Charlty registration number 1118656 Company reglstratlon number 06113551 (England and Wales) SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU LEGAL AND ADMINisfRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees Mr R Longton Mr A ch￿terS Mr M Gregory Mr C Ransh8W Mrs B Potter Mr M CTrelogan (Appointed 25 April 20241 Secretarv Mr R Longton Charlty number 1118656 Company number 06113551 Principal address I Wainwright's Yard Kendal Cumbira unIt￿ Kingdom LA9 4DP Registsred office I Walnwrlght's Yard Kendal Cumbira United Kingdom LA9 4DP Independent examlner Darren Little FCA Salnt & Co Chartered Accountants The Old Police Statlon Church Street Ambleslde Cumbria LA22 OBT SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU CONTENTS Page Trustees, report Independent examlner's report ststement of financial activities Balance sheet io Notes to the f inancial Statements 11-27 SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees prosont thelr annual report and flnanclal Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The flnanclal statements have been prepared accordance wlth the accountlng policies set out in note I to the financial Statements and comply wlth the charlty's governlng document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charltle5 preparing thelr accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applScable In the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffettive l January 20191. Objectives and activities Summary of the objects South Lakes citi￿rns Advice was established for the promotion of any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in Cumbria by the adwdncement of eduiztion, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distre5S. Publlc beneflt The trustees have pald due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activitie5 the charity should undertake. SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Achlevements and performance South Lakes Citizens Advice provldes the advlce people need for the problems they face Improves the pollcles and pratcices that affect people's Ilves We value diverslty, promote equality, and challenge dlscrlmlnation. Summory of achievements undperformonce An a¢￿$•ble service During this reporting period we have delivered an acce55ible advlce servlce which is free, Independent, impartlal and confidential to the people of South Lakeland. Cllents have been able to access our advlce service via the following channels a dedicated telephone advlce seNlce which is open five days per week between 9am and 4pm drop-ln sessions whereby cllents called Into the Kendal office - thi5 is available once a week a dlgltal servlce vla our website and whereby clients can complete a secure, online contatt 5ubmisslon form During thls reportlng period we have contlnued to offer face-to-face appointments across our two offlces for those with complex advice needs. Delivery Our generalist service is delivered by a hlghly tralned team of volunteers. All volunteers must complete the national Citizens Advice training plan, this training is free to all volunteers. The service is supported by paid telephone and digital advlsers, speclalist caseworkers and our business support and management team. All pald staff must complete the Citizens Advi tralnlng as well as competence training relating to their role. The demand ft)r our service has continued, and we have dealt with 2.702 cllents with 11,677 individual issu￿. This is an average of 4 issues per cllent. Furthermore, with our Intervention, we have successfully raised just under £1.7 million in financlal gains for those cllents and supporting those in financial crisis with Immedlate support. The key i55ues dealt with during the year were as follo￿.. Benefits and Tax Credlt Universal Credit Debt problems Housing Employment The client prof Ile of those we helped wa5 $7% wero dlsabled or had long term health Issue5 59% were female, 41% were male the majority were of working age SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Research andcompolgns We are actively involved in Research and Campaign5 work and have contributed to a wide range of Inltlatives and campaigns run at a local level, across the county and with Citizens Advice at a national level. Our role is to act as a voice for our clients and provide evldence of unfair legislation, pollcles and practices in order to prevent problems arlslng In the future. This evldence Is used by Citizens Advice to bring about change. We have also worked wlth our local MPS, Informing them of key issues which have and are Impactlng on their residents. Working in partnershlp We are a member of Citizens Advice Cumbrla whlch is a consortium comprising of all the local Citizens Advice servlces In Cumbria. One aim of the consortium is to identify and bld for county-wide funding, We are a member of the Gateway Group, a local multi-agency organlsation. Our Chief Officer, on behalf of South Lakes Citizen5 Advice, is a Trustee of this organisation, South Lakeland Poverty Truth Commi5sion15LPTC)- we have worked and supported the work ofthe SLPTC, South Lakes Housing Association {SLHI - we have continued to work wlth SLH providing money advice to tenants. Achievements Quality of Advice Assessment: The quallty of Dur advice is confidentially assessed both Internally and externally and we are pleased to report that the quality of our advlce work continues to be of a very high standard. We have been successful and scored hlghly In relatlon to the annual citi￿n5 Advice