OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

2025-03-31-accounts

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Number 4063248

Registered Charity Number 1088290

A Company Limited by Guarantee

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

Reports and Financial Statements 2025

Contents

==> picture [380 x 255] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |REFERENCE|AND|ADMINISTRATIVE|DETAILS|1| |TRUSTEES REPORT|2| |STATEMENT OF|TRUSTEES’|RESPONSIBILITIES|7| |INDEPENDENT|AUDITOR’S REPORT|8| |STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL|ACTIVITIES|10| |BALANCE|SHEET|11| |STATEMENT OF CASH|FLOW|12| |NOTES TO THE|ACCOUNTS|13|

----- End of picture text -----

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

Reports and Financial Statements 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

The trustees who held office from the beginning of the year were

Elected by the members

Mr W Chilvers Mr P Hollebon Mr M Tarala - Chair Ms R Woolley Ms D Hay Ms F Stevenson

Resigned 27 November 2024 Resigned 6 Sept 2024

Resigned 16 October 2025 Appointed 16 October 2025 Appointed 5 December 2025

Chelmsford City Council nominated

Councillor S Rajesh Councillor H Clark

Nominated December 2015 Nominated 5 September 2023

Bureau Chief Executive

Mr R C Mynott

Registered office Burgess Well House Coval Lane Chelmsford CM1 IFW

Bankers

Unity Bank PLC PO Box 7193 Planetary Road Willenhall WV1 9DG

Auditors

Affinia (Orpington) Lynwood House Crofton Road Orpington BR6 8QE

Page | 1

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025

TRUSTEES REPORT

The Trustees, who are also Directors under the Companies Act 2006, present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees’ Report is also a Director’s Report as required by Section 417 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees confirm that this Annual Report and financial statements have been prepared in accordance with current statutory requirements and comply with the Companies Act 2006, the requirements of the company’s governing document, and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) which are applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

:

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

Citizens Advice Chelmsford is a registered charitable company limited by guarantee. The company was incorporatea on 31 August 2000 and registered as a charity on 31 August 2001. established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers. The company is also governed under its Articles of Association. The maximum liability of each member is limited to a sum not exceeding £10 which is the amount that each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charity in the event of its being wound up while he, she or it is a member or within one year after he, she or it ceases to be a member. New Memorandum and Articles of Association were adopted at an Extraordinary General Meeting in October 2022.

Objects and Powers of the Charitable Company

The objects of the charitable company are to promote any charitable purpose for the public benefit by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress, but withous limitation, for the benefit of the community in Chelmsford and surrounding areas.

The powers of the Charity are set out in its Articles of Association and include, inter alia, the power to establish, provide and assist in the provision of Local Citizens Advice services and outlets supplying a free, independent. confidential and impartial service of advice, information and counsel for the public in a manner that furthers the charitable company’s Objects.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have considered and complied with the requirements set out in Section 4 ofthe Charities Act 2011 and have referred to the guidelines contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing Citizens Advice Chelmsford’s aims and objectives and in the planning of future activities.

The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. The Public Benefit is achieved by:

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Under its Articles of Association adopted in October 2022, the Charity is required to have a minimum of four and a maximum of fifteen Trustees. Trustees are either elected at a General Meeting or co-opted by the Trustee Board at any other meeting ofthe Trustees. One third ofthe trustees will retire each year for the first three years after the introduction of the new Articles. Thereafter, elected Trustees retire at the end of the third Annual General Meeting. Co-opted Trustees retire at the third Annual General Meeting following the Trustee Board Meeting at which they were appointed.

Page | 2

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

Reports and Financial Statements 2025

It is the policy of the Trustees that, in each calendar year, the Trustee Board will:

Admission of Members

Under the Articles of Association, Membership is open to other individuals or organisations wne:

Training

All Trustees are given the opportunity to utilise Citizens Advice Chelmsford’s training facilities and attend relevant training sessions. Trustees are also invited to attend the residential annual conference of Citizens Advice.

Organisational Structure

The charity is governed by its Trustee Board. The Trustee Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction and policies ofthe Charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct ofthe Charity, including ensuring that it satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. The Trustees meets at least six times per year as a Trustee Board and delegate the responsibility for day-to-day running and implementation of strategies to the Chief Executive and senior management tearr.

The Chief Executive and senior management team are responsible for the provision of services of the Charity. The Chief Executive is employed on a full-time basis and is assisted by both paid staff and volunteers. The services are delivered from the Charity’s Coval Lane offices (its central bureau) and other outreach facilities.

