LEAD VOLUNTEERS REPORT
2023 Annual Report
Stockport District Scout Council
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Review of Operations
Stockport District remains one of (if not is) the largest districts in Greater Manchester East. Our Charitable Purpose is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. We achieve this through a combination of adventures and fun activities both indoors and out, learning by doing and reflection all underpinned by our scouting values of Integrity, Care, Cooperation, Belief and Respect.
One of the most significant moments in 2023 was of course the world scout Jamboree in South Korea. With Stockport District making up a significant number of the GME contingent a number of our young people and adult volunteers set off to take part in one of the worlds largest events. Unfortunately, this was not to be the usual Jamboree experience, with the hosts failing to provide adequate facilities, for their safety, the UK contingent withdrew from the
site. Despite the challenges that ensued qualities of resilience and
determination were certainly fostered through the experience. I have heard from one of our young participants as they described the challenges “it may not have been the jamboree we were expecting but it was our jamboree.” They were not bemoaning of the situation but “showing courage in the face of difficulties” regaling me of the good times they had and the exciting experiences they took part in.
There were challenges for the District at home too. During the
transformations to scouting introduced by head quarters we moved from a District Commissioner to a District Lead Volunteer but we suddenly faced having neither as Phil Sumner had to relinquish the role due to being
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appointed as County Lead Volunteer. Phil has been with Stockport for 3 years and was appointed to the role early 2020. Within weeks Covid struck and moved to a new way of Scouting. 2023 saw the return in many ways of the old normal and as a District we are grateful to Phil in securing sustained growth and encouraging a return to activities and adventures. Phil
encouraged us to try new ways of working and doing things which we took advantage of for the 2023 St Georges Day Event.
There is only St George's day that brings us all together, as a whole District really. In 2023 we decided to be bold and try something new. So, instead of the Parade down the A6 to St George's Church, we opted for a fun day at the Athletics track in Woodbank Park. This was very well supported with approximately 650
people attending, we started with a parade around the track and then onto the promise renewals. These were followed by fun/activity bases supplied by groups. We knew this would not be a replacement for the old original St George's day celebrations, however, you have to be brave and try new ideas.
We wish Phil every success with his new role. Gareth Williams (previously ADC scouts) was appointed to the District Lead Volunteer role in an acting capacity and ensured we had continuity in Leadership of the District.
Stockport is a District that is Growing!
Stockport District, over the course of 2023, has sustained the growth it achieved during the previous year and achieved an overall increase in members over a three year period.
Squirrels: Showed a significant increase from 8 to 37 members.
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Support
Governance
Roles
4%
Adult 1%
Roles
14%
Youth
Membership
district membership 81%
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Stockport Scouts
4 Beavers: Experienced a slight decrease from 455 to 429 members over the three years. Cubs: Also saw a decrease from 507 to 495 members. Scouts: Increased from 387 to 419 members, showing good levels of growth. Explorers: Remained relatively stable with a slight decrease from 121 to 160 members. Network: Had a notable increase from 1 to 12 members. Total YP (Young People): Remained stable with a slight increase from 1478 to 1552 members. Adults: Slightly decreased from 389 to 384 members. TOTAL: Overall, the total membership increased from 1867 to 1936 members. Overall, Stockport’s membership aligns with the positive national trend, emphasizing the importance of volunteers in inspiring and supporting young people. The following data shows growth over a 3 year period across the District. This data has been drawn from the annual census. Year Squirrels Beavers Cubs Scouts Explorers Network Total YP Adults TOTAL Year end2021 8 455 507 387 121 1 1478 389 1867 Year end2022 36 444 511 398 161 1 1551 380 1931 Year end2023 37 429 495 419 160 12 1552 384 1936
The challenge for the coming year is to increase the number of Adult volunteers in order to support increased growth for young people sections. Retaining and providing direction for our Network Members and aim to increase the squirrels provision across Stockport.
Stockport is a District that is Active
As scouts we love adventure and a healthy district provides plenty of opportunities for nights away and day events. During 2023, the groups in Stockport held 147 nights away opportunities. On average this is almost 3 groups camping every weekend during the year with the young people of Stockport District Spending a combined total of 4689 nights at residential experiences and our volunteers also spending combined nights away in order to facilitate it. Whilst nights away provide opportunities for longer adventures, we are also great at providing smaller adventures too with 1494 participants (on average 28 people per week) taking part in mini adventures away from the sections usual meeting place – and that is just the ones that district needs to be notified about, climbing, water activities and bike rides to name a few! These adventures provide not only
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Supplementing the g groups programs, our district team also provide a range of } ) a | Pai activities for groups to vi BL | . | @) eM take advantage of. Dave Brooke (Program Lead) 4 would like to thank the team for their efforts and the many successful activities they ran:
Beavers:
Eureka – February 2023
112 Beavers took part in a day trip to The Children’s Museum in Halifax learning all about Science & Technology.
District Camp – July 2023
A Fairytales themed camp up at Linnet Clough with 77 Beavers…with the Beaver district team dressed up as Peter Pan!
