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2024-12-31-accounts

Biggleswade & District Scout Council

Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the Year ended 31[st] December 2024

Charity Registration Number 300458

About the Charity

Charity Registration Number: 300458

Scouting Association Membership

Biggleswade & District Scout Council is registered with The Scouting Association (Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, E4 7QW)

Registration Number: 10001376

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Contact Information

Principal Address: Boyd Scout Campsite & Activity Centre, Church Road, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6AN

Email: hello@biggleswadedistrictscouts.org.uk

Website: www.biggleswadedistrictscouts.org.uk

Banking Information

Principal Banker: Barclays Bank, Leicester, LE87 2BB

Independent Examiner: Andrea Daniels, 16 Water Lane, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6AY

Charity Trustees

Names of the Charity Trustees who managed the Charity:

Trustee Name Primary Scouting Appointment Dates acted if not
for whole year
Trustee Type
David Bridges District Trustee Elected Trustee
Peter Cheney Chair of the District Trustee Board Elected Chair
Joe Febery-Watts District Youth Lead Ex-Officio
Tracey Murrell District Lead Volunteer Ex-Officio
Christopher Dodds 14-24 Team Leader Elected Trustee
Anne Porter District Treasurer Elected Treasurer
Robert Pullinger District Trustee Elected Trustee
Graham Thorpe District Safety Advisor Elected Trustee
Ben Whittle District VDT Lead Elected Trustee

Objectives and Activities

Purpose

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

Values

As Scouts we are guided by these values:

Method

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

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.

District Membership (as at 31[st] January 2025)

Membership Number
Squirrel Scouts 107
Beaver Scouts 465
Cub Scouts 548
Scouts 455
Explorers 149
Scout Network 2
1726
Number of Adult Volunteers including:
Management Roles
Leadership Roles
Governance Roles
475
Young Leaders 75
Units
Groups 16
Squirrel Dreys 7
Beaver Colonies 25
Cub Packs 27
Scout Troops 22
Explorer Scout Units (including YL Unit) 12
Scout Network Units 1

Trustees Report

The members of the Trustee Board of Biggleswade District Scout Council present their report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024. 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 His 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 2025.

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, Organisation 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 were led by Tracey Murrell, the District Lead Volunteer, and managed by a Trustee Board. 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 Trustee Board. The Trustees Board was appointed in accordance with Policy, Organisation, and Rules of the Scout Association. The District Trustee Board met four times during the year to manage the affairs of the Charity. The Trustees will continue to meet regularly in 2025.

The District Trustee Board is responsible for policy making but delegates some operational decisions to its operational sub teams, such as the campsite management team. Teams may also recommend policies for the consideration of the District Trustee Board. The District Lead Volunteer is responsible for appointing Team Leaders to manage the operational teams within the District and ensure their effective & complaint operation.

The District Trustee board also delegates some of its responsibilities, within an agreed terms of reference to the finance sub-committee of the board comprising of members of the trustee board, the Treasurer and the District Chair. The District Chair also Chairs the finance sub-committee meetings.

Operational teams & sub committees of the trustee board within the District conduct their activities with a budget and, where applicable, agreed terms of reference set by the trustee board to allow for quick decisions where necessary without added bureaucracy.

Organisation

The District is led by the District Lead Volunteer and supported by:

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 Trustee Training via the Adult Management System and completion is monitored by the District Lead Volunteer (or delegate) and/or District Chair.

Risk Management

The Trustees have a risk management strategy which includes:

Risk assessments have been completed for all activities and facilities at the Activity Centre and are 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 equivalent to 6 months’ expenditure.

In addition, the Charity manages a 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.

The surplus income of the District is not sufficiently high for the trustees to consider long term investment however, a standard saver account has been opened to begin setting funds aside for the ‘Bigg Build’ project.

Achievements and Performance

Financial Review

Statement of Financial Activities

The overall result for the year was a surplus of £35,517.

This was primarily driven by a significant increase in income from Boyd Scout Campsite & Activity Centre, much of which was offset by expenditure on ongoing improvement works, in particular developing activity provision and maintenance.

Renumeration 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 28/05/2025 and signed on their behalf by:

P.Cheney

Peter Cheney

District Chairperson

Biggleswade & District Scout Council

Statement of Accounts for the Year ended 31[st] December 2024

Charity Registration Number 300458

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Monetary Assets

Bank Current Accounts
Cash in Hand
Cash in Hand(badge&scout uniforms)
Non Monetary Assets
Badge Secretary's Stock
District Shop Stock
2024
£
81,983
-
260
82,243
8,454
8,635
2023
£
46,486
-
240
46,726
7,712
8,509

Deeds for the land and buildings at Boyd Memorial Campsite are held in trust by the Scout Association based upon their insurance valuation.

