1st Cobham Scout Group
Charity Number: 267356
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Objectives and Activities
1st Cobham Scout Group is a member of The Scout Association and exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The Group provides Scouting for boys and girls through the following sections: Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts. Activities include regular weekly meetings, badge work, camps, community service, fundraising events, and outdoor adventures designed to help young people learn skills for life.
All activities are led by trained volunteers following the policies, rules and guidance of The Scout Association.
Public Benefit Statement
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission in exercising their duties.
The Group provides a structured programme of challenging, enjoyable, and educational activities that help young people develop confidence, independence, and leadership skills, while promoting teamwork, citizenship, and respect for others. These opportunities are open to all young people in the local community, regardless of background, ability, or faith.
Achievements and Performance
During 2024, 1st Cobham Scout Group continued to offer a full and varied programme of Scouting activities across all sections. Weekly meetings, camps, and community events were well attended, and young people continued to earn a wide range of badges and awards.
A major achievement this year was the cladding of the Scout Hut, which has improved the building’s insulation and energy efficiency, reducing running costs and environmental impact.
The Group continues to provide a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for all members, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and leaders.
Financial Review
The Group’s finances remain stable. Income from subscriptions, fundraising activities, and donations enabled the Group to cover its running costs and invest in improvements to the Scout Hut. The trustees are satisfied that the Group remains financially secure and able to meet its commitments.
Reserves Policy
The trustees aim to maintain sufficient reserves to cover at least three months of running costs and to provide a contingency for any unforeseen maintenance or capital expenditure.
Structure, Governance and Management
1st Cobham Scout Group is a registered charity operating under the auspices of The Scout Association, incorporating its Policy, Organisation and Rules.
The Group’s governing body is the Group Executive Committee, whose members are the charity’s trustees. The Executive Committee supports the Group Scout Leader in meeting the Group’s charitable objectives and ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and legislation.
Trustees are elected every three years at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with The Scout Association’s rules.
Risk Management
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the Group is exposed, particularly in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, and financial controls. Appropriate policies, training, and procedures are in place to mitigate these risks.
No significant issues were identified during the year.
Future Plans
The Group’s priorities for 2025 are to:
-
Continue to grow membership across all sections.
-
Recruit and support new adult volunteers.
-
Undertake necessary repairs and improvements to the car park at the Scout Hut.
The trustees remain committed to providing high-quality Scouting for young people in Cobham and the surrounding area.
Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the Charity Commission’s requirements for small charities.
They are responsible for:
-
Ensuring proper accounting records are kept;
-
Safeguarding the assets of the charity;
-
Ensuring the charity is run in accordance with its constitution and the policies of The Scout Association; and
-
Providing accurate and transparent reporting to members and the public.
Approved by the Group Executive Committee on [insert date of approval in 2025]
Signed on their behalf by:
Chair: _Pat Berton______ Daet: 30[th] October 2025
1st Cobham Scout Group
Receipts and Payments Account Summary for the year ended 31st December 2024
| Total Receipts for the year Total Payments for the year Net Receipts (Payments) for the year Cash, Bank and similar funds brought forward Cash, Bank and similar funds carried forward |
This Year £ 39,179 37,816 1,363 11,203 12,566 |
Previous Year £ 13,942 15,456 |
|---|---|---|
| -1,514 12,717 |
||
| 11,203 |
The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by
Chairman
1st Cobham Scout Group
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2024
| Monetary Assets Lloyds Scout Group Reserves Non-Monetary Assets Land and Buildings - insured value Scouting Equipment, furniture, etc - insured value 1st Cobham Scout Group Receipts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Membership Income Received Less Paid Investment Income Received Bank Interest The Scout Association STIS Property Rent Activities Fund Raising Local Grant Gift Aid Total Receipts for the Year Payments for the year ended 31 December 2024 Premises Heat, Light and Water Insurance Phone and Internet Cladding covered by grant Repairs and Cleaning Activities Group Administration Expenses AGM Books, Print, Stationery, Training Bank charges Training Purchase of Badges and Uniforms Purchase of Equipment Mini Bus Running Costs Total Payments for the Year |
This Year £ 12,566 12,566 12,566 £272,433 £3,534 This Year £ 7,376 1,815 5,562 0 0 5,240 5,240 972 972 2,406 25,000 0 39,179 3,617 1,102 75 24,750 4,279 33,822 3,221 3,221 0 0 0 0 0 712 60 0 37,816 |
Previous Year £ 11,203 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,203 | ||
| 11,203 | ||
| £260,578 £3,534 Previous Year £ 8,266 1,842 |
||
| 6,424 | ||
| 0 135 4,350 |
||
| 4,485 | ||
| 830 | ||
| 830 | ||
| 1,520 0 683 |
||
| 13,942 | ||
| 3,458 1,089 762 0 2,526 |
||
| 7,835 | ||
| 5,214 | ||
| 5,214 | ||
| 0 0 0 |
||
| 0 | ||
| 0 1,058 1,349 0 |
||
| 15,456 |
ReSidiv• responsibilities of trustses arKI examiner As the Ghaiivs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.. you consider that the audit requirement of SectDn 43(21 of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not appty- It is my responsibllity lo s18t8, on the basis of pCedUreS spectFied in the General Directions given by the Charity CornTnissioners under Secb'on 43r/)Ibl of the Act, whether particular matter matters have co£ to nTy attention. Basls of examlnges report My examination was (xrried out in accordance wlh the General Directions given by the Charity Comm}ssK)ne. An &xaminatK)n indudes a review of the accounting rac0S kept by the charity and o comparison of the a(xounts presented th those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual ilern or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming ttny suth m8tter5. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidei that would be Tequired in an Budit, and consequently I do not express an audlt opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independenl Examinefs statemenl In COnnedn wth my exanin8tKJn, no rrÉtter has corne to my attention.- 1. vthich gNes m8 reasonable caLtse lo beIve that In any material respect the requlrements - to keep accounting recorrls in acTr)rdance wlth Section 41 of the Act and -to prepare ac(KJunts whth acrDrd with the ac£ounting records and - to compty with the accounting requirgments of the Act have not been met, or 2. to lCh, in my ppinKin. attention shosjld b8 dro5 in ord8r to enable a proper undeTrlandin of the aco)tsnts lo be reached, or 3. which gives me reasonable cause to believe th21 in any material respect the aixountlng rute¢ of the Group's o)nstilutKJn have not been met. Addrpss: QuallfiGatlon: ks Date". /4