**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 4141854 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1115564** 

## Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

for Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Chris Vaughan Accountants 195 Ermin Street Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4NA 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1 to 9|
|Independent Examiner's Report|10|
|Statement of Financial Activities|11|
|Balance Sheet|12 to 13|
|Cash Flow Statement|14|
|Notes to the Cash Flow Statement|15|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|16 to 23|
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities|24 to 25|





Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present  their  report  with  the  financial  statements  of  the  charity  for  the  year  ended 31 March 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities:  Statement  of  Recommended  Practice  applicable  to  charities  preparing  their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims** 

The Charity's 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 Swindon and surrounding areas. 

The aims of our charity are: 

- To provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and - To improve the policies and practices that affect their lives. 

We do this through the provision of free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to anybody  who  needs  us.  We  promote  diversity  and  equality,  and  continue  to  challenge discrimination 

## **Strategic Priorities** 

The overarching objectives of the organisation this year are as follows: 


Covid-19  continued  to  impact on  the  service  throughout  2021  with  remote  working  and delivery predominantly over the phone continuing throughout the year. In September 21 the service opened for in person triage on two days per week, one session in Sanford House and one in Cavendish Square. 

Through our 26 paid staff and 35 volunteers this year we have offered a core generalist advice service alongside a range of specialist advice projects. The provision of holistic advice allows us to cover a range of topics which predominantly includes: 

Welfare Benefits Debt and Money matters Housing Employment Immigration and Nationality Family and Personal Consumer Discrimination Health and Social Care Utilities and Energy 

During 2021/22 our advice teams provided: 

- Debt advice funded through the Money Advice Service 

- -Specialist  housing  (Money)  advice  for  people  facing  homelessness  funded  by  Swindon Borough Council 

- Debt and budgeting advice targeting Thames Water customers funded through the Thames Water Trust 

Fund 

- Specialist  Benefits  advice  mainly  focussing  on  disability  benefit  appeals  through  our 

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Swindon Borough Council funding 

- Specialist benefits advice for people affected by cancer funded by Macmillan 

- Specialist Benefits advice funded through the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter 

grant stream 

- Immigration and nationality advice up to OISC level 2 funded by Swindon Borough Council 

- Specialist Energy advice funded through Citizens Advice Energy Advice Project 

## Swindon and District Citizens Advice 

Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

This year we have continued to develop our strong partnerships with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies to help meet the rising demand for advice. 

Our commitment to the recruitment, training and development of our volunteer workforce has continued. We have used this year to begin building back our strong volunteer workforce that had diminished during the Covid pandemic. 

A  key-element  of  the  Citizens  Advice  Membership  Scheme  is  the  requirement  of  every member lo undertake an annual Leadership Self-Assessment of Governance; (LSA) covering the following nine areas: 

- Strategic business planning; 

- Risk management; 

- Financial management; 

- People management; 

- Operational performance management; 

- Partnership working; 

- Research and campaigning; 

- Equality leadership 

The assessment is approved by the National Citizens Advice service and any development outcomes are agreed in partnership. Every three years this assessment is verified through a site visit. 

Again this year we were rates ‘Green’ meaning we achieved excellent scores in the Performance Quality  Framework.  The  LSA  aligns  with  external  standards,  compliance  also  indicates compliance with the requirements of the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and Money Advice Service (MAS) debt quality framework. 

We also continue to hold the Advice Quality Standard Mark with casework accreditation in Debt, Benefits and Disability. 

## **Public benefit** 

The Citizens Advice service provides help whoever you are, whatever the problem. We provide advice, specialist casework and information face-to-face advice, on the telephone, by email and via www.citizensadvice.org.uk. We also campaign locally and nationally for improvements to services and the law. We use the evidence we collect from helping our clients to make a difference for people who may never come to a Citizens Advice office by communicating our evidence for change to policymakers in government and the wider public and private sector. A visit to a Citizens Advice local office for one person could lead to a change in policy or law that will positively affect the lives of many more. 