Liabilities 0 0

Page 2 of 9

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Bank Balances

Barclays Bank
Community
Barclays Bank
Campsite
Barclays Bank
Bigg Weekender
Barclays Bank
Events
Barclays Bank
Arlesey Dam
Barclays Bank
Savings
Lloyds
badges
Lloyds
uniform
Total banks
Floats
Badge Shop
Scouts Uniform Shop
Campsite
Total
Total
25,772.66 (includes hardship)
36961.40
2,638.64
2,974.19
1,802.06
250.04
70,398.99
5,717.12
5,867.06
11,584.18
81,983.17
20.00
151.60
88.20
259.80
82,242.97

Page 3 of 9

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Receipts and Payments Account Summary

Total Receipts for the year
Total Payments for the Year
Net Receipts/(Payments) for the year
Cash, Bank and Similar Funds brought forward
Cash, Bank and Similar Funds carried forwards
2024
£
185,397.00
149,880.00
35,517.00
46,726.00
82,243.00
2023
£
203,592.00
195,809.00
7,783.00
38,943.00
46,726.00

The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.

District Chairman Date:

Treasurer Date:

Page 4 of 9

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Monies In

Membership Subscriptions
Less Paid
Bank Interest Received
Activities
Boyd Memorial Campsite
District Events
Donations
Bequest/Grants
from scout/badge shop
Other
Fund Raising
Scout Shop
Sale of Badges
Donation Lloyds
Total Receipts for the year
2024
£
93,537
-81474
12,063
-
-
97,618
33,041
130,659
0
13,755
1,072
14,827
14,598
13,190
60
27,848
185,397
2023
£
74,645
74,645
-
-
90,217
11,065
101,282
500
0
705
1,205
14,614
11,846
26,460
203,592

Page 5 of 9

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Monies Out

t
2024 2023
£ £
Capitation 81,474 64,043
already taken out
Premises
Boyd Memorial Campsite 65,136 81,605
Equipment 12,602 19,298
77,738 100,903
Activities
District Events 33,767 9,558
33,767 9,558
Admin/Establishment Expenses
New Group Start up Grants - -
Leaders Training 6,093
Leaders Expenses - -
Transfers 1,910
8,003 -
Purchase of uniforms 11,912 10,784
Purchase of badges 12,319 10,516
To Campsite 5,940 5
Last years in this years bank 185
Added to p/cash 21
adjustment last year 5
-
6,141
30,372 21,305
Total payments for the year 149,880 195,809

Page 6 of 9

District & Boyd Memorial Campsite 2023

Income
Membership Fees
Fees Refund
Boyd Campsite Invoices
District Events
Savings
Transfers from Bigg Weekender
Transfers from Scout Shop
Donations/grants/refunds
Expenditure
Membership Fees
Boyd Campsite Costs
District Events
Equipment
Transfers
Leaders Expenses
Leaders Training
New Group Start Up Grants
Legal fees
Surplus for the Year
Represented by
Opening Balances at 1 January 2024
Current Account
Reserve Account
Building Fund
adjustment
(old p/cash)
surplus/loss
Closing Balances at 31 December 2024
Current Account
Petty Cash
Building Fund
2024
2024
93,537.00
822.00
97,618.00
33,041.00
250.00
1,660.00
5,940.00
6,155.00
239,023.00
81,474.00
65,136.00
33,767.00
12,602.00
1,910.00
0.00
6,093.00
0.00
0.00
200,982.00
38,041.00
32,446.19
0.00
0.00
32,446.19
38,041.00
70,487.19
70,148.95
88.20
250.04
70,487.19
2023
2023
74,645.00
90,218.00
11,065.00
0.00
3,975.00
1,205.00
181,108.00
64,043.00
81,604.00
9,558.00
19,298.00
3,975.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
178,478.00
2,630.00
30,127.78
0.00
0.00
-311.59
29,816.19
2,630.00
32,446.19
32,357.73
88.46
0.00
32,446.19

