## Trustees' Annual Report ## For the period |From (start date)||**0**|**1**|**0**|**4**|**2`**|**2**e|**2**e||**3**|**1**|**0**|**3**|**2**|**3**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||||||||||| |**Section A**||||**Reference and administration details**|||||||||||| |Charity name
Other names the charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any)
HQ registration number
Charity’s principal address|||||||||||||||| |||||BLACKWATER VALLEY DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL|||||||||||| |||||3
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10001171|||||||||||| |||||c/o Mr A Blake|||||||||||| |||||11 Wisley Gardens|||||||||||| |||||FARNBOROUGH|||||||||||| |||||Postcode||||GU14 0RS|||||||| ## Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity _(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)_ |1
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15|**Trustee Name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not**
**for whole year**| |---|---|---|---| ||Michael Hughes|Chairman*|| ||Andrew Blake|Secretary*|| ||Pamela Mikulskis|Treasurer*|| ||Colin Slatter||| ||Emma Buckett|District Comm'r*|Until 31/12/22| ||Linda Moyle||| ||Adam Spinks|Explorer Comm'r*|| ||AndyElson||Until 29/9/22| ||Claire Hewitson||| ||Rebecca Rilley|Scout ShopManager|| ||MelodyBaxter||| ||Ellie Williams|Youth Ambassador|| ||Haydn Allen|Youth Comm'r*|| ||||| |||* ex-officio|| Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice) _(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)_ Type of advisor Name Address 1 LT700001 (3rd December 2018) |**Section B**|**Structure, governance and management**| |---|---| |Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
(e.g. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
(e.g. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods
(e.g. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
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.
The District is a trust established under rules which are common to all
Scouts.
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,
Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.|| ||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.| ||| ||The District is a trust established under rules which are common to all
Scouts.| ||| ||The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,
Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.| |Policies and procedures adopted for:
You may choose to include additional
information, where relevant, about:
a) the induction and training of trustees;
b) trustee' consideration of major risks
and the systems and procedures to
manage them|The District is managed by the District Trustee Boad, the members of
which are the The Trustees of the Scout District, an educational
charity. As 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 Board which meets bi-monthly consists of 5 ex-officio members,
up to 4 elected members, an equivalent number of members
nominated by the District Commissioner.
Members of the Board complete 'Essential Information for Executive
Committee' or 'Trustee Induction' training within the first 5 months of
joining the committee together with Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR
training.
This Board exists to support the District Commissioner in meeting the
responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
The maintenance of district assets;
The administration of District finance;
The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
Public occasions;
Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
Appointing District Administrators and Advisors other than those who
are elected.| |---|---| 2 LT700001 (3rd December 2018) |**Section B**
**Structure, governance and management (continued)**|**Section B**
**Structure, governance and management (continued)**| |---|---| ||**Risk and Internal Control**
The 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 against them. The main areas of
concern that have been identified are:
**Damage to the building, property and equipment**.
The District uses buildings belonging to HCC, other scout groups and
other publicly available buildings. The District has sufficient buildings,
contents and public liability insurance in place to mitigate against
loss.
**Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members**.
The District through the membership fees, payable by every youth
members contribute to the Scout Associations national accident
insurance policy. Additional insurance is purchased for Occasional
Helpers. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
**Reduced income from fund raising**.
The District is reliant upon income from subscriptions. The District
hold a healthy reserves to ensure the continuity of activities should
there be a major reduction in income. The Trustees have held its
subscription at the same level for several years and in 2023 reduced
its levy to assist groups with increased utility costs. If found
necessary the Trustees could increase its share of subscriptions to
increase the income to the District, either temporarily or permanently.
**Reduction or loss of leaders**.
The District is entirely reliant upon volunteers (347 up 8.4%) to run
and administer the activities of the District. If there was a reduction in
the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section
or the District as a whole then there would have to be a contraction,
consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the
complete closure of the District. The district is working with the
County Growth and Development team to address current shortages
to ensure correct leader to young people ratios in several groups.
**Reduction or loss of members**.
The District provides activities for all young people of all abilities
aged 4 to 18 and we are pleased to report that membership has
recovered with 918 young people up 9.2% year on year. During the
year two Squirrel units opened for 4-6 year olds. There continues to
be strong interest from the 4-8 yearold age group. Should numbers
decline in any group, section or the District as whole then there would
have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the
worst case scenario the complete closure of the District.
