our current office space in Margate so a major challenge for the next year will be to find new offices that will allow us to continue a service in Margate. Fortunately, our Ramsgate office is still provided by the Ramsgate Council and for this we are very grateful. We are pleased that our funding from Thanet Council is secured for this year allowing us to maintain our core service.
We will continue to offer our Money Advice debt service based in Ramsgate for this year but the Ageless Thanet funding will come to an end in December having reached the end of this very successful project
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty as prescribed by section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission public benefit guidance.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees by :
Geoff Lindley - Chairman
Date : 3 November 2021
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
Page 5
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are set out on pages 6 to 15.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also 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 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 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 section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the Company'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 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 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:
-
1 accounting 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 386 of the 2006 Act other than any requirements 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 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 the 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.
S J Wren FCCA Accountancy Matters (Kent) Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 31 Queen Street Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DZ
Date : 23 November 2021
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 6
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes Unrestricted funds £ INCOME Donations and grants 2 27,075 Charitable activities 3 166,278 Investment income 4 - Fundraising income - TOTAL INCOME 193,353 EXPENDITURE Cost of raising funds 5 5,671 Charitable activities 5 160,280 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 165,951 NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME FOR THE YEAR BEFORE TRANSFERS 6 27,402 Transfers between funds 12 34,604 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 62,006 Balance as at 1 April 2020 54,306 BALANCE AT 31 MARCH 2021 116,312 |
Restricted funds £ 3,270 208,992 - - 212,262 - 178,732 178,732 33,530 (34,604) (1,074) 13,303 12,229 |
Total Total funds funds 2020 2019 £ £ 30,345 1,748 375,270 409,516 - - - - 405,615 411,264 5,671 8,187 339,012 400,311 344,683 408,498 60,932 2,766 - - 60,932 2,766 67,609 64,843 128,541 67,609 |
|---|---|---|
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 7
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 8 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments 9 Cash at bank and in hand CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 NET ASSETS 11 Represented by: FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted general fund 12 Designated funds 12 Restricted funds 12 TOTAL FUNDS |
13,529 153,166 166,695 41,122 |
2021 £ 2,968 16,783 78,922 95,705 34,594 125,573 128,541 23,344 92,968 12,229 128,541 |
2020 £ 6,498 61,111 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67,609 | |||
| 7,808 46,498 13,303 |
|||
| 67,609 |
For the financial year ended 31 March 2021 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s.477 Companies Act 2006 and no members have deposited a notice under s.476 requiring an audit.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with s.386 of the Act for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the 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 accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and in accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102.
Approved and signed for issue by the trustees on 3 November 2021.
Geoff Lindley - Chairman
Simon Farrer - Treasurer
Company registration number - 04176324
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
Page 8
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities : Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006.
Citizens Advice Thanet meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
Citizens Advice Thanet operates on grant and project funding. Funding for core services is currently funded through grants by Thanet District Council. A 3-year funding agreement is in place from April 2019. The premises in Mill lane are leased. Funding for the lease was generously provided by Thanet District Council for the year 2020/21, but this funding will not continue into the year 2021/22.
The Directors consider that Citizens Advice Thanet is able to operate as a going concern for at least the twelve months from the date these accounts are formally approved. It is anticipated the funding agreement with Thanet District Council will be renewed and sufficient reserves are in place for the service to continue to operate. Without additional continued funding towards the rental costs for the Mill Lane premises alternative, less costly, premises will need to be secured from April 2022. It is expected that the current plans will enable the adopting of an affordable budget for the year 2022/23.
c) Income
Grants receivable - grants made to finance the activities of the Charity are credited to the statement of financial activities (SOFA) accounting in the period to which they relate.
Bank interest - bank interest is included in the income and expenditure account on receipt.
Other income - other income, including donations and gifts are included as they were received.
Gifts and intangible income - in addition to the above, the charity also receives help and support in the form of voluntary assistance in advising the public. This help and support is not included in the financial statements. However, its value to the charity has been estimated and disclosed in the trustees' report.
