Royal Kingston District Scout Council
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024/25
Index
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees Annual Report | 1 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Section A – Reference and Administrative details
Charity Name – Registered Charity Number - 303762 Charity’s principal address - 42 The Mount Worcester Park KT4 8UD President Bob Bushell
Royal Kingston District Scout Council
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the charity
Chair Neil Findlay Lead Volunteer Stewart Nash Treasurer Andy Beckett Secretary Elected Members David Weedon Co-opted Members Fergus Lang Peter Morris Jackie Paddon
Section B
Type of governing document
The District’s governing documents are those of 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.
How the Charity is constituted
The District is a trust established under the Scout Association’s rules which are common to all Scouts in the United Kingdom.
Trustee selection methods
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
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Additional Information
The District is managed by the District Board of Trustees, 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 consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the District Lead Volunteer and meets every 1-2 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete “Essential Information for Executive Committee” training within the first 5-6 months of joining the Board.
This District Trustee Board exists to support the District Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for:
The maintenance of any District property; The raising of funds and the administration of District finance; The insurance of person, 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.
Risks and Internal Control
The District Trustee Board has in place systems of internal control that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss. These include two signatories for all payments which, with the exception of payments in cash made by event organisers, are all paid by cheque or direct transfer. All receipts are banked, normally within 7 days of receipt.
An insurance policy is held to cover people assisting at District events who are not covered by Scout membership.
Section C
Objects 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 cooperate with others and make friends.
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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
The District Scout Council’s role is to offer leadership and support to the Scout Groups within a geographical area. It is in the local Scout Groups that Scouting is delivered to our membership.
The District encompasses all Groups and Explorer Units throughout the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.
The District meets the Charities Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
Section D
Main achievements during the year
These are set out by the District Lead Volunteer and the Chair in their respective reports.
Section E
Financial Review
This is shown on pages 4 to 7 of this report.
Reserves Policy
Sufficient reserves are held to continue and develop the activities of the District and to contribute to requests for assistance from other parts of the Scouting movement.
The Trustee Board considers that the District reserves should be sufficient to enable it to meet its ongoing expenditures. The District will monitor its reserves when setting its annual membership fee to ensure that the reserves do not increase unnecessarily.
Investment policy
Currently all receipts are paid into a current account at Lloyds Bank and transfers are made to the interest bearing deposit account as and when necessary. Other monies not required for the day to day running of the District have been invested in a range of investment funds.
Section F
Other Optional Information
Not used
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Section G
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above report.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Neil Findlay | Andy Beckett |
| Position | Chair | Treasurer |
| Date | 20 May 2025 |
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
ROYAL KINGSTON DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
I report on the accounts of the District for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities set out on pages 6 to 8.
This report is made solely to the trustees in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees for my examination work.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The District’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the Charities Act);
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the District and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: COLIN SMITH
Address: Surbiton, Surrey
Date: July 2025
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Royal Kingston District Scout Council
Statement of Financial Activities
| For the year ended 31 March 2025 Incoming Resources Voluntary Income |
2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
2024/25 Restricted funds £ |
2024/25 Total funds £ |
2024/25 Total funds £ |
2023/24 Total funds £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership fees received | 94,528 | - | 94,528 | 84,672 | |
| Less paid to HQ/County | **(81,702) ** | - | (81,702) | (71,064) | |
| Sub total Charitable Activities |
12,826 | - | 12,826 | 13,608 | |
| Contributions to District Events | 195,757 | - | 195,757 | 158,918 | |
| Sub total Investment income |
195,757 | - | 195,757 | 158,918 | |
| Bank interest | 344 | - | 344 | 340 | |
| (Decrease)/increase in value of Investment funds | **(640) ** | - | (640) | 9,852 | |
| Sub total | **(296) ** | - | (296) | 10,192 | |
| Other income | |||||
| Other income | 16,450 | - | 16,450 | 5,855 | |
| Sub total | 16,450 | - | 16,450 | 5,855 | |
| Asset and investment sales, etc. Total Incoming Resources |
|||||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| 224,737 | - | 224,737 | 188,573 |
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Royal Kingston District Scout Council
Statement of Financial Activities
| For the year ended 31 March 2025 Resources Expended Charitable Activities |
2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
2024/25 Restricted funds £ |
2024/25 Total funds £ |
2024/25 Total funds £ |
2023/24 Total funds £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth programme and activities | 260,212 | - | 260,212 | 92,300 | |
| Southwood Activity Centre | 34,476 | - | 34,476 | 20,056 | |
| Equipment | - | - | - | - | |
| Mayor's Charity Fund | - | - | - | 1,830 | |
| Sub total | 294,688 | - | 294,688 | 114,186 | |
| Support Costs | |||||
| AGM and team expenses | - | - | - | 36 | |
| Adult support and training | 491 | - | 491 | 252 | |
| Wifi/website | 302 | - | 302 | 224 | |
| Insurance | 454 | - | 454 | 442 | |
| Bank charges | 89 | - | 89 | 94 | |
| Jamboree funding | - | - | 5,158 | ||
| Sundry expenses | 1,159 | - | 1,159 | 29,554 | |
| Sub total | 2,495 | - | 2,495 | 35,760 | |
| Asset and investment purchases, etc. Total Resources Expended Net incoming resources for the year Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
|||||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| 297,183 | - | 297,183 | 149,946 | ||
| **(72,446) ** | - | (72,446) | 38,627 | ||
| 271,048 | 3,320 | 274,368 | 235,741 | ||
| 198,602 | 3,320 | 201,922 | 274,368 |
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Royal Kingston District Scout Council
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2025
| As at 31 March 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cash funds | 2025 £ 99,726 99,726 |
2024 £ |
| Bank accounts | 99,726 | 141,532 |
| Total cash funds | 99,726 | 141,532 |
Investments
| Investments | |
|---|---|
| Investment Funds | 102,196 |
| Total other monetary assets Total Assets Funds |
102,196 |
| Unrestricted Funds | 198,602 |
| Restricted Funds | 3,320 |
| Total funds | 201,922 |
| Non monetary assets for charity's own use Buildings (insurance value) 464,736 Scouting equipment, furniture etc (insurance value) 43,422 Total funds 508,158 |
Non monetary assets for charity's own use Buildings (insurance value) 464,736 Scouting equipment, furniture etc (insurance value) 43,422 Total funds 508,158 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Buildings (insurance value) | 464,736 | 394,774 |
| Scouting equipment, furniture etc (insurance value) | 43,422 | 44,782 |
| Total funds | 508,158 | 439,556 |
The above statement of financial activities and balance sheet were approved by the Trustees on 20 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by
N Findlay
Chair
A Beckett
Treasurer
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