Citizens Advice Chelmsford is a member of National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, registered charity number 279057. This membership provides a framework for standards of advice and casework management, as weli as monitoring the Charity’s progress against these standards. The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux has over 350 members throughout England and Wales, and members can be contacted via the following address:

Citizens Advice

3 Floor North

200 Aldersgate

London

ECIA 4HD

The Charity is also a consortium member of Citizens Advice Essex, registered charity number 1153582.

Page | 3

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Burea Reports and Financial Statements 2025 Risk Man4g¢m¢n¢ The Trus£ee5 have adopted a statement of risk policy under whicli: Triistces must ensure that the major risks to which the Charity is cxposed aTe reviewed and systsms established io mitigate those risks- Rt is recognised that risks call arise both from the Charitj s activities and a failure to act or cxploit opportunities,. Staff and volwiteers air ¢xpe¢ted to consider the risks ot any activity and act in accordance with any recommcndations for risk management: and Proposed new activities, significant increases in existing activities and significant changcs in the way thnse activities are pursu¢d. ar¢ first required to be the subject of a propLr proposal to lh¢ TrnsteL's and risk assessed. The Trusiees regularly review the major risks to whicli the Charity is exposed and engage with ihe svstems thai are in place to mana&ie and mitigate those risks. A risk management committee meets regUl￿rIY to track thc risks faced bv th¢ Charity and monitor agreed mitigations. These risks and mitigations are documented in a risk register. The minuiei. rnonthly report, and risk register from the risk managemerjt committee are shared with the Trustses during meetings OF the Trustee Board. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safcty ot stafy, volunteer>, clienls and visiiors to ihe Charity's premises at Burgess Well House, Coval Lane. These procedures are owned and maintained by the Chief Executive. To ensure a consistent quality of delivery for all op¢rational matters, the Charity compli¢s wilh the membership reqUi￿ments of Citizens Advice and of the Advice Service Alliance (ASA) and 15 audii¢d regularly by those bodies. O￿ECTIVFs AND ACTIVITIKS Achievement and performallct During the 2024- 2025 financial year. Citizens Advice Chelrnsford undertook the tollowin¥'. 14.183 Clients were assisted with 29.388 issues. Financial Services and Capability continue to be the most common advice issue, reflecting the importance o! Pensionwise and the ongoing cost of liN'ing crisis. 8,069 clients were seen and 10,630 issues were addressed regarding Financial Services and Capability. Assisled 1.793 clients with 5.115 Benetits, tax credits and Unfftversa] Credit issues in the 2024- 2025 financial year. Personal Independence Payments and Benefit Entitlements continue to be the main issues faced by elienis. Total income gain across all areas, including loans and reirnbursements was £3.529,294. Assisted 814 clients with 1.839 debt issues. £81.584 of debt was written off because of our guidance and support. Fucl dcbt now make5 up thc majority of debt issues addressed by the Charity. The Chelmsford Law Clinic continued to provide 30 minutes of free legal advice. The Clinic helped 365 clients with 729 issues Govering 8 areas of law. The Chelmsford Law Clinic works with ils pro-bono provider% and Law Works partner organisations to support many of these clients and enable them to g'ain access to in- depth pro-bono advice. During the 2024 - 2025 financial year. over 80 volunteers gave their time to support Citizens Advirz Chelmsford. Page14

