## Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) ## **Commanding Officers Report** ## **Introduction** The past year has been both busy and stable for Ipswich Sea Cadets. Our focus has remained on growth, consolidation, and providing high-quality opportunities for cadets, supported by a committed team of volunteers. Cadet numbers have continued to increase, particularly within the Sea Cadet (12–18) section, despite natural turnover. The Junior Section remains steady, supported by a strong transition of juniors into the main Cadet body. We have also seen encouraging growth within the staff team, with new volunteers joining and others progressing through training towards qualifications. This strengthens our capacity to deliver the wide-ranging programme expected of a Sea Cadet unit. ## **Cadet and Staff Numbers** - **Cadets** (total): 26 (This is up on last year) - 8 Junior Cadets (all regularly attending) - 18 Sea Cadets (2 of whom are long-term sick) - 7 new entry cadets will complete induction by October, bringing total numbers to 33 - bringing the ships company back to pre-Covid levels. - **Staff** : 14 (an increase of 6 over the year). Recruitment continues, particularly for an Admin Officer and additional volunteers to assist with communications and social media. Retention remains strong, with one cadet progressing into the Royal Navy and two others exploring opportunities to remain within the Corps as adult volunteers. ## Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) ## **Communications & Engagement** The launch of our newsletter, ‘ **The Sea Cadet Compass** ”, was well received by parents. While originally planned as a quarterly publication, practical constraints mean we now aim for at least two issues per year. Feedback remains positive, and it has proved a useful tool for engagement. Our increased presence in the local community and visibility through public events has also supported recruitment, with some cadets joining as a direct result of peer-to-peer recommendations. ## **Facilities and Infrastructure** The unit buildings show signs of age, but remain functional thanks to regular maintenance and working parties. Notable concerns include: - Entrance flooring - Fascia of the admin building - External gloss paintwork Addressing these will be a priority in the coming year to ensure the unit remains watertight, secure, and welcoming. ## **Boats and Waterborne Training** 2025 marked the first full year of operations with the pontoon, which has been a significant success. Excellent weather and inter-unit collaboration enabled cadets to achieve additional and advanced qualifications in sailing, paddlesports, and powerboating. ## **Boat status** : - Trinity Rowing Boats: One requires decommissioning (cracked hull/thwart) and should be written off, leaving two serviceable. Replacement cost for a third is approx. £7,500. - Kayaks and Paddleboards: Replacement and expansion needed (approx. £5,000). - Dory Outboard: Current two-stroke engine is unreliable and beyond service life. Replacement with a four-stroke engine is recommended (approx. £1,500). ## Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) These acquisitions should form the basis of targeted fundraising and grant applications starting now so that the growing number of cadets can benefit during 2026. ## **Training and Achievements** - **Cadet Training:** Progression through qualifications has been strong, with several cadets achieving rate advancements. Boating hours have been particularly high. - **Staff Training** : New appointments include a Boats Officer, with others undertaking stores, admin, and instructor training. - **Courses and Awards:** - Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze to Silver progression) - CVQO qualifications - Three cadets attended offshore voyages (two further opportunities cancelled due to ship availability) - **Events** : UMA and URV assessments were completed satisfactorily, though further work is required to consistently meet standards. The unit did not offer a summer camp due to instructor availability and low cadet demand, but an autumn boating weekend has been planned. A Unit Regeneration Plan, agreed with the Chair, will provide a framework for continuous improvement in training delivery going forward. This is also Ipswich’s year to host the annual district Trafalgar day parade on 26[th] October 2025, this needs the support of all the UMT, Staff and parents and we need to plan the communications in the coming days. ## **Looking Ahead – 2026 Priorities** ## **Facilities** : - External paintwork and fascia repair - Replacement of valances around building base - Continued maintenance of pontoon ## Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) ## **Cadet Training** : - Greater focus on engineering, peer education, piping, and marksmanship training, though limited local provision remains a challenge. - Strengthen promotion of offshore voyages, including parent information sessions to encourage participation. - Expansion of Duke of Edinburgh recruitment and support for existing award