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2024-03-31-accounts

8th September 2024

Thanet District Scout Council Charity Commission Number 303423

Annual General Meeting Sunday 8th September 2024 - 11.00am

Agenda

  1. Welcome by the District Chair

  2. Approval of the minutes of the AGM held on Saturday 20th January 2024

  3. Annual Report by the District Treasurer and adoption of accounts

  4. District Lead Volunteer Team report

  5. Adoption of the constitution as POR 5.4

  6. Appoint members of the District Trustee Board, following recommendations from the open selection process initiated by the District Trustee Board

  7. Closing words

  8. Awards and Presentations

Ex-officio members District Chair District Treasurer District Lead Volunteer District Youth Lead

Neil McCollum Richard Phillpott Richard Horne Ashley Goldfinch

Appointed members Cathy Currie Darci Arthur Catherine Hodges Edawrd Morris Tracy Dunbarton Barbara Graham-Horne

Representing County

Neil Gearing Des Harris

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Page 1

District Trustee Chair Report

As I write this report my first thoughts are where have the last year has gone as it seems likely only yesterday that I was persuaded to step in as the new Chair. Admittedly my first Trustee meeting wasn’t until December followed by the last AGM in January, but it has certainly gone fast.

I have tried to use the time wisely, firstly learning about how Scouting has changed in the 35 years since I was last involved, but also to try and better understand the challenges facing the organisation today and how the Trustee Board can best support the District Lead Volunteers, Group Lead Volunteers and other volunteers in addressing those challenges and ensuring scouting in Thanet continues to thrive.

A lot of this learning has been online, staying abreast of the various changes to POR as well as the numerous updates issued as part of the ongoing change process. However, it has also been useful to get out and about and attend some events such as the District Adutt last year and the St George’s Day Celebration in April. I hope to be able to attend more events in the year ahead and would also happily come along to Group AGMs whenever possible.

Although we have made some limited changes over the last 12 months, the next year, following the AGM, will be the first proper year operating under the new Trustee Board guidelines. It would be fair to say we are still getting our heads around the new set up, but it will mean an increased focus for the board on good governance, financial accountability, risk management and strategic oversight, with the operational decisions now being picked up by the leadership team. It is inevitable with change of this scale that we will get some things wrong, but if we do, we will learn from the process and ensure we are always there to support the District.

I must take this opportunity thank my fellow Trustees who have been so supportive over the last year. I know it is never an easy role to fill but thank you nevertheless for your support and commitment over the year. I know some of you are stepping down this year so thank you for all that you have done. A thank you also to the Campsite Team whose hard work ensures that this key asset for the District is always available to accommodate a wide range of activities.

I would also like to thank the District Lead Volunteers, Richard, Catherine and Gemma, who have worked hard to develop the new leadership role and ensure we are actively engaging and supporting young people in their personal development. Lastly, a special thanks to Barbara as District Secretary, who has been my guide during this rapid re-introduction to Scouting.

Neil McCollum District Chair

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Page 2

Disrtict Lead Volunteer Report

2024 – another year of Scouting has passed.

The year started with lots of Beaver and Squirrel fun, a District Beaver sleepover, Quiz for the Cubs and Chess for the older sections. The Cubs and Scouts enjoyed the Family hike, a new favourite on the calendar.

Our D of E programme continued to grow with lots of Explorers having the opportunity to complete D of E or Chief Scout expeditions. Scout Master at Arms was a popular choice, allowing participants to enjoy the facilities at Marshside.

St Georges Day was dry(er) and brought to life with our very own dragon on stage at Dreamland. Scouts and Explorers look forward to Adutt this month and Explorers to their Master at Arms days.

Gang Show enthralled us with a series of wonderful performances on stage at their new home at the Birchington Village Centre and a special performance at Dreamland too. It was fantastic to see the volume of young people involved, all with such enthusiasm.

We welcome back no less than nine Explorers and Network Members from Explorer Belt expeditions to Poland, Bulgaria and Germany. A further two Explorers represented Thanet as part of the UK Roverway Contingent, and next year we have Network members attending the World Scout Moot.

We are very proud of the enthusiasm that the Kent Scouts Africa programme has been met with here. This year we have taken safari in Kenya and secured places to travel to Botswana and Ghana in the years ahead.

We have seen some exciting growth, and sadly the closure of a group too. With help from Kent Scouts’ Millie and the continued hard work of Gemma, 17th Ramsgate have found a new permanent home back at St Marks and launch a brand-new Beaver colony to serve the local community from September.

