# **Bucks Uniformed Youth** (Charity Number 1183685) # **Annual Report 2021/2022** ## **Bucks Uniformed Youth** (Charity Number 1183685) ## **Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 15th July 2021 via Zoom** ## **Present** President - Peter Kara; Vice-Chair - Jerry Davies; Secretary - Rex Stevens; Treasurer - Joe Bradshaw; Communications Officer - Charlotte Jones; Transport Officer - Dave Short; Trustees; Representatives of Member Organisations; Supporters and Guests. ## **1. Welcome** Jerry Davies opened the Meeting, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. He then asked all present to observe a minute’s silence in memory of John Williams who had sadly passed away in May. ## **2. Apologies for Absence** Rex Stevens informed the Meeting of those who had sent their apologies. ## **3. Election of Chair** Peter Kara proposed Jerry Davies, who was seconded by Rex Stevens, and elected unanimously. ## **4. Election of Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer and Transport Officer** Jerry Davies proposed that the current post holders in their current respective roles be re-appointed and these were seconded and approved en-bloc by the Meeting. ## **5. Minutes of the Last Annual General Meeting on 21[st] January, 2021** The Meeting approved the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held on 21st January 2021. ## **6. Reports & Accounts (1[st] April 2020 - 31[st] March 2021)** Reports by the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor together with the Accounts for this period that had been circulated were briefly commented on. ## **7. Approval of Minutes & Acceptance of Audited Accounts** These were unanimously Approved and Accepted. ## **8. Appointment of Auditor & Setting Level of Fees** Joe Bradshaw proposed and Jerry Davies seconded the re-appointment of Jonathan Stansfield as Auditor and authorisation of the Trustees to set his fees which the Meeting unanimously approved. ## **9. Re-appointment of Trustees** The Meeting re-appointed Rex Stevens, Joe Bradshaw, Sheila Beales, Steve Elcock, Dave Foster, Karen Johnson, Phill Mould, James Palin, Hilary Walker, and Kim Woods as Trustees of Bucks Uniformed Youth. ## **10. Members’ Resolutions** There were none ## **11. Any Other Business** There was none. ## **Reference and Administrative Information** Bucks Uniformed Youth Charity Number: 1183685 Address: Bucks Uniformed Youth, Town Hall, 5 Church Street, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP Tel: 01296 655386 Email: secretary.buy@gmail.com Website: www.bucksuniformedyouth.com Bankers: NatWest plc, 22 Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1SJ Auditor: Jonathan Stansfield President: Peter Kara Vice-Presidents: Amanda Nicholson & Andrew Burrows Trustees: John Williams (up to 22nd May, 2021), Rex Stevens, Joe Bradshaw, Sheila Beales, Steve Elcock, Dave Foster, Karen Johnson, Phill Mould, James Palin, Hilary Walker & Kim Woods Objects: The promotion of the efficiency and effectiveness and the effective use of charitable resources of youth organisations whose members wear uniforms in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes for the benefit of the public but not exclusively by: 1. Providing and co-ordinating the effective use of equipment, assets and training activities; 2. The provision of such grants and other items of assistance, including assistance with fundraising as shall be thought fit; 3. Co-ordinating attendance at local events and raising the profile of the Member Organisations as appropriate; 4. Maximising opportunities offered to young people who are members of the Member Organisations, especially from those who are disadvantaged and crime vulnerable, resulting from its Member Organisations working closely together for best mutual benefit ## **– President Peter Kara** As a large part of our current year under review was affected by the same COVID restrictions as the previous year, we and our member organisations had less opportunity to promote proactive meetings in close proximity. However, many have run on-line events to maintain engagement and interest and it has been encouraging to see that the underlying commitment and enthusiasm undiminished. Since the lifting of COVID restrictions and a return to face-to-face meetings, it has been pleasing to note a rise in youth membership in one of our largest member organisation. Sadly, this has not been matched by adult leadership where figures are down generally but a recruitment drive by numerous member organisations hopefully will be fruitful. Overcoming the effects of a prolonged pandemic has not been easy and the current socioeconomic issues we face will not make recovery and engagement easy. Therefore, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for their generosity of time, selfless efforts, and