2023-02-28-accounts

Weald District Scout Council

Trustees’ Annual Report

for the year from 1st March 2023 to 29[th] February 2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Weald District Scout Council Other names the charity is known by Weald District Scouts Registered charity number 1093742 Charity’s principal address Little Maplesden, Stepneyford Lane, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 4BP

District registration number with The Scout Association 12703

The charity trustees who manage the charity

Name	Office(if any)	Dates acted if not for wholeyear
Richard Barsley	Chair
Karen Lawrence	Secretary
Michael Brook-Foster MBE	Treasurer
Mark Lawrence	District Lead Volunteer
Jan Ashley
Paul Brooker		to 11/09/2023
Jacqui Clark BEM		to 11/09/2023
Jess Gould
Alex Dawes
Gail Chandler

The custodian trustees (in whom, as trustees, the charity’s property is vested and who act under the charity trustees’ instruction) are as follows:

• For the Horsmonden property:

Richard Barsley, Michael Brook-Foster, Kevin Harper and Andrew White

• For the Benenden property:

The Scout Association Trust Corporation

• Independent Examiners McCabe Ford Williams, Chartered Accountants, Bank Chambers, 61 High Street, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3EG

• Solicitors Kingsfords, 5/7 Bank Street, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1BZ

• Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC

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Section B Structure, governance and management

Weald District Scout Council (“The District”) is a charitable trust. It holds land, pursuant to the Charities Act 2011, in Horsmonden, Kent; and in Benenden, Kent.

The governing documents are those of The Scout Association consisting of a Royal Charter, which 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 UK Scout Districts. The 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 Trustees of the District which is an educational charity. As Charity Trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping of proper books and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.

The Trustee Board consists of three independent members (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) together with the District Lead Volunteer and elected and co-opted members. It meets approximately five times per year.

Trustees complete appropriate training within the first five months of becoming trustees.

The Trustee Board exists to support the District Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for:

• the maintenance of the property of the District;

• the raising of funds and the administration of District finance;

• the insurance of persons, property and equipment;

• District public occasions;

• assisting in the recruitment of Leaders and other adult support; and

• appointing administrators and advisors other than those elected.

The Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which the District is exposed. These have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate them. The main areas identified are as follows.

• Damage to buildings, property and equipment – sufficient insurance is in place to mitigate material permanent loss.

• Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members – through its membership fees, the District contributes to The Scout Association national accident insurance policy. Risk assessments are undertaken before all activities.

• Financial irregularity – payments from the District’s bank accounts must be authorised by two out of the three trustees nominated by the Trustee Board for that purpose (except that Explorer Scout Units sometimes appoint their own authorisers).

• Reduced income - the District is primarily reliant upon income from membership fees and holds reserves to ensure the continuity of activities in the event of reduced income. The level of the fee per member is reviewed each year.

• A reduction in or loss of leaders and managers – the District is reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District. In the event of a reduction to an unacceptable level there would be a contraction, consolidation or closure of any section or group or of the District as a whole.

Section C Objectives and activities

The Purposes of Scouting

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development thereby empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

The Values of Scouting

As Scouts, we are guided by these values:

• Integrity – we act with integrity, we are honest, trustworthy and loyal;

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• 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; and

• Co-operation – we make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.

The Scout Method

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; and

• make and live by the Scout Promise.

District Activities

The activities of the District, and its constituent groups and units, are designed to further the purpose, values and method described above.

Additional details

Grants and contributions to groups and members within the District are decided by the Trustee Board.

Public benefit statement

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.

Section D Achievements and performance

We continue to appoint new leaders and assist them with their training. All leaders are required to periodically update their first aid, safeguarding and safety training.

Section E Financial review

The Benenden Fund

The 1[st] Benenden Scout Group closed in November 2022 and, in accordance with the Scout Association’s rules, the Group’s assets were transferred to the District. The Benenden Fund contains the moneys so far received by the District as a result of the Group’s closure, less the amounts so far paid out, as follows:

	2024 £	2023 £
Benenden Groupbank balance received		14,899
Interest received	109
Benenden Scout Hut costs	-2,392	-101
Balance,lastyear end	14,798
Balance,thisyear end	12,515	14,798

The transactions shown as 2023 were included in “General Funds” last year, before being transferred to the new “Benenden Fund” this year.

