1[st ] Abbots Langley (3[rd] North Watford) Scouts
Chairman’s Report – For Year Ending 31[st] December 2022
The future for our Scout Group looked very bleak at the beginning of the year. There was no Scout Leader or a Group Scout Leader. We faced the possibility of having to close down our Scout Section. The knock-on effect of this upon our Cub and Beaver sections would have been equally bad as there would be no Scout section within the Group for our Cubs to move up into.
Fortunately, with the assistance of Watford North District, Scouts it was possible to overcome this difficulty, albeit only temporarily in welcoming Chris Gurdler, the Scout Leader from the 9[th] North Watford Scout Group who agreed to run our Group’s Scouts section until such time as a permanent leader could be found for our Scouts section. This arrangement involved combining the meetings of both 3[rd] and 9[th] North Watford Scouts. The running of our own Scouts section was also assisted by members of the Active Support Unit, by the Abbos Explorer Unit and by some of the parents of young people in our Scout Group.
Our search for a new Scout Leader was ultimately successful in having Daniel Cartwright volunteer to become a prospective leader and for him to be assisted by his partner Lianne Pike. Daniel and Lianne continue to build on their respective roles.
We are continuing in our search for a Group Scout Leader.
A number of vacant roles within the Group Executive Committee including a new Treasurer, a Health & Safety and a Facilities Coordinator remained unfilled. In order to reduce the burden of fulfilling certain roles it was decided to instigate the sharing of responsibilities more and to implement sub-
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1[st ] Abbots Langley (3[rd] North Watford) Scouts
committees. This proposal is set to be expanded as more volunteers come forward.
The popularity and success of our Scout Group is due, in the main to the time and effort put in by a dedicated team of volunteer leaders who continued to provide a marvellous Scouting experience for our young people. However, the results of our repeated requests made for more parents to come forward and to volunteer on a regular basis have been disappointing.
Lin Lythaby, the Group’s President had to step back from her role in promoting our Scout Group due to ill health.
We welcomed Emma Vassiliou who volunteered to become the Group’s new Secretary.
Fiona Packman agreed to take on both of the previous separate roles of Events and Fund-Raising Coordinator. The introduction of Fiona’s new ideas combined with the efforts of her fund-raising team achieved increased revenue from the Group’s regular fund-raising activities.
It was decided that Jumble sales should remain a regular fixture in the Scout Group’s calendar. As well as raising revenue for the Group the sales provided an opportunity for community to recycle unwanted items that might otherwise go to land fill. They also afforded an opportunity for our young people to interact and be seen by the community at large. I am pleased to report having personally received several complimentary comments from members of the local community concerning the excellent conduct and general courtesy of our young people when conducting these activities.
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1[st ] Abbots Langley (3[rd] North Watford) Scouts
The Group’s funds continued to benefit from the income derived from regular hall bookings and from the loan of our minibus to other groups and members of the public. The Group is grateful to Yvonne Stanley and to her husband Matthew Bullock (hall bookings) and to Jeremy Bishop (Transport) for their help over the year with these matters.
Woodsmoke, the Group’s regular newsletter edited by Anna Ebden remains an essential read.
Work on developing a new Group web site was started under the stewardship of Liam Goodman. The aim is to make the website easier to navigate and to edit regularly which will help keep it up to date.
The Scout Group’s finances remained in a very good state throughout the year mainly due to receipt of various grants and subsidies and from the proceeds from the Group’s regular fundraising activities. Overall expenditure was down partly due to the knock-on effect of the pandemic. Also due to the temporary postponement of previously identified repair and improvement works to the Group’s Head Quarters building. There was also the temporary curtailment of the usual camping and other activities formally undertaken by the Group’s sections. This was mainly caused by vacancies in leadership roles and also due to a lack of instructors.
The reports upon the Group’s finances show them to be in a healthy state. The resources available to the Group exceed what would in normal circumstances be required to maintain and safeguard the Group. Steps are being taken to reduce the amount and various expenditure has been budgeted for. Completing all of the works that are currently planned for will significantly reduce the monies held by the Group whilst still
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1[st ] Abbots Langley (3[rd] North Watford) Scouts
maintaining an adequate level of funds in reserve and in accordance with good budgeting practice.
