## **KINGSWOOD SCOUT COUNCIL** ## **ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF** ## **ACCOUNTS 2022** Patron HM The Queen, President HRH The Duke of Kent, Founder Robert Baden- Powell Chief Scout Bear Grylls Charity No 302142 ## **Kingswood Scout Council Annual Report 2022** ## **Report from the President** Once again, in the absence of a Chairman for the District at present, this brief report outlines what we have achieved since lockdown regulations were lifted. Groups are to be congratulated on the amazing effort made after two extremely difficult years. Most Groups have returned to relatively normal scouting but there has been a slight decrease in numbers of young people although waiting lists are still in place as the number of leaders has also declined. District Executive members have been allocated as a link to Groups who are not represented on the Executive Committee and every Group, therefore, has the opportunity to link with the District team to voice any issues that we can assist with. The pressures of work commitments and family life these days weigh heavy on us but we still need to recruit and retain our leaders to help our young people to prepare for a full and satisfying life ahead of them. You will be aware, no doubt, from the County Commissioner that Avon County Scouts has been recognised for outstanding work and achievement in the Queen’s Charity Award selection and is the group equivalent to an MBE. This is an award for the 3437 volunteers in Avon who, week in week out go over and above what is expected of them. You are all to be congratulated on the supreme efforts you have all made to achieve this. The recent events at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations clearly show that young people have an important place in society and they, of course, are our future and we have a responsibility to support them to enjoy all that scouting has to offer in these enlightened times. My sincerest thanks go to all Scouters in the District for their continued dedication and commitment. Eileen Rands President, Kingswood District Scouts - AGM 2022 ## **Report from the District Commissioner** Looking back over the last year: 2021 was another busy year for Scouting in the District with lots of exciting programs and activities being run within the Groups. We have seen several changes within the Groups and said goodbye to some familiar faces. We have also welcomed a number of new leaders. With much support and guidance from 67[th] , we were able to re-launch the Beaver Colony at Emmersons Green and look to grow the Group over the coming months. What a year: With the much-anticipated return to green level, Scouting has almost returned to normal. We have said goodbye to zoom scouting and welcomed the return of face-toface scouting. Activities and camps are now a regular part of the scouting program, with badges and awards in plentiful numbers. Although we are now back to the new normal, we still maintain many of the safe systems that were put in place during the Covid pandemic. As a nation the UK alongside the commonwealth have taken part in the landmark achievement of the Queens platinum jubilee. Celebrations have taken place throughout the country with many Scout Groups finding ways to incorporate these celebrations and scouting together. Kingswood District have marked this occasion with a commemorative badge to wear on uniform and then move to a camp blanket afterwards. The Scout Association has introduced the YOU SHAPED badge for all ages. This new badge is an exciting 4-part badge that allows all young people to explore and deliver leadership skills whilst making a direct impact on the shape and direction of their scouting journey. A new provision for four- and five-year old’s called Squirrels “the invasion has started” has been launched and in time we will see these sections opening across the country. Training continues to be at the heart of all that we do and as a District team we understand the stress and sometimes strain this can cause. There will be some changes made to the way training is delivered and supported and these will all be rolled out from the Scout HQ in the coming months. Supporting the young people to achieve their aims and goals is still the number one priority, ensuring that we use the tools to hand like the quality program checker and OSM to ensure that the young people earn badges and get that higher level award before they move on to the next section. Moving Forward: The District team will continue to help and support the groups and individuals where possible, with