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2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Report 2023 Scouts Thurrock

Thurrock District Scout Council

Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

Year End 31st December 2023

Annual General Meeting

Thursday 13th June 2024

Contents

Key Information............................................................................................................ 3
Trustees’ Annual Reports............................................................................ 4
District Commissioner
District Lead Volunteer
Beaver Scouts
Cub Scouts
Scouts
Explorer Scouts
Scout Network
Active Support
Condovers
Cherrywood
Appointments Committee
Scout Shops
Gang Show
Training
Health and Safety
Statement of Accounts..................................................................................... 19
Independent Examiner’s Report........................................................ 44

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District President Registered Charity Number David Gregory 279853

Key Information

District Vice-Presidents The Scout Association Number David Butcher 11729 Diana Cole Peter Lowne Audrey Wheatley

District Trustees Offce Sub-Committee Membership
Geoff Harris District Chair *
David Gregory District Vice Chair Cherrywood
Lyn Rider District Secretary
Steve Morgan District Treasurer Finance/Governance, Jack Petchey
Graham Monk(To 4th July 2023) District Commissioner *
Ian Scott(From 4th July 2023) District Lead Volunteer *
Glenn Ford Deputy District Commissioner Finance/Governance
Tim Gregory Deputy District Commissioner Cherrywood,Condovers,Health/Safety
Sue Rogers Deputy District Commissioner Jack Petchey
Lynn Taylor District Explorer Scout Commissioner Cherrywood, Jack Petchey
Neil Ashurst District Scout Network Commissioner
Charlotte Dell(To 15th June 2023) District Youth Commissioner
Jessica McDonald District Youth Commissioner
(From 15th June 2023)
John Daines Condovers, Finance/Governance
Emma Dell
Luke Ford
Andrew Gilbey
Mark Harrison(To 15th June 2023) Appointments Advisory, Cherrywood
(Both to 15th June 2023)
Janis Hudson Condovers, Finance/Governance
Laurence Key Condovers (Chair), Cherrywood
Scott Kitchenham
Brian Phillips Health/Safety (Chair), Cherrywood
Iain Rider
David Tapsell Jack Petchey
Malcolm Taylor
Steve Taylor Condovers, Finance/Governance
Colin Ward
David Ward Finance/Governance (Chair)
Tim Webb Cherrywood (Chair), Health/Safety

*: The District Chair and District Lead Volunteer (previously District Commissioner) are Ex Officio Members of all Sub Committees and can attend at any time.

Administrative Address Bankers 4 Clarence Road Lloyds Bank plc Corringham 34 High Street Stanford-Le-Hope Grays Essex Essex SS17 9BL RM17 6LX

Property Custodian The Scout Association Trust Corporation Gilwell Park London E4 7QW

Online www.thurrockscouts.org.uk facebook Thurrock Scouts twitter @thurrockscouts instagram @thurrockscouts

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Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document

The District’s governing documents are those of the Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.

How the charity is constituted

The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Districts.

Trustee selection methods

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.

Objectives, activities, achievements and future plans

Summary of the objectives of the charity

The objectives of the District are as a unit of the Scout Association.

The Scout Association’s objectives are as follows:

The Purpose of Scouting

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

The Values of Scouting

As Scouts we are guided by these values:

Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal. Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others. Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live. Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.

Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.

The Scout Method

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

Summary of the main activities, achievements and future plans

These are set out in the following pages.

Public Benefit Statement

The District meet the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

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Financial Review (including Reserves Policy)

The accounts for the Financial Year ending 31 December 2023 are shown on pages 20 to 42 of this document.

The Statement of Financial Activities on Page 20 incorporate the income and expenditure for the District (General) Fund and the designated funds of the two Campsites (including their Development Funds), Explorer Scouts, Network, Gang Show and the Active Support Units of Avock, Gang Show, Playscheme and SCH. Page 21 shows the summary Balance Sheet.

The individual accounts for the General and Discretionary Funds are shown within pages 30 to 43. Page 44 shows the Independent Examiner’s report.

Overall receipts in 2023 totalled £318,057, while payments totalled £260,209. The net receipts of £57,848 resulted in an increase to District Fund balances from £231,334 to £289,182. The year-end Fund balance of £289,132 comprises depreciated capital assets of £80,339 and net current assets of £208,843.

The balance in the General Fund as of 31 December 2023 totalled £115,719 and included a grant of £50,000 from the Scout Shop Trust ahead of its closure in 2024. The District has a policy to retain a Reserve of £30,000 in order to cover one year running costs (circa £10k) and the running costs of the largest group in the District (circa £20k). The Trustees will continue to review the level of the General Fund and the Reserve on an annual basis. Balances are also held by other parts of the District in designated funds, but these are being retained to meet variations in running costs and planned developments, particularly at the Campsites.

Declaration

The Summary Annual Report and Accounts were approved by the Trustees at their meeting on 9 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Geoffrey Harris District Chair

Steve Morgan District Treasurer

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District Commissioner

Graham Monk

District Lead Volunteer

Ian Scott

From the moment of taking on this role on July 13th 2013, I knew that the maximum time that I could serve would be ten years. I have sought, throughout this period, to advance the district in providing modern, safe, adventurous activities for our young people and to support our adults in making this provision.

My final seven months progressed very quickly but I hope that I have left the District stronger and more united than when I took up the role with a first difficult job of merging the two Districts. I think that I can point to success in this outcome as I don’t hear anyone now talking about this.

Several significant events took place in the period to July 2023: the District Awards Evenings in March, Renewal of Promise in April and confirmation that our numbers had returned to pre-Covid levels, a significant achievement.

My final activity was to lead an Expedition to Kandersteg in Switzerland as part of the centre’s

I was recently at Gilwell for a District Lead Volunteer (DLV) support day and Elizabeth Henderson, Chief Volunteer of England made the following comment – that whilst one should take the role of DLV seriously you are only the current custodian of the District, be realistic in what can be achieved and remember Scouting is a hobby…

With that in mind I would like to take the opportunity to thank Graham Monk for his custodianship of our District and for his support during the handover - at any one moment there are many things in progress within our District so it naturally takes time to get everything to an appropriate point.

The volunteers in our wider District team who have been able to maintain continuity whilst I (continue) to get up to speed with the day to day workings and also the delivery of the transformation programme.

centenary celebrations. This is poignant as it was also the first activity that I undertook in July 2013.

I would also like to express my thanks to a number of people, without whom I could not have achieved as much during my time in this role. I refer to my deputies – Sue Rogers, Tim Gregory, Peter Cobley and Glenn Ford. I also want to thank the two people who I had the privilege of nominating as District Chair: David Gregory and Geoff Harris. They have both provided me with both support and advice which has been much appreciated.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their good wishes as I ended my time in this role and with your very generous financial gift which has been put to good use in the purchase of a new bicycle, a new tent, a dress watch and a video to DVD convertor.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in this role and I wish Ian Scott every success in the role and he can be assured of my full support.

I am delighted that the senior leadership team agreed to take up roles in the new structure and wish to thank them for their patience and ongoing support. It is fair to say that the first six months went very quickly with lots to digest.

I would also like to thank Geoff Harris for his support as the District Chair and guiding me through the trustee elements of the role and for all of the volunteers that provide such good governance and support to the District as members of the District Trustee Board, the various sub-committees and support teams.

The first major event I attended was District Cub Camp and it was great to see the continuing return to normality post-pandemic. It was great to be recognised and reconnect with volunteers at Playscheme. I have also enjoyed visits to Group and Section events particularly when it comes to presenting Good Service and Long Service Awards.

