EAST DEVON CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee) Operating as CITIZENS ADVICE EAST DEVON DIRECTORS, REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Charity No: 1115963 Company No: 05820956 (England and Wales)
DIRECTORS, REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STA TEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARGH 2025 CONTENTS Page Report of the dlrectors Independenl examiner's report to the members Statement of financial activities 10 Balance sheet 11 Notes forming parl of the financial statements 12-17
DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered charity number: 1115963 Registered company number: 05820956 Legal status: East Devon Citizens Advice Bureau was originally registered as a charity on 13 March 1g78. Itwas Incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private Company Ilmlted by guarantee on 18 May 2006. As a result, the charlty was re-registered from 30 August 2006 to reflect its new legal status, the asse15 and liabilities of the old charity belng transferred to the new charily from 1 December 2006. On 1 April 2Q08 East Devon CAB merged wilh Exmouth CAB maintainlng the EDCAB Charity and Colnpany registration numbers but changlng Its name to citizens Advice Service East Devon. On 18 September 2010 the name reverted to East Devon Citlzens Advice Bureau, DlrectorslTrustees Directors and Trustees: Directors of the Gompany are also members of the company. Where a director was in post for part of the y8ar this is shown in parenthesis. Where there is no parenthesis. the director was in post for thg whole year. Mary Punton (Chair) (deceased 15th November 2024) Alexander Alder-westlake {lo March 21 st 2025) Edwina Bradshaw (to 19th November 2024) Andrew Duffy John Holme Dr. Beltina Kluettgens (to July 16th 2024) Christopher Ward (from 20th March 2024) Sheila Whelan Fiobert Boyd {from 1st October 2024) Julia Woodbridge (from 1st October 2024 to 18th February 2025) Company Secretary: Dean Stewart
DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Reglstered address: 67 Exeter Road Exmouth Devon EX81QD Bankers: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Av6nuo Klngs Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Independent Examlner: On Target Accounting Ltd 105, Chineway Gardens Ottery St Mary Devon EX111JJ
DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Report of the Trustee Dlrectors The Trustees who are directors for Company Law purposes, have pleasure in presenting their report along with financial slatements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The flnancial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes tc the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charltles: Stalemenl of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance wlth the Financlal Reportlng Standards applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014. Status The company 15 Iimlted by guarantee and has no shareholding. It 15 also a registered charity. The Charity's objects and regulations are set out in the company's memorandurn and Articles approved on 19 January 2022 and agreed by National Citizens Advi with the Charity Commisslon. The company is the successor to the earlier non-incorporated charity which ceased to operate on 30 November 2006 and its assets and funds transferred to the present charity. Structure, governance and management Citizens Advice East Devon is a member of the Natlonal Association of Cltizens Advlce ('Citizens Advice,) and is regulated and inspected by the association. In addition, the charity Is authorlsed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority {FRN,' 617590) and registered with the Information Commissioner's Offlce. The charity is governed by a board of directorsltrustees who appoint a manager to execule pollcies and to be responsible for day lo day management of the charity's activities. The charitls maln office Is located in Exmouth. Objectlves and activltles The charity is established for the purpose of benefitting the community in East Devon (the area of benef1t) a. By advancing the education of the public in matters relating to mental, physical and social welfare b. By relleving poverty The main activities in relation to these objectives are a. We aim to provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and lo improve th& policies and practices that affect people's lives b. We also take part in campaigns for changes to policy and practice that benefit millions of people each year nationally by conducting effective, Influential, and award-winning evidence-based social policy work Public Benefit In planning Dur activities for the year, we kept in mind Charity Commission guidance on public benefit at our trustees, meetings, The focus of our activities remains to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrim ination. Our aims are to provide the advice people need for the problems the face, and to Improve the policies and practices thal affect people's lives. This benefits thousands of people each year, in East Devon. Clients often report improved health and increased confidence after receivlng advi. both which reduce the demand for health services and contrlbute to happier, more Integrated communities. In fact, the service saves Ilme and money for society and stakeholders in many ways, for example, by preventing homelessness, avoiding legal action and helping people to fill In official forms,
