## Trustees' Annual Report ## For the period to end From (start date) 0 1 0 4 2 3 date 3 1 0 3 2 4 |Section A|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details|Reference and administration details| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Charity
name
16thSt Albans ScoutGroup
Other names the charity is
known by
Registered charity number (if
any)
3
0
2
5
7
5
HQ registration number
3
0
5
0
2
Charity’s principal address
59 Firwood Avenue
St Albans
Herts
Postcode
A
L
4
0
T
D
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
_(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)_
Trustee Name
Office (if any)
Dates acted if not for
whole year
1
Nigel Welford
Group Scout Leader
2
Alex Nikitits
3
Stephen Clarke
4
Alison Dundjerovic
Treasurer
5
Bridget Tinson
Chair
6
Katie Dettmer
Secretary
7
Emma Keigher
8
Michael Lancaster
From 19 July 2023
9
Kerry Clarke
10
Carolyn Furness
From 19 July 2023
11
Nilima Patwardhan
Beaver Scout
Leader
12
Gillian Shearsby-Fox
Resigned from 8 Sep
2023|16thSt Albans ScoutGroup
3
0
2
5
7
5
3
0
5
0
2|||||||| ||59 Firwood Avenue|||||||| ||St Albans|||||||| ||Herts|||||||| ||Postcode|A|L|4||0|T|D| Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice) _(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)_ |Type ofadvisor|Name
Address| |---|---| |Barney Gray|Accounts Scrutineer| ||| ||| ||| ||Structure, governance and| |Section B|management| |Description of the charity’s|| |trusts|| |Type of governing document|The Group's documents are those of The Scout| |(e.g. trust deed, constitution)|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.| |How the charity is constituted|The Group is a trust established under its rules which| |(e.g. trust, association,|are common to all Scouts.| |company)|| |Trustee selection methods|The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the
Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout| |(e.g. appointed by, elected by)|Association.| Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: a) the induction and training of trustees; b) trustee' consideration of major risks and the systems and procedures to manage them Policies and procedures adopted for: The Group is managed by the Trustee Board (formally known as Group Executive Committee), 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 Committee consists of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leader, Deputy Group Scout Leader (where the position is filled), individual section leaders (if opted to take on the responsibility), elected parent representation and any co-opted members. The Committee meets 4 times a year or more regularly if the business of the ## Trustee Board so requires. Members of the Trustee Board complete _“Essential Information”_ training within the first 5 months of joining the committee. 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; ## Risk and Internal Control The Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed to, 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 activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee regularly reviews the subscriptions to ensure they remain at an appropriate level to cover outgoings and could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group, either temporarily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is completely 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. Section C Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document 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 Objectives and activities 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 cooperate 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: Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects The 16th St Albans Scouts Group engage in a diverse range of activities that are consistent with the Values of Scouting. Details of these activities are provided in section D of this report. Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice) You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: n/a - policy on grantmaking; - contribution made by volunteers; - policy on investments. 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. ## Section D Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year ## Achievements and performance The 16[th] St Albans continues to be a thriving and active Scout group with 2 Scout Troops, 2 Cub Scout Packs and 1 Beaver Scout Colony run by dedicated volunteer leaders and supported by assistant leaders. As a group we continued the tradition of attending the St George’s day parade through St Albans on 24[th] April, which was well attended by all sections. The long awaited Kandersteg trip (delayed by Covid) took place in August 2023. 39 Scouts and Explorers (from Oakdene and Riverside) journeyed to the international Jamboree camp in Switzerland. As well as local site activities, the Scouts enjoyed a river boat journey/swim, visiting Bern and a mountain hike with overnight stay in a mountain hut. ## Beaver Colony - Throughout the year the Beaver Scouts worked on elements of all the challenge badges as well as completing activity badges that included Approx. 