2023-12-31-accounts - Denewulf District Scout Council

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Scouts atl,© Denewulf District Hampshire Scouts

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING REPORT 13' May 2024 19.00hrs The Lodge, Lyons Copse

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Denewulf District Scout Council.

Trustee's Annual report for the year ended 31st December 2023

President: Mr Roger Freemantle

Vice Presidents; Mr Ron Stead, Mrs Jill Sutton, Mr Les Sutton Members of the District Executive Committee (Charity Trustees)

Ex-officio members

Peter Moody District Chair Mike McHugh District Commissioner Sam Parker Deputy District Commissioner Vacant District Youth Commissioner Matt Gamm District Treasurer Vacant District Explorer Scout Commissioner Phil Goddard District Network Scout Commissioner

Nominated members (By DC) Paul Squire Scout Active Support Co-Ordinator Joe Mitchell Everett’s Coppice Warden Les Farrington Lyons Copse representative Elected members. Carolyn Colwell 3" Portchester rep Adrian Pashley 1st Bishops Waltham rep

Charity Commission Contact (Registered Charity Number: 1016374)

Mr Matt Gamm 65 Raley Road, Locks Heath, Hampshire SO31 6PB

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Principal appointments

For the year ended 31st December 2023

District Commissioner Deputy District Commissioner

Mr Mike McHugh Miss Sam Parker

Assistant District Commissioners and District Scout Leaders

District Youth Commissioner

ADC Squirrels ADC Beavers ADC Cubs ADC Scouts DESC DNSC

Vikings Activities Team

Scouts Active Support Co-Ordinator

Badge Secretary — Denewulf North Badge Secretary — Denewulf South

Chair AAC (North) Chair AAC (South)

Scout Band

Adventurous Activities and D of E awards Co-ordinator

Lyon’s Copse Representative Everett's’ Coppice Representative Local Training Manager

Vacant

Mrs Sian Edney Mr Graham Stanton Mrs Philippa Cass Vacant Vacant Mr Phil Goddard

Mr Sam Taylor

Mr Paul Squire

Mrs Mary Freemantle Mrs Caryl Gregory

Mr Alan Crabb Mr Robert Blatt

Mr Mark Goddard

Mr Richard Coghlan Mr Les Farrington Mr Joe Mitchell

Mrs Sonia Crabb

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17.Approval of Appointed members (Trustees) — Chair | 18.Appointment of Solent Scout Training Centre committee representatives — DC. | 19.Appointment of Everett’s Coppice committee representative - DC. | 20.Awards (Young People and adult volunteers) - DC, Mayors, County Rep. |

DENEWULF DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024

AGENDA

Welcome by the District Chair
Apologies for absence — District Chair
Minutes of the 2023 AGM- District Chair
Annual report - District Commissioner
Approval of the Annual Report - District Commissioner
Presentation of the Annual Accounts - District Treasurer
Appointment of the Accounts Scrutineers for the coming year — District Treasurer
For Denewulf District Trustee Board to adopt the April 2024 constitution in POR Chapter 5 - District Chair
To note the dates of the Charity’s financial year - District Chair

10.To agree the number of Members that may be appointed to the Trustee Board - District Chair

11.To agree the quorum for meetings of the District Scout Council - District Chair

| 12.To agree the quorum for the meetings of the District Trustee Board - District Chair | 13.To agree the quorum for the meetings of any sub-committee - District Chair 14.To approve the appointment of the District President and District Vice Presidents - District | Chair | 15.DC's nomination of District Chair. | 16.List of ex-officio members (Trustees) — Chair a) District Chair

b) District Commissioner

c) District Youth Commissioner

d) District Treasurer e) District Explorer Scout Commissioner f) District Scout Network Commissioner

21.The Mayor of Winchester

22.The Mayor of Fareham

23.Hampshire County Scouting Representative — Mr Robin Peddell

24.Closing remarks.

