Charity registralion number 701556 IEngland and Wales) Company reg15tratlon number 02363690 CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trusto0s J Lilley C Bower Ilnterirn Chair frorn 215t August 2024 to 28th April 20251 D Wright Ilntèiim Chair from 29th April 20251 A Green ITreasurr*rl D Loon G Christiè N Crombie R Barge S Jackson (Appoinlad 3 D*cèmb$r 20241 (Appointed 5 November 20251 Appointed 5 November 20251 (Appointed 5 November 20251 Charlly number (England and Wales) 701556 Company numbor 02363690 Prlnclpal addr•88 Municipal Building5 Hglesowen Street Qldbury B69 2AB R•glstèr•d offlc• Muniapal Buildings Halesowen Street Oldbury B69 2AB Audltor CK Audit No 4 Castle CoLJrl 2 C8slle9ale Way Oudl8y Wesl Midlands DY14RH CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD CONTENTS Pagg Trustees. report Ind8P8nd8nl audltor's r8port 12-14 Statement of lin8n¢ial activltios 15 Balance sheet 16 Notes lo Ihe financial slalemenls 17-32 CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Th8 Irust88s pr8sent Ih8ir report and audited accounts lor th8 y8ar end8d 31 March 2025. The fin8nei81 ststemeni$ have been prepared in 8c¢ord8n¢e with the 8¢¢0unb"ng poli¢ies set out in note I to the fin8nci81 slatetnenls and cotnply wilh the charity's governing document. the Cornpanies Acl 2006 and-Accounling and Reporting by Charilies. Slatetnent of Recomfflended Practi￿ applicable to chaiitie5 preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable the UK and R8public ol Ireland IFRS 1021. las amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 20161 Objectives of the charity Th8 Charity's objeckn'ves. as stated in its governing document. ar8 to protnote any charitable purpose for the b8n8fits of Ihe community In the area of Sandwell & Walsall MotropDli18n boroughs and adjacent areas by the advancement of education. th8 protection and presarvation of h8alth and Ihé reliéf ol povarty sickn&ss and distress supplySng a fr•8, Ind8p8nd8nt. confidential and impartkgl service ol advice, information and counsel, The Charity. is a member of ils National A5socialion now known as "Citizens Advice., which provides a framework lor $18nd&rd8 01 govèrnan¢ts advlee and casework manaoemenl and rnoniiors the Charlty'8 umpllan¢e wblh thès6 sland8rds. In pursulng thèsa oblactlvès thè Chgrlty has tha lollowlng alms.. 1. Delivery an effective frontline advice s8tvice through networked ieams of dedicated rranagement, specialist staff, and outreach workers, ensuring comprehensive service delivery lo the residents we Sen￿ ,' 2. Enhan¢emenl of our services through the deployment of 8 diversely rich and highly trained and ¢ommill¢d volunteers.. 3. The adoplh)n ol strong financial management across the Charity, ensuring our resources are used efficiently.. and 4. Compllance with our legal and regulatory oblig815ong and al all limes ensudno we are 8¢11ng In the b&sl Inl8ros1s of the Charity The Trustees deem the perforMa￿e is lully aligned to Ihe Charitable Objectives as demonstrated in Ihi5 annual report. Oblectlve8 and acllvbtles Our Vision Citizens Advice Sandwell and Walsalls Vision WB exist ID help people overcome ¢hollenges through free, Independent advice. By working with our communiti&8, wts prole¢l rights, prevent ¢risas, and cra818 f6wer problems. Strate ic Prioritiès Linked to the organisalions Strategic Business and Development Plan our 3 Strategic Priorilies are the following and we review these annually. 1. Provldlng advlce fft lor the luture - Understanding how we gwe advice lo our clients, in the way they need and will help IfrEm lo achieve their goals 2. Closlng the gap In acce55 and experlence - End the divide between different client groups and ensuring that every client has access lo the Same level of service 3. Taklng early actlon to prevent crlsls- Prevenl crisis trom haPp￿ing and support the client earlier CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Busin855 Dev810 rn8nl and Partnershi Workin Over the ye8r5 we have been success￿1 In being awarded funding lo support the needs of residents in need of advice acr0$5 Sandwell and Walsall During 202412025 wè tontinued our Core c￿tract with Sandwèll Borough Council as w8 ar8 in year 2 of a 3 year contract 8xpiring on 3110312026. W8 wer8 also r8-comrnissed by Walsall COU￿11 to provid8 Wellare Ben8lits Services to residents there, We ar? proud to be a tnjsted partner lo hoth Sandwell and Walsall coun(als, providing vital advice sèrvicgs to ièsidents. In addition to th888 cor& contracts we had 15 funders providing us funding lo provide vital services io residenls focusing on Debt, Benefits. Housing, Energy, HoLJsing and Employmeni services. We secured funding from new organisalions that we had not worked with prewously such as Poslcode Lottery. This enabled us lo provide CASPER Imoble Advice Unill across Walsall during the year. We ar8 proud lo work with a numhgr ol olh8r Organisats"￿s, Partn8r& and volunl8ry sector organisalion& inGluding Sandw811 Consortium, Brushstokc5, Sandwcll Council AdLIII Snr*ial Carc Tcnrns, Srncthwick Food BIL nk and Nolionol Citizcn5 Advi¢c We heve a strong re181KJnship with our MPS and Local Councillors in bolh Borou9hs. W8 ar8 gratèful for the support ol lh8 following partners who continue to fund us. lo deliver th8 s8rvic8s.' Sandwell Council Wals811 Council British Cas Energy Tiusl Cadent Energy Advice progr8mme Muri¥y drid Peiibiuri S¥iviLLI Wider Determinants ol Health Thrive UK Shared Pr05perily Fund Cost of Living Team Peer Support • Multiply Birm ngharn child￿n'S Hospital Poslcode Lollery Walsall Housing Group Our Values lor 202412Q25 W• mak• a p081tiv• diff•r•nc• to th• communily - During tha yèar, wa SUPFQrtad over 16,000 cliènts through our sèrvices with over 65,000 issues, highlighiiny the increasing c(>mplexily of th& challenges our clitsnls lac8. Our work deliv8rtsd iangibltt impa¢l, achbving £8.6 million In finan¢ial gains for dienls. We develop the knowledge of our people and are a leaming ory•nisation . Our strength lieg in the dedication gnd expertise of our colleagues. We now have 80 active volunteers, our highest ever level ol volunteer engagement, each playing a viial rola In Ihg dallvary of our swvicos. Wè conlnua lo invest In lÉarnSng and dèvolopmgnt to gnsure our loams a equipped lo meet th8 8volving needs of th8 community. This cotnmilm8nl is supported by an organi5ation wide benchtnarking review which was completed thi3 year to en3ure fair and competitive pey across all roles. Wè ¢elebrate individual and colle¢live a¢hitsvèrnents that wè ¢an build on. Our collective èfforts 8nd commilmenl has been recognised nationally when we won a National Award al the Cilizer)s Advice Conference lor our Care Leavers Project 12023120241, voled for by peers across the Crtizens Advice network This Bchievernonl ref ects the inpo¢l of our innovetive, person-cenlred approach and Ihg glr8nglh of our collab￿li0n a¢ross the organisation. We embrace dSver51ty and 5t3nd up for equallty- Our values are reflected rK)t only in the Services we provide but a150 in how we support our people, Wo ara proud lo uphold & pay commllmenl ensuring all roles are paid a￿ve the National LI￿n9 Wage, reinforcing our belief that tsirness begins within. We also Secured over £1 million in additional incorne this year ensuring an enhanced opportunity lowards equitable access. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Premisas This year we continued lo operate Iiom our registered office at Municipal Buildings in Oldbury iogelher with operations ai I following locations ensuring we continue to operate an o?en door service for clients. The below table sets out our locations. ays and opening times for 202412025 Locallon Address Advlcg Sesslon Tlm05 Monday- 09..00 -15".30 Tuesday- 09.'00- 15..30 Wednesday - 09.'00-15.'30 Ttriurbddy. 09."(10-15.'00 (Pie booked appolnlmèntsl FTlday- 09."00- 15.30 Monday- 09.'00 - 15'.30 Tuesday- 09.'00- 15.'30 Wadn*sday - 09..00-12..30 Thursday . 09.'00 .15'.30 Frl¢ay- 12'.3Q-15'.30 Municipal Building5 Halesowen Street Oldbury Wvst Midlands B69 2A3 Oldbury Urit 6, Tollgale Shopping Precinct Smèlhwi¢k B67 7RA Smglhwick Cradley Heath Communily Centre Reddal Hill Rd Cradley Heath 664 5JG Cradley Heath Ti)esday- 09.'30- 15'.30 Thursday- 09.'30 - 15'.30 Sl Paul's Communlty Cèntra Brlck Klln Streel Tipton DY4 98P Tiplo Monday- 08.'30 - 1 5,30 Wednesday - 08.-30- 15.'30 Wednesbury Libiary Walsall Street Wednesbury WS10 9EH Wednesbury Friday 10.'00 - 18.3D SVIEDA Ctrurch Street Wesl Brotnwich B70 8RP Thurgday 09..30- 17'.00 W&818romwich L81s Chat Hub Wpst Brornwich Bus Station Sl Michael Street Sandw&ll West Brotnwich B7n 7NN Thursday 10.'00 - 14'.00 E-a¢1 Academy ICaret8k&rs Collage), Furzebank Way Willenhall WV12 4BD Monday- 09..30 - 15,30 Thursday - 09.'30 - 15'.30 (Pre booked appDinlmentsl VValsall- E-ACT Acaderny W81s811- Walsall Hub 1902 Green Ln Walsall WS2 8HE Monday- 09.'30 - 1 S'.30 Friday- 09.'30- 15'.30 (Pre booked appointrnenlsl We continue lo operate our Iwo mobilo advice units, CASSIE in Sandwell and CASPER in Wals811. Th880 mobile advice units allow us lo lake the servic85 we offer to areas of Sandwell and Walsall that our physical estate does not meet. We continue to see a large foot fall and demand w,hen the advice units are in Ihe community. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Our Performance and Impact for 202412025 Achievemenis in 2024-2025 16,981 clients supported I￿e-to-lace. telephone, webchat, and ernail services Over 65.000 issugs addressed, rellecllng In¢r&asgd complexlty P6r cllenl. Offering our holBlic advice this means that on aver3ge each client presents with 4 issues which are getting more ¢ompl¢x £8.6 million in financial gains achiaved for clitsnls, an inereas8 01 £2.3 million bas8d on 202312024 • £2,952,899 debt written off lor Sandwell and Walsall Residents We have managed 14,480 debt issues which is a record high for us Over £1 million In addition81 income secured lo continue and expand swwce provision 8¢rosg Sandwtrll and Walsall, n ap.lwp vnliJnlAfirs nnw 8llPPnrt oijr sprvirTr., nijr hioh8qt f*v8r If>v*+l nf ¥oliJnl8pr AngAgftm&nt, an inrrpAs8 af 2601. mpared lo the previous year. Organisation wide b&nchmarking review eompltsted lo ensure fair and comp81ilive pay across 811 rol•8. Our License from the Financial Conduct Aulhorily was renewed for a further 3 years including the Advice Quality Stondard License too. Pay Co￿￿lIMent that all roles will b8 paid above the National Living Wage, refl8Cting OUT values and Cornrnitrnenl io supwrting not just our clients. bul our colleagues too. We won 8 N8lional Award 81 the National Cilizens Adviee Conference lor Ihe Care Leavers Project we delivered in 202212024. This award was vot8d by other Cits'zens Advice's across the network so wg are r8ally proud ol this. A¢hl8v•mgnt6 and perforrnanc• Our organisation conts'nues to celd)rate many 9reat achievements throughout the year, but during 202412025 we Gould not hovg dtrllvgred the out¢omgs for r¢sidonls of Sondw911 ond Walsall wllhoul our Pald Stsff and Volunl99rs. Cllent Satlslacllon As part of our Strategic B¢Jsine5s Plan, every year we uryjertake a client satisfaction survey to ensure that we are rneeling the needs of our clients. ond lo see if we can do onylhing to make things better for them. WÈ ran 2 suNéys durlro thè yèar. Novérnbar and March. Our results lor 202412025 wèrè the lollowing 226 Responses collectivel From April 2024 through lo March 2025, 2 customer surveys wertr carried Dul across our serv￿e$ (July 24. Nov 241 with 226 responses collectively From those surveyed there was a noticed increase in 8wareness around all ol our $¢tvices on 202312024- Face to Face. Advicèline, wèbchat. mobilè advic8 unit. 23124 ￿ 60V/o of cllents not aware of 5ervlces outslde of face to face 24125- 36% of clients not aware of services outside of face to face Due lo promotion of all our servic8S this r85ulled In a ri58 of 24% of clients being mor8 awar8 uf options available to them. W$ nèsd more awar$noss of social mèdia and whèr* wè post with only 13% 01 cliènis survgyad awara ol our presenc8 on Social tn8dia siles despite 85% of cl￿nIS reporting they have access to th8 interml. 69Yo of our clients prefer faTr lo face. 50rnÈ reasons given included, easier to explain issues. not good with digital, halpBd 1heir m6nlal heallh Wathng tirne5 for faGe to faGE - 87% 01 Glients 5urveyEtJ said they didn't ￿1nd the wait for faGe lo faGe or the wait was worth rt. Feedback from Ihe other 13¥0 induded - waiting was boring, cannot srt for long with disabilities, mo appointments should be available. Least likely to acce55 our services during this feedback periad is under 29's14 1p) showing we still need to do rnore work around engaging and promoting our services to younger people. Following this feedback, this has been built into our SeNce Re-de$wJn which will addre￿ these points across 202512026. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Below Is some feedback from our cllents he I￿81 atlvic8 section 15 fantastic. Thé 18981 advicg 1 gol was impeccab18. 