Report & Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024
12th Chichester Scout Group
PRESIDENT Len Eyles (deceased 21.6.23)
VICE PRESIDENT Enid Eyles (retired)
TRUSTEES: Ex-Officio - Appointment Name Chair Chris Barrett Group Scout Leader Tony Tunnell Treasurer Michael Donnely Secretary Alan Pope Scout Leader Vacant Beaver Scout Leader Vacant Cub Scout Leader Michael Merritt
TRUSTEES: Elected Name Jo Hooker Valerie Creswick (resigned 12.7.23) Sean Herbert Peter Burt Jenny Green Helen Wren
Vice-Chair
Vacant
BANKERS HSBC plc and Virgin Money
Group Registration Number with the Scout Association 32248 Charity Registration Number 305873
Contact Name and Address Alan Pope, 64 Parklands Road, Chichester,
West Sussex, PO19 3DU.
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12th CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2024 MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR
The 12th Chichester Scout Group remains a very busy and successful Scout Group within the Chichester area. The Group is fortunate to continue to receive excellent support from our supporters, leadership team, volunteers, and Trustees.
Under the guidance of a dedicated and forward-thinking leadership team, our group continues to thrive with an unwavering commitment to our mission, very focussed on equipping young people with essential life skills. This commitment is exemplified through the thoughtful and engaging activities and programs crafted by our volunteer leaders.
We acknowledge the evolving landscape of our neighbourhood, marked by rapid development and new housing, together with the accompanying challenges. In addition, the task of enhancing our headquarters building presents its own set of challenges. We approach these challenges with resilience and determination.
As part of the Scouting movement, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of growth, inclusivity, and community impact. This report serves as a testament to our ongoing efforts and accomplishments, as well as a roadmap for navigating the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We express our gratitude to all who contribute to the success of the 12th Chichester Scout Group and look forward to sharing the journey ahead.
At the time of the annual census at the end of January 2024, the Group Membership remained stable at 75 members with several new members joining that have not yet been invested.
Following the severe lack of support at the Jumble Sale in March 2023, a new process was put in place to get more volunteers from our membership. This was hugely successful and in each of the Jumble Sales since, we have had a good level of support. The changes in the tip process, however, have made it more complicated to dispose of the leftover waste, despite having a skip. We don’t want to have a bigger skip as this eats into our profits. The last Jumble Sale made a profit of approx. £2100, helped partly by the increase in the entrance fee. Other fundraising events during the year included running Crockery Smash at the Chichester Gala and the supply of 25 volunteers for the Fishbourne Flat 5, where we were able to take most of the entrance fees. In February, Helen W and Jenny G organised the first annual Quiz Night, and plans are already in place for another Whodunnit event in June.
Helen W and Jenny G now create a termly newsletter that goes out to all members and supporters in two formats (email and paper) at the beginning of each term to provide them with news about the group and to advertise future fundraising events. This will be important going forward when we start fundraising for the new Scout Centre.
A defibrillator has been installed at the entrance of the HQ thanks to grants from the Chichester Lions and Chichester City Council. This was “unveiled” at last years AGM in July with members of both present. The HQ continues to be used by UK Harvest which seems to be coming even more popular with the local community.
Suzanne Barrett was “promoted” to Assistant Section Leader for the Cub Section. Congratulations to Zoë Tunnell, Michael Legge and Rob Pope who have achieved their Woods Badge – this is in recognition of them completing all their Leader training. And a big congratulations and thank you to Alan Pope who has been awarded the Medal of Merit for his commitment to the Scout Group over the years as parent, secretary, and supporters secretary. Finally, Ethan Tunnell completed the requirements and has been awarded his King’s Scout Award. This is the highest award a young person (considered up to 25yrs) can achieve in Scouting and is a mammoth achievement. He is looking forward to celebrating the award at a presentation dinner and attendance at St. George’s Day parade at Windsor Castle in April.