Presentation on 2023 World Jamboree & Project 23 by Young people from 3” Portchester Scout Group

After the meeting has concluded Refreshments will be served

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Scouts OeLo] Denewulf District Hampshire Scouts

Annual Report 2023 — Index

Denewulf DC Report —- Mike McHugh
Denewulf Chair’s report — Peter Moody
Denewulf Treasurer’s report (including accounts) — Matt Gamm
Squirrels — Sian Edey
Beavers — Graham Stanton
Cubs, Scouts, Explorers -
Network — Phil Goddard
Fareham West and Denewulf District Scout Band — Phil and Mark Goddard
Fareham West and Denewulf Scout Active Support Unit — Paul Squire
Lyons Copse — Alan Crabb
Everett's Coppice — Dave Kemp
Vikings Activities Team — Sam Taylor
Training — Sonia Crabb
Denewulf Census figures

| negotiation with local neighbours and as the site is ever more popular there is a need to ensure | the site has the the ability to recover when recover when when used for whole whole / large number site large number site number site site bookings. | During this year all groups will be looking to recruit more volunteers to spread the load and bring in | more diverse experience. | 2024 will also see changes in our job titles and move to a more teams based leadership model in all areas of Scouting. We will also see the launch of the new membership system already some what late but comes with high expectations.

1 - District Commissioner - Mike McHugh

We completed the annual census in Jan 2024, which showed our numbers as a district declined slightly by about 5%. We will be working hard to recover and improve our numbers during 2024. We continue to see new Squirrel sections being added in Groups and one group Droxford is on the road to a recovery with some great help from leaders and trustees from groups across the district.

Our 2024 figures show that we currently provide Scouting experiences for 1120 young people, and they are supported by 381 of our hard working adult volunteers. St George’s Day, following on from last year’s event which was well attended by Groups from across the District, we once again had good weather and attendance from all groups. For 2024 we asked the Beavers to dress up in St George themed costumes.

District Camp, this is a Bi Annual event that is looked forward to by all groups and their young people but unfortunately the planned District Camp for 2024 which was to be held in June had to be cancelled. The cancellation was a direct result of limitations placed on Lyons following negotiation with local neighbours and as the site is ever more popular there is a need to ensure the site has the the ability to recover when recover when when used for whole whole / large number site large number site number site site bookings.

Training and support for our volunteers has taken centre stage following a tragic incident that highlighted some serious shortcomings in how training is monitored and managed.

Our Deputy DC Sam Parker is a key organiser of our highly respected Vikings Activities Team (VAT), which is managed by Sam Taylor. This team provides a wide range of activities that require permits, to Groups across the District. In addition to working with our District, they are in much demand with Groups and Districts across the South of England.

the World Scout Jamboree (WS) did not turn out as UK scouting hoped but we have a couple of the young people that attended the event from our district providing an overview at this years AGM.

We continue to provide great experiences for all our young people and it gives me great pleasure to have been invited to all our groups in the last 12 months to present CSA awards to many young people in all sections.

Mike McHugh, DC Denewulf

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2 - Peter Moody — Chair, Denewulf Trustee Board

A big thank you to everyone who has welcomed me back into the District after several years away, helping me to settle into the role of District Chair so smoothly.

It has been a very exciting year for Denewulf District, as can be seen from this report, with young people across the District enjoying fun and adventure thanks to the adults who give up so much of their spare time and energy. | have tried to get around as much of the District as possible and thank you for all the welcome and support | have been given during my visits.

Denewulf is a large District, with great things going on, but also with significant challenges as has been noted within reports in this annual review document, and the Trustee Board will be looking at how to overcome these over the coming months.

My sincere thanks for the of the District Trustee Board, who have been so supportive, and in particular to Mike McHugh, to Matt Gamm for the efficient way he keeps the District finance’s, and Jim Weeks who came to the rescue when the District Secretary stood down suddenly. | also like to thank Paul Squire and Les Farrington who are standing down from the District Trustee Board after many years’ service.

