Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau Charity Accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 3765728

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1077427

Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau

Unaudited Financial Statements

For the Year Ending

31 March 2026

Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau

Financial Statements

Year Ended 31 March 2026

	Page

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report)	1

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees	7

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account)	8

Statement of Financial Position	9

Notes to the Financial Statements	10

Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors' Report)

Year Ended 31 March 2026

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 2026 .

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 charity purposes and provides clear public benefit.

Activities and Achievements

2025/26 was a year of growth, development and transition for Citizens Advice Barrow. Alongside continuing to provide high-quality advice to local people, the charity expanded services, strengthened partnerships and invested in its long-term sustainability. The year also saw a permanent Chief Executive take up post, providing stable leadership as the charity continues to respond to increasing demand and increasingly complex client needs.

During the year, Citizens Advice Barrow supported 2,292 clients with 13,447 issues. Our advisers secured £4,007,574 in financial outcomes for local people, helping individuals and families maximise their income and improve their financial security. We also supported clients to address problem debt, resulting in £684,486 of debt being written off and a further £225,395 of debt being rescheduled.

Demand for our services remained high throughout the year, particularly in relation to welfare benefits, Universal Credit, debt, housing and family issues. Many clients approached us with multiple, interconnected problems requiring support across several areas of advice. We continued to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community, with 68% of clients reporting a disability or long-term health condition. Advice was delivered through a range of channels including face-to-face appointments, telephone, email, outreach sessions and home visits.

During the year we introduced two new roles to better meet local need. The Citizens Representative role provides intensive support to individuals facing multiple and complex challenges, helping clients navigate services, attend appointments and overcome barriers to accessing support. We also introduced an Energy Champion role, focused on reducing fuel poverty through community outreach, awareness raising and engagement with frontline professionals.

Additional funding through the Community Based Debt Advice programme enabled the charity to increase specialist debt advice capacity during the year, helping more people access support with financial difficulties at a time of continued economic pressure.

Alongside direct service delivery, we strengthened relationships with local authorities, elected representatives, funders and voluntary sector partners. This work has increased collaboration, strengthened referral pathways and helped ensure that the experiences of local people continue to inform local decision-making.

Financial Review

The trustees approved a deficit budget of £117,714 for 2025/26 in recognition of the challenges facing the charity and the importance of maintaining services for local people. Through careful financial management, successful income generation and ongoing monitoring of income and expenditure, the charity ended the year in a significantly stronger position than anticipated.

Total income for the year was £452,924 and total expenditure was £423,243, resulting in a surplus of £29,681.

A key priority throughout the year was maintaining the charity's First Contact Service, ensuring clients are able to access advice quickly and without the need to explain their circumstances to multiple people before getting to the right adviser. The trustees remain committed to protecting frontline services whilst ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation.

The charity's principal funding sources during the year included local authority funding, debt advice contracts, grant funding and charitable trusts.

The trustees recognise the importance of maintaining adequate reserves to ensure the charity can continue to meet its commitments, respond to unexpected challenges and invest in future service development. The trustees regularly review the level of reserves held and consider the current position to be appropriate in light of the charity's operational and strategic needs. This amounts to £132,500 and our actual unrestricted funds at 31 March 2026 excluding fixed assets was £338,891.

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.

Grant making policy

Citizens Advice Barrow does not make grants or donations to other organisations.

Plans for Future Periods

The trustees remain committed to ensuring Citizens Advice Barrow continues to provide accessible, high-quality advice for local people whilst responding to changing community need.

During 2026/27 the charity will continue to focus on early intervention and timely access to advice through its First Contact Service, helping people resolve problems before they escalate into crisis. Building on the success of the Citizens Representative and Energy Champion roles, the charity will continue to develop services that improve outcomes for people with complex needs and those experiencing financial hardship.

Alongside service delivery, the trustees will continue to strengthen partnerships and collaborative working, diversify income streams and secure sustainable funding to support the charity's long-term future. The charity will continue to invest in its staff, volunteers, digital infrastructure and organisational resilience, whilst using evidence from clients' experiences to influence local and national policy and improve the systems and services that affect people's lives.

Structure, Governance and Management

Citizens Advice Barrow is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Articles of Association. During the year the charity adopted the Citizens Advice Model Articles of Association, ensuring governance arrangements remain aligned with Citizens Advice membership requirements and current best practice.

