**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06654115 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1126473**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **FOR**
## **MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
Baker Knoyle Audit Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Orbit Business Centre Rhydycar Business Park Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1|to|8|
|**Report of the Independent Auditors**|9|to|11|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||12||
|**Balance Sheet**||13||
|**Cash Flow Statement**||14||
|**Notes to the Cash Flow Statement**||15||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|16|to|33|
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
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 2024. 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).
The Trustee Report includes the Report of the Directors' as required by company law.
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The objects of the Charity are set out in the Memorandum of Association.
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 Merthyr Tydfil, and surrounding areas.
## **The aims of the Charity are identical to the aims of Citizens Advice:**
To ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the service available to them or through an inability to express their needs effectively.
## **And equally:**
'to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally'.
## **Help to Claim**
We continued to provide the Help to Claim service. This was rolled out fully in April 2019 and helps people to make a first claim for Universal Credit via telephone/web-chat/email. The phone and digital services are delivered from our office at Post office Lane and from advisers working remotely.
## **SAF: Advicelink Cymru**
In 2018 the Welsh Government decided to change how they commission advice services across Wales to improve the quality and availability of advice services and encourage collaboration -the new funding available was called the Single Advice Fund. In September 2019, Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil was awarded the funding for the generalist (Community Focussed) and specialist services for the Merthyr Tydfil area from 1 January 2020, called Advicelink Cymru
## **SAF: Claim What's Yours**
The purpose of this funding is to provide additional telephony capacity to support the Welsh Government's 'Claim What's Yours' income maximisation and benefit take up campaign. The funding forms part of the Single Advice Fund and provides free to client social welfare rights-based information and/or adviser services that meet the key aims of Advicelink Cymru. Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil is required to deliver from our office at Post office Lane and adviser working remotely generalist welfare benefits advice via telephone to clients calling the Claim What's Yours helpline.
## **SAF: Advicelink Cymru: Community Focussed, Specialist & Debt**
In 2018 the Welsh Government decided to change how they commission advice services across Wales to improve the quality and availability of advice services and encourage collaboration between advice providers -the new funding available was called the Single Advice Fund. In September 2019, Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil was awarded the funding for the generalist (Community Focussed) and specialist services for the Merthyr Tydfil area from 1 January 2020. The new services are called Advicelink Cymru
## **EAP: Energy Advice Programme**
The Energy Advice Programme provides one-to-one advice to clients in fuel poverty, or in a fuel poverty risk group, who visit their local Citizens Advice and present an energy problem, or to clients who have been referred to their local Citizens Advice for energy advice support by local voluntary/public organisations. The project aims to proactively target fuel poor clients. The majority of advice sessions will be delivered via telephone or web platforms due to COVID-19.
## **CAB 4 Carers**
CAB 4 Carers has been operating since 2018 and is funded by Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB. It supports Carers both at home and in hospital settings.
-Provides information and support to Carers
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
-Provide a link with nursing staff to signpost Carers and families to information and support and have a greater understanding of Carers issues.
-Raises awareness
-Link the Carer into other third sector organisations and recommendations for statutory services.
-Provides a link to the Social Services Teams across Cwm Taf (i.e. to refer Carers for a Carers Assessment).
-Provides generic support to Carers of older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental health issues, people with physical disability and people with children, making it a fair and equitable service.
-Provide information and support to staff who are Carers.
## **Help Through Hardship**
CA Merthyr Tydfil worked, in collaboration with Citizens Advice Ynys Mon to deliver the Help through Hardship project. The purpose of the project is a service designed to give advice and information on income maximisation to clients and issue a foodbank voucher if they're unable to afford food.
SAF Partnership - Funding to be shared between Cwm Taf Morgannwg LCA's. The funding is to improve stakeholders engagement and partnerships.
**Warmer Wales** - Funded by the Moondance Foundation. The number of people needing help with energy debts has more than doubled compared to pre-pandemic times, and is the highest on record. The funding will meet an immediate and pressing need and will ensure that thousands of people in Wales get the crucial advice they need to manage their energy more efficiently and avoid fuel poverty.
**Benefits In Place** - Basic income for Care Leavers in Wales Pilot: policy design is available for those leaving care who are turning 18 years of age between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. It enables all under 18's the option of taking up the grant for BIP or stay as they are. Advice is given as to what is the best option available and for the best outcome for the person concerned.
## **Energy Caseworker**
The Energy Caseworker Project is designed to deliver specialist energy advice and income maximisation support to clients experiencing fuel poverty in Merthyr Tydfil. This is a Caseworker model for delivering energy advice and is designed in order to provide support to clients who have complex needs or circumstances.
The advice will focus on energy advice issues, income maximisation and benefits advice. All clients seen through the project will receive a full benefits check and comprehensive energy efficiency advice, in addition to support with any other needs they may have.
## **EOP Fund**
A key focus of EOP is to provide advice in an outreach setting, to consumers who would not otherwise, access your service. We expect that you will deliver the majority of the work in a face-to-face setting.
EOP should be delivered in the community, as a proactive outreach service. Building links and partnerships with other organisations, and delivering EOP in the community in which our
target audience live their lives, and is vital to ensuring EOP works as intended.
