| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
| UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| FOR |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
| UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| FOR |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| Page |
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 | to | 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 10 |
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 11 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 | to | 19 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| TRUSTEES |
| PRINCIPAL OFFICERS |
| Chairman | Hilary Brighton (resigned 02/04/2026) |
| Ann Pamela Kenworthy (appointed 02/04/2026) |
| Company Secretary | John Taylor (resigned 04/12/2025) |
| Chief Officer | Simone Field (resigned 02/04/2026) |
| Jude Lee (appointed 02/04/2026) |
| Hon Treasurer | David Cork FCA CTA (resigned 31/03/2026) |
| Connor James Patrick Harney (appointed 02/04/2026) |
| REGISTERED OFFICE |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | McCabe Ford Williams |
| Chartered Accountants |
| 2 The Links |
| HERNE BAY |
| Kent |
| CT6 7GQ |
| SOLICITORS | Furley Page LLP |
| 39 St Margarets Street |
| Canterbury |
| Kent |
| CT1 2TX |
| BANKERS | Lloyds Bank |
| 49 High Street |
| Canterbury |
| CT1 2SE |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02483455) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| The Trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Ac 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2026. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019). |
| On 16 February 2026, The Canterbury District CAB was registered at Companies House as Citizens Advice North East Kent having changed its name in preparation for the merger with Citizen's Advice Swale on 1 April 2026. References within the accounts and notes show as The Canterbury District CAB for the year. |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Objectives and aims |
| The charity's objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in England and in particular Canterbury and surrounding areas, by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress. The Canterbury District CAB aims to provide free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information for the benefit of the local community, to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services and to ensure individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge or an inability to express their needs effectively. |
| To obtain the necessary funding to provide the additional services, applications were made to various local and national providers of community finance. Advertisements were placed for advisory staff both as paid employees and volunteers, induction and training being provided to the extent that necessary knowledge and skills were not pre-existing. |
| The following detailed objectives for the year to 31 March 2026 were set out in the Business Plan: |
| - Work with neighbouring LCA to determine feasibility and design of most financially stable structure to assure quality | advice in our district in light of Unitary Authority discussions |
| - Increase advice provision at Herne Bay |
| - Supplement Core funding from Local Authority with a greater diversity and security of medium to long term funding |
| - Negotiate uplift and longer-term basis of Council funding |
| - Ensure continuity of advice service for people affected by cancer |
| - Work towards meeting the requirements of LSA Cyber Security Plus but not expend resources on certification due | to possible merger discussions |
| - Select advocacy priorities that concentrate on reducing inequalities for our most vulnerable clients |
| - Train new recruits for Adviceline expansion |
| - Ensure deprived wards of Northgate can access advice and identify sources of greatest demand for expansion of | Reaching Communities funded outreach |
| Public benefit |
| The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding the activities undertaken by The Canterbury District CAB during the year. The Trustees are satisfied that the information provided in the report and accounts meets the public benefit reporting requirements. |
| The principal activity of The Canterbury District CAB remained the provision of free, confidential, independent and impartial advice, information and counsel for the members of the public. This is provided through two local Citizens Advice in Canterbury and Herne Bay and an outreach service in Whitstable. |
| In addition to generalist advice the following specialist advisory services were provided: |
| - Macmillan Cancer Support, welfare benefits advice to individuals, their families and carers affected by cancer |
| - Pro Bono Family Legal Rota |
| Advisory services were provided through face-to-face consultations, telephone advice lines, webchat and email. |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02483455) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Contribution of Volunteers |
