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2026-03-31-accounts

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER

TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Year Ended 31 March 2026

Company No. 04431673 Registered Charity No. 1097252

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER Trustees Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2026

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees and Directors Report 3-11
12
Statement of Financial Activities 13
Balance Sheet 14
Cash Flow Statement 15
Notes to the Financial Statements 16-28

Page 2

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

The Trustees (who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 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 2015).

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity Name Citizens Advice Colchester Citizens Advice Colchester
Charity registration number: 1097252
Company registration number: 04431673
Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 617569
Registered office: 28 Middleborough
COLCHESTER
CO1 1TG
Trustee Directors: Mr L D Ramsay Chair of Trustees
Miss L C Tippett Treasurer
Mr S R Ede
Mr T M A Kerr
Miss C Banks-Murray Appointed 29/07/2025
Mr D J Jarvis CBE Resigned 29/07/2025
Miss A Roberts Resigned 29/07/2025
Company Secretary: Mr S R Ede
Senior Management Team: Ms B A Perkins Chief Officer
Miss E B A Rice Delivery Lead
Finance team: Miss L Trukanaite Finance Officer
Independent Examiner: Denmark Forrester Limited
Office 12
The Bentalls Centre
Colchester Road
Heybridge
CM9 4GD

Page 3

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

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. On 31st March 2026 the company had 29 members (2025: 32 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.

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 today operation of the organisation to senior management. There are several sub-committees, such as the finance sub-committee, 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, on request.

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. The Board can coopt a Councillor from Colchester City Council as an observer, if one is nominated by them. Through ongoing development and specific interventions, we aim to improve the effectiveness of the Trustee Board and the management team, which is paramount to ensure the Charity is cost effective whilst fulfilling its obligations and seeking to meet the growing needs of its clients, local community, and stakeholders.

Trustee induction and training

New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under Charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the Charity. They also meet key employees and other Trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the understanding of their role.

Organisation Structure and 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.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Organisation Structure and related parties - continued

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.

The Chief Officer of the organisation has been appointed by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity. In addition, there is an experienced team of paid staff and volunteers who are key to the service offered by the Charity. Decisions are made by the Trustee Board in line with the Strategy and plan and are reviewed at least annually.

The Senior Management Team (SMT) meet to review progress against targets, quality standards, client outcomes and the Charity's financial position and to discuss issues referred to them by the Trustee Board. Reports and recommendations are then taken to the full board for approval and implemented by the Chief Officer and the staff team. There are weekly volunteer briefings and SMT meetings, monthly team meetings for all colleagues and regular staff meetings - these ensure ongoing review and progress against targets, quality standards and client outcomes while tribution.

Pay and Remuneration of Key Management Personnel

The Trustees consider that the Board of Trustees and the SMT comprise the key leadership and management of the Charity. All colleagues including the SMT are paid in accordance with national Citizens Advice ranges by reference to third sector salaries in Colchester. Proposed salary review budget and individual increases for all colleagues are reviewed by the finance committee and approved by the Trustee Board.

Key risks and Uncertainties

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 to mitigate its key risks.

As an independent local Charity, we are dependent on project and grant funding often following a competitive bidding process and these awards are often annual. This poses a risk to the continuity of core services and specialist advice plus the retention of experienced volunteers and expert staff. CAC continues to seek to diversify its funding sources while aligning these with our strategic priorities (based on local need). Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation and detailed records of all transactions and project income and expenditure to ensure performance as measured against targets, quality standards and client outcomes. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure we are both efficient and effective.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Charity promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the whole community of Colchester by the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.

Our aims are focused on:

Our service provides free, independent, 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.

We value diversity, promote equality, and challenge discrimination.

Though the area of benefit refers to the whole community of Colchester, the local office focuses its activities on the City of Colchester and surrounds.

Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We review our aims, objectives, and activities each year plus the strategy and plan to deliver these. The annual review seeks to examine our achievements, outcomes and learnings - to ensure that these are in line with our stated purpose, strategy and plan.