## **Winter Funding**
Increase in client advice within the parameters of agreed SAF delivery over the winter months 2023/24. To support LCA's to deliver training to increase adviser knowledge and skills. Improving the quality of IT equipment, where necessary, to support the effective and efficient delivery of SAF
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **Moondance Local Fund**
The Moondance funding provides funding for a part-time Crisis worker to deliver emergency advice to clients that live in Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding borough.
## **Multiply (MTCBC)**
The project is designed to provide advice and support to improve the lives of clients in Merthyr Tydfil. The project provides effective money management, financial planning, debt support and household budgeting support in response to the economic climate. Enable adults to better manage their money through improving their numeracy skills Develop individual's understanding and use of numeracy as a life skill, enabling them to recognise future learning opportunities
This enables adults to better manage their money through improving their numeracy skills and develop an individual's understanding and use of numeracy as a life skill, enabling them to recognise future learning opportunities.
## **UK SPF**
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a government fund that provides funding to MTCBC for communities and people, and skills. The fund is a key part of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and was established to replace the European Structural and Investment Programme (ESIF) after the UK left the EU.
## **Guardian Fund**
The project is to increase capacity for the service delivery that supports clients in deprived areas in innovative ways through the cost of living crisis via any channel or mix of channels (remote and/or face-to-face).
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees are aware that the Charity has a responsibility under the Charities Act to demonstrate that it has charitable aims that meet the public benefit requirement and are therefore charitable. The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and comply with S17 Charities Act 2011 when considering, planning and implementing the activities of the charity. As Trustees, we believe that the aims of our organisation are charitable and for the public benefit. Furthermore, in our view, no detriment or harm arises from our Charity carrying out its work and we are not aware of any widespread views among others that such detriment or harm might arise.
We have complied with the duty in section 17 of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Commission in respect of our duty to provide public benefit.
## **Volunteers**
Volunteers contribute a considerable amount of time and expertise to the organisation. They provide face to face, telephone and web-chat advice, and reception services. Although the numbers of hours vary, it is estimated that volunteer hours in the organisation this year have amounted to approximately 7 FTE posts, including administration and generalist advisors.
## **STRATEGIC REPORT**
## **Achievement and performance**
## **Charitable activities**
Merthyr Tydfil Citizens Advice Bureau is a professionally managed Bureau offering high levels of specialist advice in debt/welfare benefits in addition to advice on any subject matter at its main Bureau office and also has a wide coverage at various locations throughout the County Borough area (Please refer to our website for updated information).
## **Fundraising activities**
We do not carry out fundraising activities other than funding bids for projects. During this year we have both maintained current services and extended into new areas across the Borough.
All our work is dependent on core funding. Without this we are precluded from applying for further funding.
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **STRATEGIC REPORT**
## **Financial review**
## **Principal funding sources**
Principal funding sources for the financial period 2023/24 is listed in the section **Funding and Projects delivered April 2023-March 2024**
## **Financial Management Policies**
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Reserves policy**
Reserves are needed to bridge the funding gaps between spending and receiving funding, to cover sickness and maternity payments, and in the event of the LCA closing, to cover redundancy payments and 3 months running costs. Targeted reserves for 2024 were £299,495. The free reserves as at 31.3.2024 were £350,992 (2023: £285,866).
## **Funds in deficit**
The Supporting People/UK SPF and MTCBC Multiply Funds were in deficit at the year end as a result of a provision for future costs. The deficit position on both funds reversed in the new financial year.
## **Relationship between Expenditure and the Charity's Key Objectives**
Our objectives are highlighted in each funding bid that is submitted and we have to notify our funders if there is any deviation in the applications.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
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.
Merthyr Tydfil Citizens Advice Bureau is a Company limited by guarantee. It is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Bureau must comply with the Membership Scheme of the Citizens Advice Audit Service.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The organisation advertises in the local press, in Community Newsletters, and recruitment agencies, to obtain people with relevant experience who can offer a range of key skills to support the objectives of our Business Plan.
## **Organisational structure**
The Board of Trustees, which can have up to 15 members, administers the charity. The Board meets, at least four times per year. There is a sub-committee made up of officers which can meet more frequently when necessary to cover development, membership, finance and audit.
## **Induction and training of new trustees**
New Trustees are interviewed by the CEO and two trustees. If successful they are co-opted at the next trustee board meeting and then formally appointed at the next AGM. They take part in a comprehensive Induction Programme to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law, the committee, decision making processes, Business Plan and recent financial performance of the LCA. During the induction they meet the senior management team, staff and volunteers. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate Citizens Advice Cymru or external training events. Records of all Trustee Board members training are held in a central Bureau file, as are their qualifications, experience and on-going training.
## **Key management remuneration**
The board of trustees set the pay and remuneration for key management. Bench marks are also taken into account and the board compare salaries across the wider network/other local Citizens advice offices in combination with the local authority NJC scales.
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Wider network**
Our affiliation to National Citizens Advice and working in collaboration with National Citizens Advice means that we are strategically aligned to the national priorities in Citizens Advice and therefore work to achieve a sustainable network, for which we play a key role at national and local level.
