OpenCharities

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

2022-03-31-accounts

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau

(a company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2022

Registered Company number 05154555 Registered Charity number 1105712

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Contents

Contents 1 Chair’s Statement 2 Report of the Trustees 4 Administrative Information 18 Independent Examiner’s Report 19 Statement of Financial Activities 20 Balance Sheet 21 Principle Accounting Policies 23 Notes to the Financial Statements 26

1

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Chair’s Statement

The challenges faced in 2021-2022 have been unprecedented with the effects of Covid 19, increases in the cost of living and world events causing an increased demand for our services. NWCA has responded to that demand by changing working practices, recruiting more volunteers and upskilling the workforce to ensure both face to face and technological services can be maintained and developed.

The premises in Welcome Street reopened in 2021 and we ensured the safety of staff, volunteers, and clients by rearranging office space, changing patterns of working so that different staff attended on different days, and installing air circulation systems. We also implemented safety protocols such as social distancing, extra cleaning and providing sanitising equipment for staff and clients. When meeting with clients we have confined face to face work to appointments only.

The increase in the use of technology and changes to some working practices, achieved by investing in new equipment, provides a challenge as resources has to be found to purchase these. Staff have been trained on equipment and software. New health and safety checks have to be put in place for different work environments.

The number of clients helped by NWCA has increased in every one of the past five years. Once again 2021/2022 has seen a significant increase in the number of clients whom we have supported, and an increase in the number of issues which those clients have had and that we have helped with. The figures in this report show that NWCA has had, a significant and demonstrable effect upon the improvements to people’s lives, by the financial outcomes that we had been able to achieve for them.

The increased demand for services brought about by the effects of Covid-19, and now the cost-of-living pressures, has meant that we have had to work even “smarter” in order to meet that demand. We are doing that by triaging clients and offering face to face appointments to those who most need it, by offering a more streamlined phone service and by deploying staff and volunteers who can help with the significantly increased pressures of energy problems and debt advice. More recently we are in the process of trialing an evening and out-of-hours service and this may be extended in the New Year to Saturday service in conjunction with our partners in other Local Citizens Advice services (LCAs) in Warwickshire.

To continue to offer these services and adapt to the current circumstances requires financial resources and an ability for long term strategic planning. Both are hampered by short-term national contracts, due to changes in government policy such as Help to Claim, which expired in March 2022. However as one door closes another opens and we are delighted that for the first time, we have been able to secure a mainstream debt advice contract for North Warwickshire that will enable us to employ a bespoke debt advisor for the next 12 months at least.

More particularly, and most significantly, we can continue to provide our core advice services because of the financial commitment and support from both North

2

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Warwickshire Borough Council (NWBC) and Warwickshire County Council (WCC). Without their support we would not be able to continue to offer advice services at a time when they are most needed. On behalf of the trustees, staff, volunteers, and clients I would like to take this opportunity to thank officers and councillors for their continued endorsement and assistance.

The Board has had some changes this year with members retiring and new trustees being appointed. We have been able to provide good governance, as validated through our National Citizens Advice assessment, by hardworking and committed trustees, to whom I would like to express my gratitude for their ongoing support.

The management, staff and volunteers continue to face a variety of challenges in providing specific project and advice services, and they have met those challenges with dedication and a loyalty to NWCA and our values of public service. This report is an opportunity to record the Trustees’ sincere thanks and appreciation for their dedication to NWCA and to the needs of the clients whom we serve.

In order to provide a comprehensive, good quality and efficient service we will continue to work with our partners, which include NWBC, WCC, Warwickshire and other West Midlands LCAs, and National Citizens Advice to ensure that our charitable objectives in the coming months and years continue to deliver.

Our work supports people through difficult times, and we are grateful to all our partners and supporters for recognising this and for enabling us to continue to provide our services into 2022-2023, and beyond.