Pantomime – December 2023
2023 was accidentally Peter Pan themed! 76 Beavers joined us at Stockport Plaza for this spectacular festive performance.
Cubs:
Clip n Climb - March 2023
Cubs reached new heights at the Clip n Climb event in March 2023. We had 118 cubs take part in a unique climbing experience where they simply clip themselves in and climb to the top!
Flamingo Land - May 2023
54 Cubs joined us for a day out to Flamingo Land and all thoroughly enjoyed their times on the rides and attractions. Thankfully the weather was on our side which made the day even better!
The Woodbank Cup! - July 2023
A new event hosted by the Cub District Team, which we hope will become an annual tradition. Tim put this one together and it was a huge success! 47 Cubs took part and explored Woodbank park to find all the locations on the map. 6[th] Stockport took the trophy and came in first place! – The hot dogs at the end went down well too! Adventure Camp – October 2023
A new location this year for Adventure Camp – this time we went to Barnswood Scout Camp, which turned out to be a fantastic campsite and perfect for this event. A few hiccups with delivery of some of the activities to the site, but the team pulled together and delivered a fantastic event. The Central catering was a challenge (due to the volume of people) but the caterers never failed to deliver and made sure everyone had plenty to eat! 191 Cubs took part (273 people in total!)
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Scouts:
January – Climbing Day
An ever popular event with around 90 young people taking over Awesome Walls Stockport
March – Patrol Leader Training Weekend
It has been some time since we have delivered leadership skills to our young people as a residential experience
May – David Slatter Camping Competition
This annual event saw 6 patrols compete to be named the best. More than a competition though the event, which see the young people plan and deliver a camp without Leaders involved encompasses what scouting is about – building on our values to foster independence in our young people.
June – District Camp
The weekend began with torrential rain and ended with ice creams in the sunshine. The theme was “I’m a Scout get me IN here” and saw a mixture of adventure and scouting
skills.
July – Water funday
Approximately 90 young people took over Debdale water sports centre. If you can paddle it they had a go on it, Kayaks,
Canoes Stand Up Paddleboards were all out on the water.
October – Deep Heat
Another competition, this time based around navigation and another weekend that involved lots of rain. We said we had challenges but that we build resilience and determination and skills for life!
Explorers
June - activity day
Held at 1st Davenport Mile End, around 40 explorers enjoyed a number of activities, including, fencing, axe throwing, rifle shooting and bouncy castle to name a few. September - Gorge Walk
Around 20 explorers went on a Gorge Walk taking advantage of our proximity to the Peak District.
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Stockport Recognises the Service of its volunteers.
Scouting happens because of the many volunteers that support it, both at district and group level. During 2023 it was great to be able to recognise commitment to their service in a number of ways.
27 Leaders have completed their Wood Badge Training meaning they have gone beyond the basics and demonstrated their abilities as a leader. Nationally volunteers tend to spend only 2 to 3 years volunteering with Scouts. It is very pleasing then that during 2023 we could recognise the long service of:
20 Leaders for 5 years
12 Leaders for 10 years
8 Leaders for 15 years
- 2 Leaders for 20 years
4 Leaders for 25 years
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1 Leader for 30 years
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3 Leaders for 40 years
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1 Leaders for 50 years
In addition to the length of service, the District made recommendations of 10 Good Service awards ranging from commendations to Silver Acorns. All of these awards demonstrate that there is strong and stable leadership across much of the groups in Stockport District. We do have a challenge for the coming year to ensure that all Groups have Lead Volunteers in place as during 2023 there were 18 groups with vacant or acting Group Leads.