| The charity receives help and support in the form of voluntary assistance in advising the public and administering the charity. |
| There continues to be significant demand for our services. In order to be able to meet this demand we are heavily dependent upon our volunteer advisers who continue to be overstretched. The volunteers are the backbone of the service we offer, without them the free advice service provided by The Canterbury District CAB could not continue. They freely give up their time on a regular basis and take the ever-increasing complexities of legislation in their stride. The Trustees are indebted to them and to all the staff who also work so conscientiously to ensure operation of the Bureau is successful. The Canterbury District CAB constantly seeks to recruit and train new volunteer advisers, receptionists and administrative support. |
| Including Trustees, 43 volunteers (advice team 36, trustees 7) (previous year 36) contributed approximately 13,416 hours per annum,(previous year 13,547) at an estimated value of £312,947 (previous year £245,002). Excluding Trustees, 36 volunteers (previous year 28) contributed approximately 11,232 hours (previous year 9,699) of work to the bureau during the year. We estimate the value of this help at £261,999 (previous year £216,281), (excluding the value of Trustees) in respect of the year under review. |
| ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE |
| Charitable activities |
| The Trustees’ attention was focused on the main objectives as follows: |
| - The need to continue and improve the service offered to the public and more particularly to retain and recruit staff. |
| - To review and consolidate adequate future funding for the bureau. |
| The Canterbury District CAB saw a total of 4,630 clients helped (previous year 4,430) , of which 1,675 were quick client contacts (previous year 1,558) with 15,695 issues (previous year 14,982). The Canterbury District CAB assisted in the recovery of funds on behalf of clients. The recovery was made up of £9,326,720 income gained (previous year £8,350,991) reimbursements £20,796 (previous year £8,644), debts written off £60,240 (previous year £52,781), debt managed £416,099. (previous year £362,980) and other gains totalling £740,635 (previous year £650,998). |
| Fundraising activities |
| The income for the year was £18,826 an increase of £8,612 on 2024/25. The main source of fundraising was subscriptions and donations from The Friends. |
| Investment performance |
| The charity does not currently hold material investments. |
| Internal and external factors |
| The charity is only too well aware of the financial pressures experienced by its major funders, and in view of this has taken active measures to seek additional sources of funding for its services. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| Income sources in the year generated £602,999 (2024/25 £523,257); of this £565,032 (2024/25 £503,455) related to project restricted activities. |
| An overall deficit is recorded for this year of £2,833 (2024/25 £10,205). This related to an excess of expenditure on direct services over funding received. |
| Principal funding sources |
| The Directors extend their gratitude to Canterbury City Council for continuing to support the core operating capacity of the charity. The grant from Canterbury City Council supports its community by providing grant funding towards the delivery of welfare advice services. This includes generalist welfare advice and housing advice. Additionally project-specific funding was received from Macmillan Cancer Support, Citizens Advice and Money and Mental Health Service. |
| The charity did not have any borrowings from either providers of funding or other sources at the balance sheet date. |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02483455) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Reserves policy |
| The Canterbury District CAB is required to ensure that free monies are available in each financial year to meet any reasonable foreseeable contingency. The Canterbury District CAB will maintain a projection of income for at least 3 years ahead and will ensure that this continues to be derived from as wide a variety of sources as possible. They will take all necessary steps to ensure that at no time within this period would it be possible for the cessation of one or more funding streams to present so serious a challenge to the future of the organisation that it could not be managed so as to continue to provide a best value advice service. |
| In reviewing the potential costs that could arise should a significant reduction in income be incurred the Trustees have determined that ‘free’ reserves of £133,520 should be maintained which is equal to 3 months normal operating expenditure. As at 31 March 2026 the unrestricted general fund has a balance of £101,178 and the designated fund has a balance of £208,926 (which can if necessary be used for general purposes). |
| The reasons for holding particular reserves are outlined in note 15. |