This is a big time for Governance change at all levels across the Scouts, and there is a lot of work to do to ensure continued compliance, and over the next few months the District Trustee Board will be supporting the Groups to ensure they understand and are working to achieve these changes.

Peter Moody, District Chair 3 - Treasurer’s Report —- Matt Gamm — District Treasurer

Denewulf Accounts 2023

The Accounts show a healthy end of year Balance sheet of £42327.66.Income for the year was £31133.18. Outgoings were £30113.21.

There was an excess of £1019.97 for 2023. We had budgeted for an overspend, but we received more than expected from the closure of Fareham Scout Shop (£4519.60).

Our main income is from membership fees which were £5521.70.

How we spent our money can be put into three categories:

Firstly, Supporting Groups:

e SupportedPaying theirfree OSMuse — Onlineof Everetts ScoutCoppice Manager — alongside Fareham West jointly paying maintenance & improvement work.
e Supported free use of Vikings Activity team — training, equipment, and expenses. e Grants for new sections e Selected badges and buckles

Secondly supporting individuals e Grants for attending activities such as Jamboree and P23 and Agoonoree

Lastly, other costs of running the district.

e Web site; training; storage; admin costs

District Camp and District Section activities are planned to be self-funding.

For 2024 we have budgeted for a £1552.00 overspend so that we can keep supporting local Scouting to the same level as previous years, including not increasing the District membership fee.

Matt Gamm, District Treasurer

Denewulf District Scout Council

Accounts for year ending 31st December 2023

Income & Expenditure Account

Balance Sheet | Treasurer's notes

DenewulfDistrict Scout Council Income and Expenditure Account for year ending 31st December 2023

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|||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Income|Notes|2023|2022|Expenditure|Notes|2023|2022| |£|£|£|£| |Membership|Fees|Ps| |Receipts from Groups|63,553.70|53,707.20| |Less fees paid to Scout County/HQ|(58,032.00)|(50,116.00)| |Net Membership|fees|retaine|5,521.70|3,591.20| |Admin & Sundry|Admin & Sundry| |Merger of Districts|0.00|1,034.16|Merger of|Districts|0.00|949.46| |General|admin|0.00|0.00|General|admin|4,799.97|4,852.14| |Total Admin & Sundry|0.00|1,034.16|Total Admin & Sundry|4,799.97|5,801.60| |Total Equipment & Renewals|0.00|0.00|Total Equipment & Renewals|0.00|0.00| |as|ee|FS| |Total Training|~~|0.00|0.00|Total Training|~|20.00|372.50| |Total Fareham Scout Band|6,000.00|0.00|Total Fareham Scout Band|~~|6,000.00|0.00| |SEE|———Kx_——<_z<=K€z$z—iC~==—A-~—eE=[_EE_™| |Badge Sales|10|Badge|Costs|10| |Badges|North|sales|3,582.39|4,376.98|Badges|North|cost|of sales|2,839.48|4,566.13| |Badge|South|sales|1009.2|370.19|Badges|South|cost of sales|2,379.52|2,920.95| |Total Badge sales|4,591.594,747.17|Total|Badge costs|~~|5,219.00|7,487.08| |Total|Receipts|for Vikings|Unit|1,842.00|1,525.00|Total Payments for Vikings|Unit|1,703.20|2,629.14| |Receipts from Sections|Payments|for Sections| |Squirrels|0.00|0.00|Squirrels|0.00|478.00| |Beavers|1,338.00|0.00|Beavers|1,284.10|58.65| |Cubs|3,779.00|0.00|Cubs|2,595.59|820.13| |Scouts|0.00|30.00|Scouts|0.00|0.00| |Meon Valley Explorer Unit|2,594.29|3,440.84|Meon Valley Explorer Unit|3,232.53|3,381.60| |Network|52.00|518.22|Network|514.04|338.85| |Leaders weekend Activity|395.00|25.00|Leaders weekend Activity|_233.53|(0.00| |Total Receipts for Sections|———SOOO8,158.29|4,014.06|Total|Payments for|tions|7859.79|_5,077.23| |Shared with Fareham|hared with Fareham West| |Active Support|Unit|3|0.00|0.00|Active Support Unit|a|294.69|60.37| |Everett's|Coppice|4|500.00|500.00|Everett's Coppice|4|1,259.56|937.10| |Scout Shop|5|4,519.60|0.00|Scout Shop|5|__9.00__150.00| |Total Receipts from shared|Units|5,019.60|500.00|Total Payments from shared|Uni|1,554.25 __ 1,147.47| |Total|District camp|11,815.00|Total|District cam|1,357.00|11,994.23| |Donation|Fund|Receipts|Donation|Fund|Payments| |Alec Bowmaker Activity Fund|0.00|0.00|Alec Bowmaker Activity|Fund|1,600.00|1,546.00| |Total|Donation|Receipts|0.00|0.00|Total|Donation|Payments|1,600.00|1,546.00| |Sundry Funds|Ex Meon|District|14|Sundry Funds|Ex Meon|District| |Badge|Secretary|North|2,475.17| |Badge|Secretary|North|297.54| |Meon|Valley|Explorers|4,044.14| |Meon|Valley|District Acc.|11,206.01| |Total Sundry Funds|0.00|16,022.86|Total Sundry Fund|~~|000|0.00| |Total Income|£31,133.18|£45,249.45|Total Expenditure|“£30,113.21|£36,055.25.| |2023|Excess|of Income over Expenditure|£1,019.97|