12 activity and staged badges completed - Animal Friend, Builder, Collector, Digital Citizen, Emergency Aid, Faith, Gardener, Global Issues, Hobbies, Navigator, Nights Away, Photographer - 11 Beaver Scouts invested this year - 7 Chief Scout’s Bronze awards - Visits to Hemel snow centre, Beaver fun day at Tolmers Scout Camp, St Albans Abbey & the St Albans Clocktower. - Making birthday cards for the elderly at HILS - Making water bottle filters and bandaging a very big teddy bear! ## Cub Scout Packs We have continued to run two active Cub Packs, on Wednesday and Saturday, and they have taken part in a varied and full programme over the year. We have a group of dedicated leaders who are supported by a team of young leaders, and parent helpers. As far as possible, we try to run the same programme for both packs, with variations where needed. We started the year with an action-packed camp at Paccar with a Wallace & Gromit theme. Visits to the De Havilland aircraft museum, St Albans district gang show. Camp blanket Sewing, ecobricks, Easter egg hut And we joined the district again for a Christmas movie at The Odyssey Cinema. In March 2024, we joined the county Bushcraft event at Lees Wood and had a great time learning essential skills for surviving in the great outdoors. When not taking part in camps: - We have held various sports evenings, including rugby, athletics and cycling. - Bat night with Highfield trust. - Cooking 3 course meals in homes - Hollywood Bowl - Charity Christmas bake sale - Christmas Party - And many other activities including games, hikes, craft, astronomy and cooking. ## Scout Troops The Wednesday Scout Troup has continued to thrive with a Troop size of twenty-six, the majority of whom attend every Wednesday evening. We have had a number of Scouts move on to Explorers and a few complete their D of E Bronze voluntary service with the Troup. Leaders deliver a varied program throughout the year based on the Scout Award scheme, and the Leadership Team (comprising of adult leaders and senior Scouts) meets three times a year to plan the program for each term. We aim to move Scouts through the award scheme during their time in the Troop. Throughout the year the Troop presented seventy-six badges across topics that include Teamwork; Length of Service in Scouting; Nights Away – a few Scouts have now registered more than twenty nights away.. Friday Scout Troop including taking part in a District organized Night Hike Challenge activity in early December. The Wednesday Scout Troup Leader would like to record his thanks to the Scouts in the Wednesday Troop for their unwavering enthusiasm for all the activities the Group engages in, and also to the adult volunteers and ad-hoc parent helpers without whom it would not be possible to deliver the program. The Friday Scout Troop participated in the following activities throughout the 2023/24 year: - Spring Camp at Gilwell Park where Scouts were responsible for all of their own meals and completed a pioneering project. - I’m a Scout, Get me out of here district competition where Scouts needed to collect stars to earn their food and participate in a ‘bush tucker’ trial - Green Beret county competition in November alongside 150 other teams from across Hertfordshire. - St Albans Sleepout to help raise money for local homeless charities. - An overnight stay in the Ramsgate Tunnels! ## Section E ## Financial Review Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves ## 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 Trustee Board considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £4,500. Quantify and explain any designations n/a Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) n/a Further financial review details (optional information) You may choose to include additional information, where ## relevant, about: ||Investment Policy| |---|---| |• the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any|The Group's Income and Expenditure is very| |fundraising);|small and as a consequence does not have| ||sufficient funds to invest in longer-term| ||investments such as stocks and shares. The| ||Group 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 or The Scout Association's| ||Short Term Investment Service.| |• how expenditure has supported the key objectives of|The Group Executive regularly monitors the| |the charity;|levels of bank balances and the interest rates| ||received to ensure the group 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 Group Executive considers the| ||cash flow requirements.| |• investment policy and objectives;|| ||Other Optional| |---|---| |Section F|Information| |Plans for future periods (details of any significant|| |activities planned to achieve them)|| n/a lJokn W•¥wd Cb•lrl lknj L•adBf 16thSt. AiBANSSCOUTGROVP thartyw"strarw 30257S. 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