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEI FÉDancial Performance The results for the yeai. ended 31 March 2025 are set out in the Statement of Fiiiancial Actkvities on Page I l. These show an operating surplus for the year of £1 I C),477. The a¢tuaTial adjustm¢nt of the Defined Benefit PeT)sion Scheme of £19.000 surplus which includes the impleTnentation of an a&set ceiling. This resulted in a reporting surplus in the ye&r of £138,477. Net assets at 31 March 2025 wer¢ £402,275 {£263,798 2024). Unrestricted reservcs were £3C)4,631 .Ind restricted reserves including the pension surplus were £37,644. The Financial Statements do not reflect the value of time donated by volunteer advisers. cleri¢al assistants and other supportcrs. The Charity continues to depend on unpaid volunteers to function effectively. PrineFp#I Funding Sources The principal funding source for the Charity for the provision of general adviLe continues to be by WRV of grani incom¢ from Chelmsford Cili, c.ouncil and Essex County Council. HM Treasury has provided restricted funds throuoh tri-. National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaiix for Pensionwise (a proje¢t that advises clients on the opiioIis oDeTr to them in respe¢t of their pension opportunities). Other major funding sources have come from the Ess¢x Communin Foundation and from Citizens Advice Essex for spectfic project work. Donotions The Trustees are most appreciative of the many organisations and individuals who have made don2tions during this financial vear. Investment Policv Aside from retaining a prudent amouni in reserves eacli year, most of th¢ Charity's funds are to be spent in the short term, and so there are few funds available for long tern) investment. The Charity's investment policy is to place any surplus funds in interest earning Deposit bank ac￿untS 10 maximis¢ incom¢ whilst providing security for capital. Reserves Poliri- It is the aim ot. the Trustees to hold ui)reslricted liquid reserves amouxting to £155.000 whi¢li reflects the risks oi unpla[￿ed closur¢ of Chelmsford Cilizen5 Advice. At 31 March 2025. unrestricted reserves totalled L329.944 bero th¢ Pension Fund Reserve of £19,000 is added. The Tru5tee5 carefully monitor the Charity's reserves and will r¢viev the Charity's Reserves Policy at le&st annually. The Trustee Board can chRnge the amount of unrestricted liquid reserves held at anv lime. PLA]YS FOR THE FUTURE The strategic direelion of the Charity is dictated by and documented in Cirizens Advi¢e Chelmsford's strategic business plan, which is a living document that the Trustees regularly review and update throughout th¢ year. lthis buyincss plan $5 used to it)form the decision-making of the Trustees, Staff and volunteets, and to monitor the perfom)8nce of the Charity. The Trustees ¢xpe¢t that the Charity will continue to work towards a¢hReving its three main strategic objectives.. En5urKng that our advi¢F is always high quality, a¢¢¢55iblr, t&i113r¢d ￿14 timFIy" Speaking up for our clients and lobbying for meaningful change: and Guaranteeino that our services will be available whenever our clienls need them. Citizens Advice Chelmsford is influenced by relevant local and nationa] policies. The policies of central governmen,, itnpaet on the voluntary sector's funding re¥iines, which are operated by the principal funders of the Charip Chelmsford City Council and Essex County Council. As a tEsuli, the Truste¢3 ke¢p under ￿V1<W how b¢st to responc. to these external challenge5 and explore with existing funders othei LCAS and the National Association of Ciiizens Advico UurcAux, Ptsrtner.hip-E di4¥crent W￿y ¢5f Tnb. Page15

Chelmsford Citlzens Advice Bureau Reports and Finallcial Statements 2024 ACCOUNTAN'TS NSO As5(Kiate5 LLP who carried out the independent review of the trustee for last year have joined the Affillia group of accounlanis. tax &pd business advisLrs. A4 the revenue for 2025 exceeds £l,000.000, the trust is required to have an audit of its finanLial statements. Affinia have expressed their Miillingness lo audit the financial statements for 2025 s required under current charity legislation. The Financial Statements haile been prepar¢d in accordance with Accounting and R¢porting by Chariti¢s= Statement of Recommended Prartice (SORP) which are applicable to ¢harities preparing their ￿cOUnts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicdble to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ({FRS 102) effective l January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. Approved by the Trustee Board on . IL L) and signed on its belialr. Mark Tarala Chair of Trustees FugeI6

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also directors of Chelmsford Citizens Advic¢ Bureau for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparin& the Trustees, Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practic£). Company law requires the truste¢s to prepare financial statements for each f2nancial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of ihe incoming resourees and application of resour¢es of the charitable company for that peTiod. In pi'eparing these tinancial statements, the irustecs are required io-. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently,. ObSe￿e the methods ￿nd prinLTpIL5 in lh¢ Cl?￿ritIeS SORP- make judg¢in¢iits and estiinates that are reasonitblL &iIid prudent. state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material d¢partur¢s disclosed and explained in the financial statements. pi'epare the financial statenients on the Lloing concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that ihe tiharitable company will continue in operation. The tru51ees are responsible for keeping proper accounting reLords that disclose with reasonable accuracy ar anv T1￿. the financial posilion of the charitable Lompany and enable them lo ensure that the finanLial slalernLnis CUTnplv with Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of th¢ Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguardino Ih: assets of the charithblc Gompany and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenlion and detection of fraud and other irregularitie& The trustees are responsible tor the maintenance and integrity of the Corporate and financial infomiarion included on the charitablL company's website. Legislation in the Llnited Kingdom govern?71g the pr¢parai'iot) and dissemination of fixiancial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions, Page17

