Trustee’s Annual Report
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025
The Trustees present their report and receipts and payments accounts for the year ending 28 February 2025.
Trustees
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules (P.O.R.) of The Scout Association.
During 2024, The Scout Association made considerable changes to P.O.R. which changed the name of most appointments and also how the Board of Trustees is constituted. These changes took effect from the date of the 2024 A.G.M. on 1[st] July. For ease of reading, the Trustees who served up to, and from the A.G.M. are listed separately.
Up to the A.G.M.:
Mrs. J Barnet (District Training Advisor) Mr. J Killow (Acting District Commissioner, ex-officio) Mr. A Cooke (District Treasurer, ex-officio) Mr. S Mobbs (Assistant District Commissioner – Programme, coMr. J Dearden (Under 25 member) opted) Mr. T Hartley (Group Scout Leader) Mr. M Page (District Explorer Scout Commissioner, ex-officio) Mr. N Jarvis (District Chair, ex-officio) Mr. L Samuels (Group Board of Trustees Chair) Miss A Killow (District Youth Commissioner, ex-officio) Mrs. L Wright (District Secretary, ex-officio)
From the A.G.M.:
Mrs. C Barr (Joint District Lead Volunteer, co-opted from Mr. N Jarvis (District Chair) 14[th] October) Mr. S Mobbs (Joint District Lead Volunteer, ex-officio) Mr. A Cooke (District Treasurer) Mr. M Page (District 18-24 Lead) Mr. J Dearden (Under 25 member) Mr. L Samuels (Group Board of Trustees Chair) Mr. T Hartley (Group Lead Volunteer)
In addition, Mrs. L Wright continues to minute the Board of Trustee meetings but is no longer a Trustee.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The unincorporated Trust was established by Royal Charter granted 4 January 1912 and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 10 December 1993. The District (Trust) is operated in accordance with the organisational structure laid down by the Scout Association.
Appointment of Trustees
The Trust has a policy for the recruitment of Trustees. Nominations are considered from any source, but any potential Trustee would be expected to bring specific skills and/or experience to the Trust. Trustees are nominated annually. These nominations are approved by the District Scout Council to form the Board of Trustees. In appointing new Trustees, the Trust follows the guidance laid down by the Charity Commission, and the relevant sections of P.O.R. of the Scout Association.
#SkillsForLife
Registered charity number 1029956 (England & Wales) www.northernnorwichscouts.org.uk
1
Trustee’s Annual Report
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025
Induction and Training of Trustees
The induction and training of new Trustees is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant edition of P.O.R. of The Scout Association.
Volunteers
A great contribution is made by member volunteers including Trustees who devote many hours organising activities and events for the benefit of our young people. There are recruitment procedures in place which comply with Scout Association regulations and statutory requirements.
Risk Management
The Trustees have examined the major strategic, financial, and operational risks which the District faces and have produced a document which sets out the systems and procedures to mitigate major risks. The strategy also includes procedures to minimise the impact on the Trust should those risks materialise. This policy is reviewed periodically.
Related Parties
Membership Fees totaling £40050.00 were passed to The Scout Association and The Norfolk County Scout Council, in March 2024 (2023: £41467.50) as a contribution towards Scouting nationally and in Norfolk. Mr. N Jarvis, Mr. J Killow (up to 1[st] July) and Mr. S Mobbs (from 1[st] July), who are/were Trustees of Northern Norwich Scout District are/were also Administrators of Norwich Scouts Ellam Bequest.
Public Benefit
The Trustees of The Northern Norwich Scout District accept the need to have regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. They recognise that it is their responsibility to ensure that the benefits offered are realised in the District by promoting all aspects of Scouting both within the District membership and in the wider community.
Objectives and Activities
Summary of Objectives
To promote the development of young people and volunteers in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national, and international communities.
Main Activities
The focus of our activities remains the organisation of events and activities for young people between the ages of 4 to 25 who are eligible within the Northern Norwich Scout District. A second Squirrel Dray (for young people aged 4 to 6 years) was established in the District at the 27[th] Norwich Scout Group. The first Dray, established at the 25[th] Norwich has awarded 5 top awards for the Section and has seen its older members successfully transfer to the Beaver Scout Colony (ages 6 to 8).
#SkillsForLife
Registered charity number 1029956 (England & Wales) www.northernnorwichscouts.org.uk
2
Trustee’s Annual Report
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025
Main Achievements and Performance
The focus of the Trustees remains very much on safety management and growth. The District provides safe Scouting through compliance, as well as assisting Managers to work through review processes that reinforces the value we place on our adult volunteers.
Opportunities have been provided for our adult volunteers to receive and complete training for First Aid, Nights Away and Adventurous Activities.
All Sections have participated in a range of activities and events working within the parameters of safe Scouting.
Successful Water Activity events were run for the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, Scout and Explorer Scout Sections, as well as an Air Weapons Shooting Competition and an Archery Competition. The District Scout Active Support Unit facilitated a Hill Walking weekend in Derbyshire.
Mr Simon Mobbs and Mrs Caz Barr were appointed Joint District Lead Volunteers (formerly District Commissioner). The Trustees welcome these appointments and look forward to the development of the District.
Our Health and Safety Advisor continues to revisit the Group HQs to assist the Trustees to record and monitor the asbestos risk through our Asbestos Register.
