33[rd] Norwich Scout Group
Annual General Meeting Report 2022/2023
Contents
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Chairs Report
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Group Scout Leader Report
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Treasurer – Financial Statement
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Beaver Section
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Cubs Section
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Scout Section
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Explorer Section
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Fundraising
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Jessopp Road Development
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
Scouts
– Group Chair Report Dawn Inger
I am impressed by the dedication of all volunteers supporting the 33rd Norwich Scout group.
Mandy Brown now has all the accounts for the 33rd and is working with Andy for a smooth transition, all bank information and queries have now been dealt with.
Our groups are full the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are enjoying all that the organisation offers again supported by our wonderful enthusiastic volunteers at Jessopp road/Colman Road, St Annes Hall.
We have been supporting the 29th Scout group which has its base in the city. I am so glad to say that they no longer need our support, they are making great progress. Again thanks to all involved and may the 29th continue to grow.
Unfortunately, the summer fair was cancelled, however we do have a new date (23 rd September, 11.30 - 3.30). We are all looking forward to this as its always such a great family event.
And we do have plans for a quiz and chip night at Colman Road Hall on Nov 11th . The Christmas fair has been pencilled in for December 10th. Thank you, Jane and Diane, for being the fundraising ladies behind all that we do, and of course the other members of the small but perfectly formed fund-raising group. All proceeds made at these events will go towards the new build, we need to raise money for soft furnishing.
It is so exciting that we could finally announce the official statement of our exciting new building that will be built to replace the ‘old’ Scout hut. I would like to thank all the volunteers involved with this project as there are so many meetings and conversations around this huge undertaking. It will be an
exciting year for the site. The new building will bring new user groups and hopefully become embedded into the local community as well as being a wonderful home for the 33 rd.
I hope to continue to remain as chair for the coming year.
Dawn Inger, Chair.
Group Scout Leader Report – Andrew Parle
Having been GSL for 5 years the group has gone through challenge and change during that time, but we are entering our golden phase with so much good news and so much to look forward to. I’m as excited now about the future as I was 5 years ago when I started.
There are lots of things to celebrate and here are just a few.
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Amazing news we successfully secured £916,000 for our new HQ at Jessopp Road, due to open Winter 2024.
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Brand new Explorer Section launched and a huge success with a full unit all year and 4 new leaders all settling in very well – well done!
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All sections (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers) remain full with waiting lists. You may be surprised to know we have a 2 year waiting in the Scout section hence why we need more volunteers and a bigger venue.
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An increase in volunteers +25% more adults volunteering than last year and the biggest the group has been in decades. We do need more to catch up our waiting lists.
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
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Scouts Our Group now has over 160 members which is an amazing achievement we should all be 33rd Norwich proud of.
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Thousands of pounds raised, and our profile increased in the community through our fantastic fundraising.
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We have a strong board of trustees and good bank balance but also importantly we are investing heavily in the group’s future with new purchasing new kit including 2 event shelters. Also training volunteers in new skills including archery, air rifles, climbing, axe throwing, and water based skills
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We have also supported and helped our sister group 29[th] Norwich who are going from strength to strength all the time. In April 2022 they where close to closing but now have a strong leadership team and growing numbers – well done!
So, as you can see, we are doing incredibly well. None of this would be possible without the volunteers. I’m incredibly grateful for all the volunteers giving up their time week in week out for free, for the board of trustees who support and keep us focused on the right things and also the fundraising team who all do an incredible job – thank you.
Finally thank you to the Young People as you make volunteering the fun and rewarding experience it is!
Thank you, Andrew
Treasurer – Financial Statement & Scrutineer Report
Separate report
Beaver Section – Susan Flynn, Beaver Scout Leader
There are 24 Beavers in the Colony lots of them are very young now as we sent a lot up to Cubs recently. Heather the Cub leader invited the Beaver Leaders up to Cubs on a Monday night for the swim up (transfer) from Beaver to Cubs.
We’ve adopted Violet Elvin Court we sometimes meet in their communal hall and invite the residents to come and see what we do, at these meetings we have had two students from the UEA to help with our science badge, an ex-paramedic to do first aid, a lady came to talk to us about birds and all wild life, we also made big hotels thanks to the Men Shed in Lowestoft. Then at the end of term we had a campfire song evening with the residents where they all joined in, great fun had by all.
On the 5[th] of May we had a party for the Kings Coronation. The Beavers came dressed as Kings and played lots of games and ate lots of food too.
On the 24[th] May we had a day at Jessopp Road HQ it was fun/badge day the Beavers were able to gain three proficiency badges and finish off two challenge badges.
