Trustees' Annual Report
For the period
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From (start date) to end dato
Section A Reforenco and administration details
Charity name 1st St Noots Scout Group
Other names the charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any)
HQ registration number
Charity's principal address The Scout Hall
Bedford Street
St Neots
Postcode 19 IA X
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)
Dates acted if not
Trustee Name Office (if any)
for whole year
1 Alan Keith Watson Chair
2 Mart Wri ht
3 Samantha Ja ne Davies Secreta
4 Elinor Warburton
5 Helen Ma Barnard
6 Adam Shaun Wri ht Grou Scout Leader
7 Catherine Jane Gre oriou
8 Gareth Hen Howell Treasurer
9 Keith Charles Horn
10 Graham Ca er
11 Victoria Filler From 05/09/2023
12
13
14
15
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Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
(These will be published in the annual repott o/ the charity)
T pe of advisor Name Address
1 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Structure, governance and management
Section B
Description of the charity's trusts
Type of goveming document The Group'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. (e.g. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. (e.g. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, (e.g. appointed by, elected by) Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. Additional govemance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
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The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the |
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| information, where |
relevant, |
about: |
members of which are the 'Charity Trustees' of the Scout |
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| Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees |
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| they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable |
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| to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper |
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| accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as |
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| appropriate. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policies and procedures adopted for: a) the induction and training of trustees; b) trustee' consideration of major risks and the systems and procedures to manage them |
The Trustee Board consists of three independent representatives - Chair, Treasurer and Secretary - together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders (if they opt to be a trustee), elected members, nominated members and co-opted members. The Trustee Board meets |
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| 5/6 times a year. |
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| Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts |
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| Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the |
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| Board. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is |
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| well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings |
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| and equipment are in good working order, and everyone |
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| follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies |
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| and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high- |
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| quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills |
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| for life. |
Section B
Structure, governance and management (continued) Risk and Internal Control The Group Trustee Board has 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:
2 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
| Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group |
Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group |
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| would request the use of buildings, property and equipment |
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| from neighbouring organisations such as local community |
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| centres and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal |
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| arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has |
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| sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to |
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| mitigate against permanent loss. |
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| Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The |
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| Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout |
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| Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk |
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| Assessments are undertaken before all activities. |
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| Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily |
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| reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The |
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| group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of |
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| activities should there be a major reduction in income. The |
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| Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the |
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| income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily |
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| or permanently. |
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| Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon |
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| volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. |
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| there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an |
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| unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a |
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| whole then there would have to be a contraction, |
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| consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case |
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| scenario the complete closure of the Group. |
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| Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities |
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| for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in |
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| membership in a particular section or the group as whole |
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| then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or |
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| closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete |
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| closure of the Group. |
| Section | Section | Section | C |
Objectives and activities |
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| The Purpose of Scouting |
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| Summary | of the |
objects |
of |
the |
charity |
set |
Scouting exists to actively engage |
and support |
young |
people |
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| out | in |
its |
goveming |
document | in their personal development, |
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| empowering them to make a positive |
contribution |
to |
society. |
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| The Values of Scouting |
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| As Scouts we are guided by these |
values: |
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| Integrity - We act with integrity; we |
are |
honest. | trustworthy |
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| and loyal. |
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| Respect - We have self-respect and |
respect | for | others. |
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| Care - We support others and take |
care | of |
the |
world |
in |
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| which livo |
3 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
| Bellef - |
We explore |
We explore |
our faiths, beliefs |
our faiths, beliefs |
and |
attitudes. |
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| Co-operation - We |
make a positive difference; we co- |
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| 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 activities in relation
to these objects
Each of the Group's seven sections fun a full programme of weekly meetings as well as additional events and activities. Throughout the year, all young people are given opportunties for at least 1 night away activity which could include camping, resedential, overseas and indoor sleepovers.
Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
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choose to include further |
The Group does not make grants to other bodies, |
however | it |
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| statements, where relevant, about: |
does occasionally make donations to other scouting |
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| charities. | |||||||
| • policy on grantmaking; |
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| • | contribution made by volunteers; |
The Group could not function without the contibutions of its |
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| • policy on investments. |
volunteers including young leaders, adult leaders, |
managers, | |||||
| trustees and supporters. In the reporting year, we |
delivered | ||||||
| over 10,000 Scouting-hours to 120 young people. |
The Group does not currently invest any of its reserves.
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 headin s. Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of 2023 saw the continuation of a 12 year trend of growth the charity during the year (except 2021 following COVID impacts) where we recorded the largest number of youth and adult members since current records began supported by the creation of a new sections, our Squirrels for 4 to 6 year olds. All sections were offered nights away as part of the programe, Throughout the year, many top awards (Chief Scout Awards) were awarded to young people as well as Long Service, 4 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Commissioner Commendation, and Good Service Awards to volunteers.
