HUINTINGDON AREA Associated with Community Money Advice Money Advice deijl a(jiJioe 5eiMI".e Froogltsni from dv17¢. lor rfrie fuT4Jro HUNTINGDON AREA MONEY ADVICE Trustees, Annual Re ort 2025 Report for the period 01/0112025 to 31/12/2025 Chari Name Huntingdon Area Money Advice IHAMA) UKChari Number 1152382 Chari Address 83a High St, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE29 3DP FInanC Condurt Authori Registration number 705295 Information Commissionerfs Office Registratlon number: ZA018457 Web-site htt www.huntsmone advice.co.uk Trustees and staff Trustees who hwie served in the Course of the year: _ David Busk th Chair (until 30 September 2025) Kevin Burdett Elected Il" March 2025 and Elected Chair 30 September 2025 John Leigh-Brown Richard Hough Rob Alliott Paul Moxham Nicola Harrison Monstford Keuneman th th Elected 11 March 2025 and Elected Quality Control Officer th Resigned 4 July 2025 Deputy Chair and Elected Treasurer from I. April 2025 Trustee Responsible for Safeguarding Treasurer resigned 31, March 2025 Consumer Duty Champion and Deputy Trustee Responsible for Safeguardin8 Volunteer staff: John Pickersgill Roger Hickling Q>lin Borland Grace Obed Chris Nye Centre Manager, Debt Adviser & Approved Intermediary Senior Adviser & Approved Intermediary Debt Adviser Debt Adviser Elected Adviser January 2025 initial training completed September 2025 Claire Pitcher Designated Person for Safeguardin8 Inde endent Examiner Mr Steven Sheppard ACA E-mail: heyuntna(fvt.Co.Uk.Tel.. 01480 418866 Website: Iwnt9Tr)neyadvi.(o.uk VK No. 1152382
Huntingdon Area Money Advice Trustees Annu31 Report 2025 Structure Govefflan and Ma ement HAMA 15 a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The governing document is the Constitution dated 29 May 2013. Trustees are appoilited by the existing Trustee body. HAMA works with and is supervised by the national charity Communlty Money Advice (Charity number 1111436) to provide the debt advi servi. HAMA is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Ob'ertives and Attivitie The objective of HAMA is the relief of financial hardship or poverty amongst persons in the Huntingdon area by any such means that are exclusively charitable at law, particularly but not exclusively by providing debt counselling services, advice and assistance in financial matters. Public Benefrt HAMA has demonstrated public benefit in provlding free advice to those in financial hardship or poverty in order to provide relief. Since the inception of the Charity in 2013 1156 people have been registered for our services and many have ongoing contact with our adviser5 to help them remain free of debt. Our seniices are available to all who have need of them within our local area, without any limitations of race, beliefs, gender or any other dlscrlmlnation other than need. Although a Christian oanISation, run and mainly fInand by Christians HAMA does not use protected characteristic5 as deflned in the Charity Commission guidance. We do not take advantage of the provision in Annex A of the guidance which allows those Charities whose purpose is for the relief of poverty to restrict those who may benefit. Anyone from outside of our local area would not be denied help. but where appropriate would be signposted to another similar organisation doser to them. The foundin8 Trustees had regard for the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in setting up the Charity and subsequent Trustees have not departed from that guidance in exercising their powers. Summa of Achievements in the re rtin ear We have had 126 new referrals in 2025 (135 in 2024). At the end of the year, all referred clients had been allocated to an adviser, so there was no one on a waiting list. 2025 2024 New clients approaching HAMA in year Clients from previou5 years at be£innlnE of year Total contacting or being helped durFng year 126 102 228 135 85 220 Clients whose debt help was concluded durin8 year Clients still being helped at end of year Clients on waiting list at end of year Clients terminating {usually they aSed to engage with us} in the year Referred to other debt advtce agencles Totsl 85 94 96 21 33 228 220
Huntingdon Area Money Advice Trustees Annu31 Report 2025 Our advisers helped 58 clients with DROS during 2025 {64 in 2024) , and 3 clients with b3nkruptcies 13 in 20241. The total debt cleared by insolvency for the year was £1,142,582.36 (£1,227,804 in 20241. We have put 17 clients into a Breathing Space In 2025 (7 in 2024). There were 21 Terminations in 2025 (clients who, having been referred to us, did not enngage when allocated to an adviser, or ceased to engage with the adviser). down from 33 in 2024. Our model of engagement with clients recognises that many come with multiple issues, particularly mental health issues, which mean their debt problems are just part of the spertrum of challenges they are facin8. This often requires us to have multiple appointments with clients over many month5 making slow but positive steps forward each time in helping them to mana8e their finances and regain