Stockport Scouts
Stockport & District Scout Council Financial Operating Report
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Stockport #SkillsForLife
ee 2022 pe 2023 New Opening Balances New 38,979.40 Co-Op Current Account 57,824.59 - 23,263.30 District Sectional & Explorer Accounts 14,092.36 35,374.40 CCLA Charities Deposit Fund 35,719.55 - Cash - 97,617.10 107,636.50 Income 66,510.00 Capitation 79,825.00 9,808.85 Badges 3,277.22 80.00 Adult, Explorer & Young Leader Training - - - First Aid Training 19,542.00 District Activities & Operational Income 42,580.65 735.00 Other Income - 1,320.20 Loans - Activities & Groups Income 735.67 924.00 Beaver Account 7,790.00 17,588.04 Cub Account 15,484.50 1,125.90 Scout Account 4,860.50 12,465.98 Explorer Accounts 15,689.15 54,196.28 Jamboree/Other Activities 26,467.53 405.34 St. Georges Day & Rememberance Day - 5,220.00 Managed Properties 121,131.87 345.65 Bank Interest 1,567.15 800.00 Donations - Ephraim Hallam 800.00 15.22 Donations & Grants - other - - - Donations in memory of Jack Wallworth - - Miscellaneous Deposits 11,793.77 District Group Bank Accounts Closed 1,591.58 540.00 Cash Income for Events - - - Fundraising 203,416.23 321,800.82 203,416.23 321,800.82
Stockport & District Scout Council Financial Operating Report
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Stockport #SkillsForLife
ee 2022 pe 2023
Expenses
| 62,076.00 | Capitation | 72,075.00 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,537.96 | Badges | 1,825.31 | ||
| - | Adult, Explorer & Young Leader Training | - | ||
| - | First Aid Training | - | ||
| 18,142.93 | District Activities Expenses | 41,057.55 | ||
| 4,215.37 | Operational Expenses | 6,164.21 | ||
| 856.54 | Beaver Account | 7,455.18 | ||
| 16,625.70 | Cub Account | 14,490.08 | ||
| 714.87 | Scout Account | 4,376.98 | ||
| 11,703.25 | Explorer Accounts | 13,462.68 | ||
| 48,305.25 | Jamboree/Other Activities Account | 39,374.75 | ||
| 405.00 | St. Georges Day & Rememberance Service | 600.90 | ||
| - | Charity Donation | - | ||
| 1,662.22 | Loans - Activites & Groups | 9,677.06 | ||
| 20.00 | Licence | 20.00 | ||
| - | General Expenses | - | ||
| 9,557.57 | Managed Properties | 15,207.01 | ||
| 100.00 | Miscellaneous Expenses | 729.00 | ||
| - | Fundraising Expenses | - | ||
| - | David Slater Memorial Fund | - | ||
| - | Bill Shaw Fund | - | ||
| - | 9,934.17 | District Accounts Closed / Removed to Partnerships | 1,493.95 | |
| 538.96 | Cash Expenses for Events | - | ||
| 1.04 | Cash deposited into account | - | ||
| 183,462.66 | 193,396.83 107,636.50 |
District Funds | 226,515.71 | 228,009.66 201,427.66 |
| 57,824.59 14,092.36 35,719.55 107,636.50 |
Closing Balances Co-Op Current Account District Sectional & Explorer Accounts CCLA Charities Deposit Fund |
149,316.08 14,826.62 37,284.96 201,427.66 |
||
| 107,636.50 | 201,427.66 |
Stockport & District Scout Council Statement of Assets
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Stockport #SkillsForLife
| 2022 ee |
Cash Funds | 2023 pe |
|---|---|---|
| 57,824.59 | Co-Op Current Account | 149,316.08 |
| 14,092.36 | District Sectional & Explorer Accounts | 14,826.62 |
| 35,719.55 | CCLA Charities Deposit Fund | 37,284.96 |
| - | Cash | - |
| 107,636.50 - |
Property Assets 1st Romiley - Heyes Avenue Rowarth Land 1st Bredbury & Woodley Adswood Land Investment Assets Non-monetary assets for District Use This still needs to be completed |
201,427.66 300,000.00 50,000.00 40,000.00 50,000.00 440,000.00 |
pe 2023
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District Treasurers Report.
The Financial Operating Report and Statement of Assets are attached for year the year ending 31[st] December 2023 and have been independently examined by Paul Masters, ACMA and his report is attached.
We continue to prepare our accounts as in previous years on a Receipts and Payments basis, consolidating the activities carried out in the name of Stockport District Scout Council.
The majority of our Explorer Units have partnered up with their groups and I will hope to ensure the remaining Explorer Unit Accounts are represented in the District Accounts accordingly. Unfortunately, not all Explorer Accounts were made available in time and those figures have remained at the last position they were recorded. These omissions are not considered material in the overall context of the position of the District.
In cash terms our funds are showing a £121,100 increase from last year, but this is due to the Sale of Mellor Lodge back in December 2023.
Having received a Surveyor’s Report for all the properties the District has acquired over the last couple of years from the closure of various Groups, where their values are on the Statement of Assets.
I aim continue to improve the procedures implemented from the previous year’s accounts and will continue to do so on a year-on-year basis.
Mrs Jayne Talbot-Smith
Independent Auditors Report.
I have audited the financial statements of Stockport District Scout Council for the year ended 31st December 2023 comprising Financial Operating Report and Statement of Assets. The District Treasurer provided comprehensive documentation and reconciliations for the financial year in question and a professional valuation of the Property Assets was undertaken in September 2023. In my opinion the financial statements have been diligently prepared and give a true and fair view of the state of the organisation’s affairs and its financial position.
It should be noted that, while not material in value terms, the Investment Assets section of the Statement of Assets is still to be completed. As I understand it, the treasurer has limited visibility on whether some of the investment assets still exist within the organisation.
In order to maintain the standard of this year’s analysis of income and expenditure, the importance of ensuring that all members keep detailed records and receipts of all transactions, and ensuring all documents and records are sent to the District Treasurer in time for the Accounts to be prepared should be reiterated. A general inventory of the Investment Assets should be undertaken to create an accurate schedule of those assets that can be identified.
Paul Masters ACMA