ST ALBANS DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2022
PRESIDENT
Vacant
VICE PRESIDENTS
Mr F A Prior; Mr J Walker; Mr G Bassil; Mrs J Thomas MBE.
TRUSTEES: Ex-Officio
CHAIR Mr N Churton SECRETARY Vacant (Mrs L Cheadle resigned 15/11/21) TREASURER Mr V Molloy DISTRICT COMMISSIONER Dr A Payne DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER Vacant DISTRICT EXPLORER SCOUT Mr N Welford COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NETWORK COMMISSIONER Mr G Bray
TRUSTEES:- Elected Committee Mr D Barker; Mrs L Hunt; Mr S Lindsay MBE; Mr R Members Morton; Mrs N Wells . BANKERS CAF Bank Barclays – St Albans (Explorers) Lloyds – St Albans (Scout Shop & Phoenix) NatWest – St Albans (Gang Show)
District Registration Number with The Scout Association - 12215
Charity Registration Number - 302578
Contact Name & Address
Mr V Molloy 30 Rowlatt Drive St Albans Herts, AL3 4NB
St Albans District Scout Council
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022
Summary of main activities of the Charity during the year
Following a turbulent few years which have tested everyone in the Scout movement in ways not recognised in living memory, I am happy to report that normal service within the District has been restored.
Camps and other activities are once again on track, and great and exciting fund-raising efforts and preparations are afoot for WSJ Korea.
One event, missing during this period, that perhaps announces in the strongest terms that scouting is back is the return of the District Gang Show for 2023.
Tradition has an important place in the movement, but the District is also looking forward. This is emphasised by the opening of three Squirrel Dreys across the District with a fourth due in January 2023. The District is also busy preparing for Transformation, the movement’s drive to enhance the Scouting experience and organisation through producing effective digital tools and services for volunteers, staff and young people.
I am also delighted to report that we continued to recruit adult volunteers, and numbers of young people and leaders are strong and at least back to pre-pandemic levels.
A concerted effort has been made in governance and compliance in operations and training. This has paid off with a huge improvement seen in training compliance achieved across the District – a great result.
Administration in the District has been improved greatly by the employment of a paid administrator. We are proud to have been one of the first Districts to take this route.
Governing Document
The District's governing documents are those of the 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.
Constitution
The District is a trust established under The Scout Association rules which are common to all Scouts.
Trustee Selection
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
District Management
The District is managed by the District Executive Committee, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the District 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.
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St Albans District Scout Council
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (cont.)
Members of the Executive Committee complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' training within the first 5 months of joining the committee.
The District Executive Committee exists to support the District Commissioner and is responsible for:
The maintenance of District property; The raising of funds and the administration of District finance; The insurance of persons, property and equipment; District public occasions; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any sub committees that may be required; Appointing District Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
Risk and Internal Control
The District has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, including 2 signatures for all payments and comprehensive policies to ensure insurable risks are covered.
Summary of the Charity’s objectives as set out in the 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 at udes.
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:
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enjoy what they are doing and have fun
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take part in activities indoors and outdoors
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learn by doing
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share in spiritual reflection
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take responsibility and make choices
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undertake new and challenging activities
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make and live by their Promise.
Public Benefit Statement
The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
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St Albans District Scout Council
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (cont.)
Reserves Policy
The District's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Executive Committee determined during the period that given likely future needs the core District (excluding Explorers, Gang Show, Scout Shop and Phoenix Expeditions) should hold a minimum sum of circa £30,000.
The core District held reserves of approximately £ 95,000 against this at the year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. The Executive Committee is looking to draw down some of those funds over the coming 12 months to cover expenditure on a range of activities including potential improvements to the District HQ building.
Investment Policy
The District does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The District has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in current or short term deposit accounts at mainstream financial institutions.
