KINGSWOOD SCOUT COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2023
Patron HM The King, President HRH The Duke of Kent, Founder Robert Baden- Powell Chief Scout Bear Grylls
Charity No 302142
Kingswood Scout Council Annual Report and Statement of Accounts 2023
Report from the President
This brief report outlines the changes afoot since Scouting returned from when lockdown regulations were lifted and is an opportunity for me to thank all of those who support our young people to enjoy Scouting in Kingswood. It would appear that the majority of Groups are offering some amazing programmes for their members as we receive reports from them on a regular basis.
With the new guidance details handed down from Scout HQ there are changes in the way committees are formed and run at County, District and Group levels. Whilst the changes are not popular with some, in fact I believe Groups will probably carry on managing their business without noticing too many changes whilst still adopting the new structures. Nigel Thomas, our transformation Lead has been holding meetings to provide the latest information given through the County team.
We are acutely aware that, as ever, we need to recruit and retain our leaders to give our younger members every opportunity to fulfil their potential which is what has always been the mantra of Scouting. A change in how new people are welcomed and appointments are conducted is in constant review.
The District team was obliged to move out of the HQ in Kingswood as the Church has now been closed. Meetings are now conducted in various Group HQs which gives us improved links with more of our leaders.
Sincere thanks go to all our leaders in the District for their continued dedication and commitment in these changing times.
Eileen Rands, District President
Report from the District Commissioner
There is no formal report this year from the DC
Jamie has been plagued with serious health issues for a large part of the year with other issues and a busy work schedule when he was able to do so. He has maintained his scouting interests in spite of this setback but not at the level he would have wished. He is grateful for the support he has had and wishes to express his appreciation to all GSLs, Leaders, Helpers and committee staff at District, Group and Unit level, for all their hard work during the year.
Report from the Secretary
The Executive Committee met five times since the last AGM and considered a range of issues. In particular, the changes introduced by Scout HQ to the way we manage at District and Group level have been given a thorough airing. As mentioned by the President, we appointed a Transformation Lead to fill the role of informing all concerned of the changes as they are rolled out and to assist with advice and support where help is required to implement the changes.
The January census this year showed we had 979 young people, a small increase on 2022. These comprised 287 Beavers, (an increase) 313 Cubs, (a reduction) 296 Scouts (an increase) and 83 Explorers (an increase). There was a drop of 22 to 304 in the number of adults engaged at Group and District. As ever within scouting, these adults are thinly stretched and
we always need more volunteers. Please see the report below from the Secretary of the Appointments Committee. The way forward with introducing new volunteers will change over the coming months, and it will be important to modify our welcoming routine. Good progress was made over the last 12 months to maintain training to timelines and to keep personal records on Compass up to date., but please see Appointments Committee report below which highlights the need for more effort with Disclosures. This should stand us in good stead to ensure future changes to HQ systems reflect accurate personal information.
Bob Sellar, Secretary
Section Reports
Beavers
Since the last District AGM, I have been made aware of changes within our Groups. Some have seen valued leaders move on or away and some have gained new leaders. Thank you to those who have led, delivered or assisted the Beaver sections in various roles over the years and thanks to their friends and families for supporting them in their roles. Welcome to our new leaders, whether you have moved from other sections or groups or are new to Scouting. You are all valued team leaders and members, thank you.
The Beaver sections 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. This year this also included celebrating the Kings coronation in May.
Creating a varied and well-planned programme of activities, adventures, events and challenges ensure that our young people continue to learn and develop skills, build confidence whilst making new friends and achieving personal goals. Beavers are working towards the highest award for this section, the Chief Scout’s Bronze award. By achieving this, they are ready to ‘swim-up’ to Cubs and prepared for the next step in their Scouting journey.
In January, there were celebrations at the 28[th] when Josh O’Inn, one of our leaders in the Beaver section, was presented with the Cornwell Scout Badge Award by Stu Ballard.
Beaver leaders have also been supporting the young people attending this year’s World Scout Jamboree in South Korea as leaders and on the International Service Team (IST)
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 2023 and into 2024 as we embrace the Scouts Transformation together.
