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← Citizens Advice East Suffolk

2024-03-31-accounts

Company number 5866861 Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Financlal Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024 Registered charity number 1115522

Citizens Advtce East Suffolk Ltd Contents Page No Legal and administrative information Trustees, Report 12 Independent Examiner's Report 13 Statement of Financial Activities 14 Balance Sheet 15 Cash flow statement 16 Note to the financial statements

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Legal and admlnlstrativÈ information Legal structure The charity is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales Company No. Charity Registration No. 5866861 1115522 Chairman Nick Mayo Board of Trustees Elected members Nick Mayo Ed Day David Verney Roger Guthrie (Resigned 5 June 20231 Craig Fiddaman Susan Robinson {Resigned 29 January 20241 Richard McLeod Simon Quantrill (Appointed 19 April 20231 Phil Davy (Appointed 5 June 20231 Lydia Keeble (Appointed 21 May 20241 Council nominees Tony Cooper (East Suffolk Council) to 4 May 2023 Malcolm Pitchers IEast Suffolk Council) from 4 May 2023 Keith Robinson (Suffolk County Council) to 4 May 2023 Steve Wiles Isuffolk County Council from 4 May 20231 Company Secretary Craig Fiddaman Chief Officer Chiara Saunders Principal Address and Registered Office St Margaret's House Gordon Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 IJQ Independent Exarniner Helen Rumsey FCA Ensors Blyth House Rendham Road Saxmundham Suffolk IP17 IWA

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report 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 and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. Chair's Report The 202312024 year for Cit12ens Advice East Suffolk ICAESI has focused largely on beddinE in the changes following the merger of CA Felixstowe & District, CA Leiston, Saxmundham & District and CA North East Suffolk, achieved on l April 2022. The Chief Officer, her staff and the volunteers have all worked exceptionally hard to tie up the loose end5 from phase l of the merger and progress into phase 2, consolidating the best parts of the legacy CAS into a streamlined and efficient entity. Over the year, the Trustees have continued to provide the necessary oversight on strategic matters, notably all governance, finance and staffing issues and the Board has benefited greatly by the appointment of new Trustees. The Chief Officer, Chiara Saunder5, has spent much time reviewing and assessing the needs of the community and has worked with multiple stakeholders to secure funding, bringing CAES up-to-date with suitable IT systems, while retaining a face-to-face service for those who would benefit most from this. Stakeholders in local government, other agencies and the voluntary sector have all been tremendously generous ond supportive, willing to share their experience and expertise. Particular thanks are extended to the main funders, East Suffolk District Council, Suffolk County Council and the Rope Trust. Over the year, CAES has worked to embed the improvements recommended in the 2023 Year 3 audit from Citizen5 Advice at the centre, and to provide evidence of improvement. The 2024 Year l audit has been completed and demonstrated full cornpliance with the process, resulting in a pass score for all aspects of operation. CAES, greater breadth ot cover has enabled potential sources of new funding to be explored, both to develop new ways of atjvice-giving and to enhance the existing systems. Whi15t huge stride5 have been taken to consolidate CAES post-merger, the need to remain at the forefront of advice giving in the area remains a priority. Given the competing demands for ever decreasing funding, it is to the credit of the staff and volunteers that CAES has consistently performed well both for the community and in terms of financial viability. 20ty* Nick Mayo Chair of the Board of Trustees

CitFzens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report forthe year ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the 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 IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191. The charity is governed by its Memorandum of Association dated S July 2006 as amended by Special Resolutions in August and September 2022. Objectives and activitles Aims and principles Cit12ens Advice East Suffolk I'CAES") provides free, independent, confidential and imparti31 advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. The charity provides information and advice to all who need it, but aims to target resources in more detailed help 2nd casework to those who are least able to help themselves, whether due to language, mental health, age or disability, or short term difficulties such as homelessness or lack of money. CAES also works to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives, through representing unfairness and difficulties faced by clients to those able to make a difference in law and procedures, in government or elsewhere. CAES values its wide range of volunteers and recognises that they are the strength underpinning the organisation, and seek5 to promote sUPPOrted volunteering as a route to develop employability skills and confidence, leading to a healthier and stronger community. Objectives The Trustees review the Charity's Business Development and Operation Plans on a regular basis, and at least annually, to agree the èchievements of the year and objectives for the following year. The main objective for the year ending 31 March 2024 was to continue to provide an efficient and effective advice and informètion service to the local community and our activities were targeted to meet that purpose. The work w35 carried out by a team of volunteer advisers and specialists providing è predominantly telephone and email service with face-to-face appointments available when required.

