# **BRADFORD NORTH DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL** # **ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 11th July 2023 Eccleshill United Football Club** ## ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday 11th July 2023 AGENDA ## **1. Welcome and introduction** ## **2. Apologies** ## **3. Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 12th July 2022** - _To approve the minutes Executive Committee Approved_ ## **4. Chairs Annual Report** ## **5. The District Constitution** ## **6. Blackhills Constitution and Year End Report** ## **7. The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2023** - _To receive and consider the report and accounts submitted by the District Executive for the year ended 31st March 2023_ ## **8. ADC Sectional Reports** - Squirrels - 4th Bradford North Squirrel Leader to give update on behalf of all Squirrel groups - Beavers - Mark Archer - Cubs - Sarah Faulkner - Scouts - Craig Simpson - Explorers - Adam Simpson ## **9. The District Commissioners Appointment for District Chair** - To receive the District Commissioner appointment ## **10.Election of Officers to the District Scout Executive** ## **11.The District Commissioner Report** ## **12.The Youth Commissioner Report** ## **13.Presentation of Awards** ## **14.County Representatives** - Ian Wormersley **15.Date of Next Meeting** : Tuesday 9th July 2024 ## **3. Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 12th July 2022** ## **BRADFORD NORTH DISTRICT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING** Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday 12[th] July 2022 At 19:30 at Eccleshill Working Mens Club 2. **Present** Andrew Wilson (Treasurer), Robynne Casson (Secretary), Wendy Flatters, John Reynolds, Adam Simpson, Daniel Simpson, Jodi Stanley, Phil Stanley, Craig Simpson, Sarah Faulkner, Kevin Jones, Lesley Atkins, Louise Atkins, Elaine Seed, John Emsley, Malcolm Race, Andrew Dacre, Phil Lowde, Emily Hall, Ian Brooks, Beth McGrath, Steve Rollins, Oliver Rhodes, David Hall, Catherine Hetherington, Bev Howard, Bill Joynes, Barbara Smith, David Norris, AJ Cranmer, Stephen Bailey, Megan Barker, Dave Rollins, Jonathan Wingfield, John Ratnik, Matt Turner, Elaine Clough 3. **Apologies** John Briggs (Chair), Emma Simpson, Becky Casson, Les Horsley, Angelica Halliday, Mark Halliday, Zara Hamilton, Rachel Duxbury, Leo Duxbury, Shaun Dwyer, Seth Sheard, Richard Dempsey, Susan Glynn, Kerry Walker, Craig Milner, Bob Johnston, Tim Atkins, Steve Sutcliffe, Chrissy Sutcliffe |**Item**|**Discussion**| |---|---| |Gang Show Update|
Will be taking place at Bradford Playhouse theatre

Still looking for people to join the cast. Encourage
leaders to promote in their group for if anyone wants to
get involved

Also looking for volunteers to help on stage, dressers,
etc.

Rehearsals start in September and run through to
November

Tickets will be approx. £10

Show dates are 24thNovember, 25thNovember and 2 on
26thNovember

Please contact John Metcalfe on 07854 322754 for any
further information| |3. Minutes of
Annual General
Meeting held on
14thSeptember
2021|
Minutes reviewed and Approved – Proposed Bill Joynes,
Seconded Malcolm Race| |5. District
Constitution|
No changes to District Constitution in the past year

The constitution is available on the website to view| |6. The Blackhills
Constitution|
Meeting in October 2021 took place but no agreement
put in place so no EGM was organised

No changes to Blackhills Constitution have taken place
in the past year| |7. The Annual
Report and
Accounts for the
year ended 31st
March 2022|
Treasurer Andrew Wilson gave an overview of accounts

Done a 3 year comparative this year to give view of
how we have compared to last fnancial year before
pandemic

Scout Shop has supported groups for £648 towards cost
of OSM membership

Stores income is a rebate from the water board

Explorers international is money sent into district by the
fundraising as it has to be paid out of District account

91% growth in sales through Scout Shop. Please keep
encouraging parents to shop there. Made a surplus of
£375

Willbehaving a sale on 16th and 30th July onuniform| ||with the old logo on. Have about £1500 worth of stock
that we don’t wish to write of

Cost of insurance has gone down but insured level has
gone up

Will be looking at producing a more real time stock list
of uniform in stock. In the meantime, if you email
Andrew about what you are after, he can check if in
stockalready or if needingto be ordered| |---|---| |8. ADC Sectional
Reports|
Still looking for an ADC Beavers. If anyone would like to
volunteer or nominate someone, please speak to
WendyFlatters| |9. The District
Commissioners
Nomination for
District Chair|
Wendy Flatters would like to appoint John Briggs

