Long Ashton (All Saints) Scout Group - Trustees’ Annual Report 2025
For the period:
| From | 1 January 2025 | To | 31 December 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (period start date) | (period end date) | ||
| Charity Name | Long Ashton (All Saints) Scout Group | ||
| Charity Registration Number (if registered - leave blank if excepted charity) |
302155 | ||
| HQ Registration Number |
Objectives and activities
| Summary of the purpose and objects of the charity as set out in its governing document |
The objectives of the charity are as a part of The Scout Association: 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 |
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| Summary of the main activities in relation to the purpose and objects |
• Successfully ran and maintained 6 Sections within the Group: o2 Beaver Colonies o2 Cub Packs o2 Scout Troops • Successfully took on new Scout members, progressed existing members through Scouting, and released older Scouts into further Scouting, all while adhering to the values of Scouting. • All Sections enjoyed mixtures of indoor and outdoor activities, community support work and growth of individual skill and knowledge in age-appropriate ways. • Trained new leaders and encouraged the continual development of existing leaders. |
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025
| • Supported the local community with outreach activities for the good of the village. |
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| Statement confirming the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
The Trustees confirm that the charity meets the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings. |
Achievements and performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year identifying the difference and impact the charity’s work has made, including on sustainability |
• Continued to successfully deliver Scouting activities and programmes across Beaver, Cub and Scout sections within the Group. • Maintained strong youth membership and volunteer engagement throughout the year. • Continued progression of the new Scout HQ project at Wild Country Lane, including ongoing financial planning, project development and associated fundraising activity. • Maintained sound financial governance and charity compliance throughout the reporting period. • Invested in programme activities, equipment and resources to support high-quality Scouting experiences for young people within the local community. |
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Financial review
| Review of the financial position |
• The Group remains in a strong financial position, with total assets of £297,032.45 at 31 December 2025, including cash reserves of £250,448.45 and the Group's land and equipment assets. • Total income for the year was £46,515.65, with total expenditure of £47,810.88, resulting in a modest deficit of £1,295.23. The deficit reflects planned investment in both the delivery of Scouting activities and the continued progression of the new Scout Headquarters project. • During the year, £38,282.66 was invested directly into the HQ project, including design, enabling works, legal and statutory costs. This expenditure was significantly offset by £18,123.94 generated through fundraising, grant funding and interest earned on HQ reserves. • The Trustee Board continues to adopt a prudent approach to financial management, ensuring that funds are available both to support the day-to-day operation of the Group and to deliver the long-term objective of constructing a new permanent Group Scout Headquarters. • The Group's principal sources of income continue to comprise membership subscriptions, activity and camp income, fundraising events, donations, grants and interest earned on cash reserves. • Fundraising and grant income continue to play a significant role in supporting both the delivery of Scouting activities and the development of the new Scout Headquarters. • Following the financial year end, the Group successfully secured a £30,000 grant from the Bernard Sunley Foundation, together with further financial pledges from local benefactors and organisations. These awards are not reflected within the 2025 accounts but will support project delivery during 2026. |
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025
| Policy on Reserves, why they are held, and the amount of reserves |
• The Trustee Board's policy is to maintain sufficient unrestricted reserves to enable the Group to continue operating effectively, whilst also providing resilience against unforeseen financial pressures. • At the end of the financial year, reserves remained significantly above the minimum level required for normal operational activities. This reflects the Group's long-term strategy of accumulating funds to deliver the new Scout Headquarters project. • As construction activity increases, the Trustee Board will continue to monitor reserves, cashflow and project commitments to ensure appropriate funding is available at each stage of the development whilst maintaining the financial stability of the charity. |
| Policy on Investments and investment performance |
• The Trustee Board's investment objective is to protect capital whilst maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet operational requirements and the planned expenditure associated with the new Scout Headquarters. • Cash reserves are held with UK-regulated banking institutions, with surplus funds placed in low-risk interest- bearing accounts where appropriate. Interest earned during the year has made a valuable contribution towards funding HQ design and enabling works, allowing the Group's reserves to continue generating value while awaiting deployment on the project. • The Group does not undertake speculative investments. |
| A description of the principal risks |
• The Trustee Board carried out a comprehensive risk audit of the Group’s activities during this period which was recorded in a new Group level Risk Register. • This identified the major risks to which the Trustee Board believes the Group 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: • Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Additional personal accident insurance cover has been paid for to cover risks to non-Member helpers. • Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the Group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. • Reduction or loss of leaders. The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular Section or the Group then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group. The Group is has appointed a Trustee to lead on volunteer recruitment. |
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025
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Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 14. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular Section or the Group 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 Group.