Meanwhile 10th Margate officially closed at the end of the summer term. We would like to take this opportunity to send sincere thanks to Angela, Scott and the Mutton family, Carole, Manjula and Mark for the love and dedication they have shown to 10th to the very last.

During the past year, two valued members of The Scouts in Thanet and Kent have ‘Gone Home’. We recognise the dedication and commitment of John White to Scouts in Thanet and Dean Harding, County Commissioner, for his passion and enthusiasm which was contagious without exception.

As a team, we welcomed Neil McCollum as Chair of Trustees last year and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Neil and Richard Philpott and all of the Trustees who have served this year and worked to shape the Trustee Board to work under the new Scout’s framework after today. To all the volunteers in the District, 2024 has been the year of Transformation - we know change is never easy and often contentious but we are grateful that so many of you have interacted with Danielle, our Transformation Lead, Barbara in her thankless task of Compass sorting, taken advantage of all the national webinars and sessions run locally. You have done this while continuing to provide exciting and enjoyable programmes for the young people, thank you.

Richard Horne, Catherine Hodges, Gemma Lambeth District Lead Volunteer Team

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Page 3

District 14-24 Team Report

Over the past year, our six Explorer Units - Thanet Rams ESU, Phoenix ESSU, Warren’s ESU, Bradstowe Smugglers ESU, Spitfire EASU, and the Young Leaders Unit, along with the Thanet Scout Network have taken part in dynamic and engaging programmes.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to be a cornerstone of our activities, with many young people achieving their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. I would like to congratulate Tim Allan and Jenny Allan for their outstanding achievement in earning their King’s Scout Award, and to Zack Connor, a Network Scout member, for completing his King’s Scout Award too. Additionally, our young people have pursued other Top Awards, including the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award, Chief Scout’s Diamond Award, the Young Leader Award and the Explorer Belt, and it is fantastic to see more young people achieving their Top Awards each year.

There continues to be a growth in the number of Young Leaders volunteering across the District with several Young Leader training weekends that have also taken place successfully.

It’s also exciting to report that our young people have participated in many international trips including Explorer Belt expeditions to Poland, Germany and Bulgaria, a Kent Scouts community project to Kenya and even attendance to Roverway 2024 in Norway.

Our re-launched Scout Network has enjoyed activities such as a Taskmaster challenge and Crazy Golf, and I look forward to how we expand this provision moving forward.

I would like to thank all the adult volunteers that support our 14-24 provision for their dedication and commitment, which are crucial to our success.

We celebrate the achievements of our Explorer Units and the Scout Network this year and look forward to another year of growth and adventure.

Nirav Patel District 14-24 Team Leader

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Page 4

Thanet District Scout Council Receipts & Payments Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Charity Commission Registered Number: 303423

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Page 5

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

Contents

Page 1 District Treasurer's Report
Page 2 Independent Examiners Report
Page 3 Summary Receipts & Payments Accounts
Page 4 Receipts
Page 5 Payments
Page 6 Assets & Liabilities
Page 7 - 8 Summary of Funds
Page 9 Explorer Unit Accounts

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Page 6

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

District Treasurer's Report

Overview

I am pleased to report that the District continues to be in a healthy financial state, the campsite continues to go from strength to strength and campsite income has increased again on the previous year, however we are seeing continued increases with the utility and maintenance costs at the campsite, meaning the campsite had a small deficit in the year, steps have already been taken to ensure the campsite returns to a surplus and it continues to offer excellant value for the district and beyond. The district is in a good financial position to develop and grow Scouting in Thanet.

Independent Examination

We would like to thank Jonathan Spurling of Spurling Cannon for examining these accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission without charge and at very short notice. Unfortunatley due to ill health Michael Collier (Retired Chartered Accountant) was unable to take on the Independent Examination.

Due to my involvement with Spurling Cannon we are actively looking for a new Indpenednet Examiner going forward.

Investments & Reserves

The District retains a substantial level of reserves held in investment accounts. Further details on our reserves can be found on pages 7 & 8, during the year the Trustees have given further consideration to the Charities Reserves policy, and in particulary the General Reserve and the Campsite Reserve. The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which would enable the Charity and the district to be supported if unprecedented events (i.e. Covid-19) occurred. The trustees also aim to maintain a specific reserve for the campsite in designated funds which equates to approximately eighteen months of campsite expenditure.

Public Benefit Statement

The District meets the Charity Commission's Public Benefit Criteria under both the Advancement of Education and Advancement of Citizenship or Community Development Headings.

Richard Phillpott - District Treasurer

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Acounts Page 1

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

Independent Examiners Report

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Thanet District Scout Council

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Thanet District Scout Council for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust’s 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. 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.

