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2024-03-31-accounts

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Company number: 1050006 Charity number: 265103

Cambridge House

Fighting poverty, social inequity and social injustice for 135 years

Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Contents

Trustees’ Annual Report Page
Welcome 3
The year at a glance 4
Our aims, objectives and activities 5
Achievements and performance
Overview 7
Research, influencing and thought leadership 9
Independent Advocacy services 11
Law Centre 13
Safer Renting services 15
Disabled People’s Empowerment services 16
Youth Empowerment services 18
Events after the year end 20
Operational aims and objectives 20
Achieving our priorities in 2023-24 20
Our priorities for 2024-25 20
Financial review
Overview 21
Trustees’ responsibilities 22
Going concern statement 23
Reserves policy 23
Budgeting and financial decision-making 24
Governance and management
Trustees 24
Equality, diversity and inclusion 26
Quality and impact 27
Fundraising 29
Serious incident reporting 29
Safeguarding 29
Networks and partnerships 30
Public benefit 31
Staffing and remuneration 31
Volunteering and employability 33
Risk management 33
Auditors 35
Acknowledgments 36
Charity reference and administrative information 37
Independent Auditor’s Report Page
Opinion 38
Basis for opinion 38
Conclusions relating to going concern 38
Other information 39
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies
39
Act 2006
Matters on which we are required to report by exception 39
Responsibilities of trustees 40
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial
statements 40
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities 40
Use of our report 41
Financial Statements Page
Statement of financial activities 42
Balance sheet 43
Statement of cash flows 44
Notes to the financial statements 45

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 2 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

Welcome

Addressing the needs highlighted by our communities

During 2023-24 we continued to address the severe impacts of poverty, social injustice, and social inequity in London by providing a relational, person-centred, and multiservice safety-net for some of the most excluded and ‘unheard’ people in the city.

Increasing levels of deep and persistent poverty and hardship driven by the cost-of-living crisis, escalating housing costs, low-paid and insecure employment, social isolation, and structural social inequity means the majority of our service users struggle to meet their most basic needs. The devastating impact on their physical and mental wellbeing, and their inability to escape the poverty-debt trap continues to drive our strategy and theory of change.

Thanks

Our special thanks go to:

Our team of trustees, management, staff and volunteers is very diverse in terms of lived experience and ‘protected characteristics’ - in this regard, we proudly ‘buck’ third sector trends. The insights brought by our team mean we are particularly successful at designing equity-based approaches and methods that help us to reach people who feel oppressed, ignored and pushed to the margins of society. The year’s achievements highlight our ability to create the safe, non-stigmatising, and trust-based relationships with service users needed to achieve optimal outcomes for them and their families.

We’re delighted to report that in 2023-24, we expanded the work of our Law Centre and our Safer Renting and RISE Youth Empowerment services. Crucially, we can also report that this trend continues into 2024-25.

Our financial footing is sound, and through good governance, service innovation and the strength of collaborations, we have navigated a difficult operating environment – one that is characterised by increasing competition for charitable grants and the ‘squeeze’ on public finances. We continue to respond flexibly to the increased needs of our service users.

2023-2024 highlights

We also thank our many committed supporters, partners, funders, staff, volunteers and trustees. Our success is a consequence of their dedication and hard work.

Last, but certainly not least, we say a heartfelt thank you to our service users – their experiences, tenacity, thoughts and ideas shape everything we do.

Simon Latham, Chair

Karin Woodley CBE, Chief Executive

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 3 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

The year at a glance

----- Start of picture text -----
£281,966 4,545 frontline
secured as legal service users
compensation or
redress for
service users
1,988 event,
2 research training and
knowledge
reports
exchange
published
activity
attendees
Services delivered
in 32 local
authorities
----- End of picture text -----

69p in every £1 spent on service delivery (72p in 2023)

Inflation and the cost-of-living crisis significantly increased our overhead, salaries, and fundraising costs during the year

----- Start of picture text -----
Overheads and
governance 28p
(26p in 2023)
Service delivery 69p Fundraising 4p
(72p in 2023) (2p in 2023)
----- End of picture text -----

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 4 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Our aims, objectives and activities

Vision

We have a vision of a just and equitable society without poverty.

Values

We are pioneering, collaborative, reflective and courageous.

Aims and objectives

Transforming lives

Delivery of personalised frontline ‘access to justice’ and resilience-building services in London for families and people living in areas of high deprivation who are:

Transforming society

Creating the evidence and undertaking the influencing and thought-leadership activities needed to improve social policy and practice and dismantle the structural barriers that exclude people or trap them in cycles of poverty and despair.

Our Theory of Change

----- Start of picture text -----
Personalised frontline services tackling poverty, social inequity, and social injustice
Local level and lived experience evidence collection and research to address A just and equitable
data gaps and to pilot innovative frontline interventions that improve social outcomes society without poverty
Evidenced-based policy development, thought leadership and influencing to
ensure lived experience insight and evidence drives social policy priorities, practice, and legislation
----- End of picture text -----

History

We were founded in 1889 to support people living in London’s ‘slum’ neighbourhoods. As one of the earliest members of the university settlement movement, our innovative work led the Victorian anti-poverty movement, paved the way for the modern welfare state, and responded to problems of inequality and social injustice.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 5 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

The complex issues driving our service users into deep poverty, crisis and despair

Four or more of the following issues:

----- Start of picture text -----
Severe and multiple
disadvantages
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Lived experience of the
immigration systems
----- End of picture text -----

Four or more simultaneous and mutually reinforcing social inequities based on their:

----- Start of picture text -----
Intersectionality
----- End of picture text -----

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 6 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Achievements and performance

Overview

6,533 service users (3,482 in 2023, 2,653 in 2022 and 2,513 in 2021)

The number of people accessing services increased by 87% compared to the previous year:

----- Start of picture text -----
Public Events, Training,
Empowerment and
Independent Advocacy Law Centre Safer Renting and Knowledge
Inclusion
Exchange activities
2021 210 1,447 192 414 250
2022 194 1,153 431 625 250
2023 312 1,105 544 1,271 250
2024 340 1,699 1,403 1,103 1,988
Number of service users
----- End of picture text -----

56% of our service users were from Black, Asian and global majority communities (45% in 2023)

During 2024 the number of service users from Black, Asian and global majority communities increased by 11%, having seen a noticeable increase in service users in low paid employment from white communities during 2023 and 2022.

----- Start of picture text -----
44%
56%
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Black, Asian and global majority
communities
White British communities
----- End of picture text -----

90% of our service users were disabled, neurodiverse and/or lived with a mental, behavioural or physical health condition (remained consistent 2023)

The genders of our service users (remained consistent with 2023)

----- Start of picture text -----
54%
45%
1%
Male Female Transgender/non-binary
----- End of picture text -----

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 7 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

The sexuality of our service users (remained consistent with 2023)

----- Start of picture text -----
LGBTQIA+ 8%
Heterosexual/Straight 92%
----- End of picture text -----

The ages of our service users (remained consistent with 2023)

----- Start of picture text -----
85+ 12%
75-84 13%
65-74 10%
55-64 14%
45-54 13%
35-44 14%
25-34 14%
16-24 10%
users
The ages of our service
----- End of picture text -----

Our frontline service users lived in 32 different local authorities (30 in 2023, 18 in 2022 and 15 in 2021)

Independent
Advocacy, 10		 Empowerment and
Inclusion, 4		 Safer Renting, 12 Law Centre, 25
Barking & Dagenham √ √
Barnet √
Bexley √
Brent √
Bromley √
Camden √
Croydon √
Ealing √
Enfield √ √
Greenwich √
Hammersmith & Fulham √
Hackney √
Haringey √ √
Havering √
Hounslow √
Islington √
Kensington & Chelsea √
Kingston √
Lambeth √ √ √
Lewisham √ √
Merton √
Newham √ √ √
Redbridge √ √
Richmond √ √ √
Sharston √
Southwark √ √ √
Suffolk √
Tower Hamlets √ √
Waltham Forest √ √ √
Wandsworth √ √ √
Westminster √ √
West Sussex √

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 8 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Research, influencing and thought leadership

Transforming Society

Safer Renting - Protecting tenants from criminal landlords

Our Safer Renting team continued to pursue improvements to the policy and legal framework and practices affecting private renters and:

Radical Listening – Involving excluded citizens in conversations about social reform

We continued to advocate nationally for Radical Listening to be used to reconnect with communities, address complex challenges, tackle unconscious bias, and transform systems through conversational leadership and practice by speaking at roundtables and debates for charity and local authority leaders across the UK.

During the year activities included:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 9 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Law Centre and Independent Advocacy - Improving access to justice

Youth Empowerment – Improving statutory and voluntary sector service delivery

Our RISE Youth Empowerment team delivered presentations and workshops on young peoples’ mental health and self-care and statutory and voluntary service partnership working to Southwark’s:

“Even after support from the NHS, young people need continued support to transition into the new phase of their life. But with overwhelming numbers, we fail to support young people once they’re out of risk. We’re so glad that a service like yours exists so we can extend the support to young people and save them from falling through the threshold gaps.”

