Docuslgn Envelop8 IJ.. 87EA1 D3￿DB844372-AS0E-D27A9E32FFED Company Registration No. 05596895 (England and Wales) Ch8rity No.. 1113231 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 FOR CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (formerly Citizens Advice South Essex Limited) citizens advice BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX DO￿519n En*lope ID.. 87EA1D3tk08844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Page Report of the Trustees Iwndent Audit￿, Rewt 10-12 Statemerft of FIn￿CIal Activtties 13 Balance Sheet 14 Statanent of Cash Flow8 15 Nctes to the Financial Statements 16-29 Docusign Envelope 10.. 87EA1 D3D-DB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) . CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees. who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, Present their report with the financial statements of Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited (the company) for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the company comply with current ststLrtory requirements, the requirements of the companys governing document and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to. charities preparing their accounts in accordarte withthe Finsnci81 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATNE DETAILS Name of charity Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited Registsred office & operatlonal address The Basildon Centre St Martin's Square Basildon Essex SS141DL Reglstered company number 05596895 (England and Wales) R•glstered charlty number 1113231 Trustees & Company Directors S Freel Chair J AinSV￿rth - Vice Chair T Harrison - Vice Chair W Jones Treasurer B Sainty Trustee D Wotton Trustee J Evans Trustee IP- L Talbot Trustee M Binning Trustee (resigned 4th February 2025) M Fenn Trustee O Odunlami - Trustee R Rackham -Tru8tee T Curtis -Trustee Company Secretary K Kentish Principal Staff K Kentish K Rayner R Cabrelli S Murray Chief Executive Senior SeNice Manager Executive Officer Business Development Executive Officer Operations Auditor Primary Bankers CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4TA Smith & Goulding Limited 4 Southport Road Chorley Lancashire PR7 ILD Docuslgn Envelop8 ID.. 87EA1 D3c￿DB844372-AsOE-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED {PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES {INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) . CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is governed by ils Memorandum and Articles of Association Model 2021. It is a company limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Meryors hlstory Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex (previously Citizens Advice South Essex) was formed folbwing three recent mergers. The first be￿een Citizens Advice Basildon and Citizens Advice Thurrock on 1 April 2018 to create Citizens Advice Basildon & Thurrock. The second merger took place on the 1 April 2019 between Citizens Advi Basildon & Thurrock, Citizens Advice Brentwood and Citizens Advice Rochford & Rayleigh to create Citizens Advi￿ South Essex. The third merger took place on the 1st of October 2023 between Citizens Advice South Essex and Citizens Advice Braintree, Halstead & Witham to create Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex covering Basildon, Billeric8y, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Halstead, Rayleigh. Rochford, Thurrock. w￿kf0rd and Witham Organlsatlon and the appolntment and tralnlng of Trust••s The charity is managed by a board of Trustees, whose composition is detailed at the front of this document. Trustees meet at least quarterly and delegate the day-ttrday operation of the organisation to The Senior Management T8am, which is18d by Kathryn Kentish, the CEO. The Trustee Board has two committees, the Finance Committee and Business Development Committee, both committees meet quarterly prior to the full quarterly Trustee Board meeting. Vvherever possible, Trustees are dravm from the local community and are selected to ensure the board has a full range of management skills. No other persons or bodies external to the charity are entitled to appoint persons to the Board of Truste8S. Newly appointed Trustees are provided with a comprehensive induction to the charity which includes training courses and mentoring by established Trustees. The Trustees of Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited conduct regular appraisals to evaluate the performance of the Trustee Board. National Citizens Advice, our membership organisation, reviews and evaluates the annual appraisal of Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited as part of our annual leadership assessment. Oryanisational structuro Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited is govemed by its Trustee BoardlBoard of Directors which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the charity and for ensuring that il satisfies its leg81 and contractual obligations. The Board of Trustees is independent of management. Rolatod Parties The charity is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau, which provides a framework for standards of advice and casework management. Operating policies are independently detemined by the Board of Trustees of the charity in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements. The charity also co-operates and liaises with 8 number of other advisory services, local charities and local authority departments on behalf of clients. Where one of the Trustees holds the position of Trusteeldirector of another Charity, excluding Citizens Advice Essex, they may be involved in discussions regarding that other charity but not in the uttimate decision-making process. Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex also works in direct partnership with local Citizens Advice in Essex and Citizens Advice Essex, the consortia of Essex Local Citlzens Advice. Do¢usign En¥elope10.' 87EA1 D3D-DB844372-ASOE-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) - CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Risk management The Directors recognise that any major risks to which the Charity is exposed need to be reviewed and systems put in place to mitigate those risks. The charity maintains a fomal risk register which is continually monitored and reviewed quarterly by the Trustees to ensure that all significant issues are being actively managed and mitigated. This includes seeking to diversify its funding SoUr￿s. Internal risk5 are minimised by defined procedures for the authorisation of all transactions and obligations vhlich ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects. The charitys systems and procedures are regularfy reviewed by Citizens Advice as a condition of continued membership. Compliance Statement Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we process, and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection. An infomiation assurance management team exists to ensure the confidentiality. Integrity and availabilty of all personal and sensitive data is maintained to a level which is compliant with the requirements of GDPR and Data Proteclion Law. Citizens Advits Braintree & South Essex takes the privacy and security of individuals and their personal information very seriously. Our principles for processing personal infomation are: We will process all personal infomiation fairly and lawfulty We will only process personal information for specified and lawful purposes Where practical, we will keep personal information up to date We will not keep personal information for longer than is necessary Data Subjects, Rights At Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex, an individual can request information about. What personal information we hold about an individual The categories of personal infomiation we collect from an individual The purposes of collecting and processing personal information from an individual How long we plan to keep the personal information The process to h8ve inaccurate or incomplete personal information corrected or comp18ted Where applicable, the process for requesting erasure of the personal information or for restricting the processing of personal information in acLordance with dats protection laws, as well as to object to any direct marketing from us Our compliance plan Here is an overview of the steps that we are taking to ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection: We have established procedures and policies to restrict processing of personal information We follow national Citizens Advice model procedures for data breaches and incident responses We have and regularly review our Data Protection Policy, Data Retention Policy and Privacy Policy OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Alms, objectives, strategies and activities The charity's objects are to promote any charitsble purpose for the public benefit by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress in particular, but without limitation, for the benefit of the community in the local authority areas of Basildon, Braintree, Brentsvood, C8Stle Point, Rochford. Thurrock and surrounding areas. Ensuring our work dellvers our alms The charity reviews its aims, objectives and activities each year. The review looks at the advice needs of the local community and seeks to ensure our resources are aligned with their needs. The review also helps the charity ensure their aims, objectives and activities remain focused on the stated purpose. The charity has referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Cornmission's general guidance on public benefrt when reviewing its aims and objectives and planning future activities. Dlxusign Env91ope ID.. 87EA1 D3EkDB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) - CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Publlc benefft The Trustees confirm that they have cornplied vrfith the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regar(I to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. How our actlvltl•s dallver publlc b•nefft Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited meets its charitable objectives by providing flee. confidential, impartial and independent advice and infomiation for the benefit of the local communty. The charity also seeks to influence the developm8nt of social policies and works to ensure individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge or an inability to express their needs effectively. It is particularly focused on the most vulnerable in our society who find it hardest to access official support. In addition to the continuing provision of high quality advisory services another key objective is to maintain seniice provision in line with the Service Level Agreements arranged with local authorities and other funders. Equallty, Olverslty & Incluslon Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex makes equality and diversity an integral part of our service, we continue to ensure the service is open to all individuals and groups, to reduce discrimination and promote inclusion. Contributlon from volunteers The Charity receives help 8nd support in the fomi of voluntsry assistance in advising the public and administering the Charity. 