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It was also encouraging to see a number of young people having the opportunity to attend an international experience in 2023 even if in the case of the WSJ it was not quite the experience they had expected. Thurrock has a strong history of providing international experiences and this remains the case going forward.

way but also the ever tighter focus on safety and safeguarding – particularly through compliance and activities requiring DLV approval.

Growth – not just as a by-product of providing high quality, fun Scouting and the opening of Squirrel Dreys but genuine inclusive growth so that our membership better reflects that of our local population and communities.

So what is in store in 2024?

The return of our Gang Show.

Beaver Scouts

Jo Salter

Assistant District Commissioner (Beavers)

The continuation of the transformation journey – thank you to everyone that has embraced the changes – hopefully culminating in the implementation of the new digital tools including the membership system – thank you to everyone that has helped with data cleansing.

The continuation of my back to basics approach – partly because that’s my

Throughout 2023 we presented around 70 Chief Scout Bronze Awards, another successful year and a huge well done to the Beavers that achieved these awards and thank you to their leaders, providing a balanced programme and supporting the Beavers to achieve these awards. We have welcomed new Beaver Leaders throughout the year, and we look forward to continue working with you all.

Our Annual District Sleepover was held at Condovers, the theme being the Circus, we had Joe from Shooting Stars come along and teach the Beavers Circus skills, whilst other Beavers completed circus themed crafts. Of course there was a campfire! Thank you to all who supported the event.

Many Colonies attended the Playscheme in the summer holidays and enjoyed the many activities that this event provides.

We continued with our Beaver Rainbow Challenge, which is a three part challenge that runs from April to April. The first element consisted of spelling out the word Beavers in the most unusual way they can. The standard of entries was very

So to conclude with a final thank you to every volunteer who has chosen the same ‘hobby’ as me and remind you that my role is to help support you, to get the most out of your volunteering (fun, acknowledgement, achievement etc.), whilst keeping you - and those that you volunteer with and for - safe.

high, they were also very different, so a big well done to everyone that participated.

We ended the year with our Christmas event, held at the United Reformed Church. The Beavers completed a short Christmas trail to walk to the event. On arrival all Beavers were found to be on the nice list, which was very impressive! There were a variety of crafts for the Beavers to complete. They then had a hot chocolate break before some singing by candlelight. All Beavers then went outside to see Father Christmas in his sleigh, before heading home.

I would like to say thank you to all of the Beavers Leaders and young leaders that give up their time every week, to plan and run all of the Colonies across the District. The testament to you is that each week the Beavers come along excited about what they will be doing this week and then going home and telling families about what they have been up to. I get to see and speak with the Beavers at different events and all are enjoying their time in Beavers. Thank you for supporting the Beavers to achieve their badges and awards.

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Well done to all the leaders that have completed various training and are continuing with the ongoing learning.

District events can only take place successfully with the support of leaders bringing along their Beavers and also the support of teams throughout the district that support us at these events.

Sadly Kate French has stepped down from her District Beaver Leader Role, and I would like to thank her for her support whilst on the team, and hope to work with Kate in the future.

I am looking forward to what we can achieve in 2024. We are currently planning our nature walk, and I am excited for the District Sleepover!

Thank you to Kay, Angela and Jenny for your ongoing support, I look forward to working with you in 2024.

Cub Scouts

Tony Cosans

Assistant District Commissioner (Cubs)

This year has seen an increase in the number of events that have been run as a District as we still work to strike the balance between the slimmed down offer following the pandemic and not putting too much in the calendar. Most events have been attended by more packs as numbers and the confidence of the young people grow.

Events have been well received by those who attended and while the attendance was still low for some events, it continues to pick up.

January saw the annual Cub Games Day and the 14 packs that attended all had a great time. Again some new games were introduced this year and the Cubs enjoyed the delights of Gassy Gus and Dobble alongside the old favourites of Top Trumps, Guess Who, shove halfpenny, ludo and the like.

In March we saw the final of the Cub Rifles. 17 packs were represented and attended the Alf Lowne Scout Centre to battle it out to see who was the hot shot of the district. John Daines and his team had spent the previous months visiting all packs to enable them the chance of participating in this year’s competition, and putting their top 2 best shots forward to the final. It was a close run thing and the standard was very high again this year. A huge thank you to John and his team who work so hard to provide the section with the opportunity to participate in a competition like this, the packs and I are very grateful.

April saw 13 packs battle it out in the District Cub Quiz. Cubs all had a great time and it was a very close run thing at the end of the day. Cubs enjoyed testing their knowledge of Name the Bear, At the Movies, Superheroes, Music, Television and spelling to name a few.

There was also the Renewal of Promise at Hathaway Academy and the return of the walk to Blackshots. It was nice to see so many packs represented and to get to renew their promise with them.

District Cub Camp made a return in July and the Cubs blasted off from Condovers to explore a space themed weekend. An impressive 18 packs attended and the survey that was carried out after was very positive and gave some clear pointers for the next one. Camp also gave us a chance to compete for the Havers Trophy once again and the results from this have been added to the 2023 Alf Lowne Trophy.

Playscheme returned in August and many packs made use of this to bring some summer scouting to the Cubs in their packs. Many packs returned to a summer camping trip also.

It was a wet September for the Cubs as over 100 invaded the Docklands Scout Project once again for our water activities days. Over the two days the Cubs took part in canoeing, kayaking, sailing and rowing, all of which will go towards badges. The approach to these skills was sometimes a little daunting for some but with the help

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of Leaders as well as other Cubs those fears were overcome, and everyone went home smiling after a fun day on the water. This open day is a good taster for many who are now looking forward to weekends away with the Scouts as they progress within Scouting - especially those Cubs who will move to one of our four Sea Scout Troops, says he in the blue shirt!

A new event took place in October - the Deputy DC Challenge, a much scaled down warm up for the Cubs to enjoy a day out in the fresh air. A disappointing turn out of 8 packs, 2 teams from East Tilbury, had a great time! The task to complete a Monopoly challenge around Stanford and Corringham. They enjoyed it so much we will repeat it again in the west of the District next year!

Cub Handicraft took place in November and Cubs from 13 packs took up the theatre themed challenges of creating a Gang Show poster, creating a puppet and designing and making a mask. Once the individual entries were complete they joined together in the pack teams to create a theatre in a box. The judges, some very impressed Guiders from Grays East District, had a hard time choosing the winners from the high quality offerings on display.

December brought my third attempt in this role to host the Cub Carol Concert. Third time lucky they say and this year the event did actually happen, however due to the building works we were unable to hold it at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church in Grays. Instead we moved East and invaded St. Margaret’s in StanfordLe-Hope. Darren Barlow, a great friend to Thurrock Cubs, attended this as his last event before moving on to his new parish and so we took the opportunity to present him with a Thanks Badge on behalf of the Cubs.

Attendance was very disappointing although all those who attended, including the visitors from the County Team, commented on what a lovely and well though out service it had been. Thank you to those who supported the event and donated the 75.6 kg of food that was donated to the food bank. Those who were there also got to see former Cub Leader and long time Cub Supporter Mo Lawson receive her 60 year service award. Well done Mo!

All in all it has been a good year. There has been an awful lot of hard work between leaders and young people as programmes are developed to be able to attain the many various Badges. Many Packs have very busy programmes outside of the District events, including day trips to museum sleepovers. Despite the difficulties in the previous years, just short of 100 Cub Scouts have achieved their Chief Scout Silver Award and had it presented by a member of the District Team - well done!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as ADC and I couldn’t do the things we do without the help and support of all the leaders in the packs and especially my District Team. A heartfelt thank you goes to Kath, Maggie, Steve, Sue, Sarah and Paul for their work this year. A special thank you also to my family who put up with me never being around and dragging them off out when I am around in the name of Cub Scouts!

