2025-03-31-accounts

Leander Sea Scout Group Trustee Report

For the Year Ending 31 March 2025

1. Governance and Strategic Development

• The Trustee Board met regularly throughout the year and continued to oversee the governance and operational management of the Group.

• A new Leander leadership structure was agreed and implemented, aligning with the revised roles defined by the Scouts’ national transformation programme. Sub-teams (e.g. Water Activities, Facilities) now lead operational delivery.

• The new admissions policy, trialled successfully in early 2024, prioritises children of volunteers and is now fully in use, supporting volunteer recruitment and managing section transitions more eIectively.

• Monthly Group Leadership Team meetings have been introduced, improving coordination and enabling early resolution of operational issues.

2. Programme and Section Support

• All youth sections remained active and well-attended, with summer water activity planning underway as of March 2025.

• The number of Explorers remained stable, and a Switzerland trip planned for 2025 is being supported through targeted fundraising.

• Leaders noted an increase in challenging behaviour from some young people. EIective peer mentoring and breaks have helped, and additional leadership training is under discussion.

• A new system allows leaders to identify staIing for each water session and enables young people and volunteers to gain permits, with training costs covered by the Group.

3. Facilities, Boats and Safety

• Long-standing facilities issues were progressed:

• Leaks on one of the gigs and the gig pulleys remain under review.

• LED lighting upgrades were completed.

• The galley refurbishment project is under review, and the scope is being scaled back after a revised estimate.

• has been implemented.

• Boat licences were renewed, and the COSHH cupboard is being brought into compliance with updated documentation.

• A complete kayak review was undertaken, and all boats will be logged and inspected under Paddle UK guidelines.

4. Risk Management and Compliance

• The Group Risk Register is now a standing agenda item. It has been updated to

• Water quality risks, (40% of river sample days not meeting bathing water standards, so additional risk mitigation is required for the safety of activities/young people.)

• Riverbank erosion, which has caused trip / foot entrapment hazards. Trustees escalated this to the Council (temporary repairs since completed).

• Following the Great Orme incident, all section leaders have been asked to review and update their Risk Assessments.

• New incident and near-miss reporting processes are in place, with regular monthly reviews.

5. Finances

• As of March 2025, total funds (including savings) exceeded £99,000.

• Capitation (~£5,000) and equipment investments (e.g. £8,200 replacement outboard motor) were accounted for.

• The Gift Aid process is in place.

• consistent templates for claims and tracking.

• An Anticipated Expenditure list is being maintained and updated through leadership meetings to support financial planning and prioritisation.

6. External Relationships and Hirers

• The Group continues to engage with external hirers such as a local Community Church, Pilates and Tai Chi groups. Issues with property storage and overstaying hours are being addressed.

• Leander’s engagement with Royal Borough of Kingston’s Voice of the River initiative continues, supporting advocacy on river access and water quality.

• A £2,500 Royal Navy grant and £250 donation were secured to help fund a new outboard motor.

• The Group is in the process of reviewing and updating its key policies. This includes:

• A full Privacy Policy review.

• Standardising and linking all policies to UK Scouts templates where applicable.

• Ensuring insurance and safety documentation (including COSHH) are maintained and accessible.

Andrew Jackson

Chair of Trustees

Leander (Kingston) Sea Scout Group Registered Charity number 290029

Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

31.3.25 31.3.25 31.3.25 Income £ £ £ Subs 18,135.00 Gift aid 3,036.21 Donations and Grants 4,923.93 Use of HQ 12,641.83 Use of boats 675.00 Fund raising 2,099.16 Camp 6,225.00 Great River Race 0.00 Uniform sales 722.95 Interest received 2,989.63 Donation for water testing 4,480.00 Total Income 55,928.71 Expenditure Capitation 5,568.00 HQ Maintenance 5,510.64 Insurance 2,604.69 Services 2,237.75 Council tax/Envi Agency 1,250.89 11,603.97 Boats Purchase/sale 0.00 Maintenance 832.99 Insurance 1,817.93 2,650.92 Camp 3,023.81 GRR 1,247.52 Training 790.75 Activities/meetings 1,952.54 Uniform 454.63 Equipment 86.92 Administration & Misc. 149.24 Water testing 743.20 8,448.61 Total Expenditure 28,271.50 Surplus (deficit) for the Year 27,657.21 Bank Accounts: Community Account - Debit Card 567.54 Current Account 5758.91 Deposit Accounts 82,038.52 5,807.47 87,845.99 C&C Barclays Total at Banks 94,172.44		31.3.24 31.3.24 31.3.24 £ £ £ 18,528.76 1,900.68 Note 2 3,563.17 13,052.29 489.84 1,029.17 3,870.00 Note 1 0.00 1,655.32 1,518.40 0.00 45,607.63 4,592.00 7,673.74 2,830.88 1,531.77 1,120.82 13,157.21 300.00 5,562.86 3,093.78 Note 3 8,956.64 2,473.83 1,589.76 2,088.00 3,765.82 2,325.91 71.17 707.00 0.00 13,021.49 39,727.34 5,880.29 438.53 4,220.34 56,135.44 5,720.92 61,856.36 C&C Barclays 66,515.23

Note 1 Contributions to 2025 camp included

Note 2 Improved recovery as more GA forms signed Note 3 Only half year as balance paid next year

Leander (Kingston) Sea Scout Group Cbarity number 290029 Independent Examincr's Rcport on the Accounts I rq￿rt to the trustccs on my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025. RespoDJibilities 4nd bAYiY of report As the charity's trustees. you are re.sp()n.8ible for thc preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of ihc Charilics Act 2011 ("the Acl"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusi's accounts carried out under section 145 of ihe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have follow¢d all the applicablc DirLYlions gviven by the Charily Commission under section 145(5Xb) of the Act. Independent C￿miner'S statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material mallers have come to tny attention in conncclion with the examination which gives me cause to believe that i any material resp￿1. th¢ accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with ihe accounting records: or th¢ accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning th¢ fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Re￿rts) Regulatio￿$ 2￿8 other than any requirement thai the accounts give a "tr￿ and fair, view which is not a matter considered &8 part of an indetKndent examination. I have no concerns and have come acros5 no other mallcrs in connection with the examination to which attention should b¢ drawn in this reN)rt in order to enable a pro￿ understanding of the accounts to be r¢ach¢d. Edward Waran8 FCA. Chartered Accountsnt Tanficl(L Hogspudding Lan¢ RH5 5DU 31 July 2025