The proceeds from the intended sale of the Benenden Scout Hut will be added to the fund, together with the sale of any equipment that formerly belonged to Benenden Group. The Trustee Board intend to use the Benenden Fund to offer financial support for worthwhile projects proposed on behalf of the District as a whole, and those proposed by or on behalf of groups and individual members within the District.

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25[th] Word Scout Jamboree 2023, South Korea

Four young people from the District attended. The total attendance fee of £16,000 was financed by a fund-raising campaign (led by the families of the young people concerned) which produced £12,017, topped up by a £3,983 contribution from District funds. These transactions were spread over three years, as follows:

	Received £	Paid £
Year ended 28thFebruary2022	-	1,200
Year ended 28thFebruary2023	10,650	10,320
Year ended 29thFebruary2024	1,367	4,480
Totals	12,017	16,000
Add: District contribution	3,983
	16,000	16,000

Reserves policy

A Contingency reserve of £10,000 (2023 £5,000) is held to cover the District’s running costs, should income fall short or costs unexpectedly increase, and the emergency expenses of any group or unit that may require support.

An Explorer reserve of £1,200 was created in 2010, and consists of the cash balance of an Explorer Unit which closed that year.

A World Jamboree reserve exists to financially support young people from the District who are awarded World Jamboree places. World Jamborees usually take place every four years and the District normally reserves £1,000 per year for this purpose. The next World Jamboree is planned to take place in 2027 in Poland.

At the year end total general reserves were £14,330 (2023 £30,266) as follows:

	2024 £	2023 £
Contingencyreserve	10,000	5,000
Explorer reserve	1,200	1,200
World Jamboree reserve	1,000	3,130
Excess funds available	2,130	20,936
Totalgeneral reserves	14,330	30,266

Investment policy

The District does not have sufficient general funds to invest long-term and has adopted a risk-averse strategy to investment. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks.

Section F Plans for future period and other optional information

The Trustee Board intend that the District will continue to support its groups and units as fully as possible.

Section G Declaration

The Trustees declare that on 22[nd] April 2024 they approved their above Report. Signed on behalf of the Trustee Board by

Richard Barsley, Chairman Michael Brook-Foster, Treasurer

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Weald District Scout Council

Receipts and Payments Account for the year from 1[st] March 2023 to 29[th] February 2024

Weald District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account for the year from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024
	This year total funds	Last year total funds
	£	£
Receipts
GENERAL FUNDS
Membershipfees	22,500	21,716
Less: National and County	-21,825	-20,367
Sub-total: Membershipfees retained	675	1,349
Badge receipts	2,523	3,087
Donation received for Open Event	5,000
Funds received on Benenden Group's closure		14,899
Fund raisingactivities	590
World Scout Jamboree 2023	1,367	10,650
Interest received	245	6
	10,400	29,991
EXPLORER SCOUTS
Subscriptions	2,466	1,916
Balance of funds introduced bya Unitpreviouslyin a different district		2,272
Grants and donations received	70	1,546
Campingfees	3,436	165
Activities	206	133
Fund raisingactivities	1,342	599
Gift aid		240
Interest received	20
Sundryreceipt		3
	7,540	6,874
LORDSHIP WOOD
Campingand other fees for use of theproperty	1,337	1,172
Activityfees	50
	1,387	1,172
THE BENENDEN FUND
Interest received	109
	109	0
Total receipts	19,436	38,037

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Weald District Scout Council

Receipts and Payments Account for the year from 1st March 2023 to 29[th] February 2024

