## Trustees' Annual Report 

## For the period 

|From (start date)||**0**|**1**|**0**|**4**|**2**|**4**|**4**|**4**||**3**|**1**|**0**|**3**|**2**|**5**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||||||||
|**Section A**||||**Reference and administration details**|||||||||||||
|Charity name<br>Other names the charity is known by<br>Registered charity number (if any)<br>HQ registration number<br>Charity’s principal address||||1st Leighton Buzzard Scout Group<br>N/A<br>2<br>7<br>9<br>3<br>3<br>0|||||||||||||
|||||1st L|eighton Buzzard Scout Group||||||||||||
|||||Grov|eburyRoad||||||||||||
|||||LEIG|HTON BUZZARD||||||||||||
|||||Post||||code|L||U|7|4|S|W||



## Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity 

_(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)_ 

|1<br>2<br>3<br>4<br>5<br>6<br>7<br>8<br>9<br>10<br>11<br>12<br>13<br>14<br>15|**Trustee Name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**<br>**whole year**|
|---|---|---|---|
||Ian Summerfield|Chairperson||
||Stephanie Harris|Treasurer||
||Rob Redfern|GSL||
||Dave Perkins|Trustee||
||ZacharyDover|Trustee|1st Sept 24 - Present|
||Amanda Godden|Trustee||
||Edward Goddard|Trustee||
||Stephen Anderson|New Joint GSL|11th April 25- Present|
||Graham Mills|New Joint GSL|11th April 25- Present|
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||



Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice) _(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)_ 

Type of advisor Name Address 

1  LT700001 (14 September 2024) 



|**Section B**|**Structure, governance and management**|
|---|---|
|Description of the charity’s trusts<br>Type of governing document<br>(e.g. trust deed, constitution)<br>How the charity is constituted<br>(e.g. trust, association, company)<br>Trustee selection methods<br>(e.g. appointed by, elected by)<br>Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)<br>Policies and procedures adopted for:<br>The Group's governing documents are those of the The<br>Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in<br>turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and<br>The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout<br>Association.<br>The Group is a trust established under its rules which are<br>common to all Scouts.<br>The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,<br>Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.<br>You may choose to include additional<br>information, where relevant, about:<br>The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the<br>members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout<br>Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees<br>they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable<br>to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper<br>accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as<br>appropriate.<br>The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 7<br>Trustees and meets 4 times a year.<br>Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts<br>Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the<br>Board.<br>This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is<br>well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings<br>and equipment are in good working order, and everyone<br>follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies<br>and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high-<br>quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills<br>for life.<br>a) the induction and training of trustees;<br>b) trustee' consideration of major risks<br>and the systems and procedures to<br>manage them||
||The Group's governing documents are those of the The<br>Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in<br>turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and<br>The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout<br>Association.|
|||
||The Group is a trust established under its rules which are<br>common to all Scouts.|
|||
||The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,<br>Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.|
||The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the<br>members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout<br>Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees<br>they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable<br>to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper<br>accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as<br>appropriate.<br>The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 7<br>Trustees and meets 4 times a year.<br>Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts<br>Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the<br>Board.<br>This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is<br>well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings<br>and equipment are in good working order, and everyone<br>follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies<br>and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high-<br>quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills<br>for life.|



2  LT700001 (14 September 2024) 



|**Section B**<br>**Structure, governance and management (continued)**|**Section B**<br>**Structure, governance and management (continued)**|
|---|---|
||**Risk and Internal Control**<br>The group has in place systems of internal controls that are<br>designed to provide reasonable assurance against material<br>mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all<br>payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure<br>that insurable risks are covered.<br>Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group<br>would request the use of buildings, property and equipment<br>from neighbouring organisations such as the community<br>centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal<br>arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has<br>sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to<br>mitigate against permanent loss.<br>Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The<br>Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout<br>Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk<br>Assessments are undertaken before all activities.<br>Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily<br>reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The<br>group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of<br>activities should there be a major reduction in income. The<br>Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the<br>income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily<br>or permanently.<br>Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon<br>volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If<br>there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an<br>unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a|



3  LT700001 (14 September 2024) 



p p g p 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. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. 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. 

|**Section C**|**Objectives and activities**|
|---|---|
|Summary of the objects of the charity set<br>out in its governing document<br>Summary of the main activities in relation<br>to these objects|**The Purpose of Scouting**<br>Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people<br>in their personal development,<br>empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.<br>**The Values of Scouting**<br>As Scouts we are guided by these values:<br>**Integrity -**We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy<br>and loyal.<br>**Respect -**We have self-respect and respect for others.<br>**Care -**We support others and take care of the world in which<br>we live.<br>**Belief -**We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.<br>**Co-operation -**We make a positive difference; we co-<br>operate with others and make friends.<br>**The Scout Method**<br>Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with<br>adults, work together based on the<br>values of Scouting and:<br>- enjoy what they are doing and have fun<br>- take part in activities indoors and outdoors<br>- learn by doing<br>- share in spiritual reflection<br>- take responsibility and make choices<br>- undertake new and challenging activities<br>- make and live by their Promise.|
|||
||The following scouting activites have take place within the<br>2024-2025 financial year:<br>Rememberance Group Camp 2024<br>Cub Christmas 2024 bowling<br>Distrcit Cub Day at Gullivers Land 2024|
|||