John Briggs accepts| |10.Election of
Ofcers to the
District Scout
Executive|District Scout Executive:
District Treasurer: Andrew Wilson
District Secretary: Robynne Casson
District Scrutineer: Paul Stocks
Elected Members on committee until 2023: Dave Rollins,
Zara Hamilton and Faeem Lal
Nominated Members on committee until 2023: John
Reynolds and Craig Simpson
Adam Simpson as DESC
Oliver Rhodes as Youth Commissioner
All the above were agreed with
Blackhills Management Committee:
Nominated Members on committee until 2023: John
Reynolds, Sarah Faulkner and Phil Stanley
All the above were agreed with
Representative to the County Scout Council
-Wendy Flatters asked if anyone is willing to stand for
County Scout Council
-John Capes volunteered and all agreed| ||**Date of Next Annual General Meeting:**

**Tuesday 12th July 2023**| **4. Chairs Annual Report** I’d like to start by thanking the District Commissioner, Trustee Board members, and of course all the Adults for their continued support and hard work, which has enabled us to provide some brilliant Scouting to the children and young people in Bradford North. It’s been a positive experience being part of the pilot to transform the way we do things in Scouting in Bradford North. This will make volunteering in Scouting much easier and more fun, with the aim being to encourage more adults to volunteer in Scouting and where they find that experience of volunteering rewarding and so stop around. Adults are the key to enable us to deliver a much better programme and the ability to offer the amazing experiences and opportunities that Scouting provides to more children and young people in the district. Part of these changes have meant we have had to look at the District Constitution and the make up of the new Trustee Board which has replaced the Executive Committee. Moving forward, the Trustee Board will focus on the Governance of the district and not the day-to-day operations as it did before. Ensuring that Scouting is accessible to all, there is a real focus and direction to get Scouting into areas of the District where we know Scouting could make a real difference to children and young people’s lives and create those opportunities and experiences that we know can set a child or young person on a much more positive trajectory and where their hopes and aspirations can be achieved. This targeted approach to getting Scouting into parts of our District where we could make a real difference is being coordinated centrally, but we will be closely involved in this work, as we know our District very well and where the focus should be. ‘Stronger Together’ is a strap line for one of the major Banks, but I think it also fits extremely well in our ambition as a District to be much more ‘Together’ with the other Districts who make up the Bradford Metropolitan area, and I know this ambition is also shared by the County Commissioner. We have a real opportunity in Bradford and its outlying Districts to come together with the City of Culture coming to the City in 2025. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to come together and showcase Scouting at its best and I know that Bradford North will be 100% behind this. We’ve had some brilliant successes in relaunching a number of groups in the last 12 months and these groups continue to grow. I think it is really important that we share the experiences of these groups, so that we can learn from what has worked well and perhaps the things that were reflected on, that didn’t go brilliantly. If we are to open up more opportunities for children and young people to be involved Scouting, we need to ensure this is successful and sustainable too. I’d like to end by wishing our young people and adults who will be winging their way to South Korea for the Jamboree ‘God Speed’ and have an amazing time!! John Briggs Chair Bradford North District Scout Council ## **5. The District Constitution** ## **Bradford North District Scout Council Constitution** ## **District Scout Council** i. The District Scout Council is the electoral body, which supports Scouting in the District. It is the body to which the District Trustee Board is accountable. ii. Membership of the District Scout Council is open to: ## **Ex officio Members** - Commissioners - County Commissioner - County Chair - District and Group Active Support Managers - Scouters - Administrators - Section Assistants - Skills Instructors - Advisors - All Explorer Scouts - All members of the District Scout Network - A representative of the Troop Leadership Forum, selected from amongst the membership of the Forum; - Representatives of each District Explorer Scout Unit, selected from amongst the membership of each Explorer Scout Unit - A representative of the District Scout Network, selected from amongst the membership of District Scout Network - Members and Associate Members of the Movement registered in the Scout District and including Members of the District Scout Active Support Units; - All parents of Explorer Scouts - Persons elected or reselected annually by the District Scout Council on the recommendation of the District Commissioner and the District Trustee Board. iii. Membership of the District Scout Council ceases upon: - the resignation of the member; - the dissolution of the Council: - the termination of membership by Headquarters following a recommendation by the County Trustee Board. iv. The District Scout Council must hold an Annual General Meeting within six months of the financial year end to: The Annual General Meeting must: a) Undertake governance oversight by - adopting (or re-adopting) the