The Scout HQ development has started to take pace and the necessary surveys have now almost been completed which will allow us to proceed to Step 3, which will be design sketches of the new building. This is an exciting development as we will soon be able to see what we COULD have as a replacement Scout Centre. My thanks to all the hard work put in by the HQ Working Party – Chris B, Alan P, Jenny G and Sean H. The Scout Group received a bonus donation of £10,080 thanks to a Legacy Donation from the estate of the late Anne Burnett in July. Also, thanks to Chris B and
Alan P, we will soon have a dedicated wheelchair friendly pedestrian pathway from the pavement through a separate gate in the hedge to separate pedestrians from vehicles entering the HQ grounds. Page 2
12th CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2024 MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR
I have held termly All Leaders Meetings to ensure all leaders are kept informed of the ongoing changes in the Scout Association. My understanding is that the new system which was supposed to go live in April 2024 has now been delayed several months, probably until the end of 2024. It was decided not to have a Family Camp in 2024 and defer until 2025. After a very successful Open Day run by Chichester District, we have two prospective leaders to start a Squirrels Dray (4-6yr olds) probably starting in September. This will be the second Dray in Chichester District, however we still need a Team Leader.
We are dependent on the time given freely by the leaders, young leaders, supporters, and parents to enable the group to thrive. I cannot thank them all enough for the effort they have contributed to keep the Group moving forward.
The Beaver Section currently has 14 Beavers, all who attend regularly and participate readily in activities that have been planned. The leader team consists of Zoe Tunnell, Kirsty Shewan and George Rossiter. We have also had the participation of two young leaders who have taken an active part in assisting and leading the Beavers. The Beaver colony has multiple DBS checked parents who are happy to participate in evenings and camps where needed. We also often see a lot of other parental support when out and about in the community, who enjoy seeing their Beavers participating in activities.
The Beavers have been doing a lot of badge work over this last year, achieving activity, staged and challenge badges. The majority of Beavers who have moved up to cubs have been able to achieve their Chief Scout Bronze award and have been very proud of this achievement. There has been a lot of focus at the beginning of the year around learning about the community that they live in as well as how to stay safe. The Beavers have focused on the planet, participating in a litter pick, growing plants and bug houses. The Beavers have also learnt about different faiths and different abilities, have participated in indoor potholing- which during the Log chew, Beavers named as being a favourite, alongside going camping!
Throughout the year the Beavers have done many trips out and visits, including to the local fire station and having a tour around, attending a fencing lesson put on by the high school club- where Beavers got to put on the full outfit and enjoy participating in a few matches. The Beavers have also gone on multiple walks and learning a lot of new and interesting facts whilst ambling along. We had some Beavers participating in the Fishbourne Flat 5 event, as well as attending the Remembrance Day parade and service.
This year we had a high number of Beavers attending the District Beaver camp, many of them experiencing their first nights away and really enjoying all the activities and the camping experience. All voicing looking forward to the next one. Later on in the year, many Beavers were able to attend a Beaver sleep over. The Beavers were able to enjoy cooking on open fires, and singing campfire songs, all also participating in basic camp skills, including putting up tents, setting up beds and washing up!
There were 24 cubs in the pack at the end of March. Cubs have generally continued to move on to scouts. The leaders have been Michael Merritt CSL assisted by ACSLs George Barrett and Suzanne Barrett along with Rob Liesicke, Anita Hoskin and Josh Vaughan. Young leaders Sam, Dylan and Alex moved on in the year but Digby joined us and we have Thomas starting after Easter.
So what have we done? In the summer term activities included the district box kart time trials in which we were runners up, backwoods cooking, a STEM evening, visit to Selsey Lifeboat station, disability awareness, wide games, district City Gates Challenge and district cub camp at Lyons Copse with a Spy Theme (runners up in pennant) and water activities with Southbourne Sea Scouts. As part of the King’s Coronation celebrations we ran a fun orienteering event in the locality of the scout HQ.
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12th CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2024 MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR
In the autumn term we entered two teams in the Supreme Box kart championships at Goodwood racecourse with one team coming 3rd out of 30+ teams competing. A sleepover was offered in November prior to Remembrance Day Parade with the cubs cooking their own dinner. We took part in the district orienteering competition at Slindon Wood in November and won. We held our Christmas entertainments evening having made gifts of decorated flower pots with sweets for parents and supporters. Our regular meetings included orienteering at Havenstoke Park, an evening hike to the top of Kingley Vale for investitures and emergency aid. We also took a group of cubs to see Jungle Book at the Festival Theatre.
