2025-03-31-accounts

30[th] Reigate Scout Group

Somers Hall, Slipshoe Street

Annual Report & Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2025

30[th] Reigate Scout Group

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30[th] Reigate Scout Group Scout Council Annual General Meeting

Monday 15 September 2025 at 7.30pm

At Somers Hall

Agenda

1. Introduction and welcome

2. Apologies for absence

3. Governance topics

a. Approve the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 21 September 2024

b. Confirm the model constitution from Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR), as agreed by the Trustee Board

• c. Note the Group’s financial year

• d. Agree the number of members that may be appointed to the Trustee Board

• e. Agree the quorum for future meetings of the Group Trustee Board

4. Review of the previous year

• a. The Group Lead Volunteer’s review of Scouts in the 30[th] Reigate Scout Group

• b. Receive and adopt the Annual Report of the Group Trustee Board, including the annual Statement of the Accounts

5. Making appointments

• a. Appoint the Group Chair

• b. Appoint the Group Treasurer

• c. Appoint members of the Group Trustee Board

• d. Appoint the Scrutineer / Independent Examiner

6. Closing remarks

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30[th] Reigate Scout Group Trustee Board

Minutes of Annual General Meeting 23 September 2024 at Somers Hall, 7.30 pm

Introduction: The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting

Apologies: Martin Boyce, Judy Clark

Governance topics

a. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 21 September 2023 were approved by the meeting

b. The model constitution from Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) was readopted

c. The Group’s financial year was noted as 31 March

d. The number of members that may be appointed to the Trustee Board was approved in line with POR

f. Agreed the quorum for future meetings of the Group Scout Council (excluding this AGM) as four members

Review of Previous Year

a. The Lead Volunteer referred his report in the Annual Report and advised of upcoming important changes to the way the Scout Movement is being managed from next year. The Group sections have enjoyed a successful year, as has the Group overall.

b. The Report and the Accounts were accepted and approved by the Meeting

Appointments

a. The Group Chair, John Hill, was reappointed, there being no other nominations

• b. The Group Treasurer, Peter Mitchell, was reappointed, there being no other nominations

c. The existing members of the Group Trustee Board were reappointed, there being no other nominations, although it was noted that Alan Reed was appointed as a Trustee during the current year

• d. The Scrutineer / Independent Examiner, Patrick Nolan, was reappointed

There being no other business, the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the Meeting at 8.00pm

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the year

1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name 30[th] Reigate Scout Group Group charity registration number 1121934 Charity’s principal address Somers Hall, Slipshoe Street, Reigate RH2 9HU Scout Association registration number 1199

Members of the Trustee Board Mr John Hill Chair Mr James Clark Lead Volunteer Mr Peter Mitchell Treasurer Mrs Betty Geer Secretary Mr Alan Reed Mr Simon Cottle Mr Rob Gregory Mr Martin Boyce Additional Members of the Operations Group Mrs Alison Bruce Mrs Judith Clark

Section B Constitution and controls

The Constitution of the 30[th] Reigate Scout Group Council almost exclusively follows Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.

Controls

The Group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss; these include two signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure the insurable risks are covered.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objectives of the charity is set out in its governing document

The objectives of the Group are as a unit of the Scout Association.

The purpose of Scouting is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as 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.

Summary of the main activities

The leaders in each section provide programmes for our young people of learning, fun activities and teamwork leading to confident, sociable and useful members of society.

The Scout Group also fundraises with various activities and receives income from scout hall lettings. From time to time the Scout Group may engage in grant funding applications for specific purposes. In addition, the Scout Group may make grants in respect of individual young members for support purposes.

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Public Benefit

Subscriptions are charged for membership to cover immediate running costs of the Group and these do not unduly restrict membership. The Group follows the principle that no one should be excluded because of their inability to pay membership subscriptions.

Two key principles demonstrate that Scouting’s aims are for the public benefit and that through the Scout method, young people develop towards their full potential and that there is a clear link between the benefits for young people and the purpose of Scouting. The safety of young people is taken very seriously and the benefits Scouting activities provide far outweigh the risks. Any private benefits from Scouting are incidental, other than to those as a beneficiary.

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main activity of the charity during the year

Membership

Each section of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers has continued successful activities, incorporating both indoor and outdoor programmes, as well as overnight sleepovers and camps.

