Volunteers are our lifeblood - we have more than 200 volunteers trained in reception, counselling, research and other services. I am delighted to report a successful year for Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau. The Citizens Advice Bureau advises everyone on their rights and duties free of charge, independently, confidentially and impartially.
Lord Mayor of Norwich Brenda Arthur opened the first Norfolk Citizens Advice kiosk in October 2015. In 2015, our national membership organization dropped the word 'Bureau' from its name and simply became Citizens Advice. At Norfolk Citizens Advice we have over 220 dedicated volunteers working alongside 30 part-time and full-time staff, and we thank all of them for their dedication and commitment, and for making a difference to those who need help.
To continue to provide a free advice service and invest in our IT, Norfolk Citizens Advice is continually looking for more effective ways to provide advice (e.g. kiosks and outreaches) and to secure funding from new funding. Last year, Citizens Advice agencies helped 2.5 million customers in Britain with 6.2 million problems. Our customers' stories provide unique insight into the issues facing people in Norfolk and across the country.
We don't just listen to people's stories, we record them, and when we notice that people around the country are reporting similar stories, Citizens Council does something about it.
Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau Company limited by guarantee
Financial statements Year ended 31 March 2015
Trustees annual report Year ended 31 March 2015
The interviewee is asked questions about the competencies required for the role of Trustee. New curators undergo an induction period, which is determined by the firm's previous experience and knowledge. The CEO and senior management team are responsible for the operational management of the organization.
When developing the office's strategic plan, trustees take into account the strategy set by Citizens Advice. Trustees acknowledge the Charity Commission's requirement to review the main risks to which the office is exposed and to put in place systems to mitigate those risks. Current funding remains a major risk for the office in the current economic climate and in light of the government's plans to reduce the areas of work eligible for legal aid support.
The Trustees take into account the Charity Commission's requirements in relation to the public benefit test and confirm that the activities of the Office will be consistent with these requirements, as set out in the objects and activities below. The charity is a member of the national charity Citizens Advice, which produces and updates AdviceGuide and AdviserNet (the web-based systems we use to advise clients) and sets and maintains quality standards for the advice services provided, internal organisation, training and equal opportunities. and accessibility. We started the last year of the two-year contract in January 2014. Throughout the year, the project has continued to provide free expert advice in helping clients achieve sustainable household budgets, identify benefit entitlements and life skills.
Customers assisted by business work teams. The Specialist Services completed 861 debt cases and 559 welfare benefit cases over the year. Finally, all of the above would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the paid and volunteer staff, and the attorneys who provide support to the Bureau on a pro bono basis. The audited accounts of the Bureau are attached to this report and full details of the financial position of the Bureau are contained therein together with the auditor's report to the trustees.
The trustees are confident that the future funding of the office will be such that it will be able to meet its obligations as they fall due in the normal course of business. Ensuring that we continue to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of the borough and pay focused attention to the needs of those who find it challenging to access mainstream services to support their health and wellbeing will be a feature of our continued development as a service. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which are sufficient to show and explain the transactions of the Charity and disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity at all times and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the charity's assets and therefore taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. Lovewell Blake LLP is deemed to have been reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
Independent auditor's report to the members of Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau Year ended 31 March 2015
Independent auditor's report to the members of Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau
Statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account)
Balance sheet 31 March 2015
Notes to the financial statements Year ended 31 March 2015
Fund generation costs include costs associated with raising voluntary revenue and trading costs for fundraising purposes. Charitable activities comprise those costs incurred by a charitable organization in carrying out its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs directly allocable to such activities and those indirect costs necessary to support them.
Management costs include those costs associated with meeting the charity's statutory and statutory requirements and include audit fees and costs associated with the strategic management of the charity. All costs are allocated among expenditure categories in the statement of financial activities on a basis that reflects the use of the resource. Rent, cleaning, telephone, stationery and general office supplies are allocated based on the area occupied by the relevant staff.
Rents applicable to operating leases where substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to earnings on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The charity is not liable for income or capital gains tax as excess income and profits are used for charitable purposes. The scheme's assets are held separately from those of the company in an independently managed fund.
The pension costs charged in these financial statements represent the contributions payable by the company to the scheme. In addition, the bureau maintains its services to the public through the assistance of volunteer workers. Big Lottery Fund (Community Outreach) - West Norfolk Regeneration - The Big Lottery provided funding for four years until December 2014 as part of the initiative to regenerate West Norfolk.
The project enabled the agency to provide financial wealth and life skills training to clients, helping clients maximize their income. FIF – The Financial Inclusion Fund project is funded by the DTI to recruit a caseworker who can provide advice to clients with debt-related issues. MS Society - A trust that provides specialist wellbeing advice to people with MS, their families and carers in the North Norfolk region.
Local Government Partners
Norfolk
Ways to contact us
Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau St Crispins House
St Georges Street Norwich
Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/NorfolkCAB
C) Citizens Advice 2015
Citizens Advice is an operating name of The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau
Produced by Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau November 2015
Registered charity number: 1071297 Registered company number 3617412