1 h8vo won 8 legal c8s8 (housing issu8} thanks lo the excellenl advice and support I received. The value olthe support is ineslimable (fin8n¢i&lly, psychologffcally and socially. ).Highly rocornmgnolgd s*rnce". Sandw811 Res￿@￿t 'Very h8lpf&l, much need8d help acquired. K88p up the good W0￿,_ Sandwell Resident Very kind aF7d helpful. Nolhing was too muGh trouble". Walsall Resident Yhe help thal I received was fantastic r6alty happy wilh the seNice'_ Walsall Rèsidént People In 202412025, we loeusèd on strèngthening cxjr organISa￿On by invésting sn our pèoplè. Wè hèld a staff away day IoeLJsing on building resilience and understanding working styles. and 5UPPOrted colleague5 to gain nationally recDgnised, accredited qualifications through 8nhanc8d training opportunit188. W8 also improv8d our intemal corfmunicalions, cr8ating a mor8 open and inclusive cullur&. As a result, 140h more colleagues reported faeling treated wllh fairness and respect, and more fèll Ilslaned lo and valu•d. r8fl8cling ongolng cornmitmonl to fostorlng a supportlv8 and 8mpowerlng o4orkpl8c8 wh8r8 ev&ryon8 can thrivfj. Voluntoors Across 202412020 we have had 80 Actlvts Volunteers, and we would not be able to provide the servlcas to residents without them. As part ol our grant from Sandw811 and Walsall C￿JnCl1, Ih8r• is a r8qulr8m8nt that th8 S8rvic• has volunte8rs built Into th8 dellv8ry whlch wè havè conllnuèd to do. The volunteer5 that work lor us are a massive benelil to the local cornmunity, stakeholders and the clients that we see on a daily b8sis. Volunlogriro for gn organls8llon Ilkg ourgglves onoblgs ihom lo In¢roaso Ihelr $kllls In ¢uslomer $grvl¢gs, dlgi181, pegr lo peg1 suppori and th8 skills on Benefits and Advice. All our Volunl8ers who give advic8 are qualified and go through a robust training progremme lasling over 3 months with observations and sign off by trained colleagues. We have continued lo have a dedicated Volunleer Manager who oversees the wolunleer journey from enquiry, recruitment, onboarding and w8llb8Sng. Thls rol8 is critical lo ensuring w• hav8 gjch a h8allhy volum8 ol volunt•ers. When a volunt88r is viorKing with us we have a team of Advice Session Supervisor5 whose role Is to support volunteers with client Inlerac¢ions and advice. During this ytsar, we Snvesled Sn a new digital plalform lo rnan8ye our Volunleer journey. This platlomi has Ir8nsformtsd how V￿ manage the process and streamlining none-value add processes. Finally, our 8oard of Trus18e8 are also volunteers and give their lime lo kne organisalion lo ensure the dev8lopmenl of the or9anis8tion. During Ihis year Ihe organisalion has undertaken a CEO Recruitrnenl Exercise so we need lo thBnk the Board of Trustees for Ihgir tim9 and g¥perien¢e lo supwrt the organisation lo grow. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Compllance and Regulallon National Citizen Advice Leadership Self Assessrnenl As part of our ongoing commitmont to excoll0n￿ through our Perforrnance Quality Framework, we cornpleted compr8hensiv8 three year Leadership Self Ass8SSm8nt audit In August 2024. This audit Is und8rtaken by National Cltizens Advlce. As we are part of a Federated Model, is Ihls part of our mernbership agreement. r￿8￿5 Th¢ audit ¢i'aluot¢d ninc critical ar¢as.' Govomonco, Strat¢gi¢ Bu$in¢ss Planning, Risk Monag¢m¢nt, Finan¢io1 Managcmcnt, People M8nggèment. Op8r8tion81 Performan¢& Man8gem6nl, Partnership Worf(ing, Resèareh and CaMpai9ns, and Equality Leadership. We are proud lo report that the organisalion athieved the highe51 possible score acroys all ayse55ed area5. The a55e550r provided the fr)Ilowing feedback.. '1 want lo thank you 8gain lor what prcjved lo be a stimulating Session in Sandwell last month. Wè appreci816d your hospilalily and the op8n and transparent way you spoke about the organisalion. You have met some considerable challenges head on. I felt that your preparalion for the event and exaeution ol thè Portfolio wère eXcep￿.on31. which was rèllecled in the resutts." This outstandin9 OUt¢ome r9flg¢t& th9 dgdicgts'on, profos$ionalism, end slratagic fo¢uB ernbgddgd throughoul our org8ni881ion. External Accreditations and Licenses Lunlinue tu upliuld tl)e dLLrediled Advlce Quallly Standard IAQSI across our Services. W8 currently hold Ihe AQS mark In generalis18dvice and trove also secured 8ccreditstion in casework for debt. wellare benefits, 8nd housing, Ihree area5 of parlicularly high demand. This wa5 rengwed in Sgplgfflb&r 2024 foi 3 years. This accreditation underlin85 the consislenUy high standards we maintain in delivering quality, accessible, and effective advice to our communilies. Despite the chsllenges. our focu$ remain5 on innovation, responsiveness, snd resilience We are cornmirted to adopting olir servicgs lo m$el growin9 needs, lo gnsuiing Ihal no one in our community faces crisis alone. As an organlsation, w8 activ81y $88k collaborats'v8 opportunili8s and hav8 establish8d strcng partn8rships across Sandw811 and Walsall lo dalivar a wlde rang8 ol support s8rvic8s. Worklng wlth Sandw811 Consortlum. w• provide cost-ol-living 8ssistan¢a and ¢ondu¢l quality ¢he¢ks due lo our high slandards. We collaborate with Sandwell Family Hubs, S8ndw#ll Childr8n's Trusl, and Ictal htralthcar8 and #ducalion providers to support vuln8rabl# groups including pr￿na￿l womèn and care lea￿rs. Our p5rtr￿rshIpg exlènd to Birrningham Children's H05pltal, where wt olfer advlcè to larnilies, and lo the Mon#y Advice and Pensions Service for debt support a¢r05s Sandwell & Walsall. Through the Multiply programrne, we provide numtrracy skills in partntrrship wlh community organisati>ns. We have also workod with Wast Midlands Traval and Black Country Food 8ank lo ofl8r travel and food vouchers, and dèllvèr en#rgy advic# s*rvicès In eollaboraiion with Brflish Gas En8rgy Trust and Cadent. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Advicè Qualil Slandard Acereditalion AQS We continue lo hold the Advice Qualtty Standaid Acciedilation IAQSI, and this was renewed as part of our Leadership Sell Assessment in August 2024. This was conducled by National CilEens Advice. We hold this lor three Years until September 2027. CS1Szens Advice M8mber8hi r88ment Wè continue lo be part of the National Citizèns Advice ￿ganIsa￿'0n, and we pay an 8nnual memberghip fèè for this. To bè part ol Iho organisation, wa havè to undèrtaka a 3 year audil procèss. In August 2024 wa had our 3 year Ltradgrship Self Assessment Audit which was completed across a number of day5 across Ihe following g areas l. OovErnaii 2, Slralegi¢ Businesg Planning 3. Risk 4. Financial Management 5, Pgoplg Monagamgnt 6. Opgrational PerformanGg Managgment 7. Partnership Working 8, Ro￿¥r¢h and Campaign8 9, Equality Leadership We achieved green which is the hvjhesl Score you can achieve acros5 all 9 areas meeting the level expected, Mone Advice and per￿lOn S8rvlca MaPs As part of our debt seNic8 which is commissioned by the Money Advice and Pension Service, we are subject lo a formal gudit of the qualily ol the service we provide by independenl assessrnenls. Fin£nci81 Conduct Aulhoril During the year we have submitted our FSn8nei31 Condts¢t Aulhorlty returns and 8re ¢ompLgint in thls area relating lo the d&bt advice we provide clien15 C ber Essentials During this y8ar, we continu8 to maintain our Cyber Es58ntials cotnpliance. A5 part of ourwid8r 5trat8gy we havg inv85led signffic8ntly in enhanced securily measures 8cr05s all our devices, ensuring that both our systems ond data are berter prolected against emerging thr8at$, This includes the im?lem8ntation ol advanced endpoint security, r8gular softwar8 up(Jate8, and Gomprehen51ve ￿OnItOrINq lo proactlvely Id8ntlfy an¢ rnltlqate potsbnllal r15ks, These 51eps form a core part of oijr nngning commitment to safeguarding our oppratinns, r.lients, and slakehrJldpr5. CEO R•¢ruitm•nt Matt Lorimer stood down as Chair on declaring an inltrrest in Ihtr vacant CEO rola in AugLtsI 2024. In accordance with btrsl practice Bne following guidance from the Charity Commission, Matt was appointed as CEO following a robust and openly eomp&Uliv8 r8eruilm&ni proc8s8 supptsrtgd by ind8p&ndenl advisors, Matt started as CEO in February 2025. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Flnanclal revlew At the stsrt of the year. the Trustees approved an operational defiol of £136.265. re¢ognisin9 It as an appropriate use of Ihe Charity's reservgs. Total incowie for the lear was £2,127,061 Icornpared to £1,960,167 in 20231241, while total expenditure arnoun18d lo £2,123,458 leDmpared to £2,017,717 in 20231241. No new fixed assets were pur¢hg8¢d in the year., fixed 888et8 ore used Only for diaritoble purpw¢s to provide Ihe ner¢ss8ry 6nvironmenl and rasour¢&s lo deliver the s&rvi¢&s lo our dignl$. Our balanc8 sheet remains very strong, and the Charity has a net worth of £1,094.958. We have been able to maintain hedlthy eash balancès, with prud8nt investments ol yèar surplus8s that have generated addits.onal Incomè lor th* Charity The organisalion's reserves policy aligns will best practice recommendations from Citizens Advice's national guidelines for Financlal H&alth MonllDrlng, Unr68lrlcl&d and deslgnaied re8erves ar8 n)ainlalned al threè months, operallnu Cosis, Th6S8 r8serves are intended lo cover both short-lem emergencies and long-lerm contingencies, such as a significant r8duction in fvjnding or a complete IDSS of income, and mits'gale the cost of Bny wnsequenl slatutory and contractual obligations. Risk managemant.. Str8t8gic and operalian81 risks are managed in accordance with the risk rn8na9ement policy, which includ$$ the risk appetite and asso$smonl criteria. The Risk Man¥gtrrngnl Sub-committee rtrviewg Ihtr risk r¥gis1gr and mak85 recommendations to the Board ol Trustee5 whiGh ha5 overall re5ponsibilily lor the éelerminalion of risk5 and gssociated miligalion plans, R•sgrvos Pollcy Th8 organi$th'on'$ rtrservès policy 81igns will best pra¢li¢è rècommèndations from CilYz?ns Advi¢e'8 national guid8lin8s for Financial H&alth MonitDring. Unreslrict&d and designated reserves arfl maintained at three months, operating costs. These reserves are intended lo cover bDih shorl-lemi emeioencies and long-lerm conlingencies, SLJtth 8s a signilieant redLJelion in funding or a complete IDSS ol income. and mth'gale the cost ol any consequent slatulory and contractual obligations. Rlsk managgmont.. Stratgglc ond op?rallonal rl$k5 8rg managgd In g¢¢ordance wllh Ihg r15k menaggment pollcy, whl¢h inGlude6 the risk 8pp8tile and 855e8smenl criteria. The Risk Managernenl Sub-comtnittee reviews Ihe risk regi51er and make5 recommendations to the Board ol Trustee5 which has overall responsibility for the delerminalion of risk5 and asso¢iot¢d mth'9ation plans, The Irusle9s acknowledge Ihelr r95ponslbllllles for Rlsk lthan8gemenl a8 sgt out In SORP jFRS1021 Thoy havg Id8nlllled and assessed major risks lo which the charity is exposed. and following on Irorn this have established systems lo rniligalg those risks. Pl•n$ for th• futur• The Board of Trustees has determined ihe following business priorities for the forthcoming year12025120261'. 1, We'r8 led by People's Negds 2. We're rootE&d in the Comrnunity 3. We're strenglhened by volunleers and our People 4. W8 sèè th8 whola pèrson 5, We're Irvsled experts As part ol our ongoin9 review ol the Business Priorities, we have a risk regislei which has already idenbfied the following slraleglc risks for the followlng ye¥r. CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 A. Pr8ssur8 on Local Aulhoril Fin8nces- W8 receive funding froffl bDlh Sandw911 and Walsall Local Authorilies which both LA'S will bx> recomrnissioning during 202512D26 for 202612027 which could rn>an a change in provision B Cost InflalK)na Pr8ssur8s- Inflation has conlinu8d lo grow ov8r Ihe last f8W y8ars and ihis year thg impatl of this will continue. With a number of our grants in 202512Q26 al the end of the nontraatual period, wrth some signgd 3 yaars ago, K'e conts'nua lo sèa this prassura on our financas C. Recruitmenl and R8lention - Skilled Advic8 Workers in th8 sector continue lo be hard to r8cruSt and r8taln due lo 5kn'11 Short￿eS in a crowded market. Our 2025 Pay Award addressed the immediate concerns hut the new Peoplo Plan wlll contSnuè to support thls D. HR Chan s- Ongoing HR Law chang88 wi11 b8 a 5ignilicanl risk lor us during 202512026 due to th8 C051, tim8 and domand this will put on tearns. We hove outsourced our HR Advice Provision which will help to deliver this CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Structure. 9ovemanc• and management Nature of governlng document The charity Is ¢onstrluted as a eornpany limited by 9uarantee and is govemed by its MemL)randum 8nd Ariicles ol Assoaalion. The Trust&es. who are also the directors for th8 purpose of company law, who served during the year are showing on the legal and adminislration page. None of the trustees has any beneficial interesl in the cornpany. All ol the iruslees are membèrs of th6 company and uuaranlee to conlrfbults £1 In the &v8nl of 8 wlndlng up, The Iru3tee¥. who are al30 the direGtors lor tha purpa3e i)f Gompany law, ond ￿h0 aerved during kne year up lo the dote of signature ol the financial statemen15 were.. Dowman l Lorimer (Chair lo 20th August 20241 (Resigned 3 Decernber 20241 (Resigned 20 August 20241 C Bower Ilnlorim Chair from 21gt Augu?t 2024 to 28th Aprll 20251 D Wright lln18rim Chair from 29th April 20251 A Green ITreasurerl D Loon G Christl S Cl¢lT (Appglnled 3 D9¢&mbgr 20241 IAVwJiii￿d 28 Jiiiiuéry 2025 drid i¥&iyii¥d 14 May 20251 (Appoirnlod S November 20251 (Appoirnled 5 Novembgr 20251 (Appointed 5 November 20251 N Crombie R B8rgo S Jackson Non8 of th8 Trusl8as has any b•n8llcial Int&rgst In Iha company. Al Trusle&s arè rn•mb8rs of tha company and guarant88 10 contrlbutè £1 In thè •vent of a wlnding up. The Board conducts an gnnual gppraisal lo evaluate it5 over011 effeotiveness, induding 8 review ol its collective skills and iverslly. As part ol Ihls proc&ss, 8ny gap8 In skS11s ar6 Ideniifled, and sltsps are laktrn lo rocrull now Iruslees who can addr6S8 these areas. In addition, he Board regularly considers its Gomp05ilion with regard lo diversity, including age, gender, elhnicily, disability, and representation reffleclive of the local population. A gap an81ysi5 is