## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
## **FOR**
## **ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL**
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094**
**ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|**REFERENCE**|**AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS**|
|---|---|
|**Charity Name:**|ElyDistrict Scout Council|
|||
|**Other Names the Charity is Known by:**|ElyDistrict Scouts|
|||
|**Registered Charity Number:**|301094|
||_Charity Commission for England & Wales_|
|||
|**Scout Association Registration Number:**|10001307|
|||
|**Charity’s Principal Address:**|1 Hardwicke Close|
||Littleport|
||Ely|
||CB6 1JB|
**Names of the Charity Trustees who Manage the Charity**
|**Trustee Name**|**Office(if any)**|**Dates Acted if not for wholeyear**|
|---|---|---|
|Graham Smith|Lead Volunteer||
|Ian Weatherall|Treasurer||
|Adam Thorpe|Trustee||
|Stuart Cree|Trustee||
|Bob Groom|Trustee||
|Elaine Chamberlain|Trustee||
|Abbie Wells|Trustee||
|Alexander Rayner|District Chair|1st January-16th September|
|Katherine Bond|District Executive Member(Elected)|1st January-29th November|
|Darrell Gardiner|District Executive Member(Nominated)|1st January-25th June|
|Thomas Gardiner|District Executive Member(Nominated)|1st January-25th June|
## **Names and Addresses of Advisors**
|**Type of Advisor**|**Name**|**Address**|
|---|---|---|
|Scrutineer|Victoria Cooper|Red Shoes Accounting
181 Wisbech Rd
Littleport
CB6 1RA|
Page 2 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
**ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Description of the Charity’s Trusts**
## **Type of Governing Document**
The District's governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association (POR}.
## **How the Charity is Constituted**
The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
## **Trustee Selection Methods**
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
## **Additional Governance Issues**
The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and up to 10 Trustees (including 3 Ex Officio Trustees, and 2 coopted Trustees) and meets every 3 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.
## **Risk & Internal Control**
The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the District is exposed. These have been reviewed, and systems have been established to mitigate them.
The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
## **Injury to Leaders, Helpers, Supporters and Members**
The District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
## **Reduced Income from Fundraising**
The District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
## **Reduction or Loss of Volunteers**
The District is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District.
## **Maladministration**
The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss. These include two signatories for all payments and insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. Regular meetings of the Executive committee are held at which updates on finances and administration are provided.
Page 3 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
**ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Summary of the Objects of the Charity set out in its Governing Document**
## **The Purpose of Scouting**
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
## **The Values of Scouting**
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.
## **The Scout 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
## **Summary of the Main Activities in Relation to these Objects**
The District arranges large scale events during the course of the year containing a wide range of activities across all the programme zones of the Scouting programme, to add value to the smaller events organised by Groups.
## **Public Benefit Statement**
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.
Page 4 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
**ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Summary of the Main Achievements of the Charity During the Year**
## **From the District Lead Volunteer**
Over the past 12 months, Scouting within Ely, as well as over the UK has seen many changes: transformation to a new digital membership system, new role titles and new teams. Volunteers can now log into this system to check their personal details, check their learning progress, complete NAN forms, check their permits and more with just a few clicks.
As I reflect on my fifth year as Lead Volunteer (previously District Commissioner), I am reminded of our pledge to ‘do our best’ and ‘to help other people’. 2024 saw a renewed interest nationally in Scouting and in Ely District seeing a 16% increase in our membership, with activities increasing and full programmes being delivered by our excellent teams of volunteers and our young people growing and developing their skills and resilience.
We opened the following new provisions:
- a 1st Cub Pack (January 2024)
- a 1st Ely Squirrel Drey (May 2024)
- a 1st Littleport S.E.N.D (July 2024)
- a 2nd Ely Scouts (September 2024)
- a 1st Ely Squirrel Drey (January 2025)
Census 2025: 668 youth membership and 186 adult members, across 9 Groups and 37 sections.
We also awarded 80 Top Awards to our young people.
My Lead Volunteer role doesn’t change the focus in supporting our existing and future teams. A key focus will try to bring in more adult volunteers to our Teams, to enable us to assist more young people in the safe adventures of Scouting.
Thank you all, for continuing to volunteer within Ely District Scouts and over the next 12 months, I would like us all to continue to embrace any new change(s) positively, by working together and remember, you are all part of a bigger team.
So, here’s to another year of campfires, laughter and memories.
Yours in Scouting,
Graham Smith
Lead Volunteer, Ely District
Page 5 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
**ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Reserves Policy**
The District's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Executive Committee considers that the District should hold a sum equivalent to at least 12 months running costs, circa £9,000.