2025 Census: Northern Norwich Scouts reported an increase in youth membership of 10.0% (801 -> 881) and our adult membership decreased 5.0% (302 -> 287). Total membership declared on the annual census @ 31[st] January 2025 – 1,168.
Financial Review
Reserves
On 28 February 2025 the charity held bank and cash balances of £62,878.76 . These funds are held on behalf of the District, District Explorer Scouts, and Scout Active Support Unit. The amounts are held in order to maintain the activities of the charity for the following year.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees on 9 June 2025
Neville Jarvis District Chair
#SkillsForLife
Registered charity number 1029956 (England & Wales) www.northernnorwichscouts.org.uk
3
Trustee’s Annual Report
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025
Report of the Independent Examiner
To the members of the Northern Norwich Scout District Council For the year ended 28 February 2025
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity (‘the Trust’) for Northern Norwich Scout District set out from page 5.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity's Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
Accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Act, or
-
The accounts did not accord with the accounting records, or
-
The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this respect in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Nigel Harrod Independent Examiner
13 May 2025
#SkillsForLife
4
Registered charity number 1029956 (England & Wales) www.northernnorwichscouts.org.uk
Trustee’s Annual Report
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025
Northern Norwich Scout District
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year ended 28 February 2025
| Scouting | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skills | ||||||
| Support | Main | |||||
| Team | Explorer | Network | District | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Receipts | ||||||
| Voluntary sources | ||||||
| Subscriptions | - | 2,122.00 | - | 48,924.00 | 51,046.00 | 48,311.50 |
| Grants | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gift aid | - | 643.27 | - | - | 643.27 | - |
| Activities | 294.00 | 376.50 | - | 240.00 | 910.50 | 5,723.50 |
| St Georges day | ||||||
| donations | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Duke of Edinburgh Award | ||||||
| Scheme | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Clothing and badges | - | 450.20 | - | - | 450.20 | 30.00 |
| Fundraising | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Miscellaneous | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Camps | 2,435.00 | 1,551.00 | - | 2,744.00 | 6,730.00 | 6,360.00 |
| Courses | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other income | - | - | - | - | - | 4,099.82 |
| Bank interest | - | 24.44 | - | 775.89 | 800.33 | 356.58 |
| 2,729.00 | 5,167.41 | - | 52,683.89 | 60,580.30 | 64,881.40 |
#SkillsForLife
5
Registered charity number 1029956 (England & Wales) www.northernnorwichscouts.org.uk
Trustee’s Annual Report
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025
| Payments | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Charitable | ||||||
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Norfolk County Scout | ||||||
| Council | - | 2,902.10 | - | 37,147.90 | 40,050.00 | 41,467.50 |
| 1st aid and other courses | 60.00 | - | - | 130.00 | 190.00 | 99.23 |
| Camp refunds and | ||||||
| expenses | 3,353.82 | 770.61 | - | 4,613.08 | 8,737.51 | 5,218.96 |
| Duke of Edinburgh Award | ||||||
| Scheme | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Activities (including | ||||||
| refunds) | 136.17 | 818.00 | - | 1,522.50 | 2,476.67 | 7,476.00 |
| Fundraising expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| St Georges day | - | - | - | 250.00 | 250.00 | 600.00 |
| Clothing and Uniform | - | 188.34 | - | - | 188.34 | 18.50 |
| HQ Hire | - | - | - | 50.00 | 50.00 | 140.00 |
| Equipment and | ||||||
| maintenance | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Licenses | - | - | - | 512.16 | 512.16 | 395.82 |
| Meetings and room hire | - | - | - | 104.00 | 104.00 | 160.60 |
| District expenses | 417.95 | - | - | 620.52 | 1,038.47 | 1,314.35 |
| Gifts and donations | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Christmas Social | - | - | - | - | - | 161.21 |
| Bank Charges | - | - | - | 60.00 | 60.00 | 96.98 |
| Miscellaneous | - | - | - | - | - | 4.79 |
| 3,967.94 | 4,679.05 | - | 45,010.16 | 53,657.15 | 57,153.94 | |
| Excess of payments | ||||||
| over receipts | (1,238.94) | 488.36 | - | 7,673.73 | 6,923.15 | 7,726.33 |
| Funds at 1 March 2024 | 5,675.38 | 12,027.97 | 29.03 | 38,223.23 | 55,955.61 | 48,228.15 |
| Funds at 28 February | ||||||
| 2025 | 4,436.44 | 12,516.33 | 29.03 | 45,896.96 | 62,878.76 | 55,955.61 |
| Represented by: | ||||||
| Monetary assets | ||||||
| Bank current account | 4,436.44 | 9,565.68 | 29.03 | 8,783.92 | 22,815.07 | 37,575.97 |
| Bank deposit account | - | 2,950.65 | - | 37,113.04 | 40,063.69 | 18,379.38 |
| Petty cash in hand | - | - | - | - | - | 0.26 |
| 4,436.44 | 12,516.33 | 29.03 | 45,896.96 | 62,878.76 | 55,955.61 |
Note: The Scouting Skills Support Team was formally the District Scout Active Support Unit.
#SkillsForLife
6
Registered charity number 1029956 (England & Wales) www.northernnorwichscouts.org.uk