carried out lo compare the Board'5 profile with that of tho cummunity il sgrv¥s, and re¢ruitment pffgrts aro made tu addws¥ under-repi¥spntation wherp idenlifipd, Trustee vacanci8s are advertised both locally and on national platforms. Recruilmenl is conducted through a formal application and interview process. Where necessary, new trustees may be ctsopted onio the Board on an interim basis and ar6 then formally ole¢l6d by members 81 the next Annual Gener81 M89ling IAGMI. Structure Th8 Trustees, collectively as the Board ol Trustees retain overall responsibilty for the affairs ol the Charity. Th8 Board of Trustges r8gularly 8ilh8r in person, o, as provid8d by its constitution via rernol8 rI￿an$. The Trustee8 have trslabllshed iho following sub ¢ornmi11888'. Flnanets, Paople, Risk, and R88earch & Campaign. E8ch181gd by a Trustee and attended by Chief Executr've Officer or olh8r relevant senior manager. None ol Ihe 5ub-commiltees have elegated decision rnaking powers. The Ttustee5 have delegated c*rtaln day to day règponslbllities to thè Chl*f Ex*eulve oific*r and through them to oth8r senior rnanagers 10- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 R4$trl¢tlon$ and Inv8$tmont powors Tha Mamorandum and Articlas of Association authorisag thè charity lo racaivè incom• by way of donations, gifts and grants, provided thal it does not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising fvnds lor its primary objectives. The Memordndum also permits the investfflent of surplus funds not iMmed￿le1Y needed, subjecl to legal conditions and consents. Rglatèd partlo$ As with 811 other Citizens Advi￿ organisations, the charity is connected wilh Ils Nalional Association who are themselves a charity registered under Number 279057 op8rating from 3rd Floor. 1 Easton Street. London. WC1X ODW. Payments have been made throughout the year to the National Association amounting lo £11,159.00 in respect of insurance, subscriptions, training ser￿1¢¢8. AGM and Sundry stalicsnery. Tho charlly has no subySdlary undertaklng9. Statement of truste•B' responsibilities The trustees, who are al30 the director5 of cl￿zenS Advice Sandwell & Walsall Ltd lor the purpose ol company law, are responsible lor preparin9 the Trustees. Fieport and the financial staiements in accordan￿ wilh applia3ble1ow and United Kingdom Accounting Standards IUnil&d Kingdom G8n8rally Acctspied Accounting Praclicel, Audltor In ae¢ordanc• whh th• company's ariiclg9. a rggolution proposing Ihat CK Audit Litnitgd with rggistgrgd offic• locat9d Castl• Court 2. Castlegate way, Dudley, West Midlands DY14RH be reap?ointed as auditor ol the company will be put al a General Meeting. Dls¢lo$ur• of Inform8tlon io audltor E8ch of the trustees confirrned that there is no inforrnation of which they ale aware which is relewant to the audit. but of Yihich the audilor is unawai8. They have further ¢onfirmod th81 they havtr taken appropriate sl8p8 lo KJ¥nlfy such rel8v8nl information and lo establish Ihat the auditor is aware ol such information. Th8 trustèès, report was approvèd by th8 Board of Trustées. D Wrlght Ilnt•rlm Chalr from 29th Aprll 20251 De1tpd' 5 Nnvernhpr 2()2fj 11 CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD Oplnlon Wts h8V& 8udited the finan¢ial stslamènls ol Citizens Advic& Sandwell & Walsall Ltd Ilhe 'charity'l forthe year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise th8 Stat&M8nt of financial activiti&s, th8 balance sh88t and notes to th8 fnancial slalernents. including significant a¢¢ounting pdi¢ies. The linana81 reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicablg18w and Uniled Kingdom A￿oU￿￿'D9 Standards, including Finane481 Reporting Standard 102 Th8 Financial Rgporting Standard applicable in UK and Republic o,'Ireland Iunited KingdDm Generally Accepl&J Aocounling Practicei. In our opinion, the financial staternenls.. give a true and lair view ol the slate ol the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of ils incoming r¢sour¢8s and application ol resour¢e$, including rts income and expènditure, for the year then endéd,. havé b88n property prèpar8d In accordanc8 wlth Unit8d Klngdom G8n8rally Acc8ptèd Accountlng Practlce.. and have been prepared in acc(rdance wrth the requirements of the co￿paNieS Act 2006. Basi8 for opinion We conducted our audrt in accordan￿ wilh International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our r&8ponsibili1168 undor those Standards arts lurthar d8s¢rib$d in the Aiidilors 1&8ponsibilili&s forth& audil of the fin&n¢i&l stal&ments section ol our report. We are independent of the charity in accordanca with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our gudit of Ihe lin8nc481 Slgtempnls in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethic81 Slandaid. and we have f(Jllilled our other elhi¢al responsibilities in accordancg wilh these rgquiremenls. We bgli$ve that the audit eviden¢s wg hgve obtained 1$ sufficient arKI appropriate io provide a basi5 lor our opinion. Conclusions Telating to going roncern In audlllng th8 Ilnanelal slatam8nt$, we have eon¢luded that thè tru$lts86' use ¢1 thé golng con¢6m basls of a¢countlng In thè preparation ol Ihe linawial slal8m8nls is appropriate. Basèd on Ilw work n8va p8rforn￿. w4 h8vè not Idèntlflèd any m8lèrlal uncèrt8lntl8a rèlatlnu to èV8nls or eondltlong that, individually or collec￿'Vely. may cast significant doubl on the charity's ability lo continue as a going concern for a period of ai 108sI Iwelve months Ircm wh8n thè finan¢ial $tatementS 8ro 8ulherlsed lor Issua. Our responsibilities and the responsibililiÈs ol the trustees wilh respect lo going concern we de6crib&J in the relevant se¢lions DI this report. Othgr Infomiatlon Th8 other information comprls8s thè Infom)ation Includ8d in the annual rèport other than th8 financlal stal8m8nts and our auditor's report Ihereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual reporl. Our opinion on the financial slaternents does ml cov8r the oth8r information and. except lo the 6xlent otherwise ¥xplicitly 51aled in our report, wtr do not expreay any form ol asyiJrMn¢e conGILJsion th#r#on. Our re5ptsnsibillty is to rtrad the othtrr information and, in ning so. consider whether the other inforrnalion is materially inconslstenl wilh the financial statement5 or our knrjwledgp obtaingd in th• coursa of tha audil, or othèrwisa app$ars to bè materially misstat$d. If wè idèntify such material Incon515tencies or apparent malerial rni5Statements, we are required to deter￿ine Nvhether thi5 gives rise to a matertal misstatement in the fin8nGial stalemenls themselves. If, based on tre work we have perforrned, we conclude that there is mat¥rial misstatttm¥nt of this othèr information, w¥ are rèquirdd to raport thal fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Oplnlons on other mattgrs proscrSbed by tho Companl8s Act 2006 Iii our opinion, based on the work underiaken in the course of oui audit.. th8 Inlomalon ￿Ven In the IrLJsl89s' roport lor the Ilnand81 ye8r for which the fin8n¢lal stsloments are prepared, whl¢h indudes the directors, report prepared for the purpK)ses ol company law, is consistent wlh the linanoal stslemenls., Iha dirèctors, rèport includad within the trust￿, r6POrt has ￿an praparod in accordanc8 with applicablè lègal requirements. 12- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD Matters on whlch we are requSred to report by excepllon In ihe light ol tha knowbdge and understanding ol tho charity and ils environment obtained in the cour8e of the audit. w¥ hav8 not idenlffi8d mat8rial misstal8m8nts in the diractor8' r8POrt included within th8 tru8t8es' report. We have nothing to report in respect of thè Idlowlng mattèrs in r8lalSon to which tha Companlgs Act 2006 rgquir•s us to r8port lo you rf, in our opinion.. adaquat& accounling records hava not baen k8pt, or rgturns adequate lor our audll have nol bg8n recèived from branches nol visit8d by u5.. or Ihe linanaal s18lernenls are not in agreement with the a¢counling records and returns., or certain disclosuies ol trustees, remuneration specrfied by18W 8re not made., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require forour audit., or the trustees were not 8nlilled lo prepare the financial slaternenls in accordance with the srnall companies regime and lakp. 2dv2ntxop. nl thp smxll r.nmDAnip.s' pxo.rnr)tinn8 in r)rp.parino Ihp triJslp.p.s' rpw)rt Hnrl frnm thp. rp.qiiirp.mpnl In prapare a slraleglc report. Re$ponslbllltlos of trusi•¢8 As expl¥in¢d morg fully in thg slatemgnl of Iru$l¢¢$' r¥sponsibililies, the truste¢s, who org also Ihtr dir$¢lors ol the ¢harily for the purpose of comp8ny 13w, are r95PQll8ible for the preparation ol the financial 51alemenls and for beinA sakn'sfied that they give a true ond lair view, and for such inlerngl ¢ontrol as the trustees determine is no¢¢ssary lo enable Ihp prepargtion of finan¢ial slal?mgnls that ale Ireg fro￿ rnalerial Misstate￿9￿1, whether dug lo Iraud 01 error, In prgparing the financial stalernents, the trustee5 are re5pcnsible lor assessing the charity's ability lo continue a5 a going Goncem. clisclosing. a5 gpplicable, matters related lo going concern and using the going concern basis ol accounling unless the trustees either intend lo liquidat9 Ihtr charitable company or lo ¢ga$g c)pgr4tions, or havg no rg01islic allginalivg bul lo do $0. Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are lo obtain reasonable assurance about whether the ffi'nancial statements as a whole are free from material missl¢lemenl, whelh¢r due lo fraud or error, and lo issue an ou¢Jilorfs report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assuranwe is a high levgl ol QBBurance bul is not a guarantee Ih3t L4udil wnducted in L4ccordance with ISA5 IUKI will a￿ayS detect material misslatemenl when il exists. Misstatements can arise trom fraud or error and are considered material il. individually or In the aggrogale, they could r9880nably be expected to Influgnce th& economlc de¢l8lon$ of usgrs18kan on the basls ol these financial slalemenls. The extent to which our procedures are capable ol detecting irregulgrities, in¢ludin9 fraud, is detoiled below. Extent to which the audit was conoidered capable of detecting irregulariti88, including fraud We idenlilied and assessed the risks of material rnisstalem8nl ol the financial slalements. in r8speci ol irregularities whether ue lo fraud or error, or non compliBnce with laws and regulations and then designed and performed audit prooeduies rgsponsiv& lo Ihoso risk8, including obtainin9 audit evidence thai is sufficient and appropriat8 lo provide a basi8 for our opinion. In identifying and assessing risks ol rnaterial misslaternent in respecl of irregularities, including fraud and non.compliance with laws and regulations, our procodures Included thè following.. W¢ obtained an und¢rslanding of tho legal and regulatc￿Y framew￿& that ar¢ applicable to th¢ Company by discussion and enquiry with th& dirèctors and m8nag&ment team and our genèral kno￿edge and èxperience of th& charity sector. We focused on specific laws and regLJ13tions which ,Ne considered May have a direct material emect on the financial statomonts or the operatSons of the company, IncludSng the Companies Act 2006, taxation Iggislation, data protectlon, ernployrn8nl, and h8allh and 5af8ly18gi51ation-, We assessed the extent ol cornplian¢e V4ith the 18WS 8nd regulalions identiffied above throu9h making enquiries of management, reviewing correspondence with relevant regulators. 13- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD Audlt response to rlsks Identlfi We asses8eLI the susceptibility ol thè Company's financial stal&mBnts to maltsrial mi8ststemgnl. including how fraud might occur. Audit proc8dur88 P8rtormed iNclud8d but were n<)t limit8d to.. Dlscussions with directors and management as to wh8ra they consldar•d thera was susc8ptitdirty to fraud, thèlr knowledge ol actual, 5uspec18d and alleged fraud", Confirming our understanding of contruls by performing a walk through lest or observation and onqulry., Performing anatytical procedures lo identify any unusual or unexp8ct8d relationships.. • Id8nlifying and iesting journal 8ntrie5', Agreeing funding to underlying service agreernent5 8nd ensuring income is recognised in the correct period., Agre8ing classification of funding b8tW88n rgslricL8d and unr8slrict8d funds and ensuring amounts ar8 sp8nl loi th8 piJrpu5es inl¥rid&d', Reviewing the allocalitsn of direct and sUPPOrt Costs 8nd ensLJrino comparabla lo pffjvious perDds', R8vl¥wlng uriusui41 ur un8XPtILt8d IransÉlLllons', and Agreping the financial statetnent di5dosures to underfying supporting docurnentallon. Owing to the inherent limitations ol an audrt. Ihere is an Ljnavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstalernenls In the finan¢ial s18lemenls, even though we have properly planned and perfomed our audit in a¢¢ord8nce viith auditing standard8. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, Ihe less likely il is that we would becorne aware ol non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the aLidii procedures required to identify non-compliance wilh laws and regulaiions lo enquiry ol the directors and other managernenl and the inspection of regulatory and legal corrg8pondence. il any. Matgri01 misstatgrn¥nt$ th4t ari$8 du¢ to frgud ¢on b* hardor t¢ d*tod thon th060 thèt ori$è Irom wor •$ Ih$y mèy invtslv* ¢elib9ralg ¢c)n¢galtnenl 01 collusion. A further ￿e￿rIptIon ol our responsibilities 18 available on the Financial Reporting Council'5 web81te at.. hltP5'.IIMw frc.org.uklaudilor5responsibilities. This description forms parl of ow audil0rf5 ieport. Use of our report Thls raport Ss made solaly to tha charltablè cornpany's m8mbèrs, as a body, In accordanca wllh Chaptar 3 of Part 16 of thg Cgtnpani95 Acl 2006. Our audit work has been undgrtaken so that we might slate to the Gharilablg Gompany's rnembgrs those mallers we are required 10 State lo then in an 8udilor's report and lor no other purpose. To the fvllesl exlenl permitted by law, w8 do not acc•pt or assurne r88ponslt*lllty lo anpn8 Oth8r than tho ch8rltabl• cornpany and th8 charltabl8 company's members a8 a body, lor our audit ￿Ork, for this report, or lor the opinion8 we have formed. Mark Nleholls {Senlor Statutory Audltorl For and on behalf of CK Audit, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants No 4 Castle Court 2 Ca8llegale Way Dudley West Midl8rds DY14RH 5 November 2025 14- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTtVlTIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Unr•stri¢tsd Restri¢t•d funds funds 2025 2025 Total Unro8tri¢tsd Re8tri¢ltsd fund8 funds 2024 2024 Total 2025 2024 Notes Incom• and •ndowmènt8 from.. Donations and legacies Chari18blè 8clivth$s Inveslménts Other incom8 473 858.970 29.780 21.283 473 2,048,860 29,780 47,948 1,121 862,188 13,276 13,389 1,121 1,899.321 13,276 46.449 1,189,890 1,037,133 26,665 33,060 Total income 910.506 1,216,555 2,127,061 889,974 1,070,193 1,960,167 Exp•ndllur8 on: Charilable aGlivrties 873.028 1,250,430 2,123,458 1,054,914 962,803 2,017,717 Total expenditure 873.028 1,250,430 2,123,458 1,054,914 962.803 2.017,717 N•t Incom￿leXP0nd5tur9> 37.478 133,8751 3,603 1184,9401 107,390 157,5501 Trdribferts belweeri fuiid 15,7781 5,778 39,415 139.4151 N•t mov•mont In funds 31,700 128.0971 3,603 1125.5251 67,975 157,5501 Reconclllallon of funds.. Fund balances al 1 April 2024 964,777 130,181 1,094,958 1,090,302 62,206 1,152,￿8 Fund balanc•s at 31 March 202S 996,477 102,084 1.098,561 964.777 130,181 1,094.958 Tho ¥tat8mtrnl of ffinan¢ial activili¥y includes all galns and losses recognisod In the year. All Incomo axpenditure derfve frorn continuing activities. 15- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD BALANCE SHEET AS A T 31 AIARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes Flx•d ass•ls Tangible as￿(5 12 11,872 29.194 Currènt assèts Debtors C8sh al bank and in hand 13 G1,638 1,233,061 1,113,672 1,294.699 1,167,195 Creditor8: amounts hlling duo within ono y•ar 14 1204,2611 199,8471 Net current assets 1,090,438 1,067.348 Total assets less current IlabllltleB 1,102,310 1,096.542 Provl$lon¥ for IlabSlltlgs 13,7491 11,S941 Net a88els 1,098,561 1.094,958 Incorno funds Réslrfct8d funds Unrestricted funds Designated flinds G8n6ral unrgslricled fund6 17 102,084 130,181 18 630,000 366,477 964,777 996,477 984.777 1,098,561 1,094,958 Th& Ilnancial statemènts w8r8 appruv8d by th¥ Truste88 on S Nov8mb8r 2025 D Wright Ilntsrim Chair from 29th April 20251 Company r•g15tratlon numb•r 02363690 16- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Ac¢ountSng pollcle8 Ch8rity infowmation Citizens Advice Sandw811 & Walsall Lld is a private company limlled by guarant88 Incorporated in Englan¢ and Wal8S, Th8 régisl8r8d offic8 Is Munlcipal Buildings, Hal8SDW8n Strè81, Oldbury, 869 2A8. 1.1 Basis of preparation Th& financial stalem&nts hav8 b88n pr8parèd in aceordanc& ivith lh8 d)arity's Articlès ol AÉsoeialion, th8 Compani&8 Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporiing by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finanaal Reporting Slancjard applicat)le in Ihe UK and RepuLilic of Ireland IFRS 1021" las amended for aecounting p8riods comrnènelng from 1 January 20161. Th8 charity is a Public B&n8fil Enllly as defin8d by FRS 102. Thè charlly has taken advantage of Ihè provisions in thè SORP for charlliès applylng FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not lo prepare a Slalem8nt ol Cash Flows. Th8 Ilnancial slalements ar6 prepared In 51erllng, which15 tho luncllonal currency ol th8 charlty. Mon8lary amounts th8sa linanclal stAlem8ntS *8 round8d to thè n8ar8st £. The linan¢i81 stalements have been prepared under the histori¢al ¢ost Conven￿'0n. The principol acoounting policies adopl&d are s&1 out below, 1.2 Going conc•m At the Iirne ol approving the financial slalernenls, the tru5te85 have a r8Bsonabl8 expeclatson that the chanty has adequate resources to continLJe in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees conbnue to adopt th8 golng concern basls ol accounllng In preparlng the flnan¢lal st4lamenl8. 1.3 Ch*ril•ble fund• Uiii¥slil¥l¥d lurids ai¥ 4vailabl¥ Ivi u¥¥ ¥1 Ili¥ di¥¥i¥liuii vl Ili¥ Irus1¥¥8 iii luilti¥r41i1¥ ul Ili¥lr L414ril4bl¥ utsl¥¥llv¥¥. Restrlclad lunds arè subl8el lo spe¢ffie ¢ondillon8 by d¢nor$ ¢r gr&niors as to how they may be used. Th• purptrses and uses ol tha restricted funds are sel out in th8 notes lo the linanual slalernenls. 1.4 Incorne Incomo 1$ recognised when the charity is legally entitled lo il after any performance conditions have b88n m81. the amounts can be measured reliably, and il is probable that income will be received. Cash donotlOn3 iJTe reGogni8ed on reGeipt. other donation3 are reGogni8?d onGe the Ghqrity ha3 been notified of the donation, unless perforrnance condilions require deferral ol tre amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations r¢¢gi¥ed undgr Gift Aid or d¢ed$ of covgnan1 1$ re¢o9ni$gd al Ihg lim¥ of Ihg donation. 1.S Expendlturg Exp¢ndilur¢ Is rwogniscd on¢¢ th¢r¢ 1$ a l¢gol or ¢onstru¢tivo obliggbon to Ironsf¢rcconomi¢ b¢nofit to a third party, It is prob¥ble Ihal a Ir8nsfer ol economic bengfi'ts will be required in 8etUemgnl. and the arnount of the obligabtsn can b8 measured reliably. Exp8ndilur8 is classili8d by activrty. Th8 costs of each activity ar8 rnad8 up of th8 total of dir8Ct costs and shared costs, indijding 5upporf costs involved in underlaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated dlre¢ly lo that actlvSly. Shargd ¢osts which ¢ontribule lo mor9 th8n one 8CtlvHy anrl SUPKX)rt costs whlch are no1 attributable to a single aclivily are apportioned between those aclivities on a basi5 cx)nsislent with Ihe use ol resources. Central slaff costs are allocated on the basi5 of time spent. and dep￿ciall0n charges are allocated on the portion ol the asso1's usa. 17- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 A¢¢ounting policies Icontinutdl E%penditure on ¢h8nt8ble activities includes the dire¢t ¢o$t$ undert8ken lo further the purptrse$ of the ¢h8rity ond their associated support costs. Support costs are those functions that assist Ihe ￿Ork of the charity bul do not directly relate to charilable activities. These cosls include back offico ¢OSts, finan¢8. pgrsonn$l, payroll and govtsrnancg ¢0s18. 1.6 Tanglble flxed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially measured al cost and subsequenly measured at GOSt or valuation, n81 ol depreciation and any impairment10sses. Dcpr¢¢iotion i¥ ro¢g9ni¥¢d 0$ to writ¢ off th¢ c￿1 or voluotign of a$¥cts 1¢¥8 th¢ir rc8iduo1 volu¢¥ ?