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← Lewisham District Scout Council

2025-03-31-accounts

Lewisham District Scout Council Trustees’ Annual Report 2024/2025

lewishamscouts.org.uk @LewishamScouts

Registered Charity No. 1001668 Scout District No. 10001058

LEWISHAM DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts for 2024/2025

CONTENTS

Contents
Notice of 2025 Annual General Meeting & Agenda
Minutes of the District’s Annual General Meeting held on 6 July
2024
Reports & Accounts
Reference and administration details
Structure, governance and management
Public beneft
Purpose, Values and Method
Achievements and Performance
Financial review
People
Changes and Thanks
Plans for the future
Declaration
Accounts (including Independent Examiner’s Report)
Schedule of Registered Scout Groups & Explorer Scout Units		 Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 7
Page 7
Page 9
Page 9
Page 10
Page 15
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 17
Page 18
Page 29

1

LEWISHAM DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting will be held at Bellingham Bowling Club, 183 Bellingham Road, London SE6 1EQ at 7.30pm on Monday 7 July 2025.

AGENDA

INTRODUCTION

GOVERNANCE OVERSIGHT

THE PAST YEAR – REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE SCOUT COUNCIL

MAKE APPOINTMENTS

2

LEWISHAM DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

Minutes of the 14th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held on 6 July 2024 at Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre.

1. ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY THE DISTRICT CHAIR

The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to the 14th Annual General Meeting of Lewisham District Scout Council. He drew attention to the fact that the change of Trustee’s duties in accordance with Scout Association Rules was now effectively complete and that he would draw attention to key changes during the meeting.

A one minute silence was held in memory of members who had died during the previous year.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received from District Vice Presidents Trevor Flanders and Lawrie Smith, and from Julia Anstey, Caroline Britchford, Robert Britchford, Jane Campbell, Rob Fiander, Chris Ellinson, Kelly Freeman, Michelle Freeman, Tom Hanrahan, John Harris, Garry Leach, Nikke Murphy, Denise Pritchard, Katie Sturgess, Gill Hodgin, Trevor Salthouse, Gillian Tyson, Philip Wall. Susan Wardlow and Faye Wickenden.

3. MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON 10 JULY 2023

The minutes of the previous year’s annual general meeting, which had been approved by the District Trustee Board, were approved by the Council.

4. RE-ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

The Council resolved that the Constitution should be the model constitution set out in POR Rule 5.5 and noted that the District Scout Council’s financial year ended on 31st March each year.

5. APPROVAL OF APPOINTED AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL.

The Chair reminded the meeting that at the 2021 Annual General Meeting Don Coombe, Lesley Dann, Roger Dann and Richard Leach had all been elected to the District Scout Council for a term of three years. The Trustee Board recommended their re-appointment for a further term of three years.

The Council approved these appointments.

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The Council resolved that no community members would be appointed to the District Scout Council for the coming year.

6. AGREEMENT TO THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS THAT MAY BE APPOINTED TO THE TRUSTEE BOARD.

The Chair advised that under the latest Scout Association rules the District Trustee Board was responsible for devising and managing an open selection process for deciding on appointments as Trustees. The Board had taken note of the Scout Association’s recommendation that Trustee Boards should not comprise more than twelve members but were concerned that a loss of skills and experience could cause difficulties in this time of significant change in the management of the District’s business. The Board therefore recommended that in principle the number should remain at fifteen for the forthcoming year and decrease by one per year until a total of twelve is reached. However, as would be reported later in the meeting, the number of nominations received in the current year would result in a Board of fourteen members.

The Council agreed that the Board should have fourteen members for the forthcoming year with the intention of reducing by one per year until the recommended maximum of twelve was reached.

7. AGREEMENT TO THE QUORUM FOR FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL.

The Council resolved that the quorum should remain at fifteen.

8. DISTRICT LEAD VOLUNTEER’S OVERVIEW OF THE LAST YEAR

The District Lead Volunteer reported that one of the main activities over the year had been the Transformation process. Work was continuing supporting Groups who with around eight new sections (including four Squirrel Dreys) opening during the year,

Groups had organised international trips, including to Korea, Croatia, Switzerland and Belgium.

She reminded members that we were looking for volunteers to be part of the Transformation Support Team, supporting the Transformation process within the Groups.

9. TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT.

Introducing the report, the Chair reminded the meeting that one of the Trustee Boards most important functions was to identify and manage risks so that those delivering Scouting to young people can continue to do so.

4

He also referred to the challenges in moving from a District Executive Committee, which was directly responsible for governance and management of the District to a Trustee Board which was not involved in day to day management but discharged its responsibility for ensuring that the District was effectively managed and administered by overseeing the work of operational teams. This was not a simple process since the teams needed to be set up to take on their new roles.

He reported that the biggest risks to the District were financial, and most of those risks arose from our operation of Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre, which represents 90% of our financial turnover and 100% of our paid staff.