Deferred income - grants received in advance of the period in which the funder requires the expenditure to be applied will be reflected within deferred income on the balance sheet.
d) Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes VAT where applicable. All expenditure directly related to the provision of the advisory services is included within the charitable expenditure. Other costs incurred have been allocated between activities for generating funds and governance as appropriate. Where such costs relate to more than one functional cost category they have been split on an estimate of time spent.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 9
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
e) Depreciation of fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows :
Leasehold improvements Over the term of the lease Computers, software and equipment 33% straight line Furniture and equipment 25% straight line
f) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are grants, donations and other incoming resources receivable by the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds relates to income to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor.
g) Leases
Rental costs are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
h) Significant judgements and estimates
No significant judgements or estimates have had to be made by the Trustees in preparing these financial statements
| Unrestricted funds £ 2 DONATIONS AND GRANTS Cit A - Broadband 500 Cit A - Computers - Cit A - Softphones 1,300 Broadstairs Town Council 1,000 Thanet District Council - Small Business Grant 10,000 Thanet District Council - Covid 19 9,000 Donations 5,275 27,075 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Thanet District Council 121,000 Ramsgate Town Council 20,000 We Are Digital Training Limited (1,995) Cit A - Money Advice Service - Cit A - DRO's 87 Cit A - Help to Claim - Cit A - HMPT 10,000 Thanet District Council - Rough Sleeper Navigators - Thanet District Council - Covid Winter Grant 11,800 Southern Water 386 Citizens Advice Maidstone - Room hire 5,000 Social Enterprise Kent CIC - Ageless Thanet - 166,278 |
Restricted funds £ - 3,270 - - - - - 3,270 - - - 53,169 - 55,203 26,752 - - 73,868 208,992 |
2021 Total funds £ 500 3,270 1,300 1,000 10,000 9,000 5,275 30,345 121,000 20,000 (1,995) 53,169 87 55,203 10,000 26,752 11,800 386 5,000 73,868 375,270 |
2020 Total funds £ - - - - - - 1,748 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,748 | |||
| 121,000 12,000 19,388 52,416 611 37,474 64,734 - - 5,000 96,893 |
|||
| 409,516 |
Bank interest receivable - - - -
4 INVESTMENT INCOME
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 10
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 5 EXPENDITURE Unrestricted funds £ Costs of raising funds : Wages and salaries 5,671 Fundraising costs - 5,671 Charitable activities Wages and salaries 56,938 Subcontract labour - Travel and other staff and volunteer costs 1,048 Consultancy - Rent and room hire 29,714 Light, heat and water 3,086 Property repairs and maintenance 3,730 Computer costs and IT support 714 Office equipment repairs 108 Insurance 6,669 Telephone 8,168 Publicity - Printing post and stationery 4,983 Training 265 CAB subscription costs 5,999 Books and publications 868 Sundries 79 Depreciation 6,617 Loss on disposal of fixed assets - Support costs Wages and salaries 21,963 Accountancy fees 1,464 Payroll costs 1,139 Governance costs Wages and salaries 5,193 Board and AGM meeting expenses - Legal and professional 35 Independent Examiner's fee 1,500 160,280 Total expenditure 165,951 |
Restricted funds £ - - - 155,860 2,123 1,069 2,850 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16,830 - - - - - - 178,732 178,732 |
2021 2020 Total Total funds funds £ £ 5,671 8,187 - - 5,671 8,187 212,798 246,392 2,123 - 2,117 12,450 2,850 300 29,714 27,986 3,086 5,822 3,730 4,252 714 3,413 108 281 6,669 7,026 8,168 9,430 - 1,168 4,983 6,114 265 2,717 5,999 7,352 868 1,697 79 60 6,617 8,401 - - 38,793 44,493 1,464 1,728 1,139 1,222 5,193 6,217 - 255 35 35 1,500 1,500 339,012 400,311 344,683 408,498 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | NET INCOME | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| This is stated after charging: | |||
| Depreciation | 6,617 | 8,401 | |
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | - | - | |
| Independent Examiner's remuneration : Management accounts | 1,464 | 1,728 | |
| Payroll fees | 984 | - | |
| Independent Examiners' fee | 1,500 | 1,500 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 11
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 7 INFORMATION REGARDING EMPLOYEES Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension contributions Redundancy costs DWP reimbursements Employment Allowance |
2021 2020 £ £ 230,399 288,697 18,120 23,381 3,677 4,540 14,259 1,308 - (9,637) (4,000) (3,000) 262,455 305,289 |
|---|---|
The average monthly head count was 11 staff (2020 - 14 staff).
