CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
TRUSTEES REPORT AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Company No. 04431673
Registered Charity No. 1097252
CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Trustees Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the trustees | 1 - 7 |
| Independent examiner's report on the accounts | 8 |
| Statement of financial activities including | |
| income and expenditure account | 9 |
| Balance sheet | 10 |
| Statement of cash flows | 11 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 12 - 21 |
CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023.
Reference and Administrative Details
Registered charity name Citizens Advice Colchester Charity registration number 1097252 Company registration number 4431673 Principal office and registered office 28 Middleborough Colchester CO1 1TG The Trustees Mr D J Jarvis CBE Chair Mr B Hayton Vice Chair Mr G N Chalklin Treasurer Mr S R Ede Company Secretary Ms E Keegan Retired 28 March Ms A C Tyler Mr M A Kerr Company Secretary Mr S R Ede Independent Examiner Denmark Forrester Limited Office 12 The Bentalls Centre Colchester Road Heybridge CM9 4GD
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Objectives
Citizens Advice Colchester (CAC) provides free, confidential, impartial, and independent advice and information for the benefit of the local community. It aims to influence the development of social policies and services, and to ensure that individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge or any inability to express their needs effectively.
Governing document
Citizens Advice Colchester is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The maximum liability of each member is limited to one pound. At 31st March 2023 the company had 31 members (2022: 37 members). CAC is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as adopted on 26 July 2022.
Colchester Citizens Advice Bureau was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 3rd May 2002. The company commenced operation on 1 April 2004, at which date the assets and liabilities of the Colchester Citizens Advice Bureau (unincorporated association) were acquired.
In line with service wide changes and national re-branding, the term 'Bureau' was removed from the company name. The organisation formally changed its name by special resolution in February 2016 to Citizens Advice Colchester.
Related parties
Citizens Advice Colchester is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which ensures quality and consistency of advice by providing quarterly monitoring against a framework of standards and casework management. Operating policies are independently determined by the Trustee Board of CAC to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with national membership requirements.
The charity also co-operates and liaises with several other advisory services, local charities, and public service departments on behalf of clients. Where one of the trustees holds the position of trustee/director of another charity they may be involved in discussions regarding that other charity but not in the ultimate decision making process. CAC is primarily active in the Colchester area, working with local partners such as the Foodbank, Colchester City Council and the NHS, to get the best picture of local needs and how to address them.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Organisational structure
Citizens Advice Colchester is governed by its Trustee Board which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of CAC and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Trustees meet as a minimum every two months or more frequently if necessary and delegate the day-to-day operation of the organisation to senior management. There are specific sub-committees, covering finance and fundraising for example, and working groups are formed as required. The Trustee Board is independent from management. A register of members' interests is maintained online and is available to the public.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees, who are also Directors of the Company, are recruited for vacancies based on the necessary skills to complement the existing lead roles within the Board, and where possible the Board's profile reflects that of the community which it serves. Potential candidates are interviewed and attend a board meeting prior to being invited to join. The Trustee Board oversees the election process for Board appointments and at the first meeting after the Annual General Meeting the Board elects the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, and the Honorary Treasurer. If Colchester City Council nominates a Councillor the Board can co-opt them as an observer.
Changes to trustees
Newly appointed Trustees are provided with an induction to Citizens Advice Colchester through the provision of access to online information packs, training courses, meetings with senior management and mentoring by established trustees.
During 2023 the Trustee Board said goodbye to three members. Bill Hayton, who has served on the Board for 14 years and is Vice Chairman, will leave us after the AGM, as will Alex Tyler, and Emma Keegan departed at Easter. They have all given sterling service on our behalf and we shall miss them. To fill their shoes 3 new Trustees have been recruited.
Major risks
The Board of Trustees of Citizens Advice Colchester has a Risk Register and a Business Continuity Plan in place. The Trustees recognise that any major risks to which the charity is exposed need to be reviewed and systems put in place to mitigate those risks. To that end the Trustee Board is continually monitoring and managing its risks, reviewing the risk register and ensuring action plans are in place for mitigation.
The diversification of routes for providing advice has continued post the pandemic. The provision of new IT and telephony equipment has meant that a sudden loss of premises would not stop service provision. A website, with dedicated advice and a contact form, has gone live, providing another channel to reduce risk of service cancellation through a failure of one route.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Included in external risks is that of the loss of funding. The effects of this have been minimised by the procedures in place, which have resulted in funding being secured from a variety of sources. The charity continues to seek to diversify its funding sources. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.