119 volunteers contributed trEir time to the charity during the year (2024.. 118}. Law Cllnlc To improve the availability of legal advice the South Essex Law Clinic launched in April 2021 as a satellite servi to Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex. With thanks to volunteer solicitors from Bowling & Co, Hattons, Palmers, Penmans, Rayden and Sternberg Reed Solicitors, we provide one free telephone appointment for maximum of 30 minutes with a Solicitor to anyone, 18 or older, vtho lives andlor works within the council areas of.. Basildon Bren￿ood Castle Point Rochford Thurrock 464 local residents benefited from legal advice from our Law Clinic in 2025 (2024.. 390). ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charltsble activitles In the year ended 31 March 2025, our team of volunteers and paid stsff gave confidential information, advice and guidance to 18,185 (2024'.16,622) unique clients. This figure has been calculated in a different way to previous years, running the C6 Tableau report on our Casebook system just once covering the whole year. We monitor client volumes monthly using the same C6 report. In some of the previous ye8rs we have added together all 12 monthly reports to report our annual total, using the 12 monthly reports for 2024125 our unique client volume for the year ending 31st of March 2025 v￿S 21,823 (2023 19,789). By running the same report annually, we can see up to 3,658 (2024.'5,201) clients needed support with complex enquiries and required support either more than once in 2024125 or over several months. Services are delivered through multiple channels including: Face lo face in key locations in the local authority areas of Basildon. Braintree, Brentsvood, Castle Point. Rochford and Thurrock, Webchat on our national website Telephone on our Freephone Adviceline Email on our local and national websites Referrals in on Essex Frontline The trustees are very grateful to the volunteers and staff who dealt with the many challenges brought al)out by the huge demand for our service and continued to deliver a high qu81ity and much needed service for the local community. I)0￿1$ign Envelope ID.. 87￿1 D3D-DB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) - CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 During the year, Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited received funding from the following statutory and non-statutory organisations: Access to Justice Foundation Aviva Basildon Borough Council Basildon Foodbank Braintree Districl Council Braintree Foodbank Bren￿Ood Council British Gas Energy Trust Cadent Castle Point Council DWP Help to Claim (through the National Citizens Advi￿} Energy Redress Scheme Essex Community Fund Essex County Council Ford Motor Company Independent Age Mxmillan National Citizens Advice Ministry of Justice Money & Pensions Services Rochford Council Rosca Trust The National Lottery Thurrock Council Trussell Trust UK Power Network Witham Town Council Trustees are extremely grateful for the support the charity received from each of the above supporters, together with the donations received from our smaller donors and fundraisers who are equally important to the continuation of our good work. Fundralslng actlvltles Total income for the year was £1,529,062 (2024.. 1,423,580). Increased income over the last Gouple of years is due in part to the merger befvleen Citizens Advice South Essex and Citizens Advice Braintree, Halstead & Witham on the 1st of October 2023. Investment actfvitlos Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex held interest bearing deposit accounts wilh CAF Bank, United Trust Bank and Flagstone Platform. All funds are held by UK licensed banks covered by the FSCS deposit Protection scheme. Factorn affecting tho achlevement of objectives The charity understands the financial pressures eXperIen￿d by rts major supporters and has taken active measures to seek additional sources of funding. In addition, the Charity continues to develop through recent mergers to create a more efficient organisation where management is streamlined to enable more funding to 90 towards frontline client services. The Trustees continue to apply for further funding where available. The Charity derives the bulk of its revenue from a number of key donors as listed above. Some funds flow through National Citizens Advice by way of distributions from central Government and some funds flow through Citizens Advice Essex (the consortia of Local Citizens Advice in Essex). The Charity is not dependent on any single donor and, in the unlikely event that onewithdrew, could contlnue as a going concern. Additionally, the Charity continues to seek, and obtsin, supplementary project based finance from other sources. Docusign Envtlope 10: 87EA1 D3MB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) . CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position On 1 st of October 2023 Citizens Advice South Essex merged with Citizens Advice Braintree, Halstead & Witham [cABHV￿ and formed Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex (CABSE) following a formal approval of the two charities on 23 September 2023. As part of the merger, CABHW discharged all its commitments and transferred its fixed assets at book value and the residual cash of £150,489 to CABSE, of which £150,083 was unrestricted and £406 was restricted, and has been earmarked as such in these financial statements. As required by the charity SORP, these financial statements have been produced merging both the charities, 8Ctivities for both the accounting years 2024 and 2023. Incoming