Badgework is always an important opportunity to try new things and obtain some proficiency in new activities and our annual badge invoice shows how successful this has been. There have been celebrations of other cultures and to open our members eyes to things they would not necessarily have been a part of.

Our Scout Hall was used for some events in the Reigate Festival of Arts, with bell ringers and a ukulele band. The Hall will again be used in the 2025 festival, with extended variety of arts, music and crafts. We continue to be members of the Reigate Business Guild and contribute to its activities where we can.

Our waiting list for Beavers is still extensive, in common with other Scout Groups and many have to wait until Cub age or even Scout age, before they can join. We have not introduced Squirrels, which are the 4-6 year olds, as we do not have any volunteers to run this section. If anyone is interested to find out more about this, please contact any section leader.

Building

Since the developments and improvements that was reported in last year’s Report and Accounts, there has not been any further projects. This decision is partly to take a breather and assess our current and future needs.

The trustees have intentions for further improvements and will consider these now that the Group is settling after the implementation of the major changes brought about by the Scout Association and the Charity Commission, in respect of management requirements and procedures.

Section E Financial Review

Brief statement on the charity’s policy on reserves

At 31 March 2025 we held cash and deposits of £317,341.83. The Group’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient reserves to continue the charitable activities of the Group should income and fundraising fall short. The Group Trustee Board considers that the Group holds sufficient reserves to satisfy this policy.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

None

Investment Policy

The Group’s policy is not to invest in longer term investments in stocks and shares. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or other deposits.

The current account is reviewed regularly and if thought prudent, will transfer funds not required for near use to obtain maximum value and income from suitable cash deposits.

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Section F Future Plans

Our plans for 2025/2026 are to continue to improve the headquarters as described above and to seek an increased leadership team to reduce the strain on the section leaders in managing their sections. Whether experienced or not, every bit of help is important and flexible, so any help is welcome and readers should contact a leader or email Jim Clark at [e-mail]

Section G Declaration

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signatures	The original has been signed by
Full name(s)	John Michael Hill James Clark
Position	Chair of Trustees Group Lead Volunteer
Date 30 June 2025

Current Team Leaders as at 31 March 2025

Jim Clark (Lead Volunteer) Jonathan Gold (Scout Team Leader) Trudi Wallace (Beaver Team Leader) Jonathan Reeve (Scout Team Leader) Judy Clark (Cub Team Leader) Tom Elwood (Explorer Team Leader)

In addition, there are Team Volunteers, Young Leaders from the Explorer Unit, as well as Helpers who support the leadership team

Chairman of Trustees’ Report 2024 – 2025

The year has been a time of consolidation following the disruption of Covid and changes to the Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules which sets out how Scouts is run.

We have needed to recruit new leaders after some of our long-standing leaders have stood down, albeit continuing to give much valued support; more detail is in the Group Lead Volunteer’s report. We are very grateful both to those reducing their involvement and those who have stepped up to take their place.

The Group also welcomed some new trustees, but there is still a need to recruit more, in part to replace long serving trustees wishing to retire.

The number of young members has fallen a little compared to the previous year, in part a reflection of a need to reduce the pressure on our leaders.

The Group’s finances remain sound. Again, there has been a surplus of income over expenditure, albeit less than in recent years. No major upgrades were made to Somers Hall, but it is still proposed that an upstairs room should be upgraded to improve its usefulness.

Running the Group is a major undertaking possible only through the hard work of the leaders, helpers, Trustees and Members of the Executive. We still need more volunteers for these roles. I thank all those who have contributed to the 30th for their support, without which we could not continue. Jim Clark works very hard as Group Lead Volunteer.

John Hill Chairman of Trustees

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Group Lead Volunteer’s Report 2024 – 2025

The year has been one of significant changes, both structurally and the team.

The Scout Association has implemented changes that has required the management team and the Volunteer Leaders to spend considerable time understanding the new requirements. These covered revised learning programmes with the aim of updating safety and safeguarding protocols and management to ensure the wellbeing of our members. The Scout Association has also made some management changes, in line with the Charity Commission requirements and the Group trustees have been assimilating and implementing those changes.

During the year, the trustee board has increased the number of trustees and currently has a membership of eight. In addition, there are other operational volunteers with specific roles that look after safety aspects and the building management.

There have been some volunteer section leadership changes. In Beavers Wendy has retired from being the Beaver Leader after 8 years in that role. Wendy continues to help in both a District role and in the Group as needed. Trudi Wallace has taken up the reigns and wish her every success with it.

