Charity Registration Number 300458 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 December 2021 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council |Contents|| |---|---| |Administrative Details|3| |District Membership|4| |Charity Information|5| |Role of Honour|6| |Trustees Report|7| |GOVERNANCE|7| |STRUCTURE|7| |MANAGEMENT|7| |ORGANISATION|8| |APPOINTMENT OFTRUSTEES|8| |RISKMANAGEMENT|8| |RESERVES POLICY|8| |INVESTMENT POLICY|9| |Objectives and Activities|9| |OURPURPOSE|9| |OUR VALUES|9| |OURMETHOD|9| |Achievements and performance|10| |Plans for future periods|10| |THESCOUTASSOCIATION“SKILLS FORLIFE”|10| |WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FORBIGGLESWADEDISTRICTSCOUTCOUNCIL?|10| |Financial Review|11| |STATEMENT OFFINANCIALACTIVITIES|11| |REMUNERATION OFTRUSTEES|11| 2 Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **Administrative Details** ## Charity Registration No: 300458 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: Boyd Scout Campsite & Activity Centre Church Road Henlow Bedfordshire SG16 6AN E-mail: info@biggleswadedistrictscouts.org.uk Website: www.biggleswadedistrictscouts.org.uk INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Katarzyna Kaska 37 Crowe Road Bedford MK40 4FY PRINCIPAL BANKER: Barclays Bank Leicester LE87 2BB SCOUT ASSOCIATION The Scout Association MEMBERSHIP Gilwell Park The Biggleswade District Scout Chingford Council is registered with London The Scout Association E4 7QW (No 10001376) Incorporated by Royal Charter 3 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **District Membership** As at 31[st] January 2021 ## **Membership** |Beaver Scouts|313| |---|---| |Cub Scouts|401| |Scouts|310| |Explorers (including Young Leaders)|84| |Scout Network|13| ||**1121**| |Active Support Roles|0| |Leadership Roles|238| |Management Roles|14| |Support Roles|34| |Governance Roles|82| ||**368**| |Young Leaders|**10**| |**Units**|| |Groups|**15**| |Beaver Colonies|22| |Cub Packs|25| |Scout Troops|18| |Explorer Scout Units (including YL Unit)|**9**| |Scout Network Units|**1**| |Scout Active Support Units|**0**| 4 Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **Charity Information** ## Names of the Charity Trustees who managed the Charity: |**Trustee Name**|**Primary Scouting Appointment**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Trustee Type**| |---|---|---|---| |Paul Bellamy|CampWarden|Until 30 June 2021|Elected Trustee| |Keith Bennett|District Trustee|Until 19 July2021|Elected Trustee| |David Bridges|District Badge Secretary||Elected Trustee| |Scott Butler|Campsite Sub-Committee Chair|From 24 February 2021|Co-opted
Nominated Trustee
(from 30 June 2021)| |Peter Cheney|District Chair|From 30 June 2021|Ex-Officio| |Sarah Colley|District Appointments Chair|From 30 June 2021|Nominated Trustee| |LucyCox|DeputyDistrict Commissioner|From 30 June 2021|Elected Trustee| |David Devereux|Group Chair
District Secretary
(from 30 June 2021)|Until 6 December 2021|Elected Trustee
(to 30 June 2021)
Ex-Officio
(from 30 June 2021)| |Christopher Dodds|District Explorer Scout
Commissioner||Ex-Officio| |Andrew Harris|GroupScout Leader|30 June 2021 – 29 July2021|Elected Trustee| |Mark Harris|District Youth Commissioner||Ex-Officio| |Alan Hilditch|Scout Leader|30 June 2021 – 30 July2021|Elected Trustee| |BarryJefferd|Cub Scout Leader|From 30 June 2021|Elected Trustee| |Neil Ludlow|Assistant District Commissioner
(Scouts)||Nominated Trustee| |Tracey Murrell|Assistant District Commissioner
(Beaver Scouts)||Nominated Trustee| |Christopher Panton|District Network Scout
Commissioner||Ex-Officio| |Anne Porter|District Treasurer||Ex-Officio| |Robert Pullinger|District Commissioner||Ex-Officio| |Jane Thompson|Local TrainingManager||Nominated Trustee| |Phil Wood|District Appointments Secretary||Elected Trustee
(to 30 June 2021)
Nominated Trustee
