## **CITIZENS ADVICE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD**
(formerly CITIZENS ADVICE AYLESBURY VALE)
## **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
COMPANY NO: 06693405
CHARITY NO: 1126825
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **CITIZENS ADVICE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD**
Contents of Annual Report and Accounts
|For the Year Ended 31 March 2021||
|---|---|
||Page|
|Legal and Administrative Information|2|
|Report of the Directors/Trustees|3|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6|
|Balance Sheet|7|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|8|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|16|
1
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **CITIZENS ADVICE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LTD**
## Legal and Administrative Information
## Year Ended 31 March 2021
**DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES:** Mrs J Mordue - Chair Mr J Whiteley - Treasurer Mr T Bull Mr R Carpenter Mrs D S Davis Mr J Ingram Ms N Khatun Ms K Satterford Mr F Siddiqi Ms S Webster Ms L P Wilkin **COMPANY SECRETARY:** Mr R Carpenter **CHIEF OFFICER:** Ms T Jervis **REGISTERED OFFICE:** 2 Pebble Lane Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 2JH **COMPANY NUMBER:** 06693405 (England and Wales) **CHARITY NUMBER:** 1126825 **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:** M L Clark FCA ECL Howard Watson Smith LLP Chartered Accountants ECL House Lake Street Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 1RT **BANK:** CAF Bank Limited West Malling, Kent **WEBSITE:** https://citizensadvicebucks.org.uk/
2
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2021**
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 which also meet the requirements for a directors' report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum of Association, and 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) (issued in October 2019).
## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Aylesbury and District Citizens Advice Bureau was incorporated on 10 September 2008 as a private company limited by guarantee, and commenced operations on 1 April 2009, when it took over the operations of the previous unincorporated charity. On 8 March 2017 by extraordinary resolution the name was changed to Citizens Advice Aylesbury Vale following the merger with Buckingham, Winslow and District Citizens Advice Bureau on 1 April 2017. On 1 April 2021 the charity merged with Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd and High Wycombe and District Citizens Advice Bureau. It was renamed Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd to reflect its wider geographical coverage.
Its company number is 06693405 and its registered charity number is 1126825.
The charitable company was established under a Memorandum of Association which set out the objects and powers, and is governed under its Articles of Association. The Articles were updated on 20 April 2021 to reflect the merger. It is a member of the national association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and is subject to regular quality audits as part of its membership requirements.
The membership of the Board changed significantly in October 2020 because of the merger although several trustees were recruited from the merging organisations. The Trustees who were members of the Board during the period covered by these accounts were recruited by advertising vacancies through a specialist website and through personal contact, and all were interviewed by existing members of the trustee board. New trustees were informed about their role and were given detailed information about the organisation and induction training.
## PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY
The principal activity of the company in the period under review, which was before the merger, was the operation of a Citizens Advice Bureau with offices in Aylesbury and Buckingham. Citizens advice bureaux give free, independent and confidential advice to members of the public and are in a unique position to be able to campaign for change when social injustices arise.
The Trustees have had regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commissioners on public benefit and believe that the activities of the charity as outlined in the report are for the public benefit.
3
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES
The following served as directors and trustees of the company during the year and up to the date of this report:
Mr G Hawking - Chair (Resigned 21 October 2020) Mr J Beckerleg - Treasurer (Resigned 21 October 2020) Mr N A E Coulson (Resigned 21 October 2020) Mrs P Chadwick (Resigned 21 October 2020) Ms P Gupta (Resigned 21 October 2020) Mr L C Renshell (Resigned 21 October 2020) Ms L A Walton (Resigned 21 October 2020) Mrs D S Davis Mrs J Mordue - Chair (Appointed 21 October 2020) Mr J Whiteley - Treasurer (Appointed 21 October 2020) Mr T Bull (Appointed 21 October 2020) Ms N Khatun (Appointed 21 October 2020) Ms L P Wilkin (Appointed 21 October 2020) Ms C Grant (Appointed 21 October 2020; resigned 23 August 2021) Ms S Webster (Appointed 14 April 2021) Mr F Siddiqi (Appointed 14 April 2021) Mr J Ingram (Appointed 12 May 2021) Ms K Satterford (Appointed 12 May 2021) Mr R Carpenter (Appointed 11 August 2021)
## OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The charity’s objectives during the year were to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in Aylesbury Vale (the area of benefit) by the advancement of education and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress. Specifically in this charity’s case these objects were promoted by the provision of advice and information and (where feasible) action to address social injustices.
## SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The activities of the Charity, as in previous years, were based on the provision of generalist advice and information, including limited casework and specialist services.
The activities in 2020/21 were significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This resulted in the offices being closed and the temporary suspension of face-to-face meetings with clients. Staff and volunteers were progressively equipped and supported to work from home including providing telephone advice.
There was significant activity to facilitate the merger of the three bureaux including the establishment of a shadow board and specific working groups. The merger was formally agreed on 21 October 2020 and took effect on 1 April 2021.
A key element of sustaining the service was a service level agreement with Buckinghamshire Council (formerly with Aylesbury Vale District Council). This agreement was extended to cover up to 31 March 2022. For some time, the Board had recognised the importance of reducing the charity’s reliance on grant funding and increasing its long-term sustainability. In partnership with two other advice bureaux in Buckinghamshire, the charity was successful in obtaining funding from the Lottery Fund for a threeyear advice project. It also received money to help people claim benefits and over the past 12 months was helped by specific grants from supporting organisations during the pandemic including the National Lottery, the Rothschild Foundation and the Clare Foundation.
Funders for the organisation included Buckingham Area Community Advice Bureau, which is a friends group that donated £18,750 towards a home visiting service in the north of the district for 2020/21. The Board was also extremely grateful for grants and donations from Buckingham Town Council, Winslow Parish Council, Buckingham University and local charities. More detail is given in the financial statements.
4
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
In 2021/22 there is further work to be completed relating to the merger including staffing appointment and integrating the IT systems. We will also look to put in place arrangements to support clients in a variety of ways as the pandemic restrictions ease. We will be looking to continue to develop our approach to fundraising including working with Buckinghamshire Council to obtain further financial support beyond our current funding agreement which ends in March 2022.
In the year to 31 March 2021, the Bureau employed 10.6 (2020: 12.8) full and part-time staff and engaged 45 volunteers (2020: 52). Over 3,910 (2020: 3,824) individual clients have been advised, or given information on, in excess of 5,855 (2020: 15,148) individual issues.
## FINANCIAL REVIEW
In the year ended 31 March 2021 there was a surplus of income over expenditure of £71,125 (2020: £21,892). This was mainly the result of salary vacancies which it was difficult to fill, and increased grant income during the pandemic.
Historically, the Trustees have had a strategy to maintain unrestricted reserves (being unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets) of between 3 and 6 months of forecast expenditure. Following the merger on 1 April 2021, the Trustees agreed to maintain unrestricted reserves which reflected the cash needs of the 3-year business plan. In setting the level of reserves Trustees have regard to known future expenditure such as equipment replacement, merger costs and the funding of pilot projects. Unrestricted reserves are likely to be between 6 and 10 months of forecast expenditure. Following the merger, unrestricted reserves at 1 April 2021 of £722,248 were within this range, which the Trustees consider prudent given the uncertainties around future funding. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and the Trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding.
The balance of all funds at 31 March 2021 was £318,443 (2020: £247,318), and immediately following the merger was £861,738.
Whilst the company has adequate reserves in the short term there is a need to plan and secure ongoing funding. Local government in Buckinghamshire changed on 1 April 2020 with the creation of a new Buckinghamshire Council (replacing the previous local authorities). The three citizens advice organisations in Buckinghamshire have worked together to develop new relationships with elected councillors and officers and will work to secure future funding once after the current service level agreements expire.
The Board has monitored risks during the year and maintained appropriate risk registers. However, the scale of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic was not anticipated. The service has adapted to the changed requirements and concentrated on providing a telephone advice line. It is currently planning how to re-establish service delivery as Government restrictions are changed and seeking additional support for an anticipated increase in demand for advice in areas such as debt advice.
