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2024-12-31-accounts

14[th] Richmond ‘ Viking ’ Scout Boating Centre

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024

to end From (start date) 0 1 0 1 2 4 3 1 1 2 2 4 date

~~ee~~ Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

14[th] Richmond 'Viking' Scout Boating Centre

Other names the charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 3 0 3 8 2 2

The Hut Retreat Road Richmond upon Thames Postcode: T W 9 1 N N

Charity’s principal address

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

All served from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 unless indicated.

Trustee Name Office (if any) Dates acted
if not for
wholeyear
Trevor Gordon Rodger Hall Centre Manager
Victor George Griffiths Vice President
Patrick Leopold Ducker Treasurer
Sian Ann Brightey
Steven Richard Brightey
Nicholas John Eaton
Simon Richard GeoffreyHall
Peter Nicholas Hapgood
Sandra Elizabeth May To 30
thSept.
Christopher Theodore Shaw
Szyszkiewicz.

Names and addresses of advisers

Type of advisor Name Address
Maintenance & Construction of boats Mark Edwards Bridge Boathouses, Richmond,
Surrey, TW9 1TH

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Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document The Centre'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 Centre is a Trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts Groups ad Units.

Trustee selection methods The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

Additional governance issues The Centre is a unit of the Richmond upon Thames District and is managed by the Centre Management Committee, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Centre 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.

Policies and procedures adopted The Committee consists of 1 District representative, Centre Manager, Treasurer

for: and Secretary together with appointed boat instructors and other co-opted

a) the induction and training of individuals and meets every 2 months. trustees;

b) trustee' consideration of The Centre Manager is responsible for day-to-day management decisions, any

major risks and the systems and significant decisions regarding financial outlay or centre policy changes would be

procedures to manage them agreed by a minimum of three members of the Executive committee, including the Centre Manager and Treasurer and reviewed as soon as possible at the next full meeting, where it would have to be agreed by a majority of Trustees. This Centre Management Committee exists to support the Centre Manager in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:

Risk and Internal Control

The Centre Management Committee has identified the major risks to which they believe the Centre 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:

Damage to the property and equipment. The Centre has sufficient contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.

Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members . The Centre, through the capitation fees paid for through the young people membership, benefits from the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.

Reduced income from fund raising . The Centre is primarily reliant upon income from fees and fundraising. The Centre does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of fees to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently, increase the participation from its client base or seek additional funding from the parent Scout District.

2

Risk and Internal Control (cont.)

Reduction or loss of leaders . The Centre is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Centre. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Centre.

Reduction in use of Centre . The Centre provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 18 within the scout movement and to other voluntary groups/charities in the community. If there was a reduction in use of the Centre as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Centre. Financial Control . The Centre 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 comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the The objectives of the Centre are as a unit of the Scout Association.

charity set out in its governing The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in

document achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local national and international communities. The method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.

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 headings.

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14[th] Richmond Viking Scout Boating Centre

Annual Report for 2024

Summary

2024 has been a generally good year for activities and our financial state is steady.

Overall, we achieved

4

Robin Corti

The start of the year was marred by sad passing of Robin Corti our Centre Secretary and regular instructor. Robin was a steady hand at the Centre providing instruction for young people and adults, he also managed all the Scout Adventurous Activity Permit approvals for the entire London SW region. Robin also supported other charity boating groups outside the Scouts and was to be seen regularly in boats on the Thames. He will be sorely missed.

Water Activities: Assessments and training Events

Our evening trips on Jubilant and Skerrys remain popular, and we are normally out on the river with different groups of young people ranging six years old to eighteen. The boats are out on the Thames almost three to four evenings every week from May to August.

Our Associate Member Group – the Scout London Magistrates (Bench Blister Rowing Club are regular users of our boats when the Scouts are not using them, this along with the Jubilant Crew training keeps our boats out on the river throughout the year.

Boats

We have the use of the Royal Shallop Jubilant, and own Two Thames Watermans Cutters, two Skerrys and two gigs, plus our two motorboats Robin Arundel (the work boat) and Robin Rescue a safety boat. We also support other groups with the loan of our Skerrys for special events.

This Year we re-

launched our 120-year-

old Ships Lifeboat; VIKING, she had been stored away since before the pandemic. Viking then went on to enter the Great River Race and recorded her fastest ever time for the race.