Thank you.
Rachel Ferrand Kingswood District Beaver Scout Leader
Cubs
Our Cubs in Kingswood continue to enjoy Scouting but the January 2023 census showed a reduction in numbers from 357 to 313 of which 257 are boys and 56 girls. They are situated in 19 Packs across the 16 Groups with the smallest Section having 8 and the largest 49 young people. A number of 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. We are still looking for a volunteer 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 getting back to normal and continuing scouting activities, Scout numbers have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels which is heartening as a number of scouts and leaders decided not to return.
As a member of the District Team I have been keeping in touch with the District Scout Troops and giving advice and support. The subject of the transformation is a topic that has come up on numerous occasions and as with change, everyone is apprehensive but I am sure once we get into it all our fears will melt away.
As Nights Away Advisor I have been interviewing new Leaders wanting Permits and there have been a few renewals as well, always good to see that the scouts are spending time camping in the great outdoors.
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 year and look forward to continuing the good times ahead.
.Terry Scull District Scout Leader
Explorers
2022 -2023 has been another busy year for the 4 main Explorer Units who have been working hard to strengthen the bonds between us. In November 2 units joined together to attend a Remembrance Day talk, sell poppies and later a Parade at a local cenotaph. It was great to see so many Explorers in uniform. We also attended the Woodhouse Weekender last November as a District taking around 45 Explorers for the weekend.
Earlier this year around 60 Explorers from all 4 units joined up once again for a giant laser tag evening hosted by Jamie and his team. This summer 2 units did a leader swap. Mystery leaders ran a backwoods cooking challenge in the woods for Avo. In turn an Avo leader ran a clay pot making night for Mystery. A successful venture we hope to repeat and expand on in future. We are just in the planning stages for Woodhouse Weekender, again, as a District and hope to take even more away this time.
We have used the surplus funds from these joint activities to purchase a District Explorer Flag to show our colours whenever we get together. All 4 units have also embraced the red and black neckers taking it a step further and getting similar black Hoodies and T-Shirts showing the individual unit badges in red which look fabulous when all together.
Philip Lawson DESC
Activities
Activities now seem to be almost back to pre-pandemic levels. 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.
Due to safety concerns the annual Rickard Shield was sadly cancelled this year.
Participation in the Ten Tors training programme was down this year, due to a combination of the hangover from the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. This meant that as a District we only entered three teams two at 35 miles and one at 45 miles. It was pleasing to report that all three teams got back. This was an excellent result, and the participants were very appreciative of all the work put in by the leadership team. This year also saw Paul Miller step down as the team manager after 23 years dedicated service to the Ten Tors Team. As a District we would like to record our thanks to him.
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
T he Appointments Committee
The Appointments Committee has met as often as required although we are still short of members. This year’s figures are broken down as follows:
New Leaders: 18 Change of Roles : 50 Section Assistants: 23
Occasional Helpers/Supporters/Administrators/SAS etc. : 13
Group Executive: 12
There have been 69 leavers this year which is quite high but possibly a result of people evaluating their priorities following covid.
In addition the committee has, as usual, overseen appointment reviews as required. The number of suspensions for having no disclosure is also increasing. 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 within that time frame which will avoid unnecessary suspensions. We are now waiting to see what the impact of the new appointments system will be. In light of this please would all groups check their leaders etc. on compass & remove anyone who is no longer active.
Gill Nutt, Appointments Committee Secretary
Report from the Treasurer.
Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023 are shown below. Note that these accounts are for the District only; a consolidated version that includes the Explorer units will be required for the Charity Commission website.
It was a fairly standard year for the district, with the key item being the collection of capitation from the individuals units, most of which is paid towards county and national scouting costs. We also had some participants in the 2023 Scout Jamboree in Korea, so collected participant fundraising for that, and paid the required amounts to County. General expenses include insurance for 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 £12,383.69 which will allow us, amongst other things to support our participants in the next World Scout Jamborees and similar events. The loss shown on the year is almost all due to the fact that at the start of the year we were holding a significant amount of money for 46[th] Kingswood while they got a new bank account set up; this was completed during the year and the money transferred back to them. Much of the remainder will be due to the District support for the Jamboree participants.
