Gateshead District Scout Council Annual Report and Accounts 2024 13 **Contents** ## Contents **----- Start of picture text -----**
||| |---|---| |Welcome from the District Chair .................................................................................................................................... 3| |Lead Volunteer’s (District Commissioner’s) Annual Report .................................................................................. 4| |Trustees’ Annual Report ................................................................................................................................................... 6| |The Year Ahead ................................................................................................................................................................. 13| |Annual Accounts ..........................................................................................................|Error! Bookmark not defined.| **----- End of picture text -----**
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## **Photography Credits** Photographs bring our annual report to life and our thanks go to the members of the District whose photographs are used throughout this report. 2 **Welcome** ## Welcome from the District Trustees It is with great pleasure that we once again invite all readers to catch up on what’s been happening in Gateshead Scouts and welcome you to find out more about the great work that is going in in Gateshead Scout District. Unfortunately, 2024 again saw us without a District Chair due to circumstances beyond the District’s control. We have worked hard to ensure that, despite that, activities continued for the young people across Gateshead. Great Scouting happens most frequently in groups. We would also like to thank our supporters once again. This includes all the parents, occasional helpers and outside organisations who have helped Scouting in Gateshead with their time, skills, expertise or - in the case of those organisations supporting us with grant funding - their money. Scouting does a lot for the community, and we are always appreciative when the community responds by supporting us in turn. We have plenty of exiting things happening in 2024 and as we move forward, we hope to encourage even more volunteers to support us on our journey. The Trustees of Gateshead Scouts 3 **Lead Volunteer’s (District Commissioner’s) Annual Report 2024** ## Lead Volunteer’s (District Commissioner’s) Annual Report ## **Membership Growth** Membership numbers for 2024 saw an increase in the number of young people partaking in Scouting across the year (see Trustees Report), and this continues a slow trend of increased numbers after the dip caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. ## **Victoria Road:** The roof at Victoria Road was replaced thanks to a grant from the Youth Investment Fund. This has helped to make Victoria Road more energy efficient. We have also been able to use some space for a local karate group to meet on a Friday. The space has also allowed the 7[th] to further expand its provision. During 2024 the Victoria Road Scout Centre was used for District events such as the Cub Quiz, and adult First Aid Training. The Beaver Sports Day held at South Street Primary School was won by the 13[th] Gateshead. District Cub Camp at Dilston was attended by four groups. A large variety of bases were put on by groups and the young people had a wonderful time as ever. Feedback from the young people was superb and again highlights the impact that nights away experiences can have on the physical and mental health of the young people in Scouting. Thanks to all who organised the event, especially Jane Thompson and Lisa Crawley. The annual Cub quiz took place in November at Victoria Road. Thanks to the leader team at the 39[th] Gateshead who did a superb job as ever, challenging the grey matter of the Cub sections. The District also provided over 60 ## **District Events** The District programme has continued to be a diverse and dynamic entity, with leader and young people's perspectives being fed into the plans. In 2024, the young people of the District had the opportunity to take part in badge days at Victoria Road Scout Centre and at Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre (WTOAC) as well as sports days, first aid competitions, dodgeball and a range of other activities. The annual camping competition was well attended and was won by the 21[st] Gateshead. The 21[st] had further success as their “Three Musketeers” won the Explorer Dodgeball. volunteers for the two water stations for the Great North Run. Thanks go to all young people and families who turned up to help, and to Dave Porteous who organised the Heworth station, and to James Heron who organised the Whitemare Pool station. It is always a matter of huge pride to see our young people turning out to support their community and to hear them shouting words of encouragement to flagging runners. As ever, a number of groups took part in the varied Scout County programme, including the explorer scout Midnight Madness night hike competition, the Geoffrey Gordon Cup hiking/orienteering competition and the ever popular Confido camp for scouts and explorer scouts.. 