Kennet District Scout Council Trustees Report and Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2021
Page Trustees' Report 2 - 8 Achievements and Performance 5 - 7 Receipts and Payments 9 - 12 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 13 Independent Examiner’s Report 14
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Kennet District Scout Council Trustees' Annual Report
For the period 01/04/2020 to 31/03/2021
Reference and administration details
Charity Name Kennet District Scout Council Scout Association number 10207 Registered charity number 308095 Website www.kennetdistrict.org.uk Charity's principal address c/o Mr. B C Soulby FMAAT Oakhaven, Kendrick Road Newbury Berkshire RG14 6PW
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Ex Officio
Mr P Jeffreys District Commissioner (Acting) Mr B Soulby Treasurer Mr C O’Neill District Explorer Scout Commissioner District Commissioner (Acting) From 10/02/2021 Mr D Roch District Youth Commissioner
Elected
Mr P Greenhalgh To 28/12/2020 Mr A Askey Mrs M Osborne Mrs D Wheatley Mr P Fisher
Nominated by the District Commissioner
Mr T Seward Dr H Kelly
Co-opted by the District Executive Committee
Mr I Robinson From 05/08/2020
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Name and address of advisors
Bankers
National Westminster Bank 30 Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5AG Newbury Building Society 105B Northbrook St, Newbury, RG14 1AA Lloyds Bank 3-5 Bridge Street, Newbury, RG14 5BQ Independent Examiner Suzanne Murphy Banks & Co, 1 Carnegie Street, Newbury, RG14 5DJ `
Structure, governance and management
The District's governance 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 District Scout Council is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules.
The District is managed by the District Executive Committee, the members of which are the 'Charity Trustees' of the District Scout Council 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.
The District Executive Committee exists to support the District Commissioner in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for:
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The maintenance of District property;
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The raising of funds and the administration of District Funds;
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The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
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District public occasions;
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Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult supporters;
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Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
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Appointing District Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
Recruitment and appointment of Trustees
The Trustees are appointed by Kennet District Scout Council in accordance with Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Risk and Internal Control
The District Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which they believe the district is exposed. These have been reviewed and systems established to militate against them. The main areas that have been identified are:
- Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through the Annual Membership
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Subscription fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
- Reduction or loss of leaders: The District is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or group as a whole then there has to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section or Group/Unit.
Objectives and activities
The Purpose of The Scout Association is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The Values of Scouting are:
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Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
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Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
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Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
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Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
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Cooperation - We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
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enjoy what they are doing and have fun;
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take part in activities indoors and outdoors;
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learn by doing;
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share in spiritual reflection;
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take responsibility and make choices;
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undertake new and challenging activities; and
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make and live by their Promise.
The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
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Achievements and performance
Last year, we reflected on the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic was having towards the end of the 2019-20 year. This has continued into the 2020-21 year, and is continuing into the 2021-22 year.
Government restrictions prevented face-to-face meetings for a large proportion of the year both through national and local lockdown restrictions. Volunteers in Groups and Units have shown remarkable resilience by continuing to provide opportunities to young people through a blended approach of video calls, activity packs, camps at home, and face-to-face meetings when permitted. Despite these unprecedented times, Beavers achieved 24 Chief Scout’s Bronze Awards; Cubs achieved 34 Chief Scout’s Silver Awards; Scouts achieved 10 Chief Scout’s Bronze Awards; and 4 Young Leaders achieved their belt buckles.
It is a testatement to the determination and commitment of adult volunteers that we experienced only a small reduction in the number of young people declared in the January 2021 census when compared to January 2020. Kennet performed very favourably when compared to County, Regional and National trends; and we are already seeing an appetite in many areas for the number of young people to increase from these levels. During the year, we have seen Groups and Units take part in 85 activities away from their usual meeting place involving 216 activities for Beavers, 315 for Cubs, 434 for Scouts, and 51 for Explorers; in addition to many more taking place at normal meeting places.