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 202S INDEPEIYDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHELMSFORD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Opinion We have audited the financial statemen18 of Chelmsford Citizens Advtce Bureau for ihe year ended 31 March 2025 which coimprise the statement of financial aGtivities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and noles to the financial statements. includlng Significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FinanciMI Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporling Siandard applicable in the UK and Republic of Jreland (Unite41 Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion, the financial staiementS- give A true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its inwming resourLes and appliLation of r¢sources, for the year then ended. have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom G¢n¢rally Accepted Accounting Practice. and have been prepared Trn accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. B8S15 for opinio We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are furtlJ¢r desci'ibed in Ihe Audilor s re.YpongihilitiLJy for ihe audil of thv .linancial statements section of our i'epoi1. We are independent of the Trust in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant lo our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Etliiknal Standard, and we have fultilled our other ethical responsibilities ill aLcordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffi¢i¢nl' and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Other matters The comparative figures wcrc unaudited and a prior year adjustment has been made from our audit work on the opening position. Accordingly, we do not cxpress an opinion on the Comparative figures included in these financial statements. Concluyion5 relating to going concer Iii auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that th¢ Trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the prep<irdtioii ofthe financial stat¢i))ents is appropriate. Based on the work we have perfornied, we have n()t identificd any ma(crial uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively. may casi signififyant doubt on the Trust's ability to continu¢ 95 a ¥oing concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial 5t&tements ar¢ authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other iuformgtion The other information comprises the infonnation included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's rcport thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other inforrnalion conlaiTTr¢d within the annual i'eport. Our opinion on the financial statements does not covet. the other information and we do not express any form of 88suranee conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, ITJ doing so, consider whether the other infomiation is materially incoT7SiStent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the aiidit, or othenvige appears to be materiallji misstated. If we identify such Tnaterial inconsistencies or apparent material Inisstatements, we are required to detemiine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial stateiT]ents themselves. If, bas¢d th¢ work we have performed, we Conclude that there is a tnaterial misstatemcnt of this oÉher information, we are required to report that facL We have nothin£ to report in thjs regard. PaRe18

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 .ryqatters on whieh we are required to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Re. ulations 2008 TCqUiTeg us to report to you if. in our opinioll- the inforn)ation given in the financial statement5 is inconsislent in anv material respect with tl)e Trustees, report- or sufficient accounting records have not been kepi: or the finarLcial stateinents are not in agreeinent with the accounting records. or we have not received all the infortnation and explanations w¢ r¢quir¢ for our audit. As explained mor¢ fvll}' in the statement of Trusiees, responsibililies. Ih¢ Trustces, wlio are also the directors of the Tru,8t for the puJpos¢ ot. company l&w, are respoiisible for the preparation of the financial statements 14 nd foi being satistied that they give & true and fair view, and for such int.ernal control a% the Tru%tccs dLtLrmine is necessary to enable the preparation ot financial statements that are free frotn niaterial misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the finJnLial 5tatetnents, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Trust's ability to continue as a going ¢onc¢in. disclosing), as appli¢able, matters relai¢d to gyoing concem and using ihe going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable cornpany OT to ¢¢as¢ op¢rations. or have no realistic alternative but lo do so. Auditor's responslbilities for the audit of the fillAneial statements We liave bccn appointed as auditor under sedion 144 of the Chariti¢s Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevanl regulations made or having effect ihereunder, Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstalemeDt, whether due to fraLEd or error, aT)d to issue ali auditoi's report that includes our opinion. Reasonablc assurance is a high level of assurance bul is not a guarantee th2t aft audit conducted in awordance with ISAS (UK} will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstateinents Can arise from fraud or error aiJd Are considered materi￿[ it, individually or in the atv greiyate, they cnuld r¢asoiiably Ix expected to i1￿]u¢ll¢¢ th¢ economic decisions of users taken on the bAsis of these finanLlkil 5taiements. Tlie extent lo which our procedures are capttble of detecting irregularities, including fi'aud, is detail¢d below. A thrther description of our wponsibiliti¢y is available on the Financial Reporting Coun¢il's website at: https-11 www.frc.org.uklauditorsresponsibilitie5. This description fornis parl of our audilor's report. This report is made solely to the Charity's trustees. as a body, in accordance with'Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Rcports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might Stai¢ to the ihuily's trustees those mattcrs we are required to stat¢ to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To ihe fullest extent permitted by law, we do not acr¢pl or assume responsibility to anyoiie otlier than the charity and the charity'5 trustees as a body* for our audit work, for this report. or for the opinions we have fonned. uise Hallsworth FCA (SeNior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of AtTinia (Orpington), Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants Lynwood House Crofton Road Orpington BR6 8QE Date.. 23 December 2025 Page19