constitution of the Scout Council (see POR rule 5.3) - confirming (or re-confirming) the dates of charity’s financial year - agreeing the number of members that may be elected to the Trustee Board - agreeing the quorum for each of: o meetings of the Scout Council o meetings of the Trustee Board o meetings of any sub-Committees (see POR rules 5.5.2.7, 5.5.2.8, 5.5.2.9 ## b) Review the previous year - receive and consider the Trustees’ Annual Report and the annual statement of accounts prepared by the Trustee Board. The accounts must have completed their examination by an appropriate auditor, independent examiner, or scrutineer. The Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts presented to the Scout Council must include the formal report prepared by the auditor, independent examiner, or scrutineer. c) Make appointments - approve the District Commissioner’s nomination of the Chair of the Trustee Board - approve the District Commissioner’s nomination of members of the Trustee Board - elect a Secretary to the Trustee Board, or agree the Trustee Board’s nomination of a Trustee Board Administrator. - elect a Treasurer to the Trustee Board - elect Trustees to the Trustee Board - approve the appointment (or re-appointment) of any Presidents or Vice Presidents - appoint (or re-appoint) an auditor, independent examiner or scrutineer as required The Annual General Meeting of a District Scout Council must also: 1. nominate representatives of the District Scout Council to represent the District on the County Scout Council. ## **The District Trustee Board** The Trustee Board must act in the charity’s best interests, acting with reasonable care and skill and take steps to be confident that: - a) The charity is: - well managed - carrying out its purposes for the public benefit - complying with the charity’s governing document and the law - managing the charity’s resources responsibly - b) the charity is operating compliant with POR, including effective management of the Key Policies listed in chapter 2 - The Equal Opportunities Policy, Privacy and Data Protection Policy, Religious Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Safety Policy, Vetting Policy, Youth Member Anti-bullying Policy. - c) young people are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels - d) there are sufficient resources (funds, people, property and equipment) available to meet the planned work of the District including delivery of the high quality programme and resource requirements of the training programme (POR Rule 4.9.6) - e) The Scouts has a positive image in the local community The Trustee Board members must themselves collectively: - a) develop and maintain a risk register, including putting in place appropriate mitigations b) ensure that the charity’s finances are properly managed, including development and maintenance of appropriate budgets to support the work of the charity c) maintain and manage: - a reserves policy for the charity (including a plan for use of reserves outside the ‘minimum’) - an investment policy for the charity - a public benefit statement for the charity - d) ensure that people, property and equipment are appropriately insured, and that any property and equipment owned or used by the charity is properly protected and maintained - e) promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area. - f) ensure the appointment and management and operation of any sub-committees, including appointing a Chair to lead the sub-committee - g) ensure that effective administration is in place to support the work of the Trustee Board - h) appoint any Administrators, Advisers and co-opted members of the Trustee Board i) ensure transparency of operation, including: - prepare and approve the Annual Accounts and arrange their sign-off of by an auditor, independent examiner or scrutineer as appropriate and as appointed by the Scout Council at their Annual General Meeting - prepare and approve the Trustees’ Annual Report (which must include the Annual Accounts) - present the approved Trustees’ Annual Report and Annual Accounts to the Scout Council at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) - following the AGM, ensure that a copy of the Trustee Annual Report and Accounts is sent to County Trustee Board administration and, if a registered charity, is filed with the appropriate charity regulator (if the regulator’s rules require it). j) take responsibility for adherence to Data Protection Legislation recognising that, dependent on circumstances, it will at different times act as a Data Controller and as a Data Processor k) individually and collectively maintain confidentiality regarding appropriate Trustee Board business - l) where staff are employed: - act as a responsible employer in accordance with Scouting’s values and relevant legislation - ensure that effective line management is in place for each employed staff member and that these are clearly established and communicated - ensure that appropriate specific personnel insurance is in place iii. The District Trustee Board consists of: ## **Ex officio members** - District Chairman; - District Commissioner; - District Youth Commissioner; - District Secretary; - District Treasurer; - District Explorer Scout Commissioner ## **Elected members** - Persons elected at the District Annual General Meeting - These should normally be four in number - The actual number must be the subject of the resolution by the District Scout Council ## **Nominated members** - persons nominated by the District Commissioner - the nominations must be approved at the District Annual