It looks very much like 2024 will be a good year for Cub Scouting in Thurrock as we are transformed into the new structures and it is with sadness that I will be moving on to a new role as Sub Team Leader for Explorer Scouts. However, I shall watch developments in the Cub section with interest!

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Scouts

David Tapsell

Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)

Explorer Scouts

Lynn Taylor

District Explorer Scout Commissioner

March 2023 – DC Challenge was once again a success with 300 young people and leaders in attendance. This was won by 2nd Stanford Scout Troop. Big thank you to all of the helpers for this event, especially two of our Active Support Units – Gang Show and SCH.

May 2023 – Jamborama this year was back with a bang. It was very successful with all but one of our troops in attendance.

June 2023 – This year we decided to go ahead with Camping Standards regardless of how many troops entered. Well done to Stifford, 2nd Stanford and Chafford for entering teams and also to Chafford for taking the chance to enter a training patrol as well.

November 2023 – This year the Night Hike started at 2nd Stanford’s HQ and took in the sites of Thurrock gong through Thameside Nature Park, Gobions Park and finishing at Condovers. This year we only had 6 troops in attendance. A big thank you to Gang Show Active Support that

Well, 2023 was a busy year, with fun to be had and memories made.

Our District events are shown below:

covered the scoring and some of the bases and to all of the leaders that also covered bases on the evening. A big thank you for this also needs to go to the leaders that were out on the hike with their scouts too.

December 2023 saw the ever popular Ready Steady Cook – This year we had 10 troops in attendance and they had to buy and cook their own 2 course menu. Thanks go to Gang Show SAS for supplying the judges and to East Tilbury for use of their hall.

Chief Scout Gold Awards – 36 presented

This brings a wonderful end to my 10 years as Assistant District Commissioner for the Scout Section. A big thank you to Graham Monk for giving me the opportunity and to all the Scout Section Leaders that supported me through my tenure. A special shout out though must go to my District Team of Terry Mead, Tony Skinner, Tim Gregory and Stevie Gregory. I wish whoever takes over the very best of luck!

A small number of the team have continued working on our equipment and storage, but owing to time and weather constraints have unfortunately made less progress than hoped. Thanks to the Condovers team for their ongoing patience & support, it is much appreciated.

Many thanks to all those who helped plan and run activities for the Explorers, and all members of the Leadership team.

Always remember “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless” – Sherry Anderson.

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Scout Network

Neil Ashurst

District Scout Network Commissioner

Active Support

Steve Taylor

Assistant District Commissioner (Active Support)

Phoenix Network has been fairly successful this year. We are going from strength to strength and we are looking to continuing our growth into 2024.

Since my initial meeting with a new group of potential Network scouts in January 2023, we have increased from 5 confirmed members, to now hovering around 16 total (2-3 attend when they can due to being at university). We were on an upward arc of getting a very good turnout at our meetings every fortnight, though this dropped from September to the end of the year due to various commitments, but I am now pleased to see that for the last four or five evenings we have average around 1012 Network members attending. The plan going forward is to ensure this stays a regular number, as the more that attend, the better the evening can run. Jaimie, our new chairperson, is also going to push Phoenix along to district & county events and InterNetwork evenings where possible.

Recently, Jacob Ward has achieved his King Scout Award under Phoenix Network, though I’d like to reference that this was handled through Explorers and another unit, and the praise should not only go to Jacob for his hard work in achieving this award, but also to those that have supported him along the way. Our focus now is

All four units continued to support Scouting.

District AS units had meetings, social events & gave assistance to the Groups and District.

Many are members of various District & Group committees; others assist at Sections too.

Obviously the Gang Show did not happen, but many Gang Show A.S. members assisted many District events and did a great job.

Playscheme AS had a great event and the future looks good.

to assist other members to begin their journey on the awards available to them too.

Currently we are facing a problem with our account in that we are unable to have the bank post out the relevant paperwork required to add a new member, as well as obtaining a new card reader, and the switch over from the use of a chequebook to online banking. Ian, our wonderful DLV, is very kindly assisting us on this process and we hope to have our account fully up and running within the next few months.

Finally, to equally great news! Through both the assistance of Ian, and moreso with Dave Ward, I am pleased to confirm that the new Phoenix Neckers (black main colour with a fluorescent orange border) are now available to be purchased from the Scout Shops, and have also been distributed out to our existing Network.

This has led to seven new members being invested into Phoenix Network at Isle of Wight Revolution (well, on the very windy ferry, but it was close to the island…). We are hoping to invest the rest of the members this year, and along with a new order of Phoenix Network polo shirts, hoodies and soft shell jackets, Thurrock Scouts should be seeing the orange army back out in force once again!

Many Units’ Members also helped in many practical ways in the form of essential maintenance and works at the District buildings and both Campsites.

Transition:

AS Units will no longer exist but members can continue in different forms within the new structure.

Also there is no reason while names cannot be kept for social and identity purposes while dropping the “Active Support” title and being part of new Support teams under newly appointed Team Leaders.

AVOCK and SCH also assisted in District & County events and help staff both Scout Shops.

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Condovers

Laurence Key

Committee Chair

Cherrywood

Tim Webb

Committee Chair

It has been another busy year at Condovers with a total of 1345 Nights Away, 8 Group Day events and 45 evening events carried out by Sections.

The major events of Jamborama, Beaver Sleepover and District Cub Camp took place throughout the year. The site was also used by the Explorer section for their Cooking Competition and for air rifle shooting. The Scout section used the site as a base for the District Night Hike.

Playscheme celebrated their 50th year with yet another week of fun activities for all age groups, thanks to everyone involved in the planning and operation.

Thanks to Ray Abbott, the new District Museum in the SJP building should be ready for its opening during Jamborama weekend 2024.

The new tuck shop has proved to be very popular and the reception building has been well used greeting visitors throughout the year.

The “David Veitch” Leaders rest area next to Bison was opened, where Leaders can have a rest during major

Most weekends between April and October saw the site in use with weekday evenings in the summer also proving popular. Overall we had:

A total of 2,063 visitor days/nights compared to 2,427 the previous year. This would have been on par with 2022 if the largest event of the year, a firework display, had not been cancelled at short notice.

As well as the bookings for most weekends between April and October,

camps. This includes a new brick barbeque and a bench dedicated in memory of Dave.

The Brown and A Teams have been very busy helping to maintain and looking after the site throughout the year also planning new projects to improve Condovers. Without all the hard work involved by both teams it would be impossible to keep the site looking so good. The Brown Team meets on Tuesdays and the A Team meets at weekends, new volunteers are welcome to join either Team.

We have been lucky to receive a donation of a ride on mower from a local farmer, this is helping us keep the grass short.

I would like to thank Stewart Abbott and his team for dealing with the “Lower Thames Crossing” and the “Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant” which is being built on the Tilbury side of the railway line.

Many thanks to the Condovers Management Committee, Warden Rob, Sally, Brown Team, A Team, and everyone else who have kept Condovers maintained throughout the year.

there were other bookings between January and December making the site in use all year round.

Due to clearing trees that were diseased or dangerous we had a number of gaps in the wooded area. We were however fortunate to be offered saplings free of charge through Essex County Scouts as part of the Queens Green Canopy scheme. Some of these have been planted to replace the diseased trees whilst the surplus ones have been placed in a ‘nursery’ area and will be used to replace trees in the future.