Jonathan Spurling - FCCA

Jonathan Spurling Spurling Cannon Ltd 424 Margate Road Ramsgate Kent CT12 6SJ

5th September 2024

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Accounts Page 2

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

Receipts & Payments Account

Receipts & Payments Account
Total Receipts for the year
Total payments for the year
Net receipts/(payments) for the year
Transfer between fund
Cash, Bank & Similar funds bought forward
Cash, Bank & Similar funds carried forward		 2024
Total
£
89,607
83,497
6,111
-
6,111
168,975
175,086		 2023
Total
£
90,174
90,240
(66)
-
(66)
169,041
168,975

The above account and accepting statement(s) of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 3rd September 2024

and signed on their behalf by

Richard Phillpott - District Treasurer

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Acounts Page 3

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

Receipts

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
GIFT AID RECLAIMED
INVESTMENT INCOME RECEIVED
Bank interest
DONATIONS AND GRANTS
Donations
Grants
ACTIVITIES
Squirrels
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Explorers
Networkers
D of E
Young Leaders
KIJ 2022
WSJ 2023
Ypres 2023
Uniform
Badge shop
Campsite
Thanet Scout Active Support Unit (TSASU)
Thanet Scouts Activities
Sundry
FUNDRAISING GROSS
St Georges Day - Campsite AED
SUNDRY RECEIPTS
Adjustment for badge shop opening balance
Adjustment for TSASU opening balance
Adjustment for Activities opening balance
TOTAL RECIEPTS FOR THE YEAR		 2024
Total
£
51,979
-
51,979
1,652
1,652
40
-
40
1,465
177
118
-
8,953
-
1,790
533
-
5,049
-
-
5,826
11,766
226
-
34
35,937
-
-
-
-
-
-
89,607		 2023
Total
£
46,100
-
46,100
704
704
700
-
700
-
1,360
1,871
-
7
-
140
-
5,470
15,035
1,305
-
4,494
9,637
181
321
-
39,821
173
173
1,540
500
636
2,676
90,174

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Accounts Page 4

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

Payments

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
DONATIONS
ACTIVITIES
Squirrels
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Explorers
Networkers
D of E
Young Leaders
KIJ 2022
WSJ 2023
Ypres 2023
Uniform
Badge shop
Campsite
St Georges Day
Thanet Scout Active Support Unit (TSASU)
Thanet Scouts Activities
Sundry
FUND RAISING EXPENSES
ADMIN EXPENSES
Printing and Stationery
Commissioners Expenses
AGM
Training
Bank charges
Legal and Professional fees
Bookkeeping software
SUNDRY REPAYMENTS
TOTAL PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR		 2024
Total
£
45,105
45,105
-
-
1,265
741
301
-
8,063
5
1,737
278
-
3,500
-
501
5,183
13,646
870
315
92
31
36,526
-
-
175
-
40
326
60
1,170
94
1,865
-
-
83,497		 2023
Total
£
42,362
42,362
-
-
-
1,074
1,444
-
71
-
572
-
7,184
21,900
1,936
-
4,244
8,505
-
409
269
-
47,608
-
-
-
-
157
-
72
-
41
270
-
-
90,240

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Acounts Page 5

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

MONETARY ASSETS
cash bank and similar funds
BANK CURRENT ACCOUNT 1
BANK CURRENT ACCOUNT 2
BANK TERM DEPOSIT
FIXED RATE ACCOUNT
CAMPSITE ACCOUNT
CASH IN HAND
BADGE SHOP (BANK & CASH)
THANET SCOUT ACTIVE SUPPORT UNIT (BANK & CASH)
THANET SCOUTS ACTIVITIES (BANK & CASH)
TOTAL MONETARY ASSETS
NON MONETRAY ASSETS
SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT - MASRSHIDE - INSURANCE VALUE
LAND & BUILDINGS - MARSHSIDE - INSURANCE VALUE
TOTAL NON MONETARY ASSETS		 2024
Total
£
22,279
31,569
47,061
66,000
3,083
1,880
2,434
181
598
175,086
28,206
1,469,200
1,497,406		 2023
Total
£
41,397
25,819
30,892
66,000
-
2,116
1,790
271
690
168,975
18,315
712,268
730,583

