Company registration No. 07298912 (England & Wales) Charity No. 1137309 North Lancashire Citizens Advice Bureau Trustees, Report and Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 citizens advice North Lancashire
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU CONTENTS Page Charity reference and administrative details Trustees, annual report Independent Auditor's report to the trustees Statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) Balance sheet 10 Cash flow statement 11 Notes to the accounts 12
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU CHARITY REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Registered charity name North Lancashire Citizens Advi Bureau (known as Citizens Advice North Lancashire) Charity registration number 1137309 Company registration number 07298912 Registered office Oban House 87-89 Queen Street Morecambe Lancashire LA3 SEN The Trustees J Dalton (Co-chair) A Lorbiecki (Co-chair) (Appointed 25 May 2025) C Hanna (Treasurer) L Cookson Rabouhi R Simmons P Stubbins J Wilson (Appointed 25 May 2025) A Hatlon-yeo (Chair) (Resigned 8 September 2025) R Tulej (Vice-chair) (Resigned 25 February 2025) L Denison (Resigned 25 February 2025) D Vvhitaker (Resigned 25 February 2025) J Ashworth (Resigned 3 September 2024) Chief Executive Officer J Young Independent Auditors MHA 14 Mannin Way Lancaster Business Park Lancaster LA13SW
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT AS REQUIRED BY COMPANY LAW) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Board of Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their annual report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ending 31st March 2025, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors, report and account for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice ISORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). Structure North Lancashire Citizens Advice Bureau (operating as Citizens Advice North Lancashirel was incorporated on 29th June 2010 as a company limited by guarantee. The company registration number is 07298912. The charity is governed by a Memorandum & Articles of Association. The charity registration number is 1137309. The Charity is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authorily, FRN 617684. The administrative details of the charity are set out on page one of the accounts including the charity's principal office. The trustees who served during the last year were.. A Hatton Yeo (Chair) (Resigned 8 September 2025) C Hanna {Treasurer) R Tulej {Vice-Chair, resigned 25 February 2025) R Simmons L Cookson Rabouhi J Dalton P Stubbins L Denison (resigned 25 February 2025) D Whitaker (resigned 25th February 2025) J Ashworth (resigned 3rd September 2024) We were deeply saddened by the news that June Ashworth died shortly after her long-standing period of office with our Charity. June was a true community champion and our thoughts are with her family. The number of trustees is governed by the Articles of Association and is fixed at a maximum of fifteen. The present establishment (as of 31 st March 2025) is six. Staff and volunteers may be represented on the board by invitation but have no voting rights. Trustees are appointed by a process of application, interview and then a detailed induction. Governance and Management The Charity is governed by its Trustee Board which meets quarterly. Certain work is delegated to two sub committees who also meet quarterly as follows.. a) Finance.. the finance committee oversees the financial leadership of the charity on behalf of the Board of Trustees to ensure its short and long term viability. It monitors financial activities to ensure the proper financial governance of the Charity. b) Strategy- the strategy committee is responsible for ensuring that the charity is operating based on its agreed strategy and business plans and is also responsible for exploring new schemes and ideas ensuring that they fit within the Charity's charitable objects. In addition the Remuneration Committee meets annually to discuss staff compensation in line with budget planning. Sometimes a 'task and finish. group may be appointed from the trustees to fulfil a specific task. The Trustee board has final say on decision making at the full meetings of the Board.
