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2023-03-31-accounts

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Annual Report 2022/23 citizens advice West Suffolk

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 7645392 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1144118

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited financial statements

31 March 2023

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2023

Page
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) 1-12
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure
account) 13
Balance sheet 14
Statement of Cash Flows 15
Notes to the financial statements 16
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees 24

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report)

Year ended 31 March 2023

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Chair's report

The underlying theme of our 2022/23 year was adapting the Citizens Advice West Suffolk service to reflect the growing demand for our help in light of the economic landscape. Most striking was the start of a trend, which has continued and increased in the current financial year, towards new clients seeking help with obtaining benefits for the first time having previously managed to balance their household finances without them.

We have focused on recruiting and training new volunteers and have restructured the training to make it easier for volunteers who join us to make a practical difference more quickly. Our paid team and volunteers have all shown themselves flexible and committed as we have implemented various changes to balance the needs of our clients and our budgets. These have included reopening some of our offices regularly for face-to-face meetings to supplement the main service provided by telephone and email since the pandemic. We have also taken up the kind offer of the Brandon Town Council to base ourselves in their offices rather than leasing commercial premises in the town. Our heartfelt thanks go to all of our staff and volunteers who are at the core of all we do.

The Trustee Board has been enhanced during the year by the arrival of Madeleine Finn, wellknown in Haverhill as a former Chief Executive Officer and Headteacher and of Colin Knight, formerly Finance Director at Ashtons Legal. Colin has subsequently taken over from Peter Holland as Treasurer with effect from the start of the 2023/24 financial year. Thanks go to all our trustees for their ongoing support and input.

Carol and her colleagues continue to manage adeptly the very fine balancing act of maximising the support we provide to clients with the funds that are available. As always, we are exceptionally grateful to the local District Councils, County Council, and our project funders, without whose support we could not continue to deliver the service which is so key to many in our local community.

Mary Porch Chair of the Board of Trustees, Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

- 1 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) (as amended by Update Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016).

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name: Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company registration number: 7645392 Charity registration number: 1144118 Registered Office: The Risbygate Centre, 90 Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3AA. Principal Places of Business : Bury St Edmunds: The Risbygate Centre, 90 Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3AA. Haverhill: Haverhill House, Lower Downs Slade, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9HB. Brandon: 9a Market Hill, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0AA. Mildenhall: Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7JX. Newmarket: Foley House, Wellington Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 0HY.

Trustees

The Trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval were as follows:

Ms M Porch (Chair) Mr P Holland (Treasurer and Vice Chair) Mr R Bolton Mr C Cadman (Resigned 4 November 2022) Ms M Finn (Appointed 13 September 2022) Ms J Hall (Resigned 14 June 2022) Mr A Howard Mr C Knight (Appointed 1 November 2022) Mr K Lardner (Resigned 10 February 2023) Ms A Mayer Mr B Peters Mr M Simpkin Ms V Steele (Resigned 1 August 2022) Mr W Walker Ms J Wilkie

- 2 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Management team Ms C Eagles (Chief Executive Officer) Ms J Albini (Business Development Manager) Ms S Bradbury (Operations Manager) Ms J Chatt (Office Manager) Independent examiner Mr S Cook MA FCA David Roberton & Co Chartered Accountants 84 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1NZ. Bankers CAF Bank Limited. 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4JQ. Cambridge and Counties Bank Limited. Charnwood Court, 5B New Walk Leicester, LE1 6TE. Cambridge Building Society Head Office, P O Box 232, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8FF. Nationwide Building Society. Nationwide House, Pipers Way, Swindon, SN38 1NW. Monmouthshire Building Society Monmouthshire House, John Frost Square, Kingsway Centre, Newport, NP20 1PX. Hinckley and Rugby Building Society Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 1NZ.

- 3 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Objectives and Activities

Aims and Principles

Citizens Advice West Suffolk provides free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.

The charity provides information and advice to all who need it but aims to target resources in more detailed help and casework to those who are least able to help themselves, whether due to language, mental health, age or disability, or short-term difficulties such as homelessness or lack of money.