(from 30 June 2021)| 5 Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **Role of Honour** For the year ending 31[st] December 2021 ## **Silver Acorn** Keith Bennett George Miles District Role / Potton Gamlingay & Gransden ## **Award for Merit** Christopher Dodds District Role / 1[st] Arlesey Karen Mason Shefford Martin White Gamlingay & Gransden Neil Ludlow District Role / Stotfold Andrew Reavell 1[st] Langford ## **Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service** Lucy Cox District Role / Biggleswade H Horwood 1[st] Potton David Moult District Role / Biggleswade-Phoenix Explorers Tracey Murrell District Role Graham Thorpe Henlow Clifton 6 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **Trustees Report** For the year ending 31[st] December 2021 The members of the District Executive Committee (The Trustees of Biggleswade District Scout Council) present their report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2021. The financial statements have been prepared on a payments and receipts basis and comply with the charity’s governing document and the Charities Act 2011. ## Governance The Charity’s governing document is the Royal Charter granted by King George V to the “Boy Scouts Association” on 16 December 1911. Its name has since been changed to the “Scout Association”. This Charter has been supplemented by further Charters granted by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. These Charters give authority to the Bye Laws of the Association, which are approved by Her Majesty’s Privy Council. The Bye Laws, in turn, authorise the making of rules for the regulation of the Association’s affairs and thereby give authority for the Rules known as “Policy, Organisation and Rules” which are located at www.scouts.org.uk/por. The Biggleswade District Scout Council was first registered as a Charity in 1966. The Charity is aware of the Code of Governance for the Voluntary and Community Sector and its six key principles and will continue to critically review its approach to governance and assess how effective it is against these principles in 2022. ## Structure This report and accounts cover the activities directly controlled by Biggleswade District Scout Council which is an autonomous organisation admitting people to membership subject to the policy and rules of The Scout Association. The activities of the Scout Groups in Biggleswade are not reflected in the report and accounts. These bodies are autonomous charities affiliated to Biggleswade District Scout Council that together form Scouting in the area of operation of the District. Biggleswade District Scouts are led by Rob Pullinger, the District Commissioner, and managed by an Executive Committee. They are accountable to the Biggleswade District Scout Council for the satisfactory running of Scouting in the District. ## Management The management of the business of the District Scout Council is vested in the District Executive Committee. The District Executive Committee (Trustees of the Charity) is appointed in accordance with Policy, Organisation, and Rules of the Scout Association. The District Executive Committee met five times during the year to manage the affairs of the Charity. The Trustees will continue to meet regularly in 2022. The District Executive Committee is responsible for policy making but delegates some operational decisions to its sub committees, which may also recommend policies for the consideration of the District Executive Committee. The District Executive Committee appoints Chairmen and members of sub-committees annually. There are two sub-committees for the Charity: • The Boyd Campsite & Activity Centre Committee – responsible for the management, development and running of the Centre; 7 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council - The Appointments Advisory Committee – responsible for the appointment and review of adult Appointments within the District. The Boyd Campsite & Activity Centre Committee and Appointments Advisory Committee met regularly in 2021. The Terms of Reference of the Boyd Campsite & Activity Centre Committee were reviewed during 2021 and the committee has some delegated authority so decisions can be made