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024 CAES provided advice in 15 key areas.. benefits, consumer, debt, education, employment, finance, health, housing, immigratlDn, legal, relationship, budgeting, tax, travel and utilities. In addition to generalist advice, both specialist advice and casework were available- Specialist Consumer Advice - faulty goods. scarns or mis-sold goods; Specialist Money Advice- consideration of debt management options including Breathing Space, debt TnanaEement plans, bankruptcy, debt relief orders and Individual Voluntary Arrangements,. Financial Capability Advice- supporting clients to maximise income and reduce expenditure,. Specialist Welfare Benefit Advice - form filling, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals,. Our project work to March 2024 included., Debt and Money Advice under two contracts, one Money and Pension Service in Waveney and one funded by Rope TrLbSt in Suffolk Coastal; Social Prescribing through our Solutions project in Lowestoft where we work from seven local surgeries and support clients with their non-clinical needs; Local Welfare Assistance support for clients in financial hardship; Lowestoft Food Bank outreach worker providing advice and 5UPPOrt to clients of the Lowestoft foodbank,. Across the district in conjunction with the District Council Provision of Homelessness Prevention, Debt and Money Aclvice Service,. Cost of Living Grant for housing outreach work,. Income Maximisation working with Suffolk residents,. Waveney Food Bank outreach worker providing advite and support to clients of the food bank., Yorkshire Building Society generalist advice provision at the Lowestoft branch,. Ministry of ILSStice- finance, benefit and debt advice to niale probationers in East and West Suffolk delivered in coniunction with Citizens Advice West Suffolk,. Energy Advice provided on a one-to-one basis in East Suffolk,. and

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Citizens Advice Core Service Funding- increase in service delivery for clients in deprived areas in East Suffolk. How Our Activities Deliver Public Benefit Our main activities and who we try to help are described above. All our charitable activitie5 focus on providing the advice people need for the problems they face and are undertaken specifically to provide public benef it. The Trustee Board have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charitie5 Act 2011. Contribution of staff and Volunteer5 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 recoEnise the tremendous contribution made by the charity's volunteers in advising the public and administering the service without which the service could not operate. As at 31 March 2024 the service employed 35 paid workers114 FTES) and was supported by 80 volunteers. Staff, under the direction of the Chief Officer, work across all activities of the charity, including the support of volunteers, ensuring its smooth and effective operation. Staff have an annval review carried out by their line mariager and regular informal reviews. Salaries are reviewed across the board by the Staffing Sub Committee in the Spring taking account of a number of factors including the level of inflation, the salary increases agreed by other LCAS and the finances of CAES. Any recommended increase is submitted to the full board for approval. Volunteers represent the indispensable core of the Se￿ICe for without them, there would not be a Citizens Advice East Suffolk service. The volunteers contribute, on average, 300 hours each per annum. With volunteering hour5 of some 21.000 the annualised value of volunteering has been calculated at in excess of £500,000. However, their value is inadequately expressed in monetary terms. Indeed, volunteers bring many skills to the service and very often the experience gained helps individuals return to full employment. During 2023124 two volunteers left to take up paid work. Achievements and Performance The key achievements of the organisation in 2023124, in line with the Business and Development plan- 10 volunteers trained,. 8,530 unique clients assisted,- 35,125 advice issues handled,. 52,216 individual activities;

