1st Durrington 1[st] Durrington Scout Group
incorporating Northbrook Barn Community Centre Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2026
Board of Trustees
Steve Coleman Al Chartres Keith Chapman Sharon Field Ash Thwaites Lina Yeats resigned 17 March 2026 Louisa Hoad Steph Vinicombe resigned 17 March 2026
Chair Group Lead Volunteer Treasurer Lead Volunteer Beavers Lead Volunteer Scouts
Custodian Trustee Community Centre Manager Bankers Independent Examiner
Scout Trust Corporation Vacant Lloyds Bank Adrian Cooper
Group Registration with The Scout Association 45711 Charity Registration Number 1061896 Contact name & address John Doswell, Northbrook Barn Community Centre, Squadron Drive, Worthing, BN13 3SL
The Group is a Trust established under the rules which are common to all Scouts. The governing documents and the Constitution are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association, and the Policy, Organisation & Rules of The Scout Association. Trustees are appointed in accordance with these rules.
The purpose of Scouting is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The Group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss; these include two signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
1[st] Durrington Scout Group
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026 Major Activities and Achievements in the Year
Scout Group
At 1[st] Durrington Scout Group, we have provided Scouting for over ninety young people this year, helping them gain skills for life, experiences they will never forget, and friendships that will last a lifetime. This is the highest number of young members we have ever recorded, an increase again over last year’s highest number! Youngsters appreciate physically being with their friends, camping or being outdoors, learning new skills, hiking, navigating, fire lighting and putting those skills to the test. These interactions beyond school and family are so important and help young people to be grounded in a healthy lifestyle, both in body and mind.
The leaders and supporters have completed a full year of activities that have stimulated and excited the young members in delivering Scouting to young people. As a Scout Group, we rely on our team of leadership volunteers, a few who have been at the sharp end for over 25 years, some others for decades and many for just a few months or years while they are involved with the Group. I am fortunate that we have such a great team, with their skill and experience allowing me to leave them to run their section with little call on my support. It is my job to plan for the future and attract new leaders and interest people in the joys of taking thirty youngsters to camp, running an activity, helping with some admin, looking after the kit, or doing some mass catering!
The job of keeping this successful Scout Group alive and healthy is a continuous challenge. It is assumed that this Group will be here in 10 years, but without a succession of the leadership team and trustee board, it may not be such a certainty. My gratitude and thanks go to all the Group’s uniformed leaders, section helpers, volunteers and young leaders for their time given freely during the past year.
The Executive, led by the Chair, Steve, has planned and overseen the strategy and finances of the Group and the upkeep of the Community Centre. My thanks go to each of them for their support. To use volunteers' time more efficiently and to reduce the burden of charity governance administration, costs, and communication efficiently we continue to use Online Scout Manager (OSM) for managing our Scouting.
Times are financially tough for some in our community; no young person should go without Scouting for lack of money. This is a principle that we strongly uphold. Please contact me in complete confidence if you have or foresee problems paying the termly fees or for camps. We can contribute or assist in other ways to enable Scouting for your child. To keep the levels of volunteer support healthy and this Group’s future bright, I urge any parent or family member to come along and feel free to help for whatever amount of time you have to give.
Al Chartres (Group Leader Volunteer) al.chartres@worthing-scouts.org.uk
Squirrel Drey
Hi all - Squirrels are nationally 5 years old this year; they are our youngest section in scouting & we are coming up to two & a half years in running this section. Our numbers fluctuate but we are at 16 - 17 members at present. So, we do have spaces for a few more.
We try to offer a variety of activities from crafts to games to exploring our world & surroundings. Our Squirrels have attended both of our St Georges and Remembrance parades this year and were amazing on both occasions. We've had a go at making sandwiches, as part of our All about Me challenge award & we made rainbows from skittles sweets, for our exciting experiment badge, & we are trying to grow sunflowers for our Let it Grow.
