**Trustees' Annual Report for the period** **From** Period start date Period end date 1[st] January 2025 31st December 2025 **To** ## Section A Reference and administration details **Charity name Letchworth and Baldock District Scout Council Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any)** 279860 **Charity's principal address** 141 Icknield Way Letchworth Garden City **Postcode SG6 4AD** ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
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16|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Tara Maria Lewis-
Smith|Squirrel and Beaver
section leader|From 15 May 2025 to 31
December 2025|Robert Andrew Coldrey| ||Elizabeth Aird|District Youth Lead||| ||Glenn Read|14+ Section lead||| ||Russell Paul Wake|Trustee||| ||Robert Andrew
Coldrey|District Lead
Volunteer||| ||Paul David
Grosvenor Tyler|District Treasurer||| ||Kenneth George
Osborne|District Chairperson||| ||George Robert
Muge|Trustee||| ||HayleyPalmer|Trustee||| ||Jacob Adam
Grosvenor Tyler|Trustee||| ||Wendy Tierney|Leadership Team
Member||| ||Christopher King|Volunteer
Development team
leader||| |||||| |||||| |||||| **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** **Name Dates acted if not for whole year** **Trustee Annual Report** 1 of 10 ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**| |---|---|---| |**Type of adviser**
**Name**
**Address**||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**||| |||| ## **Section B Structure, governance and management** ## **Description of the charity’s trusts** Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods (eg. appointed by, elected by) The District use the governing documents 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. The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. ## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; - relationship with any related parties; - trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate. Members of the Trustee Board complete 'Being a Trustee in Scouts' training within the first 180 days of joining the trustee board. This District Trustee Board exists to support the District Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for: - The maintenance of District property; - The raising of funds and the administration of District finance; - The insurance of persons, property and equipment; - District public occasions; - Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; - Appointing any sub committees that may be required; - Managing Risks. ## **Risk and Internal Control** The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the District is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are: **Trustee Annual Report** 2 of 10 Damage to the building, property and equipment. The District would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The District has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Reduced income from fund raising. The District is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The District does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Trustee Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the District on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leaders. The District is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the District. Reduction or loss of members. The District directly provides activities for young people aged 14 to 25 and by proxy Groups within District for young people aged 6 to 14. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the District Explorer Scout or Network units. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** **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. **Summary of the objects of the Co-operation** - We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others **charity set out in its** and make friends. **governing document The Scout Method** Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and: - enjoy what they are doing and have fun - take part in activities indoors and outdoors - learn by doing - share in spiritual reflection - take responsibility and make choices - undertake new and challenging activities - make and live by their Promise. **Trustee Annual Report** 3 of 10 **Summary of the main** The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit **activities undertaken for the** criteria under both the advancement of education and the **public benefit in relation to** advancement of citizenship or community development **these objects (include within** headings. **this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)** **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: - policy on grantmaking; - policy programme related investment; - contribution made by volunteers. **Trustee Annual Report** 4 of 10 Section D Achievements and performance **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** It has been another busy year in the District with events, new sections and continuing to become accustomed to the new membership system and our team-based roles. We are now fully transferred and staffed as a Trustee Board. Most of our sections are doing well, while we have seen a small drop in young person numbers, in line with national trends, we still maintain healthy numbers with a strong waiting list. Our explorer numbers have increased significantly and as a result we have split Oak Eagle ESU into a Letchworth and a Baldock division, both units meet at the same time but in different places, throughout the year they have combined for several meetings. This