| Section | Section | Section | Section | Section | Section | E |
Financial | Financial | Review |
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| Brief | statement | of |
the | charity's | policy |
on | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| reserves | Reserves | Policy |
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| The Group's policy |
on | reserves | is | to | hold | sufficient |
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| resources | to continue |
the |
charitable | activities |
of |
the | group |
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| should income and |
fundraising |
activities | fall |
short. | The | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group Trustee Board |
considers that the |
group |
should | hold a |
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| sum equivalent to 8 months |
of mandatory |
running |
costs. |
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| Quantify | and |
explain |
any | designations |
There are |
no specific |
designations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Details | of |
any funds |
materially | in |
deficit |
None. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (circumstances | plus |
steps |
to |
eliminate) |
Further financial review details (optional information)
| You | You | may choose |
may choose |
may choose |
may choose |
may choose |
to | to | include |
include |
include |
include |
include |
include |
additional |
additional |
additional |
additional |
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additional |
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| information, | where |
relevant, | about: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| • | the |
charitys |
principal | sources |
of | funds |
The Group's primary sources of funding are membership |
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| (including | any |
fundraising); | subscriptions from youth members, hall hire fees |
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| fundraising. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • | how |
expenditure has supported objectives of the |
the key charity; |
Most incomes is spent on running the programme, maintaining and operating the hall, insurances and other required costs, servicing loans that were taken out for |
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| building works. |
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| • | investment |
policy |
and |
objectives; | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment Policy |
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| The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer |
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| term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a |
risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds |
are |
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| held in cash using only mainstream banks or building |
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| societies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Group Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of |
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| bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure |
the |
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| group obtains maximum value and income from its banking |
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| arrangements, Occasionally this may involve using |
an | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| account that requires a period of notice before funds may be |
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| withdrawn, before doing so the Group Trustee Board |
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| considers the cash flow requirements, |
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| Section | F |
Other Optional Information |
5 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them)
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above Signed on behalf of the charitVs trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary, Chair)
Date
6 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
1st St Neots Scout Group Receipts and Payments Account Forlh•wrfod Irtsm 31t t)•E2Q To Receipts and payments 2Q23 2022 Unrestdcted funds R@strfcred fufflds Endowm4Trtfunds Last ar R¢01p1S Donatloos I acks and slmllar Incomè s & EYeNs Nome eMrs Subscn Donal¥)5 aCS 18.040 1.701 4fj2 Other b Total mainnanCe Other ranL% NeWSec b Tothi Fndl11Th 0er 732 732 512 1,Q28 b Total 8a irteT8St alhire 8akncwtransxf•Jr Other Westr(M 174 100 Sjb Total ToWGrnu knoJm• ABs•t and lTrv•stmwts•&•t Totsl Recalpts 40.265 40.255 48.739 40.Z65 40.265 46.739 PaymcntS Charlt4bk Paym4Mt Ad Supwrts r& chaly CIng OsLrKt& NkndSLts F4ssedi L5 121 2.474 Eqwmeni &renva& Gri)upexperthure 4.SQ6 3,065 Insura 402 Re8 Ratss Sundr Unmrr 591 95 2.324 15070 070 37.113 &Jb To FundrIng Ewn¥• Main 303 75 bTo Oth•tExp•hM# LoeThrepèyments Lc¢n Interest 400 wo bTot TotsiGnM•E¥wndRur Astèt & Inwtm•rrt PurthMB Tofal PayTh•n¢& 148.51EI 148.$181 148.$291 ExtessllDefr#l ofFIK*ts over BwMIoThvwdfr(xn prev% y@r UnrestrrlthofResir (See C¥11(WardIon9X1Y8yr 24859 28 26.887 26.677 2G.887
1 st St Neots Scout Group Recei ts and Pa ments Account Stètemvntof assqt5 and Ilabllftles atthe of the perbd Unrnstrfctsd(und R•atrktad Endowment8 lund• zd 11309 5.754 Pdty C8STh 110 R•wktd IndS EndowM•ntndI Oth•rmoTrqtryas••ts FThd tovknhth I•t bqloi Colt Urr¢i¥ts tlothab) Inv•stmrrt as••rs Oetai kTrnal Cun¥ntvalu• ltsrfj Fund to Athll UNe5Y¢t 1, SYh•n du• 2027 Lllbll Sc£xrtAssocww L(WIt.(1&i55 241} Urestr¢t 22 Z025 D1r LoAnl£WY)aio%i 23) 2025 Tatrxe rp1S & Fwmerts xcciJN siatementofa5sdts &trieWere&tye ty IhfrTrustees on 221>23 ty". PriN•T TreA5urer lThYfrpendenl Revti¥¥s Report. Receipts & pr(N$ ar & nave exan1try n1yselaJ&Te cordeIn bwks &vwch8rs The ie¢dpts paymerts sthénw< VJtheèesl my PrrtN*nÈ ExAmliei- e5.
Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustee81 members of 1. St Neots Scouts On accounts ft•r th• year ended 31" December 2023 Charlty no (If any) 303347 Sot out on pages I report to the trnste8s on my examlnation of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for Ihe year ended 3111212023. Rosponslblllties and basls of roport As thè tharivs trustee5. you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts In drdance with the requirements of the Charities Ad 2011 rthe Acr). I report in respect of my examlnallon of the Trusfs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrylng out my examlnation, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charfty Commlsslon under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I hav8 completed my examSnation. I conffimi Ihat no material matters have examlnerfs statement come to my attentlon In connection with the examinatlon (other than that disdosed below ') whlch glves me cause to believe that in. any mat8dal respect: D the accountlng reo)rds were not kept in accordance wlth s8Ctlon 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts dld not aord with the accountlng records. or o the accounts did not comply wlth the appllcable requirements concerning the form and content of a¢Unts set out in the Charitles <AOunts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts glve a 'true and fairf view which Is not a matter consldered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters In conn8Ctlon Wtth the examination to which attentlon should be drawn in thls report in order to enable a proper understandlng of ts accounts to be reathed. ' Please delete the words In th8 brackets rfthey do not apply.. Slgned: Name: Nicola Billlngslea Relevant professlonal quallfi¢allon(s) or body (If any): 2 Jasmine Court. Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5SQ IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concem (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for exarniners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disGlose. IER Oct 2018