CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2024125 scouts be prepored CROUCHVAUEY essexscouts.org.uWcx
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 CONTENTS Annual report of thg trustees Slalemenl of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the annual accounts 13 Report of the independent examiner
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Legal name.. Crouch Valley District Scout Council Registered number.. 280514 Trustees= A Austin P Stafford M Buckley Z Read D Offord M Gibson M Martin S Blundell H Kalloo Distriel Chair District Le3d Volunteer District Youth Represenlalive District Treasurer District Secretary 14-24 Team Leader Developrnent Team Leader District Trustee District Trustee Contact address.. 48a Woodlands Road. Hockley, Essex, SS5 4PY ObJectlv•$ and activities Scouting exists lo actively engage and support young pgople in their personal development, empowering them lo make a positive contribution to society. Crouch Valley District Scout Council I'lhe District'l exists to guide and suptx>rt the 14 individual Scout groups within the lower River Crouch valley. Accordingly its principal activities are to provido District wide access lo various support services and lo provide District wido evtsnls for the beriefil of those Scouts. The Distrid is a managerial and support function for the aclivities of tha various Scout groups operating underneath it in the local area. Stru¢turo, governance and manag•m&nt The District is a charity fegistered in the Unittsd Kingdom and a sub-unit of the Scout Association. It is therefore governed by Royal Charter granted in 1912 and operates as r8quirèd by the slipulalions and instructions of the S¢oul Association. Tho District is managed by the District Executive under the leadership of the District Commissioner and the ChaIran. The Executive meet regul8dy throughout the year lo discuss and decide upon th& operation of the District. The Executive is also assisted by number ol sub-committees who are responsible for specific affairs wrfthin the District and are appointed on an ad-hoc basis either permanently or temporarily as needs arise. In accordance with Scouting regulations, Explorer Scoul units and Scout Network organisalions within the local geographical area are also undeT the remit of the District itself (unlike individual Scout groups which are separate enlilie5 in their own rightl. Led by the District Explorer and Network Scout Commissioners, Explorers and Network maintain their own management executive independent froffl Ibut reportable tol the Dislri¢t itself. The anngxed accounts for the District therefore include tho actlvltSes of District as a body plus the District Explorer units and the District Network units included therein. The Trustees are pleased lo note Scouting r8mains strong in the District, with a S°k increase in overall membership against last year. Page 1 of 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Public benefit The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty of Section 17 of the Charili&s Act 2011 to have ue regard lo the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Achievements and perfomiance The District continues lo maintain its activa and broad profile of Scouting a¢livitigs within the local community. Inlra-Dislri¢l competition remains both popular and competitive. The Dislricl's core Scouting calendar remains generally unchanged with most inlra-Dislrict events well attended by most groups. Well refined deliveries mean certain &venls remain hugely popular (such as the Beaver swimming gala or the Cub hikel and meanwhile the leadership teams continually review options for new ideas whether as new acb'vities at Renewal of Promise or as standalone events. On a whole Oistricl level, Ihe all section Renewal of Promise weekend runs each April and has been well attended over the last year. Due to a lack of use, making il unsustainable lo continue lo meet operating costs, th8 Executive took the decision lo retire ils minibLJS during the year. As the costs of restoring it properly exceeded ils likely re-sala value, the Exe¢ulive elected to gift the minibus lo an interested Trustee who had freely donated countless hours of maintenance work during its ownership by the Dislrict. As the annexed notes demonslrale, the amount of young people benefiting directly from local Scouting remains as strong as ever. Unfortunately recruiting and retaining adult volunteers lo facilitate this delivery continues lo remain a problam across the District land indeed wder Scouting) with many adults therefore holding mLJltiple roles. As always, further volunteer recruitment remains a key strategic locus for