The District held reserves of £9,000 against this at year end.
## **Details of any Funds Materially in Deficit**
None
## **Investment Policy**
The District's Income and Expenditure is very small and, consequently, does not have sufficient funds to invest in longerterm investments such as stocks and shares. The District has therefore adopted a low-risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or CAF Bank.
The District Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances, and the interest rates received to ensure the group obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn, before doing so the District Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements.
## **DECLARATION**
## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above**
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees on 22nd October 2025
Ian Weatherall Treasurer
Graham Smith Lead Volunteer
Page 6 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
## **ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL**
## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|**RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**|**Receipts**
**Payments**
**Balance**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**_See_**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**_Note_**|**Balance**
**2023**|
|---|---|---|
||£14,447.93
-
£14,447.93
£14,447.93
-
_1a_
£61.75
-
£61.75
£61.75
-
_1b_
-
-
-
-
-
£7,886.10
-
£7,886.10
£7,886.10
-
_1d_
£713.21
-
£713.21
£713.21
-
_1e_
-
-
-
-
-
£29,349.47
-
£29,349.47
-
£29,349.47
_1f_
**£52,458.46**
**-**
**£52,458.46**
**£23,108.99**
**£29,349.47**
£18,521.07
(£18,521.07)
(£18,521.07)
-
_1a_
-
-
-
-
_1c_
-
-
-
-
£6,205.54
(£6,205.54)
(£6,205.54)
-
_1d_
-
-
-
-
£52,987.27
(£52,987.27)
-
(£52,987.27)
_1f_
**-**
**£77,713.88**
**(£77,713.88)**
**(£24,726.61)**
**(£52,987.27)**||
|**RECEIPTS**|||
|Charitable Activities||£20,439.47|
|Donations Received||£631.72|
|Grants Received||-|
|Fundraising (Gross)||£3,909.00|
|Investment Income||£533.00|
|Asset & Investment Sales||-|
|Other Receipts||£23,637.80|
|**TOTAL RECEIPTS**||**£49,150.99**|
||||
|**PAYMENTS**|||
|Charitable Activities||(£27,232.95)|
|Donations Made||(£100.00)|
|Grants Made||-|
|Fundraising Expenses||(£943.30)|
|Asset & Investment Purchases||-|
|Other Payments||-|
|**TOTAL PAYMENTS**||**(£28,276.25)**|
||||
|**BALANCE**||-|
|**Net Income Before Transfers**|**£52,458.46**
**£77,713.88**
**(£25,255.42)**
**(£1,617.62)**
**(£23,637.80)**|**£20,874.74**|
|**Gross Transfers Between Funds**||**-**|
|**Net Income for the Year**||**£20,874.74**|
|Account Balances at 1st January||£33,197.23|
|||**£54,071.97**|
|**STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES**
**Balance**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**_See_**
**2024**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**_Note_**|**Balance**
**2023**|
|---|---|
|**ASSETS**
Cash at Bank and in Hand at 31st December
£28,816.55
£25,450.55
£3,366.00
_4_
Other Monetary Assets
-
-
-
Investment Assets
-
-
-
Non-Monetary Assets
-
-
-
Stock Value (Badges)
£418.48
£418.48
-
_5_
**TOTAL ASSETS**
**£29,235.03**
**-**
**£29,235.03**
**£25,869.03**
**£3,366.00**
**LIABILITIES**
Scrutineer's Fee Due
-
-
-
Other
-
-
-
**TOTAL LIABILITIES**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**NET OF ASSETS OVER LIABILITIES**
**£29,235.03**
**-**
**£29,235.03**
**£25,869.03**
**£3,366.00**||
|||
||£54,071.97|
||-|
||-|
||-|
||£667.36|
||**£54,739.33**|
|||
|||
||-|
||-|
||**-**|
|||
||**£54,739.33**|
## **This Statement of Accounts was approved by the Trustees on 22nd October 2025**
Signed on the Trustees' behalf by:
Ian Weatherall District Treasurer
_Graham Smith_
District Lead Volunteer
Page 7 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
## **ELY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|**Receipts**
**Payments**
**Balance**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**NOTES**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Funds**
**Funds**|**Balance**
**2023**|
|---|---|
|**1) INCOME FOR THE YEAR**
**a) Charitable Activities**
**District Membership Fees**
Received from Groups
£31,970.00
-
£31,970.00
£31,970.00
-
- less Fees paid on to County & HQ
