Company registration nLJmber.' 08816600 Charily registration number,. 1128265 Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Cllizens Adv¢co Cheshire North IA company limited by guarantee) Aftnual Report and Financial Slalemenls for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Bright Partneiship Limited Chartered Accountant 1 Park Street Macclesfield Cheshire SK116SR
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Contents Trustees, Report 110 11 Independent Examinerfs Report 12 Slalement of Financi81 Activities 13 Balance Sh8al 14 Note8 to Ihe Financial Statements 151022
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees. Report The Iwslees, who are directors for the purtx)ses of company law, present the annual report log8lher with the financial slalemenls of Iho charitable company for the year ended 31 MarGh 2024. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objects Tho ¢harily's purposes, as sol out in the o*ecls ¢onl2ined in the companls Memorandum of As8ocialion, are lo promote any chsritable purFx)se for the benefit of the community in th& north of East Cheshlre and surrounding areas. by the advancement of educalion, the protection and preservation of health and Ihs relief of poverty, sickness and distress. The charity's objectives are defined as above. Our aims are focused on.. Providing the ¥dMce people need lor the problems they face, and Improving the poli¢ps Bnd practices that aflecl pe¢)ple's lives. Our serwce prOVe$ IreÉ, independent, confidential and impartial advice lo everyone on their rights and ¥esponsibililies. We value diversity, promote equ81ity and challenge discrimination. Ensurfng our work delivers our alms Cheshire East Citizens Advi Bureau North, trading as Cllizens Advice Cheshire North, lotherwise referred to as CACN in these accounts), aims lo provide free, confidential, impartial and independent advice, information and advocacy for the benefit of th8 local community. lo exercise a re8pon$ible influence on the development of social policies by resear¢h and campaigning lo ensure individuals do not suffer IhroLJgh a lack of knowledge or an inability lo express their needs effectively. We review otsr aims, objeclives and actsvili&8 8ach year. The annual review SkS to examine our a¢hièvemenls and outcome. Together with the success of individual key projec and the benefits that have been born from them. In carrwng uul the review we are ensuring that that our aims, objectives and actilie8 are in line with our slated purpose. Our m8in objective8 for the year have been developing our Servi so th81 il really meets the needs of the cllents we are Irwng lo support. Key activities have induded.. Gaining funding to provide a family focussod adwce service lo alléviate financial hardship for the benefit ol local famil5. Gaining funding lo provide a family focussed advice seNlce to 811eviate financi81 hardship for the benefit of local families. Expanding our SeN1 lo include Handforth. We now provKle advicè face to face in all the lowns in our locality. as well 8s providing telephone and email advice. Providing a benefits ser for cancer patients at MaaclesfieEd Ho8pitsI under a Macmlllan project. Continually r8viawing, and improving where necessary, th6 qualty of the adM¢e we deliver to all our cli6nls. Revlsing our training model to allow more new adwsers lo be trained to replace the net loss of experienced advisers throughout the covid pandemic. Page 1
Cheshire East citlzens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees, Report Public beneflt Our main a¢livilies and who we try lo help are described bek)w. All our ¢harilable activities focus on providing the advice people need for the problems they face and are undertaken sp&cilic81W to provide public benefit. The board of trustees have had due regard lo the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duly in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Advice and Informatlon services The main areas of Charitable activity are.. 11 The provision of general advice and information services. 21 The pyomsion ol specialist adwce and casework seTrMces. il Specialist debt advi¢e funded by the Money and Pensions Service. li} Specialist welfare benefits advice funded through Macmillan wlh the aim of maximising income for thosè affected by cancer. iiil Advice aimed 21 thos& suffering mental ilkheallh, provid by caseworkers èxperienced at dealing with dienls struggling with complex health isstJ8S. iv) Provision of advice nIred around the Cheshire East Council Family Sèrvice with sessions held within Family Centre Hubs, 31 Operating a fuel voucher fund scheme where we have made payments toward clients, domestic fuel costs, whilst applying a robust criteria for access to this flind. In th8 financial year to March 2024 we received a further £10,010 of donations {£I0,000 from Wilmsfow Town Council) and from this money, lou6lher with surplus from tha prior year, distributed a lolal of £13,937. 41 Acting as a hate Crime Reporting Cenlre. Throughout the year we have continued lo offerAdvlce ancl Information in the following ways.. 1) Face lo lace - durlng the year we have offered face lo face advice across our locality 5 days a week. 2) Telephone during the year we rnoved from a call back telephone system lo a Cheshire East number on Advice Line - participation is continuing as part of a county-wide telephone serve. The lin8 is covered on a rota basis between the hours of 9.308m and 4.00pm from Monday lo Thursday, and 9.30 and Ipm on Friday. Outside of these limes there is an automated advice sarvice 24 hours a day. 31 General and specialK%l adwce through our team of trained advisers and paid staff. During the year CAGN provided high quality, free advice lo ¢li¢nls, with over 10.000 cliènt related 8Ctivilie8 during the year. These werts generated from 2,821 unique clients bringing 8,871 different issues during the year. (202212023 2,742 unSque clients br¢nging 7,534 different enquiri6s over the year.) Page 2