The Treasurer explained that the transfer of our disparate accounting systems to QuickBooks was completed by the end of the financial year. However, this had caused delays in preparing the formal accounts for the year. As a result they were not ready to be reported to the Annual General Meeting. He proposed that to avoid convening an Extraordinary General Meeting the accounts, after being independently examined and approved by the Trustee Board would be received by the Board on behalf of the District Scout Council and then circulated to all members of the Council for their consideration.

However the draft accounts indicated that during the year the District had made a loss of approximately £20,000 which was offset by a £24,000 increase in the cash value of our investments. The District still had relatively healthy reserves, the contingency reserve fund currently holding about £15,000.

The Council received the Trustees Annual Report subject to the examined and signed accounts being circulated later.

10. APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT CHAIR.

The Trustee Board had recommended that, to ensure continuity, the Chair and Treasurer should be nominated by the Board for the forthcoming year.

The Board had recommended that Mike Jackson be appointed Chair and this was approved by the Council.

11. APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT TREASURER.

The Board had recommended that Michael McDermott be appointed Treasurer and this was approved by the Council.

5

12. APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

The Chair reported that an election process had been held for up to 11 Trustees (ie 15 less the Chair, Treasurer and two ex-officio Trustees) and the following nominations were received:

Luke Cohen Chris Ellinson Morgan Fuller Lesley Hine Garry Leach Richard Morrison Kevin Murphy Graham Simmons Graeme Taylor David Wallis

Since this was one less than the maximum number of vacancies the Board recommended that all are appointed.

The Council approved these nominations.

The Chair reported that this year Michael Wall had not sought re-appointment as a Trustee and thanked him on behalf of the Council for his long service in that role.

13. APPOINTMENT OR RE-APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENTS.

The Chair reminded the meeting that Scout Association’s Rules now required us to appoint or reappoint our President and any Vice President each year.

The Council approved the reappointment for a further three years of Peter James as District President and Lawrie Smith and Trevor Flanders as District Vice Presidents.

14. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER.

The Council approved the Chair’s nomination of John Lambourne FCA of Latham Lambourne Ltd. for a further year.

15. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL

The Council approved the appointment of Graeme Taylor to serve as the District’s representative on the County Scout Council.

6

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Lewisham District Scout Council is a trust (Charity No. 1001668; Scout Registration No 10001058). It has its own HQ building at 66 St German’s Road, London, SE23; and has a 40 year lease from September 2022 on Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre, Featherbed Lane, Croydon, CR0 9AA

THE DISTRICT TRUSTEE BOARD FOR 2024/2025 Ex-officio:

District Chair – Mike Jackson District Youth Lead - Vacant

District Lead Volunteer - Jennifer McCullough District Treasurer – Michael McDermott

Appointed /Co-opted Trustees

Luke Cohen Garry Leach Graham Simmons Chris Ellinson Kevin Murphy Graeme Taylor Morgan Fuller Richard Morrison David Wallis Lesley Hine

Sub-Committee of the District Trustee Board for 2024/2025

Since the work of the former sub-committees of the District Executive Committee has been transferred to teams under the new organisational structure there is now only one sub-committee, namely the Ron Fox Awards Panel, the membership of which is:

Ron Fox Awards Panel

Garry Leach (Chair) Maria Clifford Chris Ellinson Trevor Flanders Isabel Gainey

Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, ME19 4TA Independent Examiner : John Lambourne FCA of Latham Lambourne Limited, Chartered Accountants - 18 Woodlands Park, Bexley, DA5 2EL

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Lewisham District Scout Council is a charity constituted in accordance with the Rules of The Scout Association to support and provide Scouting within the London Borough of Lewisham and is supported under those Rules by the Scout County of Greater London South. The Scout Association’s Royal Charter provides for the making of Bye-Laws approved by His Majesty in Council which, in turn, authorise the making of the Rules referred to above (known as “Policy, Organisation and Rules”, or “POR”).

Overall responsibility for the management of the District rests with the District Trustee Board. Its members are the charity trustees of the District Scout Council which is an educational charity.

7

The Board has two ex-officio members: the District Lead Volunteer and the District Youth Lead. The remaining trustees including the District Chair and the District Treasurer are appointed by a process previously agreed by the Board, The Board has the power to co-opt additional members between Annual General Meetings, primarily to appoint individuals whose skills and experience are particularly valuable. The County Lead Volunteer and the County Chair have the right of attendance at meetings.

The Board’s main purpose is to ensure that the District as a charity is well managed, carries out its purposes for the public benefit, complies with POR and the law and manages its resources responsibly.

It must also ensure that young people are meaningfully involved in decision making, ensure that the District has sufficient resources (including funds and volunteers) to achieve its aims, manage risk, develop and manage budgets, maintain reserves, investment policies and a public benefit statement, ensure adequate insurance is in place and ensure that adequate administration is in place to support the Board’s work.

The Board may establish sub-committees consisting of members appointed by the Trustee Board. The District Lead Volunteer and the District Chair are ex officio members of each sub-committee.