Dr Roger Minett - Chair, North Warwickshire Citizens Advice

28 October 2022

Report of the Trustees

The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2022 which are prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.

Charitable Objectives and Activities

The objects of the Charity as set out in the Charity’s governing document, the Articles of Association, are to promote any charitable purpose, particularly for the benefit of the

3

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

community in North Warwickshire and surrounding areas and those contacting the charity by telephone or electronically, by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and relief of poverty, sickness and distress

Overall Aims of NWCA

4

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Delivery of Advice

NWCA offers advice through a range of channels to optimise access to our services for our clients. During the Covid-19 pandemic we had to change to a mainly remote service to meet the challenges of lockdown. As restrictions have lifted we have returned to multichannel advice, to provide our services in the most cost-efficient way, whilst making sure that resources are available to the individual needs of our most vulnerable clients.

Telephone advice is available through our freephone number and via our National Adviceline. Clients can also contact us via email and webchat as well as online 24 hours a day/365 days per year via our national website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk. Face to face advice has resumed at our main office in Atherstone and at certain community locations across North Warwickshire.

We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Our service is here for everyone. We are relied upon by people from all backgrounds to help to solve their problems. We support people to develop the skills they need to help themselves and we use our evidence on the issues which our clients face, to bring about policy changes that benefit everyone.

We use our unique frontline evidence and share this anonymously with government, regulators and industry so that we can highlight problems to the national organisation which then works to find solutions to issues which people are facing across a range of policy areas. These include access to justice, access to money and debt advice, making Universal Credit work for people and protecting people from domestic abuse.

5

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

The Impact of Advice

This Our work in 2020-22 resulted in £1,123,218 worth of specific financial This year NWCA dealt with more than 2,900 clients , an increase of utcomes (up from £ Our work in 2020-22 resulted in £1,123,218 worth of 36% on 2020 - 2021, and more than 14,600 issues , an increase of pecific financial outcomes (up from £463,064 in 2020-2021) for the 46% on 2020 - 2021 ndividuals we helped. mmk463,064 in 2020-2021) for the individuals we helped. NWCA d lt ith 2900 + li t i f 39% l t

As with previous years, the most common issues we helped clients with were benefits . Many of these were claims from new clients who had never claimed support before but were faced with unemployment for the first time, following periods of furlough coming to an end. We also saw a rise in related employment enquiries. We advised many clients with financial capability issues and we worked with them to provide a range of early intervention measures to prevent them from having to seek assistance for more serious issues at a later stage. Our advisors also saw a rise in clients with housing issues as the government’s Covid-19 temporary protection for renters came to an end.

This Our work in 2020-22 resulted in Our work in 2020-22 resulted in £1,123,218 worth of specific financial £1,123,218 worth of utcomes (up from £ Our work in 2020-22 resulted in £1,123,218 worth of specific financial outcomes (up from £463,064 in 2020- pecific financial outcomes (up from £463,064 in 2020-2021) for the 2021) for the individuals that we helped ndividuals we helped. mmk463,064 in 2020-2021) for the individuals we helped. NWCA d lt ith 2900 + li t i f 39% l t

Our advice directly brings value to clients through helping them claim and retain benefits and grants, helping them save money and helping them avoid payments they are not liable for.

The problems which our clients face are stressful and pose barriers to their ability to go about everyday tasks like working (or finding work); keeping control of their finances, or forming and maintaining personal relationships. Citizens Advice research shows that in addition to financial value, our service improves the wellbeing of the people we see in many ways.

Research and Campaigning

In recent years we have undertaken local research on how financial issues, including the low wage economy and welfare reform, have affected local people. Our research is disseminated widely and we aim to influence the provision of local services and to highlight issues which will have a lasting impact on the local economy.

6

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

By campaigning for change, we contribute to improving lives, including the lives of people who have not used our service. This has continued throughout the pandemic, and during the Covid recovery period, and has fed into local and national initiatives, as well as service development and commission.

