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2023-12-31-accounts

Trustees Annual Report

(Financial year 1[st] January -31[st] December 2023)

Reference and Administration

Charity name: Horsham District Scout Council Registered Charity number: 1076603 Scout Association number: 11937820

Charity’s principal address: c/o Howick Gate, The Haven, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9BQ

Charity Trustees:

Acting District
Commissioners		 Dave Hatton and Jo Sands, from 30 June 2023*
(Sal Dartnell until 30 June 2023)
District Chair Heather Greenwood
District Secretary Sue Apps, from 30 June 2023
(Katie Weston until 30 June 2023)
District Treasurer Joe Triccas
Trustee Board Dave King (DESC),Christopher Styles(DYC),AndyBray (DNC),
Brian Barker,Ellen Corke,Abi Davies,Nigel Friswell,Alison Laker,
Julian Peters,AnthonySmith,Geoff Spooner,Alison Styles,
Tim Taylor,Graham Whymark
*Note: District AGM 30thJune 2023, Sal Dartnell and Katie Weston resigned
frompost;Dave Hatton,Jo Sands and Sue Apps appointed

Bankers: National Westminster plc and Lloyds Bank plc Independent Scrutineer: Arthur Long

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 and the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.

The District trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the charity’s trustees. 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 District Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 10 Trustees (including 2 Ex Officio Trustees) and meets three to four times a year. Members of the District Trustee Board complete “Being a Scouts Trustee” learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.

The District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, district buildings and equipment are insured and in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and The Scout Association's Policy, Organisation and Rules. Their support helps the District volunteer team run high quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.

The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to the charity and have established systems to mitigate against them. The main risks identified are reduced through appropriate insurance cover on charitable assets and covering personal injury to members/public of the charity, providing appropriate training of its trustees and adult volunteers and providing support to maintain numbers of members and adult volunteers.

Objectives and Activities

The aim and purpose of The Scout Association is 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: Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal. Respect - 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 faiths, beliefs and attitudes. Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we cooperate 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.

The aim and purpose of the charity is to promote and support Scouting in the Horsham District.

The District meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

2024 District Annual Report

Chair’s Report

At our 2023 District and Group AGMs we all moved from being Executive Committees to Trustee Boards. This was done to bring us in line with good practice guidance set by the Charity Commission and other charity regulators. It was also done to help us clarify our purpose as Trustee Boards. Trustee Boards focus solely on the governance of the charity, not charity operations. So, the start of the 2023/24 Scouting year in September 2023 saw everyone on the District Trustee Board start to get to grips with our new roles and responsibilities, with a clear focus on good governance in the key areas of compliance, finance and risk. I would like to thank everyone on the District Trustee Board for their hard work, help and support over this last year as we have transitioned, or perhaps I should say “transformed”, from Executive Committee to Trustee Board.

The Board continues to meet three times a year, one meeting per term, and at the annual District AGM. It is our responsibility to ensure that the District is run safely and legally and that it is properly supported financially. We are aided in this by the fantastic work of our two subcommittees, the Appointments Committee and the Campsite Committee, and I would like to thank all the members of those committees for their time and commitment to the provision of Scouting in Horsham. Please do read their separate Reports to find out more about what they have been doing this Scouting year.

Dave, Jo, and all the enthusiastic members of the District team have worked incredibly hard this year to get as many District wide events happening as possible, including another successful Riverside Walk at the start of the Scouting year in September, a very frosty 2-Rings Hike in December and in April we all came together at the St George’s Day Parade where it was wonderful to see so many of our young people from all sections of all our Groups. The District Trustee Board would love to see more events happening next year, and we have increased the provision in the budget for District events, so please do keep the ideas coming!

The Scout Association’s latest version of POR was published on 1[st] April 2024, just in time for our 2024 AGM season. It has introduced further changes to the constitution of and selection process for our Trustee Boards. Trustee Boards should have a minimum of five, maximum of twelve, trustees which includes those in ex-officio roles. Ideally two of those trustees should be aged between 18 and 25. Trustees can be appointed for a 1-, 2- or 3-year term and cannot serve for more than 9 consecutive years. The secretary is no longer a trustee role and so does not have the right to vote on trustee decisions. Selection of trustees should be by a formal, rigorous and transparent open-selection process and appointments are made by the Scout Council at the AGM. I would like to thank all our Group Chairs for embracing these changes and doing as much as they can in the time available before their own Group AGMs to ensure that these changes are implemented.

