Company No. 4984410 Chaiity No. 1102353 CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee) REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU CONTENTS Page 2-13 Trustees, and Directors, Report Statement of Trustees, and Directors. Responsibilities 14 Independent Examinerfs Report 15 Stalement of Financial Activities 16 Balah¢e Sheet 17 Notes to the Financial Statements 18-34
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The Truslees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) presant their report and indeperKlently examlned financial *atements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements comply with Ihe Charities Ad 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Artides of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Chaiities.. Statement of Recommended PractSce (SORP), applicable to charities prep8ring iheir 8ccounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting SlandaNI applicable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015). REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charity number: Company number. 1102353 4984410 Authorised & regulatsd by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 617548 Registered office: Woodgate Chambers 70 Woodgate LOUGHBOROUGH L6ics, LE112rz Truslee Dir¢¢tors {at the date of this report): Dawn Be8umont Christopher Finlay Michael Higgs Vidya Panicker Hamzah Sheikh MonicA Wallace Chaimiaft Hon. Treasurer Company Secretary: lan Dennis Senior management team: lan Dennis Debbie Herbert Chief Officer Deputy Chlef Officer l Operation5 Manager Independent Examiner: Helen Harrison FMAAT CBS (Accounting) Limited Oak Business Centre 79-93 Ratcliffe Road Sileby LOUGHBORQUGH Leics LE12 7PU Bankers: The Co-operative Bank p.l.¢. Loughborough Buikling Society
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Goveming document The charity was fonned as a company limited by guarantee on 24 November 2003 8nd incorporation was registered at Companies House on 3 December 2003 (Company Number: 4984410). The full name of the charity Is Charnwood Cltizens Advice Bureau Ltd. It Is a charity regiered with the Chaiity Commission {charfty Numter.. 1102353). The company is govemed by its Memorandum and ArtiGles of Association. The company operates as Cltizens Advice Charnwood, Consistent with the branding adopted by The National Association of Citizens Advlce Bureaux, of whlch it is a member. Recruitment and appointment of trnstees The chafity is govemed through a trustee board. Trustees at the date of thls report are listed on page 3. The Artlcles of Association provide for a mlnimum of four and a MmuM of fifteen trustees. The trustees meet bl- monthly wlth additional meetings for the sUCOmmittee$ listed below. Trustees are èlected to the Board for a three-year peri(J and are appointed by a resolution of its members at an AGM. The b)ard has powers to fill any casual vacancies and to CO-OM membets who shall retlre at the following AGM and may offer themselves for re-election. Following the death of Neil PatriGk we did not fomally appoint a chalmian. The board meetlngs were chaired by a Ifustee who volunteered al the relevant meeting. Chrfstopher Finlay subsequently agreed to stand as Chair and was elected to the post by the Trustees on 15 May 2024. Trustee directors vtho held office during the financial year vre. Dawn Beaumont Christopher Finlay (Chalr) Michael Higgs (Hon TasUrer} Vidya Pan5cker Hamzah Shelkh Appointed 4 December 2024 Subsequent to the year-end, the following trustee director has resigned.. None Subsequent to the year-end, the followlng irustee direciors have been appointed. Monlca Wallace Appointed 9 April 2025 The National Associatlon of Cltizens Advice appoinls a representative who may attend the Board as a non-voting member. Two sul>committees. covering Finance and General Purposes and Human Resources, support Ihe board. Because of the low number of trustees these committees did not operate in the year to March 2025 or 5ubsequenlly. None of Ihe trustees has any benefici81 interest in the o)mpany. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a ndIng up.
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT ForThe Year Ended 31 March 2025 The organisatlon is c0-ordined from its office in Loughborough with outreaches In Shepshed and Syston. Trustse recruitment, inductlon and training Twslees are selected either from volunteers who approach the Gharfty to express their Interest in our worf( or via extemal recrultment. Appointments a subject to Board approval. The recrultment process seeks to achleve a representative cross sectlon from our community and to ensure that the Board has the appropriate skllls and experience. This is an ongoing process and the Board is actively wothing on expandlng the diversity of Éts membership. New trustees are provlded wtth induction training through thelr relationship with a trustee mentor and Onoing training in specialist areas is available for all trustees. The induction programme includes explaining the workings of the charity induding their legal obligatlons under charfty and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Artldes of Assoclation, the comrnittee and decision-makSng processes, the business plan recent financial performance of the charity. They also meet key employees and other Itee5. New trustees are provlded with links to the Charity Commission website and the guide 'The Essential Trustee,. Trustees, after appointment, are required to complete training developed by Cltizens Advice natlonally that Is specifically geared towards Ihe roles and responsibilities of trustees. This includes training In Data Protection leglslallon, the Flnancial Conduct Authority Senior Management Certiftcatlon Regime (relating to our FCA registration) and they are required to sign confidentiality agementS. Organisallon Structure Chamwood Crtizens Adce is a member of Citizens Advice, the operatlng name of the National Association of Chizens Advice Bureaux, whlch provldes a framework for siandards of advlce and casework management as well as monltoring progress agalnst these standards. Operating policies are independèntly detem)ined, often following guidance from Citizens Advice, by the Board of Directors in ortler to fulfil its Gharltabie Objerts and comply with the national membership requirements. The Chlef Officer and Deputy Chief Officer are appointed by the trustees lo manage the day-to-day operations of the charÈty. We also have an experienced team of paid staff and Voluntee who are key to the seNices offered by the charity. The Board regularty revlews the composition of the Board, the contribution of tNstees to the work of the Boartl and the Company and the attendance of trustees at Board meetings. The skill sets of the trustees, its balance and dlversily are also considered and areas for developnent are identified. These revlews are performed In conjunctlon with the annual 'Leadership Seff Assessment. process rnanaged by national Citizens Advice over a three-year Cycle. This process supports the passporting to external quality rneasures includlng 'The Advlce Quality Standard, (AQS) and 'The Money Advice Se1 Debt Advlce Qualily Framework.. Vvhere areas requiring improvement are Identlfied, the Board develops action plans to address these matters. The latest review Cfe8r 3), in early 2025, did not Identify any signifiG9nt areas requirlng improvement, although Ihe Board identified that the diversity and age profile of the Board required attention. The Board is increasing its focus and continuing to attempt10 rectify this situatlon. The Board meels to review progress agalnst targets, consider the Charity's financial posrtlon and to discuss issues 8rising. Decisions are made by the Trustee Board in line with the Business Development Plan and their implementation Is delegated to the chief officer and the *aff team wlth support from the Trustee& There are regular staff and volunteer ffEetings that discuss matters and help to ensure that progress is being made against targets.
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (continued) Organisatlon stru¢tur8 (continued) We hold an Annual General Meeting, which involves the staff leam. trustee board, members. and other stakehoklers. The 2024 AGM was held at our Loughborough office, but was not well attended. Pay and Remuneration of Key Management Personnel The ttustees consider that the board of trustees and the senior management team (sfvrr) comlse the key managèment personnel of the charity. The charttws senior management team are remunerated in accordance wilh a scale of grades linked to public sector employees. The trustee board approves any increases to thesè grades. Key risks and Uncertainties The Board Garries out a rolling risk assessment every six (2024: six) months. The trusiees consider that the key, but not only, risks for the Gharity are as follows: The rnost significant rfsk is a loss of, or significant reductlon In, funding. The charity receives much of Its Income frorn Chamwood Borough Council and LeicestershSre County Council. The is severe and ontinuing pressure on loGal govemment to reduce costs and these funds continue to be under threat. In addition funding is increasingly for targeted and specific areas of advice. Maintaining and improving the quality of advice that we give is 8 continuous risk. The problems that clients come to us wlth are becoming more complex and are oflen multiple. This requires signrficant awareness amongst our advisers and a rigorous attention to detail by our advice supeNisors. Our performance quallty is also regularly reviewed by natlonal Cttizens Advlce to ensure that quality andardS are maintained. In order that we can continue io deliver, It is essential thal we rnalntain our staff and volunteer base. Our staff, bolh paid and volunteer, need significant inlti81 trainlng and we need to maintain aff sklll levels. The areas we advise on are becoming more and rn0 complex and regulation is Lcoming tighter. We, along with many other Local Cltizens Advices, are finding it harder to attract suitable volunteers. Health and Safety has become a signfficant issue following the Covid-19 pandemlc causing slgnificant health risks for our staff, volunteers and clients. This has had a significant impact on our operational model. This is discussed in our update on the impacl of Covld-19, later in thk8 report. The Board has developed plans and strategies for managing these risks, induding: We are in process of updating our Funding Strategy to addsS the 'post-Covid' environment. We are working towards building our unrestricted income to allow us to create a cushion should we face further reductions in our funding levels. We continue to work closely with our local authorities and are a wel established 'Strategic Partnerf with Charnwood Borough Council. The chaiity's financial perfomiance is regularly reviewed by the Board. Plans are then establtshed to reduae financial risk and maintain long-tenn financial viability. We have an advice supervisor focussed on review of quality and the results of these quality reviews are shared at team meetings. We monitor staff development and training requlrements to ensure that staff training is adequate. focussed and up to date. We a¢Xively search for volunteers and provide training and SupeNision. We have a Training Officer who supervises trainees. This Is a continuous process and was operatlonal throughout the financial year. We continue to focus on health and safety issues to ensure that Covid-19 and other health risks are mlnimlsed. See later in this report.