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• The Group 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.
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IT and Data Management is a key risk for the Group. The Trustee Board has appointed a Trustee with extensive IT and data management expertise as IT and Data Lead. He will draft data management policies for adoption by the Group and the establishment of a document management system and scouting specific email addresses to safeguard the Groups work.
Structure, governance and management
| Type of governing document | The charity’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 (POR) of The Scout Association. |
|---|---|
| How the charity is constituted | The charity is a Trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. It is constituted as an educational charity. |
| Trustee selection methods | The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. |
| Policies and procedures for the induction and training of trustees |
All Trustees complete The Scout Association trustee and mandatory learning within the first six months of joining the Trustee Board. They also complete other Scout Association mandatory learning periodically as required. |
| Additional governance arrangements |
The charity is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the “Charity Trustees”. 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 7 Trustees and meets 6 times a year. The Trustee Board is supported by a Trustee who is Board Administrator. The Trustee Board exists to support the Leadership Teams in meeting the responsibilities of their appointments and in supporting them to run high-quality and safe programs that give young people skills for life. The Trustee Board maintain appropriate governance policies and oversight. The Trustee Board is responsible for carrying out its purposes for the public benefit, complying with the charity’s governing document and the law, and managing the charity’s resources responsibly. |
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025
| The Trustee Board is responsible for ensuring the charity is well managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good order and everyone follows legal requirements and Scout Association Policy, Organisation & Rules. This includes responsibility for: • Promoting a positive image of Scouting in the community, as well as its development; • Developing, maintaining and regularly reviewing a risk register, including putting in place appropriate mitigations; • Ensuring that the finances are properly managed, and there are sufficient resources (and reserves) to deliver high quality Scouting; • Ensuring a system of internal controls is in place that is designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss; • Ensuring that property is appropriately managed; • Maintaining appropriate insurance of persons, property and equipment; • Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; • Having an open and transparent selection process for the recruitment of Trustees; • Appointing Advisors as required; • Ensuring effective administration is in place to support the Trustee Board; • Ensuring compliance with applicable governance and charity regulations, including in respect to safety and safeguarding; • Ensuring incidents are appropriately reported in line with regulation and policy; • Ensuring applicable policies and regulations are regularly reviewed and changes implemented as appropriate; • Ensuring transparency of operations, including in the preparation of accounts and holding and AGM; • Ensuring compliance with Data Protection legislation; |
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Plans for future periods
| Plans for future Periods | • The coming year represents one of the most significant periods in the Group's history as the new Scout Headquarters project progresses into the construction phase. • Key priorities for 2026 include: oProgressing foundation, enabling and infrastructure works. oContinuing the construction of the new Scout Headquarters. oSecuring additional grant funding and community fundraising to support later phases of the build. oMaintaining strong financial governance through enhanced financial controls, budgeting and reporting. oRecruiting a volunteer Bookkeeper to support the Treasurer as the scale and complexity of the Group's financial administration increases. oContinuing to provide high-quality Scouting experiences for young people across all sections whilst ensuring the long-term sustainability of the charity. • The Trustee Board remains confident that, with continued support from members, volunteers, grant funders and the |
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025
wider community, the Group is well positioned to deliver a modern, sustainable headquarters that will benefit future generations of young people in Long Ashton.
Reference and administration details
| Principal Address | Principal Address | 45 Rayens Cross Road, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EA | 45 Rayens Cross Road, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EA | 45 Rayens Cross Road, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity |
Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
||
| 1 | Simon Gwyn Jones | Chair | ||
| 2 | Krystina Louise Hartry | Treasurer | ||
| 3 | Norris David Riley | Secretary | ||
| 4 | Theo Hartry | HQ Sub Committee Chair | ||
| 5 | JennySkrzypczyk | Recruitment Lead | ||
| 6 | Richard Pattenden | Risk Lead | ||
| 7 | Matthew Wooldridge | Comms Lead | ||
| 8 | DeborahJean Erskine | President | ||
| 9 | Andrew Tyas | |||
| 10 | ||||
| 11 | ||||
| 12 |
Name and address of advisors
| Type of advisor | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Examiner / Auditor | Nick Gill | 278 Canford Lane, BS9 3PL |
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees by:
| Signed on behalf of the charity’s | trustees by: | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature | Norris Riley | |
| Full name | Norris David Riley | |
| Position held | Secretary and Trustee | |
| Date | 29 June 2026 |
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025
Treasurer’s Report and Statement of Accounts for 2025
The Group remains in a strong financial position at the end of the 2025 financial year.
