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 regi*ered 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 M￿muM of fifteen trustees. The trustees meet bl- monthly wlth additional meetings for the sU￿COmmittee$ 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 v￿re. Dawn Beaumont Christopher Finlay (Chalr) Michael Higgs (Hon T￿asUrer} 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-ordin￿ed 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 On￿oing 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 I￿￿tee5. 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 ag￿ementS. Organisallon Structure Chamwood Crtizens Ad￿ce 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 Se￿1￿ 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) com￿lse 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 L*coming 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 add￿sS 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 ret1￿ment 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 InfOnn￿1on 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 MeMbe￿h[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 ad￿ce 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 co￿lnue 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- ThU￿daY 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 maximIs￿n9 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 & C￿MUnitY care GVA & Hate Crimè Employment Educatlon Debt Consumet goods & servi¢ES Chjiitable Support & Food Banks Benefits ilnlversal Crpdlt Benefits & tsx , 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 r￿ed 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 em￿oYeeS 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 lia￿lilIes. 15 Provision for liabilities The charity has the following provision, in addition to the pension obligations in Note 16 below. Property Balance at 1 Ap￿1 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 t￿al 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 affa￿eMent,. The￿fOre 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 r￿e5 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 s￿￿10n$- 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 dIS￿UntIng of £8 {2024: £4). (b) Defined contslbutlon scheme Ern￿oYeeS 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 cha￿e 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 deT￿lt8 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 Ge￿ra1 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) Le1Ceste￿hire 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 Bor0￿h Council is outreach funding to enable the charity to provide debt a(fvice at our off￿S. 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 Chamv￿od 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 y￿5 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 f￿ed 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 Tru￿ee 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 se￿eMber 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 Y￿uld 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 pO￿tIon. 26 Post Balance sheet events There are no signlficant adjusting post balance sheet events. 34