resources for the year were £1,529,062 {2024: £1.423,580), of this £81,313 (2024 - £106,522) related to unrestricted projects and £1,447,749 <2024: £1,317,058) related to restricted projects. Outgoing resources for the year were £1,586,241, of which £50,891 {2024= 69,084) related to unrestricted activities and £1,535,350 {2024- £1,408,704) related to restricted activities. The charity made deficit for the year of £57,179 (2024: deficit £54,208>. As at 31 March 2025, total reserves were £508,979 (2024: £566,158) of which £485,781 {2024: 539,378) represent unrestricted funds and £23,198 (2024.. £26,780) represented restricted funds. In line with FRS102 requirements, the above information includes both the merged charities. Reserves policy The Trustees of CitizensAdvice Braintree & South Essex Limited seekto ensure that general reserves are available to meet any reasonably foreseeable contingency. Citizens Advice Braintree & SoLrth Essex Limited maintains a projection of income for at least 2 years ahead and seeks to ensure that this continues to be derived from as wide a variety of sources as possible. CitizensAdvice Braintree & South Essex Limited will take8ppropriate steps to ensure that at no time within this period would the cessation of one or more funding streams prevent the continued provision of a best value advice service. The Trustees have determined that free rese￿e$ should be mantained to cover costs that would be required to minimise the impact on clients and to cover legal obligations should a significant reduction in income arise. Reserves should cover 3 months running cost. In addition, unrestricted funds may be designated from time to time for wrposes detemined by the trustees. Funds designated are.. £57,432 forecast deficit for 2025126- helping to improve Servi￿ delivery for local clients Restricted funds are earmarked by the funder and cannot be used for the general purposes of the charity. The assessment is that this policy requires free reserves of£417,800 (2024: £369,447). Free reserves at 31 March 2025 are £465,106, vthich meets the requirement underthis policy. This reserves policy is monitored and revievrfed by the trustees annually. Funds In deficit No funds were in deficit at the balance sheet dste. Investment policy and objectives Due to the size of the charity and its cash flow requirements, all lunds are held on deposit, in furtherance of its obj'ects. and for no other purpose. The charity has the power to invest the monies of the charity not immediately required for its purposes in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fft, subj.ect nevetheless to such conditions and such consents as may for the time be imposed or required by law. Docusign Envelope ID.. 87EA1 D3D-DB844372-A50E-D27AgE32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS. REPORT) - CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Trustees (who are also directors of Cittzens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordan V￿th applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounkn'ng Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial ststements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure. of the charitable company for that period. In preparing the financial ststements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the method and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 {FRS 102); make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., prepare the financial statements on a going concern bases unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure the financial sLgtements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as the trustees are aware.. there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware; and the trustees have taken all steps thatthey ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. On bohalf of the Board of Trustees Doeuslgffted by.. 0792e7BB4F2D44C... S Fre81- Chair ofthe Trustees 25 November 2025 Docusign Envelope ID.. 87EA1D3D-DB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFEO CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Independent Audltors. Report to th• Truste•s of CItIzons Advice Braintree & South Essex Limlted Opinlon We have audited the financial ststements of Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex Limited (the 'charitable company.) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their Preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stsndards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 Thg FinancialReporting Standard applicable in the UK8nd Republic of Ireland(United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable companys affairs as at 31 March 2025, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then have been properly prepared in accordanc8 With United Kingdom Generally AC￿pted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) {ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requifements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obt8ined is sufficient and appropriate to provide basis for our opinion. Concluslons relatlng to golng concorn In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work VR have perfomied, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on Ihe charitable companls ability to continue as a going concern ft)r a period of at least twelve months from when the financial ststements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. other infomiation The other information comprises the infomation included in the twstees. annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other infomation contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other