We also work to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives, through representing unfairness and difficulties faced by clients, to those able to make a difference in law and procedures, in government or elsewhere. Citizens Advice West Suffolk values their wide range of volunteers and recognises that they are the strength underpinning the organisation and seeks to promote supported volunteering as a route to develop employability skills and confidence, leading to a healthier and stronger community.

Objectives

The Trustees review the Charity’s Business Development and Operation Plans on a regular basis, and at least annually, to recognise the achievements of the year and agree the objectives for the following year.

The main objective for the year ending 31 March 2023 was to continue to provide an efficient and effective advice and information service to the local community and our activities were targeted to meet that purpose. The work was carried out by a team of volunteer advisers and specialists providing advice by telephone, email, and face-to-face appointments. We provided advice on 14 key areas: benefits, consumer, debt, education, employment, finance, health, housing, immigration, legal, relationship, tax, travel, and utilities.

In addition to generalist advice, mentioned above, both specialist advice and casework were available:

- 4 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

How Our Activities Deliver Public Benefit

Our main activities and who we try to help are described above. All our charitable activities focus on providing the advice people need for the problems they face and are undertaken specifically to provide public benefit. The Trustee Board have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.

Contribution of Volunteers

The charity's success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The Trustee Board and senior management team recognise the tremendous contribution made by the charity's volunteers in advising the public and administering the service without which the service could not operate. As of 31 March 2023, the service employed 25 paid workers (15.6 FTEs) (2021/22: 24 paid workers, 14.2 FTEs), and was supported by 57 volunteers (2021/22: 84 volunteers).

Volunteers represent the indispensable core of the service for without them, there would not be a Citizens Advice West Suffolk service. The volunteers contributed 28,875 hours in 2022/23. This may be expressed as an annualised value of £689,845 (2021/22: £715,117). However, their value is inadequately expressed in monetary terms. Indeed, volunteers bring many skills to the service and very often the experience gained helps individuals return to full employment. During 2022/23 six volunteers left to take up paid work.

Achievements and Performance

The key achievements of the organisation in 2022/23, in line with the Business and Development plan:

- 5 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Plans for the Future

A key priority for the Trustee Board for 2023/24 is to continue to deliver a sustainable service that meets the needs of the whole community during the cost-of-living crisis. We need to expand our service provision to cope with a growing demand for assistance as people feel the impact of the increased costs of energy, housing, food, petrol, and other services.

We will continue with the work to diversify our funding streams to increase our sustainability which will enable us to build a service that is cost-effective. We recognise the challenges involved in short term project funding and, where possible, will secure longer term funding for our core service to enable us to effectively plan. We will offer our funders value for money, whilst never compromising on the high-quality service that our clients expect and deserve.

There is a three-year Business Development Plan with detailed emphasis on the current year. The Operations Plan is a living document and is a regular agenda item at Trustee Board meetings.

The specific focus this year will be to:

- 6 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Financial Review

The Notes to the Financial Statements are shown on pages 16-24.

The key points are:

Fundraising Activities and Principal Funding Sources

The principal funding sources were as follows:

We also participated in national Citizens Advice projects funded by the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. In addition, we received specific support relating to the Covid Pandemic.

The Trustees extend their gratitude to our principal funders with whom we share many strategic objectives and who continued to support the core operating capacity of the charity.

In addition, project-specific funding was received from the following:

The charity did not have any borrowings from either a provider of funding or other sources at the Balance Sheet date.

- 7 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have reviewed the reserves of the charity. This review encompassed the nature of the income and expenditure streams, the need to match income with fixed commitments, the risks associated therewith and the nature of the reserves.

The review concluded that:

The charity is dependent on core fund providers to meet fixed annual commitments and other short-term fund providers for specific projects.

The Trustees have reviewed the potential expenditure that could arise should a significant reduction in income be incurred and have determined that free unrestricted reserves should be maintained at between six to nine months’ budgeted expenditure.

The Trustees are aware of the financial pressures experienced by our major funders and our dependence on them and have taken this into consideration in establishing the reserves policy.

As of 31 March 2023, the total unrestricted reserves amount to £365,698 (2022: £371,476), although there were £140,000 of designated reserves within this figure. This is within the agreed range and therefore the Trustees consider that the position is under control and meets its objectives. The Trustees have continued to maintain a prudent approach to the management of the finances during the year.

