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2021-03-31-accounts

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEE REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021

Registered Charity No 1141755

Company No 07600945

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021

Page
Report of the Trustees’/Directors 1 - 3
Independent Examiners’ Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 - 10
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 11 - 12

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau Registered Charity Number 1141755 Registered Company Number 07600945 (Registered in England and Wales) Financial Conduct Authority 617542 Registered Office 113 Lammas Street Carmarthen Carmarthenshire SA31 1AP Directors/Trustees Richard John Edwards (Chair) Hamish William Laughland Beverley Jayne Careless Howard Neil Llewellyn Fioled Meirion Jones

Company Secretary R M Thomas Independent Examiners Rimmer & May Chartered Accountants 19 Murray Street Llanelli SA15 1AQ

Bankers HSBC 4A Vaughan Street Llanelli Carmarthenshire SA15 3TY

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021

The Trustees who are also Directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006 where indicated, present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2021. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Company’s Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and Accounting and Reporting by Charities : Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) Section 1A.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 12[th] April 2011 and registered as a charity on 6[th] May 2011 and commenced its activities on 1[st] July 2011. The company was established and is governed under its Articles of Association which sets out its objects and powers.

Organisation and management

The Charity is administered and managed by the members of the Executive Committee which shall consist of not less than three members and not more than fifteen:- honorary office holders of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer elected by members from amongst themselves at the first meeting of Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

A member of the Executive Committee shall cease to hold office if they become disqualified, incapable, is absent from meetings, notifies the trustees of their wish to resign, ceases to be a member or fails to declare an interest in a contract of the Charity.

The Trustee Board which comprises of Trustees/Directors, Bureau County Director and other appropriate personnel meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss issues and future plans.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The names of the Trustee Board are shown on the previous page. The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and none of the officers hold any shares in the company. The Charity is administrated by a Trustee Board of between three and fifteen persons.

The Trustee Board members can either be elected at the Annual General Meeting or co-opted by the Trustee Board provided that the total number of co-opted nominated members does not exceed one third of the total members of the Trustee Board. No member of the Trustee Board can serve for more than three years without being formally re-elected.

Induction and training of new trustees

New Trustees are provided with a Trustee handbook and a follow up course of induction procedures.

The company was established and is governed under its Articles of Association which sets out its objects and powers. Under those Articles the members of the Trustee Board are elected at AGM. A member may be coopted at any ordinary meeting, subject to the Articles, until the next AGM.

The charity is operated in accordance with its Articles of Association. The Trustee Board is responsible for all aspects of the Bureau. Sub committees are delegated the power to make some decisions on behalf of the Board. In other areas, recommendations are made to the Trustee Board, which makes the ultimate decision.

Wider network

Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau is a member of Citizens Advice (Cita), but is an independently registered Charity and company limited by guarantee. Citizens Advice provides support services to the Bureau in the form of information and training amongst others. The Bureau is required to adopt service wide policies and comply with Membership Scheme requirements.

Page: 1

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (Cont’d)

Relationships with other organizations

The Charity has links with Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthenshire Social Services, Citizens Advice and Welsh Government, Money Advice Service and also receives additional funding from local councils across the county.

Risk management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

During the year the Board has reviewed each of the Bureau’s operations and activities as part of an overall risk assessment approach. All new ventures are appraised on the basis of the risks identified and the procedures and policies associated with the minimisation of such risks that are significant. In addition, the Bureau is subject to regular audit by Citizens Advice.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The aims and objects of the Charity are to provide the following:-

Free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. The service aims:

Charity’s public benefit

The Charity exists to provide advice to members of the public. It is part of the Charity’s ethos to meet the changing needs of the people of Carmarthenshire and to be responsive to their requests for advice. Any surplus generated from the provision of our services is reinvested for the benefit of the public in the future. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity commissioner’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.

Volunteers

During the year an average of 19 staff were employed at the bureau. In addition approximately 4 volunteers provided support. The Trustees Board would like to thank the staff and volunteers for their substantial work during the period.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Review of activities

Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli Citizens Advice Bureau merged on 1[st] July 2011. In November 2018 the service was audited by Citizens Advice and the standards required were achieved. Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau was also awarded the Advice Quality Standard General Help, and Specialist Debt and Welfare Benefits with Casework.

We have received additional funding from the following: -

During the period 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021 the Bureau achieved the following:-

Page: 2

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (Cont’d)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The charity relies largely on grants received which were of a satisfactory level in the sum of £705,713 (2020: £634,090). Overall the fund balances (including assets and liabilities) carried forward are £381,205 made up of £403,407 restricted funds and £22,202 (negative) unrestricted funds. An overall surplus of £93,397 (2020: £110,689) was made in the year on total funds before transfers and unrealised gains.

The Trustees expect that the additional funding in respect of the receipt Universal Support project will give rise to further surpluses which will clear the negative balance on the unrestricted funds.

The charity is actively involved in applying for additional and new sources of funding and is closely monitoring its running costs in order to minimize any future deficits.

