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COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 3765728
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1077427
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Unaudited Financial Statements
For the Year Ending
31 March 2025
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 March 2025
Page
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report)
1
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees
6
Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account)
7
Statement of Financial Position
8
Notes to the Financial Statements
9
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report)
Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 .
Objectives
Citizens Advice Barrow's objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in Barrow and district by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.
Citizens Advice Barrow's aims are:
- To provide the advice people need for the problems they face and
- To improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives
The charity provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information to anyone regardless of personal circumstance. Citizens Advice Barrow values diversity, promotes equality, and challenges discrimination.
Public Benefit Statement
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
In delivering our services and planning future activities, we ensure our work furthers our charitable purposes and provides clear public benefit.
Activities
In 2024/25, Citizens Advice Barrow supported 2,705 clients with a total of 14,468 issues, averaging 5.3 issues per person. These covered a range of areas and like previous years, the majority of need was regarding benefits and tax credits, debt and housing.
65% of our clients had a long-term health condition or disability. Our advice work secured £3,570,597 in direct financial gains for clients, boosting the local economy. Major projects included ongoing delivery of the Macmillan Welfare Benefits Project and MAPS (Money and Pensions Advice Service).
Achievements and Performance
Despite leadership transition and continued funding uncertainty, Citizens Advice Barrow delivered high-quality advice and support during a challenging year.
The retirement of long-standing CEO Christine McKinlay in August 2024 marked a significant change in leadership. Likewise, the resignation of Steve Trainer as chair of trustees after many years of dedicated service. Joanna Young from Citizens Advice North Lancashire was appointed Interim CEO (September 2024–April 2025), providing continuity while the Board considers future strategic options.
A decision on long-term leadership and strategy has been delayed due to funding uncertainties in the new Westmorland and Furness local authority area.
The trustees thank Christine and Steve for their commitment, leadership and guidance of Citizens Advice Barrow for many years. They also express their sincere thanks to the dedicated team of staff who have continued to deliver high-quality advice and support during a year marked by considerable uncertainty and organisational change. The professionalism, resilience and commitment shown by the team — particularly during the transition in leadership — have ensured that Citizens Advice Barrow remained a trusted and vital service for local people.
We are also pleased to report the successful recruitment of two new volunteers, the first in several years. Volunteers are a vital part of the Citizens Advice service and enable us to extend our reach and provide additional capacity, ensuring that more people in our community can access the help they need when they need it most.
Financial Review
The results for the year show an operating deficit of £52,274 which was in line with our forecasts and was funded from reserves. Income was primarily derived from project-based grants and contracts, including from Westmorland and Furness Council, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Money and Pensions Advice Service (MAPS).
The trustees continue to monitor fi nancial risks closely and aim to diversify income sources to safeguard core services.
The charity holds unrestricted reserves to provide stability and flexibility in managing future risks and commitments. Our reserves policy is to maintain a minimum of three months' operating costs, to allow the charity to respond to unexpected income shortfalls or expenditure needs. This amounts to £101,603 and our actual unrestricted funds at 31 March 2025 excluding fixed assets was £338,452.
Where possible, additional funds are designated for specific strategic needs — including staff contractual obligations, IT and building upgrades, and delivery of our core First Contact service. The trustees review the reserves level annually in line with operating costs and future funding outlook.
Investment policy
The charity maintains only those funds necessary for day-to-day operations in its current account, ensuring that no more than is required for regular monthly activity is held as non-interest-bearing cash.
A proportion of remaining unrestricted funds is held in interest-bearing savings accounts. The trustees aim to achieve the best possible return on these reserves while ensuring flexibility to access funds when needed for operational purposes. This cautious and low-risk approach ensures that funds designated for future investment in frontline services retain their value and are readily available when required.
The trustees regularly review the charity’s banking arrangements to ensure that interest rates remain competitive and that the charity’s funds are managed prudently and securely.
Donations policy
Citizens Advice Barrow does not make grants or donations to other organisations.
Plans for Future Periods
The trustees recognise that the cost-of-living crisis and local government restructuring will continue to place pressure on both our clients and our organisation. Citizens Advice Barrow will remain focused on supporting the most vulnerable individuals in the community, particularly those with low incomes and long-term health conditions.
Over the coming year, the Board will review its strategic direction, including the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, expected in April 2025. This period of transition will also involve reviewing staffing, service delivery models, and partnership arrangements across the Barrow area.
The charity will continue to seek sustainable funding to safeguard existing services and expand access to advice where demand continues to grow.
Structure, Governance and Management
Citizens Advice Barrow is a company limited by guarantee, governed under Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Appointment of trustees
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity’s Articles of Association. They may be elected at the Annual General Meeting or co-opted by the Board, with co-opted trustees not exceeding one third of the total. Trustees serve a term of up to three years and may be reappointed.
