Charity registration number 1049996
Company registration number 3108844 (England and Wales)
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr C Kelsall
Mr U Ezeanata
Mr K Pearce
(Appointed 11 May 2023)
Mr B Molloy
(Appointed 26 October 2023)
Ms I Templeman
(Appointed 25 July 2024)
Ms C Lunt
(Appointed 25 July 2024)
Secretary
Mr B Gouldson
Charity number
1049996
Company number
3108844
Registered office
142 Cherryfield Drive
Kirkby
Merseyside
L32 8RX
Auditor
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
Suite 5.1
Tempest
12 Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2DT
Solicitors
Maxwell Hodge
26 Sherborne Square
Liverpool
L36 9UR
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 8
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
9
Independent auditor's report
10 - 12
Statement of financial activities
13 - 14
Balance sheet
15
Statement of cash flows
16
Notes to the financial statements
17 - 29
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 1 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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 Memorandum and 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 2019)

 

Objectives and activities

The charity’s purposes, as set out in the objects contained in the Company’s Memorandum of Association, are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the whole community of Knowsley (“the area of benefit”) by the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.

 

The charity’s objects are defined as above. Our aims are focused on:

 

 

Our service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

 

The charity has developed its own Mission Statement to reflect more accurately its purpose and role:

 

Citizens Advice Knowsley’s vision is to improve the lives of Knowsley residents through advice, empowerment and volunteering. Our values are to focus on clients and quality of advice, achieve results, continuously improve, promote equality and fairness, value each other and work together.

 

Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. The annual review seeks to examine our achievements and outcomes and to set key strategic targets for the coming three year period, with a focus on developing a 12 month strategic plan to be reviewed by trustees on an ongoing basis.

 

In carrying out the review we are ensuring that that our aims, objectives and activities are in line with our stated purpose.

Our main objectives on an annual basis focus on ensuring that our service meets the needs of the clients we support.

 

Key priorities have been:

 

Public benefit

Our main activities and who we try to help are described above. All our charitable activities focus on providing the advice people need for the problems they face and are undertaken specifically to provide public benefit. The board of trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.

 

 

 

 

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 2 -

 

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Responsibility towards the environment

Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau aims to minimise its impact on the environment and has implemented an organisational environmental policy to ensure that all activities place an increased emphasis on the environmental impact of our actions.

Achievements and performance

During this year, we assisted 3,750 unique clients with 35,583 issues. Welfare Benefits accounted for 41% of all issues with money advice (Debt and Financial Capability) accounting for 40% of issues. During a period where cost of living and energy costs have continued to impact on the lives of our clients, there has also been an increase in the number of issues facing each client seeking our help and support.

 

Through this year, we have continued to focus on the accessibility of our services, including the implementation of a WhatsApp messaging service to allow the more efficient booking of appointments. We have continued to develop our core services and adapt to the changing needs of Knowsley residents:

 

·We remained committed to supporting the twin aims of the Citizens Advice Service and ensuring that our work contributes to the strategic aims of Knowsley Council and other funders.

·We continued to lead Greater Merseyside Money Advice Partnership via funding from the Money and Pensions Service.

·We participated in research and campaigns work on behalf of the residents of Knowsley.

·We provided general help outreach work at Stockbridge Village via funding from ForHousing and in Halewood with the support of Halewood Town Council.

·We provided energy advice through funding from Energy Redress, the Cadent Foundation and Citizens Advice Energy Advice Project.

·We helped clients to develop money skills through the LCR Financial Resilience Programme.

·We expanded our network of approved referral partners to allow direct referrals for clients in need of advice services.

 

 

 

 

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 3 -
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 4 -

 

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 5 -
Financial review

The charity recorded a surplus of £63,342 for the year (2023 – surplus £16,894). Working on a stable financial foundation, trustees have been able to invest in new technology and implement robust financial procedures as part of the business planning process.

 

During this year, Citizens Advice Knowsley received additional funds through the Knowsley Better Together Fund to assist Knowsley residents affected by the cost of living crisis with Welfare Benefits and General advice.

