2023-03-31-accounts

Biggleswade Scout Group Trustees Report and Annual Review 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 Registered in England and Wales Charity No 300444

Contact Details

Group Scout Leader — Sue Doyle

Tel [phone]

Email [e-mail]

Group Chairperson — Leigh Wood Tel [phone] Email [e-mail]

Group Treasurer — Lucy Courtney Tel [phone]

Email [e-mail]

Group Secretary — Lorraine Bennetts Tel [phone]

Email [e-mail]

www.biggleswadescouts.org.uk

Trustees’ Annual Report

for the Period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Charity Trustees

Chairman Leigh Wood Group Scout Leader Sue Doyle Deputy Group Scout Leader Chris Wells Treasurer Lucy Courtney Secretary Lorraine Bennetts Neptune Cub Leader Eddie Fuller Armstrong Scout Leader Tracy Warner Irwin Scout Leader Jerome Doyle Explorer Scout Leader Beverley Lattimer Mercury Beaver Leader Jane Thompson Executive Committee Members Alan Dansey Nick Gurney Rob Jenkins-Green Helen Kingerley Louise Preston Brian Lawson Vicky Pullinger Charity Number 300444 Principal Address The Scout Headquarters London Road Biggleswade SG18 8EL

Structure, Governance and Management

Biggleswade Scout Group is a registered charity, governed by our Constitution, Declaration of Trust made on 17 April 1962 and also the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association UK (April 2022).

The Group Council is the electoral body, which supports Scouting in the Scout Group. It is the body to which the Group Executive Committee is accountable. The Group Council consists of all adult volunteers and supporters, along with the parents of all youth members.

The Group is managed by an Executive Committee (the Charity Trustees) who are appointed and elected from the Group Council. It is their responsibility to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment. This includes maintenance of the Group’s property and equipment, raising funds and managing the Group’s finances, insurance of persons, property and equipment and assisting with recruitment of leaders and other adult support. All new trustees undergo training mandated by the Scout Association.

The trustees regularly consider major risks and are currently undertaking a programme of works to maintain and improve the facilities at Biggleswade Scouts Headquarters. We continue to lobby local politicians in an effort to secure Scouting in Biggleswade for the next 20-30 years for both access to our existing premises and to consider the possibility of a new venue.

The Group is part of the Scout Association UK and as such is guided and supported by the local Scouting District, Biggleswade and District, by the local county, Bedfordshire, by the Regional Team and by the national team for the Scout Associations based at Gilwell.

As a registered charity the trustees also give due consideration to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.

Objectives and Activities

Our Charitable Objectives are to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national and international communities.

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.

Membership for the year 2023 was down slightly from 2022. From 203 to 188. With a large number of young people moving up to Explorers over the year.

Biggleswade Scout Group currently runs 3 Beaver Colonies (age 6-8), 3 Cub Packs (ages 8-10.5), 2 Scout Troops (ages 10.5-14) and has a partnership agreement with the district Explorer Unit – Phoenix Explorers (ages 14-18).

We provide a programme of personal development for 223 young people aged between 6 and 18 years old who live in and around the market town of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.

This programme consists of regular weekly meetings during term time, a number of day trips throughout the year and the opportunity to take part in residential experiences. The programme is based around three themes: -

• Outdoors and Adventure

• World

• Skills

The Scout Group is run entirely by volunteers.

Achievements and Performance

Scouting continues to be very popular in Biggleswade with all sections running on or near their capacity. We have an active Beaver waiting list and currently have 16 young people who are old enough to start but are waiting for places at one of our Beaver Colonies. We also have over a further 50 plus people on the waiting list who are not yet old enough to start.

Through our sections we have successfully delivered a programme of personal development consisting of over 540 hours of activities in a year to our 223 young people—this is over 120,000 hours of personal development for young people in the local area.

We know that our young people are engaging and benefiting from this development by a significant number of Chief Scouts Awards that have been presented this year— the highest recognition of a young person’s achievement in each section.

