REGISTERED CHARITY No 276613
91[st]
Annual General Meeting June 9[th] , 2021
WELCOME
The President and District Officials cordially welcome you to the
91[st ] Annual General Meeting of Loddon District Scout Council On Wednesday June 9[th] , 2021
via
Zoom
The agenda for the meeting, the minutes of the last AGM and the various reports are set out in the following pages.
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LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday June 9[th] 8.00pm
Zoom
AGENDA
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Introduction and welcome
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Apologies for absence
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To approve the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 9[th] September 2020.
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The District Commissioner’s review of Scouting in Loddon District
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To receive and consider the Annual Report of the District Executive Committee including the annual Statement of the Accounts.
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To approve the District Commissioner’s nomination of the District Chair
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Election of the District Secretary
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Election of the District Treasurer
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Elections of members to the District Executive Committee
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To approve the District Commissioner’s nominations to the District Executive Committee
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Election of Group Scouters to represent the District on Berkshire County Scout Council
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To appoint the Independent Examiner
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Presentations
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Comments by County Commissioner
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Close
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Minutes of the 90[th] Annual General Meeting of the Loddon District Scout Council held on Wednesday 9[th] September 2020 over Zoom & commencing at 8.00pm
1. Introduction and welcome
The President, Mick Stocks, opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
He then commented on what a strange way it was to hold an AGM! He said that we have been in strange times for 6 months, and of course it’s been a challenging time for the young and not so young; worries about Covid itself; the impact it’s had on family & friends; socialising; schooling, lifestyle, travel, work, the economy, the list is endless, and we know from guidelines, in fact legislation, given today that we are not yet out of the woods.
Yet, against this challenging background, adult volunteers seem to be keen to make sure Scouting returns as soon as it can. We have even had online programmes, contact with our members, and some limited outdoor activities. This speaks volumes of the dedication of our adult volunteers, and he wanted to thank everyone for staying on the Scouting journey particularly at this difficult time.
Personally, he believes that young people will need the fun and friendship of Scouting even more when we come out of this situation. So, we need our adult volunteers even more. Please hang in there!
But we have to be patient and follow guidance from the government and The Scout Association. The TSA guidance, with tips, is available on the County website. We also need to respect that some of our adult volunteers will need longer to feel at ease in returning to Scouting and that must be ok! Again, thanks for all you have done pre-Covid, during Covid, and will do to get Scouting back to where it should be.
Before handing back to Donald to Chair the AGM he wanted to thank him and the Executive; and to thank Geoff, Jenny, and the District Team for all their hard work, often unseen and at times not an easy task!
He said Donald would bring us up to speed on the Paddicks Patch project, but he just wanted to thank Donald and his project team for all their work, again mostly in the background. This work has continued during lockdown, and he had seen the professional and detailed work, there have been reports, surveys, applications, and of course some fundraising. A new building at PP is something that we can all look forward to and be proud of.
So, with lots of thanks and appreciation, he passed the meeting to Donald.
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2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from, Simon Pickett, Pete Jeffreys, Chris Fido, Ross Burton, Phil Redrup, Malcolm Fillingham, Hannah Lee, Paul Fahey, Joan Fahey, Ian Loring, Barbara Loring & Ian Aitken.
3. Approval of Minutes of AGM held on 19 June 2019.
The District Chair, Donald MacDonald, then took over chairing the meeting by welcoming all those present to our 90[th] AGM, in particular Nigel Bevan our County Commissioner and James Mulligan, Deputy County Commissioner. Some 19 District members also attended.
He said the Paddicks Patch Project had been a long road and that Thames Water have been very cooperative in that we will have mains water in the new building. Keith Walker from Haslams has been our project manager for two years and has worked very hard for us for no remuneration. 60% of the funding is now in place and we hope to get the rest once the application has been approved by Wokingham District Council, which hopefully should be in November.
The minutes of the 90th Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 19[th] June 2019 have been previously reviewed by the District Executive and were agreed as a true record of the meeting by Tom Toy with a show of hands to approve.
- District Commissioner’s Review of Scouting in Loddon District In addition to his written report Geoff said that this had been a strange year but that plenty of Scouting had happened before the lockdown. He highlighted the fact that a long-awaited new Explorer base had been opened in Lower Earley. He said that the Network Unit had been started up and that Malcolm Fillingham was doing a great job in kick starting it.
99th Reading had closed their Beaver Colony last year and County had helped them to reopen it with the support of Sam Lamb, in January. He hoped it would flourish when Scouting returns to normal.
We have a new ADC (Scouts) in Pete Rogers who is an experienced Scouter. Darren Early has taken over the role of GSL at 1[st] Lower Earley and Mark Royle is our new AGSL at 1[st] Charvil.
Our Treasurer Lucy Collaco sadly died at the beginning of lockdown, which was a shock to us all, we will miss her.
We are working hard to get our provisional and pre-provisional leaders to do their training in line with guidance from headquarters.
Lots of our Scouts have been achieving badges during lockdown, we have taken part in the camp at home event, in fact 306 scouts took part.
Many thanks to all our leaders for their hard work throughout the year and we hope for another successful year ahead.
The Chair expressed his thanks to Geoff for his part in keeping Scouting running in the District.
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5. To receive and consider the annual report of the District Executive Committee including the annual statement of accounts.
The Chair said that as trustees, the District Executive Committee has approved the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. We are extremely grateful to Geoff Cox for getting the end of year accounts finalised. We have plenty of reserves in place thanks to Lucy’s good management. As our Treasurer was unable to attend, he would undertake to answer any questions. There were none.
6. To approve the District Commissioner’s nomination of the District Chair.
Donald then handed over the chairmanship of the meeting to Geoff the DC, who nominated Donald as District Chair and asked for a show of hands to approve the nomination. This was agreed unanimously.
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To elect the District Secretary – Helen Price has been formally proposed and seconded, so we now need a show of hands to approve the election. This was agreed unanimously.
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To elect the District Treasurer – Simon Roberts has been formally proposed and seconded, so we now need a show of hands to approve the election. This was agreed unanimously.
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Nominations to the District Scout Council
There are three nominations: -
The Youth Commissioner – Hannah Lee
The District Explorer Commissioner – Stuart Johnson The District Network Commissioner – Malcolm Fillingham
10. To elect persons to the District Executive Committee
The Secretary then listed the following people as having been formally proposed and seconded.
Beaver Scout Section – vacant Cub Section – vacant Scout Section – Pete Rogers District Scout Active Support – Chris Fido Safety co-ordinator – Robin Phillips
The Chair then asked for a show of hands to approve the elections which was given unanimously.
11. District Commissioner’s nominations
The DC then nominated Ulla Swynford-Lain as District Appointment Secretary and Jenny Lamprell as Deputy DC.
These nominations were noted by the meeting.
The Chair then thanked the District Executive Committee for their work throughout the year.
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12. Election of representative to the County Scout Council
The Secretary then said that Tom Toy, GSL 1[st] Twyford Scout Group had been proposed and seconded and asked for a show of hands to approve the nomination. This was agreed unanimously.
13. Appointment of Hon Independent Examiner
The Chair then said that Geoff Cox had been proposed and seconded and asked for a show of hands to approve the nomination. This was agreed unanimously.
14. County Commissioner’s Comments
Nigel Bevan said that he had read our reports with great interest as they listed the activities, we used to be able to do before the lockdown. This has been a very difficult time for us all and many of our leaders have put on fantastic programmes via Zoom. We thought that we were getting back to face-to-face meetings but as there was another announcement today, we will wait to see how it will affect us. We know that HQ is in consultation with the relevant departments, and we should know within 72 hours what will happen. WINGS was postponed this year and also the European Jamboree and we now need to know how best we can support our Groups. There may well be a number of young people who won’t come back to Scouting and also some leaders, but our County LDO and VDO will help those who need support when returning. We are trying to help people with programme support online.
Mick Stocks is looking at meeting places and risk assessments for the buildings. We have benefitted from the finance and leisure & hospitality grant and £600,000 has gone into various Groups in the County. It may be necessary to set up a hardship fund as some Groups will be struggling over the next few months. We are trying to get all our leaders to complete their mandatory training. He had been bombarded with league tables and pleased to say that we are now 6[th] in the country, we have 7% noncompliance, but we need to get this down to 2%. The Great Orme tragedy last year has deeply affected Scouting. My thanks to Geoff and Jenny for their hard work, we have a way to go but thank you to all for all you do for Scouting.
15. Closing Remarks
There were no other comments to be made so the Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.32pm. The next AGM is due to take place on 16[th] June 2021.
