SCOUTS www.bansteadscouts.co.uk Scouts Banstead Banstead District Scout Council Trustee Board Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Ex-officio Trustees Kelvin Freeman Harri Griffiths Appointed Trustees Colin Griffiths Simon Payne Mark Wingett Jan Jobson David Shepherd Melissa Vagg Richard Salmon David Field Zach Pepper Co-opted Trustees Dhruvi Patel Other Advisors: Neil Bridges District Lead Volunteer District Youth Lead Volunteer District Chair District Treasurer Deputy District Lead Volunteer / Support Team Lead Volunteer Development Team Lead 14-24 Team Lead Hon. Independent Examiner Patron: HM King Charles III Joint Presidents: HRH The Princess of Wales and HRH The Duke of Kent Founder: Robert Baden-Powell OM Chief Scout: Dwayne Fields Banstead District Scout Council Registered Charity Number 1036740 Squirrels BEAVERS cubs SCOUTS EXPLORERS network
Structure, Governance and Management The Scout Association exists by authority of a Royal Charter granted in 1912 and supplemented by further Charters granted by two subsequent Monarchs. These Charters give authority to the Bye-Laws of the Scout Association which, in turn, authorise the making of rules for the regulation of the Association's affairs. The rules are laid out in the Scout Association's Policy, Organisation and Rules ("POR'). In common with all Scout Groups and Scout Districts in the United Kingdom, Banstead District Scout Council ('BDS') is an autonomous charity, affiliated to the Scout Association, which together form part of the Scout Movement in the United Kingdom. BDSC operates in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules ('POR') of the Scout Association. The members of the Trustee Board of BDSC must act collectively as charity trustees and in the best interests of the members of Banstead District Scout Council, amongst other things, to comply with the POR, to protect and maintain any property and equipment owned or used by the District, to manage the BDSC finances, to provide insurance for people, property and equipment and to promote and support the operation and development of Scouting in the District. Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the Annual General Meeting which is usually held in June. All of the trustees give their time voluntarily. No trustees have received or are receiving any remuneration or other benefits. Objectives and Activities The objective of Scouting is actively to engage and support young people in their personal development, helping them to achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. In partnership with adults, young people take part in fun indoor and outdoor activities. They learn by doing, by sharing in spiritual reflection and by taking responsibility. They make choices, undertake new and challenging activities and they live their Scout Promise. Banstead District Scout Council ('BDS') is a unit of the Scout Association and is one of 18 districts that support and facilitate the provision of scouting in Surrey. As a part of the Scout Association the objective of BDSC is to help to provide resources and support to Scout Groups for the delivery of the Scouting programme, to as many young people as possible, in our geographic area. Banstead District Scouts is open to all young people in the local area, aged between four and twenty five, no matter what background, ethnic origin, nationality, race, gender, marital or sexual status, mental or physical ability, political or religious belief. 2
The Banstead District Scout Council Trustee Board wishes to extend sincere thanks to all of the adults who give of their time, effort and expertise to enable young people in the District to enjoy Scouting and to access the variety of opportunities available to them. Public Benefit The Trustees have a duty to report on our public benefit in this annual report. We have assessed our aims, activities and charitable objectives, which are to contribute to the development of young people 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. We believe that we have met the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria. The Scouting Movement, of which BDSC is a recognised part, follows two key principles set by the Charity Commission with regard to public benefit: 1. Identifiable Benefit The way in which BDSC supports and carries out Scouting helps young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. This benefit is directly linked to the objective and purpose of Scouting. 2. Public Benefit Banstead District Scouts is part of the national Scouts movement that is open to all young people, aged between four and twenty five, who are willing to make the Scout Promise, no matter what background, ethnic origin, nationality, race, gender, marital or sexual status, mental or physical ability, political or religious belief. The Trustees maintain due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance whenever they are exercising any of their powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. Responsibilities of the Trustee Board Financial and Accounting Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's incoming resources and resources spent during the year and of its state of affairs at the year-end. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: (a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; (b) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; (c) state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 3
