## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP**
## **ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
**Group Registration Number with The Scout Association 44776**
**Registered Charity Number 1119637**
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP**
## **ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details**|**1**|
|**Trustees' report**|**2**|
|**Scrutineer's report**|**5**|
|**Receipts and payments accounts**|**6**|
|**Statement of assets and liabilities**|**8**|
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
|Charity name:||2nd Balsall Common (Methodist)|Scout Group|
|---|---|---|---|
|Registered Charity Number:||1119637||
|Group Registration Number||||
|with The Scout Association:||44776||
|Charity's Principal Address:||3 Speedwell Drive||
|||Balsall Common||
|||Coventry||
|||CV7 7AU||
|Trustees:
|_Ex-Officio:_|Group Chair|Jill Bowman|
|||Group Secretary|Charlotte Pearce|
|||Group Treasurer|Nicola Burns|
|||Co-Treasurer|Louis Burns|
|||Group Scout Leader|Alison Lowe|
|||Deputy Group Scout Leader|Andrew Lloyd|
|||Scout Leader|Martyn Pilley|
|||Scout Leader|Andrew Chalklen|
|||Cub Leader|Alexander Dickson|
|||Cub Leader|Stewart Beck|
|||Beaver Leader|Garry Palmer|
|||Beaver Leader|Carl Davies|
||_Nominated:_|Church Representative|Jill Bowman|
|Bankers:||NatWest, 4 High Street, Solihull,|B91 3TF|
|Scrutineer:||Ann Hulme||
1
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP TRUSTEES' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing Document and Constitution**
The Group's governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter which in turn gives authority to the By Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and rules of The Scout Association.
The Group is a trust, established under its rules which are common to all Scout Groups. The formal governing document is the constitution adopted 14 June 2007.
## **Trustees and Management**
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
The Group is managed by the Group Board of Trustees, the members of which are the 'Charity Trustees' of the Scout Group which is an educational charity. 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 committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders, parent and church representatives, and meets regularly.
This Group Board of Trustees exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointments and is responsible for:
- The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
- The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
- Group public occasions;
- Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
- Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
- Appointing Group administrators and advisers other than those who are elected.
## **Risk and internal control**
The Group Board of Trustees has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
- Damage to/loss of equipment. Equipment is mostly stored at the Church Hall and the Guide Hut on Holly Lane. The Group has sufficient insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
- Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group, through the capitation fees, contributes to the Scout Association's national accident insurance policy. A separate policy is held to cover parent helpers. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
- Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
- Reduction or loss of leaders. The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the Group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.
2
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP TRUSTEES' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **Risk and Internal Control (Continued)**
The Group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
The objectives of the Group are as a unit of The Scout Association. 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 members of their local, national and international communities. The method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.
## **Public Benefit**
Under the Charities Act 2011, charities must demonstrate that their purposes are for the public benefit. Key features of public benefit include: an identifiable benefit, the benefit must be to the public or a section of the public and people on low incomes must be able to benefit. The trustees have concluded that the Group meets the key principles as described above.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **The Group**
This year the Group has continued to enable some 120 young people to enjoy the benefits of a wide range of Scouting activities.
The Group has has been able to expand this year and added a second Cub pack so we now have two Beaver Colonies, two Cub Packs and two Scout Troops. We still have waitlists for some ages.
Mercury Beavers and Saturn Cubs meet on a Tuesday evening, Tethys Scout troop and Jupiter Cubs ( the new pack) on a Wednesday whilst Mars Beavers and Titan Scouts meet on a Friday evening. All of the sections continue to meet in the Methodist Church Hall.
Our leadership team has stayed reasonably stable this year and we have also welcomed some new adults. All the leaders juggle their busy life with Scouting so that we can continue to operate as one of the most successful groups in the County.
I would like to thank all those who give up their time to help this Group.
## **Scouting Activities**
All sections have continued to attach great importance to earning badges, and the desire for learning and development remains strong. We continue to follow the new badge scheme, where there is an emphasis throughout the sections on adventure outdoors, our place in our world and developing our skills.
3
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP TRUSTEES' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
Net receipts for the year amounted to £3,665 (2022: £2,932), with cash reserves at the end of the financial year standing at £24,485 (2022: £20,820). With the addition of a second Cubs pack, subscriptions income increased to £11,141 in the year and due to the increased number of members, capitation also increased to £6,318. The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts groups were very active in the year running various camps, hikes and other activities. £4,500 was raised in deposits for a Scouts trip to Switzerland in Summer 2024. Outgoings during the year relating to this trip was £633. £400 was raised in donations and £1,885 from Gift Aid.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Group’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the Group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Board of Trustees considers that the Group should hold a sum equivalent to six months running costs, circa £4,000. No transfers were made to or from the reserves during the year ended 31 March 2022 however a transfer of £3,000 has been made since the year end.