| Beavers | Cubs | Scouts | Explorers | YP 5-18 | Total Adults |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | 138 | 220 | 212 | 57 | 627 | 223 | 850 |
| Change frompreviousyear | -44 | -32 | -5 | -1 | -82 | -21 | -103 |
| % change frompreviousyear | -24% | -13% | -2% | -2% | -12% | -9% | -11% |
| Change from 2016(5years) | -51 | +6 | +33 | -36 | -48 | +70 | +22 |
| % change from 2016 | -27% | +3% | +18% | -39% | -7% | +46% | +3% |
As a result of owning Angel’s Corner and it being registered for business rates, we have benefited from additional government funding initially through the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grant. This initially provided £10k via West Berkshire Council, as well as subsequent additional grants. The additional income received totalled £22,000 and work is underway to ensure it is put to good use in service of our charitable aims.
We have undertaken a review of our reserves policy and designated funds, which initiated a subsequent review of the International Fund to evolve into an Adventure Fund. This seeks to provide financial support to young people in the District who may benefit from financial support in order to access new opportunities. The criteria are deliberately broad in order to be as accessible and inclusive as possible.
We have undertaken a number of improvements at the Angel’s Corner campsite, including to the toilet block, creation of an ash bunker, making safe the well, and general security and safety improvements. We are working towards installing a new septic tank on the site. Our huge thanks go to Alan Askey, Ivan Osborne, Laurence Parker and Brian Soulby who lead much of our work in this year.
The minibus has not been used during the last year due to Covid-19 restrictions. We retain it as an asset for Groups and Units to use in the future, and significant work has been undertaken on the administrative side to
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ensure clarity in its costs and organisation.
During the year, we opened a new bank accounts (District and Explorers) with Lloyds Bank in order to make use of dual online authorisations for payments. This migration is now complete, and whilst we retain our previous accounts for legacy receipts all transactions are now conducted through Lloyds. Our thanks go to Brian who has led our financial developments, with additional notable support from Ian Robinson and Tom Seward.
Towards the end of the year, we held a video call with Group Treasurers. There was a strong attendance with plenty of discussion, and offers of peer support. There was appetite for a similar gathering twice a year, and we are keen to support this to share effective practise and involve a broader range of stakeholders in disussions and activities.
As District Youth Commissioner, Dan Roch has championed the voice of young people whilst also being busy with university studies. As well as supporting the County Youth Commissioners’ “12 Days of Scoutmas” initiative, and disseminating the Newbury Town Council youth involvement survey, he has also been an active member of the District Executive and District Team in addition to offering support to Section Leaders on different ways to involve young people in the running of their Sections.
We are proud of all adult volunteers, and are pleased that a number of them have been recognised through the Awards for Good Service. We were fortunate to have been able to host a thank you event in March 2020 before Covid-19 restrictions began, and we look forward to another as soon as is possible.
Commissioner’s Commendation: for local recognition of contribution to Scouting: Tracy Pyne, Darrell Swanson.
Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service: in recognition of good service to Scouting: David Ashley, Kate Bone, Alex Brooks, Mark Clifton, Phil Davey, Ben Griffiths, Waz Gull, Mark Lambourn, Stephanie Lambourn, Jane Ludlow, Jill McCaffrey, Conor O’Neill, Paul Weatherhead, Tim Wood, Chris Worby.
Award for Merit: in recognition of outstanding service to Scouting: Sean Beckett, Mark Taylor, Vikki Wimbridge.
Earlier this year, we bid farwell to Peter Greenhalgh as a trustee after many years of service and friendship. We are pleased that Conor O’Neill joined Pete Jeffreys in sharing the role of Acting District Commissioner from February 2021.
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Reserve Policy
The District’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Executive Committee considers that the District should hold a sum of at least £3,000 in unrestricted reserves to meet annual needs, in addition to £3,500 designated for the
minibus, £2,000 for Angel’s Corner, and an amount to support the Adventure Fund. Given
the current financial situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, these levels remain under continual review. Circa £22,000 of additional income from government support grants arising from the Covid-19 pandemic has been received this year.