At District level we advertised for new trustees both internally and externally and were incredibly pleased to have sixteen applications for the ten places available on the Board, seven of whom were from candidates who have not served on the Trustee Board before. Our selection panel have been meeting with the candidates over the last two weeks and will be making their recommendations to the Horsham District Scout Council at the AGM on Wednesday 5[th] June.

It is wonderful to see scouting in Horsham continue to thrive with the numbers of young people involved increasing year on year. This is thanks to the hard work, energy and enthusiasm of all our adult volunteers who enable Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Young Leaders and Network to happen every week, together those involved behind the scenes at Group and District level. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for the difference you make to the lives and life skills of all our young people.

Heather Greenwood, Chair, District Trustee Board

District Commissioners’ Report

Well, it certainly has been a very busy year, with Jo and I on a very steep learning curve despite being Deputy District Commissioners for the past four years. How one person in full time employment can keep up with the administration is beyond me! On behalf of the District Jo and I would like to say a huge thank you to our past District Commissioner Sal Dartnell for all her dedicated service and hard work. Thank goodness we are moving to a District Volunteer Leadership Team!

I am very pleased to report that Scouting continues to thrive in Horsham District and our overall numbers have increased by 84, which now makes us the biggest District in the County. Jo and I would like to say a huge thank you to all our adult volunteers for their continued hard work, enthusiasm, and energy. It is really appreciated.

I would also like to say huge congratulations to the 4[th] Horsham who are celebrating their 40[th] Anniversary and to St Leonards Forest who are celebrating their 50[th] Anniversary.

Congratulations also go to Sal Dartnell and Alison Styles on being awarded the Medal of Merit.

Almost all groups & units have a waiting list and there are flexible opportunities for anyone wishing to volunteer. No matter what their skills and interests are, we will definitely have a role to suit them and their availability. Anyone wanting to learn or develop new skills, there is a wide range of training available through The Scout Association website, which can not only help volunteers involved in scouting, but in other aspects of their life too. Jo and I have been volunteering for nearly 80 years between us and we encourage everyone to get involved, share their experiences, and spread their skills with each other and our young people.

As the AGM season approaches, our 15 Scout Groups, 9 Explorer Units, plus the Young Leaders Section continue to do an outstanding job across our local communities. In particular, we would like to give a special mention to the GSL’s who do an absolutely amazing job and at times have been bombarded by emails from Jo and me. Please remember that the GSL role can be non-uniformed and can be shared. It is a great opportunity to use or develop leadership and management skills. Training is available and the District Team endeavour to support all GSLs as and when required. With the move to Leadership Teams which is part of the “Transformation” that the Scout Association are rolling out, many Groups are adding Deputy GSLs to share their role to a number of people who bring different skills and perspectives. This can also help with succession planning and provide continuity.

We are very lucky to have an amazing team of District Assistant Commissioners, Assistant District Commissioners and District Youth Commissioners who are able to support the Groups.

They organise the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, annual District Events, as well as one off trips like the Cubs recent trip to Amberley Museum and the recent Beavers trip to Legoland.

We are absolutely delighted that the new Squirrel sections in 2[nd ] Horsham and 1[st ] Cowfold are thriving, and we know that other groups are looking to introduce Squirrel Dreys in the near future. The word on the street via our new County Lead Volunteer Tom, is that Groups who have Squirrel Dreys seem to have less trouble finding leaders!

Last summer saw twelve of our young people attend the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea and we eagerly await this year’s Roverway which is being held in Norway, where we have three people attending. Harry Lawrence has written about his Jamboree experience, see end of Report.

Nigel “Fris” Friswell, Heather (District Chair), and Dave (AJDTL) continue to engage with HDC and local developers. They are working on initial plans for a new Group to serve the Mowbray development north of Horsham and also have an eye on Highwood. See separate Growth and Local Development Report.

Unfortunately, our ‘Want to Join’ Coordinator had to step down during the year so, Jo and I took the decision to point potential new members to our excellent website to contact Groups directly. Thank you Nik and Tim for all your hard work on the continued development of the website. Nik is about to step down from looking after our website after many years of dedicated service and we would like to say a huge thank you to him. Tim Taylor is going to take over and we are very grateful to Tim for taking on this responsibility.

