Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau Charity Accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 04573848

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1096071

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

Unaudited Financial Statements

For the Year Ending

31 March 2026

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

Financial Statements

Year Ended 31 March 2026

	Page

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)	1

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees	5

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account)	6

Statement of Financial Position	7

Statement of Cash Flows	8

Notes to the Financial Statements	9

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's 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 and Activities

The charity's objects as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association are to 'promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in Middlesbrough and surrounding areas by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.' In common with all Citizens Advice Bureaux the charity aims to:

a) Ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities or of the service available or through an inability to express their needs effectively. b) Exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and the service both locally and nationally. c) Provide a service which is independent and which provides free, confidential, impartial advice to everybody regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability.

Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year to ensure that our activities have met our objectives and that any planned activities will continue to do so. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.

The focus of our work

The charity seeks funding from a wide variety of sources and uses this funding to meet any identified advice need within the town. All our activities are focused on providing free advice to the local population and are undertaken to further our charitable objects for the public benefit.

Who used and benefited from our services?

The charity provided its advice services from its main office in Middlesbrough Town Centre and from 5 community venues throughout Middlesbrough. Many projects are aimed at specific groups such as people with mental health problems, people with community care needs and people with cancer. However most of our services are open to all.

Achievements and Performance

During 2025/26, Middlesbrough Citizens Advice continued to provide free, independent, and impartial advice to residents facing increasingly complex financial, housing, and personal challenges. The charity responded to more than 13,000 enquiries and supported people with over 9,000 issues. More than 1,900 individual clients received support with complex enquiries,

67% of clients accessing the service for the first time.

Our advice secured more than £3 million in additional income for residents and resulted in over £750,000 of debt being written off for local debt clients. The charity delivered 1,073 financial outcomes for 613 clients, with an average financial benefit of more than £6,300 per client. Our work generated an estimated total value to society of over £10 million during the year, demonstrating the wider contribution of early advice in preventing crisis, improving financial stability, and reducing pressure on public services.

Financial Review

The charity reported total income of £753,079 for the year, compared with £674,861 in 2024/25. Total expenditure reduced to £729,255 from £802,261, resulting in net income of £23,824, compared with a deficit of £127,400 in the previous year.

At 31 March 2026, the charity held total funds of £299,984, comprising £154,408 of unrestricted funds and £145,576 of restricted funds. Cash at bank and in hand was £308,980, and net current assets were £263,505. During the year, £30,372 was transferred from unrestricted funds to restricted funds to provide match funding and meet project funding shortfalls. The Trustees continue to monitor income, expenditure, cash flow, and funding risks closely, and consider that there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Principal Funding Sources

The principal funding sources are shown in note 6 to the accounts on page 13. The charity relies on grants from Central and Local Government as well as from other charitable organisations.

The charity's funds have to be available at short notice and so all funds are currently held either in the bank current or reserve account. The Memorandum and Articles of Association permit the trustees to make any investment as they see fit.

Structure, Governance and Management

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau is a company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 25th October 2002 and registered as a charity on 19th February 2003. In the event of the charity being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The board consists of not less than four and not more than 18 trustees. Trustees are either:

- Elected by membership at the Annual General Meeting, in which case they will hold office from the conclusion of that meeting. No more than two may be voluntary staff. Or

- Nominated by member organisations. The maximum number of such trustees is five of which a maximum of two will be from Middlesbrough Council. Or

- Co-opted by the trustee board. Trustees so appointed cannot exceed two-fifths of the total number of trustees.

All elected trustees retire from office at the third Annual General Meeting following the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected but they may be re-elected. All nominated or co-opted trustees retire from office at the third Annual General Meeting following the ordinary meeting of the trustee board at which they were appointed, but they too may seek re-election.

Organisational structure

The charity is an autonomous body. The trustees make strategic decisions about the charity and the day to day running of the Bureau is delegated to the Chief Executive and his team. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that the aims and objectives of the charity are met. The board meets every three months to consider reports from the Chief Executive and other staff members and trustees are involved at other times in the administration of the Bureau.

Trustee Induction and Training

The Bureau has developed an induction program using its own material and material from Citizens Advice and the Charity Commission. The Bureau also aims to provide 2 or 3 training sessions per annum for trustees covering matters such as employment rights, key funders and trustee responsibilities.