Staff member, SLaM

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 10 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Independent Advocacy services

Protecting the voices, choices, and rights of adults and children

B’s Story

Found asleep outside the doorstep to his home, and with concerns over his diabetes and emerging dementia, B was admitted to hospital. Despite a best interest meeting and a decision to discharge, B was again found on his doorstep.

Following the realisation that B’s water and heating were disconnected – preventing access to hot running water – and no food in the house, a social worker took the decision to move him to a local care home.

When our Advocate met with B however, it was clear he was traumatised. Offered little-to-no choice in care structure, frightened by his new surroundings, and sadly covered in bed bug bites, we immediately instructed a solicitor and comforted B, informing him that Cambridge House would support him and advocate on his behalf, offering much-needed relief.

A route back to independence and recovery was, moreover, found. The court determined it was in B’s best interests to return home, but ordered essential repairs take place prior to his arrival. Concerned by further isolation in limbo, Kingston Advocacy Group, one of our local partners, offered continued personal care and support during his meanwhile period, before his eventual return to his newly repaired home and restated personal freedom.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 11 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Our Independent Advocates supported and protected the legal rights of people experiencing substantial difficulty engaging with and contributing to decisions about their health and social care.

In compliance with the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Care Act 2014 and

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Community Treatment Orders; we facilitated our service users’ active involvement in decision-making so that they:

The impact of pandemic recovery on people eligible for statutory advocacy led to a significant increase in the complexity and volume of cases nationally and our service user numbers rose. During the year we:

Appropriate Adults Independent Advocacy under the Care Act
Generic advocacy, Learning Disability and
Mental Health		 Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Generic advocacy, Mental Health NHS Complaints Advocacy
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Relevant Person’s Representative

----- Start of picture text -----
Relevant Person's Representative 41%
Care Act Advocacy 17%
Independent Mental Health Advocacy 16%
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy 11%
Appropriate Adults Advocacy 9%
NHS Complaints Advocacy 3%
Generic Advocacy 3%
----- End of picture text -----

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 12 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Law Centre

Protecting people’s housing, jobs, finances, social welfare and legal rights

V’s Story

V was working part time for a leading supermarket chain. After losing her brother and returning to work from bereavement leave, V was accused of gross misconduct by her employer following a mistake by another colleague in giving her the wrong discount code for marked-down food. She also took home two bunches of expired flowers with her manager’s permission. Her employer investigated V for gross misconduct, claiming that she stole the food and flowers. A disciplinary hearing was conducted in her absence and resulted in her dismissal.

Seeking legal support to prepare for her unfair dismissal claim, V contacted us for assistance. Our employment solicitor helped V prepare a schedule of loss and helped her to negotiate a settlement of £10,000, which was nearly one year’s part time wages.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 13 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

As a Legal Aid Agency accredited provider, member of the Law Centres Network, and a London Legal Support Trust ‘Centre of Excellence’, our Law Centre provided free, independent and expert legal and crisis navigation services in housing, employment and discrimination, and welfare benefits law. During the year we:

----- Start of picture text -----
Housing 45%
Welfare Benefits 30%
Employment and Discrimination 24%
Public Law 1%
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Employment and Discrimination compensation £185,662
Housing disrepair compensation £22,000
Rent Arrears Fund awards £8,187
Disability Benefits (Personal Independence Payment awards) £7,848
Housing costs (Housing Benefit and Universal Credit) £6,600
Unspecified financial awards £1,800
----- End of picture text -----

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 14 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Safer Renting services

Making private renting safe for all

AB’s Story

AB, her partner, and their autistic child were violently illegally evicted by a man claiming to be a court bailiff, along with family members of the landlord who had been violently harassing AB and her family. The family also had newborn kittens, which the landlord had threatened to abandon on the street, causing extreme distress.

After coming to us, the family secured short-term temporary accommodation through the council. Meanwhile, we worked with the Council enforcement team to provide evidence to put an injunction in place so that the family could return to their home under an Interim Management Order. Fortunately we negotiated the safe keeping and return of her belongings, and the kittens.

Our Safer Renting service is commissioned by local authorities to prevent homelessness by intervening in illegal evictions, supporting private renters to negotiate better conditions in their homes, and enabling private renters to leave a criminal landlord on their own terms. During the year we:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 15 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Disabled People’s Empowerment services

Enabling disabled people to take control of their lives and futures

P’s Story

P is a 49-year-old woman with Downs Syndrome, hearing loss and visual impairment. She lives with her mother and father.

When she first joined the group a little over a year ago, we were warned that she could be very difficult, and tended to undermine other people. She struggled with anything outside her comfort zone, refusing to do activities that might involve her hands getting dirty, like painting or using glue. She always brought in a packed lunch and was unhappy about eating anything the rest of the group had. She often cried, sobbing that she missed her boyfriend who she had split up with a few years prior. She had a reluctance to engage in new activities and insisted we speak with her parents first before asking her.

Over the year, P’s life has transformed. Having the space to be herself in a warm and supportive environment has brought much of her true personality to the fore. She is cheerful, funny, engaging, has become best friends with another group member and is very well liked by everyone. Her commitment to and interaction with the sessions has been bountiful. P’s previous relationship no longer holds a toll over her as her new friendships blossom. Her work is expressive and colourful as she passionately paints and makes collages: harmoniously overcoming her prior discomfort with the muckiness of art.

Food is no longer an issue either. P eats alongside her friends and enjoys the communal food rather than her own packed lunch. Her humour has shone through too, making jokes to both staff and other group members, often teasing us and leaving us in stitches. She loves to dance in a very theatrical way and she and her friend J are regular dance partners and performers at the Duckie events where everyone knows and loves them.

Camberwell Incredibles Arts Club for adults aged 19 to 55 years who live with profound learning disabilities and complex needs is delivered at Trinity College Centre in Camberwell. It combines social, creative, independent living, and personal development sessions with a diversity of trips and community events. The Club offers a unique model of collaboration and creativity that challenges the social stigma and exclusion experienced by people with learning disabilities, and provides an essential, safe and joyous space for its members to:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 16 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

During the year the Club:

Sadly, we had to divest SENsational Sports (for young people, aged 11 to 25 years - weekly swimming/hydrotherapy and

trampolining/rebound therapy) and our SuperTeens Arts Club (for children, aged 11 to 25 years - weekly after-school arts sessions and trips) when their funding came to an end.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 17 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Youth Empowerment services

Investing in young people so they thrive as adults

X’s Story

X is 16 years old and has been alienated from his immediate family by his mum’s new husband and does not feel safe with his biological father. He has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) which his family fail and refuse to understand.

X had to care for himself after being kicked out of his mum’s house. While he moved into his grandmother’s home, she lives with her mental ill health and therefore he must wash his own clothes and find the money for food, both for himself and his grandmother. And with no money, X would go weeks with no heating or electricity, forced to wait until his grandmother gets her monthly pension.

X described feeling neglected by his family for years and desperate to be put into care or with a foster family, but with little faith in social services having been through three social workers. He feels “let down” and “stranded”.

However, since coming to RISE, he has been attending weekly workshops and is always happy to engage and share his thoughts and opinions with the group. He never misses a mentoring session and says that RISE has become an important part of his week. Despite his challenges, X continued to attend college and is keen to pass his exams.

His RISE mentors supported him to speak to social services, who now provide him with a weekly allowance, thus giving him the financial support he needs to afford food, travel and electricity. With help from his social worker, he recently visited a Salvation Army living area for people his age and is awaiting a new foster family. X has reported that his mood has really improved since coming to RISE, and his trust in us has grown, because we “stuck to our word”.

Our Youth Empowerment service, RISE, is a long-term programme that invests (for a minimum of 12-months) in the development of 16 to 24 year-olds who have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences; feel oppressed and excluded by the education system; are victims of gangs, hate crimes and sexual and domestic violence; experience social and cultural inequity because of their protected characteristics and economic, educational/employment and housing insecurity; and/or are struggling with social isolation and mental health conditions. On average, 43% of RISE participants presented with undiagnosed ‘special educational needs’ and/or were neurodiverse, and 83% presented with undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions.

RISE combines:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 18 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

During 2023-24, RISE:

Improved mental health
Improved health and wellbeing
Improved socio-emotional learning skills
Improved access to services
More secure housing
The needs of LGBTQIA+ participants addressed
The needs of neurodiverse participants addressed
Improved life, employability, financial, administrative skills
Improved positive behaviour and choices
Participants progressing into education, employment or training		 100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
75%

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 19 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Events after the year end

There are no significant events after the year end to report.

Operational aims and objectives

To implement our 2022 - 2027 Strategic Plan.