| The Trustees recognise that following the merger, that the amount of free reserves will have to increase to reflect increased outgoings. |
| Going concern |
| On 6th October 2025, the Trustee Board voted in favour of proceeding to a merger with Swale and Thanet LCAs. |
| On 19th January 2026, the Trustee Board voted to change the name of the Charity to Citizens Advice North East Kent. |
| On 11th March 2026, the Trustee Board voted in favour of Pam Kenworthy of Citizens Advice Swale and Connor Harney of Citizens Advice Thanet being co-opted as Trustees with immediate effect. |
| On 30th March 2026, the Trustee Board voted in favour of a merger with Citizens Advice Swale and formally agreed to accept the transfer of the assets and undertaking of the Citizens Advice Swale, subject to the organisation's liabilities. It also voted in favour of formally agreeing to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Citizens Advice Thanet to deliver collaborative services. It was noted that the merger with Citizens Advice Thanet will be delayed. |
| Macmillan Cancer Support ended their grant to us in May 2026. There is a new grant made to the Hampshire Citizens Advice Consortium to cover our area and the Charity has been appointed as county lead and the delivery team for Kent. This will enable us to continue to deliver a much needed service to cancer patients in Kent. |
| The Trustees have considered the operating position of the charity and the grants that are in place, as well as the history of grants under regular renewal. The Trustees have also considered the effect of the merger with Citizens Advice Swale and the collaborative services with Citizens Advice Thanet, both with effect from 1st April 2026. Taking all of these into account, as well as the current situation of the charity, the Trustees believe the going concern basis of accounting to be appropriate. |
| Funds in deficit |
| No funds were in deficit at the balance sheet date. |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02483455) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| FUTURE PLANS |
| The Canterbury District CAB aims to continually improve access to its service, and intends to extend its service to an even wider number of the community through increased provision of telephone advice and extending outreach locations. |
| In pursuing its charitable objectives the charity co-operates with the following organisations: |
| Canterbury City Council | Kent and Medway Local Area Patient Group Network |
| Macmillan Cancer Support | Canterbury Relief in Need |
| Kent County Council | Pension Wise |
| Town and Parish Councils in the Canterbury District | The Canterbury Food Bank |
| Canterbury Housing Advice Centre | Kent Law Clinic, University of Kent |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | Christchurch University |
| Local Citizens Advice in Kent | Catching Lives |
| Local Umbrella Centres | Job Centres across East Kent |
| Local Age UK’s | Red Zebra |
| Ethnic Minorities in Canterbury | East Kent Hospital Trust |
| Kent & Medway Cancer Alliance | Connecting Canterbury |
| The Friends Meeting Hall | Streynsham's Trust |
| Medway NHS Trust | Local Children's Centres |
| Canterbury Baptist Church | Porchlight |
| Shaw Trust | Salvation Army |
| Medway Macmillan Benefits Service | Pilgrims Hospice |
| Crossroads Macmillan Volunteer Service for East Kent | Action on Poverty in Canterbury |
| St Vincent De Paul, Canterbury | All Saints Church, Canterbury |
| Local Solicitor Firms for participating in our Legal Rota (in alphabetical order), DSD Law, Girlings, Martin Tolhurst, Mowll & Mowll, Whitehead Monkton. |
| Mediators: Divorce Solutions. |
| The Chief Officer also attends the meetings of the Kent Chief Officers. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| The Canterbury District CAB is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended on 10 February 2014, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
| The Canterbury District CAB is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The maximum liability of each member is limited to £1. At 31 March 2026 the company had 7 members (2025: 8 members). |
| Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees |
| The Trustees, who are also directors of the company, are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Trustees serve for a year and may be re-elected at the next AGM for a further year. |
| Where Trustees are appointed during the year they may be co-opted but in order to remain a Trustee for the forthcoming year they must be formally elected at the next AGM. Newly appointed Trustees are provided with a comprehensive induction to the Canterbury District CAB through being able to attend training courses and mentoring by established Trustees. |
| The Trustees deal with the general affairs of the charity through a Trustee Board. The Chairman of the Trustee Board is elected from the members of that Board. No other persons or bodies external to the charity were entitled to appoint persons to the Trustee Board. |
