## **14[TH] Tonbridge Sea Scout Group 2023-24 Annual Report** 

Our Group continues to gain members and leaders, we now have over 140 young people across Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Sea Explorers.   We are supported by over forty-four committed leaders and other regular helpers who make it possible to run nearly every day of the week during the boating season. We have regular meetings on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, along with Sunday sailing for Scouts and Explorers at Bough Beech. 

The Beavers take part in wide range of fun and games at the Weir View Hut on a Monday evening, and also get to enjoy going out on the water during the boating season, this includes a water fight and ice-cream trips to the country park. 

The Cub Pack enjoyed boating activities including kayaking, motor-boating, stand up paddle boarding and pulling during the summer months, an Autumn Fancy dress party, and a Christmas party at the end of term. They made pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, created lighted boats for Diwali, and also completed their First Aid badge. Cub Camp was held at Hope Hill and included backwards cooking, air rifle shooting, archery and a trip to the windmill. 

The Sea Scout Troop have been engaged in the usual wide range of activities during the year, including weekly knot skills, an ice-skating evening for both Scouts and Explorers, and wide games. As well as the Nautical Skills badge-work, they have been enjoying kayaking, rafting, stand up paddle boarding and pulling on the river. We have added additional leaders to support to the Friday night team, we recently added ten leaders across all section to the Rafting Permit scheme to ensure we continue to deliver safe and enjoyable activities. 

The Explorers completed spring term badge work including First Aid and Science, as well as the typical Nautical Skills badge work. They then engaged in an all-weather summer season of boating, including Rafting, Kayaking, SUPs, and water skills - ensuring they have fun and learn the correct way to handle all craft. 

Summer Camp for Sea Scouts and Explorers was held at Lymington Sea Scout HQ for a second year. The weather was mixed, meaning our program had to be dynamic! Our Scouts and Explorers enjoyed a program of kayaking, powerboating and sailing, together with a range of land-based activities including tower building, camp fires, cooking and hiking. We took 64 young people and 27 helpers. This year, we will visit a new site in Bedford with 55 young people and 27 leaders to undertake sailing, motor-boating, kayaking and rafting. 

I am pleased to report that the Group’s financial position remains healthy. Our cash position was £52,642 at 31 December 2023 compared to £60,769 at 31 December 2022. We would like to thank the generosity of a number of donors, and we continue to generate other income through fundraising activities such as the water fun days that we organise for Cubs, Scouts and Guides in the District; and also from Gift Aid received on the subs and other donations.  Gift Aid remains an important source of income for the Group. 

Since we set up the Assistance Fund with the financial support of a benefactor, we have had a number of requests for financial assistance for recurring subs or activities such as Summer Camp 



that have been approved, and this Fund continues to be available to support Young People and Leaders to participate in all of our activities. 

The 14[th] Tonbridge group manages the Weir View Hut for the District as well as using it for our own activities. During the year, we have replaced kitchen units, installed a new water fountain, upgraded the lighting and installed a washing machine. 

Once again this year, on behalf of the Group Executive, I would like to thank all of the Leaders, helpers, parents and other volunteers who give so much of their free time, and so much energy to make the 14[th] Tonbridge Sea Scout Group such a wonderful experience for all our Young People. 

Our priorities for 2024 are to continue to reinforce the leadership team with new volunteers so that we can continue to deliver the large number of activities that we currently do for the 140 or so Young People in our Group, and to purchase new equipment, including new chairs and begin to replace the ageing Sailing fleet. 



Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
th
14 Tonbridge Sea Scout Group
Charity Number 308284
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31" December 2023, which comprise the
Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes.
Respective responslbllltles of trustees and examirber
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees
consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144(21 of the Charlties Act 2011 Ithe
2011 Act} and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responslbility to:
examine the accounts under settion 145 of the 2011 Att;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basls of Independent examlner's report
My examination wa5 carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission. An examlnation includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of anv
unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees
concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would
be required In an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present
'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examlner's statement
In connettion with my examination. no matter has come to my attention:
{1}
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
{2)
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Relevant professional qualification or body- ..........-.-..
Address: .....
Date: ......

2023
2022
Subscriptions
Activities
Other income
17,852
20,275
8,903
16.193
18,326
12,821
47,029
47.341
Activity expenses
Administration expenses
Premise5 COSts
Fees
{28,770)
{1,152)
(4,365)
19,631)
(26,706)
(643)
13,205)
(10,0801
rii
Insurance
Training
Equipment costs
Bank fees
Other
{3,939)
{1,062)
(3,743)
{1,590)
(904)
(3,7671
{585}
(7,1321
{1,3891
{784)
(55,155)
(54,291}
Loss for Year
18,126)
(6,9501
Group bank account
Deposit account
Scouts and Beavers
Cubs
£8,538
£43,438
£410
£256
£5,483
£54,563
£460
£263
£52,642
£60,769
Retained profits B/f
Profit for year
£60,769
(£8,126)
£67,718
(£6,950)
£52,642
£60,769

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
th
14 Tonbridge Sea Scout Group
Charity Number 308284
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31" December 2023, which comprise the
Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes.
Respective responslbllltles of trustees and examirber
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees
consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144(21 of the Charlties Act 2011 Ithe
2011 Act} and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responslbility to:
examine the accounts under settion 145 of the 2011 Att;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basls of Independent examlner's report
My examination wa5 carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission. An examlnation includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of anv
unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees
concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would
be required In an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present
'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examlner's statement
In connettion with my examination. no matter has come to my attention:
{1}
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
{2)
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Relevant professional qualification or body- ..........-.-..
Address: .....
Date: ......

2023
2022
Subscriptions
Activities
Other income
17,852
20,275
8,903
16.193
18,326
12,821
47,029
47.341
Activity expenses
Administration expenses
Premise5 COSts
Fees
{28,770)
{1,152)
(4,365)
19,631)
(26,706)
(643)
13,205)
(10,0801
rii
Insurance
Training
Equipment costs
Bank fees
Other
{3,939)
{1,062)
(3,743)
{1,590)
(904)
(3,7671
{585}
(7,1321
{1,3891
{784)
(55,155)
(54,291}
Loss for Year
18,126)
(6,9501
Group bank account
Deposit account
Scouts and Beavers
Cubs
£8,538
£43,438
£410
£256
£5,483
£54,563
£460
£263
£52,642
£60,769
Retained profits B/f
Profit for year
£60,769
(£8,126)
£67,718
(£6,950)
£52,642
£60,769