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report fortheyear ended 31 March 2024 £742,337 debt written off,. £1,478,917 awarded in Welfare Benefits through casework; Continued upgrade of IT systems to enable volunteers and staff to work from home or the office,. Oeveloped the phone and email service to ensure the service is fully accessible,. Continued a quarterly Suffolk Citizens Advice newsletter to funders. Created a new website www.caes.org.uk,. Increased our outreaches to nine. In 2023124 the aim of the high-level strategy for the servite was to- Create a seamless Service across East Suffolk and streamline services and operations Maintain and build on the good working relationships with key stakeholders to help Safeguard the future of the service and secure continuation funding from April 2024 Continue to develop our presence across East Suffolk in community locations to enable our clients to access our service more easily. Plans for the Future A key priority for the Trustee Board for 2024125 is to continue to develop a sustainable service that meets the needs of our clients during the cost-of-living cri5i5. We want to expand our service provision to cope with an increase in demand as people feel the imp3Ct of the increased costs of energy, food, petrol and services. We will continue with the work to diversify our funding streams to increase our sustainability and enable us to build a setwice that IS Cost-effective. We recognise the challenges involved in short term project funding and will endeavour to secure longer term funding for our core service to enable us to plan effectively. We will offer our funders value for money, whilst never compromising on the high quality service that our clients expect and deserve. There is a three-year Business Development Plan with detailed emphasis on the current year. The plan is a living document and is an agenda item at Trustee Board meetings. The main drivers for strategic development in 2023 - 2026 are= building on and enhancing our service to reach out to our clients. Our service delivery review is completed and we are working with local partners to enhance existing relationships and forge new partnerships,.

Citizen5 Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024 maintaining current funding in a very uncertain climate,. developing CAES now that the merger has been be(Jded down. Flnanclal Revlew The Notes to the Financial Statements are shown on pages 14 to 27. The Key points are.. Income in the year amounted to £929,85012022-23'. £826,839) Expenditure in the year amounted to £922,09212022-23= £898,760} The highest C05t related to staff salaries for our 38 employed staff amountin8 to £634,312, including redundancy costs of £1,19912022-23: 27 employees and salaries of £638,199 including redundancy costs of £40,079) This resulted in a surplus of £7,75812022-23 deficit of £71,921) Fundraising Artivities and Principal Funding Sources The principal core funding sources were as follow5.. East Suffolk District Council £199,600 Suffolk County Council £52,800 The Trustees extend their gratitude to our principal funders with whom we share many strategi objectives and who continued to support the core operating capacity of the charity. In addition, major project-specific funding wa5 received from the following.. The Money Advice Service Lowestoft Primary Care Network Ministry of Justice The Big Lottery L D Rope Trust £111,720 £136,582 £62,251 £32,486 £37,500 Reserves Policv The Trustees have reviewed the reserves of the charity. This review encompassed the nature of the income and expenditure streams, the need to match income with fixed commitments, the risks associated therewith and the nature of the reserves. The review concluded that.. As at 31 March 2024 the total unrestricted reserves amounted to £679,236 of which £201.878 were designated reserves, see below. The remaining unrestricted reserves amounting to £477,358 are in excess of the reserves of £240,000 that the Trustees believe is prudent to be held by the charity. This level of reserves is based on a review of the risks the organisation faces and th.e funding required to mitigate those risks. The excess of some £200,000 will be utilised in the short to medium term in delivering improved services a5 the post-mer8er reor8anisation is fully implemented.

