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2022-03-31-accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 05296023

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1107152

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited financial statements

31 March 2022

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2022

Page
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) 1
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 13
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) 15
Balance sheet 16
Notes to the financial statements 17

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report)

Year ended 31 March 2022

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 and 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 published in October 2019.

Chair's report

This has been a year of major change that required Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk to be flexible, adapt in new directions and brought with these additional challenges. As the country continued to deal with the impact of the Covid pandemic, there were many changes to social welfare support, employment and housing that left many feeling perplexed and need of our support and advice.

At Citizens Advice we are compelled to to help people who are in need. In the changing times of Covid and associated economic pressures, we are dealing with a greater number of requests for help from the public. We are committed to helping everyone, whoever they are and whatever their problem; we mean it and we recognise that not everyone is the same.

Our volunteers and paid staff are working hard to provide an excellent service within, these demanding economic times for all our clients. As we adjust to changes in government policy and support, the way forward for some may seem muddled and here we can help. Our highly trained advisers are there for everyone. The Chief Officer and their team are constantly reappraising the service we provide to ensure we are maximising our reach within our communities and providing a quality service to those who are in need.

As a registered Charity Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk is dependent on donations to survive. We must thank our many donors, including the Mayor of Stowmarket, for electing us as one of their Charities of the Year and the legacy received from the estate of Margaret Wright who had previously volunteered with us. Without financial support like this we would not exist.

So, a big thank you for the continued support of the wonderful team at Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk and to all our funders.

Marsha Hemingway

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2022

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau Charity registration number 1107152 Company registration number 05296023 Principal office and registered 5 Milton Road South office Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1EZ

The trustees

The trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval were as follows:

M Hemingway (Chair) I Rickard (Resigned 30/04/21) J Ramsay (Treasurer) J Crame (Appointed 24/11/21) N Gowrley R Mason (Appointed 24/11/21) D Muller M Narey (Resigned 25/04/22) R Rehahn (Resigned 03/06/21) R Talbot M Virgo (Appointed 16/03/22) M Wangermann I Wright (Resigned 30/07/21) Management team S Clifton (Chief Officer) K Roberts (Operations Manager) P Roberts (Advice Session Supervisor) E Robertshaw (Advice Session Manager) Independent examiner L Thurston FCCA Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA Bankers TSB 7 Market Street Stowmarket IP14 1DY CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4JQ

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Objectives and activities

Aims and Principles

We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice, we believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice.

Our network of charities offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.

When we say we're for everyone, we mean it. People rely on us because we're independent and totally impartial.

No one else sees so many people with so many different kinds of problems, and that gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today. With the right evidence, we can show big organisations - from companies right up to the Government - how they can make things better for people.

That's why we're here: to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Our Vision and Values

Our vision is to make a positive and lasting difference to the lives of people living and working in Mid Suffolk.

We want to offer an efficient and accessible advice and information service relating to people's legal rights and responsibilities.

We want to offer our services using a holistic approach and acting with our clients in a supportive, empowering, responsible and professional way.

We want to create a working environment that feels equally friendly, welcoming, and respectful to everyone using it.

We operate within an equality framework as agreed by Citizens Advice. This means that we respect equality and diversity and we work within several policies and procedures designed to support them, both in our service delivery and in our recruitment, selection and treatment of volunteers, paid staff and Trustees.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Objectives

The main objective was to continue to provide advice and guidance to the community of Mid Suffolk, and our activities for the year end 31st March 2022 were targeted to meet that goal. This work was carried out by a team of generalist advisers and specialist advisers using a drop-in, appointment, email, telephone and virtual advice service available for 30 hours a week. The charity records 14 key areas of advice: benefits, consumer, debt, education, employment, finance, health, housing, immigration, legal, relationship, tax, travel and utilities.

In addition to generalist advice, we provided specialist advisory services:

 The Energy Advice Programme (EAP) that provides one to one advice on: getting the best price for your fuel; repaying fuel debts; energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation; and grants for fuel;

 Specialist Debt advice to discuss debt management options available to clients including debt management plans, bankruptcy, Debt Relief Orders and IVA.

How our activities deliver Public Benefit

Our main activities and who we try to help are described above. All our charitable activities focus on providing the advice people need for the problems they face and are undertaken specifically to provide public benefit. The Board of Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.