The Board has considered the impact of the virus on the future of the organisation. It has also assessed the financial position after the merger on 1 April 2021. Given the current level of reserves, the continuing service level agreements and the expectation that the main sources of funding will continue without any significant reduction, the Board is confident that the organisation, will continue to be a going concern for the 12 months after these accounts are approved.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
John Whiteley Honorary Treasurer 10 November 2021
5
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021**
|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**TOTAL**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**
**Incoming Resources**
Incoming resources from generated funds:
Grants
**158,901**
**283,898**
**442,799**
Donations and fund raising
**1,591**
**6,330**
**7,921**
Voluntary income total
6
**160,492**
**290,228**
**450,720**
Investment income
**1,006**
**-**
**1,006**
Incoming resources from charitable activities
6
**27,386**
**-**
**27,386**
**Total Incoming Resources**
**188,884**
**290,228**
**479,112**
**Resources Expended**
Charitable activities
Payroll
7
**98,330**
**135,430**
**233,760**
Support costs
7
**56,826**
**115,131**
**171,957**
Charitable activities total
**155,156**
**250,561**
**405,717**
Governance costs
8
**927**
**1,343**
**2,270**
**Total Resources Expended**
**156,083**
**251,904**
**407,987**
**Net Income/Expenditure**
**32,801**
**38,324**
**71,125**
**Transfers between Funds**
**( 2,571)**
**2,571**
**-**
**Net Movements in Funds**
**30,230**
**40,895**
**71,125**
Total Funds brought forward
16
**223,451**
**23,867**
**247,318**
**Total Funds carried forward**
**253,681**
**64,762**
**318,443**|2020
£
347,976
12,688|
|---|---|
||360,664
1,357
12,116|
||374,137|
||244,769
105,556|
||350,325
1,920|
||352,245|
||21,892
-|
||21,892
225,426|
||247,318|
6
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd Company Number 06693405 Balance Sheet at 31 March 2021**
|**2021**|**2021**|**2021**
2020|2020|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Notes**
**£**||**£**
£|£|
|**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
9
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
11
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**
Unrestricted funds:
16
- designated
- general reserve
Restricted funds
16|**54,230**
**423,117**|**-**
20,364
308,921
329,285
81,966
**318,443**
**318,443**
**-**
**253,681**
**253,681**
**64,762**
**318,443**|-
247,318|
||**477,347**
**158,904**|||
|||||
||||247,318|
||||14,000
209,451|
||||223,451
23,867|
||||247,318|
The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2021. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:
(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, and were approved by the Board of Directors on 10 November 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:
John Whiteley Honorary Treasurer
7
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
## **1. COMPANY STATUS**
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd (formerly Citizens Advice Aylesbury Vale) is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number and registered office can be found on the company information page. The presentation currency of the financial statements is Pound Sterling (£).
## **2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation and uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
## **Accounting convention**
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (issued in October 2019), Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and the Companies Act 2006.
## **Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis**
The Board has considered the impact of the virus on the future of the organisation. It has also assessed the financial position after the merger on 1 April 2021. Given the current level of reserves, the continuing service level agreement for 2021/22 and the expectation that the main sources of funding will continued without any significant reduction, the Board is confident that the organisation will continue to be a going concern for the 12 months after these accounts are approved.
## **Recognition of income and expenditure**
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy and all performance criteria have been met. Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
## **Allocation of Support Costs**
Support costs are those functions which support the charity in carrying out its main activities. Accordingly each funded activity has to bear a proportion of these support costs to reflect the full cost of undertaking the work.
## **Pension contributions**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Fixed assets are stated at cost and written down in full in the year of acquisition.
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand refers to amounts which are held by the business in the form of notes and coins (e.g. petty cash) or which are held at a bank in the form of on-demand deposits such as current accounts and savings accounts.
## **Debtors**
Debtors and prepayments are recognised at the settlement amount due or paid.
## **Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has an obligation which will result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount can be measured or estimated with reasonable accuracy. Deferred income is income received in advance of the associated work being performed.
8
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)**
## **Redundancy and termination payments**
Redundancy and termination payments are recognised when formal notice has been given to the employee(s) concerned.
## **Operating Leases**
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
## **Government grants**
Government grants are recognised in the income statement so as to match them with the expenditure towards which they are intended to contribute.
## **Financial Instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments and as such are recognised in accordance with the debtor and creditor notes above.
## **Restricted Funds**
Funding received for a particular project is kept in a restricted fund and spent on salaries and associated costs relating to that project. In addition support costs are allocated as noted above.
## **3. FUNDS**
## **Buckinghamshire Council**
Buckinghamshire Council, as the successor to AVDC, provides the core funding for the advice service under a three year service level agreement. This was renewed in 2018/19 and will now apply from 2019/20 to 2021/22. This continues to be treated as unrestricted this year.
## **Reaching Communities - Money Matters**
This project to provide advice to clients started in September 2019 and runs for three years. It is a partnership with High Wycombe Citizens Advice and Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureaux.
## **Universal Credit**
CAAV received funding to help clients access benefits.
