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2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

For the period

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From (start date) 0 1 0 4 2 4 to end date 3 1 0 3 2 5
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Brunel District Scout Council
Other names the charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 1 1 2 8 6 4 7
HQ registration number 1 6 7 1 5
Charity’s principal address 81 Cornfield Close
Bradley Stoke
Postcode B S 3 2 9 D R
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee Name Office (if any)
whole year
1 Clive Lewis Syme Mason District Lead Volunteer
2 Nick Nelson District Chair
3 Hugh Thorpe District Treasurer
4 Hazel Sperring
5 Paul Baker
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15		 Ben Shadbolt 14-24 Team Leader
Jim Shadbolt
Glen Mills

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice) (These will be published in the annual report of the charity)

Type of advisor Name Name Address
Section B Structure, governance and management
Desc
Type
(e.g.
How
(e.g
Trus		 ription of the charity’s trusts
of governing document
trust deed, constitution)
the charity is constituted
. trust, association, company)
tee selection methods
The District's governing documents are those of the 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.
The District is a trust established under its rules which are common
to all Scouts.
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,

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The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

(e.g. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy
,
Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
tion but encouraged as best practice)
You may choose to include additional
information, where relevant, about:
Policies and procedures adopted for:
a) the induction and training of trustees; b) trus		 The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, 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 Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and up to 10
Trustees (including 2 Ex Officio Trustees) and meets every 2
months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee
learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-
managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and
equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal
requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their
support helps other volunteers run high-quality and safe
programmes that gives young people skills for life.
Structure, governance and management (continued)
Risk and Internal Control (Specimen 1)
The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to

Section B Structure, governance and management (continued) Risk and Internal Control (Specimen 1) The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to

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The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the District 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:

Collapse of an Explorer or Network Unit, either through lack of volunteers or insufficient volunteers. The District would look to spread existing Explorer or Network members across existing sections if volunteers could not be found by other means. Damage to the building, property and equipment. The District would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Districts. The District has identified the need for sufficient buildings and contents insurance to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Ineffective control or loss of data. The risk of a regulatory breach has led the District to identify this as a key area for review and is identifying suitable resources to review all of its tools and systems to ensure both compliance and control is in place.

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Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out
in its governing document		 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.
The Values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity -We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and
loyal.
Respect -We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care -We support others and take care of the world in which we
live.
Belief -We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Co-operation -We make a positive difference; we co-operate with
others and make friends.
The Scout Method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with
adults, work together based on the
values of Scouting and:
- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
- make and live by their Promise.

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See section D for further details of activities undertaken. Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects

Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

See section D for further details of activities undertaken. See section D for further details of activities undertaken.
s (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
Youmay chooseto include further
statements, where relevant, about:
• policy on grantmaking;
• contribution made by volunteers;
• policy on investments.
Public benefit statement
The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria
under both the advancement of education and the advancement of
citizenship or community development headings.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of
the charity during the year
The District is attracting potential new Trustees to the
Board to increase the diversity of thought in decision
making and act as a challenge. These are currently pre-
appointment.
A risk register has been introduced and scored with trustee
leads in place to identify and manage mitigation actions.
Regular meetings are in place using modern facilities to

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g g p g improve decision making and highlight to potential trustees our professional approach. Scouting has been working through a huge transformation programme which was significantly impacted by the launch of the new adult membership system last November.

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new adult membership system last November. The launch of the new system has been hugely challenging for everyone at all levels in the organisation…and continues to be so. However, the delivery of a great quality Scouting programme has been sustained and both young people and volunteer membership numbers have marginally increased. The new membership system continues to evolve as bugs & fixes are ironed out. Realistically, this will be at least the end of 2025 but in the meantime, all volunteers continue to persevere... particularly the Group Lead Volunteers. Our current national 'Skills for Life' strategy ends at the end of 2025. This 5yr plan was originally started in 2018 but due to COVID, was delayed. Since last year, HQ have been developing our next 5yr strategy in consultation with volunteers, youth forums and the general public. This new strategy will be launched towards the end of 2025/early 2026. The new strategy will be based on global trends and the evolving needs of young people, skills development, education, and communities towards 2035. It will shape our post-2025 vision and strategic roadmap for Scouting for the next 5yrs…so exciting times ahead! This will have a direct influence on all on the ‘front line’ as it will shape our programme…the most important part of Scouting and also how we support our volunteers. Overall 5% increase in District membership (see separate graphic circulated with this document)...with a 5.2% increase in Young People and a 4.4% increase in volunteers. Demand has never been greater…as always we need more volunteers but equally, meeting places are also increasingly difficult to find and sustain. Scouting’s newest and youngest section for the 4-5yr olds, Squirrels, is progressing well within the District. We now have 4 Squirrel Dreys in the District and by the end of 2025, there will hopefully be another 4. Overall, a challenging but successful year!

Section E Financial Review

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Brief statement of the charity’s policy on
reserves
Quantify and explain any designations
Details of any funds materially in deficit
(circumstances plus steps to eliminate)		 Reserves Policy
The Districts policy on reserves is to hold sufficient
resources to continue the charitable activities of the group
should income and fundraising activities fall short. The
District Trustee Board considers that the District should hold a sum
equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £15,000.
The District held reserves in excess of £50,000 against this at year
end. This is above the level required for operating
expenses.
However this can be explained by and is held to
support development of Groups across the District through
either grants or loans.
ation)
Investment Policy (Specimen 1)
The principle source of funding are subscription payments
made direct to the charity by Explorer Units or through
annual capitation payments by all Group's across the
District for other members.

Further financial review details (optional information)

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Section F Other Optional Information
Plans for future periods (details of any
significant activities planned to achieve them)
Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Nicholas Nelson Hugh Thorpe

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Position (eg Secretary, Chair)
Date		 Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Treasurer
1
2
1
0
2
5
1 2 1 0 2 5

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Brunel Distrfct Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account To 31dll•r45 Receipts and payments 2024r25 2023r24 P4yments PayrnerA6 1145 1,740 754 93.1 4¢11 56.023 iS4.38$

Brunel District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account Tv 314Agr45 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 2021r25 2023R4 Cath fvnd 1¥4 51.n9 &145 4129 816 ,-41 cJTr

Brunel Distrlct Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account 5gpo f)hily 18 89£ fi , 8Tr•&£ QRk ts16 ghiK. Dat¢ 0510? ijnis.

Brunel District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account F•rth• y•w To Receipts and payments 2024n5 2023124 14912 sn 1.V

Brunel Distrfct Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account To 31dll•r45 Receipts and payments 2024r25 2023r24 P4yments PayrnerA6 1145 1,740 754 93.1 4¢11 56.023 iS4.38$

Brunel District Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account Tv 314Agr45 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 2021r25 2023R4 Cath fvnd 1¥4 51.n9 &145 4129 816 ,-41 cJTr

Brunel Distrlct Scout Council Receipts and Payments Account 5gpo f)hily 18 89£ fi , 8Tr•&£ QRk ts16 ghiK. Dat¢ 0510? ijnis.