Our main objectives for the year have been developing our core services and specialist teams to meet local needs. Overarching principles include:

Research and Campaigns

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

In 2025/26, we:

We have worked and continuing working with Kent University on their research project 'Access to digital justice - How ordinary people navigate digital justice: tracing everyday journeys', and Essex University on a research project as to How Citizens Advice Colchester can better engage with 18 ~~3~~ 0-year-old residents.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Research and Campaigns - continued

We responded to several consultations, including Ofgem and the DWP, contributed to Citizens Advice webinars on Universal Credit and domestic abuse, and the effect of temporary housing on clients and had articles published in relation to lack of digital inclusion for some clients and the impact of eviction/temporary housing on clients.

Contributed to National Citizens Advice campaigns, addressing issues such as:

Our research and campaigns activity also includes campaigning on issues that arise from the advice enquiries we deal with and contributing to relevant research. We will continue to work in partnership with local organisations and agencies to inform and shape future research and campaigns.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Advice and Information Services

We are very pleased to be able to report that we have continued to increase both our range of services and the number of clients we support - achieved through increased staff and volunteer numbers, developing new channels and building on our partnering arrangements.

The Board receives a quarterly Performance and Delivery report from the Senior Management Team against the primary objectives for the year. This includes dashboards from our Casebook client database, i.e. real time information relating to numbers, issues, outcomes, demography, socio-economic, nationality, disability, and other factors.

We continued to build capacity in our team of volunteer General Advisers through recruitment, training and early contribution online and at outreach (with supervision). Our teams of suitably qualified, specialist caseworkers and social prescribers now support clients with issues such as benefits (maximising income), chronic health conditions (including Long Covid), consumer support (including energy, food and housing) and regulated money and debt advice.

We have enabled self-help through signposting by General Advisers and direct provision of information via our website, which also provides direct access to our benefits calculator and self-referral for these and other issues via the calculator and an online form. Clients can also access our services by (free) phone, email or at outreach.

We are Cyber Essentials certified, hold the Advice Quality Standard and we are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to give money and debt advice.

Contribution of Volunteers and Paid Staff

The Charity success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The Trustee Board and SMT recognise the tremendous contribution made by the Charity in providing information and support to clients (the backbone of our service) and staff who provide advice and advocacy. Throughout 2026 the service employed 16 paid workers (10.46 FTEs) (2025 - 15 paid workers, 10.7 FTEs), and 32 volunteers (2025: 30 volunteers) together delivering 14 (2025: 13) projects - including the core service.

Volunteers represent the indispensable core of the service (nine common issues that Citizens Advice is known for, additional to specialist projects), without them there would not be a Citizens Advice Colchester service. The volunteers contribute, on average, 125 hours per week (2025: 133). This may be expressed as an annualised value of £112,775 (2025: £115,428). However, their value is inadequately expressed in monetary terms, as volunteers bring many skills to the service.

Citizens Advice Colchester are working hard to review our approach to attracting and keeping volunteers. It is our intention to consistently monitor our approach to training, to provide an accessible and welcoming place to volunteer.

Page 7

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

How our activities deliver public benefit

During the reporting year 5,452 clients (2025: 5,418) benefited from the services of Citizens Advice Colchester addressing 16,998 issues (2025: 18,271). We support people on any issues that they may face however our most common enquiry area is welfare benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit which makes up a total of 26%, housing 13% and debt 13% of the total issues we have supported on.

many of the 9,000 - -to-face contact is steady at 8.5% (2025: 8.8%) and the complexity of casework is reflected in the continued number of issues - especially those requiring significant amount of time e.g. PIP applications at 1,153 (2025: 844) that can take, on average, three hours to complete.

In total the service negotiated on £839,305 worth of debt (2025: £573,599), rescheduling or reducing the debts to make £1,950,041 (2025: £1,397,847) in additional income for its clients, primarily through our Income Maximisation projects. Clients continue to present with multiple problems and on average clients are presenting with 3 to 4 issues each (2025: 3 to 4 issues).