infomiation and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other inform8tion and, in doing so, consider whether the other infom)ation is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otheThYise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such msterial inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, V￿ are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Oplnlons on other matters prescribed by the Companles Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit.. the infomiation given in the trustees, report for the financial year for which the financial ststements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements., and the directors, report included within the trustees, report has been prepared in accordance V￿th applicable legal requirements 10- Docuslgn Envelope10'. 87E41 D3D-DB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED {PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS) Matters on whlch wo are requlred to report by exceptlon In the light of the kno￿edge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors, report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us- or the financial ststements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns., or certain disclosures of directors. remuneration specified by law are not made., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit Responslbllltles of trustees As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement set out on page 6, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees detennine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable companys abilty to continue as a going concern, disclosing. as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Auditor responsibilities forthe audit of th• financial statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or e￿Or, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance wth ISAS (UK) will afvRys detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material rf, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with lav￿ and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material mi5Statement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows: the engagement partner ensured that the engagementteam collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with trustees and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the charity sector.. we focused on specific laws and regulations vthich we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charity, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation and data protection, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation. we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence., and identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularfy and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. We assessed the susceptibility of the company's financial ststements to malerial misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by. making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud. and Docusign Envelope ID.. 87EA1 D3D-DB844372-A50E.D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS) considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance WFth laws and regulations. To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls. we: Perform￿ analytical proCedU￿S to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships" tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions: and assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicats-ve or potential bias. In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, y￿ designed procedures which included, but were not limTrted to.. agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation" reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance: enquiring of management a5 to actual and potential litigation and claims., and reviewing Corresponden￿ with relevant regulators and the companls legal advisors. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence. if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect that those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is I￿ated on the Financial Reporting Council's website at.. .fr klau This description forms part of our auditor's report. Use of our report This ￿FOrt is made solely to the charitsble company's members. as a body, in acctydance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable companvs members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent wmitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibilty to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. s. Andrew Simm Bsc, Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Smith & Goulding Limited Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 4 Southport Road Chorley PR7 1LB Il..w. cAQL.fL.. 24fL& -12- Docuslgn Envelope ID.. 87EA1D3D-DB844372-ASOE-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 {INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS) Unrestricted funds Restrfctsd Total funds Total Funds funds foryearto for year to 31 March 31 March 2025 2024 Notes Income from: Donalions and legacies Investment income 3,640 15,093 60,580 2,OC 81,313 3.640 15,093 1,508.329 2,000 1 ,529,062 2,945 11,618 1,409,017 Charitable activities 5,15 1,447.749 Other income Total Income 1,447,749 1,423,580 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6,15 1,535,350 1586,241 1.477 788 Total •xp•nditur• 50,981 1.535.350 1,586.141 1,477,788 Net (expendilure)Ilncome before transfers 30.422 (87,601) 84,019 (57,179) (54.208) Transfers between funds 15 84,019 (53,597) (3,582) {57,179} (54.208) (3,380) (57,588) (LossesyGains