OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← First Needham Market Scout Group

2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

For the period

----- Start of picture text -----
From (start date) 0 1 0 4 2 4 to end date 3 1 0 3 2 5
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name First Needham Market Scout Group
Other names the charity is known by N/A
Registered charity number (if any) 1 0 3 8 1 7 7
HQ registration number 1 0 0 1 4 6 0 1
Charity’s principal address Needham Market Scouts
Crown Street
Needham Market
Postcode I P 6 8 R Y
----- End of picture text -----

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)

Trustee Name Office (if any) Dates acted if not
for whole year
1 Matthew Gilbert Group Lead Volunteer
2 Mark Lennon
3 Edward Bell
4 Luc Mathlin Chairman
5 Amy Mayes
6 Eleanor Norman
7 Stefanie Pryke
8 Christopher Frost
9 Ruby Hunter 25/11/2024 onwards
10 Stephen Goldsmith 25/11/2024 onwards
11
12
13
14
15

Names and addresses of advisers

(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)

Type of advisor Name Address
N/A N/A N/A

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

The Group's governing documents are those of the The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

(e.g. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted

The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.

(e.g. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed by, elected by)

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

You may choose to include additional
information, where relevant, about:
Policies and procedures adopted for:
a) the induction and training of trustees;
b) trustee' consideration of major risks
and the systems and procedures to
manage them		 The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the
members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout
Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees
they are responsible for complying with legislation
applicable to charities. This includes the registration,
keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity
Commission as appropriate.
The Committee consists of a chair, together with the Group
Lead Volunteer, a representative from each of the five
individual section leaders (if opted to take on the
responsibility) and representation from the wider group and
local community and meets every 2 months.
Members of the Trustee Board completed_'Being a Trustee_
_in Scouts'_training when they joined the committee.
This Group Trustee Board exists to support the Group Lead
Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the
appointments and is responsible for:
The maintenance of Group property;
The raising of funds and the administration of Group
finance;
The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
Group public occasions;
Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult
support;
Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than
those who are elected.
Section B Structure, governance and management (continued)
Risk and Internal Control
The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to
which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been
reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate
against them. The main areas of concern that have been
identified are:
Damage to the building, property and equipment. The
Group would request the use of buildings, property and
equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the
church or other Scout Groups. The Group has sufficient
buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate
against permanent loss.
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The
Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout
Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk
Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily
reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising.
The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of
activities should there be a major reduction in income. The
Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to
increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis,
either temporarily or permanently.

Reduction or loss of leaders The group is totally reliant

Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group. Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.

The group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

The group has in place systems of internal controls that are
designed to provide reasonable assurance against material
mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all
payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to
ensure that insurable risks are covered.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the main activities in relation
to these objects
Summary of the objects of the charity set
out in its governing document		 The Purpose of Scouting
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young
people in their personal development,
empowering them to make a positive contribution to
society.
The Values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity -We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy
and loyal.
Respect -We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care -We support others and take care of the world in
which we live.
Belief -We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Co-operation -We make a positive difference; we co-
operate with others and make friends.
The Scout Method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership
with adults, work together based on the
values of Scouting and:
- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
- make and live by their Promise.
As Scouts, we believe in preparing young people with skills
for life. We encourage our young people to do more, learn
more and be more. Each week, the 1st Needham Market
Scout Group give young people of the Needham Market
area the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while
developing the skills they need to succeed.
The group runs five sections, being Squirrels (age 4 to 5)
Beavers (age 6 and 7), Cubs (ages 8 to 10.5) and Scouts
(ages 10.5 to 14) and an Explorer section (ages 14-18),
which is partnered with the Stowmarket Scout District. We
are open to all young people in the local area.
Over 100 young people attend weekly, supported by adult
volunteers who collectively contribute hundreds of hours
each term.

