## **Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council**
# **Trustees Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31[st] March 2026**
## **Reference and Administration Information**
## **Registered Charity number 1066010 Scouts Registration number 10001049**
**Charity’s principal address** c/o Mr Richard Plume 45 Hallowell Road Northwood Middlesex HA6 1DT
## **Trustee Name**
## **Office**
Tyler Skerton District Lead Volunteer Paul Catchpole Chair Helen Evans Secretary David Pinn Treasurer Nikhil Varodaria District Youth Lead and under 25 Kyle Fawcett District Youth Lead and under 25 Richard Plume Elected Member Margaret Sullivan Elected Member Marcus Victory Elected Member Paul Spencer Elected Member Brandon Liddle Elected Member Barry Chandler Elected Member
**Bankers:** CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
**Adviser (Independent Examiner)** Mr K Mulvaney 43a Hallowell Road Northwood Middlesex HA6 1DT
**Adviser (Financial Investments)** I P S Capital LLP 4 Eastcheap London EC3M 1AE
Page **1** of **5** Board of Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] March 2026
## **Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council**
## **Trustees Annual Report**
## **Report of the Trustees**
## **Introduction**
The Trustees present their Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2026
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
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.
The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scout Districts.
The Trustees are appointed at the AGM (and at other times) in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. There is an open selection process in accordance with POR. There is a maximum time that individuals may serve.
The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the District which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities.
The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 8 Trustees (including 3 Ex Officio Trustees) and meets every 3 months. Trustees are elected or appointed according to POR.
Members of the Trustee Board complete “Being a Scouts Trustee learning” within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
There are 12 Groups within the District and they are separate entities and have their own registration with the Scout Association and may be charities in their own right. However, the District has a responsibility to ensure that they comply with the appropriate charity regulations and POR.
This District Trustee Board’s main responsibility is to ensure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are kept and maintained in good working order, and that Groups within the District follow legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules.
Page **2** of **5** Board of Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] March 2026
**Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council**
## **Trustees Annual Report**
## **Risk and Internal Control**
The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which the District is exposed. These are regularly reviewed and systems established to mitigate against them.
The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss. These are in accordance with the requirements of POR which is the framework in which all Scout Districts and Groups are required to operate.
The District has robust systems in place to ensure adventurous and hazardous activities are managed.
All groups within the District have completed a survey to establish compliance with POR and charity regulations. This has been reviewed and non-compliance will be addressed with individual Groups. One thing identified as common to all Groups is the need for a risk register and a full set of risk assessments. The risk assessments relating to activities are in place but other risks may not be fully identified. The trustees will address this over the next twelve months.
## **Reserves Policy**
- The sum of money to which the policy applies in 2024/25 is £452,229.
- £250,000 of this is a Designated Fund for interest earning, to allow the District to continue to financially support activities across all Groups and Sections.
- Originally a sum of £300,000 was allocated as a Designated Fund for Capital Grants to Groups. This has reduced to £202,229 in 2025/26.
- The balance of £54,835 is considered to be available for current year spending.
The funds associated with the three Explorer Sections are not considered as part of the District reserves policy.
## **Investment Policy**
The trustees use the services of IPS Capital to provide investment management services for approximately 30% of its capital. The remainder of the funds are in various interest earning accounts available for use at short notice. Full details are in the Financial Report.
Page **3** of **5** Board of Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] March 2026
## **Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council**
## **Trustees Annual Report**
## **Safety and Safeguarding**
The Scouts have rigorous training and monitoring in all their activities. The Board of Trustees of individual Groups are responsible for the safety of their premises.
## **Main events**
We have opened several new sections in the District to accommodate the growing demand for places especially in the Squirrels (4 – 6 years) age group and have a healthy waiting list for all Groups. During the year we have seen a small growth in numbers particularly in the Explorer and Squirrel sections. Although our leader numbers are static, the District continues to provide a high-quality scouting experience for everyone. We are also able to support leaders to achieve skills-based qualifications so that they can organise and lead adventurous activities.
This year is the 40[th] anniversary of the introduction of the Beaver section and Groups and the District have organised celebratory activities including a water day.
We continue to see top awards being achieved by all sections including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The District has financially supported events including Hillwalking and water activities (Scouts), Sports days (Beavers and Cubs) and expeditions both in the UK and abroad so that no one is excluded on the grounds of affordability. Events include participation in the County expedition to Kandersteg and other expeditions abroad.
During the year we have maintained the District Van and climbing wall and other District equipment which is available for all Groups to use free of charge.
The new membership system has been fully adopted, and it allows individuals access to their records and data.
The District has helped fund two building projects during the year (4[th] Eastcote storage container and a similar project at 6[th] Eastcote) and has funds available for further developments. Four Groups in the District are currently working on building projects to rebuild old and dilapidated headquarters.
