1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
Trustees Annual Report – 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Section A – Reference and administration details
CHARITY NAME
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1204134 HQ REGISTRATION NUMBER 10013022
CHARITY’S PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs PE15 0TG
TRUSTEES UP TO 22 SEPTEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES (Ex-Officio) Group Scout Leader Alys Turner Deputy Group Scout Leader Jonathan Harwood Cub Scout Leader Toby Farlow TRUSTEES (Nominated) Group Chair Deborah Winn Trustee Board Members Grant Barlow TRUSTEES (Elected) Group Treasurer Anne Appleby Group Secretary Annabel Farlow Trustee Board Members Dave Bridges Matthew Royston
TRUSTEES FROM 22 SEPTEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES: EX-OFFICIO
Group Lead Volunteer Alys Turner TRUSTEES: APPOINTED Group Chair Annabel Farlow Group Treasurer Anne Appleby Trustees Grant Barlow TRUSTEES: CO-OPTED None in this year
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
BANK
Lloyds – Victoria
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER OF ACCOUNTS
Godfrey Smith, 3 Mills Gardens, March, Cambs, PE15 9FB
CONTACT NAME & ADDRESS
Anne Appleby (Treasurer), 2 Hook Cottage, Hook Road, Wimblington, March, Cambs, PE15 0QL
Section B – Structure, governance and management
The Group'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 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 two other Trustees, and meets 3-4 times per year.
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 give young people skills for life.
Risk and Internal Controls
The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed, and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
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Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations/groups. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
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Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members . The Group, through the Membership fees, contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
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Reduced income from fundraising . The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Trustee Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
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Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section, or the group as a whole, then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group.
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Reduction or loss of members . The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group.
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Financial mismanagement or loss. 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 comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
Section C – Objectives and activities
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:
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Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
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Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
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Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
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Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
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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:
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enjoy what they are doing and have fun
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take part in activities indoors and outdoors
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learn by doing
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share in spiritual reflection
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take responsibility and make choices
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undertake new and challenging activities
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make and live by their Promise.
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
In order to achieve the Scout Group objectives we deliver Scouting to our Youth Members through two Squirrel Dreys (4-6 year olds), two Beaver Colonies (6-8 year olds), two Cub Packs (8-10.5 year olds) and two Scout Troops (10.5-14 year olds), through a Partnered Explorer Unit, called Iceni Explorer Scout Unit (14-18 year olds), supporting Young Leaders across multiple sections, and supporting Network (18-24 year olds) activities.
The Group meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community benefit headings.
Section D – Achievements and performance
During 2024/2025 the Group has moved forward with the national transformation changes, embedding a new Trustee Board structure, an open selection process for new trustees and adopting the latest version of P.O.R. (Policy, Organisation & Rules) published in November 2024 that contained all the details of the new ways that Scouting structures and Teams should operate. The Open Selection Process for Trustees that was run in the summer of 2024 did not attract enough Trustee applications to reach our minimum number of 5 Trustees. From our AGM in September 2024, when Trustees were appointed, the Trustee Board has operated with 4 Trustees. During 2025 we will be seeking additional Trustees to address this.
Part of the changes that Transformation has introduced is a Teams based structure across the Group. We have several Teams, one being our Activities Team which has enabled volunteers with specific skills and interests to be involved in Doddington Scouting delivery on an ad hoc basis, as opposed to regular section meetings, and delivering activities across the group such as water activities. Water activities have been a particular area of growth, with adult leaders enjoying being on the water and delivering water sessions for Young People, as well as developing their leadership skills on the water and achieving permits to then enable further water activities. The group now has kayaks, canoes and some standup paddleboards. A popular investment has been our new Mega Stand-Up Paddleboard for multiple people to use at the same time; it proved to be great fun in testing it out at the end of March 2025 and will undoubtedly provide lots of memorable and positive experiences over the coming year. During this last year we have embarked on Squirrels Nights Away, with an initial sleepover taking place in October.
Within the Group we now have 10 Nights Away permit holders, an Archery permit holder, and multiple water permit holders (e.g. rafting, kayaking, canoeing), as well as expertise in tomahawk throwing and multiple bushcraft activities.
Within the section teams and group leadership team we have continued to recruit volunteers, and currently have 60+ volunteers, with over 50 of them actively involved throughout the last 12 months. We continue to recruit to help spread tasks between volunteers and enable us to deliver more scouting to more young people. Some section teams need additional volunteers more than others. We are fortunate in having 5 Explorer Scout Young Leaders actively involved in section leadership teams and developing their leadership skills.