Public Benefit and Volunteering

Our advice also provides wider financial savings to governments and society by tackling financial exclusion, reducing homelessness and alleviating problems which lead to, or exacerbate, health issues. This in turn reduces demand on statutory services such as the DWP, the NHS, local government and housing providers. NWCA’s work with clients in 2021-2022 resulted in:

----- Start of picture text -----
£165,972 saved by the £62,623 saved by the £160,897 saved by £919,532 saved by the
NHS local housing providers DWP
Local Authority .)
----- End of picture text -----

Source: Tableau, National Citizens Advice data system

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning its future activities.

Citizens Advice volunteering has a positive impact on each volunteer’s sense of selfworth, their employability and their contribution to society, and research shows that our volunteers benefit from a variety of personal improvements.

Our volunteers who give advice, and thereby support local communities and our national network, gain new skills and improve their own personal development, wellbeing and sense of community.

This comes with associated financial benefits to society by reducing unemployment and demand for health services. The figure below was calculated using a Cabinet-approved methodology, and National Citizens Advice’s own impact research:

The financial benefit to society, of volunteering at North Warwickshire Citizens Advice during 2021-22, 7 was £149,726

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Our Projects

In addition to offering a range of Citizens Advice services, NWCA also undertakes a number of funded advice projects

Breakthrough Programme

Breakthrough was a targeted project with the goal of helping out of work and economically inactive people across Coventry and Warwickshire to tackle the financial barriers they face to gaining and sustaining employment, to accessing education and training, and taking a full and active role in their local community.

8

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

During the year, our team of Money Mentors provided intensive support to help people tackle debt issues, maximise household income and address other barriers. The team worked in North Warwickshire with local partners such as White Hart Community Groups, Adult Community Learning, Coleshill Town Council and Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, to support out-of-work residents, many of whom are experiencing poverty and disadvantage.

The team supported people in developing their skills and confidence through communitybased activities and training which move people towards job searching and employment.

During Covid-19 we continued to support clients to get back into training and work during periods of lockdown, through providing online support and training while face to face advice was not available. We were able to resume face-to-face activities for this project, which was of great benefit to clients who valued the confidence-building support of Money Mentors and the Programme activities.

Help to Claim

From April 2019, we delivered our Help to Claim service, in partnership with the DWP and National Citizens Advice. This provided clients with help in the early stages of their Universal Credit claims, from initial application to first payment. During 2021-22 we assisted a total of 224 clients and achieved an income gain of £190,312 on their behalf. Since April 2022, Government has changed the tender criteria for this project and we are no longer eligible to bid for this funding

Energy Advice

From 1 August 2021 to 31 March 2022, NWCA energy advisers delivered energy advice to 245 individuals and to several community groups remotely, due to the continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the continuing energy crisis, although switching energy providers was no longer viable, we found alternative ways of helping clients to save money such as making their accommodation more energy-efficient. While we are able to assist our clients with energy issues through projects being delivered predominantly through the winter months, we are continually campaigning for funding to deliver energy advice throughout the year. Our target audience has traditionally been found in the most vulnerable sectors in the community. 61% of our energy advice clients were aged 65 years or over and 72% were disabled or had reported at least one long-term health condition.

Big Energy Saving Network (BESN)

Our Energy Champion, Lorraine Verrall, delivered advice to 102 individuals including the engagement of several community groups throughout North Warwickshire, who received generic energy advice. Several of these consumers then went on to receive individual advice through EAP or the CMAP Project. The target audience was people on low

9

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

incomes, people with disabilities and those without internet access who struggle to engage with their energy providers.

Carbon Monoxide Project (CMAP)

The CMAP Project was a three-month pilot project which targeted those households with gas appliances such as a gas boiler, fire, or cooker, or possibly those with coal or a wood burning stove. The objective was to provide clients with information regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Clients would also receive the relevant information through a NHS website and a free carbon monoxide monitor. 51 clients were seen in the three-month trial period.