Adventurous Activity Permits

Our regular instructors include six County Assessors for Pulling and one for Power Boats - between us we have assessed and issued at least five permits for adults and another five for young people to allow waterbased Duke of Edinburgh. These all require expert review of the application and logged experience of the leader/candidates to manage the overall safety of the young people in these activities. © raguebicpa

Outreach

Over the course of the year, we support groups outside the normal Scout circle with instruction and loan of boats, this includes: Bensham Manor Special School, St Philips Special School and London Youth Rowing.

We also offer our facilities to youth groups from abroad as 3 a base for sport or other activities. One weekend, we filled our centre with Raguebicpica- a Portuguese youth rugby team on their London tour.

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Fund Raising

We continue to use the fund-raising potential of our training centre and boating equipment. We currently host an art class, and support several filming events around Richmond. The Centre has also been used by external boating groups e.g. Skerrys4Schools and the local paddle board companies for First Aid and British Rowing coaching courses. We also help the London Youth Rowing -Corporate Skerry race event with the loan of our Skerrys, we get a reasonable donation from the companies involved towards our insurance and maintenance costs.

Repairs and maintenance

Costs of insuring and maintaining our fleet of boats continues to be a large part of our annual expenditure, we try to get as much voluntary help, however, rely on our local boat builders for the specialist tasks. Currently, we have an annual schedule of preventative maintenance to protect the boats from deterioration during the winter months.

Water Weekend

The 14[th] Richmond Centre organises the Water Weekend 7-9[th] June, at Thames Young Mariner (TYM) boating Centre in Ham. The event was predictably over-subscribed and received great positive feedback

from the young attendees.). We hosted 200 young people and about 60 Leaders and helpers.

The event was centrally run with the District Team doing their usual sterling job, organising the catering

and setting up of equipment (the 14th Richmond Centre store provides equipment for several large Scout events).

We had the usual wide range of water activities from raft building, sailing, kayak, open canoes, paddleboarding and rowing. The rowing took up through Teddington with each crew experiencing going up through the lock and back, happily the lock keepers were very obliging.

Great River Race

The end of the Season is marked by the Great River Race. The 14[th] Richmond Centre organises and runs the camp located at TYM, again with the support of the District team. Most of the Centre boats take part in the race itself. The JUBILANT was crewed a team from St Philips School (raising almost £3000 for Royal Marsden Hospital). We also had & SHUN en RO crews from our long running sponsor Areen in NAIAD, the Bench Blisters in FAN MAKER and the Worshipful Company of Scientific . ar ; Instrument Makers (a London Guild) in GORDON HALL .

This event is good publicity for Richmond Scouts, and another great fund-raising opportunity.

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Scout Membership Online System

The Scout membership system was shut down towards the end of 2024, a new, more secure, modern system will be introduced over the beginning of 2025. The change is disruptive, but hopefully the situation will improve in 2025, but… a lot of teething problems are expected.

Plans for 2025

The improved annual Safety inspections and maintenance of the Centre building are now in progress some preventative work on the heating and other services will be done in 2025. We now have a regular cleaner once a week.

We will continue to promote the Scout Centre to film companies, art and exercise classes and to organise the Scout Water Weekend and The Great River Race camping to provide a steady flow of income.

Some updates to our website are in progress to improve online bookings and make the posting of news easier and more dynamic.

2024 is likely to be expensive in terms of boat maintenance and equipment replacement, new oars are being procured. VIKING will have a major refurbishment to address the deteriorating rib timbers and planking.

Trevor Hall – Centre Manager

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of 14[th] Richmond “Viking” Scout Boating Centre

Registered Charity 303822

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] December 2024, which are set out on pages 9 - 10

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the 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 charity 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 give 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:

or

Name: Stephen Alexander FCA

Address:5, Cole Park View, Twickenham, TW1 1JW

Date: 28[th] July 2025

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14th Richmond " Viking " Scout Boating Centre

