Cabot Scout District Trustees' Annual Report For the period
t From 01/04/2024 31/03/25 o
Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Cabot Scout District Other names the charity is known by Cabot District Scout Council Registered charity number (if any) 1205644 HQ registration number 16719 Charity’s principal address 8 Farington Road Bristol BS10 5BW
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee Name | Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don | Pritchard | Chair | |
| 2 | David | De Silva | Treasurer | |
| 3 | Maddie | Jenkins | District Commissioner | |
| 4 | Chris | Gavriel | DC Nomination and DeputyDC | 01/04/24 to 10/07/25 |
| 5 | Owen | Jones | District Explorer Scout Commissioner |
|
| 7 | Clare | Waggett | DC Nomination | |
| 9 | Charis | Wood | Elected to 2027 | |
| 10 | Andy | Pope | Elected to 2025 | |
| 11 | Alan |
Pratt-Walters |
Elected to 2025 | |
| 12 | Maura | Hannon | Elected to 2026 | |
| 13 | Kai | Sudbury | Network Commissioner | |
Type of advisor Name Scrutineer
Section B Structure, governance and management Description of the charity’s trusts
| Type of governing document (e.g. trust deed, constitution) |
The District’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. |
|---|---|
| How the charity is constituted (e.g. trust, association, company) |
The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. |
| Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed, elected) |
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. |
| Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: Policies and procedures adopted for: a) the induction and |
The District is managed by the Cabot District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District 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 Chair and Treasurer, together with the District Commissioner and District Youth Commissioner (role not filled) and other nominated, elected or co-opted members and meets 5 times a year with occasional ad hoc meetings Members of the Trustee Board complete_‘Essential Information’training, ‘ _Safeguarding’training,‘ Safety’ _training, ‘Trustee Introduction’ _training and |
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| training of trustees; b) trustee’ consideration of major risks and the systems and procedures to manage them |
‘_General Data Protection Regulations’_training within the first 5 months of joining the Trustee Board. The District Trustee Board exists to support the District Lead Volunteer and to ensure that the District is run safely and legally, more specifically responsibilities include: ● The maintenance of District property; ● The raising of funds and the administration of District finance; ● The insurance of persons, property and equipment; ● Overview of Safety and Safeguarding; ● Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; ● Appointing any sub committees that may be required; ● Appointing District Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected. |
|---|---|
Risk and Internal Control
The Trustees identified the major risks to which the District is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
Damage to District equipment. The District has sufficient insurance in place to mitigate against loss.
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through the annual membership fees contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. During the year, the Trustee Board also decided to put additional insurance in place, to cover non-member volunteers assisting with District activities.
Reduced income. The District receives income from annual membership fees. The Committee could raise the value of these to increase income on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
Reduction or loss of leaders. The District is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the District 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 District.
Reduction or loss of members. The District provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 25. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the District 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 District.
The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, including 2 signatories for all cheque payments and 2 approvals for all electronic payments.
The financial and Scouting activity status of constituent Groups remains stable and positive so the general focus now is on recruitment of young people and adult volunteers. Some constituent Groups own their headquarters and property outright, however many that rent or lease their headquarters are at risk from change in circumstance.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
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 choicesundertake new and challenging activities- make and live by their Promise.
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Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects Activities between annual general meetings: 18/07/2024 - 03/07/2025
A new District Commissioner, Maddie Jenkins, was appointed late in 2022 to lead Cabot District going forward, so this was Maddie’s second year in tenure.
The roll out of “Transformation” continued during the year and instigating changes, both operationally and from a governance perspective has been a focus, not just within the District team itself, but as importantly ensuring that constituent Groups are aware of the changes and amend their structure(s) accordingly.
Changes around Governance were quickly implemented at District level: Trustee Board rather than “Exec”, clarity around composition and responsibilities being a couple of examples. The Trustee Board have supported Maddie and her team in communicating necessary changes with constituent Groups.
Section activities have been promoted and supported by the District Lead Volunteer and District leadership team and are reported in further detail in individual Scout Group annual reports and in the Explorer Scout and Scout Network sections of the attached annual report. Youth members were also involved in District level activities as detailed in the attached annual report.
In the 2025 annual census, Cabot District saw the formation of the District’s second Squirrel section, this being at the 7th, and increases in the numbers of Squirrels and Beavers but modest reductions in the numbers of Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, perhaps reflecting a change in the population make up. As regards adults, numbers remained broadly level at around 580.
Adult Leaders, Managers and Supporters have been recruited, trained and supported in their roles by the District Lead Volunteer and District leadership team.
Until early 2025, all new adult members passed through the appointments process administered by the Appointments Advisory Committee subcommittee of the Board of Trustees, this process changing as part of Transformation, leading to the cessation of the Appointments Advisory Committee, with the advent of ‘The Welcome Conversation’.
The Trustee Board have privately thanked all members of the AAC, led by Clare Waggett for their diligent past work, but it is good to be able to share these thanks publicly.
Unfortunately District Lead Volunteer Maddie Jenkins had to tender her resignation early in May 2025 due to ill health and thanks must go to Maddie for her hard work as DLV, in particular improving the structure and clarity around the District Team, all during a challenging period of change in UK Scouting.
As a result and following approval by Avon County, Chris Gavriel agreed to take up the role as Acting District Lead Volunteer, but as part of a District Leadership Team, where CG is closely supported by Owen Jones (as Lead 14-24 Team) and Rob Laurence (as Lead Programme Team); this team was formally launched at a District meeting of GLVs and Group Chairs, which Trustee Board was happy to support.
During this time, there were the following specific actions by the District Trustee Board
• Held regular Board meetings in person, with some specific matters also being dealt with online • Monitored training and compliance for adult volunteers • Maintained oversight of Adult appointments • Supported several Groups in both Operational and Governance aspects, in particular during times of leadership team change • Supported District Lead Volunteer and team in assisting with communication and implementation of Transformation changes • Put additional Insurance in place, to ensure that non-member volunteers acting for the District are properly insured • Led on temporary change in arrangements for storage of District equipment, including dismantling of District Stores, yet to be reinstated • Agreed structures for funding of various adult training needs • Assisted in support for District Promise renewal events (April 2024) across all sections
Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best
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practice)
You may choose to include further
statements, where relevant, about:
• policy on grant making;
• contribution made by volunteers;
• policy on investments.
Public benefit statement
The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
See annual report for July 2024 to June 2025 attached.
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Section E Financial Review Brief statement of the charity’s Reserves Policy policy on reserves The District’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the district should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District held reserves of approximately £117,369 against this at year end. Quantify and explain any designations Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) Further financial review details (optional information) You may choose to include Whilst maintaining some interest earning balances on a Fixed additional information, where Notice account, the District has retained a risk averse relevant, about: strategy to the investment of its funds, ensuring that funds • the charity’s principal sources of are held in cash or deposit accounts using only mainstream funds (including any fundraising); banks or building societies. • how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; • investment policy and objectives
Section F Other Optional Information Plans for future periods The District has shrunk slightly in its overall youth membership, (details of any significant particularly in the older sections. activities planned to achieve them) The main challenges for the District are to stabilise youth membership, increase adult membership and to support the Groups that are struggling to retain sufficient Adult volunteers willing to take a leadership role in e.g. running rather than “just” supporting evenings and other activities. It is probably fair to say that whilst the intentions of Transformation are all well placed, some of the practicalities have caused frustration amongst volunteers, which has not helped in adult retention. District Trustee Board continues to have some oversight of Group finances and are broadly comfortable on this front, as well as with the view that we have of other aspects of Governance within our Groups. The District Trustees will continue to review our activities and expenditure, and monitor Scout Group finance and volunteer numbers and provide support where needed. As previously noted, the District were obliged to register with the Charity Commission in November 2023 and whilst no report to Charity Commission was required for year end 31st March 2024, such a report will need to be submitted for year end 31st March 2025 and this will of course be carried out.