General Meeting, - persons nominated need not be members of the District Scout Council and their number must not exceed that of the elected members. ## **Co-opted members** - persons co-opted annually by the District Trustee Board, - the number of co-opted members must not exceed the number of members who may be elected. ## **Right of Attendance** - the County Commissioner and the County Chair have the right of attendance at meetings of the District Trustee Board. - iv. Additional Requirements for sub-Committees: - sub-Committees consist of members nominated by the Committee. - The District Commissioner and the District Chair will be ex-officio members of any subCommittee of the District Trustee Board. - Any fundraising committee must include at least two members of the District Trustee Board, No Section leader or Assistant Leader should search on such a fundraising sub-Committee. - The end of year accounts for Blackhills Scout Campsite to be declared as an appendix by Bradford North District Scout Council and Bradford South District Scout Council (as per Blackhills terms of reference). ## v. Additional Requirements for Charity Trustees: - All members of the District Trustee Board are Charity Trustees of the Scout District - Only persons aged 18 and over may be full voting members of the District Trustee Board because of their status as Charity Trustees (however the views of young people in the District must be taken into consideration) - Certain people are disqualified from being Charity Trustees by virtue of the Charities Acts (See POR rule 13.1) - Charity Trustees are responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation including the Data Protection Act. ## **Conduct of Meetings in the Scout District** i. In meetings of the District Scout Council only the members specified may vote. ii. Decisions are made by a majority of votes of those present at the meeting. In the event of an equal number of votes being cast on either side in any issue the Chairman does not have a casting vote and the matter is taken not to have been carried. iii. The District Scout Council must make a resolution defining a quorum for meetings of the Council and the District Trustee Board and its sub-Committees. The District Trustee Board will hold a Quorum of 4 Trustees including the District Treasurer or a member of the Finance Committee. ## **7. The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021** It has been great to see Bradford North Scouts enjoying a full year of recovery since the disruption brought to Groups following the Covid-19 pandemic. We have seen an increase in membership for the District which you see in the accounts with membership fees increasing by almost £2000, a few more activities and I know there is a full programme for the next 12 months. I have continued assisting in Groups where required, if anyone needs any support just give me a call and I will endeavour to help. Sales of badges have increased by over £1000 which is great to see as it means we have lots of young people active and achieving awards, we do ask Groups to please buy badges from the District Badge Secretary we have a great system now in place which means as long as we have stock or stock is available from Scout Shop we typically have badges within 7 days, we don’t make much on badges but every penny helps as they say. I have continued to assist Cath Fawbert with the Scout Shop, they have had a bumper year with sales increasing by over £1500, as with the badges they more we can encourage Groups and parents to support the Scout Shop the more we can support Groups. The Scout Shop is continuingin paying for OSM with a direct support to Groups. It has also been great to see the Explorers who are attending the World Scout Jamboree achieve there fundraising targets and we wish them a great time and experience as they head off to South Korea in just a few weeks time. Andrew Wilson District Treasurer Scrutlneefs Report to the Trustees ol Ihe HRADfoRD NORIH DISTRICT SC()UI G(JUNCIL I report on Ilx> accoun1$ ol GroutyDl$lrlci for the year ended 31 March 2023 R•¥Jp•¢llv• mpon•lblllllei ol Trusl••8 and Scruiln••r As the DiSlri¢l'$ iNsiees you afe responslble lor ihe PTep8r811on of Ihe 8ccoun15: yw conslder mal neilher Ihe audit nor independenl exafflnailon requlrements ol Ihe Chanlies Acl 2011 8pply. 11 is my reSP￿SibIllY wilhoul carying out an audit or indeFeThtenl examlngllon to scwllnlse the 8ccounls and 10 roport lo you. Bas1* of S¢rutln••fs Stat•m•nt In Bccorfance with the direclion8 gfven in thè Distrfcfs cNffjllutlon. I have scruimised reGords ano Ihe accounts set oul on Rew"pts and Payrnenls Accounts. Scnrtlne•f8 St•t•m•nt In my opinion the 8(xounls in accord8n¢e wlh th8 re(x)r(Is prtyauc*l to me arrfl comply the constitution. Paul Stocks AWV2021 T27r￿.0 lthcth ios 95 95 TE4rDrnpF 281.19 159&97 JJDJ OLDV2021 OF¢rynBOS 1416.81 l¢aJ2 ## **8. ADC Sectional Reports** We now have 3 Squirrel Dreys in the District with the first opening in November 2022. All 3 Dreys are increasing in numbers and it has been great to see them in attendance at District events. They all loved the Easter Egg Hunt and did brilliantly at the St Georges Day Parade and Service. One group also attended the first Squirrels Big Day Out organised by County and it went down very well. It has been great to see the young people get involved and the energy that they have. We will look forward to seeing Squirrels continue to expand in the next year and more events being organised that Squirrels can attend. The Beavers as a district is doing very well, numbers of young people