year we had our District trip to Lochearnhead, training events were held and a huge amount of hard work by everyone involved made sure that our 2025 trip to Lochearnhead was a huge success with fun being had and memories being made. A special note of thanks for keeping all safe during the middle weekend of appalling weather. We hope to return in 2029 if we get a slot! Following this trip a few volunteers showed an interest in gaining an Adventurous Activity Permit. To support this the District put together several new sub-teams within the programme team for Hillwalking, Sailing and Climbing allowing groups of likeminded individuals a space to get together, hone their skills and gain some permits! **Trustee Annual Report** 5 of 10 ## **Section E Financial review** ## **Reserves Policy** ## **Brief statement of the** **charity’s policy on reserves** The District's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Trustees consider that the District should hold a sum equivalent to 3 months running costs, circa £10,000. The District held reserves of approximately £28,000 against this at year end. **Details of any funds materially in deficit** None ## **Further financial review details (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about: - the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); - how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; The District operates as an umbrella to provide shared facilities and events to the ten groups in the District. Financially these events are planned to breakeven and typically do, as a result there is little urgent need for direct fund raising. For example the annual Greenway walk operates to help the groups raise their own funds rather than support District, with district just covering costs. - At the AGM we confirmed the next Financial Year will run from 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026. - investment policy and The District does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term objectives including any investments. The District has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to ethical investment policy the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash or short-term adopted. interest-bearing accounts using a specialist Charity Bank. ## **Section F Other optional information** **Trustee Annual Report** 6 of 10 INDEPENDENTEXAMINER'SREPORTTOTHETRusfEES OF LEfcHWORTH AND BALDOCK DISThICT scoirr COUNCIL I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Letchworth and Baldock District Scout CounciL (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025. Responsibiltties and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trus( you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Aci 2011 l*heAct'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under settion 145 of the Art and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicabLe Dirertions given by the Charity Commission under sertion 145(5llb) of the Act. Independent examin*s statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination. otherthan that disclosed below. giving me cause to believe that in any materiaL respecL' l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the ACL. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection WTth the examination to which attenti should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accou eached. IA Hunt FCA 100 Howard Drive Letchworth Garden City SG6 2DG 8 June 2026 Trustee Annual Report 7of10 Letchworth and Baldock District Scout Council - Charity No 279860 Receipts and Payments Account F¢Kthe 1A¢ J￿ll￿ry 2025 To 31¥t D•e•mb•r 2025 Receipts and payments 2025 Unr•slrfct funds 2024 fvnds funds Total lund Totsl fund# Rwlpl¥ D0A*l0￿ shnllar Incom• 42.729 4.691 3,800 Subtol•l .ts2 So¢tkbn￿ ISLxwb. CLts8 Beav•rnl 18, 19304 3,287 Dwcl FUn(IN￿ Lc¢h•èmh•gd 2025 1ntwnalhi￿ ILWKI Sub l¢>t•l Dl•trkt IrKonb Ho Hlre B*SI 1.133 t,133 299 29.7 4,319 5,013 MInit￿ Suty tot•1 InvMtm•nt InwR• Bank iTrtuesl b totsl 1,628 Total rnceipts 14.Y25 Trustee Annual Report 8of10 Letchworth and Baldock District Scout Councll - Charlty No 279860 Receipts and Payments Account F￿th•￿ l•t January 2025 31•t D•c•mb•r 2D25 To Receipts and payments 2025 2024 funds fvnd¥ Totsl Tot•1 fund• Charll•bl• pa￿￿•￿￿ M*mb&iship pahj on 44.514 33.018 27.J14 ""Ill xr 2Q002 7,830 858 L151n¢l ActNf¢es 4874 B8nk Char986 'strict HQ 960 6.104 Bodg8 St SciLrt Shop 4419 4.SSS 7,304 4,782 1n1vn81￿ Fund W(Mkl J4mtoro0 LCK*•8rr4￿￿y eXF•Jthn 202S Sub lot•1 10.84B W44 Fundr8klTrg •xp•n c¢$ 1.031 1.012 1.012 Toe•l Gr￿ EXP￿dIt￿re 1.127 1.127 24383 N•t of roceIpt￿{￿yrn•nts) Tr•nsf•rs b•tw••n funds C￿h fund# la¥1 year end Cash funds Ihh yg8r•nd J1,823 47,373 7S,612 Trustee Annual Report 9of10 Letchworth and Baldock Dlstrlct Scout Council - Charlty No 279860 Receipts and Payments Account Forth•y 1•t January 2025 31st D•c•mb•r 2025 To Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 31st December 2025 31st D•¢ 24 Tatsl fund• Unr•*trfct•d funds Totsl fund* fvnd¥ fund• Cash lundj 21875 Bank depjsl aCC￿nI 19.385 I5.Q8• i• 121 Non rnon•tsry ••••ts for Badw stttk Shcp $lrKk 'niluB Tr#ler 1514 4.73(1 18,$1)0 4055 170 20,793 31.14$ Subt¢tsl LlabMII Rent C￿ NK¢l¥ n(A yet Sub t(tsl Th• above r•c•lpts paJTMnts accounl and *tatsm•nt of assDts *nd li*blllll•s w•r• approb*d tyth• TN$t006 1)n 2M Aprl 2020 lth• dats of th• Truit•• Bo•rd m•otlng that appro¥•d th• arcountsl and >lgn•d on thgir behalf by Print Namo K8D Osbc*n•. thir T>kn, Treasurér Trustee Annual Report 10of10