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Denewulf District Scout Council

Balance sheet as at 31st December 2023

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Notes|Balanceat|Movement|Balance| |31.12.22|inyear|34.12.23at| |Assets|13|(+/-)| |£|£|£| |Bank Accounts|9| |District current bank|account|32,007.81|701.30|32,709.11| |Network bank account|2,125.99|(462.04)|1,663.95| |Badge|Secretary|North|bank Account|261.01|250.44|511.45| |Meon|Valley|Explorers|Bank Account|4,103.38|(638.24)|3,465.14| |Badge|Stock|10| |Badge|stock|held|by Badge|Secretary|South|488.95|674.04|1,162.99| |Badge|stock|held|by Badge|Secretary|North|2,322.55|492.47|2,815.02| |Total|Assets|41,309.69|1,017.97|42,327.66| |Represented|by|Funds|Held:| |Designated|Funds|11| |Everetts|Coppice|101.44|(259.56)|(158.12)| |Scout|Network|2,125.99|(462.04)|1,663.95| |Meon|Valley|Explorers|4,103.38|(638.24)|3,465.14| |Active|Support|306.92|(294.69)|12.23| |Alec Bowmaker Activity|3,200.16|(1,600.00)|1,600.16| |Total|Restricted Funds|9,837.89|(3,254.53)|6,583.36| |Total|Unrestricted|(General) funds|12|31,471.80|4,272.50|35,744.30| |Total|of Funds|Held|41,309.69|1,017.97|42,327.66| |Accounts approved|by the Trustees|at the|Executive|Committee meeting|on|15th|April 2024| |/| |Peter Moody, District|Chair|(Signed)|,po| |i| |Matt Gamm,|District Treasurer|i|\K| |(Signed)|G||A a|

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4 Everetts Copse It is equally owned by Denewulf and Fareham West Districts, but financially administered by Denewulf. | Everetts Copse is a Scout camp site with no running water or electricity. | 5 Fareham Scout shop | The Scout Shop, that was jointly owned by Fareham West and Denewulf Districts, was permently closed on the | 31st December 2022. After a final audit, monies held were split between the two districts, half were paid to Denewulf in 2022 | 6 Fareham District Scout Band | The band is independently run for both Denewulf & Fareham West Districts and they have their own audited finances. | A £6000.00 grant for new Band storage was received and transferred to the Band Account.

Denewulf District Scout Council: notes to Accounts 31st December 2023

1 Merger of Meon Valley and Fareham East Scout Districts

Meon Valley Scout District was merged into Fareham East Scout District as of the 1st February 2022. The District was then re-named Denewulf Scout District.

