**AGM Report July 2021** 

## Do more. 


Scouts is about fun, challenges and adventure 

- We are the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. We change lives by offering 6 to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities. 

- Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment. We help young people to get jobs, save lives and even change the world. 

**Scouting actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society** 

## Annual General Meeting Reports, June 2021 

## Chairman’s Report 

Dear Parents, 

Despite the pandemic we have managed to do some Scouting as reported below.  We were hoping that by postponing the AGM to July we would be able to meet up properly without restrictions; not so yet. 

We have not used the Hut during the year due to the rules imposed as a result of the pandemic restrictions.  However, this has not stropped sections meeting up over zoom, going on hikes, cycle rides and other outdoor activities. 

In the early part of the pandemic, we took the opportunity to refurbish the toilets and paint the kitchen in the hut. 

As reported last year we have been in dispute with the owners of 72 Grange Road about them crossing our land.  Last week we conducted a mediation process and reached an agreement, subject to ratification, and this will hopefully allow us to conclude this episode so we can get on with supporting Scouting.  I thank all the old Scouts, leaders and Neighbours that have helped us with this process. 

I take this opportunity to thank all the section leaders both uniformed and not, for their time and dedication helping us through this difficult year.  As I hope you are aware we always welcome any help of any kind and if you can spare any time please talk to Roy, myself or any of the Scout leaders.  Most of the sections are run by small teams this allows for greater flexibility of your time and a reduced personal workload, so any help or time you can spend will be appreciated and be of value. 

Page 1 of 6 



**AGM Report July 2021** 

I hope that we are at last nearing the end of the restrictions and the pandemic and we can get back to a more normal way of Scouting. 

Thank you for all your support, 

## **Bob Page, Chairman** 

## Group Scout Leader’s Report 

**As Scouts, we believe in preparing young people with skills for life. We bring communities together and contribute to society. Above all, we aim to build better futures.** 

The continuing restrictions imposed by the Covid lock-downs has meant that Scouting has been challenging over the past year, but our sections have used their ingenuity and flexibility to continue to deliver some excellent programmes. We have used Zoom extensively and as soon as allowed, we resumed face-to-face Scouting, all outdoors to date which is no bad thing! 

Unfortunately, the Beaver Colonies have suffered worst and for the moment both Colonies are not operating at the moment.  The good news is that we will restart Beaver meetings in September as the schools resume and hopefully Covid restrictions will be light enough to allow for the resumption of _fund and frienship_ among the Beavers. 

We had to cancel the Summer Camp in 2020, the first time we missed a Summer Camp since 2005! This year, hopefully, we will be back on track and have booked Blackland Farm in the shadow of the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, a Guide-run campsite which ranks as one of the most well-appointed sites we use (hair dryers in the toilet block!)  We will need parental support to make the camp run well and I hope you will consider joining us. 

Many, many thanks to all our leadership team for committing so much energy and time to Scouting in our area. 

## **Roy Naismith, Group Scout Leader** 

Page 2 of 6 



**AGM Report July 2021** 

## The Gr Scout Council oup 

The Group Scout Council is the electoral body, which supports Scouting in the Scout Group. It is the body to which the Group Executive Committee is accountable. 

Membership of the Group Scout Council is open to, amongst others, Colony, Pack and Troop leaders and assistants, Patrol Leaders and all parents of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts. 

The District Commissioner and District Chairman are ex-officio members of the Group Scout Council. 

The Group Scout Council must hold an Annual General Meeting to: 

- receive and consider the Annual Report of the Group Executive Committee, including the annual statement of accounts; 

- approve the Group Scout Leader's nomination of the Group Chairman and nominated members of the Group Executive Committee; 

- elect a Group Secretary and Group Treasurer; 

- elect certain members of the Group Executive Committee; 

- appoint an auditor or independent examiner or scrutineer as required. 

## **WANTED** 

The Group Executive Committee is responsible for providing the infrastructure and funding for the Scout Group.  A number of members have recently resigned and we now NEED NEW ADULTS to join the committee to help support the Scouts.  We have specific vacancies open and also general membership which would allow focus on specific events or tasks. 