Total income for the year was £46,515.65, compared with £43,986.32 in 2024. This increase was supported by continued subscription, activity and camp income, HQ fundraising, grant income, interest received and refunds.
Total expenditure for the year was £47,810.88, resulting in a small deficit of £1,295.23. This reflects continued investment in Scouting activities and the ongoing progression of the new HQ project, including design fees, enabling works, legal costs and council-related fees.
At 31 December 2025, the Group held cash at bank of £250,448.45, with total Group assets of £297,032.45, including the Wild Country Lane site and Group equipment.
The Group therefore remains financially secure, with substantial reserves available to support both day-to-day Scouting activities and the continued development of the new Scout HQ. As the project moves into its construction phase, careful financial management and robust financial oversight will continue to be a key priority.
During the financial year, £38,282.66 was invested directly into the HQ project. This expenditure was significantly offset through £18,123.94 of fundraising income, grants and interest earned on the HQ reserves. The interest generated from funds held for the HQ project has continued to play an important role in subsidising design and enabling works, ensuring that reserves continue to work for the Group while the project progresses.
The Trustee Board is also delighted to report that, since the year end and therefore not reflected within these accounts, the Group has secured a further £30,000 grant from the Bernard Sunley Foundation, alongside numerous additional pledges from local benefactors, businesses and organisations. This provides further confidence as we move into the construction phase of the project.
During the year, additional financial controls have been introduced, including new financial policies, annual budgets and a detailed HQ financial control tracker. These measures will enable the Trustee Board to monitor income, expenditure, committed costs and future funding requirements more effectively as the scale of the project continues to increase.
Looking ahead, fundraising activity will increase significantly throughout the 2026 financial year as we work towards completing our new Scout Headquarters as quickly as possible. We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of our members, supporters, grant funders and the wider Long Ashton community, whose support is making this once-in-ageneration project possible.
Finally, we are actively seeking to recruit a volunteer Bookkeeper to support the Treasurer with day-to-day financial administration and reporting. If you, or someone you know within our Scout community, has bookkeeping or finance experience and would be interested in volunteering a few hours each month, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the Treasurer at treasurer.lascouts@gmail.com for an informal conversation.
Krystina Hartry
Long Ashton (All Saints) Scout Group Treasurer
1
Long Ashton IAII Saints) Scout Group Income and Expenditure Summary 2025 4AW26 iOJ84SJ ia3Q3.14 -Lioi 3.ml 44 26.•)8.9 2725L7 430. & FUrdral¥- fvJp 19.705.60 245.353J8 L529 5 364 10.812.6 4.170. -t.5.5 7.515.21 -5.812.6 872.49 -Ic¢. i.uo.( 1519.3 rarrts. HQ SJ4a lathnjn li40. 46,515 27.079.16 255.83BJI 20.rn.S 779.9 Q RJrnins Ejyns QDGS Q [1n$W¥ts 31 Fqo IlJJ79 -JJJ79. 14.50fuOO sco. I.S.( 7. SthoDI HI¢Q NPWNQ NbDnal Irwrancp Irt &rnp bps& PtOP¥ThTh• 11770] 155.J: 16.462 14.9B21 11875 91 114.W 99.. 14,387.35 6JOISO 15ZJJO) IW7. fywpEvrnl*6M} 167AOI 127141 103 rknJ SLndritlS. Ba I,837.39 147,glO.18 -IOJ73. Not Surplus I Iooficitl £iJ.22 £24S.117. 44S.Sts.O 7.148.93 -£L295.23 -£8,444.16 thset 2024 LW#T5B turr4rtAttsluftt.Gp £4&289.7 £S4J2SS LWsT5B turrortAL(Qufst.Ki £979. LsT5553ykf1S&Wrt. InA¥rt £19S.2A3 M4TUAES FÉ12S FMdTqrrn BqFk>Jitk(¢NJAt-2L5. M4fJAEO iY4ns £407. £251[5.1 £ISQ418AC r4w.Kfd(Ou Equiwwrrt no 5. £3. [54 V55U. £imi. £0. £0 £d7.129 U6584.( 73$.
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