## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 01/04/2022 Period start date To 31/03/2023 Period end date** **Charity name: BLYTH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL** ## **Charity registration number: 1116322** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|The Purpose of Scouting
Scouting exists to actively engage and
support young people in their personal
development, empowering them to make a
positive contribution to society| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|The District of Blyth Valley covers and
operates over the areas of Blyth,
Cramlington and Seaton Valley of
Northumberland County and provides
services to further the Scout Association’s
purpose. These services undertaken by
volunteers support the provision to Beaver
Scouts (6-8 years), Cub Scouts (8-10 years)
and Scouts (10-14 years), through scout
groups, within the district and directly by the
District to Explorer Scouts (14-18 years) and
members of the Scout Network (18-25
years). The services include the provision of
a programme of activities for all the young
members, the provision of equipment,
premises and facilities to support the
activities and necessary administrative
support. Training for the District adult
volunteers and those within the Scout
Groups is provided by the district through the
provision of the required expertise or a
service offered by Northumberland Scout
County, to ensure everyone has the required
skills and expertise to undertake their roles
as defined by The Scout Association.
Provision of the services is funded via
membership
fees,
fundraising
and| donations. Statement confirming Para 1.18 whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|The District continued funding scouting
activities throughout the year. Including
sending a number of Scouts on International
Camps. A number of training camps were
also funded. Investments were made
towards the upkeep of District assets such
as a new toilet block at the Selby Wood
Camp site and new wood burning stove at
Spylaw Cottage. Progress was also made
towards returning Seghill Hall back to the
County Council reducing District liabilities for
buildings.| **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Achievements against
objectives set|
Para 1.41|| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|n/a| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|n/a| |Other||| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|The aim is to have at least two years
running cost as a reserve in an
accessible account.| |Amount of reserves held|**Para 1.22**|£8892| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|n/a| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|n/a| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|n/a| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|
Para 1.47|
The Districts main source of funding is
through the annual levee.| |---|---|---| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|No investment policy at present| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|| |Other||| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|The organisation operates under the Scout
Association Policy Organisation and Rules.
(POR September 2021)| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|Trust| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|Election at District AGM of the Scout
Council held in May each year.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Blyth Valley District Scout Council| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|n/a| |Registered charity number|1116322| |Charity’s principal address|Walker Hall
Edward Street
Blyth
NE24 1DW| ||| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Mica McInnes|District
Commissioner||| ||Carol Worfell|ADC Beavers||| ||Paul Kelly|District Explorer
Commissioner||| ||Jonathon Finlay|Secretary|01/04/2022 - 01/10/2022|| ||Allen Ricalton|Treasurer|01/04/2024 - 21/09/2022|| ||Rachael Cliffton|Treasurer|10/10/2022 -|| ||Elaine Wilson|Secretary|10/10/2022|| ||David Mason|||| ||Shaun Barkley|||| ||Leanne Scott|Chairman||| ||Adrian
Chamberlain|||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved ## **Director name** Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity **Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/ charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** **Type of Name Address adviser** **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details ## **Other optional information** ## **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s) Full name(s)** Allen Ricalton **Position (eg Secretary,** Treasurer **Chair, etc)** **Date** 06/04/2024 ## **Blyth Valley Scout District Income and Expenditure Account for the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023** |**Expenses**
**£**
**Capitation**
20,186
**Premises**
Seghill
592
Selby Wood
16,803
Spylaw
4,296
Walker Hall
4,559
**Other**
Badges
350
Canoes
Garage
648
Interest
Leaders Camp
120
Overseas Visits
1,000
Poppy
110
Young Leaders
150
Miscellaneous
262
Deficit for the Year
49,076
**Balance Sheet as at the 31st March 2023**
**£**
**Assets**
Outstanding Capitation 2023
Current Account
21,735
Deposit Account
8,892
Walker Hall Account
17
Selby Wood Account
6,027
Less
Capitation Due to County
**Represented by:**
General Fund brought forward
25,487
Less Paid for Selby Wood
