DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT
Report & Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2023
DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT
Report & Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2023
The Trustees are deemed to be the members of the Project (District) Executive for the time being. Those who have served in this capacity during the last year (2023) are as follows.
Ex-officio – Appointment
District Commissioner / Centre Principal Training Manager HR Manager Crew Leader QM Leader Webmaster Minutes Secretary
Richard Hart Ian Maynard Sam Longhurst Martin Petchey Beth Taylor / Tom Skinner Richard Baltutis Beth Taylor
Nominated – Appointment
Chairman Treasurer
Julian Cartwright Pippa Barber
Elected
Elected Member Elected Member Elected Member Elected Member
Mike Hudson Alexander Mansi William Coombs William Brown
BANKERS
CAF Bank Limited & Shawbrook Bank
Group Registration Number with the Scout Association
103501
Contact Name & Address
Julian Cartwright c/o HQTS Lord Amory, Dollar Bay 631 Manchester Road London E14 3NU
Structure
The Dockland Scout Project (DSP) is constituted as a Scout District and forms part of the Greater London North Scout County.
The Project is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. It is also a Registered Charity in its own right number 1126975.
The Project’s governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
Aims
To promote the development of young people and enable them to achieve their full potential in line with the aims of the Scout Association.
To provide the opportunity for young people to experience Water Activities and Water Sports training under the leadership of qualified adults.
Operationally;
During 2023 we ran 10 Activity Weekends and 12 Open days, the Activity Weekends were down as 3 customers cancelled as they had not got the numbers following on from covid. We made use of these weekends for additional training courses. We had 2 groups have their Summer Camps at the Project; Riparian ESSU from Luton, and later the 7[th] /94[th] Bedford Sea Scouts. In May we hosted a Dutch sea Scout Group for 2 days of Boating whilst on their annual camp and in July did the same for scouts from Inverness. We continue to be used by local Scout groups for evening boating during the summer months.
During 2022 we had 1642 bed nights used by the Bed & Breakfast / Accommodation side of the Project, for 2023 this increased to 1977 a good 20% increase. This was due to Schools and Scout Groups returning to more settled programme following Covid.
Use by third party organisations, has stopped as our landlords have placed restrictions on use of the lockside and access.
Maintenance
The regular boat and ship maintenance and upkeep has continued. Many of the boats received refurbishments and during the year we fitted out the sister boat to Odd Job, this one having a tiller rather than wheel steered. We are also attempting to use materials which will reduce the maintenance in the future. We purchased 2 replacement kayaks.
We spent over £5,000 having the slipway surveyed and a design produced for a new slipway after our landlord condemned the current one and informed the Project we would have to replace it at our expense, including the removal of their old slipway. Maintenance costs for the project has been £25,800, a fair figure considering the number and age of our fleet.
Sadly at the end of December one our largest motor boat sank overnight. The boat was salvaged in early 2024, but even after extensive investigations the reason could not be found, thankfully we expect our insurers to pay out on both the salvage costs and the loss of the boat.
Training
Another very successful year on the training front, we have managed to run 27 formal courses. For Paddlesports we ran 5 British Canoeing Explore Award, and 1 PSRC (replacement for the FSRT) courses. On the dinghy side we ran 4 RYA Dinghy Level 2 and a Level 3 and a Keelboat level 2., we also ran 3 RYA Powerboat Level 2 and a Safety Boat Course. 2 Scout Pulling courses, 2 RYA VHF Radio courses and 1 RYA Diesel engine courses. A total of just under 300 qualifications were gained by DSP staff.
We continued to provide the RYA First Aid course to our staff and ran 7 courses during the year ensuring all our staff are First Aid qualified.
By popular demand we ran 2 Induction courses early in the year and had 52 new members (9 adults and 43 Explorers) and we are pleased to say that In December 2023 44 are still actively involved.
Finance & Reserves
The project started the 2023 year in a healthy financial position. Income for the year amounted to £161k with Expenditure of £120K. A loss of £20k on the value of an Inboard Motor boat occurred during the year and the value was written off. The insurance claim for this is still ongoing at the year end with any receipt possible in 2024, resulting in a net movement of funds being a net surplus after the write off of £21K.
For the year the project spent £25k on Repairs & Maintenance, £14k on Insurance, nearly £13k on Light & Heat and £4k on Water. After a long period of discussion with the water supplier, a better payment structure has been established and we hope to see reductions. The electricity contract was renewed and an increase has resulted however this will be reviewed to ensure we get the best deal.
Free reserves represent the working capital of the Project available to support & maintain short and medium-term requirements and to safeguard against any unexpected decrease in income. Free reserves currently equate to between 3- 4 years of total expenditure which are necessary for any large physical items such as the Lord Amory or Christopher W needing immediate investment or repair or replacement in the medium term.
These reserves are held in short- and medium-term bank deposits at the balance sheet date.
Conclusion
Finally, we must say a big thank you to all our volunteer water instructors, maintenance staff, admin staff and helpers without them the Project would not go from strength to strength.