4 **Lead Volunteer’s (District Commissioner’s) Annual Report 2024** ## **Young Leaders** Thanks to Cathy Westgate and Peter Crawley, the District continued to develop leadership potential through the Young Leader programme. We had a number of young people complete all of their training and gain their young leader belts and the evidence from Group Lead Volunteers is that Young Leaders are taking an increasingly important role in supporting sectional activities across the District on a weekly basis. Again, this provides compelling evidence of the skills for life we are helping our young people to develop and deliver. ## **Coalburns Plantation** During 2024 the District began the process of taking over the lease for the Coalburns Plantation woodland site, from Durham and City Scout District (leased from the Woodland Trust). The grant from Highways England allowed the installation of the composting toilet, and four yurts began being installed in November 2024. The site will be managed out of Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre and will be a superb community asset for our Scouts, helping them get back to basics and the develop the skills of outdoor life which lie at the core of our movement. ## **Andrea McGuigan** Lead Volunteer, Gateshead Scouts 5 **Trustees’ Report 2024** ## Trustees’ Annual Report ## Year Ending 31[st] December 2024 The trustees once again take pleasure in presenting their annual report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2024. ## **Constitution and Objects** Gateshead District Scout Council (informally known as ‘Gateshead Scouts’ and also referred to herein as ‘the Scout District’ or simply ‘the District’) is a registered charity in England and Wales (number 1015159). Association, the Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) of the Scout Association; and also by a constitutional document approved by the District Scout Council on 24[th] September 2022 which defines the Scout District’s implementation of POR Chapter 4 ('The Scout District’) with respect to the operation of the District Scout Council and the District Trustee Board. Significant changes have been drafted to the District constitution which were adopted in 2024. This is to reflect more significant changes to the composition of the trustee board arising as a result of the ‘transformation programme’ currently being undertaken nationally by the Scout Association. ## **Organisation** Gateshead Scouts’ governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter dated 4[th] January 1912 (as amended by supplemental charters dated 28[th] March 1949, 18[th] February 1959, 5[th] May 1967 and 19[th] July 1991), which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of The Scout The trustees who have served during the year are shown below. In accordance with the charity's constitution referenced above, during 2024 the District Chair, District Commissioner, District Youth Commissioner, District Secretary, District Treasurer, District Explorer ## Trustees for the Year 2024 **Trustees - ex-officio** James Heron District Treasurer **L. Wales** District Secretary **A. McGuigan** District Commissioner and Acting District Chair Vacant District Youth Commissioner **Vacant** District Explorer Scout Commissioner **Trustees – nominated, elected and co-opted** **A. Scott** - **A. Oliver P. Byrne** **S. Johnson** **K. Percy** **K. Thompson** 6 **Trustees’ Report 2024** ## Additional Information **----- Start of picture text -----**
Total membership
Principal Address Charity Number
Gateshead Scouts 1015159 (registered in England and Wales)
=
Victoria Road Scout Centre
| | 4 | | a
Victoria Road
NE8 2SZ
Scout Association Registration Number 01 02 03 04 05 06 O7 O08 O9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
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> 10001695 i Squirrels Scout Commissioner and District Scout Network Commissioner were all ex-officio trustees. Additional trustees are elected, nominated or co-opted to the District Executive Committee also in accordance with the charity's constitution referenced above. The Trustees introduced the new Transformation in 2024 and all new trustees were elected due to professional expertise in the areas of Safeguarding, Audit, Accountancy, Leisure Management, Education and Insurance. The trustees regularly met face-to-face throughout the year and also communicate electronically to discuss specific matters in relation to the charity, and also make decisions electronically between face-to-face meetings, as allowed by the charity’s constitution. During 2024 there was one sub-committee to deal with specific matters relating to Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre, which operates in accordance with the relevant rules laid down in the Scout Association’s Policy, Organisation and Rules, and Terms of Reference approved by the trustees. At the start of 2024 our elected Chair remained unavailable to support Scouting in Gateshead and the District Commissioner (now called the District Lead Volunteer and also an ex-officio trustee) continued to fulfil the role of District Chair. Recruitment of a new Chair continues to be difficult. James Heron has been undertaking the role of Treasurer, and ensured excellent financial governance with other trustees (see below). ## **Membership** Committed to the communities in the east of the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead (east of the River Derwent), in January 2024 the Scout District had 516 members (including all