1st ROBOROUGH SCOUT GROUP
Annual Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Registered Number: 1002877
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1[st] Roborough Scout Group Annual report Year ended 31 March 2025
GROUP TRUSTEES BOARD
Ex-officio Members Steve Ridge Chair Beth Evans Secretary David Blagdon Treasurer Eric Drabble Group lead volunteer Elected Members Robert Loader Trustee Tanya Martin Trustee Duncan Lown Trustee Co-opted Trustees None BANKERS Lloyds Bank PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 14 Honeysuckle Close Woolwell Plymouth PL6 7TE
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1[st] Roborough Scout Group Annual report Year ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
The trustees submit their annual report under the Charities Act 1993 (as amended by the Charities Act 2006) and the financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with current statutory requirements, the charity’s governing documents and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2005.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
1[st] Roborough Scout Group is registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1002877. The appointed trustees, principal address and details of the charity’s advisors are given on page 1.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The Charity is governed by the Royal Charter dated 4[th] January 1912.
Recruitment and Training of Trustees
The members shall carry out the election of officers and committee members at the Annual General Meeting. Each nomination must be proposed and seconded by a voting member of the Group with the consent of the nominee.
New Trustees are inducted into the workings of the charity during meetings held on a bi-monthly basis.
Organisational Management
Overall responsibility for the management of the Charity is vested in the Trustees. The management of the Group shall be vested in the Group Trustee Board.
The Charity is an unincorporated association which holds at least three committee meetings during the year. These meetings are organised by the trustees to continue with the work necessary to maintain the objects of the Group.
Risk Review
The trustees are responsible for the management of the risks faced by the charity. The Trustees continue to examine the major internal and external risks that the charity faces. Systems are in existence to monitor and control these risks to mitigate any impact that they may have on the charity in the future.
The key controls used by the Group include:
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Formal agendas for all committee meetings
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Comprehensive strategic planning, budgeting and management accounting
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• Established organisational structures and lines of reporting
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Clear authorisation and approval levels
The trustees recognise that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed.
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1[st] Roborough Scout Group Annual report Year ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
OBJECTS, AIMS AND ACTIVITIES
1[st] Roborough Scout Group operates and complies with the Scout Association – Policy, Organisation and Rules.
Charitable Objects
To contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of the local, national and international communities.
Objectives for the year
The objectives for the year were to continue to provide the weekly activities for the Scout, Cub and Beaver sections.
Strategies to achieve the year’s objectives
Maintain a programme of scouting activities and to continue with fundraising activities so that financial stability is maintained.
FINANCIAL POLICY
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the charity to try to maintain a level of free reserves; these are unrestricted funds which are not invested in fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. The pandemic highlighted the risks of short-term reductions in membership and losing income due to cancellation of lettings. The Trustees determined that the appropriate target for free reserves for the scout group should be based on two year’s expenditure.
Investment Policy
The Committee has reviewed the most appropriate policy for investing funds and has found that investing funds in a short-term cash deposit account best meets their requirements. This will continue to be under review.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
To continue to maintain and develop a programme of activities and to develop the centre as a focus for the local community.
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1[st] Roborough Scout Group Annual report Year ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
Chair’s Report
Throughout this year the group has continued with all three sections remaining full. The trustee board has been able to ensure that the volunteers & sections have the support & resources needed to enable the group to provide an exciting, successful & active programme.
The trustee board looks after the hall and provides the financial support and management for all activities within the group; this is to support the lead volunteer and volunteers to run Scouting for all our members.
During this reporting year the group went to Kandersteg in Switzerland for their summer expedition. This was a major undertaking with a lot of time and effort spent by our lead volunteer Eric & the other volunteers involved. As can be seen from the accounts the budget for this camp was around £20k. Although we had insurance for this trip the board had the comfort of knowing we had the reserves to underwrite this.
We are in a good financial position and ensure that we keep up with the maintenance of our building. We continue to repair and replaced our camping equipment and have what is needed to support the sections in their activities.
A major part of our income is from regular hall hirings, thanks to Ali who manages this seamlessly with little help needed from the rest of us.
