## **Trustees Annual Report For the period June 2024 to June 2025. Kingswood District Scouts, Registered Charity 302142 Trustees:**
Robert Sellar Chair elected June 24 – June 25 Robert Luckett ex officio June 24 – June 25 Simon Budd ex officio June 24 – June 25 Joy Redfern Treasurer elected June 24 - June 25 Kim Vickery elected June 24 – June 25 Sammy Shellard co-opted June 24 – June 25 Eileen Rands President co-opted June 24 – June 25 Emily Masters Youth Commissioner ex oficio June 24 -- June 25 Nick Box elected June 24 – June 25 Nigel Thomas Change Manager co-opted June 24 – June 25
**The District's governing documents** are those of the 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 (POR)of The Scout Association.
**The District is a trust** established under its rules which are common to all Scouts
**The Trustees are appointed** in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) of the Scout Association.
The members of the Trustee Board 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 8 Trustees (including 3 Ex Officio Trustees, and 3 co-opted Trustees, and meets every 3 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete specified training including ‘Being a Scouts Trustee’ learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
**Meeting the objective of the Trustee Board.** 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. This Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is wellmanaged, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and POR. Their support helps other volunteers run high quality and safe programmes that give young people skills for life.
The Trustee Board supports the District Lead Volunteers and Teams to oversee and advise on all aspects of Scouting across the District. Work is ongoing and further volunteers continue to be sought. All Groups in the District have established Trustee Boards .
**Risks and internal controls.** 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 against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
-Trustees may not have the desired skills to carry out their roles
-The TB does not meet at regular intervals
-The Scout Council does not meet at regular intervals or is denied involvement in --District business
-The District TB becomes disconnected from Group TBs
-Possibility of TB being influenced by one individual or a number of individuals
-District Groups operate without adequate District oversight
-Volunteers operate outside of their levels of approval/authority
-Inadequate insurance for people, property and equipment
-Failure to comply with POR including Volunteers not completing mandatory -training and Disclosure Checks
-Activities in the District are not conducted iaw POR
- -Data Protection Rules are not followed
- -Security of paper based and electronic data is secure and properly protected
- -Fraudulent use of District Funds
- -Criminal prosecution of adults or young people whether related to scouting or not.
- -District sponsored events have inadequate oversight
- -Insufficient funds are held to support District programmes or events
The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
**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 at udes. Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we cooperate 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.
Groups in the District actively seek to recruit new volunteers. The new welcoming process is being adopted across the District Changes are inevitable and need constant attention in particular to ensure that DBS checks and essential training are completed within the timelines of the Scout Association. Numbers of adult and youth members remains strong within the District. The Feb 2025 census showed:
**Youth Membership 2025 2024 Waiting Lists** Beavers 318 290 Squirrels 36 Cubs 350 363 Beavers 117 Scouts 316 280 Cubs 62 Explorers 105 84 Scouts 36 **Totals 1089 1017 Totals 282**
**Adults 1423 1337 Young Leaders** Beavers 18 Cubs 25 Scouts 2 **Total 45**
## **District Lead Volunteers Report**
Since District Lead Volunteer Roles were taken on in April 2024, it has been a year driven by the demands of HQ to comply with the Prevention of Future Death Report. First, District had to ensure that all leaders were compliant regarding Safety, Safeguarding and First Aid Training. To ensure this task was completed, over 50 leaders had to be chased to ensure they complied. Next was the task of cleansing data to facilitate the switch away from Compass that we knew was coming sometime later in the year, along with the transformation to the new team structure.
This was followed by lots of online training again in readiness for the switch to the new system.
In November we thought all our problems were over, when the new system went live. Little did we know that the problems were only beginning. The system did not deliver as promised and HQ have
now apologised and admitted that it has not performed as they expected. That is little comfort for all of those who have had to work with it. Thanks go to Gill Nutt for helping to chase down those leaders who are non-compliant with their Basic Roots Training and the general onboarding process.
At the end of March there was still 194 members who had not logged into the system, completed the declaration and fully completed their profile. Furthermore, we had over 160 members who had not completed their New Safety training that must be completed by 14[th] July 2025.
On a more positive note, District has run 6 First Response First Aid Courses allowing 63 Volunteers and 7 Ten Tors Trainees to become First Aid Qualified.