Factors Affecting the Achievement of Objectives

Maintaining sufficient funding to continue delivering the service remains a continual challenge. We are making sure that we invest in fundraising and continue to diversify our approach while ensuring that we are delivering the most cost- it is about delivering efficient and effective (yet in line with our aims and objectives.

Our offices at 28 Middleborough have been popular with clients and the team, and we had plans to increase our space by a third to accommodate the growing team. Unfortunately, our landlord Lepra has decided to market the building and so we will be sourcing new premises. We are grateful to Lepra for their continued support and the notice given and hope to find suitable premises through our local authority, community and third sector contacts.

We will seek for new premises that are accessible and safe for our clients, team and suppliers; sufficient to accommodate the growing team and new ways of working with increased remote access online and by phone plus outreach locations for those clients who need to meet face to face.

The complexity of the issues that clients are facing, and the additional challenges that clients are experiencing, places additional demands on the service. The support networks that were previously in place for people are changing and we therefore experience increased demand for existing services plus out-of-scope requests. More than 60% of our clients also have a disability or chronic health condition that impacts on their ability to address the issues they face. Also, many are socially or digitally isolated and where people are vulnerable, it is essential that we offer support in a person-centred way often ongoing and/or face to face which is resource intensive.

External challenges

The cost-of-living crisis has impacted our organisation in three keyways. Firstly, increased demand as more people falls into deficit budgets - unable to meet their essential needs for accommodation, energy, food and travel. Secondly, the running costs to provide our core service has risen. Third, local authorities and government agencies are referring clients to us without commissioning or funding these services.

We serve communities facing severe challenges that have been exacerbated by the increased cost-of-living. Many of the clients we serve are either based in deprived areas or belong to groups that are disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living increases as their income is insufficient to meet their essential needs for accommodation, energy, food and travel plus the inflationary increases for each of .

These challenges have resulted in an increase in the demand for our services. Last year, we received 9,000 hits (2025: 12,000) on our website, 1,730 (2025: 1,600) completed enquiry forms and 614 (2025: 704) used our benefits calculator support from specialist caseworkers where required.

Page 8

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

External challenges - continued

Rise in demand has meant we have had to take on new volunteers and staff allowing us to reach new and vulnerable people via extended channels i.e. website and increasing face to face outreach. In addition, we have expanded our Energy Team who specifically help low-income clients and families with young children to maximise their income (claiming any benefits due, benefitting from Energy providers schemes) and our Benefits Team to assist those struggling with negative budgets

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The availability of funding in the Charity sector remains difficult in a period of austerity. The Charity is focused on providing added value to its funders from a base of sound financial management and ensuring that our services remain relevant to the strategic objectives of stakeholders at local and national level.

The Charity is working hard to deliver a cost-effective service that genuinely meets the needs of our clients. It remains a challenging prospect to meet the increasing demand with significantly reduced funding resources.

In the year, the Charity had a deficit of £135,156 (2025: deficit of £154,410) from a total income of £293,995 (2025: £272,711) and expenditure of £429,151 (2025: £427,121). At the year end the Charity reserves stand at £163,878 (2025: £299,034) of which £107,458 (2025: £277,733) is unrestricted, £5,021 (2025: £6,443) is restricted and £51,399 (2025: £14,858) - designated funds.

Principal Funding Sources

The total income for the year of £293,995 represents a net increase of £21,284 compared to 2025 due to improved funding to address the continuing cost-of-living crisis and receiving funds for National Lottery pilot project to support the benefits team.

We plan to review and refresh our strategy according to changes to our operating environment and informed by local demand for our services, social trends and data from our partners in the third sector. Funding will continue to be priority due to the uncertainty of annual funding, whilst our Local Authority funding is approximately 5% (2025: 7%) of our operating costs. In view of the uncertainty rising with the Essex County Council boundary changes, we will review our funding plan to increase direct fundraising, seek commissioning opportunities, strengthen grant applications and diversify our funding base (while maintaining focus on local needs).

All our team (Volunteers and Staff) have been offered access to an Employee Assistance Programme and the PeopleSafe application to keep them safe when working alone, from home or at outreach.

