2024-04-30-accounts

The Nautical Training Corps

Annual Report

Registered Charity Number: 306084 Financial Year Ended: 30 April 2024

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Contents:

Introduction:

Reference and Administrative Status:	Page 3
Corps Charity Number:	Page 3
Corps Contact Details:	Page 3
Corps Trustees and Key Personnel	Page 4
Independent Review	Page 5 - 7

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Trustees (National Council) Reports:

Where we come from	Page 8
Objectives, Policies and Activities	Page 9
Structure Governance and Management	Page 10
Current Organisational Priorities	Page 11
Partner Organisations	Page 12
Investments and Reserves	Page 13
Trustees Responsibilities for the accounts	Page 14
Risk Factors	Page 15
Trustee Sign Off	Page 15

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Corps Reports:

Chairs Report	Page 16
Treasurers Report and Accounts	Page 17 - 21
Chief of Staff’s Report	Page 22 - 23
Safeguarding Report	Page 24
Ships of the Corps Contact Details	Page 25

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Introduction:

Reference and Administrative Status:

The Nautical Training Corps is an independent, unincorporated registered charity. Registered Charity Number 306084

Correspondence Address:

National Headquarters, 72 Wick Farm Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7HG

The National Secretary, 15 Emberwood, Maiden Lane, Langley Green, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7QT

Website:

https://www.ntc.org.uk

Email: [e-mail]

NTC Main Line (Tel)

[phone]

NTC Safeguarding (Tel):

[phone]

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Corps Trustees and Key Personnel

Patron:

Rear Admiral R John Lippiett CB CBE

Commodore:

(Vacant)

Chair:

Mr Paul Cronin (Interim)

Corps Chaplain General:

Reverend Phil Hiscock

National Council Members (Trustees):

Rev’d Phil Hiscock Corps Chaplain General Capt Chris Clayton The Chief of Staff Cdr Christine Waller The National Secretary

Independent Examiner:

Till & Cloake

Retained Solicitor:

None Appointed

Appointed Bankers:

CAF Bank | NatWest | HSBC | Lloyds | Santander

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Independent Review:

NAUTICAL TRAINING CORPS ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS 2023/24:

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ACCOUNTS

Charity law requires the National Council, as Trustees of the Charity, to prepare accounts for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial position at the end of the financial year and of its financial activities during the year. In doing so the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for:

• keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity at any time and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 1993;

• safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Independent Review:

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NAUTICAL TRAINING CORPS YEAR ENDED 30 April 2024

I report on the attached unaudited accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 April 2024.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

As the Charity’s Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply as gross income does not exceed £250,000 and the accounts are prepared on the receipts and payments basis. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of the 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 the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An independent 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 such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Independent Review:

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

• a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Act;

• b) and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act, have not been met.

I do not have any close relationships with any of the Charity’s Trustees and I do not have any influence or dealings with the day to day finances, but do have a reasonable understanding of the Corps.

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Historic Overview:

The Nautical Training Corps (NTC) is a National Maritime Training and Uniformed Youth (Cadet) Organisation based in the United Kingdom. Registered Charity Number: 306084

The NTC was formed in 1943 and was officially registered and recognised in 1944 by the founding Commodore, Cdre Frank Froëst-Carr MBE NTC.

At the time, the NTC was established to provide opportunities for young people to become useful and worthy citizens within their communities across England, through learning and vocational training developed with the Merchant and Royal Navies.

By participating in the corps programme, young people would be able to use their service time in the NTC to assist them in joining the armed forces through the Y Entry Scheme. Units were inspected by the Royal Navy and training records were provided to the admiralty.

After successive strategic defence reviews formal support from the Ministry of Defence, and the Royal Navy reduced, with the Ministry of Education picking up some of those support arrangements over time.

Despite reduction in support the Nautical Training Corps continued to expand and develop its provision and opportunities for young people.

Cdre Frank Froëst-Carr MBE NTC.