Approved by the Trustees on the 31 October 2022 and signed on their behalf by:-
Nick Churton District Chair
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St Albans District Scout Council
Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2022
Receipts for the year ended 31 March 2022
| Receipts | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Donatons and Subscriptons | |||
| Membership Subscripton | 93,223 | Note 1 | 87,390 |
| Donatons and Grants | 1,700 | 1,050 | |
| Sub total | 94,923 | 88,440 | |
| Grants | |||
| Covid Grants | - | 20,241 | |
| Training Subsidies | - |
- | |
| Sub total | - | 20,241 | |
| Youth Programmes and Actvites | |||
| Core District Actvites | 7,153 | Note 2 | - |
| Gang Show | 915 | Note 3 | 137 |
| Explorer Scouts | 3,382 | Note 4 | 690 |
| Phoenix Expediton | -1,332 | Note 5 | -87,635 |
| Scout Shop Sales | 26,755 | Note 6 | 6,763 |
| Squirrels | 500 | Note 7 | - |
| Miscellaneous | 128 | - | |
| Sub total | 37,501 | -80,045 | |
| Investment and Other Income | |||
| Gif Aid | - | Note 8 | 17,061 |
| HQ Letngs & Rents | 24,512 | Note 9 | 4,899 |
| Bank Interest | 280 | 380 | |
| Sub total | 24,792 | 22,340 | |
| Total receipts for the year | 157,216 | 50,976 |
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St Albans District Scout Council
Payments for the year ended 31 March 2022
| Payments | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Subscriptons | |||
| Membership Subscriptons to County | 90,624 | 91,129 | |
| Sub total | 90,624 | 91,129 | |
| Charitable Payments | |||
| Youth Programme and Actvites | |||
| Core District Actvites | 11,420 | Note 10 | 1,381 |
| Gang Show | 2,098 | Note 11 | 2,561 |
| Explorer Scouts | 14,157 | Note 12 | 5,502 |
| Phoenix | -4,585 | Note 13 | - |
| Scout Shop Purchases | 24,346 | Note 14 | 8,997 |
| St George’s Day | 1,133 | - | |
| Sectons (Beavers) | 132 | 1,156 | |
| Sectons (Squirrels) | 522 | ||
| Training | 482 | - | |
| Utlites | 3,120 | 3,084 | |
| Insurance | 2,743 | Note 15 | 2,666 |
| Maintenance, Renewals and Repairs | 11,109 | Note 16 | 4,134 |
| Materials and IT/ Equipment | 1,117 | Note 17 | 150 |
| AGM Expenses | - | - | |
| Bank Charges | 96 | 69 | |
| Scout Shop Proft Distributon | - | 1,000 | |
| Sub total | 67,890 | 30,700 | |
| Funding Expenses | |||
| OSM | 2031 | 1728 | |
| Administraton Expense | 2317 | 2,230 | |
| Administraton Services | 1,628 | Note 18 | |
| CVS Membership | 60 | 60 | |
| Miscellaneous | 865 | 670 | |
| 6,901 | 4,688 | ||
| Total payments for the year | 165,415 | 126,517 |
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St Albans District Scout Council
Receipts & Payments Account Summary
For the year ended 31 March 2022
| Total receipts for the year Total payments for the year Net receipts for the year Cash, bank & similar funds b/fwd Cash, bank & similar funds c/fwd |
2021/22 £ 157,216 165,415 -8,199 200,910 192,711 Note 19 |
2020/21 £ 50,976 126,517 |
|---|---|---|
| -75,541 276,451 |
||
| 200,910 |
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St Albans District Scout Council
Statement of Assets & Liabilites as at 31 March 2022
| Monetary Assets Bank Current Accounts Bank Deposit Accounts Cash in hand Other Monetary Assets Debt due to District (Scout Shop sales) Phasels Wood deposits Non-Monetary Assets Scout Shop Stock District Headquarters (Insured valuaton) Liabilites (due within one year) HQ Rents - Explorers World Scout Jamboree 2023 I’m a Scout |
2021/22 £ 75,947 116,650 114 192,711 9,475 3,447 12,000 574,093 - 3,025 593 |
2020/21 £ 119,418 81,378 114 |
|---|---|---|
| 200,910 3,431 3,447 12,000 574,093 1200 - - |
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St Albans District Scout Council
Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2022
Notes to the Accounts
Note 1 - Membership Subscriptions . Annual membership subscriptions are collected by District from all groups plus Explorers. The subscriptions collected are levied on a per head basis for members under 18 and comprise National, County and District fees. The National and County elements of the fees are passed on via County.
