## **4th Epping Forest South (Bancroft’s School) Sea Scout Group** _Charity Registration Number 1037676_ ## **Annual Report 2024** The 4th Epping Forest South (Bancroft's School) Sea Scout Group is a registered charity, number 1037676. Its address is Bancroft's School, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 0RF. The Group is part of the national Scout Association set up by Royal Charter in 1912. The objects of the Scout movement are the promotion and development of young people in the achievement of their physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals as responsible citizens and members of their local, national and international communities. The Group provides a diverse range of educational, sporting and fun activities for its members who range from the age of 8 to 18. Its aim is to contribute to the fulfilment of their potential using a progressive and enjoyable value-based programme for personal development. The school provides facilities for the Group for meetings and activities but the Group relies upon the voluntary help of the Scout and Cub leaders, assistants and helpers, as well as upon the voluntary help of the Board of Trustees. The charity is administered by the Board of Trustees comprising: Chairman - John Hasselgren, Treasurer - Paul Still, Secretary - Jonathan Williams. ## Warranted Leaders: Stephen Young, Matthew Balchin, Mel Knight, Ajay Pamneja and Beryl Sharma. Headmaster’s Representative: Duncan Abbott. The Scout Association Rules under which the Board of Trustees administer and run the Scout Group are listed in the Scout Association’s most recent document entitled Policy, Organization and Rules (POR). This, published in March 2024, requires changes to the election of Trustees, with only the Group Scout Leader being _ex Officio_ a Trustee, all others being elected at the AGM. The Trustees also abide by to the Group’s Constitution that was agreed on 26th. June 2023, modified to conform to POR published since that date. The group needs to have a minimum level of reserves in order to meet its expenditure during the year. The number of Cubs and Scouts varies and this results in a variable income whilst the level of expenditure on boat maintenance, weekly meeting costs and insurance remains fairly static, The level of reserves is reviewed by the Board of Trustees on a regular basis, to ensure that it is sufficient to meet the needs of the group for the forthcoming year. The Group is successful, with a large number of Cubs and Scouts attending, and no shortage of potential recruits. A varied programme is run, both during Winter indoor meetings as well as regular boatwork sessions at Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre during the Summer. In addition to these a week long Summer Camp and a weekend Winter Camp is held, and several weekend events will be undertaken. This enables Cubs and Scouts to achieve, respectively, the Chief Scout’s Silver and Gold Award, the highest Award available to their age group. Eight Cubs and five Scouts have managed this during the year. For this, they, and all the Cub and Scout Leaders are to be congratulated. Although not part of this Group, the formation of the Endeavour Sea Explorer Unit, with which we have a partnership agreement, has seen a good number of former Scouts transfer to it and continue in Scouting up to the age of eighteen, often within the Young Leader scheme. It also enables them to apply to attend the Camp and activities run by the Admiral Lord Nelson Active Support Unit under the auspices of the Royal Navy. **Accounts** th 4 EFS (Bancroft's School) Sea Scout Group st Balance Sheet 31 March 2024 Current Account 24192.48 Business Reserve Account 11766.12 Charity Bank Savings Account Gift Aid due 20000 2137.21 Outstanding payments due 376.20 Payments made in advance for 2024/2025 Payments made in advance for 2025/2026 790 300 Sub Total 59562.01 Less advance payments received for 2024/2025 Subscriptions and Activities via OSM Cheques not cashed 4364.65 10592.25 Sub Total 14956.90 Tota I 44605.11 John Hasselgren Group Chairman Paul still Group Treasurer 4 Epping Forest South (Bancroft's School) Sea Scout Group Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of 4th Epping Forest South (Bancroft's School) Sea Scout Group I report to the Charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 sl March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examlner's ststement 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: 1.accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2.the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3.the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning Ihe form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name: TEpM£NJ ANI trcJ Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): PAIIT auAL I FI£D Acor4 QLCNEL 2 Address: 11 g BIlALKLcY Q-IiEe Ic 8 7LrxJ Date: 2E MAY acJZLtr Assets and Liabilities to accompany Accounts for the year 2023/24 ## Assets: The Scout Group is sponsored by Bancroft’s School and therefore has no premises of its own. Additionally, the Group owns equipment used to run its programme. That listed separately in the insurance policy documents are: Two (2) Home Counties pulling and sailing gigs, both with a road trailer. Ten (10) Moonster Basic S Club kayaks. One (1) box trailer. and poles etc. is covered with an overall value of £30,000. ## Liabilities: With no premises of its own, there is no liability towards maintenance. All Scout Leaders and helpers are unpaid volunteers. Therefore there are no liabilities towards salaries and pensions. Future liabilities include payment of Capitation Fees to the Scout Association, insurance of equipment and fees for events already running or booked for the future. These include Boat work at Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre, Summer Camp in the New Forest, Winter Camp 2025, and Summer Camp 2025. All these are expected to be self-funding and any shortfall is well covered by adequate financial reserves. Chairman of Board of Trustees. 10th. June 2024.