Designated Reserves

£140,000 of unrestricted funds have been designated with the aim of ensuring the charity's sustainability by making provisions for the replacement of equipment, for fulfilling our contractual commitments, for maintaining our premises and moving if necessary.

Investment Activities

The charity's funds are spent on delivering and developing the free advice service to the local community. The reserves were held during the year in accounts with Charities Aid Foundation Bank, Cambridge and Counties Bank, Cambridge Building Society, Nationwide Building Society, Monmouthshire Building Society and Hinckley and Rugby Building Society account. The charity does not currently hold any other material investments.

Governance, Structure and Management

Governing Document

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 24 May 2011: Company No. 7645392, Charity No. 1144118. The Company is governed under its Articles of Association. The charity’s objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the public benefit by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness, and distress in particular, but without limitation, for the benefit of the community in West Suffolk and surrounding areas. In furtherance of its objects the charity has power to establish and conduct local Citizens Advice offices as centres to provide a free, confidential, and impartial service of advice, information, and counsel for the public.

In the event of the company being wound up every member (including members who ceased to be members within one year prior to such winding up) would be required to contribute to the company's assets an amount

- 8 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

not exceeding £1. At 31 March 2023, the company had 14 individual members (2022: 17 individual).

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau is also known and referred to as Citizens Advice West Suffolk.

Trustee Recruitment and Appointment

Trustees are either initially co-opted by the Trustee Board and then elected to the Board at an Annual General Meeting within three years of co-option or elected directly at an Annual General Meeting. Any election lasts for three years by which time the Trustee can be re-elected up to a maximum of 12 years.

Trustees, who are also directors of the company, are elected from the local community and must either reside or work in West Suffolk or the surrounding area. A formal interview process is followed for all applicants with an interview panel comprising of three Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer. References are taken for all new Trustees. A separate process, agreed by the Trustee Board, is followed for the election of the Chair.

Trustee Induction and Training

New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the Business Development Plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They also meet employees, volunteers, and other Trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the understanding of their role.

Appraisal of the Trustee Board

The Trustees conduct an annual performance appraisal using a Citizens Advice template. Action is taken on any areas under performing to ensure the Trustee Board conforms to best practice.

Organisational Structure

The Trustee Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry ultimate responsibility for the conduct of Citizens Advice West Suffolk and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Trustees meet at least ten times a year, and delegate the day-to-day operation of the organisation to a paid Chief Executive Officer.

The Trustee Board has assigned responsibilities amongst the Trustee group to allow workload to be shared and to give a clear point of contact for senior staff. The Trustee Board is independent from management. A register of members' interests is maintained at the registered office and is available to the public.

All Trustees and key employees have declared that they are a "fit and proper person" to be involved in the running of a charity.

The Trustee Board regularly reviews its effectiveness and the use of committees. There is one committee, the Operations Committee, with working groups initiated to discuss specific issues.

The Operations Committee reports to the Trustee Board.

- 9 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Operations Committee

The committee meets monthly ahead of each Trustee Board meeting and is responsible for:

Addressing any issues that need detailed discussion prior to presenting to the Trustee Board. These include finance, infrastructure, property, HR, contracts, and strategy.

The Committee does not have any decision-making powers other than in exceptional circumstances. The Trustee Board fully ratifies any decisions made under these arrangements.

Membership: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Governance Lead and Chief Executive Officer.

Related Parties

Citizens Advice West Suffolk is a member of Citizens Advice, the national association for the Citizens Advice service. With effect from April 2015 Citizens Advice Bureaux became known as Local Citizens Advice (LCA) and Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau became known as Citizens Advice West Suffolk (CAWS). The charity also cooperates and liaises with many other advisory services, local charities, trusts and council departments on behalf of clients.

Audit process

The charitable company is annually audited by Citizens Advice using a Performance and Quality Framework. Every three years the LCA receives a full audit to ensure compliance with the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and the Money Advice Service Debt Advice Quality Framework (MASDAQF).

