# **Chorley District Scout Council Annual Report and Accounts 2024 – 2025**
## **District Lead Volunteer Report**
## **Amy Calderbank**
Yet again another Scouting year has flown by in what seems like barely a few minutes. Over the last 12 months we have continued to see changes to our organisation as towards the end of 2024 we started to prepare for the switch over from Compass to the new digital systems. This was always going to be one of the biggest changes and challenges that we faced throughout the transformation journey and whilst the switch over came with some hiccups we have also seen some significant benefits from it already. To name just a few of these: the links between online learning packages and automatic updates to completion dates, the ability for all volunteers to nominate their colleagues for recognition and awards and a Nights Away submission system that supports our Nights Away team in ensuring the compliance of all attending adults with their mandatory DBS and training requirements. There has been plenty of support from Scout Headquarters in ensuring queries are dealt with promptly and releasing regular updates to improve how the system works. I would like to thank all our volunteers who have persevered with these changes and for Scouting colleagues who have stepped up to provide support with technology and answering queries.
At the beginning of September 2024 we launched our Nights Away competition across all sections with our Nights Away team collating and recording data for all events completed. As a result of this, we are able to confirm that our volunteer teams have together taken the young people of Chorley on over 3500 Nights Away in just under 9 months! This is a fantastic achievement as one of the main reasons that our young people join us is to go camping and experience the outdoors. Our entire age range has been represented throughout the competition from our smallest Squirrel Scouts right through to our Network members and has covered not just local camps but also further afield including Yorkshire, Wales, Croatia, Scotland and more! The challenge is to see if we can beat that number next year…..watch this space!
Our Squirrel sections continue to expand in numbers. This year we have added another two Dreys to the District and there are upcoming plans for at least two more in the early part of next year. Our groups are embracing the energy and enthusiasm that these younger members bring and enlisting the support of their parents and carers to help bring Scouting to more young people.
This year I also had the pleasure of attending Chorley Capers 2025. Along with members of the Guiding community a number of our members put on a swashbuckling tale of pirates and adventure in Treasure Island. The cast and crew pulled together a brilliant spectacle of acting, singing and dancing. A couple of highlights for me were the younger members who started the show off with their various pirate shanties, the spooky skeletons and monsters in the cave and a certain adult member who I can still picture in a fetching blue wig….! We have some very talented individuals in our midst.
There are a huge number of committed, enthusiastic and dedicated adult volunteers working across our District in a variety of different ways to bring the excitement and adventure of Scouting to over 1100 young people each and every week. On behalf of the young people of Chorley I’d like to thank you all the part you play in helping to make that happen. It is a genuine pleasure to be part of Chorley District and I look forward to continuing to work with you all over the next 12 months to continue offering amazing opportunities for all our young people and adults.
## **District Chair Report**
## **Alan Venn**
The Scout Association has been promoting a far-reaching agenda to transform the strategic leadership of scouting, and particularly the volunteer experience. Yet, 2024 was another busy and successful year in which hundreds of young people have enjoyed and benefitted from experiencing Scouting in Chorley. The addition of George Platt’s Field will enhance our scouting, and our appreciation goes to the work put in by Team of volunteers. Together, leaders have facilitated exciting programmes and events throughout the year where young people have learned practical and social skills, at home and abroad, that will stay with them for life and where they have been able to meet others and form friendships that may well last for the rest of their lives.
More locally the national scouting agenda has entailed a huge amount of additional work by many members with the Transition which has been wholly responsible for the leadership of the district. I have a strong feeling that much of this work and effort has been thankless and even gone unnoticed by many but it has not been unappreciated and these leaders have ensured that the District has still managed to provide a full programme of activities and events throughout the year whilst at the same time bringing us into a good position to move forward into with the new structures that we need to follow. I would like to officially note and record our thanks to all those leaders for their dedication and effort.
As we said last year, changing how we are organised and how we work is invariably a challenge and the District Trustees Board has been adept in adjusting to the new arrangements enabling us to maintain a focus on strategic matters – Safety and Risks, Finance, Property and Assets, Governance, Training and Compliance – all to help in supporting our Scout Programme and the growth and development of Scouting across Chorley district.