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees. Report Enquiries continue lo consist of several complex issues. Debl 130k12022123 14./1 Welfare benefits 51QA12022123 450AI Employment 4°/ts12022123 40kl Housing 9OA {2022123 100kn} Relallonships 6°kn12022123 60kn) In total CACN'8 service generated a total of £2,001,23312022123'. £1.284,5811 in additional inwme for ils Glienls. Clients continue lo present with multiple problems and on average clients are presenting Mqlh 3 issues each. This rellecls the lacl that easy quèries can be solved through the many on-line information gu98, and so our clients needing assistanc8 lo resolve their issues g8neralty have either a complex issue or are themselves struggling. Contributlon of volunteers and pald staff The charity success could not have been achieved wlhout the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The Iruslee board and sènior management team recogni8e the tremendous contribution made by the charills voliinleers in advising the public and administering the service without which Ihe service could not operate. Throughout 2023124 the Sewi employed 17 paid workers 110 FTESI 12022123 14 paid workers, 9 FTES), and 36 volunleers12022123.. 28 volLEnteersl. The volunteers ¢onlribuled approximately 10,300 hours of work lo the service during the year. We estimate the value of this help al £164,SOO respect of the year. 12022123 £136,500 for g,OOa hours). The Irusleès 8re also volunteers and provide another 1,200 hours a year. al an additional value of £31,600 {2022123 £36,900). This gives 8 total of volunteer manpower valued at £196,200. Factors aff8ctlng the arhlevement of oble¢tiv8s Maintaining sufficient funding lo continue delivéring the seNce remains a continual challenge. During 23-24 we have increased our investment in fundraising, and this has meanl that we Slarled th8 24125 yea¥ wlh some additional projects, however many projects are only funded for 1 year. 80 funding remains challenging. The complexity of the issuès that clients ar# facing, and the addiliDnal challenges that clients are expariencing, places additional demands on the service. The support nebmorks that were previously in place for people are changing and we are asked lo offer support th8t falls outside the remit of direct advice. Where people are vulnerable, it is essential that we offer support in a person-cenlred way and whilst nesSary Ihis can be resource intensive. The major factor affecting the achievement of oblecliw remains funding. Oltr Core Universal Information and AdvKe Gonlracl with Che8hlre East Council was reissued until 31 March 2027, with a potential 2 year extension. Page 3
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees, Report The quality of our advice Is key lo our success and lo ensure CACN is maintaining high standards, it regularty seeks &xlernal accredilalion. Our Customer Service and Advice Quality are audited under national Citizens Advice standards, and for 2023124 we have again achieved the highest level of compliance. The cost of liwng crisis, exscerbaled by high fuel costs, mortgage rate Increases and high inflation in 2023124 resulted in an inGreased damand for our servico, often for clients wlh multiple issues to address. This increasing demand has necessitated the ne8d lo find more efflent methods of delivering support and allernalive sources of additional funding. The Trustee Board extend their gralrtude lo Will McKellar, Jenny Archard, Liz Healhcole and Jenny Owen in promoting an enwronmenl whare staff and volunteers feel they are 8 key resource and are ful molivaled. FINANCIAL REVIEW The availability of funding In thè charity sector remains difficult in a period of auslerily. The charity is focused on providing added value lo ils funders f¥om a base of sound financial rnanagement and ensuring that our seNce8 remain relevant lo the strategic obje¢lives of stakeholders al local and national level. Incoming resources in the year were £431,988 12022r23 £372,778). Of this £67,915 12022123 £49,442) lated lo reslricled project aclivilies. A surplus of £26,333 was made in the year {2022123 £13,447). after offselling £11,127 12022123 £1,25218gainsl Teslricled funds,. Al 31 March 2024 lolal funds were £367,380 131 March 2023 £341.0471 of whi¢h £458 was in reslricled funds {2022123 £11,585), £125,000 was in designated funds 12022123 £113,000) and £241,922 was in unrestricted funds12022132 £216,462). Principal funding sources ThÈ Trustees extend their