Reserves policy
Citizens Advice Colchester ensures that resources are available in each financial year to meet any reasonably foreseeable contingency. CAC maintains sufficient reserves to cover one year's operating costs.
Investment policy
As required in its Memorandum paragraph 4.15 in furtherance of its objects, and for no other purposes, the Company has the power to invest or deposit funds in any lawful manner whilst having regard to the suitability of investments and the need for diversification.
STRATEGIC REPORT
Achievements and performance
This has been a year of continuing positive change for Citizens Advice Colchester, and I am very pleased to be able to report that since the last report we have grown our service, increased both our staff and volunteer members, and built on our partnering arrangements.
Our biggest change during the past year, as the year before, was in staffing. Bev Perkins (Chief Officer) has grown our staff and volunteer team and introduced some exciting changes. CAC now also has a Service Delivery Lead to cover operational issues so that Bev has been able concentrate on development and delivery of the strategy and plan.
April this year marked two years in our new home at 28 Middleborough, on the ground floor of the Lepra Building, which has proved to be a very successful move. I am pleased to be able to report that we have just agreed a further 3 years licence and increased our space to include a dedicated training room.
Last year, the Trustee Board and the Chief Officer worked together on developing a new strategy for CAC. Over this year the strategy has been developed in consultation with staff, volunteers and stakeholders including:-
CAC's Mission:
To support and empower the people of Colchester to deal with life's challenges.
CAC's Vision:
We will deliver free, impartial, confidential help to the people of Colchester when they need it, in a form which works for them and enables them to handle future situations better themselves.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
CAC's Values:
Empathetic; Expansive; Evolutionary; Educating; Effective
These inform the Business Plan, which reflects and explains how we intend to deliver the following strategic aims:
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1 Meet needs across nine core services with increased demand and a renewed focus on cost of living challenges.
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2 Focus on priority issues for Colchester identified by local research.
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3 Assist a diverse client pool, representative of Colchester residents:
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a from areas of deprivation b with complex needs (multiple issues)
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c health or social challenges.
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4 Agree priorities with stakeholders (third sector agencies and local authorities).
External challenges
Towards the end of 2021, the country emerged from the pandemic but also from the various pandemic protection measures. The end of furlough payments, the cancellation of the Universal Credit uplift payments and the withdrawal of protections from eviction caused problems for many of our clients. That these changes coincided with the start of the war in Ukraine and dramatic rises in the cost of living will only make the situations for many households more difficult. Demand for our services is great and rising with issues becoming more complicated, at a time when a number of regular sources of support are closing. This year we served 5,200 clients, of which half reached us via our new website, an increase of more than 40% on last year.
It is therefore gratifying that, through the recruitment of staff and volunteers and collaborative working with other organisations, we have been able to increase our services for hard to reach clients and those in greatest need. We now have an agreement to work with Colchester Foodbank for the next three years and another with the NHS to assist patients with Long Covid.
And finally, as ever, we are grateful to all our funders. Alongside our core general advice service, funded in part by Essex County Council and Colchester City Council, we have continued to deliver our successful partnership projects with, in particular, Big Lottery Fund, Colchester Borough Homes, Energy Redress Scheme, Essex County Council, the NHS (ESNEFT), and the Trussell Trust.
Financial review
Position
Incoming resources in the year were £389,209 (2021/2 £294,703). Of this, £314,496 related to restricted project activities (2021/2 £246,170).
A surplus of £81,561 was this year’s outcome. At 31 March 2023 total reserves were £388,172, of which £317,067 represented unrestricted funds (2021/2 £246,465). `
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The increase in surplus and unrestricted funds is a welcome hedge against the currently heightened financial uncertainties and the increase in both scope and demand for services provided by Citizens Advice Colchester.
Borrowing sources
CAC did not have any borrowings from either providers of funding or other sources at the balance sheet date.
Funds in deficit
No funds were in deficit at the balance sheet date.
Plans for future periods
We expect our operating environment will continue to change as our clients' needs change, and because of the significant shortfall in Local Authority funding for our general advice service. We continue to develop a local fundraising and stakeholder plan to further diversify our funding base and raise our profile within the Colchester Community.