Contribution of Volunteers

The charity's success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The Trustee Board and senior management team recognise the tremendous contribution made by the charity's volunteers in advising the public and administering the service without which the service could not operate. Throughout 2021/22 the service employed 12 paid workers (6.92 FTEs) (2020/21: 12 paid workers, 6.28 FTEs), and was supported by 35 volunteers (2020/21: 39 volunteers).

Volunteers represent the indispensable core of the service for without them, there would not be a Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau service. Volunteers bring skills, experience, time and energy to the Citizens Advice service. Through information and advice-giving roles, fundraising, research and campaigns, admin, trusteeship and more, volunteers add huge value and increased capacity to the service. Through volunteering with Citizens Advice, volunteers benefit from gaining new skills and personal development, as well as better wellbeing, a sense of fulfillment from helping others, and community engagement. These positive effects on individuals' lives have additional value for society, through the advantages and savings associated with having happier, healthier and productive members of the community.

In 2021-22 the volunteers contributed 14,180 hours (2020/21: 11,976) an increase on the previous year year due to many returning as the Covid pandemic restrictions were reduced. This may be expressed as an annualised value of £251,962 (2020/21: £229,003). However, their value is inadequately expressed in monetary terms.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Achievements and performance

During the 2021/2022 financial year, the service was predominantly delivered by telephone and email, with face to face and virtual appointments as required. We have had a slight decrease on the amount of unique clients assisted, however both advice issues and activities have gone up considerably, meaning we are seeing more repeat clients.

The key achievements of the organisation in 2021/22 were:

 £233,835.20 with 20 outcomes still to come (2020: £348,088) awarded in Welfare Benefits through appeals and mandatory reconsiderations.

 £119,490 with 2 outcomes still to come (2020: £181,787) of income generated for clients affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

 28 clients with complex needs helped through our Social Prescribing Project, working with the Connect for Health Community Connectors and other refers to provide additional advice and support to vulnerable clients referred by GPs.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Financial review

Incoming resources in the year were £295,008 (2021: £342,273). Of this £46,829 (2021: £66,791) related to project restricted activities. Expenditure in the year amounted to £271,356 (2021: £250,334) comprised in large part of salaries for our 12 employed staff (6.92 FTE) of £194,788 (2021: £182,460). A surplus of £23,652 (2021: £91,939) was made in the year.

Fundraising activities and Principal funding sources

Total income for the year was £295,008, a decrease of £47,265 on 2020/2021. Our principal funding sources were:

The Trustees extend their gratitude to our principal funders, Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Community Foundation, IESCCG and Suffolk County Council, bodies with whom we share many strategic objectives and who continued to support the core operating capacity of the charity. In addition, project-specific funding was received from Stowmarket Relief Trust, Needham Market & Barking Welfare Charities, Geoffrey Burton Trust. Funding was also received from the MS Society to support families affected by by MS. Stowmarket Town Council provides Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau with premises to operate from as well as a grant to subsidise part of the rent. Our work with Citizens Advice nationally includes projects involving Energy Advice and specialist Debt Advice. We were grateful to receive a legacy from the estate of Margaret Wright a retired volunteer.

The charity did not have any borrowings from either a provider of funding or other sources at the Balance Sheet date.

Reserves policy

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau is acutely aware of the need to ensure that free monies are available in each financial year to smooth the cash flow and to meet any reasonably foreseeable contingency. Cash flow trends and reserves levels are constantly monitored, and in their planning Trustees and staff try to ensure that income continues to be derived from as wide a variety of sources possible.

We are also aware of the financial pressures experienced by our major funders and our dependence on them and have included this situation in establishing our Reserves policy. Trustees reviewed the potential expenditure that could arise should a significant reduction in income be incurred and determined that a Reserve equivalent to nine to twelve month's unrestricted expenditure should be held.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

At 31st March 2022, total unrestricted reserves were £296,977 (2021: £274,203). Of this, £125,000 (2021: £150,000) is designated for specific purposes as outlined below.

Designated reserves

A proportion of unrestricted funds have been designated with the aim of ensuring the charity's sustainability by making provisions for the replacement of equipment in due course, for fulfilling our contractual commitments, for maintaining our premises and moving if necessary, and for the development of new and innovative ideas. These currently amount to £125,000, as detailed in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment activities

Aside from retaining an amount required to maintain a prudent level of reserves each year, the charity's funds are spent on delivering and developing the free advice service to the community of Mid Suffolk. The reserves were held during the year in a Charities Aid Foundation bank current account, a COIF Charities Deposit Account; a Cambridge and Counties 95-day notice account; a CAF Platinum 30-day notice account a TSB savings account, and a Shawbrook 100-day notice account. Our policy is to manage these accounts so that they remain within the £85,000 FSC compensation limit. The charity does not currently hold any other material investments.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Plans for the future

Developing a sustainable service during the coronavirus crisis and beyond that meets the needs of our clients and follows Government guidelines, was a priority of the Trustee Board for 2021/22 This included developing alternative client contact channels where face-to-face appointments could not be delivered due to Covid restrictions.

