Scouts
6th Christchurch
(Bransgore)
Annual Report 2023
## **GROUP CONSTITUTION**
The 6th Christchurch Scout Group (Bransgore) exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. The Group achieves this by following guidance found within the Scout Association Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR).
https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/
## **QUORUM**
The quorum for meetings of the Bransgore Scout Group is as follows:
- a) Group Scout Council – 20 (4 of whom must be Trustees)
- b) Trustees – 4 (2 of whom must be the Lead Volunteer, Chair or Treasurer)
- c) Sub-Committees of the Executive - A half of the membership of the sub-committee (no less than 3)
Decisions are made by a majority of votes cast by those present at the meeting.
Maximum of 11 elected Trustee board members.
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 2 of 15
## **BRANSGORE SCOUT GROUP PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT**
We are part of The Scout Association, the UK's biggest coeducational youth organisation. We help children and young adults reach their full potential and gain skills for life.
We actively engage and support our members in their physical, intellectual, social and spiritual development and to achieve their full potential as individuals, as responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national and international communities.
We operate within a framework of safety to enable young people to take part in adventurous activities safely. Our charitable objectives help young people learn by doing, share in spiritual reflection and take responsibility. Working together, they make choices, take part in new, challenging, and unique experiences, help others and live their Scout Promise.
In partnership with adults, young people take part in fun indoor and outdoor activities.
Our volunteers benefit from development and learning opportunities that we offer to support them in delivering safe and engaging programmes.
_The charity’s classifications_
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
Who the charity helps
- Young people (4 to 25 year olds)
_How the charity works_
- Volunteer development
- Youth development
## **INSURANCE DETAILS**
Insurance of Site / Property is from:
## _**Ansvar Insurance (through Unity Insurance Services)**_
Insurance of Equipment is from:
## _**Ansvar Insurance (through Unity Insurance Services)**_
_EXPIRY / RENEWAL DATE :24th December 2024_
Insurance of people is from:
_**Scouters and Public Liability are covered as part of TSA, additional policy through Unity for non-member adults**_
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 3 of 15
## **LEAD VOLUNTEER’S REPORT 2023**
Last year was a busy year throughout, from early in the spring term, activities were delivered across all sections and further site developments completed.
All three sections, the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts delivered the full range of indoor and outdoor activities with the support of the Leaders and Young Leaders. We gained a new Assistant Cub Leader and offered a place in Scouts to a Ukrainian refugee living in the village who attends the school with many of our Scouts. This offer came with the additional support of his mum who has joined as a volunteer in the role of Assistant Scout Leader.
Continuing the international theme, our Scouts met up with a German group that were camping at Avon Tyrrell campsite for an evening of games, exchange of traditional snacks and sharing a campfire. This gave the Scouts a view of the very different style of tents used in Germany and we were able to help them with some stoves and gas as well as tips on the best way to visit Brownsea Island. This was great timing with the launch of the Christchurch District International Camp to Germany in 2025 which has several of our Scouts signed up to take part.
We all enjoyed a fantastic day out in August as a group to Brownsea Island, with over 50 of our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, YLs, Leaders and parents taking the ferry over and hiking around the island. We were lucky enough to see several red squirrels and peacocks as well as other wildlife, including the largest caterpillar I have ever seen in the UK, a 10cm long goat moth caterpillar, just enjoying the play area at the time!
The sections all took part in several camps, including the spring bank holiday camp, a summer camp, cooking camp, Beavers at Braggers and the Emlyn Competition camp which our Scout team won for the second year in a row, well done to the team!
The group has benefited enormously again from the fund raising and grants we have secured. This has mainly been possible through the hard work of the group supporters and trustees as well as ongoing donations from the Bransgore Rotary Group. Through all this financial and volunteer support we have been able to transform our site with 140 tonnes of aggregates spread over a weekend to form a new gravel driveway to the site. This included the free loan of an array of heavy equipment from a local hire company and some volunteers and leaders to operate it. The new floor was laid in Ann’s Lodge, further enhancing the building which now benefits from multiple regular hires. We also managed to purchase two new large hike tents for the group to take on summer camp.