The average number of employees based on full time equivalents analysed by function was:
| Advisory services Management and administration |
2021 2020 Number Number 8 9 1 1 9 10 |
|---|---|
No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year or the preceding year.
No trustees received remuneration or were reimbursed expenses. (2020 - £Nil).
The total employee benefits (including employers national insurance) of the key management personnel of the charity were £22,685 (2020 - £32,751)
8 FIXED ASSETS
| Cost As at 1 April 2020 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2021 Depreciation As at 1 April 2020 Charge for the year Disposals As at 31 March 2021 Net book value As at 31 March 2021 As at 31 March 2020 |
Leasehold Imp'ments 56,494 - - 56,494 56,494 - - 56,494 - - |
£ 54,956 3,086 - 58,042 48,593 6,481 - 55,074 2,968 6,363 Equipment Computer |
Fixtures & fittings 13,070 - - 13,070 12,935 135 - 13,070 - 135 |
Total £ 124,520 3,086 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127,606 | ||||
| 118,022 6,616 - |
||||
| 124,638 | ||||
| 2,968 | ||||
| 6,498 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 12
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 9 DEBTORS Other debtors Prepayments Accrued income 10 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Other creditors Taxation and social security Accruals Deferred income 11 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUND General Designated funds funds £ £ Fixed assets 2,968 Current assets 61,498 92,968 Current liabilities (41,122) - Net assets as at 31 March 2021 23,344 92,968 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUND - PREVIOUS YEAR General Designated funds funds £ £ Fixed assets - 6,498 Current assets 42,402 40,000 Current liabilities (34,594) - Net assets as at 31 March 2020 7,808 46,498 |
2021 £ - 9,374 4,155 13,529 2021 £ 1,300 15,938 7,811 2,873 13,200 41,122 Restricted funds £ - 12,229 - 12,229 Restricted funds £ - 13,303 - 13,303 |
2020 £ 2,000 8,633 6,150 |
|---|---|---|
| 16,783 | ||
| 2020 £ 2,207 3,231 5,219 2,228 21,709 |
||
| 34,594 | ||
| Total £ 2,968 166,695 (41,122) |
||
| 128,541 | ||
| Total £ 6,498 95,705 (34,594) |
||
| 67,609 |
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 13
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 12 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS As at 1 04 2020 £ Restricted funds Money Advice Service - Rough Sleeper Navigators 3,907 Cit A - Help to Claim - Ageless Thanet 9,396 Cit A - Computers - Total restricted funds 13,303 Designated funds Fixed assets 6,498 Relocation - Charity closure 40,000 Total designated funds 46,498 Unrestricted general funds 7,808 Total funds 67,609 |
IncomeExpenditure £ £ 53,169 (47,428) 26,752 (24,681) 55,203 (47,463) 73,868 (59,160) 3,270 - 212,262 (178,732) - - - - - - - - 193,353 (165,951) 405,615 (344,683) |
As at Transfers 31 03 2021 £ £ (5,741) - (5,978) - (7,701) 39 (11,914) 12,190 (3,270) - (34,604) 12,229 (3,530) 2,968 50,000 50,000 - 40,000 46,470 92,968 (11,866) 23,344 - 128,541 |
|---|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Money Advice Service
This contract is to provide second tier money advice support to the people of Thanet, which will assist in all debt casework, including Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Debt Relief Orders (DRO's). The end date of this contract is 31 March 2022. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Rough Sleeper Navigators
Funding has been received from Thanet District Council to provide support to homeless people who are being housed to help them with behavioural change to adapt to a new life. This project ended in November 2020. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Cit A - Help to Claim
Funding has been received from the DWP (via Cit A) to assist clients on their journey to claim Universal Credit, including technical support to complete their claim on line and assist them through the process until they receive their first full payment. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Ageless Thanet
Citizens Advice is leading on the Planning for Later Life stream of this 5 year Big Lottery funded project. Social Enterprise Kent CIC are the lead partners. It began in April 2015..and will conclude in December 2021 as we secured funding for an extra 9 months. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents a contribution towards the charity's office costs.