## **Related parties**
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council provide Core Funding and have an elected member on the Board of Trustees.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:-
- an annual review of the risks the charity may face
- the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the plan
- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise - A key element in the management of financial risk is the setting up of a reserve policy and its regular review by the Trustees.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number**
06654115 (England and Wales)
## **Registered Charity number**
1126473
## **Registered office**
1 Post Office Lane Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8BE
## **Trustees**
K Williams Dr S Ganesh L Guard B Heggie J Morgan Chair to June 2023 (resigned 2.6.23) A Davies C Thomas B A Davies (appointed 11.7.23)
## **Auditors**
Baker Knoyle Audit Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Orbit Business Centre Rhydycar Business Park Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank PLC High Street Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DL
## **Chairperson**
Mr B Heggie - Chair Alyson Davies - Vice Chair
## **Treasurer**
Mr C Thomas
## **Secretary**
Mrs Lisa Howell-Morgan
## **Chief Executive**
Mrs Lisa Howell-Morgan
## **Senior Staff**
Chief Executive: Mrs Lisa Howell-Morgan Deputy Chief Executive: Kayleigh Nor-Val Local Advice Services Manager: Angharad Hopkins Local Advice Services Manager: Ryan Price resigned December 2023 Remote Advice Services Manager : Elizabeth Lewis Remote Advice Services Manager: Christian Green
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES**
The trustees (who are also the directors of Merthyr Tydfil Citizens Advice Bureau for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state 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 those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued**
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
## **AUDITORS**
The auditors, Baker Knoyle Audit Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 10 December 2024 and signed on the board's behalf by:
C Thomas - Trustee
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## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Merthyr Tydfil Citizens Advice Bureau (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
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## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Page 10
**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
- We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our sector experience through discussion with the Officers and other management (as required by auditing standards).
- We had regard to laws and regulations in areas that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting (including related trade union legislation) and taxation legislation. We considered that extent of compliance with those laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
- With the exception of any known or possible non-compliance, and as required by auditing standards, our work in respect of these was limited to enquiry of the Officers.
- We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.
- We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls, by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Richard Phillips FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Baker Knoyle Audit Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Orbit Business Centre Rhydycar Business Park Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL
17 December 2024
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**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
Investment income
3
Other income
4
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
5
**Charitable activities**
6
Advice Services
**Total**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**Transfers between funds**
18
**Net movement in funds**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
funds
£
51,427
5,538
1,426
58,391
-
2,339
2,339
56,052
6,568
62,620
375,094
437,714|Restricted
funds
£
1,187,705
-
31
1,187,736
18,327
1,194,631
1,212,958
(25,222)
(6,568)
(31,790)
676,526
644,736|2024
Total
funds
£
1,239,132
5,538
1,457
1,246,127
18,327
1,196,970
1,215,297
30,830
-
30,830
1,051,620
1,082,450|2023
Total
funds
£
1,207,340
1,392
-
1,208,732
2,637
1,201,814
1,204,451
4,281
-
4,281
1,047,339
1,051,620|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 12
## **MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06654115)**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
13
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
15
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
18
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|2024
£
691,891
106,663
364,605
471,268
(80,709)
390,559
1,082,450
1,082,450
437,714
644,736
1,082,450|2023
£
710,232
83,510
317,254
400,764
(59,376)
341,388
1,051,620
1,051,620
375,094
676,526
1,051,620|
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 10 December 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
C Thomas - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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## **MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
|**CASH FLOW STATEMENT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
2024
Notes
£
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Cash generated from operations
1
54,995
Net cash provided by operating activities
54,995
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(13,182)
Interest received
5,538
Net cash used in investing activities
(7,644)
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the**
**reporting period**
47,351
**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning**
**of the reporting period**
317,254
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the**
**reporting period**
364,605|2023
£
50,855
50,855
(12,931)
1,392
(11,539)
39,316
277,938
317,254|
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 14
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**1.**|**RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM**|**OPERATING ACTIVITIES**|**OPERATING ACTIVITIES**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||2024|2023|
|||£|£|
||**Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial**|||
||**Activities)**|30,830|4,281|
||**Adjustments for:**|||
||Depreciation charges|31,523|25,336|
||Interest received|(5,538)|(1,392)|
||(Increase)/decrease in debtors|(23,153)|7,661|
||Increase in creditors|21,333|14,969|
||**Net cash provided by operations**|54,995|50,855|
## **2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**
|**Net cash**|At 1/4/23
£|Cash flow
£|At 31/3/24
£|At 31/3/24
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Cash at bank and in hand|317,254|47,351||364,605|
||317,254|47,351||364,605|
|**Total**|317,254|47,351||364,605|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 15
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **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.
The following specific policies are applied:
## **Voluntary Income**
Voluntary income received by way of grants, gifts or donation is included in full on receipt unless it is subject to a condition when it is treated as deferred income.
**Government Grant Income** is included in full on receipt unless it is subject to a condition when it is treated as deferred income.
## **Deferred Income**
Income or grants received in advance are held as deferred income and carried forward to future accounting periods to be released when the defined purposes of the work or project have been completed, approved or certified.
## **Gifts in Kind**
Gifts in kind are included in the income and expenditure account where they are applied in carrying out charitable activities, where the company would otherwise have to purchase the donated facility and the benefit is both quantifiable and material. The quantifiable benefit is shown as both incoming and expended resources within the appropriate funds. Where the gift is an asset it is treated as income and taken to stock or fixed assets as appropriate.
The value of services provided by volunteers is not quantified.
## **Investment Income**
Investment income is included when receivable.
## **Trading Income**
Trading Income is recognised when earned.
## **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.
Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered.
## **Costs of generating funds**
Costs of generating funds include the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.
continued...