Fundraising and working with the Stepping Stones Nursery management team resulted in the purchase of an AED by the group and Stepping Stones installing this at their building to provide cover for this corner of the village and all who use both Stepping Stones or the Scout site facilities.
Looking forward as a leadership team in the summer of 2023, we decided it was time to set up a Squirrels Drey to support the growing demand and waiting list. The start was planned for the October term but unfortunately with limited volunteers we postponed the start into 2024 and that is for next years report….!
It just leaves me to thank everyone involved in the group, the Leaders, the Assistants, group supporters, Young Leaders, parents, local charities and businesses and all who give their time to support the delivery of such fantastic activities for our young people.
## **Mark Linney, Group Lead Volunteer, Bransgore Scout Group**
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 4 of 15
## **SCOUTS REPORT 2023**
2023 has been jam packed with Scouting! There have been normal Scouting activities, but also some great highlights including: Scouts creating their own memes (for some reason I seemed to be the target of many of them), a chip shop challenge where we compared and rated the chips from various outlets in Christchurch with some interesting results, but one thing was pretty unanimous, DON’T buy chips from a pizza outlet! We also had three of our Scouts run a Dungeons and Dragons evening, which was hugely successful, and enjoyed by everyone!
There was the usual complement of district competitions: Football, Cooking, Night Hike and Emlyn. I am excited and very proud to say that we did really well! Firstly, we had two teams enter the Night Hike Competition. One team performed outstandingly and won the trophy, but what really makes me extremely proud is that both teams scored the highest teamwork scores out of all of the teams entered! Finally, the Emlyn camping competition which focuses on core Scouting skills was won for the second year in a row! Looking at the trophy very few troops have managed this. Can we be the first troop to do three years on the bounce??? It’s very exciting!!!
Talking of camping, we have had multiple camps thanks mostly to Kat who has done a massive amount of organisation to make them happen! We had a Cooking Camp in March, District Spring Bank Camp, Emlyn in June, Summer Camp in August, which also included a trip to Brownsea Island where we invited both the Beavers and Cubs to come with us for the day, and it was great to see the entire Bransgore Group out at the birthplace of Scouting. Lastly, we had a Master at Arms camp in September.
We have also had the obligatory end of term events, which the Scouts always enjoy! We went to Ninja Warrior in April, where I learnt that, at my size, gravity and I are not friends… For the 3 years running we went to the New Forest Water Park in July, and for the end of year we went to Insanity Arcade.
Once again, I would like to give very sincere thanks to Kat, Brett, James, Amber and Oksana. Without having such a wonderful team, we would not be able to provide the quality of Scouting that we do in Bransgore.
Roll on 2024!!
## **Phil Reeves, Scout Leader**
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 5 of 15
## **CUBS REPORT 2023**
The Cubs ran a full programme of activities throughout the year with the support of the Leaders, Young Leaders and some parents. The meetings covered a wide range of badge activities as well as a selection of off-site trips including cycling in the forest, litter picking around Bransgore, and a trip to Brownsea Island. We did lots of cooking, including making our own tea, pancakes, and campfire doughnuts. We learnt about other countries and their celebrations. The Cubs did lots of knots and lashings, culminating in making huge catapults and firing our favourite teddies across the room.
The Cubs joined the Bransgore Scouts and the whole of the Christchurch District at the Spring Bank Holiday Camp at Braggers Wood in May which was a fantastic hot weekend, if a little chilly for the leaders at night. We also hiked with Christchurch Cubs around Hengistbury head and the New Forest.
The pack maintained around 20 Cubs on average. The Cubs section gained a new volunteer leader during the year helping to drive all the activities and share the load which was great. Parents continued to provide much valued support to the section and our Young Leaders did a great job helping to keep the meetings in order and helping to plan the programme and organising and running games.
