WEST SOMERSET ADVICE BUREAU
Dear Sirs,To update our aims and to assist funding reasons we would like to add new wording to one line of our company description detail (shown below)......."In particular, WSAB was established to promote charitable purposes for the stated community by the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress, sickness,disability, disadvantage and deprivation"
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity incurred a deficit of £83,986 for the year ended 31 March 2025, following a surplus in the prior year. The trustees acknowledge that the current position of deficits is unsustainable but conclude that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Free reserves at year-end were £50,136, which is above the stated policy target of £48,000.
What the accounts disclose
“It is currently the objective to maintain free reserves of at least three months gross expenditure (£48,000) in order that unexpected revenue requirements, renewals and minor repairs may be met.” — page 14
“The trustees acknowledge that the current position of deficits is unsustainable and have taken steps to address this including securing new income streams and reducing all appropriate costs. Indications are that the charity will return to a surplus making position for the year ended 31 March 2026. The trustees have concluded that appropriate action is being taken and that the charity will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there is no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements” — page 14
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- BARBARA O'KEEFEchair
- Bruce Douglas Lang
- Ian Charles Aldridge
- Jean Parbrook
- Sarah Buchanan
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £91k | £175k |
| 31/03/2024 | £216k | £177k |
| 31/03/2023 | £195k | £159k |
| 31/03/2022 | £252k | £268k |
| 31/03/2021 | £235k | £204k |
Common questions
Is WEST SOMERSET ADVICE BUREAU financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity incurred a deficit of £83,986 for the year ended 31 March 2025, following a surplus in the prior year. The trustees acknowledge that the current position of deficits is unsustainable but conclude that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Free reserves at year-end were £50,136, which is above the stated policy target of £48,000. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds WEST SOMERSET ADVICE BUREAU?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WEST SOMERSET ADVICE BUREAU as a grant recipient include THE FAIRFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE FAIRFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £17k | |
| THE FAIRFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £0 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset Community Foundation | 06/02/2023 | £10k | Increasing the capacity of debt and money advice services in response to the cost-of-living crisis |
| Somerset Community Foundation | 10/10/2022 | £5k | Improving access to advice services in rural West Somerset |
| Somerset Community Foundation | 03/04/2020 | £3k | COVID19 Coordination of of food supplies for vulnerable people in West Somerset |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 26/09/2019 | £10k | Welcoming community premises |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 23/02/2012 | £10k | West Somerset Advice Bureau |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 05/07/2005 | £57k | Money Advice Project |