At 31 March 2023, we did hold balances for the Lyde Green Scout Group and the Ten Tors group, both of which were in the process of setting up new accounts.
The accounts have been reviewed by an independent examiner, and no issues found. The relevant report is included below.
Joy Redfern Treasurer
CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGtANDAND WALES Independent examlnevs report on the accounts Section A llldependent Examiney's Report Report to the trustee51 memr$ of Kiryswood DIStct Sc(xrt Council On ac¢ount$fvrthe year ended 31 March 2021 Charlty no 142 Setout on pages l TtyLxI lo the trustees on my examknalion of the xcourrts of the aLx)ve charity Trrfl foYtlE yearded 26105120rJ. Rwnslbillbes and basls of re¥t As the charity'5tnJ5tsas, you are resF¥mtAe forthe pr8p8ratiM (rf the accrunls in cordancewth the rewirements of the ChibesAct 2011 rth8 A¢i'i. I rerort in rwect of Tlly examination of Tnjsl's aCCnts Garried fAA under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examlnaticn, I havefdlowed all appllcÈlAe DItiCE gwen by the Charity Crmmisyc nder 14515llbl ol lh& Act. ependent •xamln8rfs statement I have coFn eted my examinion. I CDnfirm thatno rnts1 matters hav8 come my atttion n ccnnection with Ihe exarninati 14ththa give5 me wse to bdkW )all, any Maal respecL' tle accounting re¢(d$ wwe not keri li 8cGtrdaTKe wilh lDn 13D of lh& char8$ Act., or the accounts dkj not acccrt wth the countiry recDrds', or the aBcwnts did not comrly With ts apEqicaWe requirems Cl¢aming the farTn and content of accounts set out Sn Ih2 Ch3ritie5 (Acoounts and Rg)rts1 Regati5 2008 other than any requirem that th8 acGrAJn15 gwe 8 and fair, view which 1$ not a matter sbJered as part of an Indepwtdwt ex8minalron. I have no cce and have come ar(s5 no other rnatters in COnrCti wth the eXInation towhlch attenti ShId be in thi5 in order to a prw underst9ndino of Ihe aC¢Duntsto be reaGW. ' Plpasg delple th8 words in ts breckets rfth9y do nol8ppty. Slgned.. Dat?.. Narne.. . Rel8vant profes51onal qUtiOn(sI or lknly lil any).. ER t2018
| KingswoodDistrictScoutCouncil | KingswoodDistrictScoutCouncil | KingswoodDistrictScoutCouncil | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and expenditure for theyear ended 31 March 2023 | ||||
| Income | ||||
| Capitation | 49,618.00 | |||
| Jamboree | 4,266.00 | |||
| Gift Aid | 1,860.18 | |||
| Troop Closure | 0.00 | |||
| Badge Sales | 396.47 | |||
| Other | 571.47 | |||
| Lyde Green | 3,080.00 | |||
| 46th Kingswood | 7,278.37 | |||
| Ten Tors | 890.00 | |||
| 67,960.49 | ||||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Capitation | 46,992.00 | |||
| Jamboree | 6,210.00 | |||
| Gift Aid | 1,860.18 | |||
| General Expenses | 1,237.58 | |||
| Rent | 580.00 | |||
| Training | 886.49 | |||
| Equipment | - | |||
| Badges | 1,309.69 | |||
| Lyde Green | 2,107.97 | |||
| 46th Kingswood | 16,627.23 | |||
| Ten Tors | 267.00 | |||
| 78,078.14 | ||||
| Net income for theyear | 10,117.65 - |
|||
| Bank | Pettycash | Total |
||
| At 31 March 2022 | 25,371.07 | - | 25,371.07 | |
| At 31 March 2023 | 15,253.42 | - | 15,253.42 | |
| Net income/outgo for theyear | 10,117.65 - |
|||
| Note this excludes the badge account | ||||
| Split of balance: | 31-Mar-22 | 31-Mar-23 | ||
| Lyde Green | 1,274.70 | 2,246.73 | ||
| 46th Kingswood | 9,348.86 | - | ||
| Ten Tors | - | 623.00 | ||
| District | 14,747.51 | 12,383.69 | ||
| 25,371.07 | 15,253.42 |
Kingswood District Scout Council Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2023
| District | District Cubs | District Cubs | Explorers | Ten Tors | Consolidation | Total | Total | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | Adjustment | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Income | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capitation Fee from Units | £ | 49,618.00 |