Risk Management

During the year the trustees have undertaken a formal risk assessment process which has enabled them to identify the risks to which the charity is exposed and put in place measures to mitigate those risks.

Related parties

None of the trustees receives remuneration or any other benefit relating to their work for the charity. The charity is affiliated to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. Middlesbrough Council provides the charity with some core funding and is able to nominate a maximum of two trustees.

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered charity name	Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

Charity registration number	1096071

Company registration number	04573848

Principal office and registered	3 Bolckow Street
office	Middlesbrough
	TS1 1TH

The Trustees

	Mr J Broadbent
	Ms K Leonard (Treasurer)	(Resigned 15 May 2026)
	Ms R Surrey	(Resigned 31 March 2026)
	Mr C Wilson
	Mr E Ndhovlu	(Resigned 31 March 2026)
	Ms E L Gordon	(Appointed 12 May 2026)
	Mr D R Ley	(Appointed 15 May 2026)

The following trustees have been appointed since the year end:

Ms E L Gordon on 12 May 2026

Mr D R Ley on 15 May 2026

Company Secretary	Ms S McPhie

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 was approved on 6 August 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Ms S McPhie

Charity Secretary

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

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

Year Ended 31 March 2026

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Middlesbrough 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

6 August 2026

Middlesbrough 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	50,220	–	50,220	1,361
Charitable activities	6	94,615	596,624	691,239	661,614
Investment income	7	1,120	–	1,120	1,886
Other income	8	10,500	–	10,500	10,000
		---------	---------	---------	---------
Total income		156,455	596,624	753,079	674,861
		---------	---------	---------	---------

Expenditure

Expenditure on charitable activities	9,10	89,854	639,401	729,255	802,261
		---------	---------	---------	---------
Total expenditure		89,854	639,401	729,255	802,261
		---------	---------	---------	---------

	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net income/(expenditure)	66,601	( 42,777)	23,824	( 127,400)
	---------	---------	---------	---------

Transfers between funds	(30,372)	30,372	–	–

	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net movement in funds	36,229	( 12,405)	23,824	( 127,400)

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward	118,179	157,981	276,160	403,560
	---------	---------	---------	---------
Total funds carried forward	154,408	145,576	299,984	276,160
	---------	---------	---------	---------

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

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2026

	2026	2025
Note	£	£

Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets	17	40,389	57,296

Current Assets

Debtors	18	33,309	89,467
Cash at bank and in hand		308,980	295,703
		---------	---------
		342,289	385,170

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	19	78,784	160,572
		---------	---------
Net Current Assets		263,505	224,598
		---------	---------
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities		303,894	281,894

Provisions	20	3,910	5,734
		---------	---------
Net Assets		299,984	276,160
		---------	---------

Funds of the Charity

Restricted funds		145,576	157,981
Unrestricted funds		154,408	118,179
		---------	---------
Total charity funds	22	299,984	276,160
		---------	---------

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 6 August 2026 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mr J Broadbent
Trustee

Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau

Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended 31 March 2026

	2026	2025
	£	£

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net income/(expenditure)	23,824	(127,400)

Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	16,907	16,907
Other interest receivable and similar income	( 1,120)	( 1,886)
Accrued expenses/(income)	34,165	( 11,635)

Changes in:
Trade and other debtors	19,570	3,243
Trade and other creditors	( 79,365)	133,669
Provisions and employee benefits	( 1,824)	3,726
	--------	---------
Cash generated from operations	12,157	16,624

Interest received	1,120	1,886
	--------	--------
Net cash from operating activities	13,277	18,510
	--------	--------

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,277	18,510
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	295,703	277,193
	---------	---------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	308,980	295,703
	---------	---------

Middlesbrough 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 3 Bolckow Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 1TH.

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 investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the 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 financial statements.

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 on an appropriate basis, as set out in the notes to the accounts.

Tangible Assets

Assets costing £500 or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.

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:

Freehold Buildings	-	4% straight line
Office Equipment	-	10% straight line
Computer Equipment	-	33% straight line

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.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the entity has an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the entity will be required to transfer economic benefits in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. Provisions are recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position and the amount of the provision as an expense.

