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2021-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 08434853 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1151555

Report of the Trustees and

Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2021

for

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Cheney & Co Statutory Auditor 310 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EP

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Report of the Independent Auditors 6 to 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Statement of Financial Position 10
Statement of Cash Flows 11
Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 13 to 26

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The charity's objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in the local authority area of Central and East Northamptonshire by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress. The purpose of the organisation is to ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively, and equally to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services both locally and nationally.

Significant activities

As well as its core general help advice service, the charity continues to provide a number of specialist case work services. Details of these services can be found in the "Movement in Funds" note in the Financial Statements.

Public benefit

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice has made reference to the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing its aims and objectives and planning its future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set for the organisation, thus ensuring public benefit continues to be delivered.

Volunteers

The charity makes significant investment in volunteers and volunteering with 32 volunteers working for the charity during the year, with the majority of these being in the core advice service, representing a total in excess of 16,000 hours of service provision. If monetised and assuming payment at the same rate as our paid advisers, and taking into account those volunteers who started or left part way through the year, the value of this volunteering commitment equates to some £198,744 per annum.

The Trustees are immensely grateful for the commitment of the volunteers and for their ongoing dedication to delivering the general help advice service. Their contribution to the well-being of the local population is outstanding.

Throughout the year, through changing lockdowns and levels of restriction, they continued to provide a high level of service to clients from their homes.Some volunteers also provided administrative support for projects and the general advice service.

Page 1

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2021

STRATEGIC REPORT Achievement and performance

Charitable activities

The principal activity of the charity continues to be the provision of a free, impartial service of information, guidance and support, and to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services both locally and nationally. The charity's public and campaign work covers a huge range of issues including consumer, debt, housing, benefits, immigration, employment, legal matters and health. Locally and nationally the charity works with policymakers, regulators, MPs, Local Government and service providers.

The charity has continued to expand and diversify its services and seen its overall income decrease by 6% in the year under review. Funding from traditional sources, in particular from the local Council Authorities, Northampton and Wellingborough, has reduced over recent years. To counter this, the charity now possesses a diverse portfolio of income to undertake special projects that have ensured that a greater range of services is available to clients and that it is also more able to seek out beneficiaries to whom to deliver prescribed services and activities. Notable funding sources either acquired or retained over the year include the Legal Aid Agency, Macmillan, Pension Wise, Universal Support: Help to Claim, University of Northampton Nationwide Community Grant Fund, The Access to Justice Foundation and the district or borough councils of Northampton and Wellingborough Other funding sources were from the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Re:Store Northampton, and some energy projects : Energy Advice Programme, and Best Energy Savings Network.

In describing its activities, the charity takes great care in ensuring that both the number of beneficiaries it supports and the way in which they have been helped are accurately measured. Its main tool for measuring its work is Casebook, a database system provided through its membership of Citizens Advice. In recording clients and activities it is, therefore, constrained by the protocols that underpin a national scheme - this assures consistency across the network of local Citizens Advice and enables local data to be aggregated across the network on a regional or national level. Based on this reporting discipline the charity provided information, advice or casework services to 7,953 unique, documented clients during the year under review, covering a total of 23,792 issues. Such a measure does not include the many other people using services informally which the charity estimates to be an additional 2,170 individuals, nor does it include visitors accessing information on our website or engaging with our staff and volunteers at public events or training sessions. Processes for recording activity are subject to a range of assurance processes which give trustees, funders and partners confidence in these reports.We deliver advice to the Advice Quality Standard and specialist advice to the Specialist Quality Mark.

As a result of advice and assistance given to our clients, they have benefitted from financial entitlements totalling over £5.9 million during the year (2020:£3.5 million), as well as other amounts for debts written off, reimbursements and repayments rescheduled.

External challenges

Although CENCA did not receive funds from Northamptonshire County Council, our core advice services were funded during the year by the borough councils of Northampton and Wellingborough. The reorganisation by the national Government of local Government in Northamptonshire from a county, district and borough council structure to two unitary authorities will affect the way grants and/or contracts are awarded locally. The start date for the unitary authorities was postponed from 2020 to 2021, and the elections to the authorities took place in May 2021. This realignment has caused some uncertainty in what is to happen to support for the voluntary sector in Northamptonshire, although some council grants have been confirmed to continue into the following years. Discussions on how the unitary authorities will operate are ongoing.