Unfortunately, we lost three of our regular leaders Suzanne, Amber and Ethan but good news they are still in Scouting and come to us as and when required our thanks goes to them for all their help. If you would like to volunteer do drop our Lead Volunteer an email 33rdnorwichGSL@gmail.com
More good news we have a young Explorer Scout Will, who had been with us for the last year also we have a new leader, Benita. So, thank you to both.
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
Thank you to all the Beavers for coming to Beavers and parents for bring them. Congratulations to all the Beavers who gained their bronze award.
Thank you to Jenny and Eve for all your hard work and dedication to Beavers.
Last but not least, thank you Andrew for all your hard work you do for Scouting especially with the fund raising for our new HQ.
I think we will have a hard and challenging time ahead of us all next year, but exciting times as well. We can do this and with Scouting spirt we will do it together.
Many thanks Sue (Chippy)
Cubs Section – Heather Battigan, Cub Scout Leader
We started the year doing some compass work and at the end of April we started doing lots of activities leading up to our Jubilee Party on the 20th of June. This included things such as tracking, a pack forum, art using natural materials, an assault course and more.
After this we had an athletics evening where the Cubs earned their Athletics badge. We then finished the term over a couple of weeks with the Cubs making fires and cooking for a BBQ on them and lastly the popular water games night.
We did meet for four evenings of the Summer doing various activities. We started the term in September getting the know the new joiners. Sadly, the death of Queen Elizabeth then occurred. We had an evening starting with a reading then a team game on facts about Queen Elizabeth. We ended the month with camp planning.
We held our camp at the beginning of October, a resounding success and a great time had by all. For the rest of the term, we had a fun Halloween evening, a table football World Cub Tournament. This was great fun and the Cubs learnt about the other Countries taking part when they weren’t playing. Doing Christmas crafts lead us up to the end of the term.
The New Year saw them busy doing a ‘Back to Basics’ evening then followed three weeks of our Young Leaders, Reuben and Zach teaching Emergency Aid 1 and 2. Many thanks to them for doing that, they did a great job.
We had a Chinese New Year night and the following week started on the Astronomer badge. We were blessed with clear nights so star constellations visible and one of the weeks having a full moon to look at through binoculars. The Cubs were very knowledgeable!
After a knots and maps night we started on the Scientist badge which took us to the end of the term.
Some Cubs were able to earn badges through the year, for example, by bringing in their collections, doing sports and other activities done independently of usual Cub evenings.
So, as usual, another very busy year. Starting with 18 Cubs and ending the year with 30!
This couldn’t be done without the help of all the other adults who keep the Cubs running. Whether coming along every week or occasionally. So, a big thank you to: Hathi, Bagheera, Bandarlog, Rikki Tikki, Kaa, Jacala, Baloo, Chil and Nag.
Akela
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
Scouts
Scout Section – Tony Buttifant Scout Leader
Since the last AGM the troop has remained full, with a good retention rate.
We have to the North Norfolk Railway for their 1940s weekend, a good attendance with over 30 scouts attending.
This year Christmas camp was at Jessopp Road with a sit-down Christmas Dinner for 50
We had a spring spruce up camp at Jessopp in March, with a camping/hiking trip led to Derbyshire. in April.
Due the rail strikes there was a last-minute change to the weeklong Summer Camp which ended up with us camping at Jessopp Road but the Scouts enjoyed it nonetheless and it was a successful camp.
We already have 4 camps lined up for the next year and I hope to fit some more in.
Whilst we have a strong leadership team we are always on the lookout for new leaders as we have a very large active troop. Several of the leaders work for the NHS and it is very draining work wise currently.
So, if any parent would like to have a try or know of anyone who would like to try, get them to get in touch with
me. It’s not as hard as it looks!
And finally, a big thanks to my partner Abhirup for supporting me in all that I do.
Kind Regards
Tony Buttifant
– Explorer Section Jessopp Jackals Andy Taylor Explorer Leader
Our first year has gone relatively smoothly.
Members
We started the year with around a dozen members and steadily doubled that. We're expecting to swiftly expand to more like three dozen going into the New Year.
Twenty of our twenty five members have come from 33rd Norwich Scouts. Several of them have rejoined Scouts having previously decided against going onto Explorers. The familiar surroundings likely have much to do with that. It's been helpful for me to already have a rapport with them from my existing involvement with Scouts.
Leaders
Andy P has recruited a sound base of leaders with varying backgrounds and skill sets to bring to the group.
Our first planning meeting last summer consisted of myself, Andy P and Simon Engler. All three of us have children in 33rd.