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Reportfor the year ended 31 March 2024 Designated Reserves A proportion of unrestricted funds have been designated with the aim of ensuring the charitV'5 sustainability by making provision5 for the replacement of equipment, for fulfillin8 our contractual commitments, for maintaining our premise5 and moving if necessary. Investment Actlvities The charity's funds are spent on delivering and developing the free advice service to the local community. The reserves were held durin8 the year in a variety of bank accounts offering various interest rates and with varying restrictions on access. The bulk of funds were in instant access accounts with interest at less than 1.50/0. Of the other funds the longest access delay was seven months at the year end. Going concern The directors have considered whether the company is a going concern. Whilst future funding is never certain any uncertainty over such income is mitigated by the assessment of reserves that should be held by the company, see above. Governance, Structure and Management Governing Document Citizens Advice East Suffolk is a charitable company limited by guarantee. incorporated on 5 July 2006.. Company No 5866861, Charity No. 1115522. The Company is governed under its Articles of Association. The charitV'5 objects are to promote any charitable 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 East Suffolk and surrounding areas. In furtherance of its objects the charity has power to establish and conduct local Citizens Advice offices as centres to provide a free, conf idential and impartial service of advice. information and counsel for the public. 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 upl would be required to contribute to the company's 35sets an amount not exceeding £1. At 31 March 2024, the company had 7 individual members.

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Reportlor the year ended 31 March 2024 Trustee Recruitment and Appointment Trustee5 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 elected directly at an Annual General Meeting. Any election lasts for three years at which time the Trustee can be re-elected. Trustees, who are also directors of the company. are elected from the local community and must either reside or work in East Suffolk or the surrounding area. A formal interview process is followed for all applicants with an interview panel comprising two Trustees or Chief Executive Officer. References are taken for all new Trustees. A separate process agreed by the Trustee Board is followed for the election of the Chair. Trustee Indurtion and Training New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under Charity and compally law, the content of the Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the 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. 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 Strurture The Trustee Board is responsible for setting the strategic dirertion of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry ultimate responsibility for the conduct of Citizens Advice East Suffolk and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Trustees meet at least six times a year, and delegate the day-to-day operation of the organisation to a paid Chief Executive Officer. The Trustee Board has assigned responsibilities amongst the Trustee group to allow workload to be shared and to give a clear point of contact for senior staff. The Trustee Board is independent from managemer7t. A register of members, interests 15 maintained at the registered office and is available to the public.

Citizen5 Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024 All Trustees and key employees have declared that they are a "fit and proper person" to be involved in the running of a charity. Over the past year the Trustee Board has reviewed its effectiveness and use of committee5. Sub committees for Business & Development, Finance & Fundraising and Staffing each met as required and reported with recommendations to the Board who made decisions as required. Related Partles Citizens Advice East Suffolk is a member of Citizens Advice, the national association for the Cit12ens Advice service. With effect from April 2015 Citizens Advice Bureaux became known as Local Citizens Advice ILCAI. The charity also cooperates and liaises Wlth many other advisory services, local charities, trusts and social services departments on behalf of clients. Audit process The charitable company is audited annvally by Citizens Advice using a Performance and Qualitv Framework. Every three years the LCA receives a full audit to ensure compliance with the Advice Quality Standard IAQSI and the Money Advice Service Debt Advice Quality Framework IMASDAQFI. The RedlAmber/Yellow and Green IRAYGI scoring system is used to mark each of the five key areas.. Quality of Advice Assessment,. Client Experience.. People Management; Leadership,. Financial Health Monitoring. Quality of Advice Assessment- every quarter the LCA self-assesses a selection of cases which are then checked by a Citizens Advice avditor 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 suNey 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. io

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Leadership the Trustees annu311y self-assess how well the chaflty 15 run and whether it Is delivering good qijality services. The self-assessment 15 checked by an auditor from Citizens Advice. Financial Health - 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. Risk management The Trustees have reviewed their procedures considering corporate governance guidance contained within the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities,. Organisational risk is a55essed withiri the Business Development Plan. The plan considers potential changes to the environment in which the charity is working and highlights how these could impact on its services. The orEanisation 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'5 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. Citizens Advice East Suffolk's objectives, its internal orEanisation and the environment in which it operates are continually evolving and as a result. the risks it faces are not constant. 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 Trustee Board recognises its role as the ultimate authority on the governance of the organisation and the management team and staff recognise that they operate with delegated authorityi Effective appraisal and supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and management team,. Staff are aware of sources of funding and the consequences arising from any failure to deliver services in line with grant agreements and contracts- The effective use of probationary periods,. staff and volunteer supervision and appraisal,. and policies to promptly identify and deal with issues of concern,- Regular case sheet checking,. Independent File Reviews and training to ensure quality,. Regular review and analysis of statistics to ensure targets are met,. Maintaining good relationships with funders to identify potential funding opportunities and challenges; li

