Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] March 2024
| Name of Charity: | 1stLinslade Scout Group | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Charity Number: | 300160 | ||
| Address: | Nyamba Scout Headquarters, | ||
| Mowbray Drive, Leighton Buzzard, | |||
| Bedfordshire, LU7 2PH | |||
| Trustees: | From | To | |
| Chris Leigh, Group Treasurer | 18/9/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Donna Wilkinson, Secretary | 18/9/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Mat Dowden, Chair | 1/4/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Susan Helden, Beaver Leader | 1/4/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Andrew Helden, Section Assistant | 1/4/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Beverley Dass, Group Scout Leader | 1/4/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Becky Skinner, Cub Leader and | 1/4/23 | 31/3/24 | |
| Safeguarding Lead | |||
| Andrew Skinner, Trustee | 18/9/24 | 31/3/24 |
Bankers: Barclays Bank, 2 Market Square, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1EY Bookkeeper Blooms Bookkeeping
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1. Governance
1st Linslade Scout Group (the Group) is a trust established under the rules of The Scout Association. The Groups’ governing documents are those of The Scout Association. The key governing documents are The Scout Association’s POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules) and the Group’s Constitution document.
The Group is managed by the Trustee Board. The Trustee Board is responsible for ensuring that the Group is properly run in accordance with the POR and is specifically responsible for:
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the maintenance of the Group’s property and equipment.
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the raising of funds and the administration of the Group’s finance.
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the insurance of persons, property, and equipment.
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Group public occasions.
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assisting with the recruitment of Leaders and other adult support.
The Group Scout Leader (GSL) is responsible for scouting activities.
2. Aims and Purpose
The purpose of the Group is to meet the aim of The Scout Association i.e. to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.
The Group achieves its purpose by providing an enjoyable and attractive programme of activities based around the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership. Beavers learn through fun and friendships; Cubs focus on activity badge work and Scouts participate in more adventurous pursuits. There is an exciting and varied programme of activities for all ages which relies on the dedication and commitment of the adult and young leaders.
3. Main Achievements in 23/24
2023/24 was a successful year for the group. The trustee board has seen addition of Chris Leigh and Donna Wilkinson who joined at the EGM last september. All sections managed to put together really exiting programmes and worked really hard to implement the covid risk assessment and face-to-face meetings and activities.
We are sure the children, parents and guardians would join the committee in extending our deepest thanks to the leaders for all their efforts over the last 12 months.
In the last 12 months, with the help of Karen Brown, all policies have been reviewed and updated.
After a lot of work on the hut last year it has been quiet in terms of maintenance, However work on the roof has been identified which will be progressed in the near future.
4. Membership
Membership was 100 at April 2024.
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The partnership with Parkers Pioneers Explorer Scout Unit continues into a eleventh successful year providing 14-18 age group Scouting.
5. Strategic Aims
The GEC set 4 priorities for 2023/24:
| Priority | Progress | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Increase Parent Support |
We have welcomed a new secretary to the group and subsequently two new members have joined the committee as parent reps. We have had several parents offer support and we now have the weekly and monthly safety and fire checks being conducted. |
| 2 | Capital Projects | No significant spending made this year. |
| 3 | Maintenance of Nyamba |
General maintenance has been progressed. |
| 4 | Changes to governance |
All policies reviewed and updated inline with the Scouts POR. |
| 5 | Planning Kanderstag 2025 |
Agreement to part fund the trip with donation received in 2021. Planning progressing with a decision required for which year to go. |
6. Voluntary Leaders
The group has successful successfully recruited several section leaders, section assistants, occasional support and committee members.
7. Finance and Fundraising
The Group’s core income comes from members’ subscriptions (currently £12 per month), which covers operational expenditure.
The trustees agreed that the subscriptions can remain at £12 while the finances are in a healthy state.
Funds are expended to provide the varied and balanced programme of activities in line with the aims and purpose. Specific projects are funded through reserves, grants or fundraising events. The Group is registered for Gift Aid.