The Red/Amber/Yellow and Green (RAYG) scoring system is used to mark each of the five key areas:

Quality of Advice Assessment - every quarter the LCA self-assesses a selection of cases which are then checked by a Citizens Advice auditor for the quality of the self-assessment and quality of advice.

Client Experience - a selection of clients is contacted by email or text after the advice process to assess their satisfaction with the service and the advice provided.

People Management - an annual survey is sent to all staff and volunteers to ask people about their experiences, identify what's working well and see where improvements can be made.

Leadership - the Trustees annually self-assess how well the charity is run and whether it is delivering good quality services. The self-assessment is checked by an auditor from national Citizens Advice.

Financial Health - quarterly financial reports are provided to national Citizens Advice which are assessed against the budget and the Reserves Policy. A comparison is provided with other LCA in the family group.

In April 2023 the charity had its year one self-assessment and is continuing to score green in all five areas.

- 10 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Risk management

The Trustees have reviewed their procedures considering corporate governance guidance contained within the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities'. Organisational risk is assessed within the Business Development Plan. The plan considers potential changes to the environment in which the charity is working and highlights how these could impact on its services. The organisation faces a range of operational risks and the key to successful risk management is to identify potential risks, the likelihood of them occurring and then mitigate their impact. The Risk Register is a formal statement of the charity's risk management strategy and how the impact of potential risks can be minimised. The Trustees and the management team have given detailed and careful consideration of the risks.

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau's objectives, its internal organisation, and the environment in which it operates are continually changing and as a result, the risks it faces are not constant. Organisational success derives, in part, from successful risk taking and so the purpose of internal control is to help manage and control risk appropriately rather than to eliminate it.

The following measures will help minimise the risks:

- 11 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2023

Statement of Internal Control

The Trustee Board oversee the information security of all the personal information and special category data that is processed, including the personal information of our clients, staff, funders, and strategic partners. Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau hold joint responsibility for client data that is held in our case management system with the national Citizens Advice Service. An information assurance management team exists to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all personal and sensitive data is maintained to a level which is compliant with the requirements the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies' exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees' annual report was approved on 19[th ] October 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of Trustees by:

C Knight (Treasurer) Trustee

- 12 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
Company Number 7645392
Charity Number 1144118 Statement of Financial Activities
(Including an Income and Expenditure Account)
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Note Unrestricted Restricted
Total		 2022
Funds Funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and Gifts 6,904 0 6,904 3,272
Other Income 14,757 14,757 24,603
Activities in furtherance of the charity's
objects
Local government grants 322,095 322,095 330,393
Other Grants and income 75,795 179,341
255,136		 326,087
Bank interest 3,387 0
3,387		 1,536
Total income and endowments 422,937 179,341
602,278		 685,891
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Bureau operating costs 5 386,504 210,739
597,244		 620,872
Management and administration 6 6,337 1,267
7,604		 6,774
Total expenditure 392,482 212,006
604,848		 627,646
Net income/(expenditure) before transfers 30,095 -32,665
-2,570		 58,245
Transfers between funds -35,873 35,873
0		 0
Net movement in funds -5,778 3,208
-2,570		 58,245
Fund balances brought
forward from 1 April 2021 371,476 5,437
376,913		 318,668
Fund Balances carried
forward at 31 March 2022 4 365,968 8,645
374,343		 376,913

All the above results are derived from continuing activities. All gains and losses recognised in the year are included above.

- 13 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
Company Number 7645392		 Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
Company Number 7645392		 Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
Company Number 7645392		 Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
Company Number 7645392
Charity Number 1144118
Balance Sheet 31 March 2023
As At 31 March 2023
2022
Notes
Fixed
Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
15
0
0
Current Assets
Debtors and prepaid expenses
8
8,418
9,511
Cash at bank and in hand
9
517,414
525,832
511,705
521,216
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
10
-151,491
-144,303
Net Current Assets
374,343
376,913
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
374,343
376,913
Funds:
Unrestricted
365,698
371,476
Restricted
8,645
5,437
Total Funds
4
374,343
376,913
376,913
376,913
371,476
5,437
376,913

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(i) ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act, and

(ii) complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS 102 SORP.