audlt of our Performance and Quality, Funding We receive our core funding from Westmorland and Furness Councll, We have. administered and distributed Household Support Grants to ellglble households, Thi5 is an area of gromrth with more households struggling to make ends meet. The specialist Caseworke￿ have supported the generalist advlce Service, and p￿Vided detailed caseworl( for moro complex cases. The work of the speclalist teams Is funded as follows., Westmorland and Furness Council - telephone and dlgital servl Westmorland Locallty Panel- welfrdre benefits and money advice The MoneyAdvlce Servlce IMaPSI- debt and money advice South Lakeland Housing Association - for addressing the debt and money advice needs of their tenants Macmillan Cancer Support- welfare beneflts advice to those affected by cancer Cumbrla County Council - for the dellvery of ex gratia hardship fundlng to those unable to support themselves Cumbria Public Health well-being fund for a worker to work in the local community and provide advice and information Walney Wind Farm (Orstedl - extenslon of telephone dellvery service. Thls Is the last year of this funding We would Ilke to thank all our funders for thelr contlnuous financlal support over the year. and those who have provided support in kind from don2tlons of tea and coffee, wlthout whose support we would not be able to deliver our vital seNlce. We would like to take thls opportunity to particularly thank We5tmorland and FUrne￿ Councll, the Town Councils and Parlsh Cnuncils for their contlnuing and welcome f inancial Support. SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Thefuture The Trustees acknowledge that the economic challenges faced by our cllents is likely to continue and therefore the demand on our service will increase. The Trustees are therefore committed to ensuring that South Lake5 Citizens Advice contlnues to provlde an accessible and qualtty service. We aim to be the "80 to advice service" The Trustees wlll work hard to ensure we provlde a robust and sustainable service to the people of South Lakeland, a service delivered by dedlcated, trained stsff and volunteers. We continue to revlew and monltor cllent and stakeholder ftedback to ensure we are providing 3n accesslble service, a service that Is welcoming to all and meets the needs of those we serve, One key objective for 202Jn5 15 to move to new premlses- premlses whlch will give us the opportunity to expand and develop our much-needed advice service. We will contlnue to work In partnershlp wlth colleagues from Barrow and EdÈn respectively to develop effective and Sustainable services across the new footprlnt of the Westmorland and Fumess district. Finully On behalf of the Trustee Board, I would Ilke to say a sincere thank you to all our staff and volunteers who have continued to deliver an exceptional service in very difficult circumstances. Without their dedication, commitment, and hard work we would not have been able to dellver our quality, highly valued service to the community of South Lakeland. SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCWDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Flnanclal revlew Review of thefinuncialposition The total income during the year was £306,791 and expendFture was £306,438 giving a net surplus of £353 and leaving reserv￿ of £162,928. The main source of funding for the General Advice service contlnued to be a grant from Westmorland and Furness Councll (formerly called South Lakeland Dlstrict Council) amountlng to £80,000. We were agaln successful In obtalnlng addltional one-off donatlons and grants from various commercial organisations and charitable bodies, totalling £19.266, together with a further £12,500 from Walney Wind Farm (Orstedl and £30,000 Cumbria Communlty Foundatlon whlch has greatly a5SiSted us to continue to develop our service delivery., Fundlng has contlnued on three contracts for the provision of money, debt and benefits advice though agaln the small Increases in funding dld not offset our Increased salary costs. The Trustees are aware that all fundin8 Streams remain under threat of reduction or complete withdrawal and they contlnuo to closely monltor the bud8et and work to e5tabli5h alternative funding. Principalfinoncial managemert policies tnlopted In the yeur A budget for the year wa5 agreed prior to the beglnnlng of the accountlng year anrl amended as necessary durlng the year. Management accounts were presented at each regular Trustee Board meeting and expendSture monitored against the budget. Policie5 regarding spending authDrltles, operation of petty cash systems and payment of travel expenses are contained within the offi￿ Manual, and are regularly revlewed. Reserves poli¢y The Trustees have carrled out a revlew of the Reserves pollcy, and have agreed to maintsin Reserve5 as follows: The Trustees belleve that the Charity Should hold financlal reserves in order that it can continue to operate and meet the needs of cllents in the present uncertain financial climate. Consequentlyi the Tru5tee5 believe it prudent to maintain the following Reserves: Contra¢tual Commltment Reserve (a de5ignatedfvnd) Thls reserve wlll enable the charity to effect an orderly reductlon In activity level, and meet its contrattual financlal commitments to staff, landlords and other suppllers, in the event of unforeseen and potentlally damaglng circumstance5 such as the withdrawal of, or redurtion in, a slgnlficant funding stream. At 31 March 2024 those Ilabllktles total