The last year has crept up on us really quickly and at the time of writing this report Jo and I do not know who our new District Lead Volunteer will be. I have absolutely no doubt that I will have forgotten to say something or thank someone. Please be assured that you are all a really valuable part of our team, and we could not provide our 1000 + young people in Horsham District with the Skills for Life without YOU, so thank you!

Dave Hatton and Jo Sands, Acting Joint District Team Leads

District Youth Commissioner’s Report

The District Youth team have had a great year and have been able to see first-hand some of the amazing youth shaped scouting in Horsham! We’ve had great conversations with volunteers around the district about how they are ensuring their sections and teams are youth shaped and how they continue to include young people in all decisions. There is always more we can do though to ensure everything we do is youth shaped and our team is here to help! Just get in touch and we’d be happy to offer support or answer questions about how you can involve young people. The ideal situation is co-creation where young people shape their scouting experiences while supported by incredible volunteers.

We had a fantastic April this year as not only were we involved in the delivery of our St George’s Day Parade again, but we were also able to accompany 75 Beavers and their leaders to Legoland! We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and we hope everyone else did too – potentially could be repeated in a couple of years’ time.

The team have taken an active role within our District Leadership Team to support the District Lead Volunteers and Chair to ensure decisions across the movement have young people at the centre. We have also been working with the wider County team representing Horsham and also working with the County Youth Lead to raise issues and opportunities.

We’re super excited to be supporting our new District Scout Network Team Lead/Commissioner, Harry, as he takes on the task to reignite and develop the Network section. This vital section offers so many opportunities to young people aged 18-25 and also increases the support for our younger volunteers. It may also help us recruit some more new leaders and trustees!

Personally, I have taken on a new exciting challenge, as I have recently joined the UK Youth Team where I’ll be working with the UK Youth Lead and the team to support, develop and embed #YouShape scouting across the country! I’ll be specifically focusing on developing The Scouts youth voice strategy, championing youth forum delivery locally and supporting youth leads, volunteers, and trustees at all levels to put young people first in all our decisions. I’ll be doing this alongside my local DYL role, which means the district youth team is going to develop and change slightly to ensure we can continue to support you and our young people.

As always feel free to get in touch at dyc@horshamscouts.com. If you’d like to invite one of us along to your sessions or events, we’d be thrilled and do our best to attend, just let us know.

Christopher Styles, District Youth Lead/Commissioner

District Explorer Scout Commissioner’s Report

Another busy year for Explorers in Horsham. There were a number of summer expeditions across the District including trips to Guernsey, South Wales & the Lake District.

Several units took part in the Monopoly Run across London and the Theme Park Camp just outside Thorpe Park. Both events brought Explorers together from across the UK. Across the District we took part in the Downsman Hike and also supported local community events including the Rotary Club and Art Trail.

Following the closure of Orion ESU we have moved the equipment owned by the Unit from 2nd Southwater HQ and sorted through to ensure it continues to be used across the District.

Explorer Scout numbers in Horsham increased over the last year with the 2024 census recording 165 members. As we move into next year we are currently working with 2nd Horsham to support the growth in future Explorer Scouts from their troops and exploring launching a new Unit.

As we look to implement a new approach to supporting the 14-25 year olds in Scouting we are excited to have new people join our volunteer team.

As always we are on the lookout for new leaders - not only to help launch a new Unit but also to boost our existing teams but if that is not for you then lots of other opportunities for you to be involved. Please let us know if you or someone you know would be interested.

Dave King, District Explorer Scout Commissioner

District Network Commissioner’s Report

A new Network Leadership Team comprising myself, Ned New and Chris Styles, took over from Andy Bray. Considering that both Ned and Chris have current roles within Horsham District Scouts, the plan is that I will lead and manage Compass/OSM. The team have discussed and have lots of ideas to get Network up and running again. Compass/OSM are relatively bare bones at the moment, however this will change with time. At the St George’s Parade, I spent some time connecting with as many of the Scout Groups in the district as I could, all of which showed a lot of support for us as a Network team. It was also good to hear the support of the Trustee Board at their last District Trustee Board meeting which I was invited to attend. We are also in contact with Crawley and Mid Sussex Networks to gauge processes that work for them as well as potentially organising joint-District Network events. All-in-all, Network has a lot of promise with the support currently shown. With the Team’s drive and the support of the Groups and Network members, I see a great growth of Network throughout 2024 and into 2025.

