2025-03-31-accounts - Ninth Dartford Scout Group

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2024 Period start date To 31 March 2025 Period end date

Charity name: Ninth Dartford Scout Group

Charity registration number: 271270

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	Ninth Dartford Scout Group is a trust established under Scouting rules (see detail on the background on this point in the Governance section later in this report) and its purpose is that which is common to all scouts. The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local national and international communities. The method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	As with other Scout Groups Ninth Dartford has the aim of promoting the development of young people by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive learning based on the scout promise and law. The hall is used for section nights and as a base. The former includes developing new skills such as cooking, sleep-overs and art although there are external visits such as ice skating and tobogganing. The latter means that we have somewhere to keep our many indoor and outdoor games and, of course, camping equipment. The support which the Council provided in 2021 (see our 2022 report to the charity Commission) has been used to ‘open up’ our outside area for troop night use. We now have a dedicated fenced off area for a firepit

		and a large area for games. Safety features - a dedicated cage for gas canisters and a dedicated shed for the mowing equipment- have also been completed.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The year to March 2025 saw improvements to the hall and grounds, but the group also grew. The Squirrels Scout section mentioned in the 2022 report is not just full but has a large waiting list. Our wider support for the community has, since the 2022 report, including providing our hall for use by the NHS Vaccination service and one-off support to the local professional Pantomime for costume facilities.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	This review takes the form of the annual accounts, which have been provided to the charity Commission and show that the charity is solvent and has sufficient reserves. But must be considered in accordance with other information in this section.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The policy is to hold reserves of at least £3,000, sufficient to cover at least three months essential running costs.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	The balance sheet shows £36,067. This is due, in part, to an increase in income from renting out the Scout hall and the fact that we have kept some Covid assistance which we were still using to keep the weekly subs at the same rate in 2025 and for 2026.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	Not applicable
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There are none.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Weekly subs (and their inherent Gift Aid claim) along with parents contributions towards some activities and our aforementioned increase in hiring the hall out are the principle sources of income.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The Group’s 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: Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The

Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Indeed it had the hall revalued during 2025 to ensure that the insurance was adequate. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions, hall hire and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. 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. Reduction or loss of members. As at 31 March 2025 the group provided activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. It still does. 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. Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	The Groups governing documents are those of the Scout Association . They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turns gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all scouts
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	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 Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leaders, individual section leaders and parent’s representation and meets every 2 to 3 months. This Group Trustee Board exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for: The maintenance of Group property; The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance; The insurance of persons, property and equipment; Group public occasions; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any sub committees that

		may be required; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any sub committees that may be required; Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Ninth Dartford Scout Group
Other name the charity uses	Informally it uses‘9th Dartford Scout Group’
Registered charity number	271270
Charity’s principal address	The Charity is a part of the Scouting Organisation.

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Simon Sear	Chair
	Julie Southcott	Group Lead Volunteer
	Philip Hamblin	Group Treasurer
	Shaun Ford	Trustee
	Wilson Couchman	Trustee
	Neil Gearing	Trustee
	Desmond Harris	Trustee
	Pauline Daly	Trustee
	Liam Fensome	Trustee
	Jack Ford	Trustee
	Leigh Hunter	Trustee
	Justin Watson	Trustee
	Sarah Gull	Trustee

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name Not applicable

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Not applicable

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser	Name Address	Name Address
		Not applicable

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Not applicable

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Simon Sear Full name(s) Philip John Hamblin Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Group Chair Chair, etc)

Date 30 January 2026

9th DARTFORD SCOUT GROUP

Accounts

Year Ending 31st March 2025

9th DARTFORD SCOUT GROUP

Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025

Income		£	£	Expenditure		£
				Group expenses
Group Subscriptions with national capitation payments				Section night costs;	Squirrels	562
Squirrels		2,340			Beavers	1,027
Beaver Section		3,200			Cubs	424
Cub Section		2,812			Scouts	1,135
Scout Section		1,676			Explorers	377
Explorers		653			Joint (bouncy castle)	205
		10,681				3,730
Total subscriptions for group			5,693
Total payments for capitation			4,988	Capitation
			10,681	Group		4,675
				Explorers		313
						4,988
Fund Raising & Donations				Other expenses
Hall rental			9,157	Camps (including Group camp)		1,891
Gift aid (for year ending 5 April		2023)	2,191	Clothing (new logo this year)		1,217
General donations			1,370	Cleaning		1,370
Bizarre			587	Hall safety checks and equipment		927
			13,305	Badges		747
				Bizarre and St Georges day Parade		740
				AGM, group Software, leader expenses		471
						7,363
				Overheads
Camp contributions				Gas		1,868
				Insurance (hall)		1,260
Other income				Rent (land)		1,000
Section night contributions			1,174	Water rates		370
Family camp contributions			1520	Electricity		324
Camp contributions			724	Performing rights society		316
Clothing sales (excluding camp clothing)			649			5,138
			4,067	Group improvements/repairs
				New concrete base		1,869
				Equipment		1,695
				Repairs		80
						3,644
				Prepayments for camps
				Summer 2025 Kent International Jamboree		750
				CampBeaver camp April 2025		735
				Gilwell camp, November 2025		211
						1696