Chelmsford Cltizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2025 Restated 2025 20?4 Notes Unrestricted Restricted TolAI un￿$(ricted Reslricted Total IDeome Bank intercst received Donations Charitable activities ()ther income Total income 3,383 17 166,682 3.383 17 962,555 1,129.237 47,062 962.55) 1,179,699 1.721 1,721 122,855 52,042 176,618 745.894 868,749 52,042 922,512 217,144 745,1194 [1 %penditure Charitable aciiviiies FRS 102 pension movements Servitye ¢osts Employer ontribution 152,976 918,098 1,071,074 197,642 687,365 885.007 15 20,000 20,000 8,000 8.000 15 Totsl resources expended 152,976 938,098 1,091,074 197,642 695.365 893,007 N¢t Incom¢ (expenditure) in th¢ yeAr 64,168 24,457 88,625 (21,024) 50,529 29,505 Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension schcrne 15 19,OOD 19,000 (210.000) (210,000) Net income (deficit) in the year After actuariAI adjustments 43,457 107,625 21,024 159,471 180 495 B4lan¥e brought forivai'd Net movements from above TraT]sfer between tunds Balance earried forward 194,067 100,583 294.650 229,222 245,923 475,145 fv1,168 43,457 107,625 (21,024) (159.471) (180,495) 106,J96 106,396 14,131 364,631 402 275 194,067 100 583 294 650 Page | 10

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 BALAIYCE SHEET as at 31 March 2025 Restated 2024 Notes 2025 2025 2024 Fixed assets 11,621 8,667 Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Current assets 106.238 477,823 584,061 76,275 315,762 392,037 Creditors: Amounts falling due Ivithin one year io (212.407) (126,054) 'et current ass¢ts 371,654 265.983 Cash Flow generated from operations Defined bLnefit pension scheme assets( liability) 383,275 274.650 Defined benefit pension scheme 19,000 20.000 Net Ylssets 402.775 294,650 lJnrestricÉed funds Pension tiind reserve Restricted funds Net Reserves 364,631 19,L)00 18,644 402,275 194,067 20,000 294,6$0 For the year ending 31 March 2025 th¢ company was entitled to ¢x¢mption from audit under s¢ctioM 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, "the results for 2025 require an audit of its financial stat¢mcnts for Éhe year in question in accordance with 5e¢tion 476 The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying wtth the requirements of the Acl with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. These financtal statem ts w￿¢ approved by the truste¢s on ... Iq Mark Tarala Chair of trugtees Page | 11

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW for the year ended 31 March 202S 2025 2024 Cash Flow5 from Operating AeÈivities Net income (expenditure) in th¢ year Adjustments for D¢pre¢iation Interest {InLrea.4e)l Decrease in debtors Encreiisel (Decrease) in creditors FRS 102 Defined benefit pension scheme adjustment 119,477 ( I,J47) 6,181 {3,383) (13.295) 38,833 20,000 10,102 (1,721) (45,297) 78,240 ,000 C8sh Flow general'ed from operatiODS 167.813 47,977 Interest income Purchase of tangible fixed &ss¢ts 3.383 (9.135) 1,721 (3,600) Net increase l(decreAs¢) ID casb 162,061 46,U98 Cash At beginDiDg of the year 315,762 269,664 Cash at the end of tbe year 477,823 315 762 Puge | 12

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Accounting Policies Accounting¥ Conventio 'rhe financial statemcnts have been prLyared in accordance wtth Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their ￿COUnts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective l Jaiiuary 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006. Clielmsfoyd Cilizens Advice Tn¢ets the definition of ￿ public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially reco(snised at historical cost or transa¢tion value Lmles8 Otherwis¢ stated iii th¢ relev&ni accountiiig policy notes. Basic Financial Assets Basi¢ financial as5¢ts, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, ar¢ initial ly measured at Iransadion price including tran$￿tion costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangeinent ¢onstituies a financing transaction. where the trdnsaction is Ineasured at the prestnt valuc olthe future receipts discounted at a niarket rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivabl¢ within one year are not amortised. Basic FinaT]cial Liabilit1¢5 Basic financial liabilitie5, including crediiors are initially recognised at transaction price unless the attangement con8tilutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured al the present value ot'thc future paymL'nts discounled at a markct rate of inter¢st. Financial liabilities Llassified as payable within one year are not amortised. rinancial Instruments The charitj has elected to apply the provisions of Section I I 'Basic Financial Iiisl'ruinents, and Section 12 Ollier Finan¢ial Instruni¢nts Issues, o* FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Fiiiancial insu-uments are re¥ognised in tlie charity's balance slieet wlien the Lhariiy becomes party to th¢ Loiitraclual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilitics are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial stateinents, when thcre is a legally enforceable right to set off the reco(Fnised ainounts and there is an ii)teiition to settlc on a net basis or to realise the asset and settl¢ the liability simultaneously. Fund Accounting Unreslricled funds are available for usc at the discretion of the charity in fuTiherdnLe of their charit&ble obj¥ctives. ThL Ch(Irity hi15 LLrtiiin rLStricted funds where speci'fic conditions have been imposed by the doiior. Voluntary Income Cash donations and gifts &re included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when the amounts T¢ceivabl¢ have been ascertained. Investment Income Intcrest receivable is included gross. Grants lieceivabl Grants are recognised as income when they are re¢eiv8ble. Related expendit￿re is included under the appropriate heading. Pagg | 13