The Trustees have long taken the view that membership fees should not be a disincentive to maintaining and developing membership numbers. At the same time, we must, as part of our brief as Trustees, manage the district’s financial obligations in a responsible and accountable manner - and we will continue to adhere to this requirement. Accordingly, we will look to set a District levy based on “balancing the books” and we announce the district element fee will increase by £2 membership fee for 2026. Change and Transformation are never straightforward, and we may all feel a little uneasy at times as this year progresses. I am sure that if we all remember to keep the Young People and their programme as the focus of our energies and support each other we shall all be able to work together and reach the end of this year with a stronger and more successful District than ever.
## **District Treasurer Report**
## **Alan Venn**
The policy of the district is to have adequate strategic financial reserves to provide the requisite level of support to the Scout Groups within the District for a minimum period of 18 months and to retain sufficient resources for the adequate maintenance of the properties and land that are held in the name of Chorley District Scout Council. The various sections of the District also maintain their own resources to support the activities in which they are involved.At the end of the year the General reserves amounted to £117,619 being monetary assets.
## **Financial:**
The year opened with consolidated funds of £126,688 and closed with £125,376 at the end of the financial year, with an expenditure over income of £1,322.
## **Activities & events**
In FY24/25 the District Leader Team provided or supported another fun year of events across all sections. All events were run to give the young people Skills for Life across various scouting activities which includes Chorley Capers with an Income of £58645 against an expenditure of £75,209. Both Income and Expenditure include an amount for Explorers Red Rose 2026 of £13950. Events show an overspend but are offset with event fund raising £4,775 and Gift Aid £10,028
## **District Properties and Land**
There were no significant spend within the FY24/25 on our properties from the normal utilities, rates, insurance. George Platt’s Field preparation for use has incurred a cost of £6,246 which has included site maintenance £3,965 and the purchase of equipment, ride on lawnmower £1,420, Camouflage Parachute and poles £715, sign for field £156.
## **Membership Fees**
1282 Young People counted at census. Membership Fee plus District Levy was set at £62/YP by a vote of the Trustees.
Total Membership fees including District Levy (All Groups & Explorers): £74,258.00 Membership fees of £61,536.00 were paid to WLCSC on 12/03/25 Duplication of Membership Fees paid in 23/24accounts: £9,046 Corrected value within accounts. £70,582
## **HMRC Gift Aid**
The district has not received any significant donations in 24/25 eligible for gift aid.
The Explorer Section claims gift aid, and this is processed via the District NatWest Account. All amounts received are transferred to the Explorers bank accounts upon receipt.
The Explorer Section received gift aid of £10,028 in FY24/25.
## **Badge & Shop Stock**
Provision of uniform & badge stock for retail purchase continues to be an invaluable local resource. Sales in the year were £4428 with purchases of £2,226 with a year end stock level of £7,757.
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October 2018
## **Programme Team Lead**
## **Mark Finnigan**
Every year in Scouting is interesting. This year has been no different, and we've had many reasons to celebrate. The Programme Team has gone from strength to strength, with occasional reshuffles to accommodate home and work commitments.
## **Current Programme Leadership Team:**
- Liz Baker - Team Leader, Squirrels
- Kate Sturgess - Team Leader, Beavers
- Tammy Finnigan - Team Leader, Cubs
- Allyson Miller - Top Awards
- Kaitlinn Hunter - Programme
I'll let the team leaders discuss their sections, but a couple of notable events truly deserve a special mention!
- **Chorley Monopoly Run:** Teams of Squirrels, Beavers, and Cubs scoured Chorley for landmarks and challenges to earn points, aiming to be named the inaugural Chorley Monopoly Run champions. Despite the biblical wet weather, this was a first-time event for us and was a tremendous success. I hope to see more teams taking part next year.
- **County Rally:** This event is always a winner, with a great turnout from Chorley Groups. There was a slight shock when we arrived to load the coaches and found that we had taken over the entire Morrisons car park. Luckily, we had discussed it with them, and they were quite pleased as it made them the busiest supermarket in Chorley.
Finally, a massive thank you from me to my team and all the leaders who support the programme within all our groups.
We have awarded over 300 top awards this year, comprising Acorn, Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards, which is a fantastic achievement by all the Young People of Chorley District.
Did you know that Nights Away also falls under Programmes, and we have collectively completed over 3,000 nights away!