2 Membership Fees Fees are collected for the District, and on behalf of the County, and HQ. The Membership Fees collected for County and HQ do not form part of these accounts but are shown for information.

3 Active Support Unit

Active Support is part of both East and West Fareham and is now financially run within Denewulf.

7 Loans

A loan of £5000.00 was made to 1st Fareham but it was returned in full before the first due payment date.

9 District Bank Accounts

There are 4 bank accounts: 1. Main District, 2. Network, 3. Meon Valley Explorers, 4. Badge Secretary North

10 Badges

There are two badges secretaries. Denewulf North hold their own bank account, Denewulf South are managed within the main District bank Account. Their income and expenditure figures include sales and stock movement.

11 Designated Funds

Designated Funds are those funds that are either donated to the District for use for specific expenditure, or are allocated for a specific reason.

12 General Funds

These funds are used for all expenditure other than those covered by designated funds. The Scout District aims to maintain the General Funds at a minimum level sufficient to meet any unanticipated expenditures, or cover any short term shortfall in income. This was set at £24,150.00 for 2023.

13 Fixed assets

areFixedwrittenassetsdown wereonfullypurchase. depreciated in 2021. Items purchased from 2022, including items transferred, from Meon Valley,

14 Sundry Funds

These amounts were held by Meon Valley District. They were transferred to Denewulf as of the merger on 31st Jan 2022

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F tycamel | Independent examiner'saccounts report on the
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
ReportP to the trustees/ .
members of | Denewulf District Scout Council
On accounts for the year | 31% December 2023 Charity no | 1016374
ended (if any)
Respective The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year
responsibilities of (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act),as amended by s.28
trustees and examiner of the Charities Act 2006) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
e examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act, as amended),
e to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the
Charity Commission (under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, as amended),
and
e to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given
examiner’s statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the
accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts
items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the
presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual
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 accounts.
Independent In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention (other
examiner's statement than that disclosed below )
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect,
the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
e proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 41 of
the Act); and
e accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and
comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
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Name: | David Kemp
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address: | 122WychLane
Gosport Hampshire
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April 2007
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IER

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4 - Squirrels report — Sian Edey - ADC Squirrels

What a great year it has been for Denewulf District Squirrels! Last year we had four Dreys in the District; this year we have six active Dreys who are having a fabulous, fun experience. It was great to hear a leader from one of our new dreys expressing their joy of being involved with Squirrels, something she said she did not expect. And | quite agree! | walk away from my meetings weekly revitalised by the enthusiasm of the Squirrels and their excitement about adventures yet to come. It was wonderful to see the little red adventurers at St George’s Day Parade for the second year, as well as Remembrance Parade in November. This presence in our community has made Squirrels more visible and so there is a greater demand to join our Scouting family in our Early Years section. Squirrels is now proving it's worth at bringing new people into Scouting — not just new young people but new leaders, new supporters behind the scenes and new skills for whole groups, not just for Squirrels. If your group is Squirrel-less, please come and join in with one of our meetings and see what you're missing! Yet again, we had more than one Drey at the September County Squirrels Fun Day at Ferny Crofts. | think the Dreys were ready to sign up the next one before they left. Our Assistant County Commissioner for Squirrels, Amanda organised a great day for all. We cannot wait for the next one. This year it is my intention to organise a District Squirrels Family Fun Picnic with some woodland activities. If you have any wonderful ideas, you would like to sort for District Squirrels please let me know. We are always keen to give more opportunities to 4 to 6 years joining within other groups in the District. Please get in touch if there are any questions you would like answered to make this happen in your groups.