gralttude lo Cheshire East Cour)cil who continued lo support the core universal generalist advic6 service of the chaiily. Wilmslow, M8celeslield, Knulsford and Poynton Town Councils are also funding advi¢e 8ervi¢es in their localities. Additionally, setvice specific funding was received via contracts from Cheshire East Council, Inlegraled Care Partnership, the Money and P8nsions SeNice. Macmillan and National Ciltzens Advice. CACN continued lo optsrale the Cost Of Living support funds for distribulk)n lo clionts, with an additional £IO,IX)O frt)m Wilmslow Town Council in the 23124 year, of this monies and the monies received in 2022123 only £458 Is unspont 8né Is carried over as reslricled reserves lo be distributed in 2024-25. The charity did not hava 8ny borrowings from any prowders ol funding or other sources al the balance sheet date. Investment policy and objectives As required in ils Memorandum paragraph 4.11, furtherance of ils objects, and for no other purposes, CACN has the power to invest its monies, nol immediately required for ils purposes, in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fil, subject nevertheless lo such conditions and such consents as may for the lime being be imposed or required by law. Page 4
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Tyustees. Report Reserves policy CACN is required lo ensure that freo monies are avai18ble in each financial year lo meet any reasonably foreseeable contingency. The charity will maintain a projection ol income for al least 2 years ahead and will ensure that this continues lo be derived from as wide a variety of sources as possible. 11 will lake all necessary steps lo ensure that al no time within this period would il be possible for the cessation of one tsr more funding streams lo present so seTiOUS a Challenge to the fulure of the org8nisation that it could not be managed so as to conlinue lo proVe a best value advice serv. In reviewing the polenlial costs that could 8rise should a significant reduction in income be incurred the Trustees have delem)ined Ihat Yree. reserves should be between three and six molllhs normal operating èxpenditure, as recommended by Citizens Advice, This year CACN has achieved this position. The re8s0ns fcw holding particular reserves are outlined in note 10. Going concern After making further appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a re8sonable expectation that the company has adequate resources lo continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they ¢onlinue lo adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial slalemenls. FUTURE PLANS Developing 3 sustainable service that meets the needs of our ¢lienls remains a priority of the Iruslee board for 2024125. The charity will build on the work cometed in the previous financial year lo develop diversified funding streams lo increase oui suslainabilily and enable us to buiki a diverse seNice that is responswe lo client needs. The charity will continue lo work lo ensure that il delivers a cosl-effeclive service, meaning that w8 are rK)l only offering valu8 for money lo our existing funders bul that we have a viable offer, whilst never compromising on th@ high quality seNico that our clienls expect and deserve. HBvSng réviewed the risks the charity are facing the Iruslees have invesled resource In funding a part-lime bid willer lo enable us to increase the number of funding bids submilt8d and lo build our capacity in thi8 aTea. Pag8 5
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshtre North Trustees, Report STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document Cheshire East Citizens Advica Bureau North ICACNI was incorpomled as a C(panY lirniled by guardnlea on 11th February 2009. The charity Commenced operations on 1st April 2009 al which dale the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated Macclesfield Wilmslow and District Citizens Advice Bureau were acquired. Thls charily wa8 formed on 7th October 1997 as a merger of the Wilmslow and Macclesfield buTe8ux, which were origin211y consliluled in 1940 and 1 respectively. The maximum liability of each member is limited lo £10 and on 31 March 2024 the company had 8 members12023'. Cheshire East Ci112en8 AdVe Bureau North is a registered charity. Folkjwng a re-branding exercise by the national Citizens Advicè service in 2015 the company is now known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North lolherwise referred to as CACN in these a¢counlsl. Oulrea¢hes are sometimes referred lo as Citizens Advi Wilmslow, Citizens AévÈce Knulsford or Citizens Ave Poynlon. The Memorandum and Articlès of Association, as amended on 24 February 2009, 12 September 2016, 11 September 2017 and May 2023 are the governing dwumenls ol the charity. Recruitment and appointment of trustees The charity is governed through a trustee board. Trutslees who have held Offi during the year are listed on page 9. The Articles of AssocialK)n proVe for a minimum of four and a maximum of fifteen Iruslees. The Iruslees meet 6 limes pw year with additional quarterly meetings for the sub-commillees listed below. Trustees are elecled to the Board for £ Ihree-y68r period and are appointed by a resolution of its members al an AGM. The board