The sections run a full programme of fun, educational and adventurous activities supplemented with camps, hikes and other trips on an ad hoc basis. The main sources of income for the group are subscriptions from members charged on a termly basis as well as ad hoc contributions for specific events, trips and camps. We also receive some income from rent of the Scout Hut to other users and from ad hoc fundraising events. In the current year we have also received grant income from the local authority to contribute to our new Scout Hut. The main recurring costs we incur in order to deliver our activities are the costs of the programme, badges and scarves as well as the overhead costs for the Scout Hut of electricity, water and insurance along with capitation fees to the Scout Association, which covers the group in their national accident insurance policy. During the current year we have also started a large project to re-build our Scout Hut, this has mainly been covered by local authority CIL and S106 grants, along with contributions from the groups funds

Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

Youmay chooseto include further
statements, where relevant, about:
• policy on grantmaking;
• contribution made by volunteers;
• policy on investments.
Public benefit statement		 The Group Trustee Board would like to take this opportunity
to thank all volunteers who support the group both in
running section nights and other activities as well as behind
the scenes support and maintenance. The group is solely
reliant on volunteers and without all of their donated time
we would not be able to provide our young people with the
opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while developing the
skills they need to succeed.
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit
criteria under both the advancement of education and the
advancement of citizenship or community development
headings.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of
the charity during the year		 Programme and safeguarding: We delivered a full weekly
programme across Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and
Explorers for 100+ young people, supported entirely by
volunteers. All adults held the required disclosures and
mandatory training; section risk assessments were
maintained and reviewed. Trustee induction (“Being a
Trustee in Scouts”) was completed by new members and
safeguarding remained a standing agenda item.
New HQ project: During the year we secured both a Section
106 grant (£235,301.61) and a CIL allocation (22.7%)
directly to the Group, with claims to be made against
staged contractor milestones. Key statutory and technical
steps completed. The Anglian Water build-over position
and related legal protections were progressed and
executed during the year; Building Control remained
engaged throughout.
Works started on site (25 Nov 2024). By 31 March 2025 the
project had achieved:
- Site establishment, initial excavations and
foundations/groundworks including drainage.
Section E Financial Review
Quantify and explain any designations
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on
reserves		 Reserves Policy
The Group’s policy is to hold free reserves equal to around
six months’ routine running costs (c. £3,000).
At 31 March 2025, unrestricted cash was £55,554. After
deducting the £25,000 short-term loan from Stowmarket
District Scouts (shown under Liabilities), free reserves
before designations were £30,554.
The Trustees have designated £23,578 of unrestricted
funds comprising:
• £4,816 – expected Group contribution to the new Scout
HQ in 2025/26;
• £18,762 – materials and associated costs for the electrical
installation (works led by volunteers).
After these designations, free reserves are £6,976, which
the Trustees consider adequate to manage ordinary
operational risks and short-term cash-flow timing
differences. Restricted cash of £10,804 is excluded from
free reserves.
Designations are internal allocations (not legal restrictions)
and will be reviewed at least annually.

Details of any funds materially in deficit N/A - no funds are in deficit

(circumstances plus steps to eliminate)

Further financial review details (optional information) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: A detailed financial review of the year covering the main • the charity’s principal sources of funds sources of income and expenditure is covered in section D (including any fundraising); above to support the detail in the accounts. • how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; • investment policy and objectives; Investment Policy The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. Section F Other Optional Information Plans for future periods (details of any Future plans, most notably the new hut project, are covered significant activities planned to achieve in section D above. them) Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Luc Mathlin Position (eg Secretary, Chair) Chairman Date 2 9 0 1 2 6[—]

1st Needham Market Scout Group
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year ended 31/03/2025
Scout registration number: 10014601
Registered charity number: 1038177
2023/24
2024/25
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
Total Funds
Total Funds
Receipts £
£
£
Membership subscriptions
Membership subscriptions
11,149
-
11,149
10,726
Less: Membership subscriptions paid on to District
5,138
-
-
5,138
-
5,558
-
Net membership subscriptions retained
6,011
-
6,011
5,168
Other Receipts
Bank Interest
72
-
72
67
Donation
2,050
-
2,050
181
Events
5,234
-
5,234
3,711
Events - Explorers
496
-
496
942
Events - Beavers
16
-
16
-
Events - Cubs
360
-
360
1,301
Events - Scouts
955
-
955
144
Fundraising
2,449
-
2,449
-
Funds Transfer
-
-
-
-
Gift Aid
2,839
-
2,839
2,407
Grants (see details in the notes below)
150
5,057
5,207
350
Group Clothing
152
-
152
567
New Build Grants
-
53,471
53,471
-
New Build District Loan
25,000
-
25,000
-
Total Receipts
45,783
58,528
104,311
14,838
Payments
New Build
16,960
-
48,275
-
65,235
-
672
-
Activity Equipment
-
-
-
361
-
Admin
354
-
-
354
-
317
-
Badges
389
-
-
389
-
624
-
Bank Fees
713
-
-
713
-
640
-
Camping Equipment
2,257
-
-
2,257
-
210
-
Events
4,042
-
-
4,042
-
1,998
-
Events - Explorers
418
-
-
418
-
574
-
Events - Cubs
160
-
-
160
-
1,135
-
Events - Scouts
744
-
-
744
-
184
-
Incorrect Expenses
5
-
-
5
-
-
Group Clothing
-
-
-
876
-
Insurance
1,517
-
-
1,517
-
410
-
Meetings - Beavers
35
-
-
35
-
72
-
Meetings - Cubs
30
-
-
30
-
74
-
Meetings - Explorers
141
-
-
141
-
189
-
Meetings - Scouts
36
-
-
36
-
223
-
Meetings - Squirrels
43
-
-
43
-
14
-
Utilities
1,472
-
-
1,472
-
1,583
-
Venue Maintenance
92
-
-
92
-
762
-
Total Payments
29,408
-
48,275
-
77,683
-
10,918
-
Net of receipts/(payments)
16,374
10,254
26,628
3,920
Cash funds last year end
39,180
550
39,730
35,810
Cash funds this year end 55,554
10,804
66,358
39,730

