## Trustees' Annual Report
## For the period
|From (start date)||**0**|**1**|**0**|**4**|**2**|**3**|**3**||**3**|**1**|**0**|**3**|**2**|**4**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||||||||||
|**Section A**||||**Reference and administration details**||||||||||||
|**Charity name**
**Registered charity number**
**HQ registration number**
**Charity’s principal address**||||255 Bristol(Channel)Sea Scouts
1
1
6
4
0
6
3||||||||||||
|||||32 Upper PerryHill||||||||||||
|||||Bristol||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||
|||||Postcode||||B||S|3||1|N|H|
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|**Trustee Name**
**Office (if any)**
1
Alan Sweetman
Chair
2
Christina Ransom
Treasurer
3
Elaine Beckett
Lead Volunteer
4
Nicholas Vaughan
5
Andrew Luke
6
Jasmine Basma
**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**
**Names and addresses of advisors**|**Trustee Name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|
|---|---|---|---|
||Alan Sweetman|Chair||
||Christina Ransom|Treasurer||
||Elaine Beckett|Lead Volunteer||
||Nicholas Vaughan|||
||Andrew Luke|||
||Jasmine Basma|||
|**Type of advisor**|**Name**|**Address**|
|---|---|---|
|Bankers|Lloyds Bank|1 LeggStreet,Chelmsford,CM1 1JS|
1 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
|**Section B**|**Structure, governance and management**|
|---|---|
|**Description of the charity’s trusts**
**Type of governing document**
**How the charity is constituted**
**Trustee selection methods**
**Additional governance issues**||
||The Group'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 Group is a trust established under its rules which are
common to all Scouts.|
|||
||The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,
Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.|
|||
||The Group is managed by the Group 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 4
Trustees and meets every 3 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts
Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the
Board.
This Group 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.
**Risk and Internal Control**
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 a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure
that insurable risks are covered.|
2 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
|**Section C**|**Objectives and activities**|
|---|---|
|**Public benefit statement**
**Summary of the objects of the charity**
**set out in its governing document**
**Summary of the main activities in**
**relation to these objects**|**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.|
|||
||The Group's main function is to support the Sections,
comprising of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, achieving the aims
of the Scouting Association.
These Sections within the group provided weekly meetings
for around 70 young people aged between 6 and 14, giving
them fun, challenge and adventure through the Scout
Method appropriate to their age.
Activities provided are appropriate to the Sections and may
include cooking, model making, crafts, team games, quizzes,
mapping and outdoor activities. All Sections have the
opportunity to participate in a camp or other outdoor
activities/ challenges throughout the year.
Several Adult Leaders, Young Leaders and other volunteers
provide their time generously on an unpaid basis in order to
support the Group’s Scouting activities.|
|||
||The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit
criteria under both the advancement of education and the
advancement of citizenship or community development
headings.|
3 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
|**Section D**|**Achievements and performance**|**Achievements and performance**|
|---|---|---|
|**Summary of the main achievements of**
**the charity during the year**
The Beaver, Cub and Scout sections all continued to provide
good opportunities for their members to progress their
learning and skills by participating in Scouting activities.
At the request of the local Police service and with support of
Bristol South District and Three Counties, the group started a
new Beaver Colony in the nearby neighbourhood of
Redcliffe. This is an area with few development opportunities
for young people. It is hoped that this will become viable in
the long term; financially and in terms of numbers of young
people and volunteers.|||
|||The Beaver, Cub and Scout sections all continued to provide
good opportunities for their members to progress their
learning and skills by participating in Scouting activities.
At the request of the local Police service and with support of
Bristol South District and Three Counties, the group started a
new Beaver Colony in the nearby neighbourhood of
Redcliffe. This is an area with few development opportunities
for young people. It is hoped that this will become viable in
the long term; financially and in terms of numbers of young
people and volunteers.|
4 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
|**Section E**|**Financial Review**|
|---|---|
|**Designated funds**
**Further financial review details**
**Brief statement of the charity’s policy**
**on reserves**|**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
Trustee Board considers that the group should hold a sum
equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £8000 (covers
rent, membership fees, uniform, badges, insurance, utilities,
allowance for repairs and sundry expenses, but no events).