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Factors that are likely to affect the financial perfonnanco or positlon in 2025126 and subsequent years: As Ihe service is reliant on core funding from Local authorilies it is subject to volatile and unGertain economic conditions. and we expect this to be a long-terrn factor. The 2025 Loc81 Government Restructuring to Unttary Authorities will provKle another level of uncertainty Quality of advlce is important on order to malntain accredltation with extemal standards and underplns the activity of Citizens Advice. Recruiting staff and voluntee, developing and maintaining training are becoming harder as dient issues are becoming more complex and multi-faceted. The increase in ret1ment age has affected our recnjitment of volunteers KK15t employment and recruiting younger volunteers is 8ffecied by the mobility of employment. These factors are expected to continue. The global political uncertainty affects energy prices and infiatioft and these continue to be significant Issues for the charity in the light of the pressures on funding. Inforniation Assuranco InfOnn1on Assur8nGe policy and procedures a reviewed annually. An Infomalion Assurance Accounting Officer and a Senior Infonnation Risk Officer are in place. Staff recelve infonnation assurance training at a level appropriate to their role. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objective The charity's purKM)ses, as set out In the objects contained in the Company's Memorandum of Association, are 'to promots any charttable purpose for the public benefft by the advancement of educatlon. the protection andpreservatson of health and the relief of povety, sickness and dlstress In pa-cUlar, but without limltation, for the benefit of the communlty in the Borough of Charnwood andsumiunding areas,. The charity's objective is defined above. There has been no change in this objective. Our aims are focused on: Providing the advice people need for the problems they face, and Improving the policies and practices that affect people's Irves Qur seNice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial a(fvirE to everyone on his or her rights and responsibilities. We value diverslty, promote equafrty and challenge discrfmination.
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT ForThe Year Ended 31 March 2025 HOW OUR ACTIVITIES DELIVER PUBUC BENEFIT Our main activbties and those we try to help are descrlbed below. All our charitable activiiies focus on provldlng the advice ople need for the problems they face and are undertaken specifically to provide public benefit. We help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing infomation, advice and assistance and by Influencing policyfflakers both locally and nationally in conjunction 7th national Citizens Advice. The Board of Trustees have ferred to the Charity Commission general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the trustees Gonsidered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that they have set. The Trustees consider that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Aci 2011. GOVERNANCE The Trustee Board sets the *rategic direction and establishes the Short and medium tern objecttrves ihrough the Business Plan, which is gUlarlY updated and is subject to perfomiance moniioring at the Board's meetings. The members of the board are twstees under charity law and directors of the Gharitable company. There are six scheduled board meetings a year and other meetings and events are held as necessary. The Chlef Officer. working with the Deputy Chief Officer, is responsible for delivering the Business Plan and for day-to4ay operations. Details of our currenl Trustees are Included earfier in this report. Our membership of Citizens Advice imposes certain requlrèments and oblioations under our MeMbeh[p agreement and the Trustees consider that they have met the requirements. One of the slgnlficant requirements is a Leadershlp Self Assessment that covers Govern8n¢e, Strategic business planning. Risk management, Financial management, People management. Operational perfonnance management, Partnership workiNJ, Research and campaigns and Equality leadershlp. The assessmeni is perfomied annually and is reviewed by an independent assessor, appointed by national Cltlzens Advice. The reviews are perforrned on a 3-year cydical basis with a full detailed audit in year 3 of the cycle. The 2024 2025 financial year was the third year of the cycle. Citizens Advice has moved to a risk-based approach to evaluatlons. The Board addressed the matters arising from the year 2 LSA. The outcome of year 3 was some minor matters to resolve and Ihese were completed within a couple of months and the Assessor marked us Green in all areas. The Board are pleased with this outGOme. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Advi¢e and Infonnation Services The main areas of charltabla aclivty are: the provision of general advice and Infonnation seNlces the provision of specialist advice and casework seNices in relation to debt. The provlsion of adce in respect of energy supply and usage.
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Core Services Throughout the year we have continued to offer Advice and Infornatlon In the followlng ways: Local advice line - Chamwo¢)d residents can call our number Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 3.00pm. Clients receive full advice through our team of tralned volunteer advlsors and paid staff Adviceline - partidpation is contlnulng as part of a countrywide telephone servlce. The line is covered on rota basls between the hours of 9.QOam and 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. Outside of these tlmes the is an automated advlce service 24 hours a day. Calls to th5s are transferred to our local ser4lce. Face to face appolntments - these are offered to dients based on the complexity of thp case and the client's abilltles. Dropin - If advisers have capacity then we will see a Ilmited number of dropin clients. These wlll mainly b8 vulnerable clients including people who do nol have access to a telephone or the Intemel. Information and Self Help - we provide Information for clients to be able to resolve issues thernselves. This Infonn8tion is 8vai18ble through the national Cillzens Advlce website. Our Core Ser¥lce, which is primarily funded by Lelce*ershlre County Council and Chamwood Borough Council. operates from offices in Loughborough ano Shepshed. Our Core SeNice is delivered by a team of volunteers, wfrth support and supeNislon from paid and volunteer supepilsors. We offer appointments on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Shepshed Town Council provldes us with accornmodatlon and fund a supervisor post, and advrce is nomally dellvered by volunteers. This servlce enables clients to access our seNices without the need to travel Into our main Loughborough offices. Appointments are avallable on Monday and Wednesday. We colnue to work in partnership with Syston and District Volunteer Centre, providlng outreach advice sessions on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Speclalist Sorvlces In adclltion to the Core Service, we provKJe help and support to individuals through specific projecl funding: Debt advice & Homel&s8ness prevention Specialist debt advice is available to clients by virtue of funding from Chamwood Borough Council via Homelessness Preventlon and Specialist Money Advice Gra$. The Homelessness Preveiition casework we provide Is designed to prevent homeowners and prlvate rented tenants from belng made homeless due to unmanageable debt. The Spedslist Money Advice casework is 8lmed at local authoriiy 8nd housing association tenants who have multiple debls. We offer thls specialist debt advice and casework from our Loughborough office Monday- ThUdaY 9.30arn- 4.30rm. Cost.of-Llvlng advlce We Trcelved funding from Charnwood Borough Council to provide help for people who were struggllng financially due to the ongolng cost.of-living crfsis. Chamwood Borough Council has provlded us with a further grant for 2025-26 to continue supporting cllents who face fin8nclal hardship. This work involves maximIsn9 income through benefrt clalms, and charitable support for help wlth food, utllitles cosls, and obtainlng household items and white goods. EnergyAdvice Programme Energy Advice Programme funding Is received from national Citizens Advice. We have been Involved in giving energy advice for many years. It allows us to help cllents with many aspects of energy advice. These include helping obtain the best energy lariffs, offer advice on energy savlng, deal wlth energy debt, ensuring Gllents claim the Warm Home Dlscount (if eligible), make charitaL)le appllcatlons for those who 8re struggllng to pay an¢J make referrals to local foodbanks, This fundlno Is revlewed annually and has continued into the 2025.2026 financial year. Given the current energy crisis, and the rate of Inflation. thi5 is a much needed. and used, service.