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT AS REQUIRED BY COMPANY LAW) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) Citizens Advice North Lancashire is a member of the national Citizens Advice network and pays an annual membership fee. Membership provides a framework for standards of advice, casework management, governance, strategic planning, risk, finances, people, operational performance, partnership working and research and campaigns. This is inspected annually by the Leadership Self Assessment. Some policies must be adopted as required by our national charity- Others are adapted for our locality and some are adopted independently as determined by the needs of the organisation. Day to day, management of the Charity's affairs is given over to the CEO and Senior Management Team who report regularly lo the Board. Objectives and Activities The charity's objectives are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in North Lancashire, by the advancement of education, the protection & preservation of health and the relief ofpoverty, sickness & distress. To further this purpose, the organisation has offices in Morecambe and Lancaster and in a number of outreach locations for the provision of advice & guidance to people faced with problems in relation to social welfare law. The aims of the Citizens Advice North Lancashire service are to provide the advice that people need for the problems they face, and to provide access to free confidential, impartial advice for everyone, whoever and wherever they are located in our District. Through doing this we aim to: Maximise the use of our resources Empower clients to help Ihemselves where possible Address the wider determinants of health To improve unfair policies and practices that affect people's lives by campaigning for change The advice provided by the Citizens Advice North Lancashire seniice is free, independent, confidential & impartial, available to everyone, regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation. religion, age, or nationality. Our work In the past year, achlevements, performance and Impact Our work in 202415 was informed by our Strategic Plan 2024-7 which had the following objectives.. We will be an outstanding charity We will be a sustainable charity We will be an accessible. welcoming and responsive charity We will speak up for our clients and for our community We will offer a great place to work and volunteer During the year we secured significant funding to allow us to work in partnership with other organisation across the District including the Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust, Morecambe Bay Foodbank, Bay Medical Group, Lancaster City Council and Green Rose CIC. By working together with other organisations we can provide a more joined up service when residents are facing challenges in their lives. In 202415 we have focused effort on PR and fundraising to increase community awareness of our Charitable status and were fortunate that the Mayor of Lancaster, Abi Mills, selected us as her charily of the year for her term. This enabled us to launch the 'Music with the Mayor. series of events which raised over £32,000. Our service was extremely busy. We provided advice and support to 8,013 individuals who were facing 29,389 issues beeen them. We opened 11,029 cases which involved 39.049 activities by our 34 staff and 50 volunteer advisers.
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT AS REQUIRED BY COMPANY LAW) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED) We generated financial outcomes of £11.473.212 for our clients - money that goes directly back to residents in Lancaster District. This is a combination of income gained, reimbursements, seNices and loans, debts written off, repayments rescheduled and other items such as the value of a blue badge. Our clients are mostly women (590A) and mostly people of working age. Our clients are mostly disabled or have a long term health condition (61°> and are mostly white (94 % ). We work across all wards in Lancaster District but most of our clients come from the poorest wards according to the indices of multiple deprivation. namely West End, Westgate, Poullon, Scale Hall, Skerton, Bulk, Heysham North and Marsh. Our work impacts on the health and wellbeing of our clients, allowing clients to feel more in control of life, make informed decisions, reduce the stress they are facing and provide relief from destitution where possible. We have prevented homelessness in many cases which saves our local authority considerable amounts of money and we save the health service money by addressing the practical issues that can make residents unwell including poor mental health. What Is our value to society? Citizens Advice (national charity) analyses our work each year and calculates the value of our work to our Community. In 202415 the figures are as follows.. The total public value of our work in 202415 was £22,624,540 Our expenditure for 202415 was £1,057,489 meaning that the average cost of seeing a client was £131.97 Each client appointment generated an average of £1.431.82 per client, per year, in maximised incomes. The Trustees have complied with the duty in the Charities Act 2011 with due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Flnancial Review Total income for the year was £1,106,234 {202314.. £875,450) and we made a surplus of £48,745. The surplus mainly came from increased unrestricted donalions due to our fundraising. The truslee Board has agreed an unrestricted reserves policy equal to three months operating costs which would enable the Charity to facilitate an orderly wind-down process in the event