Harry Lawrence, Network Team Lead

Young Leader’s Report

The Young Leaders of Horsham continue to provide a vital resource to sections across Horsham District, providing a unique perspective to the operation of any section. The Young Leaders themselves gain from the experience, as well as from the programme of modules and missions that are run by the “Young Leader Team”. Many of the Young Leaders are also Explorer Scouts in other units, but a significant proportion volunteer their time to volunteer alongside the section’s adult volunteers.

The “Young Leader Team” itself has been augmented this year by some new adult volunteers, whilst too numerous to mention they all are experienced adult volunteers willing to give yet another few extra hours to support the Young Leaders. This has meant we are now again able to run modules more frequently as well as develop the way we are delivering the modules. Looking ahead our numbers look to remain healthy, with typically over 50 younger leaders taking part in the scheme at any time. However we need to do more with the sections to encourage a bigger take up of the missions, so we can increase the opportunities for our Young Leader to gain their Young Leader belt.

Tim Taylor, Young Leader’s Unit Lead

Duke of Edinburgh Award Report

For those that do not know The Duke of Edinburgh award system complements the Chief Scouts Award levels perfectly and participants can gain both awards just by signing up to DofE and

completing the requirements of the Chief Scouts Awards levels (Diamond, Platinum and Kings Scout Award).

This year we have seen some improvements in the way that the Duke of Edinburgh Award is administered throughout the district. Previously the award that was run through three different individual centres. We have now merged two of those sections and the main administering of the award is co-ordinated through a dedicated team of volunteers (Myself, Henry Lowis, Tamsin Jupp, Richard Cooper, Dan Senior and Will Britten) and from the beginning of this year all Explorers throughout the district now have the opportunity to sign up and participate in the Award scheme, if they so wish.

We currently have 50 young adults signed up across the awards levels and run expeditions, opportunities to complete the individual sections (Volunteering, Skills, Physical and Expedition) and awareness sessions regularly throughout the year to ensure that the awards are completed in a timely manner.

This year 11 young people have achieved either the Bronze or Silver levels and most are well on the way to completing their levels of awards over the coming few months.

If anyone wishes to sign up for the award, have any questions or wish to help, please do not hesitate to contact me (rgrover@horshamscouts.com) and we will happily sit down and discuss what is required.

Richard Grover, Duke of Edinburgh Team Lead

Horsham Scouts Support Unit Report

This year the Horsham Scouts Support Unit (HSSU) has helped with a variety of District events. These include events such as the 2 Rings Hike, the Riverside Walk and the Cubs Warnham challenge as well as supporting a Beaver Colony.

We also run monthly meetings for our members where we have guest speakers, such as the recent talk from the Beachy Head Chaplaincy who cover the Beachy Head area supporting vulnerable people, and we organise trips to popular local venues such as the National Trust’s Nymans Gardens.

My aim as HSSU Manager (Team Lead) is to try and recruit other, dare I say, younger members of the scouting community to help lower the age percentile of our members. Please contact me if you would like to get involved with HSSU or if you thing we could help support you in any way.

Kevin Murdock, HSSU Support Manager/Team Lead

Appointments Committee Report

Herewith a review of the activities of the Horsham District Appointments Advisory Committee for the last 12 months:

Team. Maybe this is a role for existing AAC members? For the time-being the AAC has been asked to carry on operating as normal.

Don Newport, Chair, Appointments Committee

Note to District Trustee Board for Annual General Meeting

Members of the Horsham District Appointments Advisory Committee serving during the next 12 months (appointed as a sub-committee of the District Trustee Board):

Don Newport Chair

Helen Palmer Secretary

Robert Gardner Assistant Secretary

Sebastian Cutter

Stephen Hoad

Phil North

Neil Phillips

Anthony Smith

Sheila Spicer

Bob Tichband

Campsite Committee Report

Our campsite continues to be well used by Horsham groups as well as out of district groups. This year has seen the development of the multi-use Range with a shelter and lighting, making it usable all year round; bunk beds in the leaders’ room in Gummy’s; and games and other equipment available for groups to use in the storage container. We have also enhanced the security of the site with full access control and CCTV systems, which will hopefully considerably reduce the risk of thefts in future.