Energy Advice Programme (EAP)

NWCA continues to deliver individual tailored one-to-one energy advice through the Energy Advice Programme. The project is targeted at individuals who would be classed as being in fuel poverty or most likely to be at risk of fuel poverty. Clients who are struggling with their bills, have insufficiently heated homes often with damp and mould, and those who have prepayment meters, often benefit the most on receipt of the information and advice provided.

Each appointment (which can span more than one session) will cover a number of areas:

During the project period August 2021 to March 2022, we were able to see 92 clients within this project.

Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

NWCA has continued to deliver MECC courses across Warwickshire to healthcare professionals, local authority housing and social care teams, family centres, charities and volunteer groups and, increasingly, schools. The course was well received with attendees keen to implement what they had learned at MECC training into their everyday contact with clients.

MECC training is used nationally to assist with the public health message to ease the burden on the NHS by considering early prevention. The course has been designed to enable workers to spot signs and triggers in their dealings with clients, which might be having a negative impact on the clients’ physical health or mental health. Although the training is designed to be delivered face-to-face it was adapted for delivery via Zoom to manage Covid-19 restrictions.

10

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Funded by WCC, MECC was developed and delivered by NWCA, Citizens Advice South Warwickshire and WCC working with Public Health England and Health Education England, to produce the training and a range of resources.

Arley and Ansley Big Local Partnership Advice Project

We were funded to deploy a fully trained generalist advisor to run a weekly advice project in the Arley and Ansley area. The project continued by telephone, Zoom and email, when venues were closed for Covid-19. Face-to-face advice resumed when restrictions eased.

The service was well received and clients were able to access a full range of Citizens Advice services. During this financial year the project helped 52 clients with 450 issues with

WCC Family and Children and Centre Project

This continued to run during the year, with the support of WCC funding with a dedicated Outreach worker who was allocated to clients from Atherstone Family and Children Centre providing generalist support on an appointment basis and remotely during the lockdown periods.

11

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Future Plans

With the support of all partners including NWBC, WCC, other local Citizens Advice charities and others, we will continue to deliver a comprehensive, good quality, local and efficient service and to meet our national obligations.

We will continue to work with partners to develop new ways to support the needs of the local community in cost-effective and sustainable ways that are accessible to all.

Fundraising strategy

Our stated intention is to meet local needs by providing clear advice and information services, which are:

WCC and NWBC provide funding for our core services by means of commissioned services or service level agreements.

All our other funding is obtained by projects to fund particular charitable objectives, in line with our Strategic Business Plan.

NWCA does not have any agreements with professional fundraisers. We do not ask clients for donations or charge for any client services.

12

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Financial Review

During the year, the Charity’s total income amounted to £312,598 (2020-21: £284,072). As shown at note 2 to the Accounts, income from charitable activities was significantly increased by NWBC’s special grant in relation to the pandemic. Much of this was received towards the end of the year and will be spent meeting increasing demand for the Charity’s services since the year-end, as some of the fixed-term and project funding sources expire.

The year saw a significant increase in demand for our services: the number of clients seen, increased by 36% and the number of issues rose by 46%. Accordingly, and as foreseen in last year’s report, total expenditure for the year rose to £266,023 (2020-21: £197,893). Increased demand led to higher costs of staff and premises costs, office costs and training costs.

Covid-19 related funding during the year, again strengthened our ability to respond to the effects of the crisis, including by adapting our technology and working practices to remote staff working.

The Charity’s net income fell to £46,575 (2020-21: £86,179) from higher costs, despite the exceptional grants during the year. Based on expected income and expenditure for the current financial year and beyond, and its reserves, the Trustees consider that the Charity has adequate resources to maintain its ongoing work and to keep reserves at a satisfactory level.

We continue to build partnerships and develop joint bids for future funding but it should be noted that, overall, there are a large number of organisations competing for a smaller amount of funding.