Brexit has caused some investors and funders to reconsider their ability to fund new projects and to continue to support existing ones. This has meant that there is a competitive regime for bidding for new monies. Uncertainties created by the Coronavirus pandemic also meant that funding was difficult throughout the year: although some charitable organisations made funds available to cope with the pandemic, many established funding organisations changed their programmes to short term grants which has impacted on sustainability of projects across the sector. The Trustees have maintained a vigilance to ensure that advantage was taken when opportunities arose.

Fundraising activities

Contracts were extended or expanded with Universal Credit: Help to Claim, Pension Wise, Macmillan, University of Northampton, and a number of other funders supporting, for example, energy advice provision. Together with the continuation of other existing contractual arrangements, the organisation's income remained over £1 million for the year.

Financial review

Financial position and performance

In the reporting period the charity generated an operating surplus of £7,200 (2019-20: deficit £1,374) from a total income of £1,029,674 (2019-20: £1,100,389) and expenditure of £1,022,474 (2019-20: £1,101,763). At the year end the charity held funds of £234,351 of which £224,256 were unrestricted and £10,095 were restricted.

Page 2

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2021

STRATEGIC REPORT

Financial review

Principal funding sources

Principal unrestricted funding sources included Northampton Borough Council £61,100 (2019-20: £75,100) and the Borough Council of Wellingborough £50,366 (2019-20: £40,366). These are the charity's traditional funding sources, now constituting only 10% of overall income. Remaining income is derived from a range of restricted and unrestricted funding sources, the largest of which during the period under review was provided by Universal Credit: Help to Claim - for supporting clients to access Universal Credit - and Pension Wise, for supporting the charity to provide the government's pension guidance service.

Investment policy and objectives

The charity does not hold material investments, other than cash investments held on deposit with the Co-Operative Bank and the charity's other bankers. As required in its Memorandum, in furtherance of its objects, and for no other purpose, the Charity has the power to invest the monies of the Charity not immediately required for its purposes into or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions and such consents as may for the time being be imposed or required by law.

Reserves policy

The trustees' policy is to hold a contingency of reserves (i.e. unrestricted funds less unrestricted fixed assets), representing the figure the trustees consider would be needed for the organisation to continue in the event of a major loss of funding. As a result of the restructuring during 2018, a revised policy was adopted, requiring a minimum holding of £150,000 of unrestricted reserves. The actual amount of accumulated fund held at 31.03.2021 was £234,351, and the trustees are committed to keeping this policy and its application under review.

Going concern

The Trustees have reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

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. The main risk that the charity is subject to is that of significant cuts in funding, and the reserves policy is set in order to ensure operations are able to be maintained in the event of such a cut. The organisation has public, employer and professional indemnity insurance to protect it in case of a claim. Risks are reviewed at 6 to 8 weekly Finance and Risk Subcommittee meetings.

Future plans

The Charity was formed to facilitate a merger of two previously independent charities. Whilst growth has been a feature of recent years, there have been restructuring costs and the current year saw more of a plateau for resources and meant that the charity has spent time consolidating its position. The Trustees hope to return to growth but the prospect in a continuing pandemic remains uncertain. The Charity holds a reasonable number of funding sources, many of which it would reasonably expect to retain but in other cases they are known to be time-limited. Whilst the acquisition of new funding streams has continued it is not guaranteed and so the Charity's future plans necessarily include taking those steps to ensure resilience should total income decrease.

Our future plans will include income generation opportunities and the continued use of volunteers, with more consistent support provided and expectations placed on them across all parts of the Charity. Otherwise, the Charity will continue to provide the services required and seek to expand into additional areas of support now being required of the voluntary sector.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Charity is a Company Limited by Guarantee, having no share capital. It is also a registered charity. Trustees and managers operate under a deed of trust, and Memorandum and Articles of Association as defined by Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees, who are also Directors of the Company, are elected from the local community and must either reside or work in Northamptonshire. There is a formal recruitment and interview process managed by the Chair, supported by the Chief Officer, and a formal election process for Board appointments. A separate process agreed by the Trustee Board is followed for election of the Chair. No other persons or bodies external to the Charity are entitled to appoint persons to the Trustee Board.