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

The company participates in a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 1,300 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme. The company must recognise a liability measured as the present value of contributions payable that arise from the deficit recovery agreement and the resulting expense in the income and expenditure account ie the unwinding of the discount rate as a finance cost in the period in which it arises. See note 19 to the accounts for further information.

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 3 members each of whom had undertaken to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of a winding up.

5. Donations and Legacies

Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2026	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
£	£	£	£

Donations

	Donations and gifts	220	220	1,361	1,361

Grants

People's Postcode Lottery	50,000	50,000	–	–
	--------	--------	-------	-------
	50,220	50,220	1,361	1,361
	--------	--------	-------	-------

6. Charitable Activities

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Middlesbrough Council - Core funding	88,000	–	88,000
Advocacy Service	–	–	–
MASDAP	–	206,567	206,567
Middlesbrough Council - Hubs	–	142,500	142,500
CATCH	–	–	–
Macmillan Cancer Support	–	30,000	30,000
BPA - Access to Justice	–	59,120	59,120
Mental Health	–	28,000	28,000
Energy Redress	–	22,372	22,372
MFTV	–	–	–
Warm Up North	–	–	–
Northern Powergrid	–	30,760	30,760
LEAP	–	35,255	35,255
National Lottery Schools	–	42,050	42,050
Other income from charitable activities	6,615	–	6,615
	--------	---------	---------
	94,615	596,624	691,239
	--------	---------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Middlesbrough Council - Core funding	88,000	–	88,000
Advocacy Service	10,472	–	10,472
MASDAP	–	160,655	160,655
Middlesbrough Council - Hubs	–	142,500	142,500
CATCH	–	39,817	39,817
Macmillan Cancer Support	–	30,000	30,000
BPA - Access to Justice	–	58,189	58,189
Mental Health	–	28,000	28,000
Energy Redress	–	–	–
MFTV	–	19,876	19,876
Warm Up North	–	(3,017)	(3,017)
Northern Powergrid	–	26,293	26,293
LEAP	–	16,986	16,986
National Lottery Schools	–	39,633	39,633
Other income from charitable activities	4,210	–	4,210
	---------	---------	---------
	102,682	558,932	661,614
	---------	---------	---------

7. Investment Income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2026	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable	1,120	1,120	1,886	1,886
	-------	-------	-------	-------

8. Other Income

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

9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Costs of charitable activities	54,555	481,809	536,364
Support costs	35,299	157,592	192,891
	--------	---------	---------
	89,854	639,401	729,255
	--------	---------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Costs of charitable activities	111,968	466,483	578,451
Support costs	72,109	151,701	223,810
	---------	---------	---------
	184,077	618,184	802,261
	---------	---------	---------

10. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Activity Type

	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs	Total funds 2026	Total fund 2025
	£	£	£	£
Costs of charitable activities	536,364	191,169	727,533	792,075
Governance costs	–	1,722	1,722	10,186
	---------	---------	---------	---------
	536,364	192,891	729,255	802,261
	---------	---------	---------	---------

11. Analysis of Grants

	2026	2025
	£	£

Grants to Institutions

Age UK	17,500	17,500
CHAC	65,639	65,726
	--------	--------
	83,139	83,226
	--------	--------
Total grants	83,139	83,226
	--------	--------

Monies paid to CHAC, Middlesbrough Council and Age UK Teesside are for delivery of the Hub Advice/Benefits Take Up Campaign, for which Middlesbrough CAB is the lead partner.

12. Net Income/(Expenditure)

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

	2026	2025
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	16,907	16,907
	--------	--------

13. Independent Examination Fees

	2026	2025
	£	£

Fees payable to the independent examiner for:

Independent examination of the financial statements	1,500	1,440
Other financial services	1,764	1,620
	-------	-------
	3,264	3,060
	-------	-------

14. Staff Costs

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

	2026	2025
	£	£
Wages and salaries	425,671	509,699
Social security costs	43,388	34,519
Employer contributions to pension plans	10,997	12,800
Other employee benefits	–	13,807
	---------	---------
	480,056	570,825
	---------	---------

The average head count of employees during the year was 26 (2025: 30 ).