has powers lo co-opt members who shall retire al the following AGM and may offer themselvès for re-election. The board is supporteLI by a neOrk of sub-commillees. covering Finan¢e,' Governance., ExeculTrie,' Health and Safety., Personnel., OperalSons and Risk.. Funding and Relationships., S&rvices, Polici8s and Procedures., and Technology. The Iruslees who have served during the year can be seen on page 9. None of the Iruslees has any beneficial interest in the company, All of the trustees are members of the company and guarsnlee lo cOntribe £10 in the evenl of a winding up. The oroanisalion is co-ordinated from ils office in m8cc1esf1d. Trusteé indu¢tlon and trainlng New trustees 8re briefed on their legal obligation8 under charity and company law. the conlenl of the Memorandum arKI Articles ol Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent linan¢ial performance of the charity. They also meet key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged lo allend appropriate external training events where these will facililale the undèr8tanding of their role. Page 6
Cheshire East citlzens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees, Report Organisation 5tru¢tura CACN is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association ol Citizens Advice Bureaux, which provides a framework for standards of advice and casework managemènt as well as monitoring progress against these stsndards, Operating policies are independently determined by Ihe Board of Directors in order to fullil its charitable oljjecls and Comply wth the national membership requireménts. The Chief Officer of the organisalion has been apFK)inled by the Iruslees lo manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. In addition, there is an experienced team of paid staff and volunteers who are key lo the Servi offered by the charity. Decisions are made by the Iruslee board in line with the Business Development P18n and are reviewed al least annually. The Senior Management Team meet lo review progress against largels and the Charitys financial position and lo discuss issues referred lo them by the trustee board. Reports and recommendations are then taken lo the full board for approval, and their implementation is OTgani8ed by the chief executive and the staff team. There are regular Staff, volunteer and senior management team meetings which ensure that progre8s is being made against targets. Ther8 is an Annual General Meeting, which involves the staff team, Iruslee board, members, and other stakeholders. Pay and remuneration of key management personnel The Iruslees consider that the board of trustees and the senior management team (SMTI comprise the key management p8rsonn&l af the charity. The Iruslets board review staff pay rises annually for all staff. Key rlsks and uncertaintles CACN performs an annual Risk Mana9ement exercise. A risk management slr8legy and risk register were agreed by the Trustee Board. The Trustees recogni8e that any major rÉgks lo which the charity is exposed need to be reviewed and 8yslems put in place lo Miligale those risks. To that end CACN is continually monitoring and managing its risk, reviewing the risk register and ensuring action plans are in place lo miligale ils key risks. Included in exlemal risks is that of the loss of funding. The effects of this are minimised by the procedures in pl8ce, which result in funding being secured from a variety of sources. The charity continues lo seek lo diversify ils funding sources. Intemal risks are minimised by the implemenlalion of procedures for aulhorisalson of all transactions and projects and to ensure Gonsistenl quality of delivery for all operational aspects of th8 charitable bureau, These predureS are periodically reviewed 10 8nsure that they still meet the needs of the charity. Cheshire East Council rémains our largest single funder and should they continuo lo pass on ils ow re8lr¢clions in funding lo organisalions like ours, the consequences will onty cause further hardship and a reduction in our capacity lo maintain Current delivery. Due lo this we are consislenlly looking lo diveTsify our income streams, and have made significant Strides to maintain the funding support from the Money and Pensions Service (MAPS), Town Councils in Wilmslow, Poynton, Knulsford 2nd fiA8cclesfield. In addition, we have had grant8 from the NHS Cheshira and Wirral Integrated Ca¥e Board. Macmillan, Cheshlre Community Foundation, and'funding wa Citizens Advice for our Family Advice proiect. Page 7