Recruitment, induction and training of trustees
All trustees are volunteers and are expected to act in the best interests of the charity, ensuring compliance with legal duties and good governance. New trustees receive an induction and ongoing support to help them understand their responsibilities and the work of Citizens Advice Barrow. Trustees are encouraged to access relevant training, and all sign up to the charity’s Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy.
Organisational structure & networks
Citizens Advice Barrow is governed by the Board of Trustees. The Board sets the strategic direction of the organisation and holds overall responsibility for its conduct, legal compliance, and contractual obligations. The Board meets quarterly, with additional meetings convened as needed. Trustees also undertake biannual reviews of the business plan to assess progress and determine future direction. Non-trustee members may be co-opted to provide specific expertise on a temporary basis.
Operational management is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, who works closely with the Advice Services Manager to ensure delivery of all services and projects.
Citizens Advice Barrow is a member of the national Citizens Advice network and actively contributes to the development and delivery of countywide services as part of the consortium of local Citizens Advice offices in Cumbria.
Services are delivered by a small team of committed paid staff .
Risks Policy
The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed those risks, establishing systems and procedures to manage them.
The Trustees consider the current key risk to be the ongoing uncertainty regarding local authority funding, with a significant delay in the confi rmation of core funding. To mitigate this, the Trustees have worked closely with the Interim CEO, who has led eff orts to review and update key policies and procedures and to improve internal efficiency. Risk will continue to be reviewed regularly at board meetings.
Citizens Advice Barrow is part of the Cumbria-wide consortium of Citizens Advice offices. This collaboration enables the sharing of resources and expertise and strengthens the sustainability of Citizens Advice services in the region. Citizens Advice Barrow has also begun working more closely with Citizens Advice South Lakes to explore opportunities for joint roles.
Reference and Administrative Details
Registered charity name
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Charity registration number
1077427
Company registration number
3765728
Principal office and registered
Ramsden Hall
office
Abbey Road
Barrow In Furness
Cumbria
LA14 5QW
The Trustees
L Chambers, Chair
(Appointed 4 November 2024)
F Chatfield
R Knagg
N Calvert
(Appointed 25 July 2024)
L Postlethwaite
(Appointed 25 July 2024)
J Mayhew
(Retired 29 April 2024)
M Hoggan
(Retired 18 October 2024)
S Trainer
(Retired 4 October 2024)
J Young (Interim from 1 September 2024 to 21 April 2025)
C McKinlay (until 31 August 2024)
Company Secretary
Ms M C McKinlay (to 31 August 2024)
Independent Examiner
Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab)
Enterprise House
Harmire Enterprise Park
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 8XT
Small Company Provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) was approved on 11 August 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
L Chambers, Chair
Trustee
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Year Ended 31 March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent Examiner's Statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
3. the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4. the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab) Independent Examiner
Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT
11 August 2025
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Statement of Financial Activities
(including income and expenditure account)
Year Ended 31 March 2025
2025
2024
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total funds
Total funds
Note
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies
5
51
51
91,227
Charitable activities
6
223,310
55,860
279,170
322,483
Investment income
7
9,937
9,937
9,467
Other income
8
5,000
5,000
9,860
---------
--------
---------
---------
Total income
238,298
55,860
294,158
433,037
---------
--------
---------
---------
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities
9,10
274,075
72,357
346,432
345,285
---------
--------
---------
---------
Total expenditure
274,075
72,357
346,432
345,285
---------
--------
---------
---------
---------
--------
---------
---------
Net (expenditure)/income
( 35,777)
( 16,497)
( 52,274)
87,752
---------
--------
---------
---------
Transfers between funds
(12,830)
12,830
---------
--------
---------
---------
Net movement in funds
( 48,607)
( 3,667)
( 52,274)
87,752
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
457,658
23,038
480,696
392,944
---------
--------
---------
---------
Total funds carried forward
409,051
19,371
428,422
480,696
---------
--------
---------
---------
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Statement of Financial Position
31 March 2025
2025
2024
Note
£
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
16
70,599
80,268
Current Assets
Debtors
17
3,585
3,930
Cash at bank and in hand
380,852
453,385
---------
---------
384,437
457,315
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
18
26,614
56,887
---------
---------
Net Current Assets
357,823
400,428
---------
---------
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities
428,422
480,696
---------
---------
Net Assets
428,422
480,696
---------
---------
Funds of the Charity
Restricted funds
19,371
23,038
Unrestricted funds
409,051
457,658
---------
---------
Total charity funds
20
428,422
480,696
---------
---------
For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 ;
- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements .
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 11 August 2025 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:
R Knagg
Trustee
Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. General Information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Ramsden Hall, Abbey Road, Barrow In Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5QW.
2. Statement of Compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investments measured at fair value through income or expenditure. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity. The entity is a Public Benefit Entity.