Covid-19

We closed our three offices in the last week of March 2020 and all staff began to work from home. Each adviser was given a laptop and mobile phone which was linked to their phones in each of the offices, clients therefore saw no difference in the initial contact made. Client interviews are made either by telephone or video call and subsequent client surveys indicate an overwhelming positive feedback for this system. All staff continue to be paid as normal and no Government grants have been applied for.

As a result of the success of the measures and Covid-19 restrictions in having face to face interviews it was agreed that the offices in Ammanford and Llanelli be closed and we vacated Ammanford on 1[st] September and we vacated the offices in Llanelli at the end of March 2021. This action will not have a negative effect on our service delivery.

Reserves policy

Total funds held at 31 March 2021 amounted to £381,205 made up of £403,407 restricted funds and £22,202 (negative) unrestricted funds.

It is the policy of the charity that reserves should be maintained where possible at a level equivalent of at least £120,000. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.

Investment policy The Charity invests its funds in bank deposits and is continually seeking to obtain better rates of return. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

To build a stronger forward facing service in order to identify and meet the needs of the Community. To continue to develop and create new partnerships with organizations and agencies. To create a financially stable service enabling the Bureau to maintain its service provision. Develop our partnership working which enables us to bring together specialism, knowledge and expertise and gives us the opportunity to work with clients at key stages in their journey. Exploring multi-channel development.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to Small Companies.

Approved by the Executive Committee on June 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… Mr R J Edwards – Chair Mr H W Laughland Director/Trustee Director/Trustee

Page: 3

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2021, which are set out on pages 5 to 10.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purpose of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s report

Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Alan Martin Evans F.C.A Chartered Accountant Rimmer & May Chartered Accountants 19 Murray Street Llanelli Carmarthenshire SA15 1AQ

Date:

Page: 4

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021

Unrestricted
Funds
2021
Notes £
INCOME FROM
Charitable activities
2
311,247
Donations
3
561
Investment income
4
_121
Total income
311,929
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
5
295,728
Total expenditure
295,728
NET INCOME
16,201
Gross transfers between funds
11
_____-
Net movement in funds
16,201
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward
(38,403)
Total funds carried forward
(22,202)		 Restricted
Funds
2021
£
394,066
-
-
394,066
316,870
316,870
77,196
__-
77,196
326,211
403,407		 Total
Funds
2021
£
705,313
561
_121
705,995
612,598
612,598
93,397
-
93,397
287,808
381,205		 Total
Funds
2020
£
636,096
825
_347
637,268
526,579
526,579
110,689
___-
110,689
177,119
287,808

All activities relate to continuing operations and there are no gains or losses other than those shown above.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page: 5

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee) Registered Number 07600945

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021




Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
8
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
Bank and Cash
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
10
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS

CHARITY FUNDS
11
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Total
Funds
2021
£
16,980
28,645
350,650
379,295
(15,074)
364,221
381,205
(22,202)
403,407

381,205		 Total
Funds
2020
£
25,726
65,451
224,270
289,721
(27,639)
262,082
287,808
(38,403)
326,211
287,808

The Trustees consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”) and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the Small Companies regime and in accordance with FRS 102 Section 1A and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on June 2021 and signed on their behalf, by

………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………… Mr R J Edwards – Chair Mr H W Laughland (Director/Trustee) (Director/Trustee)

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page: 6

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) Section 1A - Charities SORP (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau is public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which in the functional currency of the entity.

The accounts have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principle accounting policies are set out below:-

1.2 Income

Grants and donations are recognised on entitlement once conditions of certainty and measurement are met. Grant income is recognised on an accruals basis and is allocated on a strict basis to the period to which it relates.

1.3

Expenditure

All expenditure incurred by the charity relates to its charitable activities i.e., providing advice to the community and is allocated accordingly. Governance costs relate to the provision of accountancy fees and also trustees meetings expenses and are allocated accordingly. The accruals basis has been adopted for the recognition of liabilities.

1.4

Use of volunteers

The charity relies on up to 4 fully trained volunteers who carry out a wide range of advice work and administrative tasks, apart from the cost of training and reimbursement of travel expenses. The donated services of volunteers in the course of undertaking the charitable and income generating activities is not recognised within the Statement of Financial Activities.

1.5 Leasing

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.

1.6 Pensions

The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contribution paid by the charity during the year to a defined contribution money purchase scheme.

1.7 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

1.8

Going Concern

We refer to the Trustees Report and their assessment of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Charity’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting No material uncertainties exist which affect the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (Cont’d)

1.9 Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are included at valuation on commencement in July 2011 and at cost thereafter less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided to write down the net book value of the assets at the following rates:-

Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment – 25% reducing balance method

1.10 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

2
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Contracts and fees – Citizens Advice & Welsh Office
Grants – Carmarthenshire County Council
Hire of room for meetings – Shelter & Cardiff Vale CAB
3.
DONATIONS


Donations
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest receivable
5.
EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Governance

Local partnership payment - Llandovery Community
Employment costs

Establishment costs

Office and administrative expenses

Support costs – volunteers expenses

Sundry and other costs

Cost of Trustee meetings, travel and training
-
Legal and professional fees

Accountancy
3,796
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets

Loss on disposal of tangible assets
3,796		 2021
£
544,225
161,488
_(400)
705,313
2021
£
561
£
121
Support
Costs
5,000
490,047
44,374
54,822
-
144
-
258
4,645

9,512
608,802		 2020
£
471,760
162,330
__2,006
636,096
2020
£
825
£
347
Total
£
5,000
490,047
44,374
54,822
-
144
-
258
3,796
4,645
9,512
612,598

6. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2021. Reimbursement of travel expenses and training were made totalling £ 0 (2020 £ 0).

