1st Bardsey Scout Group Council
Trustees’ Annual Report 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024
Administration, Structure, Governance and Management
TRUSTEES: Ex-Officio
Chair: Andrew John Butterworth Treasurer: Richard James Foulds Secretary: Jonathan Kay Acting GSL: Michael Bee Beaver Section Leader: Izzy Bee Cub Section Leader: Angus Browne Scout Leader: Rachel Israel
TRUSTEES: Elected
Robert Siekierkowski Claire Gray-Nicholson Kieran Osborne
Principal Bankers
National Westminster Bank, High Street, Wetherby, LS22 6LS
Independent Examiner Parker Hartley & Co. 2 Waverley Street, The Groves, York, YO31 7QZ
Scout HQ Registration Number 10011606 Charity Registration Number 1077402 Contact Name & Address Andrew John Butterworth 29 Foxglove Avenue Leeds LS8 2QR
The aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. These benefits are available to all young people and are therefore considered to be a public benefit under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.
1st Bardsey Scout Council’s governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which gives authority to the Bye Laws and the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The Group is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Group is exposed, in particular those related to its operations and finances. It is satisfied that the systems and procedures in place provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss and these are reviewed regularly. They include two authorisations being required for all payments, insurance policies to cover any significant insurable risks and data protection policies and procedures.
Activities, Achievements and Performance
The Trustee Board’s overarching ambition is to ensure the long-term health of the 1[st] Bardsey Scout Group whilst delivering to the needs of our current sections.
Over the last few years, the major focus has been to ensure that our Scout HQ undergoes fundamental renovation to ensure that it fit and safe for scouting for many years to come. This year has seen a major milestone with the completion of a new roof along with many other improvements that will benefit our existing and future sections (see below for a more detailed update on building work). Our Treasurer, Richard Foulds and trustees Kieran Osborne and Rachel Israel must once again be thanked for driving the process forward, whether it be managing grant applications, finances or actual building work. And of course mention need to go to Mick Bee for continuing to ensure that things progressed in a timely manner.
We are in a healthy position both in terms of number of children and group leadership. Thanks must go to Mick and the rest of the Leadership Team for this, but as always, this can be made stronger if we can encourage more parents to get involved.
Building Update
The Scout Hut has recently undergone some huge renovation work, which the committee have been trying to arrange for the past 50 years. The works have improved the building and will ensure it can be used for many more years to come. The works have also rendered the building more energy efficient and reduced its carbon footprint.
The existing trusses and roof have been replaced throughout, increasing the height and usable space of the entire upstairs. The roof is also now fully insulated. All four walls have been crack stitched and tied to limit the amount of movement in such an old building which occupies quite a steep slope built into a verge. A lot of the decayed mortar externally has also been replaced.
The upstairs floor has been completely replaced and new carpet tiles laid. All the electrics upstairs have been fully replaced with new energy efficient lighting including new energy efficient sensor and timed floodlights installed.
We have also undertaken to install instant Warm Air Heating for the Winter months and Air Conditioning for the Summer Months.
The downstairs was also fully repainted with a brand new ceiling and kitchen floor installed.
All external drains have been rodded and cleared of several decades of debris build up.
Financial Review
For Treasurer’s Report please see Appendix 1
For Accounts & Independent Examiner’s Report please see Appendix 2
The Trustee Board would like to thank John Hartley for his continued support to 1st Bardsey Group, acting as our Independent Examiner.
Reserves Policy
The Trustee Board aim is to maintain reserves at a level sufficient to cover the general running expenses of the Group should income unexpectedly reduce or unforeseen expenditure be required. Currently a major project is ongoing to replace the Group HQ roof and an amount higher than usual is shown in the reserves.
Investment Policy
As a result of the ongoing HQ roof and refurbishment project the Group does not have any significant free reserves and so the Trustee Board has adopted a low risk strategy in the investment of its funds. Consequently, all funds are held in current and deposit accounts that are low risk. This will be reviewed at a later date.
Declaration
The trustees have approved the trustees’ report.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Signature Full name Andrew John Butterworth Position Chair Date 30.9.2024
APPENDIX 1 – TREASURER’S REPORT
The 2023/24 accounts for the 1[st] Bardsey Scout Group are attached along with the Scrutineer’s report.
1[st] Bardsey Scout Group is still in an excellent financial position with cash balances at 31[st] March 2024 totalling £30,957.
We have seen another full year of scouting activities across thriving Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sections, with total subscriptions from members totalling £7608, against membership fees to Wetherby District of £3107. Total income for the year, including that to cover scouting activities, came to £42139, against total outgoings of £50,947. This included significant investment of £34,740 on building works, of which £27,800 was funded through grants. Building works continued into the current financial year. Overall, we saw a net decrease in our funds during the financial year of £8808.
Overall, Bardsey Scouts’ finances provide a secure basis for the Group to thrive and continue providing the exciting activities that we know our children all enjoy.