Please consider joining the committee.  The commitment is small (it meets six times each year) but the benefit for the Group is enormous.  Please contact Bob on bob.k.page@outlook.com or Roy on roy.naismith@btinternet.com 

## New Hut 

As previously reported, the Group has been working on a project to provide a new home fit for a 21st Century Scout Group.  We have a development committee, chaired by Simon McCowen, a local businessman, and with support from a group of parents.  If you would like to be involved, do let us know. We are working towards finding a new location for the hut and then releasing the value of the land on which the current hut sits in order to help fund a new building. 

In the last six months, of course, there has been very little progress, however the Sun Lane developers have agreed their arrangement (“s106 agreement”) with Winchester City Council under which the developers will lease the open area on the south-side of the development area as a community facility along with a significant stipend to maintain it.  We managed to ensure that there was nothing in the arrangements agreed between the parties that will prevent our plan from being implemented.  The next step will be for the New Alresford Town Council to get to grips with what they are being given, and then hopefully we can make an agreement to access a site for a new facility.  Generally, the Council have been very supportive so far and while there is considerable work still to be done, including potentially seeking 

Page 3 of 6 



**AGM Report July 2021** 

public support, there appears still to be an opportunity. 

The site at Sun Hill has recently been sold by the original developers to Wimpy Homes and they are making efforts to speak to the community further, so if you have any interraction with the process, please do mention the Scouts. 

There are also other potential opportunties for a new site, so we will continue our work.  Many thanks to the members of the committee who have put time and effort to support this process. 

## Scout HQ – access dispute 

We reported last year that we were in discussion with one of our neighbours about access rights across the Scout land.   Although the process was interupted by the Covid restrictions, we have recently agreed a settlement with the help of professional advisors and a mediator.  The Scouts have agreed to sell a small strip of land to allow access to the rear of no. 72 Grange Road from our track and will paid appropriately.  This draws a line under what has been quite a distracting and difficult issue. 

It will be proposed at the AGM that authority is delegated to at least two members of the committee to finalise transfer of a strip of land 4 metres wide at the eastern end of the car-park land to allow 72 Grange Road to access their garden, along with an easement over the track leading from Bridge Road (insofar as the Scouts can grant such easement) 

Sales of land owned by charities are governed by legislation which can be reviewed on the Charity Commissioner’s website in a document known as CC28.  The key element of this applicable to our situation is that we are required to source a formal report from a qualified person on the value of the land and the disposal proposals.  We have already had a valuation of the land, which was sought to support negotiation, and this will be updated to reflect the negotiated position. 

This land is not being voluntarily disposed.  Our neighbour claimed that a right of access had been secured through regular, unchallenged use over 20 years and while the Scouts dispute this, the option of challenging this in court would be expensive, difficult, time-consuming and would risk an adverse decision (meaning we would lose our land for no recompense).  The Executive Committee previously approved entry into negotiation with the neighbour, and this was achieved with the help of a mediator. The normal routes to disposing of land are therefore not relevant in this circumstance and a valuation is relevant only to the extent that it informed the negotiations on both sides of the dispute. 

The negotiated settlement was broadly half-way between our two positions and involves a transfer of a strip of land 4 metres wide and the grant of an easement up the lane in return for a payment of £25,000 plus a fair contribution to the upkeep of the lane and a further payment of £5,000 should the buiding in the garden ever be used residentially. 

Page 4 of 6 



**AGM Report July 2021** 

## Finance R rt epo 

## **Jean Hudson** 

## **Year from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021** 

Due to the unprecedented circumstances during the year, a comparison with the previous year is largely irrelevant with usual income streams and yearly expenditure showing marked differences between years. 

The Group ended the year with net general funds of £36,623, a £13,195 increase in balances from the previous year. This was made up of the general running costs for the year showing a deficit of £467, whilst a net surplus of £13,662 was from the two extraordinary items. 

With fundraising restricted and subscriptions reduced due to lockdown, usual sources of income were reduced by over £9,000. Thanks go to those who continued supporting the group during this period with voluntary reduced subscriptions. However, the group was able to apply for covid support grant for the periods that Scout activities were not permitted in the hut, totaling £19,907. 