Our generalist advice service, funded through a contract with Swindon Borough Council, remains  our  "core"  activity  offering an essential  service  to  the diverse  communities  and individuals  who  live  in  Swindon  and  the  surrounding  area.  Citizens  Advice  is  nationally recognised as a place where if you have a problem of any kind help will be provided. This is a great strength for us and a challenge in being able to ensure access to everyone who needs our help. 

Through our work we aim to reduce poverty and improve the general wellbeing of its clients. We contribute to the local economy through encouraging and assisting in the take up of 

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welfare benefits and working with clients to manage their debt. 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **STRATEGIC REPORT Achievement and performance Charitable activities** 

## **Key achievements during 2021/22** 

- 7,406 people helped (5% increase on 2020/21) 

- 24.475 different issues presented 

- 680 external referrals received from partner agencies 

- average 8500 Swindon residents per month access advice pages on our website 

- increased client's income by £6,776,468 through advice, successful benefits applications and appeals 

- helped clients deal with £6,149,146 of personal debt; average individual client debt was £9,934 

In May we were successful in winning a new 5 plus 2 year contract commissioned jointly by Swindon  Borough  Council  and BSW  Integrated Care  System  for  the  provision  of  Advice Services and specialist casework. Demand for our service this year has continued to climb throughout the year. A busy year last year has been surpassed with record demand as more people face the challenges of rising costs, and the beginning of a cost-of-living crisis sparked by huge increases in energy prices. 

Recognising  the  need  to  open  up  our  service  to  the  widest  possible  demographic,  and acknowledging the barriers of a phone led service, we re-opened our service for face to face drop in on two mornings a week in September. We are actively monitoring demand to ensure those who need advice in person can get it. 

The  most  common  issues  presented  during  the  year  related  to  Benefits,  Tax  Credits  or Universal Credit and Debt but the most marked rise in demand came in Utility and Energy advice. The final quarter saw demand rise by 73% in this area due to the onset of the Cost-ofLiving Crisis. 

A comparison of our client profile to the general population of Swindon shows that the clients we help locally are more likely to: 

- live on a low income 

- be disabled or have a long-term health condition 

- be from diverse backgrounds 

- be at risk of fuel poverty 

- live in rented accommodation 

- be economically inactive 

- live in areas with higher levels of disadvantage or deprivation 

Using a treasury approved model, we know that for every £1 invested in Citizens Advice Swindon: 

- we benefit our clients by £11.42 

- our public value is £21.54 

- we bring fiscal benefits of £3.29 

Using this model we calculate that we also: 

- saved Swindon Borough Council £152,361 by preventing homelessness and housing evictions 

- saved all Housing Providers £440,934 by preventing evictions 

- saved the NHS £369,223 by reducing use of mental health and GP services,  and keeping people in work 

The difference this makes: 

- 91% of people said the service helped them find a positive way forward 

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- 91% said they would definitely recommend our service to others 

- 8 in 10 people said that their problem was solved mostly, partly or completely following our advice 

- 7 in 10 of people said they felt less stressed, depressed or anxious as a result of the help they received from Citizens Advice Swindon 

- 5 in 10 of people said their physical health had improved as a result of the help they received from 

- Citizens Advice Swindon 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **Volunteering Opportunities** 

Our dedicated team of volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation. This year we surveyed them to find out more about their experiences with us. When asked: 

- 100% said they had acquired one or more new skills through volunteering with us 

- 3 in 5 said working for us had increased their employability 

- 97% said it kept them mentally active 

- 4 in 5 said it had a positive impact on their general health and mental wellbeing 

- 86% said they felt more engaged with their community 

- 8 in 10 said they had increased confidence in their own abilities 

The estimated value of the work carried out by our volunteers this year is £416,583. 75% of volunteers  who  left  us  this  year  did  so  because  they  had  gained  employment  or  were undertaking further education. 

## **Financial review Financial position** 

The charity has benefitted from a number of additional funding streams and new projects to further enhance the secure financial position that has been built up in recent years. However, the  trustees  are  aware  that  the  external  commissioning  environment  could  result  in  a reduction in funding in 2022 and beyond, so contingency plans have been put in place and scenario planning is being undertaken to ensure the charity has financial resilience built in. 