Regular help from a small group of dedicated volunteers ensures the campsite is well maintained and safe for everyone to use. However, we are always looking for volunteers to join the team, not only supporting grounds maintenance, but also helping to deliver activities to groups that require instructors, and sourcing materials that are required. As a team together, the task of running the campsite becomes much more manageable. Please contact Alison, Chair of our Campsite Committee, or Bill, Campsite Manager, if you are interested in joining the team.

We would also like to encourage Scouts and Explorers to give back to our district by doing service towards their Chief Scout’s awards. Please contact Bill to discuss opportunities.

Over the last few years, we have also benefitted from organisations doing corporate volunteering days. Most recently a team from Chubb Insurance in Crawley donated materials and time to paint Gummy’s and over the next couple of months two more companies will be donating time as well. Please contact us if your company supports local charities in this way.

Finally, thank you to all the teams that support the Christmas Tree collection each year. This has been a phenomenal success and has generated significant sums over the last four years.

Alison Styles, Chair, Campsite Committee

Note to District Trustee Board for Annual General Meeting

Members of the Horsham District Campsite Committee serving during the next 12 months (appointed as a sub-committee of the District Trustee Board):

Alison Styles Chair Joe Triccas Treasurer Steve Mitchinson Secretary

Bill Power Campsite Manager

Anthony Smith Campsite Bookings Manager

Martin Dold

Tim Aveline

Gareth Witt

Dave Hatton/Jo Sands Ex-officio

Heather Greenwood Ex officio

Growth & Local Development Report

All those homes!

Horsham District Council (HDC) plans for the future envisage that some 20,000 new homes will be built in the district over the next 30 years. It seems long way away but this corresponds to some 2,000 young people who, hopefully, will want to become Scouts. Not only will we need additional Scout Groups and more volunteers, but they will all need somewhere to meet. Anyone who is already involved with Scouts knows the challenges that this will bring. A place where there will need to be space for groups of up to two-dozen youngsters most weekday evenings (plus some weekend activities) engaged in play, instruction, and general interaction. The meeting place (we will call it a Scout Group 'headquarters') must be local enough for the youngest members to be brought by their parents and convenient for older children to make their way from their homes by themselves in safety.

The big question is, "Who will provide these Scout HQs?" The HDC draft Local Plan provides for the need for educational and sports facilities but does not address non-sporting, noneducational community facilities for young people. A Scout HQ is not built overnight and will be needed as soon as families start to move into the new homes, not when each housing estate is completed. As a Scout District we will need to plan for this expansion in good time. We have submitted a detailed response to the draft Local Plan and continue to make representations at local level to HDC and the relevant Parish and Neighbourhood Councils and will continue to work on behalf of Horsham District Scouts to make our needs known.

Nigel “Fris” Friswell

World Scout Jamboree, South Korea

In Summer of 2023, the 25[th] World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) was held in South Korea, hosting roughly 60,000 Scouts and Leaders from 150+ countries across the world. Having attended the 24[th] WSJ as a participant, I knew what amazing personal development skills I could attain from the event. I was lucky enough to be selected as part of a leadership team of 4 to facilitate the event for 36 Young People (YP) across West Sussex, 6 of which were from Horsham District. There was also a second unit of the same size within the County, consisting of 6 Horsham District YP as well, leading to a total of 12 YP attending from the District.

After 18 months of preparation events with our Unit, dubbed the West Sussex Wasps due to an amazing badge design by one of our YP, we set off on our 3-week trip in the beautiful country of South Korea. 15 hours of flying later, we arrived in Seoul and spent the next 3 days exploring the breathtaking city. Seoul has lots of bustling city areas, crowded by skyscrapers, while also having very rural areas full of historical temples.

The WSJ site was based in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. As we arrived temperatures were already 40° C and there had been some localised flooding, which meant that our campsite had to be relocated. Being Scouts, we did our best in difficult conditions but by the third day, with the weather forecasting a typhoon approaching and temperatures hitting 43° C and 85% humidity, the UK Contingent announced that we would be withdrawing from the campsite, 10 days earlier than our planned departure.

