REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05408107 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1110676
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
FOR
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Stoten Gillam Limited Chartered Accountants Alban House 99 High Street South Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 3SF
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | to | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 12 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 13 | to | 14 |
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. In accordance with their governing documents, the trustees have adopted the provisions of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The company has continued to serve as the local Citizens Advice office for the people of Dunstable, Houghton Regis and surrounding areas.
Our main funding support for general advice continues to be Central Bedfordshire Council with additional support coming from Houghton Regis Town Council and charities including Wixamtree Trust and Luton & Beds Community Fund. Funding was also provided by National Citizens Advice on behalf of the government specifically to assist in introducing the Universal Credit benefit.
Total income in the year was higher than the previous year, mainly due to additional funding from Central Bedfordshire Council, The Trussell Trust and National Citizens Advice.
Total incoming resources in the year were £264,939 (2023 : £230,076).
Total resources expended in the year were £217,252 (2023 : £182,992).
The company made a surplus for the year of £47,687 (2023 : £47,084).
Reserves policy
The trustees consider that financial reserves should be held in order to ensure that the charity can continue to operate and meet the needs of clients in the event of unforeseen and potentially financially damaging circumstances arising.
Total Reserves were £225,585 at 31st March 2024 (2023 £177,898). These are partly required as a source of contingency cover for operational costs between the twice yearly disbursements of our primary funding grant from Central Bedfordshire Council, but also to meet the board's aim of having reserves to cover at least six months' operations. In addition the reserves will cover unforeseen day-to-day operational costs, non-renewal of anticipated budgeted sources of income (e.g. grants) and planned spending on projects that continue to make it easier for clients to get the advice they seek.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is a company limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006 and is controlled by its governing document, the memorandum and articles of association, which were updated and approved at the AGM on 25 September 2014.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
05408107 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number
1110676
Page 1
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Registered office
The Dunstable Centre Court Drive Dunstable Bedfordshire LU5 4JD
Trustees
Mr M I Coulter Retired Mr D R Hook Retired (resigned 23/5/2024) Mr P J Syred Design Engineer Mr J R Kane Retired Ms S Thorne Retired Mrs R Y Tsang Chartered Accountant (resigned 17/5/2024) Mr A Whayman Civil Engineer (resigned 2/5/2023) Mrs J Watson Headteacher Mr W Morris Landlord Mrs C Brennan (appointed 23/5/2024)
Independent Examiner
Mr Chris Trevor FCA Stoten Gillam Limited Chartered Accountants Alban House 99 High Street South Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 3SF
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
........................................................................ Mr M I Coulter - Trustee
Page 2
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Dunstable and District 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 2024.
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 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
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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:
-
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
-
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
-
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 (FRS 102)).
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.
Mr Chris Trevor FCA The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Stoten Gillam Limited Chartered Accountants Alban House 99 High Street South Dunstable Bedfordshire LU6 3SF
Date: .............................................
Page 3
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | fund | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 27,299 | - | 27,299 | 23,463 | |
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Charitable activities | 181,857 | 50,260 | 232,117 | 203,667 | |
| Other trading activities | 2 | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Investment income | 3 | 3,523 | - | 3,523 | 946 |
| Total | 214,679 | 50,260 | 264,939 | 230,076 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Charitable activities | 172,563 | 44,689 | 217,252 | 182,992 | |
| NET INCOME | 42,116 | 5,571 | 47,687 | 47,084 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 177,622 | 276 | 177,898 | 130,814 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 219,738 | 5,847 | 225,585 | 177,898 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | fund | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 5,840 | - | 5,840 | 10,425 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors | 10 | 164 | - | 164 | - |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 218,849 | 24,847 | 243,696 | 197,638 | |
| 219,013 | 24,847 | 243,860 | 197,638 | ||
| CREDITORS | |||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 11 | (5,115) | (19,000) | (24,115) | (30,165) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 213,898 | 5,847 | 219,745 | 167,473 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||||
| LIABILITIES | 219,738 | 5,847 | 225,585 | 177,898 | |
| NET ASSETS | 219,738 | 5,847 | 225,585 | 177,898 | |
| FUNDS | 12 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 219,738 | 177,622 | |||
| Restricted funds | 5,847 | 276 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 225,585 | 177,898 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The notes form part of these financial statements
continued...
Page 5
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
BALANCE SHEET - continued 31 MARCH 2024
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Mr M I Coulter - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 20% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Dilapidation reserve
There was no requirement for a dilapidation reserve for the year ended 31 March 2024. This will be kept under review going forward.
continued...