Statement of Assets and liabilities - The cash balances shown above, held in a current account with Co-Operative Bank are represented by the groups main current account which has a year end total of £63,564.26 (2024: £37,386.28), the groups expense account which has a year end total of £1,274.92 and the deposit fund account which has a year end total of £1,519.43 (2024: £1,447.71). In addition to the cash balances shown above the group has a number of non monetary assets which includes a range of tents, stoves, trailer and other camping equipment, tables and benches, various sports equipment, stock of badges for all sections and neckers. The group is currently rebuilding it's Scout Hut but owns the asset which has been built so far and will own the total building once complete, it also owns a new container which is situatied on the Town Council site at Crowley Park. It includes fixtures and fittings including the CCTV system, solar panels and fixed heat pump/AC units. The land on which the hut is situated is leased (at peppercorn rent) from another local charity.

Liabilities: Loan - Stowmarket District Scouts, interest-free, repayable in 2025/26 totalling £25,000. Loan Movement: Opening £0, received £25,000, repaid £0, closing £25,000

Notes Restricted funds movements (year ended 31 March 2025)

Restricted funds comprise grants and donations given for specific purposes (principally the New Build). Movements were:

Opening restricted balance (prior-year fundraising for new build) = £550.00 Income – S106/CIL milestone claims = £53,470.95 Income – MSDC Locality (container) = £2,000.00 Income – Crane Fund (accessible WC) = £3,057.24 Total restricted income = £58,528.19 Expenditure – New Build (funded by S106/CIL/prior-year restricted) = (£46,274.57) Expenditure – Container (Recorded under New Build) (funded by MSDC Locality) = (£2,000.00) Expenditure – Squirrels start-up (unrestricted by donor, shown in unrestricted column) = £150 Transfers between funds= £0 Closing restricted balance (unspent) = £10,803.62 Closing restricted cash balance agrees to the Restricted column cash at year end (£10,804) Make-up of closing restricted balance: New-Build (Milestone 4 receipt received pre-spend) = £7,746.38 Crane Fund (accessible WC works not yet incurred) = £3,057.24 Total = £10,803.62

During the year the Group received an interest-free loan of £25,000 from Stowmarket District Scouts to support cash-flow while awaiting reimbursement of S106/CIL grant claims. The loan is unsecured and repayable in full during 2025/26.

The grant income received this year includes £2000 from Mid Suffolk District Council Locality Awards to contribute towards the costs of the new Container and £3057.24 from Crane Fund to contribute towards the costs of the disabled toilet in the new building, these are restricted. It also includes a £150 grant from the Stowmarket Scout District to assist with the start up of our new Squirrels section which is not restricted. There are also a number of S106 and CIL grants to contribute towards the cost of the new building, these are restricted.

The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Name: Luc Mathlin - Group Chairman

Date: 29/01/2026

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of First Needham Market Scout Group (‘the Group’)

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Group comprising the First Needham Market Scout Group Trust (‘the Trust’) for the year ended 30 April 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 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:

  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.

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: UMeceansibetico

Name: Helen Angharad Kearns-Watts

Address: 48 Hyperion Court, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5AJ

Date: 30/01/2026