## **Squirrels**
## **Liz Baker**
There are currently five Squirrel Dreys in Chorley and all are proving to be successful with a packed programme offering new opportunities to our youngest members. From running sleepovers, exploring their local area and community to taking part in Drey Days at Waddecar, Squirrels are continually busy. This year Squirrel Leaders have had the benefit of a County Training Day in Preston which was very well attended and gave Leaders the chance to mix with Leaders from across West Lancs to exchange ideas. County has also run SquAD Day at Waddecar in May, basing the day’s activities around the Earth Tribe badge which all adults
and Squirrels who attended were awarded. We also had Squirrels take part in the inaugural Chorley District Monopoly Run, they did very well even with the rain. Acorn Awards have continued to be presented at the Christingle Service and locally, hopefully we can grow the section further in the next few years and present many more.
## **Beavers**
## **Kate Sturgess**
As usual we’ve had a busy 12 months with all the adventure they had been on, making new friends, learning new life skills, creating forever memories, which would not have been possible without the hard work of the Leader volunteers.
Thank you to Chorley Healey Beavers for a wonderful Christingle Service at St George’s Church, it was a wonderful to see most of the groups attending, making it a great finish to the year. Started the New Year with 150 Beavers & Squirrels attending Panto in Bolton,
We also supported County events at Waddecar. This year was the first linking event ‘Monopoly run’ with Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs, the event was a great success, each team had to find locations on the map and complete challenges around the town centre, despite the rain everyone had a great time
The winning Team was Charnock Richard Beavers, 2[nd,] Red Bank (T2) Cubs, 3[rd,] Clayton Brook Squirrels. Well done to everyone who took part, a huge thank you to all the Adult Volunteers who helped organise and run bases.
The number of Bronze and Acorn Awards presented in the last 12 months was an amazing 150. Congratulations to all the Beavers and Squirrels. Well Done!!
Beavers and Squirrels have thrived over the last 12
months, and I look forward to the next 12 months of new adventures and challenges.
## **Cubs**
## **Tammy Finnigan**
I am relatively new to the role of Team Leader for Cubs, and so far, it has been a fantastic experience full of adventure. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me. I was thrilled to take part in my first Silver Awards presentation, where over 80 badges were awarded to young people in our District. I read through all the registrations, and it was fantastic to see the diverse activities our Young People get involved in, focusing on outdoor skills, community ‘e Wk | . : e involvement, and personal challenges. The
Chorley Monopoly Run was a fantastic linking event despite the "liquid sunshine," with Red Bank Cubs claiming 2nd place. I'm looking forward to doing this one again next year!
It has been a privilege to lead the Cub Section this year, and I look forward to next year bringing new events, such as Scout Quest, PL/6r Camp, and a few surprises.
## **Scouts**
## **Will Laidlaw**
This is my first Annual report as Team Leader for Scouts. It has been a real pleasure to have the opportunity to meet many of our young people and leadership teams. The achievements and behaviour of our young people has been a real credit and testament to the time and commitment given freely by our adult volunteers. I want to pass on my thanks to all our volunteers, without you our young people would miss out on so much.
In April many Scout troops attended the District St Georges Camp at Waddecar. It was lovely to see Scouts having fun & mixing with Scouts from across the District, as well as across sections.
This was swiftly followed in May by County Rally, where nearly 100 people from Chorley attended the weekend camp. It was lovely to see leaders from across the district got stuck into helping/running activities for the camp. The fact that all leaders from across all districts get involved in supporting the camp is just one of the things that makes the camp magical. That and over 1000 people dancing to YMCA & the Hokey Cokey at flag break each morning! The silent disco was again a sight to behold… Lots of happy (and tired) Scouts boarding the coaches to go home on Sunday. If you are involved with a troop and
haven’t been to County Rally please consider signing up next year. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch.
Looking forward to the forthcoming year, we have the joint Cub & Scout activity day ‘Scout Quest’ coming up in the next few weeks. A PL & Sixer training weekend is also returning in January 2026. I have been speaking to Scouts and asking them what they would like so there are a few other things in the planning phase – watch your inbox for more details….
## **Explorers**
## **Matt Fishwick**
Another year full of opportunities for Explorer Scouts.
Our Explorer Scouts have had an abundance of adventures this year with camps and trips from weekends closer to home to Explorers Sailing from Scotland to Ireland all making memories that they won’t ever forget.