These financial statements were approved by the trustees and

authorised for issue on 19[th] October 2023

and are signed on their behalf by:

C Knight

Treasurer

Company number 07645392

- 14 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2023

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
Company Number 7645392
Charity Number 1144118
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2023
Note
Cash flow from operating activities
17
Cash flow from investing activities
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash flow from investing activities
Net increase/decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2022
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2023
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash at bank and in hand		 2023
£
2,324
0
3,387
3,387
5,711
511,705
517,414
517,414		 2022
£
117,535

0
1,536
1,536
119,071
392,634
511,705
0
1,536

1,536

511,705

- 15 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting Policies

General information and basis of preparation :

Suffolk West CAB is a charitable company registered in England. Its address is given in the charity information on page 2. It operates Citizens Advice Bureaux for the benefit of the community in West Suffolk and surrounding areas.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)-(Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note to the accounts.

Income :

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Grants receivable: Revenue grants are credited as incoming resources when they are receivable provided that conditions for receipt have been complied with.

Voluntary income: All voluntary income which is received by way of donations, gifts and fundraising events is included as income on receipt.

Expenditure:

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is allocated between:

Expenditure incurred directly in the effort to raise voluntary contributions. Expenditure incurred in the management and administration of the charity.

Any expenditure which cannot be specifically identified as direct charitable expenditure or fundraising expenditure is included in the management and administration function of the charity.

Pensions:

Prior to auto-enrolment, employer contributions were made through a group policy with Standard Life which is no longer offered to staff. Personal contributions are not deducted from staff pay, but members make individual arrangements for direct debits with Standard Life.

Following the charity’s staging date for auto-enrolment in May 2017, NEST became our main pension provider into which staff are automatically enrolled if eligible, with employee deductions from pay.

- 16 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

Accounting Policies (Continued)

Leases:

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged against income as incurred.

Office Refurbishment and Equipment :

Expenditure on office refurbishment and equipment with a value below £1,000 is charged against revenue when incurred. Items over £1,000 are capitalised and depreciation is charged at 20% per annum straight line.

Capital Purchases :

New items of equipment over £1,000 will be capitalised and fully depreciated within the year of purchase, which is a change of policy agreed by the trustee board during 2016, allowing the bureau to spend funds from the new Capital Investment Fund when available, given the potential uncertainty of bureau funding from year to year.

Fund Accounting :

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

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular projects having regard to the nature of funding and costs associated with providing services or completion of the project. Any surpluses or deficits are transferred to nondesignated unrestricted funds or met from non-designated unrestricted funds on cessation of the service or completion of the project. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes in the Trustee’s Report on page 6.

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

2. Grants

In accordance with SORP recommendations, grants receivable before 31[st] March 2016 relating to future periods have not been treated as deferred.

Material grants received during the period, other than Local Authority revenue grants were: Restricted funds:

Restricted funds:
MS Society £17,450
Supported Advice £77,717
Nationwide £24,930
Equity in Mind £33,307

3. Donations:

Unrestricted funds: Donations received from individuals and corporate bodies amounted to £6,903.

- 17 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2022

4 Statement of Funds

General Reserve
Designated Funds
IT Project
Designated
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
FinCap
Training
MS Society
Supported Advice
Nationwide
Equity in Mind
Total Restricted Funds
Total Funds		 01.04.22
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31.03.23
261,914
422,937
-392,842
-66,311
225,698
0
0
0
0
109,562
30,438
140,000
371,476
422,937
-392,842
-35,873
365,698
3,457
25,938
-22,730
6,665
1,980
0
0
1,980
0
17,450
-14,829
-2,621
0
0
77,717
-108,291
30,574
0
0
24,930
-32,995
8,065
0
0
33,307
-33,612
-145
0
5,437
179,341
-212,006
35,873
8,645
376,913
602,278
-604,848
0
374,343

- 18 -

Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2023

5 Bureau Operating Costs

Salaries, NIC and pensions
Staff and volunteer
Office costs
Premises costs
Other		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
275,064
159,074
434,138
5,935
91
6,026
46,344
23,067
69,411
59,113
28,484
87,597
49
23
72
386,504
210,739
597,244		 2022
446,771
9,069
64,482
100,453
96
620,872