quickly and without added bureaucracy. ## Organisation The District is led by the District Commissioner and he is assisted and supported by: - The District Team; - The District Executive Committee; - Group Scout Leaders ## Appointment of Trustees Trustees are appointed in accordance with the “Policy, Organisation & Rules” of The Scout Association. Trustees and newly appointed Trustees are invited to attend HQ Executive Training and completion is monitored by the District Commissioner. ## Risk Management The Trustees have a risk management strategy which includes: - a requirement to produce a risk assessment for all District events and activities; - an annual review of the risks the Charity may face; - the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review and for all District events and activities; and - the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the Charity should those risks materialise. - A requirement for non-Scouting organisations using Boyd Scout Campsite & Activity Centre to produce appropriate Risk Assessments for their event. Risk assessments have been completed for all activities and facilities at the Activity Centre and are now available on the website. These are reviewed regularly. When unacceptable risks are identified actions are taken on an on-going basis to mitigate them. A key element in the management of financial risk is the regular review of the adequacy of insurance coverage and investment and reserves policies by the trustees. ## Reserves policy The policy has been established to protect the Charity and its charitable programme by providing time to adjust to changing financial circumstances. It also provides parameters for future budgeting and strategic plans and contributes towards decision making. The Charity’s reserves policy establishes an appropriate target range for the level of general reserves. The range is based on a risk assessment of the probability and likely impact on the Charity’s activities that might be caused by a decline in income, an inability to meet financial obligations, or an inability to reduce expenditure in the immediate short term. The policy ensures a balance between spending the maximum amount of income raised as soon as possible after receipt, while maintaining the appropriate level of reserves to ensure uninterrupted operation. The policy and target range will be reviewed annually to reassess the risks and reflect changes in the Charity’s income, financial obligations and expenditure. The charity’s reserves policy is to hold reserves approximately 8 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council equivalent to 6 months’ expenditure. At the end of December 2021 the total free reserves amounted to approximately £51,000. In addition, the Charity manages a £10,000 hardship fund to support Groups and individuals in need throughout the District. The Trustees have plans to invest the surplus reserves into improvements at the District Campsite. ## Investment policy Due to the relatively low level of funds, the District’s policy is to hold funds in standard bank accounts with FSCS protection at balances less than £85,000. ## **Objectives and Activities** ## Our Purpose Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. ## Our values 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. - Co-operation – We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends. ## Our 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; and - Make and live by their promise The Charity Trustees have a duty to report on their public benefit in their Annual Report. We have assessed our aims, activities, and charitable objectives which are: “Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.” We believe we have met the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria for both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development. 