Scouts St Mary Gillingham St Mary Gillingham Scout Group Annual Report and Accounts For the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 The Queen s Award forvoluntary Service TheM8ElorvolunteErgrolWS
Trustees Annual Report 1°, April 2024- 31°, March 2025 Reference and Administration Details Charity Name: Charity Number: Scout registration: Charity Principal Contact: Charity Principal Address: St Mary Gillingham Scout Group 1023375 15281 Mr C. Westbrook The Cedars, Bay Lane Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4ER 1.1 Trustees Vacant Fiona Potter Sarah Stevens Colin Westbrook Jackie Westbrook Jo Taylor Lee Charlton Paul Lampard James (Jim) Harwood Keith Fleming Sandra Trowbridge James Meadows Group Chair Group Secretary Group Treasurer Group Lead Volunteer Section Leader Sioux Beavers Section Leader Chippewa Beavers I Parent Section Leader Scouts Section Leader Cubs Mowgli Pack Scouts Parent 1.2 Name and Address of advisers TS Accounting Bank 20 Kingsmead Business Park Gillingham SP8 5JG Lloyds Bank High Street Gillingham Dorset SP8 4AQ Harris + Harris 11 Stony Street Frome Somerset BA11 1 BU Solicitors 1.3 Property The Scout Community Hall, Centenary Field, Milton on Stour, Gillingham. Dorset, SP8 5QD Structure, Governance and Management 2.1 Governing Document The 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 (POR) of the Scout Association. 2.2 Constitution The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. 2.3 Trustee Selection The trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. 2.4 Group Trustee Board The Group Scout Council is the electoral body to which the Group Trustee Board is accountable. Membership of the Group Scout Council is open to.. Scouters Group Active Support Managers and members Colony Pack and Troop Assistants Page1of5 Registefed Charity No. 1023375
Trustees Annual Report 1°, April 2024- 31°, March 2025 Skills Instructors Administrators Advisers Patrol Leaders All Parents of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts Any other supporters, including former Scouts and their parents, admitted by the Group Scout Leader, the Group Trustee Board or the Group Scout Council The District Lead Volunteer and District Chair are ex-officio members of the Group Scout Council. 2.5 Group Trustee Board The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the members of which are the 'Charity Trustees, excluding the Secretary. The Scout Group 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 committee consists of, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Lead Volunteer and parent representstion and meets once a term. Members of the Trustee Board complete five training modules,. Essential Information, Trustee Introduction. Safety. Safeguarding and GDPR, within the first five months ofjoining the committee. The Group Trustee Board exists to support the Group Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for: The maintenance of Group property. Administration of the Group finance. The insurance for persons. property and equipment. Group public occasions. Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support. Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected. 2.6 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: None currently identified. 2.6.1 Damage to Buildings. Property or Equipment The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. 2.6.2 Injury to Leaders, Helpers, Supporters and Members The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Association national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. 2.6.3 Reduced Income from Subscriptions and Fund Raising The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fund-raising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a tnajor reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. 2.6.4 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. Page2of5 Registered Charity No. 1023375
Trustees Annual Report 1°, April 2024 - 31°, March 2025 2.6.5 Reduction or Loss of Members The Group provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 14. If there was a reduction in membership 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. 2.6.6 Financial 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 a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure that insurance risks are covered. Objectives and Activities 3.1 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. 3.2 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. 3.3 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. 3.4 Public benefit statement The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancemenl of citizenship or community development headings. Page3of5 Registered Charity No. 1023375
Trustees Annual Report 1°, April 2024- 31°, March 2025 Achievements and performance At the Scout Census on 31st January 2025. the Group had 90 youth members split beeen 5 sections supported by 16 adult leaders, section assistants and committee members. In total there were 116 members. We thank all our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and support during the past year, another challenging year given the number of changes needed, following the introduction of the new Scout Association Membership system ancl the preventing future deaths report published after the inquest, following the death of a scout at the Great Orme, near Llandudno. All sections rely on adults volunteering their time to lead activities, camps, undertake administrative tasks etc. Additional leaders for all sections would be very much welcomed, would you like to help, even on an occasional basis? Chippewa Beaver Colony Jo, Sue and Sam started the year supported by parents on a rota. during the year Sue and Sam stepped back with two parents Adrian and Mark coming forward to help Jo who continued to offer a varied and interesting programme. With Jo's son moving to cubs see also decided to step down, following letters to all Chippewa Beaver parents and to parents on the waiting list requesting help, the decision was taken to suspend the colony with the majority of members moving up to Cubs, transferring to Sioux Beavers or unfortunately leaving. During the year the beavers achieved over 160 badges. which included 1 