We are continually reviewing our strategy, to reflect the changing needs of our clients and shifts in the ways we provide support and advice. We believe there is a growing need to reach out and provide help and advice digitally, and to that end we have launched a CAC-specific website and are intending to increase our social media presence and our accessibility by phone including an out of hours service.
Trustees' responsibilities statement
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
In these statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the charity will continue in business.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved on and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
31/08/2023
David Jarvis CBE Chair Trustee & Director
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees on the Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 9 to 21.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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 company'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 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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 that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with those records.
Although I have confirmed the overall total of unrestricted and restricted funds is correct, I was unable to confirm the split of balances at 1st April 2022 on restricted funds, and in particular MindKind, Help to Claim and COMF. The trustees have confirmed that the balances on these three funds should have been nil at 1st April 2022, and that the balances should have been transferred to unrestricted funds. I was not able to confirm whether the balances on other restricted funds had been affected, but I have received written representations from the Trustees that the other restricted fund balances are correctly stated at the year end date.
I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 31/08/2023
Office 12 Robert Easby The Bentalls Centre Maldon Independent Examiner Essex For and on behalf of Denmark Forrester Ltd CM9 4GD Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Statement of Financial Activities
(Including Income and Expenditure Account)
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Note Income Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Total incoming resources Expenditure Charitable expenditure 5 Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure) Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
£ 72,065 2,648 74,713 4,111 4,111 70,602 - 70,602 246,465 317,067 Unrestricted funds |
£ 314,496 - 314,496 303,537 303,537 10,959 - 10,959 60,146 71,105 Restricted funds |
Total funds 2023 £ 386,561 2,648 389,209 307,648 307,648 81,561 - 81,561 306,611 388,172 |
As restated Total funds 2022 £ 291,694 3,009 294,703 303,677 303,677 (8,974) - (8,974) 315,585 306,611 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
There were no recognised gains and losses other than the surplus for the year.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2023
| As restated | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 11 | 1,866 | 3,732 | ||
| 1,866 | 3,732 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 12 | 78,222 | 4,909 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 326,407 | 313,688 | |||
| 404,629 | 318,597 | ||||
| Creditors: amounts falling | |||||
| due within one year | 13 | 18,323 | 15,718 | ||
| Net current assets | 386,306 | 302,879 | |||
| Net assets | 388,172 | 306,611 | |||
| Funds | 14 | ||||
| Restricted funds | 71,105 | 60,146 | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 317,067 | 246,465 | |||
| 388,172 | 306,611 |
The notes form part of these accounts.
The company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
Approved by the Board of Trustees , and signed on its behalf
…………………………………………… Mr G N Chalklin
Date 31/08/2023
Company No. 4431673
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Cash used in operating activities Net movement in funds Depreciation charge Interest received Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Interest income Cash used in investing activities Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
2023 £ 81,561 1,866 (2,648) (73,313) 2,605 10,071 2,648 2,648 12,719 313,688 326,407 |
As restated 2022 £ (8,974) 3,733 (3,009) 6,132 2,731 613 3,009 3,009 3,622 310,066 313,688 |
|---|---|---|
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
1. Accounting policies, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
Company information
Citizens Advice Colchester is a private company limited by guarantee domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 28 Middleborough, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TG. The company number is 4431673.
Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation of uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of preparation
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 Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (issue in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Citizens Advice Colchester 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(s).
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
The charity reported a surplus for the year that has brought the reserves to an amount that could sustain the running costs for a period of in excess of 12 months and on that basis the charity is a going concern.
c) Income
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants of a general nature are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when: - the donor specifies that the grant or donation must be used only in future accounting periods: or - the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has absolute entitlement.
Income from commercial trading activities is recognised as earned.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Income from fundraising events run by the charity, or by agents on its behalf, is recognised in the accounts as earned.
Income from charitable activities is recognised as earned.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
d) Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over them, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipts of economic benefits from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the charity is not recognised. Details can be found in the Trustees' Report.
e) Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
f) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds comprise income which the contributor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for a specific project being undertaken by the charity.
g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
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Costs of raising funds comprise the costs of commercial trading of the charity's retail shops and their associated support costs. It also includes the costs of the fundraising events and their support and promotion costs.