||||||||||||||||
| Less: Paid to County | £ | 46,992.00 |
||||||||||||||||
| Capitation Income | £ | 2,626.00 |
-£ | 3,180.00 |
-£ | 554.00 |
£ | 2,564.00 |
£ | 4,190.00 |
||||||||
| Troop Closure | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 2,482.12 |
||||||||||
| World Jamboree | £ | 4,266.00 |
£ | 4,266.00 |
£ | 400.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Legacies Received | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Badge Net Income | -£ | 591.94 |
-£ | 591.94 |
£ | 142.16 |
-£ | 20.00 |
||||||||||
| Badge Day | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| 100 Year Birthday Party | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Fees and Subs | £ | 8,615.46 |
£ | 2,060.00 |
£ | 10,675.46 |
£ | 10,602.42 |
£ | 3,047.49 |
||||||||
| Income towards activities | £ | 7,994.50 |
£ | 301.90 |
£ | 8,296.40 |
£ | 2,412.25 |
£ | - |
||||||||
| Camps | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Uniform sales | £ | 731.77 |
£ | 731.77 |
£ | 749.20 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Jamboree | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Duke of Edinburgh activities | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 1,685.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Gift Aid received | £ | 1,860.18 |
£ | 821.31 |
£ | 888.87 |
-£ | 1,860.18 |
£ | 1,710.18 |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Fund raising efforts | £ | 945.89 |
£ | 1,745.23 |
£ | 2,691.12 |
£ | 804.95 |
£ | 340.00 |
||||||||
| Donations received | £ | 4,340.00 |
£ | 50.00 |
£ | 4,390.00 |
£ | 1,771.99 |
£ | 3,348.87 |
||||||||
| Release of provisions | £ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||||
| Lyde Green | £ | 3,080.00 |
£ | 3,080.00 |
£ | 980.00 |
£ | 371.95 |
||||||||||
| 46th Kingswood | £ | 7,278.37 |
£ | 7,278.37 |
£ | 11,212.00 |
£ | 10,015.00 |
||||||||||
| Ten Tors | £ | 890.00 |
-£ | 890.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Sundry income | £ | 490.85 |
£ | - |
£ | 1.83 |
£ | 311.77 |
£ | 804.45 |
£ | 417.50 |
£ | 18.00 |
||||
| Total Income | £ | 19,899.46 |
£ | - |
£ | 23,450.76 |
£ | 5,357.77 |
-£ | 5,930.18 |
£ | 42,777.81 |
£ | 33,741.47 |
£ | 23,793.43 |
||
| Expenditure | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rent | £ | 580.00 |
£ | 1,713.65 |
£ | - |
£ | 2,293.65 |
£ | 1,200.00 |
£ | 516.45 |
||||||
| Postage and sundries | £ | 39.69 |
£ | 343.48 |
£ | 383.17 |
£ | 167.91 |
£ | 77.78 |
||||||||
| Insurance | £ | 200.64 |
£ | 200.64 |
£ | 384.52 |
£ | 307.92 |
||||||||||
| Officers' Expenses | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Training Expenses | £ | 870.00 |
£ | 17.74 |
£ | 887.74 |
£ | 949.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||
| MPLC Licence | £ | 410.88 |
£ | 410.88 |
£ | 354.20 |
£ | 343.88 |
||||||||||
| Gift Aid to Units | £ | 1,860.18 |
-£ | 1,860.18 |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Website | £ | 176.40 |
£ | 176.40 |
£ | 86.40 |
||||||||||||
| Grants | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 1,090.05 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Bank charges | £ | 92.78 |
£ | 92.78 |
£ | 43.20 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| T-shirts | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Consumables | £ | - |
£ | 1,007.55 |
£ | 1,007.55 |
£ | 1,018.95 |
£ | 1,189.46 |
||||||||
| Uniform purchases | £ | 1,751.73 |
£ | - |
£ | 1,751.73 |
£ | 1,835.41 |
£ | - |
||||||||
| Purchase of badges | £ | 240.12 |
£ | 240.12 |
£ | 40.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Equipment | £ | - |
£ | 551.77 |
£ | - |
£ | 551.77 |
£ | 878.49 |