Achieving our priorities in 2023-2024
Transforming Lives
Implement fundraising strategy to

Project design completed
establish our resilience building Progressed
project
Fundraising prospects identified
Review triage and case management

Completed
New staffing structure and triage process implemented
processes
Enhance staff training in trauma
Externally facilitated workshops held
informed practice and dealing with Progressed
Cross team working group established
vicarious trauma
Staff training plan designed
Transforming Society

2ndannual Illegal Evictions Count published in December 2023
Extend our research, influencing
Progressed

and knowledge exchange activities
Research report ‘Licensing Private Rented Homes – Insights and Experiences
from five London Borough’s’ published in March 2024

Trustee working group established to prepare an action plan to build the
Establish trustee working group Completed
Transforming Society work of the organisation in line with the aims of the
2022-2027 Corporate Strategy
Upgrade data collection and
Data and case management software updated and unified across the
Completed
analysis software organisation
Governance
Review trustee induction and
Completed
Implemented September 2023
training plan
Review detailed theory of change Completed
Agreed by trustees October 2023

Implemented in August 2023 to improve centralised functions, ‘bring in’ new IT
Complete administration restructure Completed
skills and expertise, and deliver £132K in consolidated salary cost savings per
annum
Establish role of ‘Digital Trustee’ Completed
Ivan Delany appointed in September 2023

Our priorities for 2024-25

Transforming Lives

To expand our Youth and Disabled People’s Empowerment services

To expand our delivery of legal advice services in Lambeth

Transforming Society

To undertake research into the contribution that Lettings Agents play in the London ‘shadow private rented sector’

To undertake research into the impact of poor private rented sector housing on the health of marginalised communities in Lambeth

Governance

To agree a ‘Transforming Society’ action plan to support the delivery of the 2022-2027 Corporate Strategy

To enhance IT and cyber security capabilities and processes

To undertake a review of our articles of association to ensure that they continue to enable us to operate effectively

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 20 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Financial review

Overview

We’re delighted to report that our post-pandemic business turnaround plan (which aimed to return earned income levels to pre-pandemic levels, address increased need in our communities, and weather the impact of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis on our costs) has improved our financial position at a faster rate than anticipated:

----- Start of picture text -----
Total Operating Income £1.8m (£1.7m in 2023) Total Operating Expenditure £1.9m (£2.1 m in 2023)
Earned income £1,092,682 60% Direct delivery staffing costs 62%
£1,186,315
Direct cost of services
Charitable income £478,185 26% 7%
£129,814
Public sector grants £260,483 14% Core staffing costs £359,355 19%
Corporate gift in kind £1,360 0% Overheads £244,161 13%
----- End of picture text -----

Income

Charitable income increased by 21% to £478,185 (£395,435 in 2023), public sector grants increased by 45% to £260,483 (£178,907 in 2023), statutory contracts and spot purchasing increased by 16% to £832,482 (£718,151 in 2023), and earned income increased by 10% to £1,092,682 (£993,106 in 2023):

Earned income distribution 2021 to 2024

Statutory contracts
and spot purchasing
Community hub fees
Legal fees
Education fees
Interest
£832,482
£0
£157,318
£70,924
£31,958
£718,151
£85,573
£82,696
£97,862
£8,824
£547,905
£324,298
£274,836
£79,060
£0
£683,238
£356,970
£163,268
£75,714
£0		 Statutory contracts
and spot purchasing
Community hub fees
Legal fees
Education fees
Interest
£832,482
£0
£157,318
£70,924
£31,958
£718,151
£85,573
£82,696
£97,862
£8,824
£547,905
£324,298
£274,836
£79,060
£0
£683,238
£356,970
£163,268
£75,714
£0		 Statutory contracts
and spot purchasing
Community hub fees
Legal fees
Education fees
Interest
£832,482
£0
£157,318
£70,924
£31,958
£718,151
£85,573
£82,696
£97,862
£8,824
£547,905
£324,298
£274,836
£79,060
£0
£683,238
£356,970
£163,268
£75,714
£0		 Statutory contracts
and spot purchasing
Community hub fees
Legal fees
Education fees
Interest
£832,482
£0
£157,318
£70,924
£31,958
£718,151
£85,573
£82,696
£97,862
£8,824
£547,905
£324,298
£274,836
£79,060
£0
£683,238
£356,970
£163,268
£75,714
£0		 Statutory contracts
and spot purchasing
Community hub fees
Legal fees
Education fees
Interest
£832,482
£0
£157,318
£70,924
£31,958
£718,151
£85,573
£82,696
£97,862
£8,824
£547,905
£324,298
£274,836
£79,060
£0
£683,238
£356,970
£163,268
£75,714
£0
Statutory contracts
and spot purchasing		 Community hub fees Legal fees Education fees Interest
2024 £832,482 £0 £157,318 £70,924 £31,958
2023 £718,151 £85,573 £82,696 £97,862 £8,824
2022 £547,905 £324,298 £274,836 £79,060 £0
2021 £683,238 £356,970 £163,268 £75,714 £0

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 21 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Expenditure

Our total expenditure for the year reduced by 9% to £1,919,645 (£2,106,744 in 2023):

Staffing remained our largest cost at £1,545,670 (£1,475,947 in 2023) i.e., 81% of operating expenditure (70% in 2023). 77% of all staffing costs were related to the direct delivery of services (74% in 2023), this reflects the people-intensive nature of our frontline services and their reliance on high service user to staff ratios.

Direct service expenditure 2021 to 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Independent Empowerment and
Community Hub Law Centre Safer Renting
Advocacy Inclusion
2024 £303,358 £301,933 £0 £288,199 £422,638
2023 £293,519 £220,430 £102,760 £248,613 £402,228
2022 £341,458 £211,775 £347,380 £207,772 £278,510
2021 £425,988 £170,933 £434,144 £217,056 £238,235
----- End of picture text -----

Trustees’ responsibilities

As trustees, we are also the directors of Cambridge House for company law purposes. We are responsible for preparing this Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires us to prepare annual financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of Cambridge House’s affairs, including our incoming resources and their application, and net income or expenditure. In preparing our financial statements, we are required to:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 22 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of Cambridge House, and 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 for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Trustees are also responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on our website.

We note that, legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from the legislations in other jurisdictions.

Going concern statement

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Following completion of the building sale and settlement of loans, attention is now focussed on the longer term sustainability of unrestricted funds.

Reserves policy

We review the target level of reserves on an annual basis alongside the operating budget. The assessment takes account of income and expenditure risks within the budget and the need for sufficient liquidity to manage the day-to-day fluctuations in our receipts and payments. Our free reserves and designated reserves are considered in the round when factoring in our target.

Trustees completed a risk-based review of our reserves policy during the year to ensure that we establish:

Free reserves of £814K

To provide unrestricted funds that are freely available to spend in the event of business continuity and disaster recovery needs, including:

A designated ‘Building’ reserve of £1.6M

At the end of the year, we held the following funds in line with our Reserves Policy::

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 23 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Budgeting and financial decision-making

We prepare annual budgets for all activities and carefully monitor performance against these to ensure that any activity operating at a deficit and/or behind budget is carefully supervised, and opportunities are taken to mitigate risks and increase unrestricted funds. We use a cloud-based accountancy package that connects to our bank accounts and facilitates real-time scrutiny by trustee bank signatories and staff with profit and loss accountabilities.

Trustees have a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan and a Financial Emergency Response Plan to protect the interests of our service users, employees, trustees, creditors and stakeholders by outlining the steps that can be taken to avoid and/or manage crises. A meeting schedule detailing priorities and regulatory deadlines for the Council of Management is published at least 12-months in advance and ensures trustees consider, monitor and/or approve our:

The Council’s Finance Subcommittee considers financial reports each month to ensure:

Governance and management

Cambridge House and Talbot Limited is a registered charity (registration number 265103) and is constituted as a company registered in England and Wales and limited by guarantee (registration number 1050006). The company does not have share capital and is limited by the guarantee of the members to a maximum of £1 each. Our company membership and the total number of such guarantees (i.e., our company members) at the year-end was 23 (19 in 2023). The organisation’s objects and powers are set out in the Articles of Association.

Trustees

Cambridge House is governed by the charity’s trustees, who are also the company's directors and are collectively called the Council of Management (the Council). The members of the Council are elected at the company's annual general meeting. Our Council meets a minimum of six times per year to manage the business of the organisation. It has appointed subcommittees and a working group to operate with delegated responsibilities:

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Our Council's governance structure is set out in our Governance Manual, which explains how the organisation is run with reference to our legal obligations, the ‘Charity Governance Code’ for larger organisations, and the ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’, and includes a clear distinction between the role of trustees and the Chief Executive.

Trustees concentrate on strategic matters, setting overall direction, ensuring clear organisational objectives and holding the Chief Executive to account. This is affected through reporting, both on performance and strategic matters, and formal appraisal of the Chief Executive’s performance. The delegated responsibilities and accountabilities of the Chief Executive are set out in our Governance Manual and in their job description.