The financial position summarised in the Statement of Financial activities shows an overall surplus in income over expenditure of £126,428. However, this is a result of future scenario planning  and  approved  carry  forward  of  restricted  reserves  for  continuation  of  existing projects. 

Citizens Advice Swindon has a broad range of funders and the trustees would like to thank Swindon  Borough  Council  and  Integrated  Care  System,  Macmillan,  Money  and  Pension Service, Thames Water Trust Fund, DWP,  Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, Voluntary Action Swindon and Citizens Advice Energy Project for their support this year through a range of contracts and grants. 

The trustees recognise that there is a heavy reliance on Local Authority funding and aim to continue to diversify funding streams as much as possible to allow us to complement our core funded delivery. 

The charity remains in a stable position in relation to core funds with the award of a new 5 plus 2 year contract awarded by  Swindon Borough Council  and BSW  ICS commissioned contract. Macmillan have confirmed further funding until December 2024 and Thames Water trust fund will continue until June 2023. 

## **Investment policy and objectives** 

The service's excess funds have historically been held in the COIF Charities Deposit Fund. The current account is regularly reviewed and any funds not needed in the short term are invested in the COIF fund. 

## **Reserves policy** 

This reserves policy is monitored and reviewed by the trustees annually 

## **Unrestricted and designated reserves** 

The trustees have reviewed the Charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission and have agreed that unrestricted free reserves (not designated or reserved  for  specific  purposes  should  be  set  at  3  months'  running  costs  (£147,675  at 

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31/03/22). The Trustee Board believes that the organisation should aim to have reserves at this level to ensure the Charity can run efficiently and wind down the charity responsibly if necessary. 

The Trustee Board also recognises, plans for and designates specific unrestricted funds for the following 

purposes: 

- Contractual commitment reserve - a reserve to ensure that the charity is able to cover contracted payments to 

- staff  such  as  redundancy  or  costs  arising  from  an  employment  dispute  (£160,000  at 31/3/22). 

- IT replacement and upgrade (£18,000) 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

- Premises Strategy - dilapidation costs nearing the end of Tenancy at Will and increased energy costs (£5,000) 

- Service delivery and improvement to help cover reductions in future core funding to enable us to continue 

meeting current increased demand, whilst seeking additional funds. (£80,867) 

## Restricted reserves 

Funds that are restricted by the donor or funder are listed within the accounts and cannot be used for the general purposes of the charity. Their existence, and the sums of money therein, do  not  imply  that  there  has  been  an  underspend  but  may  result  from  a  variety  of circumstances including timing differences between the organisation's financial year and the funding year of the project concerned. 

## **STRATEGIC REPORT** 

## **Future plans** 

The charity has adopted the following strategic objectives in its Business Plan: 

- Provide good access to our advice service in ways that best suit clients’ needs and situations 

- Maintain external quality accreditation to support continued funding through evidence of our high-quality service 

- Campaign to improve policies which affect people’s lives to alleviate suffering and hardship with particular 

focus on poverty, mental health and reducing inequality 

- Maintain excellent external relationships to ensure best outcomes for our clients and safeguard the future of our 

service -including securing resources 

- Continue to develop all staff to the highest level of expertise and ensure continued recruitment, training and 

- development of volunteers 

- To be a collaborative, innovative and a high performing service that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion, and 

challenges discrimination. 

- To value our staff teams and be a highly recommended place to work and volunteer 

These objectives are measured and monitored on a quarterly basis using SMART objectives detailed in the action plan. 

Moving forward we intend to further increase the availability of face-to-face advice bringing more staff and volunteers back into the office. To enable this we intend to review our current IT and telephony infrastructure to ensure it is fit for purpose and future proofed. To do this we will need to improve current broadband capability and fully replace our fixed line phone system. 

As the Cost-of-Living crisis starts to bite we will focus on helping clients get the timely advice and support they need, working with our statutory and voluntary sector partners to ensure the most vulnerable can access us. 

We will launch our new Advice & Financial First Aid project aimed at helping people maximise income and reduce expenditure. This will also allow us to provide training to frontline workers in identifying advice needs, signposting and ensuring those who need advice get it in a timely manner. 