The Group held excess free reserves against this at year
end.|
||At the year end the Group held £11,390 of funds designated
for the development and upkeep of the "Spyglass" site.
During the year, £3,472 of expenditure primarily relating to
electrical work was allocated to this fund.
Grants and funding totalling £1,428 were received in year
towards the costs of setting up and running the new Beaver
Colony in Redcliffe. At the end of the year £1,110 remains
unspent and will be carried forward for expenditure in the
next year.|
|||
||**Investment Policy**
The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a
consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in
longer-term investments such as 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 building societies or The Scout
Association's Short Term Investment Service.|
||The Group Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of
bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the
group obtains maximum value and income from its banking
arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an
account that requires a period of notice before funds may be
withdrawn, before doing so the Group Trustee Board
considers the cash flow requirements.|
5 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
## **Section F Other Optional Information**
## **Plans for future periods**
We will continue to monitor the viability of the new Redcliffe Beaver colony. We hope to increase the number of local young people participating in, and local volunteers leading the Scouting activities. In August 2024, the Scout troop are travelling to the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland to take part in the permenant mini-Jamboree. Fundraising activities have been taking place throughout 2023 and 2024 to make this possible,
## **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) Christina Ransom Position (eg Secretary, Chair) Treaurer Date 0 1 0 7 2 4
6 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
255[th] Bristol Channel Sea Scouts Annual Report 2023/24
1
## 255[th] Bristol Channel Sea Scouts
Dear Scouts, parents, friends and supporters,
2023-24 has been another successful and eventful year for 255th.
As usual our section leaders have organised a fantastic programme for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts with camps for all 3 sections.
Leaders have carried on working towards permits and Tyler has gained his hillwalking and pulling permits, while Laura is now trained as an archery instructor.
2
The new Redcliffe Beaver group has got off the ground thanks largely to our brave volunteers who signed up at the start, and also support from Paul Harper and James Blackmore. Our trustees have given careful consideration to each stage and Tony Rees has helped ensure any financial worries are dealt with. As a result we saw the Southville and Redcliffe Beavers mixing and making friends at the Adventure Day and the recent Big Fiesta.
Our boat Spyglass has been restored to immaculate working order by our scouts and leaders (especially Dave), and groups of scouts and parents have enjoyed trips down the harbour on the nice summer evenings.
Our site next to the church has been cleared in a massive effort involving removal of vegetation, rubbish and unwanted equipment. Thanks to all who helped - this will need to be a regular job so more volunteers are always welcome.
Finally our trip to Kandersteg in Switzerland is approaching meaning the culmination of all the planning (particular thanks to Tim for masterminding). Also scouts and their parents have been fundraising to keep everyone's costs down, including a successful BBQ, cake and craft sales, and dressing up as an Easter bunny at the Woodhouse Park egg trail.
So the group will go from strength to strength if we keep up the enthusiasm and teamwork that have bought so much success over the last 12 months - there's always room for people with different skills to be involved so ask any leader or trustee how you can help.
Elaine Beckett Lead Volunteer
## Beaver Section report
3
Welcome to the Annual Report for the 255th Bristol Channel Beavers Colony for 2023-24. This report highlights the exciting adventures, achievements, and growth of our fantastic Beaver Scouts.
- We started the year with 15 eager Beavers and ended with 16 (few new starters and a few moving to cubs), with a healthy waiting list showcasing continued interest in our Colony.
- This year, our Beavers participated in a variety of activities aligned with the Beaver Scout program, fostering teamwork, creativity, community impact and outdoor exploration.
- Some memorable highlights include:
- Visit to Bedminster Library for book badge
- Halloween party
- Night hike in Leigh Woods
- Learning about the St Pauls food bank
- Chip shop hike
- Pancake making
- Chinese New Year
- Beavers Activity Day at Woodhouse Park
- Visit to a decommissioned jet airliner for Air Activities badge
- Litter picking and gardening in Dame Emily Park
- Sports and games in Greville Smyth Park
- We prepared some pictures (shown at the top of this report) for and shared some badges with a Joey colony (Australian version of Beavers) from a Sea Scout group in Melbourne, Australia. Apparently, Joeys HOP (Help Other People)!
