LT700006- llldepent Examinevs Rq)ortts theTrustees (January 20241
Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of 9 St Aibans Scout Gn)up
I reportto the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 9 StAibans SCO Group forthe year ended 315t March
2026.
Responsibilitie5 and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the the 9° StAlbans Scout Group you a pOrtsIble forthe pparation of the accoynts in
accordance with the requirements of the Charllies Act 2011 (The Artl.
I report in respert of my examin*ion of the the 9 StAlbans Scout Group accounts carried out under section 145 of the
2011 Att and in cèrrying out my examin*ton I have followed allthe app[[Cab DirEcbons given bythe Charity Commission
under sectyon 14515llbl of the ACL
Independent exaniinerfs ststernent
I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to tlly attention in connection wtth the
examination giving me cause to beiteve that in any material SpeCt
accounty.ng record5 were not kept in respect of thethe 9" St Aibans Scolrt Group as required by secbon 130 of the
A¢or
2. the accounts do not accord withthose record%
I have no concems and have coffle across no other matters in conrleclion wtth the examination to which attention should be
drawn in this tEport in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed..
QCLI kt*4
Name.. Gary He0d ACA
Relevant professional quairFJcation or memLwship of professional bodies rrf any).. ICAEW
Add$& I Silk Mill Road. Redboum, AL3 7GE
Date..
IflL[
## 9th St Albans Scout Group (Charity no. 302574)
## Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year From 01/04/2025 To 31/03/2026
Receipts and Payments
2025/26 2024/25
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Receipts
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership fees 17,063 14,370
Donations 323 183
Gift Aid 6,123 -
Sub total 23,509 14,553
Charitable activities
Camp income 5,110 6,085
Event income 1,747 3,762
Sub total 6,857 9,847
Other income
Hire of building and premises 3,226 2,720
Sub total 3,226 2,720
Total gross income 33,592 27,120
Total receipts 33,592 27,120
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Receipts-and-payments
## 9th St Albans Scout Group (Charity no. 302574) Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year From 01/04/2025 To 31/03/2026
Receipts and Payments
2025/26 2024/25
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Payments
Charitable payments
Membership fees paid to District 8,500 7,847
Adult support and training - 50
Utilities 3,627 3,665
Insurance 1,406 1,595
Repairs and renewals 3,466 4,772
Materials and equipment 1,576 2,682
Section activities 2,812 3,980
Camping costs 3,028 5,507
Bank and OSM charges 834 866
General expenses 332 127
Sub total 25,581 31,091
Total gross expenditure 25,581 31,091
Total payments 25,581 31,091
Net of receipts/(payments) 8,011 - 3,971
Cash funds last year end 32,125 36,096
Cash funds this year end 40,136 32,125
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Receipts-and-payments
## 9th St Albans Scout Group (Charity no. 302574) Receipts and Payments Account
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Year start date Year end date
For the year From 01/04/2025 To 31/03/2026
Statement of assets and liabilities at Xst X 202Z
31st March 2026 31st March 2025
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Cash funds
Bank current account 40,136 32,125
Total cash funds 40,136 32,125
(agree balances with receipts and payments account) ok ok
Total net assets 40,136 32,125
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 20th April
2026 (the date of the Trustee Board meeting that approved the accounts) and signed on their behalf by
Signature Print Name
Simon de Baat Chair
Robert Baker Treasurer
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Receipts-and-payments
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the period:**
|**From**|**1st April 2025**|**To**|**31st March 2026**|
|---|---|---|---|
||(period start date)||(period end date)|
|||||
|**Charity Name**||**9th St Albans Scout Croup**||
|**Charity Registration Number**
(if registered - leave blank if excepted charity)||**302574**||
|**HQ Registration Number**||||
## **Objectives and activities**
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Summary of the purpose and The objectives of the charity are as a part of The Scout Association.
objects of the charity as set
out in its governing document 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
Summary of the main During the year, the group ran 2 Scout Troops, 2 Cub Packs and 2
activities in relation to the Beaver Colonies. Approximately 130 young people attended one of
purpose and objects these sessions on a weekly basis.
Statement confirming the The Trustees confirm that the charity meets the Charity Commission’s
trustees have had regard to Public Benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and
the guidance issued by the the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
Charity Commission on
public benefit
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## **Achievements and performance**
**Summary of the main** As can be seen by the Main Activities Section, the Group has **achievements of the charity** continued to run and engage its young people throughout the **during the year identifying the** financial year. Highlights for the sections, include activities **difference and impact the** such as a Camps involving all sections, Night **charity’s work has made,** Hikes, Observatory visits and Dragon Boat racing. **including on sustainability**
## **Financial review**
|**Review**
**of**
**the**
**financial**
**position**|The Group made a small profit of £8,011 in the year. At the end of the
year it held £40,135 in its bank account.|
|---|---|
|**Policy on Reserves, why they**
**are held, and the amount of**
**reserves**|The policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the
charitable activities of the charity should income and fundraising
activities fall short. The Trustee Board considers that the charity
should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa
£10,000.
The charity held reserves of approximately £40,000 against this at
year end. This is above the level for operating expenses.
However, this can be explained by the need to undertake some
property maintenance. Excess reserves will be available for this
purpose.|
|**Policy on Investments and**
**investment performance**|The charity’s reserves are small and as a consequence does not have
sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks
and shares. The charity has therefore adopted a low risk 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 the charity 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.|
|**A description of the principal**
**risks**|The Trustees have identified the major risks to
which they believe 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:
**Damage to the building, property and equipment.**The Group
would request the use of buildings, property and equipment
from neighbouring organisations such as the church,
community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal
arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has
sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to
mitigate against permanent loss.
**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.
**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|
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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 as a 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. **Reduction or loss of members.** The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. 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.
## **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 8 Trustees
and meets 4 times a year.
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.
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;|
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||
Developing, maintaining and regularly 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;
Acting as a responsible employer for any employees, who are
effectively managed.|
Developing, maintaining and regularly 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;
Acting as a responsible employer for any employees, who are
effectively managed.|
|---|---|---|
## **Plans for future periods**
**Plans for future Periods** To continue to provide Scouting Activities to your young people
## **Reference and administration details**
|**Principal Address**|**Principal Address**|68 Lemsford Road, St Albans, AL1 3PT|68 Lemsford Road, St Albans, AL1 3PT|68 Lemsford Road, St Albans, AL1 3PT|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
||**Names of the charity trustees who**
**manage the charity**||**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|
|1|Simon de Baat||Chair||
|2|Mark Wilkinson||Lead Volunteer||
|3|Robert Baker||Treasurer||
|4|Nicola Pearce||Secretary||
|5|Claire Wainwright||||
|6|Katie Mordecai||||
|7|Matthew Durkin||||
|8|Phillipa Tulberg|||Stopped – 4thJuly2025|
|9|GregSmith||||
|10|Sarah Clyne||||
|11|HarryKinsley|||Stopped – 4thJuly2025|
|12|Christopher Welford||||
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## **Name and address of advisors**
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Type of advisor Name Address
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Independent Examiner Gary Heywood _**1 Silk Mill Road, Redbourn, AL3 7GE**_
## **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**|||
|**Full name**|**Simon de Baat**|Robert Baker|
|**Position held**|**Chair**|Treasurer|
|**Date**|**20th April 2026**|20th April 2026|
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