During August 2024 our first international camp for 24 years took place, with a week-long camp in Belgium. The contingent of 62 (47 Young People and 14 Adults) enjoyed a week camping at Merkenveld, near Bruges, and trips to Bruges, Brussels, a Theme Park, and visits to the Flanders Museum, Tyne Cott
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and the Menin Gate. The group had the honour of taking part in the sundown ceremony at the Menin Gate, parading in and laying wreaths. Whilst the camp was led by 1[st] Doddington, Scouts, Explorers and adult leaders from 1[st] Whittlesey and Stonecross Explorer Scout Unit attended as well, with some ongoing inter-group activities taking place following the return from Belgium.
Another area of development has been the formal setup of the Iceni Explorer Scout Unit (ESU). Explorer Units are District Units, and we are operating Iceni ESU under a Partnership Agreement that has been agreed with District, enabling Explorer scouting to develop in Doddington. This past year has seen a growth in our number of Explorers, both from those moving on from Scouts, as well as attracting new membership from outside of Scouting.
We continue to be a very active group, delivering at least 13 hours of scouting each week in term time, with multiple additional activities such as sleepovers & camps, activity days and trips. Our membership numbers at the time of census in January 2025 totalled 120 young people across Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections, with an additional 11 Young People within the Iceni ESU. Throughout the year we enabled 37 Young People to achieve their Top Awards within their sections (Squirrels – Chief Acorn, Beavers – Chief Bronze, Cubs – Chief Silver, Scouts – Chief Gold). The dedication of our Young People to achieve these goals as well as the commitment from their leaders is a success to be celebrated.
Section E – Financial review
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 consider that the Group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £26k.
The Group held reserves of approximately £26,000 against this at year end. This was above the level required for 24/25 operating expenses. However, this can be explained by aspects of expenditure being more cost effective than budgeted.
Investment Policy
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments such as stocks and shares.
The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies.
This year the Trustee Board has again, due to the balance held, looked at investment options, taking into consideration our reserves policy and our operational requirements. The decision was taken to hold some of the funds in instant access interest bearing accounts. Rates and balances are regularly reviewed and funds moved accordingly.
Accounts
The accounts have been drawn up on a receipts and payments basis which is consistent with previous years.
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
The method of reporting membership subscriptions has been amended this year to reflect the funds collected on behalf of Fenland District. These are now shown in Receipts details, rather than split between Receipts and Payments as in previous years. To enable comparison the figures for 23/24 have been reported in the same way.
Financial Overview for the Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
During 2024 – 2025 the Group completed its first international trip since 2000 for its young people. Our aim was to price the trip at a cost that was accessible to as many of our young people as possible. Due to our fundraising efforts and grants received in previous years we achieved this aim.
District Grant
The Group was fortunate to receive a grant in 2023/2024 from Fenland Scout Association.
Fenland District Scout Association offered a grant to each Group within the District to help them to provide subsidised Scouting for their young people due to the national ‘cost of living’ crisis.
Most of the grant was used last year, with the remaining being utilised this year, with the approval from District. The residual funds were used to reduce the cost of
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Group Camp held in September 2024
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Beaver Camp held in June 2024
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Cub Camp held in July 2024
Assets
During this year the Group has developed its provision of water activities, purchasing Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs), kayaks, canoes and rafting equipment.
This is enabling us to give our young people increased opportunity to spend time on the water gaining and enhancing water sport skills.
Income decreased in 24/25 from 23/24, however expenditure was much higher, both of which were expected because of the timing of our international trip.
Section F – Other – Future Plans
During 2025/2026 the group will be focussing on additional Trustee appointments, further recruitment of volunteers, and the development of Young Leaders through the Young Leader scheme.
A focus over the next couple of years is the planning for the next International Camp, taking place in Holland in August 2026, with pre-camp activities and plenty of fundraising. We will also be further embedding our relationship and collaboration with other scout groups in general, and 1[st] Whittlesey Scouts and Explorers will be part of the Holland 2026 camp.
1[st] Doddington Scout Group
Doddington Scout Centre, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, Cambs, PE15 0TG
The group will be looking to further utilise grant funding and will be looking to develop the use of the Scout Centre to enable more use of the outside space in a variety of weathers, with current options being investigated for enabling a covered area at the rear of the Scout Centre.
In terms of skills and activity development, the focus will continue to be on water activities, pioneering and bushcraft activities, i.e. traditional scouting skills such as fire lighting, cooking over open fires, making shelters to sleep in, axe, saw and knife work.
