It has been a great year for Scouting in Kennet District with our volunteers going above and beyond to deliver an amazing programme to our young people. In a year of success, 58 Beavers achieved their Chief Scout Bronze Awards; 42 Cubs achieved their Chief Scout Silver Awards; and 22 Scouts were awarded their Chief Scout Gold Award. On top of this, 8 Young Leaders achieved their belts, 2 Queen Scout awards were earned, the highest award for a young person in Scouting and the first ever Scout of the World award in Berkshire went to Eleanor Rollinson of Wash Common, a massive well done!
The annual census for 2023 saw the District continue its fantastic growth. Kennet saw the 3rd highest growth in young people across the County, with 3 new sections opening their doors and 68 new members joining the movement. Since the census, we’ve also gained 2 new Squirrel Dreys, at 1[st] Newbury and 1[st] Wash Common. This wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible volunteers, and it’s been brilliant to welcome 32 new volunteers to groups across the District. Since we last gathered for an AGM, 347 activities have taken place away from regular meeting places and 42 nights’ away events have also been possible with a total of 2,242 nights away, that’s a lot of camping!
| Squirrel s |
Beavers | Cubs | Scouts | Explorer s |
YP 4-18 | Total adults |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | 25 | 267 | 296 | 222 | 75 | 885 | 264 | 1149 |
| Changefromprevious year | -18 | +40 | 0 | +34 | +12 | +68 | +34 | +75 |
| % Changefromprevious year | -42% | +18% | 0% | +18% | +19% | +8% | +3% | +7% |
| Changefrom 2018 (5 years) | +25 | +75 | +76 | +36 | -21 | +191 | +65 | +256 |
| % Changefrom 2018 | - | +39% | +35% | +19% | -22% | +28% | +33% | +29% |
Kennet District was once again reunited this year for our annual District St. George’s Day celebration. It was a great celebration of everything good about Scouting, with a fantastic sketch, activities from across the District and of course some great food with muffins the size of your head. It was also the perfect occasion to recognise MO for her unbelievable 40 years of Scouting
Angels Corner has undergone a great deal of work over the last year thanks to the hard work of a number of our volunteers. 50 trees have been planted this year, with the majority being donated by The Greenham Trust to mark their 25[th] Anniversary. Alan reliably informs me there are now 11 species of tree on site, see if you can spot them when you are next at Angel’s Corner. The site is an excellent resource for out District, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to Alan Askey, Ivan Osborne, and Laurence Parker who have led much of the work this year.
The District adventure fund has had its second full year of operation, increasing the accessibility of Scouting with grants distributed to participants attending the Alps22 Jamboree in the mountains, 25[th] WSJ and individuals involved with section and group camps. The scheme is proving popular to date, supporting several dozen young people and adults across the district.
The minibus continues to also be an incredibly valuable District asset and has been widely used by groups returning to day trips and nights away. I would like to thank both Gerard O’Neill and Ian Robinson for their help in maintaining and organising the minibus.
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:
Andrew White Brian Conlon Dan Creasey Emma Odwell Fiona Kennedy Gordon Ridgard Ian Robinson Kerry Pasucci Leigh Ruddock Lynne Valentine Mike Goddard Oliver Gomez Rebecca Hunt Richard Pethybridge Rob Daniels Tim Wood
Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service : in recognition of good service to Scouting:
Aidan O’Neill Andrew White Angus Purcell Giles Brooks Joanne Bassett John Wharry Lindsey Fraser Michael Morecroft Michael Pyne Nicola James Paul Farrant Peter Perry Stephen Alderson Suchibrata Kar Yvonne Soulby
Award for Merit : in recognition of outstanding service to Scouting:
Jan Large
I would like to extent my heartfelt thanks to both Tim Sandford and Hilary Kelly who are both stepping down from the Trustee Board at the AGM. Alan Askey has kindly volunteered to step in to the Chair role on a temporary basis to help in the search for a more permanent replacement to Tim. We also welcome Charlotte Swanson to the role of District Youth Lead and Tracy Pyne to the role of District Diversity & Inclusion Lead.