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 £40,328 (2025:£45,249).

15. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

No trustees were paid either remuneration or expenses in the current or previous year.

16. Transfers Between Funds

During the year £30,372 was transferred from unrestricted to restricted funds. This represented match funding for projects or amounts needed to fund deficits on projects.

17. Tangible Fixed Assets

	Freehold Buildings	Office Equipment	Computer Equipment	Total
	£	£	£	£
Cost
At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026	393,967	45,566	6,292	445,825
	---------	--------	-------	---------
Depreciation
At 1 April 2025	340,013	42,224	6,292	388,529
Charge for the year	15,759	1,148	–	16,907
	---------	--------	-------	---------
At 31 March 2026	355,772	43,372	6,292	405,436
	---------	--------	-------	---------
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2026	38,195	2,194	–	40,389
	---------	--------	-------	---------
At 31 March 2025	53,954	3,342	–	57,296
	---------	--------	-------	---------

18. Debtors

	2026	2025
	£	£
Trade debtors	–	19,948
Prepayments and accrued income	33,309	69,519
	--------	--------
	33,309	89,467
	--------	--------

19. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2026	2025
	£	£
Trade creditors	56,616	5,884
Accruals and deferred income	1,980	4,403
Social security and other taxes	16,715	149,771
Pension creditor	3,473	514
	--------	---------
	78,784	160,572
	--------	---------

20. Provisions

	Pensions and similar obligations
	£
At 1 April 2025	5,734
Other movements 1	225
Other movements 2	(3)
Other movements 3	(2,046)
	-------
At 31 March 2026	3,910
	-------

21. 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 £ 10,997 (2025: £ 12,800 ).

Scheme: TPT Retirement Solutions - The Growth Plan The company participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 521 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme. The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK. The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore the company is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme. A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. This valuation showed assets of £514.9m, liabilities of £531.0m and a deficit of £16.1m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: Deficit contributions From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028: £2,100,000 per annum (payable monthly) Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 March 2028 applies. Note that the scheme's previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows: Deficit Contributions From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: £3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly) The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities. Where the scheme is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost. Present Value of Provision

	2026	2025	2024
	£	£	£
Present value of provision	3,910	5,734	2,008

Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions

	2026	2025
	£	£
Provision at start of period	5,734	2,008
Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense)	225	53

Deficit contribution paid	(2,046)	(2,047)
Remeasurements - Impact of any changes in assumptions	(3)	36
Remeasurements - Changes to the contribution schedule	Nil	5,684
Provision at end of period	3,910	2,734

Income and Expenditure Impact

	2026	2025
	£	£
Interest expense	225	53
Remeasurements - Impact of any change in assumptions	(3)	36
Remeasurements - Amendments to the contribution schedule	Nil	5,684
Costs recognised in income and expenditure accounts	222	5,773

*includes defined contribution schemes and future service contributions (i.e. excluding any deficit reduction payments) to defined benefit schemes which are treated as defined contribution schemes. Assumptions

	2026	2025	2024
	£	£	£
Rate of discount	492	484	531

The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions. The following schedule details the deficit contributions agreed between the company and the scheme at each year end period:

	2026	2025	2024
	£	£	£
Year 1	2,046	2,046	2,047
Year 2	2,046	2,046	Nil
Year 3	Nil	2,046	Nil

The company must recognise a liability measured as the present value of the contributions payable that arise from the deficit recovery agreement and the resulting expense in the income and expenditure account i.e. the unwinding of the discount rate as a finance cost in the period in which it arises. It is these contributions that have been used to derive the company's balance sheet liability.

22. Analysis of Charitable Funds

Unrestricted funds

	At 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£	£
General funds	64,225	106,455	(74,095)	(30,372)	66,213
Advocacy Service	–	–	–	–	–
Designated Fund - Contingency	–	–	–	–	–
Fixed Asset funds	53,954	–	(15,759)	–	38,195
People's Postcode Lottery	–	50,000	–	–	50,000
	---------	---------	--------	--------	---------
	118,179	156,455	(89,854)	(30,372)	154,408
	---------	---------	--------	--------	---------