Page 16
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Expenditure**
## **Charitable expenditure**
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes the costs that can be attributed directly to those activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **All expenditure**
All expenditure is allocated between the 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 between categories on a basis that fairly reflects their usage.
## **Pension costs**
Contributions are made to the employees own personal pension schemes. The pension cost charge represents those contributions payable to individual schemes.
## **Allocation of support costs**
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs and overheads, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charities Advice Service activities. The basis on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Freehold property improvements - 4% on cost Freehold Property - 2% on cost Plant and machinery - 25% on reducing balance
Tangible fixed assets are included in the balance sheet at historic cost less accumulated depreciation. Grant receipts which fund fixed asset acquisitions are taken to restricted funds and the appropriate depreciation charge is made against those funds over the expected useful life of the asset.
Capital grants are recognised when the associated expenditure has been incurred.
## **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.
Designated funds are those unrestricted funds set aside for a specific purpose by the Board.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
continued...
Page 17
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Hire purchase and leasing commitments**
Fixed assets acquired under finance leases are included in the balance sheet at historic cost less accumulated depreciation. The present value of future rentals is shown as a liability. Interest payable in each period is charged as an expended resource in proportion to the amount outstanding under the lease. Operating lease rental are charged as expended resources as incurred.
## **Organisational Status**
The organisation is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The directors are the trustees and are set out on page 3, they form a Board of Trustees which is the executive body of the charity. The aims and objectives and rules for governance are set out in the charitable company's Memorandum and Articles of Association.
## **Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year**
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price.
## **Ex-Gratia Termination Payment**
Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Charity before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Charity recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either
(i) terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal or (ii) providing termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy.
## **Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Donations
Grants
Service Level Agreement|2024
£
2,043
1,202,707
34,382
1,239,132|2023
£
296
1,172,662
34,382
1,207,340|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 18
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES - continued**
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
|Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
National Citizens Advice
WCVA
Supporting People (MTCBC)
Rhondda Cynon Taff
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Moondance Foundation
**3.**
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Deposit account interest
**4.**
**OTHER INCOME**
Other income
**5.**
**RAISING FUNDS**
**Raising donations and legacies**
Staff costs|2024
£
92,390
804,323
-
205,000
72,397
-
28,597
1,202,707
2024
£
5,538
2024
£
1,457
2024
£
18,327|2023
£
-
718,282
102,392
277,862
64,852
9,274
-
1,172,662
2023
£
1,392
2023
£
-
2023
£
2,637|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 19
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Support|
|Direct|costs (see|
|Costs|note 7)|Totals|
|£|£|£|
|Advice Services|1,182,666|14,304|1,196,970|
|SUPPORT COSTS|
|Human|Governance|
|Management|Finance|resources|costs|Totals|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Advice Services|536|402|268|13,098|14,304|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **7. SUPPORT COSTS**
## **8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|£|£|
|Depreciation - owned assets|31,523|25,336|
|Pension contributions|35,634|36,185|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
Four trustees received expense payments totalling £96 (2022: £200) for the year. These payments were reimbursement of travelling expenses.
All trustees received a Christmas gift. The total expenditure on these gifts was £1,073.
## **10. STAFF COSTS**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|£|£|
|Wages and salaries|1,041,761|1,083,931|
|1,041,761|1,083,931|
|The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:|
|2024|2023|
|Advice Services|44|54|
**----- End of picture text -----**
continued...
Page 20
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **10. STAFF COSTS - continued**
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
|£60,001 - £70,000||2024
1||2023
1|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Wages and Salaries
Social Security Costs
Pension Costs|2024
£
932,685
68,942
35,634
1,037,261||2023
£
978,152
69,594
36,185
1,083,931||
Included in Wages and Salaries is £13,000 Relating to other staff costs.
## **Pension Costs**
The Charity contributes to employee's own personal pension schemes together with the government work place pension scheme. The pension cost charge represents contributions paid by the Charity to the individual schemes.
## **Key management remuneration**
The key management of the charity comprises the Chief Executive Officer. The total benefits of the the key management personnel of the charity was £65,690 (2023: £65,810).
## **11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
Investment income
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
**Charitable activities**
Advice Services
**Total**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Net movement in funds**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward|Unrestricted
funds
£
37,709
1,392
39,101
2,637
25,719
28,356
10,745
9,964
20,709
354,385|Restricted
funds
£
1,169,631
-
1,169,631
-
1,176,095
1,176,095
(6,464)
(9,964)
(16,428)
692,954|Total
funds
£
1,207,340
1,392
1,208,732
2,637
1,201,814
1,204,451
4,281
-
4,281
1,047,339|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 21
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**
|Unrestricted
funds
£
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
375,094
**12.**
**AUDITORS' REMUNERATION**
Fees payable to the charity's Independent auditors for the independent audit of
the charity's financial statements|Unrestricted
funds
£
375,094|Unrestricted
funds
£
375,094|Restricted
funds
£
676,526|Restricted
funds
£
676,526|Total
funds
£
1,051,620|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||2024
£
3,600||2023
£
3,600|
Amounts payable to Independent Auditors in relation to payroll, pension administration and other services provided to the charity were £9,498 (2023: £16,470).