Capitation subscriptions payable to Scout national HQ and County were reduced/delayed and were also based on reduced numbers from the previous year.  District waived their capitation subscription for the year. 

The effort to resolve the land dispute necessitating engaging Keystone Law to provide legal advice and services has cost £6,246. 

|**Group General Funds**<br>**This Year**<br>**Last Year**<br>**£**<br>**Opening Balances**<br>**£23,428**<br>**£19,441**<br>**Running Expenses**<br>**Receipts**<br>Subscriptions<br>£3,355<br>£8,945<br>Gift Aid<br>£1,777<br>£1,843<br>Interest<br>£113<br>£54<br>Hire of Premises<br>-<br>£30<br>General Fundraising (Net)<br>£1,019<br>£3,969<br>Donations<br>£104<br>£634<br>**£6,368**<br>**£15,475**<br>**Payments**<br>Subscription to HQ and District<br>£3,797<br>£5,536<br>Premises - Maintenance<br>£232<br>£369<br>Premises etc Insurance<br>£1,056<br>£1,023<br>Premises - Running Costs<br>£543<br>£742<br>Equipment<br>-<br>£335<br>Net Expenditure on activities<br>£537<br>£1,965<br>General expenses by section<br>£277<br>£476<br>Uniforms and badges<br>£121<br>£204<br>Leaders' uniforms<br>-<br>£63<br>Fees<br>£257<br>£735<br>Miscellaneous & AGM<br>£15<br>£40<br>**TOTAL PAYMENTS**<br>**£6,835**<br>**£11,488**<br>**(£467)**<br>**£3,987**<br>**Extraordinary Items**<br>Covid 19 Grants<br>£19,908<br>Legal Fees<br>(£6,246)<br>**Closing Balances**<br>**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**<br>**Closing Balances comprise:**<br>Cash Float inc Badge Secretary<br>£74<br>£74<br>Bank - Current<br>£19,625<br>£6,544<br>Investment Account<br>£16,924<br>£16,810<br>**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**<br>**Alresford and Cheriton Scout Group**<br>**Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st March 2021**<br>**Surplus/Deficit Running Expenses**|**Group General Funds**<br>**This Year**<br>**Last Year**<br>**£**<br>**Opening Balances**<br>**£23,428**<br>**£19,441**<br>**Running Expenses**<br>**Receipts**<br>Subscriptions<br>£3,355<br>£8,945<br>Gift Aid<br>£1,777<br>£1,843<br>Interest<br>£113<br>£54<br>Hire of Premises<br>-<br>£30<br>General Fundraising (Net)<br>£1,019<br>£3,969<br>Donations<br>£104<br>£634<br>**£6,368**<br>**£15,475**<br>**Payments**<br>Subscription to HQ and District<br>£3,797<br>£5,536<br>Premises - Maintenance<br>£232<br>£369<br>Premises etc Insurance<br>£1,056<br>£1,023<br>Premises - Running Costs<br>£543<br>£742<br>Equipment<br>-<br>£335<br>Net Expenditure on activities<br>£537<br>£1,965<br>General expenses by section<br>£277<br>£476<br>Uniforms and badges<br>£121<br>£204<br>Leaders' uniforms<br>-<br>£63<br>Fees<br>£257<br>£735<br>Miscellaneous & AGM<br>£15<br>£40<br>**TOTAL PAYMENTS**<br>**£6,835**<br>**£11,488**<br>**(£467)**<br>**£3,987**<br>**Extraordinary Items**<br>Covid 19 Grants<br>£19,908<br>Legal Fees<br>(£6,246)<br>**Closing Balances**<br>**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**<br>**Closing Balances comprise:**<br>Cash Float inc Badge Secretary<br>£74<br>£74<br>Bank - Current<br>£19,625<br>£6,544<br>Investment Account<br>£16,924<br>£16,810<br>**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**<br>**Alresford and Cheriton Scout Group**<br>**Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st March 2021**<br>**Surplus/Deficit Running Expenses**|
|---|---|
|**Group General Funds**<br>**This Year**<br>**Last Year**<br>**£**<br>**Opening Balances**<br>**£23,428**<br>**£19,441**<br>**Running Expenses**<br>**Receipts**<br>Subscriptions<br>£3,355<br>£8,945<br>Gift Aid<br>£1,777<br>£1,843<br>Interest<br>£113<br>£54<br>Hire of Premises<br>-<br>£30<br>General Fundraising (Net)<br>£1,019<br>£3,969<br>Donations<br>£104<br>£634<br>**£6,368**<br>**£15,475**<br>**Payments**<br>Subscription to HQ and District<br>£3,797<br>£5,536<br>Premises - Maintenance<br>£232<br>£369<br>Premises etc Insurance<br>£1,056<br>£1,023<br>Premises - Running Costs<br>£543<br>£742<br>Equipment<br>-<br>£335<br>Net Expenditure on activities<br>£537<br>£1,965<br>General expenses by section<br>£277<br>£476<br>Uniforms and badges<br>£121<br>£204<br>Leaders' uniforms<br>-<br>£63<br>Fees<br>£257<br>£735<br>Miscellaneous & AGM<br>£15<br>£40<br>**TOTAL PAYMENTS**<br>**£6,835**<br>**£11,488**<br>**(£467)**<br>**£3,987**<br>**Extraordinary Items**<br>Covid 19 Grants<br>£19,908<br>Legal Fees<br>(£6,246)<br>**Closing Balances**<br>**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**<br>**Closing Balances comprise:**<br>Cash Float inc Badge Secretary<br>£74<br>£74<br>Bank - Current<br>£19,625<br>£6,544<br>Investment Account<br>£16,924<br>£16,810<br>**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**<br>**Alresford and Cheriton Scout Group**<br>**Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st March 2021**<br>**Surplus/Deficit Running Expenses**||
||**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**|
||£74<br>£74<br>£19,625<br>£6,544<br>£16,924<br>£16,810|
||**£36,623**<br>**£23,428**|