The charity will continue to build on the work completed in the previous financial years, developing diversified funding streams to increase our sustainability and enable us to build a service that is responsive to client needs.

The charity will continue to work to ensure that it delivers a cost-effective service, meaning that we are not only offering value for money to our existing funders but that we have a viable offer, whilst never compromising on the high-quality service that our clients expect and deserve.

There is a three-year Strategic Business and Development Plan with detailed emphasis on the current year. The content of the plan is subject to review by the Trustees and is an agenda item at Trustee Board meetings.

The specific focus this year will be to:

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Structure, governance and management

Governing Document

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 24 November 2004: Company No. 05296023, Charity No. 1107152. The Company is governed under its Articles of Association adopted by an Extraordinary General Meeting on 23rd July 2014. In the event of the company being wound up every member (including members who ceased to be members within one year prior to such winding up) would be required to contribute to the company's assets an amount not exceeding £1.

At 31 March 2022, the company had 23 individual and 7 organisation members (2021: 23 individual and 7 organisations).

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau is also known and referred to as Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk.

Trustee Recruitment and Appointment

New trustee board member leads are generated via referrals, advertising and direct approach to Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk. A formal interview process is followed for all applicants with an interview panel comprising of three Trustees or Chief Officer. References are taken for all new Trustees. A separate process agreed by the Trustee Board is followed for the election of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer.

Trustees are either initially co-opted by the Trustee Board and then elected to the Board at an Annual General Meeting within three years of co-option or, alternatively, elected directly at an Annual General Meeting. Any election lasts for three years by which time the Trustee can be re-elected.

Trustee Induction and Training

New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the strategic business development plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They also meet key employees, volunteers and other Trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the understanding of their role. Training will be organised dependent on the trustee role and previous experience. Attendance at Citizens Advice events and relevant trainings will be encouraged. A date will be arranged for the new trustee to "sit-in" and observe an advice session including observing some Adviser interviews.

Appraisal of the Trustee Board

The Trustees conduct an annual performance appraisal using a Citizens Advice template. Action is taken on any areas under performing to ensure the Trustee Board conforms to best practice.

Organisational Structure

The Trustee Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Trustees meet quarterly as a minimum, and delegate the day-to-day operation of the organisation to a paid Chief Officer. The Trustee Board has assigned 'portfolio leadership' responsibilities amongst the Trustee group to allow workload to be shared and to give a clear point of contact for senior Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau staff. The Trustee Board is independent from management. A register of members' interests is maintained at the registered office and is available to the public. From February 2019 all Trustees and key employees are required annually to declare they are a "fit and proper person" to be involved in the running of a charity.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

The Trustee Board has three committees: Advisory Group, Fundraising and Appeals. Each committee reports to the Chair of the Trustee Board. The Chair, Company Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Officer are entitled to attend meetings of the main committees.

Advisory Group

The Advisory Group meets as necessary but at least once between each quarterly TB meeting to review our organisations operational and financial performance.

Responsible for:

The Advisory Group does not have any general decision-making powers, from time to time the Trustee Board may delegate a specific decision on a specific matter to the group. Such decisions will be noted in the Minutes of the subsequent Trustee Board meeting.

Membership - Chair, Treasurer, People Portfolio Holder; non-portfolio holder, Fundraising Portfolio Holder.

Fundraising Committee

The Fundraising Committee meets four times a year.

Responsible for:

Membership - Fundraising portfolio holder, Chief Officer, PR & Communications Officer, Business Development Officer, Strategy portfolio holder.

Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee meets as required.

Responsible for:

Membership - Two Trustees not previously involved in the case. Chair to be reserved for final stage appeal

Related Parties

Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk is a member of Citizens Advice, the national association for the Citizens Advice service. With effect from April 2015 Citizens Advice Bureaux became known as Local Citizens Advice (LCA) and Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau became known as Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk (CAMS). The charity also cooperates and liaises with many other advisory services, local charities, trusts and social services departments on behalf of clients.