one was required. This amount is recalculated annually to take into account our operating expenditure, redundancy liability and any potential clawback from funders. As at 31st March 2025, unrestricted resee5 stood at £404,700 {202314 it was £334,987) and restricted reserves were at £7,881 (in 202314 it was £28,849). Trustees will continue to manage the organisation's finances so that an adequate level of reserves are maintained in line with our policy. Total free reserves after deduction of fixed assets are £357,505 (in 202314 it was £293,952>. The Trustees in particular wish to thank and acknowledge Lancaster City Council's support for the work of the charity both through its core grant and also through the partnership work we do lo administer the Household Support Fund. The trustees also wish to thank the following organisations and individuals for their support in funding our service in 202415.. Morecambe Bay Foodbank Trussell The Money and Pensions Service Macmillan Cadent Bay Medical Group The Walney Extension Fund The National Lottery Community Fund The Energy Redress Fund The Mayor of Lancaster Frank Turner
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT AS REQUIRED BY COMPANY LAW) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 {CONTINUED} Plans for the future Citizens Advice North Lancashire intends lo continue to provlde advice, support and guidance to resldents in Lancaster District subject to continued funding, and lo be proactive at laking opportunities for income generation. Our s8tvice is in very high dem8nd and has been so for many years. W6 will continue to work to ensure thst our service is welcomlng and accessible to all and that we have the right staff and volunteers in place lo serviGe the needs of our Glients. We will do this by ensurirlg that we offer consistently high quality advice, that our staff and volunt88rs are train8d and managed to a high standard and that our perform8nce on funded projects is oul8landing. Fijrther opportunities will be sought for partnership working within our community and further afield and with our national charity. Statement of Trustees, responslbllltles The trusteas (who ar8 8180 the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the flnancial statements In accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the tru81ees to pr8P8r8 financial 8181ements for each fin8ncl81 y8ar. Under th81 law the trustees have elected lo prepare the financial statements In accordance with Unlted Klngdom Generally Accepted Accountlng Practice (United Kingdom Accoiinting Standards and applicab18 law} Under company law the truste88 must not approve th8 financial stal8ments unless Ih8y ar8 satisfied that they give a tru8 8nd fair view of the slate of 8ffair8 of the charity and tlie income and expenditure of the same for that perlod, In preparing these financial statements, the Irust8e8 are r8quired lo.. Selected suitab5e accounting policies and than apply them consist8nlly Obs8rv8 the methods and principle8 in th8 Ch8rilie8 SORP M8ke judgeinenls 8nd esllmates that are reasonable and prudent Slate whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial sl818menls and; Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless It Is Inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation, Th8 trustees 8re responsible for keepiiig adequate accountlng records that are sufflclent to show and explaln the charlty's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial slat8m8nls comply with the Companies Act 2008. They 8re also r88ponsible for safeguarding the asgels of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for tha preventioii and detection of fraud and other irregularities. I n so far as each of the directors of the charitable company at the date of approval of this report is aware, there is no r81evant audil information (information ne8ded by th8 company's auditors in connection with preparing the audit I report of which the company's auditors are unaware, Each director has taken all of the steps that he I she should have taken as a clirector in order to make himself I herself aware of any relevant audit information and lo establish that the company's auditors are aware of Ihal information. On behalf of the board oftru8tees (who are also director8 under company law) AL4JL ke. Co-chair of Trustees Date".
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Opinion We have audited the financial statements of North Lancashire Citizens Advice Bureau (the 'charitable company'l for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise of the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the accounts, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice}. 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 2025, 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., and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basis for oplnion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) IISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor 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 Slandard, 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. Concluslons relating to golng concern In auditing the financial ststements, we have concluded that the trustees. use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statemenls 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 informatlon The other information comprises the information included in the Irustees, annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 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 course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. Ifwe 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.