Fundraising events

• Halloween Disco 2022 was enjoyed by 121 people and raised £486.46

• Quiz Night 2023 was enjoyed by 63 people and raised £689.27

• 4 Amazon Smile payments were received:

• May 2022 £19.99

• August 2022 £18.02

• November 2022 £20

• January 2023 £26.23

No Grant Applications were applied for in the period April 2022 to March 2023

Biggleswade continues to grow with more housing development on the east and north side of the town. School intakes within the town are increasing with expansions of existing schools and the addition of new schools. This growth represents a significant challenge for an already large Scout Group and we are looking for ways to ensure we can meet the challenge.

The Trustees would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Leaders, helpers, Parents/Guardians and the young people themselves for all their hard work over this past year.

Receipts and Payments Accounts

For financial year ended 31 March 2023

Receipts Membership Subscriptions Residential Experiences and Trips Activities Bank Interest Fundraising ( Incl Donations) Rent Gift Aid Other Total Receipts Payments Scout Association Capitation Residential Experiences and Trips Activities Fundraising Costs Headquarters -Utilities Headquarters-Maintenance and Cleaning Headuarters Improvements Leader Uniform Insurance Rent Equipment Resources (including Badges) Volunteer Expenses Donations Other Total Payments Net Receipts/Payments Cash Funds Last year end Cash Funds this year end Statement of Assets and Liabilities For financial year ended 31 March 2023 Monetary Assets Bank Current Accounts Bank Deposit Accounts Cash in Hand Total	31 Mar 23 24,462.26 24,190.98 0.00 185.48 3,649.16 416.00 2,475.04 962.80 56,341.72 31 Mar 23 12,265.00 23,468.73 4,674.92 923.75 1,469.06 1,343.54 0.00 24.00 1,110.81 1,034.00 907.23 2,964.64 0.00 2,270.80 1,269.81 53,726.29 2,615.43 69,207.56 71,822.99 31 Mar 23 56,567.94 15,145.01 110.04 71,822.99	31 Mar 22 18,417.53 16,823.54 0.00 1.16 5,789.39 157.00 3,036.97 638.53 44,864.12
		31 Mar 22 12,022.50 15,204.20 1,.837.91 523.95 1,749.11 2,072.20 2,151.51 115.60 1,747.54 233.00 379.16 2,240.26 0.00 0.00 1,255.26 41,532.20
		3,331.92 65,875.64
		69,207.56
		31 Mar 22 53,167.31 15,832.46 207.79
		69,207.56

Notes to the Accounts

For Financial Year ended on 31 March 2023

This was another successful year for the Group. Youth Membership has increased slightly to 233 (inc 35 Explorers). Coronavirus Restrictions have been lifted and are having almost no impact on residential experiences and fundraising events. We made a small surplus this year—mainly down to our Fundraising Events. We continue to have a healthy balance at the end of the year.

Receipts

Membership subscriptions – the main source of income for the Group. Up this year due to increasing numbers and an increase in subscriptions agreed by the Executive Committee.

Residential Experiences and Trips – Additional money collected from the members for the purposes of paying for specific camps and trips. Usually these take the form of day or weekend activities.

Activities—Additional money collected from the members to pay for activities that take place as part of the weekly programme.

Bank Interest – interest earned in all of the Scout Group accounts.

Fundraising – Shows the income generated through fund raising activities. This year this was mainly from events—Halloween Disco and Quiz Night—and a donation from the Biggleswade Splash Park Fund.

Gift Aid – As a registered charity we are able to claim Gift Aid on donations and our membership subscriptions qualify as a donation for these purposes. We submitted a claim for 2021-22 this year.

Other—other income—this consisted of a number of items that did not fall into any other category.

Payments

Scout Association Capitation – Annual payment made to the Scout Association based on the number of members within the Group. For 2022/23 this was £12,265 which is slightly more than it was in 2021/22 due to an increase in the Capitation Fee.