 

This additional funding has allowed face-to-face and outreach services to develop in order to reach all sectors of the Knowsley community.

 

As energy costs are impacting on Knowsley residents, additional funds have been secured to provide energy specific advice to complement debt and financial capability services.

 

Trustees are aware that there will be increased pressure on resources and are working with senior management to secure new and existing funding to enable Citizens Advice Knowsley to provide a much needed service.

Reserves policy

 

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to six months, expenditure.

 

The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

Risk management

 

Systems and procedures have been established to identify, monitor and manage the risks that Knowsley Citizens Advice faces. Trustees and the senior management team periodically review and update risks and mitigating actions.

 

Citizens Advice Knowsley operates under a risk management strategy agreed by trustees and periodically reviews and updates a risk register to reflect the current risks we are exposed to with a view to monitoring and mitigating major risks.

 

The Board ideally would like to be able to call on a 6-month running costs in the event of the organisation ceasing operations. As required in its Memorandum paragraph 3.19, the organisation has the power to invest and deposit funds in any lawful manner whilst having regard to the suitability of investments and the need for diversification.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management


The charity is a company limited by guarantee (3108844) and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended by special resolution dated 22 July 2020. The registered name of the charity is Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau (1049996) and from January 2004, the charity has used the operating name of Citizens Advice Knowsley.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 6 -

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 signing were:

 

Mr A F Gilmore
(Resigned 6 April 2023)
Mr C Kelsall
Mr D Bridson
(Resigned 5 April 2023)
Ms M Stebbings
(Resigned 16 February 2024)
Mr K Walsh
(Resigned 24 April 2024)
Mr U Ezeanata
Mr K Pearce
(Appointed 11 May 2023)
Miss O See
(Appointed 9 August 2023 and resigned 24 April 2024)
Ms C Farrell
(Appointed 9 August 2023 and resigned 10 November 2023)
Mr B Molloy
(Appointed 26 October 2023)
Ms K Markey
(Appointed 24 January 2024 and resigned 24 April 2024)
Ms I Templeman
(Appointed 25 July 2024)
Ms C Lunt
(Appointed 25 July 2024)

Trustees are recruited in line with the terms laid out in the Bureau's Articles of Association. A term of office is 3 years and trustees may be re-elected.

 

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council annually nominates an elected member to the Board of Trustees.

    

Cllr Kenneth Frank Walsh

 

Trustees can be elected at the Annual General Meeting, nominated by member organisations or co-opted by the Board, provided that the total number of co-opted and nominated trustees does not exceed one third of the total number of trustees.

 

New trustees meet with the Chair and Chief Officer for an induction session and all trustees undertake ongoing training and development as appropriate to their role.

The Citizens Advice internet site www.bmis.org.uk contains designated pages to support trustees in their roles

 

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 are covered by trustee indemnity insurance.

 

Remuneration of Key Management

 

Key management remuneration is set using information from the national association and though analysis of comparable roles within the charity and voluntary sector. Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis in line with roles and responsibilities.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 7 -

Organisational structure

 

Citizens Advice Knowsley is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which provides a framework for standards of advice and casework management as well as monitoring progress against these standards.

 

 

Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau is governed by the Board of Trustees who:

 

 

Responsibility for day to day management matters and implementation of policy is delegated to the Chief Officer, within a clearly understood framework for strategic control.

 

The following personnel attend trustee meetings in a non-voting capacity:

 

Brian Gouldson, Chief Officer

 

Trustee minutes are sent to Citizens Advice to ensure compliance with national membership requirements.

 

 

Contribution of Volunteers and Paid Staff

 

The charity’s success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff. The Trustee Board and senior management recognise the tremendous contribution made by the charity’s volunteers in advising the public and administering the service without which the service could not operate.

 

Volunteers represent the indispensable core of the service for without them there would not be a Citizens Advice service. Their value is inadequately expressed in monetary terms. Indeed, volunteers bring many skills to the service and very often the experience gained helps individuals return to full employment.