The Trustees extend their sincere gratitude to our funders this year grants from Colchester City Council and Essex County Council and project funding from British Gas Energy Trust, Colchester Borough Homes, Cadent Foundation, Ministry of Justice, NHS (ESNEFT), Trussell Trust, UK Power Networks, Essex Community Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund and FSJ Trust. Also, our delivery partners from elsewhere in Citizens Advice and in the third sector in Colchester.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees are responsible for setting a Reserves Policy that requires reserves to be maintained at a level which ensures that CAC core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty.

The Trustees assess the required level of reserves on an annual basis, alongside the operating budgets. The assessment takes account of the income and expenditure risks identified in the budget and the need to keep sufficient bank balances to be able to manage the day-to-day fluctuations of receipts and payments.

Restricted funds are separately recorded with costs allocated to those funds in accordance with contractual obligations undertaken on accepting subcontract projects and grants. Excess costs arising in an accounting year are covered by the surpluses held from historic activities reserved within the general funds. Balances carried forward represents funding received in advance from our partners.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER TRUSTEES T For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Reserves Policy - continued

The Reserves Policy was reviewed by the Trustees in May 2025 and updated in May 2026. It is formally agreed that our main concern would be for the financial obligations of the Charity to its employees. It is agreed that the Trustees target is to keep the balance of designated funds at three months of expenditure thus mitigating of risk of CAC not achieving its income target and being unable to continue to operate.

The Reserves Policy figure at the end of 2026 is set at £100,000. At the end of the financial year, the actual level of reserves (i.e. unrestricted funds less designated and fixed assets) totalled £107,458 (2025: £277,733).

Going Concern

After making further appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

FUTURE PLANS

To support and empower the people of Colchester to deal with life's challenges.

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.

During the year 2026-27 our focus will be to:

In line with overarching principles to:

Developing a sustainable service that meets the needs of our clients remains a priority of the Trustee Board for 2027. The Charity will build on the work completed in the previous financial years to develop diversified funding streams to increase our sustainability and enable us to build a diverse service that is responsive to client needs.

The Charity will continue to work to ensure that it delivers a cost-effective service, meaning that we are not only offering value for money to our existing funders but that we deliver a quality service that our clients expect and deserve.

Page 10

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER PORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES

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 situation 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:

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 annual report was approved by the Trustees of the Charity and signed on its behalf by:

L D Ramsay Chair of Trustees

Date: 19 May 2026

Page 11

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER

I report to the Trustees (who are also Directors for the purpose of company law) on my examination of the financial 6 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and related notes.

This report is made solely to the Charity Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity Trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT

As the Trustees of charitable company, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable l statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can my report is limited to those specific matters set out

in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

6 July 2026 Denmark Forrester Limited

Office 12 The Bentalls Centre

Robert Easby FCA BFP Colchester Road Heybridge Chartered Accountant Essex CM9 4GD

Page 12

CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Including income and expenditure account For the year ended 31 March 2026

**Notes ** Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 Designated
Funds		 Total 2026 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 Designated
Funds		 Total 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 3 1,948 - - 1,948 6,380 - - 6,380
Charitable activities 4 52,258 240,901 - 293,159 38,288 215,711 - 253,999
Investments 5 4,680 - - 4,680 5,688 - - 5,688
Other 5 -5,792 - - -5,792 6,644 - - 6,644
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Total income 53,094 240,901 - 293,995 57,000 215,711 - 272,711
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 6 55,318 310,374 63,459 429,151 82,554 259,425 85,142 427,121
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Total expenditure 55,318 310,374 63,459 429,151 82,554 259,425 85,142 427,121
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Net income/
(expenditure)		 -2,224 -69,473 -63,459 -135,156 -25,554 -43,714 -85,142 -154,410
Transfers between
funds		 15a -168,051 68,051 100,000 0 -144,365 44,365 100,000 0
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Net movement in
funds		 -170,275 -1,422 36,541 -135,156 -169,919 651 14,858 -154,410
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Reconciliation of
funds:
Total funds b/f 15b 277,733 6,443 14,858 299,034 447,652 5,792 - 453,444
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Total funds c/f 15a 107,458 5,021 51,399 163,878 277,733 6,443 14,858 299,034
--------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 16 to 28 form part of these financial statements.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER BALANCE SHEET As at 31 March 2026