| The Canterbury District CAB is governed by its Trustee Board which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of The Canterbury District CAB and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. |
| The Trustees meet at least four times a year; this includes strategy and performance review and the setting of operational plans and budgets. Additional meetings are convened when necessary. In addition, the following are entitled to attend: |
| A representative from Citizens Advice |
| A representative from the workers |
| The Chief Officer |
| and by invitation, any other person that the Board of Trustees thinks fit. |
| The Trustees delegate the day to day operation of the organisation to senior management. The Trustee Board is independent from management. A register of members’ interests is maintained at the registered office and is available to the public. |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02483455) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Long standing Trustees |
| Mrs Susan Record has been a Trustee for a number of years, initially with Herne Bay CAB and then with Canterbury District C.A.B, when the areas merged. Therefore Mrs Record's contribution to discussions regarding the merger with Swale and the proposed merger with Thanet LCAs is invaluable. As a Consultant Solicitor, Mrs Record is, at the present time, assisting the Chief Officer with an issue regarding a dispute with a neighbour of the Canterbury Office. In addition, Mrs Record is the Trustee working with our Chief Officer on the "Research and Campaigning" section of the LSA, whilst also being a member of the Fund-raising Subcommittee. |
| Considering the present situation with ongoing discussions regarding a possible merger, it is therefore entirely appropriate for Mrs Record to continue as a Trustee, both for continuity and stability to the Board and to share with us the benefits of her knowledge and experience. |
| Related parties |
| The Canterbury District CAB 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. Operating policies are independently determined by the Trustee Board of The Canterbury District CAB in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements. |
| The charity also co-operates and liaises with a number of other advisory services, local charities and social services departments on behalf of clients. Where one of the Trustees holds the position of Trustee/director of another charity he or she may be involved in discussions regarding that other charity but not in the ultimate decision-making process. |
| Statement of Internal Controls |
| The Canterbury District CAB Trustee Board oversee the information security of all personal information of our clients, staff, funders and strategic partners that is processed. The Canterbury District CAB hold joint responsibility for client data that is held in our case management system, with the national Citizens Advice Service. An information assurance management team exists to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all personal and sensitive data is maintained to a level which is compliant with the requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Risk management |
| The Canterbury District CAB has worked on a Corporate Risk Management exercise. A risk management strategy was agreed by the Trustee Board. The Trustees recognise that any major risks to which the charity is exposed need to be reviewed and systems put in place to mitigate those risks. To that end The Canterbury District CAB is continually monitoring and managing its risk, reviewing the Corporate Risk register and ensuring action plans are in place to mitigate its key risks. |
| Included in external risks is that of the loss of funding. The effects of this have been minimised by the procedures in place, which have resulted in funding being secured from a variety of sources. The charity continues to seek to diversify its funding sources. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity. |
| Information Assurance |
| Information Assurance is reviewed annually. An Information Assurance Accounting Officer and Senior Information Risk Officer are in place. Staff undergo annual information assurance training and assessment at a level appropriate to their role. Information assurance is on-going as new projects are undertaken. |
| EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR |
| Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Citizens Advice North East Kent ('the Company') |
| I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2026. |
| Responsibilities and basis of report |
| As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts 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 your 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 your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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 Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
| 2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
| 3. | the accounts 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 accounts 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. |