their resolute commitment to a better future for our upcoming generation. Peter Kara June 2022 ## **– Chair Jerry Davies** Like many youth organisations, a large part of 2021/2022 reporting year was a complete right off with the pandemic and just as the community youth were beginning to emerge, then they were suddenly closed again due to changing Governmental policy, local or organisational limitations and restrictions. Now we have all emerged from the hibernation, we learn to live with COVID in 2022. Behind the scenes BUY has been active on many fronts. The website has been increased and further developed by Charlie, the running of both minibuses is going forward at a pace; and, now we have the finer weather many Member Organisations (MO’s) are utilising them for both educational visits and D of E expeditions. I am also pleased to announce that after a long COVID absence that the Thames Valley Police cadets have stood up and will again join us at our forthcoming meetings. As most are aware, we took delivery of the new BUY Marquee, whip flags and table toppers to enhance our impact and these will see their first display this September. On the ground, the Military cadets attended the Justice Dinner for the High Sheriff at Bletchley Park on 30th March 2022 and a number of our MO’s were all party to the wonderful Lord Lieutenants Bucks Thanksgiving Service for HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee on 29th May 2022 in High Wycombe. So what’s in store for the remainder of the year (if not covered elsewhere)? **Saturday 16[th] July - Relay for Life Aylesbury -** RAF Halton, Nuffield Pavilion with a Guard of Honour for the Survivors Lap commencing at 12pm. **Thursday 1[st] September – Bucks County Show** BUY will be having its ‘Youth Village’ at this event although the exact size of the allocated pitch is still to be confirmed by the show organiser, Alison. However, we are hoping for a large area to accommodate all Member Organisations and equipment, including the first appearance of the BUY Gazebo and whip flags. Currently confirmed as attending are Sir Thomas Fremantle School, Winslow CCF RAF, Trefoil Guild and Bucks Army Cadets. **Thursday 27 October – Heart of Bucks Annual Reception -** At Beacon School, Chesham Bois. Event timings are 17:30 for set up and instruction, with departure for 21:00 latest. BUY cheque presentation to Bedgrove Scout & Guides on 15[th] September 2021 by HHJ Francis Sheridan QC BUY’s military cadets together with Mr Anson at the HM High Sheriff’s reception at Bletchley Park on 30[th] March 2022. ## **– Secretary Rex Stevens** The Report year from April 2021 - March 2022 has been a challenging one for Bucks Uniformed Youth and all of its Member Organisations. We had to continue with Zoom meetings and weren’t able to give our usual support to as many civic events as we would have liked. Less than 2 months after the Report year began we sadly lost our Chair, John Williams, whose key role in Bucks Uniformed Youth will be always remembered. It was really good that at the last Annual General Meeting Jerry Davies, who had been Vice-Chair, was elected as John’s successor. Most Member Organisations were able to maintain links with their young people through virtual programmes and challenges, etc., on-line. There were some relaxations of the Covid restrictions at points in the Report Year when some opportunities arose to achieve some normality but sadly these were short-lived. Whilst not being complacent as we know that Covid is still with us, it’s good that 31[st] March 2022 not only marked the final lifting of virtually all restrictions but also the ending of the Report year. Face- to-face meeting are happening once more and the future looks brighter than it has for some time. Through the ongoing sterling work of all the BUY ‘officers’ and continuing commitment from our Trustees and Supporters & partner organisations we can look forward to a much more active 2022/23. We already know that pre-pandemic youth numbers were lower than they are now but Leader numbers have regrettably fallen which, like the effects of Covid on mental health, are already being addressed. ## **Treasurer - Joe Bradshaw MVO** I am privileged to deliver my Treasurer’s Report for Bucks Uniformed Youth for FY 2021/2. Once again it was another challenging year for the whole of the charitable sector but we have been able to keep our heads above water because we have very limited running costs apart from those attributed to the BUY Minibus. Furthermore we have been able to approve grants totalling £14,000 during the financial year and by carefully restricting spending we still ended the year with a small deficit. We decided not to renew our Public Liability Insurance which gave us a small saving but we have made contact with Zurich Insurance to recommence