Thanks again to everyone involved in keeping this section going and driving all the exciting activities.
## **Sarah Benwell, Cub Leader**
## **BEAVERS REPORT 2023**
We have had another busy year of scouting with the Beavers. We average about 15 children each week. We helped raise money for the defibrillator and had a visit from Bransgore Community First Responders to show us some basic first aid skills. We enjoy our food too, and tried different things when learning about Burns Night, Chinese New Year, Pancake Day, Italy and much more!
In the District, we took part in the Annual Painting competition which we won, thanks to James and Austin.
We have also been out and about. We went pond dipping at Mill Lawn, and most people got back dry! We visited Liberty’s Raptor Centre and found out all about birds of prey and creepy crawlies. We have been out cycling around Burbush and some of us visited Brownsea Island in the summer with our Cubs and Scouts.
We held a sleepover last Easter and visited the RNLI in Mudeford as part of this. It was a lovely event and we enjoyed getting to know each other!
Thank you to our lovely Young Leaders who help each week – Kookaburra, Nightjar and Penguin. As always, thank you to Ostrich and all the parents for their invaluable help throughout the year.
## **Vicky (Puffin), Beaver Leader**
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 6 of 15
## **LEADERSHIP TEAM**
## **Leader Support**
Mark Linney Lead Volunteer Helen Williams Membership Secretary
**Beavers**
Vicky Stimpson Beaver Leader Paul Wilson Assistant Beaver Leader Imogen Reeves Young Leader Katie Gyles Young Leader Ethan O’Reilly Young Leader **Cubs** Sarah Benwell Cub Leader Ben Linford Assistant Cub Leader Monica Sanchez Assistant Cub Leader Ben Cohu Young Leader
**Scouts** Phil Reeves Scout Leader Katherine Angel Assistant Leader Brett Troye Section Assistant James Baulch Section Assistant Oksana Tsyplakova Section Assistant Amber Stimpson Young Leader
**Squirrels (2024)** Katie Addison Squirrel Leader Tanya Axe Assistant Squirrel Leader Judy Piagesti Assistant Squirrel Leader M addie John Y oung Leader
## **GOVERNANCE**
## **Trustee Board Members**
Marc Stimpson Group Chair Kevin Dawson Group Treasurer and archery and rifle permits Jim Hanford Secretary Simon Williams T rustee Donna Reeves T rustee Jo Donaldson T rustee Suzi Troye T rustee Christina Chapman T rustee
## **V olunteer Support Team Members**
M arc Stimpson T eam Leader Alun John Team member Damian WynnTeam member Hughes Mike Manley Team member
**Committee support** Lord Willie Manners Honorary President John Malins Auditor Amanda Linford Hall Bookings Secretary
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 7 of 15
## **CHAIR’S REPORT**
I’m sure a year isn’t as long as it used to be, time goes so quickly and it only seems like yesterday I was writing a report for 2022! Looking back on 2023 it initially didn’t seem there were a lot of changes, it was only as I started to list the developments that I realised how busy everyone had been.
The year started with an insurance claim to mend the damage to Ann’s lodge caused by a car reversing into it. The builders did a great job and the corner of the building was dismantled and soon looking back to new. The renovation to Ann's Lodge which has been taking place over the last few years continued, slowly and mostly in the background. Early in the year a new floor was fitted due to a generous grant from the Rotary Club. The storeroom was organised (and a lot of old obsolete kit was moved on).
We hope that, during 2024, we will get the building regulations signed off and finally put the project to bed. In March of the year, we poured tons and tons of aggregate onto our driveway, having levelled it and adjusted the drainage. So far this has been a great investment, keeping potholes away and ensuring the drive is in a usable condition despite the recent bad weather.
The site has become a busy place with our regular hall hirers and several visiting Scout groups using the site throughout the year. The site has become an amazing asset for the group and the community.
Behind the scenes there have been lots of changes to the structure of the group. We have completed the transition from a committee to a trustee board and have also introduced a new support team to look after the site and fundraising activities. These changes are directed by the Scout Association and should ensure that the group has better governance and align us with the charity commission's regulations.