We will invest in our training new generalist advisers to help meet increased demand and look at options for succession planning. We will continue to onboard more volunteers to help meet demand; and  invest in training to ensure the ongoing upskilling of our staff and volunteers to meet the challenges of fast changing legislation. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document** 

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The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. 

Swindon  and  District  Citizens  Advice  Bureau  (Citizens  Advice  Swindon)  is  a  charitable company, limited by guarantee. The charitable company was established under Memorandum of Association, which sets out the objects and powers of the charitable company  and is governed under its Articles of Association. 

Members support the aims of the organisation and are invited to the Annual General Meeting. Members elect the trustees of the management committee and these individuals are also company directors. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. 

Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau is a member of Citizens Advice, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. As the membership body Citizens Advice formally audits and monitors quality and management processes within the local office. 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** 

Our aim is to ensure that the needs of our clients are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body and to enhance the potential pool of trustees, the charity seeks to identify potential new trustees relevant to the nature of its work. 

A broad range of skills and expertise are represented on the Management Committee which include Business, Local 

Government,  social  care,  financial  services  and  legal  skills.  Each  year  the  committee undertakes  a  skills  audit  which  enables  the  identification  of  training  &  development opportunities and any skills gaps. In the event of particular skills being lost due to retirements or where gaps in skills are identified, individuals may be approached for co-option mid-year if it is felt they match the required needs of the bureau. 

The Trustees are committed to pursuing the recruitment of new trustees next year with an aim  to  further  increase  expertise  in  Business  Development  and  ,  as  well  as  targeting recruitment within under represented communities. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Organisational structure** 

Swindon & District Citizens Advice Bureau currently has a management committee 5 trustees who meet a minimum of six times a year and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. Other than for 'Confidential' agenda items, the Senior Management Team attends board meetings as does a representative of the Volunteers. All are encouraged to take a full part in the board's discussions before trustees reach their decisions. 

Day to day responsibility for the provision of services rests with the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met. The Trustees delegate to the Chief Executive the day to day responsibility for the strategic, financial and operational management of the service, including supervision of the management team. 

## **Induction and training of new trustees** 

All new Trustees undergo a period of induction, this consists of attending trustee board meetings, meeting with the Chief Executive and Chair of Trustees and shadowing advice sessions. Annual training records are kept for all trustees which includes a record of any training undertaken outside of the organisation which is relevant to their role. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Risk management** 

The trustees review the main risks to the charity as part of its annual business planning process,  this  identifies  the  current  constraints  and  potential  risks  to  current  and  future service delivery. 

A risk register is kept under review throughout the year to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable mitigation and assurance against identified issues. The trustees review risk against the following categories: 

- (i) Finance 

- (ii) Governance 

- (iii) Management 

- (iv) Staffing 

- (v) Service Delivery 

- (vi) Stakeholder relationships 

- (vii) Engagement with the wider service 

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(viii) ICT/Systems (ix) EDI (x) Information assurance 

The main risks identified and the actions proposed to mitigate these are: 

- Maintaining  current  financial  stability  -  Although  the  current  financial  position  is strong, the outlook over 

- future years is less certain, with funding pressures on the Local Authority and future recommissioning of MAPS 

debt funding. We will prioritise influencing stakeholders and funders to continue funding priority  services.  We  will  work  in partnership  with  SBC  and the  ICB to look  at new opportunities to meet demand. 

- Inability to maintain service delivery levels at current level due to flat rate funding with no inflationary increase 

built into 7-year contract – We will seek funding opportunities to complement our core delivery and build reserves to help with short term funding gaps 

- Ability to pay salaries that attract and retain talent within the workforce. Ability to pay cost of living rise each 

year. We will review our employment offer to staff and look at alternative ways to reward staff. 

- Rising demand means that we need to build our adviser and caseworker capacity - we will prioritise growing our 

workforce and concentrate on training and retention 

- Reputational damage through risks relating to the handling of information - risks are regularly reviewed 

and  policies  updated  and  communicated.  All  staff  undergo  annual  Data  Protection 

## training. 

The trustees continue to regularly monitor all of the funding agreements and contracts to ensure that the individual terms of each funding provider are met. 