## **Buckingham Area Community Advice Bureau**
BACAB generously provided continuing support for the charity's Home Visiting scheme.
## **Support of local councils**
A number of local councils (town and parish) have also provided funds which in turn has enabled outreach services to be established in various locations.
## **Virus Crisis**
Income for Buckinghamshire Council's Crisis Fund was directed to helping with the extra demand as a result of the pandemic.
## **Helping More People Together**
Funding from the national Citizens Advice organisation to help with telephone, chat and email services to increase our capacity to help clients.
## **Covid-19 Remote Working Equipment**
Funding from the national Citizens Advice organisation to facilitate home/remote working.
## **Emergency Support**
The company received a donation of £2,000 in 2019/20 to fund emergency support if a particular need arises.
## **Unrestricted Funds**
Other material grants and funds received are unrestricted as to purpose and have been used to provide the Core Services as well as to help build reserve levels.
9
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **4. OPERATING SURPLUS**
||**2021**|2020|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|The net incoming resources is stated after charging:|||
|Depreciation - owned assets|**2,364**|1,509|
|Accountants - independent examination|**2,270**|1,920|
|Accountants - payroll services|**960**|960|
|Operating lease rentals|**28,535**|21,615|
|Directors'/trustees' emoluments and other benefits etc|**-**|-|
No travelling expenses were paid to trustees during the year (2020: £nil). No trustee received any emoluments, benefits or expenses during the year (2020: £nil).
## **5. TAXATION**
The company is a registered charity and is exempt from corporation tax.
## **6. INCOME**
|**Grants and donations**
Unrestricted
Aylesbury Vale District Council - Core Advice Service
Other including fund raising activities
Donations and fund raising
Restricted
Winslow Town Council
William Harding
National Energy Foundation
Thomas Hickman Charity
Buckingham University - outreach
Specific private donations
Reaching Communities Project
Home visiting
Local Area Forum GP surgeries advice
Emergency accommodation
Universal Support
Virus Crisis
Covid-19 Response
Helping More People Together
Rothschild
National Lottery advice line
The Clare Foundation
Total voluntary income
**Charitable Activities (unrestricted)**
Sublet of office space on 5 year lease
Income from room hire
Other income|**2021**
**£**
**142,500**
**16,401**
**158,901**
**1,591**
**2,270**
**-**
**-**
**12,500**
**750**
**6,330**
**125,382**
**18,750**
**-**
**-**
**55,691**
**4,000**
**2,700**
**10,000**
**16,667**
**28,521**
**6,667**
**290,228**
**450,720**
**9,096**
**-**
**18,290**
**27,386**|2020
£
142,540
11,977|
|---|---|---|
|||154,517|
|||7,457|
|||2,270
12,500
3,300
-
4,500
1,000
81,900
27,231
8,514
2,000
55,475
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|||198,690|
|||360,664|
|||10,000
2,116
-|
|||12,116|
10
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **7. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|**(A) STAFF COSTS**
Salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs|**2021**
**£**
**211,658**
**11,126**
**10,976**
**233,760**|2020
£
221,649
12,490
10,630|
|---|---|---|
|||244,769|
The average monthly number of employees during the period was 10.6 (2020: 12.8). No employee was paid in excess of £60,000 during the year (2020: none). Key management personnel received a total employment benefits of £45,257 (2020: £43,758). There were no redundancy payments during 2021 (2020: £1,333, which was fully charged to the Statement of Financial Activities for the year).