and adult volunteers are coming along nicely. Events Beavers have done as a District was the Easter egg hunt which all groups attended and they came out with lots of Easter eggs. The other trip Beavers have had the experience of doing was going to Flamingo Land which all groups who attended had a fantastic day with all their friends. Beavers is a great way of learning new skills at that young age. They have lots of great opportunities from doing a trips like Flamingo Land, attending Blackhills Scout Campsite and campng with all their friends in scouting and learning great skills. Mark ADC Beavers This last 12 months in the Cub section probably hasn't been the best 12 months we've had, however those events that we did have and the groups that took part all seemed to have a great time. We managed to have the Liz Lavan Games Tournament in March, Flamingo land in April and Cub Challenge most recently in June! We also had some groups turn out to egg hunt for Blackhills. Hopefully now we have the calendar for the next 18 months this will help make events go ahead and not have to be cancelled! There is still space to add new stuff too.... Sarah Falkner ADC Cubs This year has been a disappointing year for the Scouts and District events. We managed to bring back the Target competition for the first time since covid hit, and this saw the first tomahawk competition as part of that. We also had Flamingo Land where some groups turned out for it and all had a great day. Hopefully in 2023-24 we can have a better year! Craig Simpson ADC Scouts The previous year has been an exciting one for the Explorers of Bradford North. All groups have been running a full programme of activities and camps The year has seen the Explorers section of Bradford North decrease by approximately 17%, decreasing from 35 young people (as of 31/01/2022) to 29 young people (as of 31/01/2023). This is primarily due to a shortness of leaders at 46th St Saviours, as their Explorer unit was forced to close. The Explorers affected were given the opportunity to join other units. Although numbers have decreased from last year’s census, I know group numbers have increased during the year and will hopefully continue to do so. I’d like to thank all of the Explorer leaders in Bradford North for their continuing hard work and effort they put in running their units. We have been able to run a full programme of joint activities, including: - Cooking Competition - Target Competition - Bradford Monopoly Run We will continue to build on the success of these activities, with the hope of making them bigger and better in the following year. We will also hopefully be running a Camping Competition in 2024, along with starting the quarterly joint meetings that we previously enjoyed prior to Covid. The groups will also be striving to achieve more top awards and complete more activity badges. The District will have 5 Explorers going to South Korea for the World Scout Jamboree in 2023. All of these amazing young people reached their fundraising goal on time, which is an outstanding achievement. I know they will all enjoy their time in South Korea and do Bradford North District proud. Adam Simpson DESC ## **10. Election of Ofcers to the District Scout Trustee Board** To elect the following officers to the District Scout Trustee Board: - District Treasurer: Andrew Wilson District Secretary: Robynne Casson District Scrutineer: Paul Stocks Elected and Nominated members of the Council to the District Trustee Board - Elected Members on committee until 2024: Phil Stanley and Zara Hamilton - Nominated Members on committee until 2024: John Reynolds and Craig Simpson - - Adam Simpson as DESC - Oliver Rhodes as Youth Commissioner Nominated members of the Council to the Blackhills Management Committee - Nominated Members on committee until 2024: John Reynolds, Sarah Faulkner and Phil Stanley (who will be the Trustee representative for Bradford North) ## Representative to the County Scout Council - To announce the results of the election of member of District on to the County Scout Council ## **11. The District Commissioner Report** It is great to report that we are seeing a steady growth in both Young members and Volunteers across the District and we look as if we finally have the pandemic behind us. I appointed Oliver Rhodes as the District Youth Commissioner in October 2022, since taking on the role he has been enthusiastically supporting leaders to deliver the “You Shape” programme and has been a great asset to helping with the Transition that Scouting is going through at the present time. As a District we have invested in resources to help develop Scouting, in the form of X Frame Displays, information boards, railing banners and feather sails, for either inside or outside use; post April we are hoping to purchase a Gazebo cover fully branded for use at Galas, Fairs and any promotional events, all are available free to borrow. We have seen two of our Groups move premises, the 2nd have reformed and moved to Café West, Allerton and the 37th have been forced to move from Haworth Road to Allerton Methodist due to Haworth Rd Church being closed and sold. Unfortunately due to Leadership we have had to close 10th Bradford North (Manningham) who were not able to reform post Covid. I am pleased to see that we have Squirrel Drays (Young people aged 4-6 years old) meeting at 2nd, 4th and 47th – it is great to see our Younger members enjoying new adventures in Scouting while wearing their unmistakable Red uniform, this section is drawing in the help of Parents and is beneficial to the Group and welcoming in new volunteers. April 2022 we held our St George’s Day celebration at Blackhills where we were able to invite all the District including Parents/Carers/ Families to enjoy the Celebration and to have some fun time afterwards on inflatables and Jamboree fund raising stalls. Our Young People who are representing our District to the 25th World Scout Jamboree which is being held in South Korea have been out Fund Raising, both in their Groups and the District as well as personal events, my thanks go to all who have supported these Young people to have an adventure of a lifetime and one that will never be forgotten. Oliver and I are also attending the WSJ in an IST (International Service Team) role. We also have two young people who are participants on the County ski trip to Canada early 2024. 