Audit process

The charitable company is annually audited by Citizens Advice using a Performance and Quality Framework. Every three years the LCA receives a full audit to ensure compliance with the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and the Money Advice Service Debt Advice Quality Framework (MASDAQF).

The Red/Amber/Yellow and Green (RAYG) scoring system is used to mark each of the five key areas:

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Quality of Advice Assessment - every quarter the LCA self-assesses a selection of cases which are then checked by a Citizens Advice auditor for the quality of the self-assessment and quality of advice.

Client Experience - a selection of clients is contacted by email or text after the advice process to assess their satisfaction with the service and the advice provided.

People Management - an annual survey is sent to all staff and volunteers to ask people about their experiences, identify what's working well and see where improvements can be made.

Leadership - the Trustees annually self-assess how well the charity is run and whether it is delivering good quality services. The self-assessment is checked by an auditor from Citizens Advice.

Financial Health Monitoring - quarterly financial reports are provided to Citizens Advice which are assessed against the budget and the Reserves Policy. A comparison is provided against LCA in the family group.

In September 2021 the charity had its three-year audit and is continuing to score green in all five areas.

Risk management

The Trustees have reviewed their procedures considering corporate governance guidance contained within the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities'. A risk assessment report is contained within the strategic business development plan. The report considers potential changes to the environment in which the charity is working and highlights how these would impact on its services. The organisation faces a range of operational risks and the key to successful risk management is to identify potential risks, the likelihood of them occurring and then mitigate their impact. The Risk Register is a formal statement of the charity's risk management strategy and how the impact of potential risks can be minimised. Identifying the risks is an important element of risk management and has been given detailed and careful consideration.

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau's objectives, its internal organisation and the environment in which it operates are continually evolving and as a result, the risks it faces are not constant. The organisation is mindful that it needs to operate under Government guidelines during the pandemic. Organisational success derives, in part, from successful risk taking and so the purpose of internal control is to help manage and control risk appropriately rather than to eliminate it.

The following measures will help minimise the risks:

 The effective use of probationary periods; staff and volunteer supervision and appraisal; and policies to promptly identify and deal with issues of concern;

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Statement of Internal Control

The Trustee Board oversee the information security of all the personal information that is processed, including the personal information of our clients, staff, funders and strategic partners. Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau hold joint responsibility for client data that is held in our case management system with the national Citizens Advice Service. An information assurance management team exists to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all personal and sensitive data is maintained to a level which is compliant with the requirements the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies' exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of 21 September 2022 trustees by:

J Ramsay (Treasurer) Trustee

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Year ended 31 March 2022

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2022 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), balance sheet and the related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).

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

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

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

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

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 (FRS 102).

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice

Bureau (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

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

L Thurston FCCA Independent Examiner

Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA 29/11/2022

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 31 March 2022

2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Grants and donations 5 245,200 46,829 292,029 339,128
Charitable activities 7 1,782 – 1,782 1,309
Investment income 8 1,197 – 1,197 1,836
   
Total income 248,179 46,829 295,008 342,273
   
Expenditure
Charitable activities 9 210,494 60,862 271,356 250,334
   
Total expenditure 210,494 60,862 271,356 250,334
   
Net income before transfer of funds 37,685 (14,033) 23,652 91,939
Transfers between funds (14,911) 14,911 – –
   
Net movement in funds 22,774 878 23,652 91,939
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 274,203 5,090 279,293 187,354
   
Total funds carried forward 296,977 5,968 302,945 279,293
   

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

The notes on pages 17 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Balance sheet

31 March 2022

2022 2021
Note £ £ £ £
Current assets
Debtors 15 14,048 766
Cash at bank and in hand 313,968 296,508
 
328,016 297,274
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year 16 (25,071) (17,981)
 
Net current assets 302,945 279,293
 
Total assets less current liabilities 302,945 279,293
 
Net assets 302,945 279,293
 
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 5,968 5,090
Unrestricted funds 296,977 274,203
 
Total charity funds 17 302,945 279,293
 

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

Directors' responsibilities:

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

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 21 September 2022 ........................, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

J Ramsay (Treasurer) Trustee

Company registration number: 05296023

The notes on pages 17 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

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Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2022

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 5 Milton Road South, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1EZ.