All  policies  and  procedures  are  regularly  reviewed  by  the  trustees  to  ensure  that  they continue to meet the needs of the charity. 

In addition to the above the charity is involved in an area of voluntary service in which it is essential, for the protection of those served by the charity, for employees to be properly assessed in order to minimise risk both to the charity's beneficiaries and the employees themselves. For  this reason,  before any prospective employee is engaged by the charity, comprehensive checks will be conducted by way of reference to the Disclosure and Barring Service if appropriate, previous references and an induction programme. 

## Information Assurance 

The trustee board oversee the information security of all personal information of our clients, staff, funders and strategic partners that is processed. Swindon & District Citizens Advice 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. 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number** 4141854 (England and Wales) 

## **Registered Charity number** 

1115564 

## **Registered office** 

1 Sanford Street Swindon Wiltshire SN1 1QH 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **Trustees** 

A Bennett M Howard M Box C Gannicott D Langley 

## **Company Secretary** 

C Newport 

## **Independent Examiner** 

Chris Vaughan Accountants 195 Ermin Street Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4NA 

## **Advisers** 

Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC 5 High Street Swindon Wiltshire 

CCLA St Alphanage House 2 Fore Street London 

Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 12 December 2022 and signed on the board's behalf by: 

M Box - Trustee 

9 



Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## **Independent  examiner's  report  to  the  trustees  of  Swindon  and  District  Citizens Advice Bureau ('the Company')** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

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

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

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies. 

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

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

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the  Statement of Recommended Practice for  accounting  and reporting  by  charities (applicable  to  charities  preparing  their  accounts  in  accordance  with  the  Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). 

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

Christopher Vaughan Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Chris Vaughan Accountants 195 Ermin Street Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4NA 

12 December 2022 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>funds<br>Notes<br>£<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>2<br>-<br>716,384<br>Investment income<br>3<br>746<br>-<br>Other income<br>-<br>-<br>**Total**<br>746<br>716,384<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>4<br>Advice Services<br>-<br>590,702<br>**NET INCOME**<br>746<br>125,682<br>**Transfers between funds**<br>13<br>131,902<br>(131,902)<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>132,648<br>(6,220)<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|31.3.22<br>31.3.21<br>Total<br>Total<br>funds<br>funds<br>£<br>£<br>716,384<br>677,755<br>746<br>182<br>-<br>1<br>717,130<br>677,938<br>590,702<br>653,100<br>126,428<br>24,838<br>-<br>-<br>126,428<br>24,838|
|---|---|



## **Total funds brought forward** 

278,894 150,116 429,010 404,172 

## **TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD** 

411,542 143,896 555,438 429,010 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Balance Sheet 31 March 2022 

|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>funds<br>Notes<br>£<br>£<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>10<br>-<br>44,197<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>411,542<br>247,794<br>411,542<br>291,991|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>44,197<br>659,336<br>703,533|31.3.21<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>11,439<br>457,497<br>468,936|
|---|---|---|



## **CREDITORS** 

Amounts falling due within one year 11 

- (148,095) (148,095) (39,926) 

## **NET CURRENT ASSETS** 

411,542 143,896 555,438 429,010 

## **TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES** 

411,542 

143,896 

555,438 

429,010 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

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## **NET ASSETS** 

411,542 143,896 555,438 429,010 

## **FUNDS** 

13 Unrestricted funds 411,542 278,894 Restricted funds 143,896 150,116 

**TOTAL FUNDS** 555,438 429,010 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

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The  charitable  company  is  entitled  to  exemption  from  audit  under  Section  477  of  the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 

- The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

- (a) ensuring  that  the  charitable  company  keeps  accounting  records  that  comply  with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 

- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 12 December 2022 and were signed on its behalf by: 

M Box – Chair of Trustees 

A Bennett – Vice Chair of Trustees 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

2 

## Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

|Notes<br>**Cash fows from operating activities**<br>Cash generated from operations<br>1<br>Net cash provided by operating activities<br>**Cash fows from investing activities**<br>Interest received<br>Net cash provided by investing activities<br>746<br>182|31.3.22<br>£<br>161,886<br>161,886<br>746|31.3.21<br>£<br>40,697<br>40,697<br>182|
|---|---|---|