Trustees have reserved certain powers, which only they can exercise. These include those statutory powers that cannot be delegated, such as policies on risk and reserves, and decisions linked to major policy or programme initiatives, strategic planning, and changes to organisational structure.

Trustee recruitment, induction and training

Our Council completes skills audits to assess the skills of the existing trustees, identify ‘skills gaps’ and assess any skills being lost by the retirement of a trustee. New trustees are recruited through external advertising and direct approaches to professional bodies and other voluntary organisations.

The induction process for new trustees is detailed in the Governance Manual and is designed to acquaint them with our purposes, financial position, work programmes, structure, staff and current issues.

To ensure continued development, trustees are offered the opportunity to attend training on key areas, such as financial reporting, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and strategic planning.

Trustee performance review

A review of trustees’ individual and collective performance is conducted annually to ensure the effectiveness and inclusiveness of our governance processes. The outcomes of the review process are considered by our Governance, Risk and Inclusion subcommittee alongside the results of regular skills audits so that governance improvement measures can be agreed by the Council of Management.

Trustee terms of appointment

Each year the nearest in number to one third of the elected members of the Council stand down at the annual general meeting and are eligible for re-election. As of 31 March 2024, the trustees had served for the following terms:

Role Name Length of service in current role
Chair (Deputy Safeguarding Lead) Simon Latham 4 years, 3 months
Trustee Clarissa Lyons 5 years, 3 months
Treasurer (to April 2024) David Goode 6 years, 3 months – retired April 2024
Treasurer (from April 2024) Raja S Hussain 6 months
Trustee Felix Adenaike 6 months
Trustee Shadi Brazell 6 months
Trustee (Digital Lead) Ivan Delany 6 months
Trustee Patrick Diamond 6 months
Trustee (Safeguarding Lead) Amy Fraser 4 years
Trustee Susanne Hall 6 months
Trustee Stephanie Tidball 5 years, 3 months – retired September 2024
Trustee Tara Trousdale 6 months

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

The appointment terms of trustees are as follows:

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The diversity and inclusiveness of our team, including leadership and management, demonstrates the fact that equality, diversity and inclusion are core values of Cambridge House. We believe that:

To this end, we establish credibility and legitimacy, and build our experiential knowledge by working to ensure our service users ‘see themselves’ reflected throughout our organisation.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy includes an Action Plan with specific inclusion targets that are monitored annually by the Council. The plan also sets out:

Compared to our previous year’s results:

----- Start of picture text -----
Experts by lived experience – target 50%
Trustees 50%
Leadership 100%
Management 75%
Staff 78%
Volunteers 45%
Service users 100%
----- End of picture text -----

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 26 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Disabled, neurodiverse and/or living with a mental or
physical health condition – target 14%
Trustees 30%
Leadership 100%
Management 75%
Staff 38%
Volunteers 25%
Service users 90%
Non-binary or transgender – target 2%
Trustees 0%
Leadership 0%
Management 2%
Staff 6%
Volunteers 0%
Service users 1%
Aged 35 years and under
Trustees 20%
Leadership 0%
Management 38%
Staff 60%
Volunteers 45%
Service users 24%
Aged 56 years and above
Trustees 0%
Leadership 100%
Management 12%
Staff 20%
Volunteers 5%
Service users 46%
----- End of picture text -----

Black, Asian and global majority communities – target 43% Disabled, neurodiverse and/or living with a mental or physical health condition – target 14%

----- Start of picture text -----
Trustees 30%
Leadership 100%
Management 25%
Staff 42%
Volunteers 40%
Service users 56%
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Women – target 50% Non-binary or transgender – target 2%
Trustees 50% Trustees 0%
Leadership 100% Leadership 0%
Management 50% Management 2%
Staff 60% Staff 6%
Volunteers 55% Volunteers 0%
Service users 54% Service users 1%
LGBTQIA+ communities – target 6% Aged 35 years and under
Trustees 0% Trustees 20%
Leadership 0% Leadership 0%
Management 25% Management 38%
Staff 29% Staff 60%
Volunteers 0% Volunteers 45%
Service users 8% Service users 24%
Aged 36 to 55 years Aged 56 years and above
Trustees 80% Trustees 0%
Leadership 0% Leadership 100%
Management 50% Management 12%
Staff 24% Staff 20%
Volunteers 50% Volunteers 5%
Service users 30% Service users 46%
----- End of picture text -----

Quality and impact

We strive to find solutions to identifiable problems in the communities with which we work. Actual and potential service user needs, as well as gaps in service provision, are identified through:

In addition to confirming that all activities contribute to the delivery of our vision, we secure impact by ensuring that we have:

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Evidencing quality and impact

Our theory of change identifies the causal links between what we do and what we are trying to achieve. It also provides the theoretical framework to help us assess whether what we do is working as planned and how it can be improved. Quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting outcomes and outputs, including feedback from and consultation with service users and stakeholders, enable us to evidence impact. Accredited quality assurance and impact measurement schemes ensure our impact is externally audited and verified.

Giving voice to our service users through Radical Listening-based consultation

Most of our service users experience crises in multiple aspects of their lives and this means they are energy and resource poor, often ashamed of their situation and therefore reluctant to fully share their experiences in group situations, and many experience additional pressures associated with caring responsibilities, vicarious employment, and deteriorating mental health. Our consultation methods are therefore non-traditional and person-centred so that we can seek service user views, experiences and insights on support needs, barriers to service access, and gaps in service provision without putting them under additional pressure to participate in consultation activities they deem secondary to their immediate and urgent needs.

We use radical listening techniques to integrate consultation into casework delivery processes; this enables us to consult systematically about our own services and the statutory and non-statutory services provided by others. The information and data captured is then systematically analysed to enable us to develop our own practices and priorities, develop new interventions, and identify weaknesses in social policy and practice.

Legal services

Our Law Centre has been awarded Centre of Excellence status by the London Legal Support Trust and is accredited by Lexcel, the Law Society's annually audited legal practice quality mark for excellence in legal practice management and excellence in client care.

Independent Advocacy services

Our Independent Advocacy services deliver according to Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) requirements which work in conjunction with the Advocacy Code of Practice to enable providers to demonstrate how they are meeting the different standards set out in the code.

Safer Renting services

Our work supporting the private tenants of ‘criminal landlords’ is accredited by the Advice Quality Standard the Advice Service Alliance’s independently audited quality mark.

Youth Empowerment and Disabled People’s Empowerment services

The evaluation and impact measures for our Empowerment and Inclusion activities are aligned with the Violence Reduction Unit Outcomes Framework, and we use validated outcomes tools including the Triangle Outcomes Star, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and the 8 Pillars of Wellness framework to monitor service users’ progress towards their personal development goals. Our Youth Empowerment provision is also aligned with the Mentoring Quality Framework to ensure we deliver consistent, high quality, reflective mentoring practices for young people.

Governance

We are organisational members of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have Positive about Disability, Mindful Employer, London Living Wage Employer and Cyber Essentials quality marks.

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Fundraising

We rely on fundraising to support all our work and it is important to us that everyone who engages with us has a positive experience. We work diligently to comply with the Fundraising Regulator’s Fundraising Code of Practice, and to ensure that we fundraise in a respectful and compelling way that is consistent with our values.

Fundraising activity is carried out in accordance with our Ethical Fundraising and Data Protection Policies to ensure legal and regulatory compliance. The policies are reviewed regularly to ensure they also reflect best practice.

We are an organisational member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have a published fundraising pledge to donors. Our Ethical Fundraising Policy governs our interactions with third parties, including, but not limited to, corporate and individual donors, local and national governments, other charities and public-sector agencies.

Our fundraising activities and compliance with regulations and best practice are scrutinised by our Council of Management and its Finance Subcommittee. No fundraising complaints have been received.

The Chief Executive, Fundraising and Development Coordinator and Fundraising and Development Officer are our primary fundraisers. They are required to demonstrate an understanding of the Fundraising Regulator’s Fundraising Code of Practice and make a commitment to uphold its values when they join Cambridge House. We do not engage any third-party fundraisers.

Our relationship with supporters

Serious incident reporting

We have procedures for the reporting of serious incidents to the Charity Commission in accordance with the statutory requirement under section 169 of the Charities Act 2011. Trustees confirm that there were no serious incidents or other matters relating to Cambridge House and Talbot Limited during the year that should have been brought to the attention of the Charity Commission.

Safeguarding

Trustees recognise that being safe and free of abuse is central to ensuring the continued promotion of a person’s wellbeing. In this spirit, as outlined in the ‘making safeguarding personal’ initiative and the Care Act 2014, we have policies and procedures in place to enable us to respond to all concerns of abuse appropriately, operating in line with the Pan London Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy.

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

We maintain an effective safeguarding culture by ensuring our:

Our trustee safeguarding lead is Amy Fraser (Simon Latham is the deputy trustee safeguarding lead) and our executive leads are the Chief Executive and the Heads of Services for Independent Advocacy and Empowerment and Inclusion.