Cit A - Computers
This Grant was awarded by Citizens Advice to be used for computers for home working caused by the Covid Pandemic, all of the grant was spent on acquiring 8 Laptops that have been used by volunteers. The transfer to unrestricted funds represent the cost of the laptops which are shown as fixed assets on the balance sheet.
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 14
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Fixed assets
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the net book value of the charity's fixed assets at the balance sheet date. The fund was created due to the increase in fixed assets and although they are within general funds the value of the assets cannot be utilised for future expenditure.
Relocation
The Trustees consider the current premises in Mill Lane to be unaffordable and are seeking to secure alternative premises at a greatly reduced rental. The fund has been created to fund dilapidations at Mill Lane required by the landlord, the adaption of alternative premises to meet the needs of Citizens Advice Thanet, the costs of removal from Mill Lane to new premises and to provide funds to the charity closure fund to cover rental liabilities.
Charity closure
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the estimated costs of the charity having to close due to a lack of funding.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
| As at 1 04 2019 £ Restricted funds Money Advice Service 52 Rough Sleeper Navigators 924 Cit A - Help to Claim - Ageless Thanet - Total restricted funds 976 Designated funds Fixed assets 12,168 Charity closure 40,000 Total designated funds 52,168 Unrestricted general funds 11,699 Total funds 64,843 |
IncomeExpenditure £ £ 52,416 (53,657) 64,734 (61,751) 37,474 (38,052) 96,893 (87,497) 251,517 (240,957) - - - - - - 159,747 (167,541) 411,264 (408,498) |
As at Transfers 31 03 2020 £ £ 1,189 - - 3,907 578 - - 9,396 1,767 13,303 (5,670) 6,498 - 40,000 (5,670) 46,498 3,903 7,808 - 67,609 |
|---|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
Money Advice Service
This contract is to provide second tier money advice support to the people of Thanet, which will assist in all debt casework, including Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Debt Relief Orders (DRO's). The end date of this contract is 31 March 2021. The transfer from unrestricted funds represents a small overspend on the service. funds represents a contribution towards rent and other accommodation costs.
Rough Sleeper Navigators
Funding has been received from Thanet District Council to provide support to homeless people who are being housed to help them with behavioural change to adapt to a new life. This project is now in its
Cit A - Help to Claim
Funding has been received from the DWP (via Cit A) to assist clients on their journey to claim Universal Credit, including technical support to complete their claim on line and assist them through the process until they receive their first full payment. The transfer from unrestricted funds represents a small
CITIZENS ADVICE THANET
Page 15
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
RESTRICTED FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
Ageless Thanet
Citizens Advice is leading on the Planning for Later Life stream of this 5 year Big Lottery funded project. Social Enterprise Kent CIC are the lead partners. It began in April 2015..
DESIGNATED FUNDS - PREVIOUS YEAR
Fixed assets
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the net book value of the charity's fixed assets at the balance sheet date. The fund was created due to the increase in fixed assets and although they are within general funds the value of the assets cannot be utilised for future expenditure.
Charity closure
A fund created by the Trustees and represents the estimated costs of the charity having to close due to a lack of funding.
13 FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
At 31 March 2021 the charity had future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| leases as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| within one year | 23,436 | 23,436 |
| within two to five years | 703 | 1,406 |
| after five years | - | - |
14 MEMBERS LIABILITY
The company is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Charity undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1, to the Charity's assets if it should be wound up while they are a member or within one year after they ceased to be a member, for the costs of winding up and for the adjustment of the rights of persons who have contributed to the Charity's assets.
15 CORPORATION TAXATION
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
16 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The MAS debt advice project requires a specialist Technical Supervisor. This is a role that requires a few hours each month from a suitably qualified debt adviser, which is a role that is not easily filled. The Technical Supervision work for Citizens Advice Thanet is carried out by Kani Kandu. When appointed as a Trustee Kani Kandu continued as Technical Supervisor. The Trustees were in the process of seeking to amend the Articles to allow the payment of Trustees as a consultant, where this is appropriate. Kani Kandu resigned as a Trustee before the change in the Articles could be made. Payments totalling £2,250 were paid to Kani Kandu for the period from the date she was appointed as a Trustee until 31 March 2021.
Other than the above, the charity did not undertake any other transactions with related parties that require disclosure.