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Accounts Page 6

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

SUMMARY OF FUNDS

Name of Fund
General
General Fund
General reserve
1
Designated
Squirrels
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Explorers
Young Leaders
D of E
2
WSJ 2023
Eurojam
3
Campsite reserve
4
Campsite AED
5
Badge Shop
TSASU
Thanet Scouts Activities
Restricted
Uniform
Climbing wall
6
Eric Spicer Memorial Fund
7
Martin Dias Memorial Fund
8
Dunbar Legacy
9
CT9 Fund
10
Downs Legacy
11
International
12
Represented by
CAFCash account
CAF Savings 1
CAF Savings 2
Campsite account
Fixed rate bond
Cash - Treasurer
Cash - Campsite
Badge Shop
TSASU
Thanet Scout Activities
Notes
(pg 8)		 Balance as at
31.03.23
Movement in Year
101,917
17,412
-
11,500
18,500
-
200
286
564
-
427
183
-
-
-
1,094
-
254
432
-
53
4,923
-
4,923
1,665
204
-
19,292
708
173
1,794
643
271
90
-
67
-
92
-
352
16
1,693
75
4,747
212
3,367
150
3,468
155
6,109
272
10,128
451
7,210
3,053
-
168,977
41,397
25,819
30,892
-
66,000
1,365
751
1,791
271
689
168,975
 Balance as at
31.03.24
84,505
30,000
200
278
-
244
-
1,094
254
379
-
0
-
1,461
20,000
173
2,437
181
159
-
368
1,768
4,959
3,517
3,623
6,381
10,579
4,157
175,086
22,279
31,569
47,061
3,083
66,000
956
925
2,434
181
597
175,086

7

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Acounts Page 7

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

SUMMARY OF FUNDS

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Accounts Page 8

Thanet District Scout Council Year Ended 31 March 2024

EXPLORER UNIT ACCOUNTS

Receipts
Camps & Activities
Fundraising
Uniform/Badges
Donations
Membership fees
Bank interest
Total Income
Payments
Camps & Activities
Membership fees
Fundraising
Uniform/Badges
Donations
Group Management Charge
Bank charges
Total Payments
Surplus/Deficit
Bank & Cash balances
Balance 31/03/2023
Movement in year
Balance 31/03/2024		 Warrens
ESU
Spitfires
ESU
Rams
ESU
Phoenix
ESU
Bradstowe
ESU
9,778
139
3,177
1,036
1,235
42
400
235
-
-
178
-
60
190
43
46
-
10
-
-
3,000
850
-
7,036
1,477
-
6
-
-
-
13,043
1,395
3,482
8,262
2,755
11,560
252
1,951
150
1,502
1,351
1,437
4
-
-
-
-
82
-
-
969
-
146
-
64
-
28
-
-
-
-
-
540
8,113
1,163
-
-
-
-
-
13,879
1,717
2,722
8,262
2,728
836
-
322
-
760
-
27
2,112
461
659
-
896
836
-
322
-
760
-
27
1,276
139
1,419
-
923		 Total
15,364
677
471
56
12,363
6
28,937
15,414
2,792
82
1,178
28
9,815
-
29,308
-
371
-
4,127
371
-
3,756

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

Acounts Page 9

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting Saturday 20th January 2024 - 2.00pm

Welcome by Mrs Ann Wells MBE, President

Members of the Thanet District Scout Council were welcomed to the meeting by the President, Ann Wells MBE. Ann thanked the large number of people who have supported Scouting in Thanet over the past year.

Introduction

District Lead Volunteer, Richard Horne Introduced Neil McCollum as the new District Chair.

Neil McCollum gave a breif resume of his past Scouting with 11th Brodstairs, work within the National Trust and extensive trustee experience.

Approval of the minutes of the AGM held on 3rd September 2022

The minutes were approved by a show of hands.

Annual Report by the District Treasurer and Adoption of Accounts

I am pleased to report that the District continues to be in a healthy financial state, the campsite continues to go from strength to strength and campsite income has increased on the previous year. The District is in a good financial position to develop and grow Scouting in Thanet.

We would like to thank Jonathan Spurling of Spurling Cannon for examining these accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission without charge. Due to my involvement with Spurling Cannon we are pleased to confirm that Michael Collier (Retired Chartered Accountant) has agreed to take on the Independent Examination going forward, we are very grateful to Michael for agreeing to do this, and to Spurling Cannon who have completed the Independent Examination without charge for over 30 years.

The District retains a substantial level of reserves held in investment accounts, with interest rates now increasing we are actively seeking to increase our return on investments.

The District meets the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit Criteria under both the Advancement of Education and Advancement of Citizenship or Community Development Headings.

Disrtict Lead Volunteer Report

It has, of course, been a little more than a year since we last reported on all our adventures however, we will try to keep this succinct.