Five-year overview of external safeguarding alerts and the outcomes of our intervention

----- Start of picture text -----
2023-24 (14 alerts) 7 3 3 1
Statutory safeguarding process and/or changes
2022-23 (13 alerts) 4 1 8 to Lasting Power of Attorney arrangements
Police referral
2021-22 (19 alerts) 9 10
2020-21 (12 alerts) 1 10 1
Care Plan/Support Provision revised and/or NHS
referral
2019-20 (26 alerts) 6 12 8
Section 21A Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard
challenges in the Court of Protection
Number and type of external safeguarding alert outcomes
Year and total number of
external safeguarding alerts
----- End of picture text -----

Networks and partnerships

We are firmly ‘outward looking’ and work collaboratively with a diversity of voluntary, community, academic, private and public-sector partners to deliver services and exchange knowledge and information. During the year, we remained members of:

Community Southwark, the umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector, volunteers and social action in Southwark.

Healthwatch Southwark, a consumer network established because of the health and social care reforms of 2012 to champion the views of local people who use health and social care services in Southwark.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising, the professional membership body for UK fundraising.

London Youth, a network of diverse community youth organisations serving young people across London.

Locality, whose stated objective is to develop a network of ambitious and enterprising community-led organisations with a strong, collective voice and to inspire community action so that every neighbourhood thrives.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), who champion the voluntary sector by connecting, representing and supporting voluntary organisations.

Southwark Legal Advice Network (SLAN), which aims to improve access to quality assured advice services and self-help information in Southwark for people in greatest need.

The Better Way Network, a national network of leaders who want to improve services and build strong communities. Our Chief Executive is a ‘Core Group’ member and the network’s thought leader on radical listening.

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Our Chief Executive, Karin Woodley, holds roles as:

Our Chair, Simon Latham, was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Bridge House Estates (now City Bridge Foundation) in February 2022, and has been Acting Managing Director since June 2024. Cambridge House is currently in receipt of a grant from the City Bridge Foundation (CBF). Simon will recuse himself if matters are raised in respect of Cambridge House’s grant at any relevant management board and has notified his employer of his trusteeship of Cambridge House.

We are also very grateful for the support we receive from Macfarlanes LLP, a London-based law firm, who has been our corporate partner for over 30 years. In addition to providing us with legal services on a pro bono basis, Stephanie Tidball, one of our trustees until September 2024, is Macfarlanes’ Head of Coaching and Partner Development.

Public benefit

Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, and taken it into account when reviewing our aims and objectives and planning future activities.

Cambridge House provides public benefit by:

We are satisfied that the aims of Cambridge House are carried out wholly in pursuit of the public benefit.

Staffing and remuneration

Cambridge House is accredited by Mindful Employer, Positive about Disabled People, and the London Living Wage Foundation. These standards help to ensure our human resources policies:

Performance management

We have a performance management, staff training and development, and appraisal policy that:

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Staff remuneration

We recognise the importance of being transparent and accountable in all aspects of our work, including how we reward and recognise our staff, which is set out in a Staff Remuneration Policy. We are an accredited Living Wage Employer, meaning every employee and intern in our organisation earns at least the London Living Wage as set independently by the Living Wage Foundation.

Trustees are committed to ensuring that we pay our staff fairly and in a way which ensures we achieve the greatest impact in delivering our charitable objectives. In deciding on levels of pay the following factors are considered:

Salaries

At the end of March 2024, we had a staff team of 47 (51 in 2023) people comprising 36 full-time (34 in 2023) and 11 parttime (17 in 2023) staff representing a fulltime equivalent of 39.8 (44.2 in 2023).

For Cambridge House to operate successfully, a range of specialist skills and disciplines are required. We therefore need to pay staff appropriately to ensure that we recruit people with the right experience. It is also important that we develop and retain our staff so that our services benefit from the team’s growing knowledge. Many of our team develop expertise that is unique to them in the organisation and could not be quickly replaced and our staff pay scales are set with this in mind.

The salary of the Chief Executive is approved by our Council based on recommendations from our Finance Subcommittee. The Chief Executive requires a breadth and depth of expertise which requires drawing from the best senior level talent in a competitive market. They need to be able to command the respect of their peers, our stakeholders and our service users locally, nationally and internationally, through their experience and their credibility.

The Chief Executive’s salary is reviewed to benchmark it against other charities in London relative to size, budgets, responsibilities and the competitiveness of the employment market. At the same time, we seek to keep salary costs under control. The Chief Executive’s salary was last benchmarked in 2022-23.

Chief Executive’s pay
Name Title 2023-24 2022-23
Karin Woodley Chief Executive £90,000 £90,000

In compliance with our Staff Remuneration Policy, all other staff salaries are set by our Chief Executive and the management team using benchmarking comparisons with charities of our size in London, and considering factors including inflation, Cambridge House’s financial position, and the other factors mentioned above. Salaries are openly stated in job adverts, and we don’t offer performance-related pay or a bonus scheme.

Pay awards

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Pay ratio

The remuneration ratio for Cambridge House is considered alongside external market conditions for the specific roles and we aspire to a pay ratio that is less than 3.5:1.

The ratio of our highest salary (£90,000) to our median salary (£30,347) was 2.94:1 (2.99:1 in 2023), which compares very favourably to the charity sector average of 5:1.

Volunteering and employability

Volunteers make a vital contribution to our work by bringing their time, energy and enthusiasm to a range of our activities. We strive to provide them with opportunities to acquire skills and experiences that will help them improve their quality of life, develop their professional knowledge or progress into further education, employment and training.

Most of our volunteers find out about us through online recruitment, personal recommendation, and business ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ schemes. Our volunteers are not paid for their time, but they are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses such as travel. All our volunteers are provided with volunteer agreements which define their goals, our needs, and the level of support or training they will receive.

The number of volunteers was 20 during the year (13 in 2023) and the number of voluntary hours contributed was 3,054 (3,318 in 2023). The financial value of the hours contributed by volunteers, based on the London Living Wage, was £40,160 (£43,625 in 2023).

The percentage of volunteer time contributed to specific activities during the year:

----- Start of picture text -----
Governance 80%
Empowerment and Inclusion 10%
Safer Renting 6%
Law Centre 4%
----- End of picture text -----

Interns and traineeships

We have paid intern and traineeship programmes that have been running since 2013 and offer opportunities for people to develop the skills and experience they need to develop a career. Our interns and trainees are externally recruited and receive the London Living Wage. Five team members progressed into permanent roles during the year (2 in 2023): two Safer Renting trainee caseworkers, one RISE trainee Youth Empowerment facilitator, and one Triage and Information trainee.

Risk management

Trustees regularly review and assess the risks faced by Cambridge House in all areas of our work and plan for the management of those risks. Our Risk Register and Risk Appetite Statement is reviewed annually by the Council to ensure that the material risks to which we are exposed are properly evaluated and managed. The Governance, Risk and Inclusion Subcommittee is responsible for:

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Financial risks are supervised and monitored monthly by the Council’s Finance Subcommittee and reported to quarterly Council meetings.

Our leadership and management teams ensure that all plans and decisions consider the possibility of negative outcomes, and appropriate mitigating actions are implemented to address residual risks to a level trustees consider acceptable.

We recognise that, to achieve our objectives, the nature of some of our work requires acceptance of some risks which are outside of our control. These are risks which cannot be eliminated, so we ensure they are proactively and clearly monitored.

Trustees consider there to be appropriate systems and controls in place to monitor, manage and mitigate Cambridge House’s exposure to risks. These include, among other control mechanisms, maintaining staff awareness of risks by embedding suitable approaches in the budgeting process, a strategy to maintain reserves that support business continuity and disaster recovery, and reviews of key systems and processes by our Governance, Risk and Inclusion Subcommittee.

Our risk assessment and mitigation approach is proactive and:

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Our highest risk areas, ranked for likelihood and impact, have been identified as:

Risks Mitigation Actions
Failure to generate sufficient
income and to manage budget and
liquidity effectively
Monthly Finance Subcommittee and quarterly Council of Management scrutiny of financial
performance and our real-time cash position

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, and Finance Emergency Response Plans in place.