Going on from the flooding of the site in 2021 we continued to pursue a claim against the Environment Agency for the damage caused to the toilet block and eventually started an action in the Small Claims Court to recover our costs. The Environment Agency

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Appointments Committee

Heather Butcher and Peter Victory

Appointment Secretaries

agreed to settle out of court and we received the full amount of our claim. We have also completed installing flood resilience measures to the toilet block to hopefully limit any damage from flooding events in the future.

As well as regular ongoing maintenance works we also replaced sleepers lining the car park and drive and cleaned out the west ditch and in front of the associated headwall, removing over 100 tons of material and using it to build up the flood defences for the site. We also installed additional CCTV to cover the entrance and drive with the costs for this being partly covered by a grant from the Fowler, Smith and Jones charitable trust. There were also two very large wasp nests in the Maintenance Building, but we called in the professionals to deal with these.

The two Panels continue to meet monthly at Stanford-le-Hope and Grays in order to accommodate all the folk in the District. Some of these have been via Zoom but the majority have been done face to face in the two Centres.

Unfortunately, Jan Thurnell passed away during the year reducing the number of Team members in the West Committee. Our thoughts and condolences are with Jan’s family.

The number of new folk joining Thurrock has diminished throughout 2023 meaning that the AAC Panels were not required every month as had been the norm. We have many Leaders in the District with more than one role, perhaps this is showing throughout Scouting and why Headquarters are wanting to change the format of Scouting Leadership.

Between us we have seen only 19 Leaders in 2023 with the majority

The Cherrywood committee continues to meet regularly on both a face to face and a virtual basis to plan and manage the running of the site. The site is maintained by a group of volunteers forming the ‘Wednesday Club’ who carry out maintenance work and projects – obviously on a Wednesday. We are always on the lookout for new members and anyone is very welcome to join us (on a Wednesday).

On a regular basis we have our Warden, Andy Kemp, and Assistant Warden, Nick Fields, who are joined by our regular helpers and committee members Brian Phillips, Lynn Taylor, Dave Gregory, Ian Brice, Laurence Key, Brian Stock, Tim Gregory, James Kemp and Tim Webb.

joining the Scout Section. The new folk comprise of 5 Beaver Scout Section Assistants, 1 Assistant Beaver Scout Leader, 1 Beaver Scout Leader, 1 Cub Scout Section Assistant, 2 Scout Section Assistants, 5 Assistant Scout Leaders, 1 Scout Leader, 1 Assistant Explorer Leader, and 1 Youth Commissioner and 1 Acting GSL, with some of these being Young Leaders who have turned 18 and taking on a full Leader’s role.

There has been a small improvement in the number of reviews completed, up from just 21 in 2022, to 31 this year. However, this still leaves 90 overdue. With the implementation of Transformation and the new membership system replacing Compass, there is a feeling that reviews will come under the same scrutiny by Headquarters/County that we currently see with DBS and Getting Started. It may well be prudent to catch up before being pushed.

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Scout Shops

Gang Show

Graham Monk

Committee Chair

In 2023, Audrey Wheatley decided it was time to retire from Scout Shop operations. We are indebted to Audrey for the 40 odd years service she gave to the Scout Shop.

We continue to operate two shops within the district which operate at different times thereby giving parents and leaders a greater choice of opening hours. We continue to offer Scout Association uniform (Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorers, and Network/Adult) cheaper than the internet. Shopping in store has the added advantages that profit is retained within the district and uniforms can be tried on to make sure the size is right.

We continue to support leaders by providing items they need for running their sections and some items such as flags and tentage are sold at cost price to Scout Groups within our District.

During the year Thurrock Scout Shop Trust continued to support the district and a £3,000 grant was provided to a Group at the request of the District Trustees.

Towards the end of the year Thurrock Scout Shop Trust encountered difficulties complying with our banking requirements and the needs of our credit card processor. The Trust

Many were saddened when Jan Thurnell passed away on her birthday, 15th June 2023 at the age of 83. Jan was the only person to have been involved in every Gang Show from its start in 1968. She was an inspiration to numerous young people and she will be sadly missed.

In 2020, we were 5 days from entering the Thameside Theatre when Covid struck. 2021 and 2022 were still leaving us with restrictions which would have made a production very difficult and financially prohibitive. We tried to restart for 2023 but there was not sufficient uptake.

trustees decided that because of the difficulties encountered and with the Scouts Transformation round the corner, the time was right to close The Trust and have the shop operations managed through a subcommittee of the District Trustee Board. A consequence of the decision enabled the Trust trustees to transfer £50,000 from the Trust back to District. We must thank the Trust trustees for the effective management of the two shops over the years and for the extensive fund raising that has been achieved.

Despite the change in the management structure of the Scout Shop, trading continued uninterrupted. Badge sales are managed through the District Badge Secretary (Lesley Ward) and the quickest and most efficient way to obtain badges is to email badge orders direct to Lesley using the email address – shop@thurrockscouts.org. uk. Orders placed by email are often delivered to the leader within a day or two of the order being placed.

We must give many thanks to the team of people who staff our two shops week in, week out. They do an excellent job. Special thanks too for the managers Janis & Lesley/Dave and Stewart the treasurer, for successfully leading and delivering the Scout Shop operation.

Following on from Jan’s death, this spurred several senior members to push the reset button and considerable work took place during the summer months with roadshows spreading out across the Borough. These proved successful and under the joint directorship of Tricia Beckett and David Tapsell, rehearsals started at the beginning of October.

The 2024 production will be a total revamp, shorter and, hopefully, will spur more young people to engage in future years. Only time will tell.

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Training

Gill Cobley

Local Training Manager

Thurrock training team have continued to provide many trainer/ facilitator hours of Virtual Training to everyone in the County (and beyond). Additionally, the team also provided the usual fun and informative face to face training on three Residential Training Weekends at Thriftwood to enable more Wood Badges and Nights Away Permits to be achieved. None of these hours consider the additional time spent preparing and debriefing before and after delivering courses. Special thanks to Graham Monk, Colin Ward, Peter Cobley, Dean Chaplin, Dan Smith, Ian Newell, Malcolm Taylor, Leigh-Anne Turpin, Abi and Jenny Flack for making this all possible. Many thanks also to our First Aid team for providing you all with many training opportunities as always.

With all this training comes validation, without which the learning undertaken is incomplete.

It’s impossible to put a value in terms of ongoing hours spent by TAs and LTAs with our learners.

These are the ‘unseen’ hours that are often taken for granted but we know that none of this could happen without their ongoing support. Thank you to you all for everything you do.

In addition to all this there are all the hours spent running and analysing

Compliance and Training reports so we can stay on top of things, as well as plan and administer all the courses. If anyone thinks training happens by magic - we know it doesn’t! ‘It’s only two hours a week’!

To prevent ‘lost learning’ please ensure all learning completed is fully validated as when we transition to the new membership system only validated modules will be carried across. After Transformation there will be a change regarding Wood Badges. There will only be an opportunity to gain one Wood Badge in the future so you won’t receive additional ones for changing role or Section. This is really good news from an administrative point of view.

I hope to see more Thurrock volunteers make the most of the many training opportunities offered.

https://www.essexscouts.org.uk/ volunteer-development

This will be my last report as Local Training Manager as the role will no longer exist and I become your Learning Team Leader for both Thurrock and the County.

Thank you again for being a fantastic team! Every part you play is very much appreciated!

Good luck to everyone on your Scouting journey.