candidates. We also now house the District AT (camping) equipment, as we are the most active unit in this area of training. ## **Staff Development** : - Planned courses include: Power Safety Boat, Powerboat Level 2, FRST / Paddlesport Instructor, Paddle Leader/Coach, PO MAST courses, and First Aid renewals. These will ensure the staff team remains qualified and able to deliver a diverse programme. ## **Conclusion** 2025 has been a year of consolidation and growth for Ipswich Sea Cadets, placing us now as the second largest (by cadet numbers) Sea Cadet unit in the district, behind Beccles. With increasing cadet numbers, a growing staff team, and strong engagement with our community, the foundations are in place for further progress. There remain challenges – particularly around facilities, equipment replacement, and expanding the breadth of training – but with the dedication of our volunteers and the enthusiasm of our cadets, I am confident we will continue to thrive. Ipswich Sea Cadets remains committed to delivering high-quality training, adventure, and personal development for young people in our community. PO(SCC) Adrian Chambers MIET Officer in Charge Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) ## Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) ## **Treasurers Report** As you can see from the figures, as a small charity (because that is what we are, we come under the governance of the Sea Cadets but we have to find the funding ourselves) we are not in too dire a situation. The majority of ongoing funding comes from subs. From that we have to pay our bills, we pay electric, rates, internet the same as everyone else. Our pricier expenses tend to be mini-bus hire and fuel, as well as the boats. In June this year, the routine annual service of our RHIB cost almost £900. We do not have as much money as we did 5 years ago, that is deliberate. It was felt that we should be spending money on today’s cadets, whilst maintaining a balance for tomorrow’s cadets. That decision led to the purchase of some expensive items such as paddleboards, a half pontoon and new IT equipment. The Money we have now needs to remain as constant as we can keep it. The deficit for last year was just shy of £30,000 which looks very alarming, especially when compared to a ‘profit’ of £19000 the year before. But this is not really representative, as we now have a very shiny lump of floating wood out there. This last year saw the culmination of an amazing fundraising effort, which was started by the Cadets carrying out a 24-hour row, on what was a very cold and wet Summer’s night in 2023. The work continued with some sterling efforts by the Pontoon Group, formed of Parents and friends. I can not thank that group enough. They worked so, so hard doing everything from applying for Grants to using threats and menaces to get local business to help us out and provide services for free. Two Cadets went to a Council meeting to pitch for a grant. They spoke brilliantly but the committee voted against the grant as they felt there was no way the total funds could be raised. It was with much smugness that I was back in front of the same committee a few months later reminding them they had previously turned us down, but as we were now just a couple of thousand short, could we have what was left in their pot – which they gave us. I will say it again, I cannot thank the Pontoon Group enough, if it had not been for their unwavering dedication – that Pontoon would not be out there now. If you are wondering….. it cost just over £50,000 Our next major project is to try and replace this building. A lot of work has gone on to increase our lease period with ABP, which was needed before we could even start thinking of moving ahead. So, if anyone wants to get involved with the fundraising push for this, it would be superb if we could get a group together again. Please have a think about if it is something that you would be willing and able to help us out with. ## Ipswich Sea Cadets (T.S. Orwell) We would like to thank Cllr Sam Murray, who has awarded the Unit a grant of £1000 for the cost of a Defibrillator, which will be kept at the Unit. Our outgoings are climbing rapidly. We have had many long conversations at UMT meetings about how we can offset some of our costs, without affecting the Cadets experience. To that end we have made the difficult decision that we will need to raise the subs per Cadet by £2.50 a month, This will bring the monthly subs up to £27.50 for Senior Cadets and £17.50 for Juniors. It is not an increase that we have brought in lightly. A rise in Subs has been discussed since COVID, and we have managed to hold off until now, unfortunately we can hold off no more. The increase will take effect from January. We have never asked for a contribution towards Uniforms. As a Unit we have to pay for badges and cap tallies, as well as cleaning / repair costs when a Uniform is returned. To give an example, a TS ORWELL cap tally alone costs £3.50. Going forward, all new Cadets joining from now will be asked for a £20 payment towards Uniforms – Most Units charge this, and most charge more. This will cover the duration of Cadets time here. It will not be asked for until the Cadet has moved out of their trial period. The good news for you all today is that it does not affect any cadets currently on the books, but if parents and guardians wish to keep the uniform once the cadet leaves, we will request a £20 donation. 