- We also participated in the Big Fiesta activities and camp at Woodhouse Park, allowing our Beavers to connect with the other sections in our group, including the Redcliffe Beavers, and other scout groups from our wider district, with a huge number of exciting activities and for many of the Beavers gaining their first nights away badge.
- As well as the dozens of badges earned by all Beavers, Five Beavers proudly earned their Chief Scout Bronze award, demonstrating completion of all six challenge badges and a great deal of hard work.
- We are incredibly grateful for our leaders and all our parent helpers who volunteer their time and expertise to create a fun and enriching environment for the Beavers.
- We are always keen to welcome new parent helpers, particularly those who might have a particular skill or hobby to share with the Beavers.
4
## Cub Section Report
5
This past year has been an exciting and action-packed time for our Cub Scout section. Here’s a quick look back at all the fantastic activities and events we’ve enjoyed:
- Two Great Camps at Woodhouse - Our camps at Woodhouse were a highlight for everyone, offering adventure, fun, and a chance to bond in the great outdoors. Was also excellent to invest another 9 cubs on the woodhouse assault course…still not a fan of having to stand in the mud pool though”!
- Hikes and Navigation - We’ve spent many evenings exploring local trails and honing our navigation skills.
- Fires! - Learning about fire safety and building campfires was a blast.
- Photography Evening - The photography evening was a hit, with everyone getting creative and capturing some amazing shots around Ashton Court.
- Team Building Challenges - We’ve tackled numerous team-building challenges that strengthened our teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- So Much Cooking! - From making simple snacks to cooking full meals, our Cubs have become quite the chefs.
- The “Rain-gutter Regatta” - brought out our competitive spirits and engineering talents – all the boats were fantastic! Thanks to Roger Whiter for helping organise and set it up.
- Diwali Evening Celebrating - Diwali was a beautiful and educational experience, filled with colours and lights.
- Hundreds of Badges Handed Out - Thanks to Kate for being so organized and ensuring that our Cubs are recognized for their achievements.
A huge thank you to all the adults who have supported us throughout the year:
6
- Dale, Olly, Chloe, Tyler and Steve - Your dedication and hard work have been invaluable, we really couldn’t put on such a good programme without all the time you put in to support the evenings. Chloe, hope you enjoyed your travels – we’re definitely a bit jealous!
- Our Great Young Leaders - Agnes, Ben, Sam, and Charlie Your leadership and enthusiasm have made a big difference.
- All the parents who’ve helped out! I know we push quite a bit for more help and sometimes it seems like there’s not masses to help with (other weeks are very full on!) but we would not be able to keep running without the help!
We’re excited for another fantastic year ahead, filled with more adventures, learning, and fun! Here’s to another great year with the Cub Scouts!
Scout Section Report
~~7~~
It has been a good year for our Scout Troop with our member number sitting at 34 with a few having moved to Explorers or starting their leadership careers as young leaders in other sections. We are fortunate to have a strong leadership group allowing to keep our numbers this high.
This year we have had many camps looking back to early last summer we had a camp at Brockmead where we taught and practiced our pioneering skills building a rope bridge with the scouts that had been practiced on our parent and leader weekend.
Later in the summer we took the troop to Rough Close a campsite near Coventry, whilst here we practiced our pioneering and allowed a more organic growth of the activity finding Laurie Vaughan and his patrol built a functional portcullis. Other memorable moments were the giant indoor water park and leaders and scouts alike enjoying the fast rides, Tyler’s bingo calling
(he really is quite good at it) and a surprise stand-up comedy session in front of the whole troop from a Scout who on any other day I would have considered a quiet soul. Quite the eventful trip.
We had an overnight expedition in the Cotswolds, we almost lost a group as they didn’t fancy the idea of walking through a field of inquisitive cows (they are quite daunting when they all come slowly towards you). We did have a minor slip on a slope where a minor injury occurred, the impressive part was the Scout had assistance from his hiking patrol to make a sling from his necker as he had hurt his shoulder and they were carrying his pack for him. True team work and Scouting spirit. The Scout had no lasting injury thankfully.