|**8. GOVERNANCE COSTS**
**(B) SUPPORT COSTS**
Rent, rates and water
Insurance, heat, light and storage
Cleaning, repairs and maintenance
Recruitment, travel and training
Telephone and information
Stationery, equipment and office expenses
Legal and professional fees
Bank charges
Web based services
Sundry expenses
Partnership payments
Merger collaboration costs
Depreciation
Independent examination
Trustee Expenses
Other|**2021**
**£**
**26,240**
**6,967**
**7,539**
**25,775**
**10,764**
**6,972**
**960**
**71**
**-**
**140**
**37,045**
**47,119**
**2,364**
**171,957**
**2021**
**£**
**2,270**
**-**
**-**
**2,270**|2020
£
20,208
7,290
9,705
13,938
11,490
9,925
960
60
-
7,371
23,100
-
1,509|
|---|---|---|
|||105,556|
|||2020
**£**
1,920
-
-|
|||1,920|
11
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|**10. DEBTORS**
**11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
**12. DEFERRED INCOME**
**Office**
**equipment**
**£**
**COST**
At 1 April 2020
**16,576**
Additions
**-**
Written Off
**( 9,134)**
At 31 March 2021
**7,442**
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2020
**16,576**
Charge for year
**-**
Written Off
**( 9,134)**
At 31 March 2021
**7,442**
**NET BOOK VALUE**
**At 31 March 2021**
**-**
At 31 March 2020
-
Prepayments and accrued income
Deferred income
Taxation and social security
Pension contributions
Staff pay
Staff holiday pay
Other creditors and accruals
Balance at 1 April 2020
Additions during the year
Amounts released to income
Balance at 31 March 2021|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
**14,784**
**2,364**
**-**
**17,148**
**14,784**
**2,364**
**-**
**17,148**
**-**
-
**2021**
**£**
**54,230**
**2021**
**£**
**109,506**
**4,814**
**1,544**
**552**
**8,725**
**33,763**
**158,904**
**2021**
**£**
**58,500**
**109,506**
**( 58,500)**
**109,506**||**Totals**
**£**
**31,360**
**2,364**
**( 9,134)**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**24,590**|
||||**31,360**
**2,364**
**( 9,134)**|
||||**24,590**|
||||**-**|
||||-|
||||2020
£
20,364|
||||2020
£
58,500
4,094
1,109
-
4,014
14,249|
||||81,966|
||||2020
£
-
58,500
-|
||||58,500|
Income was deferred in respect of funding received where the work on the underlying activities was not completed in the financial year and the income was potentially returnable.
## **13. PENSION COSTS**
Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution money purchase scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 6 as “Other pension costs”. The outstanding contributions at the year end are disclosed in note 10.
12
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **14. OPERATING LEASES**
Annual minimum lease payments under operating leases fall due as follows:
|Within one year
Within one and five years
In more than five years|**2021**
**£**
**22,785**
**7,279**
**-**|2020
£
22,785
10,514
-|
|---|---|---|
These relate to the lease of the company's offices in Aylesbury and Buckingham. In Aylesbury, there is a lease expiring on 18 May 2036 currently costing £11,500 pa. The rent payable is reviewed every 5 years, with the next review due on 18 May 2021. The lease is subject to a 6 month break clause which the company can exercise at any time. In Buckingham, the rent is £13,800 pa and could be terminated within 12 months.
In addition, there is a six year operating lease from 1 July 2018 payable at £809 per quarter.
## **15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
During the year the charity received donations without conditions of £18,750 (2020: £25,300) from other related parties and a total of £5,000 (2020: £nil) from Trustees. £9,145 (2020: £nil) was received from each of Chiltern Citizens Advice and High Wycombe & District CAB to reimburse salary costs for premerger work carried out. During the year two joint funding applications were made by High Wycombe & District CAB on behalf of Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire and a third bureau. These were successful and total income of £35,188 and expenses of £17,322 were allocated to Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire and included within the accounts. There were no other related party transactions to disclose.
## **16. MOVEMENT OF FUNDS**
|**Restricted funds**
Reaching Communities
Home visiting
Winslow Town Council
Universal Support
Buckingham University
William Harding
Emergency Accommodation
Thomas Hckman
Virus Crisis
Covid-19 Response
Helping More People Together
Rothschild
National Lottery advice line
The Clare Foundation
Specific private donations
**Unrestricted funds**
- Designated
- General
General Reserves
AVDC - Core Advice Service|**Balance**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**General**
**Balance**
**b/fwd**
**subsidy**
**c/fwd**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
8,802
125,382
( 106,487)
-
27,697
1,221
25,080
( 22,006)
-
4,295
1,034
2,270
( 1,997)
-
1,307
6,220
55,691
( 56,779)
-
5,132
-
750
( 1,136)
386
-
4,390
-
-
-
4,390
2,000
-
-
-
2,000
-
12,500
( 11,085)
-
1,415
-
4,000
( 4,075)
75
-
-
2,700
( 2,240)
-
460
-
10,000
( 12,110)
2,110
-
-
16,667
( 16,667)
-
-
-
28,521
( 10,655)
-
17,866
-
6,667
( 6,667)
-
-
200
-
-
-
200|
|---|---|
||23,867
290,228
( 251,904)
2,571
64,762|
||14,000
-
-
( 14,000)
-
209,451
46,384
( 15,388)
13,234
253,681
-
142,500
( 140,695)
( 1,805)
-|
||223,451
188,884
( 156,083)
( 2,571)
253,681|
|||
||247,318
479,112
(407,987)
-
318,443|
The core service was funded by the Buckinghamshire Council service level agreement. The income also contributed to specific services and balances by £1,805 in 2021 (2020: £10,899). There were subsidies from General Reserves for a number of other projects.