A total of £85,958 was collected from groups. £7,265 in membership subscriptions was collected by Explorers.
Note 2 – Core District Activities . Some activities resumed following Covid, the income relating to Dragonboat, Cubs 6 a side and Cubs cinema events. Additionally, initial stage payments were received from participants selected for World Scout Jamboree 2023. These accounts are produced on the Receipts and Payments method of accounting and as many activities straddle accounting periods some of the income and expenditure for individual activities will be reflected in previous or future years accounts.
Note 3 – Gang Show . A 50/50 joint venture with Guides, the District accounts include 50% of Gang Show receipts. Due to Covid restrictions a Gang Show did not take place during the period. Income was mainly payments received for tickets to other districts Gang Shows.
Note 4 – Explorers – Several individual Explorer units undertook separate activities during the period. There were no centrally co-ordinated activities
Note 5 – Phoenix Expedition . An expedition did not take place during the period. The negative income figure represents a late refund to an intended participant of the previously cancelled expedition which is correctly shown as a reduction to income. There was no other activity income during the period, hence the negative figure.
Note 6 – Scout Shop Sales The shop recommenced trading after periods of closure during Covid hence the recovery in income
Note 7 – Squirrels A district run Squirrels drey was established during the period and a start up grant of £500 was received from The Scouts.
Note 8 – Gift Aid Due to administrative reasons a claim relating to Explorer subs was not made during the period. This will be addressed in retrospect.
Note 9 – HQ Lettings & Rents Third party lettings have recovered strongly following Covid restrictions. Regular users who provide a solid base income returned and are supplemented by various ad hoc users.
Note 10 Core District Activities See Note 2, corresponding costs including initial stage payments to County.
Note 11 – Gang Show See comments for Note 3. Expenditure related to Gang Show associated costs plus payments made for attendance at other districts Gang shows.
Note 12 – Explorers Explorer unit activities £8,397, hire costs of group huts £5,760.
Note 13 – Phoenix An expedition did not take place during the period but refunds for costs relating to the previously cancelled expedition totalling £4,585 were received. These are shown as reductions to spend but there was no other expenditure during the period, hence the negative figure.
Note 14 Scout Shop Purchases The shop recommenced trading after periods of closure during Covid hence the recovery in sales activity. These accounts are produced on the Receipts and Payments method of accounting so the figures include only sales or purchases recorded in the bank account during the period. Sales to Groups are invoiced in arrears and the ‘Other Monetary Assets’ section records the amount invoiced / to be invoiced for payment.
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Note 15 – Insurance . Comprises £2,032 Core district insurance, Scout Shop £195.69, Gang Show £193 (50% of total cost) and Explorers equipment / trailer £321.97.
Note 16 Maintenance, Renewals and Repairs Includes £6,165 representing the cost of installing a disability ramp at DHQ
Note 17 Materials and IT/Equipment Includes cost of new website build £535 plus 1 year’s hosting cost of £240
Note 18 Administration Services The District has engaged the services of an administrator on a contract basi
Note 19 – Cash, bank & similar funds . Total District funds of £192,711 comprise:
Core District £99,237 Gang Show (50%) £33,758 Explorers £24,200 Phoenix Expedition £10,796 Scout Shop £24,720
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
St Albans District Scout Council
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the St Albans District Scout Council for the year ended 31 March 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the St Albans District Scout Council you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the St Albans District Scout Council accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the St Albans District Scout Council as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Robert Baker, ACA 7 November 2022
79 Woodland Drive, St Albans, Herts, AL4 0EN
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