(£26,390.00)
-
(£26,390.00)
(£26,390.00)
-
**Net Membership Fees**
**£5,580.00**
**-**
**£5,580.00**
**£5,580.00**
**-**
**Youth Programme & Activities**
District Youth Events
£1,282.55
£5,734.48
(£4,451.93)
(£4,451.93)
-
Ely District Explorers
£3,074.56
£4,048.54
(£973.98)
(£973.98)
-
**Net Youth Programme & Activities**
**£4,357.11**
**£9,783.02**
**(£5,425.91)**
**(£5,425.91)**
**-**
**District Operations**
Adult Support & Training
-
£395.00
(£395.00)
(£395.00)
-
Banking Costs
-
£120.00
(£120.00)
(£120.00)
-
Group Support
£4,510.82
£4,429.93
£80.89
£80.89
-
Insurance
-
£357.63
(£357.63)
(£357.63)
-
Resources
-
£3,205.74
(£3,205.74)
(£3,205.74)
-
Trustee Board
-
£229.75
(£229.75)
(£229.75)
-
**Net District Operations**
**£4,510.82**
**£8,738.05**
**(£4,227.23)**
**(£4,227.23)**
**-**
**Net Charitable Activities**
**£14,447.93**
**£18,521.07**
**(£4,073.14)**
**(£4,073.14)**
**-**
b) Donations Received for General Funds
£61.75
-
£61.75
£61.75
-
c) Donation Made to Royal British Legion
-
-
-
-
d) Fundraising Events
£7,886.10
£6,205.54
£1,680.56
£1,680.56
-
e) Bank Interest Received
£713.21
-
£713.21
£713.21
-
f) Ely Fireworks Ticket Sales for ECET
£29,349.47
£52,987.27
(£23,637.80)
-
(£23,637.80)
**NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR**
**£52,458.46**
**£77,713.88**
**(£25,255.42)**
**(£1,617.62)**
**(£23,637.80)**
**2) ACCOUNT BALANCES AT 1ST JANUARY**
Current Accounts
£4,563.30
£4,563.30
-
Deposit Accounts
£49,508.67
£22,504.87
£27,003.80
Cash in Hand
-
-
-
**TOTAL**
**£54,071.97**
**£27,068.17**
**£27,003.80**
**3) ACCOUNT BALANCES AT AT 31ST DECEMBER**
Current Accounts
£1,567.49
£1,567.49
-
Deposit Accounts
£27,249.06
£23,883.06
£3,366.00
Cash in Hand
-
-
-
**TOTAL**
**£28,816.55**
**£25,450.55**
**£3,366.00**
**4) CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**
General Funds
£16,190.73
£16,190.73
-
Reserve Funds
£9,000.00
£9,000.00
-
Designated Funds
£259.82
£259.82
-
Restricted Funds
£3,366.00
-
£3,366.00
**TOTAL CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND AT 31ST DECEMBER**
**£28,816.55**
**£25,450.55**
**£3,366.00**
**5) STOCK OF BADGES (VALUE AT COST)**
Stock at Start of Year
£667.36
£667.36
-
Purchases
£300.00
£300.00
-
Sales & Depreciation
(£548.88)
(£548.88)
-
**STOCK VALUE AT 31ST DECEMBER**
**£418.48**
**£418.48**
**-**||
|||
|||
|||
||£27,165.50|
||(£22,315.50)|
||**£4,850.00**|
|||
|||
||(£384.77)|
||(£1,317.77)|
||**(£1,702.54)**|
|||
|||
||(£727.34)|
||(£217.86)|
||(£4,871.57)|
||(£578.09)|
||(£3,372.63)|
||(£173.45)|
||**(£9,940.94)**|
|||
||**(£6,793.48)**|
|||
||£631.72|
||(£100.00)|
||£2,965.70|
||£533.00|
||£23,637.80|
|||
||**£20,874.74**|
|||
|||
||£5,841.36|
||£26,818.32|
||£537.55|
||**£33,197.23**|
|||
|||
||£4,563.30|
||£49,508.67|
||-|
||**£54,071.97**|
|||
|||
||£15,076.38|
||£9,000.00|
||£2,991.79|
||£27,003.80|
||**£54,071.97**|
|||
|||
||£428.74|
||£756.00|
||(£517.38)|
||**£667.36**|
Page 8 of 8
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 301094
## **Independent examiner's report to the board of trustees of Ely District Scout Council**
I report on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December 2024 which are set out on pages 2 to 10.
## **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 2022 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
1. Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
2. Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and
3. State whether any particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 the trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide alol the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accouts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to the matters set oout in the statement below.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has to my attention:
- 1 Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- (a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act: and
- (b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records
have not been met; or
2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**Victoria Cooper Date: 04.12.2025 Red Shoes Accounting Services 181 Wisbech Road Unit 7 E- Space North Litteport Cambridgeshire CB6 1RA**