Citizen5 Advice East Suffolk Ltd Tru5tees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Ensuring adequate fin3ntial reserves: Monthly financial monitoring against annual budget,. Good communication between volunteers, staff, the management team and the Trustee Board,. Maintaining independence and political neutrality to avoid conflict of interests. 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. Citizet)s Advice East Suffolk 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. The Trustees, annual report was approved on 22 July 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of Trustees by.. Trustee 12

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CITIZENS ADVICE EAST SUFFOLK LTD FOR THE VEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd (the Company) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the company 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') and the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year 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 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(S)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

The company's gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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.

Helen Rumsey FCA Ensors Accountants LLP

Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

Blyth House Rendham Road Saxmundham Suffolk IP171WA

Dated: 23/09/2024

13

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Statement of Financlal Activitie5 For the year ended 31 March 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Note 4 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Notes Income and endowment5 from Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investments 410,057 52,421 12,156 23,861 431,355 433,918 483,776 12,156 460,703 364,241 1,895 Total Income 474,634 455.216 929,850 826,839 Expenditure on Raising funds Charitable activities.. Advice 454,480 467.612 922.092 898,760 Total expenditure 454,480 467,612 922,092 898,760 Net income / (expenditure) 20,154 { 12,3961 7.758 1 71,9211 Total Funds brought forward at l April 2023 659,082 82,588 741,670 813,591 Totsl Funds carried fonvard at 31 March 20Z4 679,236 70,192 749,428 741,670 During the year there were no recognised gains or1055es other than those included above. All of the results above are derived from continuing activities. 14

Citizens Advlce East Suffolk Ltd Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Fixed Assets Tangible assets 101,878 110,516 Current Assets Short term investments Debrors Cash at bank and in hand 87,840 16,593 654,998 759,431 1 111.8811 85.019 20,841 673,850 779,710 1148,5551 io Creditor5: amounts falling due within one year li Net Current Assets 647,550 631,154 Net A55ets 749,428 741,670 Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds General Charitable Funds 12 13 70.192 82,588 201,878 477,358 2 10,516 448,566 Total Funds 749,428 741,670 For the year ended 31 March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respett to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subjett to the small companies, regime These accounts were approved by the Board of Directors at the Board meetin8 on 22 July 2024 and signed on its behalf by:_ Nick Mayo Director Company Registration Number 5866861 15

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Cash flow statement For the year ended 31 March 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations Loan repayment deducted from funding 1 16,0311 43,958 Net cash provided by operatin8 activities 1 16,0311 43,958 Cash IIow5 from investlng artivltles Purchase of tangible fixed a55et5 Ilncreasel in short term investments 2.8211 { 85,0191 Net cash used in investing activities 2,8211 1 85,0191 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year 1 18,8521 { 41,0601 Cash and cash equivalents at l April 2023 673,850 714,910 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2024 14 654,998 673,850 Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities Net income for the year las per statement of financlal attivities) 7,758 { 71,9211 Depreciation Ilncreaselldecreose in debtors Increaselldecreasel in creditors 8,637 4,248 1 36,6741 9,607 25.795 80,478 Net cash labsorbedl/provided by operating activities Isee above) 1 16,0311 43,958 16