We returned to Brockmead Campsite this summer to attempt the survival badge which includes tasks such as fire wood preparation, to cook all food over an open fire for 24 hours, to only eat food for their dinner that could have been foraged and to shelter build and sleep in the shelters they build. With the exception of shelter building and sleeping in the shelters it was a very successful weekend with an old favourite of Knife, Axe and Saw works for fire prep, fire starting and cooking. The potato and hand-picked nettle soup went down an absolute treat with a side of pheasant, we had a demonstration from Bill on the butchery of these small birds and a few Scouts had a go at this for themselves. I look forward to completing this badge and seeing the shelters they build.
Water sports are again in full swing for the summer term with all 34 members taking part, this year we will be completing two qualifications for our older Scouts.
8
Later this summer we will be attending Kandersteg in Switzerland, I look forward to writing about this in next year’s report, I do however want to take this moment to say thank you to all of those involved in making this trip happen, from parents fundraising, our Exec supporting us behind the scenes, the leader ship team who are going and meeting each week to discuss the many things we need to, to be ready. But most importantly my thanks to Mr Tim Sir (Smart) for all the work he has done to keep us organised, working with Adventure Abroad our tour operator, Kandersteg International Scout Camp and for always steering the leadership team with keen focus. Thank you, Tim.,
## Redcliffe Beavers Report
After an “Open Day” in September 2023 supported by Two Counties Development Support Team there was enough interest to launch a new trial Beaver section in Redcliffe as a satellite of 255[th] . We were lucky to have Chris (a former Group Scout Leader at 255[th] ) plus Mandy and Trevor who were prepared to start their leader training immediately, followed later by Sam and Rachel as leaders and Ben as Young Leader. This May the section has been handed over to 255[th] with support from Bristol South Scout District. We have 6 Beavers attending regularly plus a younger sibling and they have enjoyed some great activities including making wooden bird boxes, cookery, map reading and first aid. Badges are being earned, including their first Nights Away badge at the recent Big Fiesta. Attracting more Beavers to the Redcliffe section will secure its future so we’ll carry on spreading the news about all the fun, adventure and skills on offer.
9
## Financial report
## 255[th] Bristol (Channel) Sea Scouts
Year ended 31 March 2024 financial summary
It is lovely to have had a full year of meetings and activities for all 3 sections. We have also welcomed a new Beaver colony in Redcliffe to our group and are grateful to funds provided by Avon and Somerset Police that have covered many of the set-up costs. We also appreciate Bristol South District Scouts have waived many costs and offered subsidised events in order to keep costs as low as possible for families joining the Redcliffe Beaver colony.
We are all aware of the rising cost of living; and unfortunately, the group has not been immune to increased prices. We have seen our rental costs go up, and activities become more expensive. During the year, we were pleased to have been able to absorb these additional costs into our existing budget and did not have to pass them onto families. Our leaders endeavour to provide a varied and enriching programme that we hope you agree represents excellent value for money for parents. Your assistance and support for fundraising activities such as the annual Victoria Park BBQ in September are much appreciated and help us to top up our budget.
We are fortunate to finish the year with a healthy bank balance in of nearly £52,000. Around £11,000 of these funds are designated for use on the Spyglass site. Although plans for large-scale development are on hold, the site is a valuable storage facility and meeting resource, and the funds will be used for its modernisation and continued use. The group is also holding around £15,000 in its bank account as stage payments for the 2024 Scout trip to Kandersteg. This amount includes a grant of £1,750 from The Leslie Sell Charitable Trust, for which we are very grateful.
I would like to finish by thanking our wonderful families for your continued help and support in making the financial arrangement for the group run smoothly. By making payments via Online Scout Manager on a timely basis it frees up valuable leader time allowing them to focus on organising activities and events. Thank you too for all those who have completed the Online Scout Manager gift aid declarations (and a gentle reminder for anyone who hasn’t done one to log on and tick the box!) Gift aid is a valuable source of income that is worth around £2,000 per year for the group at no extra cost to families (the £9,000 income received this year represents a back dated claim).