2026 2026 2025 2025
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 11 3,721 4,084
Current assets
Debtors 12 21,930 39,029
Cash at bank and in hand 18 162,154 279,867
--------------- ---------------
184,084 318,896
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year		 13 23,927 23,946
--------------- ---------------
Net current assets 160,157 294,950
--------------- ---------------
Creditors: amounts falling due after - -
more than one year
--------------- ---------------
Total net assets 163,878 299,034
--------------- ---------------
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted 15 107,458 277,733
Restricted funds 15 5,021 6,443
Designated funds 15 51,399 14,858
--------------- ---------------
Total Charity funds 163,878 299,034
--------------- ---------------

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

For the financial year ended 31[st] March 2026, the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the Charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Miss L C Tippett Trustee

The notes on pages 16 to 28 form part of these financial statements.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 March 2026

Notes 2026 2025
£ £
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities 17 -116,995 -155,942
Cash flow from investing activities:
Interest income 5 4,680 12,332
Purchase of tangible fixed assets 11 -5,398 -7,519
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by investing activities -718 4,813
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by financing activities - -
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year -117,713 -151,129
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 279,867 430,996
-------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 18 162,154 279,867
-------------- --------------

The notes on pages 16 to 28 form part of these financial statements.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

1 Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of preparation

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

1.2 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 the present value of future cash flows (amortised cost). Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash at bank and in hand and debtors excluding prepayments.

Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise creditors excluding deferred income and taxation payable. Financial liabilities that are provisions are held at fair value. No discounting has been applied on the basis that the periods over which amounts will be settled are such that any discounting would be immaterial.

1.3 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors, or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the Charity is entitled to the funds, and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the Charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.

Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts, including gift aid income where applicable, and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for when it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the Charity where this can be quantified and is material. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

1.5 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.

1.6 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Expenditure on raising funds; comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. The primary functional activity of the Charity is the giving of free and confidential advice to the public. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to this activity and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs include all those overhead costs of office accommodation, utility services, and other services and costs, which are in support of the activity. They also include those costs not associated with the other two headings and includes costs of meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity, the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the Charity. They have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

1.7 Operating leases

The Charity classifies the short-term lease of property and equipment as short-term 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.

1.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised.

Tangible fixed assets 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:

Office equipment 50% on the straight-line method Fixtures and fittings 50% on the straight-line method

1.9 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.10 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.

1.11 Creditors and provisions

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

1.14 Pensions and retirement benefits

The Charity makes contributions to defined contributions pension schemes. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the schemes.

1.15 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.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

2 Legal status of the Charity

The company is limited by guarantee. The number of members at the end of the year was 29 (2024: 32). 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.

2.1 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.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted **Designated ** Total 2026 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Donations 1,948 - - 1,948 6,380 - - 6,380

4 Income from charitable activities

Grant
and
contract
income
receivable
for		 Grant
and
contract
income
receivable
for		 Grant
and
contract
income
receivable
for		 Unrestricted Restricted **Designated ** Total 2026 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total
2025
charitable activities £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
General Advice:
National Lottery
Community Fund		 - 9,850 - 9,850 - - - -
Colchester City Council 20,000 - - 20,000 20,000 - - 20,000
Essex County Council 17,893 - - 17,893 17,938 - - 17,938
FSJ Trust 2,900 - - 2,900 - - - -
CBH Community Fund 1,000 - - 1,000 - - - -
CBH Debt - 30,000 - 30,000 - 25,000 - 25,000
CBH Benefits - 19,130 - 19,130 - - - -
Long Covid - 11,108 - 11,108 - 33,325 - 33,325
Foodbank - 46,000 - 46,000 - 46,000 - 46,000
NEA Grant - - - - 350 - - 350
Citizens Advice Essex
consortium:
-BGET - 44,481 - 44,481 - 44,413 - 44,413
-Cadent - 16,994 - 16,994
-ECC Debt - 8,619 - 8,619
-Warm Start Plus - - - - - 26,645 - 26,645
-UKPN FP - - - - - 9,073 - 9,073
-UKPN ED2 - 8,718 - 8,718 - - - -
-MoJ Probation - 26,671 - 26,671 - 24,812 - 24,812
-Homes for Ukraine - 19,330 - 19,330 - 6,443 - 6,443
-Household Support Fund 10,465 - - 10,465 - - - -
-------------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Total income from -
charitable activities 52,258 240,901 293,159 38,288 215,711 - 253,999
--------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