(d) prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The BDSC Trustee Board is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity. This enables the Board to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Board is also responsible for safeguarding the charity's assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Risk Policy The Trustee Board has sought to identify the major risks to which Banstead District Scout Council is exposed. Such risks have been reviewed and systems established to mitigate them, as far as is reasonably possible. The Board has charged the District Lead Volunteer and his team with the responsibility for carrying out a fail-safe annual check on all of the property and assets owned by Banstead District Scout Council. Chairman's Report - Colin Griffiths - District Chair The year has been both challenging in the changes that have come down from headquarters but also a year that has seen the district as a whole rise to these challenges, where we have seen the groups' trustee boards embrace the changes well. Our site here at Park Farm has shown steady improvements and I would like to thank Mark and his team for their work. There are items that need addressing as time and funds allow such as the climbing tower roof and ongoing tree work, but of course this is along with the normal maintenance, repair and upkeep of the facilities that need to be continued. I would like to thank all the district trustees and team for their work, inputs and support over the past year and I believe that we can look forward to a successful year ahead for all groups and the district. Financial Review - year ended 31s* March 2025 - Simon Payne - Treasurer Financial Outcome - Summary and Overview The accounts for Banstead District Scout Council ('BDS') for the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis which is consistent with previous years. Total gross income for the year was £35,585 whilst total payments amounted to £30,952 resulting in a surplus of income compared to expenditure of £4,633 for the year. Whilst that is an apparently healthy financial outcome, a few adjustments are necessary in order to show the underlying result for the year. By this, I mean that there are a few items of income and expenditure that were incurred after the 'cut-off' date but which related to the financial year to 4
31s March 2025. Specifically, on the income side, after the year-end cut-off on 31 March last year we received a total of £7,100 of annual subscriptions that should have been received before the financial year-end. By comparison, this year there was only £552 outstanding at the year- end. So, we need to deduct £6,500 from the surplus for the year in order to see a more accurate underlying picture. On the expenditure side, the annual personal injury insurance policy premium was paid in March 2024 but it wasn't paid until early May this year. So that's another €1,076 that needs to be deducted from the surplus for the year for comparison purposes. Taken together, those two adjustments reduce the underlying surplus for the year to 315t March 2025 to an underlying deficit of £2,943. This compares to the underlying surplus of £2,782 that I reported at the last AGM for the year to 31S March 2024. So, that's a net reduction of £5,725 in the surplus, year on year. That said, we have incurred made two significant and exceptional equipment purchases for Park Farm during the year which comprised (i) an all-terrain vehicle and (ii) a new gas cooker. The combined total cost of these items was just under £6,300. Without this necessary expenditure, the underlying surplus for the year would have been £3,340. Thus, we can reasonably say that the overall outcome for the year was satisfactory. As usual, the principal sources of income in the year were (i) young person membership subscriptions, (ii) rental income from the hire of the Park Farm headquarters buildings and camping facilities to scouting groups and other organisations involved with young people and (ili) donations and grants. On the expenses side, the principal costs incurred were (i) repairs, renewals and improvements to the headquarters premises and site at Park Farm, (ii) equipment purchases, (iii) rates and lease rental payments, (iv) insurance, (v) utilities and (vi) van running costs & repairs. Reserves Policy The policy of the Trustee Board is to hold cash reserves of at least £12,000, which is a level that the Trustees consider to be adequate in order to meet any unexpected and adverse costs that might arise during the financial year. This figure is unchanged from the previous year but is kept under six-monthly review by the Trustee Board. As at the financial year-end of 31s March 2025, the total unrestricted cash balances of Banstead District Scout Council amounted to £42,354. Looking forward, the Trustee Board is aware of the need for some further significant expenditure that will be required, in the coming months, as part of the ongoing management of the trees at the Park Farm site. Based on professional advice received, it will be necessary to remove a number of ash trees this year due to the presence of ash dieback disease. 5