the addition of as much localised training as possible. Thanks: Thank you to everyone that has continued to support Scouting in the Kingswood District. We would not be able to do this without you all. My continued thanks and gratitude to Simon Budd (DDC), Mike Clark (ADC Adult Training), Bob Luckett (ADC Activities), Rachel Ferrand (ADC Beavers, Terry Scull (ADC Scouts), Gill Nutt (District Appointments Secretary) Val Todd (District training/awards) for keeping the wheels in motion and juggling several additional roles. A massive thank you to the District Exec Team, GSL’s, Section leaders, assistants and helpers. Without your hard work and commitment towards Scouting , and the delivering of a fun and exciting Scouting Programme for young people to enjoy, Scouting in the District would not be the same. Jamie Martin Kingswood District Commissioner ## **Report from the Secretary** The Executive Committee met four times since the last AGM and considered a range of issues. The DC and others have covered much of what has been happening in the District. The good news is that scout numbers have remained healthy post Covid, if not back up to 2019 levels. At the census in January this year we had 960 young people. These comprised 269 Beavers, 357 Cubs, 270 Scouts and 64 Explorers. A supporting cast of 326 adults have been involved in helping Groups to flourish and to fill other administrative and trustee roles. As ever within scouting, these adults are thinly stretched and we always need more volunteers. The DC report highlights many successes such as the re-opening Lyde Green, but we cannot tackle the waiting lists and proper oversight of our groups without more help and this remains a challenge. ## **Section Reports** ## Beavers As we come to another AGM, I am aware that there have been some changes in many groups. Some have seen leaders move on and some have gained new leaders/helpers. Thank you to those who have delivered or supported Beavers in various roles over the years, I hope you were given an appropriate and well attended send off. It was lovely to be invited to Sally Green’s Beaver leader ‘retirement’ gathering at the 85th in July last year. Heartfelt thanks to Sally for her many years in the role, her dedication, commitment and support in District. I will miss you at our little meetings. Welcome to our new Leaders, whether you have moved from another section or group or are brand new to Scouting, we welcome you and hope to see you soon when we re-start the Beaver District meetings after the Summer break. Since the last District AGM Beavers in Kingswood have continued to enjoy varied and interesting programmes planned by leaders and through the voice of the young people. Groups have covered the Beaver activity badges and challenge awards in many interesting and different ways. These well planned, varied programmes of events and activities ensure that our young people continue to learn new skills, develop their confidence, make new friends, achieving personal goals and awards including the highest for Beavers being their Chief Scout’s Bronze award. Not only preparing them for the ‘swim-up’ to Cubs but also giving them #skills for life. I would like to say, a huge thank you to all the Beaver Leaders, assistants, regular helpers and young leaders who have continued to deliver Scouting to the Beaver Sections across the Kingswood District. You all do a brilliant job in supporting the youngest section of the Scouting movement that we have in Kingswood. Thank you for your time, support and commitment. I wish you all the best for the rest of 2022 and into 2023. Thank you. Rachel Ferrand Kingswood District Beaver Scout Leader ## Cubs Our Cubs in Kingswood continue to flourish. At the January 2022 census we recorded 357 cubs of which 299 boys and 58 girls. They are situated in 20 Packs across the Groups with the smallest Section having 9 and the largest 50 young people. Many Groups have waiting lists. As ever this is only possible with the support of volunteer Leaders and Helpers and we are grateful for your time and commitment. After many years as ADC Cubs, Neil Skuse stood down last year. Thank you Neil for all your input over the years. We are of course looking for a replacement to co-ordinate Cub activities across the District so if anyone would like to step up and take this on please speak to the DC. ## Scouts This year has seen us come out of lock down which has been difficult for all of us, but as Scouts we thrive in the outdoors and at last we are able to get back to normality and enjoy Scouting Activities and go