2025-12-31-accounts

1[st] Sandwell Scout Group Accounts for the period 1[st] January 2025-31[st] December 2025

Notes to the accounts for 2025

• 1 Our operating costs are in line with our expenditure.

• 2 We received a one-off grant from the Allen family, this was following the sale of the land adjacent to the headquarters.

• 3 Events for all sections are broadly a neutral cost to the group as all events are selffunding.

• 4 Gift Aid claim from HMRC, this is lower, again due to lower membership numbers.

• 5 Bank interest is slightly higher but is expected to fall during 2025.

• 6 Group building insurance increases by about 6% year on year.

• 7 Membership costs (what we pay out for National and local Scout support, member insurance etc.) rises by about 6% year-on-year

• 8 Utility costs, mainly electricity, are rising year-on-year by about 8%.

Independent exarniner'5 report to the trustee5 of 1st Sandwell SCO￿ Council I reportto the trusteesi)n my examinatw)n of the accwnt5 of the 1° Sandwell Scout GTOUP foTthe year ÈndÈd 31￿ DeCem￿r 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the 14 Sandwell SCO￿ Group. ytyJ are responsible for the pwepaiation of the accounts in aCc￿dInCe with the requlrernts of the chAr￿e$ Art 2011 Ithe Art'l. I report in respect of my examination of the I Sandwell Scovt Group accounts carried under section 145 of the 2011 Atl and im carrying out rny exarnination I have followed alL IhÈ app￿ta￿e DirÈttion g￿en by the Charity C¢)mrni5510n under Sect￿n 145lSllbl ol the Act Independent examine¢s ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm thal no rn3tèrial rnatters have come to my attenbon In connertion wrth the examination groing rne <au5e to believe that in any matenal respert., accounting records were not kept in fe5pert of the I" Sandwell Scout Groupl a5 required by SÉdion 130 of the AtL' or the account5 dD nat arcord wrth those rerords.. QT the accounts do not comply with the applicable reouirement5 (¢￿￿e￿ning the fomi and contenl accounts getout in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other thèn any reouiremeni thai the accounts give 3.true and fair view Yknich is not a matter con%derÈd as part of an iThdependeTrt examiThatiM. I have no concerns have come across no other m<itters in connection with the examination to thich ttÈniion shouLd be drawrb in this report in order to ènable a propÈr understsnding of the atcounts to bÈ reached. Swjned.. Name.. Clair gfiallwocd ReltvHnt prole5yonal qualrfiration or mernber5hip of protes¥h?nal bodie5 lif 4nyl-. ACCA Addrts& 60 St Geoiges Place. Cheitenham GLSO 3PN Date: 29 May 2026

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the period:

From		To
	1st January 2025		31st December 2025
Charity Name		1st Sandwell Scout Group
Charity Registration Number		1179166
HQ Registration Number		10011455

Objectives and activities

Summary of the purpose and objects of the charity as set out in its governing document	The objectives of the charity are as a part of The Scout Association. 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
Summary of the main activities in relation to the purpose and objects	Providing a comprehensive training programme to members in both Scouting activities and community engagement. Provide a meeting place and land.
Statement confirming the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	The Trustees confirm that the charity meets the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025

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Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year identifying the difference and impact the charity’s work has made, including on sustainability

Our achievements during the year include providing a very varied programme of activities, both indoors and outdoors, across all of our sections. We aim to provide our young people with Skills for life. These activities include practical skills, exploring global and environmental issues, faiths and beliefs, team building and how to keep themselves and each other safe. In order to meet our objectives, we encourage our young people to persevere even when things get tough and we support them in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. All of this work is only possible because of the dedicated volunteers who lead the sections and give so much of their time and also the members of the Trustee Board who give their time to support them with governance and financial matters. Without these volunteers the Group could not continue to operate.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: • Achievements against objectives • Fundraising activities • Contribution made by volunteers	We are currently undertaking recruitment of young people, and we are also starting a recruitment campaign aimed at adults because we desperately need to add to our team of volunteer leaders to work with our young people.

Financial review

Review of the financial position

During the financial year 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025 the following changes were made to the income and expenditure of the Group. During April 2025 there was a change in subscriptions that we charge members, up from £15 to £20 per month; an increase of 33%. The total number of young people in our group fell from 48 members to 39 members between 2024 and 2025: a decrease in numbers of 18%. These changes resulted in a ~£530 increase in received income from members up 5% on 2024 income. At the same time there was a reduced payment to National HQ of ~£100 (due to lower membership numbers) even with the increase of £8.00 per member charged by National HQ and local levies. A further reduction in expenditure was recorded for activities other than meeting nights, administration costs, badges purchased for young people and leader training. During 2025 there was an increase in expenditure for camping equipment compared to 2024. There was also an increase in capital projects expenditure. Capital projects relate to the work carried out on the bottom access drive to the site. Weekly meeting costs are similar to 2024 levels for all sections. However, the Beaver and Explorer weekly expenditure was reduced due to a reduction in members. Following an expenditure of ~£2,085 during 2024 there was no further work during 2025 on the new stores project.