Page 3

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Organisational structure

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice is governed by its Trustee Board which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the organisation and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal contractual obligations. Trustees meet as a minimum quarterly and delegate the day-to-day operation to the Chief Officer Mary Clarke.

Induction and training of new trustees

Trustees are interviewed following an open recruitment process, and according to the identified skills profiles required by the organisation. Upon election or appointment new Trustees are subject to a formal process of induction.

Wider network

The charity is part of the network of Citizens Advice across England and Wales. Each charity is a separate legal entity. Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice is a member of Citizens Advice, the national membership body, which sets standards for the quality of advice and provides training, information systems and support to member organisations. Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice also delivers projects and services in partnership with other local and national voluntary sector organisations and agencies for the benefit of service users.

Related parties

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2021.

Remuneration of Key Personnel

Trustees have approved salary levels for the charity's key management . Key management personnel salary levels are set, based on a comparison against other, similar charities as well as consideration of levels of responsibility, number of direct reports and experience and qualifications.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

08434853 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1151555

Registered office

7-8 Mercers Row Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 2QL

Trustees

Susan B Hills Director Carrick Ferguson Director (resigned 14.7.2020) Ann Emmanuel Director (resigned 5.8.2021) Ulric Gravesende Director Sharon Stringer Director Diana Belfon Director Dinesh Kotecha Director Richard Poole Director Damian Pickard (appointed 6.5.2021)

Auditors

Paul Antony Sparks ACA FCCA Chartered Accountant & Chartered Certified Accountant Cheney & Co Statutory Auditor 310 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EP

Page 4

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2021

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Bankers

Co-Operative Bank Business Direct PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping 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. They 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.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

AUDITORS

The auditors, Cheney & Co, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 15th December 2021 and signed on the board's behalf by:

Susan B Hills - Trustee

Page 5

Report of the Independent Auditors to the Members of Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31st March 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' 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 Standard, 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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 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 information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Page 6

Report of the Independent Auditors to the Members of Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, 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 statements, 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.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 a Report of the Independent Auditors 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. Misstatements 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charity as well as the sectors in which it operates. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: the Companies Act 2006, UK taxation laws, UK GAAP and Charities Act 2006.

We obtained an understanding of how the charity is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by making inquiries of management.

We have selected a performance materiality applicable to the audit of £13,500. A substantive approach to the testing of transactions and year end balances has been adopted because of the involvement of only a very small number of people in authorising transactions and recording them which is common in charities of this size. The substantive approach, together with initial and final analytical reviews which highlight significant areas for further audit investigation, is believed to give the highest level of probability of detecting material irregularities, including fraud.

Prior to commencement of the audit, staff were briefed on the risk assessment of the susceptibility the charity`s financial statements have to material misstatement, including how fraud could occur.

At the completion stage of the audit the results of audit tests were re-examined to ensure that they were consistent with our knowledge of the client and did not warrant further investigation of transactions and balances.

We have assessed the susceptibility of the financial statements of the charity to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed for the charity's accounts included

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Page 7

Report of the Independent Auditors to the Members of Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Paul Sparks FCCA FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Cheney & Co Statutory Auditor 310 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EP

15th December 2021

Page 8

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31st March 2021

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
4
Access and casework
Utilities and Education
Investment income
3
Other income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
5
Access and casework
Utilities and Education
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
14
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 2021
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
176
-
176
199,434
328,021
527,455
-
496,043
496,043
5
-
5
5,995
-
5,995
205,610
824,064
1,029,674
183,801
353,111
536,912
-
485,562
485,562
183,801
838,673
1,022,474
21,809
(14,609)
7,200
(24,704)
24,704
-
(2,895)
10,095
7,200
227,151
-
227,151
224,256
10,095
234,351		 2020
Total
funds
£
13,520
502,388
571,863
231
12,387
1,100,389
571,859
529,904
1,101,763
(1,374)
-
(1,374)
228,525
227,151