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 Operating Leases Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Profit and Logs 2ceount on a straight line basis over the period of the leas¢. i.io Allocation of GeneTal FuTbds Costs Under Expenditure Headings Overall Expenditure has been allooated between the following major cost centres.. Raising fund5 Charitable activities Depreciation Fixed assets are %tatcd klt Cost, or estimated market value at (he date ot receipt where ihe asset has been donated to the charity. The Bureau has a d¢ minimus pulicy of ¢apiLqlisation of fixed assets of £500. Deprecialion is calculated to wrTte-off fixed assets over their eytimated useful lives at the following annual rates.. IT. Telecom 330/0 on cost Oftice Equipment12 L/lo on cost Restricte{] Funds 1.12 Where resiriciions have been placed on the use of income, the Amount received has b¢cn Gla55ified ay restricted income. 1.13 Going Concern The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. Defined contribution pension scheme Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. 1.15 Defined b¢n¢fit pension scheme Retirement b¢n¢fits to ¢mploy¢es of the ¢harily are provided by the Local Government Pension Scheme ('LGPS'). This is a defined benefit scherne and the assets arc held separately from those oFih¢ charity. Th¢ LGPS is a ￿nded mulii-employer schemc and the assets are held separately fi'om those ot. the charity in 5cpaidte trustee administered funds. Pension 5chenie assets al'e measured at fair iialiie and liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis USillE the proj¢ctcd unit credil method and discounted al a rate equivalent the current rate of return on a hi¥h-quality corporate bond of equivalent terni and currency to the liabilities. The actuarial i'aluations are obtained At least triennially and are updatd at each balance 8heet date. The aTnounts charged to net in¢orne or expenditure are the current service costs and the costs of scheme Introductions, benefit changes, sciilemexits and curtailmeiits. They are included as part of sthff eosts as illcurred. Net it]tere5t on the net defined benefit liabilitylassel is also recognised in the sthtemenl of finarivial aclivilies and Lomprises the inlerest cost on the detined benefit obligation and interest income on the Scheme sgets, calculated by multiplying the fair value of the scheme assets at the beginnin(* of Éhe period by thc r&te l15tyd to discount the benefit obligations. The diffEr¢n¢e between the interest in¢ome on the SLheme Lissets and Ihe actual return on thl scheme assets is recognised in other recognised gains and losse5. Aciuarial gains and losses are reconnised immediately in other recoonised oains and losses. Page | 14

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 Interest Income 2025 2024 Bank interest on deposit accounts 3,383 1,721 Donations The Charity benefits greatly from the involvement and support of it5 many volunteers, details of which are given in the atmual report. In accordance with accounting stsndards. the economic contribution of volunteers is not measur¢d in th¢ accounts. Charitable Activitie4 2025 2024 Unrestricted Unrestricted Grants Chelmsford City Council Essex County Council Citizens Advice Essex Other 156,314 2,000 5,399 2,969 103.583 5,413 5,238 8,621 166,682 122,855 Restricted Resiricied Grants Pensionwise Civil Military Partnership Board Foodbank 519,613 480,230 4,687 39,238 35,240 53,004 81,928 43,127 21,992 British Gas Energy trust Essex Comn]unity Foundation Writtle Housing Citizens Advice Essex - Warm Flomes Citizens Advice Essex - Warm Start 28,214 73,575 41,952 152,154 26.100 Toomey Pmbation UK Power networks 11,150 73,262 962 555 745,894 Pagg | 15

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 Other Income 20?5 2024 Central Law Group 47,062 52.042 47.062 52.042 Resou rces expended - Charitable Activities 2025 Restricted Total 2024 Unr¢stricted Restricted Tutal Unrestricted Rtststed Restated Salari¢s and pension osts staft'and volunteer costs otfice Premises Govemance overhead contribution Independent examination Panner Payments othei. costs 90.013 7,712 28.472 27,127 (450) 633,606 3,420 34,27? 38,832 3,993 723,619 11.132 61744 65,959 3,343 101.190 {2.876) 532,820 634,010 9,031 6,15) 17..319 52,885 13,626 65,550 1,133 351 51,924 {782) 7,130 7.130 196,743 204 1,500 1,500 112,710 11,846 196,743 7,232 112,710 726 (7,028) 11,120 Total resources expended 152,976 918,098 1,071,074 197,642 687,36$ 885,007 Employees and Truslees Restated 2024 stsff Costs 2025 Wages and salaries 649,773 569,588 Social seLurity costs 58.394 50,116 Pension costs 15,452 14,306 rutal 723,619 634,010 Averagt monthly head count 25 25 One employee earned in excess of £60,000 during the year (2024 - one) Remuneration for Key Management Personnel iotalled £156:027 (2024 - £123.930} No trustcc received any remuneration or had any expenses reimbursed durin8 the year (2024: rEone). Page | 16

