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2021-03-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period start date Period end date Period end date
**From ** 19 12 2019 To 31 3 2021

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name ACFA: The Advice Network Other names charity is known by ACFA Registered charity number (if any) 1187070 Charity's principal address 146 Grosvenor Road Bristol Postcode BS2 8YA

ACFA: The Advice Network ACFA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee(if any)
Fran Begley
Drew Huskisson
AndyKing
PennyWalster
Steve Woodcock
Kate Thomas Appointed 13.3.2020
Mike Harris Appointed 13.3.2020

ACFA: The Advice Network

Annual report 2020-21

1

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Constitution

How the charity is constituted

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Trustee selection methods

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Under the requirements of the charity’s constitution, members of the charity or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or has been removed, or as an additional charity trustee, provided that the maximum number of 12 trustees is not exceeded.

Additional governance issues

Governing Document

ACFA: The Advice Network is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It was established on 19.12.2019 under a constitution which established the objects, powers and governance of the charity.

Trustee Induction

Most trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity having been working or volunteering for a Member organisation. They therefore possess some familiarity with the advice sector locally and nationally. Additionally, all new trustees will be provided with a copy of the constitution of the CIO, a strategic plan and previous minutes of trustee meetings. All trustees are encouraged tp attend training related to the obligations and responsibilities of charity trustees.

Organisational Structure

ACFA: The Advice Network has a trustee board of up to 12 members who meet quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. Membership of the CIO is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes. Usually, membership is sought by advice giving agencies working in Bristol or the surrounding local authority areas. There are two categories of membership: Full membership is for non-statutory, not for profit organisations who provide free social welfare advice and information – for example, advice centres, law centres and Citizens Advice services. Full members receive all member benefits and have the right to vote on ACFA business or policy, such as at ACFA meetings and at our AGM. Affiliate membership is for statutory services, private companies, educational establishments, housing associations who provide free social welfare advice and information. For example, local authority services, private practice, university student advice and housing association advice services. Affiliate members receive all member benefits but do not have the right to vote on ACFA business or policy, such as at ACFA meetings and at our AGM.

Risk Management

The Trustee Board has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significant external risks to sustainability have led to the development of a strategic plan that considers options for development and diversification. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of transactions and projects.

ACFA: The Advice Network

Annual report 2020-21

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Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in its
governing document
Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)		 The charities purpose is set out in the objects of the organisations
constitution:
The promotion of the voluntary advice service sector in Bristol and the
surrounding areas for the public benefit by: -

Supporting advice service organisations;

Encouraging closer working relationship amongst all advice
providing organisations;

Sharing information with members and providing training on a
range of issues including technical updates and wider social
policy issues;

Representing the advice sector in Bristol to external bodies and in
both local and national issues.
The focus of our work
ACFA is not just for specialist organisations that provide advice to the
public on social welfare law issues; it is for all voluntary sector and
community organisations that provide advice, information and/or support.
We are keen to ensure that organisations work together effectively to
ensure people get the help they need, when they need it.
Our mission is to work in partnership to combat poverty and promote
social justice by improving the quality & provision of free, Independent
advice.
ACFA supports advice agencies based in and around Bristol who provide
free, independent and confidential advice services. Individually and
collectively, ACFA members will be more effective and efficient in order
to provide great advice services
Activities
ACFA has five key priorities that have guided its activity throughout the
year:
One: Voice
We represent and express the collective views and opinions of the advice
sector on matters that are important to them and promote the advice
sector to a wide audience.
Two: Sustainability
We work towards ensuring that the advice sector and ACFA enjoy a
sustainable future.
Three: Partnership
We encourage and facilitate a collaborative and strategic approach to the
funding and delivery of advice services and provide a platform for sharing
best practice, exchanging information, knowledge and experience.
Four: Evidence
We facilitate the collating of evidence which illustrates the impact advice
has on the communities we serve and the social policy issues the sector
has identified through its work.
Five: Support
We provide resources and services that help member agencies deliver
high quality advice services, and enable sector wide support for common
goals.