These accounts have been independently scrutinized. 

Page 5 of 6 



**AGM Report July 2021** 

## ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Agenda for the Annual General Meeting of the Alresford & Cheriton Scout Group Council to be held at 19:30 on 5th July 2021 at the Three Horseshoes, Bighton. 

- **1 Welcome** Bob Page, Group Chairman 

- **2 Annual Report of the Group Executive** 

   - Reports from the Group Executive and the uniformed sections are attached to this agenda. 

- **3 Financial report Jean Hudson, Treasurer** 

   - The financial report for the Group is to be considered and (if appropriate) approved by the Council 

## **4 Address by District Representative** 

- **5 Approval of the Nomination of Group Chairman** Roy Naismith, Group Scout Leader 

   - The Group Scout Leader will seek nominations for Chairman of the Group. Nominations for the post will be considered and voted on by the Council. 

- **6 Election of Group Secretary and Treasurer** 

   - Nominations for the posts will be considered and voted on by the Council. 

- **7 Election of other Executive Committee members** 

   - Nominations for the posts will be considered and voted on by the Council. 

- **8 Confirmation of Executive Committee membership from warranted leaders** 

   - Note: all adults holding a leadership position in the Group are entitled to membership of the Group Executive Committee subject only to their express confirmation of their wish to be so. 

## **9 Appointment of independent scrutineer** 

## **Leaders:** 

## **10 Sale of Land** 

Report regarding negotiations regarding access dispute. Proposal to delegate authority to transfer a portion of land to a third party and to grant an easement over the lane to Bridge Road. 

## **11 Any other business** 

## **Members of the Executive Committee are:** 

- Bob Page – Chair 

- Jane Bayreuther – Secretary 

- Jean Hudson – Treasurer 

Toby Gilbertson (Monday Beavers) Hannah Rose (Thursday Cubs) VACANT (Tuesday Beavers) Carole Hammond (Tuesday Cubs) Abi Spain (Thursday Scouts) Dawn Durham (Thursday Scouts) David Brown (Wednesday Scouts) Tim Byford (Wednesday Scouts) Liz Nankivell (Wednesday Scouts) Rebecca Prior (Wednesday Scouts) Roy Langridge (Wednesday Scouts) Martin Southgate (Explorers) 

- Roy Naismith – Group Scout Leader 

- All leaders who have indicated their inclusion 

Page 6 of 6 

