**Malling Scouts Annual Report – year ended 31 March 2025**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
**Charity Name:** Malling District Scout Council
## **Registered Charity Number:** 308139
**Charity’s Principal Address:** 344 New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6RZ
## **Trustees[1] :**
Adam Ray Trustee Craig Worcester District Lead Volunteer Deborah Hadley Trustee Denis Spiller District Chair Isobel Warrington District Treasurer Mark Gordon Trustee (appointed 13 July 2024) Matthew Paramor Trustee Thomas Llewellyn District Youth Lead David Silvester District Treasurer (resigned 13 July 2024) Graham Pover Trustee (resigned 13 July 2024) Kenneth Sharp Trustee (resigned 13 July 2024) Mark Price Trustee (resigned 13 July 2024) Matthew Wood Trustee (resigned 13 July 2024) Paul Gladwell Trustee (resigned 13 July 2024)
**President (Honorary):** Martin Willgoss
> **1** During 2024, Scouts underwent a period of transformation, and at the AGM the District Scout Council adopted a new constitution which led to several roles no longer having ex-officio membership of the trustee board, and a number of former trustees resigned as a trustee to focus on their operational roles. The new trustee board has a renewed focus on governance and its membership reflects this.
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## **Structure, governance and management**
The District’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 District 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 of The Scout Association.
The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District, 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 Trustee Board consists of Chair, Treasurer, District Lead Volunteer, District Youth Lead and up to six appointed trustees.
This District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation’s policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high-quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _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
## _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
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- undertake new and challenging activities
- 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.
## **Achievements and performance**
It’s been another successful year for Malling Scouts. The year saw us transform our volunteer experience, with the launch of a new digital system, teams and ways of volunteering.
Our newly formed Programme Team began delivering events for young people from across the Malling area. The events included the District coming together to celebrate St George’s Day at the Friars in Aylesford, as well as events for Squirrels and a silent disco for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.
The Groups across the District continue to offer a wide range of opportunities to young people in the area, helping them gain skills for life. We were also able to open a new Explorer Unit, Phoenix, to increase capacity within the 14-24 provision, and look forward to seeing how this grows in the years to come.
The major achievement in the year was taking over 200 people to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, in Switzerland, for the adventure of a lifetime - exploring the country, taking part in adventurous activities and making new friends. With representation of both adults and young people from right across the District, this was the standout event of the year.
Our Campsite Support, Management and Development Teams continue to work on maintaining and developing Comp Wood, which includes construction of a new building and refurbishment of existing facilities. We are excited to watch the new building and facilities take shape.
Young people remain at the heart of everything that we do in Malling, shaping the activities we offer which gives them opportunities to take on leadership roles. The Youth Team has been at the heart of this, holding a youth forum for Scouts and Explorers to share their thoughts, and a youth panel being instrumental to decision making as part of the trip to Kandersteg.
Finally, a massive thank you to all the volunteers across the District, without your unwavering support and dedication we would not be able to provide our young people with Skills for Life!
## **Financial review**
## _Reserves 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 Trustee Board considers the District should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months of non-discretionary running costs and 50% of discretionary running costs, now held at £14,800.
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The District Trustee Board reviewed the reserves held in the year and increased these to meet the reserves policy. The reserves are to be increased on an annual basis in line with inflation, then reviewed every three years or when required.
## _Investment Policy_
The District’s Income and Expenditure can result in surplus funds being held whilst projects are ongoing, but this is not sufficient to invest in longer-term investments. The District has therefore adopted a low-risk strategy to the investment of its funds, utilising instant access and notice savings accounts. All funds are held in cash, using only mainstream banks or building societies.