Sian- ADC Squirrels

5 - Beavers report — Graham Stanton - ADC Beavers | A lot more has happened since our amalgamation of the two districts, of which | am sure you are all aware. For me it has been a time when| have tried to put myself around Denewulf district as much as possible, unfortunately not as much as | had hoped. Having said that | have organised visits, a Fun Day and a Christingle last year. The Leaders Meeting every 4 or 5 weeks also keeps me in touch with most of the groups. Organising The Saint Georges Day Parade this year will be another opportunity to make myself | Known to the district, especially when | shout...” BY THE CENTRE, QUICK MARCH”! | Obviously the District Camp would have been a great opportunity to get around and see the | groups, unfortunately it was not to be. We at 15'" Fareham are organising our own group camp, and | would encourage that around the groups. | All the Beaver groups in the district are very well attended, whether that’s due to the formation of the Squirrels, remains to be seen.

Graham Stanton (Indi) ADC Beavers.

6 — Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers Report Unfortunately, we have not received any formal reports from these sections, but they all continue to provide fun and adventure for the young people of the Denewulf District

7 — District Scout Network — Phil Goddard

In the past year the band has finished the renovation work on its storage unit at 1st Catisfield and spent the summer clearing the area around the unit in hope that we could use it. We spent a number of weeks building a water feature but due to a change in the way retail outlets provide gas bottles, we’ve had to put the project on hold until we find a solution. The network unit has, despite a number of our members being at university, continued to meet on a weekly basis. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank 2nd Fareham scout group for accommodating us on a weekly basis. We've had a go at a number of activities including golf, yoga, meditation, board games, cooking, pub quizzes and a number of hikes. The unit has also been away on a couple of camps one in the New Forest and the other at Droxford. We are constantly looking for new members and are willing | to try any new ideas or interests that you might have. Why not come along, meet us and share | your ideas. Phil Goddard District Scout Network Commissioner 8 - Fareham West and Denewulf District Scout Band — Phil Goddard - Bandmaster This year the band has been lucky enough to have had some personal workshops with the Bugle Major from the band of HM Royal Marines. These have been well received by the members and we are looking forward to more workshops in the coming months. During the workshops it was identified that the band’s bugles, which were purchased in the 1970s, are in need of replacing at a cost of £12,000. So far, with the help of a band parent, the band has managed to raise £2,500 and | we are in desperate need of additional funds to meet this goal. By buying new bugles it should help the members learn the instrument easier and quicker. The band has also been fundraising towards a new storage facility. With the help of the same parent, the band has been lucky enough | to raise nearly £15,000 and a site at 10th Fareham Scout HQ has been cleared. We are now this opportunity to personally thank Carol Dawson for all the hard work, effort and dedication she | identifying the best solution within our budget to meet the bands requirements. | would like to take has put into the fundraising, you are true star! Without your help and support none of these projects would have been possible. This year the band has continued to see its membership grow, but we are expecting a number of the older members to leave us as they head off onto new adventures at university. The band will be holding a number of workshops and group visits in hope of attracting new members. If you would like to arrange a workshop, these are primarily aimed at cubs and scouts, please email info@farehamscoutband.org.uk In the last year the band has attended six parades and held a few workshops. We also sounded the Last Post and Reveille at the Remembrance Day parade for the Royal British Legion at Netley, Southampton. To help relax after all the hard work, we had a trip to the cinema and went kayaking/paddle boarding. Abig thanks go to the leaders at 1st Park Gate who organised this event for us. Unfortunately, the number of parades the band has been invited to, since the pandemic, has dropped and we are now looking for new events and exciting opportunities for the band to attend. If you are aware of an event that the band could attend, please contact info@farehamscoutband.org.uk.

Phil Goddard Bandmaster 9 - Denewulf and Fareham West Active Support — Paul Squire - Co-ordinator During 2023 the Active Support programme of very interesting presentations and socials flowed well A few people either provided a presentation themselves or helped me get a speaker. Since | 2022, the mix of daytime and evening meetings every other month became established in peoples’ | calendars. Additionally, several members undertook a number of ad-hoc tasks, totalling many hours of volunteer support to Groups and the Districts.