During the 2024/25 financial year we will see a continuation of investment into our HQ, including the new roof, air to air heating system, and new kitchen that you might have noticed in the building. We are grateful for financial support received from various external bodies to support this work, along with the time and effort by Rachel Israel, Kieran Osbourne and Clare Gray-Nicholson within the Bardsey Scouting family to secure these much needed but greatly appreciated resources.
Richard Foulds
12[th] September 2024
APPENDIX 2 - ACCOUNTS & INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
| 1st Bardsey Scout Group | 1st Bardsey Scout Group | 1st Bardsey Scout Group | 1st Bardsey Scout Group | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Receipts and Payments Account |
||||
| For the year from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 | ||||
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||
| Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Receipts | ||||
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||||
| Membership subscriptions | 7,608 | 7,486 | ||
| Net membership subscriptions retained | 7,608 | 7,486 | ||
| Donations | 20 | 240 | ||
| Legacies | ||||
| Gift Aid | See note 5 | 1,625 | ||
| Other similar income | ||||
| Sub total | 7,628 | 9,351 | ||
| Scouting activities | ||||
| Activities and events | See note 4 | 6,615 | 6,649 | |
| Other activities | ||||
| Sub total | 6,615 | 6,649 | ||
| Grants | ||||
| Maintenance grant | 27,800 | |||
| Other grants | - | |||
| Sub total | 27,800 | - | ||
| Fundraising (gross) | ||||
| Fundraising activities | 96 | 115 | ||
| Sub total | 96 | 115 | ||
| Investment income | ||||
| Bank interest | - | - | ||
| Building Society interest | - | - | ||
| Property Rent income | - | - | ||
| Other investment income | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Total Gross Income | 42,139 | 16,114 | ||
| Asset and investment sales, etc. | ||||
| Total receipts | 42,139 | 16,114 |
| 1st Bardsey Scout Group | 1st Bardsey Scout Group | 1st Bardsey Scout Group | 1st Bardsey Scout Group | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Receipts and Payments Account |
||||
| For the year from |
1st April 2023 | to | 31st March 2024 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||
| Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Payments | ||||
| Charitable Payments | ||||
| Scouting Membership Fees | 3,107 | 3,090 | ||
| Youth programme and activities | 9,350 | 5,106 | ||
| Adult support and training | ||||
| Business Rates | 30 | **67 ** | ||
| Utilities | 659 | **591 ** | ||
| Insurance | 921 | 795 | ||
| Maintenance | 371 | |||
| Activity Equipment | 1,049 | 286 | ||
| Camping Equipment | 2,145 | |||
| Badges & neckers | 600 | 200 | ||
| Management & admin | **491 ** | 325 | ||
| GoCardless & OSM fees | Note 3 | **502 ** | **482 ** | |
| Building Works | 34,740 | |||
| Miscellaneous | ||||
| Sub total | 50,947 | 12,975 | ||
| Fundraising expenses | ||||
| Fundraising costs | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Total Gross Expenditure | 50,947 | 12,975 | ||
| Asset and investment purchases, etc. | - | - | ||
| Total payments | 50,947 | 12,975 | ||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | - 8,808 | 3,139 | ||
| Cash funds last year end | 30,593 | |||
| Cash funds this year end | - 8,808 | 33,732 | ||
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
| 31st March 2024 | 31st March 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Cash funds | ||||
| Bank current account | 27,421 | 36,228 | ||
| GoCardless account | - | |||
| Fundraising account | 3,536 | 3,536 | ||
| The Scout Association Short Term Investment ~~S~~ ~~i~~ |
- | - | ||
| ~~S~~ ~~i~~ Cash/Floats |
- | - | ||
| Total cash funds | 30,957 | 39,765 | ||
| Other monetary assets | ||||
| Tax claim | ||||
| Debts due | - | - | ||
| Insurance claim | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Investment assets | ||||
| Investment property - detail | - | - | ||
| Quoted investments | - | - | ||
| Other investments - detail | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Non monetary assets for charity's own use | ||||
| Badge stock | - | - | ||
| Shop stock | - | - | ||
| Other stock | - | - | ||
| Land and buildings | Note 2 | - | - | |
| Motor vehicles | - | - | ||
| Scouting equipment, furniture etc | Note 1 | - | - | |
| Other | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Accounts not yet paid | - | - | ||
| Expenses incurred but not invoiced | - | - | ||
| Subscriptions not yet paid | - | - | ||
| Loan - detail | - | - | ||
| Other liabilities | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on (TBC) and signed on their behalf by |
||||
| Signature ~~——~~ |
~~——~~ | Print Name | ||
| ~~——~~ | ~~——~~ | Richard Foulds | Treasurer | |
| ~~——~~ | ~~——~~ | Andy Butterworth | Chair | |
| ~~——~~ | ~~——~~ |
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on (TBC) and signed on their behalf by
| Signature ~~——~~ |
Print Name Richard Foulds Andy Butterworth |
Treasurer Chair |
|
|---|---|---|---|
1st Bar Scout Gr dsey oup Notes to the Accounts 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024
Note 1 Scouting equipment has not been valued
Note 2 Land and buildings have not been valued Note 3 GoCardless fees taken before payment received, so fees not in addition to the funds received. Total funds received through GoCardless - £13,972.41
Note 4
Scouting events have not been broken down by section
Note 5 Gift aid to be reclaimed at a later point
APPENDIX 3 - ACTING GROUP SCOUT LEADER'S REPORT
( Up until period including AGM)
This year it has been great to see scouting almost back to pre-covid levels and it was most rewarding to see Bardsey beavers, cubs and scouts making an excellent appearance at County Camp at Bramham Park in July 2023.