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau (Registered number: 08434853)

Statement of Financial Position 31st March 2021

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
Notes
£
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
10
9,865
-
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
11
63,146
-
Cash at bank and in hand
205,691
10,095
268,837
10,095
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
12
(54,446)
-
NET CURRENT ASSETS
214,391
10,095
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
224,256
10,095
NET ASSETS
224,256
10,095
FUNDS
14
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2021
Total
funds
£
9,865
63,146
215,786
278,932
(54,446)
224,486
234,351
234,351
224,256
10,095
234,351		 2020
Total
funds
£
11,482
100,698
153,222
253,920
(38,251)
215,669
227,151
227,151
227,151
-
227,151

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 15th December 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

Susan B Hills - Trustee

Damian Pickard - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 10

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31st March 2021

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period		 2021
£
67,059
67,059
(4,500)
5
(4,495)
62,564
153,222
215,786		 2020
£
(2,827)
(2,827)
-
231
231
(2,596)
155,818
153,222

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 11

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31st March 2021

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
2021 2020
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the Statement
of Financial Activities) 7,200 (1,374)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 6,117 6,789
Interest received (5) (231)
Decrease in debtors 37,553 116,233
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 16,194 (124,244)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operations 67,059 (2,827)
2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
At 1.4.20 Cash flow At 31.3.21
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand 153,222 62,564 215,786
153,222 62,564 215,786
Total 153,222 62,564 215,786

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 12

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

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.

The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).

The principal activity of the charity in the year was 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 Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.The charity does not carry out any fund raising activities.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the Charity's accounting policies , which are described in note 1, management is required to make judgements , estimates and underlying assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily separated from other sources The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Leasehold improvements - in accordance with the property Computer equipment - 33% on cost

The directors have set a materiality level of £2,500 per individual item under which no purchase will be capitalised.

Taxation

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

Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are either:

Page 13

continued...

Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the year ended 31st March 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

Further explanations of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Company status

The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are individuals and organisations who are interested in furthering the work of the Bureau and include the trustees named on page 4. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Risk Assessment

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. The Charity does not believe it is subject to any substantial risk beyond the liabilities disclosed in its Annual Report and Accounts.

The organisation has public, employer and professional indemnity insurance to protect it in case of a claim.

Reserves and investment policies

The current reserve policy is to maintain sufficient cash flow for known commitments and replacement of certain assets. Most of the charity's income is by way of grants/fees received at various times in the year. The charity does not hold material investments, other than cash investments held on deposit with the bank.

Operating leases and hire purchase agreements

The charity classifies the lease of property , printing and telecommunications equipment as operating leases, the title to the property and equipment remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Going concern

The Trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the Charity`s ability to continue as a going concern. Their review of the financial position , reserves levels and future plans give the Trustees confidence that the charity shall remain a going concern for a period of at least twelve months following approval of these financial statements.

Debtors and creditors receivable or payable within one year

Debtors and creditors that are receivable or payable within one year are recorded at the transaction price.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts that are available on demand.

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

2.
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Donations
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
4.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
General Fund
Access and casework
Access to Justice Foundation
Access and casework
Nationwide Community Grant
Fund
Access and casework
University Northampton
Access and casework
Macmillan Cancer Research
Access and casework
Legal Aid Agency
Access and casework
Help through Crisis
Access and casework
Help to claim
Access and casework
MS Society
Access and casework
Energy Best Deals inc Extra
Utilities and Education
Building Better Opportunities
Utilities and Education
Pension Wise
Utilities and Education
Best Energy Saving Network
inc Champion
Utilities and Education
Smart Energy
Utilities and Education
Energy Advice Programme
Utilities and Education		 2021
£
176
2021
£
5
2021
£
99,634
43,100
37,451
13,416
39,668
-
8,142
280,211
5,833
-
-
455,088
25,475
-
15,480
1,023,498		 2020
£
13,520
2020
£
231
2020
£
139,959
-
-
14,584
48,644
10,415
9,075
269,711
10,000
15,566
6,142
480,486
25,475
23,829
20,365		 2020
£
13,520
1,074,251