ACFA: The Advice Network

Annual report 2020-21

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Main Achievements

Much of the year has been affected by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. We worked with members to map how services were adapting to the new environment. This began by collecting, collating and sharing information about changes to services members were providing. This included reductions of face-to-face services and the move towards phone and digital advice services as well as the closing of offices and staff working remotely. By sharing this information we were able to help coordinate services at an early stage of the pandemic.

ACFA also established a Communications Project. Its aim was to coordinate a joint marketing campaign to promote the changes to advice services due to the pandemic and advertise their availability to the general public. The project worked with members to deliver communications relevant to the geographical areas in which they work and targeted towards demographic profiles. This included the use of door-to-door leaflet distribution to target those who were isolated and did not have access to the internet. Local community media was also used to promote services to those most in need. The project was able to pull together a key resource for members including a database of media contacts, resources, materials, designs.

ACFA’s training program was already ongoing as lockdown was imposed in March 2020. We were able to adapt quickly and moved towards delivering training sessions virtually using Zoom. This enabled members to continue to access quality training on welfare benefits issues, which was even more necessary given the impact of Covid-19. We continued to deliver a range of training opportunities throughout the year.

Member meetings continued to be held approximately every month. Due to Covid-19 these were quickly adapted and held on a virtual basis over the year. These enabled members to share how the pandemic had affected their organisations, the limitations of services offered and the sharing of potential solutions.

ACFA: The Advice Network

Annual report 2020-21

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Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the

charity’s policy on reserves

Details of any funds materially in deficit

The trustee board has examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 6 and 12 months of the expenditure. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and the trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in income.

Not applicable

Further financial review details

Sources of funds

ACFA’s income is predominantly self-generated via membership and training fees.

Investment Policy

The charity has maintained a prudent amount in its reserves each year and have previously not invested surplus cash. Trustees are currently reviewing whether there are any suitable opportunities for investment of cash balances held.

Public Benefit

The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the organisation should undertake and confirm that all the organisation’s activities are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit.

ACFA: The Advice Network

Annual report 2020-21

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Section F Other optional information

Plans for Future Periods

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Steve Woodcock Kate Thomas Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 28.1.2022

ACFA: The Advice Network

Annual report 2020-21

6

Charity Name No (if any) ACFA: The Advice Network 1187070 Receipts and payments accounts For the period Period start date Period end date To from 20/12/2019 31/03/2021

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £
13
4,930
150
6,910
2,200
5
14,207
-
14,207		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
to the nearest £
13
4,930
150
6,910
2,200
5
14,207
-
14,207		 Last year
to the nearest £
Savings interest 13 -
Quartet CommunityFoundation Grant 4,930 -
EasyFundraising 150 -
TrainingIncome 6,910 -
MembershipFees 2,200 -
Test Payments 5 -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 14,207 -
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
-
PolicyLibraryupdates 1,500 - - 1,500 -
Payment Processingcharges 130 - - 130 -
Website Design & Maintenance 3,144 - - 3,144 -
Software(Zoom) 264 - - 264 -
TrainingExpenses 3,679 - - 3,679 -
Publicity 900 - - 900 -
Communications Project 4,710 - - 4,710 -
- - - -
- - - - -
**Sub total ** 14,327 - - 14,327 -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
-
-
**Sub total ** - -
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
-
- 119 -
- -
15,766 -
15,647 -

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

31/01/2022

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Current Account balance
Savings Accouint balance		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Current Account balance
Savings Accouint balance		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
3,783
11,864
-
15,647
OK
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
3,783
11,864
-
15,647
OK
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cost (optional)		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Details Fund to which
asset belongs		 Cost (optional) Current value
(optional)
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Details Fund to which
liability relates		 Amount due
(optional)		 When due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Signature Print Name
Katharine Thomas
Stephen Woodcock
Date of
approval
Katharine Thomas 28.1.2022
Stephen Woodcock 28.1.2022

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

31/01/2022

2