2024-12-31-accounts

ISLE OF WIGHT SCOUT COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Section A - Reference and administration details

Charity name: Isle of Wight Scout Council

Other names the charity is known by: IW Scout County Isle of Wight Scouts Corf Scout Campsite Registered charity number (if any): 302138 Charity’s principal address: Corf Scout Camp Corf Road Shalfleet Newport Isle of Wight PO30 4NT Websites www.isleofwightscouts.org.uk www.facebook.com/isleofwightscouts www.instagram.com/iwscouts www.corfcamp.org.uk www.facebook.com/Corfcamp www.instagram.com/corfscoutcampsite www.facebook.com/groups/iwscoutingheritage

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee Name, Office (if any), and Dates acted if not for entire year

Trustee Name	Office (if any)	Start	End
Mr Dave Simpson	County Commissioner	01/08/2019	01/01/2025
Mr Dave Simpson	County Lead Volunteer	01/01/2025
Mr Timothy Fallick	County Treasurer	22/05/2019	24/05/2024
Mr Timothy Fallick	Trustee	24/05/2024
Mr Andrew Hollebon	County Chair	04/05/2022
Mr Graham Salter	County Scout Council Member	25/10/2020

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Ms Rebecca Steen	County Youth Commissioner	04/05/2022	31/12/2024
Mr Michael Grist	County Secretary	17/07/2023
Ms Kathryn Taylor	Assistant Cub Scout Leader, 1st Newchurch	25/10/2020	24/05/2024
Mr John Earley	Trustee	04/05/2022
Mr Iain Reeves	Assistant Warden, Corf Scout Campsite	02/07/2021
Miss Lotty Green	Deputy County Youth Commissioner	04/05/2022	31/12/2024
Miss Hannah Flowers	Deputy County Youth Commissioner	16/11/2022	31/12/2024
Mrs Mandy Holloway	Deputy County Commissioner (Programme)	29/05/2024
Mr Jamie Dowsett	County Youth Lead	01/01/2025
Ms Maya Masi	Deputy County Youth Lead	01/02/2025

Section A - Reference and administration details

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice): None.

Section B - Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document (e.g. trust deed, constitution)

The IW Scout County's governing documents are those of the Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws and The Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) of The Scout Association and during 2024 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out the operation of the County as a single entity without Districts. The Scout Association has introduced a constitution (Rule 5c4) setting out the arrangements for a County without Districts. It is expected that the Isle of Wight Scout Council will adopt this new constitution at its 2025 AGM.

The IW Scout County is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.

The Trustees are appointed or elected in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

Additional governance issues

Within the IW Scout County there are 23 Scout Groups (for young people aged 6 to 13 years), 10 Explorer Scout Units (for young people aged 14 to 17 years), and a Young Leaders Explorer Scout Unit (for young people aged 14 to 17 years), and a Scout Network (for young people aged 18 to 25 years). Some Scout Groups own their own property and are registered charities in their own right.

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As well as supporting Groups, Units and the Network for the adult supporters of Scouting, there are were Scout Active Support (SAS) Units covering the following areas: there is one County Support Team to run the, Archery, Canoeing, Corf Scout Campsite & Activity Centre, the annual IOW REVOLUTION Camp and the Training Team.

From the Annual Scout Census, taken on 31st January 2025, the total number of Young People decreased from 1,095 to 1,031, a decrease of 64. The Total number of adults volunteering with Island Scouts on 31st January 2025 was 386, a decrease of 20.

Between 2023 and 2025 the number of young people and adults involved in Scouting changed as follows:

Section / Age	2023	2024	2025	Change since 2024
Squirrels (4 & 5 years)	28	56	59	+3
Beavers (6 & 7 years)	315	260	232	-28
Cubs (8-10 years)	322	365	340	-26
Scouts (11-13 years) & Explorer Scouts (14-17 years)	431	411	400	-11
Adults (age 18 years and over)	407	406	386	-20

The Trustee Board comprises:

• County Chair – elected

• County Treasurer - elected

• County Lead Volunteer (ex-officio) – previously known as the County Commissioner

