## **Trustees Annual Report For period from 01.04.24 to end date 31/03.25** ## **Charity Name: Charity Number** Maidstone East District Scout Council 1022013 ## **The District Trustee Board** District Chair Pam Mead District Treasurer Patrick Mayo District Lead Volunteer Linda Waring District Youth Lead Ellie McGowan Trustee Ian Wickenden Trustee Mark Price Trustee Julie McGowan Trustee Jane Griffiths Trustee Matthew Paramor Trustee Victoria Bagley The District’s governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. Including the district constitution. The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District which is an educational charity. As charity Trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate. The Trustee Board Chair, Treasurer and 6 Trustees (including Ex Officio Trustees, and 2 coopted Trustees) and meets every 3 months. Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board The District 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 gives young people skills for life. ## **Risk and Internal Control** The District has in place systems of internal control that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss; these include 2 signatories for all payments by cheque, online banking 2 authorisers and a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure that insurable risks are covered. (Unity Insurance) ## **The Purpose of Scouting** Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. ## **The Values of Scouting** As Scouts we are guided by these values: - **Integrity** – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal. - **Respect** – We have self-respect and respect for others - **Care** – We support others and take care of the world in which we live - **Belief** – We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes - **Co-operation** – We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends. ## **The 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 Maidstone East District encourages both young people and adults to challenge themselves to explore new and exciting activities within their sections and overseas. Where appropriate the district will make a financial contribution. The District meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings. ## **Trustee Board’s Purpose** The Trustee Board is a team of volunteers who work together to make sure Scouts is run safely and legally. Together, Trustees ensure the charity is well managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR). Their support helps other volunteers run a fantastic programme that gives young people skills for life (and experiences they’ll remember forever). In the last census carried out in January 2025. The District showed an increase in our young people by another 5 %. A little lower than last year but still an increase. We have maintained Mote Park HQ to a high standard ensuring that all servicing building specifications are up to date. In the coming year we will need to start the procedure to renew our lease which expires in March 2027. To ensure our sections who use the building is secure. ## **Financial Review** ## **Reserves Policy** The District’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Trustee Board considers that the District should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running cost, circa £4,000 Income and Expenditure is monitored regularly, reconciled monthly and reported to every meeting of the Trustee Board. ## **Investment Policy** The District’s Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence does not have sufficient fund to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The District has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. The District Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the district obtains maximum value and income from it banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn. For instance, reserve funds may be placed in a fixed term bond to achieve better interest rates. Before committing funds, the District Trustee Board carefully considers the cash flow requirements. The District meets the Chairty Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings The Trust continues to keep up to date with the governance and The Scout Association Policies, Organisation and Rules in the district for the young people and leaders. Pamela Mead Patrick Mayo Chair Treasurer Trustee Board Maidstone East District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account For the year from 11412024 311312025 Receipts and payments 202412025 202312024 Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Receipts Donations, legacies and simllar income District Membership Subscriptims L8ss.' Mern￿rShIp Subscriptions Paid On INationallCountylArealDistricti Net Membership Subscriptions Retained by Oistrict 38.993 42,690 35,044 5,036 3.948 Donations 1.515 2,021 Gift Abd 353 1.328 Wortd JarnLyJree 2023 1,580 Explorer Unit SubscriptDns Explorer Unit Closures Other SimiLqr Income 8.181 7.T43 4,793 3,010 18,095 1,760 23.173 Sub total Grants Maini&nance Grant 3.500 Other Grants Sub total 3.500 Fundralsing Igro$sl Detsil 1 Garden Show 640 453 D&tsil 2- Gang Show D8tail 3- Camp Fees & Sundry R8celpts Detail 4- Equipment Sale and Hiie 12,997 3.742 19,777 15,225 418 561 Other Fundraising Activities Sub total 4,166 4,549 24.530 37.998 Invèstment income Bank Interesl Building SotAety Inleresl The ScoutAssouabon Short-TÈrrn Investment Service 749 841 250 Property Rent Income oth8r inv85tment IncorDé 1.885 1,932 2,634 3.023 Sub total Total Gr05s Income 62.227 50,726 Asset and investment sales, etc. 62,227 50.726 Total receipts Maidstone East District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account For the year from 11412024 311312025 Receipts and payments 202412025 Unrestricted funds 202312024 Unrestricted funds Payments Charitable Payments Youth Programme and Activiiie5 Adult Support and Training 8.681 7.883 194 157 ExplorÈr Unit Subscripb"on5 3.061 2.130 Rent 360 554 Wat*r and Sewerag 1,717 1.773 E18cliicity and Gas 2.983 6,614 Insurance + Adminlstralion 8.172 7,829 Repairs and Ren￿815 10,011 13,242 Sile Security 627 377 Matèrials and Equlpment 2,857 320 Wodd Jamboree 2023 2,$00 Donation5 1,013 AGM and Trustee Expens88 36 22 Explorer Unit Closure5 other Costs Detail 1 - Badges Pur¢h8sÈ l Network Scarwes 4,871 3.272 3,740 Othèr Costs Detsil 2- St.G8orye's Day 275 437 other Costs Detai5 3- Change of Deposiis ReceivedMllocal8d Sub total 137 43,259 53,126 Fundraislng expen$8s Detail 1 Camps 1,920 Deiall 2- Gang show 11,248 2.759 Otherfundraising costs 234 Sub total 13,402 2,759 Total Gross Expenditure 56.661 55,885 Asset and investment purchases. et¢. Total payments 56,661 55.885 Net of reGeipts/(payments) Cash funds last year end 5.566 15,1591 120,580 11S,421 Gash funds this year end 120,988 115,421 statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 202412025 202312024 Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Cash funds Bank Current Actount 55,850 77,250 8ank Deposit Ac¢ount 34,154 5.087 Building Soaety Attount Tr& Scout Assoclation Short Tertn Investm&nt Serw 30,811 32,838 Ca5hlFloats 173 246 Total cash funds 120.988 115,421 other monetary assets Tax Claim Debts Due from the CountylArealDistricVGroup Insutsnce Claim Sub total Investment assets Investrnent Property Quoted Investments other Investynents Sub total Non monetary assets for charity's own use Badge Stock 1,044 2,674 Shop Stock 22S 225 Other Stock Land and Bu1￿1n9s 837,000 837.000 MotorVeh1cles 1.430 1,430 Scouting Equipment. Furnituo etc 8,327 ,327 other Sub total 848.026 849,656 Liabilities Accounts not yel paid penses Incurr¥o not InvolGEd Subscnpts"on5 notyet paid Der>Dsits h81d for 202&2025 Loan- Detail 500 Olher Liabiliti8s Sub total 500 Contingent liabilities and future obligations gnature Print Name Chair F /MAVo Treasurer LT700006 - Indèpendent Examlnefs Report to the Trustees (July 2019> England & Wales Template I: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the reLevant fi'nanciaL year Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Maidstone East Distrirt ScoLrt Council report to the trustees on my eXaminat￿On of the accounts of the Maidstone East District Scout Council for the year ended 31st March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Maidstone. East District Scout Council you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitles Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the ￿laid£tonL Ea".t Di".triit Scout Couiicil accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed aLI the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sertion 14515llbl of the Act Independent examiner's statsment I have completed my exarnination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to beLieve that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Maidstone East District Scout Council as required by section 130 of the Act., or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention shouLd be drawn in this report in orderto enabLe a proper Unde￿tandIn9 of the accounts to be reached. Signe Name: Z4£M Lts-/ Relevant professionaL quaLification or membership of professional bodies lif anyl-. Address: QoAp rrJYI)r4