camping again. Most of the Kingswood Troops have been able to keep in touch with each other using the internet and other media. Scout numbers are beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels. As a member of the District Team I have been keeping in touch with the District Troops and providing support where needed. As Nights Away Advisor I have been interviewing a number of Leaders and recommending Nights Away Permits. As a member of the Appointments Committee I have had the pleasure to interview a number of new leaders and their enthusiasm and drive always reminds why we are in Scouting and the benefits that we bring to society. I would like to thank the Leaders for their efforts over the lock down as we look forward to good times ahead. Terry Scull, District Scout Leader ## Explorers The pandemic was a challenging time for Explorers who are used to meeting up to share experiences both within premises and out and about. Consequently some of our young people drifted off to enjoy other permitted past-times whilst others remained distantly connected. Fortunately we have been able to return to the old ways of having fun and although one Unit has had to unfortunately close due to lack of numbers and leaders , we had 64 young people at the time of the census in January. Others Units remain active and hopefully will enjoy a period of expansion under the guidance of our new District Explorer Scout Commissioner Philip Lawson ## Activities It has been pleasing to see how quick the majority of groups have started to resume normal scouting activities following the pandemic. And we are seeing the usual range of activities going on within the district and a few new ones. Both groups and district are short of Leaders. The result is that those leaders who are clearly dedicated are spread too thinly. I know many of you have grand ideas but lack the time and help to implement them. Furthermore as the young people get older and the activities get more adventurous the rules and regulations get more rigorous and although I fully agree that activities must be undertaken in a safe environment, it does place further requirements on leaders wanting to arrange adventurous activities. All that aside over the course of the year it is obvious that across the sections in Kingswood there are a lot of different activities been tried by the young people and long may this continue. Kingswood Explorers entered 6 teams into the Rickard Shield again this year, with Marvel’s three teams coming 1[st] , 3[rd] and 6[th] . An excellent result. In January approximately 40 young people embarked on the annual Ten Tors training programme. After two years of Covid and the event not taking place the district only managed to fill two 35 teams, and one 45 and 55 respectively. Twenty Seven young people from Kingswood started the event and with only one drop out it was an excellent result again and they were very appreciative of all the work put in by the leadership team. A big thank you to all the leaders and helpers across the district for all they do to give Scouts of all ages an adventurous experience. Finally if I can be of any assistance to any leader in organising any activities then please don’t hesitate to contact me. Bob Luckett, ADC Activities ## **Report from the Appointments Committee** The Appointments Committee has been holding face to face meetings since January & there have been more people coming forward since groups restarted their meetings in earnest. This year’s figures are broken down as follows: |New Leaders|31|| |---|---|---| |Change of Roles|33|| |Section Assistants|25|| |Occasional Helpers/Supporters/Administrators/SAS etc.||32| |Group Executive|4|| There have been 16 cancellations this year which is much lower than last year so we are seemingly back to natural wastage. In addition the committee has, as usual, overseen appointment reviews as required. Training continues to be an issue both getting started & leader training. I believe there will be tighter rules coming up regarding the requirement to complete getting started within the 5 month time frame & obviously other training must be completed within 3 years. The number of suspensions for having no disclosure has also increased. When setting up a new appointment the disclosure should be completed swiftly. Disclosure review notices are sent out by HQ 90 days prior to requirement then 60 & finally at 30 days. Please ensure they are completed which will avoid someone being suspended. The committee now only has 5 members so actually arranging appointment meetings is becoming increasingly difficult. Any volunteers would be much appreciated. The more people we have the less often they will need to attend. Gill Nutt, Appointments Committee Secretary ## **Report from the Treasurer.