It is very pleasing to report that thanks to Dan Tippett and Kim Vickery and the Explorer Leadership Team there was a joint Scout/Explorer weekend camp for nearly 50 young people and 20 leaders at Biblins Camp Site in the Wye Valley in May 2024 and on the back of that Kim and Dan have spearheaded the organisation of District Camp to take place in June 2025 at Woodhouse Park. Every indication is that almost every group in District will be supporting the camp.
The census indicated that there had been an increase in numbers across all sections except for cubs (see above) and at the time of writing nearly all sections in all groups are at capacity and have a waiting list. This situation will only be improved if more leaders can be found. HQ are giving their focus to the opening of new Squirrel drays and new groups in areas of deprivation. It would be great to see some Squirrel drays opening in Kingswood District and as waiting lists for Beavers grow perhaps some of the parents will decide that if they want their children to start Scouting at 4, the only way it will happen is for them to start their own dray.
Most sections, despite all the challenges, are running a good balanced programme with a wide range of activities being reported on Adventurous Activity and Nights Away Notifications.
The Ten Tors Unit entered 2x 35-mile teams and 1 x 45-mile team in the event in May 2024. However, the teams were a little less successful than usual but a team that fell out late on the Sunday had a ride back to Oakhampton in a Royal Navy Helicopter so that was certainly a first. For 2025 they have 2 x 35, and 2 x 45-mile teams entered for the event and there are also several young people who are training to do the 55-mile event hoping to find a place with a different organisation.
Finally, we would like to thank every volunteer for all that you do. Without you so many young people would miss out on a great scouting experience.
Simon Budd - District Lead Volunteer (Support and Development)
Bob Luckett – District Lead Volunteer (Programme)
## **District Lead Volunteer 14-24 Report.**
Our District's 14 to 24 age group has experienced remarkable growth and engagement over the past year. According to the latest census, we have recorded the largest number of Explorer Scouts in our District since the section was established. This significant increase reflects our commitment to providing a vibrant and exciting program for our young people and showcases the enthusiasm and dedication of our leaders and volunteers.
In addition to this growth, we are thrilled to announce the commencement of a new Network provision within the District, which aims to support and engage our young adults. One of the highlights of this year's activities includes the collaborative efforts of all four units, and our Youth Commissioner, to organise an Expedition to the Kandersteg International Scouting Centre. This exciting opportunity is set to deepen the bonds among our youth and encourage a shared sense of adventure. We are also proud to report that all four units placed in the top ten of the Rickard Shield competition, with our very own 229 West Explorers securing the title of champions.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the leaders from Mystery, 229, Avo, and Marvel for their unwavering commitment to creating an exciting and varied program for our young people. Their collaborative spirit and support for one another have been vital in providing enriching experiences that inspire and empower the future leaders of tomorrow.
Philip Lawson District Lead Volunteer 14-24.
**Reserves Policy** The Group'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 Trustee Board considers that the District should hold a minimum of £5,000.
The District held reserves of approximately £18K against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses.
The Board offers financial support to District or other events. In particular, the deposit was paid for a Kandersteg camp in 2026 prior to the relevant bank account being up and running, and the IT costs and deposit for the K-Fest camp to take place in summer 2025. The Board has also agreed to subside free leader places for the latter event. The Board has also supported two groups in obtaining charity donations and has managed the accounts for another Group prior to them obtaining their own bank
The District does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments and has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. The Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure it 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 Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements.
