Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of 1[st] Hexham Scout Group
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 1st Hexham Scout Group for the year ended 31/03/2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the 1st Hexham Scout Group 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 1st Hexham Scout Group 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the 1st Hexham Scout Group as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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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: STM
Name: IAN JEFFERSON
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): A.C.A. (ICAEW)
Address: 5 Backhouse Lane, Woolley, Wakefield, WF4 2LB
Date: 23/04/2025
1st Hexham Scout Group (Charity no. 1050271) Receipts and payments account For the year from 0110412024 To 3110312025 Receipts and payments 2024126 2023124 Unre8trlcted funds Unrestricted funds Recel ts Donations lo acles and simllar Incomè Membershi Fees Donation Gift Other similar income 362 500 Sub total Grants Grants Sub total ross Fundralsln Fundraisin evonts 996 Sub total Lookwldè Contro Income Hire of buildin Hire of e ui ment Other Scout hut income 55 Subtotsl UnSforyngd Incomo Unifomi. Bad es Cam $ & events 537 Sub total Investment Income Bank interest 213 13S Total Gmss Income Asset and InVtment sales, gtc. Total receipts LT700002 (October 20241 1of3
1st Hexham Scout Group (Charity no. 1050271) Receipts and payments account Forthe yoar from 0110412024 3110312025 Receipts and payments 2024125 2023124 Unrestricted funds Unrestrlcted funds ments Charitable Pa ments Membershi subscri tions aid on Youth Pro ramme and activities Adult Su ort & Trainin Water Sewara e electrici Insurance Re airs and Renew81s Material and E ui ment Admin Events & Activities Uniforms Minibus Bad es Pro ects Nation8llCoun IArealDislrict 447 60 4,110 1,895 3,994 1.022 3,861 2,674 594 57,554 872 2.238 402 as Broadband 2.973 1,776 15,217 392 1,594 1,580 Sub total Fundralsln Fundraisin nsos events costs Sub total 297 Total Gmss Expendlture A•8et and Inve8lment purcha8e8. etc. Total paym•nt8 Net of recelpts/(payments) Cash fund8 last year end Cash funds this year end LT7¢)0002 (October 20241 2of3
1st Hexham Scout Group (Charity no. 1050271) Receipts and payments account For the year from 0110412024 To 3110312025 ststement of assets and liabilities at the end of the ear 2024125 Unrestrl¢ted funds 2023124 Unrestricted funds Cash fun Grou Current Account Grou De osil Account Troo Current AccoLtnt lorer Current Account enses Card Account Total cash funds 294 104 357 272 Ex (agree balances receipts and mant$ oc£ounll ok ok Non monets Bad e stock Land and buildin Motor vehicles Scoulin assets for 's own us 100 300 335 097 menl, fvrniture elc Sub total Llabllltles Accounts not el aid enses incurred but not invoiced Subscri lions not el aid Loan - detail Other liabilit8 Sub totsl Totsl not a880ts The above rècelpts and payments a¢count and stalement of a88ets and Ilabllltle8 were approved by the Trustees on Xth X 200X (thè date of the Trusteè Board meetlng ihat approved the accounts) and slgned on thelr behalf by nal re Print Name Chris Payne Chair LT700002 {October 20241 3of3
1st Hexham Scout Group Trustees. Annual Report For the period From (start date) 01 April 2023 to (end date) 31 March 2024 Section A Reference and administration details Charity Name 1st Hexham Scout Group Registered charity number 1050271 HQ registration number 10010811 Charity's principal address Lookwide Centre Maidens Walk Hexham Northumberland NE46 1DP Names of the charity trustees who manage Ihe charity Trustee Name Stuart Ford Chris Payne Bradley Stead Kim Metcalfe David Newman David Hefferin Adam Davidson Offlce (If any) Group Lead Volunteer Chair Treasurer Secretary Datss acted if not for whole year
1st Hexham Scout Group Trustees, Annual Report Forthe perlod 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Section B Structure, Governance and Management Typ6 of governing d(Kument The Group's goveming 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. The Group has a constitution based on Ihe Mc(lel Constitution provided by the Scout Association in its Policy, Organisation, and Rules. How the charity is constituted The Group is a trust established under its rules which are Gommon to all Scouts. Trustee selection methods The Trustees are appointed in accordance wlth the Pollcy, Organlsation and Rules of The Scout Association. Additional governance issues 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 wilh legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration. keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate. The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 4 Trustees (including 1 Ex Officio Trustees) and meets every 2 months. Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee leaming within the first 6 months of joining the Board. This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well- managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipmenl are In good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps olher volunteers run high-qualily and safe programmes Ihat gives young people skills for life. 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 concem 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 organisalions such as the churches, community centres and other Scout Groups. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate againsl 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 building rent. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and building rent. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
1st Hexham Scout Group Trustees, Annual Report For the period 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and adminisler 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 contraclion. 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 intemal conlrols that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure thal insurable risks are covered.