 

 

Our volunteers

 

Volunteers contributed the equivalent to 3.23 FTE members of staff during the year. This equates to £64,076 based on a paid staff equivalent receiving £10.90 per hour.

 

All Trustees/Directors are volunteers

Equal opportunities

 

Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau recognises the positive value of diversity promotes equality and challenges discrimination. The charity welcomes volunteers and employees from all parts of the community, particularly under-represented groups.

 

We support the Citizens Advice equality, diversity and inclusion goals and have incorporated these in with all aspects of business planning.

 

The trustees, who are also the directors of Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau 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).

 

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 8 -
Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited (formerly BWM) be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

So far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware. Additionally, the trustees have taken all necessary steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.

 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the companies act 2006.

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

Mr C Kelsall
Trustee
24 October 2024
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 9 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau 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.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
- 10 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including 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 2024 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.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
- 11 -
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.

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

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
- 12 -

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. 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.

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.

Louise Casey ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
30 October 2024
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Suite 5.1
Tempest
12 Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2DT
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 13 -
Current financial year
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
general

designated

2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Charitable activities
3
676,429
-
474,937
1,151,366
941,923
Investments
4
5,411
-
-
5,411
1,160
Other income
5
9,777
-
420
10,197
6,589
Total income
691,617
-
475,357
1,166,974
949,672
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
640,800
-
462,832
1,103,632
932,778
Total charitable expenditure
640,800
-
462,832
1,103,632
932,778
Net incoming resources before transfers
50,817
-
12,525
63,342
16,894
Transfers between funds
20,067
(29,722)
9,655
-
-
Net movement in funds
70,884
(29,722)
22,180
63,342
16,894
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
564,796
198,614
1,933
765,343
748,449
Fund balances at 31 March 2024
635,680
168,892
24,113
828,685
765,343

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.
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 14 -
Prior financial year
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
general

designated

2023
2023
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Charitable activities
3
654,879
-
287,044
941,923
Investments
4
1,160
-
-
1,160
Other income
5
6,589
-
-
6,589
Total income
662,628
-
287,044
949,672
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
588,420
-
344,358
932,778
Net incoming resources before transfers
74,208
-
(57,314)
16,894
Transfers between funds
(24,185)
(29,721)
53,906
-
Net movement in funds
50,023
(29,721)
(3,408)
16,894
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
514,773
228,335
5,341
748,449
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
564,796
198,614
1,933
765,343
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2024
31 March 2024
- 15 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
118,892
148,614
Current assets
Debtors
11
81,319
51,397
Cash at bank and in hand
734,521
632,603
815,840
684,000
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
12
(106,047)
(67,271)
Net current assets
709,793
616,729
Total assets less current liabilities
828,685
765,343
Income funds
Restricted funds
15
24,113
1,933
Unrestricted funds - general
Designated funds
16
168,892
198,614
General unrestricted funds
635,680
564,796
804,572
763,410
828,685
765,343
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 24 October 2024
Mr C Kelsall
1
Trustee
Company registration number 3108844
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 16 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
20
96,507
55,630
Investing activities
Investment income received
5,411
1,160
Net cash generated from investing activities
5,411
1,160
Net cash used in financing activities
-
-
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
101,918
56,790
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
632,603
575,813
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
734,521
632,603
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 17 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 142 Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, Merseyside, L32 8RX.

1.1
Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance 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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

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 accounts have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, 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 accounts.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by trustees for a particular purpose. The aim and use of the designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is 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.
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 18 -

Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in income when these are receivable, except as follows:

 

 

 

 

Voluntary income includes discretionary grants for projects, goods and services where no service agreement or contract exists.

 

Other grants and contracts, which have particular service requirements are included in the statement of financial activities under the heading income from charitable activities.

 

Interest is included when receivable by the charity.

1.5
Expenditure

Expenditure reflects all amounts paid and accrued during the year. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular project are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis. Staff costs are apportioned between projects on the basis of an assessment of the time spent by individual employees.

 

Charitable expenditure

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

 

Governance costs

These represent costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

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

All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised at cost.

 

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Leasehold Improvements
10% p.a. on a straight line basis
Office equipment
25% p.a. on a straight line basis

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.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 19 -
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.

