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2020-12-31-accounts

Middlesbrough District Scout Council

Report and Accounts

Year ended 31[st] December 2020

Registered charity no. 1014923

Accounts for period 1[st] Jan – 31[st] Dec 2020 Reference and administration details

Charity name: Middlesbrough District Scout Council Charity no: 1014923 Scout Association registration no: 15606 Contact details: Middlesbrough District Scout Council District Headquarters Tollesby Road Middlesbrough TS5 7PJ

Charity trustees

Trustee Name Office (if any) Dates served if
not wholeyear
Paul Belmont Chair
James Bowen From 11th May 2020.
Joanne Carr To 11th May 2020.
Peter Chaney District Commissioner
Edward Clynch From 11th May 2020.
Susan Corbin
Sheila Dawson Treasurer
Judith Hewling To 11th May 2020
Peter Hewling To 11th May 2020
Ryan Hubbard Deputy District Commissioner From 11thMay 2020
Derek Lewis To 11th May 2020
Janet Merrick Secretary
LesleyMicklewright
Steve Micklewright
Matthew Mitchell
Sam Mitchell
Alan Skaife
June Wheeler To 11th May 2020

Bankers: Yorkshire Bank PLC, 7 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. TS1 1RF Investment account The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, London, E4 7QW Independent Examiner Paul Steeples 5 Hollies Drive, Edwalton, Nottingham. NG12 4BZ

Structure and Governance

Type of governing document:

The District's governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

How the charity is constituted:

The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.

Trustee selection methods:

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

The District is managed by the District Executive Committee, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to

the Charity Commission as appropriate. The Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the District Commissioner, the Deputy District Commissioner nominated, elected and co-opted members and meets every 2 months.

Members of the Executive Committee complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' training within the first 5 months of joining the committee.

This District Executive Committee exists to support the District Commissioner in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:

The maintenance of District property; The raising of funds and the administration of District finance; The insurance of persons, property and equipment;

District public occasions;

Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;

Appointing any sub committees that may be required; Appointing District

Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.

The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

The scout method:

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

Objectives and activities

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.

The values of Scouting:

As Scouts we are guided by these values:

Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.

Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others. Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.

Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.

Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.

The District has been successful in meeting the objectives laid down by the Scout Association. In a year dominated by Covid restrictions, the District has encouraged Scouting to continue for their members by facilitating Groups to meet within restrictions both face to face and remotely. A range of activities were also provided such as an online camp. Young People were encouraged to live by their promise by donating to a local food bank appeal.

Public benefit statement:

The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

Achievements and performance

2020 was a very difficult year for Scouting, as for much of the year usual meetings and activities were severally

restricted. Despite this, Scouting was able to continue in new ways with online meetings, challenges and activities which could be undertaken at home. When restrictions were eased, the District worked hard to enable Sections to meet safely within government and Scouting rules.

The District benefitted from a £20,000 Covid grant from Middlesbrough Council. This made it possible to make a number of repairs and upgrades to the Headquarter building. The building certainly looks better from the considerable time and effort from a few volunteers. This will improve our offer to Scouting and encourage community use.

Financial review

The District’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £35,000

The Group held reserves of approximately £64,484 against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However this can be explained by reduced spending during the pandemic

as the premises were closed for large parts of the year and a lack of District events. The Executive Committee took the decision that the situation coming out of the pandemic would be unknown, with potential wide loss of membership and volunteers. Therefore it would be prudent to hold funding to support Groups struggling with low numbers and to recruit and retain new members and volunteers. Further money is being held for essential maintenance and improvements to our headquarters building.

Investment policy and objectives

The District's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a

consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The District has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies or The Scout Association's Short Term Investment Service.

The District Executive regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the District obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements.

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