## **Declaration**
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Isobel Warrington Position District Treasurer Date 31/05/2025
Isobel Warrington
Craig Worcester District Lead Volunteer 31/05/2025
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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF MALLING DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Malling District Scout Council (“the Trust”) for the year ending 31 March 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of the report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination and confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Ben Hibben
Qualification: ACA Address: 4A Newton Road, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2JD Date: 31/05/2025
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## **STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|**Notes**
**Membership income**
Membership subscriptions
Membership subscriptions paid
**Net membership retained**
**Comp Wood campsite**
Badge income
Badge expenses
Campsite fees
Donation income
Development and equipment
Insurance
Maintenance and repairs
Utilities
**Campsite surplus / (deficit)**
**Income**
Badge income
Bank interest
Fundraising
Gift aid
Grants
3
Programme – district
Programme – explorers
Programme – network
OSM
Top awards
UK & international camps
Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
Admin – licences and software
Admin – insurance
Adult support and training
AGM and trustee expenses
Badge expenses
Campsite development
Charlie Girling bursary fund
2
Equipment expenses
Internet|**Unrestricted**
**£**
67,020
(58,671)
**8,349**
239
(294)
8,649
1,205
(208)
(891)
(7,020)
(1,060)
**620**
1,051
969
-
3,788
3,750
3,437
18,874
2,150
820
6,110
60,222
3,497
**104,668**
(2,818)
(153)
(36)
(341)
(1,116)
(7,724)
-
(6,567)
(150)|**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
(163)
-
-|**Total**
**£**
67,020
(58,671)
**8,349**
239
(294)
8,649
1,205
(208)
(891)
(7,020)
(1,060)
**620**
1,051
969
-
3,788
3,750
3,437
18,874
2,150
820
6,110
60,222
3,497
**104,668**
(2,818)
(153)
(36)
(341)
(1,116)
(7,724)
(163)
(6,567)
(150)|**2024**
**£**
59,637
(52,230)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**7,407**
-
-
7,110
1,704
-
(1,078)
(9,548)
(1,421)|
|||||**(3,233)**
3,838
366
517
-
6,500
14,910
30,562
-
820
5,191
140,241
2,316|
|||||6
**205,261**
(2,369)
-
-
(1,026)
(4,124)
-
(435)
-
-|
|Programme – district
Programme - explorers
Programme – network
Top awards
UK & international camps
Youth shaped scouting
Other expenses - clothing, flag
**Total expenditure**
**Surplus / (deficit)**
**Movement in funds**
Cash funds b/fwd
Surplus / (deficit)
Cash funds c/fwd|(7,390)
(19,918)
(1,407)
(6,107)
(157,267)
(194)
(2,775)
**(213,963)**
**(100,326)**
346,588
(100,326)
246,262|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**(163)**
**(163)**
14,215
(163)
14,052|(7,390)
(19,918)
(1,407)
(6,107)
(157,267)
(194)
(2,775)
**(214,126)**
**(100,489)**
360,803
(100,489)
260,314|(47,590)
(26,520)
-
(4,718)
(50,879)
(1,455)
(3,767)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**(142,883)**|
|||||**66,552**|
|||||294,251
66,552
360,803|
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## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2025**
|**Notes**
**Cash funds**
Current accounts
Savings accounts
Notice accounts
Prepaid cards
Petty cash
**Total cash funds**
**Non-monetary assets**
Badge stock
1.3
Campsite buildings
1.2
Campsite land
1.2
District equipment
1.2
**Total other assets**
**Total assets**|**Unrestricted**
**£**
82,398
49,081
111,073
3,707
3
**246,262**
1,126
236,794
19,000
48,488
**305,408**
**551,670**|**Restricted**
**£**
14,052
-
-
-
-
**14,052**
-
-
-
-
**-**
**14,052**|**Total**
**£**
96,450
49,081
111,073
3,707
3
**260,314**
1,126
236,794
19,000
48,488
**305,408**
**565,722**|**2024**
**£**
359,519
-
-
1,284
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**360,803**
1,413
81,301
19,000
-|
|||||**101,714**|
|||||**462,517**|
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## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
## _1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements_
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Commission, under the receipts and payments basis. Assets and liabilities are recognised at historical cost or transaction value, unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
## _1.2 Tangible fixed assets_
During the year, the District Trustee Board decided it would be more relevant to update the assets held by the charity to the insured value, however the campsite land continues to be held at the purchase price. The campsite buildings and district equipment were updated to the insured value as of December 2024.
## _1.3 Badge Stock_
The badge stock is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
## _1.4 Taxation_
The Council is a registered charity and accordingly is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable purposes.
## **2. Funds**
## _Unrestricted Funds_
Funds that are available to be spent freely to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising fall short.
This fund includes designated funds, which utilised for expenses relating to specific events or fundraising efforts, such as:
- Comp Wood Development Fund
- District and Campsite Reserves _(see reserves policy on pg. 3)_
- Programme Support Fund
## _Restricted Funds_
Funds that are only to be used for the purpose set up in the restriction. In the current year, these include:
- Charlie Girling Bursary – a restricted fund in memory of Charlie Girling to support young people in the district to take part in events and activities.
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## **3. Grants**
During the year, a community development grant of £3,750 was received from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for equipment to facilitate our international camp at Kandersteg and for future camps both international and domestic.
During the prior year, £3,000 was received from Cobtree Charity Trust for Duke of Edinburgh equipment, and £3,500 from The Scout Association for the support of the new Explorer section.
## **4. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses**
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £nil).
During the year, no expenses were reimbursed or paid directly to any Trustee on behalf of their Trusteeship (2024 - £nil).
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