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) Position (eg Secretary, Chair) Date
| Don Pritchard | David De Silva | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | Treasurer | ||
| 15/06/2025 | 15/06/2025 |
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Cabot Scout District Receipts and Payments Account
Year start date
Year end date
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For the year
1/4/2024 To 31/3/2025
from
Receipts and payments
2024/25 2023/24
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Total funds Note
£ £ £ £ £
Receipts
Donations, legacies and similar
income
Membership fees (Groups) 126,335.50 - - 126,335.50 101,255.00 1
Donations 1.00 - - 1.00 9.98
Legacies - - - - -
Gift Aid 7,756.67 - - 7,756.67 7,060.69 2
Other income - - - - -
Sub total 134,093.17 - - 134,093.17 108,325.67
Grants
Maintenance grant - - - - -
Other grants - - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Fundraising events (gross)
Other fundraising activities - - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Other income
Training courses/First Aid - 80.00 - - - 80.00 100.00 3
District-led sectional activities 14,017.13 - - 14,017.13 5,474.19
Explorer programme & activities 72,202.41 - - 72,202.41 96,524.53 4
Network programme & activities - - - - -
Namaste Nepal 133.26 - - 133.26 87,478.05 5
Ten Tors 18,998.71 - - 18,998.71 13,836.07
Badge income 315.00 - - 315.00 539.25
Other income 3,296.65 - - 3,296.65 54.00 6
Sub total 108,883.16 - - 108,883.16 204,006.09
Investment income
Bank interest 1,481.19 - - 1,481.19 825.20
Other investment income - - - - -
Sub total 1,481.19 - - 1,481.19 825.20
Total Gross Income 244,457.52 - - 244,457.52 313,156.96
Asset and investment sales, etc. - - - - 700.00
Total receipts 244,457.52 - - 244,457.52 313,856.96
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Cabot Scout District Receipts and Payments Account
Year start date
Year end date
----- Start of picture text -----
For the year
1/4/2024 To 31/3/2025
from
Receipts and payments
2024/25 2023/24
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Total funds Note
£ £ £ £ £
Payments
Charitable Payments
Membership subscriptions paid on 106,200.00 - - 106,200.00 - 7
Gift Aid paid on 7,756.67 - - 7,756.67 7,060.69
District-led sectional activities 13,014.13 - - 13,014.13 10,610.50
Explorer programme & activities 68,723.33 - - 68,723.33 100,470.39
Network programme & activities - - - - 20.00
Subsidy & support 900.00 - - 900.00 1,015.50
Support loans to District sections - 814.58 - - - 814.58 814.58 8
Adult support & training 255.76 - - 255.76 801.93
Insurance 546.87 - - 546.87 789.47
Repairs & renewals - - - - 260.00
Equipment & materials 3,583.60 - - 3,583.60 645.55
Premises rental 4,415.47 - - 4,415.47 - 9
Administration costs 771.26 - - 771.26 1,083.62
Uniform & badge purchases 200.00 - - 200.00 793.25
AGM & trustee expenses 835.45 - - 835.45 808.72
Travel expenses 157.63 - - 157.63 -
Namaste Nepal - - - - 100,272.11
Ten Tors 19,865.43 - - 19,865.43 13,716.67
Sub total 226,411.02 - - 226,411.02 239,162.98
Fundraising expenses
Bank charges 94.50 - - 94.50 -
Payment processing fees 341.07 - - 341.07 -
Sub total 435.57 - - 435.57 -
Total Gross Expenditure 226,846.59 - - 226,846.59 239,162.98
Asset and investment purchases,
etc. - - - - -
Total payments 226,846.59 - - 226,846.59 239,162.98
Net of receipts/(payments) 17,610.93 - - 17,610.93 74,693.98
Transfers between funds [ - ] - - - -
Cash funds last year end 209,693.98 967.00 - 210,660.98 135,967.00
Cash funds this year end 227,304.91 967.00 - 228,271.91 210,660.98
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Cabot Scout District Receipts and Payments Account
Year start date
Year end date
| For | the year from |
1/4/2024 | To | 31/3/2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
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31/3/2025 31/3/2024
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Total funds Note