In the Scout section, Nick Clark has stood down as Scout Leader of both Wednesday and Friday Troops, after 22 years’ service. Nick has achieved such great success in building up the troops and providing innovative programmes. Nick was given a great send off by the young members at the annual Awards and camp reunion evening, last November. Sarah, his wife, also stood down from mainstream activities after backing up Nick so ably during his tenure.

Both will still be around in different capacities, without the weekly pressures of running the troops. Replacing Nick on Wednesday is Jonathan Gold and on Friday, Jonathan Reeve, both seasoned Leaders, backed up by a super team. The programmes for both nights continue to be the same and both teams work together to deliver the activities.

Sue Wallace, the Deputy GLV, has also retired from mainstream activities and helping me, after some 22 years’ service but again is around to assist where needed. I thank her for all that she has achieved.

The average life of a volunteer in Scouts, nationally, is six years but many of our total leadership team have far more years under their belt, such is our family environment.

It is vital that we retain and encourage more volunteers to help in a variety of ways, whether in sectional activities, management, including Chair and Treasurer, hall maintenance, equipment maintenance. You only give what time you can but more hands makes life easier.

If you would like to be part of the team, please contact me on [e-mail]

Our thanks goes to all volunteers in the Group, who make things happen for our members, your children.

Jim Clark,

Group Lead Volunteer

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Income & Expenditure Account

Year ended 31 March 2025

Income	24/25	23/24
	£	£
Subscriptions	23,429.60	24,929.52
Fundraising	2,654.29	2,258.67
Camps & activities	43,292.47	52,760.57
Clothing	1,393.10	1,509.00
Hall & other donations	4,212.30	4,240.00
Interest	8,966.20	7,099.31
Gift aid tax reclaim	6116.40	6764.70
Training fees received	1.874.32	-
Miscellaneous	1,050.00	611.48
Total Income	92,988.68	100,173.25
Expenditure
Scout Assoc. payment	10,229.00	10,215.00
Camps & activities	59,042.13	50,919.31
100 Club final payments	-	885.00
Jamboree	-	500.00
Equipment	3,545.67	1,977.61
Repairs, Maintenance and improvements	3,050.03	22,030.27
Utilities, Council tax & subscriptions	3,530.02	3,949.40
Telephone & Broadband	873.51	833.81
Insurances	1,358.52	1,439.73
Uniform, badges, clothing	1,300.21	2,885.57
Training	30.00	40.00
Bank charges, OSM fees etc.	348.50	329.50
Miscellaneous	1,686.74	-
Total Expenditure	84,994.33	96,005.20
Regular income less expenses	7,994.35	4,168.05
Income less expenses
Allocation from / to reserves
To building reserve	7,994.35	4,168.05
To general reserve	nil	nil
	7,994.35	4,168.05

Allocation to reserves – 100% is allocated to building reserves for refurbishments

Notes

Subs paid – similar amount paid as last year but the rate has gone up and member numbers down. It is expected that member numbers will rise again over the next few years.

Equipment – mainly purchase of climbing equipment

Repairs and Maintenance and Improvements – No major refurbishment during the year. Further improvements are envisaged during 2025/2026

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30[th] Reigate Scout Group

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025

		31 March 2025	31 March 2024
		£	£
Bank Balances	CAF Current	74,015.21	74,807.26
	CAF Deposit	63,172.16	61,696.25
	Skipton BS	90,869.53	87,813.50
	Cambridge &	89,284.93	86,324.08
	County
		317,341.83	310,641.09
Camp fees paid/ received in advance		-39,518.92	-36,630.48
Capitation fee paid in advance		10,229.00	10,215.00
Total Reserves		288,051.91	284,225.61
Analysis of Reserves
	General	Building	Total
	Reserve	Maintenance
		Reserve
	£	£	£
31 March 2024	101,750.08	178,307.48	280,057.56
Allocate from income & expenditure	nil	7,994.35	7,994.35
31 March 2025	101,750.08	186,301.83	288,051.91

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the

30[th] Reigate Scout Group

I report on the accounts of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 8 and 9.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Group’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year (under the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

• Examine the accounts.

• To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners; and

• To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of examiner’s report

My examination was carried out with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Group and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• 1 Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

• a. to keep accounting records in accordance with the Charities Act 2011; and

• b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

• 2 To which, in my opinion, attention should have been drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Patrick Nolan ACIB

Independent Examiner

Date 2 June 2025

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