Residential Experiences and Trips – Money spent on providing specific camps and trips for our members.

Activities – Money spent on providing activities for our members as part of our weekly meetings.

Fundraising Costs – costs incurred in the course of raising funds.

Headquarters Utilities – Expenditure on Electricity, Gas, Water and Refuse collections for the Scout Group Headquarters.

Headquarters – Maintenance and Cleaning – costs incurred in maintaining the Groups Headquarters and its grounds.

Headquarters Improvements - Money invested in making improvements to our Headquarters building. There have not been any improvements this year.

Leader Uniform – cost of uniform for the Group’s volunteers and provision of Group Neckers and Group Badges.

Insurance – Costs of providing insurance for the Scout Group HQ and all camping equipment owned by the Scout Group.

Rent – cost to the Group of renting rooms at Trinity Methodist Church to accommodate Neptune Cub Pack. This also included various rents for Exec Committee Meetings and other adhoc events.

Equipment – Capital expenditure on group equipment.

Resources (including badges) – Resource items purchased for use e.g. paper, glue, paint etc. Purchase of Activity and Challenge Badges to present to the young people.

Volunteer expenses – costs incurred by volunteers in the course of their volunteer work which are reimbursed to them.

Donations ‐ donations made by the Group or Sections to other Charities.

Other—other expenditure—this consisted of a number of items that did not fall into any other category.

Assets

Bank Current Accounts—includes the Groups central Current accounts as well as the individual section current accounts.

Bank Deposit Accounts — Includes the Group Savings accounts, an Armstrong Scout Troop savings account and a very small amount in a Neptune Cub Pack savings account.

In addition to the cash assets, the Group owns the HQ building along with the land and a considerable quantity of camping equipment. These have not been formally valued and so are not included in the accounts.

Liabilities

As at 31 March 2023, the Scout Group had no liabilities.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above

Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees

Signature

Full name Leigh Wood

• Position Group Chairperson

Date 25 March 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Biggleswade Scout Group

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on page 6.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act;

• state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees 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 to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act;

4. have not been met; or

5. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: 31 March 2024 Name: Kim Clegg FCMA CGMA Address: 1 Meadowsweet Close, Lower Cambourne, CB23 6ET

Apollo Beavers Annual Report

Badges

1 Beaver achieved Bronze Award

Challenge Badges: 5 Adventure, 9 Outdoors, 1 Personal, 13 Skills, 11 Teamwork, 5 World

Activity Badges: Animal Friend, Book Reader, Cook, Creative, Disability Awareness, Experiment, Gardener, Health and Fitness, Money Skills

Staged Badges: Hikes, Nights Away

Thank you!

Many thanks to everyone who’s helped and to the Beavers themselves who have been fantastic! Thanks to all the volunteer leaders and helpers who have assisted us this year.

If anyone has any time they can volunteer to help at our section please let us know.

April 2022

We participated in the District St Georges Day Event at Boyd Field Campsite. We learned about Gardening Tools and what plants need to grow.

May 2022

Continuing the Gardeners Badge we planted seeds, made Cress Animals and learned about Trees in all Seasons. We also celebrated the Queens Jubilee.

June 2022

We met a Pony, Kept Fit and learned about Disabilities. We also enjoyed the great outdoors at Boyd Field Campsite.

July 2022

We visited Stotfold Mill to do Pond Dipping. We had to cancel our visit to the Cave Bus because of the hot weather and instead did water games.

September 2022

We enjoyed our Autumn Beaver Camp at Boyd Field Campsite with Gemini Beavers. Cooks Badge where we made Pizzas, Chocolate Lollies and designed our own dessert.

November 2022

We did a night hike, learned about St Andrew and Scotland and started to prepare for our Christmas Play. We also took part in the Remembrance Parade.

December 2023

We performed a Christmas Carol for the parents written and directed by Michael.