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Flnancial Statements 2025 Fixed Assets for Charity Use 2025 2024 IT, Telecom FT. T¢leeom & Office Equipment Totsl Office equipment Cost I April 2024 Additions 31 March 2025 168,535 4,814 173,349 168,535 9,135 177 670 164,9.35 4,321 168,535 D¢pre¢iation I April 2024 Charge 31 March 2025 159.869 5.631 165.499 159,869 149,766 10.103 159 869 550 550 166,049 Net Book Value 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 3,771 8,667 15,169 All &ssels are used for charitabl¢ purpos¢s Pa¥Èl 17

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 Debtors 2025 2024 Accrued Income Prepayments 100,604 70,105 6,170 76,275 106,238 10 Creditors 2025 2024 R￿tated Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year Othei. creditors 212 407 211,407 126 054 126.054 11 Deferred income Deferred income is included within= Creditors due within one year 137,213 63,168 Deferred in¢ome at l April 2024 lieleased from previous years Resources deferred in the year 63,168 (63,168) 137,213 63.168 Deferred income &g at 31 March 2025 Deferred income at 31 March 2025 relates to income r￿e1Ved in advance for ECF writtle housing funding of £44,120 (2024.. £13.168) and Toomey funding of £93.093 {2024.' 50,000). Page | 18

Chelmsford Cltizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 12 Funds Total resources expended Opcning Balance Incoining Resources Resources expended Actuarial adjustment Transfer from Closing unrestricted Balance 2025 Restricted funds Pcnsionwisc-R Warrn Homes -R Wami Start-R ECF Housirig fund - UR Foodbank BGET-R Probation - R UK power networks 32.435 519,613 (526,165) (526,135) (25,883) 28.214 (27,918) {27,918) (296) 5.155 6.185 4.714 4,334 (25,419) (52.111) (39,838) (37,373) (25,419) (52.111) (39.838) (37,37J) 1,728 81,928 (36 002) 8.003 8,913 41,952 27.760 152,154 (135.370) (135,370) {44,544) c.ivilian Military-R I"oorney Peiision reserve 73,575 (73,904) (73,904> (1,000) 329 20.000 (1,000) i y,000 Total Restrfcted Fullds 100,583 962,555 (918,098) (1.000) (919,098) (106,396) 37.644 Designatsd fuDds Uiireslricled funds 194,067 217,144 (152,976) (152,976) 106,396 364,631 Total Funds 294,650 1,179.699 1.071,074 1,072,074 402,275 Page | 19

Chelmsford Citlzens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 'I'otal Opening Balance Incoinin Regources Resourc¢s expended Restated Actuarial adjustment resources ¢xpended Restated Transfer from c.losing unrestricied BalaM¢e Restated 2024 Restrlcted thnds Pensionwise-R Wann Homes -R Wami Start -R ECF Housing fund - 7,687 480,230 22,983 26,100 (455,482) (29,814) (27.1 72) (4.55.482) (29,814) (27,172) 32,435 147 925 (47,849) (33.053) (30,615) (6,816) (47,&19) (33,053) (30,615) (6.816) 5,155 6.185 4,714 4,334 Foodbank B(iET- R Probation - R UK pow¢1 networks - 39.238 35,24L) 89 73,262 4,687 (45,502) (11,062) (45,502) (11,062) {218,000) 27,760 Civilian Mililary-R PerAsioll Teserve 6.375 238.000 {218,000) 20,000 Total Restricted Funds 245.923 745,894 (687,365) (218.000) (905.365) 14,131 100,581 Designated funds Unrestricted funds 229,222 176,618 (197,642) (197,642) (14,131) 194,067 Total Funds 475,145 9•2,512 885,007 218QOO 1 103,007 294 650 13 Capital Cominitment5 There were no capital commitments at 31 M￿Ch 2025 (2024 NIL) 14 Related Party Transactions Income 2025 2024 Citiz¢ns Advice Essex 270,846 168,735 270,846 168,735 Expenditure Citizens Advice Essex 250 25U 250 250 At 31 NlarGh 2025 there was no balance due to or from Citizens Advice Essex. Page | 20