Thanks to Dave Blagdon we have had another year of accurate and up to date accounts, with the books independently checked and prepared for the AGM. This role includes our insurance and getting the best deal on our services and running costs. I know that Dave & Jill also do a lot of cleaning and tidying behind the scenes.
I would like to thank Beth for continuing with the role of secretary. We may not be the best group of people to organise but she does keep us on track.
Thanks to all our trustee board members for their help & input, this gives a wider view of what we do & the direction we should take.
As you will see from the lead volunteer’s report our sections are full and with good retention. I would like to thank the Eric and all the lead volunteers for their time and success in making this possible.
Steve Ridge Group Chair
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1[st] Roborough Scout Group Annual report Year ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
Group lead volunteers report
May I start by thanking all the volunteers who have supported the group over the past year, and produced wonderful programmes of activities that have engaged all our young people and help them to develop. All the sections have demonstrated an ambition and inventiveness in their programmes, with nights away activities mounted by all sections, culminating in the group's trip to the international scout centre at Kandersteg, taking members of the Cub Scout pack, the Scout troop, and our affiliated Explorer scout unit.
Can I personally thank James, Ali, Andrew, Graham, Sarah, Sarah, Emma, Jill, Anne Marie, Pete, Duncan, Ellie, Lily, Claire, Simon, and Jenny for their generosity of their time and efforts expended as volunteers, and welcome Sarah and Gail as new leaders for the group. Sadly, we will have to say goodbye to Ellie and Lily, and understand that Anne Marie and Jenny will have to reduce their commitment to our group significantly. We hope that we can welcome more adults as volunteers to help with our group, and welcome them to the family of volunteers at 1st Roborough.
Can I also thank our executive, or group of trustees, who have supported us wonderfully over the past year, Steve, Dave, Beth, Robert, Duncan and Tanya, and to those parents who were brave enough to help support us with our Kandersteg trip, Chloe and Arnie.
From the large list of names included above, it's apparent that scouting for adults has changed from previous years. Rather than relying on a small number of individuals who ran sections single handedly, or as very small teams, over many years, we now rely on teams of volunteers to provide the support and leadership required for the activities we undertake. This is a positive step, spreading workloads amongst already busy adults, and benefiting from the creativity and skills of many, rather than a few.
The scout association does face challenges, an increasing oversight and criticism of the adherence of adult volunteers to it’s rules and regulations, and the introduction of a new digital system of supervision and training of the same volunteers. The increase in oversight is understandable in light of the tragic consequences of one historical incident. The coincidence of this with the introduction this new digital system of oversight has produced some disquiet amongst volunteers nationally. Our challenge is to absorb these two developments whilst ensuring that all our volunteers feel fulfilled and rewarded by their dedication to the group, and remain confident in providing the adventurous and practical programmes we have enjoyed to date. Some of us may feel digitally challenged, but it's our practical skills that benefit all our young members. We will all, young people and adults alike, continue to learn and develop from our practical activities.
