2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/04/2023 Period start date To 31/03/2024 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	In 2024, the District maintained its support for scouting activities, including funding for Scouts to attend international camps. Several training camps also received fnancial backing. Investments were made in maintaining District assets, fnalised the construction of a new toilet block at the Selby Wood campsite Additionally, progress continued on returning Walker Hall to the County Council, reducing the District’s building-related liabilities. Continued investment at Spylaw to improve facilities

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	£6840
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 March 2024)
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	Scout Association 39 Horsley Avenue Shiremoor NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE27 0UG

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)
	Neil Robinson	District Lead Volunteer
	Simon Miller	District Chair
	Paul Kelly	District Explorer Commissioner
	Kevin Appleby	Trustee
	Dave McGlen	Trustee
	Lynn Horrocks	Treasurer
	KirstyHopkirk	Trustee
	Neal Armiger	Trustee
	Stu Bennet	Trustee

– 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) Simon Miller ~~ee~~ Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) ~~es~~ Date 29/01/2025 ~~|~~

Blyth Valley Scout District

Accounts for the year 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024

Income & Expenditure Account

		Expenses	Income	Nett
		£	£	£
Capitation		-20,482	22,990	2,508
Premises
Seghill		-1,196		-1,196
Selby Wood		-9,423	8,942	-481
Spylaw		-820	1,158	338
Walker Hall		-2,175		-2,175
Explorers		-3,259	3,314	54
General				-10
Bank Interest			87
Fire Extinguisher Service		-109
Garage Rent		235
Grants
Insurance		-52
Miscellaneous		-61
Poppy Appeal		-110
Consolidation adjustment		1,850	-1,850
Deficit for year			962
	£	-35,602	35,602
Balance Sheet		as at 31st March	2024
Current Assets
Bank Accounts
District Deposit		6,789
District Current		3,955
Explorers		833
Selby Wood		9,231
Walker Hall		17	20,825
Less Current Liabilities
Selby Wood Creditors		-2,690
Grants owed to 2nd Cramlington		-446	-3,136
		£	17,690
Represented by
Explorers
Brought forward		715
Add Surplus		54
Add paid by District		63
			833
Selby
Brought forward		6,026
Less Deficit		-481
Add paid by District		995
			6,541
District
Brought forward		9,941
Less Deficit		-535
Selby Payment		-995
Explorer Payment		-63
			8,347
Gang Show			1,968
		£	17,690

Blyth Valley Scout District Accounts for the year 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 Analysis of premises and groups

Seghill Expenditure Electricity Gas Legal Fees Maintenance Deficit for year Selby Wood Expenditure Donation to Farm Fuel Insurance Power Washer Running Expenses Solar System Toilet Block Income Grant Site Fees Deficit for year Spylaw Expenditure Fuel Insurance Running Expenses Income Site Fees Surplus for year Walker Hall Insurance Gas Electricity Water Deficit for year Explorers Expenditure Badges Camp & Events Capitation OSM Rent Tent Repair Income subs Camp & Events Surplus for year	-191 -34 -550 -421 £ -1,868 -151 -995 -200 -219 -4,021 -1,969
		-1,196
	£ 3,870 5,072	-9,423
	£ £ -100 -674 -46	8,942
		-481
	£ -1,195 -39 -407 -533	-820 1,158
		338
	£ -31 -904 -1,650 -35 -600 -40	-2,175
	£ 2,865 449	-3,259
	£ £	3,314
		54

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Blyth Valley District Scout Council

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Blyth Valley District Scout Council (the Council) for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Council, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Council’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Council as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

In carrying out my examination I have noted that there are some deficiencies in the manner in which the various accounting records have been maintained and the consistency of the records between different areas of the Council. I have also noted that key financial controls have not been working effectively throughout the financial period, including the setting of budgets to effectively control expenditure, the use of cash receipts to pay out of pocket expenses and the recognition of income as opposed to cash movements or amounts held on account for other entities. The previous two independent examiner’s reports have already highlighted these deficiencies in detail and the new board of trustees appear to be taking action to address the concerns raised, however this change came into force towards the end of the financial period and therefore the impact of these actions will be felt in coming years.

Signed:

Name: John Alexander Lawson

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): FCA member of ICAEW

Address: 6 Annfield Road, Cramlington, NE23 3GY

Date: