2024-03-31-accounts - 7th Ashford Scouts Group (Spelthorne)

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Trustees' Annual Report

For the period

From (start date)	0	23	3	1	0	3	20	24

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 Names of the charity trustees who manage	7th Ashford Scout Group 3 0 5 7 9 1
	Dunford Hall
	AshfordRoad
	Ashford
	Postcode	T	W	1	5	1	U	A
	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 13 14 15	Trustee Name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Claire Clare	Group Scout Leader
	Chris Webber	Treasurer
	Matthew Thomas	Chairman
	Paul Harwood

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice) (These will be published in the annual report of the charity)

Type of advisor	Name	Address
Independent advisor	Hunt Ford & Co	156 Chesterfield Road,Ashford,TW15

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Section B

Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

7th Ashford Scout Group 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) How the charity is constituted 7th Ashford Scout Group 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 Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group 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 the Chair, Treasurer and 6 Trustees (including 2 Ex Officio Trustees, and 2 co-opted Trustees) and meets every # months.

Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board. This Group 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.

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Section B	Structure, governance and management (continued)
	Risk and Internal Control The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group 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 building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group. Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.

Section B

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Risk and Internal Control
The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to
which they believe the Group 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 building, property and equipment. The Group
would request the use of buildings, property and equipment
from neighbouring organisations such as the church,
community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal
arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has
sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate
against permanent loss.
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The
Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout
Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk
Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily
reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The
group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of
activities should there be a major reduction in income. The
Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the
income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily
or permanently.
Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon
volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If
there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an
unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a
whole then there would have to be a contraction,
consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case
scenario the complete closure of the Group.
Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities
for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in
membership in a particular section or the group as whole then
there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure
of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure
of the Group.

3 LT700001 (14 September 2024)

Section C	Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects	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 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.

	Aligned to the Scout Assocations purpose and values, we provide a balance programme of activities for all our young people.

Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

Youmay chooseto include further statements, where relevant, about: • policy on grantmaking; • contribution made by volunteers; • policy on investments. Public benefit statement	The Group has no policies in realaiton to grantmaking and investments. The contribution made by volunteers cannot be overemphasised. Thr Group relies entirely on volunteers support.

	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.

4 LT700001 (14 September 2024)

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year	A successful balanced programme across all sections.

Section E	Financial Review
Quantify and explain any designations Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves	The Group held reserves of approximately £8,000 against this at year end. This is above the level/below required for operating expenses. Reserves Policy The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Trustee Board considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £4,000.

Further financial review details (optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: Investment Policy • the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies.

5 LT700001 (14 September 2024)

• how expenditure has supported the key The Group Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of objectives of the charity; bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the group 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 Group Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements.

investment policy and objectives;

Section F Other Optional Information

Plans for future periods (details of any To increase our fundraising activies and look to undertaken significant activities planned to achieve refurbishment at our hut. them) Section G Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

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|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Signature(s)| |Full name(s)|Claire Clare|Chris Webber| |Position (eg Secretary, Chair)|Group Scout Leader|Treasurer| |Date|0|1|1|1|20|24|

----- End of picture text -----

6 LT700001 (14 September 2024)

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LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustee5 (July 2019) Independent examiner's report to the trustees of 7th Ashford Scout Group. I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 7thAshford Scout Group forthe year ended 31st March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the 7th Ashford Scout Group. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the 7th Ashford Scout Group 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 145151 Ibl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respecL' accounting records were not kept in respect of the 7th Ashford Scout Group 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. Signed= Name: Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies {if any): Address: Date: MrLJ Ford-FCPA {Certi11od Publ1¢ A¢¢ountants Assoclatlon) Hunt Ford & Co. (Accountants) Ltd Osboume House. 14&145 Sknweu Road Ashford. MKJd TW15 3QN