Chief Scout Bronze Awards. Sioux Beaver Colony Jackie (Red Bear) continues to lead this section, with support from Bea, Cat, Hanna, Steve, parents and Sophia a young leader. During the year the beavers achieved over 240 badges, which included 7 Chief Scout Bronze Awards. Mowgli Cub Pack Paul (Akela) is supported by Sarah together with Sam a young leader. Following the restart of the section the cubs achieved over 13 badges. Which included 1 Chief Scout Silver Award. Kim Cub Pack The leadership team comprises of Melissa (Akela), together with Lou, Nicola, and two young leaders Callum and Maisey. During the year the cubs achieved over 220 badges. Which included 4 Chief Scout Silver Awards. Scouts Lee, Jim, Emma and Tom have been joined by Adam leading this section. Four Scouts and two leaders joined the 1st Templecombe Scout Group on the Friendship Tour to Australia in December 20241January 2025 for 16 days, a trip which they thoroughly enjoyed. During the year the scouts achieved over 170 badges, which included 1 Chief Scout Gold Awards. Financial Review 5.1 Reserves Policy The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Trustee Board considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £15,000.00 which has been placed in a 32-day notice account. The Group held reserves of £242,790.47 against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However, this can be explained as it includes the property asset of £194,682.30. 5.2 Investment Policy The Group does not have sufficientfunds to invest in longerterm investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks. 5.3 Annual Accounts The groups income was £49,880.00 with an expenditure of £55.080.63 giving a deficit for the year of £5,200.63. this was due to the new fence and external alterations. The year end bank balance was £47,608.15. Page4of5 Registered Charity No. 1023375
Trustees Annual Report 1" April 2024- 31°, March 2025 Future significant activities or major projects The sections plan to support a full range of normal scouting activities tO9ether with the following. Scouts. July Stand up paddle boarding at Silton lake, Expedition hike Gillingham to Sedghill Village Hall. August Summer camp with Shaftesbury and Templecombe Scouts at Buddens activity centre. September Stand up paddle boarding at Silton lake. March 26 activity weekend at Butchers Coppice. Cubs. July Stand up paddle boarding at Silton lake. August Summer camp. September Stand up paddle boarding at Silton lake. Beavers. July Sleepover at the Scout Community Hall. Trustee Board. The solicitor is continuing to complete the transfer and registration of the land from the original 4 trustees over to the Official Custodian for Charities. Quotations for aluminium replacement doors have been obtained from Pitman Windows and Valecraft a final decision is awaited. The group are in discussions with David Wilson Homes for support from their Community Fund Programme to replace the fence to the church and repaint the hall walls. The damp wall in the meeting room continues to be monitored, a meeting with Burfitt & Garrett and QJ Hull is to be held to produce an action plan. The building of an external store has not progressed,. this project is to be revitalised and Planning and Building regulation approval requested. The construction of a pioneering pole storage. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees.. Signature: Date". Full Name: Colin Westbrook Position: Group Lead Volunt Page5of5 Registered Charity No. 1023375
Independent Examiners Report Report of the Independent Examiners to the Trustees on the Financial Statements of St Mary Scout Group for the year ended 31st March 2025 Charity number 1023375 In connection with my examination, no matter ha5 come to rny attention.. 111 which gjves me reasonable cause io believe that sn any rnaterial SpeCt the ouirements to keep accounting records in accordance with sectlon 130 of the 2011 Act and to ppare Bccounts which hccord with the accounting records and comply wlth the accounting requirement5 of the 2011 Act have not been met OF 121 to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn In order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed........... Miss B Kemp TS Accounting Southwest Limited 20 Kingsmead Bustness Park Gillingham Dorset SP8 5JG
5t Mar kout Grou Charity number 1023375 FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 31.03.25 31.03.24 Treasurer Income 8eavers 20.00 123.60 Cub5 552.89 2.735.00 9.448.33 StOs 10.178.25 18,098.1)J 3,097.17 19.50 Sub5 12,280.00 2,322.80 30.25 HMRC Gift Aid IS¢outs fundraising) Uniform Africa trip refvnd Grants Donations 2.577.49 11,732.25 3.562.89 41.56 1.669.36 7,351.30 7.197.74 Hall hire Fun¢Jrdisin8 Bank interest Other expenses Malntenance 594.21 161.48 6,212.31 280.91 Equipment Insurance 13.973.60 2,769.04 52.00 2,107.50 52.00 Helper in5 Accountancy Sundry Rates 216.00 216.00 554.01 88.28 S7.89 82.76 Heat ond light Water 2,357.67 288.21 1,708.34 102.55 Beavers 857.21 313.06 Cubs 654.50 591.14 Scouts 10,969.63 2,057.13 6,038.12 i.OOD.44 1,282.34 Fund ralslng Badge5 Supplles Cen5Us paymenl Community hall Capitation 640.89 1.269.70 1760 7,591.67 10,580.00 397.41 4,891.80 Scouts Beavers Cvbs Scouts Subs HMRC charitie5 S¢outs- expenses 55,080.63 49,880.¢XI 5,2(X).63 27,719.17 43.158.38 15,439.21 Exce$5 incorne for the year
St M• S¢out Grou Charfty number 1023375 HE OR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARC1 2025 Assets and llabilitie5 31.03.25 31.03.24 8aok I 14,580.30 17,986.29 15,Q41.56 27.341.89 25,966.91 Bank 2 Savin85 Lg3n Fjoat 5DJ.OJ Property asset 194.68230 194,68230 Total net assets 242,790.45 247.991.10 FlnarKed by Reserves blfwd Income less expense5 forthe year Re5erwes clfwd 247391.10 5,2CU.63 241790.47 231551.89 15.439.21 247,991.10 l. Accountln8 poliiies 8¥sLs of prepaTrtlon Receipts are reco8nised In the PErlod that revenue 55 recetved, except that If revenue rel•tes to or b5 refunded at a fvture de, Itls treated as an accounts payable and expendjture Is reconised when payrnents are m3de, except where It relatesto a 518nlflcant futurè event, Noaccount Trs tsken of èny Inventorie5 or on hand items held for ¥esale. FR5102 has been appfied in relatlDD tothe bulldlng asset