January 2023

Team Challenges, Skills for Life, Inventions and Experiments all happened this month.

February 2023

We started work on the Navigator Badge and Health and Fitness Badge. We also celebrated World Book Day.

March 2023

We completed the Navigator Badge and Health and Fitness Badge. We also held a campfire and made Easter Chocolate. We enjoyed our Minecraft themed Sleepover at Haverings with our friends from Gemini Beavers.

October 2022

We learned to look after our Teeth, to keep our promises and how to take the lead.

Gemini Beavers Annual Report

Badges

8 Beavers achieved Bronze Award

• Challenge Badges: 16 Adventure,

• 1 18 Outdoors, 7 Personal, 14 Skills, 16 Teamwork, 16 World

Activity Badges: Animal Friend, Book Reader, Builder, Camp Craft, Collector, Creative, Disability Awareness, Experiment, Explore, Faith, Gardener, Photographer, Space

Staged Badges: Emergency Aid, Musician, Navigator, Nights Away

Thank you!

Many thanks to everyone who’s helped and to the Beavers themselves who have been fantastic! Thanks to all the volunteer leaders and helpers who have assisted us this year.

If anyone has any time they can volunteer to help at our section please let us know.

April 2022

We participated in the District St Georges Day Event at Boyd Field Campsite. We also learned about gardening tools and what makes plats grow.

May 2022

We learned about Trees in all Seasons, spent time identifying leaves in Baulk Wood and learned about Animals.

June 2022

We enjoyed climbing and backwoods cooking at the campsite and started to learn about Maps.

July 2022

We made Marble Mazes, and drew pictures with Charcoal. We practiced map reading and observation and finished the term with water games at the Campsite.

September 2022

We remembered the Queen, learned about rhythms and made mini gardens. We enjoyed our Autumn Beaver Camp at Boyd Field Campsite with Apollo Beavers.

October 2022

We went to Spy School and learned about Leadership.

November 2022

We made Drums and learned about Music. We also took part in the Remembrance Parade.

December 2023

We made our own Robots, learned skills for life and prepared for Christmas.

January 2023

We found out more about Beavers and learned about Safety in the Home. We learned about other countries and hunted for Haggis. Finally we talked about Superheroes

February 2023

We learned about Emergency Aid and morse code. We enjoyed a range of colourful experiments.

March 2023

We enjoyed our Minecraft themed Sleepover at Haverings with our friends from Apollo Beavers.

Mercury Beavers Annual Report

Badges

7 Beaver achieved Bronze Award

Challenge Badges: 11 Adventure, 10 Outdoors, 15 Personal, 12 Skills, 12 Teamwork, 9 World

Activity Badges: Animal Friend, Book Reader, Camp Craft, Collector, Communicator, Creative, Experiment, Explorer, Gardener, Global Issues, Hobbies, International

Staged Badges: Hikes, Musician Nautical Skills, Nights Away, Paddle Sports, Sailing, Swimmer, Time on Water

Thank you!

Many thanks to everyone who’s helped and to the Beavers themselves who have been fantastic this year. Thanks to all the volunteer leaders, Young Leaders, scouts & cub’s siblings and of course our parent helpers for making it another amazing time.

If anyone has any time they can volunteer to help at our section please let us know.

April 2022

We participated in the District St Georges Day Event at Boyd Field Campsite. We learnt Epee Fencing,

May 2022

We had our 1[st] Sleepover of the year at Bromham Lodge. We had fun trying to construct towers with Marshmallows, tried the Cave Bus and Field Obstacle Course at Boyd. We also celebrated the Queens Jubilee.

June 2022

We tackled the climbing wall at Boyd and learnt to cook food parcels on a fire. We did a Junk modelling challenge.

July 2022

We had a mini beast bug hunt at the Saxon Pocket Park. We took part in an external Water Activity Day run at Luton Hoo. We visited the Hobby craft store and learnt decoupage,

September 2022

We made Myra’s Birthday choice which was a Chocolate Mug cake and lot of hut games and badge work.