The District Scout Council supports Scouting in the District, appoints Trustees and other key District appointments and is the body to which the District Trustee Board is accountable. It comprises:

Appointed and Community Members are appointed by the Council on the recommendation of the District Lead Volunteer and the District Trustee Board

The District Leadership Team led by the District Lead Volunteer is responsible for delivery of the programme and support to our Scout Groups and adult volunteers. It has overall responsibility for ensuring that the other teams in the District are properly resourced and works effectively. The leadership team is supported by a number of functional teams and sub-teams:

8

The District has systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss. These include two signatories or electronic authorisations required for all payments and insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Charities in England and Wales must have only charitable purposes which must be for the public benefit.

Trustees have referred to The Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the District’s objectives and in planning future activities. By adopting and maintaining the Purpose, Method and Values of The Scout Association we are confident that our charitable purposes are sound, and in line with what we are trying to achieve in terms of public benefit for both our youth and adult members.

The Purpose, Method and Values are set out below.

PURPOSE, VALUES AND METHOD

THE PURPOSE OF SCOUTING

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

9

THE VALUES OF SCOUTING

As Scouts we are guided by the following values:

THE SCOUT METHOD

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

THE TRUSTEE BOARD

The process of migrating from the former District Executive Committee, which had management as well as governance responsibilities, to a Trustee Board which is restricted to governance functions is now complete. Trustees now focus on governance, including oversight of systems across the District to ensure compliance with legal obligations and Scout Association Rules, whilst the executive function is managed by the District Leadership Team and the other Teams that make up the District organisation.

Effective governance has always been a key feature of Lewisham Scout District. The Board has continued to carry out its role responsibly and with due diligence and care. Its meetings have been well attended, and issues have been discussed and resolved in a professional and business-like manner.

As part of the Board’s responsibility for managing and controlling the charity it must ensure that risks are properly identified and controlled. Lewisham District has a high financial turnover compared with other Districts and this makes the management of financial risk a key priority.

The Board has developed and maintains a high level risk register which identifies risks, potential outcomes, mitigations, probability and severity. This is reviewed periodically and reported to each Board meeting.

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Major areas of activity, eg Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre and major projects or expeditions, will have their own specific risk registers maintained by the relevant management team with oversight by Trustees and reporting to the Board where appropriate.

The District also has some duties relating to managing risk in the Groups:

The Ron Fox Awards Panel.

The Ron Fox Awards Panel is the only sub-committee of the Trustee Board. It was set up under the leadership of Garry Leach to use the income from the fund left to us by the late Ron Fox to provide grants primarily to Scout Groups which will support the provision of better Scouting for more young people. The panel comprises members from across the District, particularly the Lewisham North Groups reflecting the area where Ron was District Commissioner and later District Chair.

The Panel has continued its work of supporting Scouting in Lewisham Groups. Groups are reminded that funds are available to support the development of their Group and urged to think about how the Ron Fox Fund could help.

OUR TEAMS:

District Leadership Team

The District Leadership Team under the leadership of the District Lead Volunteer is responsible for setting strategy for the District and ensuring that the other teams and our Scout Groups are effective in their work. This includes appointing appropriately skilled team leaders and ensuring that the teams are all well supported. It also provides a forum for Group Lead Volunteers to participate fully in the management and direction of the District.

During the year Scouting across the District has continued to be very active – we have seen a varied programme of weekly meetings , overnight events in halls and on campsites, on canal boats, in canoes and in a Small Ships Race, and a trip to Belgium by Golden Hind ESU in October.

The Scout Association’s new digital tools have also gone live providing new ways of working, supporting volunteers in their roles and providing an integrated management system.

11

Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre Management Team

Although the Trustee Board is responsible for providing oversight and satisfying itself that risks and finance are properly managed, the Frylands Management Team led by Kevin Murphy is responsible for the management of the site.

Frylands Wood is far more than a traditional District Camp Site. We run it not only for the benefit of our own young people but also as a service to a wider group of outdoor education providers, including schools, Girlguiding UK and other uniformed and non-uniformed youth organisations. We aim to open up the "Scout experience" to as many young people as possible, whether or not they are Scouts.

Trading conditions in 2024/25 improved slightly resulting in a small surplus at the end of the year. However we still have a backlog of maintenance work, some of which had been deferred during the period of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the delays in renewal of our lease, which will continue to be a financial challenge.

The District’s policy is not to seek to obtain any direct financial benefit from the operation of the Centre and where possible any surpluses (after making allowance for maintaining an adequate contingency reserve) are invested in improving the site’s facilities. The benefit to young people in Lewisham District comes from discounted rates for our own users and no internal charges being made for District run events. In the year under review these two benefits were worth approximately £10,000.

Our greatest asset at Frylands is our people – both paid staff and volunteers, and their hard work and dedication is what makes the outdoor Scouting experience possible for so many young people so thanks are due for their input.