the Executive. The Executive are also pleased to note a renewed interest in the Network118 to 241 provision., this has happaned since the year end. The exeGuIIv8 are working closely with the leadership team lo ènsure it has access to the necessary support lo re-establish this extension lo the SGouling programme in the local area. During this year the District has seen a significant reduGlion in ils $h reserves following a large amoLJnt of refurbishment being done to Ark Lane inclusive of installing up to dale healing and air conditioning for the sile. Finally, the Executive would like to offer their thanks lo all those volunt88rs who give so much so freely for the benefit ol the Scouts within the Dislricl'5 remit. Like all Scouting ihe Dislricl is highly dependent on the fantastic work all its adult volunteers undertake. always far beyond what is expected of them and usually freely given wilhoul proper recognition. On behalf ol those Scouts who benefit- thank you. On behalf of those Scouts who benefit- thank you. Pagg 2of 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 20241202S ANNUAL REPORTOF THETRVSTEES Flnancial review The Dislrict strive5 to keep suffici8nt reseNes to service [15 current financi81 requirements and realistic potenb'al liabilitie5 without curnulating lary8 surplu8es whi¢h would be b8tt8r us8d for Scouting purkX)se5. When setting the Districfs annual subscriptions, the Executive has due regard for the Dislri¢l's current level of reserves and therefore allempts to balance the next yearfs funding r8quir8ments with the existing funds available. A substantial proportion of those subscriptions are a150 paid on lo Essex Scouts and headqu8rt8rs- note 3 to the annexed a¢¢ounts shows the small proportion the Dislriel actually retains to fund 115 operations. Ordinary op8rativa Costs continue lo incr8as8 on all fronts but this 15 particularfy fell at AF1¢ Lane Whe Maintenan wtsrk is regu18r and sometimes requires 8Xt8rn81 expertis& lo be bought in. N8vertheless, a tranGhe of invesltnent during the year has improved the faciliti88 8ubstanlially- and the Executive are k8en lo encourage Scou15 near and far lo make the most of At the 31st March 2025 th8 District had the following re5erv8S'. District reserves Explorer reseNes N8bwork serveS 364.19 33,052 702 397,950 568 397,382 Of which restricted Unr8Stricted reserves though the above reserves show a very Strong ov8rall financial position. the Executive ar& mindful that il invested heavily into the development ol Priory Chase I the Birches and thefore the tnajority of its r8seNes are tied up in property rather than freely available cash. Furtherrnore, the combined District figures include not only th8 Districvs activities themselves but also th8 Di$tri¢t's Ark Lane site. the active ExplOr units (including a young leader unill and the local N8twork. Zoe R8ad Di5trlct Treasurer Date.. Pag8 3 of 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Unreslricled Reslricled Total 2,024 INCOMING RESOURCES Incorning resourG&s from generated funds Voluntary in¢orne Activities for generating funds Inveslmenl in¢orne In¢Dming resources from charitable activities other incoming resources Total Incoming resources 17,142 2,658 16 67,052 6,800 93,668 17,142 2,658 16 67,052 6,800 93,668 14,500 2,519 12 43,498 3,570 64,099 RESOURCES EXPENDED C05t of generating funds Fundraising trading costs Investment managem&nl costs Charitable activities Other resources expended Total expenditure 13,2931 13,2931 13,165} 187,1301 187.1301 169.861 } 7,272 80,298 90,423 90.423 Nel incoming resources before IransfeTS Gross transfers between funds 3,245 3,245 116,1991 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS ,245 16,199 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS District Explorers Network Total movement 114,8051 18,050 114.8051 18,050 120,9771 4,778 3,245 3,245 16,199 FUNDS Total funds brought forward Reslalement from previous periods Nel rnovemenl in funds Total funds ¢arrled forward 394,137 568 394,705 410,904 3,245 397.382 3,245 397,950 16,199 394,705 568 Page4of13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT202412025 BALANCE SHEET 31ST MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Reslricled 2024 Total FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets Total fixed ass8ts 282.408 282,408 282,408 282,408 289,597 289,597 CURRENT ASSETS Badge stocks Debtors Income reG8ivable Prepaym8nts Other débtors Total debtor5 Cash at bank and in hand ScoLJt investment service District main account Ark Lane account District cash Explorer main account Explorer subs account Explorer D of E account Explorer expense account District events accoLJnt Network main