## **Conclusion**
The leaders and other helpers have worked hard to provide a high-quality programme for all young people in REN and the Trustees express their thanks to everyone for making this another successful year.
Page **4** of **5** Board of Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] March 2026
## **Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council**
## **Trustees Annual Report**
## **Declaration**
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees _Signatures_ …………………………… …………………………………….. _Full names .._ ………………………… …………………………………….. _Position_ …………………………… …………………………………….. _Date_ ……………………………………
Page **5** of **5** Board of Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] March 2026
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Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council
Receipts and Payments Account
Year start date Year end date
For the year
01/04/2025 31/03/2026
from
Receipts and payments
2025/26 2024/25
Unrestricted Designated
Total funds Total funds
funds funds
£ £ £ £
Receipts
Income Squirrels Activities
Income Beaver Activities
352
Income Cub Activities
6,265 6,265 2,875
Income Scout Activities
6,604
6,604 8,917
Income Explorer Activities (Note 13) 10,000 10,000 -
Income mixed Activities
5,858 5,858
District Van
7,253
Members Subscriptions (Note 7) 52,526 52,526 52,900
Explorer Units Income 73,963 73,963 73,738
Other Income (Note 14) 100 100
Sub total 155,316 - 155,316 146,035
Grants -
- -
Sub total - -
Fundraising (gross) -
Donation Legacy - -
Sub total - - -
Investment income -
Investment income (Note 3)
9,762 9,762 11,007
- -
Sub total 9,762 - 9,762 11,007
-
Total Gross Income 165,078 - 165,078 157,042
Profit on Investment Assets (Note 9) 24,976 24,976 8,751
-
Total receipts 190,054 - 190,054 165,793
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Ruislip Eastcote Northwood District Scout Council
Receipts and Payments Account
Year start date Year end date
For the year
01/04/2025 31/03/2026
from
Receipts and payments
2025/26 2024/25
Unrestricted Designated
Total funds Total funds
funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Payments
Leader Training - 1,100 - 1,100 - 1,167
Transport Subsidies for Groups (Note 5) - 260 - - 623
- 260
Expenditure Squirrels - 500
- 500
Expenditure Beaver Activities - - - 1,317
Expenditure Cub Activities
- 6,312 - - 6,312 - 2,746
Expenditure Scout Activities
- 8,019 - - 8,019 - 13,464
Expenditure Explorer Activities
- 6,551 - - 6,551 - 2,600
Expenditure Mixed Activities
- 5,208 - - 5,208 - 3,522
Capital Grant (Note 4)
- 17,674 - 17,674
Members' Subscriptions Paid (Note 7)
- 53,800 - - 53,800 - 52,459
District Van costs
- 1,401 - - 1,401 - 25,416
Admin, Insurance, fees, badges (Note 12)
- 1,432 - - 1,432 - 1,549
Explorer Units
- 78,547 - - 78,547 - 79,212
Uniform Subsidy
- 936 - - 936 - 478
Other Expenditure (Note 13)
-
Sub total
- 164,066 - 17,674 - 181,740 - 184,553
Fundraising expenses -
Sub total -
Total Gross Expenditure - 164,066 - 17,674 - 181,740 - 184,553
Asset and investment purchases,
etc. - -
-
Total payments - 164,066 - 17,674 - 181,740 - 184,553
-
Net of receipts/(payments) 25,988 -17,674.00 8,314 - 18,760
Transfers between funds - -
Total funds last year end 498,750 498,750 517,510
Total funds this year end 524,738 - 17,674 507,064 498,750
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Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
31st March
31st March 2026
2025
Unrestricted Designated Total funds Total funds
funds funds
£ £ £ £
Cash funds
CAF Cash (current account, Note 8 170 - 170 428
CAF Gold (deposit account, Note 8 16,688 16,688 7,858
Close Bros 1 (notice account) 1,292 93,716 95,008 90,987
Cambridge & Counties bank (notice
23,851 23,851 52,263
account)
United Trust Bank (notice account) 96,576 96,576 92,510
Other unrestricted accounts Note 8
Poindextor Explorers 6,254 6,254 11,035
Pathfinder Explorers 40 40 105
Ruislip Explorers 4,265 4,265 4,003
Network -
Jamboree - -
Total cash funds
52,560 190,292 242,852 259,189
Other monetary assets - -
Loan to 6th Eastcote (Note 10)
2,275 2,275 2,600
Sub total 2,275 - 2,275 2,600
Investment assets - -
Quoted Investments - IPS Capital
261,937 236,961
(Note 9) 261,937
Sub total - 261,937 261,937 236,961
Non monetary assets for charity's
- -
own use
All written down to zero (Note 11) - - - -
Sub total - - - -
Liabilities - -
None - - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total Cash & Cash Equivalent
Assets 54,835 190,292 245,127 261,789
Total Assets 54,835 452,229 507,064 498,750
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the
Trustees on 9th July 2025 (the date of the Trustees meeting that approved the accounts) and signed on
their behalf by
Signature
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## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **For the Year ended 31[st] March 2026**
## 1. **Accounting Policies**
a. The financial statements have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis, and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), together with Update Bulletin 1. b. Depreciation. Since 2011/12 the value of fixed assets has been zero.