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE

2021 2020
Total
Access & Utilities & Total
Casework Education
Direct Costs 499,370
41,588
16,801
6,042
252,057
815,858
94,471
10,187
63,352
,89,319
27,031
1,545
285,905
1,101,763
Salaries and wages 300,351 183,593 483,944
Staff and volunteers 10,652 5,564 16,216
Office costs 18,535 5,143 23,678
Governance costs (720) 3,388 2,668
Other costs 288 213,340 213,628
329,106 411,028 740,134
Support Costs
Salaries and wages 72,604 24,813 97,417
Staff and volunteers 1,680 1,229 2,909
Office costs 51,084 16,286 67,370
Premises costs 60,109 24,274 84,383
Governance costs 21,545 7,700 29,245
Other costs 784 232 1.016
207,806 74,534 282,340
Total expenditure on charitable activities 536,912 485,562 1,022,474

6. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net resources are stated after charging/(crediting):

2021 2020
£ £
Auditors' remuneration 6,000 6,000
Depreciation - owned assets 6,117 6,789
Operating leases- land and buildings 49,283 72,673
Operating leases - other 8,786 8,786

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

During the year no remuneration for services as a trustee have been paid by the charity to any trustee or to any person known to be connected with them.

Trustees' expenses

During the year and in 2020 , no trustees were paid expenses .

8. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Advice workers and support staff
Key management personnel
Volunteers		 2021
£
581,362
581,362
2021
27
3
10
40		 2020
£
593,842
593,842
2020
28
3
10
41

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

Employment Costs

2021 2020
Total Total
£ £
Wages and salaries 528,360 537,098
Social security costs 36,517 39,070
Employer pension costs 16,485 17,674
581,362 593,842

Key management personnel who served throughout the year were M Clarke (Chief Officer) and D Crofts.

Other key personnel who served in the year were C Cooke - Chambers who resigned on 7th May 2020 and J Tessendorf and D Atwere who commenced on 1st November 2020 and 1st January 2021.

The key management personnel remuneration and benefits in the year totalled £104,420 (2020 - £111,784)

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

9.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
funds
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
13,520
Charitable activities
Access and casework
174,958
Utilities and Education
23,829
Investment income
231
Other income
12,387
Total
224,925
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Access and casework
237,846
Utilities and Education
23,770
Total
261,616
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(36,691)
Transfers between funds
59,414
Net movement in funds
22,723
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
204,428
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
227,151		 Restricted
funds
£
-
327,430
548,034
-
-
875,464
334,013
506,134
840,147
35,317
(59,414)
(24,097)
24,097
-		 Total
funds
£
13,520
502,388
571,863
231
12,387
1,100,389
571,859
529,904
1,101,763
(1,374)
-
(1,374)
228,525
227,151

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

10. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Leasehold
improvements
£
COST
At 1st April 2020
51,676
Additions
-
At 31st March 2021
51,676
DEPRECIATION
At 1st April 2020
40,194
Charge for year
5,742
At 31st March 2021
45,936
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st March 2021
5,740
At 31st March 2020
11,482
11.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade debtors
Other debtors
VAT
Prepayments and accrued income
12.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Fixtures
and
Computer
fittings
equipment
Totals
£
£
£
8,658
17,074
77,408
-
4,500
4,500
8,658
21,574
81,908
8,658
17,074
65,926
-
375
6,117
8,658
17,449
72,043
-
4,125
9,865
-
-
11,482
2021
2020
£
£
7,091
30,325
3,326
3,065
-
2,398
52,729
64,910
63,146
100,698
2021
2020
£
£
4,273
9,297
12,290
10,570
899
1,233
36,984
17,151
54,446
38,251		 Totals
£
77,408
4,500
81,908
65,926
6,117
72,043
9,865
11,482
2020
£
30,325
3,065
2,398
64,910
2020
£
9,297
10,570
1,233
17,151
38,251

Deferred income represents grants received in respect of services which will be delivered in a future period. The balance at 31st March 2021 totals £12,484 (2020 - £4,896) .

