2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/04/2024 To 31/03/2025

Charity name: Bispham Hall Scout Estate Charity registration number: 503724

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	Bispham Hall Scout Estate‘s purpose is to provide safe, secure and appropriate camping facilities, indoor accommodation and facilitate training, outward-bound and scouting related activities for the benefit of the scout association members, guide association members and all other youth organisations.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Brief summary To carry out its purpose Bispham Hall Scout Estate must continually repair, maintain and improve the facilities that it has to offer. This includes 60 acres of fields and woodland, toilet and wash/shower facilities and a facility that offers indoor accommodation, cooking and activity space for 60 people. The major maintenance and repair tasks have included: -  Accommodation refurbishment  Statutory testing such as PAT tests, Boiler services, etc Further information about this year’s activities is included in Appendix A and Appendix B
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	All trustees’ actions have been taken with regard to coincide with guidance from the charity commission to the best of their knowledge.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Here is a brief summary please see Appendix A and Appendix B for further details of this year’s undertakings. BHSE has accumulated over 6000 camper night and has supported the following large events: -  Greater Manchester West Cub Mudder  Wigan scouting skills  Brownie Fun Day  Chariot Race (Over 50 Teams)  St Helens District Camp

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Par a 1.2 1	PLEASE SEE REVIEWED ACCOUNTS FOR FULL VERSION AND FURTHER INFORMATION Bispham Hall Scout Estate page 3 Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31st March 2025 2024/25 2023/24 £ £ ASSETS MONETARY ASSETS Cash, bank and similar funds Operating account 25478 16932.44 Investment Account (Development Fund) 17779 19394.33 Provi Account 14163.43 7182 Cash in hand 437 0 Grant Account 13619.10 17519 11478 61028 NON-MONETARYASSETS Providore Stocks 6560.65 3464 Buildings, Equipment, furniture, etc 340139 340139 346700 343603 TOTAL ASSETS 418177 404631 LIABILITIES DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 0 0 Accounts not yet paid 0 0 Expenses incurred not yet invoiced TOTAL LIABILITIES 0 0 BALANCE OF ASSETS& LIABILITIES 418177 404631 CONTINGENCIES & FUTURE OBLIGATIONS 0 0 Operating contingency (assessed annually) 20000 20000 20000 20000
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Par a 1.2 2	Bispham Hall Scout Estate has no formal policy on holding financial reserve. However approximately £20,000 was held in reserve as an operating contingency to assist with any unforeseen expenditure. This for example could cover maintaining buildings such as in the event of boiler failure, unforeseen uninsured loss, major repair to agricultural equipment or any work required on maintaining utilities such as gas, water or electric supplies.
Amount of reserves held	Par a 1.2 2	Approximately £20,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Par a 1.2 2	Not Applicable
Details of fund	Par a	No funds are in financial deficit.

materially in deficit	1.2 4
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Par a 1.2 3	There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Bispham Hall Scout Estate is governed by a constitution. Ratified on the 16th June 1974
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	The charity is constituted by a declaration of trust.
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Bispham Hall Scout Estate Management Committee consists of Ex-Officio, co- opted and elected members. The Trustees consist of elected and co- opted members. Bispham Hall Scout Estate follow the Policy, organisation and Rules (POR) of the scout association when running and administrating the management committee. Co-opted members are chosen to take on a role by specific skill, knowledge or potential contribution and are agreed by the existing management committee in- between AGM. The Elected members stand for election at the AGM. Nominated members are nominated by the campsite manager in partnership with the chair and approved at the AGM

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Bispham Hall Scout Estate
Other name the charity uses	--
Registered charity number	503724
Charity’s principal address	Bispham Hall Scout Estate Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire, WN5 7DT

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

	Trustee name	Office(if any)	Dates acted if not for wholeyear
1	Andrew Palin		Whole Year (April24–Mar 25)
2	Katherine Rigge		Whole Year (April24–Mar 25)
3	Martin Shaw		Whole Year (April24–Mar 25)
4	Christopher Hayes		Whole Year (April24–Mar 25)
3	Susan Baines		Part Year(April24 – Sep24)
4	Daniel Robinson		Part Year(April24 – Sep24)
5	Alan Hayton		Part Year(April24 – Sep24)
6	John Broomhead		Part Year(April24 – Sep24)
7	Janice Platt		Part Year(April24 – Sep24)
8	Joan Hayton		Part Year(April24 – Sep24)

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
As above

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity	No funds or assets are held as custodian trustees on another charity’s behalf.

Name and objects of the No funds or assets are held as custodian trustees on charity on whose behalf the another charity’s behalf. assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for No funds or assets are held as custodian trustees on safe custody and another charity’s behalf. segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Andrew David Palin
Position (eg Secretary,	Chair
Chair, etc)
Date	15/01/2026

Appendix A

Bispham Hall Scout Estate - Trustees Report Year ending 31st March 2025

Appendix A

The duty of the Management Committee, as Trustees, is to oversee the work on the Estate, to keep records of all financial transactions, to take steps to safeguard the assets and to take steps for the prevention and detection of fraud. I am happy to report that all these aspects are in order.