2022/2023 we started to be introduced to the changes that will affect the District through the Scout Association Transition process, I attended a Conference with members of the County –“BaseCamp22” at Manchester University in May 2022 to discuss how the transition into Teams would look, since then West Yorkshire have been one of the Pilot Counties to put the new approach of dividing into Teams into operation- from this we have formed our Welcome Team who have been going to Groups/ Sections to meet with new volunteers rather than having a formal meeting with a panel from the Appointments Team. I would like to thank Jodi Stanley and the Welcome Team for their dedication in reducing the number of new members to be seen, this is an ongoing process and we welcome any comments to make this experience run more smoothly. Other Teams being formed in the District are the Trustee Team (Executive), Programme Team and Growth and Development Team with others to follow as we develop the District and gain more information from HQ. I would like to thank Eccleshill WMC who made us most welcome for us to hold our Monthly Members meeting, due mainly to car parking it was decided to move and I would like to thank Eccleshill United for making us welcome. I would like to thank The District Team – John, Oliver, Adam, Craig and Sarah for their continuous work in the District and arranging District Events for all Groups to attend, some events have had a better uptake than others which has led to a number being cancelled. Going forward we have put together a Calendar of Events from September 2023 – December 2024 to put into your yearly Group Programme. We also welcomed Mark to join the ADC’s with the Beaver Section in February 2023 who had recently moved into the District. My thanks also go to the Trustee Team led by John Briggs (Chairperson), Andrew Wilson (Treasurer) and Robynne Casson (Secretary) and all the Team for their commitment in developing the District and supporting Groups making the Transition into a Team Based Group. As always I would like to thank all Volunteers in the District, Groups, Young People and the families who support Scouting, with them we would be nowhere and the Young people would not be able to develop their “Skills for Life” that can be a great asset to them later in life. I am looking forward to a great Year ahead, the opening of Beavers at 9th Bradford North and possibly more Sections/ Groups that are being identified by the Growth Team (District and County) and the District growing in both membership of Young People and hopefully Adult volunteers. Finally Good Luck and have a fantastic time to all the Participants representing Bradford North to the 25th World Scout Jamboree. ## **12. The Youth Commissioner Report** Youth Shaped Scouting allows our young people to make decisions to form and develop their own adventure, integrity, leadership, care, and cooperation in partnership with adults to learn skills for life. Over the last year youth shaped scouting in Bradford North has been ever growing and in 2022 awarded the most You Shape awards to date, with this set to be beaten by the end of this year. We have seen Youth Shaped Scouting in so many different ways that haven't stopped from Youth Forums around campfires looking at topics from International to their local campsite renovation to young people shaping their future scout Sessions that have been taking place. Also, young leaders taking the lead within their sections running activities and Squirrels to Explorers not only shaping their Scouting experience but also deriving it themselves too which is amazing! In the past year we have also set up new scouting to include young people that have previously been missed. The growth of Squirrels has been phenomenal to watch alongside the development of the new Network section which have amazing opportunities planned for after the summer. I would like to say a huge thank you to all our amazing adult leaders and helpers that have made this year the best it can be for our young people. They have learnt so many skills for life! Our young people are the future of Scouting and that's why it's so important that we guide, support, and give them our time and energy to lead us into. I am extremely for the upcoming year and in addition some new You Shape scouting launches coming for Bradford North, so keep your eyes peeled for even more information coming out. BLACKHILLS Scouts CAMPSITE'I> Report for the year ended 31st March 2023 BLACKHILLS SCOUT CAMPSITE MANAGEMENT COMMirrEE The BLackh•tls Management Committee IBMCI rewrts to the District Executbves of Bradford North and Bradfoid Swth C)istrict ScrArt Council& Its conduct t5 govemed by a constitution agreed by the two Each Executive appoints 4 representatives at ther annual general