15

Health and Safety

Brian Phillips

Committee Chair

The Health & Safety Committee meets bi-monthly to cover health and safety issues within the District. The Committee aims to advise and inform both the District and Groups of current Scouting health and safety issues and requirements. The Committee is made up of Brian Phillips, Tim Webb, Tim Gregory, Nick Webb, and Mark Harrison.

The District website provides useful links to health & safety information that is available from HQ and the Committee works towards ensuring they are up to date and relevant.

The Committee occasionally issue Bulletins. We issued 4 Bulletins in 2023, they were: No. 10 Cooking Safety, No. 11 Tents Near Fires, No.12 Giant Hog Weed and No.13 Battery Safety.

The Committee also puts out a yearly Health & Safety Questionnaire to all Groups, District Units and District Premises asking them for information on the status of health & safety in their Group/District Unit/District Premises. This is reported anonymously to the Board of Trustees statistically and no individual Groups or Sections are identified.

Returns

In all, 31 questionnaires were sent out to Groups, managers of property, Explorer Units and Network with 25 returned.

Questionnaires were not received from 4 Groups, 1 Explorer Unit and 1 Active Support Section which is rather disappointing.

This year we used a traffic light system to highlight areas which concerned us.

Red Signal: Alerts

Fire Risk Assessments (FRA)

The requirement for a Fire Risk Assessment for non-domestic premises is a statutory requirement.

Summary: Section with unknown date needs to review their Fire RA.

Electrical Installation Condition Report

This was a new question this year.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports should be carried out every 5 years. The oldest report is 11 years old. 13 premises that have had an electrical safety test are within the last 5 years. 4 premises have not had their electrics checked.

Summary: This needs to be carried out every 5 years.

Gas Safety Inspection

This was a new question this year.

3 Gas Safety Inspections are over 2½ years old.

Summary: This needs to be carried out annually.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are required for both regular meeting nights and all Section activities.

Of the 25 Groups/Units to respond, 8 have either answered No or Not Applicable to having a Risk Assessment for regular meeting nights for each of the Sections in their Group.

Of the 9 Groups/Units that do not have a RA for regular meeting nights for each of the Sections in their Group, 5 of them have also answered No or Not Applicable to having a written RA of Section Activities not covered either by a Premises RA or a Regular Meeting Night RA.

Summary: Groups/Units need to be reminded that RAs are a mandatory requirement in POR.

It is a POR requirement that a risk assessment is undertaken for all Scouting activities and is included in ‘Getting Started’ training so all Leaders should be aware of this.

Of the 25 returns, 24 have a current FRA, 1 the review date is not known, all the others are within the last 12 months.

angle-right

16

Accident Books

Of the 25 responses, one section does not have an Accident Book.

Summary: This Section needs to get an Accident Book.

Amber Signal: Caution

Asbestos

Of the 25 Groups/Units to respond, one has an unknown date and 5 premises are still to be surveyed.

5 premises who have had a survey do not have an Asbestos Management Plan.

6 premises who have had a survey do not make all users and contractors aware of location of asbestos containing materials.

Only 3 premises label their asbestos containing materials.

Summary: This question was first asked in 2022 at which time 12 premises were still to be surveyed so we are seeing an improvement.

Green Signal: On track

Fire Extinguisher Inspection

Of the 25 responses, all inspection dates are within the last 12 months.

Does the Group/Section have a person responsible for Fire Safety? 19 out of 25 Groups/Sections who responded have someone responsible.

Are regular fire drills carried out? 19 out of 25 Groups/Sections who responded have someone responsible.

Are all leaders in your group section given a fire safety induction? 19 out of 25 Groups/Sections who responded have someone responsible.

Premises Risk Assessment

All Premises now have a Premises RA, and all have been carried out within the last year.

HQ reportable accidents within the last 12 months

There were 3 reportable accidents within the last 12 months.

Accident Book review period

All premises that have had a survey should have an Asbestos Management Plan, even if they do not have asbestos present as the Asbestos Management Plan should ensure no further asbestos is brought into the premises.

Contractors and users of premises should be made aware of asbestos containing materials and asbestos containing materials should be labelled and check annually.

Accidents reported in Accident book Of the 25 Groups/Sections to reply, there were 73 accidents reported in an Accident Book. 36 of these were from 2 Groups. 9 Groups/Sections reported they had no accidents in their Accident books for 2023.

Summary: It is concerning that 9 Group/Sections have had no accidents during the year. All Groups/Sections need to record any accident requiring any kind of treatment.

Of the 25 Groups/ Sections to reply, 1 reviews as soon as an accident occurs, 3 review weekly, 7 monthly, 9 quarterly, 3 bi-annually, 1 annually and 1 unanswered.

Use of the HQ Near Miss Process

10 out of 25 to respond use the HQ near miss process.

Showers and Legionella Management Plans

The only showers are at the campsites and they both have a Legionnaires Management Plan in place.

Trailers and tyre ages

11 of the responders have a trailer. 2 of the trailers have tyres over 10 years old.

I would like to thank Tim Webb, Tim Gregory, Nick Webb and Mark Harrison for their contributions to this Sub Committee.

17

All data taken from the 2024 Annual Census

Our Members

Number of Young People by Section

----- Start of picture text -----
28
123
290
285
388
----- End of picture text -----

Number of Young People by Group (Includes Squirrels,Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Young Leaders)

----- Start of picture text -----
130
111
79 75 75
66
62 63
45 52 45 53 47
41
25 25 24
16
11
Aveley Belhus Park Chadwell St Mary Chafford Hundred 1st Corringham 2nd Corringham East Tilbury 1st Grays 7th Grays Hillside 1st Horndon on the Hill 1st Ockendon Orsett and Bulphan 1st Stanford-le-Hope 2nd Stanford-le-Hope Stifford Sea Scouts Thameside Sea Scouts 1st Thors Oak Tilbury Sea Scouts
----- End of picture text -----

18

Statement of Accounts For the period 1st January to 31st December 2023

19

Statement of Financial Activities Consolidated Summary for the year ending 31st December 2023

All Funds are Unrestricted

Notes
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investment income
Total Income
10, 11
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total Expenditure
10, 11
Net Income/(Expenditure)
Transfers Between Funds:
10
Net Movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
10
Fund Balances Carried Forward		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
Unrestricted
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
Unrestricted
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
Unrestricted
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
Unrestricted
£
2022
£
27,912 7,829 35,741 23,922
194,166 80,751 274,917 104,752
0 2,982 2,982 2,984
4,417 0 4,417 0
226,495 91,562 318,057 131,658
0 2,239 2,239 1,971
159,562 98,408 257,970 145,329
159,562 100,647 260,209 147,300
66,933 (9,085) 57,848 (15,642)
0 0 0 0
66,933 (9,085) 57,848 (15,642)
48,786 182,548 231,334 246,976
115,719 173,463 289,182 231,334

20

Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2023

All Funds are Unrestricted

Notes
Fixed Assets:
Tangible assets
13
Total Fixed Assets
Current Assets:
Stocks
Debtors
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Total Current Assets
12
Liabilities:
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one
year
Net current assets or liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
12
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more
than one year
Provision for Liabilities
Total net assets or liabilities
The funds of the charity:
General Funds
14,15
Designated Funds:
Cherrywood Campsite
18
Cherrywood Development
19
Condovers Campsite
20
Condovers Development
21
Explorer Scouts
22
Gang Show & SAS
23
Network
24
Playscheme
25
SCH SAS
26
Total Designated Funds
Total charity funds		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£
0 80,339 80,339 87,452
0 80,339 80,339 87,452
0 296 296 669
15,334 0 15,334 23,461
0 0 0 0
147,188 92,828 240,016 137,962
162,522 93,124 255,646 162,092
46,803 0 46,803 18,210
115,719 93,124 208,843 143,882
115,719 173,463 289,182 231,334
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
115,719 173,463 289,182 231,334
115,719 0 115,719 48,786
0 0 0 0
0 45,074 45,074 48,677
0 82,018 82,018 89,204
0 19,095 19,095 17,632
0 13,929 13,929 8,740
0 2,764 2,764 3,031
0 870 870 928
0 6,013 6,013 10,479
0 3,700 3,700 3,857
0 173,463 173,463 182,548
115,719 173,463 289,182 231,334