Section G – Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.
| Signature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Annabel Farlow | Anne Appleby |
| Position | Group Chair | Group Treasurer |
| Date | 11/04/2025 | 11/04/2025 |
1st Doddington Scout Group (Charity no. 1204134) Receipts and payments account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
1st April 2024 | To | 31st March 2025 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| Receipts | 2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
2023/24 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||||
| Membership subscriptions inc Iceni ESU (Explorer Scout Unit) | 15,563.00 | 15,642.00 | ||
| Less: Annual membership fees paid on to Fenland District inc Iceni ESU | - 6,484.50 | - 5,460.00 | ||
| Donations-CTM - recognition forbadgework | 100.00 | |||
| Donations-general | 202.35 | 1,774.06 | ||
| Legacies | - | |||
| GiftAid | 2,892.40 | 3,775.59 | ||
| Camp and otheractivities | 7,523.11 | 6,492.64 | ||
| Iceni ESU | 430.00 | |||
| Donation -SlateTrail walkers | 415.07 | |||
| Belgium - Participant contributions | 11,060.50 | 15,625.00 | ||
| Belgium - Fundraising | 3,360.86 | |||
| Belgium - Donations | 1,150.00 | |||
| International 2026- Fundraising | 3,035.75 | |||
| Othersimilar income | 44.00 | |||
| Sub total | 34,222.61 | 42,919.22 | ||
| Grants | ||||
| Maintenance grant | - | - | ||
| District Grant | 3,915.00 | |||
| Compare theMarket | 1,000.00 | |||
| BurnthouseFund | 3,750.00 | |||
| HealthyFenlandFund | 4,000.00 | |||
| TSA -UniformedYouth Fund | 3,500.00 | |||
| Groundworks | 1,500.00 | |||
| Sub total | - | 17,665.00 | ||
| Fundraising events(gross) | ||||
| Litter Picking | 1,200.00 | 1,300.00 | ||
| Match Funding | 1,270.51 | 833.25 | ||
| Easyfundraising | 213.71 | 46.17 | ||
| DoddingtonSportsAfternoon | 573.50 | 610.05 | ||
| SponsoredWalk | 103.43 | |||
| Wimblington Fun Day | 36.25 | 49.60 | ||
| Doddington Village Show | 775.30 | 468.10 | ||
| CarolSinging | 209.20 | 208.18 | ||
| Sale ofbadges and uniform | 37.50 | 36.50 | ||
| Sale ofequipment | 150.00 | |||
| ClothesBin | 477.80 | - | ||
| BagPacking | 621.40 | |||
| Discos | 628.00 | |||
| Other fundraising activities | 224.44 | 128.25 | ||
| Sub total | 6,267.61 | 3,933.53 | ||
| Scout hut income | ||||
| Hire ofbuilding | 105.00 | 70.00 | ||
| Hire ofequipment | - | |||
| OtherScouthutincome- refund ongas bill | 0.56 | |||
| Sub total | 105.56 | 70.00 | ||
| Investment income | ||||
| Bank interest onallaccounts | 522.15 | 297.42 | ||
| Building Societyinterest | - | - | ||
| The ScoutAssociationShortTerm Investment Service | - | - | ||
| Other investmentincome | - | - | ||
| Sub total | 522.15 | 297.42 | ||
| Total Gross Income Asset and investment sales, etc. Total receipts |
||||
| 64,885.17 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 41,117.93 | 64,885.17 |
1st Doddington Scout Group (Charity no. 1204134) Receipts and payments account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
1st April 2024 | To | 31st March 2025 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| Payments | 2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ 66.00 3,263.67 4,246.49 975.33 414.85 975.56 180.00 413.01 783.61 1,593.02 1,670.76 2,841.20 1,889.86 1,026.00 285.78 129.60 367.00 2,490.54 1,856.52 1,096.91 120.00 2,102.31 100.00 100.00 110.00 275.00 1,132.44 119.39 510.00 784.60 162.41 29,954.11 851.47 45.05 62,932.49 187.87 35.54 228.42 - 208.93 48.34 3.60 712.70 63,645.19 - 63,645.19 - 22,527.26 60,795.11 38,267.85 |
2023/24 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| Charitable Payments | ||||
Membership subscriptions refunds |
66.00 | 49.00 | ||
| Youthprogramme and activities | 9,295.79 | |||
| -Other Activities | 3,263.67 | |||
| -Camps | 4,246.49 | |||
| -Section Expenses excl Iceni ESU | 975.33 | |||
| -OSM | 414.85 | |||
| -GoCardless | 975.56 | |||
| - DistrictActivities | 180.00 | |||
| Iceni ESU | 413.01 | |||
| District Grant-Camps | 783.61 | 3,131.39 | ||
| Grant-Groundworks- wateractivity equipment | 1,593.02 | |||
| Grant- Burnthouse-tables and benches | 1,670.76 | |||
| Grant - Uniformed Youth Fund - Equipment and programme resources |
2,841.20 | |||
| Grant- HealthyFenlandFund-SUPs andkayaks | 1,889.86 | |||
| Grant-CTM - Mega SUP(Stand UpPaddleboard) | 1,026.00 | |||
| Adult support, training and development | 285.78 | 236.38 | ||
| Refuse collection | 129.60 | 125.40 | ||
| Waterand Sewerage | 367.00 | 258.00 | ||
| Electricity and Gas | 2,490.54 | 2,127.15 | ||
