Annual report and Accounts 2023-2024
10 Apr 2025
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Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 July 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the consolidated financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 July 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and 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).
Chair’s Report
Having been in the chair role from March 2024, I write this report based on a handover from the previous chair and direct chair responsibilities for the last five months of the period (01 August 2023 to 31 July 2024). I’d like to start by thanking Steve Callaghan, on behalf of all the charity members, for chairing the charity diligently and professionally from startup to handover.
During the first half of the period, Citizens of Cyber (the charity) was primarily focused on continued formation activities, exploring new opportunities to contribute to the charity mission, and a number of small supporting projects to increase the cyber awareness of individuals at places such as other charities, primary schools and adultsupport organisations. Financially, this period saw expenditure on standard operating costs such as web hosting and bank service charges, alongside some residual set up costs such as licenses for website design.
Early in the period, the charity executive, led by the CEO (Christine Eckford), identified and successfully acquired the most significant charitable project to date. The project involves working in partnership with Education Scotland (providing project funding and criteria) and the CyberFirst initiative (ran by the UK Government National Cyber Security Centre). The project aims to connect senior secondary school pupils with colleges that utilise the CyberFirst initiative, enabling future careers in cyber security. The charity chose to target a number of schools where CyberFirst awareness was low, including schools in areas of economic inequality.
The second half of the period saw successful execution of the CyberFirst project with positive feedback from project beneficiaries and sponsors. I hugely appreciate the energy and expertise demonstrated by the charity CEO and volunteers throughout the project which clearly shows the positive impact that the charity can make.
Financially, the grant provided to the charity by Education Scotland enabled delivery of the project and improvement of the charities financial reserves. Alongside this, the treasurer and CEO reviewed and minimised standard operating costs to further increase stability for the charity between funding opportunities.
The charity continues to have a very appropriate and relevant Board of Directors/Trustees. I hugely appreciate their willingness to support the charity and their participation in effective governance and advocacy. I look forward to the next year, supporting the charity volunteers, executive and board in their good work
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CoC gratefully acknowledges the help of:
West Lothian College Edinburgh Napier University Alternatives Community-based Recovery The Donaldson Trust Cyber Scotland/Scam Prevention Strategy Team Scottish Business Resilience Centre Child Protection Committee Scotland Fife Adult Protection Committee Volunteer Scotland Hugh Fraser Foundation
Citizens of Cyber SCIO Annual Report 2023-2024
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Our Vision:
Citizens of Cyber is a Scottish charity designed to help the people of Scotland, notably children and vulnerable adults, stay safe online.
Our mission is to:
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Link the cyber community with the people of Scotland to support cyber education.
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Provide access to learning resources and support to assist volunteers, educators, parents/guardians, caregivers, and professional bodies in raising cyber awareness within Scotland.
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Develop safer online practices for the people of Scotland.
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Ensure anyone in Scotland affected by online harm knows how to obtain help.
Values
Important values we wish to adhere to include:
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Professionalism and responsibility;
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Integrity, trust, honesty, openness and transparency;
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Inclusion, accessibility and equality for all, treating everyone as an individual worthy of our respect;
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Dedication to staying ‘ahead of the game’ re: online tricks and abuse;
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Passion for our subject, commitment and loyalty; and
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Free at source to individuals, offering support to all who need it when they approach us
Patron
Directors
CEO
Registered Office
16 Mavisbank Place, Lasswade. Midlothian, EH18 1DQ
Bankers
Bank Of Scotland Online
Independent Accounts Examiner
Accounting Reference Date: 23/04/2025 Charity Number: SC051140 Company Number: CS005292
Citizens of Cyber SCIO Annual Report 2023-2024
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Financial Review
The charity continues to have minimal financial transactions with a simple operating cost regime alongside project related funding and expenditure. Whilst cash reserves reduced to levels that gave some concern to the board in the first half of the term, these concerns were addressed by year end with reduced operating costs, increased cash reserves and increased monitoring.
| Incoming resources | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance carried forward form 22-23 |
£2,059.26 | ||||
| Earned income (23-24) |
Unrestricted funds 14524.00 |
Restricted funds | Total funds 14524.00 |
||
| Resources expended | |||||
| Cyber First Events | 6351.65 | ||||
| Admin Costs | 1290.50 | ||||
| CEO and Chair Final Backpay |
561.84 | ||||
| Total | 8203.99 | ||||
| Movement of funds | |||||
| Total funds as at 31July2024. | 8,379.27 | Cash at bank,asper bank statement | 8,379.27 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Citizens of Cyber SCIO Annual Report 2023-2024
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| Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 July Fixed assets |
2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tangible assets | 0 | |
| Investments | 0 | |
| Total fixed assets | 0 | |
| Current assets Stock |
0 | |
| Debtors | 0 | |
| Cash at bank | 8,379.27 | |
| Total current assets | 8,379.27 | |
| Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year |
0 | |
| Total liabilities | 0 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities Notes |
8,379.27 |
The Trustees have prepared accounts in accordance with section 398 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 44 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company. The notes on the following page form part of these accounts.
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Citizens of Cyber SCIO Annual Report 2023-2024
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Analysis of grant received
Citizens of Cyber received a grant application of £14524.00 to deliver a set of Cyber First events across colleges in our region. These events were to help increase the number of young people attending their local college to study cyber security. Making it easier for pupils to continue to study cyber security.
Citizens of Cyber SCIO Annual Report 2023-2024
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Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Citizens of Cyber SCIO
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024 which are set out on pages 4 - 6.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner
The charity’s Trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
I have reviewed the annual accounts and supporting documents for Citizens of Cyber for the year ended 2023-2024. Based on my review, I am satisfied that the accounts comply with the applicable regulations and present a true and fair view of the charity's financial position.
Independent examiner’s summary of findings
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The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance.
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No material misstatements or inconsistencies
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The Trustees' Annual Report provides sufficient information on the charity's purposes, activities, achievements, and financial position.
Signed:
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Trustee Approval of Review:
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Citizens of Cyber SCIO Annual Report 2023-2024