I am also happy to report that there were no social restrictions in place during the time of this report.

Risk management / Health and Safety

Last year I mentioned that Health and Safety and risk management continue to be business as usual and that is still is the case. This activity really does go unnoticed by users of this facility, but very much a must do activity. Boilers are serviced for safety and continued operation, fire alarms are tested for adequate operation, fire extinguishers are serviced to ensure operation in the unfortunate event that they may be needed and appliances are subjected to PAT testing. Furthermore, the buildings insurance has been revaluated using a desktop exercise by our insurance company, this was carried out to ensure that we have adequate cover.

As always some of this work is carried out by professional contractors but still overseen and organized by the volunteers and the members of the management committee.

Break in

We where a victim of another break in. This time strimmer’s and other tools and equipment where stolen. CCTV footage was supplied to the police as part of their investigation. I would like to express a big thanks to those that helped clean up and secure the site after the event.

Facilities

I mentioned last year that the wardens shower and wash room facilities had started undergoing major works. I am pleased to report that this has been completed. Following the works there was a requirement from the council to further insulate the loft space across the building. This has also been completed and the insulation should help reduce on going heating costs.

Bookings

Meta Games have continued with more full site bookings. It is acknowledged that they are an external company that use the entire site, we have constantly made sure they have bookings at times when the site would otherwise have been

empty. They add large financial support to the site and we believe benefits to scouting and other youth groups outweighs the impact of availability on the few weekends.

Activities

Chariot race, the annual event run by Bispham Hall Scout Estate was successfully run for another year. An unexpected warm day was a really pleasant surprise. The teams that entered all seemed in good spirit and the site is always at it’s best when it’s full and being used. Thanks to those that helped organise the event.

Thanks

And finally, as always, a huge thank you from me to the committee for their hard work, and to every volunteer at Bispham. We constantly face challenges, but with your support, we will continue to progress and provide this facility to scouting and other youth groups, hopefully making a positive impact on everyone

Thankyou. Andrew Palin - Chairman

Appendix B

Bispham Hall Scout Estate

Annual Report 2024/25

This year, we were delighted to host a number of events including our annual chariot race, Cub Mudder, Wigan scouting skills day and a Brownie fun day. The total number of camper nights for the year was 6025. This was slightly lower than last year, although Bispham House bookings had increased. GMW Training Team chose to use Bispham House again to provide leader training for several weekends throughout the year, thank you to all involved.

Again, the number of schools and youth groups using the site through the year has increased. This is both for end-of-year activity camps as well as allowing young people to earn the respective Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Cheshire Search and rescue also used the site again for a training and certification event for their members, where they practiced outdoor scenarios in the fields and woodland. Another non-scouting organisation META Games studios, continue to use the site to run 3 events throughout the year, when the site is least used by scout groups. This provides an essential source of income to the site.

Bispham held its annual Chariot Race which has now been running for 48 years! As always this was a great weekend which was enjoyed by all. Again, the CR course was used the following weekend for Cub Mudder, hosted by GMW, which is becoming an annual event and a training ground for Cubs preparing for the CR. The original scouts 1[st] place trophy had

to be retire and a new trophy has been purchased in memory of Ken Shaw who was the assistant warden here for many years.

Although significant progress has been made to take back the bottom car park from nature, work is still ongoing and on schedule to be completed in the next year. This has included stoning some areas to improve the drainage and some tarmacking of the most frequently used areas. This will allow additional car parking on the bottom car park.

Following feedback from site users it became apparent there was a gap in indoor accommodation between Bispham house and a more affordable offering for smaller groups. It was identified that Orchard Lodge was significantly underutilized as we no longer had a regular crew. Costings to renovate Orchard lodge into a 14bed accommodation was presented to the trustees and a budget agreed to modernise the building and make it compliant for rental purposes with current legislation. This not only fills a gap in the sites offering for smaller groups but also provides another source of much needed income. This work was carried out during the winter and spring months entirely by our volunteers and was due to be completed in June 2025.

Due to the deterioration in some of the camping fields a drainage plan has been developed. Work has begun on the pines field to increase the drainage with addition of field drains, and to increase the light and airflow through removal of some trees and overgrown rhododendrons. This work is being undertaken by our volunteers and will continue over the next few years.

In March we held a strategy day with our Trustees and volunteers to begin development of refreshed our next five year plan as the previous one was due for renewal. During the day we the Mission and vision statements, reviewed last plan which had been mostly completed despite covid in the middle of the period. This provided an opportunity for staff to hear feedback from campers and to give their views and ideas for how the site looks in the future. A plan and project list is in development for staff and trustees to sign up to.

We cannot stress enough the hard work that our volunteers contribute, which makes Bispham Hall Scout Estate what it is! Midweek maintenance, duty wardens, activity instructors and those working behind the scenes, it is impossible to put into words how much we appreciate the help and support from our amazing team.