Going Concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Trustees consider that there are no significant estimates or judgements affecting these accounts.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for specific purposes. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.
Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: Donations and legacy income is received by way of donations, legacies, grants and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Where legacies have been notified to the charity but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity, being the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market. Investment income is included when receivable. Income from charitable trading activity is accounted for when earned. Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with attracting donations, grants and legacies and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.
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.
Other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned based on the number of staff working on each project.
Tangible Assets
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Office Equipment
-
33% straight line
Computer Equipment
-
33% straight line
Property Improvements
-
Over length of lease
Impairment of Fixed Assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Financial Instruments
The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Defined Contribution Plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund. When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date.
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Taxation
The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
4. Limited by Guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee. At 31st March 2025 there were 5 members each of whom had undertaken to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of a winding up.
The company is under the control of the board of trustees as a body and as such is not controlled by any individual.
5. Donations and Legacies
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
£
£
£
Donations
Donations
51
51
Grants
Sir John Fisher Foundation - Building work
Barrow Borough Council - Heritage grant for building work
----
----
----
51
51
----
----
----
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
Donations
Donations
Grants
Sir John Fisher Foundation - Building work
23,000
23,000
Barrow Borough Council - Heritage grant for building work
68,227
68,227
----
--------
--------
91,227
91,227
----
--------
--------
6. Charitable Activities
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
£
£
£
Cumbria County Council - Emergency Fund
Barrow Borough Council
99,280
99,280
MAPS
55,860
55,860
Barrow Foodbank
CA Manchester (Energy NW)
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice project
57,060
57,060
Citizens Advice - Energy Advice Project
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice Outreach project
38,365
38,365
Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits
28,605
28,605
Mind - Help Through Crisis
Other charitable income
---------
--------
---------
223,310
55,860
279,170
---------
--------
---------
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
Cumbria County Council - Emergency Fund
29,559
29,559
Barrow Borough Council
99,280
99,280
MAPS
58,030
58,030
Barrow Foodbank
3,859
3,859
CA Manchester (Energy NW)
1,860
1,860
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice project
57,060
57,060
Citizens Advice - Energy Advice Project
15,488
15,488
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice Outreach project
Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits
28,308
28,308
Mind - Help Through Crisis
28,855
28,855
Other charitable income
184
184
---------
---------
---------
186,692
135,791
322,483
---------
---------
---------
7. Investment Income
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
£
Bank interest receivable
9,937
9,937
9,467
9,467
-------
-------
-------
-------
8. Other Income
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
£
£
£
Insurance claim
Employment allowance
5,000
5,000
Rates refund
-------
----
-------
5,000
5,000
-------
----
-------
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
Insurance claim
1,656
1,656
Employment allowance
5,000
5,000
Rates refund
3,204
3,204
-------
-------
-------
8,204
1,656
9,860
-------
-------
-------
9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
£
£
£
Expenditure on charitable activities
200,000
55,234
255,234
Support costs
74,075
17,123
91,198
---------
--------
---------
274,075
72,357
346,432
---------
--------
---------
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
Expenditure on charitable activities
141,561
106,029
247,590
Support costs
76,404
21,291
97,695
---------
---------
---------
217,965
127,320
345,285
---------
---------
---------
10. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Activity Type
Activities undertaken directly
Support costs
Total funds 2025
Total fund 2024
£
£
£
£
Expenditure on charitable activities
255,234
89,998
345,232
344,085
Governance costs
1,200
1,200
1,200
---------
--------
---------
---------
255,234
91,198
346,432
345,285
---------
--------
---------
---------
11. Net (Expenditure)/Income
Net (expenditure)/income is stated after charging/(crediting):
2025
2024
£
£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
9,669
9,669
-------
-------
12. Independent Examination Fees
2025
2024
£
£
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements
1,200
1,200
-------
-------
13. Staff Costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
237,658
240,204
Social security costs
20,035
20,393
Employer contributions to pension plans
18,556
19,708
---------
---------
276,249
280,305
---------
---------
The average head count of employees during the year was 10 (2024: 11 ). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2025
2024
No.
No.
Advice and information
10
11
----
----
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
Key Management Personnel
Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £27,033 (2024:£42,929).
14. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses
No trustee has received any remuneration during the current or previous year. Trustees were reimbursed expenses of £Nil during the year (2024 - £Nil).
15. Transfers Between Funds
During the year £12,830 was transferred from unrestricted to restricted funds being match funding for the MAPS project.