District Support Team

The District Support Team provides administrative support to the District. Under the joint leadership of Richard Morrison and Kevin Murphy it operates through a number of sub-teams:

The District Headquarters Team manages the District Headquarters which is used for meetings and storage as well as being used as the headquarters of the 12th Forest Hill Group. Led by Antonietta Hesketh this team ensures that the HQ is properly managed and maintained as a valuable asset for the District. During the past year the outer gateway has been replaced, timely safety checks carried out and general maintenance undertaken.

The Communications and IT Team manages the IT systems (including the website and email system) for the District other than the systems used by Frylands Wood Outdoor Centre. It is also responsible for other forms of communication, including the District’s newsletter. The team has been active in maintaining WhatsApp groups for numerous District sections and is currently exploring further integration with emails and membership system.

The Group Support Team continues to provide Group Trustees with governance support (on behalf of the District Trustee Board) and provide Group Scout Leaders with management support (on

12

behalf of the District Management Team). Most recently the team has been involved with the relocation of 2nd Deptford group and the dilapidations and return of their previous meeting venue back to Lewisham council.

Finance Team

This team under the leadership of Michael McDermott, who is also District Treasurer, is responsible for managing the funds of the District and – mostly through Sue Allen-Gardner, our paid finance administrator - carrying out bank transactions and management of our bank accounts. The team is loose-knit, comprising as well as Michael and Sue, those Trustees who are authorised signatories on the bank accounts and the much larger group of people who have been granted online access to manage the individual accounts.

14-24 Team

This team, under the leadership of Jo Fuller, is responsible for the delivery of the 14-24 programme, ie the Explorer Scout and Scout Network sections which are the responsibility of the District working in partnership with Scout Groups where appropriate..

Over the summer, with the support of the County, some units canoed Scotland looking for Nessie. Unfortunately, it seemed that she was having her week long summer vacation.

In September Jo visited all the Explorer Scout Units to offer support and in October Golden Hind ran a silent disco which they offered out to the rest of the District - Venture ESU attended and danced the night away (scaring some of the Golden Hind boys)

In January Mark Thompson stepped down as Leader of (and trainer for) the Young Leader ESU. We thank him for his continued work over the years training the young leaders of Lewisham. This has resulted in a pause to our young leader training – in the interim Jo is managing it and it will restart after the summer break in September 2025.

A couple of ESU leaders have gained nights away permits which we are extremely proud of and we will also open a new Explorer Scout Unit attached to the 8th Lewisham South again in September 2025

The Scout Network is the oldest “youth” section although as it caters for young people aged 18 to 25 its members are in fact adults. It has not been active over the last few years and the 14-24 team aims to restart it in September 2025. There is a WhatsApp community chat which 18 to 24 year olds are encouraged to join and help shape the section’s future.

Here is to making Lewisham District one of the most successful for Explorer Scouting (including young leaders) and Scout Network over the next coming year

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Programme Team

The programme team led by Al Gray supports the delivery of the programme for Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts by the Scout Groups in the District. Their work includes provision of District level activities and programme support to individual sections.

During the year a number of successful events have been provided including a cooking competition in February and an activity day (just after the end of the review year) in April. For the coming year a very full programme of District events is being developed which should ensure that young people from even the smallest Groups have the opportunity to engage in more adventurous activities and meet other members from across the District.

Volunteering Development Team

This team, led by Garry Leach, has overall responsibility for caring and developing our adult volunteers. It acts through a number of sub-teams:

The Welcome and DBS Team led by Jennifer McCullough co-ordinates welcome conversations with new District and Group volunteers and arranges DBS clearances for District volunteers. During the year the team has moved from a large backlog of volunteers needing welcome interviews (largely a result of the change of process and introduction of new digital tools) to around 70 at the end of the year and that number is continuing to reduce.

The Learning and Development Team led by Mandy Pywell ensures that volunteers meet their learning obligations. As part of that – and again to reduce a backlog in people needing training caused by County led courses being over-subscribed – they have successfully re-introduced first aid training at District level.

The Awards and Recognition Team led by Jennifer McCullough is responsible for recommending members for awards and encouraging Groups to identify potential recipients. The team has made this process far more systematic so in future we should avoid overlooking potential candidates.

The Nights Away Team, currently led by Garry Leach, assesses applications from volunteers for nights away permits and approves specific nights away activities. The team is building in numbers but already has sufficient members to manage the current workload.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

The financial statements for the Lewisham District Scout Council for the year ended 31st March 2025 are appended below. Our accounts have been approved by Trustees and independently examined, and that our financial position remains stable, supporting the ongoing delivery of Scouting activities in the district.

Financial Overview

During the year, the Council recorded a total income of £451,221, primarily from donations, grants, Scouting activities, fundraising efforts, and investment income. The most significant income source continued to be from Frylands Wood, which generated £338,892 in user fees and charges.

Total expenditure for the year amounted to £429,750, of which £357,154 was incurred arising from the operation and maintenance of Frylands Wood, alongside costs associated with delivering our youth programme, running the DHQ and adult training.

Net Income and Financial Reserves

Our net income for the year end was £21,471. However, removing the impact of an increase in cash held and designated for the Kenya expedition this summer, we ended the financial year with a net income of £2,317. This was supplemented by an increase in investment value of £19,215 which represented a growth slightly in excess of CPI inflation.