the policy.. Once again I must place on record the amazing financial support that we have received from His Honour Judge Francis Sheridan during the year- we have received credits of over £18K during the year which are gratefully received; these enabled us to redistribute the funds in the form of grants and also go a long way to supporting our work for the uniformed youth of Buckinghamshire to build up the amount of cash in the bank account to enable us to be financially stable and also consider the award of grants to our umbrella organisations. The bank account remains healthy with in excess of £17K which includes ring-fenced funds of £658.35 which was raised following the death of our former Chairman Lt Col John Williams. Jonathan Stansfield was appointed Auditor at the 2020 Annual General Meeting and has expressed his willingness to continue in that capacity. Jonathan has asked me to include a statement to be included within my report “In my opinion the accounts. give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31[st] March 2022; and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; they have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE EXTRACT** **----- Start of picture text -----**
EXPENDITURE 2020-21 BUCKS UNIFORMED YOUTH
Date Cheque No. Details Insurance Vehicle MaintenanceOther Vehicle Costs Refuelling Loan Repayment Office/Printing/ICT Travel Costs Grants Misc Costs Total
27 Apr 21 000070 Bedgrove Scouts Grant £13,000.00 £13,000.00
30 Apr 21 OLT DVLA £72.00 £72.00
28 May 21 OLT Ron Kirkland - refund of MOT fee £59.55 £59.55
10 Jun 21 OLT BUY Marquee payment £2,125.00 £2,125.00
7 Jul 21 OLT Minibus Insurance - Minibus 1 - payment 1 £1,000.00 £1,000.00
9 Jul 21 OLT Minibus Insurance - Minibus 1 - payment 2 £153.15 £153.15
12 Jul 21 OLT DVLA - Minibus 1 Road Tax £165.00 £165.00
22 Jul 21 OLT Impact Sign Solutions - printing £62.04 £62.04
9 Aug 21 OLT Deep Clean of Minibus £35.00 £35.00
9 Aug 21 OLT BRS Autos - servicing of minibus - Minibus 2 £731.09 £731.09
20 Sep 21 OLT BRS Autos - oil change minibus - Minibus 1 £114.00 £114.00
21 Sep 21 OLT Impact Sign Solutions - printing £36.68 £36.68
22 Sep 21 OLT Grant for CCF £1,000.00 £1,000.00
5 Oct 21 OLT Minibus Insurance - Minibus 2 - payment 1 £1,000.00 £1,000.00
11 Oct 21 OLT Minibus Insurance - Minibus 2 - payment 2 £259.01 £259.01
11 Oct 21 OLT DVLA - Minibus 2 Road Tax £165.00 £165.00
22 Oct 21 OLT Rex Stevens - refund for purchase of BUY name badges £18.00 £18.00
17 Nov 21 OLT Charlotte Jones - refund of web site fees (Wix) £136.80 £136.80
17 Nov 21 OLT Charlotte Jones - refund of web site domain fees (Wix) £12.46 £12.46
£2,412.16 £904.64 £437.00 £0.00 £0.00 £265.98 £0.00 £14,000.00 £2,125.00 £20,144.78
Income For Year Ending 31st March 2022
Date Received Details Donations Interest Other income VAT refund Total
12 April 2021 Judge Sheridan (via Thames Valley Police) £9,390.00 £9,390.00
12 April 2021 Judge Sheridan (via Thames Valley Police) £8,946.45 £8,946.45
24 May 2021 Amazon Europe £5.00 £5.00
12 July 2021 John Williams Justgiving donations £608.35 £608.35
09 August 2021 Mr Joe Bradshaw donation £100.00 £100.00
27 September 2021 Bucks Scout Council donation £150.00 £150.00
14 October 2021 Red Kite ESU Halton donation £66.00 £66.00
14 October 2021 Misc donation £5.00 £5.00
22 October 2021 BT Venerans donation for John Williams £50.00 £50.00
10 November 2021 Wing 1st Scout group donation £150.00 £150.00
21 February 2022 MK Sea Cadets donation £150.00 £150.00
23 February 2022 Amazon Europe £8.84 £8.84
£19,629.64 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £19,629.64
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Communications Officer - Charlie Jones** From the communication side of Bucks Uniformed Youth, it has been a busy year. We have been sorting out lots of resources for BUY which include posters being designed and printed for future events. We have also designed some lanyards and shirts that are currently in the process of being printed! This is really exciting, and it will be great to show off in events in the future. Over time, the website has been growing views since it was first created and being updated regularly and adding members, adding recent events and news. From the Last 365 days (June 25, 2021 – June 24, 2022), we’ve had 456 site sessions which is growing more and more. For social media, our Bucks Uniformed Youth Facebook page has been regularly updated with event photos, yearly world events and fun quiz questions to engage our followers. ## **Our BUY Website insights show that:** The most popular page visitors navigate to is **About Us.** People spend more time on: **Meet the Team.** Most popular traffic source: **Facebook** Visitors stay longer if they came from: **Google** Visitors spend less time on our site if they arrive from: **Facebook**