Ensure ‘full cost recovery’ contract pricing and grant applications

Maintain diversified income base and high levels of unrestricted income to prevent reliance on
single sources
Major unforeseen costs, which
create a significant overspend or
necessitate significant and
unplanned increases in expenditure
Monthly Finance Subcommittee and quarterly Council of Management scrutiny of financial
performance and our real-time cash position

Robust cloud-based accounting system in place

Prepare ‘keep, divest and/or novate’ plans as appropriate to reduce impact of loss making
and/or unfunded services

Ongoing monitoring, assessment and evaluation of any emergent factors which have the
potential to risk business activities at project and operational levels

Maintain a risk-based free reserve target
Partial or total loss of resources
such as staff, equipment,
management systems, information
or premises, which could reduce
service quality and impact, or
disrupt our continuity of service
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, and Finance Emergency Response Plans in place

Career objectives and development objectives discussed as part of the performance
management process with a view to supporting succession planning and maintaining a
corporate focus on learning and training

Regularly review Staff Remuneration (including benefits) Policy

Regularly review staff wellbeing support processes with particular regard to dealing with
vicarious trauma
Competition from other providers
resulting in the organisation being
unable to sustain its current
services
Regularly update pricing reviews, market comparisons and competitor analyses

Build strong relationships with commissioners and funders and build cross sector partnerships

Maintain participation in policy forums and think tanks to support future planning and
proofing of services

Continue to focus on opportunities to innovate and respond to new and emerging needs in our
communities

Continue to monitor and publish our social impact and maintain externally accredited quality
assurance processes

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Auditors

Sayer Vincent LLP has indicated its willingness to continue in office and, in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, it is proposed that it be re-appointed auditors for 2024-25. A resolution proposing its re-appointment will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting.

This Trustees’ Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime, and is approved by trustees in their capacity as company directors and charity trustees.

Signed on behalf of the trustees/directors

Simon Latham, Chair 5 December 2024

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 35 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Acknowledgements

Cambridge House fundraises for all its work. We rely on relationships with many partners throughout the country and internationally.

Our trustees sincerely thank all our supporters and donors who make our work possible:

City Bridge Foundation Elizabeth and Prince Zaiger Trust Greater London Authority - Propel Fund Hertfordshire County Council Impact on Urban Health Jack Petchey Foundation Legal Aid Agency London Borough of Barking and Dagenham London Borough of Croydon London Borough of Ealing London Borough of Enfield London Borough of Greenwich London Borough of Hackney London Borough of Havering London Borough of Islington London Borough of Kingston upon Thames London Borough of Lambeth London Borough of Lewisham London Borough of Richmond upon Thames London Borough of Southwark London Borough of Tower Hamlets London Borough of Waltham Forest London Borough of Wandsworth London Legal Support Trust Oak Foundation Suffolk County Council The Access to Justice Foundation The Community Justice Fund The Law Centres Network Trust for London West Berkshire Council West Sussex County Council Westminster City Council

Our trustees also thank the many organisations who have worked in partnership with Cambridge House – our success relies on collaboration

Ann Bernadt Children’s Centre Blue Elephant Theatre Britain Has Class British Red Cross Brixton Advice Centre Caspian Street Allotment Centre for London Change Grow Live, Southwark Chartered Institute for Housing Chartered Institute of Legal Executives Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Southwark) City Law School City University Corali Crawford Children’s centre Crisis D’Eynsford Tenant Management Organisation Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Dr Jill Stewart Dr Julie Rugg Duckie Dulwich Wood Children’s Centre

Esprima Generation Rent Global Social Economy Forum Hackney Law Centre Health Watch Southwark Herne Hill Velodrome Housing Law Practitioners Association HYP Southwark InSpire International Federation of Settlements James Murray MP Karen Buck MP Kathryn Oliver & Iain Carroll Kingston Advocacy Group Landlord Law Conference Leap Confronting Conflict Legal Aid Practitioners Group Lives Not Knives London Borough of Waltham Forest Landlord Forum London Legal Support Trust London Live London School of Economics and Political Science London Youth LSE Housing and Communities Macfarlanes LLP McCarthy's Costs Mencap Metropolitan Police Service MyBnk National Landlord’s Association National Practitioners Support Service Nell Gwynn Children’s centre NHS Talking Therapies Peckham Pulse Professor Matt Egan Resilient Youth Shelter South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Southwark Foodbank Southwark Law Centre Southwark Team for Early Psychosis St Giles Church, Camberwell St Giles Trust The Baytree Centre The Better Way Network The Centre for Housing Policy, University of York The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health The Greater London Authority The Grove Children’s Centre The Mayor's Private Rented Sector Team The Metropolitan Police Service The National Residential Landlords Association The Renters' Reform Coalition The Law Centres Network Thick and Tight TMC Legal Services Ltd Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing Treasure House (London) CIC Trinity College Centre, Camberwell UK Onward UKIM Masjid Ibrahim & Islamic Centre, Newham University College London University of the Arts London Victim Support Southwark Walworth Library Wheels for Wellbeing

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Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Charity reference and administrative information

President

HRH The Duke of Gloucester

Patrons

David Coleman Dr Rowan Williams Charles Arthur

Trustees and directors

Simon Latham– Chair David Coleman - Vice-Chair (Retired January 2023) David Goode - Treasurer (Retired April 2024) Clarissa Lyons - Company Secretary (To September 2024) Raja S Hussain – Treasurer from April 2024 (Appointed September 2023) Felix Adenaike (Appointed September 2023) Shadi Brazell (Appointed September 2023)

Ivan Delany (Appointed September 2023) Patrick Diamond (Appointed September 2023) Amy Fraser Suzanne Hall (Appointed September 2023) Anu Mensah (Retired September 2023) Stephanie Tidball (Retired September 2024) Tara Trousdale (Appointed September 2023)

Executive team

Leadership

Karin Woodley, CBE – Chief Executive - Company Secretary (From September 2024)

Karen Bayne – Finance Director

Eusebio Barata – Corporate Director (To August 2023)

Heads of Services

Gurminder Birdi – Law Centre

Katie Evans – Administration and Corporate Services (From August 2023)

Max Puzey – Independent Advocacy

Roz Spencer – Safer Renting

Harry Williams – Public Affair and Communications (From October 2024) Rachel Zipfel – Empowerment and Inclusion

Financial adviser

Neal Howard Ltd

HR adviser

Stephen Poland

Auditors

Sayer Vincent, 110 Golden Lane, London EC1Y 0TG

Bankers

Royal Bank of Scotland, London City Office 63 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8LA

Registered office

Cambridge House, Unit F, Ground Floor, The Printworks, 22 Amelia Street, London SE17 3PY

Reference and administrative details

Charity number: England and Wales: 265103 Company number: 1050006 VAT Registration Number: 802 6719 39

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 37 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (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 Auditor’s 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 Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd'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.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 -Page 38 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

Other Information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of 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 trustees’ annual report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 -Page 39 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities set out in the trustees’ annual report, 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.

Auditor’s 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 an auditor’s report 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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 -Page 40 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd- Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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 auditor’s 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.

Joanna Pittman (Senior statutory auditor)

9 December 2024

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor

110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y 0TG

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 -Page 41 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

For theyear ended 31 March 2024
2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Note £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations
Donations and grants 2 12,807 10,847 23,654 25,317 - 25,317
Gifts in Kind - Pro bono services 2 1,360 - 1,360 143,644 - 143,644
Charitable activities
Advocacy 3 346,024 - 346,024 347,230 - 347,230
Education and Inclusion Services 3 70,924 335,883 406,807 74,991 181,245 256,236
Law Centre 3 294,618 111,995 406,613 209,474 120,905 330,379
Safer Renting 3 289,158 326,636 615,794 244,142 245,375 489,517
Rental and venue hire income - - - 85,573 - 85,573
Investments 31,958 - 31,958 8,824 - 8,824
Other 4 500 - 500 24,372 - 24,372
Total income 1,047,349 785,361 1,832,710 1,163,567 547,525 1,711,092
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 5 93,038 10,847 103,885 81,384 - 81,384
Charitable activities
Advocacy 5 418,520 - 418,520 469,001 - 469,001
Education and Inclusion Services 5 80,670 335,883 416,553 164,978 187,237 352,215
Law Centre 5 285,611 111,995 397,606 276,342 120,905 397,247
Safer Renting 5 256,445 326,636 583,081 397,327 245,375 642,702
Community Hub Services 5 - - - 164,196 - 164,196
Total expenditure 1,134,284 785,361 1,919,645 1,553,227 553,517 2,106,744
Net (expenditure) / income before other
recognised gains and losses		 (86,935) - (86,935) (389,660) (5,992) (395,652)
(Loss) / gain on disposal of fixed assets - - - (31,228) - (31,228)
Net movement in funds (86,935) - (86,935) (420,888) (5,992) (426,880)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 2,510,464 - 2,510,464 2,931,352 5,992 2,937,344
Total funds carried forward 16 2,423,529 - 2,423,529 2,510,464 - 2,510,464

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 17a to the financial statements.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 42 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Balance sheet

Company no. 1050006

As at 31 March 2024

As at 31 March 2024
Note
Fixed assets:
11
Current assets:
12
Liabilities:
13
17a
Total assets less current liabilities
Debtors
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated funds
The funds of the charity:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets / (liabilities)
Total net assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Tangible assets
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 £
626,045
1,950,000
201,391		 2024
£
9,935		 £
429,409
-
2,232,687		 2023
£
19,963
9,935
2,413,594		 19,963
2,490,501
2,777,436
(363,842)		 2,662,096
(171,595)
1,600,000
823,529		 2,490,000
20,464
2,423,529 2,510,464
2,423,529 2,510,464
-
2,423,529		 -
2,510,464
2,423,529 2,510,464

