Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/2022 Period start date To 31/03/2023 Period end date
Charity name: Frontline Advice Centre
Charity registration number: 285044
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The relief of poverty, hunger and distress principally by offering free debt, welfare benefits and budgeting advice. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The provision of free debt advice, and assistance with applications for welfare benefits. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Yes, the Trustees have had regard to the guidance. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Debt Management: Our advisers managed over £150,000 of debt for active clients in this period, with some additional long term clients on existing payment plans which did not need reviewing this year and are not included in that figure. We negotiate with creditors on our clients behalf for affordable repayments. Benefits:We assist clients with benefit applications, mandatory reconsiderations and at tribunals. We have obtained over £218,000 annually for our clients. We also help our clients to source grants for specific needs. In addition we prevented at least two vulnerable families from being evicted in this period, and assisted three other households with finding suitable accommodation. While helping people with their debts and benefits, we help people manage their anxieties and this often has a positive effect on their mental health. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Our total funds available at the end of 2022/23 were £22,910, of which £13,900 were restricted funds. This figure was high compared with previous years as we received a grant just before the year end. Funds available are sufficient for the running of the charity, as we have no staffing costs, and minimal running costs. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We do not have a formal reserves policy, but our finances are monitored regularly, and any concerns would trigger remedial actions. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | If funds fell below £3000 , we would seek additional funding. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The charity’s running costs are around £3k per annum and these have been funded by regular charitable donations that have sustained the charity for some 30/40 years. It’s important for the trustees to satisfy themselves on the longer term viability of the service - and address the ‘going concern’ challenge. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | By personal recommendation, followed by an interview by the existing trustees. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Frontline Advice Centre |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 285044 |
| Charity’s principal address | Parklands Park Road Cowes Isle of Wight PO31 7LZ |
| FCA 711708 |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamish Wilson | Safeguarding Trustee |
|||
| Ian Gibbs | ||||
| Felix Hetherington | Chair | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
None |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Elin Williams
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Hamish Wilson Full name(s) Felix Hetherington Position (eg Secretary, Chair Trustee Chair, etc) Date 29[th ] January 2024
FRONTLINEADvl CENTRE Re8lsiered chlty no 285044 ReceFptsand Payments Account Forthe pwlodfrom tstAprfl 2022to 31st Marth 2023 2022n3 Total Funds 2021n2 Totsl Furtds Unre5trkted Funds Restrkned Funds RECEIPTS Pd*rdte domtlo Churches 1730.00 24QOO 2A30.IXI 240.thj 1250.fyj 240.IJO Buslnesses Mls¢ Xmas Dalsle Rlth Fu HIWCF 1500.00 617.01 260.0) 2,5LK>.00 617.01 260.CKI 3,00 16.821.Th) 415.64 16,13 20) 3.CQO.(X) 6.CrfMOO .821.00 Total Recelpts 19,921. 26,268.01 12.121.ri PAYMENTS Supplles Equlpmentlstatlonery Postage Telephonelintemet Travel Insurance Tr•lnln8108S Ch•ckn Photo¢opyJn8 l)ffl¢veCha Subs¢rlptions Mtsc Christmas -Cllents H8mpets etc Dlsbursementson behalf of Cents 36.99 993.10 143.47 826.10 22.95 739.71 36.99 993.10 143A7 826.40 22.95 739.71 12.00 312.CXI 998.crfj Its.63 923.38 36.90 693.71 24.00 2UOO si&(Mi 270.10 69.50 1.850. iO.S60.85 3J2.CKI 430.43 670.85 L782.27 430.43 670.85 1,782.27 7,689.11 7,689.11 Totsl Payments S.970.17 7.689.11 13,659.28 16.370.03 Net of recolptsApayments Cash fijnds lastyearend CQSH FUNDS THIS YEAR END 37&84 8.634.32 9,011.16 12,231.89 1667.57 13,899.46 ,608.n 10,301.89 22,910.62 4.248.26 14,550.15 10,301.89 Bank and cash balances at the end of the perlod 9.011.16 13,899.46 22.910.62 10,30L89 518ned behfiwof all the trurteeL.~.-.-....-..- ....-.- ...- i)ate of apwoval
INDEPENDENT EXAMINRS REPORT TOTHE TRUSTEES OF FRONTLINE ADVICE CENTRE I report to the charity trustees of the Trust in my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023. Responsibilitie5 and basis of report As the trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act Basis of independent examiners report Charities preparin8 their accounts are required to give a "true and fair ' view as required under FRSIOO..Application of Financial Reporting Requirements and to apply the applicable SORP in accordance with the circumstances set out in the Financial Reporting Standard FRSIO2. I have examined the accounts, receipts and bank statements provided and believe that the accounts are a factual report of the transactions of the charities. Independent examiner'5 Statement: I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the atcounts do not accord with th05e records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of account5 set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Name Alison Kay Bean Retired MIIA/ MAAT Little Grove Cottage Lower Road Ad8estone