## **13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|Freehold
property
improvements
£
**COST**
At 1 April 2023
652,652
Additions
8,403
At 31 March 2024
661,055
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2023
43,770
Charge for year
26,266
At 31 March 2024
70,036
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2024
591,019
At 31 March 2023
608,882|Freehold
Property
£
95,880
-
95,880
6,221
1,916
8,137
87,743
89,659|Plant and
machinery
£
45,117
4,779
49,896
33,426
3,341
36,767
13,129
11,691|Totals
£
793,649
13,182
806,831
83,417
31,523
114,940
691,891
710,232|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 22
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2024 2023
£ £
Other debtors 91,946 78,356
Prepayments 14,717 5,154
106,663 83,510
15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024 2023
£ £
Other creditors - 2
Accruals 46,637 10,372
Pension creditor 9,280 5,405
Deferred income 24,792 43,597
80,709 59,376
Deferred Income
Included in Accruals and Deferred Income above, is the following movement relating to Deferred Income.
2024 2023
£ £
-
Opening balance 43,597
Movement in the year (18,805) 43,597
Deferred income carried forward 24,792 43,597
Being:
Citizens Advice National - 15,000
Moondance Foundation 24,792 28,597
24,792 43,597
16. LEASING AGREEMENTS
**----- End of picture text -----**
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
|Within one year
Between one and five years
In more than five years|2024
£
4,474
12,543
-
17,017|2023
£
2,235
6,431
252
8,918|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 23
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS**
|Fixed Assets
Net Current Assets|Unrestricted
funds
£
86.722
350,992
437,714|Restricted
funds
£
605,169
39,567
644,736|2024
Total funds
£
691,891
390,559
1,082,450|2023
Total funds
£
710,232
341,388
1,051,620|
|---|---|---|---|---|
**18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated fixed asset fund
Church Act Asset Fund
**Restricted funds**
Supporting People Fund/UK SPF
Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)
Cwm Taf CAB 4 Carers
SAF - Community Focus
ICF Discretionary Fund (CAB HUB Capital)
Ffos y Fran (Roof & Window)
Specialist Debt Fund
EAP Energy
WAG Phase 3 Capital Fund
Ffos y Fran Fund
WAG Phase 3
Basic Income Pilot
Help 2 Claim Fund
Help for Hardship Fund
Community Matters Fund
Energy Case Worker Fund
EOP Fund
MTCBC Multiply Fund
Winter Funding
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/4/23
£
285,866
51,133
38,095
375,094
-
237,992
31,948
-
82,232
66,843
5,848
-
233,937
4,107
4,345
-
-
-
9,274
-
-
-
-
676,526
1,051,620|Net
movement
in funds
£
58,036
-
(1,984)
56,052
(17,500)
(8,248)
-
(3)
(3,628)
(2,728)
(5,848)
25,504
(9,635)
-
-
1
(2,755)
1
-
11,543
3,500
(17,500)
2,074
(25,222)
30,830|Transfers
between
funds
£
7,090
(522)
-
6,568
-
4,105
-
3
-
-
-
-
4,297
(4,107)
(4,345)
(1)
2,755
(1)
(9,274)
-
-
-
-
(6,568)
-|At
31/3/24
£
350,992
50,611
36,111
437,714
(17,500)
233,849
31,948
-
78,604
64,115
-
25,504
228,599
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,543
3,500
(17,500)
2,074
644,736
1,082,450|
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 24
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Church Act Asset Fund
**Restricted funds**
Supporting People Fund/UK SPF
Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)
Cwm Taf CAB 4 Carers
SAF - Community Focus
SAF - Debt Fund
SAF - Specialist fund
ICF Discretionary Fund (CAB HUB Capital)
Ffos y Fran (Roof & Window)
Specialist Debt Fund
SAF CWY
EAP Energy
WAG Phase 3 Capital Fund
Basic Income Pilot
Help 2 Claim Fund
Help for Hardship Fund
SAF - Partnership Fund
Warmer Wales Fund
Energy Case Worker Fund
EOP Fund
Guardian Fund
Moondance Fund
MTCBC Multiply Fund
Winter Funding
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
58,391
-
58,391
205,030
-
45,990
63,667
51,586
12,244
-
-
-
188,999
56,700
(1)
26,408
165,564
152,706
7,000
41,479
11,543
3,500
29,970
28,597
92,390
4,364
1,187,736
1,246,127|Resources
expended
£
(355)
(1,984)
(2,339)
(222,530)
(8,248)
(45,990)
(63,670)
(51,586)
(12,244)
(3,628)
(2,728)
(5,848)
(188,999)
(31,196)
(9,634)
(26,407)
(168,319)
(152,705)
(7,000)
(41,479)
-
-
(29,970)
(28,597)
(109,890)
(2,290)
(1,212,958)
(1,215,297)|Movement
in funds
£
58,036
(1,984)
56,052
(17,500)
(8,248)
-
(3)
-
-
(3,628)
(2,728)
(5,848)
-
25,504
(9,635)
1
(2,755)
1
-
-
11,543
3,500
-
-
(17,500)
2,074
(25,222)
30,830|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 25
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated fixed asset fund
Church Act Asset Fund
**Restricted funds**
Supporting People Fund/UK SPF
Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)
Cwm Taf CAB 4 Carers
SAF - Community Focus
SAF - Debt Fund
AIF Youth
ICF Discretionary Fund (CAB HUB Capital)
Ffos y Fran (Roof & Window)
Active Inclusion 5
Active Inclusion 4
Active Inclusion Placements
Active Inclusion Placements Youth
Active Inclusion5 Placements
BESN (Big Energy Saving Network)
