## **Trustees’ Annual Report**
for the period 1[st ] January 2024 – 31[st ] December 2024.
## **Section A: Reference and administration details**
## **Details**
_Charity name:_ The 11th/9th Cambridge Scout Group _Other name:_
Newnham Scout Group _Registered charity number:_ 308261 _Charity’s Principal Address:_ Newnham Scout and Guide Centre, Chedworth Street, Cambridge. CB3 9JF
## **Trustees**
_Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity_
_In accordance with The Scout Association’s guidelines on converting Executive Committees into Trustee Boards, the Group has reduced the number of trustees._
Anthony William Claydon (until 12th May 2024) - Group President Sanchia Norris - Chair Robert Frank Lee - Group Lead Volunteer Peter Kirwan (until 12th May 2024) - Beaver Section Team Leader Christopher Rosier (until 12th May 2024) - Cubs Section Team Leader Deborah Mullinger (until 12th May 2024) - Scouts (Amazons) Section Team Leader Debbie Pearl (until 12th May 2024) - Scouts (Spartans) Section Team Leader Karen Dahlsveen (until 12th May 2024) - Scouts (Spartans) Section Team Leader Emily Dutton (until 12th May 2024) - Explorer Section Team Leader Charles Gold - Treasurer Rebaka Begum - Secretary James Ibberson (until 12th May 2024) Kirsty McDougall Nick Whitehead Nabil Assad (until 12th May 2024) Bethan Roden - Spartans Scouts Section Team Leader (from 12th May 2024)
## **Advisers**
Lawyers: Taylor Wessing, London EC4A
## **Section B: Structure, Governance and Management**
_Description of the charity’s trusts_
## **Type of governing document**
The Group’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.
## **How the charity is constituted**
The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Group has adopted additional definitions to guide its governing body:
## **Quorum for the Trustees**
Until 12th May 2024:
- ● Group Lead Volunteer (formerly known as the `�` Chair of Trustees `�` Group Scout Leader)
- `�` Two Section Leaders
- `�` Two elected members
From 12th May 2024:
- Group Lead Volunteer
- Chair of Trustees
- Two other members
The AGM on 12th May 2024 voted to agree the new Quorum in light of the restructuring of the Trustee Board.
## **Quorum for the Building Management Subcommittee** `�`
Four in number from among the committee members
## **Quorum for meetings of the Group Scout Council**
- `�` Group Lead Volunteer
- `�` Chair of Trustees
- `�` Two Section Leaders
- `�` Two elected members
## **Elected members on the Trustees**
Until 12th May 2024: The Trustees shall include one elected member per open section in the Group.
From 12th May 2024: The Trustees shall include one member elected from among the uniformed leaders volunteering with any section in the Group
## **Trustee selection methods**
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
## **Additional governance issues**
The Group is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group 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.
Members of the Trustee Board complete ‘Essential Information for Trustees Introduction’ training within the first 3 months of joining the trustee board.
This Trustee Board exists to support the Group Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
- The maintenance of Group property;
- The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance; `�` The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
- Group public occasions;
- Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; `�` Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
- Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected
The Group Trustees have identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
- Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
- Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
- Reduced income from fund-raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
- Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant on volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.
- Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group would be required; the process for handling such a situation is detailed in the Policy, Organisation and Rules governing the operation of a Scout Group.
## **Section C: Objectives and activities**
## **Charity objects**
_Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document._
## **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
- undertake new and challenging activities
- make and live by their Promise.
## **Activities**
_Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects._
The 11th/9th Cambridge is a large Scout Group based in the Newnham district of Cambridge but drawing young people and adult volunteers from further afield.
The group is composed of around 150 young people aged between 4 and 18 who are assisted by 50 adult volunteers.
The Beavers enjoyed a year packed with fun, learning, and adventure. They began by exploring communications through radio broadcasts and secret messages, and later excelled in the international Jambowlree, ranking in the top 100 Beaver colonies worldwide. The spring term featured nature activities at Wandlebury Country Park and a cycle ride to Grantchester, along with fire safety lessons, a Beaver Olympics, and a scavenger hunt. Summer highlights included a thrilling trip to Beaver Fundays at Gilwell Park, trying activities like rafting and go-karting. In autumn, the Beavers joined a group camp at Skreens Park and welcomed special guests, learning about wildlife, local government, and astronomy—all while continuing to engage with their community and the outdoors.