13

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Reserves Policy

This Reserves Policy is monitored and reviewed by the Trustees annually .

Restricted Reserves

These are restricted by the donor or funder and cannot be used for general purposes of the Charity. Their existence, and the sums of money therein, do not imply that there has been an underspend, but may result from a variety of circumstances including timing differences between NWCA’s financial year and the funding year of the project concerned. Restricted funds amounted to £29,580 and are set out at note 8 to the Accounts.

Unrestricted Reserves

Unrestricted Reserves are available for any of the Charity’s purposes and are safely above the minimum set out in the current reserves policy.

Unrestricted Reserves at the year-end consisted of £351,536 General funds and £55,000 Designated funds.

- General Reserves

The Charity’s policy is that its General Reserves should exceed the aggregate of six months’ forecast operating costs; and a realistic estimate of exceptional expenditure which could occur in the following 12 months.

As a matter of routine, the optimum level of Unrestricted Reserves is reviewed annually, in the light of increasing property, and other, costs; operating demands, including changing patterns of demand arising from the pandemic; and the future strategy of the Charity.

- Designated Reserves

Part of the Unrestricted Reserves have been designated for specific purposes, and these are set out at note 9 to the Accounts.

14

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Risk management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and other identified risks.

The Trustees have a risk management strategy, which comprises:

In the event that those risks materialise there are procedures to minimize the potential impact. Where risks require emergency measures, such as closure of premises for Covid19, there is a Business Continuity Team made up of pivotal members, to:

The Charity has the support of National Citizens Advice in the event of any serious risks being identified.

15

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau is a company limited by guarantee and governed by its Articles of Association. The Company is a registered charity

Organisational structure

The Board of Trustees administers the Charity and meets at least four times per year. Committees of the Board include Strategy and Business Development, Leadership SelfAssessment, and Nominations. A Chief Executive, or Chief Officer, is appointed by the Board and delegated to manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The Articles provide for three to 15 trustees who are elected at an AGM or appointed by the Board after nomination by the Board’s Nominations Committee. Trustees retire at the third AGM after their election, re-election, or appointment, and are eligible for re-election. New trustees benefit from the Board’s Induction Procedure.

Related parties

The Charity has a close working relationship with NWBC and with WCC, both of which provide essential funding in return for services provided by the Charity.

We also work in partnership with other LCAs, notably BRANCAB and Citizens Advice South Warwickshire, to provide core services and in relation to specific projects

16

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Administrative Information

Trustees during the year:

Charity Number: 1105712

Company Number: 05154555

Registered Office:

The Parish Rooms Welcome Street Atherstone Warwickshire CV9 1DU

Registered Name: North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Independent Examiner:

Bankers:

Mairead Montague HSBC Bank plc Montague Accounting Services 3A Queens Road Poachers Cottage Nuneaton Brewers Lane Warwickshire Badsey, Evesham CV11 5JL WR11 7EU

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Chair of Trustees

Date: 28 October 2022

17

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau (the Company)

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2022 which are set out on pages 20 to 34.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

I have no concerns and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mairead Montague, BA (Hons Accounting & Finance) Member of Association of Accounting Technicians, Associate ACIE Montague Accounting Services

Date: 28 October 2022

18

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Statement of Financial Activities (including an income & expenditure account)

Note
Income from:
Donations and Legacies
1
Charitable Activities
2
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable Activities
Total expenditure
3
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2022
Restricted
funds
2022
Total
funds
2022
Total
funds
2021
£
£
£
£
16,967
-
16,967
5,000
147,476
148,115
295,59
1
278,989
40
-
40
83
164,483
148,115
312,59
8
284,072
15,070
-
15,070
18,000
117,178
133,775
250,95
3
179,893
132,248
133,775
266,02
3
197,893
32,235
14,340
46,575
86,179
(11,425)
11,425
-
-
20,810
25,765
46,575
86,179
385,726
3,815
389,54
1
303,362
406,536
29,580
436,11
6
389,541

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

19

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Balance sheet

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
5
Current Assets
Debtors
6
Cash at bank and in hand
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
7
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted Funds
8
Unrestricted Reserves
- general reserves
- designated reserves
9
Total Charity funds		 2022
2021
£
£
96,916
103,062
45,537
23,202
357,165
302,801
402,702
326,003
(63,502) (39,524)
339,200
286,479
436,116
389,541
29,580
3,815
351,536
330,726
55,000
55,000
406,536
385,726
436,116
389,541

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form part of these financial statements.