Christina Ransom (Treasurer)
10
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Bank Interest|929|0|
|255 BRISTOL (CHANNEL)|
|Donation|1,805|1,065|15,834|17,148|
|SEA SCOUT|
|Events - Beavers|632|735|Petty cash|38|134|
|Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit|
|Events - Cubs|630|2,005|0|20,000|
|96LS|
|Lloyds fixed term deposit|
|Events - Scouts|18,215|18,388|11,000|0|
|83LS|
|Fundraising|2,404|1,162|Lloyds fixed term 30LS|25,000|0|
|Gift Aid|9,120|0|Redcliffe group Petty Cash|73|0|
|Membership Fees|10,607|11,122|
|Redcliffe group|1,428|0|
|Account balance brought|
|Uniform|624|287|37,282|30,640|
|forward|
|Total income|46,394|34,764|
|Total expenditure|31,732|28,122|
|Activity Equipment|5|532|Net income|14,662|6,642|
|Account balance carried|
|Admin|300|264|51,944|37,282|
|forward|
|Annual Fee District|
|3,885|3,639|
|South|
|Badges|407|671|
|Bank Fees|38|45|
|Camping Equipment|656|2,036|
|Council tax|225|199|
|Events - Beavers|584|405|
|Events - Cubs|771|1,751|
|Events - Scouts|12,468|10,040|
|Fundraising|
|997|0|
|expenses|
|Group events|229|1,671|
|Insurance|456|454|
|Meetings - Beavers|88|190|
|Meetings - Cubs|201|101|
|Meetings - Scouts|28|47|
|Membership Costs|384|389|
|Rent|5,362|4,560|
|Redcliffe group|
|318|0|
|expenses|
|Training|80|145|
**----- End of picture text -----**
11
|Uniform|1,002|550|
|---|---|---|
|Utilities|79|138|
|Venue Maintenance|3,168|293|
|Fund and type|Fund balances
bought forward
from 2022/23|Incoming
resources|Outgoing
resources|Transfers|Gains and
losses|Fund balances
carried forward
to 2023/24|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||
||||||||
|Buildingfund|||||||
|(Designated)|14862|0|-3472|0|-3472|11390|
||||||||
|Redcliffegroup|0|1428|-318|0|1110|1110|
|(Designated)|||||||
||||||||
|General fund|22420|44966|-27941|0|17025|39445|
|(Unrestricted)|||||||
||||||||
|Totals|37282|46394|-31732|0|14662|51944|
255th Bristol Channel Sea Scout Group Board of Trustees 2023-2024
Chair Al Sweetman - alansweetman@gmail.com Deputy Chair Andy Luke - andyluke2001@hotmail.com Treasurer Christina Ransom - christina@christinaedwards.co.uk Secretary Jackie Perkins - Jackieperkins@live.co.uk Lead Volunteer Elaine Beckett - elainesbeckett@gmail.com Scout leader Iain Timmons - iaintimmons@live.co.uk Cub leader Matt Hill - mwhill@hotmail.co.uk Beaver leader Ed Hodge - hodge.ed@gmail.com Trustee Jazz Basma - jazzbasma@icloud.co.uk Trustee Nick Vaughan - nck_vaughan@hotmail.co.uk
12
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALE5
Independent examiner's report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustees
255 Bristol (Channel) Sea Scouts
On accounts for the year
ended
31" March 2024
Charlty no
(If any)
1164063
Set out on pages
1-12
I report lo the trustees on my examination of Ihe accounts of the above
charity {"Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3110312024.
Responsibilities and
basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011
("Ihe Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145{5){b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in, any material respect-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Act- or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or
the accounts dld not comply with the applicable requirements
ncerning the form and content of accounts sel out in the Chari1Ses
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement
that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no COnrnS and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in
order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be aChed.
Signed:
Date..
10/6? Iztr
Name:
Mrs Jacqueline Uren
Relevant professional
qualifi¢ation{sl or body
lif any)..
Chartered Accountant
Addres5'.
11 Wathen Road, Bristol, BS6 5BY
IER
Oct 2018
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concern
(see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and
guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of
any Items that the
examiner wlshes to
disclose.
IER
Oct 2018