6 Management and Admin

Fundraising and publicity
Insurance
Annual General Meeting
Meetings
Travel
Secretarial salary
Governance
Examiners remuneration
Sundry		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
0
0
400
400
196
196
0
0
0
0
3,350
3,350
2,392
1,267
3,658
0
0
0
0
6,337
1,267
7,604		 2022
0
400
353
0
0
3,350
103
2,568
0
6,774

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Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

7 For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Restricted Funds Movement
2023
£
Donation received
Local government grants
Other grants and income
179,341
Total Incoming Resources
179,341
Bureau operating costs
-210,739
Management and admin
-1,267
Total Resources Expended
-212,006
Net (outgoing) resources before
transfers
-32,665
Transfers between funds
35,873
Opening balance at 1 April 2022
5,437
Balance at 31st March 2023
8,645		 For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Restricted Funds Movement
2023
£
Donation received
Local government grants
Other grants and income
179,341
Total Incoming Resources
179,341
Bureau operating costs
-210,739
Management and admin
-1,267
Total Resources Expended
-212,006
Net (outgoing) resources before
transfers
-32,665
Transfers between funds
35,873
Opening balance at 1 April 2022
5,437
Balance at 31st March 2023
8,645
179,341
-210,739
-1,267
-212,006
-32,665
35,873
5,437
8,645

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Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2023

8
9
10		 Lease Deposit, Debtors and Prepaid Expenses
Trade debtors
Prepaid expenses
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand
Creditors
Trade creditors
Taxation and Social Security
Accruals and deferred income		 2023
6,209
2,210
8,418
517,369
45
517,414
7,771
7,462
136,258
151,491		 2022
8,825
686
9,511
511,660
45
511,705
4,416
6,717
133,170
144,303

11 Capital Commitments

The Charity had no capital commitments at 31 March 2023, (31 March 2022, £Nil).

12 Trustees' Expenses and Remuneration

Trustees are invited to submit claims for travelling and incidental costs associated with attendance at Board meetings, training and other meetings attended on the Charity's business. Claims were made during the year and payments to Trustees amounted to £283, (2022, £90).

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Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2023

13 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities		 Restricted
0
8,645
8,645		 Designated
140,000
140,000		 General
0
377,187
-151,491
225,696		 Total
0
525,832
-151,491
374,343

14 Employees

The average number of employees during the year was 25 (2022, 26) and the total emoluments for the year amounted to;

Gross Pay
Employer's NIC
Employer's contribution to
pensions
Less EA		 2023
402,842
28,329
431,171
11,318
442,489
-5000
437,488		 2022
411,313
27,443
438,756
11,365
450,121
450,121

The emoluments were shown in the notes to the accounts as follows;

Bureau operation cost (Note 5)
Management and Administration
Secretarial
salary		 434,138
3,350
437,488		 446,771
3,350
450,121

The pension scheme is a defined contribution scheme.

No staff received remuneration at or above £60,000.

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Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau Company Number 7645392 Charity Number 1144118 Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the Year Ended 31 March 2023

15 Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost
As at 1 April 2022
Additions
Disposals
As at 31 March 2023
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
Disposals
As at 31 March 2023
Net Book Value
As at 1 April 2022
As at 31 March 2023		 Office and
Computer
Equipment
79,091
0
79,091
79,091
0
79,091
0
0		 Total
79,091
0
0
79,091
79,091
0
79,091
0
0

16 Control of the Charity

The Charity is controlled by the Board of Trustees.

Reconciliation of net income/expenditure to net cash flow from operating 17 activities

2023
£
Net income for the year
-2,570
Interest received
-3,387
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
0
Increase/decrease in debtors
1,093
Increase/decrease in creditors
7,188
Net cash flow from operating activities
2,324		 2022
£
58,245
-1,536
2,297
2,708
55,821
117,535

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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 13 to 23.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and that an independent examination is needed. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

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.

Approved on the 19[th] October 2023 by

Stephen Cook MA FCA

David Roberton & Co

Chartered Accountants 84 Whiting Street Bury St Edmunds IP33 1NZ

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