Charity registration number 701556
Company registration number 02363690 (England and Wales)
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
K Dowman (Trustee and Chair of Trustee Board)
M Lorimer
J Lilley
C Bower
(Appointed 27 May 2022)
D Wright
(Appointed 27 May 2022)
A Green
(Appointed 6 December 2022)
D Loon
(Appointed 6 December 2022)
Charity number
701556
Company number
02363690
Principal address
Municipal Buildings
Halesowen Street
Oldbury
B69 2AB
Registered office
Municipal Buildings
Halesowen Street
Oldbury
B69 2AB
Auditor
CK Audit
No 4 Castle Court 2
Castlegate Way
Dudley
West Midlands
DY1 4RH
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 4
Independent auditor's report
5 - 7
Statement of financial activities
8
Balance sheet
9
Notes to the financial statements
10 - 25
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 1 -

The trustees present their report and audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Objectives and activities

Aims of the charity

The charity's objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefits of the community in the area of Sandwell & Walsall Metropolitan boroughs and adjacent areas by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty sickness and distress (As defined in clause 3.1 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association) The charity is also a member of its National Association now known as Citizens Advice, which provides a framework for standards of governance advice and casework management as well as monitoring progress against these standards.

Strategies for achieving objectives

1. To follow the principles and guidelines set out by Citizens Advice

2. To produce an effective frontline advice service by harnessing a local diversity of volunteers and training them to a high standard

3. To sustain and assist the volunteer services by providing networked teams of managerial specialist and outreach staff

4. To control financial operations on a year to year basis by the appropriate use of a Business Plan and budget.

The charity also operates a Health and Safety Policy and an Equalities Policy which are reviewed annually.

Achievements and performance

During this year we set ourselves the following objectives:

1.Supporting Citizens through the Cost of Living crisis
2.Securing a further three year grant agreement with the Local Authorities
3.Utilising an amount of reserves to pilot work with young people leaving care and to support people working in advice services
 

We secured funding to deliver the Cost Of Living Team (COLT) project in Sandwell and continue to provide assistance to Citizens by consistently delivering our British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) Project. Additionally, we have successfully obtained several smaller funding sources to sustain this ongoing effort.

We successfully obtained an additional three-year agreement with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. Our contract with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council was reduced and  shortened to a duration of 12 months, concluding in March 2024. The nature of the services in Walsall underwent substantial changes, with the exclusion of financial support for a general advice service and delivering a service for welfare benefits casework. We secured funding to continue the Thrive and British Gas Energy Trust initiatives delivering energy projects to combat the rising issue of fuel poverty.


Reserves were allocated to initiate a pilot program aimed at assisting young people transitioning from care. This pilot initiative will be delivered through the Sandwell Children's Trust Leaving Care Service in Sandwell. An evaluation of the pilot's effectiveness will be conducted throughout the upcoming financial year, with the intention of securing additional funding to sustain its continuation.

Our training contracts project is making excellent progress, aiming to transition all participants into paid roles within the organisation.

Our efforts have raised awareness and increased referrals to both our debt and energy products, providing vital assistance to some of our most vulnerable Citizens.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 2 -

Our mobile advice unit (CASSIE) and its staff were prominently featured in the Guardian's Cost of Living article, which encouraged public donations to National Citizens Advice.

We were able to secure £10,000 from the National Grid, enabling us to provide warm home packs to households struggling with rising fuel costs.
 
Additionally, we secured £212,000 in new business from Multiply, SMART Energy, CADENT, CitA Energy, and British Gas Energy Trust - Energy Outreach Project.

Financial review

Total income for the year was £2,135,825 compared with £2,606,686 in the previous year. Total expenditure amounted to £2,079,429 compared with £2,490,242 in the previous year. The charity achieved a surplus of £56,396 compared with the previous year surplus of £116,444.

 

Fixed assets are used only for charitable purposes to provide the necessary environment and resources to deliver the services to our clients. The charity has no subsidiary undertakings.

Reserves Policy

The reserves policy of the organisation is in line with good practice recommendations from Citizens Advice National guidelines for Financial Health Monitoring. Unrestricted and designated reserves should be maintained at approximately 3 months operating cost The purpose of this reserve is for both short term emergencies and long term contingencies arising from such matters such as a major reduction in funding or even total cessation of income. In the latter event. Liabilities could arise such as rental and other obligations on leases, statutory and contractual employment obligations and other incidental costs of winding up the charity reduction in funding or even total cessation of income. In the latter event, liabilities could arise from rent, leases, financial obligations such as contractual obligations to staff and other costs arising from winding up the charity.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for Risk Management as set out in SORP (FRS102) They have identified and assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and following on from this have established systems to mitigate those risks.