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Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
h) Allocation of support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the basis of an estimation of time spent by relevant staff.
i) Operating leases
The charity classifies the short term lease of properties and equipment as operating leases; the title to which remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
j) Tangible fixed assets
Individual assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows: Office equipment - 50% straight line Fixtures and fittings - 25% per annum
k) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts.
l) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of six months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
m) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at the settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.
n) Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured and amortised cost using the effective interest method.
o) Pensions
The charity makes contributions to a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets
The annual depreciation charge for tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 11 for the carrying amount of the tangible fixed assets and note 1j for the useful economic lives for each class of asset.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
2. Legal status of the charity
The company is limited by guarantee. The number of members at the end of the year was 31 (2022: 37). The liability of each member or persons ceasing to be members within one year of the company's winding up, towards payment of the company debts and liabilities, contracted before cessation of membership, and winding up expenses is limited to £1.
3.
| Donations and legacies Unrestricted Donations Government and public authority services Restricted Donations Government and public authority services |
2023 £ 4,055 68,010 72,065 - 314,495 314,495 |
As restated 2022 £ 6,696 38,828 45,524 - 246,170 246,170 |
|---|---|---|
4. Investment income
All of the charity's investment income arises from interest bearing deposit accounts and represents unrestricted funds.
5. Cost of charitable activities
| General advisory services General advisory services |
Unrestricted funds £ 4,111 4,111 Unrestricted funds £ 77,501 77,501 |
Restricted funds £ 303,537 303,537 Restricted funds £ 226,176 226,176 |
Total 2023 £ 307,648 307,648 As restated Total 2022 £ 303,677 303,677 |
|---|---|---|---|
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
6. Analysis of support costs
| Staff costs Premises Communications and IT General office Finance costs Professional fees Depreciation Sundry |
Total 2023 £ 248,427 17,039 11,196 8,890 139 19,333 1,866 758 307,648 |
As restated Total 2022 £ 233,964 25,535 13,983 3,811 165 10,413 3,733 12,073 303,677 |
|---|---|---|
7. Staff numbers
The average number of full time equivalent employees during the year is anaylsed as follows:
| Charitable purposes Management and administration of the charity Full time equivalent |
2023 No. 8 3 11 |
2022 No. 8 1 9 |
|---|---|---|
At the year-end date 11 of the above employees participated in the defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions for the year, included in staff costs, totalled £6,685 (2022: £6,296).
There are no staff receiving emoluments of more than £60,000 (2022: None).
8. Trustees remuneration
The trustees received no remuneration during both the current and preceding year. Expenses totalling £163 were paid to trustees during the year (2022: None).
9.
| Net incoming resources | As restated 2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| Net incoming resources for the year are stated after charging: | £ £ |
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 1,866 3,733 |
| Independent examiners remuneration | 1,200 1,650 |
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
10. Taxation
As a charity, Citizens Advice Colchester is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 April 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposal At 31 March 2023 Net book value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 12. Debtors Prepayments Accrued income 13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Social security and other taxes Other creditors |
2,860 - - 2,860 2,860 - - 2,860 - - Fixtures and fittings |
55,977 - - 55,977 52,245 1,866 - 54,111 1,866 3,732 2023 £ 4,125 74,097 78,222 2023 £ 4,489 8,577 3,996 1,261 18,323 Equipment |
58,837 - - 58,837 55,105 1,866 - 56,971 1,866 3,732 As restated 2022 £ 4,125 784 4,909 As restated 2022 £ 3,927 7,013 3,699 1,079 15,718 Total |
|---|---|---|---|
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| 14. Analysis of charitable funds At 1 April 2022 (as restated) Surplus for the year Transfer between funds At 31 March 2023 Unrestricted funds At 1 April 2022 (as restated) Incoming resources Resources expended Transfer between funds At 31 March 2023 As restated Restricted funds 01-Apr-22 £ CB Homes Fund 12,678 MAPS 40,842 Lakes 6,626 MindKind - Help to Claim - Warm Homes - Warm Start - COMF - BGET - ECC COL - Foodbank - Long Covid - 60,146 |
Transfer £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Unrestricted 246,465 70,602 - 317,067 £ 25,000 85,036 9,168 - - 49,290 22,200 - 10,446 13,379 43,000 56,977 314,496 0 Incoming resources |
Restricted 60,146 10,959 - 71,105 246,465 74,713 (4,111) - 317,067 £ (24,395) (83,835) (8,793) - - (46,663) (21,450) - (9,919) (12,337) (42,863) (53,282) (303,537) 607,074 General fund Resources expended |
Total 306,611 81,561 - 388,172 246,465 74,713 (4,111) - 317,067 £ 13,283 42,043 7,001 - - 2,627 750 - 527 1,042 137 3,695 71,105 Total unrestricted funds Total restricted funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Restricted funds listed above are classed as such by the charity for internal accounting purposes only. Funders have not attached any restrictions to monies given.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Purpose of restricted funds
CB Homes Fund
Provision of Money and Debt Advice to tenants referred by Colchester Borough Homes.