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 15 Pension Contribution The Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau participates in a defined benefil schcmc bascd on final pttDsionable pay operated by Essex County CoLincil. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of Ihe charity. The Lontributions are detennined bv independent qualified actuaries on the basis of triennial valuatftons using the projected unit rndhod. CurrcTrtly there 1$ one employee within the scheme. with employ¢r contributions of The most recent full actuarial valuation was at 31 March 2023 and has sp￿lfIed the employer rates applicable for the three years from l April 2020. 1,0 asgess the value of the charity's liabililies, the value of the liabilities calculated for the funding valuation at 31 March 2023 have been rolled forward allowing for the dilyerent tinan¢iLI assumption8 required under FRS 102. To calculate the asset share the assets have been rolled forward allowing for investment reiurns, contributions paid into and estimated benefits from the Fund by and in respect of the charity and its employees. The assumptions that have the Tll05t significant eff￿¢ on th¢ r¢sults of the valuation are ihose rcgdrding the rate of return on investments and the rate of incre&%e in salarie8 and pensions. Et w&8 assumed ihat ihe discouni rate would be 5.70 °/0 per annum, that salary increases would be 3.90 0/0 per annum and that pension increases would be 2.90 0/0 per annum. Assets 2025 £'ooo 2025 2024 £'ooo 2024 Equitie% Gilts Other bonds Properry Cashltemporary investments Alternative assets Other managed funds 452 13 67 16 125 153 55 437 14 56 54 15 120 144 15 18 Total 826 100 788 100 Page | 21

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports 2nd Financial Statements 2025 Asset reconciliation 2025 £'ooo 788 38 2024 £'ooo 704 34 52 2023 £'noo 689 Opening fair vallle of Fund llssels Intcrest on assets Returns on assets less interest Other actuarial gains l(losses) Adininistration expenses Contribution by employer Contributions by scheme participants Estimated benefits paid (16} {4} 19 (10) (9) {8) Closillg fair value of fund assety 826 788 704 Defined benefit obligation reconciliation Opening defined benefit obligation Currenl service cost Interest Cost Change in financial assumptions Change in demographic assumptions Experience gainsl(loss) on def. benefit obligations Estiinaled benefits paid Pasl.5ervice costs, including curtailments Contribulions by Scheme participants 501 21 24 (56) 466 20 22 597 30 (188) {17) (6) (io) {9) (8) Clo$lng defined benefit obligalions 488 501 466 Remeasurements in other income Return on Fund assets in exce45 of interest Other actuarial gains/(losses) on assets Change in financial as5uniptions Change in demographic assumptions Experience gainsl(loss) on def. benefit obligations chan¥¢s in effe¢t of a8set ceiling 52 (16) (4) 188 17 (31) 56 (i) (267) (39) R¢m¢asurement of Ret assels/(defined liability> 19 (210) Page | 22

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau Reports and Financial Statements 2025 VAlue of seheme Juets and liabilities 2025 £'ooo 2024 £'ooo 2023 £'ooo Value of scheme assets and liabilities Fair value of FLEnd assets Pregcnt value of defined benefit obligation changc5 in cftcct of asset ceiling Net pension scheme asset ( liability) 826 (488) 788 (501) 267 20 704 (466} 19 238 Amounts reeogntsed In SOFA for the year to 31 March 2025 Senwice cost Net interest on deferred liability 21 20 12 30 20 27 Less Employer contribution Nil Nil (19) FRS102 disclosures are not on the sam¢ basis as the triennial actLtariEI review of the pension fuTrd valuation and th¢ two are for different purposc%. FRS 102 is a one-off assessment at the year-end for accounling disclosure purposes. The IIRS 102 calrulations are more prescriptive. At the current time they emphasis¢ the liabilities and produce a b&lanG¢ shecl position worse than the triennia] valuatTon position, 16 Contingent Liabilities There is a current employment tribunal Case ongoing against the company. The case is in progress and the current timetable of hearings in iiot confirmed, Th¢ directors believ¢ that there will b¢ no liability once the final hearing has been completed HM Government has propos¢d local government will be replaced by Unitary Authorities from April 2027. Submission on the propos¢d stnjclure and land boundaries have been subrnitted to Ftm Government from interested parties. This may result in changes to the way clients are supported by Citizens Advice throughout Essex and could resuli in ¢hang¢s to the numbers and structure of Local Citizens Advice in Essex. 17 Ultimate Controlling Party The Charitable company is managed by its trustees/director5 and h&s no ultimate controlling party. 18 Prior period adjustment 31 March 2024 Funds as TepoTled- 8ffected by restatement 294.650 Notes to restatement A prior period adjustment has been made relating to the derecognition ora liability provision. The adjustment decreased creditors by £30,852 and increased ov¢rdll funds by £30,852. Pog¥ | 23