Blandford Scout Group
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period
01/04/2023 - 31/03/2024
Reference and Administration Details
Blandford Scout Group as listed with Charity Commission for England & Wales Charity number 1020421
Blandford Scout Group, Eagle House Gardens, Blandford, Dorset DT11 7BS
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Sybille Maddock Chair Mike Booth Treasurer Christopher Bartlett Group Lead Volunteer Caroline Wawman Jonathan Bowell Samantha Elliot
Names of Advisers
Richard Bailey MAAT
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of the charitie’s trusts
Governing Document
Blandford Scout Group'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.
Constitution
The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
Trustee Selection
2
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Additional Governance
The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group 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 Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 4 Trustees and meets every 2 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee learning within the first 5 months of joining the Board.
This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high-quality and safe programmes that give young people skills for life.
Risk and Internal Control
The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
3
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Association's national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
Reduced income from fundraising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.
Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 5 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.
Other. The group 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 comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the objectives of the charity set out in its governing document
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.
4
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 cooperate with others and make friends.
The Scout Method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
-
★ enjoy what they are doing and have fun
-
★ take part in activities indoors and outdoors
-
★ learn by doing
-
★ share in spiritual reflection
-
★ take responsibility and make choices
-
★ undertake new and challenging activities
-
★ make and live by their Promise.
The activities of the Group are:
- ★ The provision of the Scouting programme for 6 -14 year old members
Public Benefit Statement
The Group meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the
advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
5
Achievements and Performance
Beavers
We started the term looking at our environment - we celebrated Earth Day, made bug hotels, learnt about woods and forest including fire safety. We went pond dipping at the river in Spetisbury, Crabbing at Poole Quay and did a litter pick around Blandford. We also enjoyed a session outside on our bikes, cycling around the hut.
By setting up some hazards around the Scout hut the Beavers discovered how to stay safe at home. We had a session on emergency aid and Beavers learnt about environmental hazards and how we treat things like stings, ticks etc. We also taught the Beavers how to light fires safely.
During this term we also enjoyed a joint session to celebrate the King's Coronation; making crowns, royal scavenger hunt and eating coronation cake!
Beavers attended the North Dorset District St Georges Day Parade held in Blandford this year. They also joined the Cubs and Scouts for a brilliant day on Brownsea Island,
postponed from Covid! Later in the year we attended the Remembrance Parade in Blandford. We also joined Charlton Marshall Beavers for a brilliant Harry Potter themed sleepover at the hut.
6
Our Autumn term was themed around ‘Travel’ with the first meeting going back in time to Ancient Civilisation; creating mummy’s with toilet paper, having a go at secret messages using hieroglyphics and learning about ancient Egypt culture. We followed this session by building a huge mediaeval castle. We explored maps and made time machines. Beavers also learnt about the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island and performed a short play in front of their families.
This term we also went out on an adventure lab geocache around Blandford with some cheeky chips at the end!
Later in the term we had a ‘Magical’ theme; made bath bomb dragon eggs, played dungeons & dragons, soap carving, did some magical cooking and made decorations.
7
Our Beaver colony joined with The Winterborne Beavers for a great Dungeons and Dragons themed Sleepover at the hut - we made; dragons, knight tabards & swords, dice and a huge cardboard fort. We went on a treasure hunt around Blandford and enjoyed a campfire and film.
During the final term we had a ‘Community’ theme to the term; we visited the food bank and went on a walk around town taking photos of notable places and services - we later printed these up and created a huge map of Blandford on our noticeboards. We learnt about money and set ourselves a challenge to purchase as much as we could for £1 each and donated the products to the Food bank. Beavers accepted the Scout troops ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ and raised a great amount for them. We had a great evening at the Blandford fire station and finished off the term Ski bobbing near Dorchester.
8
Cubs
Cubs started the term with a spot of gardening, making paper pots and planting tomatoes, sweet peas and sunflowers, Finding out what seasons are best to grow a selection of six fruits and vegetables. Finding out what it is about those seasons that make them the right time to grow our fruit and vegetables. Learning what tools we need to garden and show that we know how to use them safely. Understand what minibeasts are and why they are good for our gardens and outdoor spaces. They pick this up through the year where they plant out the seedlings and grow and look after them. They then picked the tomatoes where they had a good harvest and turned them into a simple tomato sauce.
The Cubs covered the cyclist badge where they learned how to maintain a bike, promota road safety, then went out for a ride where they learned cycle safety.
Celebrated the King's Coronation.
The Cubs carried out an indoor pioneer project, where the cubs had to make their own rope, learn different types of knots and lashings.
The Cubs explore our home town of Blandford taking in key buildings of interest and finish the evening at the chippy where they enjoyed a portion of chips.