Various investigations were made and further research carried out necessary for the identified repairs to maintain the HQ building as well as for other improvement works in order to continue to provide a safe environment and varied resources for use by the young people.
A sudden serious deterioration in the condition of the hall wood block floor caused the Group’s activities to be suspended for a time on safety grounds. Repair works were carried out at the end of the winter term to return the floor to good order and with an improved appearance.
Towards the end of the year the Scout Association announced proposals for changing the structure and working practices of Scout Groups. A Scout Group Executive Committee is to become known as an Executive Board. The Board will now comprise only certain members who have key roles who will be supported by coordinators who will in turn be supported by committees. Further details of the proposed changes will be announced at District level as they become known and then implemented by the Group.
Richard Gabriel
Chairman, 1[st] Abbots Langley (3[rd] North Watford) Scouts
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1ST ABBOTS LANGLEY (3RD NORTH WATFORD ) SCOUT GROUP (Reg Charity No. 302611)
ACCOUNTS for the year ending 31st December 2022
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS | RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS | RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. RECEIPTS | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| Subscriptions | £ | £ | ||
| River Beavers | 2,055.00 | 1,908.00 | ||
| Lake Beavers | 2,025.00 | 1,800.00 | ||
| Rainforest Cubs | 2,145.00 | 2,040.00 | ||
| Jungle Cubs | 3,060.00 | 2,425.00 | ||
| Scouts | 6,365.00 | 5,712.00 | ||
| Less: refund for Lake Beavers overpayment | - | 409.50 | - | |
| Less paid to District |
- | 6,552.00 | - | 6,900.00 |
| 8,688.50 | 6,985.00 | |||
| Investment income | ||||
| Group | 345.51 | 63.80 | ||
| Voluntary sources | ||||
| Donations | ||||
| General donations | 625.97 | 277.63 | ||
| Pete Linskey Training Fund | 30.00 | 85.00 | ||
| Winder Climbing Wall Fund | 2,505.62 | 7,494.05 | ||
| Parish Council grant for Winder Wall Fundraising | - | 3,000.00 | ||
| Local authority Covid grants | 4,328.21 | 19,034.00 | ||
| Hall Hire | 2,501.14 | 1,545.00 | ||
| Minibus hire | 1,015.00 | 50.19 | ||
| 11,005.94 | 31,485.87 | |||
| Fund raising | ||||
| Jumble sales | 2,404.71 | 739.65 | ||
| Carnival | 4,246.34 | - | ||
| Xmas Market | 724.40 | 948.54 | ||
| DVD Sales | 200.00 | 74.48 | ||
| 7,575.45 | 1,762.67 | |||
| Activities | ||||
| River Beavers | 15.00 | - | ||
| Lake Beavers | 29.00 | - | ||
| Rainforest Cubs | - | - | ||
| Jungle Cubs | 60.00 | - | ||
| Scouts | 285.00 | 630.00 | ||
| 389.00 | 630.00 | |||
| Miscellaneous | ||||
| Group - Solar Panels | 1,894.06 | 1,663.43 | ||
| River Beavers | - | 342.85 | ||
| Lake Beavers | 456.50 | - | ||
| Rainforest Cubs | 6.00 | - | ||
| Jungle Cubs | 50.00 | - | ||
| Scouts | 66.88 | - | ||
| Explorers | 396.00 | - | ||
| 2,869.44 | 2,006.28 | |||
| Gift Aid | 2,080.38 | - | ||
| Group Camp | - | - | ||
| Misc Income | 187.96 | 64.40 | ||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR YEAR | 33,142.18 | 43,093.02 | ||
| During the year ended 31 December 2022, the UK was | still | affected by the | Coronavirus (Covid 19). | |
| To support charities during this time, the Government made | various grants | available. | ||
| The Scout Group benefitted from grants of £4,328. |
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT CONT.