This report provides a summary of the key areas of the receipts and payments account for the year to 31s March 2025 and of the statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2025. Receipts Subscriptions The accounts seem to indicate a significant increase in the subscription income retained by Banstead District after the payments due to HQ and Surrey County Scouts. However, this is just the effect of the late receipt of some of the subscriptions for the previous year which didn't arrive until after 31s* March 2024 and which I referred to in my earlier comments. The underlying position is that net subscription income to the District reduced by 5.9% from £8,769 in the year to March 2024 to £8,253 in this year to March 2025. This fall in revenue reflects the increase of 2.4% in the District element of the annual membership subscription being outweighed by the effect of the reduction of 37 in headcount of youth members paying the subscription. Hopefully, we shall see some growth in the numbers joining Scouting in the District during the coming year. Donations / Grants Last year I reported a fall of £2,649 or 46% in donation and grant income for the year to £3,094. This year, I am pleased to say that we saw a significant increase to £6,800. This is due to the efforts of our chairman who was successful in obtaining a grant of £5,000 from the Reigate & Banstead Council Community Infrastructure Levy fund. The grant was agreed by the Council to assist the Scout Council with the significant and unexpected costs of managing the trees on the Park Farm site. Needless to say, this grant and the support of Reigate & Banstead Council over a number of years is valued and much appreciated. It is perhaps fair to say that we and other charitable organisations face, with some trepidation, the impending moves to larger unitary authorities. Hopefully, such grant support will continue to be available in future but it is reasonable to wonder how accessible such financial support will be in the 'new world'. Once again, we were grateful to receive a donation of £1,800 from the Rotary Club of Cheam and Sutton as a result of our involvement in supporting the Rotary Club Santa collections. This donation provides much need financial assistance with the running costs of the van. Although donation and grant income totalled £6,800 you will note that it is shown as £5,000 in the accounts. This is because the donation of f1,800 from Cheam and Sutton Rotary Club was specifically allocated to finance the van running costs and that donation is incorporated in the line 'van account income'. 6
Park Farm Hire Income In the year to 31s March 2025, total income of £11,221 was generated from the hiring out of the various Park Farm premises and facilities to various organisations, both scouting and non- scouting related. This was a reduction in income of £4,092 or 26.7% on the previous year's result of £15,313. However, that itself had been a 59% increase on the previous year. Whilst it is a little disappointing that the level of hirer demand was not sufficient for us to maintain the income level seen last year, nonetheless, the income achieved in the year to March 2025 represents as increase of 17% on the £9,587 achieved in the year to 31 March 2023. Hire income from the Park Farm site is our most significant source of income and we hope that we shall see some further growth achieved in the coming year. Van Account Income The van is owned by Cheam and Sutton Rotary Club but it is loaned to Banstead District Scouts who maintain and look after it during those times in the year that it is not required for use by the Rotary Club. This arrangement is governed by a written agreement between BDSC and the Rotary Club. This income stream is used entirely to finance the running costs of the van. It comprises the annual donation from Cheam & Sutton Rotary Club from the proceeds of the Rotary's Christmas float collections. In each of the last two years the donation has been £1,800. In addition, BDSC is permitted to allow the van to be borrowed by various groups and individuals at times during the year, in exchange for which a donation is usually made to the District. All such donations are used to cover van related costs. In the year to March 2025, these donations amounted to £275 with the van being used on only 3 occasions by third parties. Payments Insurance Personal Injury The premium for the year commencing 1" April 2025 was unchanged from the previous year at £1,076 and it is usually paid just before the financial year-end March. However, a couple of matters related to the policy renewal delayed the payment of the premium until May 2025 (although the insurance cover was uninterrupted throughout). Consequently, there is no expense item for this shown in the accounts this year but there is like to be a 'double cost' shown in the accounts for the current year to 31st March 2026. Park Farm Lease The rent paid to our landlord, Reigate & Banstead Council in accordance with the terms of BDSC's lease of Park Farm was unchanged at £570 per quarter, £2,280 for the full year. 7