** Below is the draft accounts for the year to 31 March 2022. These will be audited once an auditor has been appointed at the Annual General Meeting. It was a quiet year for the district, with the key items being the collection of capitation from the individuals units, most of which is paid towards county and national scouting costs. General expenses include insurance for both property and occasional helpers, website costs, an umbrella Motion Picture Licencing Corporation certificate for the district for screening videos, postage costs and bank account charges. As a district we have a healthy balance of £14,747.51 which will allow us, amongst other things to support our participants in the next World Scout Jamboree. Currently there are two units, 46[th] Kingswood and Lyde Green which do not have their own bank accounts, and thus the income and expenditure for those units goes through the District accounts but is kept separate. Both are in the process of getting accounts set up. Joy Redfern Treasurer rKswood Dstritt ￿ut C(KwKil exrEnditurefortreyerthJ IY22 IrKon 47,EeA. GftAid oc o(x) ll9.97 een 2Q) 6LUAfJ -45,rntD GftAid TrarN ]UiFXIB 73174 45% 55.977.59 Net irKonEf0r￿Y 5.3]9.]5 At 31 Mth 3J21 At 31 m￿th 1122 Net ino)nEI Out￿fOr￿￿ Note thIseXd￿eSthe Zl.(S)L92 37L07 X).(SLg2 25,3n.07 5.3]9.15 itof 31.M¥.21 31.M¥.22 749. 1274 331Sg) 9.3qa L5.ffi￿ 14,747.51 3).Q5L92 a37L07 Ci*ritt Ttn Ti)F5 ConWr￿atiOn 2022 ￿1￿¢Ment Total 2022 Capltation Fee from Unlts Less.. Paid tocounty Cap5tation Income Troop Closure World Jamborqe Le￿cleS ReceiTrRd Badge Net IntomÈ Bad8e Dav I(KJ YEar &rthday Party Fees and Subs Incornt towrdrd5 Camps Uniform 5a1•5 Jarnboree Duke of Edlnbur8h actmdps Gfft Ald recelved Fund ralslng efforts Oonafjons r*ceivtd Relea* of provlwons Lyde Green 46th Kln85wr*Jd Sundry IrKome Total Income £ 47.684.IX) £ 45,ts0 £ 2564m 3J85.50 -£ 92150 142.16 142.16 £ 7262.42 £ 3A40. £ 2A12aS 10,602.42 1412.25 749.20 749.20 £ L685.fy) L685.rJJ 804.95 I,ni.99 £ IA7&Q) £ £ iiU.50 295.99 980.CQ IL212.00 367.50 417.50 £ IW7 £ U4ty91 4 W&SO £ gV55.97 so.trj £ £ JSyL16 £ Rent Posta8e and Stsrtdr￿$ Insurance Ofhcers. Expenses Tralnln8 Expense5 MPLC Licence Webslte Grants Bank char8e5 T-5hirts Consumables Uniform purchases Purchase of bad8ES EqulprnEnt Entry fees CampinB AwaTds Trlp5 and Actmtles fxjke ol Edinburgh adivbtses IIM) Year 21rthday Party Jamboree World Jamboree Sub5 Refund Lyde Gre 46th ￿ngswOr￿ CapitatiDn Total Expendifiire 6MTr) £ l2riJ.c(I 167.91 384.52 123.12 38452 949.￿• 354.20 949.rKI 354.20 iAJ90.OS 43.20 £ L01&95 £ I￿35.41 É L018.95 1835.41 83S5 794.54 878.49 95J)5 95.os 7293.73 1,602.75 £ S.18&40 É 1105.33 £ I￿2.15 45525 £ 5209.13 5.209.13 £ 3A85.50 3.485.50 £ 13.61L39 £ 3J1428 4 3085.50 £ 2i84&79 £ 1005U7 £ Ilet5urplusl (Deffjdtl Bank balan￿ bTOU8ht forwdrd Bank balan￿ Car￿ forward £ 529429 £ £ 20.705SO £ £ 26AXK).19 £ £ I45a48 £ 131&66 £ 363.07 £ 5.656.LXb £ 8%61.09 £ 363M7 £ 8.109A8 £ 9￿77.75 £ 9.064.43 35.386. £ MASO.49 o.(D £ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of lQngswcod District S￿ul Counril )ol On accounts for the year ended 31" March 2022 Charty no (if any) 302142 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chaiityllhe Trusf) for the year ended 3110312022. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Chaiity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a￿rdance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acr). 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 Chartty Commission under section 145(5)(b> of the Ad. Independent I have coM￿eted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disGlosed bel￿ ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charits'es Act.. or the accounts did not accord wtih the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply wtth the applicable requirements Conceming the fomi and contenl of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Rewrts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf wew which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no cOn￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection Wbth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the ac¢xunls to be reached. . Please delete the words in the bRckets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: I f /d71. Name: C14CIs Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): (ci,4) Address: 1.5-10 L 31 IDO