4  LT700001 (14 September 2024) 



Distrcit Cub Day at Gullivers Land 2024 Scout Camp March 2025 Scout Expedidtion Spring 2024 Grimsdyke Hike 2024 

Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice) 

You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: • policy on grantmaking; • contribution made by volunteers; • policy on investments. 

Public benefit statement The Group 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<br>the charity during the year||
||<br> <br>This year the group have spent considerable time and<br>invested funds into the maintenance and upkeep of the<br>building. This has included an all new fire alarm with new<br>wiring, detectors etc throughout. The building has been fully<br>decorated througghout, including ceilings and walls painted<br>and new curtain poles and curtains. The building has also<br>had new radiiators installed. The building is a credit to the<br>group and district. There has also been investment in activity<br>equipment, where rifles and associated equipment have<br>been purchased as an investment to the group, and will the<br>view to hiring out the activity to benefit other groups in the<br>district.|



|**Section E**|**Financial Review**|
|---|---|
|Quantify and explain any designations<br>Brief statement of the charity’s policy on<br>reserves|**Reserves Policy**<br>The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources<br>to continue the charitable activities of the group should<br>income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group<br>Trustee Board considers that the group should hold a sum<br>equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £22,000.<br>The Group held reserves of approximately £51,000 against<br>this at year end. This is above the level required for<br>operating expenses. However this can be explained by the<br>age of the building which can at times require considerable<br>funds to carry out repairs and to keep it in good order.|



5  LT700001 (14 September 2024) 



Details of any funds materially in deficit N/A (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) 

Further financial review details (optional information) 

You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: **Investment Policy** • the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. 

• how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; 

The Group Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the group obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn, before doing so the Group Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements. 

- investment policy and objectives; Not applicabble at this time. 

**Section F Other Optional Information** Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them) None 

## **Section G** 

## **Declaration** 

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees 

|Signature(s)<br>Full name(s)<br>Position (eg Secretary, Chair)<br>Date|S.Harris|S.Harris|S.Harris|S.Harris|S.Harris|S.Harris||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||
||Stephanie Harris|||||||
|||||||||
||Treasurer|||||||
||1<br>2<br>0<br>8<br>2<br>5|||||||
||1|2|0|8|2|5||



6  LT700001 (14 September 2024) 



## **1st Leighton Buzzard Scout Group Annual Accounts, year ending 31st March 2025** 

||**2024-2025**|
|---|---|
|**Income**||
|Bank Interest|451.60|
|Donation|209.50|
|Events|1,020.00|
|Events - Cubs|322.50|
|Events - Explorers|45.00|
|Events - Scouts|180.00|
|Membership Fees|7,706.00|
|Rent|17,125.00|
|**Expense**||
|Activity Equipment|2,821.61|
|Admin|823.26|
|Badges|383.72|
|Camping Equipment|158.44|
|Events|1,492.09|
|Events - Cubs|354.57|
|Events - Explorers|45.00|
|Events - Scouts|293.40|
|Insurance|1,377.71|
|Meetings - Beavers|18.90|
|Meetings - Cubs|178.72|
|Membership Costs|2,989.10|
|Utilities|4,084.89|
|Venue Maintenance|27,056.71|
|**Account balances**||
|Treasurer's Account - Lloyds|4,294.61|
|BB Instant Online Savings|45,739.06|
|Natwest 1|1,176.96|
|**Summary**||
|Account balance brought forward|66,229.15|
|Total income|27,059.60|
|Total expenditure|42,078.12|
|Net income|-15,018.52|
|Account balance carried forward|51,210.63|





CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's report
on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteesl
mèmbers of
1 StLeightonBuzzardScoutGroup
On accounts for the year
ended
315t March 2025
Charity no
(if any)
279330
Set out on pages
Enclosed
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity ('Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 3110312025
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
basis of report accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 oflhe 2011 and in carrying out my examination, I have
followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charily Commission
under section 145(5)(bJ of the Act.
Independent tThe charity's gross income did not exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to
examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a management accountant
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention in Gonnection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in, any material respect,:
that the accounls give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered
as part of an independent éxamination.
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.
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Slgned:
Date:
1310812025
Name:
Peter Denis Banwell
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
lif any):
Management Accountant
IER
October 2018
Address:
291 Heath Road
Leighton Buzzard
LU73A
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem {see CC32,
Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for
examiners).
Non8