account Network cash Total cash al bank and in hand 499 499 423 11,289 1.551 11,289 1,551 1,722 74 1,796 12,840 12.840 115,884 6,891 330 14,370 7,921 1.551 318 785 702 568 116,452 6,891 330 14,370 7,921 1,551 318 785 702 115,133 18,602 529 1,990 4,648 760 185 663 148,752 568 149,320 142,510 Total current ass•ts 162,091 568 162,659 144,729 CURRENT LIABILITIES Accrued expenses Deferred income Other creditors Total currènt liabilitie5 16,2231 40,894 47,117 16,2231 40,894 47,117 15.0581 34.563 39.621 NET ASSETS 397,382 568 397,950 394,705 FUNDS District funds General Outrèaeh Explowr funds Gènèr81 Nfr0rk funds General Total funds 363,628 363,628 568 378,433 568 568 33,052 33,052 15,002 702 397,382 702 397,950 702 394,705 568 The financial slalemenls were approved by the trustees on and signèd on their behaff by.. Z Read District Treasurer Page Sof 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Statutory information The District is a registered charity in England with charity number 280514. Thè charitys full li11e is Crouch Valley District SGOUI Council and it is operated in accordance wlh the Policy, Organi5alion and Rules as set out by the S¢out Association. The District principa11y operates in the lower valley of the River Crou¢h, Essex, which encompasses Rochford. Hockley, Rayleigh, Hawkwell, Hullbridge and Canewdon. 2 Accounting pollcles a. Accountin convention The financial slalemenls have been prepared in accordance wlh the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021,. Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recomrnended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (Charities SORP IFRS 10211,. and the Charities Act 2011. The District rllee15 the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised al historical cost or transaction value unless olhenNise slated in the relovanl accounting PDIicy. b. Goin Cc>ncern At the lime of approving the finan¢ial statements, the Iruslees have a re8s0nable expectation th81 the charity has adequate resources lo continue in operational exislen¢e lor Ihe forseeable future. Thus the Iruste5s ¢ontintuelo adopt the going concern basis ol accounting in preparing the finan¢ial stalemenls. This view is supported by the r&ceipt of membership contriblions from within the district and ils level of reserves. Incomin resources Incoming resources are included in the Statement of financial activities ISOFAI whan.. the charity becomes entitled lo the resoLJrces', the trustees are reasonably rtain they will rectrive the resources,. and the monetary value can be measurod with suitable reliability. Membership subscriptions.. Membership subscriptions are reported net of any amounts ¢olle¢led on behaff of and p8yable to other parts of the Scout Movement. The District's share of membership 5ubscriplions received are recognised as income in the period lo which the subscription is attributable. Subscriptions are typically collected immediately before the balance sheet dale in respect of the subsequent accounting period - in this case the subscriptions are deferred to the later reporting period. Grants and donations.. Grants and donations are only recognised as income when the charity has unconditional enlilemenl to the resources. Donated services and facilities.. These are only included within incoming resources Iwilh an equivalent expenditure inclLJded in resources expended) where the benefit lo the charity is reasonably quantifiable, mèasurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the eslimaled value to the charity of the service or facility received. Th8 value of voluntary help received is not recognised. Page6of 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 20241202S NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 2 A¢¢ounting policie5 Icont'dl d. AIIoc81ion of income and ex enditu The Di8lricYs adivilies also include those of th8 District based Explorer and Network se¢tions and the separately identifiable activities of 115 Ark Lane campsite. All in¢ome and expenditure 15 attributable directly to one of the District's core activities and separate bank accounts ancl management figures are maintained to ensur8 th8 Dislricl's activitie8 are kepl identrfiable. Consequently, rio income or expenditur& requires general apporbonment acros5 the District's aclivi118S. reco Liabilities sre recognis8d as soon 88 there is a legal 01 constructive obligation committing th8 charity to pay out r850urces and the total amounts ou15tsnding can be accurat81y id8nlified. f. Tan ibl8 as88ts Land and buildings are Carried al historical cost, les5 provision for d&preciation over 50 years or the remainder of the lease period Iwhichever is th8 shorter). Depreciatlon Is recognSsed only once assets under ¢onsiruction have been brought into us8. Other equipment addltlons are recogni5ed a5 a fixed a58el only wh8re th8 indlvldual cost exceéds £1.000 per Item. Depciall0n 15 charged at 15% reduang balance. g. Stocks Stocks of badges held for resale are recogni5ed at the lower of cost and net sales value. 