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT ForThe Year Ended 31 March 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE During the 2025 financial year we continued to deiNer advice for the benefit of the local comfflunlty despite the on-going finanaal challenges. Our Quality of Advice client OLrtcome score was consistently high throughout the year and significantly higher than that achieved nationally. In the 2025 financial year 680h (2024: 68Wo) of clients found aGcessing the service easy and 82% (2024: 940h) would recommend the service to others. In the 2025 financial year we recorded the total number of dients advised as 3.785 (2024.. 3.484).Tliis financlal year we recorded 14.282 (2024.. 13.828) advice issues. We are seeing additional Complexity in our dealings with clients. The maln issues that we are dealing with on behalf of dients and the 2024 comparatlve are shown below: 2025 Utilitie$ & ¢ommunlcation5 Travel & transport Tax Relatlon5hip5 &f8rnily Other Immi8ration & 8sylum Housing Health & CMUnitY care GVA & Hate Crimè Employment Educatlon Debt Consumet goods & servi¢ES Chjiitable Support & Food Banks Benefits ilnlversal Crpdlt Benefits & tsx <rpditS 1,000 1.2CQ 2024 Utilitles & c(mmur¢irations Travel & transport Tax Relationship5 & famlly other Immigration & asylurn Health & cornmunSty care GVA& Ilate Crlme Financial services & capabilhy Education Debt Charitable Support & Fwd Banks BeTrefits Universal Cfedlt Benefits & tax credits 41XI I,c()O 1,200
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Ca$eworf( We provided casevrk for 100 (2024.. 112) Glients with multiple debt issues. Th8 total value of debt outcomes was £1,019,828 (2024., £1,018,586). Our debt caseworkers achleved these outcomes by using insolvency procedures such as Debt Relief Orders. Bankruptcy, or by challenging the enforceabilily of debts. This involves identifying and confirming debts, sett}J budgets for clients and maximising their income, Incjuding new beneflts, helplng cJlent5 establish the most apwopriate outcome and 8SSlSting In negotiation outcomes with Ihe dient's creditors. We are also able to assist clients to apply to the Breathing Space scheme. Tolal Income galns for clients amounted to £2,239,723 (2024: £2,163,098) In addition to the above, and were 8d)leved through: Challenging dectsions relating to welfare benefrts induding getting over payments reduced or not recovered. Assisting cllents in claiming beneffts to whlch they were entitled, or obt81ning a new awanl or Increase in e%sting awards. Asslsting clients in swltchlng utility supplièrs and also getting better deals and tarlffs. Claiming tax rebates and single person Council Tax discounts not previously claimed, Obtainlng refunds for faully goods or services or cancellation of charges incorrectly made. Contributlon of Volunteers and Paid Staff Our success has been achleved wlth the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The Truslee Board and senior management team recognise the significant contribution made by ihe charfty's volunteers in adSIng the publlc and administertng the seTV]ce wlthout whlch the servlce could not operate. Our 46 {2024: 40) volunteers contrfjbuted a total of 13,389 (2024:12,246) hours in 2025, which equates io an annual value of approximately £320,000 (2024: £310,000). This excludes the contribution of trustees, which equates to approxlmately £25,000 (2024: £20.000) However, the value of our volunteers cannth solely be expressed In monetary temis,, Indeed volunteers bring many skills to the seNSce and very often the volunteering experience gained helps individuals retum to full emF4oyment Volunteers are critical to our success. and we are continually looking at ways and means of attracting and keeping volunteers. The training by our Training Officer has maintained our volunteers, levels and has continued lo recrult trainees and operate on-llne tralning with support from exlsting advise through rnentoring. We have continued to hokl on-line training sessions which have proven successful in malntalning and improving the quality of advice. Our pald slaff continued thelr work in maintaining the setvlce durlng another challenglng year and have been flexlble in their approach to Vrk and the working environment. The Trustees thank all staff and volunteers for their efforts In all aspe(ts over the last finanaal year and especially in the current flnandal year with all the uncertainties. Factors Affecting Ihe Achievement of Objectives Malntaining sufflclent funding to continue dellvering the service remalns a continual challenge, We are maklng sure that we invest in fundraising and continue to diversFfy our approach to ensure we are deliverfng the most cost effective seNice we possibly can. Thls is not about simply culting costs. it is about delivering 8 seNice that genuinely meets dients, needs to make us as cost effective as possible. The compIexity of the issues that clients are facing. and the addttional challenges that cllents are experiencino. places 8ddltional demands on the service. The support networks that were prevlously in place for people are changing and we are asked to offer support that falls outside the remii of direct advice. Where people are vulnerable, it is essential that we offer support In a person centred way and whilst necessary thls can be resource intensive. 10
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW The availabllity of funding In the charity sector remalns difficult in a period of austerity and Inflallon. We have concenlraled on dglivering a cost-effedive sep4ice that genuinely meets the needs of our cllenls. li remains challenging prospect to meet the dient demand for our seniices with significantly reduced funding resources. In the 2025 ftnanclal year, the charlty had a net surplus of £10,105 (2024: nei def5cit £8,492) from a total ina)me of £251,109 (2024.. £238,227). Tot81 operating expenditure for Ihe year on charitable activf(ies was £241,004 comprises £233,785 ordinary costs and £7.219 exceptional costs <2024.. £246.719 comprising £247,167 ordinary costs less £448 exceptional reduction in costs). We have separately disclosed net exceptional gains of £3,119 (2024.. net gain of £448) and further detail is provlded below and in Note 8. Our results benefited from additional funding from Chamwood Borough Council for Money Advices services and from funding brought fOThval from 2024 relating to Cost of Living matters. These allowed us to spread our fixed sts over a wider series of activities. We had three (2024,.2) exceptional items this financi81 year. These are described below.. (a) We have benefited from a reduction in the defined benefrt pension scheme deficit funding obligation and in view of its significance thls amounts are shown as an exceptional item of £837 (2024: £4,756). This arose as the defirit now excludes administration costs and reflects continuing employer contributions to fund the defictt. We will continue to be liable for future administrative costs which will be expensed when they are charged by the penslon scherne: Ib) Following the reduction in operating space last year, and the finalisation of the re-decorating of th6 vacated space, £2,740 of the provision was release(I to the Statement of Financial Activities. The expenditure incuffed is included in the movemenis on the provision in Note 15and; (c) During the year applled for, and receFved 8 grant of £10,338 to upgrade computers to Windows 11, The costs slightly increased between application and expenditure and sUlted a net cost of £458. In 2022 we noted that there had been an error in the deduction of PAYE. We reported Ihat we communicated in detail wlth HMRC and used their dlsclosure reporting. We have had no fonnal response from HMRC although we have received an indirect acknowledgement via our HMRC On-line account wlth a reduction in PAYE liabilrty. We used this reductlon and repaid amounts used to fund the additional liability. The on-line adjustment is encouraging but we have had no indicatlon as to how the adjustmems were calculat6d, so still awalt a formal response from HMRC. However glven the well publicised comments regar(ling HMRC communications we do not a response in the near future. At the year4nd the charity's totsl funds stand at £119,028 (2024: £108,921) of which £116,306 (2024: £107,249) is unrestricte(l and £2,720 (2024: £1,672) is restrfded. Principal Funding Sources The total income for the year of £251,109 represents a net IneaSe of £12.882 compared to 2024. This is mostly due to the one-off grant from Intelligent Energy for computer replacement together wth increased investment income relating to the investment of our reserves. Details of the various projects and the related income arè included in Notes 5 and 17 to the financial Slatements. The TNstees extend their slncere gratilude lo Leicestershire county Council, Chamwood Borough Council and Shepshed Town Council who all continue to support the key (core) operating capacity of the charily and provide certain proje(X fundlng. Details of Income and the provlders are dlsclosed in Notes 4 to 7 of the financial statemenls. Investment Policy As required In its Memorandum, paragraph 4.15, in furtherance of it5 objects, and for no other purposes, the Company has the power to invest or deposit funds in any lawful manner (having regard to the suitabillty of inve*ments and the need for dlversification). The Company Invests surplus funds in a local building soclety deposit account and we are using our bank deposit accounts. 11