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.

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 receipts 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.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 20 -
1.11

Taxation

The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions.

 

The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.

1.12

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for employees. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

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.

The following where considered to be critical accounting estimates that have been applied during the preparation of these financial statements:

 

Depreciation and UEL's

The annual depreciation charge for tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are assessed on initial acquisition and reassessed periodically to ensure they remain appropriate. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. The useful economic lives for each class of asset are set out in the accounting policy 1.6.

 

Prepayments:

Invoices which are received during the year that cover the following accounting period have an appropriate proportion of their costs held as a prepayment. They are amended periodically based on the invoices which have been received in each year.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 21 -
3
Charitable activities
Advice delivery
Advice delivery
2024
2023
£
£
Services provided under contract
676,429
654,879
Performance related grants
474,937
287,044
1,151,366
941,923
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
676,429
654,879
Restricted funds
474,937
287,044
1,151,366
941,923
4
Investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
general
general
2024
2023
£
£
Interest receivable
5,411
1,160
5
Other income
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
funds
funds
funds
general
general
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Other income
9,777
420
10,197
6,589
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 22 -
6
Charitable activities
Advice delivery
Advice delivery
2024
2023
£
£
Staff costs
745,142
642,119

Office expenses

35,460
15,862

Travel and subsistence

15,391
10,233

Sundry and cleaning

40,806
4,794
836,799
673,008
Share of support costs (see note 7)
236,977
222,059
Share of governance costs (see note 7)
29,856
37,711
1,103,632
932,778
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
640,800
588,420
Restricted funds
462,832
344,358
1,103,632
932,778
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 23 -
7
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2024
Support costs
Governance costs
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
106,974
-
106,974
108,724
-
108,724
Depreciation
29,722
-
29,722
29,722
-
29,722
Premises costs
59,282
-
59,282
53,662
-
53,662

Office costs

36,598
-
36,598
32,865
-
32,865

Staff and volunteer

4,311
-
4,311
4,598
-
4,598

Other costs

90
-
90
(7,512)
-
(7,512)
Audit fees
-
10,740
10,740
-
8,160
8,160
Legal and professional
-
14,268
14,268
-
8,184
8,184

Other costs

-
4,848
4,848
-
21,367
21,367
236,977
29,856
266,833
222,059
37,711
259,770
Analysed between
Charitable activities
236,977
29,856
266,833
222,059
37,711
259,770

Support costs represent the overheads for running the charity and where directly attributable, costs have been allocated to the relevant headings.

The recharges have been calculated as a pro-rata figure based on the number of FTE posts allocated to each funding stream.

Governance costs includes payments to the auditor of £5,385 for the audit and £3,565 for accountancy fees (2023- £4,910 for the audit and £3,250 for accountancy fees).

8
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year. During the year no trustees where reimbursed for any expenses incurred (2023- £nil).

 

 

 

 

 

9
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
Advice/ project delivery
20
17
Management and administration
11
10
Total
31
27
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
9
Employees
(Continued)
- 24 -
Employment costs
2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
743,053
650,882
Social security costs
66,345
60,533
Other pension costs
42,718
39,428
852,116
750,843

The average number of employees shown above is based on actual employee numbers.

 

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
10
Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold Improvements
Office equipment
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
297,225
34,519
331,744
At 31 March 2024
297,225
34,519
331,744
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
148,611
34,519
183,130
Depreciation charged in the year
29,722
-
29,722
At 31 March 2024
178,333
34,519
212,852
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
118,892
-
118,892
At 31 March 2023
148,614
-
148,614

 

 

11
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
6,375
1,375
Prepayments and accrued income
74,944
50,022
81,319
51,397
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 25 -
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Trade creditors
25,156
10,620
Other creditors
36,005
33,901
Accruals and deferred income
44,886
22,750
106,047
67,271
14
Amounts held on behalf of third parties
The charitable company holds funds as agent totalling £239,722.85 (2022: £207,760), in a bank account operated by the charitable company, which is payable to third parties. The amount payable to third parties and an equivalent amount of the bank balance are excluded from these accounts.
Funder
Balance at 1 April 2023
Received
Paid out
Balance at 31 March 2024
£
£
£
£
GMMAP Funds
207,760
2,128,673
(2,096,710)
239,723
207,760
2,128,673
(2,096,710)
239,723
Funder
Balance at 1 April 2022
Received
Paid out
Balance at 31 March 2023
£
£
£
£
GMMAP Funds
374,813
2,076,539
(2,243,592)
207,760
374,813
2,076,539
(2,243,592)
207,760
14
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 fund.

The charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £42,718 (2023 - £39,428).

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 26 -
15
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 2022

Income

Expenditure

Transfers
Balance at
1 April 2023

Income

Expenditure

Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Energy Redress
-
-
-
-
-
98,125
(85,931)
-
12,194
MAS
2,848
265,486
(269,130)
796
-
289,431
(277,512)
-
11,919
Cadent
-
-
-
-
-
39,575
(44,470)
4,895
-
New Horizons
560
21,558
(75,228)
53,110
-
-
-
-
-
Financial Capability
1,933
-
-
-
1,933
-
(1,933)
-
-
Financial Resilience
-
-
-
-
-
48,226
(52,986)
4,760
-
5,341
287,044
(344,358)
53,906
1,933
475,357
(462,832)
9,655
24,113

 

Energy Redress - Energy Redress is funding administered by the Energy Saving Trust to provide advice on energy saving and energy efficiency measures to Knowsley residents through a blend of home visits, face-to-face and telephone advice.

 

MAS - Funding through the Money and Pensions Service to provide debt advice services as part of the Greater Merseyside Money Advice Partnership.

New Horizons - Funding from the European Social Fund to provide employability support to Knowsley residents. Funding provided for staff salary and project support costs. This funding ceased within the year and the the trustees agreed to cover the deficit via a transfer from unrestricted funds.

Financial Capability - Funding through the Better Mental Health Fund as part of a project managed by Knowsley Council on behalf of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities providing support to Knowsley residents experiencing mental health issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Financial Resilience - The Financial Resilience Programme will undertake targeted community engagement and recruitment activities to reach out and connect with people from the local authority areas of Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral within the Liverpool City Region.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 27 -
16
Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Movement in funds
Balance at
1 April 2022

Expenditure

Balance at
1 April 2023

Income

Balance at
31 March 2024
£
£
£
£
£
Future building works
50,000
-
50,000
-
50,000
Leasehold inprovements
178,335
(29,721)
148,614
(29,722)
118,892
228,335
(29,721)
198,614
(29,722)
168,892

The above designated funds have been set aside to carry out future building works at our new Kirkby and Huyton offices. The balance was reviewed by the trustees to more accurately reflect the position held at 31 March 2024. The leasehold improvements designated fund represents the net book value of the assets capitalised within 2019.

KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 28 -
17
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Total
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Total
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by:
Tangible assets
-
118,892
-
118,892
-
148,614
-
148,614
Current assets/(liabilities)
635,680
50,000
24,113
709,793
564,796
50,000
1,933
616,729
635,680
168,892
24,113
828,685
564,796
198,614
1,933
765,343
KNOWSLEY DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 29 -
18
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:

2024
2023
£
£
Within one year
53,400
53,400
Between two and five years
160,200
213,600
213,600
267,000

The operating leases represent leases of premises to third parties. The leases are negotiated over terms of ten years and rentals are fixed for four years.

19
Related party transactions
Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2024
2023
£
£
Aggregate compensation
80,113
81,344
20
Cash generated from operations
2024
2023
£
£
Surplus for the year
63,342
16,894
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
(5,411)
(1,160)
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
29,722
29,722
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(29,922)
21,474
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
38,776
(11,300)
Cash generated from operations
96,507
55,630
21
Analysis of changes in net funds

The charity had no debt during the year.

22
Company limited by guarantee

Knowsley District Citizens Advice Bureau Limited is incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 as a company limited by guarantee. The liability of the members is limited to £10.

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