Citizens Advice Barrow is a member of the national Citizens Advice network, benefiting from nationally developed training, quality standards, research and campaigning work whilst remaining an independent local charity governed by its own Board of Trustees.

The trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. Trustees are recruited based on the skills, knowledge and experience required by the Board. New trustees receive an induction covering the work of the charity, their legal responsibilities and the governance requirements of Citizens Advice. Trustees are encouraged to undertake ongoing training relevant to their role.

The Board meets regularly throughout the year to oversee the performance, finances and strategic direction of the organisation. Day-to-day management of the charity is delegated to the Chief Executive. Services are delivered by a small team of paid staff supported by volunteers and overseen by the Board of Trustees.

During the year Citizens Advice Barrow continued to work closely with Citizens Advice Cumbria (a consortium) and strengthened collaboration with South Lakes Citizens Advice. This included the introduction of a shared Volunteer and Training Manager, peer visits to share good practice and opportunities to improve services through closer working.

The trustees would like to thank Lynne Chambers for her dedication and commitment during her time as Chair of the Board. The trustees are also grateful to Joanna Young for her leadership and support as Interim Chief Executive during a period of transition. Claire Thornhill took up the role of Chief Executive in April 2025, providing stable long-term leadership for the organisation.

The trustees would also like to thank our staff and volunteers for their continued dedication, professionalism and commitment to delivering high-quality advice services to local people.

Risk Management

The trustees regularly review the risks facing the charity and maintain a risk register which is monitored throughout the year.

The principal risks identified by the trustees include the availability of long-term funding, increasing demand for services, recruitment and retention of skilled staff and volunteers, and maintaining compliance with regulatory and information security requirements.

To mitigate these risks, the charity continues to diversify its income sources, monitor financial performance closely, invest in staff development and strengthen organisational systems and processes. During the year the charity invested in its digital infrastructure and successfully achieved Cyber Essentials certification, further strengthening information security and organisational resilience. The charity also became an accredited Real Living Wage Employer, reflecting its commitment to attracting and retaining skilled staff and recognising the important contribution employees make to delivering high-quality services for local people.

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	(Retired 13 October 2025)
	F Chatfield, Chair (from 21 October 2025)
	R Knagg
	N Calvert
	L Postlethwaite
	R S Maddens	(Appointed 8 May 2025)
	L A Mayou	(Appointed 20 November 2025)
	C Hewson	(Appointed 15 January 2026)
	G R Nicholls	(Served from 8 May 2025 to 25 June 2025)
	C Bell	(Served from 8 May 2025 to 13 August 2025)
	R J Patten	(Appointed 20 November 2025)

J Young (Interim from 1 September 2024 to 21 April 2025)

C Thornhill

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 14 July 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

F Chatfield, Chair (from 21 October 2025)

Trustee

Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau

Year Ended 31 March 2026

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 2026.

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

14 July 2026

Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau

Statement of Financial Activities

(including income and expenditure account)

Year Ended 31 March 2026

	2026			2025
	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
Note	£	£	£	£

Income and endowments

Donations and legacies	5	–	14,218	14,218	51
Charitable activities	6	216,383	202,796	419,179	279,170
Investment income	7	9,027	–	9,027	9,937
Other income	8	10,500	–	10,500	5,000
		---------	---------	---------	---------
Total income		235,910	217,014	452,924	294,158
		---------	---------	---------	---------

Expenditure

Expenditure on charitable activities	9,10	241,290	181,953	423,243	346,432
		---------	---------	---------	---------
Total expenditure		241,290	181,953	423,243	346,432
		---------	---------	---------	---------

	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net income/(expenditure)	( 5,380)	35,061	29,681	( 52,274)
	---------	---------	---------	---------

Transfers between funds	(3,850)	3,850	–	–

	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net movement in funds	( 9,230)	38,911	29,681	( 52,274)

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward	409,051	19,371	428,422	480,696
	---------	---------	---------	---------
Total funds carried forward	399,821	58,282	458,103	428,422
	---------	---------	---------	---------

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 2026

	2026		2025
Note	£	£	£

Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets	16		60,930	70,599

Current Assets

Debtors	17	28,238	3,585
Cash at bank and in hand		418,260	380,852
		---------	---------
		446,498	384,437