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT ForThe Year Ended 31 March 2025 Pension 8cheme8 Detalts of the pension schemes are disclosed in Note 16 to the financlal statements. Current employees 8re members of a defined contribution scheme operated by The Pensions Trust. A number of forrner employees were members of multi-employer defined benefit schemes, ljolh of which are dosed to new members and furiher accrual of service. These dosed schemes have resulted pension deficits and the charity has obligations to fund its apportioned Sha of the deficiis. The defi(4t funding payments in 2024 were £4,916 (2024: £4,916) a year. The triennial actuarial valuation of these furKJs to September 2023 has been completed and has resulled in no Significant increase in the levels of deficit. One fund has followed the Pension Regulator funding requirements and now includes administration expenses in the deficit, however without it the fund would have been in surplus. We are liable for administration expenses for the schemes. The other fund will follow the Penston Regulator funding requirements at the next valuation. The different approaches are purely down io the timing of the finalisation of Ihe individual scheme valuation. Details are induded in Note 16. Reserves Policy Chamwood Citizens Advice is requir¢d to ensure that free monies are av811able in each financial year to meet any reasonable foreseeable contingency. The Trustees revlew their reseryes policy on an 8nnual basis. The policy is ihat the Company should retain suffictent reserves to cover between 3 and 6 months of core required operatlng costs plus amounts to cover staff r&Jundancy pay (assuming thls is payable on the last day of the Current financial year). As of 31 March 2025. the reseD/es necessary to meet the pollcy were re-evaluated as belng between £93,000 to £149.000 Including £38,440 for redundancy (2024.. £90,800 to £146,800 including £35.000 for redundancy). The unrestrfcted reserves available were £116,324 (2024: £108,098) exdudSng the penslon liability, The reser*/es policy level is calculated using running costs based on the cutrenl annual budget. updated where necessary, for significant changes in forecasts for the outtum for the year. Going Concern Company law and Accounting Standards requlre the Trustees to consider the approprlateness of the golng concern basis when preparing the financial staternents. Having done so. the Trustees have a reasonable expectation Ihat the company has adequale resources to Gontinue in oper8tlonal existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason. they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing Ihe financial statements. THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 The operational impad of the Covid-19 pandemic is now past alihough it has signifiGantly influenced our operating siructure and also our mirKI-set regarding health and safety. Operations During this financial year the situation stabilised and has retumed to a new nomiality. Our Loughborough office has been open all year for basic administration and management of the helpline. We have re-introduced some f8ce-to-face appointments for clients who cannot access our telephone seNice or whose enquiry is complex and cannth be dealt with efficiently or effectively over the telephone. An operational revlew was conducted during the year In an attempt io predlct future demands on our seprflces and evaluate Our premises. We identffied that we occupy more space Ihan we will need the new way of working. As consequence of thls and also a significant increase in rent and servlce charge demanded by our landlo1, Chamwood Borough Council, we have 'downsized' the space we are operating from. 12
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Operations (continued) Whilst drficult to fully evaluate we estimate that 80% of our dients can be descrited as vulnerable: disabllitles, health problems, leaming difflcutties, poverty, lack of financial capabillty, dlgital exdusion and language barriets. Accessing our seNices via phone and altemate access via web-chat and email a more difficult Gompared lo our face-to-face model. We are actively working io extend the accessibllny of our serrfices for these groups. Finances Covid 19 financing has now disappeared. However in the last 2 years the Cost of Living crisis has impacted and we have received funding from Chamwood Borough Council a1 national Cltlzens Advice to fund for Cost of Llving advice seNices to clients and also funding fmm Leicestershire County Council for debt advice work. This funding has now been completed Overall the charlty has maintained its financlal resources. The cost-of-llving crlsis does not only affect indivKluais and we have incurred additional staff and energy costs. FUTURE PLANS The Twstees. prlnGIp81 objective remains the preseNation of the prfmary fundion of the Bureau, which is to provlde an advlce SeiCe free to those who use It and one provided mostly by volunteer advise. The Trustees, fitst priority is to ensure the long-temi sustainability of the Bureau and its abllity to meet thts objective In the light of reduced funding. Nevertheless, specialist advlce and casework bring range and depth to our advlce work that is immensely valuable to our clients and increasingly important to the communty. staff and Trustees will be seeking new sources of funding both to replace those sources thai have now finlshed and if opportunttles arlse to open new channels to ensure that we conllnue to provide as wide a seNi¢e as possible to the greatest posslble number of dienls. CONCLUSION 2024-2025 was another dlfficutt year operationally and financially due lo the Cost of Living crisls, which affeded us as well as our clients. These resulted In us downsizing our operating footprint and sadly not belng able to pay our staff an inflation matching pay rise. Our slaff and volunteers have been remable in their flexlbility in dealing with these changes and pressures. They have adapted policies and procedures to ensure ihat work can continue with the safety of staff, voluntee and clients pararnount. They have continued to have the welfare and Interests of clients at the core of their work during this difficult year. The Trustees wish to place on record their thanks and great appreciation to all for their efforts over the last year. The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charfty on 30 October 2025, and signed on its behalf by: Michael Higgs Treasurer 13
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, AND DIRECTORS, REPORT For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. (AND DIRECTORS,) RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also the dlredors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for weparing the Annual Report and the financlal statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company and chaiity law requires the tNstees and directors to prepare financtal statements for each financial year. Under those laws, the trustees have elected to prepare the fin8ndal statements In accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Pradice (Ljnited Kingdom Accounting Standards and appllcable law). Company law requires that the trustees prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the Incoming resources and appiicatlon of resources of the company for that period. In preparing these financial ststements, the trustees a required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. make Judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and d. prepare the financial statements on the golng concern basis unless It Is Inappropriate to presume that the charlt£ble company wlll contlnue In business. The tNstees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the cory)orate and financlal infomiation included on the company's website. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable eps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregularities. In preparing thls report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small company's exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2008. Approved by the trustees of the chartty on 30 Oclober 2025, and signed on its behalf by., Michael Higgs Trustee (Honorary Treasurer) 14
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT To the Trustees of Chamwood Citizens Advice Bureau Compan Number 4984410 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 16 to 34. Respective responsibilitles of irustees and examiner The charfty trustees (who a also the directors of the company for the purwses of company law) are responsible for Ihe Fxeparation of the accounts. The Gharity twstees consider that an audit is not requlred for this year uThJer section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Ac*) and that an independent ex8mination is needed. Having saiisfled myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and is eligible for independent examination, it is my Trsponsibility to: examine the accounts under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act. follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{5){b) of the 2011 Act" and state whether particular matters have come io my attention. Basls of independent examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General DI¢tIonS given by the Charity Commission. An examination Includes a review of the accountlng recoftls kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those recoKls. It also includes consideration of any unusual iiems or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evklence that would be requlred in an audit, and consequently no oplnion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinefs SLitsment In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. 1. which gives me reasonable cause to belleve that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accorfance with section 386 of the Companles Act 2006", and to prepare accounts whith accord wilh the accounting recortls, comply with the accounting requirements of section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and wilh the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met. or 1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn In 0er to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to I reached. Helen Harrison 10 November 2025 Helen Harrison FMAAT CBS (Accounting) Limited Qak Business Centre 79.93 Ratcllffe Road Sileby LOUGHBOROUGH LE12 7PU 15