Approved by the trustees on 5th December 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Simon Latham Chair

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 43 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2024

For the year ended 31 March 2024
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (expenditure) / income for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Depreciation charges
Dividends, interest and rent from investments
Loss / (gain) on the disposal of fixed assets
(Increase) in debtors
Increase / (Decrease) in creditors
Net cash (used in) operating activities
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year
Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
Purchase of fixed assets		 £
£
(86,935)
6,024
(31,958)
4,004
(196,636)
192,247
(113,254)
31,958
-
-
31,958
(81,296)
2,232,687
2,151,391
2024		 £
£
(395,652)
6,456
(8,824)
(31,228)
(118,309)
(2,003,988)
(2,551,545)
8,824
4,700,000
(21,074)
4,687,750
2,136,205
96,482
2,232,687
2023
(113,254)
31,958		 (2,551,545)
4,687,750
(81,296)
2,232,687		 2,136,205
96,482
2,151,391 2,232,687

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 44 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

a) Statutory information

Cambridge House and Talbot is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office address and principle place of business is Unit F, Ground Floor The Print Works, 22 Amelia Street, London, SE17 3PY.

b) Basis of preparation

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) - (Charities SORP FRS 102 second edition 2019), The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.

c) Public benefit entity

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

d) Critical accounting estimates

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

e) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

g) Donations of gifts, services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 45 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies (continued)

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

h) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

i) Fund accounting

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

j) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

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. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

k) Allocation of support costs

Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost of overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the salary and overhead costs of the central function, is apportioned on the following basis which are an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity.

Where information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is provided to potential beneficiaries, the costs associated with this publicity are allocated to charitable expenditure.

Where such information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is also provided to potential donors, activity costs are apportioned between fundraising and charitable activities on the basis of area occupied by each activity.

▪ Raising Funds 5%
▪ Advocacy 22%
▪ Education and Inclusion Services 22%
▪ Law Centre 21%
▪ Safer Renting 30%
▪ Community Hub Services 0%

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. These costs are associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and include any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 46 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

l) Tangible fixed assets

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use. Major components are treated as a separate asset where they have significantly different patterns of consumption of economic benefits and are depreciated separately over its useful life.

Where fixed assets have been revalued, any excess between the revalued amount and the historic cost of the asset will be shown as a revaluation reserve in the balance sheet.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

4 years

m) Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries are at cost.

n) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

o) Short term deposits

Short term deposits includes cash balances that are invested in accounts with a maturity date of between 3 and 12 months.

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. Cash balances exclude any funds held on behalf of service users.

q) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

r) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value [with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method].

s) Pensions

The charity participates in two sections of The Pensions Trust, a multi-employer pension scheme. One section effectively provides benefits based on final pensionable pay, “The Growth Plan”. The assets of this section are held separately from those of the charity. It is not possible to separately identify the assets and liabilities of participating employers on a consistent and reasonable basis and therefore the charity accounts for the scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme. As a result, the amount charged to the profit and loss account represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

The other section, The Unitised Ethical Plan, is a segregated defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of this section are also held separately from those of the charity. The amount charged to the profit and loss account represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 47 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

2 Income from charitable donations

Donations and grants:
Gifts
Grants
Gifts in Kind - Pro bono
services		 Unrestricted
£
2,782
10,025		 £
-
10,847
Restricted		 2024
Total
£
2,782
20,872		 Unrestricted
£
3,317
22,000		 £
-
-
Restricted		 2023
Total
£
3,317
22,000
12,807
1,360		 10,847
-		 23,654
1,360		 25,317
143,644		 -
-		 25,317
143,644
14,167 10,847 25,014 168,961 - 168,961

3 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities ctivities
Unrestricted
£
128,788
133,960
Other services
83,276
346,024
-
-
-
-
-
National Lottery
-
The Henry Smith Charity
-
-
-
70,924
70,924
The Michael Tippett
Musical Foundation
Propel
London Borough of
Barking & Dagenham
Sub-total for Advocacy
Sub-total for Education
and Inclusion Services
London Borough of
Southwark
London Borough of
Kingston upon Thames
Greater London Authority
- Young Londoners Fund
Children in Need
Grant making trusts
Other Services
London Youth		 Unrestricted
£
128,788
133,960
83,276		 £
-
-
-
Restricted		 2024
Total
£
128,788
133,960
83,276		 Unrestricted
£
133,025
133,959
80,246		 £
-
-
-
Restricted		 2023
Total
£
133,025
133,959
80,246
-
4,587
-
-
-
2,800
-
20,100
52,500
255,896
-		 346,024
4,587
-
-
-
2,800
-
20,100
52,500
255,896
70,924		 347,230
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
74,991		 -
18,347
18,338
1,500
500
37,023
64,937
40,600
-
-
-		 347,230
18,347
18,338
1,500
500
37,023
64,937
40,600
-
-
74,991
70,924 335,883 406,807 74,991 181,245 256,236

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 48 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Sub-total for Law Centre
4
London Borough of
Richmond and
Wandsworth
London Borough of
Havering
The Greater London
Authority
Grant making trusts
Total income from
charitable activities
Sub-total for Safer
Renting
The Tudor Trust
Other services
Grant making trusts
London Borough of
Southwark
Legal Aid Agency
London Borough of
Waltham Forest
London Borough of
Lambeth
Comic Relief
Trust for London
Oak Foundation
Urban Impact
London Borough of
Ealing
London Borough of
Enfield
Miscellaneous Income
City Bridge Trust
Access to Justice
Foundation
Other services
Other income		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
137,540
137,300
19,778
-		 £
29,417
24,695
-
-
-
57,883
Restricted		 2024
Total
£
29,417
24,695
137,540
137,300
19,778
57,883		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
60,773
126,778
21,923
-		 £
73,505
8,233
-
-
-
39,167
Restricted		 2023
Total
£
73,505
8,233
60,773
126,778
21,923
39,167
294,618
29,168
-
27,500
-
6,900
46,895
-
-
-
-
-
-
178,695
-		 111,995
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
160,000
106,636
60,000
-
-		 406,613
29,168
-
27,500
-
6,900
46,895
-
-
-
160,000
106,636
60,000
178,695
-		 209,474
110,687
44,000
27,500
10,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
51,455
-		 120,905
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,457
50,600
46,000
80,000
53,318
-
-
10,000		 330,379
110,687
44,000
27,500
10,500
-
-
5,457
50,600
46,000
80,000
53,318
-
51,455
10,000
289,158 326,636 615,794 244,142 245,375 489,517
1,000,724 774,514 1,775,238 875,837 547,525 1,423,362
Unrestricted
£
500		 £
-
Restricted		 2024
Total
£
500		 Unrestricted
£
24,372		 £
-
Restricted		 2023
Total
£
24,372
500 - 500 24,372 - 24,372

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 49 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

5a Analysis of expenditure (current year)

Staff costs (note 7)
Other staff costs (note 7)
Activity cost
Premises cost
Office cost
Depreciation
Audit & accountancy
Legal & professional
Irrecoverable VAT
Bad debts written off
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2024
Total expenditure 2023		 Raising
funds
£
75,300
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Charitable activities Charitable activities Charitable activities Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
9,968
-
12,275
-
-
-		 Support
costs
£
284,055
6,647
487
109,120
50,638
6,024
12,125
6,441
30,378
58		 2024
Total
£
1,545,670
39,826
97,122
109,120
60,606
6,024
24,400
6,441
30,378
58		 2023
Total
£
1,475,947
53,985
113,438
129,577
66,688
6,456
19,064
187,203
54,386
-
Advocacy
£
266,344
12,543
24,472
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Education
and
Inclusion
Services
£
269,997
4,782
27,153
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Law Centre
£
271,238
2,690
14,272
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Safer
Renting
£
378,736
13,165
30,737
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Community
Hub
Services
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
75,300
27,382
1,204		 303,358
110,312
4,849		 301,933
109,793
4,827		 288,199
104,800
4,607		 422,638
153,686
6,756		 -
-
-		 22,243
-
(22,243)		 505,973
(505,973)
-		 1,919,645
-
-		 2,106,744
103,885 418,520 416,553 397,606 583,081 - - - 1,919,645 2,106,744
81,384 469,001 352,215 397,247 642,702 164,196 - -

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 50 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

5b Analysis of expenditure (previous year)