Page: 8

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (Cont’d)

7. EMPLOYEES 2021 2021 2020
Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Manager and project caseworkers 17 17
Management and administration of the charity _2 2
19 19
2021 2020
Employment costs £ £
Gross wages and salaries 443,708
365,284
National insurance 33,977 26,749
Pension costs 12,362 11,125
Staff training
 - 1,214
490,047
404,372
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.
In addition, approximately four volunteers provided support during the year.
8. FIXED ASSETS Office equipment
and furniture
£
Cost
At 1 April 2020 68,099
Additions in year 5,411
Disposals (48,557)
At 31 March 2021 24,953
Depreciation £
At 1 April 2020 42,373
Depreciation charge for the year 4,645
Elimination on disposals (39,045)
At 31 March 2021 7,973
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2021 16,980
At 31 March 2020 25,726
9 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2021 2020
£ £
Debtor – Charitable income 20,403 57,902
Prepayments 8,242 7,549
28,645 65,451
10 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2021 2020
£ £
Trade - 2,845
Taxation & Social Security 9,845 8,436
Accruals 5,229 16,358
15,074 27,639

Page: 9

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (Cont’d)

11
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At Net Movement
01.04.20 in funds
£ £
Unrestricted funds
General Advice Fund & Universal Support (38,403)
16,201
Restricted funds 326,211
77,196
TOTAL FUNDS 287,808
93,397		 At
31.03.21
£
(22,202)
403,407
381,205

Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balance of grants and donations held on trust for specific purposes:-





Welfare Rights
Central/Masdap/Front Line advice
Single Advice Fund
Balance at
1 April 2020
£
52,815
269,427

3,969
326,211
Income

£
14,656
101,392
278,018
394,066		 Movement in funds
Expenditure Transfers Balance at
31 March 2021
£ £ £
(4,388)
63,083
(34,235)
336,584
(278,247)
3,740
(316,870) - 403,407

Transfers

Any restricted funds that are in deficit are supported by the central core fund. Any deficit made by a particular fund is absorbed by the core fund and any such funds are left with a nil retained reserve carried forward.

12 FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

At 31 March 2021 the company had commitments under non-cancellable operating leases over the remaining life of those leases of £ 0 (2020 £7,730).

13 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

In April 2011 Citizens Advice Bureau, Ammanford were awarded substantial compensation monies of approximately £160,000 under the proceeds of crime act. No monies were received by the

Bureau in the year ending 31 March 2021. HM Courts & Tribunals Services are currently

unable to speculate as to the time scale for the balance of the compensation to be paid and as a result no provision has been made in these accounts for the recovery of the balance of the award. Apart from this the Trustees have considered the position and confirm that there are no other related party disclosures.

Page: 10

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (A company limited by guarantee)

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021


£
INCOME FROM:
Charitable Activities
Contracts and fees – Citizens Advice & Welsh Office
544,225
Grants – Carmarthenshire County Council
161,488
Room hire – Shelter & Cardiff Vale CAB
(400)
_____
Donations
Investment Income
Deposit account interest
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES:
Support Costs
Local partnership payment – Llandovery
5,000
Wages – salaries
477,685
Staff pension costs
12,362
Staff training
-
Staff travel
1,363
Volunteer travel and expenses
-
Subsistence and refreshments
20
Rent
35,804
Water rates
51
Heating and lighting
4,746
Insurance
3,693
Telephone and internet
3,852
Postage, stationery and computer costs
4,355
Licences – Video calling platform
9,600
I T support
26,619
Reference materials
3,335
Cleaning, repairs and maintenance
3,773
Equipment leasing
1,554
Legal and professional
258
Bank charges
144
General expenses
431
Depreciation
4,645
Loss on disposal of equipment
9,512
Carried Forward
608,802		 2021
£ £
471,760
162,330
2,006
705,313
_
561
121
__
705,995
-
392,033
11,125
1,214
6,696
2,658
400
26,746
901
11,746
3,673
10,115
9,292
-
28,547
1,780
7,085
518
1,681
231
180
6,071
-
522,692		 2020
£
636,096
825
347
_____
637,268

This pages does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page: 11

CARMARTHENSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

(A company limited by guarantee)

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (Cont’d)


£
Brought Forward
Governance costs
Trustees training and travel costs
-
Accountancy
3,796
_____
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME		 2021
£ £
608,802
-
3,887
3,796
____
612,598
93,397		 2021
£ £
608,802
-
3,887
3,796
____
612,598
93,397		 2020
£
522,692
3,887
526,579
110,689

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page: 12