Citizens Advlce East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Flnancial Statementsfor the year ended 31 March 2024 Accountln£ Policles Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The fina￿£181 statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice. effective l January 2019, in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Companies Act 2006. The finant131 statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. CAES was created from the merger of CA Felixstowe & District, CA Leiston Saxmundham & District and CA North East Suffolk. The merger took place on l April 2022, when at that date all assets, liabilities, personnel and contract5 were merged into CAES Ltd. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. Keyiudgements and assumptions The nature of the company's affairs is such that the directors believe that there are no areas of significant judgement and no significant assumptions that are required in the preparation of the financial statements other than those relating tts Boing concern. Going concern rests on the zvailability of future funding and anv uncertainty over such income is mitigated by the assessment of reserves that should be held by the company, see below. Income All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, its receipt is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Grants from government and other agencies have been included as income from activities in furtherance of the charity's objects where these relate to a contract for services, but as donations where the rnoney is given in response to an appeal or with freedom of use within the charity's objects, for example, block grants. Each of the entities that merged had similar sources of income but divergent treatments. The underlying agreements whereby income is received have all been reviewed and it h35 been concluded that all arrangements that were included as contract income under charitable activities are more properly disclosed as grants under donations, legacies and similar income- comparatives have been so adjusted. 17

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Expenditure Liabiliities are recogni5ed 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 benefit 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 costs related to that category. Where cost5 cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Tangible fixed assets Depreciation 15 provided at the following rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Freehold property 2% on cost Improvements to property IO% on cost Fixtures & furniture 20% on cost Expenditure of less than £1,000 per item of fixed assets is expensed on purchase. Debtors Prepayments, relating to expenditure incurred which has economic benefit in future acounting periods, and accrued income. relating to income due and receivable but outstanding at the balance sheet date, are measured at their recoverable amount being the sum that will be received after the balance sheet date. Cash at bank and in hand and short term investments Cash at bank and in hand includes all petty cash and bank accounts where access 15 immediate or available within 95 days Cash held on deposit where access is available within two years but after 95 days is included as short term investments Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year Accruals, relating to expenditure not paid until after the balance sheet date which confers economic benefit on the current accounting period, is recognised at the amount of that economic benefit. Deferred income, relating to income received in the current accounting period but which relate5 to future periods, is reognised as the whole of the income in question. Restricted fund income received in the current accounting period which relates to the current and future periods is recognised within restricted funds, see below. Pension costs Pension costs are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred. 18

Cltlzens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Funds Funds fall into two categories, restricted, where their use is governed by the wishes of the entity providing the funds or the contractual terms under which the funds are earned and, unrestricted, where there are no pre- conditions to the use of the funds other than the charitable objective5 of the organisation. Funds are transferred from restricted to unrestricted funds as they become free from the relevant restrictions. Within unrestricted funds designated funds are maintained to meet identified planned future costs which are not capable of being met out of annual budgets. It is the aim of the charity to maintain the balance of unrestricted reserves at a level that would give it the ability to mitigate the estimated costs 3s50¢13ted with the risks identified that the Bureau faces. Donations, le8acies and similar incoming re50urce5 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2023 Parish & Town Councils Individuals, Charitable bodies and other Donations 8,495 11,030 19,525 8,495 28,167 36,662 14,340 29,455 43,795 17,137 17,137 East Suffolk Council Suffolk County Council L D Rope Charitable Trust National Cit12ens Advice Hopestead Other Grants Receivable 208,080 128,120 208,080 128,120 6,724 23,812 10,000 19,919 396,655 227.100 162,406 8,895 6,724 23,812 10,000 19,919 389,931 10,000 2,355 410,756 6,724 Other 601 601 6,152 Total donations and similar income 410,057 23,861 433,918 460,703 19

Citizens Advlce East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 Match 2024 Charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2023 Fundraising events Money Advice Service Solutions East Suffolk Council - Housing Suffolk County Council - SASS James Paget Hospita1- The Big C Community Connectors Money Advice and Budgeting- L D Rope Food Banks - Lowestoft and Waveney National Citizens Advice - Deprivation Ministry of Justice- Probation Service The Big Lottery Other Service Level Agreements 111,720 136.582 25,000 111,720 136,582 25,000 108,466 136,582 18,500 31,250 4,921 12,872 43,700 7,949 4.921 4,921 37,500 37,500 23,848 29.498 62,251 32,486 19.970 483,776 23,848 29,498 62,251 32,486 9,970 431,355 10,000 52.421 364,241 Total charitable activities 52,421 431,355 483,776 364,241 20