This was obviously disappointing for everyone concerned but we now had around 2 weeks left to spend in Seoul, a city that I could’ve quite frankly spent 1 month in and still have things to see and do. The UK Contingent planned excursions for the Units, with my Unit getting the opportunity to visit an ancient Buddhist temple, giving our YP an opportunity to ring a bell that hadn’t been rung in the past 1600 years! Travelling around Seoul on the metro made us feel like celebrities, with the local people apologising for the events at the WSJ site, one of which even bought a patrol of the Unit a whole meal. The South Korean’s were extremely welcoming, quickly organising trips for us to see multiple different highlights of Seoul, giving the YP a real taste of the South Korean culture.

Our Unit was also very proactive in finding things to see and do across the city. This included hiking to the Seoul tower at 4am to see the sunrise across the city, climbing at a local bouldering gym and seeing the Presidential gardens, allowing plenty of memories to be made for the YP. So, while our Jamboree didn’t quite happen as originally planned, the West Sussex Wasps had an absolute blast across the trip, giving the YP the opportunity to develop skills for life that they wouldn’t get the opportunity to anywhere else in life, and skills that will aid in their personal development immensely.

I would like to say thank you to Horsham District for the support we had whilst out in South Korea, along with prior to the event in the form of help with fundraising for each participant, aiding them in reaching their £4,000 each to enable them to attend. The 6 Horsham District YP I had in my Unit were some of the standouts in the unit for their resilience, teamwork and personality, showing what great growth Horsham District facilitate for our YP on a daily basis.

Harry Lawrence

Financial Review 2023

The calendar year of 2023 saw both the District and Campsite activities return to (near) normal levels post pandemic. Consequently, a programme of events and Campsite usage represents the majority of entries in the District accounts for the financial year, 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2023.

Total receipts for the financial year totalled £46,708, split £25,689 for the Campsite and £21,019 for District. Income was received as follows: Net Capitation after payments to County (£13,912), Campsite activity fees/income (£16,603), District activities: (Cub camps: two rings hike and a Riverside Walk) (£2,666), and £1,034 from interest received on deposits held. Other income received during the year included £4,088 from the previous year’s Christmas Tree Collection organised once again by the Campsite Committee and run superbly by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, £1634 from Grants and donations and finally the payment of an insurance claim (£3,472), following a break in at the Campsite and a claim made for repairs. Following the cessation of activities from the Orion Explorer Unit, £1,875 was also transferred in to be held pro tem, pending any possible resurrection of that Unit.

Total payments in the year totalled £40,529, which includes restricted funds expenditure of £1,485 on behalf of funds held with in the P Dold Memorial Fund designed for specific projects for the Campsite. After extracting these and other small restricted holdings, the District paid out unrestricted funds of £38,281 in the year. Included in these costs were the usual running costs for the Campsite, namely £20,585, costs of District activities (£2,178), return of payment of £5,000 held for the Henfield Scout Group to assist with their Base rebuilding project, £3,900 for the campsite break in repair costs, £2,200 for costs and grants paid from the Christmas Tree Collection,£2,750 on further project works carried out at the Campsite and £1,668 on other items (website and media, badge purchase, other small grants and meeting expenses). The final payments held on behalf of the participants attending the 2023 World Scout Jamboree were made.

The net effect of these transactions is a net surplus of £6,179 for the year and this has boosted District funds held from £79,798 at the start of the year to £85,977 at the end of the year on 31[st] December 2023.

As per the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as at 31[st] December 2023, the Charity held £85,977 of cash funds, together with non- monetary Charity assets valued at £485,555(£438,135 in 2022). This is due to a change in the way of calculating values from an historic valuation to insurance valuations.

The reserves held include restricted funds totalling £4,194 (see Assets & Liabilities). Unrestricted funds being £81,783 as at 31[st] December 2023 of which funds held for designated purposes totalled £11,683, with the remainder held free of £70,100.

These numbers reflect the closure and incorporation of the old Badge Shop account, which includes provision for HSSU and Beaver Unit, and the similar closure and incorporation of the old Network account.

The account facility set up for District with Lloyds Bank, to mirror the account run by the Campsite and which provides full banking and online transaction facilities, has now safely bedded in. As such, the longer established account held with National Westminster has been

reduced to a minimum but is being held open in the event of possible future payments being made.

Of the cash held, an amount of £70,181 is held on Fixed Term deposit in a number of accounts, (following the forced closure of the previously held Short Term Investment Fund in 2023) and represents longer term reserves. An additional facility was set up in 2023 to hold immediate access funds in an interest bearing account, given the improved economic market conditions and the ability to generate a useful level of interest and thus a welcome additional source of income. Consequently, funds are moved across the various immediate access accounts to capture interest and/or make payments when due. However, currently all of the free funds are held across various cash accounts so, apart from inflation and capital risk, there is no other risk attached.