3 Analysis of incoming resources 2025 2024 Voluntary incorne District ¢apit3tion Capitslion paid on to UK I Es38x County Scouts Nel Oistricl capitation retain6d District Explorer subscriptions Di51ricl Network subscriptions Totsl voluntary income 45,846 40,894 4,952 12,190 39,735 34,583 5,172 9,328 17,142 14,500 Activities for generating funds Badge sal85 Minibus hir8 2,658 2,504 15 2.519 2,658 Inv8stment Income Interast roceivgd 12 12 Incomlng $1¢e5 from charltable actlvltles Event Income Ark Lane camping fees and usage chary8S Dislrlct charitable activitie5 10,368 3.809 14.177 9.117 8.897 18.014 Explorer camp and event incorne Duke of Edinburgh income Explorer charitable activities 48.254 4,621 52.875 21,531 3,953 25,484 Total charitable actlvlty Income 67,052 43,498 Other Incomlng resource$ Local council grants Donations r&¢eived Gift aid reclaims Other income receivable Total other income recelvable 3,000 3,800 6.800 3.570 3,570 Total Incomlng re$our¢¢$ 93, Page7of13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 3 Analy$ls of incoming resources Icont'dl In the Fgbruary immediately preceding the balance sheet date, the District annual ¢ensus reported the following totsl rnembers.. 2025 2024 Squirrels Beavors Cubs Scouts Explorers 12 222 296 220 139 10 216 254 234 129 Totsl 889 100 200 300 400 Squirrels Beavers • 2025 Cubs 2024 Scouts Explorers In Fèbruary immediately preceding the year end, the annual 5ubs¢riplions collected from each individual Scout were made up as follows.. 2025 42.50 3.50 7.00 £53.00 2024 37.50 3.50 Headquarters IUKI County (Essex) District Icrouch Valley) Total £47.00 The above amounts were collected in advance of the year ended 31st March 2025 and therefore have not yet been recognised in the SOFA. £0.00 £10.00 £20.00 £30.00 £40.00 £50.00 £60.00 2025 • Headquarters IUKI County (Essex) District Icrouch Valley) 2024 Page8of13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 4 Analy$l$ Of resources expended 2025 2024 Charitable aclivitios Event expenditure Ark Lane depreciation Ark Lane refurbishment Ark Lane ulililies and running costs The Birches deproci81ion Administrative expenses Leader training and development Equipment r8plaGemenl Group support costs Minibus expens&s Sundries District ¢harltable activities 19,4141 11,6121 111,4601 13,6001 15,5771 15731 11,4171 112,9131 11,8961 15,3341 15,6911 13531 15051 11,5451 14,6051 120 139,9231 112,5571 11,6171 140,8661 Event expenditure Hall rent Unil meetings Adminislralive expenses Duke of Edinburgh expenses and fees Leader training and development Equipment replacement Explorer charltable actlvities 134,6081 17491 15,9311 17591 15,1601 122,5361 11,5021 11,5881 17841 {1,8671 12001 518 128.9951 147,2071 Hall rent Unit meetings Network charitablè a¢tlvltltrs Total charitable actlvlty èxpondlture 87,130 69,861 2001. 40/. 60°/0 800A loo% District Explorer Network District Explorer Network •Camps and activitigs • Ark Lane costs Adminislralion and support Page9of 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 5 Remuneratlon and exponsas Scouting operates on a volunteer basis and as such the trustees express their gratitude to the many adults who give up their lime so willingly for the benefit of the Scouts both within and external lo the Distr1. Without their incredible commitrnent the District simply would not exist. During the current and preceding period, there w&re no employees of the District nor remuneration payrnenls, or expenses. payable lo trustees. 6 Tangible fixed assets Ark Lanè The Birches Total Land and buildings Cosl brought forward Additions Cost carried forward 26,937 312,941 339,878 26,937 312,941 339,878 Depreciation brought forward Provision for depreciation Depr&ciation carried forward 116,1911 1,6121 117,8031 134,0901 5,577 139,6671 150,2811 7.189 157,4701 Net book value carriad forward 9,134 273,274 282,408 Contingent liabilities a. Belcham The District is responsiblg for one quarter of any liabilities that may arise from the rnanagemenl of Belchamps Scout Gentre. Belchamps is a 29 acre freehold campsite wth ancillary buildings operated for the benefit of Scouts bul is also used by other youth and educational organisalions.11 is owned. freehold, by the four Districts of South East Essex. Belchamps Scout Cgntre is also a registered charity- copies of its accounts may be obtained from