## **Investment Policy**
The Group does not have sufficient funds to consider investment in longer-term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies.
## **DECLARATION**
The trustees declare that they approved the trustees’ report above on 25th September 2023.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees by
......................................J BOWMAN Chairman ......................................A LOWE Group Scout Leader
4
## **Scrutineer's Report to the Trustees of the 2nd Balsall Common (Methodist) Scout Group**
I report on the accounts of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Scrutineer**
As the Group's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that neither the audit nor independent examination requirements of the Charities Act 2011 apply. It is my responsibility without carrying out an audit or independent examination to scrutinise the accounts and to report to you.
## **Basis of Scrutineer's Statement**
In accordance with the directions given in the Group's constitution, I have scrutinised the records and the accounts set out on pages 6-8.
## **Scrutineer's Statement**
In my opinion the accounts are in accordance with the records produced to me and comply with the constitution.
Signed: A Hulme
Name: Ann Hulme Address: 2 Chattaway Drive Balsall Common CV7 7QH
Date: 25th September 2023
5
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
|**Receipts**
**Donations, legacies and similar income**
Membership subscriptions
Less: Membership subscriptions paid
on (National/County/Area/District)
Less: GoCardless Charges
Net Membership subscriptions retained
Donations
Gift Aid
Group Camp
Summer Camp
Operation Chameleon
Hiking and camping weekends
Hado
Frisbee golf
Bowling
Ice Skating
Pantomime and theatre shows
Climbing
Bouldering
Rough Close fun days
Crazy golf
Laser Quest
Sleepover event
Activity weekend
Night hike
Scout group Switzerland trip 2024 deposits
**Sub total**
**Investment income**
Bank Interest
**Sub total**
**Total Gross Income**
Asset and investment sales, etc.
**Total Receipts**|**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
11,141
10,210
(6,318)
(5,576)
(352)
(320)
4,471
4,314
400
550
1,885
1,225
12,715
3,915
1,510
1,680
1,380
1,080
1,677
-
-
280
-
147
904
135
294
-
149
127
561
1,721
34
612
280
680
-
300
519
145
627
-
168
-
240
-
4,500
-
32,314
16,911
52
1
52
1
32,366
16,912
-
-
32,366
16,912|
|---|---|
6
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
|**Payments**
**Charitable Payments**
Youth programme and activities
Pantomime and theatre shows
Group camp
Scout Camp
Scout Camp refunds
Scout group Switzerland trip 2024
Operation Chameleon
Camping and hiking events
Beavers camp
Crazy Golf
Frisbee golf
Hado
Ice skating
Climbing/bouldering
Rough Close fun day
Bowling
Other Scout activity expenses
Laser Quest
Other Cubs activity expenses
Other Beavers activity expenses
Uniform, neckers and badges
Rent
Insurance
Admin/establishment/sundry
Donations out
GoCardless Charges
OSM Charges
**Sub total**
**Total Gross Expenditure**
Asset and investment purchases, etc.
**Total Payments**
**Net (Payments)/Receipts**
**Cash funds last year end**
**Cash funds this year end**|**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
290
153
7,332
-
6,296
3,836
-
165
633
-
1,380
-
1,819
-
173
-
-
172
-
141
170
300
437
-
1,668
1,973
206
585
198
210
30
428
519
135
194
73
520
42
1,956
657
2,399
2,156
1,090
762
69
-
250
-
807
341
28
51
28,464
12,180
28,464
12,180
237
1,800
28,701
13,980
3,665
2,932
20,820
17,888
24,485
20,820|
|---|---|
7
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 March 2023**
|**Cash funds**
Bank Current Account
Deposit Account
**Total cash funds**
**Other monetary assets/(liabilities)**
Tax claim
**Non monetary assets for Group's own use**
Scouting equipment
Brought forward
Additions:
Canoes
Other equipment
Disposals
Depreciation
Carried forward|**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
12,418
11,805
12,067
9,015
24,485
20,820
2,112
1,885
2,112
1,885
5,348
4,655
-
-
237
1,800
5,585
6,455
-
-
(942)
(1,107)
4,643
5,348|
|---|---|
## **Future obligations**
Rent is payable for hire of the church hall three times a year. The current rent is £962 per term. There is no formal lease and the rent is agreed annually.
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 25th September 2023 and are signed on their behalf by :
…………………………………………… J BOWMAN Chairman ……………………………………………. N BURNS Treasurer
8
## **2nd BALSALL COMMON (METHODIST) SCOUT GROUP YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **Depreciation**
|**Equipment**
15%
**Canoes**
25%|**NBV B/fwd**
**Acquisitions**
**Disposal**
**Net**
**Depn**
**NBV c/fwd**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
4,304
237
-
4,541
681
3,860
1,043
-
-
1,043
261
783
5,348
237
-
5,585
942
4,643|
|---|---|