• County Youth Lead (ex-officio) – previously known as the County Youth Commissioner

• Trustees including the County Secretary who are appointed or nominated for periods of one, two or three years

This Trustee Board exists to support the County Lead Volunteer and the County Leadership Team in meeting the responsibilities of their appointments and is responsible for:

1) The maintenance of County property. The IW Scout County owns two properties, the Corf Campsite and Activity Centre near Shalfleet, the management of which is undertaken by the Corf Committee which reports to the Trustee Board, and the South Wight Campsite at Ventnor, the management of which is undertaken, via a 50 year lease, by the 3rd Ventnor Scout Group who have their HQ on the site. Additionally assorted items of equipment that are used for Adult Training and Scout events on the IW are also County property.

2) The raising of funds and administration of the County finances. The majority of the County fund raising comes from subscriptions levied on each young person (age 6 to 17) in the County. The County finances are monitored by the Finance Committee which reports to the Trustee Board.

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3) The insurance of County persons, property and equipment. The Scout Association provides Public Liability insurance cover as part of the membership. Additional property, equipment, personal and indemnity insurance is obtained and paid for by the County.

4) County public occasions. The County AGM and Corf Campsite Open Day are held annually. These are the main occasions when local dignitaries are invited to attend and Awards are presented to adult volunteers and helpers who have given long and / or meritorious service to Scouting in the County.

5) Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support. The County undertakes the appointment of adult leaders to Groups, which includes initiation records checks via the national Disclosure and Baring service (DBS). Adult training is available online and via face to face sessions organised for adult volunteers and helpers in Scout Groups, Units, Network and the County.

6) Appointing any Committees that may be required. During the year there were three - the Corf Committee, the Finance Committee and the Awards Advisory Panel. As part of national changes to the way Scouting operates the Appointments Committee ceased operations.

Risk and Internal Control

The Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the County is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The principal areas of concern that have been identified are:

1) Damage to the buildings, property and equipment. At the County's Corf Campsite the most likely damage to occur is a tree falling in winter gales and damaging one of the buildings; this could reduce the facilities at the campsite but would not necessarily close the site, also because no camping takes place in the winter injury to people is most unlikely. The state of the trees is monitored to identify vulnerable ones and precautionary action taken where necessary. Tree roots at Corf Scout Campsite pose a serious risk to the sites foul water drainage system. This will be addressed through the implementation of plans for a replacement system. At the South Wight Campsite again the most likely damage to occur is a tree falling in winter gales, in this instance there is only one building, the 3rd Ventnor Scout Group HQ on the site (which the Group itself is responsible for); in the event that this should occur the Group would be able to temporarily meet in other facilities in Ventnor. The County and 3rd Ventnor Scout Group have sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss and damage to and at the above properties.

2) Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters. The County, through the membership fees, contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all Scouting activities, allowing the necessary steps to be taken to avoid the possibility of accidents and injuries occurring.

3) Reduced income from fund raising. The County is primarily reliant upon income from a membership fee paid by all youth members in the County to fund its operation. A budget is prepared annually which allows the County membership fee to be set for the following year. The County holds a General Reserve fund. which is used for the maintenance of and

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improvements to Corf Campsite and is also available to be used for the general benefit of scouting on the Island.

4) Reduction or loss of adult volunteers. The County is totally reliant upon volunteers to run, administer and operate the activities of the County, the Groups and sections. If there was a reduction in the number of these volunteers to an unacceptable level in a particular section or a Group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of that section, and in the worst case scenario the complete closure of that Group.

5) Reduction or loss of members (Scouts). The County does not have Scouts as direct members, other than the Scout Network members (18 - 25 years), they are normally members of the Groups or Units. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or a Group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section, and in the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.

The County has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss; these include two authorisations for all payments from the bank account and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

Section C - Objectives and activities

The objectives of the County are as a unit of the Scout Association outlined in the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Association (POR 1 The Fundamentals of Scouting).

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

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.

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 Aims of The Scout Association are to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as

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responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The method of achieving the Aims of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.

The County organises a limited number of activities and events each year to support Scouting and bring the Groups and Units together. County events include the County Camps for Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts and Beaveree for Beaver Scouts. Most adult training is provided online and at a County level alongside recruitment events.

All the people involved with the County are adult volunteers. Where appropriate they claim expenses for travel, communications and other incidentals.

The County operates two grant funds:

• Opportunities Fund – supports individuals who for whatever reason are unable to participate in Scouting – in particular, this includes the ability to afford membership fees and the purchase of unform.

• Fund for International and National Development (FIND) – supports members who attend experiences – national or international – which will develop them as individuals. Examples include support for individuals who attend international Jamborees and specialist events like the National Scout and Guide Orchestra and Concert Band Week.

Section D - Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements

Isle of Wight Scouts weathered the storm of COVID and came out the other side. Numbers bounced back and we were close to being back to our pre-pandemic numbers. Numbers have decreased in the last couple of years but we compare favourably to other areas in reach amongst the 6 to 17 year age range and remain the largest voluntary run uniformed youth movement on the island. Since the launch of Squirrels in 2021 we now have Dreys at 20% of our Groups. Our annual events flourish and are well attended. At the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in South Korea our members showed their resilience despite the challenges they faced. Fifty members from the Island attended the Essex International Jamboree in 2024.

Section E - Financial Review

The Charity’s financial accounts are attached to this report. The charity reverted to receipts and payment accounts for the year, which has meant that in extracting the figures, some of the comparative figures for 2023 are not directly comparable.

The Charity had receipts of £230,277 (2023 - £217,033) including £23,109 restricted funding (2023 - £48,009). This included funds for the climbing wall, whereas 2023 figures for restricted funds included the World Scout Jamboree (WSJ). The overall payments totalled £229,478 (2023 - £178,649). This included £24,468 on restricted fund projects (2023 - £46,902). Total bank and cash funds carried forward was therefore £293,464 (2023 - £292,664) with £17,752 (2023 - £19,111) on restricted funds.

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The expenditure in the year also included £46,086 on spending on new facilities and equipment, notably at Corf Scout Campsite.

In addition to the restricted funds, there are a significant number of designated fund amounts allocated to sectional activities, and events.

Since the year-end a review has been underway to simplify and modernise the accounting records and systems.

Reserves Policy

Isle of Wight Scout County Policy on Reserves. The Trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately eighteen months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to a reduction in income or unplanned emergency repairs and ensure a continuation of charitable activities and governance costs are covered. The trustees consider that a level of eighteen months is sufficient to seek alternative funding or put in place a new financial plan based on a lower annual income.

The balance held as free reserves after taking into account fixed assets and designated funds at 31st December 2024 was £43,043 which is considered adequate.

Restricted funds

There are three identified restricted funds within the Charity:

- Explorer Unit activity funds - - FIND – including WSJ funds - - Opportunities Fund - - Total restricted funds	£ 450 £10,856 £ 6,446 £17,752

Designated funds

In addition to restricted funds (above) there are various designated, or allocated, funds. These are as follows with their year-end holdings:

Funds for various activities and events: Explorer Unit funds incl. County fund Other section funds Corf Campsite Developments – mainly Corf Campsite General unrestricted funds Total unrestricted bank and cash balances	£ 43,656 £ 15,423 £ 6,327 £ 50,924 £116,339 £ 43,043 £275,712

Details of any funds materially in deficit

The County's operation and its funds all operated during the year without running into deficit.

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Investment Policy

Investment policy and objectives

The County has adopted a risk averse strategy for the investment of its instant access funds, holding them all as cash or in the Bank.

Section F - Other Optional Information

Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them)

The next significant project is the development of Corf Campsite involving a new Accommodation Centre and sewage treatment plant. A major part of the funds will have to be obtained from grants to allow this project to proceed. The total costs involved will be several hundred thousand pounds so it is likely to be some time before work commences. The value of this fund is recorded above.

This report was approved by the Trustee Board, and signed on its behalf by:

Mr Andrew Hollebon Acting County Treasurer

Mr Michael Grist County Vice Chair

Date: 31 October 2025

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