	This year total funds	Last year total funds
	£	£
Payments
GENERAL FUNDS
World Scout Jamboree 2023	4,480	10,320
Badges bought	2,097	2,357
Insurance	114
Open Event	4,731
Benenden Scout Hut expenses		101
Grantpaid to Groupfor openingnew section		100
Web site maintenance	77	70
Publicitymaterials		88
Sundries	40	42
	11,539	13,078
EXPLORER SCOUTS
Membershipfees	2,475	1,624
Camps	3,282	210
Activities	545	681
Badges	48	47
Online Scout Manager	38	61
Rent	500
Equipmentpurchased	124	683
Sundries	39	44
	7,051	3,350
LORDSHIP WOOD
LordshipWoodpropertymaintenance	168	143
LordshipWood equipment maintenance	330
	498	143
THE BENENDEN FUND
Benenden Scout Hut expenses	2,392
	2,392	0
Totalpayments	21,480	16,571

Weald District Scout Council

Receipts and Payments Account

for the year from 1st March 2023 to 29[th] February 2024

Weald District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account for theyear from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024
	This year	Last year
	total funds	total funds
	£	£
Summary
Receipts lesspayments	-2,044	21,466
Cash funds lastyear end	37,724	16,258
Cash funds thisyear end	35,680	37,724

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Weald District Scout Council

Statement of assets and liabilities at 29th February 2024

Weald District Scout Council Statement of assets and liabilities at 29th February 2024
	29.02.24 total funds	28.02.23 total funds
	£	£
CASH FUNDS
Bank current accounts	13,425	30,038
Bank deposit account	22,255
The Scout Association CharityDeposit accounts		7,575
Cash in hand		111
Total cash funds	35,680	37,724
NON MONETARY ASSETS FOR THE CHARITY’S OWN USE
Land at LordshipWood,Horsmonden,at cost in 2001	30,000	30,000
Land and buildingin Benenden,at 2023 valuation	125,000	125,000
Badge stock	337	487
Due from Scout Groups and Explorer Scout Units	295	390
Cups and trophies	1	1
Activityequipment	1,071	257
Scoutingequipment	27	36
Tractor,trailer and mower	316	421
Sub total	157,047	156,592
Total assets	192,727	194,316
Contingent liabilities and future obligations
World Jamboree 2023		1,350
Total liabilities	0	1,350

Note

Analysis of funds by type of fund and area of activity

	General funds	Explorer Scouts	Lordship Wood	Benenden Fund	Total this year	Total last year
	unrestricted	designated	designated	designated
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Transfer between funds	-14,798			14,798
Receipts lesspayments	-1,139	489	889	-2,283	-2,044	21,466
Cash funds lastyear end	30,266	5,597	1,861	0	37,724	16,258
Cash funds thisyear end	14,329	6,086	2,750	12,515	35,680	37,724

The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustee Board on 22[nd] April 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Richard Barsley, Chairman

Michael Brook-Foster, Treasurer

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Se¢tion A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Weald District Scout Council On accounts for the year ended 29 February 2024 Charity no Ilf any) 1093742 Set out tsn pages 1107 I report to the tfUStee5 On tnyexatnination ofthe accounts of the above Charity 1.the Trust"} for the year ended 2910212024. Responsibilities and A8 the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible forthe preparation of basis of report th8 accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act"). I report in resp8cl of my 8xamination of the Tru51's account5 ￿[ried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrwng out my examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515Xbl of the A¢t. I have completed my exatnination. I confimi that no material matters have Come to my attention In conn8clion with the 8xaminalion which gives me cause to b81i8ve that in, any rnaterial respect.. accounting r8￿rdSwere not kept in accordancewith section 130 ofthe Act or the a¢¢ounls do not a¢¢or¢ with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no cOn￿r￿S and have come across no other matters in connedion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding ol the accounts to be reached. Signod= Date: 18 Jun8 2024 Nam•: Martin HUmph￿yS Relevant profe$8lonal quallflcatlonl81 or body lif any).. FCCA Address.. Mccabe Ford Williams. Bank Chambers. 61 High Street. Cranbrook. Kent TN17 3EG IER October 2018

SectioTr B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs lo highlight mallets of concernlsee CC32, nd8P8nd8nt 8xaminalion of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for 8xaminersl. Glve here brlèf detalls of any items that the examiner wish85 to disclose. Nothing to note. IER October 2018