Our activities remain open to all members cf the community regardless of race, gender. disability. sexual orientation, age or nationality, We provide our services free to all, they are confidential. impartial and independent, Report of the Chalr of Trustees 2024 and thg Start of 2025 have been very challenging and difficull limes for Citizens Advlce East Devon. In November our chair. Mary Punton was suddenly taken ill and passed away a few days later, Mary was a passionate and committed supporter of Citizens Advice and led the organization wilh diligence, compassion and a determlnation to "do things right" Her contribution was immense and she is very sadly missed. We were unable to recruit a new chair before the end of the fin8n¢lal year, and we are grateful to Sheila Whelan and John Holme who stepped in to ensure that all trustees were ab16 to oversee the organizalion. In May 2025 we were able to secure David Incoll 88 our new chair. Firstly. I would like to give my thanks to all of you who put so much effort into Citizens Advi¢6 East Devon, I know that l am very fortunate to have a loyal group of experienced and dedi¢at9d volunteers, a committed and conscientious staff team and an insightful and constructively cha119nging Board of Trustees who bring a wide range of experience to their role. I would lik8 to tak8 this opportunity to thank all our funders who continue to provide financial support despite havlng to deal with Iheir own financial challenges. Our main funders, Devon County Council and East Devon District Council, actively promo18 CAED as the primary provider of indepgndent advice that Is free al the point of delivery. l am also grateful for the funding that comes from some Town and Parish Councils who recogni88 the importanc8 of our service to their residents. However. in lat8 summer 2024 it b8came apparent that funding for the charity sector was beGomlng harder to secure, and we realised that we vvould nol hit our funding targets for 2024125. Th8 Finance Committee made recommendations to the board that changes would have to be made to the organization to ensure its survival. The CEO together with Ihe Treasurer created a reslructure plan which took into account a forecast shortfall in income of around £100,000 - a third of our operating budget. This would lead to a large deficit at the end of the year and the current expenditure levels would not be sustainable. The plan will reduce salary expendilure by a third, necessitate a new office location in Honiton and give other savings. Thls plan was approved by the board and delivered by the CEO in the last quarter of 2024125. Therefore, although we continue to face hard times. we are now in a far belter p18Ge to meel the challenges ahead. We have completed our Year 3 Leadership Self As8@ssment (LSA), which is a process led by national Citizens Advice Ihat gives us a further 3 years of accreditation with the Advice Quality Standard. We are also overseen by the FCA and the ICO and remain the only organisation in East Devon who are regulated and monitored and assessed on the quality of advice that is offered. Our Parent Supporl project continues lo help hundreds of families across Easl Devon and we recently helped our 1,OOOth child. We work with the statutory bodies in the Team Around the Family and maks sure that any debt. benefit, housing, employment or family issues that may exist are helped with. Discussions continue across Devon where there are currently 6 separate offices to ensure that the advice offer is standardized across the region and that clients continue to get the very best service while back- office functions and processes are aligned to ensure the best value and most efficient delivery mechanisms are in place. Looking ahead, challenges are fast approachlng from all directions bul with the continued and much appreciated financial support from Devon County Council, and East Devon District Council our staff and volunteers will continue to deliver the best possible outcornes to our residents who need our help and advice. Once again, thank you for your support in 2024125.
DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) Investment policy The charity has the power to make any investment that the directors see fit. Reserves policy The trustees Intend that there should be s8t aside in the rnedlum term an amount equivalent to four months operallng expenditure. Unrestricted funds are designated for equipment replacement, contractual commitments e.g. Staff salarles and premises lo provide for the posslbllity of relocatlng, and, on a temporary basis, unrestricted funds have in addition been designated lo establish pro-active debt advice. Risk management The Directors have assessed Ihe major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in partlcular those related to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks. Review of transactions and financial position 2024 125 was a very dTff icull year for the Charity from a financial perspective. Our reserves at Ihe end of the previous y8ar were Ljnusually high at £203 thousand and they were also distorted by certain °one-ofP' items. We had thus always expected our reserves to fall and had planned that they would decrease to £119 thousand. In the event they fell to £56 thousand, and the differell of £63 thousand is explained by a fall in income against our planned figures. Income from our major donors, East Devon District and Devon County Council wa8 more or less as expeciÈd, but we had budgeted an ambitious - though reallstic in the light of previous experience - £131 thousand for Income from other sources- chiefly by bidding for 3rd sector funding donors and for specific projects and contracts. These sources virtually dried up, which was reported not just by other Citizens Advice trusts, bLJt by many other charities across the country.. the funds were simply not there to bid for, and we 8chieved only £34 thousand from these sources. More positlvely, due to tight financial reportlng and the work of the flnance committee, the problem was noticed by the summer, and work began on 5tabilizing OLJr position by reducing costs. These were held down in the current year, but we also had lo lake the dffticult decision, following consultation with staff and volunteers, to reduce 5tsff hours of work, including making one person redundant. Because of this, while we are not clear of financial difficultie8, and have some testing targets to come, we face the comlng year In a more secure positicn. The work of the finance committee., keeplng careful focus on cashflow- the involvement of key staff,. and a focus on other opportunities for fund raising will continue to be vital in ensuring our financial stability, in 2025 126 and the years following,
DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) Trustees. responsibllltles In relation to the financial statements The trustees (who are also directors for tlie purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in a¢¢ordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees lo prepare financial Statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. salect suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles In the Charities Statement of Recommended Pra¢tl¢e', make judgements and eslimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether appliGable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statem8nts- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presEJme that the charitable company will contlnue in operation. The Irustees are r8sponsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They ar& also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable Gompany and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of_ fraud and other irregularities. Statem8nt as to disclosura to our Independent Examiners In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees, annual report,. there is no relevant information, being information needed by the examiner in canrtection wilh preparing their report, of which the charitable company's examiner is unaware,. and the trustees have taken all steps that they aught to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant informatlon and to establish that the examiner is aware of that information. This report has been prepared in accordance wlth the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities and wa5 approved by the Directors and signed on Iheir behalf by, Signed'.> Signed Date.. Dale: IL
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF EAST DEVON CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU 'the chari FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 E rq)ort on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on the following pages 10-17. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in canrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the cbarity as required by section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with those records. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fonn and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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. 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. NAME.. OF: Sam Blackford FCA On Target Accounting Ltd ADDRESS: 105 Chineway Gardens, Ottery St. Mary Devon, EXI I IJJ SIGNED: DATE.. 9 October 2025
10 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES {INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 UnrestrfGted Restrfctsd Total Total 2024125 2024125 2024125 2023124 Notes Incomlng from: Grants and contracts 168,264 1,759 4,847 168,264 1,759 4,847 256,528 31,879 3,584 Donations Other income Total 174,870 174,870 291,991 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4,5,6.7 322,441 322,441 244,266 Total 322.441 322.441 244.266 Net gainslllossesl on invB8tments 10 Net Incomel(expenditure) 1147,571) 1147,5711 47,725 Transfers between funds 11.12 Net movement In funds (147,571) 1147,5711 47,725 Reconciliation of funds Totsl funds brought forward 203,437 203,437 155,712 Total funds carried forward 55,86e 55,866 203,437
11 BALANCE SHEET AS A T31 MARCH 2025 Notes 2024125 2023124 Tanglble Flxed Assets Fixtures Fittings and Equipment At Cost Depreclatlon 7,863 (4,3631 4,363 (4,3631 3,500 Current a8S8ts Investments Prepayments and accrued income Cash at bank and in hand 57.661 204,978 57,661 204,978 Creditor8: Amount falling due within one year 10 (5,295) (1,541) Net current assets 52.366 203.437 Not assets 55,866 203,437 Represented by. Unrestrlcted fund Restricted funds 11 12 55,866 203,437 55,86e 203,437 For Ihe financlal year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under $8clion 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating lo small companies. Directors, responsibilities.. The directors and trustees have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial slatements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of th@ Act with respecl to accounting records and the pr@paralion of financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordan with the provisions applicRble to companies subject lo the small companies, regim8. Approved by the Board for issue on: Director Director
12 Company Reglstration No.. 05820g56 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Company status The charity is a company limlted by guarantee. The directors of the company are named on pagg 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee 15 limited to £1 per mgmber of the charity. Accounting policies a. Ba818 of preparation of financial statements The flnancial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities., Statement of Recommended Practice 8ppIic8ble to charities preparing thgir accounts in accordan¢e wlth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and RepubliG of Ireland (FRS 102) effectlve 1 January 2015- Ch8ritles SORP (FRS 102) Second Edition and the Companies Act 2006. The East Devon Citizens Advice Bureau meets the definitlon of a public benefil entity under FRS 102, Assets and Liabilities are initially recognised at historlcal cosl or transaction value unless othervvise staled in the relevant accounting policy note(s). b. Reconciliation with previous Generally A¢cepted Accountlng Practlce and transition to FRS 102 In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 the restatement of comparative items was required. No restatement was considered necessary. c. Income Don8tions and grants Income from donations and grants, includlng capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except as follows,. When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used In future accounling p&rioés, the income is deferred until those periods. When donors impose conditions which have to b8 fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the pre-conditions for use have been met. When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, a for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to preonditionS regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable. Interest r6ceiv8ble Interest is included when receivable by the charity,