In modern times, The NTC receives no formal ongoing support from the UK Government. But does still enjoy regular opportunities to engage and develop opportunities with its armed forces, albeit informally and flexibly.

Cadets and officers wear uniforms similar to that of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, with a rank structure based on the two services. Officers swear allegiance to His Majesty the King. Units are named after HM serving or retired ships and are issued with a crest bearing some resemblance to that of its serving or retired counterpart.

In 2014 The Ministry of Defence awarded the Nautical Training Corps a defaced red ensign, as recognition of the opportunities it has given young people since its establishment. The first such award for over 40 years.

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The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

Annual Report: 2023/2024

Objects, Policies and Activities 2023 / 2024

This Report:

The National Council present the Charity Annual Report and Accounts for 2023/2024. The Reference and Administrative Information, Corps and Treasurer’s Reports and the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities form part of the Annual Report, which complies with the Charity’s Constitution, the Charities Acts 1993 and 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005).

Objectives:

The Charity’s objects are, as formally set out in the Constitution at Chapter 1 of the Corps’ Rules and Regulations, to promote the development of young persons in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, particularly by education in the history and practice of seamanship and seafaring.

Our young people enrol as uniformed cadets and have the opportunity to become junior instructors from age 16 and progress to officer status post 18. They are encouraged to develop self-confidence and a sense of self worth through a nautically based structured training programme and a wide range of experiences and activities. Activities include sailing, canoeing, sports, climbing, marching band and shooting, and are available at the Corps’ local Units, its two national activity centres and other organisations’ facilities. Many Units offer their cadets the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Safety and safeguarding are paramount.

The Corps has no paid staff, all instruction being provided by unpaid but trained and vetted volunteers, front line local Units rely heavily on volunteers for help with fund-raising, charity management, premises maintenance and assistance at deck nights and outside events and activities.

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Structure, Governance and Management

The Nautical Training Corps is a uniformed youth organisation with Units, or Training Ships, spread across the south coast of England.

The Charity is unincorporated. The Charity and its property are administered and managed by its National Council, whose members are a mix of trustees and ex officio advisors.

National Council officers (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) and lay members are elected and retire at the Annual General Meeting, in cycle as per the constitutionally laid down periods. Vacancies arising during the year are filled by co-option as suitable candidates become available. Ex-officio members, and advisors are drawn from the uniformed Corps and based on the position held.

At the end of the financial year, the National Council comprised of 5 people, (3 of whom are trustees), all have specific areas of responsibility in addition to those of National Council membership and trusteeship generally. The Charity’s main officers are the Chairman, Commodore, Vice Commodore and Chief of Staff, Corps Chaplain General, National Secretary and Treasurer. The National Council formally meets bi-monthly, its members keeping in contact with each other and the Corps at large as necessary in between meetings. Decisions are made by consensus or on a majority vote.

The National Council and its senior officer team are currently working through an organisational change programme that will hopefully ensure that the organisation is resilient and robust moving forwards.

Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Structure, Governance and Management

Operational and training matters are under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, who is responsible to the National Council for the day to day running of the Corps. Three Regional Commanders and NHQ staff with specific responsibilities support the Chief of Staff. Each Regional Commander oversees the activities of three to six Units of the Corps.

Each Unit is run day to day by a uniformed training staff headed by a Commanding Officer, with local fundraising and support functions dealt with by a committee comprising uniformed and lay members.

Units are not independent charities but branches of the national Charity, their committees being technically sub-committees of the National Council, which delegates defined authority and responsibilities while remaining ultimately responsible as trustees for all Corps assets.

In effect, National Council maintains the organisation’s charitable, financial and legal framework, relieving ships of most such matters and leaving them free so far as possible to concentrate on cadet activities and fundraising. This is a step change, compared to historic committees, who each had an independent trust deed, and an association with the National Charity and structures.

The Charity has revised its arrangements for local financial management to ensure a clear scheme of financial delegation and accountability, including local responsibilities for the custody and control of Corps assets and delegation of expenditure to levels appropriate to the amounts involved and circumstances. The Trustees at the close of the year, 30th April 2024, are shown at page 3.

Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Priorities, Partners and Supporters

Current Priorities:

Core Priorities for the Nautical Training Corps are identified as the following:

1. Review and modernise the corps policy and regulatory frameworks.

2. Focus on the development of recruitment and retention of both adults and young people, through support programmes and an improved offer.

3. Improve the organisations long term resilience, including understanding better, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Risks.

Partner Organisations:

Maritime Volunteer Service

Royal Yachting Association

Portsmouth Scouts

Volunteer Action Groups across the South of England

Numerous like-minded and enabling organisations with which we co-operate at local level e.g. local authorities, schools and other youth organisations.

Supporters:

The corps received funding from a number of organisations as outlined in the accounts section.

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Investments and Reserves

The Charity’s principal assets are its leasehold properties, its boating, band and other equipment, vehicles and its bank balances. These are held to provide premises and equipment for Corps activities and to fund those activities.

It is the National Council’s policy to regard funds raised by an individual Unit as being at the disposal of the Unit, subject to National Council’s trustee responsibilities to ensure the proper usage of resources. These designated funds are shown on the annexed part of the Corps’ accounts.

Items that are specifically held for a certain use, such as grants and funds raised for a project are shown in the accounts as Restricted. The National Council aims to establish and maintain Corps’ reserves at a level sufficient for the Charity’s operations.

Normal fundraising, donation and subscription income finances its day-to-day activities. Capital acquisitions and other major expenditure being funded by legacies and appeals. The National Council is empowered to invest the Charity’s funds as it sees fit.

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Trustees Responsibilities for the Accounts

Charity law requires the National Council, as Trustees of the charity, to prepare accounts for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position at the end of the financial year and of its financial activities during the year. In doing so the Trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business

The Trustees are responsible for:

Keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity at anytime, and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 1993

Safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

Annual Report: 2023/2024

Organisational Risk Factors

The Corps continues to maintain standards in areas such as financial reporting, safeguarding and safety. We continue to examine the risk factors affecting the Corps on at least an annual basis at our Trustees Strategy Day, and as needed through general meetings and any special meetings required. The corps will look to enhance its risk analysis and management structures.

Some of these risks are:

1. Relevant training for both adults and cadets

2. Quality of our volunteers

3. Ensuring we provide safe environment

4. Financial controls

(Trustee Signature, On behalf of the National Council)

(Date)

(Trustee Signature, On behalf of the National Council)

(Date)

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Review of Year National Council Chair

I am writing this report under the premise of Interim Chair for the old charity status of the NTC, to confirm I am not a Trustee of this charity.

It has been a very busy year for all those involved who have worked so extremely hard to get us to the position of being able to fully close the old charity. We have just a couple of premises leases to finalise. I could sit here for hours going through the challenges that the National Team have faced trying to ensure that things like leases written (some almost 80 years old) are suitable for us to use moving forward, and this has just been one area, let alone every rule and regulation that has had to be reviewed and adapted to fit the era we are now in. So thank you again to the NHQ Team for your many hours spent and for giving up most of your private life to the NTC for the last couple of years – We are almost there!!!

I am relieved that at last we are in a position that at the time of writing only one bank account has not been closed and the new CAF banking is used across the Corps. Thank you Sarah for your hard work with this and thank you to all the Treasures across the Corp for pushing this through.

So with just the final bits left to do, I am sure it will not be long where we will be able to formally inform you that we are fully operating under the new charity status.

Thank you again for all your hard work.

Paul Cronin Interim Corps Chair

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The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

Annual Report: 2023/2024

Review of Year National Council Lay Member

----- Start of picture text -----

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In February 2023, the Nautical Training Corps new charity was incorporated. The year 2023-24 saw the winding down of operations in the existing charity and the start of the asset transfer from this charity to the new charity.

Between September 2023 and the 30th April 2024, inventory for all units and ten units' cash and bank assets had been transferred to the new charity.