Plans for the future

The Trustee Board determines the business priorities for the Charity. For the forthcoming year the priorities are:

 

1. Supporting citizens who have a deficit budget and increasing debt prevention support.

2. Securing further funding to ensure we can continue to support the residents of Sandwell & Walsall.

3. Supporting citizens with the rising Costs of Living.

We plan to take proactive steps to address the growing debt crisis and support citizens who are facing financial difficulties and managing deficit budgets. We aim to focus on budgeting, income maximisation, and raise awareness of high interest borrowing.
 
We are committed to retaining ongoing grant funding from Local Authorities and prioritising the diversification of funding sources for sustainability and to help mitigate the financial risk to the organisation.

The organisation will maintain its focus on addressing the Cost of Living Crisis in the upcoming year, with plans to continually seek funding to sustain these efforts throughout 2023-2024.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 3 -
Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year are showing on the legal and administration page. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

K Dowman (Trustee and Chair of Trustee Board)
N Parkes
(Resigned 25 September 2022)
M Lorimer
J Lilley
J Kaur
(Resigned 12 May 2022)
C Bower
(Appointed 27 May 2022)
N Bila-Lebuono
(Appointed 27 May 2022 and resigned 9 September 2022)
D Wright
(Appointed 27 May 2022)
A Green
(Appointed 6 December 2022)
D Loon
(Appointed 6 December 2022)

The Board reviews its skills and diversity regularly. An annual appraisal of the board takes place and the Board identifies skills gaps and attempts to recruit to fill these. The Board also looks at the make-up of the Board in terms of diversity of age, gender, race and disability and also in terms of the demography of the local population, having done this an analysis of the gap is undertaken and recruitment takes place in an attempt to fill gaps. Trustee positions are advertised locally and on the national website and are recruited through application and interview. New Trustees can be co-opted onto the Board until the AGM where they are voted on to join the Board fully.

Organisational Structure

The charity is organised so that the trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. Full board meetings are now being held bi-monthly with additional meetings if required.

The company is run by the Trustee Board with day to day responsibility for the day to day running of the organisation delegated to other senior management.

Restrictions and Investment powers

The Memorandum and Articles of Association authorises the charity to receive income by way of donations, gifts and grants, provided that it does not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its primary objectives.

The Memorandum also authorises investment of surplus monies not immediately required subject to conditions and consents imposed or required by law.

Related parties

As with all other Citizens Advice organisations, the charity is connected with its National Association who are themselves a charity registered under Number 279057 operating from 3rd Floor North, 200 Aldersgate, London EC1A 4HD Payments have been made throughout the year to the National Association amounting to £11,235.55 in respect of insurance, subscriptions, training services, AGM and Sundry stationery.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 4 -
Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall Ltd for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

 

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that CK Audit be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

K Dowman (Trustee and Chair of Trustee Board)
Dated: 26 September 2023
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
- 5 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall Ltd (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet 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 Financial Reporting Standard 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:

-

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 charity 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 the charity’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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the 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 our audit:

-

the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and

-

the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
- 6 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' 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:

-

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-

the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 charity’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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, in respect of irregularities whether due to fraud or error, or non compliance with laws and regulations and then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

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

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Company by discussion and enquiry with the directors and management team and our general knowledge and experience of the charity sector.

We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation, data protection, employment, and health and safety legislation;

We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management, reviewing correspondence with relevant regulators.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
- 7 -
Audit response to risks identified

We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to:

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://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 company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 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 company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Wendy Davies (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of CK Audit
8 November 2023
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
No 4 Castle Court 2
Castlegate Way
Dudley
West Midlands
DY1 4RH
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 8 -
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
1,956
-
1,956
39
-
39
Charitable activities
4
816,110
1,288,053
2,104,163
756,455
1,821,697
2,578,152
Investments
5
1,483
-
1,483
152
-
152
Other income
6
1,165
27,058
28,223
10,505
17,838
28,343
Total income
820,714
1,315,111
2,135,825
767,151
1,839,535
2,606,686
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
779,545
1,299,884
2,079,429
839,662
1,650,580
2,490,242
Net incoming resources before transfers
41,169
15,227
56,396
(72,511)
188,955
116,444
Gross transfers between funds
(4,426)
4,426
-
176,186
(176,186)
-
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
36,743
19,653
56,396
103,675
12,769
116,444
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
1,053,559
42,553
1,096,112
949,884
29,784
979,668
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
1,090,302
62,206
1,152,508
1,053,559
42,553
1,096,112

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2023
31 March 2023
- 9 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
51,971
49,142
Current assets
Debtors
13
138,158
149,825
Cash at bank and in hand
1,080,944
1,070,142
1,219,102
1,219,967
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
14
(115,174)
(167,678)
Net current assets
1,103,928
1,052,289
Total assets less current liabilities
1,155,899
1,101,431
Provisions for liabilities
(3,391)
(5,319)
Net assets
1,152,508
1,096,112
Income funds
Restricted funds
18
62,206
42,553
Unrestricted funds
1,090,302
1,053,559
1,152,508
1,096,112
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 26 September 2023
K Dowman (Trustee and Chair of Trustee Board)
Company registration number 02363690
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 10 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Municipal Buildings, Halesowen Street, Oldbury, B69 2AB.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4
Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

 

1.5
Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

 

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 11 -

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the direct costs undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly relate to charitable activities. These costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs.