I would like to thank all the volunteers that have made this such a great year. The committee / trustees / support team have given so much time in the background to ensure that the young people can enjoy a varied and challenging program. The leaders have all been amazing in organising that great programme of events and giving up so much time to allow the young people to grow and develop in their care. Finally, I must thank our landlord and Honorary President Lord Manners for his continued support to the group.
**Marc Stimpson, Group Chair**
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 8 of 15
## **TREASURER’S REPORT**
Every year, we recognise the huge financial support we get from other local organisations, especially the Rotary Club, providing funds to replace the flooring in Ann’s Lodge, the Coop and Christchurch Runners, for which we are extremely grateful. During the early summer we joined together with Stepping Stones to raise money for a defibrillator, contributing the money raised from the Bransgore Fun Day and receiving additional donations from Community First Aid Association and the Bransgore Horticultural Society.
In addition to the donations, our income from hiring out the halls and grounds increased again, almost, but not quite, reaching the £10,000 mark.
Having reported a record year for fundraising at the Bransgore Beer Festival last year, 2023 was even better, increasing the record to around £2,300. To achieve this requires a lot of volunteers, over quite a long day, to do the preparation, cooking and serving, all working together. The atmosphere is excellent and the results speak for themselves – thank you to those involved.
As in previous years, our level of fundraising and particularly donations have allowed us to hold our subscriptions for young people in the Group at the same rate.
The major spending on the Ann’s Lodge refurbishment has come to end, with final ‘finishing off’ to be completed.
The result of the above means that the financial position of the Group worsened during 2023 with a deficit of £3,869 of payments over receipts leaving a closing balance of £14,855.
The independent examination of the accounts was again performed by John Malins. The Executive Committee and I are grateful for his continued guidance and advice.
## **Kevin Dawson, Group Treasurer**
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 9 of 15
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT SUMMARY**
## **For the year ended 31[st ] December 2023**
|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**
**£**
33,699
(37,567)
**(3,869)**
18,723
**14,855**|**2022**
**£**
27,665
(27,137)|
|---|---|---|
|||**528**|
|||18,195|
|||**18,723**|
The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 14[th] March 2024, and signed on their behalf by
___________________________ ________________________
M Stimpson – Group Chair
K Dawson – Group Treasurer
## **RESERVES POLICY**
The Group’s policy on reserves is:
- 1) To hold sufficient funds as contingencies to enable the Group to operate normally in the event of any unanticipated loss of income or increased expenditure, and
- 2) To maintain a specific building fund to cover future liabilities associated with the premises of the group
At the 31[st ] December 2023 the general reserves of the Group amounted to **£14,855** . This figure includes a security fund of £5,000.
The Group is a trust established under its rules, which are common to all Groups.
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
The accounts have been drawn up on the receipts and payments basis, which is consistent with the previous year.