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025

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	Overall, our operating costs for the year returned a slight surplus of £39.00. This compares well with the actual operating costs in 2024 of -£507. This is after exceptional items in 2024 have been taken out of the final balance. Our funds were then boosted by a one-off donation by the Allen Family of £10,000 following the sale of the land adjacent to our site. This shows income over expenditure of £10,039 for the 2025 financial year. The Group is financially sound and can weather the fall in membership numbers during 2025.
Policy on Reserves, why they are held, and the amount of reserves	The policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the charity should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Trustee Board considers that the charity should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £8,000, this is held in a reserve account. In addition, the charity held further reserves of approximately £25,000 against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. Included in the £25,000, the charity also holds funds designated for Headquarters improvements.
Policy on Investments and investment performance	The charity’s reserves are small and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The charity 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.
A description of the principal risks	The Headquarters building is a sixty-year-old wooden structure, this will have to be replaced or extensively refurbished in the near future.

Structure, governance and management

Type of governing document	The charity’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 (POR) of The Scout Association. https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/5c-constitutions-of-groups-districts- and-counties-except-in-scotland/
How the charity is constituted	The charity is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. It is constituted as an educational charity.
Trustee selection methods	The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Policies and procedures for the induction and training of trustees	All Trustees complete The Scout Association trustee and mandatory learning within the first six months of joining the Trustee Board, they also complete other Scout Association mandatory learning periodically as required.
Management	The charity is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the “Charity Trustees”. 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 6 Trustees and meets 5 times a year. The Trustee Board is supported by a Board Administrator.

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025

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The Trustee Board exists to support the Leadership Teams in meeting the responsibilities of their appointments and in supporting them to run high-quality and safe programs that give young people skills for life. The Trustee Board maintain appropriate governance policies and oversight.

The Trustee Board is responsible for carrying out its purposes for the public benefit, complying with the charity’s governing document and the law, and managing the charity’s resources responsibly.

The Trustee Board is responsible for ensuring the charity is well managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good order, and everyone follows legal requirements and Scout Association Policy, Organisation & Rules.

This includes responsibility for:

• Promoting a positive image of Scouting in the community, as well as its development;

• • Developing, maintaining and regularly reviewing a risk register, including putting in place appropriate mitigations;

• • Ensuring that the finances are properly managed, and there are sufficient resources (and reserves) to deliver high quality Scouting;

• • Ensuring a system of internal controls is in place that is designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss;

• • Ensuring that property is appropriately managed; • Maintaining appropriate insurance of persons, property and equipment;

• • Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; • Having an open and transparent selection process for the recruitment of Trustees;

• • Appointing Advisors as required; • Ensuring effective administration is in place to support the Trustee Board;

• • Ensuring compliance with applicable governance and charity regulations, including in respect to safety and safeguarding;

• • Ensuring incidents are appropriately reported in line with regulation and policy;

• • Ensuring applicable policies and regulations are regularly reviewed and changes implemented as appropriate;

• • Ensuring transparency of operations, including in the preparation of accounts and holding and AGM;

• • Ensuring compliance with Data Protection legislation; • Acting as a responsible employer for any employees, who are effectively managed.

Plans for future periods

Plans for future Periods

We are currently undertaking recruitment of young people, and we are also starting a recruitment campaign aimed at adults because we desperately need to add to our team of volunteer leaders to work with our young people.

Reference and administration details

Principal Address

Scout Headquarters, Marston Grove, Great Barr, Birmingham. B43 5ED

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025

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	Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
1	Vanessa Hitchon	Chair
2	Christine Jones	Lead Volunteer
3	Alan Dean	Treasurer
4	Graham Jones
5	Lewis Tucker
6	Brigitte Hatfield
7	Ben Hatfield
8	Lynne Barlow
9
10
11
12

Name and address of advisors

Name and address of advisors
Type of advisor	Name	Address
Independent Examiner / Auditor	Clair Smallwood	60 St Georges Place, Cheltenham GL50 3PN

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees by:

Signed on behalf of the charity’s	trustees by:
Signature
Full name	Vanessa Hitchon
Position held	Chair
Date	17th June 2026

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025

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