2023-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/04/2022 Period start date To 31/03/2023 Period end date

Charity name: 44[th] Whitetree Scout Group

Charity registration number: 302160

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	44th Whitetree Scouts exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. The charity is guided by the Scouting Association values, namely integrity, respect, care, belief and cooperation.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	44th Whitetree Scouts runs the following groups: two Beaver Colonies (6-8 years olds); two Cub Scout groups (8-10.5 years old); and two Scout groups (10.5-14 years old). Under normal circumstances, our groups meet weekly and engage in a range of age appropriate activities both in and outdoors. Examples of activities include: crafts, den making, forest school, orienteering, cooking, archery, shooting, cycling, first aid, swimming, rock climbing, hiking, camping and more.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees of 44th Whitetree Scouts take into account the Charities Commission's public benefit guidance when exercising powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment

Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	44th Whitetree Scouts is run entirely by volunteers including the Executive Committee, Group Scout Leaders, Section Leaders, Assistant Section Leaders and parent / carer volunteers.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Membership numbers remain high and a waiting list is in operation. Our young people have taken part in and enjoyed a wide range of fun and educational activities. All groups contributed to the annual guy making for the highly successful non-fireworks bonfire night celebration. Beavers have taken part in science projects, creative play (bug hotels, marbles, jenga), outdoor pursuits (hiking, navigation trails, den building), a trip to the cinema and community events (Burns Night, support of a local food bank charity). Cubs have enjoyed axe throwing, paddle boarding cooking and learned some skills in navigation. They also had a trip to the local firestation as well as partook in a swimming Gala. Scouts have expanded their cooking repertoire and taken part in activities such as kickboxing, archery, orienteering and hiking. They also took part in their first camp following the pandemic in the Wye Valley. The skill and importance of CPR has also been taught.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41

Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The Group held £9,409.47 in the day-to-day Treasurer’s account and £15,029.38 in the reserves at the end of the period. There is also £30,057.86 set aside in the event of replacing/repairing the existing Hut building.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The Group’s reserves policy is to hold sufficient resources to continue its charitable objectives, should income and fundraising fall short.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Last year it was agreed that the reserve account should be in the region of £15,000 which is now being met. The Executive Committee is currently considering various options with regards to the upkeep of the Hut building. Enquiries are being made to see if repairs are adequate to upgrade existing facilities.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Fund are raised through membership fees and fundraising events. Reserve funds have also been moved this year to higher interest accounts. Membership fees are back up to pre-Covid levels. Most sections are at capacity. Gift aid is yet to be claimed for ’22-’23 which previously has been ~£3,700 for a 2 year period.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The Group does not invest in longer term investments such as stocks and shares and holds its funds in mainstream banks or building societies. The Group is considering the feasibility of a longer term project to invest in repairing the scout Hut. The Group made the decision this year to change bank accounts to avail of higher interest rates to allow for greater potential with reserve funds.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Falling membership numbers (impacting income) but has not materialised this year. Damage to the scout hut and equipment - sufficient buildings and contents insurance is in place. Injury to volunteers and members - accident insurance held through the Scout

Association, regular risk assessments conducted for all activities. Reduced income from fund raising - reserves policy in place. Reduction in volunteers - consolidation / contraction of the Group. Financial mismanagement - the Group has in place a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss e.g. 2 signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that all insurable risks are covered. Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	The Group’s governing documents are those of the Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the ByLaws of the Association and the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scouting Association.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	The Group uses the Scout Association policies, procedures and training material for the induction and training of trustees. This includes Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR online training modules amongst others. Trustees have to evidence completion of the training (100% pass of assessment for each module is required).
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Group is managed by the Executive Committee that meets every three months and holds an Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee includes the Trustees, the Group Scout Leaders and section leaders. Members of the Executive Committee complete ‘Essential Information for Executive Committee’ training within the first five months of joining the committee. The Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leaders and is responsible for:  maintenance of the Group property  raising of funds and the administration of Group finance  insurance of persons, property and equipment  assisting in recruitment of leaders and other adult support  appointing sub committees as required  appointing group administrators and advisors other than those who are elected All Executive Committee meetings are minuted. 44th Whitetree Scouts has a direct reporting line to the Bristol Cabot Scouts

		district group.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	N/A
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	44thWhitetree Scout Group
Other name the charity uses	N/A
Registered charity number	302160
Charity’s principal address	44th Whitetree Scout Hut Fallodon Way Henleaze Bristol BS9 4HR

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Ewan Watson
	James Hopkins	Treasurer
	Louise Lawton	Secretary

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date