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Cilizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees. Report The trustees, having had consideration lo and mindful of the risk factors for the charity, identify the following.. A. Securing funding remains a serious challenge lo maintain bul lo expand our Service. We understand that the n1 few years are crit4cal for us in terms ol our sustainability and ultimately our long term survival, the Trustees are taking this risk very seriously and are responding accordingly B. The funding ctimate is not gelling any easier, nor do we expect it to improve any lime soon coupled with this demand for our service is increasing meaning that we rysk being unable lo carry on meeting our Clients needs and expernce repulalional risk as a result. C. In order that we can continue lo déliver il is essential that we maintain our volunle8r base. We, along with many other Local Citizens Advi, are finding il harder lo allract suitable volunteers. Trustees plans anLf strategie& for managing these risks. A. A fundwaising strategy has been developed for Ihe next financial year th81 broadens our approach to income generation, we are working towards building our unrestricted inGome lo albw us lo create a cushion should we face further reductions in oui funding levels. B. A bid w¥iler has bn employeé to ensure the charity has sufflcient capacity lo submil fundin9 applications and increase our chances of success. C. The training plan for new advisers has been reviewed and updated to enable us lo increase the volunteer pool. This has b8en working successfulty, with new volunteers having been increased from 8 to 12 per year, Factors that are likely lo affecl the financial p8rfomance or position in 2024125 and further years.. Core funding is cu¥renlty received from Cheshire East Council in the forrn of a conlrdcl currently in place until 31st March 2027, with a potential extension of 2 year8. The wlilical environment remains uncertain, the impact of key national developments Is sllll very much an 'unknown quantill bul has the potential lo imp8cl on our position. A possible incroased competition in an ever-changing voluntary sector marketplace - we know that the voluntary sector is becorning a much More competitive sector, particularly as funding becomes ever harder lo acsS, as a result we are seeing organisalion8 diversifying thèir setvice offer and moving further towards our'core rnarket. Page 8
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees, Report Reference and Administratlve Detalls Charity RegistralwJn Number.. Company Registration Number.. 1128265 06818600 The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. Sunderland House Sunderland Street Macclesfield Cheshire SK116JF Registered Office.. Independent Examinei.. Bright Partnership Limited Ch8rtered Accountant 1 Park Street Maccleslield Cheshire SK118SR Bankers.. CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Avenue Kings Hill Wesl Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Trustees and offi¢ers The trustees and officer8 8erwng during the year and since the year end were as follows.. P T O'Brien - Chair D W Robinson - Treasurer S Feeney (appointed 11 March 20241 R J Walson-vits Chair Truslee8.' C Campbell-Kelly A marr1( lappoinled 15 January 2024) S L Moss lappoinled 8 July 2024) J A Jackson ELRaw S Davies lappoinled 8 JlY 20241 G M Willock (resigned 13 November 20231 Secrtlary.. WA Mck8llBr Page g
Cheshlre East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Trustees, Report Ex officio members S E Heathcole- Business Manager Cllr S Bennell-Wake- Represanling Cheshire East Council lappoinled 11 September 20231 Cllr L Brailhwaile - Representing Cheshire East Council J Parkinson - Volunteer represenlalive S Jackson - Representing Cityzens AdMce national Cllr B Puddicombe - Representing Cheshiré East Coun¢il {resigned 71 September 20231 Statement of trustees, responsibllltles The Iruslees (who are 8lso the directors of Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Iruslees, report and the financial slalemenls in accordance wlh appIable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards Iuniled Kingdom Géneralty Accepted Accounting Pracli¢el, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republ of Ireland" Company law requires the liuslees lo prepare finan¢ial statements for @ach financi21 year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial slalemenls unless they are satisfied that they give 8 true and fair view ol the slaté of affairs ol the charitable company and of the incoming resources and applicetion of resour¢es. including its in¢ome and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Iruslees are required lo.. select suitable accounting poIleS and apply them consislenlly.. obseNe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.. make judgements and aslimales that are reasonable and prudent., slate whether applicable accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departiJr8s disclosed and explained in the financial slatemenls,. and prepare the financial slalemenls on the going con¢ern basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. Thè Iru81ees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can discltsse wlh reason8bJe accuracy al any timè the financial position of the charitable Company and enable them lo ensure that the financial slalemenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for 8afeguardin9 the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irrularl11eS. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity Df tha corporate and linancial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and disseminalton of financial slalemenls may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Page 10
Cheshlre East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshira North Trustees, Report The at)nu81 report was approved by the Iruslees of the aharily on 18 November 2024 and signed on ils behalf by.. P T O'Brien Chair and Trustee Page 11
