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