| Insurance | 1,856.52 | 1,727.72 | ||
| Repairs andRenewals | - | |||
| Materials and equipment | 1,096.91 | 3,686.68 | ||
| Advertising and printing | 120.00 | 120.00 | ||
| Squirrels Set Up | - | |||
| Badges and Uniforms | 2,102.31 | 1,293.40 | ||
| AGMand trustee expenses | 100.00 | 79.95 | ||
| Website | 100.00 | 100.00 | ||
| Wreaths | 110.00 | 130.00 | ||
| Halland Gardening | 275.00 | 450.00 | ||
| SumUp andTrybookingfees | 34.15 | |||
| Hall renovationandmaintenance | 1,132.44 | 2,768.43 | ||
| Hallsupplies | 119.39 | |||
| Storage | 510.00 | - | ||
| MusicLicence | 784.60 | 338.20 | ||
| WiFi | 162.41 | 107.36 | ||
| 70th Anniversary | 757.26 | |||
| Belgium -cost of Aprilpre camp andAugust trip | 29,954.11 | 2,346.23 | ||
| International 2026- FundraisingExpenses | 851.47 | |||
| Sundries | 45.05 | 193.45 | ||
| Sub total | 62,932.49 | 29,355.94 | ||
| Fundraising expenses | ||||
| Doddington Carnival | 187.87 | 151.10 | ||
| Wimblington Fun Day | 35.54 | 15.61 | ||
| Doddington Village Show | 228.42 | 116.47 | ||
| DoddingtonSwitchOn&Bingo | - | |||
| Discos | 208.93 | |||
| Bird Boxes | 48.34 | |||
| Other fundraising costs-SumUp fees | 3.60 | - | ||
| Sub total | 712.70 | 283.18 | ||
| Total Gross Expenditure Asset and investment purchases, etc. Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||
| 29,639.12 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 29,639.12 | ||||
| - 22,527.26 | 35,246.05 | |||
| 60,795.11 | 25,549.06 | |||
| 38,267.85 | 60,795.11 |
1st Doddington Scout Group (Charity no. 1204134) Receipts and payments account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
1st April 2024 | To | 31st March 2025 | |
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | ||||
| 31st March 2025 Unrestricted funds £ Cash funds Bank current account 5,935.29 Bank deposit account - Groupsavings 28,076.02 Bank deposit account - Explorers 103.26 Bank deposit account - International funds 1,858.09 Bank deposit account - Equals 1,320.39 The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service - Cash/Floats 974.80 Total cash funds 38,267.85 (agree balances with receipts andpayments account) ok Other monetary assets Tax claim - Debts due from the County/Area/District/Group - Insurance claim - Sub total - Investment assets Investmentproperty- detail - Quoted investments - Other investments - detail - Sub total - Non monetary assets for charity's own use Badge stock 350.00 Shopstock - Other stock - Land and buildings - Motor vehicles - Scoutingequipment,furniture etc - Other - Sub total 350.00 Liabilities Accounts notyetpaid - Expenses incurred but not invoiced - Subscriptions notyetpaid - Loan - detail - Other liabilities - Sub total - |
31st March 2024 Unrestricted funds £ |
|||
| 2,775.36 | ||||
| 37,994.04 | ||||
| 119.59 | ||||
| 19,906.12 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 60,795.11 | ||||
| ok | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 400.00 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 400.00 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Total net assets | 38,617.85 | 61,195.11 |
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 11th April 2025 (the date of the Trustee Board meeting that approved the accounts) and signed on their behalf by
| their behalf by | |
|---|---|
| Signature | Print Name |
| Annabel Farlow Chair |
|
| Anne Appleby Treasurer |
(Charity no. 1204134) I report to trustees on my examination ofthe accounts of the Ilt DcthI1ngt Scout Group for the year ended 31# Marth 2025. As the tharsty lJustees ofthe 1st Doddiryton Scout Coup you are resFrt)nsibLe the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Charites A¢t 2011 (Y)e Act'l. I report in reSpt of my examination of the ISI D¢xldington Scout Group's accounts carrieil out under secti(m 145 Of 2011 Act and in caTTwng out my exaMnatiOn I have foilovAI aiithe applicable Dirertions given by the Chartty Commission under section 14515llbl of the ACL Independent examinerfs stateMt I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in conrection with the examination giving me cause to belie that in any wnateria resF actountiThJ records were not kept in respect of the 1st Doddington ScoLrt Group as required by section 130 ofthe Art Z the accounts do not accord wrth those record I have no conMS and hwe come across no other mattÈr5 in connection WFth the exarnination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed- Name: Godf mth InstibJte of Chartered Accountsnts in EngL¥nd & Wales 3 Miiis Gardens MarLth Cambridgeshire PE15 9FB Date: 7th May 2025