Cheshlre East Citlzens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North ('the Company'l I report lo the ¢harily Iruslees on my examination ol the aceounls of the Company for thè year ended 31 March 2024. Responslbilities and basis of report As the charity's IruslÈes of the Company land also ils directors for the purposes of company lawl you are responsible for the preparation of the a¢¢ounls in accordan with the requir$m&nls of the Compani$s Act 20061.lhe 20[ Acl'l. Having satisfied my8eW that the accounts of the Cc#npany are not required to be audited under Part 1S of the 2006 Act and are eligiblè for independent examination, I report in respect of my éxaminali of your charity's accounts as Carried out under seclK)n 145 of the Chafilies Act 2011 I'lhe 2011 Acl'l. In carrying out my examin8tion I have followed the DireclKJns given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Ind8pÈndent examiner's statement Sin¢e the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner musl be a membèr of a body listed in sectson 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of Bright Partnership Limited, which is one of the listed bodies. I have Completed my examination. l Confirm that no mallers have come to my attention in connection th the examination giving me cause to belleve.. accounting records were not kept in respect ol Cheshire East Citizens Advic6 Bureau North as r8quired by section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records., or 3. thè accounts do not comply wlh the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair view which is not a maller considered as part of an independent examinalKJn,' or 4. the accounts hav& not been F)repared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Slalemenl of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities lapplic8ble lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 10211. I have no concerns and have come acro88 no other mallers in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of th& accounts to bo reached. 'ell Kenninglon FCA Chartered Accountant Bright Partnership Limited 1 Park Street M8cclesfield Cheshire SK11 6SR 18 November 2024 Page 12
Cheshlre East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 {Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) Unrestricted funds Restlicted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charltsble activities Investment income 2.074 353,S22 8,477 2,084 421,427 8,477 5,775 364,131 2,872 67,905 Total income 364.073 67,915 431.988 372,778 Expenditure on: Charitable a¢livilies (312,943 92,7121 405,6551 359,3311 Total expenditure Nel itjcomellexpendilurel Transfers belwe8n funds 312,9431 92,7121 405,6651 359.331 51.130 13,670 124,79n 13,670 26,333 13,447 Nel movement in funds 37,460 {11,1271 26,333 13,447 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought fanal Total funds carried forward 10 329.462 11,585 341.047 327,600 366,922 458 367,380 341.047 All of the ¢harily's activities derive from continuing opalianS durlng the above iwo periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 10. The notes on pages 15 10 22 form an integral part of these financial slalemenls. Page 13
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Balance Sheet as at 31 Plarch 2024 2024 2023 Note Current asset5 Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 13.411 396,364 409,776 11,687 399,021 410.688 Credltors.. Amounts falling due within one year Nèt assets {42,395 367,380 169.6411 341,047 Funds of the charity.. ReStrIed income funds Reslricled funds 10 458 11,585 Unrestricted income funds Unreslricled funds 366,922 367.380 329,462 341,047 Total funds 10 For the financial year ending 31 March 2024 the charity was entitled lo exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companiès Act 2006 relating lo small companies. Directors, responsibilities.. The members have nol required the charity lo obtain an audit of ils accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476., and The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ¢(pIlng with the requir8menl8 of the Act with respect lo accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The financial statements on pages 13 10 22 were approved by the trustees, and aulhorised for issue on 18 November 2024 and signecl on their behalf by: P T O'Brien Chair and Trustee D W Robinson Troasurer and Trustee The notes on pages 15 to 22 form an integral part of these financial slal8menls. Page 14