2024 was an action-packed and rewarding year for the Cubs, filled with fun, learning, and achievement. The pack took part in a wide variety of activities including fire lighting, cooking, pioneering, games, and camping—earning an impressive 271 badges and a record-breaking 7 Silver Chief Scout Awards. Highlights from the year included building parachutes, quirky themed evenings like Biscuit Bonanza and Elephant Night, and a visit to Whittlesford vets. In summer, the Cubs honed their camp skills, learned first aid, and explored Newnham on a trail and bike ride. District Camp in June was a standout, featuring tents, campfires, rock climbing, and the thrilling Cresta Run. Autumn brought creative activities, community involvement through Trick or Eat, and a visit from an author.
The Amazons Scout Troop had a fantastic year filled with skill-building, creativity, and adventure. Weekly meetings featured highlights like ice skating, archery, cooking on fires, mini golf, and themed badge nights where Scouts explored everything from pasta-making to DIY projects and telescope-building. The troop also enjoyed four exciting camps, starting with a muddy but memorable spring camp at Thriftwood, followed by an action-packed summer camp at Bushy Wood featuring climbing, low ropes, pizza-making, hiking the Seven Sisters, and even a sailing and SUP adventure. In autumn, they joined the group camp at Skreens Park, where Scouts impressed on the high ropes and bonded as a team. The year wrapped up with the Silver Fox incident hike in November, where all teams performed brilliantly—placing 2nd and 3rd—and celebrated with a hot dog and a night under canvas.
The Spartans Scout Troop have also had a busy year. Highlights of weekly meetings included joint ice skating with the Amazons, clip and climb, annual ice cream making using liquid nitrogen, archery, cooking on fires, badge nights, night hikes, pioneering and more. The troop also enjoyed summer activity days undertaking climbing and water sports. In autumn, they joined the group camp at Skreens Park, where Scouts enjoyed cooking together, campfires, high ropes, raft building, axe throwing and orienteering. The year wrapped up with the Silver Fox incident hike in November, where a young team did excellently and celebrated with a hot dog and a night under canvas.
The Explorer Scouts had a remarkable year marked by personal growth, leadership, and community service. A major highlight was the introduction of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with over a dozen members completing their expeditions and engaging in diverse skill-building and volunteering activities—from martial arts to mentoring younger Scouts. Explorers also thrived outdoors, taking part in multiple nights away and playing a key leadership role at Group Camp, where they supported younger sections and helped run games, while still enjoying archery, climbing, and plenty of cake. Weekly meetings fostered teamwork and camaraderie through hands-on challenges, creative projects, and the occasional sweet reward. Their strong community spirit shone through initiatives like the Halloween food drive for local shelters, participation in the Remembrance Day service, and continued volunteer work beyond Scouting—demonstrating a deep commitment to making a positive impact.
The group continues to thrive and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
## **Public benefit**
The Group meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
## **Section D: Achievements and performance**
## **Summary**
The Group has continued to provide education, training and support to young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. It has been supported in this aim by the parents of the young people in particular and the community generally.
## **Financial Review**
## **Reserves policy**
The Group’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Trustees consider that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months’ running costs, circa £45,000, considering the growth of the group and rising costs.
In addition to this the Trustees are looking to strategically build capital reserves to rebuild or replace the building in which the group meets.
## **Deficits**
The group has no funds materially in deficit.
## **Further details**
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk-averse strategy to the investment of its funds. Currently all funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. The trustees have placed a portion of the group's funds into an interest-bearing account to prevent erosion through inflation
## **Section F: Other Optional Information Plans**
_Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them)._
The Group intends to continue to offer high quality, co-educational Scouting to young people in the community.
The Trustees are actively working on addressing the future and the state of the building in which the Group meets, and which is used by the wider community.
In accordance with guidance issued by Scout HeadQuarters and current best practice the Trustees are looking to reshape the structure of the Trustee Board from 2024. The intention is that this will allow the scouting volunteers to focus separately on their scouting activities and roles and ensure that the Trustees facilitate the administrative support that the group requires.