With the historic funds becoming depleted at the end of 2023, and Transformation on the horizon, there are not enough members willing to cover a monthly subscription to make the unit selffunding. In my view, the ASU is now in a state of managed decline.

We had a few people who became Retired members. This is a new(ish) role, and there are currently 6 Retired members within Denewulf and Fareham West Districts. | expect more to follow; for whilst it does not count towards time served, there are no training requirements. Additionally, as a Retired member, you can undertake more than | initially thought; for you can still pop along to AS meetings, District and Group AGMs, presentations, parades and AS socials. | think a longer-term challenge could well be how the Districts communicate with these members. Due to the spectre of Transformation, members are starting to depart; either to join other AS units, become Retired members, leaving Scouting entirely, or become attached to a Group. | think there will be a short period of time whereby Groups and Districts can still call upon “helpers” for ad-hoc tasks; but this will gradually disappear. For me, it means going off to support a Group as Chair.

As the co-ordinator, | have learnt much about the ASU individuals, and for how long many members have been supporting Scouting. For many, it has been decades of volunteering; along with a whole host of different roles. Even now, there are a few individuals who are still very active, doing what they can to support Scouting locally.

Given the forthcoming Scouting Transformation, the number of attendees dwindling, and with no funds left in the pot, | have decided to retire as co-ordinator this year, with the social in March being my last “meeting”. | | would like to thank those who have helped me during my tenure; and additionally wish everyone | good health anda long life. | Paul Squire, Co-ordinator | Active Support Unit Denewulf & Fareham West Districts

10 - Lyons Copse — Alan Crabb - Voluntary Site Manager This has been a full on year for the site with the return following the lockdowns. The site has seen a real surge in bookings especially all site district camps, So as agreed there is now a change to whole site bookings, the main part being owner Districts only. A big part of this is ensuring our impact on the locals is kept to a minimum, i.e. — traffic flow. we have also agreed to ease numbers on the site to help the volunteers cope with keeping the site running. This will limit normal weekends to a max of 300, giving more room to groups. Our wildlife this season has also been magical with Kingfishers, Deer, Badgers and foxes plus squirrels and countless birds. As a | Brownie group found out Fox Cubs love Spag Bog! Site Overall:

Camping numbers are steady, but we have been hit with weather issues in the early part of 2024. This has seen a delay in full camping returning. However, groups have been quick to rebook if they had to cancel their camp. Our plans are still to aim to keep the camping numbers under control, with keeping to one group per field. This will allow for toilet allocation to each group and also young people and leaders to get back to the camping experience without competing with another group.

What has taken off big time is evening bookings with groups using the site to get out into the fresh air.

The tower, rafting, Barn etc has never been used so much. Again, we are having to restrict numbers to 2 groups per night. We are also asking for host groups to let themselves into the site,

otherwise the local volunteers are turning out every night. We also now have in place, flood lighting for the Tower. There has been a big surge in the use of the Cave bus for evening events.

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Safety: ; : All building checks, Pat testing, fire alarms and gas appliances safety audited with no major issues. We have had a survey on the Lodge carried out with no concrete issues identified. Our full site electrical safety check has also now been completed, with upgrade work on the main buildings completed. We still have a few minor issues to resolve but not affecting the site safety. No Major accidents reported in 2023 -24 that needed site issues to be actioned. Our Defib is now in place and registered.

Buildings:

Toilets. We are back to general toilet use and this has eased the work for the cleaning team. We have fitted all the toilets with stock cupboards so groups can keep them clean and refill items as needed. Groups camping are allocated toilets to keep clean over the weekend etc.

The Lodge: The Lodge now has new sliding front doors, a far better option than the old folding ones. Pine Cabin: The cabin has started its refit to the toilets to increase the options as to who can use what toilet etc.

WeGeneral now haveitems:a new road entrance and a 2 way traffic flow around the site. This should help with Ob u syr site weekendsteam have etc. Ourplanted plan30isnew to now trees lo o kn atthe the edge car parking.of Lawrence paddock, (a lot bigger ones than those we have done before) Our thanks to Jamie for arranging the donation from Hilliers. Now we are looking to move onto the Ash tree issue once the forestry commission have put in place our felling licence.