## **Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period** 

162,632 

40,879 **Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period** 

457,497 

416,618 

## **Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period** 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

2 

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620,129 

457,497 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

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Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES** 

|**Net income for the reporting period (as per the**<br>**Statement of Financial Activities)**<br>**Adjustments for:**<br>Interest received<br>(Increase)/decrease in debtors<br>Increase in creditors<br>**Net cash provided by operations**<br>**2.**<br>**ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS**<br>Cash in hand<br>Notice deposits (less than 3 months)<br>Overdrafts included in bank loans and overdrafts falling due<br>within one year<br>Total cash and cash equivalents<br>3.<br>**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**|31.3.22<br>£<br>126,428<br>(746)<br>(32,758)<br>68,962<br>161,886<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>54<br>659,282<br>(39,207)<br>620,129|31.3.21<br>£<br>24,838<br>(182)<br>2,684<br>13,357<br>40,697<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>59<br>457,438<br>-<br>457,497|
|---|---|---|



||At 1.4.21<br>Cash fow<br>At|At 1.4.21<br>Cash fow<br>At|31.3.22|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|**Net cash**||||
|Cash at bank and in hand|457,497|201,839|659,336|
|Bank overdraft|-|(39,207)|(39,207)|
||457,497|162,632|620,129|
|**Total**|457,497|162,632|620,129|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

15 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** 

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to  charities  preparing  their  accounts  in  accordance  with  the  Financial  Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in  the  UK  and  Republic  of  Ireland'  and  the  Companies  Act  2006.  The  financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

## **Income** 

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

## **Expenditure** 

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot  be  directly  attributed  to  particular  headings  they  have  been  allocated  to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. 

## **Allocation and apportionment of costs** 

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. floor areas, per capita or estimated usage. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. 

Fixtures and fittings - 33% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on cost 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.  Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. 

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. 

## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits** 

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme.  Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. 

continued... 

16 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** 

|31.3.22<br>£<br>Donations<br>-<br>Grants<br>716,384<br>716,384<br>Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Other grants<br>716,384<br>**3.**<br>**INVESTMENT INCOME**<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Deposit account interest<br>746<br>**4.**<br>**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**<br>Support<br>Direct<br>costs (see<br>Costs<br>note 5)<br>£<br>£<br>Advice Services<br>526,525<br>64,177<br>**5.**<br>**SUPPORT COSTS**<br>Information<br>Governance<br>Management<br>technology<br>Other<br>costs<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>Advice Services<br>39,270<br>1,049<br>22,358<br>1,500|31.3.21<br>£<br>218<br>677,537<br>677,755<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>677,537<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>182<br>Totals<br>£<br>590,702<br>Totals<br>£<br>64,177|
|---|---|



## **6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no  trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

continued... 

17 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **7. STAFF COSTS** 

|31.3.22<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>483,730<br>Social security costs<br>38,422<br>Other pension costs<br>23,083<br>545,235<br>The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:<br>31.3.22<br>Advice Workers<br>25<br>Administration<br>6<br>31|31.3.21<br>£<br>526,191<br>41,865<br>25,310<br>593,366<br>31.3.21<br>25<br>6<br>31|
|---|---|



No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. 

|**8.**<br>**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**<br>Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>funds<br>£<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>218<br>677,537<br>Investment income<br>182<br>-<br>Other income<br>1<br>-<br>**Total**<br>401<br>677,537<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Advice Services<br>-<br>653,100<br>**NET INCOME**<br>401<br>24,437<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|Total<br>funds<br>£<br>677,755<br>182<br>1<br>677,938<br>653,100<br>24,838|
|---|---|



## **Total funds brought forward** 

278,493 125,679 404,172 

continued... 

18 



**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD** 278,894 150,116 429,010 

continued... 