6,648
Less Deficit for the year
8,899
Selby Wood brought forward
8,679
Add Paid by the District
6,648
Less Deficit for the year
9,300
Gang Show Reserve|**Expenses**
**£**
20,186
592
16,803
4,296
4,559
350
648
120
1,000
110
150
262|**Income**
**Net**
**£**
**£**
21,988
-1,802
592
7,503
9,300
871
3,425
4,559
150
200
334
-334
648
31
-31
120
1,000
110
150
262
18,199
49,076
**£**
1,450
36,671
38,121
20,186
17,935
9,940
6,027
1,968
17,935| |---|---|---| ||49,076|| ||25,487
6,648
8,899|| ||8,679
6,648
9,300|| |||| Blyth Valley Scout District - Charity No.1116322 **Analysis of Premises Accounts** |**Seghill**
Electricity
Gas
Deficit
**Selby Wood**
Boiler
Donation to Farmer
Fire Safety
Fuel
Insurance
Running Expenses
Toilet Block
Vehicle Insurance
Total Expenses
Site Fees
Deficit|**£**
**Spylaw**
39
Generator
553
Insurance
592
Miscellaneous
Stove
Total Expenses
280
Site Fees
3,826
Deficit
276
269

892
**Walker Hall**
634
Electricity
10,145
Gas
479
Insurance
16,801
Legal Fees
7,503
Water
9,298
Deficit|**£**
406
641
50
3,199| |---|---|---| |||4,296
871| |||3,425| |||83
1,067
1,223
1,707
479| |||4,559| ## **Notes to the Accounts** Selby Wood – the District transferred £5,000 in total to the separate account, where it was recorded as income to Selby Wood and expenditure to the District. As all monies belong to the District, this treatment was incorrect and an adjustment has been made in the consolidated accounts, so only the actual expenditure is in the Selby Wood account. Gang Show Reserve – this represents the balance transferred from the closure of the Show’s bank account and held as a separate time limited reserve. Seghill – this building was handed back to the County Council in June 2023. Walker Hall – negations for the sale of this property were ongoing at the year end. Blyth Valley Scout District - Charity No.1116322 **Blyth Valley Scout District Independent Examination of the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2023** During the year the accounts were maintained by two different District Treasurers, and as both kept accurate records, all transactions could be verified to invoices and supporting documents. As noted last year, the separate account for Selby Wood has not been subjected to a detailed review, but as required by accounting guidelines, the figures have been consolidated into this year’s accounts. In accordance with the changes implemented by the Scout Association in April 2023, executive committees are now known as trustee boards. To avoid confusion the new terminology has been used for this report. Last year’s examiner’s report raised substantial concerns regarding the lack of financial governance, with a recommendation to develop an action plan to address these issues. None of the necessary controls and procedures have been implemented. In minute 100.6 of the Trustees’ meeting on the 11[th] September 2022, it is recorded that, “ _The Executive committee have read and taken on board the auditor's report; however, it is to be noted that these are only recommendations and may not be implemented straight away.”_ The actual recommendation was to create an action plan to implement the mandatory requirements of the Charity Commission. Due to the failure of the trustees to take action on the Charity Commission’s checklist, all issued raised last year are still outstanding and need to be addressed without further delay. A copy of last year’s examiner’s report is attached for reference. The District Trustee Board should take immediate action to ensure effective governance. At their meeting on the 6[th] May 2022, the trustee board noted that no accounts had been received for Selby Wood, Spylaw or the Explorers section. While later minutes note that these are available, there is no record of the trustees having reviewed and approved them. Best practice dictates that the trustees should receive written reports and accounts, to be included in the minutes. The trustees meeting on the 11[th] September 2022 approved a submission to finance the building of a new toilet block at Selby Wood. A suggestion that some of the £8.6k held in the separate bank account might be used, was dismissed as this was to be used for future years. Any significant future spending, and the holding of substantial reserves, should be approved by the trustees. The discussion of the above matter also included reference to covid restart grants. The trustees appear to have wrongly interpreted the purpose of these grants; in that they linked them to Selby Wood, rather than providing support across the district. The grants were given to charities to help them restart their activities post covid. Linking the grants to sites liable for Business Rates was simply a convenient mechanism. During the year there were significant events relating to two District properties. However, the trustee board minutes only make occasion reference to the surrender of the Seghill lease and the sale of Walker Hall. It is apparent that the trustees failed to exercise any control over these matters. The expenditure on Selby Wood and Spylaw represent a significant part of the district’s accounts in the year. The trustees should regularly review these facilities to ensure that the benefit justify the costs. John Harvey Independent Examiner 31[st] October 2023 Blyth Valley Scout District - Charity No.1116322