meetiTrJs each year. Additional co- opted members may be appointed to the Committee to assist in the 9ovemance of the campsite in aweunent with the constiti4tion a9reed by the two Executive DuriThJ the e￿ling 31&t Marth 2023 the BMC was composed ofr. Chairman Treasurer Secretsry Campsite Manager lan Lund Trevor Kershaw Daniel Simpson John ReynoLds Phil Lowde Sarah FauLkner Phil Stanlev Phil Chadwick Janine Ellie-smrth Mick Lovatt Nagib Bleem Bradford South Co-opted member Bradford North Bradford North Bradford North (until JULY 20221 Bradford North Bradford North (from July 20221 Bradford South (until July 20221 Bradford South (from July 20221 Bradford South (from JULY 20221 Bradford South (from ApriL 20221 The site has opwated weil over thE last 12 rnorrth5 the first full after rernoval of au rp5triction5 fvorn the pandomi Site usa90 has been go£￿ wrth an inueased use by schC￿Ls. partKularty for Duke of Ed•nt￿ryh Award schernes and communbty groups thring the woek The setv￿Q toam is however grÈatiy depiÈted and few additionaL iuntÈers (x)me forward dÈspitÈ Èlforts to reuuit additi￿•[ voluntsers or trj parceL up work which cwLd bo Lwxknaken Scout Groups or indNrydua volunte The lease has still not been swjned with John Eaton. the wothnd owner. VarioLk5 dauses in the pro[￿sed lease agTeemEnt have bEen challeTrJed by Bradford S(th'5 Executive lthe lead negotiator ￿ Eehalf of this campsitel. These have bEen corweyed to the sothitor5 for Lxjth partie5 to Scout A5%Kiation 5 TrLt5t C¢)rporation whith i hold the lease on behalf of the CarnpsitÉ A mised lease is b￿ng drafted by the iandcrtvner's solicitrjr fc Sc¢xrt$ further conskleration. The 1ntraTr&gen￿ of the lan¢kJwner's sob¢itor on a Nmbor of ￿Ints appoars to bo fwstrat#wJ ali efforts trj resolve the p0S￿orL Changes to the Con5tituiion have not been re501ved The BMC was asked by North'5 DC to write a draft for ConS￿eratiOn by both Executs"ve5 to try arKI r￿Ve thi5 tw'c aLu¥J. Thi5 was thne and submitted Bradford ￿￿th,5 Execuli¥e questions scffle points indLxIEd. No forrnal response was received again frDm the Bradford South Executi¥e. The 8MC bEbevethey have dDnE all they to expedite a new Con5trtU￿n. tNJt withcth engayement bth¥een the Executive5 further Fwress can be made. The Constitution remains that signed by both District Execub'¥es in 2019. F¥oyrtss is knig made ￿ dtarirs the of v¥NyJs statsrtory h￿th safety related inspectims. wthopauy 35SOCiated ￿1h the etectr4131 conthons rewrt on the fLxed site infrasbucbwe. I. BOOKINGS The bcokings for use ot the site are almost back to nc¥mal leveLs. The break Ilown of bookings is shown in the table below BuiidinglActivity Receipts Costs Net inccrfne Camp'n9 £12306 £12306 Visttors £4869 Nil £4869 Rhcxles £22869 £3474 £19395 Grimiey £5943 £1287 £4656 Eaton £4374 £4798 -£424 Ciewer nil £1673 -£1673 Carlton Nil £246 -£246 TOTAL £38.883 The Rhodes Hut and the Joseph Eaton Centre new boiLers fitted during the year. The Rhodes Hut boiler was simply age, a part broke vthich was obsolete 20 years ago and rbo spares could be sourced. The Eaton was irreparably damaged when the system froze up despite being left running during a severe cold spelL Both now have coThdensing boilers with frost stats wtruch should rninimise the risk of freezing nd provbde a better gas use effKienc¥. Sc￿ts The CLewer-crewside- building was officiauy dedared finished at the end of the year. We await its use as a-junior Service Team" accornmodatio The Carlton remains uThJer repair. though can be used rf necessary. With little use the work to restore the bu1￿1ng has not had any priority. There remains an oppoftunrty to than9e the use of this building if so directed by the Executives. There remains a marked increase in use by schts)Ls during the week FindiNJ wardens to Covef these bookings is no less easy than in previous report We hosted a large contingent of Polish Scouts and Guides lfrorn Manchesterll during the summer. This was a different eX￿rie￿e for our wardens and vdunteers. Their stsndards were different to that which we wouLd expect from UK Scouts or Gubdes. They were closely managed by their District CcKnmissioner As far as site was concerned it seemed that rf t￿ could t￿eak it. they did several times over. Our thanks as ever go to Jacquebne Craven who manages the booktngs. sorting out odd requests. finding wardens and generally making sure we don't get too far in debL Julie Wright as SAS Mana9ef and Colin AmbLer as Activities Co-ordinatof have worked hard together to ensure we have instrurtors to cover most of the reque5L The SAS Manager's roie is still de￿lc()Ir￿J and some of the tssks across the sts management wll move to others as we work with thts positi(m. 2. LEASE The Lease ￿ the woodland remains a WO￿ in prowess much to the frustration of the Management Committee as we have sLited in previous reports. The twist this year appears to be a dispute between the landowners soLicitor and the Scout Association Trust Corp)ration and solicitor about namifvJ the Trustees of both Districts within the wording of the Leas& There remain a number of issues with the draft lease which are of corKem. It vrfould help everyone rf Bradford South's Exeojtive as the lead negotiato￿ could provide regular wiitten updates to the BMC and Executprfe 3. OWNED LAND No particular work was done with the owned farmland during this last year. Scouts 4. STATUTORY DufiES The risk assessments for routbne tssks on site and the adventurws activitbes are now available to download from the website. The Fire Risk Assessment -non-Confo￿ltieS. have beffi cleared during the year with the exception of rail across a storage area in the Cartton. This is proving to be Pfobiematic as it is difficult to fix in a manner that does not stop the use of the area. The regular routine testing of fire aiarnis and smoke detectors remains an issue. Work has just been completed to upgrade the eLectrKal distribution system across the site. The old Generator Hut has been stripped and disconnected from the eiectrKal system. It vriLI be used as ammabie store for petrcl and paint when vrfe have solved the cOTrJensa￿n issue. 