The District held uncommitted reserves, not including the Explorers' funds, of £6,449 at the year end.
Funds
| Funds | |
|---|---|
| Designated | |
| General Fund | £3,000 |
| Minibus Fund | £3,500 |
| Angel’s Corner Fund | £10,729 |
| Adventure Fund | £8,200 |
| Total Designated | £25,429 |
| Undesignated | |
| Other Funds | £18,707 |
| Explorer Funds | £10,309 |
| Total Undesignated | £40,516 |
| Total Funds | £54,445 |
Investment Policy
The District's net Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to Invest in long-term investments such as stocks and shares. The District has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only main stream banks or building societies or The Scout Association Short Terms Investment Service.
Future plans
The Trustees plan to continue to support the development of the delivery of Scouting throughout the District to the benefit of all the current and future members of the Scouting Movement.
Independent Examiner
Suzanne Murphy FCCA has been appointed by the Trustees as an Independent Examiner
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Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
Full name Mr P Jeffreys Signature ____ Position: Acting District Commissioner Date: 18[th] May 2021 Full name Mr B Soulby Signature ____ Position: Treasurer Date: 18[th] May 2021
For the year 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021
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Scouts Kennet Recei ts and t[t5 2020r21 2019f20 Unrestrided fd$ Re51rict fuThJs Total funds Total fuThls Re1 DOnatn$, Iwies and $imilar iic(MY Membershi subscri Less." Merrt>ershp subscrptDns Pa on NationaLCount Net nnership bsc ns retsned Subscri rers Donabons An ds Corner Grants cAh Donabjns ons 36 J19 36319 35526 32,118 32,118 32250 4201 4,201 3276 S2 5,%2 6008 20516 20516 91 ment Hire Other con* and Angds Corner 200 1599 Jb total y1h Ktivilies 33,769 33,769 18,621 oreTS DIart 350 4,115 350 4.115 Sublot FU1[al51 oref fijndraisin Cloth and otherincome Loan 15.735 Sub lotal Vestrlt Iorne Buthjin Soae interest The &out Assoaan ShortTemi Investrnt Swvte Sub lotal T(rtal GsS IncL¥ 37 084 34J56 Asset and inveslnMt sales, etc. T¢Xal recei)ts 37 37 Page 9 of 12
Scouts Kennet Receipts and Fwments 2020n1 2019r20 Unrestricted funds Restrict fu1$ Total fu15 Total funds Chatitable P Athwties - k)rers Acbwties . D&rKI Purchase of badges.unrfortrybook5 tranwi Insurance Adrrnistration e A[ & Trustees enses Independent E52nins Fees Mini &Js Sundries ds Corner Rent 8276 150 8.276 150 20506 1 J28 706 172 706 112 694 323 enses 150 1.773 234 150 1.773 234 150 enses nd 553 400 14,986 400 14,986 400 26955 Sub total Donatw)ns and Grants Donatons Sub total Asset and investment purchases, etc. 14986 26955 Net of receiiptslpayments) Tiansfern funds Cash funds last etKI Cash fdS this year eThl 22198 22,898 7,401 23,150 23,150 46,048 15,749 23,150 Page 10 of 12
Scouts Kennet Statement of &ssets and liabilities at the end d the 31st March 2021 31si Mch 2020 Total ffd$ un(riCted funds Ratricted funds Total funds Cash funds Bankcurient account- KD Bankcurrent ac£ount- KDE ild soc Floas- Distri rers Total cash funds Other ffK)net assets Taxdaim Sub td Non rTh)netary assets for charity's ovth Ld & &Jld out9 equipnErrt, fumlure dc Sub td Liabilities &eenham Scouts funds ExpSeS nojrred but not 34285 34285 14JM4 11 J19 11 J19 8ffj63 account 124 320 46.048 124 320 46.048 123 320 23.150 16A20 46 A20 16A20 16A20 46A20 46A20 LO -Angds Comer 10 b)an 10mO 10,000 10,000 12.51)0 SubtiA 10,OIJ) 12] Page 11 of 12
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Kennet District Scout Council
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