Watford North District Scout Council
Trustee’s Report 2024
Another year has flown by in the world of Watford North District.
Watford North is continuing to move from strength to strength in providing an exciting variety of Scouting activities and events across its District and County. We also run District events like the Beaver Construction Challenge, Cub Camps, Scout Green Beret, London Monopoly, Peak Assault. All of our Groups have trained and committed leaders who plan, organise and run scouting across Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network and I would like to personally thank all of them for providing ‘ skills for life’ for our young people. Watford North, along with Melton Mowbray District, organised a 10-day trip to Lochearnhead in Scotland for fun and adventurous activities. This was well attended by our young people and meticulously organised by David Collette and his team. Thank you to everyone and looking forward to going again in 2029.
Volunteering - The Heart of Scouting
Volunteers are very welcome to help at any scouting section or as a Group Trustee. Both roles provide a great understanding of scouting and contribute to how enthusiastic volunteers can help our Young People with their scouting journey. I would like to extend a big thank our all our adult volunteers and Young Leaders for their help and dedication in 2024. As a volunteer, have you thought of continuing to help and become a leader? Contact your Group Lead Volunteer or myself for further information. One of the big changes in 2024 was the closure of Compass (membership system) and the transition to our new Scouts digital volunteering experience. This is a set of shared principles that are at the heart of how Scouting welcomes our volunteers and provides clear expectations of what it really means to be a Scout volunteer. The key focus of Scouting is to ensure all our adult volunteers completed Safety and Safeguarding training and hold a valid First Response certificate, where the role requires. This ensures we are passionate about keeping everyone safe in Scouting.
Money Matters
Our District finances have been meticulously managed, reviewed and shaped so Watford North can confidently move forward with sufficient finances to provide scouting in the community. Thank you to Andrew Reeve, our District Treasurer, and his peers in each of our Groups for managing the money. Andrew decided to step down in 2024 after 10 years of being Treasurer but we could not find a suitable replacement, so he has agreed one more year. Thank you, Andrew, we know our money is in good hands. We will be looking for a new Treasurer in 2025.
Who’s Moving?
2024 was the year our District Commissioner, David Collette, stepped down after 10 years of leading our District. I wish to extend my thanks and the thanks from all our Groups for his excellent leadership, vision, direction and management of our District, ensuring Watford North continued to thrive and provides Scouting for all. We have a new District Lead Volunteer in place, Jack Mawhinney who has been a key part of Watford North scouting and has the passion and vision to take Watford North forward. I look forward to work alongside Jack and his team. Our District Chair, Margaret Howard, has also stepped down. Margaret has effectively managed the governance of Watford North over the past 10 years and chaired our Executive meetings, now called Trustee Board, with passion and commitment, thank you Margaret and we all wish you well with your next venture.
Our Scout & Guide Activity Campsite
Lees Wood is our Scout and Guide Activity Centre and is managed by a great team of volunteers. A big thank you goes out to Graham Raven (Warden), Ian Leach (Deputy Warden), Sean McCallum, Bruce Scott and Nick Rogers (Assistant Wardens) for their dedication and expertise in looking after our beloved campsite.
Lees Wood has a Management Committee & Trustees who look after the day-to-day running and governance of the centre and I would like to personally everyone for their time and efforts. Plans are in place to develop the site over the coming 3-5 years to ensure it continues to provide a variety of activities and reaches out to our communities so they can use this excellence space.
Lees Wood relies upon adult volunteers to run the activities like small bore rifle shooting, Archery and Axe Throwing so our young people can use these activities. We are always looking for additional volunteer to help run these activities and will provide the relevant training. If this is something you would be interested in, please contact me for further information.
Finally, I would like to thank all our parents and carers for transporting your young people to scouting activities and events and also making sure they have the right equipment at camps etc. They certainly enjoy all the activities and events and bringing home new badges for you to sew on to their uniform.
Keith Rogers
District Chairperson
Watford North Scouts
WATFORD NORTH DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL (CHARITY No. 1017809)
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| INCOME | |
|---|---|
| Membership Subscriptions | 47 987 13 |
| Donations/Grants | 541 07 |
| Activities | 27 202 43 |
| Fund Raising | 2 490 90 |
| Jamboree | 0 00 |
| Bank Interest | 714 38 |
| Sundry | 4 431 85 |
| Lochearnhead 2024 | 28 493 91 |
| Total | 111 861 67 |
| EXPENDITURE | |
|---|---|
| Membership Subscriptions | 35 376 50 |
| Donations | 0 00 |
| Activities | 35 554 07 |
| Jamboree | 0 00 |
| Fund Raising | 1 249 99 |
| District Team Expenses | 1 013 23 |
| Equipment | 1 942 13 |
| Training | 0 00 |
| AGM | 286 59 |
| Subscriptions | 228 01 |
| Insurances / Licences | 632 81 |
| Sundry | 2 360 45 |
| Lochearnhead 2024 | 29 879 06 |
| Transfer to Savings | 2 210 00 |
| Total | £110 732 84 |
Inde endent Examiner's Re ort on the Accounts Report to the trusteeslmembers of Watford North District Scout Council Charity No 1017809 On accounts for the year ended 31" December 2024 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section14515)(b) of the Charities Act), and to stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 terms or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements., to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met- or 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed ( ObLa.L*- RCQA 2 IJE IQ2 Date Name Tania Giles Address 25, Gallows Hill, Kings Langley, Herts. WD4 8PG