18 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

|Fixtures<br>and<br>Computer<br>fttings<br>equipment<br>£<br>£<br>**COST**<br>At 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022<br>6,221<br>5,264<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022<br>6,221<br>5,264<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2022<br>-<br>-<br>At 31 March 2021<br>-<br>-<br>**10.**<br>**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Trade debtors<br>22,830<br>Other debtors<br>7,567<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>13,800<br>44,197<br>**11.**<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12)<br>39,207<br>Trade creditors<br>3,197<br>Social security and other taxes<br>5,734<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>99,957<br>148,095<br>**12.**<br>**LOANS**<br>An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Amounts falling due within one year on demand:<br>Bank overdrafts<br>39,207|Totals<br>£<br>11,485<br>11,485<br>-<br>-<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>-<br>11,439<br>-<br>11,439<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>-<br>3,479<br>5,478<br>30,969<br>39,926<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>-|
|---|---|



continued... 

19 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS** 

|Net<br>Transfers<br>movement<br>between<br>At 1.4.21<br>in funds<br>funds<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>185,257<br>746<br>124,609<br>Designated Funds<br>93,637<br>-<br>7,293<br>278,894<br>746<br>131,902<br>**Restricted funds**|At<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>310,612<br>100,930<br>411,542|
|---|---|



Masdap 17,189 31,140 

- 48,329 

North Swindon Advice Point - 

(239) 239 - 

Macmillan 6,708 (14,303) - (7,595) 

Energy Best Deal 3,965 10,238 - 14,203 

East Swindon - (12,303) 12,303 - 

Others 17,505 32,977 (14,250) 36,232 

Swindon Borough Council 103,830 77,724 (130,194) 51,360 

Thames Water 919 448 - 

continued... 

20 



1,367 

150,116 125,682 (131,902) 143,896 

## **TOTAL FUNDS** 

429,010 126,428 - 555,438 

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: 

||Incoming|Resources|Movement|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds||
||£|£||£|
|**Unrestricted funds**|||||
|General fund|746|-||746|
|**Restricted funds**|||||



Masdap 78,564 (47,424) 31,140 North Swindon Advice Point - (239) (239) Macmillan 54,687 

continued... 

20 



(68,990) (14,303) Energy Best Deal 10,238 - 10,238 East Swindon - (12,303) (12,303) Others 86,809 (53,832) 32,977 Swindon Borough Council 452,086 (374,362) 77,724 Thames Water 34,000 (33,552) 448 

716,384 (590,702) 125,682 

## **TOTAL FUNDS** 

717,130 (590,702) 126,428 

continued... 

20 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

## **Comparatives for movement in funds** 

|Net<br>Transfers<br>movement<br>between<br>At 1.4.20<br>in funds<br>funds<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>184,856<br>401<br>-<br>Designated Funds<br>93,637<br>-<br>-<br>278,493<br>401<br>-|At<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>185,257<br>93,637<br>278,894|
|---|---|



## **Restricted funds** 

Masdap 4,226 12,963 - 17,189 

North Swindon Advice Point 731 (9,049) 8,318 - 

Macmillan 8,801 (2,093) - 6,708 

Energy Best Deal 20,119 (16,154) 

- 3,965 

East Swindon - (2,990) 2,990 

- 

Others 6,464 3,792 7,249 17,505 

Swindon Borough Council 85,338 37,049 (18,557) 103,830 

Thames Water 

continued... 

21 



- 919 - 919 

- 125,679 24,437 150,116 

**TOTAL FUNDS** 404,172 24,838 - 429,010 

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: 

||Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|401|-|401|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Masdap||||
|81,091||||
|(68,128)||||
|12,963||||
|North Swindon Advice Point||||
|1||||
|(9,050)||||
|(9,049)||||



continued... 

21 



Macmillan 38,864 (40,957) (2,093) Energy Best Deal 9,085 (25,239) (16,154) East Swindon 8,000 (10,990) (2,990) Others 83,024 (79,232) 3,792 Swindon Borough Council 423,472 (386,423) 37,049 Thames Water 34,000 (33,081) 919 

677,537 (653,100) 24,437 

## **TOTAL FUNDS** 

677,938 (653,100) 24,838 

continued... 