Martin & Chris

Campsite Managers

Page 1

Bispham Hall Scout Estate

Statement of Financial Activities for year ended 31st March 2024

	2024-2025	2023-2024
Income
Camping	16222.41	14907.70
Bispham House	24685.00	33005.00
Visitors	1970.73	1269.32
Activities	4782.30	4805.00
Lavvus	1899.00	2418.10
Providore Sales	12250.60	14543.20
Chariot Race	4699.00	4335.38
Sundray Income	1271.01	6974.10
Meeting room	1855.00	1594.00
Grants & Donations	0.00	0.00
interest	484.72	481.83
Full site use Non- Scouting	16271.01	10000.00
Total Income	86390.78	94333.63

Expenditure
Water	3496.92	2720.01
Electricity	10912.68	18047.84
Gas	204.07	5808.14
Telephone & Internet	454.64	968.94
Insurance	6854.19	7637.53
Waste Disp	6120.94	5171.53
TV Licence	173.00	159.00
Repairs & Maintenance	14113.46	13691.08
Providore Purchases	5255.79	10157.73
Chariot Race	1379.06	1137.25
Cleaning Wages	5300.00	5200.00
solicitor/land registry	0.00	840.00
cleaning/hygine	3532.87	3463.90
Refunds	0.00	1140.00
Activities	756.51	1444.22
Estate Machinery	3742.07	2931.93
Chubb Fire	880.25	823.67
Booking System	464.06	428.28
ICT/Electrical	0.00	30.00
Accomodation Referb	7905.70	10147.43
Stat Testing and Compliance	3324.97	2139.04
Total Expenditure	74871.18	94087.52

Bispham Hall Scout Estate

Bispham Hall Scout Estate		Page 2
Summary of Financial Activities for year ended 31st March 2025	2024-2025	2023-2024
Total Income	86390.78	94333.63
Total Expenditure	74871.18	94087.52
Net Movement of Funds (surplus)	11519.60	246.11
Brought Forward 1st April 2024	61028.11	60782.00
Carried Forward 31st March 2025	72547.71	61028.11
`

Represented by:
Current Account		25478.32	16932.44
Provi Account		14163.43	7182.09
Investment Account (Development)		17779.47	19394.33
Grant Account		13619.10	17519.25
Cash in Hand		437.39	0.00
Provi Cash	to be banked	1070.00	0.00
Total		72547.71	61028.11
End of Year Providore Stock Value(1)		6560.65	3464.30

Notes

(1) Providore Profit:

6994.81 4385.47

page 3

Bispham Hall Scout Estate

Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31st March 2025

2024/25 2023/24 £ £ ASSETS MONETARY ASSETS Cash, bank and similar funds Operating account 25478 16932.44 Investment Account (Development Fund) 17779 19394.33 Provi Account 14163.43 7182 Cash in hand 437 0 Grant Account 13619.10 17519 71478 61028 NON-MONETARY ASSETS Providore Stocks 6560.65 3464 Buildings, Equipment, furniture, etc 340139 340139 346700 343603 TOTAL ASSETS 418177 404631 LIABILITIES DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 0 0 Accounts not yet paid 0 0 Expenses incurred not yet invoiced TOTAL LIABILITIES 0 0 BALANCE OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES 418177 404631 CONTINGENCIES & FUTURE OBLIGATIONS 0 0 Operating contingency(assessed annually) 20000 20000 20000 20000	2024/25 2023/24 £ £ ASSETS MONETARY ASSETS Cash, bank and similar funds Operating account 25478 16932.44 Investment Account (Development Fund) 17779 19394.33 Provi Account 14163.43 7182 Cash in hand 437 0 Grant Account 13619.10 17519 71478 61028 NON-MONETARY ASSETS Providore Stocks 6560.65 3464 Buildings, Equipment, furniture, etc 340139 340139 346700 343603 TOTAL ASSETS 418177 404631 LIABILITIES DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 0 0 Accounts not yet paid 0 0 Expenses incurred not yet invoiced TOTAL LIABILITIES 0 0 BALANCE OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES 418177 404631 CONTINGENCIES & FUTURE OBLIGATIONS 0 0 Operating contingency(assessed annually) 20000 20000 20000 20000	2024/25 2023/24 £ £ ASSETS MONETARY ASSETS Cash, bank and similar funds Operating account 25478 16932.44 Investment Account (Development Fund) 17779 19394.33 Provi Account 14163.43 7182 Cash in hand 437 0 Grant Account 13619.10 17519 71478 61028 NON-MONETARY ASSETS Providore Stocks 6560.65 3464 Buildings, Equipment, furniture, etc 340139 340139 346700 343603 TOTAL ASSETS 418177 404631 LIABILITIES DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 0 0 Accounts not yet paid 0 0 Expenses incurred not yet invoiced TOTAL LIABILITIES 0 0 BALANCE OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES 418177 404631 CONTINGENCIES & FUTURE OBLIGATIONS 0 0 Operating contingency(assessed annually) 20000 20000 20000 20000
	0 0 0 404631
		0 20000 20000

NOTES

No allowance made for depreciation. Buildings and Equipment subject to revaluation.

BISPHAM HALL SCOUT ESTATE

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees/Members

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 1 - 3.

Repective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination 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 any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the 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 a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection 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 accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities 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.

Signed: Name: Sophie Loughnane Qualification: FCCA Address: 11 Heswall Road Stockport SK5 6SN Date: 10 September 2025