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2024-03-31-accounts

Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

The Trustees are pleased to present their report for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Reference and administration details

Charity name: Cambridge District Scout Council Registered Charity Number: 1046049 Scout District Number: 10001386

Principal address: Cambridge Scout Centre, Green End Road, Cambridge. CB4 1RW

Trustees

The names of the Trustees who managed the activities of the charity during the year and up to the date of this report, and who served for the whole period unless otherwise stated, are as follows:

Trustee Role(s)
Ex-officio members
George Devine District Chair from 1stJune 2023
Joanne McGowan District Secretary
Christine Mackey District Treasurer
William Holliday District Lead Volunteer
David Jonathan Lalor District Explorer Scout Lead Volunteer from 12thDecember 2022
Nominated and Elected
Members
Robert Pain Scouter
PhilipGarrett Scouter
Colin Sills Scouter
JeremyRacher Scouter
Peter Bullen Scouter
Geoff Oliver Scouter
Susan Fanning Scouter

The role of District Secretary has been provided by Joanne McGowan, Secretary of the Cambridgeshire County Scout Council. The District pays the Cambridgeshire County Scout Council for this service.

Advisers

The principal bankers of the District during this year have been:

Barclays plc, Cambridge

Lloyds Bank plc, Chesterton Road and Sidney Street, Cambridge

The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service, Gilwell Park, Chingford (This service closed during the year and the money was transferred into one of the District Lloyds accounts)

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The District’s governing documents are those of 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.

How the charity is constituted

The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Scout Association and District are Public Benefit Entities.

Appointment of Trustees

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. All trustees are subject to annual appointment at the District AGM and, once appointed, serve until the following AGM.

Management of the District

The District is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the District, 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. Members of the Trustee Board complete ‘Trustee Introduction’ training within five months of joining the Board.

The Trustee Board exists to support the District activities which are intended to support the development of Scouting within Cambridge District and to support individual Scout groups. This includes a number of activities mandated by the Scout association, for example leader appointments, as well as provision of support to Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Explorers, are designated a District section and as such the District has broader responsibility for those sections including in respect of funding. In undertaking activities and their management of the District, the Trustees has regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit.

The Trustee Board meets approximately every three months and receives reports from the District Lead Volunteer, Treasurer and from representatives of each section. The Trustees, including officers, receive no remuneration and they and others who support the Scouting activities of the District do so as volunteers, with there being no cost to the District for the time committed.

Risks and internal control

The major risks to which the charity are exposed have been reviewed and where appropriate actions taken to mitigate those risks. The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, which include requiring two signatories for all payments and maintenance of comprehensive insurance policies believed sufficient to ensure the insurable risks in relation to premises and significant items of equipment are covered.

Objectives and activities

The objectives of the District are as a unit of the Scout Association. Scouts is a national movement, open to young people aged 4-25 and adults whose appointments are confirmed by the appointment process applicable to their role.

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. As Scouts, members are guided by the values of:

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

The District meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community charity headings.

Achievements and performance

District Lead Volunteer’s report for the District AGM

At Census 2024 there were 1,537 young people in Cambridge District (2023: 1449) across 20 Scout Groups and 77 sections and units. There are now 88 more Young people benefiting from Scouts, which is an increase of 6% on last year. My sincere thanks to the 457 Adult Volunteers in Cambridge that make this happen throughout the year (2023: 420). This is 37 more volunteers than last year, an increase of 9%.

Cambridge District is now back to where it was before the pandemic and growing, which is a tremendous achievement given the challenging times we have seen recently.

With almost 500 Young People wanting to join, across the age range, the challenge continues to be creating more spaces through volunteer recruitment.

We are proud to see the progress in Squirrels, our newest section for four- and five-year-olds, where we now have 3 Dreys and 48 Young People taking part, with more to follow during 2024.

The last AGM in September 2023 was very successful with the BBQ, allowing a lot of interaction between the members attending.

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

The District Beaver and Cub sections have large numbers and lots of activity, these were led by Sam Wright, Sue Fanning and Debbie Rosier. The Cubs swimming badge work, which as usual was run by Chris Scott, was a big success and the chess competition, organised by Jeremy Racher, was well attended and won by 28[th] Cambridge.