the Charity Commission. b. Soulhend Scout and Guide Gan Show The District is responsible for a percentage of any li8bililies that might arise from the production of the Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show. The show is presented bi-annually an(t draws ks cast from the four Scout Districts and three Guido Divisions of South East E55ex. Any liability arising would be based on a per capila membership basis at the date of the latest membership census. Pagg 10of13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 8 Operating lease commltments The District holds at lease for the use of the land al Ark Lane from Rochford District Council al a cost of £50 per annum. This lease has expired and thè District are currently in the final negotiation stagas of signing a new leasts. The cost for this is anticipated to be £850 per annum. The District accept this is large increase bul have noted the last lease renewal happened 30 years ago. The District holds a lease for the property known as The Birches for a rent of £1.500 per annum and it has been agreed that an equivalent sublease to 5th Rayleigh Scout group for principal use and management of the new facility. Therefore, the Dislricl's total value of future minimum lease payments were mad8 up as follows.. 2025 2024 Due within 1 year Due within 2 - 5 years Duo in more than 5 years 1.500 6.000 45,000 52,500 1,550 6,030 47,950 55.53 Related party dl$¢lo$ures During the year the District deemed the ongoing provision of a minibus was no longer financially viable. Having ascertained it had no real r¢saltr value, and possibly a cost to scrap, it was insload gifted lo a Trustee in recognition of the immeasurable offort he had spent maintaining it previously12024- £nil). Page11 of13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 10 Funds and reserves Income 27,719 Expenditure 142,5241 Transfers Movem&nt 114,8051 Gelleral IDislricll Outreach fund Unrestricted Resirictad 27,719 142,5241 114,8051 General IExplorersl Cerberus grant Gryphon grant Unreslricted RestriGled Restri¢led 65.949 147,8991 18.050 65,949 47,8991 18,050 General (Network) UnStriCted Total 93,668 90,423 3,245 1st April 24 378.433 568 423,121 Mov&ment 31st March 25 General (Districti Outreach fund Unreslrioied Reslricied 114,8051 363,628 568 364,196 114,8051 General (Explorers) Unreslricled 15,002 15,002 18,050 18,050 33,052 33,052 General (Networkl Unreslricled 702 702 Total 3,245 397,95 The Districvs reserves al 31 sl March 2025 include the following funds.. Outreach fund.. Thi5 fund exists lo provide financial support and assistance lo Di51ricl Scouts where necessary. S¢outing is open lo all regardless of financial circumstances so the Outreach fund was originally established lo ensure funds were aayS available to assist those who need it. Page 12 of 13
CROUCH VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 202412025 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER I report on the accounts of the District for the year ended 31 sl March 2023 which comprise the Ststemenl of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes sel out on pages 4 10 12. This report is made solely lo the trustees in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Iruslees those matters l am required lo slate to them in an independent exarniner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest exlenl permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility lo anyone other than the charity and the charity's Iruslees for my examination work. Respective responslbllities of thg trustees and examiner The District's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year lunder Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility lo.. examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the Charitie5 Acll., to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 14515llbl of the Charities A¢ll,' and lo slate whether particular mallers have come lo my attention. Basls of independent examiner's r8port My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the District and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items OT disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanation5 from you as Iruslees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters sel out in the slalement below. Indgpendent examiner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come lo my allenlion.. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements a. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act,. and b. lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been rnel., OT 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examinar: Date.. 20 /, 12025 Page 13of 13