All sections are now looking forward to District Camp again first week of July 2024 and again at Bramham Park.
The Bardsey group goes from strength to strength and all sections are full as I write. The only way to now join the group is either via joining at beaver level as and when vacancies occur or parents becoming part of the leadership team. This is because nearly all beavers stay with the group through cubs and scouts and we have a limited number of leaders.
Focus is on providing a planned, interesting, outdoor, challenging and exciting programme to our young people whilst at the same time ensuring that they gain badges and awards and learn new skills and make new friends.
The scout section is now becoming top heavy with there being only 2 leaders and 22 scouts. Help is required please to ensure that the leaders can effectively continue their good work in a safe manner so if you are available at any time to help please speak to either Rachel or Simon who I know would be very grateful.
Finally I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all our leaders for their dedication and hard work in not only planning each terms programme but being at the hut each week to ensure our young people grow and develop and have a brilliant time, without your commitment none of this would be possible.
I would also like to thank our trustee board for their hard work and those parents that give up their time to help support the leaders when asked.
Yours in scouting
Mick Bee
Group Scout Leader
1[st] Bardsey Scout Group
APPENDIX 4 - BEAVER GROUP LEADER'S REPORT
( Up until period including AGM)
Another great year, Beavering away, mostly at Bardsey Village Hall due to the roof being replaced. This brought some challenges, one of them being the very slippery and therefore fun floor!
We moved back into the HQ in time for the summer term, which gave us more scope for outdoor activities in the grounds. We are looking forward to using the refurbished bouldering wall in the very near future.
Over the summer we have recruited another two Section Assistants, Andrew Hughes and Chris Park; which is great news as this helps the current leadership team and ensures that we have plenty of cover each week and no one has to do every week.
Unfortunately, we no longer have an Explorer Scout Young Leader, but are hopeful that we may be able to recruit a Scout who has left our Group.
We attended District Camp, which was enjoyed by all – day visitors and campers alike.
A big thank you to from me to all the adults on our team for their commitment and great ideas for Beaver nights. We continue to have great teamwork at 1[st] Bardsey and hope that it will continue into next year.
Izzy Bee
Beaver Scout Leader
1[st] Bardsey Scout Group
APPENDIX 5 - CUB GROUP LEADER'S REPORT
( Up until period including AGM)
We have had a great year at Cubs, taking part in a huge range of activities and having a lot of fun. Our activities have ranged from go-karting to ice skating and even a day trip sailing up and down the canals on a canal boat!
The renovations on the hut, whilst disruptive, have transformed the place and will make the building a much more pleasant place to be over winter. The Cubs can’t wait to make use of the new kitchen and try out some cooking activities.
At the end of the summer, we had a few Cubs move up, but only one Beaver join us, so numbers have dropped to 15, a big difference from the 26 we had a year or so ago, however this will increase by next summer as more Beavers move up.
The Cubs had a great turnout at District Camp and had a great time, so it was a great way to end the year.
We have had great support from the parents this year when it came to running activities. Whether it was a parent organising a bike ride, showing us around the ambulance station that they worked at, or coming along and supporting us at the hut, it has all been gratefully received. Oscar, our young leader, is still with us, despite increased work load from school. And our core leadership team of Chloe, Alyson and Steve has been invaluable this year, so to all them I want to extend my gratitude.
Angus Browne
Cub Scout Leader
- 1[st] Bardsey Scout Group
APPENDIX 6 - SCOUT GROUP LEADER'S REPORT
( Up until period including AGM)
Scouts have had a good strong year and we are now full with a waiting list. We ‘ve had great attendance to the external camps, however, we are looking to join up with Cubs for more Overnight camps until the current Scout Leader completes their overnight qualifications to run a camp.
We still only have a headcount of 2 Leaders. We are trying to actively recruit, as we need to think about long term succession, but we will need to rely on parent helpers, especially when we are away from the hut.
With regards to numbers, we had 6 new cubs joining us before Summer and we have said goodbye to our 2 oldest Scouts this summer, both leaving with their Gold Scouts Award, which is something that we strive to achieve for all Scouts during their time with us. This leaves the headcount at 20.
Rachel Israel
Scout Leader
- 1[st] Bardsey Scout Group