In the spring term we visited Chichester Foodbank and also the Council House where we were entertained by the Mayor. Peter Evans, district chair of Trustees came in to talk about his time as Mayor, fire lighting and camp fire, made pancakes, an Irish themed meeting and fitness and healthy eating evening. We also attended the district ‘Space’ camp (sleepover) at the Winchester Science Centre.
This coming summer term we hope to attend the District Cub Camp (Olympics theme) and take part in district activities – Box karts, city gates challenge and badge day as well as our regular weekly meetings.
5 cubs achieved their Chief Scout's Silver Award, 27 challenge badges were presented and many other activity badges (87) were achieved such as backwoods cooking, disability awareness, entertainer, local knowledge, international and scientist and also staged activity badges including navigator, nights away, emergency aid, time on the water and hikes (85).
The Scouts have enjoyed a full programme of activities run by 4 Leaders; Michael Legge, Robert Pope, Mark Mills and Isaac Slade.
In the summer term, a 5 day camp at Lyons Copse, Wickham, Hampshire was arranged attended by 18 members. The Scouts had a great time, building rafts and trying to race them on a very smelly pond. The rafts mainly ended up being submarines with the Scouts on top! They also went on a hike and had a day visit to Marwell Zoo.
September brought a new start of the Scout Competition Year; the first being Junior Downsmen. The Scouts entered a Junior Team and a Novice Team this year and were successful in winning the Junior Competition; the first time in 10 years. The scoring was so tight that at the end of the weekend, two teams had scored the same number of points – 161.5, so the decision went down to the walking time where the 12th Team had a 26 minute advantage.
The Scout Section has 26 members but only 3 regular leaders. Ideally, we need to recruit at least one extra leader, preferably two.
In the autumn term we attended a couple of District events. 2 teams took part in the orienteering competition that was run in Slindon Woods where our best scoring team came 3rd. We also attended a shooting competition that was hosted by 1st Westbourne in which our team of 4 came 6th. One of our members came 3rd in the highest individual score category. At the end of term there was a District Christmas party held at Butlins swimming pool that 20 of our members attended
During the spring term the Scouts had a good programme including a trip to Chichester Planetarium and an evening dedicated to making bird feeders and seed balls for the RSBP Big Garden Birdwatch that takes place at the end of January. Also in January, the Scouts hosted a District Ready Steady Cook competition, as well as a trip to the Mendip Hills in Somerset for a caving weekend, shared with Southbourne Sea Scouts. This was the first opportunity to do this since Covid.
Other events in our calendar that have already been booked include; spring District Camp in May, dragon boating on the canal in July and our summer camp will be held in Wales using the facilities of the cottage on the border of the
Brecon Beacons with activities including white water rafting at an activities centre in Cardiff, gorge walking, and a hike to one of several local waterfalls.
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12th CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2024 MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR
The accounts have been drawn up on the receipts and payments basis, which is consistent with the previous year.
The Group is a trust established under its rules, which are common to all groups. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scouting Association.
Scouting, which is an unpaid voluntary movement needing the help of parents, exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society guided by the following values: Integrity, Respect, Care, Belief and Co-operation.
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.
Approved by the trustees on 13 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by
M Donnely A Pope C Barrett Hon Treasurer Group Secretary Chair
Page 5
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
12th CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of 12[th] Chichester Scout Group for the year ended 31st March 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 6.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’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 Report
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
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.
Name: ............................................ Qualification: .Chartered Accountant Address: 25 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LT
Date: .......................................