The Trustee Board continues to monitor the reserves of the Charity, aiming to retain funds at least equivalent to one year’s net running costs, which are currently estimated to be in the region of £20,000 annum. The District also has an additional reserve policy to contribute to future costs of International events over a four year cycle at a level of £3,000 a year. This policy is subject to fluctuations, dependant on Board decisions on involvement both financial and the places offered.

It is also the determination of the Board that the Campsite should continue to work towards generating sufficient funds to become self-sufficient, which should greatly reduce the running costs of the District moving forward.

The accounts have been scrutinised and verified by a competent and experienced accounting professional as being a true and fair version of events.

Joe Triccas

District and Campsite Treasurer

04.06.2024

HORSHAM DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

Charity Number: 1076603

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HORSHAM DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

I report to the trustees on the accounts of Horsham District Scout Council for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 1 and 2

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required under Section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you the Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Arthur Long

04.06.2024

Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 107 Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 107 Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 107 Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 107 6603
From 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS TOTAL TOTAL
Unrestricted Restricted FUNDS FUNDS
RECEIPTS Funds Funds 2023 2022
Donations, legacies & other similar income £ £ £ £
Membershipfees 77372.00
Lesspaid to County -63460.00 13912 13912 15203
Donations 510 875 1385 0
Grants received 250 250 0
Activities forgenerating funds
District activities 2666 2666 3379
Badge receipts 546 546 653
Campsite fees-In District 3743 3743 4525
Campsite fees-Out of District 8970 8970 7277
Campsite fees-Caving 3459 3459 3411
Campsite fees-Tomahawks 206 206 207
Investment income
STIS investment Account interest 833 833 146
Reserve/Savings Account interest 201 201 46
Other receipts
Other- Orion ESU Transfer In 1875 1875 0
Other- WSJ advance repaid 600 600 0
Insurance Claimpayment 3472 3472 1499
Campsite Rent Refund 0 0 875
Campsite UtilityRefund(adjustment) 157 157 0
Campsite Xmas Tree initiative 4088 4088 2396
Internal transfers 346 346 0
TOTAL RECEIPTS 45833 875 46708 39615
PAYMENTS
District activities
Grantspaid 5475 100 5575 1950
District award ceremonies 80 80 0
Leader support/ trainingexpenses/leaving gifts 120 262 382 0
District website and media 180 180 535
District equipmentpurchased 0 0 219
International & Jamboree contribution 0 0 12000
Eurojam Refunds 0 0 278
District team expenses reimbursed 242 242 0
Campsite toilet & shower block renovation costs 2750 2750 4188
Campsite-P Dold Memorial Fund pay outs 0 1485 1485 0
Campsite contribution from district for fixed costs 5000 5000 4065
Campsite fixed costs(rent/insurance/utilites) 5426 5426 3768
Campsite other recurringcosts(tank empty/cleanin g
9337		 9337 6239
Campsite other costs(equipment/refunds/misc oth e
823		 400 1223 4243
Campsite Break in repair costs 3900 3900 1599
Campsite Xmas Treepayouts 1409 1409 0
Campsite Xmas Tree Expenses 792 792 1687
Costs ofgenerating funds
District activities 2178 2178 2831
Badgepurchases and expenses 336 336 311
Support costs
Insurance-District 52 52 0
AGM and meetingexpenses 179 179 245
Other
District run Explorer Unit expenses 0 0 0
Horsham Beaver Scouts 0 0 0
HSSU 0 0 0
Adjustment 0 0 113
TOTAL PAYMENTS 38281 2248 40529 44271
Net of receipts/(payments) 7552 -1373 6179 -4656
Funds held as at 1st January 74119 5679 79798 84454
Funds held as at 31st December 81671 4306 85977 79798
diff 0 0
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2023 2022
Bank balances as at 31/12/2023 £ £ £ £
Natwest Current Account 34 34 200
Natwest Reserve Account 0 0 18625
STIS Investment Account 0 0 52229
Lloyds District Account 781 781 4714