Cheshire East Citlzens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 1 Charity status The charily is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of th6 charity in the event of liquldalion. The addross of ils registered Offi is.. Sunde¥land House Sunderland Slrest Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 6JF 2 Accounting EJoIIciès Summary of Slgnificant accounting pollcles and key accountlng estlmates The pfincipal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial slalemenls arè sel out below. Those policies have been consislenlly applied lo all the yoars presented. ijnless otherwise staled. Statement of compliance The financial slatemenls have been prepsred in accordance with Accountin9 and Reporting by Charities.. Statement ol Recommended Practice lapplKable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102}I lissued in October 20191- (Charities SORP IFRS 10211. the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic ol Ireland (FRS 1021 and the Gompanies Act 2006. Basis of preparation Cheshire East Citizens Advi Bureau North meets the definition of a public benefit enlily under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initialty re¢ognised at historical cost or transaction value Ltnless otherwise slated in the rolevanl accounting poSicy notes. Grant receivable All income is recognised once the charity has enlill8menl lo the income, il is probable Ihal the income 11 be received and the amount of the income receivable can be méasured reliably. Gift5 and Intangible in¢oma In addition lo the above, the charity also receives help and support in the form of voluntary assistance in advising the public. This halp and support is not included in the financial slalemenls. However. ils value lo the charity has been estimated and disclosed in the Ir(Jslees' report. Bank interest Bank interest is included in the Slalerrenl of Financial Aclivrties on receipt. Page 15
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Deferred InGome Incoming resources from grants, where related lo performance and specific delEverables, ale accoiinled for as the charitable company &arns the right lo the consideration by ils performance. Where in¢ome is re1Ve in advance of performance il is Irealed as deferred income and inclLEded within cradilors. Expendlture Liabilities are recognised as expènditure as soon as there is a legal or conslruclive oblpJation commilling the charity to that trxpendilure, il is probable that a Iransfev of economic benefits wll be required in selllemenl and the amount of the obligation can be m&asured reliably. Expenditure is accoun18d for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings Ihal aggregate all cost related lo the ¢alegory. Where costs ¢annol be direclly allribuled lo particular headings they have been all(Kaled lo a¢livilies on a basis consislenl with the u86 of resources. Taxation The charity is considered lo pass the lesls sèl out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore il m&els the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation lax purposes. AcrdinglY, the charity is polenlialty exempl from laxalion in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Ghapler 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxatic of Chargeable Gains Act 1992. to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. Fund accounting Unre8tricled funds can be used in accordance th the charitable objectives al the discretion of the Iruslees. Designated funds are allocated out of unreslricled funds by the trustees for specific purposes. The use of such funds is al the trustees, discretion. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within thé objects of the charity. Reslriclions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restri¢ted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each lund is included in the notes lo the financial Stalemenls. Penslon costs and other post-retiremént benefits The charitable company opèrates a defined conlribLrtion pension scheme. Contributions payable lo the charitable companls penSm scheme are charged lo the Slalemenl of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. Cash flow Citizens Advice Cheshire North has taken advantage of the exemptions in FRS1 from the roquiremenl lo producè a cash flow slalemenl on the grounds that il is a small company. Page 1S
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Yeay Ended 31 March 2024 3 Income from charftable activitles Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total funds Cheshire East Council Macclesfield Town Council Knulsford Town Council Wilmslow Town Council Poynlon Town Council Citizens Advice- National Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board NHS Cheshire and WiThal Partnership Cheshire Community Foundalion - Stockport and District Mind Ma¢millan Benefits Advice Money and Pensions Service Debt Advice Total for 2024 136,470 50,000 21,042 34,268 16,563 45,904 136,470 50,000 21.042 44.268 16,563 45.904 10,otKI 9,049 40.226 9,049 40,226 703 29,272 27,930 703 29,272 27,930 353,522 67.905 421,427 Total for 2023 319,041 45.090 364.131 4 Investment In¢ome Unrestricted funds General Total funds Deposit account interest Total for 2024 8,477 8,477 8,477 8,477 Total for 2023 2,872 2,872 Page 17
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advlce Cheshire North Notes to the FSnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 S Expendlture on charitable activities Activity undertaken directly Aclivlty support costs Total expenditure Salaries Staff & volunteers Offico Premises Govern8nce Others 247,884 5,290 6,914 3,220 76,264 1,065 18,940 26,723 3,988 421 324,148 6,255 25,854 29,943 3,988 15.367 14,946 278,254 Total for 2024 Ji 127,401 405.655 Total for 2023 239,819 119,511 3Jf9,330 6 Trust¢os remuneralion and èxpenses No trustees, nor any persons Connected with them, have received any remltneration from the charity during th8 yeai. No trustees have reIVed any raimbursed expenses from the charlly during the y8ar. 7 Staff costs The monthly average number of èmployees during the year was as follows.. 2024 No 2023 No Employees 17 14 No employee rec&iv8d emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. 8 Debtors 2024 2023 Prepayments A¢¢rued income 9,393 4,018 13,411 9,404 2,263 11,667 Page 18