£ | - |
||||||
| Entry fees | £ | 100.77 |
£ | 666.00 |
£ | 766.77 |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||
| Camping | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Awards | £ | 253.06 |
£ | 253.06 |
£ | 95.05 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| Trips and Activities | £ | - |
£ | 10,038.18 |
£ | 5,704.88 |
£ | 15,743.06 |
£ | 7,293.73 |
£ | - |
||||||
| Duke of Edinburgh activities | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 1,602.75 |
£ | 4.75 |
||||||||||
| 100 Year Birthday Party | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Jamboree | £ | 6,210.00 |
£ | 6,210.00 |
£ | 600.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||
| World Jamboree | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||
| Subs Refund | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 1,880.00 |
||||||||||
| Lyde Green | £ | 2,107.97 |
£ | 2,107.97 |
||||||||||||||
| 46th Kingswood | £ | 16,627.23 |
£ | 16,627.23 |
£ | 5,209.13 |
£ | 8,163.51 |
||||||||||
| Ten Tors | £ | 267.00 |
-£ | 267.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| To District | £ | 363.07 |
||||||||||||||||
| Capitation | £ | 3,180.00 |
-£ | 3,180.00 |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Total Expenditure | £ | 29,695.83 |
£ | 363.07 |
£ | 17,937.44 |
£ | 7,378.43 |
-£ | 5,307.18 |
£ | 49,704.52 |
£ | 22,848.79 |
£ | 12,483.75 |
||
| Net Surplus / (Deficit) | -£ | 9,796.37 |
-£ | 363.07 |
£ | 5,513.32 |
-£ | 2,020.66 |
-£ | 623.00 |
-£ | 7,289.78 |
£ | 7,747.77 |
£ | 11,309.68 |
||
| Bank balance brought forward | £ | 26,000.19 |
£ | 363.07 |
£ | 8,109.48 |
£ | 9,977.75 |
£ | - |
£ | 44,450.49 |
£ | 35,386.06 |
£ | 24,076.38 |
||
| Bank balance carried forward | £ | 16,203.82 |
£ | - |
£ | 13,622.80 |
£ | 7,957.09 |
-£ | 623.00 |
£ | 37,160.71 |
£ | 44,450.49 |
£ | 35,386.06 |
||
| Check | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||
| Check vs Balance Sheet | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||||||||||
| Check opening vs closing | £ | - |
£ | - |
CHARrtY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of KingswLKxI District Scout Council On accounts for the year ended 318t March 2014 Charity no Irf any) 302142 Set out on pages I report to the trustees my examination of accounts of the above charity llhe Trusv) for the year ended 26 10512023. Responsibilltles and basis of report As the chaiity's trustees, you are responble for the preparation of the accounts in acccffdance with ts requlrements of th8 Charities Act 2011 (Ih8 Acr). I ret in respect of my examination of the Trust's aG¢ounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examinatlon, I have followed all the applicable Directions gNen by the Charity Commlsslon under section 145(51(b) of thè Act. Independent examineVs statement I have ccMntAeted my 6xaminats'on. I confimi that no Mat31 rnatters have ome to my attention in connection with the examination (otheLtha1 disc1. which gives me cause to believe that in. any material the accounting records were not kept in aCCdanCe with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the aCCnting records; or the accounts did not comply with the appfic8ble requirements conceming the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Rerx)rts) Regukitions 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a knie and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matteT5 in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a prcw understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): IER Oct 2018
Address: 05 ?g.-I ID Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlighl malerial matters of concern (see CC32, Indewdent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018