16. Tangible Fixed Assets
Office Equipment
Computer Equipment
Property Improvements
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
15,486
27,843
105,054
148,383
--------
--------
---------
---------
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
13,556
27,843
26,716
68,115
Charge for the year
965
8,704
9,669
--------
--------
---------
---------
At 31 March 2025
14,521
27,843
35,420
77,784
--------
--------
---------
---------
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
965
69,634
70,599
--------
--------
---------
---------
At 31 March 2024
1,930
78,338
80,268
--------
--------
---------
---------
17. Debtors
2025
2024
£
£
Prepayments and accrued income
1,127
1,571
Accrued income
2,458
2,359
-------
-------
3,585
3,930
-------
-------
18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Accruals and deferred income
6,092
4,111
Social security and other taxes
3,705
4,792
Pension creditor
1,817
2,119
Deferred income
15,000
45,865
--------
--------
26,614
56,887
--------
--------
19. Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits
Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £ 18,556 (2024: £ 19,708 ).
20. Analysis of Charitable Funds
Unrestricted funds
At 1 April 2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 March 2025
£
£
£
£
£
General Reserves
138,399
238,298
(264,406)
(8,700)
103,591
Capital Fund
80,268
(9,669)
70,599
Front line services in 24/25
56,126
(56,126)
Contractual commitments to staff
32,481
(11,702)
20,779
ICT upgrades and building works
First Contact Service
150,384
63,698
214,082
---------
---------
---------
--------
---------
457,658
238,298
(274,075)
(12,830)
409,051
---------
---------
---------
--------
---------
At 1 April 2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 March 2024
£
£
£
£
£
General Reserves
129,914
204,363
(208,296)
12,418
138,399
Capital Fund
2,895
(9,669)
87,042
80,268
Front line services in 24/25
56,126
56,126
Contractual commitments to staff
60,292
(27,811)
32,481
ICT upgrades and building works
5,000
(5,000)
First Contact Service
194,843
(44,459)
150,384
---------
---------
---------
--------
---------
392,944
204,363
(217,965)
78,316
457,658
---------
---------
---------
--------
---------
Funds have been designated for the following purposes:
First Contact service: The service continues to operate at a loss as combined funding is insufficient for staffing current levels. Maintaining this service is vital in order to meet local demand for advice. We have designated £150,384 for this service for 2024 to 2026.
Contractual obligations to staff: this is essential expenditure needed to meet redundancy and notice costs for all eligible staff should projects end. We have designated £32,105 for this financial year.
Restricted funds
At 1 April 2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 March 2025
£
£
£
£
£
MAPS
55,860
(68,690)
12,830
Citizens Advice - Energy Advice Project
Foodbank
Help thru Crisis
Help thru Crisis - Emergency Fund
17,373
(3,667)
13,706
Building work
5,665
5,665
--------
--------
--------
--------
--------
23,038
55,860
(72,357)
12,830
19,371
--------
--------
--------
--------
--------
At 1 April 2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 March 2024
£
£
£
£
£
MAPS
58,030
(66,591)
8,561
Citizens Advice - Energy Advice Project
15,488
(15,653)
165
Foodbank
3,859
(3,859)
Help thru Crisis
28,855
(28,855)
Help thru Crisis - Emergency Fund
29,559
(12,186)
17,373
Building work
92,883
(176)
(87,042)
5,665
----
---------
---------
--------
--------
228,674
(127,320)
(78,316)
23,038
----
---------
---------
--------
--------
The Money Advice Service project is funded by the Money Advice and Pensions Service in partnership with Citizens Advice. The contract funds debt caseworker hours at Barrow CAB.
Help Through Crisis - The Lottery funded this project to support individuals in crisis get the advice they needed to resolve the crisis and then address its underlying causes. The Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust awarded a grant to enable this work to continue during 2023/24.
Barrow Foodbank - Provided a grant so individuals in urgent need of food and advice to resolve the underlying causes of hardship could be referred for immediate support and advice. This partnership ended in June 2023
Emergency Fund - Cumbria County Council and the Baywind Community Energy Trust provided grants to enable Barrow CAB to provide support to individuals struggling to meet their energy costs.
21. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
£
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
70,599
70,599
Current assets
365,066
19,371
384,437
Creditors less than 1 year
(26,614)
(26,614)
---------
--------
---------
Net assets
409,051
19,371
428,422
---------
--------
---------
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
80,268
80,268
Current assets
401,563
55,752
457,315
Creditors less than 1 year
(56,887)
(56,887)
---------
--------
---------
Net assets
424,944
55,752
480,696
---------
--------
---------
22. Operating Lease Commitments
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
2025
2024
£
£
Not later than 1 year
10
10
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
40
40
Later than 5 years
28
38
----
----
78
88
----
----
23. Transactions With Connected Charities
During the year Ms M C McKinlay (Company Secretary and CEO) was also a trustee of Citizens Advice Cumbria (CAC), a consortium of the Citizens Advice Bureaux in Cumbria. The following funding has been received through CAC during the year:
2025
£
Macmillan Cancer Support
28,605
--------