Specialist Debt Fund
SAF CWY
EAP Energy
WAG Phase 3 Capital Fund
Ffos y Fran Fund
WAG Phase 3
Help 2 Claim Fund
Help for Hardship Fund
SAF - Partnership Fund
Warmer Wales Fund
Community Matters Fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/4/22
£
264,690
49,612
40,083
354,385
-
239,525
39,948
-
-
-
86,500
68,207
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,848
-
-
238,711
9,870
4,345
-
-
-
-
-
692,954
1,047,339|Net
movement
in funds
£
12,733
-
(1,988)
10,745
(4,754)
(7,296)
(8,000)
1
1
632
(4,268)
(1,364)
(218)
(7,833)
72
10,062
(2,592)
3,500
-
1
13,095
(4,774)
-
-
13
(2,015)
(2)
1
9,274
(6,464)
4,281|Transfers
between
funds
£
8,443
1,521
-
9,964
4,754
5,763
-
(1)
(1)
(632)
-
-
218
7,833
(72)
(10,062)
2,592
(3,500)
-
(1)
(13,095)
-
(5,763)
-
(13)
2,015
2
(1)
-
(9,964)
-|At
31/3/23
£
285,866
51,133
38,095
375,094
-
237,992
31,948
-
-
-
82,232
66,843
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,848
-
-
233,937
4,107
4,345
-
-
-
-
9,274
676,526
1,051,620|
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 26
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Church Act Asset Fund
**Restricted funds**
Supporting People Fund/UK SPF
Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)
Cwm Taf CAB 4 Carers
SAF - Community Focus
SAF - Debt Fund
SAF - Specialist fund
AIF Youth
ICF Discretionary Fund (CAB HUB Capital)
Ffos y Fran (Roof & Window)
Active Inclusion 5
Active Inclusion 4
Active Inclusion Placements
Active Inclusion Placements Youth
Active Inclusion5 Placements
BESN (Big Energy Saving Network)
Specialist Debt Fund
SAF CWY
Supporting People - Covid
EAP Energy
WAG Phase 3 Capital Fund
Basic Income Pilot
Help 2 Claim Fund
Help for Hardship Fund
SAF - Partnership Fund
Warmer Wales Fund
Community Matters Fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
39,101
-
39,101
201,848
-
45,989
60,635
49,130
11,661
16,761
-
-
22,639
5,602
4,745
22,249
30,395
3,500
12,360
180,000
76,014
16,989
-
18,862
167,183
165,629
6,666
41,500
9,274
1,169,631
1,208,732|Resources
expended
£
(26,368)
(1,988)
(28,356)
(206,602)
(7,296)
(53,989)
(60,634)
(49,129)
(11,661)
(16,129)
(4,268)
(1,364)
(22,857)
(13,435)
(4,673)
(12,187)
(32,987)
-
(12,360)
(179,999)
(76,014)
(3,894)
(4,774)
(18,862)
(167,170)
(167,644)
(6,668)
(41,499)
-
(1,176,095)
(1,204,451)|Movement
in funds
£
12,733
(1,988)
10,745
(4,754)
(7,296)
(8,000)
1
1
-
632
(4,268)
(1,364)
(218)
(7,833)
72
10,062
(2,592)
3,500
-
1
-
13,095
(4,774)
-
13
(2,015)
(2)
1
9,274
(6,464)
4,281|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 27
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated fixed asset fund
Church Act Asset Fund
**Restricted funds**
Supporting People Fund/UK SPF
Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)
Cwm Taf CAB 4 Carers
SAF - Community Focus
SAF - Debt Fund
AIF Youth
ICF Discretionary Fund (CAB HUB Capital)
Ffos y Fran (Roof & Window)
Active Inclusion 5
Active Inclusion 4
Active Inclusion Placements
Active Inclusion Placements Youth
Active Inclusion5 Placements
BESN (Big Energy Saving Network)
Specialist Debt Fund
SAF CWY
EAP Energy
WAG Phase 3 Capital Fund
Ffos y Fran Fund
WAG Phase 3
Basic Income Pilot
Help 2 Claim Fund
Help for Hardship Fund
SAF - Partnership Fund
Warmer Wales Fund
Community Matters Fund
Energy Case Worker Fund
EOP Fund
MTCBC Multiply Fund
Winter Funding
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/4/22
£
264,690
49,612
40,083
354,385
-
239,525
39,948
-
-
-
86,500
68,207
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,848
-
-
238,711
9,870
4,345
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
692,954
1,047,339|Net
movement
in funds
£
70,769
-
(3,972)
66,797
(22,254)
(15,544)
(8,000)
(2)
1
632
(7,896)
(4,092)
(218)
(7,833)
72
10,062
(2,592)
3,500
(5,848)
1
38,599
(14,409)
-
-
1
(2,742)
(2,014)
(2)
1
9,274
11,543
3,500
(17,500)
2,074
(31,686)
35,111|Transfers
between
funds
£
15,533
999
-
16,532
4,754
9,868
-
2
(1)
(632)
-
-
218
7,833
(72)
(10,062)
2,592
(3,500)
-
(1)
(13,095)
4,297
(9,870)
(4,345)
(1)
2,742
2,014
2
(1)
(9,274)
-
-
-
-
(16,532)
-|At
31/3/24
£
350,992
50,611
36,111
437,714
(17,500)
233,849
31,948
-
-
-
78,604
64,115
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
25,504
228,599
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,543
3,500
(17,500)
2,074
644,736
1,082,450|
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 28
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Church Act Asset Fund
**Restricted funds**
Supporting People Fund/UK SPF
Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)
Cwm Taf CAB 4 Carers
SAF - Community Focus
SAF - Debt Fund
SAF - Specialist fund
AIF Youth
ICF Discretionary Fund (CAB HUB Capital)
Ffos y Fran (Roof & Window)
Active Inclusion 5
Active Inclusion 4
Active Inclusion Placements
Active Inclusion Placements Youth
Active Inclusion5 Placements
BESN (Big Energy Saving Network)
Specialist Debt Fund
SAF CWY
Supporting People - Covid
EAP Energy
WAG Phase 3 Capital Fund