**Risk and Internal Control**
The District has internal controls designed to provide reasonable
assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2
signatories for all payments, comprehensive insurance policies to
ensure that insurable risks are covered. A Risk Review is carried out
bi-annually as a minimum.| 3 LT700001 (3rd December 2018) 4 LT70000113rd December 20181 |**Section C**|**Objectives and activities**| |---|---| |Summary of the objects of the charity set
out in its governing document
Summary of the main activities in relation
to these objects|**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
- make and live by their Promise.
| ||| ||
The year under review saw the continued recovery from Covid
Lockdown. All our 15 groups and two Explorer Units slowly recovered
from lockdown and rebuilt numbers. The leadership are to be
commended for their ingenuity in continuing to provide activities to
their young people. The District participated in St Georges Day
Parade and The Civic Thanksgiving Service for King Charles 111
The Board monitored the available grants and ensured that all eligible
groups were in receipt of all relevant information to allow them to
apply for grants.
The Executive continued to meet regularly.| 5 LT700001 (3rd December 2018) Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice) |statements, where relevant, about:
• policy on grant making;
• contribution made by volunteers;
• policy on investments.
Public benefit statement
You**may choose**to include further|The Board did not operates its small grants programme, using £5,000
drawn from reserves prefering to reserve the amount to assist any
hardship arisings. The programme will be reinstated for 2023-24. The
maximum amount per group is limited to £1500 per group.
The Board is still considered investing it's surplus reserves into safe
bonds to preserve purchasing power. After investigation into likely
return in 21-22 decided not to proceed. As available returns are now
increasing further consideration will be given.
The contribution of volunteers is never under estimated and there is a
| |---|---| ||~~rolling programme of nominations for County and National awards to~~| ||The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria
under both the advancement of education and the advancement of
citizenship or community development headings.| ||| |**Section D**|**Achievements and performance**| |Summary of the main achievements of
the charity during the year|| ||| |**Section E**|**Financial Review**| |---|---| |Details of any funds materially in deficit
(circumstances plus steps to eliminate)
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on
reserves|**Reserves Policy**
The District held reserves of approximately £80,000 at year end. This
is above the level required for operating expenses. This excess is
mainly the income from the sale of a property in 2004 with the funds
held against the possible development of a campsite or headquarters
building in the future. It is planned to invest the majority of the above
amount to maintain value.| ||| ||N/A| 6 LT700001 (3rd December 2018) Further financial review details (optional information) |information, where relevant, about:
• investment policy and objectives;
You**may choose**to include additional
• the charity’s principal sources of funds
(including any fundraising);
• how expenditure has supported the key
objectives of the charity;|**Investment Policy**
| |---|---| ||The District's Income and Expenditure is very small and derives from
a levy on youth members. All funds are held in cash using only
mainstream banks or building societies or The Scout Association's
Short Term Investment Service.


The District Executive regularly monitors the levels of bank balances
and the interest rates received to ensure the District obtains best
value 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 Board considers the cash flow
requirements. In normal circumstances the annual income from the
membership fee and the trading through the Scout Shop meets or
exceeds the expenditures incurred.
The District considered, during financial year 20/21, investing reserve
funds, but concluded that returns were insignificant. The Board will,
in 2023, establish an investment policy and review available safe
investments. All funds are currently held in cash using only
mainstream banks or building societies.| ||| |**Section F**|**Other Optional Information**| |Plans for future periods (details of any
significant activities planned to achieve
them)|Another group will during 2023-24 open our third Squirrel unit.
