Trustees' Annual Report
For the period
From (start date) 0 1 0 4 2 4 to end date 3 1 0 3 2 5 Section A Reference and administration details
| Charity name Other names the charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) HQ registration number Charity’s principal address |
Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council | Dartford District Scout Council |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scout House | ||||||||
| 7 Broomhill Road | ||||||||
| Dartford | ||||||||
| Postcode | D | A | 1 | 3 | H | T |
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)
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Gearing | District Lead Volunteer | ||
| Neil Brunsdon | Trustee | ||
| Teresa Gordon | Trustee | ||
| Stephen Newton | Trustee | ||
| PhilipSwanson | Trustee & Treasurer | ||
| Stephen Newton | Trustee | ||
| PhilipSwanson | Trustee | ||
| Robert Weller | Trustee | ||
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of 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.
(e.g. trust deed, constitution)
1 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
How the charity is constituted
The District 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 governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
| You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: 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 District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout 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. The Trustee Board is to consist of the Chair, Treasurer and 6 Trustees (including 1 Ex Officio Trustees) and meets every 2- 3 months. Members of the Trustee Board complete Scout Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board. This District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high-quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life. |
|---|---|
| Section B | Structure, governance and management (continued) |
|---|---|
| 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, these include 2 signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. |
| Section C Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document 2 LT700001 (27 February 2024) |
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 co-operate |
|
| Public benefit statement Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects |
p p ; p |
|---|---|
| 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. |
|
| Supporting Scouts to attend International expeditions. Opening Squirrel Dreys - the newest section of Scouting - while suporting exisiting sections. |
|
| 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. |
|
| Section D | Achievements and performance |
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
|
| St. George's Day parade and service in Central Park, by permission of Dartford Council. Attending the annual act of Remembrance with the local community. Delivering a 'District Crnival' with Dartford Girlguiding, raising the profile of both movements and raisingfunds as well. |
|
| Section E | Financial Review |
| Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves |
The District held reserves (including Restricted & Designated funds) of approximately £39K against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However this is explained in the 'Long Term Summary' page within the annual accounts. 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 Trustee Board considers that it should hold a sum equivalent to four months running costs, circa £3k. |
| Not applicable |
| Section F | Other Optional Information |
|---|---|
| Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them) |
|
| The District is going through a period of restructure and at present futureplans are not confirmed. |
3 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Section G
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Date Position (eg Secretary, Chair) |
Neil Gearing | Neil Gearing | Neil Gearing | Neil Gearing | Neil Gearing | Neil Gearing | ~~Phil Swanson~~ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Gearing | Phil Swanson | ||||||
| Lead Volunteer | Treasurer | ||||||
| 0 1 0 9 2 5 |
|||||||
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 5 |
4 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Dartford District Scout Council - Treasurer's Report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Receipts and Payments Account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
01-Apr-24 | To | 31-Mar-25 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| Receipts | 31-Mar-24 | 31-Mar-25 | ||
| Unrestricted funds £ |
Unrestricted funds £ |
|||
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||||
| Membershipsubscriptions | £ 53,826.00 | £ 68,843.30 | ||
| Less: Membership subscriptions paid on (National/County/Area/District) | £ - | £ 44,438.00 | ||
| Net membership subscriptions retained | £ 25,738.50 | £ 48,968.00 | ||
| Donations | £ 15.19 | £ 70.00 | ||
| Income fromyouthprogramme | £ 497.29 | £ 935.00 | ||
| Membershiprebate | £ 437.00 | £ 450.50 | ||
| Sub total | £ 54,775.48 |
£ 70,298.80 | ||
| Grants | ||||
| Maintenancegrants | £ - | £ - | ||
| Othergrants(includinglockdowngrants) | £ - | £ - | ||
| Sub total | £ - |
£ - | ||
| Fundraising (gross) | ||||
| Other fundraising (2023 & 2024 all for WSJ23) | £ 1,000.00 | £ - | ||
| Badge / uniform shop | £ 7,871.04 | £ 6,227.80 | ||
| Short term investment | £ - | £ - | ||
| Buildinguse | £ - | £ 80.00 | ||
| Sub total | £ 8,871.04 |
£ 6,307.80 | ||
| Investment income | ||||
| Bank interest | £ 147.07 | £ 141.53 | ||
| The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service | £ - | £ - | ||
| Sub total | £ 147.07 |
£ 141.53 | ||
| Total Gross Income Asset and investment sales, etc. Total receipts |
||||
| £ 63,793.59 | £ 76,748.13 | |||
| £ - | £ - | |||
| £ 63,793.59 | £ 76,748.13 |
Dartford District Scout Council - Treasurer's Report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Receipts and Payments Account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
01-Apr-24 | To | 31-Mar-25 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| Payments | 31-Mar-24 Unrestricted funds £ |
31-Mar-25 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| Charitable Payments | ||||
| Youthprogramme and activities | £ 1,718.70 | £ 2,084.03 | ||
| World Scout Jamboree 2023(payments to Kent Scouts) | £ 3,000.00 | £ - | ||
| Capitation | £ 42,389.00 | £ 44,438.00 | ||
| Utility payments | £ 2,036.85 | £ 2,241.06 | ||
| Insurance | £ 1,436.58 | £ 1,624.45 | ||
| Repairs and renewals >Tree work at Scout House (£2,964.00) |
3,056.03 £ |
395.53 £ |
||
Printingandphotocopying |
£ - | £ - | ||
| FundraisingExpense | £ - | £ - | ||
| Trustee expenses / AGM | £ 269.00 | £ 439.20 | ||
| Miscellaneous costs [Includes all Scout House DLV expenses (Stationary, Photocopying, Postage, etc.)] > Bank fees(£60.00) |
£ 1,365.22 | £ 167.88 | ||
| Account transfers | £ - | £ - | ||
| Sub total | £ 55,271.38 | £ 51,390.15 | ||
| Fundraising Expense | ||||
| Badge / uniform shop | £ 6,773.09 | £ 6,258.02 | ||
| Sub total | £ 6,773.09 | £ 6,258.02 | ||
| Asset and investment purchases, etc. Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end Total Gross Expenditure |
||||
| £ 62,044.47 | £ 57,648.17 | |||
| - £ |
- £ |
|||
| £ 62,044.47 | £ 57,648.17 | |||
| £ 1,749.12 £ 96,677.42 £ 97,774.06 |
||||
| £ 1,749.12 | £ 19,099.96 | |||
| £ 96,677.42 | £ 97,774.06 | |||
| £ 97,774.06 | £ 116,874.02 |
Dartford District Scout Council - Treasurer's Report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Receipts and Payments Account
Year start date Year end date For the year 01-Apr-24 To 31-Mar-25 from
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31-Mar-24 Unrestricted funds £ |
31-Mar-25 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| Bank Accounts | |||
| CAF Bank(Cash) | £ 97,724.06 | £ 116,824.02 | |
| Total Cash in Bank Accounts | £ 97,724.06 | £ 116,824.02 | |
| Deposit Accounts | |||
| DDSC Mike Jenkins | £- | £- | |
| NW No.3 Reserve (7539) District Funds | £- | £- | |
Total Cash in Bank Deposit Accounts |
£ - | £ - | |
| Short Term Investment Accounts | |||
| TSA Short Term Investment | £- | £- | |
| Total Cash in Short Term Investment Accounts | £ - | £ - | |
| Cash Floats | |||
| Cash in Hand (Shop) | £ 50.00 | £ 50.00 | |
Cash in Hand (Phantom) |
N/A | N/A | |
Total Cash in Hand |
£ 50.00 | £ 50.00 | |
| Total cash funds | £ 97,774.06 |
£ 116,874.02 | |
| Other monetary assets | |||
| Advance Payment for Future Events > Advance payments for Summer Carnival 2025 |
£ - | £ 442.80 | |
Total of other monetary assets |
£ - |
£ 442.80 | |
| Non monetary assets for charity's own use | |||
| Badge & ShopStock(assumes 5% rise in valueper annum) | £ 1,693.27 | £ 1,777.93 | |
| Land and Buildings(needs review in 2025/26) | £ 750,000.00 | £ 750,000.00 | |
| ScoutingEquipment(needs review in 2025/26) | £ 1,500.00 | £ 1,500.00 | |
| Other(SumUpreader - assumes 50% depreciatonper annum) | £ 90.00 | £ 45.00 | |
| Total of non-monetary assets | £ 753,283.27 |
£ 753,322.93 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Badge account customer balances(& restricted funds) | £ 1,048.31 | £ 1,048.31 | |
| Restricted Funds(Eurojam,15th & Phantom ESUs) | £ 7,926.59 | £ 8,499.39 | |
| Total liabilities | £ 8,974.90 |
£ 9,547.70 |
Lon 4em) Summa 3110312025 31A)Y2024 CAFac¢ount balance as 116,824.02 97,724.00 RESTRICTED FUNDS 15th Dartford fur¥Js wrt"n CAF Ir>liMdual SCO GroLP5 "badge" aco)urts (Ltspenti Eurojam Ref8- Dartrord Partjant$ Eurojam Ref8 - 'GLSE' Particpants Eurojam Grant (Retained in AccoLmt. awartiw deu8bn)- Ler¥J Lea8e Phortom YL ESU 1,001. 1.048.31 3.529.39 1,802.51 250 00 1,91599 107,276 32 1,00150 1,048.31 3,529.3 1.802.51 2501 88 149 16 DE GNATED FUNDS Agreed Trustee Reyerves Agreed 81get9 for Ycwthh Progranvm {£200 x 4 sectk1r1 Agreed ArnJ81 Resem for 2023 Korea WSJ1£1,500 PAI Certrficate priniiTrJ & pre8entalh)r Memberstrip SLtJxrlplior Illd IOT paynrti 5,911.22 800.00 3,OL¥).OQ soo.0 30.719 tKJ ?9,-146 10 26.7J8 SO Uncommlttod fund8 for 202&2026 £ 69,346.10 58,710.06 Th• abov• r•c•lpt• and paym•nts account •nd •lat•m•nt ola•••ts and Il•blMU•• w•r• •pprov•d by th• Tru•t••• on l•¢ S•pt•fflb•r 2026 (th• d•t• ollh• Tru•ts• B¢Aid M•ellng th•t •pprov•d th• •ccountsl and •lgn•d on th•lr hallbY Slg Prfrrt Nam8 TrAke Wigley (District Chair) 01- Scl- 201b Phll Swanston (Distrlct Treasurer)
LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees (July 2019)
England & Wales
Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Dartford District Scout Council
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Dartford District for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Dartford 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 Dartford District 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Dartford District as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
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.
Signed: Gary Savage
Name: Gary Savage
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): CIMA
Address: Pennyfields, Angley Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2PL
Date: 23 September 2025
LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees (July 2019)
Templates to help independent examiners
LT700006
Content
Introduction
England & Wales
3
4
Template 1: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year 4
Template 2: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing accruals accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year 5
Template 3: Qualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts 6
Template 4: Qualified report for a non-company charity preparing fully accrued accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year 7
Scotland
8
Template 1: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts 8 Template 2: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing fully accrued accounts 9 Template 3: Qualified report for a charity preparing receipts and payments accounts 10 Template 4: Qualified report for a non-company charity preparing fully accrued accounts 11
Northern Ireland 12
Template 1: Unqualified report for an unincorporated charity preparing receipts and payments accounts 12 Template 2: Unqualified report for a non-company charity that is preparing accruals accounts 13 Template 3: Qualified report for an unincorporated charity preparing receipts and payments accounts 14
Template 4: Qualified report for a non-company charity that is preparing accruals accounts 15
LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees (July 2019)
Introduction
This document is to help Independent Examiners of Scout Group’s, District’s, County’s, Area’s or Regions’ (Scotland) annual accounts.
Full guidance from the charity regulators should be read and followed. This can be found on the links below along with the templates for company charities:
Charity Commission for England & Wales – Independent examination of charity accounts: examiners (CC32) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-examination-of-charity-accounts-examiners-cc32
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator – Independent examination: A Guide for Independent Examiners https://www.oscr.org.uk/guidance-and-forms/independent-examination-a-guide-for-independent-examiners/
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland – Guidance for independent examiners (ARR07) https://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/manage-your-charity/annual-reporting/
It is important that the right template is used for the type of accounts being independently examined and the country that the Scout Group, District, County, Area or Region (Scotland) is within.
Extra guidance to help work out which template to use, can be found in the appendices of Accounting & Audit Requirements for Group, Districts, Counties/Areas & Scottish Regions (LT103950).
Notes
A qualified template is one where the examiner has a concern to highlight to the trustees. An unqualified template is one where the examiner has no concern to highlight to the trustees.
In these templates you will see sections where the name of the relevant Scout Council needs to be inserted. This could be for the Scout Group, District, County, Area or Region (Scotland). For ease of reading the templates will say “Insert Scout Group/District name”.
LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees (July 2019)
England & Wales
Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Dartford District Scout Council
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Dartford District for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Dartford 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 Dartford District 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Dartford District as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
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.
Signed: Gary Savage
Name: Gary Savage
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): CIMA
Address: Pennyfields, Angley Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2PL
Date: 23 September 2025