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: 

- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or 

- the accounts do not accord with such records; or 

- the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 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 (FRS102). 

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<br>307,715<br>——~~— eee~~||292,939<br>82,588<br> ~~e~~ee||||
|MAPS|Funding to provide a caseworker, trainee money adviser and<br>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)|101,878|
||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)<br>(|||50,000|
||Premises|10,500|||39,500||50,000|
||Property reserve|120,123||||9,607)|110,516|
||Covid|11,000||11,000)<br>(|||=|
||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