21 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: 

|Net<br>Transfers<br>movement<br>between<br>At 1.4.20<br>in funds<br>funds<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>184,856<br>1,147<br>124,609<br>Designated Funds<br>93,637<br>-<br>7,293<br>278,493<br>1,147<br>131,902|At<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>310,612<br>100,930<br>411,542|
|---|---|



## **Restricted funds** 

Masdap 4,226 44,103 - 48,329 

North Swindon Advice Point 731 (9,288) 8,557 

- 

Macmillan 8,801 (16,396) - (7,595) 

Energy Best Deal 20,119 (5,916) - 14,203 

East Swindon - (15,293) 15,293 

- 

Others 6,464 36,769 (7,001) 36,232 

Swindon Borough Council 85,338 114,773 (148,751) 51,360 

Thames Water 

continued... 

22 



- 1,367 - 

1,367 

125,679 150,119 (131,902) 143,896 

## **TOTAL FUNDS** 

404,172 151,266 - 555,438 

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: 

||Incoming|Resources|Movement|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds||
||£|£||£|
|**Unrestricted funds**|||||
|General fund|1,147|-||1,147|
|**Restricted funds**|||||



Masdap 159,655 (115,552) 44,103 North Swindon Advice Point 1 (9,289) 

continued... 

22 



(9,288) 

Macmillan 93,551 (109,947) (16,396) Energy Best Deal 19,323 (25,239) (5,916) East Swindon 8,000 (23,293) (15,293) 

Others 169,833 (133,064) 36,769 Swindon Borough Council 875,558 (760,785) 114,773 

Thames Water 68,000 (66,633) 1,367 

1,393,921 (1,243,802) 150,119 

## **TOTAL FUNDS** 

1,395,068 (1,243,802) 151,266 

continued... 

22 



22
continued...

Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

## **14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **15. RESTRICTED FUNDS** 

The charity's restricted funds have the following purposes: (i) MASDAP Face to Face debt case work. (ii)  Swindon Borough Council This fund comprises a service contract with Swindon Borough Council for the provision of the bureau's services. This covers the costs of staff and running costs in connection with the operation of the bureau. (iii)  Outreaches Resources provided to finance advice points in North Swindon and East Swindon, carrying out the same functions as the main branch. 

(iv) Macmillan Fund utilised to provide advice to cancer sufferers and their families. (v) Energy Best Deal Grant to fund talks on energy and switching energy suppliers etc.. (vi ) Other Smaller funds to provide advice to people affected by MS, Sovereign Housing tenants and the 

administration of Pension Wise appointments in Swindon 

## **16. DESIGNATED FUNDS** 

The charity's designated funds have the following purpose: Redundancy liabilities 

## **17. DEPRECIATION** 

Expenditure on fixed assets amounting to less than £1000 per item is not capitalised. 

## **18. CONTROL** 

The  charity  is  controlled  by  its  trustees  who are  named on  page 6.  No  individual exercises overall control. 

23 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities<br>for the Year Ended 31<br>March<br>2022|||
|---|---|---|
||31.3.22|31.3.21|
||£|£|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**|||
|**Donations and legacies**|||
|Donations|-|218|
|Grants|716,384|677,537|
||716,384|677,755|
|**Investment income**|||
|Deposit account interest|746|182|
|**Other income**|||
|Other income|-|1|
|**Total incoming resources**|717,130|677,938|
|**EXPENDITURE**|||
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Wages|464,882|500,641|
|Social security|38,422|41,865|
|Pensions|23,083|25,310|
|Volunteer expenses|138|3,268|
|Telephone|-|6,881|
||526,525|577,965|
|**Support costs**|||
|**Management**|||
|Wages|18,848|25,550|
|Occupancy costs|1,951|279|
|Telephone|10,221|9,358|
|Postage and stationery|8,184|5,579|
|Repairs and renewals|66|732|
||39,270|41,498|
|**Information technology**|||
|Computers and IT Equipment|1,049|12,887|
|**Other**|||
|Insurance|4,766|2,399|
|Sundries|15,356|13,310|
|Training and recruitment|2,236|3,541|
||22,358|19,250|
|**Governance costs**|||
|Accountancy and legal fees|1,500|1,500|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

24 



Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau 

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities<br>for the Year Ended 31<br>March<br>2022|||
|---|---|---|
||31.3.22|31.3.21|
||£|£|
|Total resources expended|590,702|653,100|
|**Net income**|126,428|24,838|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

25