MAPS
Provision of Money and Debt Advice across two streams of activity: Mainstream and Increased Capacity. Funded by the Money and Pensions Service (via National Citizens Advice).
Lakes
Provision of caseworker to support in-patients at The Lakes Mental Health Unit in Colchester. During lockdown this was extended to those with diagnosed chronic mental health conditions. Funded jointly by Big Lottery Fund and Catalyst.
MindKind
Provision of caseworker to support in-patients at The Lakes Mental Health Unit and the Peter Bruff assessment unit. Initially face to face appointments then a telephone and email general advice service was launched supporting all clients with diagnosed mental health issues.
Help to Claim
Provision of Benefits caseworker to assist clients with Universal Credit claims. Advice via a dedicated telephone line, a webchat service and face to face at the Job Centre.
Warm Homes
Provision of specialist welfare benefits advice, income maximization, initial debt advice and energy efficiency advice delivered by Energy Adviser. To improve the health and wellbeing of residents through the delivery of an advice service that addresses the needs of people living in cold homes.
Warm Start
Provision of specialist welfare benefits advice, income maximization, initial debt advice and energy efficiency advice delivered by Energy Adviser. To improve the health and wellbeing of local families with dependent children, 80% of clients are deemed fuel poor.
COMF
Funding to address impact of Covid - 19 Pandemic on Colchester residents. COMF Adviser supported increased capacity via recruitment of staff and volunteers, introduction of new channels (website including self help and enquiry form) and increased outreach to vulnerable clients.
BGET
Provision of Money and Energy Advice by an Energy Adviser supporting vulnerable clients e.g. those using foodbanks. Funded by British Gas Energy Trust.
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
ECC COL
Funding to address impact of the cost of living crisis. Provision of an out of hours telephony service, additional three General Advisers supporting clients via email, phone and face to face, a Training Lead and additional experienced Debt and Money Adviser.
Foodbank
Provision of face-to-face advice, support and information directly to clients at Colchester Foodbanks. Delivered via experienced Debt & Money and Benefits Advisers. Delivered in partnership with Colchester Foodbank and funded by Trussell Trust.
Long Covid
Provision of Social Prescribers to provide advice and support to patients diagnosed with Long Covid and referred by the Long Covid Unit in Colchester. To promote understanding of Long Covid symptoms and services available increasing access to these and to online information and support.
15.
| Analysis of net assets between funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Net assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Net assets |
Unrestricted fund 1,866 333,524 (18,323) 317,067 As restated Unrestricted fund 3,732 258,451 (15,718) 246,465 |
Restricted funds - 71,105 - 71,105 As restated Restricted funds - 60,146 - 60,146 |
2023 Total 1,866 404,629 (18,323) 388,172 As restated 2022 Total 3,732 318,597 (15,718) 306,611 |
|---|---|---|---|
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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
16. Lease commitments
At the balance sheet date the charity had the following lease commitments:
| Falling due: Within one year Between one and five years After five years |
2023 £ 21,804 43,608 - 65,412 |
2022 £ 16,500 - - 16,500 |
|---|---|---|
17. Ultimate controlling party
There is no ultimate controlling party.
18. Related party transactions
There were no transactions with related parties during the year (2022: None).
19. Prior period error
The financial stements for the year ended 31 March 2022 included an error in the total balance of restricted and unrestricted funds. Three restricted funds, MindKind, Help to Claim and COMF, related to projects that had been completed before 31 March 2022 and, as a result, the balances on those funds should have been transferred to unrestricted funds.
The total of this transfer was £73,671, and the balances on the funds affected has been restated accordingly.
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