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£	£
General funds	181,454	105,457	(107,707)	(114,979)	64,225
Advocacy Service	–	10,472	(46,804)	36,332	–
Designated Fund - Contingency	50,000	–	(13,807)	(36,193)	–
Fixed Asset funds	69,713	–	(15,759)	–	53,954
People's Postcode Lottery	–	–	–	–	–
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
	301,167	115,929	(184,077)	(114,840)	118,179
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------

Restricted funds

	At 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£	£
MaPS	–	206,567	(207,833)	1,266	–
Middlesbrough Council Hubs	82,918	142,500	(141,642)	–	83,776
Macmillan Cancer Support	55,389	30,000	(25,929)	–	59,460
Mental Health	–	28,000	(36,486)	8,486	–
Energy Redress Scheme	–	22,372	(21,914)	–	458
Warm Up North	–	–	–	–	–
MFTV	–	–	–	–	–
National Lottery Schools	–	42,050	(44,090)	2,040	–
Northern Powergrid	–	30,760	(49,340)	18,580	–
BPA - Access to Justice	19,674	59,120	(76,996)	–	1,798
CATCH	–	–	–	–	–
LEAP	–	35,255	(35,171)	–	84
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------
	157,981	596,624	(639,401)	30,372	145,576
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£	£
MaPS	(16,527)	160,655	(161,961)	17,833	–
Middlesbrough Council Hubs	78,142	142,500	(137,724)	–	82,918
Macmillan Cancer Support	49,219	30,000	(23,830)	–	55,389
Mental Health	(18,081)	28,000	(33,748)	23,829	–
Energy Redress Scheme	–	–	–	–	–
Warm Up North	5,442	(3,017)	(49,218)	46,793	–
MFTV	(3,337)	19,876	(21,675)	5,136	–
National Lottery Schools	(2,226)	39,633	(42,448)	5,041	–
Northern Powergrid	(4,842)	26,293	(36,864)	15,413	–
BPA - Access to Justice	14,603	58,189	(53,118)	–	19,674
CATCH	–	39,817	(39,959)	142	–
LEAP	–	16,986	(17,639)	653	–
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
	102,393	558,932	(618,184)	114,840	157,981
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------

Money Advice Service Debt Advice Project (MaPS) monies are used to deliver a specialist debt casework service.

Middlesbrough Council monies are used to provide our generalist service. It is also used to deliver, with partners, benefits advice in community settings

Macmillan Cancer Support funding comes from Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group and the monies are used to deliver a service providing benefits advice to people with cancer.

Mental Health Advice is a service providing welfare benefits advice to people with mental health problems.

Energy Redress Scheme - The Energy Redress Fund scheme provides energy advice and income maximisation services to people in or at risk of fuel poverty.

Warm Up North is an energy advice service delivered in partnership with Stockton, Newcastle and South Tyneside CABx. The project aims to help local people mitigate the effects of fuel poverty through a range of measures, including advice about tariffs, grants available, reducing energy usage, and income maximisation.

National Lottery Schools is a service providing benefits advice to parents of school children, funded by the National Lottery and delivered as a partnership with three other CAB in the region.

BPA - Access to Justice enables legal advice organisations to maintain their services in the face of the cost of living crisis. Middlesbrough CAB used the money to support the salaries of key supervisors within its generalist service.

CATCH is a project providing benefits advice to people with mental health issues which puts them in danger of self harm. LEAP is a project which provides benefits advice and other financial inclusion support to people seeking to enter the labour market.

23. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	40,389	–	40,389
Current assets	196,713	145,576	342,289
Creditors less than 1 year	(78,784)	–	(78,784)
Provisions	(3,910)	–	(3,910)
	---------	---------	---------
Net assets	154,408	145,576	299,984
	---------	---------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	57,296	–	57,296
Current assets	227,189	157,981	385,170
Creditors less than 1 year	(160,572)	–	(160,572)
Provisions	(5,734)	–	(5,734)
	---------	---------	---------
Net assets	118,179	157,981	276,160
	---------	---------	---------

24. Analysis of Changes in Net Debt

	At 1 Apr 2025	Cash flows	At 31 Mar 2026
	£	£	£
Cash at bank and in hand	295,703	13,277	308,980
	---------	--------	---------

25. Related Parties

There were no transactions with related parties during the current or previous year.