Park Farm - Utilities This area of expenditure saw a reduction of 36.4% to £1,159 in the year to 31st March 2025, compared to £1,824 in the year to March 2024. Premises Insurance This insurance policy provides cover for the buildings and contents at Park Farm. An insurance reinstatement valuation report was carried out for us at the end of 2024 which identified a number of buildings at Park Farm where the sums insured were no longer considered adequate to cover reinstatement thereof in the event of loss. Consequently, we increased a number of sums insured at renewal in March 2025. Despite these increases in cover, the renewal premium for this year was £3,662 compared to £4,740 last year, a reduction of 22.7%. Park Farm - Equipment Purchases, Fixtures & Fittings, Repairs & Renewals In the year to March 2025, these expenditure items totalled £15,506 compared to £13,782 in the previous year, an increase of 12.5%. Of this total, approximately €10,800 (69%) was accounted for by the following 3 items: (i) purchase of an all-terrain vehicle - £4,250, (ii) purchase of new cooker - £2,034 and (iii) the cost of tree removal, pruning and management - f4,500. Van Costs Van repair costs reduced to a more normal level in the year to 31s March 2025 at £1,017 compared to £3,350 in the previous year. Meanwhile, van running costs declined from £1,812 last year to f1,409 in the year to 315 March 2025. World Jamboree The expense of £1,000 shown here is the final sponsorship payment, of £500 each, paid by the District to the two District representatives who attended the Jamboree in South Korea in August 2023. It was retained until the representatives had completed their agreed programme of presentations to various audiences around the District, culminating in the presentation delivered to the District AGM last June. The sponsorship payment was released in mid-June 2024. Banstead District Scout Shop At the 2024 AGM I reported that, as a result of the lack of local support for our scout shop as evidenced by the continuing decline in sales, the Trustee Board had agreed that there would be a managed wind down of uniform sales until the existing stock had been sold. Thereafter, the District shop would continue to source and supply scarves and badges only and that would be kept under review. The stock wind down continues and sales for the year to 31s* March 2025 were £2,384 which was a reduction of 61% on the previous year's figure of £6,047. After deducting cost of sales 8
and other expenses, the shop recorded a surplus for the year of £1,002 compared to £2,815 in the year to March 2024. Total Receipts, Payments and Surplus for the Year Total receipts in the year to 31st March 2025 were £35,585 whilst expenses were £30,952, resulting in a surplus of receipts compared to payments for the year of £4,633. Statement of Assets and Liabilities Banstead District Scouts is in a satisfactory financial position. Unrestricted District cash funds at 31st March 2025 stood at £42,354 which was an increase of £4,598 compared to the position at 31st March 2024. The Trustee Board is satisfied that Banstead District Scout Council has sufficient resources available to meet its financial commitments as they fall due. 9
Scouts Banstead Recelpts and Payments Receipts SUBSCRIPTIONS Membership subscriptions Less: Membership subscriptions paid to County & HQ Membership subs aud to Disinci Net District membership subscriptions fter payment to County & HQ Donations / grants Sub total SCOUT SHOP SALES PARK FARM Hire Income pase / Kates rebates Sub total | MISC Misc Income Jamboree Sale of band equipment Sub total 1 OTHER INCOME Equipment Beaver / Cub / Scout Activitiel Other Activities Van Account income Van Account - donations re repairs Explorer / Network Activities St. George's Day collection Sub total BANK INTEREST Sub total Total Gross income Total Receipts BANSTEAD DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL For the Period: 01 April 2024 Unrestricted funds Network Scouts Explorer Unit Danistedd 36,663.80 20,442.50 16,221.30 5,000.00 21,221.30 11,221.56 0.00 11,221.56 453.60 453.60] 2,087.50 239.40 2,326.90 362.07 362.07 35,585.43| 35,585.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 398.00 1,634.20 -1,236.20 -1,236.20 0.00 80.00 80.00 181.93 181.93 0.00 974.27 -974.27 Receipts and Payments Account TO 31 March 2025 Explorer Unit Central 1,750.00 1,334.10 415.90 415.90 0.00 70.93 70.93| 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Shop Account 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,384.42 2,384.42 0.00 0.00 2,213.09 2.213.09 0.00 2,699.92| 2,699.