Leadership has changed slightly as we said goodbye to Naomi (Fox) as she moved on to pastures new (Bognor) where she has become a squirrel leader. We welcomed Charlotte to her new role as a Squirrel assistant named Badger; we hope you enjoy your scouting journey. My thanks also go to Rosie (Moose) and John (Otter) for their continued support in running the section, we couldn't do it without you. Our Squirrel of the year is ?????????? Sharon and the leadership team
Beaver Colony
Beavers are currently at 24 members; they have had a very busy year earning many badges. This year Beavers are celebrating being 40 years old nationally.
They have enjoyed two sleepovers, in November & April. In November we learned about space, astronauts & first aid; in April we had a trip to the railway station in Goring to learn about railway safety, we did some experiments for our experiment badge.
We did our bit for the community with a litter pick to tidy up our local area; who knew Beavers would fight over picking up rubbish - who was going to pick up what rubbish; they were very eager Beavers. We had a visit from KBF Kickboxing academy who showed us some kicking moves. The Beavers all did amazingly well. The Beavers had very good attendances at our parades for Remembrance & St Georges Day in April - well done Beavers. We are topping the year off with Out of Bounds to do Clip and Climb as part of our birthday celebrations.
Beaver Colony (contd.)
We did some fund raising with our sweet tubes at Christmas & we manged to raise enough money to buy some more wheely boards and some new sports equipment.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents & leaders, & our young leader Evan for all the time you have given up to make our section work as well as it does. Thanks also to Sarah (Magpie) who is our super sewing queen, making sure all the badges get sewn on the children’s uniforms. Lastly our Robert Trotman Beaver of the year is ??????. Sharron and the leadership team
Cub Pack
We had a very successful year with a growing pack of Cubs and Leaders with 25 Cubs at the moment. We welcomed new Leaders Raksha and Rama but had to say goodbye to Akela ( Naomi ) as she has moved to Bognor. John has taken over as Akela. So, we have four leaders which is really great.
Raksha and Naomi organised a very successful camp at the end of May which was a greatly enjoyed by everyone. Much badge work being accomplished & especially the elusive Nights Away Badge! There was also exciting Crate Stacking and Low Rope activities. A big Thank You to Raksha, Naomi, Rama and Owl, from Beavers, who all bravely slept the two nights at camp.
For the rest of the year, we have been concentrating on our Silver Challenge Award which we present when the Cub moves on either to Scouts…….or not. For this Award the Cub must earn all seven Challenge awards & six Activity or Staged Activity badges and complete three Nights away, with six awarded this year. We have spent much time away from the Cub Hall; building shelters; Night Hiking over Highdown; a visit to the local Mosque, Salvington Windmill & the Fire Station. We have been Air Rifle shooting & also Lasar Tag at Out of Bounds.
So, a packed year of Activities which will be continued. John Gale, Akela
Scout Troop
The Scouts have been really busy over the past year, with a lot packed in. We have been camping with an expedition also taking place; this got the Scouts learning survival skills and provided entertainment with things like campfire songs. We have also met with other units and had joint meetings like our meeting for JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet). We hosted many badge nights as well as fun nights like Nerf wars, making sure to have a balanced program for them to grow and expand! Coming into the new year, we hosted nights like Geocaching and a movie night whilst also hosting a bring your friend to scouts night. After Half term, we hosted another camp, which led to a camp permit being achieved and a lot of fun for the Scouts! We have had other charities come in, like the Air Ambulance charity, which one of our Scouts invited in, and they had a talk and some activities brought to the Scouts.
We currently have 19 Scouts in the Troop and have given out one Gold award, with more very close on the way! We as a leadership team are making sure to provide a balanced and thought-out program and to make sure they have fun whilst also learning key life skills. I can't thank enough for the dedication and help we have had from the other leaders, helpers and parents that have made it possible to keep the scout section going. Thank you for all the time and effort you have put into the scout group and helping it grow. Ash Thwaites
Financial Report
The Scout Group and Community Centre are one Charity but we keep the funds separate for good financial reasons and to show that the subs paid by parents and carers are spent for the benefit of our Scout members.