Page 7 of 9

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Scout Uniform Shop
Sale of Uniform etc
transfer to badge shop
Donation Lloyds
Purchase of Stock
Sum Up Charges
Stationery And Expenses
Surplus/(deficit) for the year
Transfer to Badge Shop
Closing Balance
Closing Balances at 1st January 2024
Petty Cash
Paid in Jan
Current Account
Stock
Surplus/(Movement) for the year
Increase/(decrease) in closing stock
Closing Balances at 31 December 2024
Petty Cash
Transfer to c/site
pd in in jan for last year
Current Account
Stock
2024
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
14,598.24
14,614.05
537.45
60.00
11,738.74
10,783.92
173.42
11,912.16
10,783.92
3,283.53
3,830.13
537.45
70.00
2,746.08
3,760.13
131.05
157.30
185.00
-26.25
9,081.53
5,506.40
8,508.97
11,170.02
17,906.55
16,807.47
2,746.08
3,760.13
126.15
-2,661.05
20,778.78
17,906.55
151.60
131.05
5,940.00
185.00
185.00
5,867.06
9,081.53
8,635.12
8,508.97
20,778.78
17,906.55

Page 8 of 9

Biggleswade District Scout Council

Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Badge Shop
Sale of Badges
taken for p/cash
Purchase of Stock
Sum Up
Stationery And Expenses
Surplus/(Movement) for the year
Transfer to District
Closing Balance
Represented by:
Opening Balances at 1st January 2024
Petty Cash
Current Account
Stock
Surplus/(deficit) for the year
Increase/(decrease) in closing stock
Closing Balances at 31st December 2023
Petty Cash
Current Account
Stock
monies pd in error scout shop
2024
2024
£
£
13,189.50
15.00
12,142.62
161.59
15.00
12,319.21
855.29
11,463.92
20.00
4,861.83
7,711.77
12,593.60
855.29
742.51
14,191.40
20.00
5,717.12
8,454.28
14,191.40
2023
2023
£
£
11,846.00
10,516.28
10,516.28
1,329.72
1,329.72
20.00
3,532.11
7,054.74
10,606.85
1,329.72
657.03
12,593.60
20.00
4,861.83
7,711.77
12,593.60

Page 9 of 9

Independent Examiners Report on theAccounts England & Wales

Biggleswade District Scout Council

Annual Accounts

Accounts For The Year Ended

31 December 2024

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Monetary Assets

Bank Current Accounts
Cash in Hand
Cash in Hand(badge&scout uniforms)
Non Monetary Assets
Badge Secretary's Stock
District Shop Stock
2024
£
81,983
-
260
82,243
8,454
8,635
2023
£
46,486
-
240
46,726
7,712
8,509

Deeds for the land and buildings at Boyd Memorial Campsite are held in trust by the Scout Association based upon their insurance valuation.

Liabilities 0 0

Page 2 of 13

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Bank Balances

Barclays Bank
Community
Barclays Bank
Campsite
Barclays Bank
Bigg Weekender
Barclays Bank
Events
Barclays Bank
Arlesey Dam
Barclays Bank
Savings
Lloyds
badges
Lloyds
uniform
Total banks
Floats
Badge Shop
Scouts Uniform Shop
Campsite
Total
Total
25,772.66 (includes hardship)
36961.40
2,638.64
2,974.19
1,802.06
250.04
70,398.99
5,717.12
5,867.06
11,584.18
81,983.17
20.00
151.60
88.20
259.80
82,242.97

Page 3 of 13

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Receipts and Payments Account Summary

Total Receipts for the year
Total Payments for the Year
Net Receipts/(Payments) for the year
Cash, Bank and Similar Funds brought forward
Cash, Bank and Similar Funds carried forwards
2024
£
266,871.00
231,354.00
35,517.00
46,726.00
82,243.00
2023
£
203,592.00
195,809.00
7,783.00
38,943.00
46,726.00

The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.

District Chairman Date:

Treasurer Date:

Page 4 of 13

Page 5 of 13

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Monies In

Membership Subscriptions
Less Paid
Bank Interest Received
Activities
Boyd Memorial Campsite
District Events
Donations
Bequest/Grants
from scout/badge shop
Other
Fund Raising
Scout Shop
Sale of Badges
Donation Lloyds
Total Receipts for the year
2024
£
93,537
93,537
-
-
97,618
33,041
130,659
0
13,755
1,072
14,827
14,598
13,190
60
27,848
266,871
2023
£
74,645
74,645
-
-
90,217
11,065
101,282
500
0
705
1,205
14,614
11,846
26,460
203,592