Page 7
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| 2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| External training | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Deposit account interest | 3,523 | 946 | ||
| 4. | GRANTS PAYABLE | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Charitable activities | - | 35 |
Monies were received by the charity to enable them to provide some assistance to individuals suffering fuel poverty.
5. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation - owned assets | 6,208 | 7,386 |
| Other operating leases | 12,634 | 12,472 |
6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
7. STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly staff | 8 | 6 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
continued...
Page 8
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 8. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | fund | funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 23,463 | - | 23,463 | |
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Charitable activities | 177,886 | 25,781 | 203,667 | |
| Other trading activities | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | |
| Investment income | 946 | - | 946 | |
| Total | 204,295 | 25,781 | 230,076 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||||
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Charitable activities | 157,452 | 25,540 | 182,992 | |
| NET INCOME | 46,843 | 241 | 47,084 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 130,779 | 35 | 130,814 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 177,622 | 276 | 177,898 | |
| 9. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Fixtures | ||||
| and | Computer | |||
| fittings | equipment | Totals | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| COST | ||||
| At 1 April 2023 | 25,409 | 20,606 | 46,015 | |
| Additions | 117 | 1,506 | 1,623 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 25,526 | 22,112 | 47,638 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 April 2023 | 18,040 | 17,550 | 35,590 | |
| Charge for year | 4,109 | 2,099 | 6,208 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 22,149 | 19,649 | 41,798 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 3,377 | 2,463 | 5,840 | |
| At 31 March 2023 | 7,369 | 3,056 | 10,425 |
continued...
Page 9
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 164 | - | |||
| 11. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE | YEAR | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Accruals and deferred income | 24,115 | 30,165 | |||
| 12. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | ||||
| Net | |||||
| movement | At | ||||
| At | 1/4/23 | in funds | 31/3/24 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 177,622 | 42,116 | 219,738 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Restricted fund | 276 | 5,571 | 5,847 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 177,898 | 47,687 | 225,585 | ||
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |||
| resources | expended | in funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 214,679 | (172,563) | 42,116 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Restricted fund | 50,260 | (44,689) | 5,571 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 264,939 | (217,252) | 47,687 |
continued...
Page 10
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1/4/22 | in funds | 31/3/23 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 130,779 | 46,843 | 177,622 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Restricted fund | 35 | 241 | 276 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 130,814 | 47,084 | 177,898 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 204,295 | (157,452) | 46,843 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Restricted fund | 25,781 | (25,540) | 241 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 230,076 | (182,992) | 47,084 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1/4/22 | in funds | 31/3/24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 130,779 | 88,959 | 219,738 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Restricted fund | 35 | 5,812 | 5,847 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 130,814 | 94,771 | 225,585 |
continued...
Page 11
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 418,974 | (330,015) | 88,959 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Restricted fund | 76,041 | (70,229) | 5,812 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 495,015 | (400,244) | 94,771 |
13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Page 12
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 299 | 5,463 |
| Other grants | 27,000 | 18,000 |
| 27,299 | 23,463 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| External training | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Investment income | ||
| Deposit account interest | 3,523 | 946 |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Grants | 232,117 | 203,667 |
| Total incoming resources | 264,939 | 230,076 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Wages | 169,595 | 139,182 |
| Social security | 7,879 | 6,074 |
| Pensions | 2,756 | 2,589 |
| Grants to individuals | - | 35 |
| 180,230 | 147,880 | |
| Support costs | ||
| Management | ||
| Office rent | 12,634 | 12,472 |
| Insurance | 789 | 643 |
| Training, reference and information services | 3,816 | 3,334 |
| Telephone | 4,023 | 2,829 |
| Office supplies | 3,784 | 3,554 |
| Advertising | 235 | - |
| Other expenses | 469 | 75 |
| Travelling | 1,017 | 234 |
| Repairs and renewals | - | 127 |
| Subscriptions | 311 | 365 |
| Volunteer expenses | 1,347 | 1,557 |
| Uniforms | - | 313 |
| Accountancy fees | 804 | 798 |
| 29,229 | 26,301 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
DUNSTABLE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Management | ||
| Finance | ||
| Bank charges | 60 | 72 |
| Other | ||
| Depreciation of fixtures and fittings | 4,109 | 4,055 |
| Depreciation of computer equipment | 2,099 | 3,332 |
| 6,208 | 7,387 | |
| Governance costs | ||
| AGM and Board meeting expenses | 355 | 215 |
| Independent examiners' fee | 1,170 | 990 |
| Legal fees | - | 147 |
| 1,525 | 1,352 | |
| Total resources expended | 217,252 | 182,992 |
| Net income | 47,687 | 47,084 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14