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DISTRICT COMMISSIONER REVIEW 2020 – 2021
Scouting in Loddon District continues to be good; This however is set against the Covid 19 Pandemic which has seen Face to Face Scouting suspended for much of the year, Sections have adapted to running weekly or fortnightly meetings on Zoom with some really outstanding programmes that shows how adaptable Scouting can be.
Our membership has taken a hit due to the lockdowns with reductions in all sections, Beaver Scouts have taken the brunt of the losses, but this is also reflected across the Country and Loddon has actually faired better than a lot of Districts even in our own County. Over the coming twelve months we should see sections starting to grow again and there are plans in place to support this growth. In fact, we are already starting to see that growth with a new Scout Troop at 1st Lower Earley and Beaver recruitment at 3rd Woodley.
Lots of our sections have now started meeting face to face again and with restrictions easing and changes made to the Scout Association guidelines it is now easier for sections to run their programmes outdoors. Indoor meetings are also now possible but are still restricted by social distancing, let us hope June 21st will see a final relaxation in the government’s rules covering Covid-19. We will have to wait a little longer before we can restart Nights Away events. I know that there are Packs and Troops who are just waiting for the greenlight, plans are in place so as soon as we get the go ahead these activities can start again. Sections can however organise day length activities so trips to local attractions, water-based activities and hikes are all now possible.
We continue to do well with our Getting Started Training although we do currently have a few folk who are outside the 5 month deadline so GSL’s need to ensure these folk are picked up and the training is completed. We are also doing well with our Safety and Safeguarding Training and DBS checks with few outside the HQ targets for both of these. There are however a lot of folk who now need to book onto a First Aid Course and complete the online Modules. Some more work is also required on Wood Badges that are due for completion in September. Jane Moore continues to inform GSLs about all matters of training – thank you Jane. The Scout Shop has recently reopened to face to face Customers but it continued trading through the lockdowns with Badge Orders being taken by email and then delivered to Customers and sales of Uniform made from the Garden of Barbara and Ian , thank you both for keeping this service going through the last twelve months.
We are moving ahead with our plans for the new District HQ building and associated works at our camp site Paddicks Patch. We have received a number of grants through the pandemic and I hope in the coming twelve months we will be able to start some of the work.
Congratulations to Richard Best CSL 1st Wargrave Wildcats on the award of the Award for Merit. I will be presenting Richard with his Award face to face in July. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Loddon for what you have done in keeping Scouting going over the last twelve months it has been the most challenging time I have known but we have come though it and hopefully we are in a strong position to move forward.
Geoff Barnes District Commisioner
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DISTRICT CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
As I write this, it doesn't feel that long since our last AGM. Of course as we all know, it isn't that long either, because we had to delay our 2020 AGM until the Autumn because of the Covid pandemic.
Life as we know it for the past year has been far from normal and indeed whatever "normal" looks like going forward is still anyone's guess.
In the meantime we have all done our best to continue to deliver Scouting when we have been permitted/able and this has called on all our resourcefulness. We have needed to learn new and different skills and the way in which Scouting has been delivered is quite different from anything that has gone before. Who would have thought of Scouting by Zoom even 18 months ago?!
We hope that the second half of 2021 allows us to rebuild and get ourselves back in shape so that we can deliver Scouting for our young people and adults once again.
There are probably learnings and practices that we have embraced during the pandemic that can help us in the months and years ahead and we can benefit by reflecting on our ways of working.
It has been a challenging time for us all and continues to be so, and the freedoms we have perhaps taken for granted are maybe a bit more appreciated.
Thank you for continuing to be a part of Scouting in Loddon and for doing your bit to keep things going in challenging times.
Our patience, fortitude and diligence will be rewarded in the times ahead.
Donald MacDonald Loddon District Chairman
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LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
DISTRICT TREASURER’S REPORT Y/E 31/03/2021
The district accounts for 2020/21 have been prepared as required by the Charities Act 2011.
Total Assets stood at £106,658 as at 31st March 2021 (£98,289 31/3/20).
The bank balance includes restricted funds totalling £59,589 which are used for specific purposes. Details of individual funds can be found in the Notes to the Accounts statement.
A surplus of Income over Expenditure of £8,369 was generated.
The District has been significantly affected by the Covid pandemic. This has curtailed most activities and the Scout Shop has been similarly affected. The contribution for the year is £66.
There were no applications for the International Fund during the year.