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

13. LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

Within one year
Between one and five years		 2021
£
36,763
18,462
55,225		 2020
£
42,763
55,225
97,988

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Legal Aid Agency
University of Northampton
MS Society
Access to Justice Foundation
Nationwide Community Grant Fund
Restricted funds
Macmillan
Pension Wise
Help through Crisis
Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion
Help to Claim
Energy Advice Programme
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.4.20
£
227,151
-
-
-
-
-
227,151
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
227,151		 Net
movement
in funds
£
14,589
(5,746)
2,918
771
(713)
9,990
21,809
(15,019)
10,095
(8,766)
690
(1,305)
(304)
(14,609)
7,200		 Transfers
between
funds
£
(27,474)
5,746
(2,918)
(771)
713
-
(24,704)
15,019
-
8,766
(690)
1,305
304
24,704
-		 At
31.3.21
£
214,266
-
-
-
-
9,990
224,256
-
10,095
-
-
-
-
10,095
234,351

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General funds
Legal Aid Agency
University of Northampton
MS Society
Access to Justice Foundation
Nationwide Community Grant Fund
Restricted funds
Macmillan
Pension Wise
Help through Crisis
Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion
Help to Claim
Energy Advice Programme
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
105,810
-
13,416
5,833
43,100
37,451
205,610
39,668
455,088
8,142
25,475
280,211
15,480
824,064
1,029,674		 Resources
expended
£
(91,221)
(5,746)
(10,498)
(5,062)
(43,813)
(27,461)
(183,801)
(54,687)
(444,993)
(16,908)
(24,785)
(281,516)
(15,784)
(838,673)
(1,022,474)		 Movement
in funds
£
14,589
(5,746)
2,918
771
(713)
9,990
21,809
(15,019)
10,095
(8,766)
690
(1,305)
(304)
(14,609)
7,200

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General funds
Legal Aid Agency
Anglian Water
University of Northampton
Smart Energy
MS Society
Restricted funds
Macmillan
Pension Wise
Energy Best Deal inc. Extra & Champion
Orbit Housing
Help through Crisis
Power Up
Build Better Opportunities
Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion
Help to Claim
Energy Advice Programme
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.4.19
£
204,428
-
-
-
-
-
204,428
-
-
-
24,097
-
-
-
-
-
-
24,097
228,525		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(15,724)
(27,503)
(3,183)
7,636
59
2,024
(36,691)
(6,533)
(4)
13,137
-
1,381
(912)
3,482
25,347
(519)
(62)
35,317
(1,374)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
38,447
27,503
3,183
(7,636)
(59)
(2,024)
59,414
6,533
4
(13,137)
(24,097)
(1,381)
912
(3,482)
(25,347)
519
62
(59,414)
-		 At
31.3.20
£
227,151
-
-
-
-
-
227,151
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
227,151

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General funds
Legal Aid Agency
Anglian Water
University of Northampton
Smart Energy
MS Society
Restricted funds
Macmillan
Pension Wise
Energy Best Deal inc. Extra & Champion
Help through Crisis
Power Up
Build Better Opportunities
Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion
Help to Claim
Energy Advice Programme
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
166,097
10,415
-
14,584
23,829
10,000
224,925
48,644
480,486
15,566
9,075
-
6,142
25,475
269,711
20,365
875,464
1,100,389		 Resources
expended
£
(181,821)
(37,918)
(3,183)
(6,948)
(23,770)
(7,976)
(261,616)
(55,177)
(480,490)
(2,429)
(7,694)
(912)
(2,660)
(128)
(270,230)
(20,427)
(840,147)
(1,101,763)		 Movement
in funds
£
(15,724)
(27,503)
(3,183)
7,636
59
2,024
(36,691)
(6,533)
(4)
13,137
1,381
(912)
3,482
25,347
(519)
(62)
35,317
(1,374)