9
The Cubs had a couple of fun evenings with archery and swimming at the Lido in Shaftesbury.
They celebrated international kite day by making their own kites that they could fly and take home.
Took part in the Great British Beach Clean where they went to Hamworthy Beach and cleaned up the beach. The Great British Beach Clean is a week-long citizen science event, where hundreds of beach cleans take place up and down the UK.
Done various outdoor cooking evenings on the fire pits, cooking potato rosti, and took part in national pizza day and cooked pizza pockets on the fire pits.
Learned how to use a compass and how to read maps in preparation for a treasure hunt where they would need to put these skills to the test to find the treasure!
Took part in the Mexican international festival El Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, where they made masks and understanding of the festival.
Had fun making bath bombs and enjoyed an end of year Christmas party.
The new year started with a trip up Hod Hill to do a bit of star gazing. Took part in the Great Garden Bird Watch by making bird feeders. Followed by doing science experiments where they learned about energy by making bottle rockets, reactions by using a PH indicator to find out what reacted in vinegar. They also made the solar system by making paper mache planets.
Had a fun evening playing Dungeons and Dragons and finished the term with a celebration of the Holi festival, the festival of colour where they made colourful paintings by swinging paint in buckets over canvas.
10
Throughout the year the cubs also did larger activities which included going to the Climbing Project in Poole where they learned to climb an artificial wall. Took part in the district St Georges Day Parade which was held in our home town of Blandford, took part in their
yearly weekend Remembrance camp before joining the rest of the group in the Remembrance parade in town. They had an activity day at Buddens Activity Center where they did raft building, tomahawk throwing, rifle shooting and did the zip line! There was a group visit with the beavers and scouts to Brownsea Island where we all had a good exploration of the island and an opportunity to have a group photo around the founders' stone.
The Cubs had various camps throughout the year with their main camp of the year at Buddens Scout campsite where they did many different activities over the weekend.
Scouts
Scouts started the year on an Easter Camp, this involved either a cycle ride to Sturminster Newton and back or a hike from Shroton over the hills. Once back at the hut they put up their own tents and cooked their own meals they had prepared.
Scouts learnt about fire safety followed by a fire lighting session. They also learnt about geocaches and GPS and later spent a couple of weeks laying routes for the opposite Troop and finding the caches. Scouts brushed up on their knot tying skills by making some great knot boards and later put their knots and lashing skills to use building shelters. They also had a great evening at Badbury Rings doing a scavenger hunt and another exploring Puddletown Forest. Scouts also had an Archery session and ended the term with fun water activities.
11
Scouts attended the North Dorset District St Georges Day Parade and joined the rest of the Beavers and Cubs for a day on Brownsea Island, completing the last ever JOTT (Jamboree on the trail). In June the Scouts joined the other Scouts in North Dorset District at a Backwoods Camp at Cann Common where they did; archery, car maintenance, pioneering, cooking and knife skills.
After the summer Scouts learnt about water safety in preparation for the great fishing session at Todber Lakes. Later into the term we looked at Astronomy and walked up Hod Hill in the dark to get an even better view of the night sky. Later in the term Scouts went to Blandford Fire Station and investigated other local places of interest. In November Scouts attended the Blandford Remembrance Sunday parade. As the
12
Scouts were raising money for Essex Jamboree 24 and YMCA they spent a few sessions making crafts to sell at the Blandford Yuletide Festival, which went very well!
We started the new year with lots of team building exercises, room sessions and later a treasure hunt around Blandford. We borrowed knives from Sturminster Newton
Group and
ran a good session on knife safety and
developing
skills. Scouts also learnt how to solder using some great light up badge kits we purchased. For Children's Mental Health Week we had a parent come and run a session on how to improve our mental health but also look after others too. We ran a crazy ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here session’ where Scouts took part in many personal and team challenges including eating BBQ crickets!
Scouts set the rest of the Group a ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ to raise money for Essex Jamboree in 2024 and were really pleased by the Beavers, Cubs and Adult support, raising £1354.50! Some Scouts were also doing lots of fundraising for the YMCA and slept in boxes during a damp night in March and raised £1447. Over the same weekend we had some Scouts take part in the East Dorset District ‘Order of the boot’ event starting at
Badbury Rings - an overnight walking event that puts the navigation skills to the test using
13
map and compasses, no GPS! The Scouts ended the year doing a great but wet backwoods camp near Bere Regis.
Financial Review
Treasurer Report 2023 – 2024
This is my first year as Treasurer of Blandford Scout Group. Being treasurer has given me an insight into the tremendous hard work and dedication the volunteers give to the young people. Last year we spent over £14000 on group events. From Beaver sleepovers to group summer camp – these have all enriched the lives of the young people and next year we hope to spend more!