| 2. PAYMENTS 2022 £ Premises Rates 522.60 Maintenance 6,675.90 Gas & Electricity 1,840.73 Telephone 443.74 Water 372.06 Insurance 1,586.99 11,442.02 Activities River Beavers 669.93 Lake Beavers 1,150.86 Rainforest Cubs 1,497.80 Jungle Cubs 897.74 Scouts 2,217.26 Group 125.18 Group Camp - 6,558.77 Fund Raising Expenses Jumble sales (inc contribution for Jamboree members 2,055.83 Carnival (inc contribution for Jamboree members) 1,246.09 Xmas Market 80.44 Media expenses 369.03 Peter Linskey Training Fund 45.00 Winder Wall Climbing Wall Fund 387.60 Administration Group 388.39 River Beavers 171.18 Lake Beavers 151.71 Rainforest Cubs 30.00 Jungle Cubs 194.81 Scouts 62.34 998.43 Equipment Group 115.83 River Beavers - Lake Beavers - Rainforest Cubs 54.74 Jungle Cubs - Scouts - 170.57 Transport Expenses Insurance 733.27 Road Tax 280.00 Running Costs - Other Expenses 163.78 Repairs - 1,177.05 Sundries Group 854.85 River Beavers - Lake Beaves 45.00 Rainforest Cubs - Jungle Cubs - Scouts - 899.85 TOTAL PAYMENTS FOR YEAR 25,430.68 |
2021 £ 235.53 2,088.35 922.00 485.35 141.45 1,431.29 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 5,303.97 691.96 826.90 407.95 529.06 2,040.04 168.50 - |
||
| 4,664.41 - - 138.12 81.15 200.00 16,478.60 586.95 436.27 296.14 - 66.66 - |
||
| 1,386.02 17.68 - - 18.20 - 321.72 |
||
| 357.60 692.21 270.00 199.50 118.00 - |
||
| 1,279.71 581.83 340.00 184.01 - - 92.00 |
||
| 1,197.84 | ||
| 31,087.42 |
1ST ABBOTS LANGLEY (3RD NORTH WATFORD) SCOUT GROUP
Statement of Assets & Liabilities at 31st December 2022
| Monetary Assets Bank current accounts . - Group Pete Linskey Training Fund Clive Winder Wall Fund - River Beavers - Lake Beavers - Rainforest Cubs - Jungle Cubs - Scouts Bank deposit accounts - Barclays Group 0.40% Savings accounts - Mons B S Group 1% Savings accounts - Redwood Bk 90Day Group 2.95% Cash in hand - Group - River Beavers - Lake Beavers - Rainforest Cubs - Jungle Cubs - Scouts - Bus fund |
2022 £ 1,704.12 2,468.68 2,485.08 3,571.73 1,503.10 2,131.38 1,903.79 7,178.20 2,000.00 55,088.00 20,255.23 330.58 - - 3.21 - 22.79 101.22 100,747.11 |
2021 £ 5,107.52 2,483.68 360.06 3,399.36 1,716.43 2,915.92 1,422.34 5,202.98 10,000.00 £45,000.00 £15,007.09 75.00 - 22.79 3.21 - 154.23 165.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 93,035.61 |
Non monetary assets (for charities own use) Land and buildings - Scout HQ - 21-23 Langley Road, Abbots Langley WD5 0EH Transport - Minibus and Trailers Fixtures and fittings in Scout HQ Scouting Equipment
Liabilities
Nil Nil
Total rDceipts lor th& ar l page 21 33.142.18 43,093.02 Total payrr•nts forth• l 88• pago 31 25,430.68 31,087.12 Not receipt¥ I ppynpnts I forth• y•8r 7,711.50 12,005.90 Cash & bank lund8 brDughl fonwrYJ 93,035.81 81,029.71 C•8h & bank lundB carf?d forward 100 747.11 93 035.61 Tho abovo o¢count and 8tat8mnt ol A8t8 and Ibblutkgs were approved by th teg¥ on 12th Ihy 2023 and $*ned on th•lr