At the close of the financial year, total funds carried forward stood at £780,026, consisting of:

Cash Flow and Investments

Our cash balance at year-end was £145,972, mainly held in various CAF bank accounts and shortterm interest-bearing accounts, to ensure a mixture of liquidity and prudent financial management. Our investments, which saw an increase in value, stood at £433,948 at year end, contributing to long-term financial security.

Future Considerations

The Council remains committed to ensuring financial sustainability while continuing to invest in resources and activities that enrich the Scouting experience for our members. A contingency reserve of £175,000 has been maintained, safeguarding our financial stability.

We thank our Frylands Finance team, Juggle and the Independent examiners for their diligence in ensuring accurate financial reporting and look forward to continuing those relationships in the coming year to continue strengthening our financial resilience.

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Trustees acknowledge with gratitude the following specific grants and donations:

Groundwork UK £1,000
BNY Mellon £530
Lewisham Lottery £684

and to the many unclaimed personal expenses by Trustees and other volunteers.

PEOPLE

The Scout Association’s Annual Census at the end of January 2025 showed an 12% increase over the last year in the District’s youth membership (under 18’s) from 1074 to 1211. This is our fourth consecutive year of growth and we now exceed the pre-pandemic 2020 figures by 15%. Sectional changes are Squirrels +55%, Beavers +18%, Cubs +3%, Scouts +7% and Explorer Scouts +32%. As the year has progressed Groups are continuing to develop and open new sections and we expect further substantial growth in next year's figures. Groups around the District have grown but particularly noteworthy are the three new sections opened at the 9th Lewisham North, the growth of the Ukrainian sections at the 17th Forest Hill and three new Squirrel Dreys opening during the year.

Trustees are delighted to report that since the start of the year under review the following members of the District were recognised with long service awards for 25 or more years of service:

40 years: Mandy Pywell

25 years: Daniel Gardner and Wendy Watts

Awards for Good Service were awarded to:

Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service:

Daniel Rust and Matthew Coleman

Award for Merit:

Sorab Bhote, Cathy Blackett, Darren Flanders, Michelle Forsdyke, Ruth Jenkins, Andrew Kerwin and James Lennard

Bar to the Award for Merit:

John Hollingshead, Andy Jeal, Helen Millar and Simon Millar,

Silver Acorn:

Gavin Forsdyke, Kelly Freeman and Mandy Pywell

We were also pleased that during the year Calum Gilbert and Alex Gilbert (Cub Scout and Beaver Scout at the 12th Lewisham South) were awarded the Certificate for Meritorious Conduct.

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Congratulations and thanks to all those who received awards and of course to the many others who have not received an award this year but continue to deliver an outstanding experience to our young people.

CHANGES AND THANKS

At the end of the year under review Luke Cohen resigned from the Trustee Board.

Also since the end of the year Lesley Hine has decided to stand down after many years, first as Secretary and more recently as a Trustee. Her hard work and legal expertise has contributed greatly to the Board’s work over the years.

However during the year many more volunteers took up roles in the new Team structure.

Our thanks go to all those moving on from roles - we are working on recruiting to fill the vacancies. Scouting is a Youth Movement and the District will work best when the knowledge and experience of its longer-serving members are combined with the enthusiasm and new ideas that our younger volunteers can bring.

In a report such as this there are too many people to refer to and thank all by name. Suffice it to say that without those who have, for example, run District events and activities; supported leaders with their training; helped Groups and Explorer Units to develop and grow; provided support to Frylands Wood as a member of the Service Crew; looked after our ‘books’ and paid our bills; sat on committees; taken minutes of meetings; and so much more, the District would not be in its present healthy state.

Thank you to all concerned.

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PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Our vision remains that all Lewisham Scout Groups and Explorer Scout Units will:

However, we continue to meet new challenges, especially around the recruitment of adult volunteers. The District, and Scouting generally, will need to meet and overcome those challenges by everyone pulling together.

DECLARATION

District Trustees have approved the Trustees’ report above, which is signed on their behalf by:

Mike Jackson Kevin Murphy Mike Jackson Kevin Murphy District Chair District Lead Volunteer

July 2025

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LEWISHAM DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31ST MARCH 2025