adults). This is an increase of 9 when compared to the figure in January 2023. At the end of 2024, 156 adults were volunteering in Gateshead. While still short of our pre-pandemic membership numbers the trustees are delighted to see a reversal in the post pandemic downward trend and an increase in both core youth and adult volunteer numbers. Recruiting more adult volunteers remains key to our ability to increase youth numbers further and will be a focus in 2025. The trustees would again like to thank all of our volunteers for the support that is provided across Gateshead Scouts and especially in supporting the work of the district team. The activities of the Scout District are summarised below, but the trustees would 7 **Trustees’ Report 2024** again highlight that it is the day-to-day activities in our scout groups and explorer scout units that makes Scouting such an enjoyable and positive experience for our young people. The trustees once again extend their thanks to our young leaders and adult volunteers who have driven positive change in 2024, resulting in a welcome return to growth. ## **Review of Activities / How We Benefit the Public** Our charitable objects are: _**“To promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.”**_ Gateshead Scouts continues to meet the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the ‘advancement of education’ and the ‘advancement of citizenship or community development’ headings. In addition to fulfilling the objectives of the charity, we also offer support to adult members of the Scout Association volunteering in the Scout District. The focus of the charity's activities continues to be the provision of Scouting and support for local communities throughout our geographical area. This is provided through the provision of: - Explorer Scouting and Scout Network programmes and activities (for 14 to 24 year olds). - Administrative, organisational and programme support for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts (aged 6 to 13) who are members of our 7 local Scout Groups (note that in 2024 there were still no - Squirrel Dreys established in Gateshead District for boys and girls aged 4 and 5). - Support for the growth and development of Scouting. - Provision of medium scale events, competitions and activities which could not usually be provisioned through local Scout Groups. - Access to adventurous and/or outdoor activities through Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre (WTOAC), Ebchester boathouse and soon to be Coalburn Plantation camp site, all of which are also available for use by other educational and youth groups and members of the wider public. - Working with Gateshead Council and local voluntary groups and charities in support of young people and families in our local communities. ## **Review of Financial Results** Gateshead Scouts manage their finances through the use of commercial accounting software which is used in the preparation of financial reports including the annual accounts. This software is used on an on-going basis, with the financial performance of Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre reviewed monthly by the Whickham Thorns subcommittee. Trustees review the financial performance of Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre and other charitable activities on a quarterly basis using reports generated from the accounting system. The trustees again thank Andy Oliver and James Heron for their on-going work in preparing and presenting these financial reports for review. As can be seen from the chart, Gateshead Scouts have continued to see an increase in 8 **Trustees’ Report 2024** both incoming resources and resources expended. This continues an established trend of generating a financial surplus over the last few years largely because of the continued operation of and surplus generated by Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre. This resulted in a reduced surplus when compared to 2023, but the operation and financial performance of Whickham Thorns again proved to be of significant benefit to the financial state of the charity and continues to drive continued investment in and development of the core objectives of the charity. We are also saving for the conversion of the cottages on site so that we can meet the need for cost effective residential facilities for scouts and the community. Gateshead Scout Shop continues to generate a small surplus, but is principally there to provide to service to our members and those of neighbouring scout districts. As a result of this, the Scout District was once again able to provide financial support to scout groups in the District by way of not charging for the Scout District events such as the activity days at Whickham Thorns In 2022 the district set aside an initial sum of £10,000 to provide direct financial support to our youth members most in need (see grant and loan making policies below). This had one applicant in 2024. . Although available grants will be used wherever possible, much of the cash at bank and cash at hand is therefore ear-marked for the ongoing development of Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre, future work at the Victoria Road Scout Centre and the prospective camp site, all of which provide direct benefit to our members and the wider community. We remain confident that as Gateshead Scouts continue our