5 Investment income

Unrestricted **Restricted ** Designated Total 2026 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Interest 4,680 - - 4,680 5,688 - - 5,688
Other -5,792 - - -5,792 6,644 - - 6,644
--------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
-1,112 - - -1,112 12,332 12,332
- -
--------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------

6 Expenditure on charitable activities by fund

Charitable
Activity		 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2026 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
General advisory
services		 55,318 310,374 63,459 429,151 82,554 259,425 85,142 427,121
--------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
55,318 310,374 63,459 429,151 82,554 259,425 85,142 427,121
--------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------

7 Net incoming resources for the year

2026 2025
£ £
This is stated after charging:
Independent examiners
remuneration		 1,620 1,476
Depreciation 5,761 3,435
Interest payable - -

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

8 Analysis of support costs

Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Designated Designated Total 2026 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Staff costs 48,132 251,629 54,090 353,851 69,916 206,430
71,962		 348,308
Premises 2,540 22,297
3,387		 28,224 3,123 21,925
5,235		 30,283
Communications and IT 917 10,551
1,081		 12,549 2,413 11,113
2,648		 16,174
General office 3,102 19,355
3,843		 26,300 4,972 16,806
4,438		 26,216
Finance costs 19 159 34 212 26 248
36		 310
Audit 146 1,215
259		 1,620 1,476 - - 1,476
Legal & professional fees - - - - - - - -
Depreciation 383 4,710
668		 5,761 481 2,267
687		 3,435
Sundry 79 458 97 634 147 636
136		 919
--------------
 -------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- ------------ -------------- ----------
55,318 310,374 63,459 429,151 82,554 259,425
85,142		 427,121
--------------
 -------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- ------------ -------------- ----------
9 Employees
2026 2026 2025 2025
Full Time
Equivalent
Head Count		 Full Time
Equivalent
Head		 Count
The average number of
employees analysed by function:
Advice workers and support staff 9.06 14 9.3 13
Key management personnel 1.4 2 1.4 2
--------------- ------------- --------------- -----------
Total 10.46 16 10.7 15
--------------- ------------- --------------- -----------
2026 2025
£ £
Employment costs
Wages and salaries 317,278 316,530
25,118 20,459
contribution pension scheme 11,455 11,319
-------------- -------------
Total 353,851 348,308
-------------- -------------

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in the year (2025: None).

At the year-end date 15 (2025: 15) of the above employees participated in the defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions for the year, included in staff costs, totalled £11,455 (2025: £11,319).

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

10 Trustees

During the year no remuneration or benefits for services as a director/Trustee have been paid or were payable, directly or indirectly, out of the funds of the Charity to any Trustee or to any person known to be connected with them. Expenses totalling £389 (2025: £124) were paid to Trustees during the year. Reimbursed expenses were paid to Trustees totalling £316 (2025: £1,357).

