OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2026-03-31-accounts

Malling Scouts Annual Report – year ended 31 March 2026

TRUSTEES REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

Charity Name: Malling District Scout Council

Registered Charity Number: 308139

Charity’s Principal Address: 344 New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6RZ

Trustees:

Adam Ray Trustee Craig Worcester District Lead Volunteer Deborah Hadley Trustee Denis Spiller District Chair Isobel Warrington District Treasurer Mark Gordon Trustee Matthew Paramor Trustee Thomas Llewellyn District Youth Lead

President (Honorary): Martin Willgoss (resigned 28[th] June 2025)

1

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:

2

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

Following the highlights of a District trip to Kandersteg last year, it has been another year of fun and adventure for Malling Scouts.

Over the year, we have welcomed new volunteers across the District and to the District Team, which has helped us open new sections and give opportunities for young people in Malling. Our Squirrels provision has expanded with over half of our groups now offering Squirrels and more due to open in the year to come.

Our Programme Team has continued to bring volunteers together to help with networking and offering district wide activities for young people. Notably, we returned to The Friars in Aylesford for St George's Day where the event was planned, shaped and delivered by young people. Throughout the year, Squirrels held their annual get together, Scouts went bowling and a District laser tag event was held to help raise funds for Comp Wood. Alongside this, plans are underway for Quest 9 in 2027, with a growing team, theme and list of programme activities.

The summer was dominated by Kent International Jamboree with lots of Scouts and Explorers taking part in the week long camp, whilst many of our volunteers supported the wider running of the event.

The Explorers provision continues to grow with more young people taking part in Explorers, completing their Duke of Edinburgh's award and supporting our groups as Young Leaders. The focus on the year ahead is on expanding the support for our Young Leaders. In the autumn we selected the 7 representatives of the District to attend the World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027. It was amazing to see the range of people interested in attending, making the selection process very challenging. We look forward to seeing what the participants get up to on their journey to and at the Jamboree and wish them luck in their fundraising efforts.

Our Campsite Support, Management and Development Teams continue to work on maintaining and developing Comp Wood, which includes the construction of a new air rifle range, second campfire circle and several field shelters.

Young people remain central to everything that we do in Malling, shaping the activities we offer which gives them opportunities to take on leadership roles. The Youth Team has grown and with it new ideas and even more enthusiasm. The team is focused on ensuring young people's voices are heard and young people can access voluntary positions in the District. A key focus for the year ahead is on the shaping of Quest 9, building on the success of the youth panel that helped shape Kandersteg 24.

3

Finally, a massive thank you to all the volunteers across the District, without their unwavering support and dedication we would not be able to provide our young people with such amazing opportunities and adventures.

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 £15,000.

The District Trustee Board reviewed the reserves held in the prior 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 02/06/2026

Craig Worcester

District Lead Volunteer

02/06/2026

4

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 2026.

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:

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

Date: 5 June 2026

5

STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

Notes
Comp Wood campsite
Badge income
Badge expenses
Campsite fees
Donation income
Development and equipment
Insurance & admin
Maintenance and repairs
Other income
Utilities
Campsite surplus / (deficit)
Income
Badge income
Bank interest
Donations
Gift aid
Grants
3
Membership subscriptions
5
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
Bank charges
Campsite development
Charlie Girling bursary fund
2
Equipment expenses
Grants paid
Internet
Membership subscriptions
5		 Unrestricted
£
117
-
9,096
10,220
(10,443)
(1,224)
(6,587)
95
(766)
508
338
2,770
1,721
2,974
3,875
67,697
3,805
31,094
1,677
780
6,215
14,496
989
138,431
(2,844)
(187)
(1,238)
(346)
(1,351)
(44)
(5,340)
-
(9,750)
(50)
(1,047)
(59,032)		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
110
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
110
-
-
(110)
-
-
-
-
(525)
-
-
-
-		 Total
£
117
-
9,096
10,220
(10,443)
(1,224)
(6,587)
95
(766)
508
338
2,770
1,721
2,974
3,985
67,697
3,805
31,094
1,677
780
6,215
14,496
989
138,541
(2,844)
(187)
(1,348)
(346)
(1,351)
(44)
(5,340)
(525)
(9,750)
(50)
(1,047)
(59,032)		 2025
£
239
(294)
8,649
1,205
(208)
(891)
(7,020)
-
(1,060)
620
1,051
969
-
3,788
3,750
67,020
3,437
18,874
2,150
820
6,110
60,222
3,497
171,688
(2,818)
(153)
(36)
(341)
(1,116)
-
(7,724)
(163)
(6,567)
-
(150)
(58,671)

6

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		 (4,721)
(21,365)
(2,901)
(5,937)
(21,498)
(130)
(3,055)
(140,836)
(1,897)
246,262
(1,897)
244,365		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
(635)
(525)
14,052
(525)
13,527		 (4,721)
(21,365)
(2,901)
(5,937)
(21,498)
(130)
(3,055)
(141,471)
(2,422)
260,314
(2,422)
257,892		 (7,390)
(19,918)
(1,407)
(6,107)
(157,267)
(194)
(2,775)
(272,797)
(100,489)
360,803
(100,489)
260,314

7

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AS AT 31 MARCH 2026

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
£
51,033
78,240
113,397
1,695
-
244,365
855
246,235
19,000
51,883
317,973
562,338		 Restricted
£
13,527
-
-
-
-
13,527
-
-
-
-
-
13,527		 Total
£
64,560
78,240
113,397
1,695
-
257,892
855
246,235
19,000
51,883
317,973
575,865		 2025
£
96,450
49,081
111,073
3,707
3
260,314
1,126
236,794
19,000
48,488
305,408
565,722

8

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

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 previous 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 are carried at the insured value, revalued in November 2025.

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 are utilised for expenses relating to specific events or fundraising efforts, such as:

Restricted Funds

Funds that are only to be used for the purpose set up in the restriction. In the current year, these include:

9

3. Grants

During the year, we received two grants of £1,375 and £750 from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for equipment to facilitate programme and events for our Explorer units. We also received a grant from The Scout Association of £110 under the Training and Permits grant, as well as £1,750 from the Kent Youth Trust for fees relating to participants of the World Scout Jamboree in Poland 2027.

During the prior year, a community development grant £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.

4. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2025 - £nil).

During the year, no expenses were reimbursed or paid directly to any Trustee on behalf of their Trusteeship (2025 - £nil).

5. Membership Subscriptions

During the year, The Scout Association changed their advice to ‘Membership Subscriptions are not collected on an agency basis by Districts, so the payments and receipts related to this must be presented as “gross”’. Therefore, the presentation of the Membership Subscriptions within these accounts no longer presents ‘net membership retained’.

10