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Matters on which we are requlred to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the information given in the trustees, report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements., or sufficient accounting records have not been kept- or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement (set out on page 5), 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 statemenls, 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. Audltor's responslbillties for the audlt of the financial statements We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 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 an auditor's report 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. Misslatements 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. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: Enquiries with the board about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud., An evaluation of the risk of management override of controls and subsequent testing, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness., Auditing the risk of fraud in income by way of cut off testing around the year end, including considering income recognition criteria under the SORP, as well as transactional testing to obtain evidence that income is complete and recognised in the correct accounting period- An evaluation of the charitable company's internal control environment. and A review of board minutes and resolutions. Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in Ihe financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC'S website at.. htl s.'Ilwww.frc.or . uklauditorslaudit-assurancelauditor-s-res onsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fildescri the-auditor % E20/0800/099s-res onsibilities-for. This description forms part of our auditor's report. tion-of- Other matter The charily did not require an audit for the year ended 31 March 2024. and so the comparative figures were not audited. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to stale to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To Ihe fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's trustees as a body. for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. MHA Statutory Auditor 14 Mannin Way Lancaster Business Park Lancaster LA13SW £ 201 MHA Is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. MHA is the trading name of MHA Audit Services LLP, a limited liability partnership in England and Wales (registered number OC455542).
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Total funds 2025 Total funds 2024 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investments 48,837 233,087 17,609 22,189 321,722 4,600 777,461 53,437 1,010,548 17,609 24,640 1,106,234 4,505 860,027 10,526 392 other Income Total 2,451 784,512 875,450 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 208,902 848,587 1,057,489 979,082 Total 208,902 848,587 1,057,489 979,082 Net income l (expenditure) 112,820 (64,075) 48,745 (103,632) Transfers beeen funds 143,107) 43,107 Net movement in funds 69,713 120,968) 48,745 (103,632) Reconciliation of Funds: Total funds brought forward 334,987 28,849 363,836 467,468 Total funds carried forward 404,700 7,881 412,581 363,836 The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared. All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities. The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. The notes on pages 12 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Fixed assats Tangible ass8t8 47,196 41,035 Current assets Debtors Cash al bank and In hand 12 202,633 435,329 637,962 13Jf,598 489,499 60Jf,097 Credltors: amounts falllng due In one year 13 1272,5761 1282,296) Not current assets 365,388 322,801 Net 38S8t8 412,581 383,836 Fund8: Unreslricled funds Restricted funds 16 16 404,700 7,881 334,987 28,849 Total funds 412,581 363,836 Trustees, responslbllltles: The members have not r8quired the charity lo obtaln an audlt of ils accounts for the year in question in accord8nGe willi section 476; and the trustees acknowledge their r88ponsibiliti88 for complying with the requlremenls of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation ol accounts. Th8S8 accouiil8 were 8pproved by the members of the committee and aulhorised for issue on th8 81h Seplember 2025 and are signed on their behalf by.. Chalr of Trustees Company Regi8tration Number: 07298912 Th8 notes on pages 1210 22 form part of these financial statements, -10-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Cash generated from operating activities (30,693) 33,237 Cashflows from investing activities Investment income received Purchase of tangible fixed assets 17.028 (20,505) 10,526 (3,594) {3,477) 6,932 ncrease in cash and cash equivalents in the year 134,170) 40,169 Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 469,499 429,330 Cash and cash equlvalents carried forward 435,329 469,499 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cashflow from operating activities Net surplus l (deficit) Investment income receivable Depreciation Increase in debtors (Decrease) l increase in creditors 48,745 (17,609) 14,345 (66,454) (9,720) {103,632) (10,526) 10,411 (2,078) 139,062 Net cash generated from operatlng actlvltles 130,693) 33,237 Components of cash and cash equivalents Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand 80,887 354,442 469,499 435,329 469,499 The notes on pages 12 to 22 form part of these financial statements. -11-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting policies Legal form The charity constitutes a registered charity and a limited company, limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006, incorporated in England and Wales. The address of the charity, the nature of its operations and its principal activities are all detailed in the Trustees, report and charity administrative details pages in these financial statements. Basis of accountlng The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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). The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest £. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated. Preparatlon of the accounts on a golng concern basls The trustees consider the charity to have a sufficient level of working capital to see it through the upcoming months and there is reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue operations for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statemenls. Taxation The charity is recognised by HMRC as a UK Charity and is entitled to exemptions from corporation tax, Income Donations are included as they are re1vable by the charity, expt insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement. Grants received to finance the activities of the bureau are credited to the SOFA in the period to which they relate. Grants received in advance of the period in which the funder requires the expenditure to be applied will be reflected in deferred income within the balance sheet. No income is shown net of expenditure. Expendlture Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost in "other costs. within charitable activities expenditure. Support costs are those which assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charilable activities and include office costs and governance costs. They are incurred directly to support the objectives of the charity. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to a particular heading. they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. -12-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting policies (continued Tangible flxed assets Tangible fixed assets other than freehold land are stated al cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.. Freehold buildings Equipment Fixtures and fittings 40A straight line on original cost value 25 % straight line on original cost value 1 OOA to 250k straight line on original cost value Freehold land is not depreciated. Debtors and credltors Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable and payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure. Cash and cash equlvalents Cash represents cash held on call at banks and cash held in hand. Penslons The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all of its employees. Contributions paid are charged lo the SOFA in the period to which they relate. Accumulated funds Unrestricted funds - these are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general aclivilies of the charity Restricted funds these are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor. The restricled fixed asset fund represents assets purchased from specific grants and funds future depreciation of those assets. Designated funds these are allocated out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes. The use of such funds is at the trustees. discretion. Financlal instruments The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues. of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments but does not currently hold any instruments that are classified as "otherf in these financial statements. Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes parly to contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. -13-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting policies {continued} Impairment of financial assets Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impaimient at each reporting end date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset. the estimated future cash flows have been affected. The impairment loss is recognised in the statement of financial activities. Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity- Classification of financial liabilities Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. Basic financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the futLJre receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. Judgements and key sources of estlmatlon uncertalnty In the applicalion of the charity's accounting policies, the twstees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions lo accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only Ihat period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. There have been no significant judgements, except for those involving estimates, made in the process of applying the above accounting policies. There are no other key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. -14-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Income from donations and legacies Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Donations and gifts 48,837 4,600 53,437 4,505 Income from donations and legacies in 2024 was all unrestricted. Income from charltable actlvlties Unrestrlcted Restricted funds funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Bay