11 Fixed Assets

Office
equipment
Fixtures and
fittings		 Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 31 March 2025 60,927
5,429		 66,356
Additions 5,398
-		 5,398
Disposals - - -
--------------- --------------- ---------------
At 31stMarch 2026 66,325
5,429		 71,754
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Depreciation
At 31 March 2025 58,449
3,823		 62,272
Charge for the year 4,477
1,284		 5,761
--------------- --------------- ---------------
At 31 March 2026 62,926
5,107		 68,033
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net book value
At 31 March 2026 3,399
322		 3,721
--------------- --------------- ---------------
At 31 March 2025 2,478
1,606		 4,084
--------------- --------------- ---------------
12 Debtors
2026 2025
£ £
Prepayments -
 2,363
Trade debtors 23,352
 36,666
Accrued Income -1,422 -
--------------- ---------------
21,930
 39,029
--------------- ---------------

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2026 2025
£ £
Trade creditors
 576
 3,646
Accruals and deferred income 1,620
 12,887
Grants received in advance 13,071 -
Social security and other taxes
 8,660
 7,413
Other creditors - -
--------------- ---------------
23,927
 23,946
--------------- ---------------
14 Licence to occupy commitments
At the balance sheet date, the Charity had the
following licence to occupy commitments
falling due: 2026 2025
£ £
Within one year 30,480 28,224
Between one and five years - -
After five years - -
-------------- --------------
30,480 28,224
-------------- --------------

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

15a Movement in funds current year

Balance at
31st March
2025		 Income Expenditure Transfers
between funds		 Balance at
31st March
2026
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Funds 277,733 836 -3,060 -168,051 107,458
Household Support Fund - 10,465 -10,465
FSJ Trust - 2,900 -2,900 - -
CBH Community Fund - 1,000 -1,000 - -
Colchester City Council - 20,000 -20,000 - -
Essex County Council - 17,893 -17,893 - -
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Unrestricted funds 277,733 53,094 -55,318 -168,051 107,458
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Designated Fund
~~M~~oney &
Debt & Benefit project		 14,858 - -63,459 100,000 51,399
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Unrestricted and
Designated funds		 292,591 53,094 -118,777 -68,051 158,857
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Restricted funds
CBH Debt - 30,000 -38,062 8,062 -
CBH Benefits - 19,130 -19,140 10 -
Long Covid - 11,108 -17,555 6,447 -
Foodbank - 46,000 -49,665 3,665 -
National Lottery Community
Fund		 - 9,850 -22,407 12,557 -
Citizens Advice Essex
consortium:
-BGET - 44,481 -51,568 7,087 -
-Cadent - 16,994 -22,019 5,025 -
-ECC Debt -
 8,619 -10,041 - -1,422
-UKPN ED2 - 8,718 -21,432 12,714 -
-MoJ Probation - 26,671 -34,321 7,650 -
-Homes for Ukraine 6,443 19,330 -24,164 4,834 6,443
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Restricted funds 6,443 240,901 -310,374 68,051 5,021
--------------- ----------- ------------- --------------- ---------------
Total funds 299,034 293,995 -429,151 - 163,878
--------------- ----------- ------------- --------------- ---------------

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

15b Movement in funds prior year

Balance at
31st March
2024		 Income Expenditure Transfers
between funds		 Balance at
31st March
2025
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Funds 422,744 19,062 -19,708 -144,365 277,733
National Lottery Community
Fund		 24,908 - -24,908 - -
Colchester City Council - 20,000 -20,000 - -
Essex County Council - 17,938 -17,938 - -
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Unrestricted funds 447,652 57,000 -82,554 -144,365 277,733
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Designated Fund
~~M~~oney &
Debt & Benefit project		 - - -85,142 100,000 14,858
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Unrestricted and
Designated funds		 447,652 57,000 -167,696 -44,365 292,591
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Restricted funds
CBH - 25,000 -28,219 3,219 -
Long Covid - 33,325 -36,205 2,880 -
Foodbank - 46,000 -46,952 952 -
Essex Citizens Advice
consortium:
-BGET - 44,413 -44,480 67 -
-Warm Start Plus - 26,645 -34,032 7,387 -
-Warm Homes - - -5,682 5,682 -
-UKPN FP 5,792 9,073 -26,906 12,041 -
-UKPN CO - - -5,331 5,331 -
-MoJ Probation - 24,812 -31,618 6,806 -
-Homes for Ukraine - 6,443 - - 6,443
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Restricted funds 5,792 215,711 -259,425 44,365 6,443
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Funds 453,444 272,711 -427,121 - 299,034
--------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

16. Fund Descriptions

General Funds - Core

These are the accumulated unrestricted funds of the Charity.