Our Units have been running varied programmes throughout the year allowing Explorers to develop skills, get involved with communities, enjoy traditional scouting, and have a lot of fun.
A steady transition from Scouts has meant our numbers have remained strong in our Units this year.
I would like the thank the leaders in our team for their hard work and support. This years activities and growth would not have happened without such amazing people.
Additional support is always needed, so if you are interested in taking on a task no matter how small within the section, the please get in touch.
## **Network**
## **James Houghton**
Network have had a busy 12 months building on and increasing their membership along with a mixture of socials, camps and activities. Activities have included bowling, trying their hand at pumpkin carving ( with some impressive results – see photo!), made pancakes and taken part in some regular pub quizzes. They’ve challenged each other at Go Karting and a contingent of 8 members went to the National Network Gathering – our largest group in some time.
Looking ahead they have a Festival Camp coming up in the next few weeks shortly followed by Reconnected in September. Evening events planned include mini golf, laser tag, board game night along with trips out to ice skating and the Christmas markets. A number of the group are also actively working towards their higher awards including King’s Scout and Scouts of the World Award. Any young adults aged 18 – 25 are welcome to come along.
## Awards
**Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service**
Adrienne Barrow Lorna Fishwick Graeme Calvert Ian Pattison Hayden Flint Andrew Caunce Jenny Swindells David Johnson Angela Neat Thomas Whittaker Helen Kirkham Tracey Brocklehurst Nicola Williams Victoria Lonsdale Jacqueline Dickens Phillip Metge
**Award For Merit** Jer ersS SANS S SaaS AAAS ARMAS ASA dea AeA AeA tt 8! AINNANAT STATA AA ART ANAT AAN NATTA CAT ONT ETN AN ARTETA ST Esther Beesley Paul Kirby Paul Smith Mark Finnigan Edward Brown Stephen Fogarty Jane Early Pauline Elton Dianne Metcalfe Paul Leadbetter
## CHORLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
## 48[th] Annual General Meeting
10[th] July 2024 7.30pm
CHORLEY DISTRICT SCOUT HEADQUARTERS
## Minutes of meeting
## **1.**
**Introduction and welcome –** Members of the District Scout Council and guests were welcomed including the Mayor and Mayoress of Chorley Council, Councillor Gordon France and Councillor Margaret France, our Vice Presidents and past District Commissioners
## **2.**
## **3.**
**Apologies for absence –** District President Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Alison Oliver, Alice Ditchfield, Jackie Malone, Phil Fairclough, Sue Twinn, Vicky Finlay, County President Gail Winstanley and County Lead Volunteer Craig Dewar-Willox
## **Governance topics**
- a. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 17/09/2023 were approved.
- b. Agreed that the number of members that may be appointed to the Trustee Board was 6
## **4.**
## **Review of the previous year**
- a. Amy Calderbank, District Lead Volunteer spoke about the year we had enjoyed since the last AGM and looked forwards to the coming year. Much fun and plenty of challenges to come. See Annual Report for further detail.
- b. The annual report and statement of accounts were accepted by those present as an accurate representation of the year.
## **5.**
## **Making appointments**
- a. District Chair, following recommendation from the open selection process initiated by the District Trustee Board – Alan Venn
- b. District Treasurer, Mike was standing down and the process of finding a replacement was taking place. Mike kindly agreed to support in the interim.
- c. Appoint members of the District Trustee Board, following recommendations from the open selection process initiated by the District Trustee Board
Kerry Houghton Andy Walton Paul Smith Vicki Finley Pete Sturgess Phil Fairclough Emir Barker to become an administrative note taker for trustee meetings.
- d. Appoint Vice Presidents – No new Vice Presidents were appointed.
- e. Appoint the Scrutineer / Independent Examiner Mr Ian Wilkin Senior Officer of LCC.
## **6.**
## **Presentation of Awards**
Peter Beesley was presented with his 40 years long service award.
**7. Closing remarks**
The Mayor of Chorley thanked the Scout Council for the invite and congratulated all present on a very successful year and for many years to come.
Ian Lonsdale (Lonnie) spoke whilst representing the Scout County, echoing the thanks already mentioned and also looked to the future with Transformation happening nationally in Scouting promising improved structures for team working for the future.