The District Executive Committee considers that the district should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs in reserve and we continue to meet this requirement.
The Paddicks Patch Project continues, and planning permission has now been granted.
The section Groups are reported separately as part of the main District report.
The Receipts and Payment account and a Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Loddon District Scout Council can be viewed in the attachments to this report.
We thank all the Group Treasurers, Group Scout Leaders and Trustees for their continued support.
Simon Roberts District Treasurer
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LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Roceipts and Payments Account Summary fortho ygar•A¢kd 31st March 2021 ehprity N 276613 Fur Trtsi Fun(l% TotslFund¥ Totsl rAc•iptsfory•ar Total payrneThts fOrYreAd 22.1 13,830 23.741 S9.S9t Ngtof rqcqIpPYIMtrtsIforYa¢ 11 5811 {1.$811 Cash. bank &ilh•r nrtfjts lfvd C¥h, batsk & othwn#tass•tscfft 47.069 1Cffj.650 9a289 srnary ofA5ts arKI Liatiilibts at 31st March 2021 CETNJVASSETS Fund Funds Tthl Fund5 TofalFtmd Bank Bthcés Cash In H 43.07S 127 2.lff2 IZY 101791 92.311 OTHERMOIARy A5sEf5 Dqbts ¢uelrw Gttw NON4AONETARY ASSErs 5coutShop stk 11.326 12.OY4 54.S28 7459 59.5U9 114.11Y 7,459 106,658 104.325 UABIUTIES.prwxid sUbrip 47.(5 98.289 e Rec&pts4nd P•TheMAcfoLrf &jry¢fA$s¥ad ikn OVOb*d Page 11 of 19
LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Receipts and Payments Account
| Receipts for the year ended 31st March 2021 | Receipts for the year ended 31st March 2021 | Receipts for the year ended 31st March 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS Donations, legacies and similar income Membership subscriptions Less: Membership subscriptions paid on (National/County/Area/District) Net membership subscriptions retained Donations Gift Aid Other similar income/Legacy Sub total Grants Paddicks Patch Project International Fund Berkshire Scouts Jamboree Sub total Fundraising (gross) Cubs/Beavers Scouts Explorer Scout Active Support Unit Paddicks Patch Other fundraising activities -Disrict Events Sub total Investment income Bank interest(COIF) Scout Shop Sub total Total Gross Income To COIF a/c Total Receipts |
2020/21 Unrestricted funds £ 57,241 (51,551) 5,690 - - - 5,690 - - - - - - 16,151 12 165 - 16,328 76 66 142 22,160 - 22,160 |
2020/21 Restricted funds £ - - - - - 13,430 13,430 200 - - 200 - - - - - - - - - - - - 13,630 - 13,630 |
2020/21 Total funds £ 57,241 (51,551) 5,690 - - 13,430 19,120 200 - - 200 - - 16,151 12 165 - 16,328 76 66 - - 142 35,790 - 35,790 |
2019/20 Total funds £ 55,067 (49,483) 5,584 - - - 5,584 4,690 - 2,780 7,470 4,218 1,487 38,726 342 2,378 50 47,201 389 2,476 - - 2,865 63,120 1,200 64,320 |
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LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Receipts and Payments Account
| Payments for the year | ended 31st March 2021 | ended 31st March 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAYMENTS Charitable Payments Premises - Paddicks Patch Premises - Scout Shop Section Expenses International Fund AGM and trustee expenses Insurance Independent Examiners Fees Adult support and training General Expenses Paddicks Patch-Pre Plan fees Fundraising Fees Paddicks Patch Project Berkshire Scouts Jamboree Sub total Section Activities Cubs/Beavers Scouts Explorer Scouts Scout Active Support Unit Other fundraising costs- District Events Sub total Total Gross Expenditure To COIF a/c Total Payments Net of receipts/(payments) Transfers between funds Net assets last year end Net assets this year end |
2020/21 Unrestricted funds £ 2,368 715 - - 995 238 138 - 183 - 4,637 - 32 18,751 50 271 19,104 23,741 23,741 - 1,581 48,650 47,069 |
2020/21 Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 3,680 - 3,680 - - - - - - 3,680 - 3,680 9,950 49,639 59,589 |
2020/21 Total funds £ 2,368 715 - - 995 238 138 - 183 - - 3,680 - 8,317 - 32 18,751 50 271 19,104 27,421 - 27,421 8,369 - 98,289 106,658 |
2019/20 Total funds £ 3,205 680 512 - 1,220 218 100 - - - - 2,000 4,523 12,458 4,253 1,834 40,636 95 315 47,133 59,591 - 59,591 4,729 - 93,560 98,289 |
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LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
| Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31st March 2021 | Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31st March 2021 | Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31st March 2021 | Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31st March 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash funds Bank-Loddon District Scout Council Bank- COIF Deposit Fund Bank- Scout Shop Account Bank- District Scout Account Bank- Explorer Scout Account Bank-Loddon Scout Active Support Cash/Floats Total cash funds Other monetary assets Tax claim Debts due from the County/Area/District/Group Insurance claim Sub total Investment assets Other investments - detail Sub total Non monetary assets for charity's own use Shop items & Badges stock Other Sub total Liabilities Accounts not yet paid Expenses incurred but not invoiced Subscriptions paid in advance Loan - detail Other liabilities Sub total Net assets |
31/03/21 Unrestricted funds £ 23,570 4,399 3,256 2,428 6,389 3,033 127 43,202 - - - - - - 11,326 - 11,326 - - 7,459 - - 7,459 47,069 |
31/03/21 Restricted funds £ - 59,589 - - - - - 59,589 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 59,589 |
31/03/21 Total funds £ 23,570 63,988 3,256 2,428 6,389 3,033 127 102,791 - - - - - - 11,326 - 11,326 - - 7,459 - - 7,459 106,658 |
31/03/20 Total funds £ 11,250 63,912 2,508 2,460 8,989 3,083 109 92,311 - - - - - - 12,014 - 12,014 - - 6,036 - - 6,036 98,289 |
NON-MONETARY ASSETS
| (based on insurance values) Buildings Contents&Equipment Trailers |
Explorer Scouts £20,000 £46,520 £8,254 |
Loddon District- Paddicks&Shop £57,250 £22,550 |
|---|---|---|
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LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
Notes to accompany the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities 2005 (SORP 2005), the Charities Act 1996 and applicable accounting standards.
2 . MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
The gross figure includes subscriptions due to Headquarters and County.
3. DONATIONS/GRANT
The amount of £200 was received from various sources towards the PP Project.
4. INTERNATIONAL FUND
The funds remain unchanged and no requests have been received.
5. FUNDS
Unrestricted funds represent the funds of this Council that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the Council are deemed as restricted funds and are summarised below. The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which this Council is responsible in law. The total Restricted Funds for the year are £59,589.
| Restricted Fund Balances as at 31st March 2021 |
International Fund |
Beavers a/c |
Paddicks Patch Fund |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2,716 | £552 | £56,321 |
6. PADDICKS PATCH
This wooded area of land in Waingels Road was donated to Loddon District Scouts in 1982 by Sidney Paddick for use as a camp site. In September 1990, a prefabricated building was donated by Barclays Bank and erected on the site. This is now the Loddon District Headquarters. The building will be reconstructed, and detailed planning work is currently being undertaken following receipt of full planning permission.
7 . SECTIONS
The District Scout Explorers, Scout Active Support Unit and District Scouts maintain separate accounts. The District Cub and Beaver funds are included as restricted funds within the main account.
8. LODDON DISTRICT SCOUT SHOP
Scout shop items have been valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The Scout Shop maintains a separate account. The shop made a contribution of £66 to District funds in the year.
9 . TRUSTEE EXPENSES
Trustees received expenses totalling £995 in the year to 31/3/21.
10. PUBLIC INTEREST
The District Council meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings. The Trustees have had regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission when deciding upon the activities for the year.
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Loddon District Scout Section Report - 2021
Tentative restarts and inversely rapid returns to Zoom meetings has been the theme of the year so far, with the usual District Scout events all falling victim to the restrictions we have all had to endure throughout the year.
However, with the “light at the end of the tunnel” approaching, there is hope that maybe things can return to something like normal this year, whether this is in time to save Summer Camps, remains to be seen.
I have a suspicion that local or low resource camps are likely to be the most realistic scenarios for the foreseeable future, but I am sure we will rise to the challenge like normal.
Numbers of Scouts and Leaders across the Troops has also declined, in line with County and national levels. Unfortunately, the Beaver section appears to have taken the brunt of the declining numbers, but I believe there is time to minimise any effect this may have on Troop sizes over the coming years.