The Group monitors its finances closely in accordance with the Group’s Finance Policy to ensure financial sustainability.
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Policy on Reserves
The Group’s policy on reserves is to retain a minimum of six months running costs (estimated at £8,500). The Group funds its activities through subscriptions and significant funds are not accumulated except for a specific purpose (e.g. capital projects, investment in equipment, investment in upgrading the HQ). The Group owns its own premises valued at c£250,000. The Group does not have sufficient cash balances for long term financial investment.
Funds materially in deficit
Not applicable. The Group is solvent with cash reserves of circa £30k as at 31[st] March 2024. Funds are earmarked for projects, equipment and £10k for one or more Kandersteg trips.
8. Public Benefit
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
No staff are employed. The Group relies on its team of dedicated volunteers:
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uniformed leaders and assistants who lead activities for young people
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members of the Group Executive Committee
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parent helpers
9 Approval
This Trustees’ Report was approved at a meeting of the Trustee Board Committee.
Mat Dowden (Chair)
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Profit and Loss
1st Linslade Scout Group For the year ended 31 March 2024
| Profit and Loss 1st Linslade Scout Group For the year ended 31 March 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Turnover | |
| Beavers - Activities Income | 106.13 |
| Cubs - Activities Income | 1,439.28 |
| Explorers | 600.00 |
| Gift Aid | 4,948.68 |
| Other Income | 150.00 |
| Scouts - Activities Income | 2,655.00 |
| Subs | 14,211.20 |
| Total Turnover | 24,110.29 |
| Gross Profit | 24,110.29 |
| Administrative Costs | |
| Accounting Software | 313.20 |
| Anglian Water | 544.20 |
| Beavers - Activities | 13.60 |
| Beavers - Badges | 440.97 |
| Beavers - Materials and Equipment | 539.75 |
| Beavers Gocardless Fees | 3.39 |
| Bookkeeping | 512.50 |
| Capitation | 5,356.00 |
| Cleaning | 100.00 |
| Council Tax | 22.40 |
| Cubs - Activities | 3,448.20 |
| Cubs - Badges | 255.87 |
| Cubs - Materials and Equipment | 259.32 |
| Cubs Gocardless Fees | 62.88 |
| Electricity | (4,509.54) |
| Equipment - General and/or Capital Projects | 207.98 |
| Fire Safety / Health & Safety Equipment/Firstaid | 436.43 |
| Group OSM | 152.00 |
| Insurance | (9,754.32) |
| Main Premises | 7,147.45 |
| Misc Expenses | 65.00 |
| Scouts - Activities | 4,358.34 |
| Scouts - Badges | 539.68 |
| Scouts - Materials and Equipment | 749.78 |
| Scouts Gocardless Fees | 47.79 |
| Uniform | 81.00 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 11,393.87 |
Profit and Loss 1st Linslade Scout Group
30 Apr 2024 Page 1 of 2
Profit and Loss
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Operating Profit | 12,716.42 |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | 12,716.42 |
| Profit after Taxation | 12,716.42 |
Profit and Loss 1st Linslade Scout Group
30 Apr 2024 Page 2 of 2
LT700005 – Scrutineer’s Report to the Trustees (July 2019)
Template for the scrutineer's report to the trustees
Scrutineer's Report to the Trustees of 1[st] Linslade Scout Group - Leighton Linslade District
I report on the accounts of the Group/District for the year ended 31.March 2024
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Scrutineer
As the Group's/District's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that neither the audit nor independent examination requirements of the Charities Act 2011 apply. It is my responsibility without carrying out an audit or independent examination to scrutinise the accounts and to report to you.
Scrutineer's Statement
In my opinion the accounts, are in accordance with the records produced to me and comply with the requirements of the Charties Act 2011.
I do however recommend reclassifying the income received from the insurance claim to an income code. This will result in the true insurance cost being reflected in said accounts.
Name: Carol Webb FICB ACM PM Dip, AATQB, ACIPP Address: ..Cashtrak Limited 2 Wormsley Crescent Stokenchurch HP14 3TS Date: 21[st] May 2024