Charity Registration number: 1001668

Scout Registration number: 10001058

Latham Lambourne Limited

Chartered Accountants

Bexley

19

20

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

Note
Income and Expenditure
Income
15
Income from donations
Donations and Grants
Income from Charitable Activities
Youth Programme
Adult Support & Training
Support & Services to The Movement - DHQ
Support & Services to The Movement - Outdoor Centre
Other Trading Activities
Fundraising and Levy
Investment Income
Bank Interest
Other Incoming Resources
Total
Expenditure on:
16
Raising Funds
Charitable Activities
Youth Programme
Adult Support & Training
Support & Services to The Movement - DHQ
Support & Services to The Movement - Outdoor Centre
Miscellaneous Payments
Total Resources Expended
Transfers between Funds
Fixed assets transfers
Net Income
Other recognised gains
Investment value change
Balances Brought Forward at 1st April 2024
Balances Carried Forward at 31st March 2025		 £
£
£
£
11,978
0
0
11,978
50,586
32,923
0
83,509
0
0
0
0
945
0
0
945
338,892
0
0
338,892
9,740
0
0
9,740
4,004
0
0
4,004
2,153
0
0
2,153
418,298
32,923
0
451,221
4,860
0
0
4,860
45,508
17,103
0
62,611
469
0
0
469
4,616
40
0
4,656
352,745
4,409
0
357,154
0
0
0
0
408,198
21,552
0
429,750
-25,000
25,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
-14,900
36,371
0
21,471
19,215
0
0
19,215
220,534
515,807
3,000
739,341
224,849
552,178
3,000
780,026
Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025		 2024
£
24,858
43,839
304
0
326,750
7,532
2,486
0
405,769
4,059
23,844
2,050
3,679
373,429
750
407,811
0
0
-2,042
24,865
716,519
739,341

The notes on pages 19 - 23 form part of these accounts

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Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

Total funds
2025
£
Cash fow from operatng actvites:
Net cash provided by operatng actvites
38,635
Cash fows from investng actvites
Interest from investments
0
Purchase of plant and equipment
-6,830
net cash used in investng actvites
-6,830
Cash fows from fnancing actvites:
Net cash used in fnancing actvites
0
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reportng period
31,805
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the accountng period
114,167
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the accountng period
145,972
31,805
Reconciliaton of net income/ (expenditure) to net cash fow from operatng actvites
Net income/(expenditure) for the year (as per the statement of fnancial actvites
40,686
Adjustments for:
Depreciaton charges and assets writen of
7,591
Interest from investments
Change in value of investments
-19,215
Purchase of investments
0
Decrease/(Increase) in stocks
128
Decrease/(Increase) in debtors
18,599
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
-9,154
Net cash provided by operatng actvites
38,635		 Total funds
2024
£
11,313
-11,350
-11,350
0
-37
114,205
114,167
-38
22,823
7,843
-24,865
0
-1,723
-12,542
19,777
11,313

22

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2025

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
2
Investments
3
Current Assets
Stock
4
Debtors
5
Cash at Bank and in Hand
6
Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year
7
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Funds
Unrestricted
10
Designated
9
Restricted
8		 2025
2024
£
£
£
£
187,686
188,448
433,948
414,733
7,690
7,818
31,501
50,100
145,972
114,167
185,163
172,085
26,771
35,925
158,392
136,160
780,026
739,341
224,848
220,534
552,178
515,807
3,000
3,000
780,026
739,341		 2025
2024
£
£
£
£
187,686
188,448
433,948
414,733
7,690
7,818
31,501
50,100
145,972
114,167
185,163
172,085
26,771
35,925
158,392
136,160
780,026
739,341
224,848
220,534
552,178
515,807
3,000
3,000
780,026
739,341
739,341
220,534
515,807
3,000
739,341

Approved by the District Trustee Board on 27 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Mike Jackson

M H Jackson (District Chair)

The notes on pages 24 – 29 form part of these accounts

23

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

1 Accounting Policies

The District has responsibility for a building previously used by a group which closed in June 2008. This building has been included in these accounts at its insured value. It is used as the district headquarters.

Other mobile, portable, or sectional buildings and 2 storage containers, being purchased by, or donated to the District, have been included in theses accounts at depreciated cost or gift valuation. They are all located at Frylands Wood.

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.

Designated funds are funds set aside by the trustees for particular purposes.

2 Tangible Assets

Tangible Assets
COST or VALUATION
Brought forward
Additions
Assets Written Off in Year
Depreciation/ Valuation adjustment
Net Book Value carried forward
Investments
Brought forward/ Investment
Change in investment value		 Buildings
167,583
3,597
6,283
1,652
9,333
.
2,875
1,155
2,800
0
-668
-1,618
-1,860
-1,113
-2,333
166,915
4,854
5,578
3,339
7,000
2025
414,733
19,215
433,948
Buildings
Fixtures and
Equipment
Activity
Training
Equipment
Other
Equipment
Vehicles and
Mowers		 Total
188,448
6,830
0
-7,592
187,686
2024
389,868
24,865
414,733