Scout Group
Subscriptions are used to support the Scout District, County & HQ as well as the weekly meetings, purchases of equipment & general Group costs & a contribution towards the HQ. We continue to use the Gift Aid scheme and claimed back tax of £1,261 but we would welcome the involvement of more parents & carers, please. We have a healthy bank balance but do have some financial commitments to meet. The Trustees are satisfied with the funds which we have available.
Northbrook Barn Community Centre
We welcome a modest increase in the receipts from lettings resulting in a small surplus for the year, a change from recent deficits. Many hirers struggle to attract sufficient numbers of members for their activities, suggesting folk do not having income to spare. We would benefit from more regular hirers in the Barn. We do have a capital reserve but we really need to see this increasing substantially. The Trustees continue to monitor the reserves.
Our manager for the past fifteen years, John Doswell, retired in November. We are very grateful for all the work he carried out & time committed in looking after the Centre.
Thank you to all who have helped in looking after the HQ/Centre. Keith Chapman, Hon Treasurer
I" Durrington Scout Group R¢ttipls & PAymeDts At¢ouDt Summary fortht ytr ettdcd 31 Mirth 2026 This Y¢ar L•st Y¢ar Totsl Re¢¢lfOr the y¢arlpng¢ 51 Totsl Payments forthe yeArlpa8r 51 Deficit forthe year CBth. bank ad other funds bnw8ht forward at l Awil 2025 Cash, bank aNd other fuNds 31 March 2026 50.195 47277 3.421 17471 The5eEKcount4 theaccomwying stst¢mthi of liabiliti¢5 Rewrt were aFvrov¢d by the Truske5 Oll QT_- and Si8nOn th¢iT Walfby Steve Cokman l¢h•irl Keith IhoTrtrpts5ureTI Ststement of Asjets & LAAbllltlt& at JI Mxrth 2026 Thts Y¢r 14¥t V¢r hrflMETAR Y ASSE73 Bank.. currentAceouThts Lloyds ICommunityQntr¢l Lloyds (Sct Grtsupl Lloyds (Community C¢tststl Lloyds Ikout Gtoupl Equals Money Ltd .770 1247 15.077 12,926 615 839 16,032 10,139 dew51t fiCCOUDt Grwp ¢ash ¢trd Cath in Scout Group Communitycentrc 145 56 TotAI £27 803 NnN-AIC?NFTAR Y ASfE73 Lra5¢ OD land atNorthbrook Born, SquBdron )Ve. from Wortbing Borou8b Council for4 Peri of 99 years from 23 Jun¢ 1998. The Community Centre Building whieh was bllili On th¢ landat SqNadtoD Driv¢ The CoAntsofthe Centre plus the Scout Groupeqllipm¢ni. Notu lo ihe Attoullts:. 11 The Scout Group is the owtser of theNorthbrook Bkm coMmnity Certtre attdthese accounts incorwrdle the figures forthecentre. The accounts have begn drawn up on a rcIpts & pa)onents whieh iywn5151ent with the pr¢viousy¢4r. 21 IOQ¢A Chatity R¢li¢f 1$ rt¢¢iY¢a foFth¢Counril fax. 31 Reserve's Policy- The Tnjsteesare obli#ed to te theirpjlity an the holding ofa capital rcseryc. Th¢ Cornmunity C¢ntr¢ needsa substAnti&l capithl reserve A1n future bllildin8 repairi bth any su15 fund5 arecurr¢ntl> neetsjto supp)rt the receiptsAnd payments aceount. 41 Division of Cash Funds.'- Centse Scollifjmup Fundytht l April 2025 Surplus fLYtheye Funds &t 31 March 2026 IQ691
Receipts for the year ended 31 March 2026
Details |
2025/26 |
2025/26 |
2024/25 | 2024/25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Durrington Scout Group | |||||
| Membershipsubscriptions | 10,493 | 9,218 | |||
| Campfees & outings | 3,435 | 2,867 | |||
| Sale of Polo/T-shirts | 270 | 156 | |||