Lloyds District No 2 Account(new in 2023) 13482 4194 17676 0
Lloyds District Fixed Rate Account(new in 2023) 20000 20000 0
Lloyds District Fixed Rate Account(new in 2023) 40181 40181 0
Lloyds Campsite Account 3941 3941 4028
Lloyds Reserve Account 3364 3364 1
81783 4194 85977 79798
2023 2022
District funds held as follows; £ £
Restricted Paul Dold Mem orial Fund - Cave & Campsi 4194 5679
Unrestricted Designated - In ternational Fund 3000 0
Unrestricted Designated - H enfieldgrant 0 5000
Unrestricted Designated - C ampsite Project 2305 5055
Unrestricted Designated- Ne twork 0 1303
Unrestricted Designated-HS SU 189 189
Unrestricted Designated-Be aver Unit 951 951
Unrestricted Designated- Orio n Explorer Fund 1875 0
Unrestricted Designated-Xma s Tree proceeds -for campsite s p
3364		 0
Unrestricted Free funds 70100 61621
85977 79798
Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 1076603 Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 1076603 Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 1076603 Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 1076603
For the year ended 31st December 2023
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT THE END OF THE PER IOD
TOTAL TOTAL
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment FUNDS FUNDS
Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Cash funds
Natwest current account 34 34 200
Natwest reserve account 0 0 18,625
STIS Investment account 0 0 52,229
Lloyds District account 781 781 4,714
Lloyds District No 2 Account(new in 2023) 13,482 4,194 17,676 0
Lloyds campsite bank account 3,941 3,941 4,028
Lloyds campsite Reserve account 3,364 3,364 1
Lloyds District Fixed Rate Account(new in 2023) 20,000 20,000 0
Lloyds District Fixed Rate Account(new in 2023) 40,181 40,181 0
Total Cash funds 81,783 4,194 0 85,977 79,797
Other monetary assets
0 0 0 0 0
Non monetary assets for charity's own use
Scout Campsite buildingand toilet/shower block 278,272 278,272 248,457
Cavingbuilding 29,486 29,486 26,710
Cavingequipment 128,702 128,702 114,913
Other Campsite contents and equipment 47,752 47,752 46,798
Badge shopstock 1,343 1,343 1,257
485,555 0 0 485,555 438,135
Liabilities
0 0 0 0 0
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
2023 2022
£ £
1 Restricted cash funds held are to be retained for the following purposes;-
Paul Dold Memorial fund - Restricted to Caving project 4,194 5,679
4,194 5,679
Horsham District Scout Council - reg charity 1076603
For the year ended 31st December 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED
2023 2022
£ £
2 Unrestricted cash funds are to be retained and spent as the District Executive dee
designated for specific purposes:-		 m fit, the following amounts have been
International and Jamboree Fund 3,000 0
Campsite buildingandgrounds improvementproject 2,305 5,055
District Grant Fund -Henfield HQrefurbishment fund 0 5,000
Beaver Unit 951 951
HSSU 189 189
Network Community 0 1,303
3 The Scout Campsite is maintained and leased by the District on a 50 year lease f
The lease has 26 years remaining. Renewal costs of the lease in 2050 are likely to b		 rom Crawley Borough Council dated 24
e minimal , equal to legal fees.		 th June 2000.
Campsite rent reviews are on a 5 year cycle-next review due in 2025
4 Since the introduction of the Explorer Scouts, their units have been officially des
independent or part of the Group to which they may attach. For this reason
District.( But are shown separately)		 ignated as part of the Scout District an
their monetary assets are included as		 d are neither
assets of the
2023 2022
£ £
Europa Unit 9,128 7,406
Paladin Unit 1,142 806
Spitfire Unit 2,361 2,049
Hurricanes Unit 790 914
Phoenix Unit 1,016 1,526
Pegasus Unit 1,503 2,781
Apollo Unit 3,541 2,915
Taurus(Cowfold)Unit 161 161
Titans Unit 6,224 8,998
Orion Unit 0 1,875
25,866 29,431
5 The campsite valuations have been arrived at by reference to insurance valuatio
than the previous receipts and payments basis		 ns ,as this is deemed to be more mean ingful, rather
6 No Trustees received remuneration or benefits duringtheyear
Approved by the trustees on 04.06.2024 and signed on their behalf by;
Heather Greenwood Joe Tr iccas
H Greenwood Horsham District Chair J Tricc as-District Treasurer