| Leigh Jones FCCA |
| McCabe Ford Williams |
| Chartered Accountants |
| 2 The Links |
| HERNE BAY |
| Kent |
| CT6 7GQ |
| 13th July 2026 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| funds | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Activities to further the charities objectives | 2 |
| Fundraising | 3 |
| Other incoming resources | 4 |
| Other income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities | 5 |
| Other |
| Total |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Transfers between funds | 13 | (36,192 | ) | 36,192 | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 312,937 |
| CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
| All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities. |
| In 2025, total income was £523,257, £19,802 of the income related to unrestricted funds and £503,455 related to restricted funds. |
| There are no gains or losses in the year, other than those included in the Statement of Financial Accounts. |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02483455) |
| BALANCE SHEET |
| 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| funds | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 10 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Debtors | 11 |
| Cash at bank |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 12 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 13 |
| Unrestricted funds | 312,937 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 312,937 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2026. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2026 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
| (a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
| (b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
| These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| CASH FLOW STATEMENT |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| Notes | £ | £ |
| Cash flows from operating activities |
| Cash generated from operations | 1 | (28,107 | ) | 239 |
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities | (28,107 | ) | 239 |
| Cash flows from investing activities |
| Interest received | 1,147 | 512 |
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 1,147 | 512 |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period |
(26,960 |
) |
751 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period |
92,504 |
91,753 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
65,544 |
92,504 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 1. | RECONCILIATION OF NET EXPENDITURE TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Net expenditure for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) |
(2,833 |
) |
(10,205 |
) |
| Adjustments for: |
| Depreciation charges | 4,608 | 4,608 |
| Interest received | (1,147 | ) | (512 | ) |
| Increase in debtors | (25,827 | ) | (7,048 | ) |
| (Decrease)/increase in creditors | (2,908 | ) | 13,396 |
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operations | (28,107 | ) | 239 |
| 2. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS |
| At 1.4.25 | Cash flow | At 31.3.26 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Net cash |
| Cash at bank | 92,504 | (26,960 | ) | 65,544 |
| 92,504 | (26,960 | ) | 65,544 |
| Total | 92,504 | (26,960 | ) | 65,544 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
| Income |
| All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
| Expenditure |
| Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Freehold property | - |
| Long leasehold | - |
| Fixtures and fittings | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
| Fund accounting |
| Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
| Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Pension |
| A Work Place Pension was set up for the employees with effect from 1 August 2016 being a defined contribution scheme. The scheme is open to all employees at any time. The Fund administrators are The People's Partnership. The contributions due in the year were all paid as appropriate. |
| 2. | ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITIES OBJECTIVES |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Canterbury City Council | 194,209 | 172,728 |
| Macmillan Cancer Support | 233,272 | 220,696 |
| Money and Mental Health Service | 31,669 | 17,131 |
| Canterbury Food Bank | 5,968 | 16,377 |
| Streynsham Trust | - | 500 |
| Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust | - | 3,505 |
| Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation | 1,667 | 2,500 |
| National Lottery - Awards for All | 15,981 | 4,011 |
| Energy Grant | 25,125 | 30,796 |
| Outreach | 55,105 | 23,097 |
| Access for Work | - | 5,363 |
| Kent Digital Support | - | 3,113 |
| Carried forward | 562,996 | 499,817 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 2. | ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITIES OBJECTIVES - continued |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Brought forward | 562,996 | 499,817 |