October 2022

We had Biggleswade Youth FC come in and teach us Ball Mayhem, Experiment challenge.

November 2022

We had our 2[nd] Sleepover of the year at Little Wymondley. Had Bonfire fun, night hike to the Wind Turbines and of course Remembrance Day December 2023

We took part in traditional Christmas craft bits and Christmas fun and of course our party. January 2023

We celebrated Chinese New Year and tasted and learnt about new cultures and made different types of bird feeders.

February 2023

We tackled Global Issues, pancake fun and newspaper Tepee building.

March 2023

We joined Gemini Beavers for Embers and online UK campfire nights, putting up tents, learning knots and a whole lot of fun

Jupiter Cubs Annual Report

Badges

4 Cubs achieved Silver Award

Challenge Badges: Adventure, Outdoors, Personal, Skills, Team Leader, Teamwork, World

Activity Badges: Artist, Backwoods Cooking, Book Reader, Chef, Cyclist, DIY, Entertainer, Equestrian, Physical Recreation

Staged Badges: Digital Maker, Nautical Skills, Nights Away, Paddle Sports, Sailing, Snowsports, Swimmer, Time on Water

179 Badges have been awarded!

Thank you!

Many thanks to everyone who’s helped and to the Cubs themselves who have been fantastic!

Welcome to our new leader Clare and thanks to all the leaders Chil (Charlotte), Ziggy (Anna), Rocky (Faraz) Tabaqui (Pete) and Kaa (Sue). We need additional help so if anyone has any time they can volunteer to help at our section please let us know.

April 2022

We celebrated St George’s day and had a games night

May 2022

We dashed for Geocache around Boyd, Took a hike from the RSBP in Sandy, got knotted at the HQ and raced to the top of the climbing wall at Boyd.

June 2022

Played wide games at Boyd, hiked round the lake at Bedford Priory. We built rafts and sailed around Boyd pond followed by the next week pedal carts and water fights

July 2022

The RSPB took us bug hunting in Sandy. Some games in the cool and then the Krypton Factor challenge to finish the term.

September 2022

This month we were pond dipping at Stotfold Mill, with a visit to the Dunton Community garden with a further session of the climbing wall at Boyd. We had our District Cub Camp too! Where we Parachorded and Twisted dough amongst other great activities.

October 2022

Bonkers Conkers, Spy games, Backwoods cooking at Boyd and a visit to the Windy Miller at Stotfold

November 2022

Shooting and then the District Shooting Finals, learning about remembrance, attending our local Remembrance Day service, Hama time, fun and games followed

December 2022

Christmas crafts and a party to finish off the year.

January 2023

We were bowled over @Eat&Bowl, had some haggis and played Scottish games

February 2023

We had great fun at Pirate Camp, had a light bulb moment, flipped our home made pancakes and learned about the importance of water.

March 2023

We went on a wheelie nice walk, completed our Digital Maker badge, some scouty challenges and had a camp fire to finish off.

Neptune Cubs Annual Report

Badges

1 Cub achieved Silver Award

Challenge Badges: Adventure, Personal, Team Leader

Activity Badges: Artist, Cyclist, Disability Awareness, Entertainer, Martial Arts

Staged Badges: Emergency Aid, Nautical Skills, Nights Away, Paddle Sports, Sailing, Snowsports, Swimmer, Time on Water

48 Badges have been awarded!

My thanks to my fellow leaders, Nick Gurney, Lucy Harradine and all parents who have helped us in any way during the year. If you can help the pack in any way please do speak to me. Eddie Fuller (Akela)

April 2022

Participated in the District St George’s Day event at Boyd Field campsite. Cubs prepared and provided entertainment. An evening was spent at Baulk Wood learning tracking skills.