Approved by the Trustees on 14[th] March 2024 and signed on their behalf by
______________________________
M Stimpson – Group Chair
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 10 of 15
## **RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
|**MEMBERS SUBSCRIPTIONS**
Less Membership Fees
**INVESTMENT INCOME RECEIVED**
Bank Interest
Building Society Interest
**DONATIONS / GRANTS**
Use of Halls
Other
**ACTIVITIES**
Camp Fees
Outings
**FUND RAISING (Gross)**
Bransgore Fun Day
Tent and Marquee Hire
Beer Festival
Sundries
**OTHER INCOME**
Uniform
Income tax Recovered
Miscellaneous
**SUNDRY RECEIPTS**
Badge Receipts
**ASSET AND INVESTMENT SALES**
**TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR**|**This Year**
**£**
8,880
2,450
6,431
0
0
0
9,896
5,7321
15,628
3,324
1,160
4,484
921
95
3,778
69
4,862
68
2,192
35
2,294
0
0
**33,699**|**2022**
**£**
9,588
2,450|
|---|---|---|
|||7,139|
|||0
8|
|||8|
|||6,247
5,518|
|||11,765|
|||2,829
590|
|||3,419|
|||756
300
2,762
107|
|||3,925|
|||128
1,282
0|
|||1,410|
|||0
0|
|||**27,665**|
1 This includes £4,500 from the Rotary Club
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 11 of 15
## **PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
|**PREMISES**
Ground Rent
Water Rates
Light and Heat
Insurance
Internet
Maintenance
Caretaker Fees and cleaning
Improvements
**ACTIVITIES**
Camp Costs and Food
Outings, Entry Fees and Sundries
**FUND RAISING EXPENSES**
Bransgore Fun Day
Tent and Marquee Hire
Beer Festival
Sundries
**DONATIONS / GRANTS**
**ADMIN / ESTABLISHMENT EXPENSES**
Stationery
**OTHER EXPENSES**
AGM
Admin charges
Thankyou/Gifts
Uniforms
Training
Sundries
**PURCHASE OF BADGES, NECKERS AND HANDBOOKS**
**SUB-TOTAL**|**This Year**
**£**
100
392
2,466
2,881
120
735
1,493
0
8,187
4,366
2,174
6,540
62
0
1,476
50
1,587
0
29
244
508
169
0
0
2,0382
2,958
1,012
20,313|**2022**
**£**
100
142
1,850
2,625
120
1,863
1,939
378|
|---|---|---|
|||9,017|
|||3,293
2,261|
|||5,554|
|||44
154
729
89|
|||1,017|
|||0
0
259
516
400
503
0
860|
|||2539|
|||1,106|
|||19,232|
> 2 This includes £1,129 for the Defibrillator
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 12 of 15
|**PURCHASE OF CAPITAL EQUIPMENT**
**CAPITAL EXPENDITURE:**
General Site
HQ
Ann’s Lodge
Less insurance claim
**TOTAL PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR**|948
6,4393
0
19,4974
(9,630)5
**37,567**|884
0
0
7,021
0|
|---|---|---|
|||**27,137**|
> 3 Resurfacing of the driveway from the main road and car park area in front of HQ 4 This completes the majority of the work on refurbishing Ann’s Lodge 5 This was to repair the extensive damage caused to the front corner of Ann’s Lodge by the car park
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 13 of 15
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
|**MONETARY ASSETS**
Bank Current Accounts
Cash in Hand
**OTHER MONETARY ASSETS**
Tax Claim for Year Ending (Estimate)
Debts due to Group / District
**INVESTMENT ASSETS**
Government stocks at market value
Other quoted securities at market value
Other investments
Property held for investment purposes
**NON-MONETARY ASSETS (Assets for Charity’s own use)**
Badge Secretary’s Stock
Group / District Shop Stock
Land and Buildings
Scouting Equipment, Furniture, etc.
**LIABILITIES (Payable after more than one year)**
Loan
**CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND FUTURE OBLIGATIONS**|**This Year**
**£**
14,824
31
14,855
2,000
0
2,000
0
0
0
0
0
200
0
380,000
35,000
415,200
0
0
0|**2022**
**£**
18,620
104|
|---|---|---|
|||18,723|
|||2,000
0|
|||2,000|
|||0
0
0
0|
|||0|
|||200
0
380,000
35,000|
|||415,200|
|||0|
|||0|
||||
|||0|
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 14 of 15
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
To the Trustees of the 6[th ] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group Scout Council:
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 6[th ] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group for the year ended 31[st] December, 2023 which are set out on the previous pages.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity trustees of the 6[th ] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the 6[th ] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group accounts carried out under section 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 Act.
## **Independent Examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the 6[th ] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: ___________________________ Name: J Malins Qualification: Chartered Management Accountant (A.C.M.A.) Address: 205 Salisbury Road, Burton, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 7JT Date: 14[th] March 2024
6[th] Christchurch (Bransgore) Scout Group
Page 15 of 15