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00| 0.00 0.00 257.02 257.02 2,641.44 2,641.44 10 SASU Total funds 0.00 0.00 0.00) 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 38,811.80 20,442.50 2,968.30| 15,401.00 5,000.00 100.00 20,401.00 2,384.42 2,384.42 11.221.56 0.00 0.00 11,221.56 396.40 1,000.93 0.00 0.00 396.40 1,000.93 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,087.50 0.00 2,395.02 239.40 0.00 4.721.92 0.00 619.09 619.09 0.00 496.40 40,448.92 0.00 0.00 496.40 40,448.92 Last year 26,771.15 20,212.50 665.20 5,893.45 2,153.11 8,046.56 6,047.06 6,047.06 15,313.06 0.00 15,313.06 557.79 1,920.00 1,500.00 3,977.79 0.00 0.00 1,072.86 3,204.96 1,570.53 4,672.92 354.10 10,875.37 397.46 397.46 44,657.30 0.00 44,657.30
Scouts 3r Banstead Receipts and Payments Payments Rent 'donation' to BDE & CDE Donations made Insurance Personal Injury Adult Support and Training Park Farm - Lease & Rates Park Farm - Utiities Park rain • Premises insurance Park Farm - Helpers Insurance Park Farm - Repairs, Renewis, F&F Park Farm - Equipment Purchases Park Farm - Other Van - Running Costs Van - Repair Costs Activities - Beavers & Cubs Activities - Scouts Activities - Other Bank Charges Website Hosting Costs Online Scout Manager AGM Expenses World Jamboree 2023 Payments Travel, Admin & Other Expenses SuD total EXPLORERS / NETWORK Explorers / Network activities Premises maintenance - Explorers Explorers - Other Uniform / Badges Network - to SASU re Bazzazz Sub total OTHER EXPENSES St George's Day donation Miscellaneous Printing / Stationery Scout Shop Purchases Shop Discount payments to Groups Sub total Asset and investment purchases. etc Total payments Less Total Receipts Net Surplus / - Shortfall Cash & Bank Balances last yr. end Cash & Bank Balances @ 31/3/24 BANSTEAD DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL For the Period: 01 April 2024 Unrestricted funds Network Scouts Explorer Unit Banstead 1,950.00 25.00 0.00 0.00 2,335.40 1,159.24| 3,662.13 52.00| 1,937.76 7,961.41| 5,607.49| 1,409.44 1,017.86 0.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 240.00 972.00| 402.79 1,000.00 400.65 30,253.17| 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00| 209.40 268.31 221.36 699.07| 0.00 30,952.24 -35,585.43 4,633.19 39.241.72 43,874.91 0.00| 0.00 39.60 39.60| 0.00 0.00 562.39 562.39| 0.00 39.60 0.00 -39.60 4,860.09 4,820.49 562.39 974.27 -1,536.66 2,923.33 1,386.67| Receipts and Payments Account 31 March 2025 Explorer Unit Central Shop Account 100.54 100.54 45.93 45.93 3,965.17 253.27 82.98 4,301.42| 0.00 4,347.35| -2,699.92 -1,647.43 3.217.34 1,569.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,538.24 1,538.24 1,638.78 -2,641.44 1,002.66 11,770.18 12.772.84 11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 SASU 4.25 4.25 0.00 0.00 4.25 496.40 492.15 1,395.55 1.887.70 Total funds 1,950.00 25.00 0.00 0.00 2,335.40 1,159.24 3,662.13 52.00 1,937.76 7,961.41 5,607.49 1,409.44 1.017.86 0.00 0.00 0.00 224.79 240.00 972.00 402.79 1,000.00 446.58 30,403.89 4,527.56 0.00 253.27 82.98 0.00 4,863.81 209.40 307.91 221.36 1,538.24 0.00 2,276.91 0.00 37,544.61 -40,448.92| 2,904.31 63,408.21 66,312.52]| Last year 0.00 84.75 1,076.08 185.00 3,017.92 1,824.66 4,740.21 52.00 1,929.58 9,093.30 2,759.19 1,812.95 3,350.13 201.29 0.00 6.47 238.19 355.06 432.00 479.61 990.00 345.73 32,974.12 6640.22 0.00 3121.80 421.80 0.00 10183.82 314.10 486.25 78.25 3274.48 0.00 4153.08 0.00 47.311.02 -44.657.30 -2,653.72 66061.93 63,408.21
Scouts 2e Banstead Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31st March 2025 This year General Network Scouts Explorer Unit Banstead Explorer Unit Central Shop Account SASU This year total Previous year total Cash Funds Cash in hand Main Accounts - CAF Bank Current AVC (Pk. Farm Income) Vehicle Account - CAF Bank 1st Bentley Achievement Award Fund Bank Current Account Total cash funds 285.36 12,487.48 36,800.14 3,213.72 2,340.94 1,520.11 43,874.91| 4,820.49 4,820.49 1,386.67 1,386.67 1,569.91 1,569.91 -12,772.84 285.36 283.86 49,287.62 44,495.57 3,213.72 9,172.80 2,340.94 1,830.70 1,520.11 1,887.70 1,484.61 9,664.77 6,140.67 1,887.70 66,312.52L 63,408.21 Other Monetary assets Gift Aid Claim Subscriptions invoiced & outstanding OSM Licences to be invoiced 522.40 475.20 997.60 522.40 475.20 997.60 Non monetary assets Scout Shop Badges / Uniforms Park Farm Contents - as insured Band equipment 5,073.57 78,000.00 5,073.57 78,000.00 6,206.20 453.60 6,659.80 5,349.10 78,000.00 5,000.00 78,000.00 5,073.57 83,073.57 88,349.10 Liabilities HQ & County Subs not paid @ 31/03/25 Expenses incurred but not invoiced Other 20,651.50 20,651.50 20,442.50 20,651.50 20,651.50 20,442.50 1st Bentley Achievement Award Fund - this amount represents restricted funds' within the BDSC account balances held at CAF Bank. These monies were donated to BDSC by 1st Bentley Scout Group upon is closure with the expressed do i to me be as b B ta team and te and he Ben even wat not i dr were separate pee emer a bus oteadership team and the tat Deng committee prior to the Group's closure. Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Date Signature Name Sefes. S.C. PAYNE 2/6/25 Signature 2/6/25 Name C.P. GREGTHS 12