Our annual St George’s Day event, the three peaks challenge, run and co-ordinated by Tom Hartley, was again very well attended with 170 young people taking part. We are hoping this event will continue to grow in future years. The District Cub camp was enjoyed by nine Cub packs and was organised by Debbie Rosier and Sue Fanning.

As District Commissioner, I have attended a number of Scout Group AGMs and other events. Several Good Service Awards have been presented, notably the Award for Merit to Charlie Brown, Cub Section Leader at 18[th] Cambridge and the Silver Acorn to Alistair Easterfield, Explorer Section Leader at Phoenix ESU. I was proud also to receive the Award for Merit at Castle Hill on St George’s Day.

We are now heading toward this years’ AGM in September. At this point, as you will be aware, I will be standing down as District Commissioner and I would like to thank all the members of the District that have been incredibly supportive and all praise be to the District team members, past, present and future.

I would also hope that the new District Lead Volunteer will be given the same support to move us forward in the future.

Thank you. William Holliday District Lead Volunteer Cambridge

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 March 2024

31st March 2024 31st March 2024 31st March 2023
Note Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds income
Funds
£ £ £ £
Incoming Resources
Voluntary income 3 1,346 – 1,346 1,929
Investment income 3 9,521 – 9,521 9,417
Incoming resources from charitiable activities 3 54,859 – 54,859 51,161
Total incoming resources 65,726 – 65,726 62,508
Resources expended
Charitable activities 4 (66,009) – (66,009) (64,734)
Investment costs 4 (800) – (800) (1,160)
Governance costs 4,5 (7,138) – (7,138) (6,768)
Total resources expended (73,947) – (73,947) (72,662)
Correction - Explorer funds counted twice in 22/23 (1,625) – (1,625)
Net movement in funds (9,846) – (9,846) (10,154)
Funds brought forward 113,919 – 113,919 124,073
Funds carried forward 104,073 – 104,073 113,919

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

1. Basis of presentation

The accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with:

2. Accounting policies

Incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

2.2 Incoming resources with related expenditure

When incoming resources have related expenditure, the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources

2.4 Donated services or facilities

Donated services or facilities are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefits to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measureable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.

2.5 Gifts in kind

Gifts in kind are accounted for as reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SoFA as incoming resources when receivable.

2.6

Volunteer Help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the financial statements.

2.7 Investment Income

Investment income is included in the SoFA when receivable.

2.8 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

2.9

Governance costs

Governance costs include any costs such as preparing and examining the statutory accounts, the cost of Trustee meetings, general administration and the costs of any legal advice to trustees on governance and constitutional matters.

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

2.10 Grants payable without performance conditions

These are only recognised in the financial statements when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grants which remain in the control of the charity.

2.12 Amounts held on behalf of groups that have closed

The accounts include amounts held on behalf of groups that have closed. When a group closes, funds are transferred to the District in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Association. Such funds are then held by District, either for use by a re-formed group where this is considered likely or for the development of Scouting within the District generally, at the discretion of the District Trustee Board.

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

3. Analysis of Incoming Resources

Voluntary Income
Membership fees receiveable
Less memberships fees element available to Cambridge Scout Council
Membership fee due to the District
COVID grants
Gift Aid
Total voluntary income
Investment income
Interest received
Investment property income
Total investment income
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Hire of HQ
Fees for training
District activties
Explorer actvities (excluding gift aid)
Scout section activities
Cub section activities
Beaver section activities
Squirrel section activities
Sale of Badges
Other income
Income to be held for 10th Cambridge
Total income from charitable activities
Total incoming resources		 31/03/2024
31/03/2023
£
£
69,934
63,033
(69,934)
(63,033)
1,346
1,929
1,346
1,929
526
257
8,996
9,160
9,521
9,417
2,706
3,479
-
46
1,540
36,243
41,659
4,710
2,924
1,895
1,627
436
241
-
1,316
1,763
513
389
4,533
54,859
51,161
65,726
62,507