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 9 Creditors- amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Funds helé for third parties Accrued expenses Accrual and deferred income 3,240 8,0 31,120 3,352 9,641 56,648 42,395 69,641 10 Funds Balance at 1 Aprll 2023 Balance at 31 March 2024 Incomlng resources Resources 6xpended Transf@Ys Unrestrlctèd funds Genéral Géneral Funds 216,462 384,073 1312,9431 {25,6701 241,922 Desi9iiated Cash Flow Buffer Redundancy Provision Premises Reserve IT Reserve 32,000 51.000 20,000 10,000 113,000 32,000 63.000 20,lY)O lQ.000 125,000 12,000 12,000 Total unrestrfcted funds 329,4e2 364,073 312,943 13.670 386,922 Restricted funds HESF- Fuel vouchers CCF- SDM Debil Advice - MaPs Debil Adwce - Homelessness Macmillan Benefits Advice 4,385 10,010 703 27,930 113,937} 11,5181 {23,7321 458 815 5.802 7,200 18,7811 34.744 1,581 5,472 29,272 Total restrlcted funds 11,585 67,915 92,712 13,670 458 Total funds 341,047 431,988 405.655 367,380 Paue 19
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Balance at I April 2022 In¢ownlng résources Resources expended Balance at 31 March 2023 Unrostrictèd funds General General Funds 201,763 323,356 1308,6571 218.462 Designated Cash Flow Buffer Redundancy Prowsion Premises Reserve IT Reserve 32,000 51,000 20,000 10,aoo 113,QOO 32,000 51,000 20,000 10,000 113,000 Total unrestricted funds 314,763 323,356 308,657 329,462 Restricted HESF - Fuel VCherS CEC - Fuel vouchers CCF- SDM Debil Advice- MaPs Debil Advi¢e- Homelessness 14.332 19,9471 (5,637) (8,027} 127,0631 4,385 5,637 8,027 27,063 7,200 7,200 Total rèstrlcted funds 12,837 49,422 150,674 11,585 Total funds 327,600 372.778 359,331 341.047 Page 20
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Cit(zens Advice Cheshlre North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Fund Des¢rlptions General Funds These are the accumulated unréslricled funds of the chaiity. Deslgnated Fund5 Cash Flow Buffer Many projeds are pald quarterly in arraars after slalistics have been submitted and analysed by the funder. The Tesull is th21 CACN has lo find the operational costs of these projects for up to 5 months before receiving funding and the trustees alk)cale Iheso reserves lo cover these periods. Redund8nGy Provis? As prajècls lerminale il is not always possible to redeploy the staff and redundancy payments are needed. Tho Iruslees have albc21ed these reserves lo cover Ihis contingency. Premises Resenie There are conlraclual obligations on the current lease, and there may be a nèed lo move elsewhere, th all the associated costs. The trustees have allocated these reserves to cover this contingency. IT ReSee IT is critical lo CACN'S operation ancl much of the Current equipment is ageing, with replacement looming. The Iruslees have allocated these reserves for this development over the next two to three years. Restricted Funds HESF- Fuel VOUGhors Money Original given by Cheshire East Council lo be di$lribu18d on their behalf lo help clients having difficulty paying their fuel bills. This was 8 fund which w8 also opened to public donalions. This was inc¥eased this year primarily by a donation from Wilmslow Town Council. CEC- fuel vouclErs Money originally given by Cheshire East Council lo be distributed on thoir behalf lo help clients having difficulty paying their fuel bills. CCF-SD Money from the Cheshire Community Foundation for a loinl advocacy project with Stockport and District MIND. Debt Adv9 - MaPs Money from a national Cilizens Advice agreement with the Money and Pension SeNico to provide the wider debt and money athce cas8work. Debt Advice - Homelessness hKoney from CRISIS lo support our work in preventing homelessness through debt. Page 21
Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau North known as Citizens Advice Cheshire North Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Macmillan Benelits ALfvice Money from a national Citizens Advice agreement with Macmillan lo provKfe benefits advi casework lor peop affected by Canr. Funds recelved as Custodian Agent CACN acts as custodian of some funds for other local charities lo enable rapid distribution to clients when needed. At the year end these were.. £401 on behalf of Wilmslow Aid Trust, a charity that gives grants lo people in need wlhin the Wilmsbw area. The monies have been used for travel expenses where clients have had to visit (he Maccleslield office. £1.577 on behalf of Knulsford and District Lions CILJb a Wencesl&s project which collecls donated Winter Fuel moniès lo help the less fortunate avoid fuel debl1£1,3981 wlhin the Knulsford area, and a Knulsford hardship fund.1£1791 £1,290 on behalf of Rina's fund which CACN 8dmlnisler lo fLJnd Debt Religf Orders for money advice clients who cannot afford the £90 fee. 11 Related party transactlons There were no related paty transactions in the year. Page 22