Page 6 of 13

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Monies Out

Capitation
Premises
Boyd Memorial Campsite
Equipment
Activities
District Events
Admin/Establishment Expenses
New Group Start up Grants
Leaders Training
Leaders Expenses
Transfers
Purchase of uniforms
Purchase of badges
To Campsite
Last years in this years bank
Added to p/cash
adjustment last year
Total payments for the year
- 2024
£
81,474
65,136
12,602
77,738
33,767
33,767
-
6,093
-
1,910
8,003
11,912
12,319
5,940
185
21
5

6,141
30,372
231,354
2023
£
64,043
81,605
19,298
100,903
9,558
9,558
-
-
-
10,784
10,516
5
21,305
195,809

Page 7 of 13

81 Page 8 of 13

District & Boyd Memorial Campsite 2023

Income
Membership Fees
Fees Refund
Boyd Campsite Invoices
District Events
Savings
Transfers from Bigg Weekender
Transfers from Scout Shop
Donations/grants/refunds
Expenditure
Membership Fees
Boyd Campsite Costs
District Events
Equipment
Transfers
Leaders Expenses
Leaders Training
New Group Start Up Grants
Legal fees
Surplus for the Year
Represented by
Opening Balances at 1 January 2024
Current Account
Reserve Account
Building Fund
adjustment
(old p/cash)
surplus/loss
Closing Balances at 31 December 2024
Current Account
Petty Cash
Building Fund
2024
2024
93,537.00
822.00
97,618.00
33,041.00
250.00
1,660.00
5,940.00
6,155.00
239,023.00
81,474.00
65,136.00
33,767.00
12,602.00
1,910.00
0.00
6,093.00
0.00
0.00
200,982.00
38,041.00
32,446.19
0.00
0.00
32,446.19
38,041.00
70,487.19
70,148.95
88.20
250.04
70,487.19
2023
74,645.00
90,218.00
11,065.00
0.00
3,975.00
1,205.00
64,043.00
81,604.00
9,558.00
19,298.00
3,975.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
30,127.78
0.00
0.00
-311.59
29,816.19
2,630.00
32,446.19
32,357.73
88.46
0.00
32,446.19

Page 9 of 13

2023 181,108.00 178,478.00 2,630.00 Page 10 of 13

Biggleswade District Scout Council Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Scout Uniform Shop
Sale of Uniform etc
transfer to badge shop
Donation Lloyds
Purchase of Stock
Sum Up Charges
Stationery And Expenses
Surplus/(deficit) for the year
Transfer to Badge Shop
Closing Balance
Closing Balances at 1st January 2024
Petty Cash
Paid in Jan
Current Account
Stock
Surplus/(Movement) for the year
Increase/(decrease) in closing stock
Closing Balances at 31 December 2024
Petty Cash
Transfer to c/site
pd in in jan for last year
Current Account
Stock
2024
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
14,598.24
14,614.05
537.45
60.00
11,738.74
10,783.92
173.42
11,912.16
10,783.92
3,283.53
3,830.13
537.45
70.00
2,746.08
3,760.13
131.05
157.30
185.00
-26.25
9,081.53
5,506.40
8,508.97
11,170.02
17,906.55
16,807.47
2,746.08
3,760.13
126.15
-2,661.05
20,778.78
17,906.55
151.60
131.05
5,940.00
185.00
185.00
5,867.06
9,081.53
8,635.12
8,508.97
20,778.78
17,906.55

Page 11 of 13

Page 12 of 13

Biggleswade District Scout Council

Accouts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024

Badge Shop
Sale of Badges
taken for p/cash
Purchase of Stock
Sum Up
Stationery And Expenses
Surplus/(Movement) for the year
Transfer to District
Closing Balance
Represented by:
Opening Balances at 1st January 2024
Petty Cash
Current Account
Stock
Surplus/(deficit) for the year
Increase/(decrease) in closing stock
Closing Balances at 31st December 2023
Petty Cash
Current Account
Stock
monies pd in error scout shop
2024
2024
£
£
13,189.50
15.00
12,142.62
161.59
15.00
12,319.21
855.29
11,463.92
20.00
4,861.83
7,711.77
12,593.60
855.29
742.51
14,191.40
20.00
5,717.12
8,454.28
14,191.40
2023
2023
£
£
11,846.00
10,516.28
10,516.28
1,329.72
1,329.72
20.00
3,532.11
7,054.74
10,606.85
1,329.72
657.03
12,593.60
20.00
4,861.83
7,711.77
12,593.60

Page 13 of 13

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