| Tax repayment on Gift Aid | 1,261 | 893 | |||
| Fund raising | 197 | 188 | |||
| Bank interest | 87 | 119 | |||
| Grants/donations | 0 | 500 | |||
| Sundryincome | 143 | 209 | |||
| Sub Total of Scout Group | £15,886 | £14,150 | |||
| Northbrook Barn Community Centre | |||||
| Lettingincome received from dance classes,children’s nursery, | |||||
| dogtraining,fitness classes,training&parties | 28,478 | 26,298 | |||
| Sundrysources | 846 | 780 | |||
| **Total of Lettings ** | £29,324 | £27,078 | |||
| Bank interest | 95 | 185 | |||
| Grants | 0 | 6,410 | |||
| Sub Total of Community Centre | £29,419 | £33,673 | |||
| Council tax relief @ 100%(note 2) | 4,890 | 4,890 | |||
| TOTAL - Group & Centre | £50,195 | £52,713 |
Payments for the year ended 31 March 2026
Details |
2025/26 |
2025/26 |
2024/25 | 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st DurringtonScoutGroup | ||||||
| Membership Subscriptions – to District, County &HQ | 5,561 | 5,436 | ||||
| Section expenses: | ||||||
| Badges | 1,160 | 778 | ||||
| Materials&food | 1,093 | 952 | ||||
| Sundries | 0 | 77 | ||||
| Camps & outings | 2,015 | 2,891 | ||||
| Sub Total of Sections | 4,268 | 4,698 | ||||
| GroupScarves/T-shirts | 758 | 509 | ||||
| Equipment | 493 | 1,271 | ||||
| Insurance for helpers | 52 | 52 | ||||
| Fundraising | 77 | 0 | ||||
| GoCardless/OSM charges | 100 | 35 | ||||
| Sundries | 368 | 436 | ||||
| Sub Total ofScoutGroup | £11,677 | £12,437 | ||||
| Northbrook BarnCommunity Centre | ||||||
| Rentpaid to WBC | 2,016 | 1,990 | ||||
| Runningcosts &general maintenance of Centre | 11,613 | 11,570 | ||||
| Capitalprojects | 0 | 5,910 | ||||
| Insurances(building,contents,employer’s liability) | 3,600 | 3,623 | ||||
| Wages | 12,014 | 12,298 | ||||
| Office costs | 964 | 742 | ||||
| Sub Total ofCommunity Centre | £30,207 | £36,133 | ||||
| Council tax – 100% relieved(note 2) | 4,890 | 4,890 | ||||
| TOTAL -Group & Centre | £46,774 | £53,460 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts R4port to th ¢ru•1•1 mwhhrs of 1" Durriryton Scout Group On accounts forth& y•fir Chaty no 111 any) 31 March 2028 It1896 Set out on pag9• Fourand Five I report toth&truste8s en my examinaton dtho accounts of the above charityllhe Trusfi for the year ended 3110312025 R•8ponlbllbllts and As Ihe thanty truste88 of Tftjst. you are resFthsth for tho prepwatK basits of Mport ofthe aA)UnIS In accordan wrth the requir81rlS ofth6 Charities Act 2011 ftrAd'l. I rewrt ré$ped of my &xaminatK)n ofth8 Tna8t's accounts Cartt out under ¥èction 145 01 thtr 2011 Ad and in cattying 1 my examin8lnn. I have flowed the applicable Llrethons given by the Charity comrn155n under section 14515llbl of the A£. I hawe compkled my examination. I confirm that no merial matters have Indopendent th& examination whth gN8s me tAUS8 to be&ve that in. any matsnal ccountlng reruds were not kept in accordance ith secon 130 of IAar th& accourt8 do Th)t o)rd wth th8 accountir¥J rttords I have no concem5 and have corne acro no Olher m8tters in connection wilh the examination io whiGh alteniion should bs drawn In ord8rto enab proper understanding of the accounts te be reached. . FY88s8 del&te Ihe wvrds the brsckets iflhey () nol ap. Slgmd: 6Ja& Namo.. Adrian Cooper quallflc•tlor4sl or boty lit any): Addr•M.' 10 NepGote FiThJon. WSus88x BN14 OSD