Around the District, Scout Troops have continued in the spirit of Scouting, with the Leaders continuing to “do their best” to organise activities that engage the Scouts however they can.
The return of Troops restarting from lockdown is lower in Loddon compared to the rest of the County but is being investigated on a Troop-by-Troop basis to see if District can assist in any way to allow for Troops to restart as soon as possible.
Whilst the recent extension of the Zoom licenses until May 2022 announced by TSA are welcome, hopefully these will be used in the future as an infrequent tool to supplement the Scouting programme and not become the norm like last year.
There is no news to report on the Murray Plate this year as the Scout Leaders decided to postpone the competition, however we are all looking forward to the Great Breakfast Chase (restrictions permitting) being back on the menu for this October.
Finally, I would like to say an especially large thank you to every Scout in Loddon for the past year. Their enthusiasm during these exceptional times has helped make being a volunteer just that little bit easier, and more worthwhile and cannot wait to see you all again at future District Events.
Thank You!
Peter Rogers “Zed” ADC Scouts
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LOODON DISTRICT SCOUT NEWORK
AGM 2021 UPDATE
It has been a difficult year for Network with lock down and the members not really getting to spend any time together. In October over half the membership went off to various parts of the country to university.
Over the year we have held zoom meetings on a monthly bases with mixed attendance and we did manage a local hike earlier in the year when restrictions were lifted.
We are hope that as the members return and restrictions are lifted, we can start to meet again face to face.
Links with the Explorers need to be enhanced so that we can encourage those Explorer scouts that reach 18 move on to Network.
At the close of the year, we have 15 members and 2 Leaders.
Malcolm District Network Commissioner
LODDON DISTRICT ACTIVE SUPPORT UNIT ANNUAL REPORT 2021
This year has continued in much the same way as last year. We have all been carefully isolating and have not held any face-to-face meetings either indoors or out. We did however start to hold our bimonthly meeting over Zoom in January. Most of our members can access Zoom so our first meeting was just a chat to catch up with everyone’s doings throughout the pandemic.
Our second meeting in March took the form of a show and tell which gave people a chance to talk about something related to Scouting or not as they chose, this was very successful.
For our May meeting we arranged for a speaker to join us to tell us about the statues and sculptures in and around Reading, which was extremely interesting. We hope to be able to go and see some of them when we are able. If restrictions continue to relax then we hope to resume our face-to-face meetings on September 20th, at a venue to be confirmed.
We will be very happy to welcome any new members, we meet on the third Monday of the month on alternate months so September, November, March & May. We hold a meal in January and July and usually go on a visit in June. Anyone wishing to join us for any meeting will be very welcome. We plan to publish our programme on the District website.
Chris Fido Manager, Loddon District Active Support Unit
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Safety Co-ordinator Report
As there has been little face-to-face Scouting over the past year, only one safety inspection has taken place at 1[st] Sonning.
I have been working as part of a small team within the district to progress authorisations for return to face-to-face meetings. As lockdown restrictions ease, I am hopeful that this work will increase.
The code of practice for the testing of portable electrical appliances (PAT Testing) has been updated to the 5[th] edition. Some of the changes in measurement limits mean not all testers currently in use are capable of measuring to the new test limits. In practice this probably has little effect on deciding if equipment is safe to use. From experience most faults become apparent during a visual examination.
Fixed wiring installations now come under the 18[th] edition of the wiring regulations. All cabling now needs to be supported along its route to prevent the cable dropping in the event of a fire. This used to apply only to entrance and exit routes. The days of draping data and video leads over suspended ceilings are gone!
Hopefully as Scouting begins to reopen, I will be able to carry out further safety audits within the District.
Robin Phillips
District Safety Co-ordinator.
Shop Report 2021
Although the shop was not actually open during the year, we did set up a mail order delivery/collection system, which enabled us to sell £4646 worth of stock, of which £2895 was for badges.
We were hoping to open the shop in September, but then another lock down came, so it remained shut until after Easter.
Our expenses getting set up for Covid safety and the purchase of a card machine amounted to £231. The majority of our takings are now through the card machine.
Our sales would not have covered our costs for the year, but fortunately 1[st] Woodley kindly returned our £900 rent as they had received a grant from the Council.
Some of our volunteer assistants have decided not to come back at present, so we have altered our Thursday trading hours to 4 to 7pm, which is working well. Saturday’s hours remain the same.
Barbara and Ian Loring
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