enhanced health checks Big Lottery Community Fund Cadent Citizens Representative Community justice fund Energy Redress Face to Face Debt advice 30,622 159,033 41,239 23,750 30,622 159,033 41,239 23,750 19,214 116,271 40,685 26,250 27,374 7,263 94,478 41,138 38,076 53,522 236,253 16,106 5,482 8,415 37,500 47,000 45,000 95,635 84,000 19,938 13,713 88,1 $0 95,635 84,000 19,938 13,713 88,150 223,499 9,588 29,479 60,302 76,600 Food Justice Guardian Household support fund Lancaster City Council Legal aid agency Macmillan Mental Health Transformation Morecambe Bay foodbank Social welfare mentor Trussell foodbank Podcast 223,499 9,588 29,479 60,302 76,600 45.000 45,000 10,000 10,000 777,461 1,010,548 233,087 860,027 Income from charitable activities included £507,146 in restricted funds and £352.881 in unrestricted funds in the prior year. -15-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Income from investments 2025 2024 Interest receivable 17,609 17,609 10.526 All income from investments was unrestricted in the prior year Unrestricted Restricted funds funds other Income 2025 2024 other income 22,189 2,451 24,640 392 All other income was unrestricted in the prior year Cost8 of charitable actlvlties 2025 2024 Activities directly undertaken (advice and support) Staff costs l.T., equipment and communications Office costs Other costs Support costs {see note 8) 739,527 4,695 23,203 5,177 284 887 1057 489 709,998 4,576 16,516 18,382 229610 979 082 Of the expenditure above, £848,587 {2024: £570,678) related to restricted funds and £208,902 (2024.. £408,404} related to unrestricted funds. Support costs 2025 2024 Staff costs l.T., equipment and communications Premises Depreciation Audit fees Office costs Other costs 121,742 37,106 48,000 14,345 9,600 29,698 24,396 106,795 34,498 37,095 10,411 2,820 18,193 19.798 284,887 229,610 Net income l expendlture Is stated after charging: 2025 2024 Depreciation Audit fees 14,345 9,600 10,411 2,820 2025 Full audit required. 2024 Independent examination -16-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 10 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneratlon and expenses and the cost of key management personnel. 2025 2024 Staff costs Salaries 779,171 59,781 22,317 742,896 58,086 15,811 Social security costs Pension costs 861,269 816,793 Partlculars of employees Number Number The average number of employees by headcount during the year was.. 34 34 No employees were paid more than £60,000 in either the current or prior year. The Charity trustees were not paid and did not receive any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £nil). £130 expenses were repaid to one trustee in the year {2024'. £85). Key management personnel received aggregate remuneration in the year of £121,981 (2024.. £110,514) which includes social security costs and pension contributions. No redundancy payments were paid during the year (2024.. £27,000). 11 Tangible Fixed Assets Freehold Land and Buildings Flxtures and fittlngs Equlpment Total Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals 71,984 72,448 17,088 (61,391) 29,031 3,417 (10,867) 173,463 20,505 {72,258) At 31 March 2025 71,984 28,145 21,581 121,710 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Additions 52,052 4,004 63,923 5,601 (61,391) 16,453 4,740 (10,867) 132,428 14,345 (72,258) Disposals At 31 March 2025 56,056 8,133 10,326 74,515 NBV at 31 March 2025 15,928 20,012 11,255 47,195 NBV at 1 April 2024 19.932 8,525 12,578 41,035 -17-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 12 Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year Debtors 194,752 7,881 119,009 16,589 Prepayments 202,633 135,598 13 Creditors: Amounts falllng due within one year 2025 2024 Trade creditors Taxes and social security costs Other creditors Accruals 9,964 14,891 231,664 16,057 7,053 13,652 246,680 14,911 272,576 282,296 14 Penslon costs The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund. 2025 2024 Contributions payable by the charity during the year 22,317 15,811 15 Commltments under operating leases As at 31 March 2025 the charity was committed to making the following payments under non- cancellable operaling leases: 2025 2024 Within 1 year Vvith 2 to 5 years 9,048 4,248 13,296 5,098 5,522 10,620 -18-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 16 Analysls of charitable funds: current year At 1 Aprll 2024 At 31 Ivlarch 2025 Income Expenditure Transfers Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund 309,987 25,000 321,722 (208.902) (18,107) (25,000) 404,700 Total Unrestrlcted funds 334,987 321,722 (208.902) (43,107) 404,700 Restrictod funds Bay Enhanced Health Checks Cadent 1.036 30,622 41,239 23,750 159,033 95,635 84,000 76.600 45,000 19,938 13,713 (31,580) (45,264) (26,538) (172,014) (111,723) (97,430) (74,640) (47,266) (17,686) (14,619) 78 4,025 2,788 Citizens Representative Community Fund Energy Redress Face to Face Debt Foodbank Morecambe Bay Foodbank Trussell 16,676 2,602 160 3,695 13,486 13.270 1,960 2,266 Food Justice 2,252 Guardian Henry Smith Charity Macmillan Mental Health Transformation Social Welfare Trussell O to 4 Community Foundation Podcast Restricted donations and grants 4,306 4.069 (3,400) (4,0691 4,306 6,642 10,844 29,479 60,302 88.150 (33,785) (66,944) (98.994) (104) (104} 10,000 (10,000) 7,051 (7,051) Total Restricted funds 28,849 784,512 (848,587) 43,107 7,881 Bay