## **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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the 1st Hexham Scout Group 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: 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 InV￿tment 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 liabilit￿8
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