￿r Ih¢ir u?¢fvl livgs on Ihe following baseg.. Leaséhold land and building5 Fixlur8s and filliDgs Motor vehlcles OV8r the tgrn ol Ih818asg 250A p8r annum slravJhl line 200h per annum slra(9ht Ilne Th8 gain or loss arSsing on th• disposal ol an asset Is det8rmin8d as Ihe differonco b8lw88n th8 sal8 proc88ds and the carrying value of the asset, and Is reco9nlsed In Ihe statement ol Ilnancial aclvllies. 1.7 Impolrment of Ilxed u¥sets Al each reporting end date, the charity review5 he carrying amounls of its tsngible asse15 to determine whether there is any indScallon Ihal thos8 ass8ls havé suff8r8d an irnpairm8nl loss. 11 any such Indication 8xI8ts. the r8coverablo amoLJnl ol th8 assat Is 8silmalad in ord8r to d818miine the 8xtent ol thè Impalrment loss Ilf any!. 1.8 Cash and cash •qulval•nts Cash and cash equivalents Includ8 cash in hand, deposits héld at call wth banks, other short-lerm liquid investments with ¢rigin81 maturities tsf three months or less, and bank overdrafts. 88nk overdrafts are shown within btrrrowings Srn 1.9 Financial instruments The charity has elected to apply the provi8ion8 ol s￿110￿ 11 '8asic Financial In8lrumenls' and Section 12'0ther Financial Instrurnenls Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity'5 balance sheet when the charity becomes party lo the conlraclual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with th8 net arnounts presented in the financial slaternents, when there is a legallv enforceable right to sel off the recognised amounls and there 15 an intention to settle on a net bBsis or to realise Ihg 8ssel and settle lh8 li8blily ¥imullanoously. 88slc fln8ncl41 assots Basic finanei&l assets, whi¢h Include debtors and cash and bank balences, are Initially measured at transactlon prf¢e induding Irans8Ction costs and are subsequently carried al amorts'se¢J cost using the effeciiwe interest rnelhod unl888 the arrangemenl conslitules a financing transaction, where the Iransaction is measured al the present value ol the future re￿IP1S discounted al g mad¢el rate of interest Financvl gssels tlgssifiÈd as re¢eiv•ble within onè year are not amortised. 18- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 A¢¢ounting policies Icontinutdl Basie financial lithbiliti&$ Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction pri￿ unless the arrangen)enl constitut$s a financing transaction, wh*ro the dobl instrumonl is measurgd al Ihe prèsènt value ol the future payments discounted at a market rate ol interest. Financial liat)ilities classified as payable within one year are amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently rarried al arnortised cost, using the effective interest rate methixj. Trade creditor$ ar8 obligations lo pay for goods or services Ihal have been acquired in the ordinary coursg ol operations from supplier5. Amounts payable are cbssified as current liabilities if payment Is due within one year or less. If not. they are piosonted as nonacurrcnl liabilitios. Trade creditors aro recognised initially at transaction piicc and subsequgnlly rveasured al amortisgd using tbg effgclive inlerest rnelhod. DwKognltlon of IlnanGlal Ilabllltles Financial li￿Idin0 p.n8t rtf living And en8r9y advlce lo those al rlsk of fu81 poverty and struggllng vllh bill payrnents. Cadent- To hèlp hous¢hold$ improve their financl)I wÈllb&ino and becomè more ènergy efficient. Brrtish Gas Energy Trust IBGETI- This setvice offers advice to support clients to maximise thdr income by providing enèrgy savlng tips and budgeb'ng advi¢ts. UKSPF . Rèduclng 8mnomic Inactlwlty through Inv8stm•nt in p8rsonallsed lif8 and 8mploym8nt supwrt tailor8d to Ir)cal needs. Complimenting provisions and lo¢al services, offerfng one lo tsne key worker support lo impmve participants, employm8ni outcomes. Peers- Through the prtsgr8mme, p8renls and ¢8rers will b6 supported and empowered to carè lor and nurture their babies and children, ensuring they r8C8iV8 the best start in lil8. Helping to improve health and educational outcorlles for babies and children, enabling them lo thrive throughout childhood and beyond. Hospbtal - Supportlng the major traurna support partnarshlp and Blrmingharn Vvornen's & Chlldran's NHS FOUnda￿On Trust pallents thèlr lamlliès. and ca￿rS. Health - Supporting projects and activities thai address the 80% 01 factors influencing health outcomes that lie outside clinical care. This includes initialives focused on education and employability. welfare rights, housing and 8ocio-tsconomSc support promotlng physical health and mèntal wellbelng, and Intorvonuons Ihai foster soclal connection and community. Multiply - More adult8 achieving maths qualifications courses lup lo. and including. Lavel 21 with an inertasa in participation in num?racy courses and Increased adult numoracy across the popiilalion. 18 D•8ignat•d funds Th8 incom8 lund5 of th8 charfly includ6 the followinq d88iinated and oen8ral fijnds which have be8n s81 asid8 out of unreslricled fund5 by the trustees for Specific purp05es'. At 1 April 2024 Incoming r*$c*urc•¥ Resources oxp•nd¢d Tran8fer8 At 31 March 2025 Qualily Core Team ReseNes Policy General lunds 90,000 540.000 1635,7781 go,tx)o 540.(J)O 366.477 964.777 910,506 187J,0281 964.777 q10.506 1873,0281 15,7781 996,477 -?o- CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 18 D•$ignat•d funds Icontinutdl Th& 8oard ol Trusl8es approved an allocalitsn of £90,000 lo fund a Quality Team for quality monitoring and improvement in 2025-26. Thè dgsignation of funds is at Ihg disuètion of tha Trustaes and subjècl lo thèir ap￿0val. 19 Analy$l$ of ngt a$$&ts bolwofyn funds Unrgstrlctod funds 2025 Rg$trlct8d fundts 2025 Tolgl 2025 At 31 March 2025: Tangible 355et5 Current assetsl{Iiabilitiesl Prnvi8ions and pg.nsions 11,872 988,354 1.7,7491 11,872 1.090.438 13.7491 102.084 996,477 102,084 1,098.561 Unrostrl¢tsd fund$ 2024 R•otrf¢t•d fund$ 2024 Total 2024 At 31 Mar¢h 2024: Tangible a55els Current 8ssetsllli8bilili&sl Provisions and pen8ion$ 29,194 937, 167 11.5841 29.194 1,067,348 11,5841 130,181 964.777 130,181 1,094.958 21 CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 20 Operatlng leg49e commltments Al th$ reporting &ntl dale the charity had outstanding Commilwents for fulura minimum lease paymanls under non-cancellable operating16a8&s, which fall du8 a8 follows= 2025 2024 Within one yèar Bgtw8en two and five years 3.300 13.200 3,300 16,500 21 Relatsd party tran8a¢tions There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year12024- none). -??- This document was delivered using electronic communications and authenticated in accordance with the registrar's rules relating to electronic fonn, authentication and manner of delivery under section 1072 of the Companies Act 2006.