Recycling has now stopped on the site due to issues with having to manhandle the waste each week as lots of people have not been following the process (we do still recycle glass).

Looking at our ongoing fuel costs and trying to keep or fees as low as we can we are now making sure we charge groups for the extra power usage i.e.: bouncy castle use etc. This will also include a water charge for swimming pools on site. We will also have to look at an electric car policy on site as groups on site for a week are often charging their cars, something which we have not catered for and have enough fuel supply for?

Moving forward as a site we now need to start looking at the future and trying to get new people on board to start having back up support in place for all the site functions / team.

My thanks again to the site crew who have been working tirelessly week after week to keep the site intact and running despite the weather trying to stop things, well done all. Alan Crabb Voluntary Site Manager, Lyons Copse.

11 - Everett’s Coppice - Dave Kemp — Everett's Coppice agent

General maintenance e.g., ditch clearing, re-instating fences, cutting up falling trees, repairing bridges, strimming brambles, transplanting plants within the coppice etc. was carried out during the year. All logs and brush from these from fallen trees were moved to existing piles and Log Stores. Wood Chippings have been laid on some of the tracks.

Both Fareham East (now Denewulf) and Fareham West Districts donated £500.00 each for maintenance of the Coppice. Joe Mitchell as Warden of the Coppice has attended Denewulf and Fareham West Executive Meetings and Group Leader meetings during the year. | Workingalong andPartiesfor their duringgreat 2023 wereefforts that wellthey supportedmade on andthe our thanksday. go to all those groups that came as they arise. Four dates for these Working Parties during 2024 have been agreed. The first one | The committee decided to revise Working Parties so that groups could volunteer to do certain jobs on the 24th of February was well attended and a lot of work was achieved. In addition, these working parties allow the potential for group members to earn a Green Tree badge. The Green Tree Badge aims to help children, schools, and families learn more about the amazing world of | trees and forestry — the perfect way to understand the wider environment and our connection with described in an Activity Passbook | it. To collect your Green Tree Badge, you’re challenged to go on a fun journey of activities, all Since the last Everett's AGM report for 2023, the Coppice has been used 71 times. Booking of Everett's Coppice is available using OSM. This has been well received by the groups using the coppice. Both the Pedestrian Gate and the Front Gate are now fitted with combination locks using the same combination number for both locks, OSM will provide this combination number to sections 24hrs before the date booked.

Dave Kemp, Everett's Coppice Agent

12 — Vikings Activities Team (VAT) — Sam Taylor — Manager

Last year the team assisted with activities for 48 separate events from Beaver evenings to District camps. The team have sent some more of our members off to get training, two more Crossbow instructors and one more climbing instructor. We have said goodbye to two of our members as they move on to roles which are less physically demanding.

As a team we are always looking for new members, all training can be provided!

Sam Taylor, Manager, The Vikings Activities Team ADC Activities

13 - Training Report — Sonia Crabb — Local Training Manager

We now have 506 adult roles held by just under 400 volunteers across the District.

This includes 103 people new to their role in 2023-24.

Across the District, 27 people have completed their Wood badge training.

The number of people with outstanding mandatory training (both newcomers and renewals) has been reduced very considerably from almost 15% two years ago to about 1% now. Which when you consider the influx of new adults is a very significant achievement although work remains to be done. | This veryonly the line considerablemanagers wo(G r koup could notScout Le h a ders,ve happenedManagers withoutand aCommissioners) dedicated teambut approachalso a very with not | dedicated team of Training Advisers working together. My thanks to each and every one of them. | Volunteer training will be changing but not for at least a year so there is, of course, more to do and | anyone interested in hearing more about the role of Training Adviser, please get in touch. | Sonia Crabb

Local Training Manager

14 - Denewulf Census Figures — January 2024.

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