Enhanced Health Checks. Morecambe Bay Education Health and Care grant to provide a more intensive level of support for more vulnerable clients. Cadent caseworker- a grant to enable specific advice on all energy related matters. Citizens Representative - a one year grant to fund a Citizen's Representative role, which is to prevent poverty of people with complex needs. Community Fund - National Lottery funding to adapt, extend and expand the work of Citizens Advice North Lancashire in community settings that reach the most vulnerable members of the communities we Serve. -19-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Energy Redress a two year project to deliver an independent energy advice service, focussing on the most vulnerable households. Advice includes issues with energy debt, problems with suppliers and the management of pre-payment meters. Face to face debt advice- a restricted fund for the provision of debt advice to the local community. Foodbank Morecambe Bay - a grant from Morecambe Bay Foodbank to help support people in need of using foodbanks by providing financial and other advice to help reduce foodbank use in the longer term. Foodbank (Trussell) - Trussell Foodbank provided a grant to help identify families in danger of needing to use foodbanks in the near future by working in partnership with schools and Foodbanks. Food Justice - working in partnership with local organisations dealing with food and wider support including Foodbanks, Food Clubs, the NHS and the District Council. Guardian a one year project to increase capacity for service delivery to support clients in deprived areas in innovative ways through the cost of living crisis. Henry Smith Charity - grant funding to provide specialist advice on welfare benefits. Mcmillan a grant to provide financial and other advice to people with cancer and other related illnesses. Mental Health Transfofmation - a one year project funded by the NHS to receive referrals from NHS services and from partners in the community to provide advice to assist people with mental health problems. Social Welfare - working with Lancaster City Council to help deliver the national Household Support Fund. Trussell O to 4 - a grant to support parents who have children within the O to 4 years age range with help in tackling destitution. Community Foundation Podcast- a grant to deliver a series of podcasts covering a wide range of benefits and current issues affecting clients. Restricted donations and grants- donations and grants from members of the public and local Counsellors particularly to support new carpets in our Morecambe Office. -20-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 17 Analysls of charitable funds.. prior year At 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund 375,350 368,304 (408,404) (25,263) 25,000 309,987 25,000 Total Unrestricted funds 375,350 368,304 (408,404) (263) 334,987 Restrlcted funds Awards for all 5,309 4,346 (246) 13,417 23,304 (5,309) (22,524) (40,439) (39,667) (122,899) (38,076) (5,8131 (93,575) (37,254) {45,017) (7,263) (36,832) (43,400) {27,128) (5,482) Bay enhanced health checks Cadent 19,214 40,685 26,250 116,271 38,076 8,415 94,478 37,500 45,000 7,263 41,138 1,036 Citizens Representative Community Fund Cost of Living Energy Redress Face to Face Debt 16,676 2,602 160 (743) (246) (246) Foodbank Morecambe Bay Foodbank Trussell 263 Food Justice Guardian Henry Smith Charity Macmillan Mental Health Transformation 4,306 4,069 47,469 (246) 27,374 5,482 Total Restricted funds 92,118 507,146 (570,678) 263 28,849 Total funds 467,468 875,450 (979,082) 363,836 18 Analysls of net assets by funds: current year Unrestricted Restrlcted Funds Funds Total Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors- amounts falling due within one year 47,195 625,790 (268,285) 47,195 633,671 (268,285) 7,881 404,700 7,881 412,581 -21-
NORTH LANCASHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 19 Analysis of net assets by funds: prior year Unrestricted Restrlcted Funds Funds Total Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Current assets 41,035 576,248 {282,296> 41,035 605,097 (282,296) 28,849 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 334,987 28,849 363,836 20 Related party transactions There are no related party transactions that require disclosure in the current or prior period beyond the Trustee expenses detailed in note 10. There is no ullimate controlling party in the current or prior period. 21 Contlngent Ilablllty During the previous year the Charity vacated a rented premises and subsequently had an initial demand for dilapidation costs of approximately £50,000. This initial demand is currenlly subject to negotiation by the Charity with the connected parties, and posilive dialogue is being pursued to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. On this basis, the Charity has not recognised any liability for such costs in these financial statements. 22 Fund transfars Fund transfers for the year from unrestricted funds to support restricted fund activities lotalled £43,107. 23 Company limited by guarantee Every member guarantees, in the event of the charitable company being wound up, while he, she or it remains a member, or within 12 months of he, she or it ceasing to be a member, to contribute £1 towards the costs of dissolLJlion and the liabilities incurred by the charity while the conlributor was a member. -22-