approximately E67,000, so It is proposed to increase the Reserve at that figurÈ12023: £55,000). GenemlFund Reserve Thls reserve acts as a buffer to absorb budgeted deficits to enable the charlty to maintaln service levels in the event of an expected redurtlon In fundlng stream5, whilst alternatlve funds are Sourced. The tru5tee5 consider it prudent to maintain thi5 at a mlnlmum of £56,000 approximately equal to 25% of total annual recurrin8 expenditure, li,e. core cost5 plus overheads) At 31 March 2024, the balance on the Reserve w25 £89,455, SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Princlpalfundlng sources The main source5 of project income for the year contlnued to be Westmorland and Furness Councll South Lakes locality board Ifor debt advice), the Money and Pension Service Ifor debt advlcel, and Macmlllan Cancer Support (for welfare beneflts advlce for those livin8 Wlth cancer). Our main source of unrestrlcted income was the annual grant from Westmorland and Furness Council, wlth other contrlbutions from Ulverston and Kendal Town Counclls, and Cumbrla Communlty Foundation. In addition, wè were grateful for donatlons from several commerclal organSsations and individuals, some of whom requested anonymity. Imostmentpollcy and obJertlve5 Fund5 were held in interest produclng charlty accounts which could be accessed with only a few days, notice. Thi5 is the most appropriate policy for the charity, as fundlng is received in blocks at irregular intervals during the year and the charity needs to be able to access these fund5 in the event of a delay in one funding stream. Riskmonogement The Trustees review the major risks 8nnually in January and set up procedures to mitlgate those risks. The administratlon of procedures is delegated to the Chief Officer who also has a responslblllty to Identlfy potentlal rlsks as they arlse. Plans for future period5 The year reported uw)n has been another one of change and that looks set to continue with changes to property and Dur service delivery model, as well as local government In Cumbria from April 2023. We look to malntaln our high-quality service to those needlng it across South Lakeland whi 1st facing financial pressures that make future plannlng dlfflcult. We remaln commltted to maklng access to that servlce easler for people Ilving in remote, often i501ated situation5 across a very large, rural area and to work as closely as posslble wlth other organi5ations in identifying and providing the help and advice that people need. Over the medlum to long term, uncertaintie5 surrounding the impact of local government reorganisation and service delivery remain. Some of our existing contracts are due to be renewed over the next 24 months, and the proposed conditions under which they wlll be renewed appear trj be increasingly demandin& and a5 such there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue deliverin8 those services, If these contracts are not renewed, there will be an inevitable reduction in our income, unless replacement contracts cén be sourced. This in turn, will bring the need for sustainable funding solutions into even greater focus, South Lakeland District Council, the main funder of our Eeneral ￿vIce service, ceased to exist on 1st April 2023, and whilst our funding ha5 been guaranteed until March 2025. continued fundlng at an approprlate level thereafter will be dependent on the budgets of the new Westmorland and Furness Council. We currently await conflrmatlon of our fundlng for 202y26. SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH2024 Structure. governance and management Governing document The charity is Boverned by its memorandum and articles of association dated 19 February 2007 and amended on 06 December 2012, Method5 (TdoptedAor the recruitmentandoppLvntmentoAnew tru5tee5 Members of the trustee board are appointed through an open and transparent selection and interview process. Membershlp of the trustee board aims to reflect the diversity of the community within which it is located. No funders are Currently represented on the board, Membefs of the trustee board are inducted and trained in a timely fashlon and undetstand thelr respon51billtles, In relation to Citizens Advice Membership scheme, Financial Conduct Authority, Charity Commission and Companies House. The trustees, who are also the dlrertors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of slgnature of the financial statements were,. Mr R Longton Mr J Whitehead Mr A Chesters Mr M Gregory Mr C Ran5haw Mrs B Potter Mr M CTrelogan IRe51gned l November 20231 (Appointed 25 April 20241 None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the compeny and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up. The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustee5. MrA Cheste Trustee 6 December 2024 SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of South Lake5 Citizens Advice Bureau Ithe charltyl for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the trustees of the charity land also its dirertors for the purposes of company lawl you are responsible for the preparatiDn of the financial statements in accordance wlth the requlrements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act). Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examlnatlon, I report respect of my examlnatSon of the charlty's flnanclal statements carried out under sectlon 145 of the Charltle5 Att 2011 (the 2011 Artl. In carrying out my examinatlon I have followed all the appllcable Dlrectlons glven by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the 2011 Act. Independent examlner's ststement Slnce the charity's gr055 income exceeded E250,OCM) your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the ex8mination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodi￿. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matter5 have come to my attention in connection with the examination glving me cause to believe that in any material respert: accountlng records were not kept In respect of the charlty as requlred by sertion 386 of the 2006 Act. or the flnancial statements do not accord with those records,. or the financial statements do not comply with the accountlng requlrements of sertlon 3g6 of the 21Ki6 Art other than any requirement that the accounts glvo a true and falr vlew w1￿ch Is not a matter consldered as part of an independent examlnatlon,. or the financial statement5 have not been prepared In accordance with the methods and prlnciples of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applirdble to charities preparin8 their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 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 financial statements to be reached. Da Llttle FCA nt & Co Chartered Accountants The Old Police Station Church Street Ambleside Cumbria LA22 OBT SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDrruRE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR EAIDED 31 MARCH 2024 Unrestrlrted funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 Total Unrestrlcted funds 2023 Restrkted funds 2023 Totsl 2024 2023 Notes Income from: Donations and legacles Charftable actlvitles Other trdding activities Investments 19,266 126,863 19,266 278,392 15,495 145,463 6,285 3,124 15,495 261,143 6,285 3,124 151,529 115,680 9,133 9,133 Total income 155,262 151,529 306,791 170,367 115,680 286,047 Expenditure on: Raising funds Charltable activlties 6,000 137.488 6.000 300,438 8,000 156,150 8,000 274,625 162,950 118,475 Total expendlture 143,488 162,950 306,438 164,150 118,475 282,625 Nei Income/(expenditure} 11,774 111,421) 353 6,217 12,7951 3,422 Transfers between fund5 15.5911 5,591 15,8051 5,805 Net movement In fiinds io 6,183 15,8301 353 412 3,010 3,422 Reconclllatlon of fund#'. Fund balances at l April 2023 150,282 12,293 162,575 149,870 9,283 159,153 Fund balances at 31 March Z024 156,465 6,463 162,928 150,282 12,293 162,575 The statement of financial activities includes all galns and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities, SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU BALANCE SHEEr ASAT31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Notes Flxed assets Tangible assets 14 60 660 Current gssets Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 17.379 236,571 18,266 243,158 253,950 191,0821 261,424 {99,5091 Cvedltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year 16 Net Current a55ets 162,868 161,915 Totsl assets le55 current liabilities 162,928 162.575 Net assets excluding penslon Ilablllty 162,928 162,575 The funds of ihe charfty Restrlcted Incorne funds Unrestrirted funds 19 6,463 156,465 12,293 150,282 162,928 162,575 The company is entitled to the exemptlon from the audit requlrement contalnod In sectlon 477 of the Companles Art 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2024. Tho dlrectors acknowledge their responsibilltles for tomplylng with the requirements of the Companie5 Att 2006 with respect to accountlng records and the preparation of financial statements. The members have not required the company to obtaln an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476. These financlal statements have been prepared in accordance with the provlsions appllcable to comp8nies subject to the small companles regime, The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 6 December 2024 Mr R Longton Trustee Company reglstratlon number 06113551 {England and Wales) 10 SOUTH LAKES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR EhlDED 31 MARCH 2024 A¢¢ounting policles Charity l￿f0mlatIon South Lakes Citizens Advice Bureau is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, The registered office 15 1 WainwriBht's Yard, Kendal, Cumbira, LA9 4DP, United KinBdom. 1.1 A¢countlng conventlon The financial statements have been prepared In accordance wlth the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006. FRS 102 "The Flnanclal Reportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland" I"FR5 102,1 and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charitles., Statement of Recommended Prattice applicahle to charities preparlng theSr accounts In accordance with the Financial Reportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Ropubllc of Iroland IFRS 1021. (effective l January 20191. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity a5 deflned by FRS 102. The charity ha5 tsken advantage of the provlslons In the SORP for charltles not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements are prepared In sterllng, whlch Is the functlonal currency of the charlty. Monetary amounts in these flnanclal statements are rounded to the nearest £. The flnanclal statements have been prepared under the historical c05t conventlon. The prlnclpal accounting pollcles adopted are Set out below. 1.2 Going concern The Tru5tee5 are fully aware of the cumulative impatt of reduced funding, and are engaged in a programme of adapting our Service delivery model to be more cost effettive for the future, and of seel