24

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

4 Stocks
2025 2024
Providore (Inc. stamps) 6,852 6,830
Badges 423 832
DMT Wear/Crew 415 156
7,690 7,818
5 Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade Debtors 12,181 30,662
Internal (Groups & Members) Debtors 0
Third Party monies (Groups) 18,695 18,089
Pre-Prepayments 625 1,349
31,501 50,100
6 Cash at Bank and in Hand
2025 2024
£ £
Bank Current Accounts 49,885 33,517
Bank Deposit Accounts (Interest bearing) 90,973 76,300
Cash Floats with others 5,114 4,350
145,972 114,167
7 Liabilities: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
2025 2024
£ £
Booking Deposits 23,111 21,681
Creditors - Others 3,660 14,244
Third Party monies (Groups) 0 0
26,771 35,925
8 Restricted Funds
Balance
1st April Movement in Resources Balance 31st
2024 Transfer Incoming Outgoing March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Frylands projects 3,000 0 0 0 3,000
0 0 0 0 0
3,000 0 0 0 3,000
9 Designated Funds
Balance
1st April Movement in Resources Balance 31st
2024 Transfer Incoming Outgoing March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Contingency Reserve 150,000 25,000 0 0 175,000
Frylands Wood 15,862 0 15,862
Group Development - Fox Fund 320,084 4,950 -7,783 317,251
International Fund 4,950 -4,950 0
Kenya 2024 17,911 0 32,923 -13,769 37,065
TSA (Muhsinnen/Lionheart) 7,000 0 7,000
Don Broome 0 0 0
515,807 25,000 32,923 -21,552 552,178

25

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

10 Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds
Tangible
Fixed
Assets		 Current
Assets		 Total
£ £ £
Restricted funds 0 3,000 97
0 3,000 3,000
Designated Funds 0 552,178 552,178
Unrestricted Funds 187,686 37,162 224,848
187,686 592,340 780,026
11 Employees Remuneration
2025 2024
£ £
Salaries 156,560 171,063
Social Security Costs 7,799 7,216
Pension Costs 4,703 6,463
169,062 184,742
There were 7 full time employees during the year (2024 7). And a further 8 (2024 4) part time employees at certain
times of the year. No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 in the year.
12 Trustees Remuneration and Expenses
2025 2024
£ £
Remuneration paid to Trustees 0 0
Expenses Reimbursed to Trustees 0 115
Number of Trustees Reimbursed 0 1

Trustees were reimbursed for necessary out of pocket expenses spent on District business at agreed rates, and for expenditure made by them on behalf of the District.

13 Independent Examiner Fees

Examiner fees
Fees for other services		 2025
£
1,230
270
1,500		 2024
£
1,220
240
1,460

26

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

14

Comparatives for the Statement of Financial Activities

Note
Income and Expenditure
Income
15
Income from donations
Donations and Grants
Income from Charitable Activities
Youth Programme
Adult Support & Training
Support & Services to The Movement - DHQ
Support & Services to The Movement - Outdoor Centre
Other Trading Activities
Fundraising and Levy
Investment Income
Bank Interest
Other Incoming Resources
Total
Expenditure on:
16
Raising Funds
Charitable Activities
Youth Programme
Adult Support & Training
Support & Services to The Movement - DHQ
Support & Services to The Movement - Outdoor Centre
Miscellaneous Payments
Total Resources Expended
Transfers between Funds
Fixed asset transfers
Net Income		 £
£
£
£
16,536
8,322
0
24,858
29,065
14,774
0
43,839
305
0
0
305
0
0
0
326,750
0
0
326,750
7,532
0
0
7,532
2,485
0
0
2,485
0
Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2024
382,673
23,096
0
405,769
3,709
350
0
4,059
23,207
637
0
23,844
2,050
0
0
2,050
3,679
0
0
3,679
371,139
2,290
0
373,429
0
750
0
750
403,784
4,027
0
407,811
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-21,111
19,069
0
-2,042

Other recognised gains

27

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

15 Detailed Incoming Resources

Note
Administration & Funding
Donations & Grants
Legacy
Donations in kind - fixed assets
Sundry Donations
Activities for Generating Funds
Fund Raising
Membership Levy
Recovered Membership Fees (Previous Year)
Interest & Fund Raising
Bank Interest
Youth Programme & Activities
Section Events
Kenya Trip
Jamboree
International fund
District Events
Explorer Scout & Network
Admin & Accommodation
Badges & Uniform
Programme
Donations
Adult Support & Training
Non Member Insurance
Tributes
Badges & Scarves
Support & Services to the Movement
District Headquarters
Lettings
Utility Recoveries
Outdoor Centre
User Fees & Charges
Less Discounts
Activities & Equipment Hire
Less Discounts
Retail Sales (Catering; C'mas Trees;Provi;Stamps)
Operating costs recovered
Maintenance Costs recovered
Warden's Support ( Recovered)
Gas Sales
Utility costs recovered
Deposits forfeited
Miscellaneous Charges & Sundry Receipts
Miscellaneous Receipts
Sundries
Total Income		 £
£
£
£
0
0
0
0
3,760
3,760
8,218
0
8,218
11,978
0
0
11,978
658
0
0
658
9,082
0
0
9,082
0
0
0
0
9,740
0
0
9,740
4,004
0
0
4,004
4,004
0
0
4,004
102
0
0
102
0
32,923
0
32,923
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
102
32,923
0
33,025
0
0
0
0
478
0
0
478
50,006
0
0
50,006
0
0
0
50,484
0
0
50,484
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
945
0
0
945
0
0
0
0
945
0
0
945
147,825
0
0
147,825
-7,460
0
0
-7,460
130,568
0
0
130,568
-3,919
0
0
-3,919
23,711
0
0
23,711
711
0
0
711
8,826
0
0
8,826
0
0
0
0
37,228
0
0
37,228
233
0
0
233
0
0
0
0
1,169
0
0
1,169
338,892
0
0
338,892
2,153
0
0
2,153
2,153
0
0
2,153
418,298
32,923
0
451,221
Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
2025		 £
0
11,350
13,508
Total
Funds
2024
24,858
365
7,167
0
7,532
2,485
2,485
627
14,147
0
0
0
14,774
0
0
23,054
6,011
29,065
0
0
304
304
0
0
0
151,010
-7,323
127,877
-4,725
22,908
713
255
0
35,548
280
206
1
326,750
0
0
405,768