Balance sheet continued

For the year ended 31 March 2022, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

20

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

(a) The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 - however, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 the financial statements have been examined by an independent examiner, whose report appears on page 19.

(b) The directors/trustees acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Dr Roger Minett, Chair of Trustees

28 October 2022

Principal accounting policies

Status of the Company

The charitable company is limited by guarantee and does not have share capital. The liability of members is limited to £1 per member.

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (updated 1 January 2019) –

21

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

(Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Going Concern Statement

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Charitable Company will continue to operate. The validity of this assumption is dependent upon the continuance of support from the Charitable Company's key grant funders and in response to the progress made by the Charitable Company in pursuing a viable budget including the obtaining of further grants and other funds. The Charitable Company's current business plan shows that the Charitable Company will be able to operate in the foreseeable future. Based on this understanding, the directors believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. The financial statements do not include any adjustments, which would result from the basis of preparation being inappropriate.

Funds

General accumulated funds are unrestricted funds available for general purposes and include funds designated for a particular purpose; the use of such funds remains at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds are funds subject to conditions imposed by the donor or by specific terms of the appeal under which the funds are raised. The restrictive conditions are binding upon the Charitable Company.

Income

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

22

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided at a rate calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over a period of less than the estimated useful life of the assets as follows:

Land and buildings - 50 years Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 2-3 years Fixed assets are capitalised when their costs exceed: £500.

Debtors

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

Cash at Bank and in Hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors and Provisions

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

Deferred Income

Income is deferred when monies are received in advance relating to projects commencing after the financial year where the contract period is specified by the funder.

Taxation

As a registered charity no provision is considered necessary for taxation.

23

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Notes to the financial statements

1. Income from Donations and Legacies

Unrestricted:
- Postcode Lottery
- 29thMay Charitable Trust
- Other small donations and grants
2. Income from Charitable Activities
Unrestricted:
- Warwickshire County Council
- North Warwickshire Borough Council
- North Warwickshire Borough Council – COVID responder post
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Energy projects
- Warwickshire County Council COVID support
- TSB Volunteer project
- Job retention scheme grant
- Other project funding
- Other income
Restricted:
- Citizens Advice – EAP
- Citizens Advice South Warwickshire – MECC
- Bedworth, Rugby & Nuneaton CAB – Breakthrough project
- Awards for All – COVID support
- Warwickshire County Council - Councillor grants
- Money & Pension Service – Debt advice
- Western Power – Energy projects
- Help to Claim
- Coalfield Investment Program
- Citizens Advice Bureau – IT project
- Baron Davenport’s Charity
- Leys – Hardship fund
Total		 2022
2021
£
£
16,667
-
-
5,000
300
-
16,967
5,000
2022
2021
57,096
56,078
34,000
34,808
40,000
-
3,500
24,949
-
35,000
-
2,400
-
3,767
11,760
13,647
1,120
-
147,476 170,649
13,050
-
25,559
-
34,705
34,241
-
10,000
-
2,470
45,995
20,450
-
1,517
23,853
25,490
2,453
7,358
-
6,664
-
150
2,500
-
148,115 108,340
295,591 278,989

3. Expenditure

24

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Wages and salaries
Premises running costs
Office costs
Sundries
Training
Motor and travel expenses
Depreciation
Independent examiners fee
Other governance costs
Total
Costs of raising funds comprise:
Allocation of salary costs		 2022
Total
2021
Total
£
£
228,400 173,821
6,861
3,954
19,438
11,659
344
737
3,204
1,042
49
523
6,146
4,801
1,000
1,000
581
356
266,023 197,893
2022
2021
£
£
15,070
18,000

Expenditure on charitable activities includes £133,775 (2021: £113,259) in relation to projects funded by restricted income.