1st Hexham Scout Group Trustees, Annual Report Forthe porlod 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Section C Objectives and activities Summary of the oty'ects 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 wsitive contribution to society. Tho Values of Scouting As Scouts we are guided by these values". Integrlty - We act with Integrlty,. we are honest. trustworthy, and loyal. Respecl - 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 failhs, beliefs, and attitudes. Co-operation - We make a positive difference., we co-operate with others and make friends. The Scout Mothod 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 tske part in activities indoors and outdoors leam by doing share in spiritual reflection take responsibility and make choices undertak8 new and challenging activities make and live by their Promise. Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects The Scout Group provides fun and adventurous programmes and aclivities through the work of its volunteer section leams for its youth members. This is achieved through provision of the weekly programme and additional aclivities, camps and expeditions at weekends. The programme is based around each sections challenge awards which ulilise the Scout Method to deliver its purpose following its values. This can be evidenced Ihrough our youth members achieving their top awards - Chief Scouts Bronze Award (Beavers), Chief Scouts Silver Award (Cubs), Chief Scouts Gold Award (Scouts), and Chief Scouts Platinum, Diamond, DofE Awards as the Kings ScoutAward (Explorers) Additional detsils of the objectives and activities The Trustee Board will consider any requests from youth members for grant towards membership costs due to financial difficulties or for representation of the group at international scouting experience (Wodd Jamboree or Worfd Scout Moot). The Group recognises and is continually grateful for the contributions made by its volunteer teams and the trustee board for their work to ensure Scouting can be delivered to its youth members and the continued viability of the group. Public benefit statement The Group meels the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
1st Hexham Scout Group Trustees. Annual R8port Forthe period 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year We welcomed 24 new members {13 Beaver Scouts, 5 Cubs, and 6 Scouts) during the year. 1 Beaver Scout achieved the Bronze Chief Scouts Awards 3 Explorer Scouts earned the Bronze DofE Award and 1 Explorer the Silver DofE Award. 7 Beavers eamed their Bronze District Calm Award, 3 Scouts and 1 Explorer Scout earned the Gold District Calm Award. The Beaver Section won the inaugural District Annual Ten Pin Bowling competition The Troop won the annual District .177 Air Rifle Shooting competition. The Beavers took part in th8 County Beaver Fun day and a District Camp at Dukeshouse. The Cub section has been taken over by a new leadership team who have been running a varied and interesting programme in their first term. The Troop took part in an adventurous and interesting District Camp to Adelboden in Switzertand taking part in rafting, hiking, tobogganing, and cultural tours.
1st Hexham Scout Group Trust0es' Annual ReF)Ort For the perlod 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Section E Financial Review Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Reserves Policy The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Truste8 Board considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent lo 6 months running costs, circa £10,000. The Group held reserves of approximately £18.000 against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However Ihis is because the reserves include monies set aside for minibus replacement. Section F Other Optional Information Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them) The Group plans to continue investment inlo the Lookwide Centre to continue lo keep it in good condition, well presented, en8rgy efficient, and desirable for use by hirers. Short term plans include improvements to lighting, decorating and continuing work to improve the environs around the Lookwide Centre for our members and wildlife. Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signatures Full Names Stuart Ford Chris Payne Position Group Lead Volunteer Chair Date 16 April 2025