Designated Fund Money & Debt & Benefits project

Trustees considered to designate the sum of £100,000 to cover the estimated costs of Money & Debt & Benefit project.

General Advice - Essex County Council and Colchester City Council

A overheads and training essential to their roles in delivering the nine core services which the CitA network provide to residents in Colchester.

Essex County Council - Cost Of Living 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.

Colchester City Council Voluntary Welfare grant supports general advisers to deliver key objectives. These include to strengthen Colchester communities to reduce isolation and loneliness; help the physical and mental wellbeing of Colchester residents and safeguard the vulnerable; provide support and facilities for young people; enhance community safety.

BGET Project

Provision of Money and Energy Advice by an Energy Adviser supporting vulnerable clients e.g. those using foodbanks. Funded by British Gas Energy Trust.

Cadent ceased October 2025

Delivery of energy advice to fuel-poor clients in rural locations.

CB Homes Fund (CBH) Money and Debt project

Provision of Money and Debt Advice to tenants referred by Colchester Borough Homes.

CB Homes Fund (CBH) Benefits Advice project started October 2025

Provision of Benefit Advice to tenants referred by Colchester Borough Homes.

CB Homes Community Fund (CBH)

Part fund to support Law Clinic set up.

ECC Household Support Fund

Fund supported the distribution and administration of Household Support Fund allocation to local residents.

ECC Money and Debt started February 2026

Sub-grant received from Citizens Advice Essex consortium to provide specialist debt casework; support clients requiring casework-level intervention and deliver sustainable outcomes.

Foodbank Project

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.

Fowler Smith and Jones Trust

Provision to support the delivery of Immigration advice.

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

16. Fund Descriptions - continued

Homes for Ukraine project

This project aims to enhance the wellbeing of Ukrainian nationals and their families who have settled in Essex under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to support them with housing, employment, education, and community integration. The Programme was launched and funded by Essex Community Foundation.

Long Covid Project ceased July 2025

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. Funded by the NHS ESNEFT and delivered by Colchester, Ipswich and West Suffolk local area Citizens Advice.

Ministry of Justice Probation project

The Ministry of Justice's probation project aims to reshape the probation service in England and Wales by bringing it under a single, national framework while also incorporating external partners, one of which is Citizens Advice Colchester. A range of services are offered, from financial advice to wellbeing support, help offenders navigate the social systems, find employment, and access support services, ultimately promoting rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

National Lottery Community Fund started October 2025

Grant was allocated to support a Specialist Benefits and Welfare Team.

UKPN Project started June 2025

Provision of in-depth fuel poverty alleviation and energy advice to clients in fuel poverty. Funded by UK Power Networks.

17 Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities

2026 2025
£ £
Net (expenditure)/ income for the reporting period -135,156 -154,410
Add: Depreciation charge 5,761 3,435
Less: Interest income and other income -4,680 -12,332
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 17,099 3,390
Increase /(decrease) in creditors -19 3,975
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities -116,995 -155,942
-------------- --------------
8 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2026 2025
£ £
Cash at bank and in hand 162,154 279,867
-------------- --------------
Total cash and cash equivalents 162,154 279,867
-------------- --------------

18 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

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CITIZENS ADVICE COLCHESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2026

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2026 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 3,721 - - 3,721 4,084 - - 4,084
Current assets 127,664 5,021 51,399 184,084 297,595 6,443 14,858 318,896
Current liabilities -23,927 - - -23,927 -23,946 - - -23,946
--------------- -------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total 107,458 5,021 51,399 163,878 277,733 6,443 14,858 299,034
--------------- -------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------

20 Related Parties

We are a related party to Citizens Advice Essex, and a consortium membership fee is paid annually. Restricted fund income is received from the consortium and recorded within the year as listed in Note 4 total of £135,278 (2025: £118,000).

There were no other related party transactions during the year that require disclosure. (2025: none)

Page 28