As more adults are coming forward to help as leaders groups are
increasing the numbers of places available for young people which
will address some of the longer 'want to join' lists.| ||| |**Section G**|**Declaration**| The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signed Full name Michael John Hughes Position Chairman Date 1 2 0 5 2 3 7 LT700001 (3rd December 2018) Blackwater Valley District Scout Accounts 22-23 |**Receipts**
**Notes**
**Membership**
**Ac�vi�es**
**Fundraising**
**Investment Income**
**Sales**
**Total Receipts**
Subscrip�ons
1
Less: Membership to be paid on
Net membership retained
Explorer Ac�vi�es and Camps
2
Scouts, Cubs and Beavers
3
District Ac�vi�es
4
Ac�ve Support Unit
Archery Club
DHQ Bar
Training
5
Recruitment inc Youth Involvement
Special Camps
Funds raised for other chari�es
Ac�ve
Dona�ons
Grant
Misc Income
Bank/Building Society Interest
Bond Interest
Gi� Aid
STIS Interest
Shop Sales
Badge Sales|**£**
**2023**
51,496
48,610
2,886
3,557
2,622
0
0
1,718
134
0
1,200
0
26
0
330
0
69
0
0
659
7,347
8,485|**£**
**2022**
46,274
40,522
5,752
2,973
1,480
0
0
1,644
188
0
0
0
0
0
150
700
0
1
0
0
95
7,710
1,308| |---|---|---| ||**£29,032**|**£22,001**| 1 10-Jul-2023 Blackwater Valley District Scout Accounts 22-23 |**Payments**
**Notes**
**Ac�vi�es and Events**
**Fundraising Costs & Dona�ons**
**Rents, Maintenance and Insurance**
**Establishment Expenses**
**Cost of Goods Bought for Resale**
**Accountancy, Bank and Professional Costs**
**Other**
**Total Payments**
**Net of Receipts/(Payments)**
District Ac�vi�es and Events
6
Scout, Cub & Beavers Ac�vi�es
7
Explorers Ac�vi�es and Camps
8
Ac�ve Support Unit
Archery Club
Recruitment inc Youth Involvement
iScout
Awards
Special Camps
Dona�ons
Ac�ve Support Unit
District and Jamboree
Patrio�c Events
Instructor Training Contribu�ons
Grants to Groups
Legacy
Rent
Repairs and Renewals
9
Insurance
Equipment
10
Admin inc Postage and Sta�onery
11
Travel
Training
12
Badges and Uniform
Thank-Yous
Bank Charges
Licences
Cash Adjustment
Stock Adjustment|**£**
**2023**
0
1,929
5,191
0
577
0
785
0
0
0
0
0
608
0
330
0
1,452
0
924
1,380
427
91
663
626
0
12,892
758
360
15
0|**£**
**2022**
0
1,802
3,332
0
21
0
817
50
0
0
85
2,400
61
0
0
0
948
0
884
1,185
772
0
100
231
0
12,679
758
0
0
650| |---|---|---| ||**£29,009**|**£26,774**| ||**£23**|**-£4,773**| 2 10-Jul-2023 Blackwater Valley District Scout Accounts 22-23 |**Assets**
**Notes**
**Current Assets**
**Other Assets**
**Liabili�es**
**Total**
**Total Assets 2022**
**Net of Receipt/(Payments)**
**Total Assets 2023**
Stock and Work in Progress
13
Bank/ Building Society Balances
14
Scout Associa�on Short Term Investment
Cash
15
Loans to Groups
Treasury Stock
Other Assets
16|**£**
**£**
**2023**
**2022**
25,230
22,530
53,460
54,583
57,472
56,813
1,682
1,021
-
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
(2883)| |---|---| ||**£138,843**
**£138,830**| ||**£138,830**
**£23**
**£138,853**| 3 10-Jul-2023 ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees/** Charity Name **members of** `Blackwater Valley District Scouts` **On accounts for the year** `2023` **Charity no** `302101` **ended (if any) Set out on pages** (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **DD / MM / YYYY** **`31/03/2023`** . **Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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** [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to **examiner's statement** undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. _Delete_ [ ] _if not applicable._ I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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. * _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._ ~~Vokurkova~~ Digitally signed by **Signed:** Vlasta Vokurkova VlastaDate: 10-Jul-23 **Date:** `10/07/2023` **Name:** `Vlasta Vokurkova` **Relevant professional** `BA(hons)in Business studies with accounting,` **qualification(s) or body** `CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting` **Oct 2018** 1 **IER** ## **(if any):** **Address:** `5 The Sycamores, GU17 0EE Blackwater, Hampshire` ## **Section B Disclosure** Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). **Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . **Oct 2018** 2 **IER**