13
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **16. MOVEMENT OF FUNDS (continued)**
A government grant of £3,055 was received during the year relating to an employee engaged in Home Visiting (2020: £nil).
The Trustees had previously agreed to hold £14,000 in a designated reserve in case there was an extra rent payment due in respect of offices in Buckingham. This is no longer required and the funds have been transferred to the General Reserve.
## **17. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS**
|**17. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Restricted funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**- designated**
**- general reserves**
**At 31 March 2021**
At 31 March 2020|**Bank and**
**cash**
**£**
**158,239**
**-**
**264,878**
**423,117**
308,921|**Net debtors**
**/(creditors)**
**£**
**( 93,477)**
**-**
**( 11,197)**
**( 104,674)**
( 61,603)|**Inter-fund**
**balances**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
-|**Total**
**£**
**64,762**
**-**
**253,681**|
|||||**318,443**|
|||||247,318|
## **18. EVENT AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE**
Changes in the structure of local government in Buckinghamshire led to the creation of a unitary Buckinghamshire Council on 1 April 2020. In conjunction with the two other main Citizens Advice Bureaux in Buckinghamshire (Chiltern and High Wycombe), the Board concluded that a single, countywide service aligned to the new Council’s boundaries, would be the most effective way to meet the needs of clients. Acquisition of the net assets and reserves of the other two bureaux to form a merged organisation for Buckinghamshire took effect on 1 April 2021. Citizens Advice Aylesbury Vale changed its name to Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd and altered its articles to extend its remit to cover the whole of Buckinghamshire excluding Milton Keynes.
## **19. PRO FORMA DETAILS OF MERGED ORGANISATION**
The merger of the three Citizens Advice Bureaux on 1 April 2021 happened after the balance sheet date but before the accounts were agreed by the board. To give an indication of the size of the merged organisation, the tables below, which are provided for information, show the combined Statement of Financial Activities of the merged organisation had the merger been in effect for the year ended 31 March 2021, and the related financial position at 31 March 2021.
14
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **19. PRO FORMA DETAILS OF MERGED ORGANISATION (continued)**
**PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES OF MERGED ORGANISATION For the year ended 31 March 2021**
|**PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET OF MERGED ORGANISATION**
**At 31 March 2021**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**
**Incoming Resources**
Incoming resources from generated funds:
Grants
365,847
Donations and fund raising
10,283
Voluntary income total
376,130
Investment income
5,888
Incoming resources from charitable activities
204,766
**Total Incoming Resources**
586,784
**Resources Expended**
Charitable activities
487,541
Governance costs
49,878
Raising funds
29,092
**Total Resources Expended**
566,511
**Net Income/Expenditure**
20,273
**Transfers between Funds**
(11,415)
**Net Movements in Funds**
8,858
Total Funds brought forward
749,122
**Total Funds carried forward**
757,980
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
Receipts in advance
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**
Unrestricted funds:
- designated
- general reserve
Total unrestricted reserves
Restricted funds|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
365,847
10,283|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
504,245
6,330|**TOTAL**
**£**
870,092
16,613|
|---|---|---|---|
||376,130
5,888
204,766|510,575
-
374,645|886,705
5,888
579,411|
||586,784|885,220|1,472,004|
||487,541
49,878
29,092|824,277
2,275
-|1,311,818
52,153
29,092|
||566,511|826,552|1,393,063|
||20,273
(11,415)|58,668
11,415|78,941
-|
||8,858
749,122|70,083
33,675|78,941
782,797|
||757,980|103,758|861,738|
|||**2021**
**£**
43,952
341,044
684,171|**2021**
**£**
-
861,738|
|||1,069,167||
|||184,701
22,728||
|||207,429||
|||||
||||861,738|
||||503,340
254,640|
||||757,980
103,758|
||||861,738|
15
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire Ltd**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are set out on pages six to fifteen.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair view” which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4.the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
M L Clark FCA for and on behalf of: ECL Howard Watson Smith LLP Chartered Accountants ECL House Lake Street Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 1RT 16 November 2021
16