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General funds
Legal Aid Agency
Anglian Water
University of Northampton
Smart Energy
MS Society
Access to Justice Foundation
Nationwide Community Grant Fund
Restricted funds
Macmillan
Pension Wise
Energy Best Deal inc. Extra & Champion
Orbit Housing
Help through Crisis
Power Up
Build Better Opportunities
Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion
Help to Claim
Energy Advice Programme
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.4.19
£
204,428
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
204,428
-
-
-
24,097
-
-
-
-
-
-
24,097
228,525		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(1,135)
(33,249)
(3,183)
10,554
59
2,795
(713)
9,990
(14,882)
(21,552)
10,091
13,137
-
(7,385)
(912)
3,482
26,037
(1,824)
(366)
20,708
5,826		 Transfers
between
funds
£
10,973
33,249
3,183
(10,554)
(59)
(2,795)
713
-
34,710
21,552
4
(13,137)
(24,097)
7,385
912
(3,482)
(26,037)
1,824
366
(34,710)
-		 At
31.3.21
£
214,266
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,990
224,256
-
10,095
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,095
234,351

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General funds 271,907 (273,042) (1,135)
Legal Aid Agency 10,415 (43,664) (33,249)
Anglian Water - (3,183) (3,183)
University of Northampton 28,000 (17,446) 10,554
Smart Energy 23,829 (23,770) 59
MS Society 15,833 (13,038) 2,795
Access to Justice Foundation 43,100 (43,813) (713)
Nationwide Community Grant Fund 37,451 (27,461) 9,990
430,535 (445,417) (14,882)
Restricted funds
Macmillan 88,312 (109,864) (21,552)
Pension Wise 935,574 (925,483) 10,091
Energy Best Deal inc. Extra & Champion 15,566 (2,429) 13,137
Help through Crisis 17,217 (24,602) (7,385)
Power Up - (912) (912)
Build Better Opportunities 6,142 (2,660) 3,482
Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion 50,950 (24,913) 26,037
Help to Claim 549,922 (551,746) (1,824)
Energy Advice Programme 35,845 (36,211) (366)
1,699,528 (1,678,820) 20,708
TOTAL FUNDS 2,130,063 (2,124,237) 5,826

Restricted Funds Details

Macmillan

Funding for the provision of financial wellbeing support and benefits advice to people affected by cancer.

Pension Wise

The delivery of the government`s Pension Wise guidance service

Help Through Crisis

Funding drawn through a partnership agreement with Restore Northampton , funded by the Big Lottery Fund to support people in financial crisis.

Best Energy Saving Network inc Champion

Services to provide clients with saving money on energy bills.

Help to Claim

Services to provide vulnerable clients with assistance in claiming Universal Credit, recognising that approximately 1 in 5 struggle to make a claim.

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Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31st March 2021

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Energy Advice Programme

Service to provide and support the provision of energy advice.

15. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

There were no contingent liabilities as at 31st March 2021 or 31st March 2020.

16. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

There were no capital commitments as at 31st March 2021 or 31st March 2020.

17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2021 or 31st March 2020

.

18. PENSIONS

There is a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge for the year was £16,485 (2020- £17,674).

19. CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND IMPACT

The impact of the pandemic was still being felt throughout the financial period. As it became clear that social restrictions would become necessary, and that these would have a significant impact upon the charity's clients, the board and management team made urgent plans to ensure clients' needs could continue to be met.

The majority of the charity's services are normally delivered face-to-face, either in the organisation's permanent offices, or in outreach locations. During March 2020, with lockdown appearing inevitable, the board and management team decided to move all client services to telephone, and staff and volunteers were supported to continue their roles from home. All office locations were closed, and remained so during the lockdown periods, although extensive project plans were put in place for safe return to office working when it is considered appropriate. Pressures arising from the pandemic caused a number of funding organisations to reduce funded activities, impacting expected resources for 2020/21, but considerable effort has been put into finding new funding targeted at assisting clients affected by the pandemic, so the scope of all services to clients has been maintained through this period.

Equipping and supporting staff and volunteers to work from home has incurred substantial additional costs, as has investment in premises to keep everyone safe on return to the offices, but through careful management these costs have largely been offset by savings in travel and other expenses, leaving no significant overall impact on expected resources.

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