We are privileged to own our own HQ but this brings challenges – it costs money and time to maintain such a precious community resource. We have been hit by huge increases in utility bills which has led to us spending more on HQ than we received in rent. Following a review of the rental charges have recently increased the cost of hiring the hut as well as storage costs for regular users. We will continue to invest in the HQ, most recently having all lights replaced for brighter and more efficient lighting.
The board of Trustees remain eternally grateful to Jon Bowell for his continued commitment to the premises and ensuring our HQ remains a safe and desirable community asset.
14
For the last financial year, the scouting account is also showing more expenditure than income. This is due to us paying up front for Essex International Jamboree and most parents paying monthly instalments. We expect this to break even once all income and expenditure has been accounted for.
We are thankful to Richard Bailey, a parent of one of our volunteers and a retired forensic accountant, for scrutinising our accounts and offering advice on how to improve them for next year. We are pleased to report he did sign them off and we look forward to working with Richard again in the future.
I ask that you take a moment to read the audited accounts and if you have any questions just ask.
Mike Booth
Treasurer Blandford Scout Group
Blandford Scout Group
Income and Expenditure for the period 1[st] April 2023 – 31[st] March 2024
| 2023-2024 | 2022-2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Badges | 790.00 | 0.00 |
| Census - Income | 4,625.00 | 3,657.50 |
| Donation | 108.00 | 0.00 |
| Events - Group/Multi Sections | 12,739.95 | 4,849.96 |
| Gift Aid | 391.96 | 1,288.15 |
| HQ Misc Income | 139.34 | 77.97 |
| Membership Deer Park | 435.00 | 510.00 |
| Membership Jack Thomas | 630.00 | 780.00 |
| Membership Portman | 870.00 | 980.00 |
| Membership Riversdale | 555.00 | 660.00 |
| Membership Shottsford | 893.83 | 925.00 |
| Membership Stour Valley | 1,188.00 | 1,050.00 |
| Rent | 7,613.46 | 5,122.06 |
| Scouting Fundraising | 1,510.37 | 1,150.84 |
| Expense | ||
| Admin | 79.95 | 0.00 |
| Adults & Leaders Expense | 303.50 | 381.56 |
| Badges | 1,192.24 | 67.10 |
| Census - Expense | 5,891.20 | 5,605.50 |
| Events - Deer Park | 438.16 | 0.00 |
15
| Events - Group/Multi Sections | 14,690.88 | 4,162.42 |
|---|---|---|
| HQ Expenses | 326.65 | 354.40 |
| Insurance | 1,509.71 | 1,455.59 |
| Meetings - Deer Park | 190.17 | 424.42 |
| Meetings - Jack Thomas | 277.36 | 450.63 |
| Meetings - Portman | 457.57 | 685.78 |
| Meetings - Riversdale | 94.67 | 437.63 |
| Meetings - Shottsford | 234.30 | 722.28 |
| Meetings - Stour Valley | 452.43 | 550.77 |
| Membership Costs | 832.62 | 445.08 |
| Rates | 135.68 | 293.14 |
| Scouting Equipment/Maintenance | 779.84 | 193.96 |
| Scouting Fundraising | 1,122.83 | 1,023.18 |
| Utilities | 2,463.38 | 1,199.23 |
| Venue Maintenance | 4,694.16 | 9,242.08 |
| Account balances | ||
| Blandford Scout Group | 1,340.77 | 4,158.17 |
| Blandford Scout Group H/Q | 16,748.08 | 17,884.66 |
| Expense Account | 65.62 | 0.00 |
| Summary | ||
| Account balance brought forward | 22,042.83 | 29,518.31 |
| Total income | 32,489.91 | 21,648.48 |
| Total expenditure | 36,378.27 | 29,123.96 |
| Net income | -3,888.36 | -7,475.48 |
| Account balance carried forward | 18,154.47 | 22,042.83 |
Scrutineers Report to the Trustees of
Blandford Forum Scout Group
I report on the accounts of the Group/District for the year ended 31[st] March 2024
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Scrutineer
As the Group's/District's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that neither the audit nor independent examination requirements of the Charities Act 2011 apply. It is my responsibility without carrying out an audit or independent examination to scrutinise the accounts and to report to you.
16
Basis of Scrutineers Statement
In accordance with the directions given in the Group's/District's constitution, I have scrutinised the records and the accounts set out on pages 1 to 5
Scrutineers Statement
In my opinion the accounts are in accordance with the records produced to me and comply with the constitution.
Name: Richard Bailey MAAT Address: 1 Meath Green Lane Horley Surrey Date: 22[nd] May 2024
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Full Name: Chris Bartlett
Position: Group Lead Volunteer
Signature: a, Date: 12/06/2024
Full Name: Sybille Maddock
Position: Chair
Signature: Date: 12/06/2024
17