Staff costs (note 7)
Other staff costs (note 7)
Activity cost
Premises cost
Office cost
Depreciation
Audit & accountancy
Legal & professional
Irrecoverable VAT
Bad debts written off
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2023		 Raising
funds
£
50,933
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
50,933
29,816
634
81,384		 Charitable activities Charitable activities Charitable activities Community
Hub
Services
£
36,905
11
61,899
-
-
3,945
-
-
-
-
102,760
60,156
1,279
164,196		 Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
4,938
-
11,475
-
-
-
16,413
-
(16,413)
-		 Support
costs
£
325,922
6,717
-
129,577
57,943
2,511
7,589
187,203
54,386
-
771,848
(771,848)
-
-		 2023
Total
£
1,475,947
53,985
113,438
129,577
66,688
6,456
19,064
187,203
54,386
-
Advocacy
£
262,380
26,880
4,259
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
293,519
171,828
3,654
469,001		 Education
and
Inclusion
Services
£
202,682
2,428
15,320
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
220,430
129,041
2,744
352,215		 Law Centre
£
225,457
9,815
13,341
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
248,613
145,540
3,095
397,247		 Safer
Renting
£
371,668
8,134
18,619
-
3,807
-
-
-
-
-
402,228
235,467
5,007
642,702
2,106,744
-
-
2,106,744

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 51 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

This is stated after charging / (crediting):

This is stated after charging / (crediting):
2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation 6,024 6,456
Auditor's remuneration (excluding VAT):
Audit 12,275 11,475
Other services 3,950 3,700

Staff costs were as follows:

Staff costs were as follows:
Training, expenses and recruitment
Redundancy and termination costs
Social security costs
Employer’s contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
Agency staff costs
Salaries and wages		 2024
£
1,349,276
31,877
127,363
37,154		 2023
£
1,312,749
1,266
127,121
34,811
1,545,670
-
39,826		 1,475,947
18,376
35,609
1,585,496 1,529,932

The redundancy and termination costs were settled and paid by the balance sheet date.

The following number of employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs and employer's national insurance) during the year between:

2024 2023
No. No.
£70,000 - £79,999 - -
£90,000 - £99,999 1 1

The total employee benefits (including pension contributions and employer's national insurance) of the key management personnel, which are the leadership team, were £229,897 (2023: £223,564).

The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2023: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2023: £nil).

One trustee was reimbursed expenses in the year of £135 (2023: £nil) for meetings.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 52 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

8 Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was:

Education & Inclusion Services
Community Hub Services
Advocacy
Law Centre
Safer Renting
Support		 2024
No.
8
15
6
-
12
10		 2023
No.
9
15
6
2
13
8
51 53

9 Related party transactions

S Tidball (trustee) is an employee of Macfarlanes LLP. During the year Cambridge House and Talbot received pro bono advice and legal services from Macfarlanes LLP worth an estimated £1,360 (£143,644 in 2023). This has been included in the statement of financial activities under donations.

Simon Latham, Chair of trustees, is an employee of the City of London Corporation and Chief Operating Officer of Bridge House Estates. Cambridge House is currently in receipt of a grant from The City Bridge Trust which is Bridge House Estate’s grant-giving body. Simon Latham has notified City of London Corporation of his trusteeship of Cambridge House, holds no decision-making responsibilities in respect of City Bridge Trust grant-giving, and will recuse himself if matters are raised in respect of Cambridge House’s grant at any relevant management board.

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

10 Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 53 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

For the year ended 31 March 2024
11
12
13
Cost or valuation
Other creditors
Eliminated on disposal
At the end of the year
Net book value
Tangible fixed assets
At the start of the year
Disposals in year
Depreciation
Accruals
Deferred income (note 14)
Trade debtors
All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.
At the end of the year
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
At the start of the year
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Debtors
At the end of the year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security		 Freehold
property
£
-
-		 Computer
equipment
£
380,662
(6,608)		 Total
£
380,662
(6,608)
- 374,054 374,054
-
-
-		 360,699
6,024
(2,604)		 360,699
6,024
(2,604)
- 364,119 364,119
- 9,935 9,935
- 19,963 19,963
2024
£
275,917
13,750
310,202
26,176		 2023
£
264,407
20,760
118,066
26,176
626,045 429,409
2024
£
24,176
13,120
9,106
17,927
299,513		 2023
£
37,612
30,196
9,639
14,148
80,000
363,842 171,595

14 Deferred income

Deferred income comprises of grant income received in the year for projects to take place in the next financial year.

Balance at the beginning of the year
Amount released to income in the year
Amount deferred in the year
Balance at the end of the year		 2024
£
80,000
(80,000)
299,513		 2023
£
45,898
(45,898)
80,000
299,513 80,000

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 54 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

15 Pension scheme

The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 638 nonassociated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme.

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore the company is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions - total from all participating employers

From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: £3,312,000 per annum
(payable monthly)

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 January 2025 applies.

Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2017. This valuation showed assets of £794.9m, liabilities of £926.4m and a deficit of £131.5m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions - total from all participating employers

From 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2025: £11,243,000 per annum
(payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April)

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 55 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Pension scheme (continued)
31 March
2024
£
739
Provision at end of period
Income and expenditure impact
Interest expense
Present value of provision
Remeasurements - amendments to the contribution
schedule
Remeasurements – amendments to the contribution
schedule
Contributions paid in respect of future service*
Costs recognised in income and expenditure account
Remeasurements - impact of any change in
assumptions
Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions
Provision at start of period
Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense)
Remeasurements – impact of any change in
assumptions
Deficit contribution paid		 31 March
2023
£
1,583
31 March
2024
£
1,583
60
(905)
1
-
739		 31 March
2022
£
2,483
31 March
2023
£
2,483
47
(905)
(42)
-
1,583
31 March
2024
£
60
1
-

 31 March
2023
£
47
(42)
-

*includes defined contribution schemes and future service contributions (i.e. excluding any deficit reduction payments) to defined benefit schemes which are treated as defined contribution schemes. To be completed by the company.

Assumptions 2024 2023 2022
% % %
Rate of discount 5.31 5.52 2.35

The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 56 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

16a Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)

General
unrestricted
£
9,935
813,594		 Designated
£
-
1,600,000		 Restricted
£
-
-		 Total funds
£
9,935
2,413,594
823,529 1,600,000 - 2,423,529
General
unrestricted
£
19,963
501		 Designated
£
-
2,490,000		 Restricted
£
-
-		 Total funds
£
19,963
2,490,501
20,464 2,490,000 - 2,510,464
Income & gains
£
10,847
1,800
1,000
-
20,100
52,500
255,896
4,587
29,417
57,883
24,695
-
-
160,000
60,000
106,636
-		 Expenditure
& losses
£
(10,847)
(1,800)
(1,000)
-
(20,100)
(52,500)
(255,896)
(4,587)
(29,417)
(57,883)
(24,695)
-
-
(160,000)
(60,000)
(106,636)
-		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31 March
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 785,361 (785,361) - -
890,000
1,600,000		 -
-		 -
-		 (890,000)
-		 -
1,600,000
2,490,000 - - (890,000) 1,600,000
20,464 1,047,349 (1,134,284) 890,000 823,529
2,510,464 1,047,349 (1,134,284) - 2,423,529

The narrative to explain the purpose of each fund is given at the foot of the note below.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 57 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

At 1 April
2022
£
5,992
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Income & gains
£
500
64,937
1,000
4,800
500
18,338
40,600
22,237
9,986
18,347
73,505
39,167
8,233
46,000
10,000
80,000
50,600
53,318
5,457		 Expenditure
& losses
£
(6,492)
(64,937)
(1,000)
(4,800)
(500)
(18,338)
(40,600)
(22,237)
(9,986)
(18,347)
(73,505)
(39,167)
(8,233)
(46,000)
(10,000)
(80,000)
(50,600)
(53,318)
(5,457)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31 March
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,992 547,525 (553,517) - -
900,000
1,600,000		 -
-		 -
-		 (10,000)
-		 890,000
1,600,000
2,500,000 - - (10,000) 2,490,000
431,352 1,163,567 (1,584,455) 10,000 20,464
2,931,352 1,163,567 (1,584,455) - 2,510,464
2,937,344 - 2,510,464

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 58 of 59

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

17c Purposes of restricted funds

Restricted donations

Core

These funds are to overhead and cross service activities in accordance with restrictions agreed with the funder.

Education and Inclusion Services

These funds are to deliver specific youth and disabled people's empowerment services in accordance with restrictions agreed with the funder.

Law Centre

These funds are to deliver specific legal services in accordance with restrictions agreed with the funder.

Safer Renting

These funds are to deliver specific private rented sector tenants services in accordance with restrictions agreed with the funder.

Purposes of designated funds

Continuity Planning fund

These funds were originally designated to protect the continuity of the organisation’s services for service users in the event of a large variation of income, to bridge cashflow problems, provide a buffer to allow contingency actions to be effected and address spending commitments and potential liabilities in the event of a winding-up.

Future Purchase of Premises fund

These funds have be designated to provide the funds needed to purchase new office premises capital assets and to provide funds for asset management and risks associated with emergency building repairs.

18 Operating lease commitments payable as a lessee

The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows for each of the following periods


following periods
Less than one year
One to five years		 2024
2023
£
£
60,000
55,000
60,000
120,000
120,000
175,000
Property
120,000 175,000

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

Cambridge House and Talbot Ltd - Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024 - Page 59 of 59