## **2. Reserves Policy**
a. The funds associated with the various Sections (Explorer Scouts and Network) are considered as current year spending for those sections and are not part of District Reserves Policy. b. The sum of money to which the policy applies in 2025/26 is £452,229
c. £250,000 is a Designated Fund for interest earning, to allow the District to continue in perpetuity to support activities across all Groups and Sections.
d. Originally a sum of £300,000 was allocated as a Designated Fund for Capital Grants to Groups. This reduced to £202,229 in 2025/26, as Capital Grants were paid. e. The balance of £54,835 is considered to be current year spending.
## **3. Investment Income**
All investment income, whether from Unrestricted Funds or Designated Funds is taken as Income into the Unrestricted Funds. This is made up as follows: CAF Cash £7 CAF Gold £80 Close Brothers £4,021 Cambridge and Counties Bank £1,588 United Trust Bank £4,066 **Total Interest Earned £9,762**
## **4. Capital Grants**
There were two Capital Grants made this year. They were: 6th Eastcote Container £14,000 4th Ruislip Container £3,674
## **5. Transport Subsidies for Groups**
Under the Fund Management Policy, the District offers to pay for 80% of the hire costs for a minibus or van for Group camps. The cost of subsidies paid in 2025/26 was £260. For 2024/25 this figure was £623.
## **6. Subsidies for District Events**
Under the Fund Management Policy, the District offers to pay subsidies on an agreed basis for District-organised events. In 2025/26, the cost of subsidies across all sections was £7,863. In 2024/25, the cost of subsidies across all sections was £11,505.
## **7. Membership Subscriptions**
Net Expenditure on Members' Subscriptions for 2025/6 was £1,274. For 2024/25 this figure was an income of £441. The net expenditure this year covers subscriptions for our Young Leaders.
## **8. Unrestricted Accounts**
Accounts under this sub-heading are the CAF Cash (the District’s main current account), CAF Gold, and the three District Explorer current accounts; one account is used for Poindextor Explorers, one for Ruislip Explorers and one for Pathfinder Explorers
## **9. Investment in Equities and Bonds**
Prospect Wealth Management merged with IPS Capital during 2021/22 and the joint company now trades as IPS Capital.
The Finance Subcommittee invested £127,323 of the District funds on 15th July 2011 in an investment portfolio including equities and bonds, through a company called Prospect Wealth Management. There is no fixed term on this investment, although it is viewed as medium to long term (4 years plus). In April 2022 we invested a further £40,000 in this portfolio.
Market valuation at 31st March 2026 was £261,937, an increase of £24,976 on the 2024/25 valuation. No dividends or interest are payable; any such gains are included in the valuation at any point in time.
## **10. Loan to 6th Eastcote Group**
In 2012/13 the District made an interest-free loan of £6,500 to 6th Eastcote Group, to allow them to pay off a long-standing debt that arose from major works to their Scout Headquarters in 2003. The loan was made under a signed agreement and will be paid off by the Group over 20 years in 20 equal annual instalments of £325. The first of these instalments was paid in 2013/14, and the annual payments continue.
## **11. Fixed Assets**
There are no fixed assets with any book value. The District owns the District Van, purchased in April 2024, but it has been written down to zero value.
## **12. Administration, Insurance, Fees and Badges**
Included in this expenditure is the following: Insurance for equipment, cost of badges Other Administration costs
## **13. Poindextor Explorers' Funds**
District received a payment of £10,000 from Poindextor Explorers, with the aim of the money earning interest for them in one of the cash investment accounts operated by the District. Interest accruing on this money will be credited to Poindextor.
## **14. Other Income**
This was a donation for use of our Climbing Wall.
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
Charity Name
**Report to the trustees/** Charity Name **members of** RUISLIP EASTCOTE & NORTHWOOD DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
> **On accounts for the year ended** 31 March 2026 **Charity no (if any)**[1066010] **Set out on pages** 1-5 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **31 / 03 / 2025** .
**Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** 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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
* _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
**Signed:** _K F Mulvaney_ **Name:** K F Mulvaney **Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** 43A Hallowell Road Northwood HA6 1DT
**Date: 30/07/2026**
**October 2018**
1
**IER**
**Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
**October 2018**
2
**IER**