District Leadership Report - Kelvin Freeman - District Lead Volunteer On behalf of our youth members, I would like to thank all the leadership teams at the Groups across the District for all they have done over the past year in delivering great programmes. Our transformation journey took place during this period and although fortunately it doesn't directly impact section leadership teams and their programme delivery to young people, it certainly created a distraction especially with the new digital tool that hasn't lived up to what was promised or expected. Young Leaders involvement in section leadership teams remains strong with many completing their Young Leader Training scheme and attending the conferences organised by County. The annual census reported that the overall number of young people decreased slightly. Growth remains the focus in the coming years, and with more interest in opening Squirrel Dreys growth will come. I would also like to thank my District leadership team for their continuing support with the transition to a team structure. Colin Griffiths has decided to step down after 20 years as our District Chair, I would like to thank Colin for everything he has done for the district over this time. Programme Team The transition to a District Programme Team has seen the closure of the Assistant District Commissioner roles for Sections. With change comes opportunity to review what section leadership teams want from the District Programme Team. So, a survey was conducted and, although the response was limited, it gave the team ideas for District section meetings and events going forward. Many section leadership teams could benefit from additional adult volunteers, but with the dedication of the current section teams, programmes continue to be delivered and top awards achieved. SQUIRREL SCOUTS continues to thrive in the District with the recent opening of a second Drey and plans by various Groups to open a Drey when additional adult volunteers have been found. BEAVER SCOUTS sections across the District continue to deliver fantastic programmes, and with over half the colonies in the District now being full on a pretty permanent basis, and other colonies showing growth and we continue to see the return to pre-covid numbers. CUB SCOUTS sections across the District are delivering great core skills when planning their programmes filling their pack meetings with fun filled and exciting activities leading to lots of top awards. District is planning to have termly events to support Cubs with their final badge work and celebrate their achievement. 13
SCOUTS in the summer of 2024 attended Scoutabout which was once again well attended and enjoyed by all. Sections completed many activities and badge work as part of their programmes with several top awards being achieved. Nights Away Report - David Shepherd - Nights Away Assessor Banstead had 1842 nights away during 2024, this is lower than 2023 and is a little disappointing considering it was a Scoutabout year which usually adds considerably to the total. Many of the nights away were short duration with a number of single night sleep overs including four for Remembrance. Being positive we maintain a good number of nights away permit holders and recently had some younger leaders showing an interest in gaining a permit. 14-24 Team Report - David Shepherd - Team Lead Leaders across the District continue to maintain full compliance with their ongoing mandatory learning and develop skill they can pass onto our youth members. Numbers have been steady in the Explorer range, but we are struggling for growth, with many of the scout troops still being young. Both units have had a varied programme during the year. District have been engaging with county on ideas for improving the gaining of top awards along with retention. BDE leadership team have become established in the past year but there is desperate need for them to have nights away permits to expand their programme. CDE did go to the Netherlands last summer. Both units met with District to discuss governance of the units especially as financially they are the responsibility of district. The young leader section continues to thrive with the majority of younger sections have some support. Many have attended the county workshops, and some are working towards BTec qualification. Several of the explorers assisted at Scoutabout. My thanks to the leaders for the support they give to the section. Also, to Holly Freeman who does all the liaison for young leaders and moving on within the district. Volunteer Development Team Report - Jan Jobson - Team Lead The new membership and learning system went live in December 2024, which has introduced unforeseen issues, no less than just getting volunteers to login and complete a declaration and update their profile. Tracking learning compliance has also been a challenge whilst the new membership system beds in, but the District has continued to maintain near full compliance. 14