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	18	49,325		26,614
		---------		---------
Net Current Assets			397,173	357,823
			---------	---------
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities			458,103	428,422
			---------	---------
Net Assets			458,103	428,422
			---------	---------

Funds of the Charity

Restricted funds		58,282	19,371
Unrestricted funds		399,821	409,051
		---------	---------
Total charity funds	20	458,103	428,422
		---------	---------

For the year ending 31 March 2026 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 14 July 2026 , 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 2026

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 2026 there were 8 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 2026
£	£	£

Donations

	Donations	–	–	–

Grants

Hadfield Trust	–	2,218	2,218
The National Lottery Awards For All	–	12,000	12,000
	----	--------	--------
	–	14,218	14,218
	----	--------	--------

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
£	£	£

Donations

	Donations	51	–	51

Grants

Hadfield Trust	–	–	–
The National Lottery Awards For All	–	–	–
	----	----	----
	51	–	51
	----	----	----

6. Charitable Activities

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Westmorland & Furness Council - Core grant	49,280	–	49,280
Westmorland & Furness Council - Team Barrow Social Impact	54,600	–	54,600
Westmorland & Furness Council - Citizens Rep (HSF)	–	49,250	49,250
MaPS	–	89,521	89,521
Cadent	–	43,506	43,506
Baywind Trust - Emergency Fund (HTC)	15,000	–	15,000
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice project	57,060	–	57,060
Michelle Scrogham MP Barrow and Furness	10,793	–	10,793
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice Outreach project	–	–	–
Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits	29,650	–	29,650
MaPS Cyber Essentials Funding	–	13,056	13,056
Walney Extension Fund	–	7,463	7,463
	---------	---------	---------
	216,383	202,796	419,179
	---------	---------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Westmorland & Furness Council - Core grant	99,280	–	99,280
Westmorland & Furness Council - Team Barrow Social Impact	–	–	–
Westmorland & Furness Council - Citizens Rep (HSF)	–	–	–
MaPS	–	55,860	55,860
Cadent	–	–	–
Baywind Trust - Emergency Fund (HTC)	–	–	–
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice project	57,060	–	57,060
Michelle Scrogham MP Barrow and Furness	–	–	–
Westmorland & Furness Council - Money Advice Outreach project	38,365	–	38,365
Macmillan/CAB welfare benefits	28,605	–	28,605
MaPS Cyber Essentials Funding	–	–	–
Walney Extension Fund	–	–	–
	---------	--------	---------
	223,310	55,860	279,170
	---------	--------	---------

7. Investment Income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2026	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable	9,027	9,027	9,937	9,937
	-------	-------	-------	-------

8. Other Income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2026	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£	£
Employment allowance	10,500	10,500	5,000	5,000
	--------	--------	-------	-------

9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Expenditure on charitable activities	175,234	134,446	309,680
Support costs	66,056	47,507	113,563
	---------	---------	---------
	241,290	181,953	423,243
	---------	---------	---------

	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
	---------	--------	---------

10. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Activity Type

	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs	Total funds 2026	Total fund 2025
	£	£	£	£
Expenditure on charitable activities	309,680	112,277	421,957	345,232
Governance costs	–	1,286	1,286	1,200
	---------	---------	---------	---------
	309,680	113,563	423,243	346,432
	---------	---------	---------	---------

11. Net Income/(Expenditure)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

	2026	2025
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	9,669	9,669
	-------	-------

12. Independent Examination Fees

	2026	2025
	£	£

Fees payable to the independent examiner for:

Independent examination of the financial statements	1,250	1,200
	-------	-------

13. Staff Costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

	2026	2025
	£	£
Wages and salaries	275,463	237,658
Social security costs	32,119	20,035
Employer contributions to pension plans	21,712	18,556
	---------	---------
	329,294	276,249
	---------	---------

The average head count of employees during the year was 12 (2025: 10 ). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:

	2026	2025
	No.	No.
Advice and information	12	10
	----	----

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2025: 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 £42,144 (2025:£27,033).

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 (2025 - £Nil).