4. Analysis of Staff Costs, Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

Salaries and wages
National Insurance
Pension costs
Total		 2022
2021
£
£
208,965 161,849
14,300
8,879
3,799
3,093
227,064 173,821

The Company employed on average 10.3 (2021: 5.3) staff during the year.

No employees had benefits in excess of £60,000 (2020: nil). Pension costs are allocated to activities in proportion to the related staffing costs incurred.

The charitable company’s trustees were not paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the Charity in the year. Trustee travel expenses of £nil were reimbursed to Trustees during the year (2021: £nil).

25

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

The key management personnel of the Charity comprised the Trustees, the Chief Executive, the Deputy and the Advice Services Supervisor. The remuneration of key management personnel (including pension contributions) for the year £106,067 (2021: £102,541).

5. Tangible fixed assets

Fixture,
Fittings &
Equipment
£
Cost
At beginning of year
91,912
Additions
-
At end of year
91,912
Depreciation
At beginning of year
81,245
Charge for the year
4,123
At end of year
85,368
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2022
6,544
At 31 March 2021
10,667
6. Debtors
Grants and donations receivable
Prepayments
7. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Taxation and social security
Accruals
Deferred income
Other creditors		 Fixture,
Fittings &
Equipment
£
91,912
-		 Land &
buildings
£
Total
£
101,161 193,073
-
-
91,912 101,161
193,073
81,245
4,123		 8,766
90,011
2,023
6,146
85,368 10,789
96,157
6,544 90,372
96,916
10,667 92,395
103,062
2022
2021
£
£
45,243
23,202
294
-
45,537
23,202
2022
2021
£
£
4,290
3,446
7,405
4,999
50,600
29,720
1,207
1,359
63,502
39,524

26

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Movements in deferred income are as follows:
At beginning of year
Released to income in year
Deferred in year
At end of year		 £
29,720
(19,120)
40,000
50,600

Deferred income relates to income received in advance of work carried out and is deferred to match the costs of the relevant expenditure.

8. Restricted Funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following amounts, which have been applied for specific purposes:

2022 Movement in Funds

Citizens Advice – EAP
CA South Warks - MECC
Breakthrough Project
Western Power
Help To Claim
Priscilla Gent
Coventry CAB – Quality
of Life Fund
Money & Pension
Service – Debt Advice
Coalfield Investment
Program
Leys Hardship Fund
Total		 Balance
at
beginning
of year
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
at end
of year
£
£
£
£
£
-
13,050
(9,025)
-
4,025
-
25,559
(3,349)
-
22,210
2,737
34,705
(46,803)
9,361
-
88
-
-
(88)
-
-
23,853
(23,853)
-
-
212
-
-
-
212
883
-
-
-
883
-
45,995
(46,736)
741
-
(105)
2,453
(3,759)
1,411
-
2,500
(250)
-
2,250
3,815 148,115
(133,775)
11,425
29,580

27

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

2021 Movement in Funds

Breakthrough Project
Western Power
Help To Claim
Priscilla Gent
Coventry CAB – Quality
of Life Fund
CAB – (IT equipment)
Awards for All COVID
support
Baron Davenport Fund
WCC – Councillor grant
Money & Pension
Service – Debt Advice
Coalfield Investment
Program
Total		 Balance
at
beginning
of year
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
at end
of year
£
£
£
£
£
6,365
34,241
(37,869)
-
2,737
1,423
1,517
(2,852)
-
88
-
25,490
(25,486)
(4)
-
212
-
-
-
212
883
-
-
-
883
-
6,664
(6,664)
-
-
-
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
-
150
(274)
124
-
-
2,470
(2,470)
-
-
-
20,450
(20,451)
1
-
-
7,358
(7,463)
-
(105)
8,883 108,340
(113,529)
121
3,815

Energy Assistance Programme

The fund is targeted at individuals who would be classed as being in fuel poverty or most likely to be at risk of fuel poverty.

Making Each Contact Count (MECC)

MECC funds training which is used nationally to assist with the public health message to ease the burden on the NHS by considering early prevention

Western Power

A project aimed at providing energy advice through a variety of channels for clients, with an emphasis on placing vulnerable clients on the Priority Service Register.

Breakthrough Project

National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund. NWCA is funded as part of the Breakthrough programme that operates across Coventry and Warwickshire. This project helps the unemployed and economically inactive across Coventry and Warwickshire tackle financial barriers that they face to gaining and sustaining employment, to accessing education and training, and taking a full and active role in their local community.

28

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Help To Claim

Project delivered in partnership with DWP & National Citizens Advice from April 2019 to provide clients with help in the early stages of Universal Credit claims through to first payment.

Baron Davenport/Priscilla Gent/Quality of Life Funds/Leys Hardship Fund

These funds provide emergency payments to eligible clients, in crisis or financial need.

Money and Pensions Service Trainee Debt Advisor

A project to train a Debt Advisor to deliver debt advice through the MAPS debt advice project.

Awards For All – Covid Support Fund

A project funding a team of digital volunteers to deliver advice and support during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

Coalfield Regeneration Trust

A remote volunteering project to expand and increase the range of support services offered equipping a team of existing and new volunteers to deliver the organisation’s Covid-19 support and advice offer.

WCC Councillors Grant Fund

Funding to provide IT equipment to equip remote volunteering during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

BEIS CA Covid IT Funding

Funding to provide IT equipment to increase remote capability.

9. Designated funds

Funds totalling £55,000 have been designated by Trustees. These funds are comprised Core Service Fund (£20,000), to subsidise core services which are operating at a loss, and to look into ways of improving the efficiency of core services; Internal Development and Investment Fund (£25,000), to maintain the operating capacity of the office including infrastructure and IT; External Development and Investment Fund (£10,000), to develop new partnerships and opportunities

10. Analysis of net assets between funds

Restricted Unrestricted
2022 funds funds Total
£ £ £
Fixed assets - 96,916 96,916
Current assets 29,580 373,122 402,702
29

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

Current liabilities
Total funds
2021
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total funds		 -
(63,502)
(63,502)
29,580
406,536
436,116
Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
Total
£
£
£
-
103,062
103,062
3,815
322,188
326,003
-
(39,524)
(39,524)
3,815
385,726
389,541

11. Controlling Interests

The Charity is controlled by the Trustees.

12. Related Party Transactions

There were no transactions with related parties during 2021-22.

13. Pension commitments

The Charity has a pension scheme for employees with the People’s Pension. The scheme is a money purchase scheme for individual employees. Assets are held separately by the scheme, and pension costs are charged as incurred. The pension costs incurred by the Charity in respect of this scheme for the year were £3,799 (2021: £3,093). Contributions outstanding at the year-end were £760 (2021: £1,359)

30

North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2022

14. Comparative statement of financial activities

Income
Donations and legacies
Charitable Activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure
Costs of raising funds
Charitable Activities
Total expenditure
Net income for year
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2021
Restricted
funds
2021
Total
funds
2021
£
£
£
5,000
-
5,000
170,649
108,340 278,989
83
-
83
175,732
108,340284,072
18,000
-
18,000
66,364
113,529 179,893
84,364
113,529 197,893
91,368
(5,189)
86,179
(121)
121
-
91,247
(5,068)
86,179
294,479
8,883 303,362
385,726
3,815 389,541

31