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Including income and expenditure account For the year ended 31 March 2025 Note Unrestrfctsd Restrtcted Funds Funds Total 2025 Unrestr1cted Funds RestAcled Funds Total 2024 Income from: Donatlons & gtfts Chaiitable aciivities Grants Charltable activlties Exceptional grant income Investment income Other 6,530 61,530 5,530 231.260 5,836 62,754 169,730 168,205 230,959 10,338 10,338 3,933 48 3,933 48 1,497 135 1,497 135 Totsl Income 71,041 180,068 251,109 70,022 168,205 238,227 Expendlture on: Chartt8ble a(Xlvltles (62,332) (171,453) (233,7851 (61,379) (185,788) (247,167) 10,11 Total expendlture 162,332) (171,453) {233,785) (61,379) (185,788) {247,167) Net Income I lexpenditure) before ex¢eptfonal charges Exceptlonal charges (net) 8,709 8,615 17,324 8,643 (17.583) (8.940) 3,577 (10,796) 17,2191 448 448 Nth Income for the year 12,286 (2,181) 10,106 9.091 (17,583) (8,492) Transfers belvMen funds 13,229) 3,229 (10,712) 10,712 Net movement in fundg for the year Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 9,057 1,048 10,105 (1,621) (6,871) (8,492) 407,249 1.672 108,921 108.870 8.543 117,413 Totsl funds forward carried 17a 116,306 2.720 119,026 107,249 1,672 108,921 The statement of financial 8Ctrvities includes all galns aNI losses in the year. All income and expenditure defive from continuing actfvtties. The notes on pages 18 to 34 fom part of these financial statements. 16
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU BALANCE SHEET As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 13 20 11,961 148,223 13,265 163,871 160,184 177,136 ua"llties Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 14 116,650) (38,570) <16,650) (38,570) Net current assets 143,534 138,566 Creditors. amounts falling due after more Ihan one year Provision for liabllities 15 (24.600) {28,800) Net assets before defined benefft penslon liability 119,034 109,766 Defined benefit pension funding liability 16 {81 (845) Totsi net assets 119,026 108.921 Funds ofthe charty Unrestiicted & Designated funds before pension reseNe Pension reseNe Unrestrictod and Deslgnated funds 17 116,314 108,096 (8) (845) 116,306 107,249 Restricted funds 17 2,720 1,672 Total charlty funds 119.026 108,921 These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicabie to small companies within Part 15 of the CompanEes Act 2006. For the financial year ended 31 March 2025, the chaiity was entitled to exemption from audit under sedion 477 of Ihe Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not reqUId the charity to otlain an audit of ts accounls for the year in question in accoKlance with section 476 of Ihe Companies Act 2008. The direciors acknowledge Iheir responsibilltles for complylng wlth the requirements of the Act wlth resped to 8coJuntifYJ recoKls and the preparation of finandal statements. The finandal statements on pages 1610 34 were approved by the trustees on 30 October 2025, and signed on thelr beh81f by: Ni,,Lool¥ Michael HwJgs Tnjslee 17
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 General Infomiation Chamwood Cltizens Advice is a charity con*ltuted as a company and limited by guarantee. The chariiy 13 reglstered in England and its prfncipal address is Woodgate Chambers, 70 Woodgate, Loughborough, Lelcs, LE12 7PU. The members of the company are the directors and in the event of the charity being wound up, the liabilfty in respect of the guaraee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. Accounting Policles The prlncipal accounting policies adopted in Ihe preparation of these financial aatements are set out below. These pollcies have been consistently applied lo all the years presented, unless otheThvise slated. la) Basls of preparatlon The charity meets the definltion of a wtdic benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financlal statements have been prepared in accordance wlth Accounting and Reporting by Chathles: St8temenl of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting standa applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Flnanclal Reporting standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic Of Ireland (FRS 102). They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charfties Act 2011. The financial statements are prepared on a going concem basis under the historic cost convention. The financial sternents are prepared In sterling and munded to the nearest pound. The preparation of financial statements qUireS the use of certain crftical accountlng estimates and also requires the trustees lo exerclse judgement in applying the accountlng policles. Artual outcomes in the future could differ from the estimates established when preparing the financial statements. The areas involving significant estimate or judgement are disclosed in Note 3. The charity has availed itself of Paragraph 4{1) of Schedule 1 of the Small Companies and Groups (Accounts and Directors, Reports) Regulations 2008 and adapted the format of the financial statements to refiect the speclal nature of the charity's activiiies. As the charlty Is a small company, It has taken advantage of FRS 102.7.1 B to not present 8 cash flow statement. (b) Financial Instruments The Charity only has finanrial aSSS and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financlal instruments under FRS 102. Baslc financlal instruments are initially recognised at transaction value, and subsequent measured at the present value of future cash flows (amortised cost). Flnanaal assets held at amortised cost comprise CAsh al bank and in hand and debtors excluding prepayments. Flnandal Ilabilities held 8t amortised cost comprise creditors excluding defeed income and taxation payable. Flnandal liabilltles that are provisions are held at fair value. (c) Fund accountlng General funds are unrestrlcted funds which are available for use at the dISction of the trustees In furtherance of the general objectlves of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds eannarked by the trustees for particular purposes. Restrlcted funds are funds whlch are to be used in accordance with specific restrictlons imposed by donots or whlch have been raised by the company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administeiing such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in Ihe notes to the financial statements. 18
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year endèd 31 March 2025 Accounting Pollcies (conllnued) (d) Income Income is recognised In the Statement of Financial Activlties when a transaction or ofiher event results in 8n increase in the charity's assets or a r&Juction in the chaiity's liabilities, Recognition does not occjjr until all of the following Criteria S met: Control over the rights or other access to the economic benefft has passed to the charfty It is more likely than not that the economic benefits associated with the transaction or gift wlll flow IO the charity The monetsry value or amount of the Income can be measured reliably and the costs incurred for the transaction gnd the costs to complete the transaction Can be measur1 reliabty Income is defeed only when the charity has to fulfil condrtions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future Friod. SpeCifallY incon is treated as follows." Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in full in the Statement of Finsnclal Activities when there is evldence of entitlement to the gfft, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. Donations under gift aid, together with the associated income tax recoverable are treated as income when the donations are received. In¢e from grants, where related to perfomiance and spec4fic deliverables, Is accounted for when it is probable that the income will be received and the amoum can be measured reliably. Where perfomiance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a lialilily and included on the balance sheet as deferred incorne. Grant5 for the purchase of ed assets are induded in incomlno resources when recelvable. The fLxed assets purchased are accounted for In accordance with the accountlng policy for ftxed assets and ffiere appropriate the cDst or deweciation is charged against the restricted fund arisSng. Donated seNices and facilities are included at Ihe value to the charity Whe this can be quantified and is material. The value of servIS provmjed by volunteers has not been included in these finandal statements, as the monetary value of the seNiGes received cannot be measured lIablY. (e) Interest recelvable Interest on funds held on deposit is induded when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company; this is nomially upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the relevant financial institution. (fj Expenditure Expendtture is recognised on an aG¢Nal basis as a liability is incuffed. Expendiiure includes any VAT that cannot be fully recovered, and is reFK)rted as part of the expenditure to which It relates. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings that aggregate similar costs to that rAtegory. Where costs cannot be direixly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on 8 basis consistent with Ihe use of resources, wlth central costs allocated on the basis of time spent. Chaiitable expenditure comprises Ihose costs Incuffed by Ihe thaiity in the delivery of Its aclivS1ies and seNlces for beneficiaries. The primary functional activity of the charity is the giving of free and confidential advi lo the publlc. Charftable expendlture includes cstS allocgted directly to such actlvities and those costs of an indirecl nature necessary to SUPFX)rt Ihern. 19