Citlzens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Comparatlve Statement of Financial Affairs The detailed Statement of Financial Affairs for the year ended 31 March 2023 is set out below Total Funds 2023 Unrestrlcted Restricted Funds Funds Income from Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investment 418,858 98,371 1,895 41,845 265.870 460,703 364,241 1,895 Total Incoming Resources 519,124 307,715 826,839 Resources Expended Cost5 of generating funds Charitable activities.. Support 605,821 292,939 898,760 Total Resources Expended 605,821 292.939 898,760 f+Jet Incoming Resources for the period 1 86,6971 14,776 1 71,9211 Total Funds brought fonyard at l April 2022 74S,779 67,812 813,591 Total Funds carried forward at 31 March 2023 659,082 82,588 741.670 Charltable activlties costs Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Staff costs Travel expenses Printing, postage and statlDnery Telephone Information systems Training Hardship payment5 Project partner thar8es Overheads allocated to projects Management and administration (Note 61 266,296 18,614 14,036 18,934 29,916 1,618 368,016 634,312 18,614 14,036 18.934 29.916 1,618 15,563 28,273 638,199 9,169 13,063 22,762 27,895 1,871 24,091 15,563 28,273 55,759 1 55,7591 160,826 160,826 161,710 454,480 467,612 922,092 898,760 21

Citizens Advlce East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Support costs 2024 2023 Rent, rates, power and cleaning Technical support Insurance Professional fees Depreciation Other 98,332 14.257 6,277 2S.128 8,637 8,195 115,587 11,318 7,806 10,918 9,607 6,474 160,826 161,710 Included within professional fees are Independent Examiner's fees of £3,080, of which £1,080 relates to underaccrued 2023 fees12023 £3.0001. Staff. Volunteers and trustees The cost of staff was... 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Sociol security costs Pension costs 582,848 40,774 10,690 592,816 36.432 8,951 634.312 638,199 Included within wages and salaries are redundancy costs of £1,19912023 £40,079) of which £nil were ex gratia. The average number of employees during the year was Support 31 27 No member of staff received emoluments lexcluding employers, pension contributions) of more than £60,000. No trustee received remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity. No trvstee received reimbursed travel expenses12023 £Nill. 22

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Some 80 volunteer advisers contributed on average seven hours per week each to the Bureau during the year- other volunteers helped and sUPPOrted the Bureau in administering the day-to-day aspects of the Bureau. Tangible Fixed Assets Fixtures Freehold Propertv improvements furniture Total property &IT Cost As at l April 2023 Additions Disposals 101,472 36,643 171,450 309,565 As at 31 March 2024 101,472 36,643 171.450 309,565 Depreciation As at l April 2023 Charge for the year Oisposals 10,599 2,029 22,888 3,664 165,563 2.944 199,050 8,637 As at 31 March 2024 12,628 26,552 168.507 207,687 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2024 88.844 10.091 2,943 101,878 As at 31 March 2023 90,873 13,755 5,888 110,516 9 Short term investments 2024 2023 Bank deposits Iless than two years to maturity) 87,840 85,019 87,840 85,019 10 Debtors 2024 2023 Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 7,125 9,468 20,841 16,593 20.841 23

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Accruals Deferred income 107,702 4,179 98,555 50.000 111,881 148,555 Deferred income refers to income received which is to fund expenditure in subsequent periods. All deferred income at 31 March 2023 ha5 been recognised as income in the year ended 31 March 2024. 12 Restricted funds At l April 2023 At31 March 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Money Advice Service 741 111,720 110.521 1,940 Solutions 14,583 136,582 151,165 Probation Servicce 62,251 62,251 Big Lottery 32,486 32,486 Deprivation 29,498 29,498 Food Banks 7,949 23,848 31,797 Client funding 47,153 23,861 15,444 55,570 other 12,162 34,970 34,450 12,682 82,588 455,216 467,612 70,192 24