2. Statement of compliance

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis and the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected income and expenditure for the next 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure are sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

- 17 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

Operating leases

Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Office equipment - 25% - 33% Straight line

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

- 18 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

4. Limited by guarantee

The charity is a company limited by guarantee. None of the Trustees have a beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

5. Grants and donations

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 30,144 2,850 32,994
Grants
Grants 215,056 43,979 259,035
  
245,200 46,829 292,029
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2021
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 25,488 4,500 29,988
Grants
Grants 246,849 62,291 309,140
  
272,337 66,791 339,128
  

- 19 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

6. Grants and donations

2022 2021
£ £
Grants Receivable
Mid Suffolk District Council 95,500 86,700
The National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux 72,994 55,689
Ipswich & East Suffolk CCG 24,926 20,251
Suffolk County Council 19,431 12,973
Ipswich & District CAB - Suffolk Advice & Support Service 11,700 12,659
Suffolk Community Foundation 8,718 56,155
Innovation Community 8,333 16,667
Stowmarket Town Council 7,600 7,600
M S Society 4,333 4,000
Stowmarket Relief Trust 5,500 15,000
Mrs Smith & Mrs Mount Trust – 7,083
NHS Ipswich – 5,000
Caf Bank - Covid 19 – 5,000
Needham & Barking Charitable Trust – 1,000
Other grants – 363
 
259,035 306,140
 
Donations
Margaret Wright Birketts LLP 10,002 –
Parish Councils 7,059 6,900
Private Donations 5,564 7,813
Needham Market Town Council 4,500 2,500
Alfred Williams Charitable Trust 3,000 3,000
Geoffrey Burton Charitable Trust 1,850 –
Needham Market & Barking Welfare Charities 1,000 500
Other donations 19 26
Ashton KCJ – 7,949
Mr & Mrs Ward – 3,000
Stowmarket District Lions – 1,000
Mid Suffolk District Council - locality grant – 300
 
32,994 32,988
 

7. Charitable activities

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2022 Funds 2021
£ £ £ £
Other income 1,782 1,782 1,309 1,309
   
8. Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2022 Funds 2021
£ £ £ £
Bank interest receivable 1,197 1,197 1,836 1,836
   

- 20 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

9. Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Subsistence and refreshments 414 – 414
Staff travel 637 7 644
Surviving winter grants 9,207 – 9,207
Staff recruitment 75 – 75
Staff training 1,403 – 1,403
Volunteer training 500 – 500
Volunteer expenses 1,150 211 1,361
Volunteer other 385 – 385
Wages and salaries 148,208 46,580 194,788
Support costs 48,515 14,064 62,579
  
210,494 60,862 271,356
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2021
£ £ £
Subsistence and refreshments 423 – 423
Staff travel – – –
Surviving winter grants 3,790 – 3,790
Staff recruitment 75 – 75
Staff training – – –
Volunteer training 668 – 668
Volunteer expenses 1,406 351 1,757
Volunteer other 192 – 192
Wages and salaries 125,731 56,729 182,460
Support costs 44,975 15,994 60,969
  
177,260 73,074 250,334
  
Analysis of support costs
2022 2021
£ £
Offices costs 28,740 30,369
Premises costs 29,489 25,963
Legal and professional fees 1,867 2,085
Other costs 2,483 2,559
 
62,579 60,976
 
10. Net income
Net income is stated after charging:
2022 2021
£ £
Operating lease rentals 21,629 20,156
 

- 21 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

11. Independent examination fees

2022 2021
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 1,854 1,800
 

12. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2022 2021
£ £
Wages and salaries 176,991 166,596
Social security costs 6,458 5,301
Pension costs 11,339 10,563
 
194,788 182,460
 

The average head count of employees during the year was 14 (2021: 12).

Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £106,738 (2021: £108,957)

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2020: Nil).

13. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No trustees received any remuneration or reimbursed expensed during this or the prior year.

14. Tangible fixed assets

Office
equipment
£
Cost
At 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 33,988

Depreciation
At 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 33,988

Carrying amount
At 31 March 2022 –

At 31 March 2021 –

15. Debtors
2022 2021
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 14,048 766
 

- 22 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2022 2021
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 24,871 17,272
Social security and other taxes – 204
Other creditors 200 505
 
25,071 17,981
 

Included in creditor amounts falling due within one year is deferred income of £15,507 (2021: £13,516) which comprises grant income for future periods.