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 2 Accountlng Pollcles (contlnued) Support Costs includes Infomation technology costs and the costs of meetlng the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charfty, the independent review fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. (g) Exceptlonal Items The thaAty classlfies certain oneoff charges or credts that have a material effect on the financial sUlts as 'eXCeOnal iterns,. These are dlscjosed separately to provide further understanding of the financial results of the chaffty. (h) Deferred income Defeed Income tateS to rerfcted fuling received in advance bjt where the related expendlture can only take place in a future accounting pericNJ. (l) Operating leases Rental costs under operatino leases are charged in the stement of financial actlvrtles In equal amounls over the period of the leases. ti) Taxatlon The company is a registered charity and accordingly is exempt from taxation on income and galns where they are applied for charitable purposes. No prOvlon for taxation has therefore been made In these accounts. Ik) Tangible fixed assets and dopr•¢ialion All assets Costing more than £1,000 are Ggpilalised. The compary CuentlY has no assets that individually cosl more than the Ggpitalisable amount. Mi the company's assets are insured. (l) Debtors Trade and other debtorn are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid nei of any trade discounts due. (m) Cash at bank and in hand Cash 8t bank and in hand includes cash and short-temi hlghly liquid Investments with a short maturity of three monlhs or less from the date of acquisltion or opening of the deposit or similar account. (n) Creditors and provlsions Creditors and provisions are recognised where Ihe charity has a preseth obligatlon resulting from a past event Ihat will probably result in the transfer of funds to a thilll party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estlmated r611ably. Creditors are nomally recognlsed at their settlement amount after 8llowlng for any trade dISunt5 due. Provisions for future liablllties are recognlsed where the charty has a legal or constructive obllgation that can be liably estimated. Provisions are recognised at the present value of the expendltures expected to be required to seltle the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised in the statement of financial activlts'es. 20
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting Policies (conlinued) (o) Employee beneffts, including penslons and retirement benefrts lida A Ilabillty Is rec(h3nised for any unused holiday pay entitlemert that has accwed at the balance sheet date is canied forwaril lo future p8rijs. This is measured at the undiscounted salary cost of such entitlement. efined coniribution nslon lan The charity participates in a defined contribution pension plan. A defined (x)ntribution plan is 8 pension plan under whiGh the company pays fixed contiibutions into a separate entity. Once the contftbuiions have teen paid the company has no further payment obligalions. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not pakl are shown in accruals In the balance sheet. The assets of the plan a held separately from the Company and are independenlly administer&d. ItFern on an The charfty is a member of Iwo multi-employer pension plans. Where it is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient infonnation to enable it to account for the plan as a defined benefft plan, it accounts for the plan as a defined contribution plan. Where such a plan is in defiat and where the charity has committed to a fonnal deficit fvnding arrangement, the company recognlses a liabillty for the oNigatlon. The amount recognised Is the net preserrt value of the defic4t redudlon contributlons payable. The amounts charge(l in the Statement of Financial Activities represent the conlributions payable to the schemes plus or minus the change in the provision for future commltted coniribuiions. The unwlndlng of the discount element of the change in provlsion is recconlsed as a finance cost. Judgements and estlmate$ In the application of the charity's accounting policies the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumpllons about the rArrylng amount of assets and liabilities affeL* the application of the pollcies and thus the reported amounts. Ju ements The charity participates in two multi-employer defined benefit pension plans, The SGottish Voluntary Sector Pension Scheme and The Pensions TNst- The Grh Plan. In the judgement of the trustees, the charity ts unae to obtain sufflcient infoffnation on the plans to be ae to identify its share of the underfying assets and liatiliiies of the schemes on a consistent and reliable basis. Therefore. the schemes are accounted for as defined contribution plans, as required under FRS 102. Estlmates The following estimates have a risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities: (a) The value of the deficit in the multi-employer defined benefit pension plans is detemlned uslng an acluarial valuation. Thls includes making assumptions about asset valuatlons, dlscount rates, lffe expedancy and the strength of the employer covenant. The trustees have relipJJ on infonnation that has been pyovided by The Pensions TNst, Plan admlnistrators. These assumptions 8re subject to slgnlfic8nt uncertainty due to the length of the obligation. Further details are included in Note 16, (b) The charity has certain obligations under its property lease. The charity is required to evaluate the amounts expected lo be payable for property dilapidations and for the obligation to repalnt Ihe occupled area durlng the lease tetm. 21
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year endèd 31 March 2025 Donatlons Unrestrfcted Restricted Totsi 2025 Unrestricied Restrict&l Total 2024 Donations and gifts 5,530 6,530 5,636 5.636 Note that donatlons Include Gift AKI tax recovery where appropriate. Income from charltable activities Grant and contract Income receivable for charitable activities. Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestrfcied Restiicled. 2026 Total 2024 Chamwood Borough Coundl Core advice Money advice ' Homelessness Support" Additional money advlce Cosi of livlng support Intellk3ent Energy Le1ceSte1re County Council Core advice Debt advio proje National Citizens Advice Cost of livtng advice Energy advlce Debt Relief Orders Shepshed Town Coundl Syston & Distsid Volunteer Centre 61,630 61.530 25.17S 27&00 10.000 25,000 10,338 61,530 61,530 25,175 23,000 25,176 27.600 10,000 25,000 10,338 25,175 23,000 14,406 14,406 61,369 S1,359 48,220 12,143 48,220 12,143 15.000 20.650 111 15,000 20,650 111 9,500 1,224 20,765 441 9,500 20,756 441 1,224 Total income from charitable activlties 61 &30 180.068 241,598 62,754 168,205 230,959 .2024 comparab.ves have been r•dL¢ced by£60 for Chamwood Monoy Advlce and £51 for Chamwood Homgltsshetss SupkKJrtto $8parate out DRO poyments by N*iono1 CSttz•ns Athe. Investment income Unrestricted Restrlcted Total Unrestricled Restricted 2025 Total 2024 Interest receivable 3,933 1,497 1,497 ¢Jher Income Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestri(xed Restrided 2026 Total 2024 Sale of old equiFrfnent 48 135 135 22
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Exceptional Items The Trustees have identified the followiro as exceptional items and these are disclosed below: 2025 2024 (i) Movement in Penslon Deficit Funding Obligation Defictt contributlons pald UnwirKling of discount- finance cost Galn l (Loss) arising from amendment to conlrlbution schedule 847 12) (8) 4,916 (160) Gain arfsing 837 4,756 (li) Computer Purchas88 Income- Grant for Computers uIpMent Expenditure- Purchase of computer equlpment 10,338 (10,796) Net comptrter purchase expenditure 1458) (Ill) Release of property Provlslon See Note 15 2,740 (iv) Relocation Costs Telecommunications equlpment relocation (4,308) Totsi net exceptional gain after losses 3,119 448 Dlsdosed in the Statement of Financial Adlvltles as: Exceptlonal Income Exceptional Charges (net) . 10,338 (7,219) 448 Totsl net exceptional gn after losses 3,119 448 Note that in both 2025 and 2024 excepts'onal Charge5 are net of releases of provisions and other accrued costs. (i) The Trustees are unable to Identify the pension liabillty arising from memberyJhip of the Multi-emoYer schemes (see Note 16). The Trustees have conduded thal the change in the pension deficit funding obligatlons arising from the penslon scheme actuarial valuations are of such significance that they should be considered an exceptional tiem. Administration charges are charged to the Statement of Funds Account on an Incurred basls. (Il) Many of the Company's computers were old and were being rendered obsolete as they could not be updated to Windows 11, An application was successful with local company. Intelligent Energy. and a grant awarded for replacement equipment and software. This was all spent in the year with some price Increases resulting in 8 net cost. None of the equlpment was In excess of the £1,000 capltallsation threshold and all costs were expensed. (iii) Following the expenditure on painting (see Note 15>, the provision was reviewed and the above amount released to the Statement of Financi81 Aclivities. (w) At the end of the 2023-2024 financlal ye8r it was decided lo reduce the operatlng footprlnt and part of the property used was vacated as a new lease was finalised with our landlord (Chamwood Borough Council). This involved relocatlng certain telecoms equlpment and reducing the operating spaGe used. 23
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Net incoming resources for the year 2025 2024 Thls is stated after charglng: Operating leases- land and buildings Operating leases - other (photocopier) Independent Examlners, remuneraiion., Independent Examin8tion fee Overprovision of prior year Independent Examination fee - other seNices (accountanc advice and roll servicEs 22,627 474 17,478 2,400 (1,550) 1,662 2.400 (1.625) 10 Twsto08 Durlng the year no remuneration or benefits for seDAces as a directorftrustee 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 (2024.. None) Trustee Indemnity insurance is in place. 11 Employees 2025 Full Tlme Equlvalent 2025 2024 Head Full Tlmo Count Equlvalent 2024 Head Count The awrage number of paid employees analysed by fundion: Advlce Worke and support staff Key management personnel 4.0 Total 2025 2024 Employment costs Wages and salaries Soclal security costs Other benefts- chlldcare vouchers Pension costs- defined contribution schemes Other pension costs- defined benefit schemes - SVSPS (see note 16a) Other pension costs- defined benefrt schemes - Growth Plan (see note 18b) 149,048 5,682 1,050 6,755 843 157,889 7,042 270 7,142 4,911 163,382 177,259 No employee received remuneration amountlng to more th8n £60,000 in the perichl {2024'. None). The key management personnel of the charity comprlse the Twstees, the Chlef Officer and the Deputy Chlef Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £67,538 {2024: £65,829). 12 Fixed Assetg The charlty has no red assets recognlsed in accordance with its accounting policy. The charity has insured Its fixlures and frttings for £121,248 (2024.. £121.248)