development and growth, the Scout District has the financial means to support such change. Based on the above, the trustees are confident that our financial management is sound and that the risks associated with increasing income and expenditure are manageable given the controls which are in place. ## **Grant and Loan Making Policies** The Gateshead Scouts ‘Access for All’ grant making policy continues to ensure inclusive access to all Scouting events and activities for young people and adults of limited financial 9 **Trustees’ Report 2024** means, with significant grants available to cover the cost of uniform, membership fees, events and activities. ## **Reserves Policy** Gateshead Scouts continue to review our reserves policy in light of the need to be able to maintain income generating operations at Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre, to be able to fulfil statutory obligations in respect of employed staff and to continue to meet costs associated with the operation of the new district headquarters building (Victoria Road Scout Centre).. Throughout 2024 the charity continued to maintain reserves equating to 12 months operational expenditure for these purposes. ## **Investment Policy** Gateshead Scouts has some medium long term investments. Until recently this was felt appropriate given the intention that cash at bank and cash at hand would be used in the near to medium term to support maintenance and development activities at Victoria Road Scout Centre, Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre and Coalburns Plantation camp site. However, the Trustees took the decision to invest some funds in gelts. ## **Risk Management** During 2024 risks continued to be managed on an on-going basis. Gateshead Scouts follow the rules and best practices of The Scout Association, including the: - Equal Opportunities Policy - Privacy and Data Protection Policy - Religious Policy The trustees continue to maintain an organisation specific risk register which identifies the most significant safeguarding, safety, financial, operational and reputational risks to the charity. This allows risks to be identified, prioritised and mitigated to a level which is acceptable to the trustees and the risk register is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. ## **Trustee Induction, Training and Declarations of Conflict** Most of our trustees are from a Scouting background and are familiar with the objectives and operation of the charity. In accordance with the requirements of the Scout Association, all trustees are required to undertake mandatory trustee training, which is part of The Scout Association’s adult training scheme. All trustees are required to declare any related parties, to proactively declare any potential conflicts of interest, and to declare any unforeseen conflicts of interest as they arise. In 2024 no significant conflicts or interest arose and any minor conflicts of interest were declared and appropriately managed. ## **Diversity and Inclusion** Membership is open to all members of the public in accordance with our religious, equal opportunities and development policies, subject to our safety, vetting and child protection policies. 2024 saw a slight increase in the percentage of female members in the District but this is part of the year-to-year variation and is not considered a long term trend. - Safeguarding Policy - Safety Policy - Vetting Policy - Anti-Bullying Policy 10 **Trustees’ Report 2024** The overall ethnicity of our membership continues to reflect the communities from which our members are drawn, and we continue to review how we engage and work with ethnic minority groups in the Scout District, to ensure that Scouting is not only open to all, but available in all communities. ## **Responsibilities of The Trustees** Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. - Observe the methods and principles in the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice. - Make judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. - State whether applicable UK accounting standards and Statements of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. - Prepare the financial statements on the on-going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Approval of the Trustees Report** In preparing these financial statements (below), the trustees are required to: Approved by the trustees on 26[th] October and signed on their behalf by: - Select suitable accounting policies, and apply them on a consistent basis. 11 **Trustees’ Report 2024** Trustee. [hardcopy signature appended to the master record] 12 **2024 – The Year Ahead** ## The Year Ahead It is our usual practice to look forward to the year ahead, a practice which we are happy to resume for 2025. With a focus on the return to district events and competitions in the last two years, we again expect to make full use the facilities at Victoria Road Scout Centre and Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre to deliver a fun and enjoyable district activity programme. We will continue to build on District activities. 