**1ST WOOTTON BASSETT SCOUT GROUP** **C/O 1 RADCOT CLOSE SWINDON WILTSHIRE** **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025** ## **IST WOOTTON BASSETT SCOUT GROUP** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** **Registered Charity number** 305950 **Principal address** c/o 1 Radcot Close Nine Elms Swindon SN5 5UY ## **Trustees** R Wilson Chairperson S King Treasurer (April 2024 to October 2024) Treasurer/Section Leader (November 2024 to March 2025) S Milner ` Group Scout Leader D Robbins Section Leader A McKee Section Leader O Renals Trustee D. Scott Secretary ## **Independent Examiner** Chris Vaughan Accountants 195 Ermin Street Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4NA 1 ## **1ST WOOTTON BASSETT SCOUT GROUP** ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024** The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document** The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The Group'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. The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. (e.g. trust, association, company). ## **Organisational structure** The Group is managed by the 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 Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders (if opted to take on the responsibility) and parent's representation and meets 4 times per year Members of the Trustee Board complete the assigned training as directed by the Scout Association national team within the first 5 months of joining.. This Group Trustee Board exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for: The maintenance of Group property; The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance; The insurance of persons, property and equipment; Group public occasions; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any sub committees that may be required; Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims** 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. 2 ## **1ST WOOTTON BASSETT SCOUT GROUP** ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024** . ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONT.)** ## 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 ## **Public benefit** 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. ## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities** Our achievement has been ensuring the young members have continued their learning experience of both life skills and community worth whilst having fun. Our performance can be seen with our numbers, going up and down with the demographic, which highlights the desire for scouting to continue. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Investment policy and objectives** The Group has acquired funds over time that could be used for investment. The Group is investigating acquiring new land to develop a new HQ on. As such, the Group has therefore adopted a risk-averse strategy for the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. This is to ensure the Group's ability to respond promptly if an opportunity arises for new land acquisition. ## **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 Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months’ running costs, circa £10,000. The Group held reserves of approximately £28,000 against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However, this can be explained by a decrease in income and a increase in expenditure Approved by order of the board of trustees on 12th June 2025 and signed on its behalf by: ........................................................................ R Wilson - Chairperson 3 ## **1ST WOOTTON BASSETT SCOUT GROUP** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** ## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of 1st Wootton Bassett Scout Group** ## Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The trustees’ responsibilities for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) are set out in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities. You consider that the audit requirement of Section 144 Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under Section 145 (5) (b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and the seeking of 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 financial statements 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: - (1) 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 Act; and - to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and to comply with - the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or - (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of - the financial statements to be reached. C. Vaughan Chris Vaughan 195 Ermin Street Stratton St Margaret Swindon SN3 4NA Date 12th June 2025 4 **1ST WOOTTON BASSETT SCOUT GROUP** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025** |Balance Brought Forward
Receipts
Donations
Fundraising
Subscriptions
Subscriptions held as Agent
Section Income
Rents Received
Bank Interest
Other Income
Payments
Badges
Insurance
Light and Heat
Office Costs
Repairs and Renewals
Cleaning
Section Expenditure
Youth Programmes and Activities
Legal and Professional Fees
Miscellaneous Expenses

Balance Carried Forward

£|2025
16617
(7560)
323
1800
2428
-
1383
798
4830
13176
173
1711
26622
97121
_____

123743
£|96115
400
2557
9057
`12946
160
2503
5
123743

_____

123743
£|2024
13879
(5265)

1141
2111
2242
74
3239
825
2417
15065
2565
2209
32428
96115
_____

128543
£|98922
3289
2519
8614
`13935
320
816
128| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||125843
_____
128543| 5