Yours in scouting, Baloo
1st Roborough Scout Group Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year
1st April 2024 To 31st March 2025
from
Receipts and payments
2024/25 2023/24
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Receipts
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership subscriptions 7,690.00 8,022.50
Less:Membership subscriptions paid on (National/County/Area/District) 3,622.50 3,080.00
Plus: Prompt payment rebate (Discontinued) 0.00 34.50
Net membership subscriptions retained £4,067.50 £4,977.00
Activities 4,254.00 5,549.50
Kernow Jamboree 2025 5,006.75 0.00
Sale of Uniform 65.00 120.50
Gift Aid 942.40 1,263.13
Donations 948.58 32.00
Kandersteg Camp 2024 19,692.44 0.00
Misc Income 0.00 0.00
Sub total £34,976.67 £11,942.13
Grants
General Grants 0.00 0.00
Sub total £0.00 £0.00
Fundraising (gross)
Scout Hut Hire 6,305.00 5,627.40
General fundraising activities 0.00 0.00
Sub total £6,305.00 £5,627.40
Investment income
Bank interest 283.25 211.81
Sub total £283.25 £211.81
Explorer Transactions (Payments By Error)
Payments into Group Account by Error 92.00 0.00
Refunds/Corrections -137.00 0.00
Sub total -£45.00 £0.00
Total Gross Income £41,519.92 £17,781.34
Asset and investment sales, etc. 0.00 0.00
Total receipts £41,519.92 £17,781.34
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1 LT700002 (1st January 2017)
1st Roborough Scout Group
Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year
1st April 2023 To 31st March 2024
from
Receipts and payments
2024/25 2023/24
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Payments
Charitable Payments
Youth programme and activities 6,819.82 5,777.63
Kernow Jamboree 2025 2,280.00 0.00
Plymouth Scout Shop (Badges etc) 567.57 491.62
Business rate (Incl discretionary charitable relief SHDC) 0.00 0.00
Ground Rent 400.00 400.00
Water and Sewerage 361.00 180.00
Electricity 2,001.48 1,095.32
Insurance 783.63 814.33
Music licence 390.60 325.42
Adult Leader Training 0.00 30.00
Cleaning Materials and Equipment 113.33 72.95
Group Administration 77.40 54.14
Uniforms incl Badges, Scarves etc - Ex Scout Shop 266.70 112.20
Repairs and maintenance of Headquarters 127.54 1,838.33
Materials and equipment (Tents etc) 1,157.29 17.47
Professional Fees 138.00 0.00
Misc Payment 0.00 23.44
Kandersteg Camp 2024 19,011.04 0.00
Sub total £34,495.40 £11,232.85
Fundraising expenses
General Fundraising expenses 0.00 0.00
Spare
Sub total £0.00 £0.00
Total Gross Expenditure £34,495.40 £11,232.85
Asset and investment purchases, etc.
Total payments £34,495.40 £11,232.85
Net of receipts/(payments) £7,024.52 £7,648.49
Transfer to Kandersteg Account 0.00 4,031.32
Cash funds last year end 43,193.58 39,576.41
Cash funds this year end £50,218.10 £43,193.58
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1 LT700002 (1st January 2017)
1st Roborough Scout Group Assets and Liabilities
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year ~~LC~~ |
|
|---|---|
| 31st Mar 2025 31st Mar 2024 |
|
| Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds |
|
| £ £ |
|
| Cash funds Lloyds Current Account 15,425.60 22,339.31 Building Fund (Designated Fund) - Lloyds Current Account 358.08 358.08 Cash/Floats 164.03 284.38 Lloyds Savings Account 34,270.39 20,211.81 Total cash funds £50,218.10 £43,193.58 Other monetary assets Gift Aid Claim 0.00 0.00 Debts due from the County/Area/District/Group 0.00 0.00 Insurance claim 0.00 0.00 Sub total £0.00 £0.00 Investment assets Other investments - detail 0.00 0.00 Sub total £0.00 £0.00 Non monetary assets for charity's own use Badge stock (Net Book Value) 512.49 512.49 Land and buildings (Net Book Value) 36,772.32 37,226.00 Scouting equipment, furniture etc (Net Book Value) 0.00 249.99 Sub total £37,284.81 £37,988.48 Liabilities HQ Subscriptions not yet paid 3,770.00 3,080.00 Kernow Jamboree Fees paid by participants but not yet spent 2,726.75 0.00 Sub total £6,496.75 £3,080.00 Signature Print Name The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 11th July 2025 and signed on their behalf by: a — a a a a —————E ———————— ee~~ee~~= I a $$ —————EEE —————eEEEE ——— ee —— ————E~~EE~~ es |
|
| Stephen Ridge (Chair) | |
| Dave Blagdon (Treasurer) |
1 LT700002 (1st January 2017)
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of The 1* Roborough Scout Group
:
| report on the accounts of the 1% Roborough Scout Group for the period ended 31 March 2025 that are set out on the attached pages.
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner
As the trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of the procedures specified in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of examiners report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiners statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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e To keep accounting records in accordance with Section 41 of the act and
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e To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and
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e Tocomply with the accounting requirements of the Act
Have not been met, or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, or
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the accounting rules of the Act have not been met.
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