- 23 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

17. Analysis of charitable funds

At 1 April At 31 March
2021 Income Expenditure Transfers 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Funds 124,203 248,179 (209,287) (38,704) 171,977
Equipment Reserve 20,000 – – – 20,000
Contractual Commitment
Reserve 55,000 – – – 55,000
Development Reserve 10,000 – – – 10,000
Property Reserve 40,000 – – – 40,000
Covid 19 Reserve 25,000 – (1,207) 23,793 –
    
274,203 248,179 (210,494) (14,911) 296,977
    
Restricted funds
BIM Project – 2,850 (12,895) 10,045 –
Employment Advice 4,669 – (5,772) 1,103 –
Help to Claim – 18,463 (21,513) 3,050 –
M S Society 421 4,333 (5,467) 713 –
EAP – 13,583 (7,615) – 5,968
Rent – 7,600 (7,600) – –
    
5,090 46,829 (60,862) 14,911 5,968
    
At 1 April At 31 March
2020 Income Expenditure Transfers 2021
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Funds 74,519 275,482 (177,260) (48,538) 124,203
Equipment Reserve 10,000 – – 10,000 20,000
Contractual Commitment
Reserve 55,000 – – – 55,000
Development Reserve 5,000 – – 5,000 10,000
Property Reserve 40,000 – – – 40,000
Covid 19 Reserve – – – 25,000 25,000
    
184,519 275,482 (177,260) (8,538) 274,203
    
Restricted funds
BIM Project – 11,916 (15,627) 3,711 –
Employment Advice 1,357 8,000 (4,688) – 4,669
Financial Capability 4,851 6,973 (11,824) – –
Help to Claim (3,373) 28,302 (29,756) 4,827 –
M S Society – 4,000 (3,579) – 421
Rent – 7,600 (7,600) – –
    
2,835 66,791 (73,074) 8,538 5,090
    

- 24 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

Designated funds

Equipment Reserve - a reserve to ensure there is enough capital to upgrade or replace IT and communications as required and to replace office equipment when it becomes obsolete or beyond economic repair. Funds are also required from time-to-time to purchase new equipment for new projects. The Trustees consider a sum of £20,000 held in reserve will permit replacement of these items when they fail or require upgrading and the purchase of additional equipment.

Contractual Commitment Reserve - a reserve to ensure that the charity can cover contracted payments to staff such as redundancy, provision of maternity, paternity and long-term sickness cover, payment of pension funds and the costs of any disciplinary and/or grievance procedures that may arise. This category of Reserve also covers the costs of curtailing on-going contracts (for instance IT and communications contracts) where necessary. The Trustees consider a sum of £55,000 to be applicable for this purpose.

Development Reserve - a reserve to allow the charity to undertake the development of new projects and areas of work and to conduct full feasibility studies on the advisability of such projects. The estimated costing of any proposed projects will be contained within the charity's strategic business and development plan and will be self-supporting once established. An initial project start-up reserve limit of £10,000 will be applicable.

Property Reserve - a reserve to cover the potential costs of a move to alternative premises. These costs would include legal fees; costs for moving the paperwork, furniture and equipment, installation of IT and telecoms equipment and adaptation of the premises to allow for the provision of a confidential advice service to required standards. Added to this is an amount for Dilapidations, i.e the replacement of carpets and re-decoration and general repairs to existing premises. The total Property Reserve has been set by Trustees at £40,000.

Restricted funds

Benefit & Income Maximisation ("BIM") Project - a community project aimed at ensuring full entitlement for appropriate benefits and grants for persons within Mid Suffolk.

Employment Advice - funding to provide specialist employment advice including representation at employment tribunals.

MS Society Project - funding to provide advice to families affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

Energy Advice Project (EAP) - provides one to one advice on: getting the best price for your fuel; repaying fuel debts; energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation; and grants for fuel.

Rent - Stowmarket Town Council grant towards premises rent.

- 25 -

Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2022

18. Analysis of net assets between funds

As at 31 March 2022

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Current assets 171,977 125,000 5,968 302,945
   
Net Assets 171,977 125,000 5,968 302,945
   
As at 31 March 2021
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2021
£ £ £
Current assets 124,203 150,000 5,090 279,293
   
Net Assets 124,203 150,000 5,090 279,293
   
Financial commitments
Total commitments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
2022 2021
£ £
Amounts due within one year 18,607 21,628
Amounts due between one and 5 years – 18,607
 
18,607 40,235
 

19. Financial commitments

20. Related parties

There have been no related party transactions in this or the previous reporting year.

- 26 -