£ £ £ £ £
Cash funds
District current account 144,687.75 - - 144,687.75 121,283.47
District savings account 52,286.23 - - 52,286.23 60,825.20
Explorers current account 20,306.78 - - 20,306.78 16,899.92
Explorers Stripe account 215.27 - - 215.27 143.05
Namaste Nepal current account 3,217.95 967.00 - 4,184.95 4,051.69
Namaste Nepal cash float 94.25 - - 94.25 94.25
Ten Tors current account 6,496.68 - - 6,496.68 7,363.40
Total cash funds 227,304.91 967.00 - 228,271.91 210,660.98
ree balances with receipts and payments a/c) ok ok ok ok ok
Other monetary assets
Tax claim 7,311.37 - - 7,311.37 -
Debts due 8,437.00 - - 8,437.00 15,080.57 10
Insurance claim - - - - -
Sub total 15,748.37 - - 15,748.37 15,080.57
Investment assets
Other investments - detail - - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Non monetary assets for
charity's own use
Badge stock 158.30 - - 158.30 273.30
Land & buildings - - - - -
Motor vehicles - - - - -
Scouting equipment, furniture etc 41,040.00 - - 41,040.00 41,040.00
Other - - - - -
Sub total 41,198.30 - - 41,198.30 41,313.30
Liabilities
Accounts not yet paid - - - - 2,800.00
Subscriptions not yet paid 109,935.00 - - 109,935.00 106,200.00 11
Other liabilities - - - - -
Sub total 109,935.00 - - 109,935.00 109,000.00
Total net assets 174,316.58 967.00 - 175,283.58 158,054.85
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The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 12th May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
| Signature | Don Pritchard Chair David De Silva Treasurer Print Name |
|---|---|
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Cabot Scout District Notes to the Accounts
| Year start date | Year end date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For | the year from |
1/4/2024 | To | 31/3/2025 |
-
Annual membership subscriptions are reported gross, i.e. includes membership fee components that are paid on.
-
Gift Aid is reclaimed on Explorer Scout membership subscriptions and other eligible donations where supported by a valid declaration.
-
Negative income represents a net loss due to refunds given on cancelled First Aid courses.
-
Now includes Explorer subscriptions.
-
Namaste Nepal is dormant but still receives some revenue from EasyFundraising links.
-
Includes funds transferred in from Kohoutek Competition, and payments from 169th Bristol in support of rebuild of District Stores facility.
-
Membership fees for 2025 were paid on 1st April 2025 and thus appear under "Subscriptions not yet paid".
-
All outstanding District loans to Groups were repaid in full during 2024/25.
-
Relates to the hire of a secure storage facility to re-house District/Ten Tors equipment while the store at the 169th is being rebuilt.
-
Debts Due includes unpaid/overdue Group membership fees.
-
Membership fee was paid to Avon County during the first week of FY 25/26 at their request.
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LT700006 - Independent Examinees Report to the Trustees Uanuary 2024) England & Wales Template I: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Cabot Scout District I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Cabot Scout District for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Cabot Scout District you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Actl. I report in respect of my examination of the Cabot Scout District accounts carried out under sertion 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 ACL Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect accounting records were not kept in respert of the Cabot Scout District as required by section 130 of the Act." or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns 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 understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name: Susan Boxall Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (Retired) Address: 95 Reedley Road, Bristol. BS9 3TB Date: 29 June 2025