Joining us have been Andy Hayter and Stuart Campman. Both of whom have provided great enthusiasm and competence in supervising and leading sessions.
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
Scouts
We welcome a new leader Ian Gardiner as we begin our second year.
Activities
We've tentatively managed to oversee two camps with a number of members committing to each. First to the District Water Camp at Decoy Broad and secondly for a night at Cooper Lane.
We've run a varied and challenging programme of activities from Jessopp which the Explorers have visibly and vocally enjoyed. We've encouraged them to take initiative in getting involved and taking ownership.
We've attended the District run Golden Toilet Seat Challenges and hosted our own shelter building competition at Mousehold Heath.
Resources
We've been very grateful to benefit from access to the Scouts resources at Jessopp.
Thanks to Andy P's fundraising expertise we've gained a fleet of new expedition tents and trangias, held by District.
We've expanded our range of permits held to include Green Field, Shooting, Climbing & Abseiling and shortly will add various Paddlesports permits.
Aspirations
Looking to the coming year our key challenges include:
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Managing a larger group and better fostering the Scout principles among them.
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Encouraging a larger turnout to the planned camps and the District events.
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Encouraging greater involvement by the Explorers in planning and running the programme and the camps.
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Expanding our camps potentially to include the District Water Camp, Isle of Wight Revolution, Cooper Lane and the County Hill Walking Weekend.
Andy T
Fundraising- Jane and Diana Joint Chairs
It has been another busy few months on the fundraising front. Our focus has once again been to raise much needed funds while at the same time spreading awareness of the unique community site we have at Jessopp Road.
Our Christmas Market on 27 November 2022 was a fantastic event, raising just over £1000. It was great early Christmas family fun and we welcomed new people from the local community into our fabulous site. A new addition was Father Christmas complete with small grotto – which we hope to make even bigger and better next time.
Followed quickly after Christmas is our annual Christmas Tree Recycling scheme. As ever hugely popular, raising £915 for the site. Plus the tree’s will be put to good use through the year.
We also kindly received a donation of £305 from Barclays bank in February. A new event for this year was the Quiz and Chips, held in the Colman Hall on Saturday 25 March. About 60 people attended and we received really lovely feedback. We raised £324 and a further £250 was added by Aviva.
Our Easter Fair was held on Sunday 2 April 2023. It included a treasure hunt with egg prizes, refreshments, raffle, tombola and a variety of games. A coconut shy was purchased for the event; this proved very popular and can be used at future fairs. The plant sale was another first and also
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
Scouts
popular. A total of £600 was raised, which was doubled to £1,200 by Aviva pound for pound matching.
The annual summer fair was due to take place on Saturday 15 July 2023. Unfortunately, a yellow weather warning for wind meant that we could not safely proceed, and the event has been postponed until Saturday 23 September.
A small core of volunteers plan all the events and whilst we usually have enough helpers on the day we’d love more people to get involved.
Jessopp Road Development
As you will have no doubt heard by now, we are excited and delighted to say we have secured a massive grant to replace our dilapidated buildings with a brand-new facility.
The grant of £915,609.00 , from the Youth Investment fund will pay for a purpose-built sustainable Scout and community hub.
The log cabin building will be fully accessible, carbon neutral, and open to outside community groups. Construction will be complete by December 2024. It will give us the chance to double the number of young people who can join in Scouting and also open the venue to more community groups.
A dedicated group of volunteers has been scrabbling about for small pots of money for many years. But thanks to the Youth Investment Fund grant we will have a fantastic new facility. It will create a true legacy for 33rd Norwich Scout Group, our local community and importantly many generations of young people to come.
The grant is part of the government’s Youth Investment Fund. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.”
Whilst this amazing fund will build a new facility it doesn’t include fixtures like tables, chairs etc so today we are launching a fundraising/donation target of £10,000.
On top of this amazing news, it’s also important to say all maintenance work done on site is by volunteers, the leaders, parents and children. We really appreciate all donations of time to Jessopp Road and a big thank you to those people who do help.