9 Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **Achievements and performance** All of the decisions made by the Trustees and sub-Committees have been in the interests of young people and adult volunteers and we hope that everybody in Scouting in Biggleswade District will have benefitted from them. - The District continued to support Groups through the on-going Coronavirus pandemic through the provision of online events and activities. - The District has invested significantly in remediation and improvement works at Boyd Scout Campsite & Activity Centre to ensure the site remains available for the delivery of quality Scouting experiences for all Young People in the District. - Where possible we continue to run, and often subsidise, training courses for adult volunteers in order for them to attain permits to provide more adventurous activities for young people. - The census in January 2021 was completed and showed a significant drop in youth membership (-22%) and adult membership (-13%) since January 2020 due to the pandemic. 2022 Census data indicates that membership recovered significantly from this low point during 2021. - There were a large number of Chief Scout Awards and adult awards in Biggleswade District in the last year including Wood Badges and National Awards. - The District website and social media continues to publicise the events and activities of Scouting within the District. ## **Plans for future periods** ## The Scout Association “Skills for Life” This is the five year plan for the Scout Association. ## **Our vision** By 2023 we will have prepared more young people with skills for life, supported by amazing leaders delivering an inspiring programme. We will be growing, more inclusive, shaped by young people and making a bigger impact in our communities. ## **Our objectives** In 2016 we asked volunteers what should be prioritised in the next strategic plan and the majority of volunteers said we should keep working towards the same four strategic objectives. - Growth - Inclusivity - Youth Shaped - Community Impact ## What does this mean for Biggleswade District Scout Council? Growth – We are redeveloping the District Development Plan to achieve our growth goals and support Groups. As part of this plan, the District has appointed two Deputy District Commissioners to support the District Commissioner in developing the District. Inclusivity – We will support development work to ensure that Scouting is reaching all sectors of our community. This includes through the provision of grants through the District Hardship and Development fund. Youth shaped – Ensure that young people are at the heart of our strategies and represented on key committees. The District has been successful in including Young People on committees. 10 ## Biggleswade District Scout Council Community Impact – The District has established a Hardship and Development Fund to support new projects which might otherwise not have gone ahead or have been more poorly resourced to have greater positive community impact, particularly where this alleviates hardship or promotes the development of Scouting. This, together with the continued running of and improvements to Boyd Scout Campsite and Activity Centre, offers valuable opportunities to the community. ## **Financial Review** ## Statement of Financial Activities The overall result for the year was a loss of £2,690 (2020: £6,720 surplus). This was primarily driven by a significant increase in expenditure at Boyd Scout Campsite & Activity Centre in relation to remediation and improvement works and a reduction in membership subscription income. These increased expenditures were offset by Government Covid Grants and increased income the Activity Centre, Scout Shop and Badge Shop. ## Remuneration of Trustees All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity. Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Trustees on 20 June 2022 and signed on their behalf by: Peter Cheney District Chairman District Executive Committee 11 Biggleswade District Scout Council ## **Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts** **Report to the Trustees of Biggleswade District Scout Council on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 set out on pages 13 to 21** ## **Responsibilities and Basis of the Report** As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; _or_ 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 20 June 2022 Katarzyna Kaska 37 Crowe Road Bedford MK40 4FY 12 Biggleswade District Scout Council Bfjttlesw•Je DlstrfjttkoutC4uncll Acctyjmts Acc(wntsForTheYearEnthd Fridry,31 December2021 13 Biggleswade District Scout Council fh#ri¢tS¢out Coufft¢il Acciwntshrthe Ye4rEnded 31stOecember2021 2021 2020 B*kCurrthtkcounts B￿k DepoNtkcounts B￿k Depo%t Buildingkcounts Cash In Hand Oebtors Cth in Hand(badV&￿out unilom151 AIju5tment toopeningbalance 61￿69 61.283 2.495 70 61.157 63,848 Mone Asyets B&4geSecretarysStock Diarict Shop Stock 5.967 11.577 5.797 10.892 Deedsfortheland and buildings* Boyd (ampytewehdd intru bytheStoutAssoiiation ba*J uponthÈirinwrancevauation. P4e2 of9 14 Biggleswade District Scout Council B*81È9￿1e ￿li11(t5(0￿t COU￿11 A¢¢tyJntshrthE Ye¥ Endeil31s¢December2021 ke*￿te5 Barclay$8ank Main ktount Commuthity Hardship Fund 26.781.59 10,000.00 3.017.86 1.655.53 Barclays8ank Barcl￿5Bank Campyte gjam 41.454.98 Lloyds Lloyds bad uniform 7,139.89 12.473.86 19,613.75 B3d8e5hop ScDut5UnifDrrn Shop 20.00 67.50 Total 61.156.Z3 Py3of9 15 Biggleswade District Scout Council Bl88l*swadÈ rhStrictSc￿tCOUI7cll A¢¢ountshrthtYe¥rEndEd 3151 December2021 ReceIpt5￿d P￿￿￿tSA¢cOu￿t ￿rnm￿y 2021 2020 Total RecLYPt5fortheyear 61.741.00 38,756.00 Total PtymentsfortheYe¥ I￿agL¥l dd)tor5 61.533.C 2.898.(M) 32,036.00 Net ReceptsllPaymuttslfor the 2.690. 6.720.00 Cash. Bankand&milar Furbd5broughtfr>rward 63.846.(K> 57,126.00 Cash. Bankand&milar FundscarriedfoThwds 61,156.IXI 63,846AIO The aboveaccount accompanyin8Statemeni o1451osand liabilitie5wereapprove bytheTru5tee5aDd ygDedoD thwr behalf. District Ch•rman Date.. 20June 2022 Py4 of9 16 Biggleswade District Scout Council Bls8lev*A1è DISiri£tk(￿t Countll ¢tyJntshrthe Yew Ended31# December2021 2021 2020 mbership&Jbscriptions 56.385 62,167 Ltsscollected onbthalfofCounty& HQ 48.867 7.518 -53.086 9.081 BankInt￿￿ RecL¥¥￿1 li 394 405 Boyd m￿nO￿al Carn￿te District Events 13,722 4.884 18,606 5,154 6.600 11,7S4 BEque5tlGrant5 Other 18.201 3.024 21.225 io.coo 1,814 11.814 Scout Shop 5aleof Bad8es 7.886 6.506 14.392 2.045 3.657 5.702 Total Rtt￿ptsf0fthev&r 61.7111 38.756 PySof9 17 Biggleswade District Scout Council BlU￿S￿ade Di#rfrt$to￿ c￿￿£11 A¢tOlW1ts￿rth2 Ye*Ethdtd315tD*ctmber 2021 MoNesQJl 2011 2020 Pram&se5 Boyd Memoria Campsite Equipm￿1 39.893 4.239 18,327 44.132 18,327 li￿tieS District Events 4.599 4,599 8.676 8.676 min Groupstart upGrant5 Leader5Trainjn L￿er5EXPenSeS 109 109 iii iii Purcha5eofunilorms 5.486 1,669 Puiehaseofb•Jys 6.207 3,238 Sundry Paymffits i.￿0 12.693 15 4,922 Toial p*mentsfor the 61.533 3Z.036 Py6 of9 18 Biggleswade District Scout Council Di#rl¢tlMatfi&C•pwelAt¢wn 2021 2021 1020 2020 Income hl*rnber5hip Fees Boyd caMp￿te1n¥01ces District Ewents Banklntere5t 7518.00 13721.55 4883.49 90BO.S0 5154.00 6600.00 11.00 394.00 Transfwsfrom Ba4EeShop Tran5fetsfromScoutShop Donations/grant￿reru￿ds 21225.73 11814.12 47.348.77 33,053.62 BoydCamp5iteCosts District Events Equipment Leaders£xpenses LewJer5Trainin8 NewGroup5tart Up Grants 39,891.95 5.600.05 4,238.80 108.50 18,327.00 8.676.00 110.63 49.839.3Q 27,113.63 5urplusfortheYear 2,490.53 5,939.99 Py7of9 19 Biggleswade District Scout Council tswadt ￿$1￿¢￿5¢4)￿cQ￿Yrfl1 Acciwjntskrthe Year Erthd 31st flecem￿r1D2l Scout LknlfDvrnSIKbp 2021 2021 2020 2020 Saleof Unlformetc 7.886.01 2.044.95 Purcha5eolStock StationryAnd Expens 5.486.30 11.05 1,668.95 15.00 5.497.35 1.683.95 SurpluslldeficitlfortheyeAr 2,388.66 361.00 TranthrtoDistritt Clo*ngBa1￿¢e 2.388.66 361.00 P4eB of9 20 Biggleswade District Scout Council 8l*es*MJe scoutC¢￿n(lI wntstrytheY•wErthd 315tO¢¢¢mbrrlOII eofW8Es 6.505_69 3.656.58 PurthasÈofStttk station￿y￿￿ E¥pen 6.174.38 32.44 3,237.66 6.206.82 3.237.66 s￿rplus/¢deficlt1forthe￿r 298.87 418.92 Transfertooisthct a￿D8Balance 298.87 418.92 Py9of9 21