May 2022

Team building games both indoor and outdoor were organised, to encourage teamwork amongst the Cubs. Our annual Cubs/Mums camp took place at Jordan’s Close Activity Centre, Great Barford. Cubs and Mums learnt tent pitching skills, went canoeing and hiking.

June 2022

A street party was held to celebrate the late Queen’s Jubilee. Map reading skills were practised. A sponsored hike was organised to support the charity “Hands at Work in Africa”, raising £504. Cycle Cross riding took place at Rowney Warren.

July 2022

An outdoor cooking night was held at Boyd Field campsite. We held a splash night at the swimming pool at Eynesbury.

September 2022

This month was spent on preparing for our annual Cubs/Dads camp in that certain skills (knotting and construction) would be needed. Cubs had to assist

in tent pitching for this camp at the end of the month.

October 2022

Pioneering skills were the flavour of the month which included half term.

November 2022

We held our annual Guy Fawkes celebration with fireworks and eats. Learnt and practised First Aid. Attended Remembrance Day service at Biggleswade Market Square.

December 2022

Made Christmas cards for the family and went to Penrose Court Biggleswade and gave residents a Christmas Carol Service.

January 2023

This month we worked towards Home Help badge and Hobbies badge.

February 2023

Further work on the Home Help badge was done, including the cooking of pancakes. A bird survey was organised, and bird feeders made.

March 2023

St David’s Day was celebrated. A visit to the local Fire Station took place where a fire safety talk was given with the visit culminating in the pretence of putting out a fire (squirting hoses).

Saturn Cubs Annual Report

Badges

4 Cubs achieved Silver Award

2 Scottish Thistle Award

Challenge Badges : Adventure, Outdoors, Personal, Skills, Team Leader, Teamwork, World

Activity Badges : Animal Carer, Artist, Astronomer, Backwoods Cooking, Book Reader, Chef, Collector, Collector, Communicator, Cyclist, Fire Safety, Home Safety, International, Local Knowledge, Marial Arts, Money Skills, Physical Recreation, Pioneer, RNLI Water Safety Awareness, Scientist, World Faiths,

Staged Badges : Digital Citizen, Hikes, Musician, Navigator, Nights Away, Paddle Sports, Sailing, Swimmer, Time on the Water

289 Badges have been awarded !

Thank you!

Many thanks to everyone who’s helped and to the Cubs themselves who have been fantastic!

We have enjoyed a very busy year of Scouting! Thanks to all the leaders and parents who have stepped up to help without you we would be able to do all the fantastic things detailed below.

If anyone has any time they can volunteer to help at our section please let us know

April 2022

After the Easter Holidays we celebrated St George, got out and about with a hike.

May 2022

Played wide game Cluedo, had a STEM themed evening, made scones Yummy and celebrated the Jubilee.

June 2022

Looked for Geocaches in Henlow, RSPB took us on a bug hunt, made bug traps back at HQ and climbed the heights at Boyd on the climbing wall.

July 2022

Water fights, fun and games at the Krypton Factor! We also had a full day of water activity at Grafton Water.

September 2022

Pond dipping, Garden tour in Dunton, and a family visit to the Circus along with a District Cub Camp made for a busy month.

October 2022

Conkers competition, a visit to Stotfold Mill and a games night to finished off the month.

November 2022

Shooting and then the District Shooting Finals, learning about remembrance, attending our local Remembrance Day service, singing bowls from India, finished off with some more STEM experiments.

December 2022

Code cracking and map skills on the hunt for Santa followed by Christmas crafts and a party to celebrate.

January 2023

Teamwork and some Scouting skills, celebrating Chinese new year and learning about Digital Safety. Went for a walk around town.

February 2023

Flipping good time was had when we made pancakes, we learned about St David. We also hoisted the main sail and went off to be Pirates at Bromham,

March 2023

We had a go at various skills including ironing, changing a plug and a bulb, found our way round navigation and then walked the wheel.

We do not have reports from Armstrong Scout Troop, Irwin Scout Troop or Phoenix Explorers this year.