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

4. Analysis of resources expended

Charitable activities
Whole District camps
Other District events and activities
Hardship funds and support to new groups
Jamboree Grants
Leader Recruitment
Payments on behalf of Units
Equipment and clothing
Badges and awards
Electricity and gas
HQ Fire and Security
HQ Cleaning and caretaking
Communications
Business rates HQ
Building works HQ
Bank charges and Just Giving
Sundry
Explorer activities
Scout section actvities
Cub section acticities
Beaver section activities
Squirrel section activies
Expenses paid on behalf of 10th Cambridge (Girton)
Investment Costs
Investment property resident's association and ground rent
Governance costs
Insurance
District Secretary service
Appointment Committee
District Team Expenses
Total Governance costs
Total resources expended		 31/03/2024
31/03/2023
£
£
-
1,779
-
1,415
1,223
2,499
-
6,000
4,544
-
503
6,628
-
-
914
1,432
679
850
1,647
1,008
2,352
2,608
132
49
123
276
3,463
2,243
104
102
-
25
37,299
35,360
4,488
-
3,804
1,748
361
713
-
-
4,373
-
66,009
64,734
800
1160
800
1160
1,858
1,654
5,035
4,601
-
-
245
513
7,138
6,768
73,947
72,662

5. Expenses and fees

The trustees do not receive any payment for acting as trustees of the charity.

The examiner received no remuneration for the independent examination of the accounts.

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

6. Property Assets

On closure of 54[th] Cambridge Scout Group, the Group’s former HQ at Green Road, Cambridge and a leasehold flat at Regatta Court, Cambridge were transferred to the District at nil cost. The building at Green End Road is now used as District HQ, and the flat continues to be let on a short-term tenancy to generate income to support the activities of the District. No valuation of the premises have been obtained.

7. Debtors

Debts due from Groups
Prepayments by us and other debts
Total		 31/03/2024
31/03/2023
£
£
11,330
392
4,508
5,592
15,837
5,983

8. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Membership payable to Cambridge County Scout Council
Other creditors (People we owe) and deferred income
Total		 31/03/2024
31/03/2023
£
£
69,934
63,032
252
1,443
70,186
64,475

9. Section balances

District Explorer Units not attached to Groups
Scouts
Cubs
Beavers
Squirrels
Total		 31/03/2024
31/03/2023
£
£
16,506
16,216
222
1,859
12,330
13,210
5,460
4,194
241
-
34,758
35,478

10. Commitments to expenditure at year-end

There are no commitments to expenditure at 31[st] March 2024

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Cambridge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

11. Restricted income funds

There are currently no restricted funds held. The District holds no restricted endowment funds

12. Unrestricted funds

Fund balance Incoming Outgoing Correction of Fund balances
Fund name Brought forward resources resources Explorer Funds carried forward
£ £ £ £
Harry Thomspon and Claude Walker Funds 1,163 - - 1,163
Jamboree Fund 1,621 200 - 1,821
General Fund 111,135 65,526 73,947 1,625 101,088
Total unrestricted funds 113,919 65,726
 73,947 1,625 104,073

13. Funds of joint arrangements not included in the accounts

31/03/2024 31/03/2023
£ £
Joint liaison Committee 13,264 18000

The District has a pro-rata interest in the freehold of the former Scout Shop premises at Perne Road, Cambridge, based on the declared census numbers in the preceding year. The Cambridge District participates in the Joint Liaison alongside Craft Hill District which manages the site. The amounts above do not include a valuation of the Perne Road property, are the total assets and not the share that might be attributable to the District.

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Cambrldge District Scout Council Report and accounts for the year endlng 31 Marth 2024 Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Cambridge D15trfrt Scout Council I report on the accounts of the District for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes set out on pages 6 to 13. This report is made solely to the trustees in accordance wlth Sectlon 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might State to the charity's trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an Independent Examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law. I do not accept or assume responslbility to anyone other than the charity and the charity trustees for my examination work. Respectlve responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The District's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for the year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charity Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Examine the accounts {under Section 145 of the Charities Act). To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 1451{h) of the Charity Act) and To state whether matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General D1￿ctionS given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the District and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts and seeking explanatSons from you as trustees concerning any such matter. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fairt view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examinerfs Statement In connection with my examinatlon. no matter has come to my attentlon: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements To keep accounting records In accordance the Section 130 of the Charities Act and To prepare accounts whlch accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirement of the Charities Act have not been met, or 2. to whlch. In my opinion. attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. N M Poulter Date oLIt Scouts- Be Prepared Page 14 of 14