control of their lives. We work closely with a number of other agencies who are also providing support to the client and his or her family- thus together providing a package of care and sUPPOrt to the client. As well as managing debts, this support has included helping clients obtain benefits to which they are entitled, helping them with housing-related issues, supporting them in addressing tax issues with HMRC and with helping them put together a budget to ensure their finances remain under control. A recent anonymised testlmonial Is posted on our web5itA We work with the clients to assess their assets and debts, to maximise income and minimise expenditure, and then to agree a way forward which is best for the client - Usually or>e of several repayment or insolvency options. For most of the debt solutions the adviser is able to contact the credltors and negotiate on behalf of the client Our Senior Adviser - Roger Hickling, and Centre Manager - John Pickersgill, are also 'Approved Intermediaries, which allows us to submit applications to the Insolvency Service for Debt Relief Orders for our clients. In January 2025 we had four debt advisers. A new adviser was recruited and trained in the course of the year, so we have ended the year with 5 advisers. With this small team, we have managed the workload and the waiting list is now at zero. We have continued our outre3ch work in Ramsey and have seen Ramsey-area clients either at the Foodbank or in the Library, SO that they have not had to travel to Huntin8don. Where it is necessary, advisers have travelled to visit clients in their own homes. Annual appraisals of the advisers have been conducted by the Centre Manser, who has himself been appraised by a Trustee. In 2023 the FCA introduced the Consumer Duty, which applies to the debt advice sector as well as to the creditors with whom we engage on behalf of clients. One year trom its introdurtion, we were required to produce a Consumer Duty Report to show how we had met the duties. The Trustees appointed Monty Keunem6n as Consumer Duty Champion in 2024 to lead on the writing of this this
Huntingdon Area Money Advice Trustees Annal Report 2025 report and to ensure that implementation and improvements remain on the agenda. He has completed his second report for 2025. Trustees meet every 3 months. The Trustees are mindful of the need for an awareness of Safeguarding in our work. This includes training our personnel to follow best Practice in their own conduct as well as to be aware of potenti31 issues in the lives of cli@nts who may be vulnerable adults, or in the lives of children in their family. All advisers received Level 2 Safe8uarding training in 2025 through the Eastern Baptist Association. We have a Safeguarding Team comprised of the Centre Manager, the Trustee Responsible for Safeguarding and deputy, and the Desi8nated Person for Safeguarding {DPS). The Trustees are satisfied that the one safeguarding concern raised during the year has been appropriately handled. None of the concerns raised were directed a8ainst HAMA personnel. We remain very grateful to Gerald Thulboum of Websanity for his continued technFcal support and updating of our website, www,huntsmone advice.co.uk which he constructed for us in 2018. on Reserves The Trustees seek to retain reserves equivalent to 3 months of total budgeted expenditure. Should the reserves fall below this amount the Trustees will propose a plan to restore the reserve wlthin a defined time period. At the start of the year the 2025 budget gave a reserve (3 months of expenditure) of £1,985 and at the time the unrestricted balance was £22,397. We have maintained a balance above the reserve Ilmit throughout the year, with a closing unrestrscted balance of £2,777 plus £15,(KKI In a high interest I year bond with United Trust Bank and £5500 in a lower InteSt rapid access account with the same bank. UTB is regulated by the FCA and part of the FSCS recovery of funds servlce. HAMA 15 totally reliant on donations and grants for its income and the continued availablllty of these are outside of our control. Nevertheless, the income is from a variety of sources, reducin8 the risk that all income would be lost at the same time. A reseNe of 3 months of expenditure allows the Trustees time to react if a major source of income is lost without notice but is not an excessive reserve in comparison to the level of risk. We currently hold a lot more than the reserves policy requires. This is because we have received some very generous grants in recent years, which will secure the financial needs of the service for a number of years to come. It is anticipated that the balance will fall in the coming years as these grants are used. Financial Review The Trustees are grateful to those Churches, individuals and grant-makin8 bodies who have supported us financially in 2025. Expenditure in the yeaT ha5 increased by £781 compared to prior year of which is due to an increase in the ongoing computer costs and increased training costs. There were three bankruptcies this year fully funded by HAMA.