GROSS INCOME			28,053	TOTAL EXPENSES		26,559
Opening Balance 1st April 2024			£	Bank and cash reconciliation at 31 March		2025
Bank current accounts and money on Hypercard			33,641	Cash and cheques on hand;		£
Bank deposit account			89		Squirrels	39
Cash in hand			843		Beavers	48
			34,573		Cubs	285
					Scouts	0
Plus Income			28,053		Explorers	71
Total			62,626		Hyperjar card	910
						1,353
Less expenditure			26,559	Cash in current accounts		34,624
				Cash in deposit account		90
Closing balance at 31 March 2025			36,067	Closing balance at	31 March 2025	36,067
Signed ……………	Simon Sear		Simon Sear
			Group Chair
Dated		1/30/2026	Page 1 of 2

9th DARTFORD SCOUT GROUP

Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025

Notes to Accounts & Treasurers Report

Records and accounts

As with earlier years I would like to thank the Section Lead volunteers and hall-hire manager for their excellent records.

Last year I reported the efforts, mainly sorted by Shaun Ford, to reduce the Gas Bill from over £4,000. The reduction to under £2,000 was helped by all leaders but primarily from Shauns suggestions and a new contract.

The increase in the Performing Rights Society expenditure is due in part to the fact that some of the 2024 dues were paid during the 2025 year but also to the increase in hall rental income between 2023 and 2024. I expect that we will experience a similar increase next year.

Donations

National and local bodies have been generous this year, and we would like to thank them all, including; The Scout section enjoyed a November Gilwell camp which was funded by Scout Headquarters. PP Catering donated £145 from one of their raffles.

Jim Trott for his donation of £300 to be used for a gardening tools shed which Jim will be pleased to know that it was put into position in September 2025.

The generous donation of £800 from the Bird in Hand is to be used for the benefit of all who attend the Group Camp in July 2026.

Scout Bank

There were no movements in this year so the Scout Bank remained at £1,188 throughout.

The Group

Improvement expenses include Hi Viz Jackets, games - both indoor and outdoor as well as improvements on the premises including the concrete base in the grounds and almost £1,000 worth of tables.

The Hall

The hall continued to be used by non-scouting organisations, including a knitting & crochet club, a dance club and the NHS Immunisation team as well as being a polling station for elections. Due to egregious behaviour including abuse and fly tipping from a small minority of users we are limiting the categories of people to whom we allow access to the hall.

Statement of assets and liabilities

Opening funds Income Expenses Closing funds Increase in funds Assets New equipment costs Hall improvement costs Taken to P+L account Net improvement costs Deposit account Current accounts Cash and cheques in hand	£ 1,695 1,869	£ 34,573 28,053 26,559 36,067 Signed P.Hamblin Philip Hamblin Treasurer Date 30-Jan-26 90 34,624 1,353 36,067 Page 2 of 2
	3,564
	0
		36,067

Unquallfied report for a non-company charity preparlng recelpts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financlal year Indepdent examlner's report to th• trust••s of 9th Dartford Scout Coundl I r•port to tlx trusts•s on rny •xarnln•tlon ol •ccourts ol th• 9• D•rtford Scout Group fof th• y•ar ded 31March 2025. Responslbillti•s and basls of r•port As th• ch•rlty truste•s ol th• P Dartlord Scout Group you we r•sponslble for the pr•p4r•don ol the •co)unts In Kcord•nc• with r•qulr•m•rts ot th• Ch•riti•s Act 2011 fth• Act.). I r•port In r•sFrt of ry •x•mln•tlon of th• V Dartford Scout GfOUP •ccourrtG c•rrl•d und•r s•rtlon 145 of th• 2011 Art and In c4rylno out my •xamlnatlon I h•ve lollowed all th• 4ppUcabL• DlrKtlons glv•n by th• CrIty Commissk)n und•r srftion 145{5){bl of tt ACL Ind•p•ndent •xamln•r's st•t•m•nt I h•v• conwleted my •Mmlnatlon. I confirm th•t no m•t•r14l m•tt•rs con* to my •tt•nJon In conn•ctlon wlth th• •xarnin•tion gNing causq to bdl•v• th4t In •ny m•terlal respect.. •c£ourrtlng r•cords w•r• rnt k•pt In r•sp•ct of th• V Dartford Scout Group as r•qu5r•d s•ctlon 130 of th• Act or 2. th&entS do Mt •ccord wFth thom r•cord& I h•v• no o)nc•ms •nd hw• com• Kross rn other m•tt•rs In conn•ctAon wlth the examln•th)n to whlth ttentlon shwld b• dr•wn kn thls In ordér to •nabl• • wop•r und•rstsndlry of th• accounts to b• r••th•d, N•rn•: Helen Hooper R•l•vart wf•ssM)n•l qu•llfic4lion or m•rnhIp of prof•sslon•l l>odl•s (ff aryl: FCCA Addr•ss: 93 Th• Str••L M•r•worth, mdIton•, K•rt ME18 SLU