14th Richmond "Viking" Scout Boating Centre 14th Richmond "Viking" Scout Boating Centre 14th Richmond "Viking" Scout Boating Centre
Summary of Financial Activities
for the Period 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024
Movements in Cash & Bank
Incoming Resources
Boating Activities & Fundraising
- Great River Race
- Water Weekend
- General Boating Activities
Boating Activities & Fundraising Total
Other Activities
Associate Membership
General Activities & Voluntary Income
Donations (inc Gift Aid)
Use of Premises - Contribution to Costs
Interest & Dividends
Other Income
Total Incoming Resources
Outgoing Resources
Direct Activities
Fundraising Expenses from Boating Activities
- Great River Race
- Water Weekend
- Boat Repairs
- Boat Insurance
- Other Boating Activities
Purchase of Assets - Boating
Purchase of Assets - Other
Premises Costs
General Activities
Total for Direct Activities
Overheads & Administration
Trustees & Executives Expenses
Total Outgoing Resources
Net Incoming (Outgoing) Cash & Bank
Total Movement In Funds
Funds Brought Forward
Funds Carried Forward		 27,113
21,685
5,185
23,449
23,270
9,250
3,840
1,173
;		 Total
-
53,982
3,343
279
1,050
12,170
1,672
1,516
-------------------
74,013
-------------------
60,981
6,250
-
5,740
243
-------------------
73,213
-
-------------------
73,213
-------------------
799
=========
799
104,000
104,799
=========		 Unrestricted
Funds
53,982
3,343
279
1,050
12,170
1,672
1,516
-------------------
74,013
-------------------
60,981
-
5,740
243
-------------------
66,964
-
-------------------
66,964
-------------------
7,049
=========
7,049
104,000
111,049
=========		 Designated
Funds
-
-------------------
-
-------------------
-
6,250
-------------------
6,250
-
-------------------
6,250
-------------------
( 6,250 )
=========
( 6,250 )
-
( 6,250 )
=========		 Total
2023
23,524
22,675
3,571
49,770
3,310
-
5,211
10,146
996
35
-------------------
69,468
19,862
20,336
2,842
3,681
3,297
-------------------
50,017
-
-
3,917
-
-------------------
53,933
-
-------------------
53,933
-------------------
15,535
========
15,535
88,465
104,000
~~,~~
Balance Sheet
as at as at
31-Dec-24 1-Jan-24
£ £
Fixed Assets - -
------------------- -------------------
- -
Current Assets
Cash in Hand & at Bank 109,158 104,000
Debtors - Advance Payment made 1,687
------------------- -------------------
Total Current Assets 110,844 104,000
Current Liabilities
Creditors - Advance Payments Received ( 6,045 )
------------------- -------------------
NET ASSETS 104,799 104,000
========= =========
represented by
Incoming Outgoing
£ £
Unrestricted Funds 111,049 74,013 ( 66,964 ) 104,000
Designated Funds ( 6,250 ) - ( 6,250 ) -
------------------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
TOTAL FUNDS 104,799 74,013 ( 73,213 ) 104,000
========= ========= ========= =========
Signed
Treasurer Manager
Patrick L Ducker Patrick L DuckerBSc ACIS Trevor Hall
7th August 2025 7th August 2025

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Section E Financial Review Brief statement of the charity’s The Scouts, through Unity Insurance Services, provides insurance to cover: policy on reserves Public Liability, Personal Accident & Medical Expenses and Trustees Liability. The Centre's Management Committee considers that it should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs and normal boating activities, circa £10k. The Committee felt that it would be prudent to hold a reserve of £20k. against the possibility of an uninsurable event resulting in the loss of a boat. A further £22k is held to cover the routine replacement of equipment such as oars and PFSs. It is planned to replace Home Counties gig “Hercules”, recently retired, at a cost of c.25k. Repairs are being planned to the 120 year old lifeboat "Viking" The Centre Management Committee has arranged a full survey of the heating and electrical system at the HQ, and remedial work is being undertaken. The Centre holds uncommitted reserves of approximately £51k. against these provisions at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses and allows for some development. Investment Policy The Committee has adopted a risk adverse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only banks or building societies that are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme Transactions with Related Parties The Centre Management makes regular use of the services of Mark Edwards, who is Adviser to the Centre, to build and repair the boats. The charges involved are regularly “market tested” to ensure that Best Value is realised. Many of the users of the services of the Centre are part of Richmond District Scouts, though no special arrangements are made. How expenditure has supported The Centre Management regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the the key objectives of the charity; interest rates received to ensure the Centre obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn, before doing so the Centre's Management considers the cash flow requirements. Plans for future periods The new HQ was occupied from February 2012, although some parts were not completed until early 2013. The HQ has been made available to other community and charitable organisations to defray the running costs. The main focus, however, is to encourage more Scout Groups from outside the immediate area to use the facilities for short stays, whilst taking part in boating activities.

Section G Declaration ~~ee~~

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signatures

Full Names Trevor Hall

Position Chairman & Centre Manager 7[th] August 2025

Patrick Ducker Treasurer 7[th] August 2025

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