Wasn’t it fantastic (they say while nice and dry in this heated room) to all gather together again to celebrate St Georges Day! Let’s pick out the highlights! Squirrels joined us for the first time, we had a wonderful youth led renewal of our promises, gang Show delighted us with an amazing performance. And we got to showcase Thanet Scouts on the iconic Dreamland Scenic Stage. On the topic of Gang Show, in 2023 they headed back to their old stage at Birchington Village Centre where they entertained us over Easter weekend. Tickets are selling fast for this year so be sure to book your group and family visits soon.

The slogan for the UK Contingent for the 25th World Jamboree held in South Korea last summer was “Think big. Dream wild. Act Together”. Well, it can safely be said that no one could quite have dreamed as wild as their adventure turned out to be and we are delighted to welcome some of the nine Explorers from Thanet who attended to tell us more. The one thing we are proud to say is that Scouting spirit remained strong and they all certainly acted together, thanks in a great part to the phenomenal efforts of the volunteers on the ground there including our own Charlotte Burring and Katrina Davenport.

Elsewhere we welcomed Oliver Perry Taylor back from his trip as part of the Kent Scouts’ African Adventures programme. One which I am delighted to say that we have a significant volume of participants attending this year to Kenya, in 2025 to Botswana and in 2026 to Ghana. Also yet to come this year, after several years gap, we have participants heading to Poland, Germany and Bulgaria to hope to achieve their Explorer Belts.

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2023 Minutes Page 1

Lots of old favourites were on the calendar again this year such as Beaver Health and Fitness Day where we welcomed the Squirrels along to work towards their Be Active Badge too, for Cubs, Quiz and Fizz was well attended and enjoyed by all. Both younger sections were able to revisit friendships made at their recent New Year’s Parties and we look forward to seeing Beavers next month for our sleepover. Copious Chief Scout Bronze and Silver awards were celebrated at Under 1 Roof.

A new entry to the calendar was our family hikes, inviting young people and their adults to join us to enjoy the outdoors and add a tally to their Hikes badge total, with the first of these due to run again in March.

Scouts and Explorers were out in force at our pioneering and ADUTT events. 2023 was Ken’s last pioneering and we thank him sincerely for everything he has done to run this valuable event for so many years. Events like these, along with the dedication of Scout section teams have resulted in 34 Chief Scout Gold awards since we last met. These robust Scout programmes combined with the drive and enthusiasm of our 14-25 have driven not only improved retention into Explorers but also a further 33 Chief Scout Platinum and Diamond Awards.

On behalf of the whole of Thanet District Scouts we join Nirav in congratulating our two newest King’s Scouts; Jenny Allan and Tim Allan whose awards have been confirmed in recent days. It’s been a pleasure to visit groups this year to celebrate possibly as many adult volunteers as we have young people with a combination of Good and Length of Service Awards. To all of those who received such awards this year, we reiterate our congratulations and thanks for every year of that service.

Adoption of the constitution

The constitution was apoted as POR 5.4 and accepted by a show of hands.

Approval of the number of elected members that may be elected

It was agreed by a show of hands that 4 members may be elected to the Trustee Board.

Approval of the District Lead Volunteers nomination of District Executive Chair.

Catherine Hodges nominated Neil McCollum as Chair of the District Trustee Board, and this was approved by a show of hands.

Election of District Treasurer

Richard Phillpott was nominated by Danielle Cude and seconded by Marion Astley. The nomination was accepted by a show of hands.

Election of District Secretary

Barbara Graham-Horne was nominated by Darci Arthur and seconded by Aidan McCollum. The nomination was accepted by a show of hands.

Election of members of the District Scout Council to the District Executive Committee.

Cathy Currie Andrew Turner Michelle Dennis Darci Arthur Nominated by Shirley Appleby and seconded by Benjamin Graham-Horne. The nominations were accepted.

Approval of District Commissioner’s nominees to serve on the District Executive Committee

Richard Horne Edward Morris Tracy Dunbarton The nominations were accepted.

Thanet District Scout Council Annual General Meeting 8th September 2024 H

2023 Minutes Page 2

Approval of the Independent Examiners Michael Collier This was approved.

Deputy County Commissioner Neil Gearing

Neil expressed that he was impressed with 6th Ramsgate’s newly refurbished building and the amount of hard work that had gone into it. He thanked Neil McCollum, the Trustees and all in Thanet Scouting for everything they do. He talked about the up and coming changes, the World Scout Jamboree and praised our St Georges Day Celebration for it’s orginality and success.

Meeting Closure

Neil said that it was exciting but challenging times ahead and closed the meeting at 2.23pm

Following the meeting, members of the World Scout Jambroee gave a presntation of their experince in South Korea

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2023 Minutes Page 3