Basic Income Pilot
Help 2 Claim Fund
Help for Hardship Fund
SAF - Partnership Fund
Warmer Wales Fund
Community Matters Fund
Energy Case Worker Fund
EOP Fund
Guardian Fund
Moondance Fund
MTCBC Multiply Fund
Winter Funding
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
97,492
-
97,492
406,878
-
91,979
124,302
100,716
23,905
16,761
-
-
22,639
5,602
4,745
22,249
30,395
3,500
12,360
368,999
76,014
73,689
(1)
45,270
332,747
318,335
13,666
82,979
9,274
11,543
3,500
29,970
28,597
92,390
4,364
2,357,367
2,454,859|Resources
expended
£
(26,723)
(3,972)
(30,695)
(429,132)
(15,544)
(99,979)
(124,304)
(100,715)
(23,905)
(16,129)
(7,896)
(4,092)
(22,857)
(13,435)
(4,673)
(12,187)
(32,987)
-
(18,208)
(368,998)
(76,014)
(35,090)
(14,408)
(45,269)
(335,489)
(320,349)
(13,668)
(82,978)
-
-
-
(29,970)
(28,597)
(109,890)
(2,290)
(2,389,053)
(2,419,748)|Movement
in funds
£
70,769
(3,972)
66,797
(22,254)
(15,544)
(8,000)
(2)
1
-
632
(7,896)
(4,092)
(218)
(7,833)
72
10,062
(2,592)
3,500
(5,848)
1
-
38,599
(14,409)
1
(2,742)
(2,014)
(2)
1
9,274
11,543
3,500
-
-
(17,500)
2,074
(31,686)
35,111|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 29
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Funds**
## **Transfers between funds**
Transfers between funds arise where unrestricted funds have been used to fund shortfalls in restricted projects.
## **Unrestricted Funds**
The free reserves are available to provide funds to cashflow projects funded on a retrospective basis and are available with the approval of the trustees to fund any expenditure on projects or expenses which fall within the organisations general aims and objectives. They are accumulated in accordance with the reserve policy as stated in the trustees report.
## **Designated Funds**
|**Analysis of Designated Funds**
Designated Fixed Assets
Church Act Asset Fund
Designated funds|2024
£
50,611
36,111
86,722|2023
£
51,133
38,095
89,228|
|---|---|---|
## **Designated fixed asset funds**
This fund represent the amounts set aside to write down the remaining net book value of fixed assets held against unrestricted funds.
## **Church Act Asset Fund**
The Fund supports expenditure of a capital nature including building works and purchase of items of equipment, to which CAMT received funds to refurbish the ground floor of its premises in post office Lane in 2017.
## **Restricted Funds**
Restricted funds represent balances held to fund future projects where the resources have been received and are required by the donors to fund a specific project.
## **Activities undertaken within each major restricted fund**
The restricted funds of the charity have been applied during the year or are held for future expenditure in the following area:
## **Citizens Advice Help to Claim Fund (H2C)**
We continued to provide the Help to Claim service. This was rolled out fully in April 2019 and helps people to make a first claim for Universal Credit via telephone/web-chat/email We deliver the face to face service, including a presence at the local jobcentre. The phone and digital services are delivered from our office at Post office Lane.
## **CAB4CARERS Cwm Taf Health Board**
CAB 4 Carers has been operating since 2018 and is funded by Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB. It supports Carers both at home and in hospital settings.
- -Provides information and support to Carers identified.
- -Provide a link with nursing staff to signpost Carers and families to information and support and have a greater understanding of Carers issues.
- -Raise awareness
- -Link the Carer into other third sector organisations and recommendations for statutory services.
- -Provides a link to the Social Services Teams across Cwm Taf (i.e. to refer Carers for a Carers Assessment).
continued...
Page 30
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Funds - continued**
-Provides generic support to Carers of older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental health issues, people with physical disability and people with children, making it a fair and equitable service. -Provide information and support to staff who are Carers.
## **Supporting People Fund/UK SPF**
To advise, assist and support people in the Borough with benefit/housing issues.
## **Ffos y Fran (Property Asset Fund)**
This was capital funding from MTCBC to purchase the premises of the organisation at Post Office Lane.
## **SAF: Advicelink Cymru: Community Focussed, Specialist & Debt**
In 2018 the Welsh Government decided to change how they commission advice services across Wales to improve the quality and availability of advice services and encourage collaboration between advice providers -the new funding available was called the Single Advice Fund. In September 2019, Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil was awarded the funding for the generalist (Community Focussed) and specialist services for the Merthyr Tydfil area from 1 January 2020. The new services are called Advicelink Cymru.