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Leasehold land and buildings
over the term of the lease
Fixtures and fittings
25% per annum straight line
Motor vehicles
20% per annum straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

The cost of providing benefits under defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method, and is based on actuarial advice.

 

The change in the net defined benefit liability arising from employee service during the year is recognised as an employee cost. The cost of plan introductions, benefit changes, settlements and curtailments are recognised as incurred.

The net interest element is determined by multiplying the net defined benefit liability by the discount rate, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. The net interest is recognised in income/(expenditure) for the year.

 

Remeasurement changes comprise actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling and the return on the net defined benefit liability excluding amounts included in net interest. These are recognised immediately in other recognised gains and losses in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income/(expenditure) in subsequent periods.

The net defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds), less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. Fair value is based on market price information, and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a net pension benefit asset is limited to the amount that may be recovered either through reduced contributions or agreed refunds from the scheme.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 13 -
2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical judgements
Allocation of support costs

Determine the basis of allocation of support costs between restricted and unrestricted funds.

 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Useful economic life of tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values where appropriate. The actual lives of these assets are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In assessing asset lives, factors such as life cycles and maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values.

Trade debtors

At each reporting date, trade debtors are assessed for recoverability. If there is any evidence of impairment, the carrying amount of the debtor is reduced to its recoverable amount. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in the income statement.

3
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Donations and gifts
1,956
39
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 14 -
4
Charitable activities

 

 

2023
2022
£
£

Provision of advocacy, advice and information

2,104,163
2,578,152
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
816,110
756,455
Restricted funds
1,288,053
1,821,697
2,104,163
2,578,152
5
Investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Interest receivable
1,483
152
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 15 -
6
Other income
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Other income
1,165
27,058
28,223
10,505
17,838
28,343
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 16 -
7
Charitable activities

 

 

 

 

2023
2022
£
£
Staff costs
1,512,865
1,799,131

Premises costs

52,885
13,986

Staff & volunteer costs

23,164
13,502

Office costs

48,973
61,061

Professional fees and consultancy

1,739
40,351

Other costs

22,288
15,205
1,661,914
1,943,236
Share of support costs (see note 8)
404,643
516,805
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
12,872
30,201
2,079,429
2,490,242
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
779,545
839,662
Restricted funds
1,299,884
1,650,580
2,079,429
2,490,242
For the year ended 31 March 2022
Unrestricted funds
839,662
Restricted funds
1,650,580
2,490,242
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 17 -
8
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2023
Support costs
Governance costs
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
200,991
-
200,991
356,202
-
356,202

Premises costs

59,581
-
59,581
70,464
-
70,464

Staff & volunteer costs

24,581
-
24,581
2,479
-
2,479

Office costs

119,490
-
119,490
87,660
-
87,660
Governance costs
-
13,265
13,265
-
28,308
28,308

Other costs

-
(393)
(393)
-
1,893
1,893
404,643
12,872
417,515
516,805
30,201
547,006
Analysed between
Charitable activities
404,643
12,872
417,515
516,805
30,201
547,006

Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £8,750 (2022- £8,000) for audit fees.

9
Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 18 -
10
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023
2022
Number
Number
Advice workers
43
65
Administrators (incl. Apprenticeships)
12
12
Managers
10
5
Cleaners
1
1
Total
66
83
Employment costs
2023
2022
£
£
Wages and salaries
1,533,980
1,919,664
Social security costs
134,193
156,720
Other pension costs
45,683
78,949
1,713,856
2,155,333
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more were:
2023
2022
Number
Number
£60,000 - £70,000
1
1
11
Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 19 -
12
Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold land and buildings
Fixtures and fittings
Motor vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2022
3,112
120,478
57,551
181,141
Additions
-
16,566
7,645
24,211
At 31 March 2023
3,112
137,044
65,196
205,352
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2022
3,112
105,867
23,020
131,999
Depreciation charged in the year
-
8,343
13,039
21,382
At 31 March 2023
3,112
114,210
36,059
153,381
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
-
22,834
29,137
51,971
At 31 March 2022
-
14,611
34,531
49,142

 

13
Debtors
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
77,332
7,557
Other debtors
50,345
131,811
Prepayments and accrued income
10,481
10,457
138,158
149,825
14
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Other taxation and social security
26,801
-
Deferred income
16
25,627
81,897
Trade creditors
19,149
7,020
Other creditors
29,734
59,525
Accruals and deferred income
13,863
19,236
115,174
167,678
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 20 -
Provisions for liabilities
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Retirement benefit obligations
17
3,391
5,319
3,391
5,319
16
Deferred income
2023
2022
£
£
Arising from Income received in advance
25,627
81,897
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 21 -
17
Retirement benefit schemes
Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered Group Personal Pension Plan. At the year-end there were no unpaid contributions.