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

At 1 April At 31 March At 31 March
2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Money Advice Service 108,466 107,725 741
Solutions 23,589 136,582 145,588 14,583
Client funding 29,399 41,845 24,091 47,153
Other 14,824 20,822 15,535 20,111
67,812
307,715
——~~— eee~~		 292,939
82,588
~~e~~ee
MAPS Funding to provide a caseworker, trainee money adviser and
associated costs to provide advice to those in debt.		 Funding to provide a caseworker, trainee money adviser and Funding to provide a caseworker, trainee money adviser and

MAPS

Solutions - Lowestoft Primary Care Network

Ministry of Justice[- ] Probation Service

Big Lottery

The provision of social prescribing and community based support to the patients registered with the 8 GP surgeries serving Lowestoft and the surrounding area.

Finance, benefit and debt advice to male probationers in East and West Suffolk delivered in conjunction with Citizens Advice West Suffolk - Cost of Living Grant for housing outreach work

Deprivation - National Citizens Advice

Increase in service delivery for clients in deprived areas in East Suffolk.

Food Banks - Lowestoft and Waveney

Outreach worker providing advice and support to clients of the food banks.

Client funding

Funding provided by local authorities, charitable trusts and others to provide grants to clients suffering hardship. No individual grant greater than £500.

Other

Funds provided for improvements to the offices at St Margaret's House and project funding provided by East Suffolk Council.

25

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

13 Unrestricted funds
At 1 April At 31 March
2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Designated funds
Contractual commitments 50,000 50,000
Premises 50,000 50,000
Property reserve 110,516 - 8,638)
General charitable funds 448,566 474,634 ( 454,480) 8,638 477,358
659,082 474,634 ( 454,480) 679,236
At 1 April At 31 March
2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Designated funds
Contractual commitments 98,500 48,500)
(		 50,000
Premises 10,500 39,500 50,000
Property reserve 120,123 9,607) 110,516
Covid 11,000 11,000)
(		 =
Development 10,000 ( 10,000) =
General charitable funds 495,656 519,124 ( 605,821) 39,607 448,566
745,779 519,124 ( 605,821) 659,082

Contractual commitments -contracted payments to staff including redundancy, provision of locum maternity and sickness cover and the costs of any disciplinary and/or grievance procedures that may arise.

Premises -to provide for terminating leases and the cost of relocating to new premises either at the expiry of the current lease or if larger premises are deemed necessary.

Property reserve -equal to the net book value of fixed assets, the designated fund serves to underline the illiquid nature of the investment in fixed assets.

Of the general charitable funds, £240,000 is considered by the trustees as the minimum level that needs to be retained in order to provide cover against risks that the Charity faces, particularly that relating to uncertainty over future funding. The funds over and above this level will be used in the forthcoming years to fund improved services provided by the organisation.

26

Citizens Advice East Suffolk Ltd Notes to the Flnanclal Staternent5 for the year ended 31 Marth 2024 14 Analysis of net assets between funds Tangible Fixed Assets Net Current Assets 2024 Total 2023 Total Restricted funds Designated funds General funds 70,192 loo,000 477,358 70,192 201,878 477,358 82,588 210,516 448.566 101,878 101,878 647,550 749,428 741,670 Tangible Fixed Assets Net Current 2023 Total 2022 Total Assets Restricted funds Designated funds General funds 82,588 loo,000 448,566 82.588 210,516 448,566 67,812 250.123 495,656 110,516 110,516 631,154 741,670 813,591 15 Analysls of cash and cash equivalents 2024 2023 Cash in hand Bank current account Bank dep051t (immediate access) Bank deposit (access within three months) 552 59,135 595,311 306 102,261 400,873 170,411 Total cash and cash equivalents 654,998 673,850 16 Regulatory and other information The company is a registered charity, number 1115522, limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales. The registered office is:_ St Margaret's House Gordon Road Lowestoft Suttolk NR32 IJQ The charity is a Public Benefit Entity. There have been no related party transactions that require disclosure. 27