21

Notes to the Accounts

Note Description Page
1 Accounting Policies 23
2 Transfers between funds 23
3 Grants received 23
4 Camping Fees - Condovers and Cherrywood Campsites 24
5 Held by District on behalf of other Funds 24
6 International Fund 24
7 Jack Petchey Award Scheme 24
8 Sums owed to District by Scout Groups 24
9 Debtors 24
10 Summary Analysis of Income and Expenditure by Fund 25
11 Detailed Analysis of Income and Expenditure by Fund 26
12 Analysis of Balance Sheet 27
13 Analysis of Fixed Assets 29
14 TDSC General Account - General Fund 30
15 TDSC General Account - Analysis of District Transactions 31
16 Cherrywood Campsite - Designated Fund 33
17 Cherrywood Development - Designated Fund 34
18 Condovers Campsite - Designated Fund 35
19 Condovers Development - Designated Fund 37
20 Explorers - Designated Fund 38
21 Gang Show and SAS - Designated Fund 39
22 Network - Designated Fund 41
23 Playscheme - Designated Fund 42
24 SCH SAS - Designated Fund 43

22

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2023

1 Accounting Policies

1a Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with the current Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) FRS 102.

1b Accounting period

The accounts cover all transactions in the period 1 January to 31 December 2023, whether in the SoFA or in the Balance Sheet with the exception of the Gang Show which, for reasons of consistency, only include the income and expenditure relating to the year of a single Show.

The Gang Show SAS accounts however, included as a separate column within the Gang Show accounts, cover all transactions within the financial year.

1c Incoming resources

Income is accounted for on a receivable basis, other than income received in respect of expenditure which is deferred to the period when the activity or event takes place. Membership subscriptions collected on behalf of other parts of the Scout Movement are reported in the SoFA net of any amount paid out, as this element of the subscriptions are in effect held as agents before being dispersed.

1d Resources expended

Expenditure is included in the accounts on an accruals basis. VAT is not recoverable by the charity and is included with the expenditure to which it relates.

2 Transfers between Funds

All surpluses and deficits at Cherrywood Campsite are transferred to or from the Cherrywood Development Fund at the year end. Additionally, in 2023 Condovers Campsite transferred a net £413 to the Development Fund.

3 Grants and major donations received

Thurrock Council normally operates an annual “Block Grant” system where all applications for Grant Aid from Scouts and Guides within Thurrock Council boundaries are made to a committee set up for the purpose and Thurrock District Scout Council act as agents for this money and only account for any part of the grant they receive. The Alf Lowne Scout Centre received a total of £3,998 and Thurrock Explorers received £331.

Thurrock Explorers also received grants totalling £2,700 from the Jack Petchey Foundation.

Thurrock District received a grant of £50,000 from the Scout Shop Trust ahead of its closure in 2024.

Cherrywood Campsite received a grant of £2,000 from FSJ charities, an Independent Trust supporting various charities in the County and Condovers Development Fund received grants totalling £1050 from the National Grid and National Highways.

23

4 Camping Fees - Condovers and Cherrywood

These include the annual camping fees for Thurrock (paid at the same time as membership fees), which this year has been split 84% for Condovers and 16% for Cherrywood.

5 Held by District on behalf of Other Funds

The District holds cash on behalf of Cherrywood Development (£45,069) and Condovers Development (£19,095), both of which are Designated Funds within the Accounts.

6 International Fund

The balance in this account is held towards future World Jamborees and International Activities. The District is acting as an agent for this money.

7 Jack Petchey Award Scheme

The District is a Member of the Jack Petchey Award Scheme and acts as agents for the monetary Awards.

8 Sums owed to District by Scout Groups

There is only one outstanding loan of £10,000 which was advanced in 2021 to 1st Corringham Scout Group.

9 Debtors

Debtors still include an amount paid as a deposit for a District Event that was postponed as a result of Covid but is expected to be refunded in 2024. Debtors also include accrued income owed for the use of Alf Lowne Scout Centre and due to be paid in early 2024.

24

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 10 - Summary Analysis of Income and Expenditure by Fund

General Funds
TDSC Fund
Total General Funds
Designated Funds
Cherrywood Campsite
Cherrywood Development
Condovers Campsite
Condovers Development
Explorer Scouts
Gang Show and SAS
Network
Playscheme
SCH SAS
Total Designated Funds
Total Funds		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
Net Income/
Expenditure
£
Transfers
Between
Funds
£
Net
Movement
in Funds
£
Fund
Balances
Brought
Forward
from 2022
£
Fund
Balances
Carried
Forward
£
226,495 159,562 66,933 0 66,933 48,786 115,719
226,495 159,562 66,933 0 66,933 48,786 115,719
18,394 21,997 (3,603) 3,603 0 0 0
0 0 0 (3,603) (3,603) 48,677 45,074
19,976 26,749 (6,773) (413) (7,186) 89,204 82,018
1,050 0 1,050 413 1,463 17,632 19,095
35,826 30,637 5,189 0 5,189 8,740 13,929
110 377 (267) 0 (267) 3,031 2,764
450 508 (58) 0 (58) 928 870
5,724 10,190 (4,466) 0 (4,466) 10,479 6,013
10,032 10,189 (157) 0 (157) 3,857 3,700
91,562 100,647 (9,085) 0 (9,085) 182,548 173,463
318,057 260,209 57,848 0 57,848 231,334 289,182

25

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 11 - Detailed Analysis of Income and Expenditure by Fund

General Funds
TDSC Fund
Total General Funds
Designated Funds
Cherrywood Campsite
Cherrywood Development
Condovers Campsite
Condovers Development
Explorer Scouts
Gang Show and SAS
Network
Playscheme
SCH SAS
Total Designated Funds
Total Funds		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£		 Donations
and
Legacies
£
Charitable
activities
£
Other
trading
activities
£
Investment
Income
£
Total
incoming
resources
£
Raising
funds
£
Charitable
activities
£
Total
resources
expended
£
27,912 194,166 0 4,417 226,495 0 159,562 159,562
27,912 194,166 0 4,417 226,495 0 159,562 159,562
40 18,354 0 0 18,394 0 21,997 21,997
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
378 18,931 667 0 19,976 0 26,749 26,749
0 1,050 0 0 1,050 0 0 0
5,311 30,515 0 0 35,826 0 30,637 30,637
110 0 0 0 110 0 377 377
390 60 0 0 450 0 508 508
1,600 1,809 2,315 0 5,724 2,239 7,951 10,190
0 10,032 0 0 10,032 0 10,189 10,189
7,829 80,751 2,982 0 91,562 2,239 98,408 100,647
35,741 274,917 2,982 4,417 318,057 2,239 257,970 260,209

26

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 12 - Analysis of Balance Sheet