…………………………………. Richard Hart Centre Principal / District Commissioner
3
DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT SUMMARY for the year ended 31st December 2023
| This year | This year | Previous | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund | Year | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Total receipts for the year (see page 5) | 161,403 | 150,873 | |
| Total Payments for the year (see page 6) | 120,190 | 85,054 | |
| Net receipts/payments for the year | 41,212 | 65,819 | |
| Gain (Loss) on revaluation of Tangible Assests | ‐ | 20,000 ‐ |
‐ |
| 21,212 | 65,819 | ||
| Cash, Bank and similar funds brought forward | 427,554 | 361,735 | |
| Cash, Bank and similar funds carreid forward | 448,766 |
427,554 |
The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees
and signed on their behalf by
Philippa (Pippa) Barber ‐ Treasurer
4
DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT Receipts for the year ended 31 December 2023
| INCOMING RESOURCES | This Year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Year | ||
| Capitation and Crew Fees | ‐ | |
| Less Paid | ‐ | |
| ‐ | ‐ | |
| Activities | ||
| Days & Weekends | 31,946 | 34,037 |
| Open Days | 22,304 | 23,396 |
| Meeting Room Hire | 2,030 | 160 |
| RYA & Other Training | 14,303 | 18,373 |
| Boat & Estate Hire | 6,000 | |
| Uniforms | 290 | 180 |
| Miscellaneous Income | 2,345 | 1,057 |
| 73,217 | 83,203 | |
| International Hosting | 84,614 | 49,384 |
| Sale of Equipment | ‐ | |
| Donations & Grants | 905 | 18,012 |
| Interest Received | 2,666 |
275 |
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 161,403 | 150,873 |
5
DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT
Payments for the year ended 31 December 2023
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | This Year | Previous | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | |||
| Notes | |||
| Activity & Training Costs | 7,433 | 8,597 | |
| International Hosting | 49,300 | 30,577 | |
| Vessel Purchases and Improvement costs | ‐ | ‐ | |
| Headquarters Costs | |||
| General Running Costs | 2,691 | 2,509 | |
| Light & Heat | 12,491 | 5,096 | |
| Water Rates | 3,804 | 642 | |
| Rates | 1,779 | 41 | |
| Telephone & Internet | 1,536 | 1,443 | |
| 22,301 | 9,732 | ||
| Boating Costs | |||
| Repairs & Replacements | 25,845 | 18,459 | |
| Insurance | 13,531 | 14,580 | |
| 39,376 | 33,039 | ||
| Administrative Costs | |||
| General | 427 | 409 | |
| Postage & Stationary | 12 | 69 | |
| Motor & Travel | 901 | 1,070 | |
| Bank Charges | 66 | 89 | |
| Uniforms | 375 | 1,443 | |
| 1,780 | 3,080 | ||
| Other Expenses | 30 | ||
| Purchase of Equipment | |||
| Other | ‐ | ‐ | |
| Total Resources Expended | 120,190 | 85,054 | |
| Notes: |
6
DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT
Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31 December 2023
| This Year MONETARY ASSETS, cash, bank and similar funds Bank Current Accounts 248,061 Bank Deposit Accounts 167,591 Trade Debtors ‐ Creditors ‐ 415,653 NON‐MONETARY ASSETS ‐ Assets for Group's own use Vehicles, Boats and other equipment 605,044 The assets are revalued each year by the Trustees, The current values are: Canoes 21,300 Chandlery/Marine Equipment/Motors 6,000 Converted Dutch Barge 300,000 Dinghies 2,675 Headquarters Ship ‐ Lord Amory 85,000 Kayaks 11,100 Motor Boats 46,850 Motor Boats Inboard 58,000 Paddleboards 1,969 Pontoons 3,000 Pulling Boats 4,000 Sailing Dinghies 60,200 Vehicles and Trailers 4,950 Total Tangible Assets 605,044 |
Previous Year 212,341 166,092 ‐ ‐ |
|---|---|
| 378,433 | |
| 625,044 | |
| 21,300 6,000 300,000 2,675 85,000 11,100 46,850 78,000 1,969 3,000 4,000 60,200 4,950 |
|
| 625,044 |
7
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the DOCKLAND SCOUT PROJECT I report on the aCCnts ot the Proiert for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are Set out above. Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitrfs trustees consider that an aLMJit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) arKI that an independent examination is needed. It is the reswnsibility of the examiner to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 ACL To follow the pr[edureS laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission {under SectIL 145{51{bl of the 2011 Act), and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examinerfs report My examination VRS carried tJJt with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a rewew of the accounting records kept by the charity and 3 comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also ItludeS consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and consequentiy no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. Independent Examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which give5 me reasonable cause to believe that in any ni.aterial respett the requirements= To keep accounting records in accordance vth section 130 of the 2011 Act: and To prepare accounts which accord the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act Trave not been met. or to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to !naDle a oroper understanding of the accounts to be reached. i fee4 Tessa Bullimorg