2024 saw a significant increase in District competitions and events and at the end of 2024 we planned an even busier programme for 2025, with a significant increase in activities for the beaver scout section. During the coming year we expect to continue to develop the Coalburns Plantation and seek to try and improve the storage on site and the communal area. We will also continue to develop and deliver new activity offerings at Whickham Thorns and we will start to implement fundraising plans for the development of the cottages at Whickham Thorns to allow us to provide indoor residential accommodation. This is based on the support received from Meldrum Construction Services Ltd, who supported us in developing detailed plans and costings for the work required. Finally, during 2025 we will be placing renewed focus on assuring safe Scouting in Gateshead in line with initiatives being taken nationally by the Scout Association. All of this will require continued focus on good governance and we expect on-going work to be continued with respect to managing strategic risks, including the updating of data protection and other policies in the District. Also in the second half of the year we expect to focus more on supporting Scout Groups in the District to: - Restructure and strengthen their governance and operations in accordance with the Scout Association’s transformation plan. - Recruit more adult volunteers, which will in turn support further growth in core youth numbers. 13 ## 10[th] October 2024 14 GATESHEAD DISTRICT SC(KIT COUNaL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIIJY AS AT31 DECEMBER 2024 124 2023 Notes Fl*d assets Tangible assets In¥e5tments li 12 249.246 201.028 210914 49J.274 210.914 Current assets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 13 14 9314 8364 77345 10.087 76.343 290.647 95523 377.077 Credltors: amounts falllngdue one year 15 (3,667) 180.1381 Net current •ssots 91,856 296,939 Total assets less ￿rrent Ilabllltle5 542.130 507J53 Net assets exdudin% pensknn Ilablity 542.130 507%53 The funds of tht charlty Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds. general Unrestricted funds- designated 16 9,5LMI 331,602 201,028 9,500 348,353 150,000 17 542.130 507/53 The flnancéal ststeff*nts were approved by the trustees on... 26th October 2025 MSA McGui8an T￿￿tee Mr J Heron Tn￿te? 15 GATESHEAD DISTRICT SCOUT COUNaL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR EN￿D31 DECEMBER 2024 A¢countln8 polcles 1.1 A(¢ountln8 convenll The financkil statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's consitution. the Charities Act 2011. FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" I'FRS 102.1 and the Charf(ies SORP "Accounting and Reporting by charit￿S.. Statement of Recommended Practice ppIKable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financ￿1 Reporting Stsndard applTrble in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021" leffecti4e l January 20191. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has takEn advants8e of the provlslons In the SORP for charltles not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The finanoal statements a￿ p￿pared in sterlin& which is the functional currency of the charity- Monetary amounts in these financbal statanents a￿ rounded to the nearest £. 1.2 Goln8 concttn At the time of approvin8 the financk?I statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charty has adequate resour￿5 to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thu5 the trustees continue to odopt the going concem basis of accounting in preparing the finanaal ststements. 1.3 Ch•ritablè funds UniestrKted funds ale available for use at the dlsuetbn of the trustees in furtherance of thelr charltab obRctfv4es. DeS￿nated fvnds comprise funds which have been set a$￿e at the dtscretion of the trustees for specrfk purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out In the notes to the financlal statements. RestrKted funds are subiett to speoft conditknns by donors or zrantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restrKted funds are set out In the notes to the finandal statements. 1.4 Income Income 15 recogni5ed when the charity 15 legally entitled to it after any performance condrtion5 have been met. the amounts can be rnea5ured rel￿bty. and it 15 probable that income will be re￿Ned. Cash donatA)ns a￿ recognised on re￿ipt. Other donations a￿ reco8nised On￿ the charity has been notrfied of the donation. unless perfomiance Condit￿n5 require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relatK)n to donations receNed under Gift AKI or d￿d$ of covenant is reco8nised at the time of the donatM)n. Le8Kies ore recognised on re￿ipt or otherwise rf the tharity has been notif ￿￿ of an impending distribution. the amount is known, and receipt is exp￿ted. If the amount Is not known. the legacy is treated as a contin8ent asset. 16 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 17 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 18 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 19 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 20 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 21 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 22 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 23 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 24 **Summary Statement of Financial Activities - Year to 31 December 2024** 25 **Gateshead Scout District Annual Report and Accounts 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **Gateshead District Scout Council** Victoria Road Scout Centre Victoria Road Gateshead NE8 2SZ. info@gatesheadscouts.org.uk https://gatesheadscouts.org.uk/ 26