Notes
XED ASSETS (NET OF DEPRECIATION)
RRENT ASSETS
ocks
Condovers Campsite
tal Stock
btors
1st Corringham Loan
8
Accrued Income
9
District Condovers Hold
Grosvenor Hall District Event - Deposit
Renewal of Promise - Deposit
9
Dinner and Dance Hold
WSJ Hold
Kandersteg Hold
Group Hold
Other Debtors
Payments in Advance - All other
tal Debtors
sh
COIF Deposit
Deposit Instant Access
District No 1
District No 2
Held by District on behalf of Designated Funds
5
Cherrywood Petty Cash
Condovers Account
18
Explorers Account
20
Gang Show and SAS Accounts
21
Network Account
22
Playscheme Account
23
SCH SAS
24
Section Accounts - Cubs
tal Cash
Total Current Assets		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£		 General
£
Designated
£
Total
£
2022
£
0 80,339 80,339 87,452
0 296 296 669
0 296 296 669
10,000 0 10,000 10,000
2,892 0 2,892 270
0 0 0 90
0 0 0 7,535
2,000 0 2,000 2,000
200 0 200 0
242 0 242 0
0 0 0 705
0 0 0 2,861
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
15,334 0 15,334 23,461
103,866 0 103,866 74,910
40,498 0 40,498 28,038
64,811 0 64,811 4,767
831 0 831 777
(64,164) 64,164 0 0
0 5 5 11
0 1,383 1,383 1,083
0 13,929 13,929 8,740
0 2,764 2,764 3,031
0 870 870 928
0 6,013 6,013 10,479
0 3,700 3,700 3,857
1,346 0 1,346 1,341
147,188 92,828 240,016 137,962
162,522 93,124 255,646 162,092

FIXED ASSETS (NET OF DEPRECIATION)

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

Total Stock

Debtors

Total Debtors

Cash

Total Cash

27

General Designated Total 2022 Notes £ £ £ £

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Creditors (within one year)

Benevolent Fund Donation Held International Fund Jack Petchey Fund Jack Petchey Leader Award Marathon Donation Hold North America Hold WSJ Hold Rieneck Castle Hold Other Creditors Thurrock Grant Held Receipts in Advance

Total Creditors

Net current assets or liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors (falling due after more than one year) Provisions for liabilities

Total net assets or liabilities

6
7
7		 1,028 0 1,028 366
500 0 500 500
4,231 0 4,231 3,389
6,762 0 6,762 7,053
989 0 989 1,213
0 0 0 718
0 0 0 3,973
0 0 0 319
3,750 0 3,750 0
305 0 305 500
29,238 0 29,238 0
0 0 0 179
46,803 0 46,803 18,210
115,719 93,124 208,843 143,882
115,719 173,463 289,182 231,334
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
115,719 173,463 289,182 231,334

28

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 13 - Analysis of Fixed Assets

Condovers
Havers Lodge
The Barn
Toilet Block
Condovers Totals
Cherrywood
Site & Services
Log Cabin
Toilet/Shower Block
Mower & Strimmer
Maintenance Building
Cherrywood Totals
Total Fixed Assets		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£		 Cost as at 1
beginning
of the year
£
Additions
£
Cost at end
of the year
£
Depreciation
at beginning
of the year
£
In Year
Depreciation
£
Accumulated
Depreciation
at end of the
year
£
Net book
value at
beginning
of the year
£
Net book
value at the
end of the
year
£
10,337 0 10,337 10,337 0 10,337 0 0
15,848 0 15,848 9,112 793 9,905 6,736 5,943
126,406 0 126,406 45,690 6,320 52,010 80,716 74,396
152,591 0 152,591 65,139 7,113 72,252 87,452 80,339
30,541 0 30,541 30,541 0 30,541 0 0
6,321 0 6,321 6,321 0 6,321 0 0
34,848 0 34,848 34,848 0 34,848 0 0
2,298 0 2,298 2,298 0 2,298 0 0
11,004 0 11,004 11,004 0 11,004 0 0
85,012 0 85,012 85,012 0 85,012 0 0
237,603 0 237,603 150,151 7,113 157,264 87,452 80,339

All major fixed assets owned by the District Scout Council are held within the two campsites. The values currently shown in the accounts are the net book values (after depreciation) of only some of these assets. There are eighteen building type assets not included in the balance sheet values. Two of these assets were fully depreciated before the current accounting format was adopted, two were fully donated buildings, two were purchased outright, eleven are storage shipping containers and cost less than £5,000 and were not considered for capitalisation and one a garage no longer in use. There is one large equipment asset which was fully grant funded and not capitalised and three site tractors purchased outright and not capitalised. While the net book value of capitalised assets is £80,339, the current valuation for insurance purposes of all “capital type” assets is:

Buildings £1,230,681
Major Equipment £49,313
Total £1,279,994

Depreciation is charged to the accounts to write off the value of the capitalised assets at both Condovers and Cherrywood campsites. These assets are being depreciated over 20 years. The assets at Cherrywood are now fully depreciated.

29

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 14 - TDSC General Account - General Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Membership Subscriptions
Received
Less: Paid
1c
Donations
Charitable activities
District Events & Activities
Section Activites (Beavers, Cubs and Scouts)
Grants Received
3
ALSC Income
Other District Income
Investment Income
Bank Interest
Total Income
15
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
District Events & Activities
Section Activities (Beavers, Cubs and Scouts)
ALSC Expenses
Other District Expenses
Total Expenditure
15
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December		 2023
£
69,970
(42,658)		 2022
£
51,919
(36,563)
27,312
600
116,197
14,416
50,000
13,553
0
4,417		 15,356
0
36,890
9,731
0
4,799
780
0
226,495 67,556
120,759
14,353
14,715
9,735		 37,715
9,964
7,917
14,430
159,562 70,026
66,933
0		 (2,470)
0
66,933
48,786		 (2,470)
51,256
115,719 48,786

30

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 15 - TDSC General Account - Analysis of District Transactions

Analysis of District Activities
Archery
Axe Throwing
Bushcraft
Dinner & Dance
District Museum
Grosvenor Hall
JOTT
Mobile Climbing Tower
Kandersteg
Water Activities
Other
Total District Activities
Section Activities
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Total Section Activities
Alf Lowne Scout Centre
Donations
Electricity
Equipment
Gas
Grants Received
3
Income From Centre Users
Insurance
Maintenance and Miscellaneous
Other
Rates
Rent
Water Rates
Total Alf Lowne Scout Centre		 Income
£
175
99
80
3,345
831
34,432
855
465
71,965
3,950
0		 Expenditure
£
386
287
0
3,325
484
33,660
1,531
5,832
71,965
3,289
0		 Net
£
(211)
(188)
80
20
347
772
(676)
(5,367)
0
661
0
116,197 120,759 (4,562)
2,331
7,510
4,575		 2,511
6,856
4,986		 (180)
654
(411)
14,416 14,353 63
0
0
0
0
3,998
9,555
0
0
0
0
0
0		 0
847
0
3,466
0
0
681
1,809
1,980
67
5,072
793		 0
(847)
0
(3,466)
3,998
9,555
(681)
(1,809)
(1,980)
(67)
(5,072)
(793)
13,553 14,715 (1,162)

31

Income Expenditure Net £ £ £

Analysis of Other District Transactions
Administration
Awards & Badges
Bank Charges
Donations
Grants
Insurance
Interest
Meetings
Membership Fees
Training
Other
Total Other
Total District Income and Expenditure
on General Account		 0
0
0
600
50,000
0
4,417
0
27,312
0
0		 1,894
3,142
349
100
0
3,248
0
260
0
557
185		 (1,894)
(3,142)
(349)
500
50,000
(3,248)
4,417
(260)
27,312
(557)
(185)
82,329 9,735 72,594
226,495 159,562 66,933