Huntingdon Area Money Advi Trustees Annual Report 2025 We are particularly grateful to Huntingdonshire Community Church who have continued to provide us, with dedicated office accommodation and rooms for meetings with clients. Thi5 generosity 8reatly enables and enhances the service which HAMA is able to provide to our clients. The contribution we make for the use of our offices will increase by 20% in recognition of their continued 5UPPOrt and the room was decorated in 2025. Godmanchester Baptist Church have a150 provided meeting rooms for the use of HAMA, for which we are grateful. We are also very grateful for the support, financial, practical and in pra¥er, which is reiVed from various Churthes and individuals. Above all we thank, and give thanks to God for, our small team of advisers and trustees who selflessly give of their time and skills to bring help and hope to those in the grip of debL Approved by the Trustees at the meeting on 13 Jan 2026. Kevin Burdett {Chair} Rob Alliott (Treasurer)
Huntingdon Area Money Advice Trustees Annual Report 2025 Accountsfvr the Year Ended 31 2025 INCOME nrestricted Restrirted 2024 Donation - Church Donation - Personal Donation- Corporate Grant £2,355 £2,075 £4.120 £0 £0 £0 £2,355 £2,075 £4,120 EO £2.120 £0 EO £5,120 £186 Gift Aid Interest income Total £270 £35 £0 £0 £270 £35 £289 £0 £810 £8,855 £0 £W5 EXPENDITURE Unrestrirted Restrkted CMA Insolvency Fees Training Publication5 Accommodat•on / Travel Stationery & Copying Postage Telephone Computer & Web costs Memberships & Fees Insurance Room Hire Trust Folio Miscellaneous Total expenditure £1,250 £2,040 £1,491 £0 £317 £0 £1,250 £2,040 £1,491 £0 £1,200 £1,690 £535 EO £0 £0 Eo £0 £0 EO £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 E317 £628 £0 E169 £51 E325 £51 E325 £237 £896 £72 £237 £896 £72 £144 £1,549 £104 £500 £400 £0 £240 £7.159 £421 £600 £240 £0 £7.940 £421 £600 £240 £0 Balance Istjanuary Annual 5urplus/{deficit) £22,397 £915 £0 £0 £22,397 £915 £20,646 £1,751 £22,397 £233 £23B Statement of assèts Current Account Savings Accounts (UTB) Liabilities Totsl £2,777 £20.535 £0 £0 £0 £0 £2,777 £20,535 £0 £22,397 £0 £0 £23312 £0 £23312 £22,397 Signed:
Huntingdon Area Money Advice Trusiees Annual Report 2025 Robert Alliott, Treasurer
Huntingdon Area Money Advice Trustees Annual Report 2025 Notes to Accounts for the ear endin 31 December 2025 These accounts are prepared on a ReiptS and Payments basis. 2. All monetary assets of HAMA are held as follows. Mottro 8aY!k turrcrjt (0t United Tnist Bank {UTBI l year easy access bond lB I year red rate bond Imature5 24/6126) £5,535 {£35 total interest in 2025) £.000 3. HAMA has no Endowment kunds or Investments. 4. The non-cash assets of HAMA are restricted to office equipment and stock. Other than the cost of purchase, the value is not conSered in tnese accounts. S. We had no restrlcted income grants during 2025. 6. Unrestricted church donations Godmanthester Baptlst Church All Saints, Hartford £1,875 £480 7. Payments to Trustees are solely for the reimbursement of expendlture on behalf of HAMA, on prOduCtn ot a receipt. In lu25 there were no repayments to any Trustees. 8. HAMA has no employees; all the advisers are volunteers and receive justified expenses verified by the Centre Manager, whose own expenses are verified by a trustee. Expenses are only pald on production of a valid receipt.
Huntingdon Area Money A(fvice Trustees Annual Report 202S Independent examiner's report on the accounts CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Report to the trustees/ members of Huntingdon Area Money Advice n accounts Mr tne year ended JIj1212U25 Charity no (if any) 11523112 Set out on pages J4i-8 Resperti¥e responsIlItIeS oftrustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Arf) and that an independent examination is needed. I It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under sertion 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{5){b) of the Charities Att, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by examinerfs Statement the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charAty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or di5c105ures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming ary such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion f5 given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention {&theF Independent * examiner's statement l. which glves me reasonable cause to belleve that in, any material respect, the reauirements". to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. and tn Drp.oare accounts which accord with the acc,ounttne records and comt71v with the accountin8 requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pleose delete the words in the brackets If they do not opply. Sl8ned: Date= I201 Narne: Steven Sheppard Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (if any): ACA Address: sfkn& FEI9 2T Èecciofj B -Disc7osu 41iiiy i¥1 thc iner istrcd. to highlight matcrial problems. jE.& aknbGiinufi6febGrd- have not been kept In aceordance wlth s132 ofthe Charttte5' Act 2011 and those aCconts do not comply wlth the requirements of the 2008 Regulationssettingout the forn) and content ofcharityaccounty. any ial Witfiditisrt fji i1rI *iiCii appeari toèe ifi acconlantewith the tiusts ofU?e ihÈrity, any failureto be provided with infomiation and explanations byany pastor present trustee, officeroremployee; and anymaknial theaLuuntsand the tn&ees' annual reprt) fjive here brlef details of any items that the examiner wlshes to dlsclose.