## **Section G: Declaration**
## **Approval**
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Sanchia Sanchia Norris Robert Frank Lee Chair Group Lead Volunteer
Charity number: 308261
## 11th/9th Cambridge Scout Group Accounts
## For the year ended 31st December 2024
|Receipts and Payments|||
|---|---|---|
|**Note**
Receipts
Donations, Legacies and similar receipts
Donations
**Sub-total**
Grants
Gift Aid
**Sub-total**
Fundraising (gross)
Other fundraisaing activities
**Sub-total**
Investment receipts
Bank Interest
Property rental income
Minibus usage contributions
Guiding contribution
**Sub-total**
Scouting receipts
Membership Subscriptions
Uniform sales
Camps income
Other activities income
Other income
**Sub-total**
Total Receipts|**2024**
**£**
10,653.80
£
10,653.80
£
-
£
-
£
2,601.01
£
2,601.01
£
3,619.80
£
3,260.00
£
9,223.45
£
645.00
£
16,748.25
£
17,652.50
£
80.00
£
17,430.04
£
6,124.69
£
10.99
£
41,298.22
£
71,301.28
£|**2023**
**£**
3,591.67
£|
|||3,591.67
£|
|||3,307.25
£|
|||3,307.25
£|
|||291.53
£|
|||291.53
£|
|||87.97
£
1,462.50
£
9,183.48
£
865.00
£|
|||11,598.95
£|
|||17,353.00
£
54.00
£
13,823.72
£
11,775.32
£
-
£|
|||43,006.04
£|
|||61,795.44
£|
|Payments
Charitable Payments
Rent
Water and Sewerage
Electricity, gas & telecoms
Insurance
Building repairs
Equipment, materials and repairs
Housekeeping
Printing and photocopying
Adult support
OSM charges
Bank charges
**Sub-total**
Scouting activity Payments
Scouting association fees
Youth activities
Camps
Uniform & badges
**Sub-total**
Fundraising payments
AGM expenses
Other Fundraising costs
**Sub-total**
Minibus payments
Minibus running costs
**Sub-total**
Total Gross Payments
Surplus
Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end|100.00
£
141.22
£
1,984.42
£
3,835.50
£
312.16
£
7,874.97
£
2,168.00
£
43.20
£
275.65
£
207.32
£
55.28
£
16,997.72
£
7,024.50
£
6,067.79
£
15,116.35
£
3,068.92
£
31,277.56
£
113.30
£
101.00
£
214.30
£
3,363.05
£
3,363.05
£
51,852.63
£
19,448.65
£
157,757.44
£
177,206.09
£|100.00
£
211.33
£
1,773.01
£
3,573.01
£
875.01
£
1,881.95
£
1,976.66
£
-
£
-
£
-
£
5.00
£|
|---|---|---|
|||10,395.97
£|
|||5,710.00
£
10,903.95
£
16,131.66
£
2,227.75
£|
|||34,973.36
£|
|||504.88
£
-
£|
|||504.88
£|
|||3,981.36
£|
|||3,981.36
£|
|||49,855.57
£
11,939.87
£
145,817.57
£
157,757.44
£|
|Assets|||
|Scout Group Cash Funds
Scout Bank current accounts
**Sub-total**
Centre Cash funds
Centre Bank current accounts
Centre Bank deposit accounts
**Sub-total**
Total Current Assets
Fixed Assets
Centre Building
Minibusses & trailer
Camping equipment
Total fixed assets
Total assets
**1**
Notes to the Accounts|169,778.81
£
169,778.81
£
7,427.27
£
0.01
£
7,427.28
£
177,206.09
£
1,000.00
£
7,946.24
£
1,000.00
£
9,946.24
£
187,152.33
£|151,552.50
£|
|||151,552.50
£|
|||6,196.04
£
8.90
£|
|||6,204.94
£|
|||157,757.44
£
1,000.00
£
9,932.80
£
1,000.00
£
11,932.80
£
169,690.24
£|
1. Movement in total assets
|Change in total assets
Being:
Surplus for the year, as above
Minibus depreciation charge|17,462.09
£
19,448.65
£
(1,986.56)
£|
|---|---|
||17,462.09
£|
LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees ljuly 20191
England & Wales
Template I: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and
payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial
year
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Ilth19th Cambridge Scout Group
th
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the The I Ith19 Cambridge Scout Group forthe year ended
31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
th
As the charity trustees of The Ilth19 Cambridge Scout Group you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act'l.
th
I report in respect of my examination of The l 1 19, Cambridge Scout Group accounts carried out under section 145 of the
201 l Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the appLicabLe Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145151 Ibl of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materiaL matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination giving me cause to believe that in any materiaL respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect of The Illh19' Cambridge Scout Group as required by section 130 of
the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Signed.. J Stead
Name.. John Stead
Relevant professional qualif ication or membership of professionaL bodies lif any).. Chartered Accountant
Address.. 39 Owlstone Road. Cambridge, CB391H
Date.. l May 2025