0￿r electrical work is taking place to femedy faults noted in the conditi￿ ReporL largely done by Les Horsley as our volunteer electrician. GDPR compLiarKe has continued arbd the site is nearly fully cornpiiant in its reported dats handliw The BMC has failed to find anY￿e wilknng to tske on the rde of GDPR c0-(￿dinator and would ask either District to help us with this roie. ccrv remains non-fur*tional beyoThd the Car The presente of ccr4 cameras further down site may be acting as a deterrent as we have had no signrficant incidences of varvjalism in the Last 12 month 5. MAINTAIN Site maintenarKe work has been iirnited by the lack ot volunteer5. The site 15 Still belng well presented. bLrt there is an ever growing list of tasks to complete. We have tried to entice Explorer Stouts Units to take up 50mÈ jobs. but this has been unsuccessfuL for a variety of reasons. Whilst no major wind damage occurred this year the tree surgeon continues to be busy in the Spring months. We are now deating with a large number of silver birch which have reathed the end of their natural lives and are being r￿0Ved areas arou￿1 butridings arKI camping areas before fall arvj cause damage or injury. Maior work carried cMJt using voLunteers during the last year. Survival Stores- These have been 9utted and a new floor of rolled stone laid by volunteers aided by Bradford's P￿Sh Scouts. The roof has been supported and strengthened and work will c￿tinue to make this into a iong.tenn storage a￿? for building construcbon matefials which are pre5ffidy cluttering other areas of the sit Scouts b. The wood pile has been removed ready for a digger to cLear the site and d•g new post holes for the new fence. Different str*age will be implemented for 0￿e this is complete to ￿￿efUllY prevent the afea becoming as dangerous as tt has been in recent years. The Mary Bushell sheltef has been instslied alongside the decking of the old Tuck Shop down stte. Again. the Bradford Polish Scouts provided much welcome Labouf for this with guidance from our volunteers. d. The Clewer- Crew Side Building has been declared coffolete and available for use. The actiwty ranges are undergoing repairs to stsbillse the sheLtsrs and provide a secure W￿rkIng area Scout Active Service team manager and assistsnt have wc￿ked to encourage Adventurous Activty leaders a￿1 Wardens. Several additirffial volunteers V￿re recruited at an open day and training for them is being planned. External providers are continuing to offer activites to schools where our volunteers are not available. 6. DEVELOP Development wofk on site remains essentiaiiy on hold awaiting input from the two Districts as to the future requirements of Scouting within Bradford. Manpower is also limitrng our a￿'lIty to proceed with maTry work at this t*ne. r4ans for a new Cub A(fventure Playground based on instsllation vll)rk be volunteers with bLwght timber arKI acquired bits and pieces of safe equipment are underway. The ROSPA guidance on playground safety S￿gests we should restrict equipment height to rn￿gate any falls on our non-tactiie surface& We need agreement from Bradford South's Executive to allow this devel¢)pmenL UntiL this is received. we will continue to patch and repair the existing structures as best we can and remove them as they can no longer safely be repaired We removed the boulderin9 waLi at the beginning of the year as we could not repair this structuce. We have severaL sets of soft archery on site for use especiaLly by Squirrels and Beavers. The pirture trails and orienteefing box are getting some use and are proving p)puiaf With the sthooi parties. We will ioc to develop the raTwJe ol activities we can offer e5peciaiy to the youn9er end who may not be able to take part in our instructor led activities. Bushcraft skills were launched as an artivity tow¥ds the erKI of year. This at the mcthent is experime1￿L but there are a number of volunteers wantbng to train to deliver this and some interest from our users. Scouts 7. PLAN The plan is to maintsin the infrastructure of site in as wl a condition as p)ssitle V￿1n the constraints of our finances and manpowef availability. The SuNval Stores will be a major focus of work to return it to a funct•￿Ing building which can be used to release other areas currently being used for stora9e. The Cub Adventure PiaygrouThl femains an area which needs attention. Wr(h)ut repl￿ements this year V￿ regret that we will be forced to remove ail of this facibty by the end 012023 as we will be unable to guarantee its safety. The roaj into site below the activity area is Iwinning to deteriorate. We would anticipate that this will need resurfaong in 2024. We will seek prKing from the COntr￿tOr who carried (xrt the w￿rk frcrfn Lee Lane a few years ago. The anticipated budget is around £15000 to £20000. We will tske advantage of resources and materials to begin the prc￿esS of opening the Development and Heather fields for use in the future. Initially we are reviewing how to safely remove the old ASS￿[t Course and provide a more convenient access into the Heather field.