13 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) Accounting polici85 (continued) d. Expendlture All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headlngs that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated lo activities on a basis consistent wittt use of resources. Expenses include VAT which cannot be recovered. e. Assets and Ilabllltles These are included in the balance sheet at the following amounts.. Other investments are included at fair value based on market value., Current assets at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Liabilities at their settlemenl value. Items costing in excess of £1,000 and with an expected useful life of at least 5 years are recognised as Fixed Assets. f. Unrestricted funds Both income and capital may be us@d for the general purposes of the charity- Funds which are unrestricted are classified in line with the Charity's reserve policy. These funds pay for administration of the affaits of the charity and for the various activities with which the charity is involved. g. Restrlcted Funds The charity's restricted funds represent those funds received for specific purposes, in line with not6 2¢ above, h. Baslc financial instruments The charity only has financial instruments and financlal liabilities of a klnd that qualrfy as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initlally recognised at transaction value and subsoqu6ntly measured at their settlement value,
14 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) Income 2024125 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2024125 2024125 2024125 2023124 Donations Donations 1,759 1,759 31,879 1,759 1,759 31,879 Grants and contracts East Devon Dlstrlct Council Devon County Council Town and Parish Counclls Parentsupport Healthwatch Household Support Fund Children's Centre Salvatlon Army Food and Fuel Fund other Grants forservices Ukraine Project 75,438 66,058 15,580 4,000 700 4,063 75,438 66,Q58 15,580 4,000 700 4,063 73,765 69,849 9,500 5,000 13,000 2,505 2,505 14,112 63,518 7,784 600 600 168,944 168,944 256,528 Other Income Bank Interest received Other income 4,047 120 4,047 120 3,514 70 4,167 4,167 3,584 Investment Income TOTAL INCOME 174,870 174,870 291,991
15 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) 4. Expenditure 2024125 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2024125 2024125 2024125 2023124 Fundraising expenses Charitable Aclivities Salaries Ilncludlng Nl & Penslonl 216,100 216,100 163,168 Travel, Expenses and Subslstence 1,435 1.435 2,284 Other Stafl & Volunieer costs 4,577 4,577 1,123 IT equlpment and support 8,986 8,986 11,596 Insurance 3,503 3,S03 2,026 Payroll l Accounting I Consultancyfees 1,392 1,392 10,401 Reference materials, subscilptions 1,719 1,719 2,224 Telephonè & Communlcatlong 13,8 13,822 12,929 Other Off Ice Costs 3,359 3,359 3,397 Rent 27,182 27,182 24,864 Heat & Ilght 6,288 6,289 1,222 Cleanlng, repalrs and malntenance 8.593 6,593 1,226 Other Premises Costs 2,573 2,573 4736 Independent Examlner 250 250 -500 Bank charges 120 120 120 Other Mlscèllaneous expenses 24,541 24.5111 3,450 106,341 106,341 81,098 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 322,441 322,441
16 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) 5. Analysis of Staff Costs and Remuneratlon of Key Management Personnel 2024125 2023124 Net Salad6s and Wag8S Employerfs National Insurance Contributlon8 Employer's Pension Contributions Total Salaiies and Wag&s 200,601 8,189 156,801 3,699 216,100 163,168 The average number of employees was 13.012022123:12.5) with all employee time involved In providing either support to the governance of the charity or support services to charilable activities. The Bureau considers that ils key management parsonn61 comprise the trustees and The Chlef Executive Officer, The trustees receive no paymenl and the total employment benefits including employer pension and employer's National Insuranc8 contributions were £43,482 (2023124: £41,292). No 8mployee had employee benefits exceeding £60,000 (2023124: none) In March 2025, we took the difficult deGision to make our Advice Services Manager redundant. In line with our redundancy poliGy. she received before the end of the financial year, £6,721.58, and in additlon a payment in lieu of notice of £4,481.05. Thes@ amounts are included in salary costs for the year. 6. Taxation The company is a registered charity and as such is not liable for corpor8lion tax. Independent Examlnation Fees of £250 for Independent examlnation of these accounts have been provided and arè included in expenditure for the year. 8. Investments The organisation released its Investments Into the general reserves in the financial year 2016117. 9. Debtors 2024125 2023124 Prepaymen18 2nd accrued income 10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024125 2023124 Accruals and Deferred Income Other Creditors 3,835 1,460 896 645 5,295 1,541
17 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) 14. Funds of the charlty The funds of the charity are composed of Ihe following., - Unrestricted Restricted Total Currenl assets 57,661 57,661 Current liabilifi8S (5,295) (5,295) 52,366 52,366 2. Restrlcted Funds There was no income to nor expenditure from restricted funds in 2024125, and no such funds at the start or end of the year. 13. Deslgnated Funds These funds are not legally restricted, but are those which the Board of Trust88s has decided to dedicate to specrfic ends. At 1 April 2025 Income Expendlture Transfers At 31 March 2025 TranSfonatiOn Dellvery Fund Debt Advice Fund Food and Fu81 Fund 10,000 30,000 14.112 (10,0001 (18.800} 113,833) 11,200 279 14. Trustees, r8muneration and expenses No Trustee received remuneration or expenses during the year. 15. Ralated Party Transactions There were no transactions with related parties during the year.