15. Transfers Between Funds

During the year £3,850 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 2025 and 31 March 2026	15,486	27,843	105,054	148,383
	--------	--------	---------	---------
Depreciation
At 1 April 2025	14,521	27,843	35,420	77,784
Charge for the year	965	–	8,704	9,669
	--------	--------	---------	---------
At 31 March 2026	15,486	27,843	44,124	87,453
	--------	--------	---------	---------
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2026	–	–	60,930	60,930
	--------	--------	---------	---------
At 31 March 2025	965	–	69,634	70,599
	--------	--------	---------	---------

17. Debtors

	2026	2025
	£	£
Trade debtors	16,419	–
Prepayments and accrued income	1,127	1,127
Accrued income	10,692	2,458
	--------	-------
	28,238	3,585
	--------	-------

18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2026	2025
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	5,745	6,092
Social security and other taxes	6,544	3,705
Pension creditor	2,453	1,817
Deferred income	34,583	15,000
	--------	--------
	49,325	26,614
	--------	--------

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 £ 21,712 (2025: £ 18,556 ).

20. Analysis of Charitable Funds

Unrestricted funds

	At 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£	£
General Reserves	103,591	235,910	(231,621)	65,264	173,144
Capital Fund	70,599	–	(9,669)	–	60,930
Front line services in 24/25	–	–	–	–	–
Contractual commitments to staff	20,779	–	–	5,200	25,979
First Contact Service	214,082	–	–	(74,314)	139,768
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------
	409,051	235,910	(241,290)	(3,850)	399,821
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------

	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
First Contact Service	150,384	–	–	63,698	214,082
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------
	457,658	238,298	(274,075)	(12,830)	409,051
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------

Funds have been designated for the following purposes:

First Contact service: The service continued to operate at a loss as combined funding was insufficient to meet current staffing levels. Last year we designated £214,082 to cover the period to March 2027 and the balance remaining to meet this commitment is £139,768 at 31 March 2026.

Contractual obligations to staff: This is essential to meet potential redundancy costs for all eligible staff should projects end. We have designated £25,979 for this financial year.

Restricted funds

	At 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£	£
MaPS	–	89,521	(93,371)	3,850	–
MaPS Cyber Essentials Funding	–	13,056	(13,056)	–	–
Emergency Fund	13,706	–	(500)	–	13,206
Building work	5,665	–	–	–	5,665
Cadent	–	43,506	(29,867)	–	13,639
Citizens Representative	–	49,250	(37,696)	–	11,554
National Lottery Awards For All	–	12,000	–	–	12,000
Walney Extension Community Fund	–	7,463	(7,463)	–	–
Hadfield Trust	–	2,218	–	–	2,218
	--------	---------	---------	-------	--------
	19,371	217,014	(181,953)	3,850	58,282
	--------	---------	---------	-------	--------

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£	£
MaPS	–	55,860	(68,690)	12,830	–
MaPS Cyber Essentials Funding	–	–	–	–	–
Emergency Fund	17,373	–	(3,667)	–	13,706
Building work	5,665	–	–	–	5,665
Cadent	–	–	–	–	–
Citizens Representative	–	–	–	–	–
National Lottery Awards For All	–	–	–	–	–
Walney Extension Community Fund	–	–	–	–	–
Hadfield Trust	–	–	–	–	–
	--------	--------	--------	--------	--------
	23,038	55,860	(72,357)	12,830	19,371
	--------	--------	--------	--------	--------

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.

MaPS Cyber Essentials Funding - To support achieving Cyber Essentials certification

National Lottery Awards for All - IT infrastructure and digital resilience

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.

Cadent - A grant to enable specific advice on all energy related matters.

Citizens Representative - A grant to fund the Citizens Representative role to prevent poverty for people with complex needs.

Walney Extension Community Fund - A grant to support the delivery of telephone advice.

Hadfield Trust - This grant is for the purchase of office furniture.

21. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	60,930	–	60,930
Current assets	388,216	58,282	446,498
Creditors less than 1 year	(49,325)	–	(49,325)
	---------	--------	---------
Net assets	399,821	58,282	458,103
	---------	--------	---------

	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
	---------	--------	---------

22. Operating Lease Commitments

The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

	2026	2025
	£	£
Not later than 1 year	10	10
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years	40	40
Later than 5 years	18	28
	----	----
	68	78
	----	----

23. Transactions With Connected Charities

During the year Ms C Thornhill (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:

		2026
		£
	Macmillan Cancer Support	29,650
		--------