The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 950 non-associated 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 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 has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

 

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2019 to 31 January 2025: £11,243,000 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April).

 

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 2014. This valuation showed assets of £793.4m, liabilities of £969.9m and a deficit of £176.5m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

 

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2025: £12,945,440 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April)

From 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2028: £54,560 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.

Defined benefit schemes
Key assumptions
2023
2022
%
%
Discount rate
5.52
2.35
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
17
Retirement benefit schemes
(Continued)
- 22 -

Amounts recognised in the profit and loss account:

2023
2022
£
£
Net interest on defined benefit liability/(asset)
101
171
Other costs and income
(91)
(17,038)
Total costs/(income)
10
(16,867)

The amounts included in the balance sheet arising from the charity's obligations in respect of defined benefit plans are as follows:

2023
2022
£
£
Present value of defined benefit obligations
3,391
5,319
Deficit in scheme
3,391
5,319

Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations:

2023
£
Liabilities at 1 April 2022
5,319
Benefits paid
(1,938)
Interest cost
101
Other
(91)
At 31 March 2023
3,391
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 23 -
18
Restricted funds
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Balance at
1 April 2021
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Balance at
1 April 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
BBO Click Start
19,366
288,366
(300,331)
-
7,401
255,357
(323,093)
60,335
-
MAPS
-
443,338
(361,000)
(82,338)
-
445,651
(408,015)
(37,636)
-
Help To Claim
-
586,228
(494,787)
(91,441)
-
-
-
-
-
Municipal Buildings
6,053
15,995
(17,934)
-
4,114
20,061
(21,617)
-
2,558
WMBC - Core Grant
-
245,000
(242,389)
(2,611)
-
208,000
(188,678)
(19,322)
-
BBO - Family Matters
-
97,854
(87,755)
-
10,099
88,241
(93,771)
-
4,569
WATCH Project - community coronavirus relief fund
2,476
-
-
-
2,476
-
-
-
2,476
British Gas Energy Trust
1,889
147,754
(131,180)
-
18,463
137,925
(123,800)
-
32,588
CASSIE/CASPER - community coronavirus relief fund
-
-
-
-
-
92,228
(92,330)
102
-
Household Support Fund
-
15,000
(15,204)
204
-
-
-
-
-
Client Grants
-
-
-
-
-
6,563
(6,630)
67
-
Barclays
-
-
-
-
-
4,500
(4,688)
188
-
Community Renewal Fund
-
-
-
-
-
16,332
(17,024)
692
-
Multiply
-
-
-
-
-
31,329
(11,783)
-
19,546
Thrive
-
-
-
-
-
8,924
(8,455)
-
469
29,784
1,839,535
(1,650,580)
(176,186)
42,553
1,315,111
(1,299,884)
4,426
62,206
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 24 -
19
Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted funds

Restricted funds

Total

Unrestricted funds

Restricted funds

Total
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by:
Tangible assets
51,971
-
51,971
49,142
-
49,142
Current assets/(liabilities)
1,041,722
62,206
1,103,928
1,009,736
42,553
1,052,289
Provisionsand pensions
(3,391)
-
(3,391)
(5,319)
-
(5,319)
1,090,302
62,206
1,152,508
1,053,559
42,553
1,096,112
CITIZENS ADVICE SANDWELL & WALSALL LTD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 25 -
20
Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2023
2022
£
£
Within one year
13,200
24,086
Between two and five years
16,500
29,700
29,700
53,786

 

21
Related party transactions
Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2023
2022
£
£
Aggregate compensation
192,515
245,073
Transactions with related parties

During the year, the charity made payments to the following related parties. £1,277 (2022 £299) was paid for casual labour to the mother of a member of the management team. £785 (2022 £450) in casual labour fees was paid to the daughter of a member of the management team. £0 (2022 £600) was paid for MAPS consultancy and £1,605 for advertising services to the son of the former Chief Executive Officer. There are no balances outstanding at the year end.

 

All transactions were considered to be at market rates.

2023-03-312022-04-01falseCCH SoftwareiXBRL Review & Tag 2022.2023636902022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director12022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director32022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director42022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director62022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director82022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director92022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director102022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director22022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director52022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Director72022-04-012023-03-31023636902023-03-31023636902022-03-31023636902021-04-012022-03-3102363690bus:FRS1022022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:Audited2022-04-012023-03-3102363690bus:FullAccounts2022-04-012023-03-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP