Trustees' Annual Report
For the period
| From (start date) | 0 | 1 | 0 4 2 |
1 | to end date | to end date | to end date | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Reference and | administration details | ||||||||||||
| Charity name | First Gossoms End Scouts | |||||||||||||
| Other names the charity is known by | ||||||||||||||
| Registered charity number (if any) | 1 0 6 |
7 | 1 | 6 | 9 | |||||||||
| HQ registration number | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
| Charity’s principal address | The Scout Hut | |||||||||||||
| Queens Road | ||||||||||||||
| Berkhamsted | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode | H | P | 4 | 3 | H | U |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)
| Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Howard Scoot | Chair | |
| 2 | Guy Walton | Secretary | |
| 3 | Jim Samuel | Treasurer | |
| 4 | Andrew Wilson | Assistant GSL | |
| 5 | Jo McAuley | Assistant GSL | |
| 6 | Judy Grundy | Beaver Scout Leader | |
| 7 | Richard Storey | Census Treasurer | |
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | |||
| 11 | |||
| 12 | |||
| 13 | |||
| 14 | |||
| 15 |
| Section B | Structure, governance and management |
|---|---|
| Description of the charity’s trusts Type of governing document How the charity is constituted Trustee selection methods Additional governance issues a) the induction and training of trustees |
The Group's governing documents are those of the 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 is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee, 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 with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate. The Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leaders and aims to meet every month, and a minimum of once a quarter. Members of the Executive Committee complete training within the first 5 months of joining the committee. This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for: The maintenance of Group property; The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance; The insurance of persons, property and equipment; Group public occasions; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any sub committees that may be required; Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected. ; 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' |
| Section B | Structure, governance and management (continued) |
|---|---|
| Risk and Internal Control The Group Executive Committee 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 concern 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 organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against 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 fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and letting the Scout Hut to other charities at times where it is not needed for Scouting activities. The group does hold a reserve that is intended to cover restoring and any major maintenance costs for the hut and for the cost of the Group's minibus. To ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income the Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer 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 contraction, 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 6 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 internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. |
| Section C | Objectives and activities | Objectives and activities |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document |
The Purpose of Scouting The Values of Scouting Integrity - Respect - Care - Belief - Co-operation - The Scout Method Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. As Scouts we are guided by these values: We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal. We have self-respect and respect for others. We support others and take care of the world in which we live. We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes. We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends. 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 - take part in activities indoors and outdoors - learn by doing - share in spiritual reflection - take responsibility and make choices - undertake new and challenging activities - make and live by their Promise. |
|
| Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects |
See Section D |
Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
| may choose You to include further • policy on grantmaking; • contribution made by volunteers; • policy on investments. statements, where relevant, about: Public benefit statement |
|
|---|---|
| The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings. |
| Section D | Achievements and performance |
|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
The Group has had another good year coming out of the Covid Pandemic and returning to some sort of normality in Scouting. We are now reduced to three sections, 1 Scouts troop, 1 Cub pack and our Beaver colony providing many activities for over 70 girls and boys. With such a healthy and good compliment, each section’s waiting list has continued to grow, causing the demand to continue to be a challenge to manage. We are still “below strength” with regard to adult leadership and committee members in several areas. I would like to thank all the leaders and helpers of 1st Gossoms End Scout Group for stepping up and going the extra miles in these difficult times. A big thank you also goes to our Executive Committee without whose help we could not carry on. Here is a summary of the activities undertaken by 1st Gossoms End during the 2021/2022 year: Our program for Beavers this year has been as follows: We had a visit to the Boxmoor Trust to do pond dipping and a mini beast hunt which was fun. During the summer months we spent time at the canal fields playground playing tennis, kwik cricket, rounders, and a Scavenger hunt. July- End of term BBQ at Phasels is always popular and the Beavers had a chance to test their skills on the Cresta run. The evening finished with a water pistol game. In September the Beavers visited the Berkhamsted Bowls Club. Other activities included collecting conkers, making biscuits, pancakes and celebrating St Patricks Day, Chinese New Year and Diwali. We also worked on several badges including Adventure Challenge, Personal Challenge, Creative Activity and Space Activity. 1st Gossoms End Monday Cubs have been disbanded due to falling numbers and availability of adult help. This year we have been doing some great activities with a focus on getting some of the challenge badges that had been difficult to do under COVID, starting with the Skills badge in Spring term, then the Adventure and Outdoor badges in Summer, and World this Autumn term. Summer's highlight, as so often, was camp at Tolmers, with cubs and leaders alike having a marvellous time in the mostly sunshine, lots of cake, lots of tree climbing. Our programme has included some old favourites this year such as Graffiti Art, Egg Drop, Viking Catapult and Kite Flying as well as some new ctivities in an Obstacle Course up at Ashridge, a Track and Trail run in the woods and some record breaking attempts such as fastest time to eat three cream crackers. Another lovely year and we're all looking forward to the next. 1st Gossoms End Wednesday Scouts have been disbanded due to falling numbers and availability of adult help. It’s been another busy year for Thursday Scouts. We now have a large group –31 Scouts in total – but have had a big team of leaders: Louise Section Report: Beavers 2021-2022 Section Report: Cubs 2021-2022 Section Report: Scouts 2021-2022 |
| The Group has had another good year coming out of the Covid Pandemic and returning to some sort of normality in Scouting. We are now reduced to three sections, 1 Scouts troop, 1 Cub pack and our Beaver colony providing many activities for over 70 girls and boys. With such a healthy and good compliment, each section’s waiting list has continued to grow, causing the demand to continue to be a challenge to manage. We are still “below strength” with regard to adult leadership and committee members in several areas. I would like to thank all the leaders and helpers of 1st Gossoms End Scout Group for stepping up and going the extra miles in these difficult times. A big thank you also goes to our Executive Committee without whose help we could not carry on. Here is a summary of the activities undertaken by 1st Gossoms End during the 2021/2022 year: Our program for Beavers this year has been as follows: We had a visit to the Boxmoor Trust to do pond dipping and a mini beast hunt which was fun. During the summer months we spent time at the canal fields playground playing tennis, kwik cricket, rounders, and a Scavenger hunt. July- End of term BBQ at Phasels is always popular and the Beavers had a chance to test their skills on the Cresta run. The evening finished with a water pistol game. In September the Beavers visited the Berkhamsted Bowls Club. Other activities included collecting conkers, making biscuits, pancakes and celebrating St Patricks Day, Chinese New Year and Diwali. We also worked on several badges including Adventure Challenge, Personal Challenge, Creative Activity and Space Activity. 1st Gossoms End Monday Cubs have been disbanded due to falling numbers and availability of adult help. This year we have been doing some great activities with a focus on getting some of the challenge badges that had been difficult to do under COVID, starting with the Skills badge in Spring term, then the Adventure and Outdoor badges in Summer, and World this Autumn term. Summer's highlight, as so often, was camp at Tolmers, with cubs and leaders alike having a marvellous time in the mostly sunshine, lots of cake, lots of tree climbing. Our programme has included some old favourites this year such as Graffiti Art, Egg Drop, Viking Catapult and Kite Flying as well as some new ctivities in an Obstacle Course up at Ashridge, a Track and Trail run in the woods and some record breaking attempts such as fastest time to eat three cream crackers. Another lovely year and we're all looking forward to the next. 1st Gossoms End Wednesday Scouts have been disbanded due to falling numbers and availability of adult help. It’s been another busy year for Thursday Scouts. We now have a large group –31 Scouts in total – but have had a big team of leaders: Louise Section Report: Beavers 2021-2022 Section Report: Cubs 2021-2022 Section Report: Scouts 2021-2022 |
group –31 Scouts in t ~~o~~ tal – but h ~~a~~ ve h ~~a~~ d a big team of leaders: Lo ~~u~~ ise, Tamzin, Wilf, Steve and Stef. Plus, we have the additional help from 2 Young Leaders.
Scouts have used knives, lit fires and built dens. These were useful skills when we held a Survival Camp at Chorleywood House Estate in June 2022 – we had the entire site to ourselves, and Scouts had the chance of sleeping in tents or under the stars on that first, hot night. They cooked all their meals on Trangias or on fires – the meat and veg foil parcels and the pineapple upside-down pudding in a tuna tin were great successes.
We had a one-night camp in May – Scouts hiked from Wilstone to Cheddington, some even carrying all their kit with them, and then they relaxed around the campfire and cooked their own meals in the evening.
Other highlights have included the Chip Shop Challenge, a visit to Sunnyside charity, a First Aid Incident Evening and a Problem-Solving Bases session. We have had a refugee session in the hut, and one outdoors involving Syrian and Afghani refugees.
Once again, the Scouts do us proud with their mature attitude, their team spirit and their willingness to take part in all of the various activities.
The Group still faces a major challenge in securing more adult help, we would love to offer more young people the chance to join Scouts - our waiting list is long - but we would need more adults to do this.
We are confident we can work through these challenges to allow the Group continued success.
| Section E | Financial Review |
|---|---|
| Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves The Group's policy on reserves is first to hold sufficient resources in it's General Fund to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £10,000. The Group's General Fund balance at year end is £69,767. This is above the level required for operating expenses. This is because the Group is expecting to need to renew much of its equipment and to incur higher maintenance costs, as much of its equipment is nearing or past the end of its useful life and there are several areas of the Scout Hall that require repair or maintenance. In addition, the Group has maintained its reserve of £20,501 including accrued interest. This is held in an interest-bearing account and continues to be ear-marked to meet expenditure for restoring & maintaining the hut and for maintaining the running of the minibus. Details of any funds materially in deficit None Further financial review details (optional information) Reserves Policy (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) |
The Group's policy on reserves is first to hold sufficient resources in it's General Fund to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £10,000. The Group's General Fund balance at year end is £69,767. This is above the level required for operating expenses. This is because the Group is expecting to need to renew much of its equipment and to incur higher maintenance costs, as much of its equipment is nearing or past the end of its useful life and there are several areas of the Scout Hall that require repair or maintenance. In addition, the Group has maintained its reserve of £20,501 including accrued interest. This is held in an interest-bearing account and continues to be ear-marked to meet expenditure for restoring & maintaining the hut and for maintaining the running of the minibus. Reserves Policy |
| None |
Investment Policy The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies or The Scout Association's Short Term Investment Service. The Group Executive regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the group obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn, before doing so the Group Executive considers the cash flow requirements.
| Section F | Other Optional Information |
|---|---|
| Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them) |
Section G Declaration
| Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
Section G Declaration |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above | |||||||||
| Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees | |||||||||
| Signature(s) | |||||||||
| Full name(s) | Howard Scoot | ||||||||
| Position (eg Secretary, Chair) | Chair | ||||||||
| Date |
First Gossoms End Scouts Receipts and Payments Account
| For the year from |
For the year from |
1 April 2021 | 1 April 2021 | To | To | 31 March 2022 | 31 March 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| Receipts | General fund (Unrestricted) £ |
Reserve fund (Designated) Camps & Activities funds (Restricted) 2021/22 £ £ |
Total funds £ |
Total funds 2020/21 £ |
|||||
| Donations, legacies and similar income |
|||||||||
| Membership subscriptions | 8,306 | - | - | 8,306 | 1,924 | ||||
| Less: Membership subscriptions paid on to National, County and District |
- 3,760 |
- | - | - 3,760 |
- 4,203 |
||||
| Net membership subscriptions retained | 4,546 | - | - | 4,546 | - 2,279 |
||||
| Donations for use of minibus & trailer | 860 | - | - | 860 | 655 | ||||
| Activities fees | - | - | - | - | 260 | ||||
| Camp fees | - | - | 2,070 | 2,070 | - | ||||
| Fees for future camps | - | - | 120 | 120 | - | ||||
| Gift Aid | - | - | - | - | 5,626 | ||||
| Sub total | 5,406 | - | 2,190 | 7,596 | 4,262 | ||||
| Grants | |||||||||
| Grants | 14,160 | - | - | 14,160 | 10,000 | ||||
| Sub total | 14,160 | - | - | 14,160 | 10,000 | ||||
| Fundraising (gross) | |||||||||
| Fundraising | 752 | - | 220 | 972 | 200 | ||||
| Sub total | 752 | - | 220 | 972 | 200 | ||||
| Investment income | |||||||||
| Bank interest | - | 19 | - | 19 | 54 | ||||
| Hall lettings | 5,330 | - | - | 5,330 | 4,921 | ||||
| Sub total Asset and investment sales, etc. Total Gross Income |
5,330 | 19 | - | 5,349 | 4,975 | ||||
| 25,648 | 19 | 2,410 | 28,076 | 19,438 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts | |||||||||
| 25,648 | 19 | 2,410 | 28,076 | 19,438 | |||||
First Gossoms End Scouts Receipts and Payments Account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | Year end date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
1 April 2021 | To | 31 March 2022 | ||||||
| Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| Payments | General fund (Unrestricted) £ |
Reserve fund (Designated) Camps & Activities funds (Restricted) 2021/22 £ £ |
Total funds £ |
Total funds 2020/21 £ |
|||||
| Charitable Payments | |||||||||
| Activities | 536 | - | 454 | 990 | 534 | ||||
| Camps | 102 | - | 1,959 | 2,061 | 423 | ||||
| Expenses of future camps | 2,137 | - | 6 | 2,143 | 500 | ||||
| Equipment | 459 | - | 220 | 679 | 342 | ||||
| Consumables & Sundries | 342 | - | - | 342 | 804 | ||||
| Broadband | 130 | - | - | 130 | - | ||||
| Property maintenance | 1,750 | - | - | 1,750 | 906 | ||||
| Garden | 875 | - | - | 875 | 585 | ||||
| Gas and electricity | 1,261 | - | - | 1,261 | - 536 |
||||
| Refuse | 460 | - | - | 460 | 337 | ||||
| Water and sewage | 613 | - | - | 613 | 510 | ||||
| Insurance | 1,384 | - | - | 1,384 | 1,377 | ||||
| Minibus | 2,762 | - | - | 2,762 | 1,170 | ||||
| Site and software | 382 | - | - | 382 | 626 | ||||
| Bank charges | 290 | - | - | 290 | 203 | ||||
| Business rates | 154 | - | - | 154 | - | ||||
| Sub total Fundraising expenses |
13,637 | - | 2,640 | 16,277 | 7,781 | ||||
| Fundraising expenses | 52 | - | 220 | 272 | 400 | ||||
| Sub total | 52 | - | 220 | 272 | 400 | ||||
| Asset and investment purchases, etc. Transfers between funds Cash funds last year end Total Gross Expenditure Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds this year end |
13,690 | - | 2,860 | 16,549 | 8,181 | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| 13,690 | - | 2,860 | 16,549 | 8,181 | |||||
| 11,958 | 19 | - 450 |
11,527 | 11,256 | |||||
| 58 | - | - 58 |
- | - | |||||
| 57,750 | 20,483 | 1,972 | 80,205 | 68,949 | |||||
| 69,767 | 20,501 | 1,464 | 91,732 | 80,205 | |||||
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
| 31st March 2022 | 31st March 2022 | 31st March 2022 | 31st March 2021 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camps & | |||||||||
| General fund (Unrestricted) |
Reserve fund (Designated) |
Activities funds |
Total funds | Total funds | |||||
| (Restricted) | |||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Cash funds | |||||||||
| NatWest | 15,623 | 41 | 1,445 | 17,109 | - | ||||
| CAF | 54,143 | - | - | 54,143 | 58,536 | ||||
| Shawbrooks Deposit | - | 20,461 | - | 20,461 | 20,442 | ||||
| HSBC Thursday Scouts AC | - | - | - | - | 1,227 | ||||
| Stripe | - | - | 19 | 19 | - | ||||
| Total cash funds | 69,767 | 20,501 | 1,464 | 91,732 | 80,205 | ||||
| Other monetary assets | |||||||||
| Unclaimed Gift Aid | 2,071 | - | - | 2,071 | 166 | ||||
| Subscriptions not yet paid | 818 | - | - | 818 | - | ||||
| Sub total | 2,889 | - | - | 2,889 | 166 |
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 16 November 2022 and signed on their behalf by
| Signature | Print Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Scoot Chair | ||
| Jim Samuel Treasurer |