| Household Support Fund | 1,321 | 3,638 |
| Sundry Income | 715 | - |
| 3. | FUNDRAISING |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Donations - general | 18,826 | 10,214 |
| 4. | OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Rents received |
| HMRC Employment Allowance | 10,500 | 5,000 |
| Bank interest |
| 5. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
| Support |
| Direct | costs (see |
| Costs | note 6) | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Charitable activities | 601,056 | 776 | 601,832 |
| 6. | SUPPORT COSTS |
| Governance |
| costs |
| £ |
| Other resources expended | 4,000 |
| Charitable activities | 776 |
| 4,776 |
| 7. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| 8. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There was no Trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026, nor for the year ended 31 March 2025. |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 8. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS - continued |
| Trustees' expenses |
| During the year, the Trustees were reimbursed £Nil for expenses. (2025 - £Nil) |
| 9. | STAFF COSTS |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Wages and salaries |
| Social security costs |
| 434,296 | 382,611 |
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| Full time | 5 | 6 |
| Part time | 11 | 12 |
| In addition to the paid staff whose details are shown above, we rely on volunteer workers. The number of full time staff that would be equivalent to the hours worked by volunteers is shown below. |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| Full time volunteer equivalent | 5.84 | 6.35 |
| 5.84 | 6.35 |
| The average number of employees, analysed by function was: |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| Charitable purposes | 15 | 17 |
| Management & admin | 1 | 1 |
| 16 | 18 |
| 10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Fixtures |
| Freehold | Long | and | Computer |
| property | leasehold | fittings | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1st April 2025 |
| Charge for year |
| At 31st March 2026 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31st March 2026 |
| At 31st March 2025 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade debtors |
| The allocation between restricted and unrestricted funds is as follows: |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Unrestricted Fund |
| Due from Restricted Fund | 43,364 | 9,357 |
| Other Debtors | 8,077 | 2,835 |
| 51,441 | 12,192 |
| Restricted Fund |
| Trade Debtors | 55,190 | 34,605 |
| Less Due to Unrestricted Fund | (43,364 | ) | (9,357 | ) |
| 11,826 | 25,248 |
| 63,267 | 37,440 |
| 12. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2026 | 2025 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade creditors |
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.4.25 | in funds | funds | 31.3.26 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General funds | 99,403 | 37,967 | (36,192 | ) | 101,178 |
| Designated | 213,534 | (4,608 | ) | - | 208,926 |
| 33,359 | ( |
) |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted funds | - | (36,192 | ) | 36,192 | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS | (2,833 | ) | 310,104 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General funds | 37,967 | - | 37,967 |
| Designated | - | (4,608 | ) | (4,608 | ) |
| ( |
) | 33,359 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted funds | 565,032 | (601,224 | ) | (36,192 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (2,833 | ) |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | funds | 31.3.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General funds | 78,123 | 14,322 | 6,958 | 99,403 |
| Designated | 245,019 | (4,608 | ) | (26,877 | ) | 213,534 |
| 323,142 | 9,714 | (19,919 | ) | 312,937 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted funds | - | (19,919 | ) | 19,919 | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 323,142 | (10,205 | ) | - | 312,937 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General funds | 19,802 | (5,480 | ) | 14,322 |
| Designated | - | (4,608 | ) | (4,608 | ) |
| 19,802 | (10,088 | ) | 9,714 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted funds | 503,455 | (523,374 | ) | (19,919 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 523,257 | (533,462 | ) | (10,205 | ) |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| DETAILED MOVEMENTS IN INDIVIDUAL RESTRICTED FUNDS |
| Balance 01.04.2025 |
Income |
Expenditure |
Transfers |
Balance 31.03.2026 |
| Restricted Funds |
| Canterbury City Council | - | 194,209 | 227,040 | (32,831 | ) | - |
| Macmillan Cancer Support Contract | - | 233,272 | 233,272 | - | - |
| Money and Mental Health Service | - | 31,669 | 32,669 | (1,000 | ) | - |
| Canterbury Food Bank | - | 5,968 | 6,142 | (174 | ) | - |
| Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation | - | 1,667 | 1,667 | - | - |
| Awards for All | - | 15,981 | 18,076 | (2,095 | ) | - |
| Energy Grant | - | 25,125 | 25,168 | (43 | ) | - |