But we need more help please – Do you have a skill/trade, or just an hour to lend a pair of hands or can supply needed materials as our work extends past a new building and includes the whole site. Please do get in touch with Tony (Scout Leader) or Andrew (Group Scout Leader)
33[rd] Norwich Scout Group, Registered Charity: 1035309
33rd Norwich Scout Group (Charity no. 1035309) Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year
01/04/2022 To 31/03/2023
from
Receipts and payments Notes
2022/23 2021/22
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Total funds
funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Receipts
Donations, legacies and similar
income
Subscriptions - Beavers £3,328.00 - - 3,328 2,482
Subscriptions - Cubs £2,712.00 - - 2,712 2,801
Subscriptions - Scouts £5,153.80 - - 5,154 7,886
Subscriptions - Explorer £1,464.00 1,464 - New Section but transferred to District on 1st April
Donations - Development Fund £3,537.14 - 3,537 3,853
Gift Aid £677.50 - - 678 489
Other similar income - - - - -
Sub total 13,335 3,537 - 16,872 17,511
Grants
Other grants £156.00 - 156 27,414 Mower Refund
Sub total - 156 - 156 27,414
Property income
Colman Hire £6,720.00 - - 6,720 2,032 £1.5k WW catch up 2 years, £3k Art Groups, £1k Pastor
Jessopp Hire £5,000.00 ` - 5,000 8,810 Intentional less bookings, £1.4k Kids Party, £1k Mishmash
Other Property income - - - - 89
Sub total 11,720 - - 11,720 10,931
Investment income
Bank interest - - - - -
Other investment income 1,239 - - 1,239 - Closed the National Savings Account so money transferred in
Sub total 1,239 - - 1,239 -
Total Gross Income 26,295 3,693 - 29,988 55,856
Asset and investment sales, etc. - - - - -
Total receipts 26,295 3,693 - 29,988 55,856
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LT700003 July 2021)
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33rd Norwich Scout Group (Charity no. 1035309) Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year
01/04/2022 To 31/03/2023
from
Receipts and payments
2022/23 2021/22
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Total funds
funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Payments
Charitable Payments
Membership subscriptions paid 4,770.00 - - 4,770 3,450 Fees moved from £45pp to £53pp
Beavers programme and activities 542.97 - - 543 462
Cubs programme and activities 365.31 - - 365 228
GSL activities & Expenses 2,018.07 - - 2,018 1,273 £0.5k Kitchen, £0.4k Trading Post, £0.3k Planning, £0.2k OSM, £163 AGM
Scouts programme and activities 4,957.05 - - 4,957 6,179
Explorer programme and activities 598.87 599 New Section - but1st April moved to District
Adult support and training 965.00 - - 965 - 3 Air rifle training, 1 Archery Training
Water and Sewerage 370.80 - - 371 448
Gas and Electricity 3,951.84 - - 3,952 2,693 Expected increase inline with market
Insurance & Rates 2,870.77 - - 2,871 2,799
Maintenance 1,919.03 - - 1,919 3,168 £600 Colman Fuseboard, £600 monthly Gardener
Waste Collection 725.40 - - 725 368 LY only half year
Jessopp Development 14,227.24 - 14,227 16,990 £8k Dev, £5k rewire, £1k heaters
Equipment Purchases 1,104.39 - - 1,104 12,002 £500 new tables, £250 Air rifles & kit
Trading Post (Uniforms and Badges) - - - 700 Moved cost into sections
Other 45.00 - - 45 - Refund on payment mistake
Sub total 25,205 14,227 - 39,432 50,760
Total Gross Expenditure 25,205 14,227 - 39,432 50,760
Asset and investment purchases, - - - - -
Total payments 25,205 14,227 - 39,432 50,760
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,090 - 10,534 - - 9,444 5,096
Cash funds last year end 20,945 34,041 - 54,986 49,890
Cash funds this year end 22,035 23,507 - 45,542 54,986
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LT700003 July 2021)
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33rd Norwich Scout Group (Charity no. 1035309) Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year
01/04/2022 To 31/03/2023
from
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Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
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21/22 20/21
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Total funds
funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Cash funds
Bank current account 19,713 23,507 - 43,220 51,319
NS&I - - - - 1,237
Scouts Cash Float 2,009 - - 2,009 2,430
Other float (GSL) 313 - - 313 -
- - - - -
Total cash funds 22,035 23,507 - 45,542 54,986
Liabilities
Accounts not yet paid - - - - -
Expenses incurred but not invoiced - - - - -
Subscriptions not yet paid - - - - -
Other liabilities - - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total net assets 22,035 23,507 - 45,542 54,986
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The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on Xth X 200X (the date of the Executive Committee meeting that approved the accounts) and signed on their behalf by
| 05/06/2022 Signature |
Print Name Chair Acting Treasurer - Andrew Parle |
|---|---|
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of 33rd Norwich Scout Council
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 33rd Norwich Scout group the year ended 31/03/2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the 33rd Norwich Scout group 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 33rd Norwich Scout group 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the 33rd Norwich Scout group as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Name: Calvin Leuty
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): AAT
Address: 7 Gedney Road, Long Sutton, Spalding PE129HF
Date: 11/08/23