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 13 Debtors 2025 2024 Trade debtors Prepayments Accrued Income Ckher debtors. 1.706 8,106 2,149 2,399 8,717 2,149 11,961 13265 "Induded in Other debtors Is £2.149 (2024.. £2.149) recoverable from employees should they receive income tax refunds relating to the overpayment of PAYE or is to be offset against the potential amount payable to the payroll bureau. In 2025 £nil (2024: £nil) was recovered from HMRC by way of credit against PAYE and Nl payroll Ilabilitles. 14 Creditors: amounts falling due wtthin one year 2025 2024 Trade crediiors Taxatlon and social securEty costs Defeffed income Accruals other creditors. Pension contrfbutions 4,631 2,528 10.000 18.783 2,149 479 2.071 12,358 2,149 72 16,660 38,570 'Included in Other creditors is £2,149 (2024". £2,149) payable to the payroll bureau should emoYeeS receive income tax refunds relating to the overpayment of PAYE or amounts relating to the issue offset ainst amounts due to HMRC. In 2025 £nil (2024: £nil) was recovered from HMRC by way of credit against PAYE and Nl payroll lialilIes. 15 Provision for liabilities The charity has the following provision, in addition to the pension obligations in Note 16 below. Property Balance at 1 Ap1 2024 siatement of financlal activities impact: Charge for the year Expenditure Released to Statement of Financial Actlvltles ~ exceptlonal item (Nots 8) 28,800 2,700 (4,260) (2,740) Balance at 31 March 2025 24,500 Under the temis of its prevtous lease with Chamwood Borough Council the charity had the obligation to repaint the interior areas of the property that it occupies in the 5 year of the lease and in the last SEX months of the lease, the temts Q)ntinued into the tenancy-at-will, which expired at the end of March 2024. A similar pmvisioi) is included in Ihe new lease. The amount provided represents the time apportioned provision for Ihe tal costs expected to t payable. 25
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 16 Pensions- Defined benefrt pension Bcheme liabilty & Defined contribution scheme The company particlpates In a number of pension schemes for employees Induding a defined contrfbutlon scheme and two multi employer schemes. Details of the deficit funding obligations are delailed below, and outstanding contributions are induded in Note 14. (a) Defined benofltponslon scheme Ilablllty- hluldemployerschemes Pension deficit funding- SCVS Pension defKat funding - TPT Growih Plan 3 (11> Total Note (see below) Balance at 1 AFKII 2024 Deficll contrlbullons paid statement of financial aciivit*s impact: Unwinding of discount (interest expense) Remeasurements - impact of any change In assumptions Remeasurements - amendments to the Gontrlbution schedule 841 1843) (4) 184n Balance at 31 March 2025 (i) Muftl-employer (defined benefft) s¢heme - Scottlsh Voluntary Sector Penslon Scheme The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme that provides benefits to some 77 (2024: 82) non-associated employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. Et is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient infonnatlon to enable It to account for the scheme as a defined benefrt scheme. Therefore, it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme. The scheme is subject to the funding leglslatlon outllned In the Pensions Act 2004 that came Into force on 30 December 2005. This, together wilh documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Aduarial Standarlls issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefrt occupatlonal penslon schemes in the U The scheme Ss classlfied as a 'last-man standing affaeMent,. ThefOre the company is potentially Ilable for other participating emFrtoyers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employe are legally required to rneet their share of the scheme defictt on an annully purchase bssis on withdrawal from the scheme. A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2023. This actuarial valuation was certrfied on 27 June 2024 and showed a&sets of £86.2m, liabilities of £88.2m and a deficit of £2.0m. Deficlt contributlons From 1 June 2024 the majority of employers no longer pay deflcit contributions. Some employers have agreed concessions (toth p8St and present) with the Twstee 8nd have contributions payable up to 28 Febmary 2034.The Company is not one of those employers. The scheme's prevlous actuarial valuation w8s canied out with an effective date of 30 September 2020.This actuarial valuation was certrfied on 21 December 2021 and showed assets of £153.3 mlllion,1Sabilities of £160.0 million and a deficit of £6.7 million. To ellmlnate this fundlng shortfall, the irustees and the participating employets have agreed that addltlonal contributlons will be paid, in comlxnatlon from all employers, lo the scheme as follows: 26
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 16 Pensions- Defined benefit pension $¢heme liability & Defined contribution scheme (continued) (a) Deflned benefftpenslon scheme Ilablllty- Muftlemployer schemes (contsnuedj Multl-employer(defmed beneflt) scheme - Scottsh Voluntary Sector Penslon Scheme (contlnuèd) Based on 30 September 202Q valuation From 1 April 2022 to 31 May 2024: £1.473.969 per annum (payable monthty and increasing by 3% each year on 1 April) The fecovery plan contributions are allocated to each partlcipallng employer in Ilne with their estimated share of the scheme Ilabilities. Where the scheme Is in defictt and where the company has agreed to a deficil fundlng arrangement, the company recconises a liabiSity for thls oblig£tion (see above). The amount recognised is ihe net present value of the deficit reductlon contribLJtions payable under the agreement th relates to Ihe deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed below. 2026 % per annum 2024 % per annum Rate of discount 4.98 4.90 The discount rates sho*m above are the equivalent single discount re5 which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results a5 usirKJ a full AA corporate bond yield CUNe to discount the same recovery plan contributions. The deficit contributions agreed between the company and the scheme at each year-end period 8re: 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Year Year 1- 31 March 2025 (31 March 2024) Year 2 843 Year 3 Gross amount payable Effect of discounting (2) Amount provided ai year end 841 27
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 16 Penslons - Defined benefit pension scheme liability & Defined contribution scheme (continued) (a) Defined benefitpension scheme Ilablllty- Mulliemployerschemes (contlnu (14 MulU4mployer (defined benefrt) scheme- Tpf Retlrement Solutlons- The Gmwth Plan 3 The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme that provides benefrts to some 521 (2024.'638) non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefrt scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient infoiThation to enable It to account for the scheme as a defined benefrt scheme. The company accounts for Ihe scheme as a defined Cothribution scheme. The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 that Game into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents Issued by the Pensions Regulalor and Technlcal A(Xuarial Stsndar(Is issued by the Financial Repo"ng Council, set out the framework for funding defined tenefrt occupational penslon schemes in the UK The scheme is classified as a 'lasi-man standing arr8TrJement'. The company is potenlially liable for other partlcipating employers, obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scherne deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficil on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme. A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. Thls valuatlon showed assets of £514.9 million, liabilities of £531.0 million and a deficit of £16.1 million. The liabilities include a future expenses reseple of £18.8 mlllion. The induslon of the expenses reserve follows ihe Pension Regulators new Funding requirements. The intention is to build the reseNes over the recovery period so that it can be used to cover expenses after Ihat period, The recovery period is 4 Yea and 6 months from the valuation date. The scheme's prevlous valuation was carried out with an effectlve date of 30 September 2020. This valuaiion showed assets of £800.3 million, liabilities of £831.9 mlllion and a deficit of £31.6 million (prevlously £131.5m). This did not Indude any provision for expenses. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the partiCiP8ting employets to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: Total deficit contrlbutlons (based on 30 September2023 valuatlon) From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2025 £2,11XI,000 per annum (payable monthly) Unless a concession has been agreed wtih the Trustee the temi to 31 March 2028 applies. Tot81 deficit contributions (based on 30 September 2020 valuation) From l April 2019 to 31 J•nuary2025 £3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly) The ¢0very plan contrfbutions 8Te allocated to each partlclpatlng emFloyer In line wlth thelr estimated share of Ihe Series1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities. 28
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU YOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 16 Pensions - Defined benefit pension scheme liabllity & Defined contribution scheme (Continued) (a) Defined benerrtpenslon scheme liablllty- Multiemployerschemes (contsnuedj Mulliomployer (defined benefit) s¢heme- TPT Retirement s10n$- Tre Gmwth Plan 3 4here the scheme is in deficFt and where the company has agreed to a deficit fundino arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation (see above). The amount recognised is Ihe net present value of the defictt reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculaied using the discount rate detailed below: 31 March 2025 % pèr onnum 31 March 2024 h per annum Rate of discount 4.84 5.31 The discount r8tes shown above are the equlvalenl single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using 8 full AA corporate bond yield curve lo discount the same recovery plan contributions. The defiiit contributions agreed between the company and the scheme. payable until January 2025. have a gross total value of £9 (2024: £4) and a net total after dISUntIng of £8 {2024: £4). (b) Defined contslbutlon scheme ErnoYeeS who are members of a company penslon scheme are in a defined contributlon scheme, either The Pensions Trust - Growth Plan series 4 or The Pensions Trust Ethical Plan. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the company In Independently adminlstered funds managed by The Pensions Trust. The pension cosl chae for the year represents contributions payable by the charltable company to the fund and amounted to £6,755 (2024: £7,142). 29