28

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025 16 Detailed Resources Expenditure

Administration & Funding
Governance Costs
Fund Raising Costs
Office Holders Expenses
Professional Fees & Charges
Investment charges
Bank charges
Other
Youth Programme & Activities
Section Events & Activities
District & Other Events
Kenya trip
Jamboree
International fund
Group & Personal Support
Depreciation - Other Equipment
Explorer Scout & Network
Grants
Badges & Uniform
Programme
Adult Support & Training
Meetings & Expenses
Conferences
Clothing
Net Stock Movement in Year- DMT Clothing
Adult Training Courses
Badge Purchases
Net Stock Movement in Year- Badges
Communications
Tributes
Non-member Insurance
Resource Material
District Equipment (Incl. ESUs)
Other Equipment written off
Support & Services to the Movement
District Headquarters
Insurance
Maintenance
Utilities & Rates
Development
Outdoor centre
Fees & Charges
Activity Costs
Retail Purchases (Catering;C'mas Trees;Provi;Stamps)
Gas purchases
Net Stock Movement in Year
Insurance
Post, Telephone & Copying
Advertising & PR
Service Team Costs
Direct Employment Costs (Inc. accommodation)
Wardens Support
Utilities & Rates
Buildings & Site Maintenance
Other Payments
Loss on scrapped assets
Depreciation - Buildings & Fixtures & Fittings
Depreciation - Vehicles
Depreciation - Activity Training & Equipment
Outdoor Centre Development
Miscellaneous Improvements
Miscellaneous Payments
reduction in 2nd Deptford debt
Total Resources Expended		 £
£
£
£
0
0
0
0
287
0
0
287
2,927
0
0
2,927
0
0
0
0
1,174
0
0
1,174
472
0
472
4,860
0
0
4,860
1,194
0
1,194
0
0
0
0
13,769
0
13,769
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,599
3,334
0
5,933
0
0
0
0
3,793
17,103
0
20,896
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
41,715
0
41,715
41,715
0
0
41,715
60
0
0
60
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
409
0
0
409
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
469
0
0
469
1,167
0
0
1,167
1,637
40
0
1,677
1,812
0
0
1,812
0
0
0
0
4,616
40
0
4,656
12,054
0
0
12,054
16,777
4,159
0
20,936
16,824
0
0
16,824
30,289
0
0
30,289
-281
0
0
-281
10,019
0
0
10,019
11,436
0
0
11,436
523
0
0
523
1,598
0
0
1,598
180,653
0
0
180,653
1,264
0
0
1,264
34,412
0
0
34,412
27,440
0
0
27,440
2,145
250
0
2,395
0
0
0
0
668
0
0
668
2,333
0
0
2,333
4,591
0
0
4,591
352,745
4,409
0
357,154
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
408,198
21,552
0
429,750
Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025		 £
0
0
3,021
0
537
501
Total Funds
2024
4,059
893
56
287
0
0
0
0
1,236
0
0
22,608
22,608
300
0
0
0
0
881
0
869
0
0
0
0
0
2,050
1,112
303
2,264
0
3,679
10,743
7,086
17,869
27,736
-1,723
9,430
8,770
791
2,433
192,478
2,666
45,320
41,686
301
0
2,089
3,110
2,644
373,429
0
0
750
750
407,811

29

Lewisham District Scout Council

Schedule of Registered Scout Groups & District Explorer Scout Units

Scout Groups

1[st] Lewisham Park

1[st] New Cross

2[nd] Deptford 2[nd] Sydenham

3[rd] Crofton Park

4[th] Lewisham

6[th] Lewisham South

8[th] Lewisham South

9[th] Lewisham North

9[th] Sydenham 11[th] Forest Hill 12[th] Forest Hill

12[th] Lewisham North 12[th] Lewisham South 14[th] Lewisham South

16[th] Lewisham South 17[th] Forest Hill

17[th] Lewisham North 20[th] Forest Hill (ScoutLink)

21[st] Lewisham North 28[th] Lewisham North 32[nd] Deptford

Explorer Scout Units

Aureate Explorer Scout Unit Discovery Explorer Scout Unit Golden Hind Explorer Scout Unit Lionheart Explorer Scout Unit Muhsineen Explorer Scout Unit Venture Explorer Scout Unit Young Leader Explorer Scout Unit

30