| Outreach | - | 55,105 | 55,105 | - | - |
| Household Support Fund | - | 1,321 | 1,370 | (49 | ) | - |
| Sundry Income | - | 715 | 715 | - | - |
| - | 565,032 | 601,224 | (36,192 | ) | - |
| The figures below are those for the year ended 31 March 2025. |
| Balance 01.04.2024 |
Income |
Expenditure |
Transfers |
Balance 31.03.2025 |
| Restricted Funds |
| Canterbury City Council | - | 172,728 | 194,009 | (21,281 | ) | - |
| Macmillan Cancer Support Contract | - | 220,696 | 220,696 | - | - |
| Money and Mental Health Service | - | 17,131 | 17,192 | (61 | ) | - |
| Canterbury Food Bank | - | 16,377 | 16,533 | (156 | ) | - |
| Streynsham Trust | - | 500 | 500 | - | - |
| Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust | - | 3,505 | 3,505 | - | - |
| Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation | - | 2,500 | 2,500 | - | - |
| Awards for All | - | 4,011 | 4,011 | - | - |
| Energy Grant | - | 30,796 | 29,217 | 1,579 | - |
| Outreach | - | 23,097 | 23,097 | - | - |
| Access for Work | - | 5,363 | 5,363 | - | - |
| Kent Digital Fund | - | 3,113 | 3,113 | - | - |
| Household Support Fund | - | 3,638 | 3,638 | - | - |
| - | 503,455 | 523,374 | (19,919 | ) | - |
| DETAILED MOVEMENTS IN INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATED FUNDS |
| Balance 01.04.2025 |
Income |
Expenditure |
Transfers |
Balance 31.03.2026 |
| Designated Funds |
| Property Fund | 213,534 | - | 4,608 | - | 208,926 |
| Management and Maintenance Fund | - | - | - | - | - |
| 213,534 | - | 4,608 | - | 208,926 |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 14. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| The Canterbury District CAB paid £1,104 (2025 : £2,662) in the year ended 31 March 2026 for various insurance services, including professional indemnity cover, to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. |
| 15. | POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS |
| The charity has entered into a grant agreement which may give rise to a VAT charge. The Trustees are currently assessing the financial impact of such a charge should it arise. |
| 16. | DESIGNATED FUNDS |
| Property Fund |
| This reserve has been designated by the Trustees to provide accommodation for the offices in Canterbury and Herne Bay. Donations were received for the building of the office at Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury which is held on a long lease from Canterbury City Council and the office at 185 High Street. Herne Bay was purchased and completely refurbished with the benefit of a substantial grant from the National Lottery charities board together with a grant from Canterbury City Council and other donations. |
| Management and Maintenance Fund |
| The rental income from the flat at Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury has previously provided monies for this fund and payments are made for various capital items. This fund is now transferred to General Funds. |
| 17. | PURPOSES OF RESTRICTED FUNDS |
| Canterbury City Council |
| A restricted fund by way of a grant for Welfare Rights and Housing Advice. |
| Macmillan Cancer Support |
| A restricted fund provided by Macmillan Cancer Support to provide assistance to cancer sufferers, their families and carers. |
| Money and Mental Health Service |
| Money and benefits advice Project led by North West Kent Citizens Advice. |
| Canterbury Food Bank |
| For advising clients of Canterbury Food Bank about welfare benefits. |
| Streynsham Trust |
| Towards supporting client s from St Dunstans Parish, Canterbury. |
| Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust |
| A grant towards IT infrastructure costs. |
| Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation |
| Towards supervision and training support for the service in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable. |
| The National Lottery - Awards for All |
| Towards IT equipment, fire safety inspection and electrical work. |
| Energy Grant |
| EAP - One to One General Energy Advice including welfare. |
| CMAP - One to One Carbon Monoxide Advice benefit checks. |
| EOP - Group Sessions in Energy Awareness in community settings |
| Funding to deliver energy services to provide one to one energy advice appointments to clients who are in or at risk of fuel poverty. |
| The National Lottery - Reaching Communities |
| For Outreach work for 3 years funding up to October 2027. |
| Access to Work Grant |
| Towards Equipment for enabling people with disabilities to work. |
| Kent Digital Fund |
| For IT equipment |
| Kent County Council Household Support Fund |
| CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH EAST KENT |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026 |
| 17. | PURPOSES OF RESTRICTED FUNDS - continued |
| For referring clients for household support |
| 18. | FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS |
| Capital Commitments |
| There are no capital commitments at the year end. |
| Operating Lease Commitments |
| There are no operating lease commitments at the year end. |