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above . Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Full name(s): R Sellar R Luckett Position: Board Chair Lead Volunteer Programme
Date :
## **Kingswood District Scout Council Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024**
|||Total||Total||Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||2025||2024||2023|
|**Income**|||||||
|Capitation Fee from Units|||||||
|Less: Paid to County|||||||
|Capitation Income|£|259.50
|£|982.00
|-£|554.00
|
|Troop Closure|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|World Jamboree|£|551.36
|£|930.25
|£|4,266.00
|
|Legacies/Donations Received|£|3,165.00
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Badge Net Income|-£|143.93
|£|115.89
|-£|591.94
|
|Necker Net Income|||||||
|Badge Day|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|100 Year Birthday Party|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Fees and Subs|£|15,838.47
|£|14,970.79
|£|10,675.46
|
|Income towards activities|£|22,935.43
|£|10,552.70
|£|8,296.40
|
|Camps|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Uniform sales|£|1,571.30
|£|932.48
|£|731.77
|
|Badge sales|||||||
|Jamboree|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Duke of Edinburgh activities|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Gift Aid received|£|1,556.53
|£|1,512.54
|£|1,710.18
|
|Fund raising efforts|£|2,519.25
|£|3,259.44
|£|2,691.12
|
|Donations received|£|1,501.98
|£|101.00
|£|4,390.00
|
|Release of provisions|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Lyde Green|£|4,466.00
|£|4,460.00
|£|3,080.00
|
|46th Kingswood|£|-
|£|-
|£|7,278.37
|
|Ten Tors|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Insurance Claim|||||||
|Sundry income|£|818.21
|£|515.85
|£|804.45
|
|Total Income|**£**|**55,039.10**
|**£**|**38,332.94**
|**£**|**42,777.81**
|
|**Expenditure**|||||||
|Rent|£|2,694.10
|£|2,126.00
|£|2,293.65
|
|Postage and sundries|£|698.71
|£|493.61
|£|383.17
|
|Insurance|£|221.07
|£|167.64
|£|200.64
|
|Officers' Expenses|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Training Expenses|£|1,413.01
|£|796.88
|£|887.74
|
|MPLC Licence|£|496.26
|£|452.38
|£|410.88
|
|Gift Aid to Units|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Charity Donations to Units|||||||
|Website|£|180.00
|£|180.00
|£|176.40
|
|Grants|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Bank charges|£|212.56
|£|60.00
|£|92.78
|
|T-shirts|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Consumables|£|497.35
|£|699.33
|£|1,007.55
|
|Uniform purchases|£|1,862.82
|£|1,571.53
|£|1,751.73
|
|Purchase of badges|£|671.69
|£|564.42
|£|240.12
|
|Equipment|£|2,935.30
|£|3,572.00
|£|551.77
|
|Entry fees|£|935.00
|£|721.00
|£|766.77
|
|Camping|£|3,369.00
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Awards|£|242.80
|£|307.73
|£|253.06
|
|Trips and Activities|£|19,755.93
|£|20,079.20
|£|15,743.06
|
|Duke of Edinburgh activities|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|100 Year Birthday Party|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Jamboree|£|-
|£|1,831.25
|£|6,210.00
|
|World Jamboree|£|554.41
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Subs Refund|£|-
|£|130.00
|£|-
|
|Garage Repair|||||||
|Lyde Green|£|4,386.44
|£|4,316.88
|£|2,107.97
|
|46th Kingswood|£|-
|£|-
|£|16,627.23
|
|Ten Tors|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|To District|||||||
|Capitation|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Total Expenditure|**£**|**41,126.45**
|**£**|**38,069.85**
|**£**|**49,704.52**
|
|Net Surplus / (Deficit)|£|11,788.77
|£|313.02
|-£|7,289.78
|
|Bank balance brought forward|£|37,473.73
|£|37,160.71
|£|44,450.49
|
|Bank balance carried forward|£|49,262.50
|£|37,473.73
|£|37,160.71
|
|Check|£|-
|-£|0.00
|£|-
|
|Check vs Balance Sheet|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
|Check opening vs closing|£|-
|£|-
|£|-
|
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustsesl
members of
ngswood Districl Scout Council
On accounts for the year
ended
31* Marth £@
Charity no
(if any)
302142
Set out on pages
I report to the twstees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity {1he Trusf) for the year ended
Responsibilities and
basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
aco)unts in accordance 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 appli¢able Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515){b) of the Act.
Independent
examiner's statement Undertak&UeIotyJ)gEquahfied fflember of [Insert nam
app
I have coMpted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have
¢ome to my attention in connection with the examin8tion (other than that
disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material
respect..
the accounting records were not keo in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Act: or
the accounts did not accord with the ac£ounting records,. or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
conceming the fomi and content of accounts set oul in the Charities
(Accounts and ReFQrts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement
that the accounts give a 1rue and fairf view which is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concems 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 act>)unts to be reached.
. Please delete the words in the bradcets rfthey do not apply.
Signed:
Date:
05/07 Iwi)
Name:
CHrdis WILLI
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
Ciof (CfA) 8Sc(.,)
IER
Oct 2018
(rf any):
Address:
Qo Cabief
K&YNS41a
5sI IOD
Section B
Disclosure
only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of Concern
(see CC32, Independent examination of charity accAJunts'. directions and
guidan for examiners).
Give here brfef detsils of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.
IER
Oct 2018