Receipts and Payments Account 1•tAwll 2022 31#1 M•rth 2023 Receipts and payments 2022123 2021122 R•c•lpl• 4X•7 141 42A11 11.138 1.er5 lJSJ 15.8S1 18.0$1 27,352 EYF4crys XJJ1 ?J12 13• ¥443 Fundrnknlty19ffj5•1 SO3¥5 1 LTllicth13
Kvnnei UiSiTICi OCOUI OUT111 Receipts and Payments Account Forlh• >•w 1* Awq 2D22 31st M•rch 2023 Receipts and payments 2022123 2021122 •JJo 678 180 iJ.170 578JV 5419> &1•7 446 446 $1.805 11151 11151 100 56,1
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year .Ir 31st March 2022 31.271 12) 123 43.949 5(100 Y•dwn 46.420 46.420 Uab51tt1•s
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Kennet District Scout Council On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 Charity no lif any) 308095 Set out on pages 1 of the Consolidaled Receipts and Payments accounts I report to the truslees on my examination of the accounts of Ihe above charily {llhe Trust") for the year ended 3110312023. Responsibilitles and basis of ieport As the charity's trustees, 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 Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in cafrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent 11 have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examlnerfs statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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. Please delete the words in the brackats rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: 15105123 Name: Paul Greenan Relevant professional qualiffication{s) or body (if any): Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants (membership number 2612551 Address: 35 Bartholomew Street Newbury RG14 5LL IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete Il the examiner needs to highlight material matters of Goncern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items ttriat the examiner wishes to disclose. The receipts and payments of Stockcross and Welford Schools have been included within the consolidated figures., however, the closing funds were not under the control of signatories approved by the charity. Bank statements have not been provided because these funds are held within general bank accounts controlled by the schools. This creates a greater risk of misappropricilion of funds. In addition, due to the figures being maintained on a spreadsheet, there is a risk of errors being made, which indeed was the case in the preliminary figures provided. My recommendation is that the Stockcross and Welford Schools are asked to operate a separate bank account for scouting adivities. The Consolidated Receipts and Payments accounts show an overall deficit for th8 year of £23,443.64. The closing funds lotalled £43,506.16, including the balance held by Stockcross and Welford Schools. Due to much of the funds being designated for specific purposes, il is recommended that robust projections are pul in pla to ensure on-going costs can be met. The charily does not currently have a Reserves Policy and a further recommendation is that the Trustees discuss and agree a suitable policy. The Annual Report for year ending 31103123 has not been reviewed. Finally, I recommend reviewng the charity's intemal controls al least annually using the Charities Commission Internal Financial Controls Checklist. IER Oct 2018
Weword and Stock¢ross Dlstrlct Explorers Comblned Ineome OofE Angelscorner DDnation Equipment F'.Ire 309.LXJ 309.LKI 1,351.90 600.00 890.00 24,036.23 1,3(x).ao 528.50 4th).00 1,675.IS 6,8(h).00 10.00 8.453.77 4S,497.70 2,370.00 1.059.70 95.281.95 1.351.90 5(M).r#i 890. ioo.c 24,036.23 Events- Cubs Events- Dlsirkt 1.300.00 S28.50 400.C 1.675.15 Gift Aid Jamboree MeEting5- Explorers Membership-ExpbrErs Membership Fees Mlnbus TransfÈr 6.800.DD io.c 8,453.77 41.225.70 2.370.OD 79.70 55,045.80 4.272.00 980. 5.252.00 34,984.15 95.281.9S Admin An15 Corner Audltor Activity Equi?ment Admin Badge5 8ank Fees Camping Equlpment OofE Events- Explorer5 Equipment Hlre Event5 Events-cubs Events- Distrlci Event5- Welford and Slockryoss Grants 1,057.93 8.857.66 216. 1.057.93 8,857.66 216.00 183.95 74. 335.80 47.27 564.05 389.(M) 32,600.53 1,018.53 183.95 74. 253.Tr) 82.80 47.27 564.05 389. 32.600.53 l.OJ8.53 1,549.02 2.284 64 1.549.02 2,284.64 25.Tr) 5,th)7.C(s 25. 6,LKK).00 2,664.28 104.85 53.912.40 1.263.98 375. 25.rAI S,M7 00 25.) 6,rm.00 Jamboree MeetlDg5- Explorers MeetlDgs- Scouts Membershlp Costs Minibtss Rent 2,664.28 1s/os/z3 104.85 41,912.10 1,263.98 3,420.90 8,S79.40 375.(N) 90. 79.70 Transfer 79.70 69,629.41 40,408 98 8,687.20 118.725.59 14.583.61 5.424.83 3,435.20 23,443.64 . 23,443.64 Bank Account batsnces LLDyds- 309089-55222168 LLoyd5- Explorers Welforé and Stockcr055 17.365.73 18,961.16 7,179.27 Summary Account balance broughtfoard Total Intome Total Expendrture Net Incorne Attount balance carrIedfard 31.949.34 55.045.80 69.629.41 14,583 61 17.365.73 24,385.99 34.984.15 40,408.98 5.424.83 18,961.16 JO.614 47 5.252.00 8.687.20 3.435.20 7,179.27 66.949.80 95,281.g5 118,725.59 23,443.64 43.506.16 SurplusllDeficltl 14,583.61 5.424.83 3.435.20 23,443.64 Months of expenditure 2.99 5.63 9.92