Support Team Reports - Mark Wingett - Team Lead SASU (now Scout Active Support) Over the year we have lost a few but gained a few and our number remains constant at 19 Members. Reasonable turn out at St Georges. Following a good turn out at the AGM, our biggest event this year was Scoutabout, great turn out, well organised and enjoyed by all. A week after that event we did the BBQ at Colin Sutherlands Train Day, which was marred by the appalling weather and unknown to us that this would be the last one as a few months later we sadly lost Colin, he'll be a great loss to all the charities he helped and scouting, a truly amazing man. A few of the members have discussed days out, like trip to Brownsea Island and Bluebell. Number of members keen to do the Tipi Adventure which Network did in 2012, but it's finding the time everyone is free. The biggest change for SASU this year was that the Scout Association disbanded this section, despite being one of the most useful. Under the new format we are able to create units and as such we have created the Scout Active Support, partially means we can keep the uniform badge but also our polos. District Camp Site - Park Farm Last year over 1200man hrs were spent maintaining (and repairing due to inconsiderate users) Park Farm, it was also an expensive year. Phase one of the tree works started in September as 4 days of tree works finished with the removal of all the dead/dangerous trees. Phase two will be later in 25/26. Despite our best efforts to fit sensor flush mechanisms to the men's and boys toilets cisterns, users don't seem able to understand how they work and as such is causing us a number of blockages and we are considering removing the sensor flush and put back the manual flush back. We have had a mare of a time with the LB Roof leaking for the past year and no matter what we throw at it, it wouldn't stop leaking, until recently thanks to a couple of rolls of Flashband it seems to have solved the issue, until the next one!!!! The tower roof is STILL in need of replacing and the previous year's plan to burn the old bitumen roofing proved this was not going to be an option, so we're going to have to remove it and skip it. 15
Work still progressed on getting the solar tower finished in order to provide us hot water, hoped to be working by end of May 2025. Much of the time has been spent gardening as with the mixed weather everything won't stop growing, the purchase of Electric machinery has made it a lot easier as all the team are able to use the tools. Purchased a shed to house the climbing gear as users kept leaving the boxes out in the rain and then putting the equipment in them and not informing me the gear was wet, seems to be working well. One of our other big expenditures was the purchase of a new cooker as the old one did not meet the safety regulations. Sadly in the few months since we installed it, users have been leaving it in a disgusting state. Since Christmas we have had a tree blown down in recent winds between Activity and camping fields, cut up for burning. We also had to repair the fence at the top of the camping field after a tree on the councils side fell onto the fence. Council very understanding and reimbursed us for the timber and allowed us to cut up the tree for burning. In Partnership with Prowaste and The Park Run we are in discussions to purchase a community Defibrillator. We are currently just waiting for a reply from R&B Council regarding permission to mount it on the wall. It does amaze me how disrespectful users of the site are, the amount of money wasted on repairing and replacing items broken due to inconsiderate users, hence we have had to put a damage deposit on all bookings. Toilets were modernised and brightened up yet are left in a worse state than the previous toilets, users seem unable to do the basics of flushing the toilets! I must thank James, Kelvin, Jan, Kevin and our newest staff member, Chris (who has lowered the average age down by a few years!!) for all their hard work maintaining and improving the site. Also thanks to John for taking the bookings. 16
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent Examiner's Report Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages Banstead District Scout Council 31st March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1036740 10 - 12 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31st March 2024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). Independent examiner's statement 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) 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 do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Date: 7 6 2025. Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Neil Bridges Section B 11 Commonfield Road Banstead SM7 2JR Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). 17
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. 18