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 17 Movement in Funds 17a Current year Balance at31 March 2024 Income Expenditure Transfer between funds Balance at31 March 2025 Unrestricted funds 1 General Funds 2 Pension Fund 76.094 (845) 71,041 (58,755) 15,934 837 104,314 (8) Total General funds 75,249 71,041 {58,756) 16,771 104,306 3 Designated fund - Equipment 32,000 (20,000) 12.000 4 Total Unrestricted funds 107,249 71,041 (58,755 (3,230) 116,306 Restricted funds Chamwood Borough Council Advice (a) Chamwood Borough Council Llvlng (b) Chamwood Borough Homelessness Preventlon (c) Citizens Advice- Energy Advice (d) Cftizens Advice- DRO rebate (e} Intelligent Energy- Computer Grant (Q Leicestershire County Council - Core Advice (g) Leicestershi County Councll - Signposting and Community Support (h) Shepshed Town Council - Outreach (i) Money 55 36,175 (36,708) 1,478 Cosi of 26,000 (22,280) 2.720 Council 27,500 127,762) 262 20.755 441 10,338 51,359 (20,165) (590) (441) 468 1,573 (10,796) (54,541) 1,809 9,$00 (9,997) 497 Total Restrictsd funds 1,672 180.068 (182,249) 3,229 2.720 Total funds 108,921 251.109 (241,004) 119.026 rangfers betwéen funds represenl lundlng of deTlt8 on restrkted furmls or release of Surplu In accordance wf(h the relevart fLmdlng agrnemènt. Fund Descriptions 1 General Funds These are the accumulated unrestricted funds of the charity. 2 Pension Fund The pension reserve represents the discounted liability of the committed contributions to the mulii-employer pension schemes. 3 Designated Fund- Equipment The Trustees resolved to establish a deslgnated fund to bulld a reseNe to fund the ongolng replacement of IT equiptnent that has been expensed, rather than capitali5ed and deprecialed. The grant this year has reduced the need and an amount has been released to General Funds. 4 Unreslrictsd fund8 These funds are explalned In further detail after Note 17(b) 30
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 17 Movement in Funds (continued) 17b Prior year Balance at 31 March 2023 Income Expenditure Transfer between funds Balance at 31 March 2024 Unrestricted funds 1 General Funds 2 Pension Fund 90,471 (5,601) 70,022 (60.931) (23,488) 4,756 76.094 (845) Total Gera1 funds 84.870 70,022 (60,931) (18,712) 75,249 3 Designated fund - Equipment 24,000 8.000 32.000 4 Total Unr•stricted funds 108.870 70,022 (60,931 > (10,712) 107,249 Restricted funds Chamwood Borough Council Money Advice (a) Chamwood Borough CoL5ncll - Cost of Living (b) Chamwood Borough Council Homelessness Preventlon (c) Ciiizens Advice - Energy Advlce (d) Cftizens Advice- Cost of Living advice 3,634 25,235 (28,814) 55 14.406 (18,892) 4,486 1,377 23,051 (27,488) 3,060 20,650 15,000 (17,719) {14,617) (2,931) (383) fj) Le1Cestehire County Council - Core Advice (fj Leicestershire County council - Signposting and Community Support (h) Leicestershire County Council Debt Advice (k) Shepshed Town Council - Outreach 3,523 48,220 (50,134) 1,609 12,143 (13.457) 1.314 9.500 (14,667) 5,186 Total Restrictsd funds 8.543 168,205 (185,788) 10.712 1.672 T¢al funds 117,413 238,227 (246,719) 108.921 Translers bsfvmén funds represgnt fundlng of deflcKs on reslrtded funds or release of surF4usps In accordanoe wlth tho rele¥art funding a9r¢ement. 31
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 17 Movement in Funds (continued) Fund Descrlptlons 4 Restrictsd Funds 2024 & 2025 Funds- funds o ratin in both financial (a) Charnwood Bomigh Councll- MoneyAdvlce Thls funding from the Bor0h Council is outreach funding to enable the charity to provide debt a(fvice at our offS. This servlce is provided by paid specialist a(fvisers. Additional funding was received this year for addtlional service to residents. (a) Charnwood Borough Council- Cost of Lfvlng This short lemi funding was for a staff member to assist dients with issues arising as a result of the Cost of Llving crisis. (b) Charnwvod Borough Council- Homelessn$ Preventlon This project. funded through Chamvod Borough Council is to assist clients in debt and prevent homelessness in the borough. Specl81ist, paid, advisers deliver thls servlce. (c) Cftlzens Advl¢e- Energy Advice This funding, through national Citizens Advice is to provide dients with energy adviGe, especially to those clients In fuel poverty. (d) Cmzens Advlce- DebtRelief Orders rebate This funding from national Citi'zens Advice is a rebate based on Debt Relief Orders processed. We have no control over the amounts, tlming or basis Of thls rebate. (e) Intelllgent Energy- Computergrant We applied for, and received, a grant to replace a number of computers that were unable to upgrade to Wlndows 11. This is a one-off grant and has been spent. (Q Lel¢estershlre County Counol- Core Advlce Thts funding from Leicestershire County Council is to support Ihe chaiity's core generali* athice seNice. (a) Leicestershlre County Council- Slgnpostlng and Community Support Serylce This funding is to provide for additional casework to ¢[nts wilh debt issues who may be in a crisis sltuatlon. This project has completed. There y5 a small balanGe transferred to LCC Core Adv+. (b) Shepshed Town CouncAI- Outreach This funding from Shep5hed Town Council is continuing funding for the Shepshed outreach. which operates twice a week. This fundlThJ supports a paid generalist adviser. 2024 onl Funds- funds dosed in the last financial ear (a) citlzens Advlce- Cost of Llvlng advlce This funding from national Cilizens Advice was to provide clients vlth assistanGe during the cost of living crisis ancl was a one-off grant. (b) Lelcestershlre County Council- DebtAdvlce This funding is lo support an additional debt adviser for a year. 32
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 18 Analysls of net assets between funds Unrestricted Restrlcted Total 2025 Unrestricted Restiicled Total 2024 Fund balances at 31 March are represented by: Tangible fed assets Net current assets 116,306 2,720 119.206 107,249 1,672 108,921 Total 116,306 2.720 119,206 107,249 1,672 108,921 19 Commitments under operating leases As at 31 March, the company had total commitments under nOn-ncelIable operatlng leases as follows: Property 2025 Other 2025 2024 2024 thin one year Between two and five years After five years The property lease is subject to a 6 month notice of cancellation by either party. 11,264 11,264 297 593 20 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2025 2024 Cash at bank Cash on deposit 8t Buildlng Soaety Petty cash 59,877 88,289 S7 78,833 85,000 38 Total cash and cash equivalents 148,223 1e3,871 21 Financial Instruments At the balance sheet dale the Chaiity held the following financial instrumerts: 2025 2024 Flnancial assets measured at amortised cost Trade debtors, Accrued income and Other Debtors Cash at bank, building society in haThl 10,255 148,223 10,866 163,871 158,478 174,737 Financial liabilities at amortised cost Credilors Accruals Other Creditors 4.630 19.265 2,149 12,433 2,149 14,582 Flnaneial liabilities at falr value through income or expendlture Provislons 24,500 29,645 33
CHARNWOOD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 21 Flnanclal Instruments (Gontinued) Income, expense, gains and losses in respect of these financial instruments were: 2025 2024 Income Expense Gainsl (losses) Income Expense Gainsl Oosses) Financial assets at amortised cost InteTr on cash balances Financial liabilities at fair value through income or expenditure Decrease (Increase) in property provisions 3.933 1,497 2,740 (2.700) 3,600 22 Related Parties None (2024: M Higgs, a Truee purchased an Item of used office equlrment for £15.) The company is a mernber of The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau (NACAB) to which it pays membership fees and fees for other services and, fmm which, the company receives grants for specific funding of projects. NACAB Is not a related party in tellns of FRS 102. 23 Contingent Ilabllitles The company Is a member of two 'last man standing, multi-employer defined benefit schemes. Detalls of these schemes are disclosed in Note 16. If the ¢ompany decided to buy-out its liabilities in respect of the pension obligations the Ilability has been estimated al 30 seeMber 2024 Qhe latest available date) at £69.306 (2024: £70,087: 30 September 2023) for the SVSPS and £1,943 (2023.. £1,773) for the Grovrth scheme. Additlonally the company will be liable for penslon administration costs incurred (See Nole 17 for details of the current annual costs). The pension schemes, Trustee has carried out a revlew comparing the benefits provided with the requiremerrts of the Scherne documentaiion. Legal advlce received stated that there Is sufflcient uncertainty regardlng ihe effect of some benefit changes that the Court should be asked to provide clarity to provide the Trustee with the certainty it needs to property administer the Scheme. Should the Court decide Ihat the historic benefrt changes should be applied differently, then some rnember benefbts Yuld need to be increased, which would increase the value placed on Scheme liabilities. Court proceedings were completed by the end of March 2025 and a judgement expected in the third quarter of 2025. At this stage it is not possible lo estimate the impaci of the outcome on either of the 2 Schemes where the Company is a member and therefore the effect on the Company itself. 24 Controlling Parties The Trustees control the charity as a body. No individual exercises overall control. During 202&24 financial year as the number of Trustees at the beginning of the year was below 4 the remaining trustees were considered persons of significant control and were reported accordingly to Companies House. This situation was cleared on 23 August 2023 when a fourth trustee was appointed and subsequent appointments and resignation5 have not affected the pOtIon. 26 Post Balance sheet events There are no signlficant adjusting post balance sheet events. 34