Most units were exclusively operating in the new charity by the end of the year, however, as of 30[th] April 2024, eight units had not yet completed their transfer of cash and bank assets to the new charity. It is imperative that this is finalised by the 30[th] April 2025. (At the time of writing, one unit is outstanding).

Sarah Ashley Lay Member (Non Voting)

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Consolidated Accounts Section A

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The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

Annual Report: 2023/2024

Consolidated Accounts Section B

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Consolidated Income by Unit

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Consolidated Expenditure by Unit

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Review of Year The Chief of Staff

The Nautical Training Corps in many forms, has operated since the 1940’s and in that time. We have developed operating models, based on volunteer availability and operational perspectives at the time.

A number of key changes to the operating model, meant that in the early 2000’s lots of the support functions that enabled the organisations stability and growth was withdrawn.

Over the last few years we have been working to make the organisation more resilient, and in doing so it was really important to ensure that we reviewed our ways of working. With a renewed focus on delivering safe, challenging and effective opportunities for young people to develop and enhance their skills and in doing so. Be more proactive and engaging members of their communities.

As such we looked through the history books, to see the formations of HQ reporting and leadership through time and took heavy inspiration from our predecessors when designing a new operational framework that promotes wider organisational resilience, support and action.

We moved from a triangular structure that created a heavy burden of responsibility on a number of key, operation positions and split this across three thematic pillars. Administration and Compliance allowing training, inspections and compliance to have consistency in approach. Operations, with a renewed focus on delivering for our young people, volunteers and our wider stakeholders. Finally Support and resilience, focusing on enabling the other two pillars, through effective back-end support.

Rolling out this new operational model has been less challenging then expected, and this is purely down to the adaptability and the willingness to move forwards amongst our incredible teams of volunteers across the country. Without whom, we would not be able to provide the range of opportunities to young people that we do.

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The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

Annual Report: 2023/2024

The Chief of Staff Report (Continued)

During this calendar year, our unit numbers flexed and contracted in line with public and academic holidays, as is generally the case. But overall, numbers remained consistent. Notwithstanding the move of unit operations from this charitable entity, to that of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation established to ensure the organisation has the best foundations, to last the next 80 years.

Again, my thanks to our adult volunteers, across our uniformed and nonuniformed roles.

Captain Suzi Colbourne NTC Chief of Staff The Nautical Training Corps

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Safeguarding

In the course of this 2023/24 year our Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Safeguarding Team have been reviewed and revised.

A dedicated Safeguarding Manager has been appointed. The Safeguarding Team meets regularly to review cases and issues.

A number of safeguarding cases have arisen during the 2023/24 year resulting in immediate suspensions pending investigation and in two cases subsequent dismissals from the Corps.

Our contacts with the LADOs, Police and Children's Services in the various local authorities across our area are constantly under review and development.

The online Basic Safeguarding Course, which is mandatory for all our adult volunteers was updated during the year. Plans are underway for adding face to face courses again into the Training Programme in this coming year.

Corps Chaplain General (Safeguarding Lead) Reverend Phil Hiscock

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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Annual Report: 2023/2024

Unit Contact Details:

Northern Region

Regional Commander: Cdr Dennis Deering NTC [e-mail]

TS Swiftsure, Copthorne

TS Resolution, East Grinstead

[e-mail] [e-mail]

Southern Region

Regional Commander: Vacant

[e-mail]

TS Sturdy, Chichester TS Intrepid, Lancing TS Implacable, Littlehampton TS Montrose, Bognor Regis TS Tenacity, Portchester

[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]

Eastern Region

Regional Commander: Cdr Dennis Deering NTC [e-mail]

TS Zealous, Hollingbury [e-mail] TS Nautilus, Kemp Town [e-mail] TS Valiant, Woodingdean [e-mail] TS Fortitude, St Leonards on Sea [e-mail] TS Indomitable, Burgess Hill [e-mail] TS Ranger, Portslade [e-mail]

The Nautical Training Corps is a Registered Charity in England and Wales

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