Page 8
12TH CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR 1 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024
| 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| RECEIPTS | ||||
| DONATIONS, LEGACIES AND SIMILAR INCOME | ||||
| Membership subscriptions | 6,534.00 | 6,534.00 | 6,765.50 | |
| Less: Membership subscriptions paid | ||||
| on (National/County/Area/District) | 3,867.50 | 3,867.50 | 3,795.00 | |
| __ | __ | __ | ||
| Net membership subscriptions retained | 2,666.50 | 2,666.50 | 2,970.50 | |
| Donations and Legacy | 15,651.24 | 15,651.24 | 4,981.82 | |
| Gift aid | 1,398.54 | 1,398.54 | 1,372.97 | |
| Youth Programme and Activities | 4,902.85 | 4,902.85 | 6,318.74 | |
| Sub Total | 24,619.13 | 24,619.13 | 15,644.03 | |
| GRANTS | ||||
| Other grants | 500.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 |
| Sub Total | 500.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 |
| FUNDRAISING (GROSS) | ||||
| Christmas Fair | 761.49 | 761.49 | 793.86 | |
| Jumble Sales | 5,063.53 | 5,063.53 | 4,244.12 | |
| Childrens' Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| BBQs | 200.00 | 200.00 | 50.00 | |
| Other Fund Raising | 2,624.00 | 2,624.00 | 449.49 | |
| AGM | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | |
| Sub Total | 8,699.02 | 8,699.02 | 5,587.47 | |
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||||
| Bank Interest | 557.25 | 557.25 | 179.66 | |
| Sub Total | 557.25 | 557.25 | 179.66 | |
| TOTAL GROSS INCOME | 500.00 | 33,875.40 | 34,375.40 | 21,911.16 |
| Page 6 |
12TH CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR 1 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024
| 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| PAYMENTS | ||||
| CHARITABLE PAYMENTS | ||||
| Youth Programme and Activities | 5,780.76 | 5,780.76 | 9,860.35 | |
| Leaders Training and Uniform | 96.00 | 96.00 | 116.38 | |
| General Water and Sewerage Rates | 321.34 | 321.34 | 366.81 | |
| Electricity and Gas | 3,038.47 | 3,038.47 | 1,286.75 | |
| Insurance | 3,792.99 | 3,792.99 | 3,508.13 | |
| Repairs and Renewals | 1784.32 | 631.98 | 2,416.30 | 2,615.70 |
| Equipment | 1000.00 | 1,690.56 | 2,690.56 | 1,245.68 |
| Postage and Stationery | 71.82 | 71.82 | 237.58 | |
| AGM expenses | 180.63 | 180.63 | 0.00 | |
| Bank Charges | 106.74 | 106.74 | 100.68 | |
| Go Cardless Fees | 320.29 | 320.29 | 300.45 | |
| Sundry expenses | 267.57 | 267.57 | 1,100.75 | |
| Sub Total | 2,784.32 | 16,299.15 | 19,083.47 | 20,739.26 |
| FUNDRAISING EXPENSES | ||||
| Christmas Fair | 0.00 | 0.00 | 9.00 | |
| Jumble Sales | 721.80 | 721.80 | 593.07 | |
| Childrens' Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Other Fund Raising | 674.00 | 674.00 | 0.00 | |
| Sub Total | 0.00 | 1,395.80 | 1,395.80 | 602.07 |
| TOTAL GROSS EXPENDITURE | 2,784.32 | 17,694.95 | 20,479.27 | 21,341.33 |
| NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) | -2,284.32 | 16,180.45 | 13,896.13 | 569.83 |
| 12TH CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP | ||||
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT THE END OF THE YEAR | ||||
| 31.03.24 | 31.03.2024 | 31.03.2024 | 31.03.2023 | |
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| CASH FUNDS | ||||
| Bank Current Account | 52,107.71 | 52,107.71 | 38,532.73 | |
| Deposit Account | 40,268.23 | 28,811.90 | 69,080.13 | 68,522.88 |
| Cash Floats | 761.70 | 761.70 | 997.80 | |
| Total Cash Funds | 40,268.23 | 81,681.31 | 121,949.54 | 108,053.41 |
| Restricted funds are £40268.23 Property Fund | ||||
| NON MONETARY ASSETS FOR CHARITY'S OWN | USE | |||
| Scouting Equipment, furniture etc | 10,000.00 | 10,000.00 | ||
| Scout Headquarters | 450,000.00 | 450,000.00 |
LIABILITIES Page 7
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
12th CHICHESTER SCOUT GROUP
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of 12[th] Chichester Scout Group for the year ended 31st March 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 6.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’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 Report
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
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.
Name: .......Jenifer Hoult..................................... Qualification: .Chartered Accountant Address: 25 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LT
Date: .......13/06/24................................ Page 8