on investment assets Net movement In funds (53.597) (3,582) (57.179) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought fo￿rd 539,378 26.780 566,158 623,746 Total funds carried forward 485,781 23,198 508.979 566.158 The notes on pages 16 to 29 form part of these financial statements. -13- Docusign Envelope ID.. 87EA1D3D-DB8M372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Not•s Flxed assets Tangible assets Investments 11 12 20,675 24,861 Current assets 20,675 24,861 Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 13 64,924 6,415 125,118 474,316 Current liabilities Creditor5 fallirE due wthin one year Net current assets 631.339 599,434 14 (143,035) (58,137) 488,304 541,297 Net Assets 508,979 566,158 Funds of the charity: 16 General fvnd Balance brough foThvard (Deficit)ISurplus for the year Transfers behveen funds Net fvjnds undesignatedl(designated) 347.739 30,422 (84,019) 134,207 428,349 511,706 37,438 (73,886) (124,139) 351,119 (3,380) Loss in investment value 428.349 57,432 485,781 347,739 191,639 539.378 Designated funds Reslricted funds Balance brough foThYard (Deficit>lsurplus for the year Transfers be￿een funds 26,780 (87,601) 84,019 44,540 (91.646) 73,886 23,198 26,780 Total charlty funds 508,979 5e6,158 The notes on pages 16 to 29 form part ofthese financial statements. These a¢￿Unts have been prepared in accordan￿ with the provisions relating to smal companies V￿thin Part 15 ofthe Companies Act 2006. The financial st*ments were approved by the Board 0fTrUst￿ on 25 November, 2025 and were signed on its behalf by.. DOCUSIBn￿ by.. Slpned ty.. 0792678B4F2D44C... C88i124C4N2824Bg... S Freel- Chair of the Trustees W Jones - Treasurer company Reglstratlon Number: 05596895 -14- Docuslgn Envelope ID.. 87EA1D3D-DB844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED STATEMENTOF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 202S 2024 Notss Cash flows from oporatlng actlvlti•s Net incomel(expenses) for the year {57,179) (57,588) Adjustm•nt to Cash flows from nonDB844372-A50E-D27AgE32FFED crrizENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 - CONTINUED TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS No trustees (directors) received any remuneration, benefits or expenses for the year ended 31 March 2025 {2024. nil). STAFF COSTS 2026 2024 Wages and salaries Employers, National Insurance Pension costs 1,170,763 1,107,370 85.963 71,686 55,253 44,508 1,311,979 1,223,564 The total employee benefits paid to the charity's key management personnel for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £203,008 (2024: £232,805). The average number of employees. analysed by function, was: 2024 Average 2024 Full time equivalent 40 2024 Average 2024 Full time equivalent 44 Provision of advice and support Management and administration of charity 46 53 50 No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year (2024.. Nil). Citizens Advice South Essex merged wtth Citizens Advice Braintree, Halstead & Witham on 01 October 2023, forming Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex. Eligible staff from Citizens Advice Braintree. Halstead & Witham moved over to the merged charity under a TUPE agreem8nl. 10. AUDrroRS' REMUNERATION The auditors, remuneration paid in the year ending 31 March 2025 was £6,00012024: £6,000) 11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Leasehold Improvements Flxtures and Computer Flttlngs Equipmont Totals COST At 1 April 2024 Additions At 31 March 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 NET BOOK VALUE 30,000 70,865 92,872 7,256 100,128 193,737 7,256 200 993 30,000 70,865 30,000 68,526 1,265 69,791 70,350 10,177 80,527 168,876 11.442 180,318 30,000 At 31 March 2025 1,074 19,601 20,875 At 31 March 2024 2.339 22,522 24,861 21 Docusign Envalope ID.. 87EA1D3D-D8844372-A50E-D27A9E32FFED CITIZENS ADVICE BRAINTREE & SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH ESSEX LIMITED) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 - CONTINUED 12. INVESTMENTS 2025 2024 Llsted Investments Market value at 1 April 2024 Loss on revaluation Sale of investments 162,647 (3,380) (159,267) Market value at 31 March 2025 The invest portfolio was closed and funds transferred to the charity's deposit account 2025 2024 Investments at fair value comprised Equities Fixed interest securities Alternatives Cash held wthin the investsnent pothlio Total 13. Debtors 2025 2024 Prepayments Debtors and a¢crued income 4,996 59,928 64.924 4,231 120,887 125,118 14. Craditor8 Amounts falllng due wlthin one year 2025 2024 Trade creditors Taxation and social security Ac(fuals and deferred income Other creditors 11,432 22,347 102,124 7,132 7,855 20,994 23,604 5,684 143,035 58,137 MOVEMENT IN DEFERRED INCOME IS AS FOLLOWS: 2025 2024 Deferr&l irK)Jme knugh fward Released in year Income deferred 11,933 (11,933) 78,749 33,333 (33,333) 11,933 11,933 Deferred irmne carried fcrvRrd 78,749 Deferred income as at 31st March 2025 relates to income received in 2024125, which related to perfonnance obligations in 2025126. 00 DJ <0 al Jo o) ￿ o ¢D IA) fD IQ •Do0)￿In o roo focAlln )rff) o) <0 ) tr--WJQWm (d CN o ¢J) o) o ¢rJo IY)￿QOcO￿ c Irj ro ￿ In r O ¢D fD LL > otyl ￿ 15) 0 É7jr JOO o olr) ¢J) Ino) O ¢0 ￿¢00) aj o COO w)0￿￿￿0 Thl ¢DroJo￿￿00* o N 1010 o) Ir> cq O (O v O P) ¢0 o CN (N ¢fJ r CQ IN IU 11 > D iLI 0> 11 c Q) OUuL)CDU tooao oa>>iSu oEf/)oo<<<<< >o)VUL)OUU x x x x x x x o) o) ¢D c c c O ¥J q5 (ts OJ o <<< <<<<<<< (£ m o) ts) CDC0￿Ct c)￿ LLIiUZ Z ZZ Z U L)U L)L)CJUU L)L) O*OO)v O &fJ ￿ ty- CO % In (5> ￿ (fj ￿ Ln CO V ¢Q m 0) ¢D O ¢D N rfj ro ff) o 0> p Ir> wi (r