## **CAB HUB (Capital)**
The Carers Hub creates a dedicated hub for Carers in Merthyr Tydfil, to come and obtain advice and support. It also drives forward integrated and collaborative working between social services departments, health board, third sector and other organisations fusing resources and support for carers. It was completed in the summer of 2021 and will become the central "core" for agencies involved in supporting and advising carers to test new approaches and to work collectively and efficiently to help regional partnership boards to pilot new approaches with service delivery models.
The Carers Hub - Care for Carers will provide support to carers of all ages in Merthyr Tydfil, which is a key principle of the Cwm Taf Carers Strategy.
## **WAG Phase 3**
This was a capital grant from Welsh Government to support property improvements for the new building.
## **SAF - CWY**
The purpose of this funding is to provide additional telephony capacity to support the Welsh Government's 'Claim What's Yours' income maximisation and benefit take up campaign. The funding forms part of the Single Advice Fund and as such should be used to provide free to client social welfare rights-based information and/or adviser services that meet the key aims of Advicelink Cymru.
## **SAF Partnership Fund**
Funding to be shared between Cwm Taf Morgannwg LCA's. The funding is to improve stakeholders engagement and partnerships.
## **Help for Hardship Fund**
This project is a service designed to give advice and information on income maximisation to clients and issue a foodbank voucher if they're unable to afford food.
## **Warmer Wales Fund**
Funded by the Moondance Foundation. The number of people needing help with energy debts has more than doubled compared to pre-pandemic times, and is the highest on record. The funding will meet an immediate and pressing need and will ensure that thousands of people in Wales get the crucial advice they need to manage their energy more efficiently and avoid fuel poverty.
continued...
Page 31
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Funds - continued**
## **Community Matters Fund**
The grant from the Community Matters Fund will assist Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil to help and advise many in its community with its Help to Heat project. The focus of the Help to Heat project will be to offer the much needed support to people in Merthyr Tydfil with the on-going Cost of Living crisis and fuel poverty.
## **EAP Energy**
The Energy Advice Programme (EAP) funds a one to one energy advice appointments to clients who are in or at risk of fuel poverty, often vulnerable and may be struggling to pay their bills. Energy advice includes advice on fuel options, tariffs, energy grants, aswell energy efficiency advice, with the aim of reducing their bills. EAP is funded by National Grid.
## **Energy Case Worker**
The Energy Caseworker Project is designed to deliver specialist energy advice and income maximisation support to clients experiencing fuel poverty in Merthyr Tydfil. This is a Caseworker model for delivering energy advice and is designed in order to provide support to clients who have complex needs or circumstances.
The advice will focus on energy advice issues, income maximisation and benefits advice. All clients seen through the project will receive a full benefits check and comprehensive energy efficiency advice, in addition to support with any other needs they may have.
## **EOP Fund**
A key focus of EOP is to provide advice in an outreach setting, to consumers who would not otherwise, access the service. The majority of the work will be delivered in a face-to-face setting.
EOP will be delivered in the community, as a proactive outreach service. Building links and partnerships with other organisations, and delivering EOP in the community in which the target audience live their lives.
## **Winter Funding**
To fun an increase in client advice within the parameters of agreed SAF delivery over the winter months 2023/24. To support LCA's to deliver training to increase adviser knowledge and skills. Improving the quality of IT equipment, where necessary, to support the effective and efficient delivery of SAF.
## **Moondance Fund**
The Moondance funding provides funding for a part-time Crisis worker to deliver emergency advice to clients that live in Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding borough.
## **MTCBC Multiply Fund**
The project is designed to provide advice and support to improve the lives of clients in Merthyr Tydfil.
The project provides effective money management, financial planning, debt support and household budgeting support in response to the economic climate. Enable adults to better manage their money through improving their numeracy skills Develop individual's understanding and use of numeracy as a life skill, enabling them to recognise future learning opportunities.
This enables adults to better manage their money through improving their numeracy skills and develop an individual's understanding and use of numeracy as a life skill, enabling them to recognise future learning opportunities.
## **Guardian Fund**
continued...
Page 32
**MERTHYR TYDFIL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Funds - continued**
The project is to increase capacity for the service delivery that supports clients in deprived areas in innovative ways through the cost of living crisis via any channel or mix of channels (remote and/or face-to-face).
## **19. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS**
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme.
During the year the charity was committed to pay £35,634 (2023: £36,185) to the employees personal schemes.
At the year end contributions of £9,280 (2023: £5,405l) were unpaid.
## **20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
The Chief Executives daughter was employed by the charity during the year. She was paid at rates commensurate with her position and in line with other members of staff. The appointment process was open and at arms length and the Trustees where fully informed of the relationship before the appointment.
The Chief Executive Lisa Howell-Morgan is also a trustee of Citizens Advice South East Wales. During the year a subscription of £1,210 (2023: £4,412) was paid to the organisation.
## **21. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY**
The ultimate controlling party is the Trustees/Directors.
## **22. GIFTS IN KIND**
## **Volunteer Time**
The value of volunteer time is not quantified in terms of money but the time contributed by volunteers is an invaluable resource in terms of the outstanding contribution made by them.
The number of hours contributed by volunteers in the year was 1,338 (2023: 1,158).
Page 33