8 Cadets recently attended a Paddleboarding course at Beccles. The course was on a Saturday and Sunday and as well as paying for the course (£8.50) we asked for a voluntary donation to cover minibus and fuel costs. For the two days in this case that was £12.00 per cadet – This is something we will continue to do to offset quite a major expense for the Unit. We hope that you understand our reasons. Shaun Sams Treasurer CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO ANO WALES IFAwlch Unlt 195 of th• Sw C•d•t C Receipts and ments accounts CC16a For the perlod To 01 -24 3141•r-25 Section A Receipts and payments Unre•trlct fund• Ro8tri¢tod lund• Endowmgnt fund• Tot•1 lund• L••t y••r tolh• nMr••t £ lo th• n••r••t£ toth• n••r••t£ t• th• M•rn•t £ A1 R•c•l Fundraisin Oonations Vol Sub8 lon8 Summer Carn Intorg•t MSSC plior R•lund$ StandoBi Sal cou￿1 MSSC BACS (Parent Travd costi X370 4370 1.190 708 476 140 231 475 140 231 77S 297 168 462 160 174 ub total ( n%8s income AR) A2 A•••t and Inv••tm•nt ulo•, •0• tabl•l. 30.416 32.337 Sub total 30386 30.410 32,337 A3Pa •nts 730 010 Slto maint•nwK• Inwr•n¢• Mini-Bus Hiro Summgr C#mp Phonel Brwlband Siand•g$y •tttk Boat8 ComWhlongrtroph*8 8u8ino$8 Rat•8 Promoth)n Materkgl Fuel Co8t A1min C08t8 Cerem¢)nial Unifomi Trainin Courses C#do1 Chri8lm88 810 1,620 152 152 1,852 951 479 620 105 471 483 210 468 319 744 33 192 146 365 168 471 176 158 477 178 Sub totsl 9.581 12,824 A4 A88•t and Invè8trnent urcha8e8, (see tab￿) Dis la￿rnent Boal PontCK)n CCXX R1 ac£ounts {SS) Sub total 00361 qO.211 13,824 Net of rncelptsypaymwts) . A5 Tran•for• betweon fund• A6 Cash fund• last year ond Cash funds thls year and 29,T16 18,513 46.748 46.748 28,235 10,972 16,972 46,748 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unmtrlct RMtrlct•d Endowmont to £ to nMr•gt £ 81 Ca•h fund• Bulkllng S¢¢ 11,213 C••h Total cash funds 16.972 Unr••trlct•d Rmtrlctsd Endowm•nt to Jwrn•l £ to nmrnt £ to nMr••t £ Di)tails B2 Othor mon•tsry a8•0ts Fund to whlch Cun•nt v•lu• Dehlls Co•t loptkn*ll B3 Invo8tment a•••ts 84 A880ts rotsln•d for th• charlty'• ¢)wn u80 UTht pc￿•￿"n Unmlnthd Unr••tnthJ RHl8x1 OutLThrO EThJlM8 x 2 Bc•t Tr•l*8 x 4 pada￿•rdS l KyK*• B8nd Instrument$ Offic• & Cl￿￿¢￿ •qU1pn￿rt IT EqUYi￿1t Unr•8trthJ Unmtn¢ Unr•8trKtwJ 85 Llabllltl•8 Fund to *hkh Afflount du• Wh•n du• onol SKJned by one or ts¥o trustO09 on behalf of all the tTUSte s￿nature Print Name Date of roval 11-Sep-25 11-Se 25 CCXX P2 a¢counts (SSI 2010912025 IPSWICH SEA CADETS UNIT 195 R•willtwed Charity No. NA775 InGomo & ExpendÉturn Account 01K14r2024. 31A)m5 ZQir22 XLV21 201 2011119 HQ 10rf 101 c￿￿<0 NBV) 85594 £ 86588 £ 2345 t 2345 £ ,227.88 £ 25,074.45 e 25.781.44 I￿.￿) £ 1flJ.LK) £ 2Cp). 871.54 8t*-￿•1¥Y In 2346 £ rJ.45 £ 2345 £ 23.45 £ le.949￿ t 48.4674E4 £ 27.974.9J £ XI.48554 £ f £ 2*.64 £ Untt P•tty C••h Tot•1 A•ML4 282349P £ 746.83 £ 878.4 C￿l•nI LLth"I P&8NUnt4tsd 168.41 e Td•l 168.41 £ 168.41 £ 46.747.86 £ 2123190 t ￿.74&.61 £ 31.X7.07 £ 26,946.37 È 28,676.43 e 23.$34.86 Dy•da¢ion ¢1 HQ Buiklir Éoc¥J to.ts) fS.31170 IE29.774',,11 £ 1e.512TA (f2.610641 É3,141 87 002 ttYT•Ct v** Ol1h•fl￿xbll kX•b1￿ •• Ih ￿¢rfthll S•• C•*1 Mr trVllll•n F•W• D*• li Sfre7 2 u￿1 CO POA¢*kn C￿*￿1 Sy6 ZOIS CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tru8t6esl members of IPSWICH UNIT 195 OF THE SEA CADET CORPS On accounts for tha year ended 2025 Charity no Ilf any) 304775 Sot out on pag08 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('th8 Trust.) for the year ended 3110312025. Re8pon8lbllltles and As the charity trustees of th8 Trust, you are responsible for thè preparation bas1• of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the AGt'). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's account8 carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Direction8 given by the Charity Commi88ion under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed b8low ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material re8P8Ct: accounting records were not kopt in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the account8 do not accord with the accounting records Independent •xamingr'8 8tst•m•nt Ihaven concem8 and have come across no other matters in connection with the xamination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a ' nderstanding of the accounts to be reached. delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. SIgn￿. Date: 28£g Name: Clive ury Relevant profo8slonal quallflcatlon(8) or body (If any): /WhA< Addre88: 55 Links Avenue Felixstowe Suffolk IP119HE IER October 2018 ection B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give hern brlef detslls of any items that the examlner wishos to dl8close. IER October 2018