32

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 16 - Cherrywood Campsite - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Donations
Charitable activities
Camping Fees
4
Grants
3
Insurance Claim
Other Income
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
Administration
Water Rates
Insurance
Gas
Electricity
Equipment
Telephone & Broadband
Alarm & Fire Systems
Site & Maintenance
Rates
Rent
Waste Disposal
Other Expenses
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
2
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December
Funded by:
Capital		 2023
£
40
14,290
2,000
1,126
938		 2022
£
1
15,495
0
0
153
18,394 15,649
350
535
3,550
150
1,072
330
540
5,830
8,582
218
20
820
0		 0
622
3,191
174
1,047
726
402
522
7,418
821
20
480
0
21,997 15,423
(3,603)
3,603		 226
(226)
0
0		 0
0
0 0
0 0

33

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 17 - Cherrywood Development - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Other trading activities
Fund Raising
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
None
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
2
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December
Funded by:
Cash held by District
Cash held by Cherrywood		 2023
£
0		 2022
£
0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
(3,603)		 0
226
(3,603)
48,677		 226
48,451
45,074 48,677
45,069
5		 48,666
11
45,074 48,677

34

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023 Note 18 - Condovers Campsite - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Donations
Charitable activities
Camping Fees
4
Lodge Rents
Electricity
Gas
Grants
Activity Facilities
Other
Other Trading Activities
Tuck Shop: Income
Less: Opening Stock
Less: Purchases
Add: Closing Stock
Shop Surplus / (Defcit)
Events
357.05
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising Funds
Events
Charitable activities
Administration
Electricity
Activity Equipment
Alarm & Fire
Gas
Telephone & Broadband
Insurance
Rent & Rates
Water Rates
Site, Maintenance & Equipment
Special Works
Waste Disposal
Depreciation
13
Other
Total Expenditure		 2023
£
2022
£
378
415
18,290
13,294
0
295
471
200
0
0
0
0
150
251
20
0
2,863
1,277
(669)
(463)
(1,823)
(733)
296
669
667
750
0
0
19,976
15,205
0
0
347
284
2,436
1,142
28
41
252
312
63
717
392
258
9,194
7,744
315
466
884
0
2,290
3,830
1,587
7,412
1,758
1,854
7,113
7,112
90
180
26,749
31,352

35

Notes
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
2
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December
Funded by:
Capital
Stock
Cash held by District
Cash held by Condovers		 2023
£
2022
£
(6,773)
(16,147)
(413)
8,412
(7,186)
(7,735)
89,204
96,939
82,018
89,204
80,339
87,452
296
669
0
0
1,383
1,083
82,018
89,204

36

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 19 - Condovers Development - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Donations
Charitable Activities
Grants received
3
Other trading activities
Fund Raising
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Fund Raising
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
2
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December
Funded by:
Cash held by District		 2023
£
0
1,050
0		 2022
£
0
3,734
0
1,050 3,734
0 0
0 0
1,050
413		 3,734
(8,412)
1,463
17,632		 (4,678)
22,310
19,095 17,632
19,095 17,632

37

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 20 - Explorers - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Membership Subscriptions
Received
Less: Paid
1c
Donations
Charitable activities
Camps and Activities
Grants
3, 7
Other trading activities
Fundraising
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
Administration & Stationery
Camps & Activities
Equipment
Rent & Insurance
Necherchiefs & Badges
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December		 2023
£
2022
£
10,874
8,283
(6,540)
(5,317)
4,334
2,966
977
638
27,484
11,449
3,031
300
0
0
35,826
15,353
356
217
29,124
13,211
56
3,972
830
1,268
271
683
30,637
19,351
5,189
(3,998)
0
0
5,189
(3,998)
8,740
12,738
13,929
8,740

38

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 21 - Gang Show & SAS - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Membership Subscriptions
Received
Less: Paid
Donations
Charitable activities
Ticket Sales
Advertising
Clothing
DVDs and CDs
Arts Council Grant & other Sponsors
Other Income
All other Gang Show SAS income
Other trading activities
Fundraising including programmes & raffes
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Fundraising expenses (including raffe)
Charitable activities
Theatre Hire
Wardrobe and Clothing
Stage
Props (including music)
Make Up
Admin, Postage, Printing & Publicity
Refreshments & Entertaining
Rent
DVDs
Donations
Miscellaneous
All other Gang Show SAS spend
Total Expenditure		 2023 Show
£
Gang Show
SAS 2023
£
Total
Gang Show
2023
£
2022 Total
£
0
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
0
10
10
10
0
100
100
290
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
110
110
300
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
227
0
227
213
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
150
150
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
227
150
377
213

39

Notes
Net income / (expenditure)
1b
Fund Transfers
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December		 2023 Show
£
Gang Show
SAS 2023
£
Total
Gang Show
2023
£
2022 Total
£
(227)
(40)
(267)
87
0
0
0
0
(227)
(40)
(267)
87
661
2,370
3,031
2,944
434
2,330
2,764
3,031

40

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 22 - Network - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Membership Subsciptions
Received
Less: Paid
Donations
Charitable activities
Activities
Grants
Clothing
Other
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
Donations
Activities
Materials & Equipment
Rent
Clothing
Sundry
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December		 2023
£
390
0		 2022
£
180
0
390
0
60
0
0
0		 180
0
0
0
0
0
450 180
0
269
0
200
0
39		 0
0
0
200
0
0
508 200
(58)
0		 (20)
0
(58)
928		 (20)
948
870 928

Note: Scout Networks transferred from Counties to Districts in 2017.

41

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 23 - Playscheme - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Membership Subsciptions
Received
Less: Paid
Donations
Charitable activities
Entertainment
Other income
Other trading activities
Fund Raising (including Catering, Bar and BBQ)
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Fund Raising (including Catering, Bar and BBQ)
Charitable activities
Entertainment
Operational
Donation
Other Expenses
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December		 2023
£
0
0		 2022
£
0
0
0
1,600
1,189
620
2,315		 0
4,066
0
672
2,234
5,724 6,972
2,239
1,147
6,197
0
607		 1,971
0
1,753
1,207
508
10,190 5,439
(4,466)
0		 1,533
0
(4,466)
10,479		 1,533
8,946
6,013 10,479

42

Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2023

Note 24 - SCH SAS - Designated Fund

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
Membership Subscriptions
Received
Less: Paid
Donations
Charitable activities
Scout, Explorer and Unit Activities
Support to Groups and others
Air Rifes
Grants
Sundry income
Total Income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
Materials and Equipment
Administration
Activities
Air Rifes
Support to Groups and others
Sundry expenses (including training)
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund Transfers
Net Movement in Funds
Balance at 1 January
Balance at 31 December		 2023
£
0
0		 2022
£
0
0
0
0
672
8,706
654
0
0		 0
0
1,556
3,952
1,201
0
0
10,032 6,709
118
34
520
714
8,803
0		 76
0
932
336
3,952
0
10,189 5,296
(157)
0		 1,413
0
(157)
3,857		 1,413
2,444
3,700 3,857

Note: with effect from 2017, the District’s Air Rifle activity is being accounted for by SCH SAS

43

Independent Examiner’s Report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Thurrock District Scout Council for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Thurrock District Scout Council 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 Thurrock District Scout Council 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 Thurrock District Scout Council as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Name: Andrew Merritt MAAT

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any):

Association of Accounting Technicians

Address: 66 Aluric Close Chadwell St Mary Grays Essex RM16 4NB

Date: 30th April 2024

44

Produced by Andrew Gilbey for Thurrock District Scout Council Registered Charity (England and Wales): 279853