Trustees Annual Report for 1[st ] Harpenden Scout Group For the Period: 01/01/24 to end date 31/12/24
Reference and Administration Details
Charity name 1[st] Harpenden (Methodist) Scout Group Other names charity is known by 1[st] Harpenden Scout Group Registered Charity Number 302529 Charity’s Principal Address Granary Lane Scout Hut (off) Cowper Road Harpenden AL5 5NF
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the charity
| TrusteeName | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not the whole year |
|---|---|---|
| KarenWest | Chairman | |
| SuzanneMills | Trustee/Secretary | 01/01/24 - 23/06/24 |
| AndrewWrentmore | Trustee, Group Scout Leader (GSL) |
01/01/24 - 23/06/24 |
| Mark Wilson | Trustee | 01/01/24 - 23/06/24 |
| Jane Thomas | Trustee | |
| AlanGrace | Trustee | |
| RachelPepperell | Trustee | |
| Tim Archbold-Shore* | Trustee, Group Scout Leader (GSL) from 23/06/24 |
|
| Sam Nash | Treasurer |
*took on Chairman role midway through 2025
Professional Advisors
| Professional Advisors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of Advisor | Name | Address |
| Independent Examiner | PaulHunt | 16 Welbeck Rise, Harpenden, AL5 1SN |
| Bank | NatWest | 10 St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 3LY |
Structure, Governance and management
The Group'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 of The Scout Association.
The Group 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 of The Scout Association.
1
The Group is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group 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 Board consists of 2 independent representatives; Chair and Treasurer together with the Group
Scout Leader, individual section leaders and parent’s representation and meets half termly.
This Trustee Board exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
-
The maintenance of Group property
-
The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance
-
The insurance of persons, property and equipment
-
Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support
-
Appointing any sub committees that may be required
-
Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected
Risk and Internal Control
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 a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
The group observes the policies, organisation and rules set out by the Scout Association, which includes safeguarding.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the group are as a unit of the Scout Association.
The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local national and international communities. The method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.
The leaders provide an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training based on the Scout Promise and law, and guided by the Scout Association’s balanced programme. This method involves young people working in partnership with adults; enjoying what they are doing; participating in varied and progressive activities; working in groups; taking part in activities outdoors; challenging themselves in a safe environment; and making and living out their Scout Promise.
Public Benefit Statement
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
2
Achievements and Performance
Each section organises various opportunities for the young people to experience new challenges. Here is a sample of the activities experience by each section:
Beavers:
-
Visiting a local farm.
-
Celebrating pancake day.
-
Going on a night hike.
-
Building a bug hotel.
-
Summer camp, sleeping in tents, campfire and songs.
-
District Carol Service
Cubs:
-
Gang show visit.
-
Climbing taster session.
-
Vising a local observatory.
-
Attending district camp
-
Rafting at Stanborough Lake.
-
Summer camp, sleeping in tents, camp fire.
Scouts:
-
Night hikes.
-
Go karting.
-
Scout skills including axe work, using saws and tent care.
-
Summer camp including Kayaking and Coasteering.
-
Ice skating.
-
Taking part in county weekend competition Green Beret.
Financial Review
Reserves Policy
The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £6,000.
Investment Policy
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group 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.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
| Si Fu Po |
gnatures | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| llnames | Tim Archbold-Shore Sa |
m Nash | |
| sition | Chairman Tr |
easurer | |
| 3 |
3
Date=
1st Harpenden Accounts Summary
Year 2018
Summary
| ; | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Natwest Current Account | 44,038.75 |
| Amountprovisioned for scout refund | |
| Committed Funds(uncleared) | |
| PettyCash | |
| Total Cash Reserve | 44,038.75 |
Natwest Current Account
Income
| Subscriptions | £ 15,784.27 |
|---|---|
| Fund Raising | £ 1,460.70 |
| Donations | £ 440.00 |
| Loan | £ - |
| Week to Week ColonyExpenses | £ - |
| Events | £ 6,597.68 |
| Camp | £ 3,889.02 |
| Summer Camp | £ 10,421.06 |
| GroupCamp | £ - |
| Gift Aid | £ 885.14 |
| Miscellaneous | £ - |
| Fleeces/T-shirts/ Necker |
£ - |
| Hut Lettings | £ 615.00 |
| Misc | £ - |
| £ 40,092.87 |
Expenditure
| Equipment | Equipment | £ 1,162.58 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week to Week ColonyExpenses | £ 1,138.75 | ||
| Events | £ 5,204.17 | ||
| Badges | £ 1,691.63 | ||
| Misc/Group | £ 382.79 | ||
| Training | £ - | ||
| Admin | £ 230.17 | ||
| CountySubs | £ 7,210.00 | ||
| Insurance(Premises) | £ 2,248.31 | ||
| Electricity | £ 764.71 | ||
| Hut Maint. | £ 1,258.19 |
| Water rates | £ 538.99 |
|---|---|
| Fund RasingExpenses | £ 365.42 |
| Sundries | £ - |
| CampExpenses | £ 3,864.34 |
| Scout Summer Camp | £ 8,483.95 |
| GroupCamp | £ - |
| Uniform | £ 148.99 |
| PettyCash | £ - |
| Sub total costs | £ 34,692.99 |
Net Cash Flow
£ 5,399.88
Bank Balance - Brought Forward 12/31/2021
Bank Balance - Carried Forward
31-Dec
Commited Funds
Unreconciled Income £ - Uncleared Cheques /Payments £ - Cashbook Balance
Uncomitted Funds
2024 49,438.63 1,500.00 Scout camp refund 0.00 0.00 47,938.63
| 138 | ||||||
| Forecast | ||||||
| 15,150 | ||||||
| 1,500 | ||||||
| 450 | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| 6,600 | ||||||
| 4,000 | ||||||
| 10,200 | ||||||
| 885 | ||||||
| 25 | ||||||
| 50 | ||||||
| 600 | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| 39,460 | ||||||
| portion of subs to fixed expenses | ||||||
| 1,200 | ||||||
| 700 | £ | (1,138.75) | ||||
| 5,000 | ||||||
| 2,500 | ||||||
| 250 | ||||||
| - | Cash Reserve | |||||
| 500 | ||||||
| £ | 52.25 | 7,210 | ||||
| 2,250 | ||||||
| 850 | ||||||
| 1,200 |
550 350 50 4,000 8,400 300 - £ 35,310.00 £ 4,150.00
| offset | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ 44,038.75 | 0 | |
| Expected - Bal = 0 | ||
| £ 49,438.63 | 49,438.63 | 0.00 |
| 0.00 |
£ 49,438.63 £ 49,438.63
`
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