Scouts 237th Birmingham 1st Castle Bromwich Trustees, Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025 Registered charity no 504710 Scout Association registration no 14234
Trustees, Annual Report For the period I" April 2024 to 31st March 2025 Section A- Reference and administration details Name of Charity 237th Birmingham Il" CastLe Bromwich) Scout Group Registered Charity No 504710 Scout Association registration No 14234 Charity's principal address Scout HQ Brownsover Close Castle Bromwich Birmingham B36 9EF Address for correspondence Paul BrettelL Group Lead Volunteer 237 Birmingham Scout Group Five Gables SchooL Lane Hopwas Tamworth Staffordshire B78 3AD Email: inf Website: w Page 2 of 13 237th Birmingharn Ild CastiÈ Bromwichl Scout Group Trustees. Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Names of Trustees who managed the charity in 2024-25 Trustee Name Office (rf any) Dates acted if not for whole year Laura-marie MiLlward PhiLip Barrie Jackson lan Yeomans Paul Anthony BrettelL Lewis James MiLlward Mark Bostock Richard Hands Justine Whittaker Lizzie O'DonneLI Katie Millward Group Lead VoLunteer Chair Treasurer Group Lead VoLunteer12} Youth Trustee CompLiance Maintenance Finance Fundraising Fundraising April- September 2024 January- March 2025 PHge 3 of 13 237- Birmingham Ilst Castle Bromwich) Scout Group Trustses. Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Section B- Structure, governance and management 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. The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to aLI Scout Groups. The Group Scout Council consists of aLI parents. leaders and others as defined in the Group's constitution. It meets once a year at the Annual General Meeting {AGM). It has no Tnjstee responsibiLities. The Group's constitution is based on guidance from the Scout Association and is formaLly adopted by the Group Scout Council atthe AGM. The Group is managed by the Group's Trustee Board. 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 Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy. Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association and Charity Commission Guidance. They are appointed by the Group Scout Council at the Annual GeneraL Meeting {AGM} The Trustee Board consists of one ex-officio member, namely the group Lead Volunteer plus seven appointed trustees, with one vacancy. Up to September 2024. the Board met every month. except August but since then it has changed to bi-monthly meetings. Members of the Trustee Board complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee, training within the first 5 months of joining the Board. They aLso complete safety and safeguarding and GDPR training. This Trustee Board exists to supportthe Group Lead VoLunteer in meeting the responsibiLities of the appointments and is responsibLe for: The maintenance of Group property., The management of the Group's funds.. The insurance of persons, property and equipment. Assisting in the recruitment of Leaders and other adult support Appointing any sub teams that may be required. Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors. other than those who are elected. Risk and Internal Control The Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been estsbLished to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are: Damage to the building? property and equipment We receive requests for the use of buiLdings, property and equipmentfrom neighbouring organisations such as local churches, community groups and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocaL arrangements exist with these organisations. We maintain sufficient buiLdings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders. helpers. supporters and members. and claims for negligence etc. The Group is covered by the Scout Association's nationaL insurance poLicy. Risk Assessments are undertaken Page 4 of 13 23 Birmingham Il* Castle Bromwichl Scout Group Trustses. Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
before aLI artivities. All leaders. trustees and other aduLts are vetted through the DBS process and are trained in safety and safeguarding in Line with the requirements of the Scout Association. Reduced income from fundraising. We reLy on income from subscriptions and fundraising. We hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Trustee Board could. and occasionalLy do. also raise the value of subscriptions to increase our income on an ongoing basis, eithertemporarily or permanently. Reduction or Loss of leaders. We are 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, 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 aLI young peopLe aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole 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 of financial Ioss. The group has in place svstems of internal controLs that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or Loss, these incLude two signatories for alL payments and comprehensive insurance poLicies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. Equals cards have been introduced so that electronic transfer of funds can be made to section leaders instead of handling cash. Page 5 of13 237- Birmingham Il# Castle Bromwi¢hl Scout Group Trustses. AnnuHI Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Section C - Objectives and activities The Purpose of Scouting Our purpose is 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 ourfaiths, 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 - tske 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. Our Scout Group We have age specific sections. which meet at separate times in the week.11 Squirrel Drey, 2 Beaver Colonies. 3 Cub Packs and 3 Scout Troops). The Squirrel Drey is a reasonably new section for 4-6 year oLds which opened in October 2022. In addition. there are two Explorer Units catering for 14-18 year oLds, which meet at our headquarters and work closely with the Group. Each section runs a baLanced programme consisting of weekLy meetings. with team building games and training, outside activities and visits. The sections aLso run camps and weekends away. These are compLemented by activities and camps run at Group, DistricL County and nationaL LeveL We meet at our own. brick built. headquarters in Brownsover CLose, CastLe Bromwich. Policies on grant making and investments In generaL we do not make grants. We wilL occasionalLy support individuaL members with grants for specrfic expeditions. Each application is considered individually by the Trustee Board. The Group does not make investments. Stsff The Group is run by voLunteers. There are no paid stsff. Public benefft ststement The Trustees confirm that 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. Page 6 of 13 237° BiTmiThgham Ilrt Castle Brornwichl Scout Group Trustees, Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Section D - Achievements and Performance WhiLst we remain the Largest group within the Spitfire District and are proud to have this status, our overaLI numbers have reduced, which for some sections can be accounted for through movements of our people across the sections. The below chart shows the numbers recorded on the Scout Association annual census, which is compLeted at the end of January each year and refLerts the chaLLenges we face as our adult voLunteer numbers have dropped. This appears to be a generaL trend amongst voluntary organisation5 at this time. We have also seen a drop in numbers for the SquirreL and Cub sertion, which can be accounted for due to the constraints placed upon us in respect of the ratio of AduLt Volunteers to young peopLe. The good news is that we have approximately 24 on the waiting list for SquirreLs and the Cubs stiLL have an average of more than 20 per section. Although Explorers are officiaLly part of District Scouting, in line with previous years. our numbers continue include Explorer Scouts114-18yr olds) and their leaders which meet at the Group HQ. 350 r"""""" 237 Blrmlngh•m Scout Group explorerJ Iso Beavers •5qulir•15 io) 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20 2019 2020 2021 2021 2023 2024 2025 We have continued to make improvements to our Headquarters during the year. mainly through the efforts of our volunteers and fantastic maintenance support team. Upgrades have been made to the toilet facilities; minor groundworks and a falLen tree removed in the rear garden area. new camping equipment purchased, with oLder equipment donated to Less fortunate groups within our District We also do our bestto support the community in CastLe Bromwich. ALL our sections have carried out Litter picks and once again attended the Parish Remembrance Parade. Page 7 tsf 13 23P Bsrrningham I1 Casde Bromwich) Stout Group Trustees. Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Section E - FinanciaL review Reserves Policy Our poLicy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitabLe activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. We aLso hoLd reserves to cover specific future expenditure and to atLow for unexperted repairs to the building. We held unrestricted reserves of approximateLy £82.314 against this at year end. Funds in deficit There are no funds materially in deficit. Review of 2024-2025 The Group raises funds through quarterLy subscriptions and a programme of fundraising events. The Group claims Gift Aid on subscriptions and donations where possibLe. The Group will apply for charitabLe grants to support specific projects. The Group had receipts of £49,662 net of Scout Association membership fee (Capitation). The Group had expenditure of £42.464 leaving a surplus in the year of £7.198. There are no outstsnding liabiLities. The Group's funds are used to maintain the Group headquarters and to maintsin and periodicaLIy repLace the minibuses and equipment. The funds are also used to support camps and activities undertaken by the members and to cover the nationaL membership fee. The accounts and the Examiner's statement are appended to this reporL Section F - Other information Future Plans When leader resources permit we WILL Look to open a second Squirrel Drey. We look to continue growing the group across all sections with both the recruitment of the Young PeopLe and Adult Volunteers. We have started to restructure our leadership teams in line with guidance *rom the Scout Association and whilst this remains a challenge. we are making good progress that enables us to provide fantsstic scouting to the young people within the group. Page 8 of 13 237th Bim)inghÈm I1 Castle Brornwèchl Scout Group Trustees, Annu8l Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Section G - DecLaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above Signed on behaLf of the charity's trustees Signature{sl FULI namelsl Laura-marie MiLlward PhiLip Barrie Jackson Group Lead Volunteer Position Chair Date Page 9 of 13 237th Birmingham Il# Castle 8rornwithl Scout Group Trusiee5' Annual Report & Accounts 2024.2025
Charity Name 237 Castle Bromwich Scout Group Receipts and payments accounts No (if any) Period start date 0110412024 Period end date 311312025 For the period from To Section A Receipts and payments Restricted funds Totsl funds Unrestricted funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ Receipts Membership Subscriptions less Capitations paid on Net Subscriptions GiftAid 29312.50 29.313 11.832 17.481 6,580 2,140 268 29109 11832.00 11178 17480.50 17931 6580.49 6816 Donations 2139.93 4641 Other Income 267.85 170 Funds Match 120.26 120 Fund Raising Covid Grants 4517.66 4,518 6325 0.00 Jamboree 0.00 Explorers Camp Solar 0.00 -127 2371.01 2,371 2489 BuiLding CampslActivities Sub total 0.00 14683.24 14,683 48.161 12789 51034 48160.94 Bank Interest 1501.07 1,501 521 Total receipts 49,662.01 49.662 51556 Payments CampslAcLivities Training Utilities 20325.94 20.326 310 16753 310.00 5093.59 5.094 1.262 5,104 4.999 1.618 3.041 712 5588 Van Costs 1261.80 3304 Insurances 5103.50 5612 Repairs & Maintenance Uniforms & Badges Equipment Misc 4999.19 6668 1617.81 2486 3040.72 3462 711.72 532 Overseas Trip BuiLding 0.00 Total payments 42464.27 42.464 44406 Page 10 of 13 237th Birmingham Il•t Castle Brotnwichl Scout Group Trustees, Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
Net of ceIpts/(payMentsj Transfers between funds 7197.74 7,198 7150 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 75117 7,135 82.252 82314.24 7,135 89.449 Section B Statement of assets nd Liabilities at the end of he period Unrestricted funds Restricted Totsl funds Funds Categories Detsils to nearest to nearest £ Cash funds Bank Current Account Bank Deposit Account 32 Day Notice Account Fixed Notice Account 15598.20 7,135 22,733 23804.77 23.805 20777.14 20,777 20690.41 20.690 1,444 EquaLs Cardlcash Total cash/Equals funds 1443.72 82314.24 7.135 89,449 (agree balances with receipts and payments accountlsll OK OK Current value Current value Details Other monetsry assets Details Investment assets Current value Current value Total Details Land & Buildings Motor VehicLes Assets retained for the charity's own use 152,480 20.000 10.500 35,000 7.000 224,980 152.480 20,000 10,500 35,000 7.000 224.980 TraiLer/SoLar PaneLs Scouting Equipment Furniture & Fittings TotsL Total Assets 307,294 7.135 314,429 Pa9e 11 of13 237" Birmingham Il* Castle Bromwich) sCrt Group TTUStees' Annual Report & Att¢)unts 2024-2025
Amount due When due Details Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Date of approval Signature Print Name -4ScLr Page 12of 13 237 Birfningham Il# Ca5tLe 8rornwi¢hl Scout Group Trustees. Annual Report & Accounts 2024-2025
M. LAWRENCE & CO. ICAEW CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS CHARTERED ACCOLlTlT5 ? I I Stlltion R()ad .%icLhlc)rd Birniingh&m B.118RB Telephone ()] tyl 784 fj 121 Emil'. admin@mlaw'rcnLe.nrg.uk 237 CASTLE BROMWICH SCOUTC.RnlJP CASTLE BROMWICH BIRMINGHAM I have exumin¢d ihv Account8. Siatem¢nls and Tn&oi¢c% .%ubmitr¢d io m¢. und hav¢ tound somc min(IT diff¢r¢ncc%. but th¢y are No insigtiifiLuni thai IhLy do nL)t rL'quire any adjusimLnlN i() IhL ¢OunLx of th¢ 2.37 C'.&%ilc Bn)n)wich ScDul Cyruup for thc pcri(xJ 01104124 LO 31103Q5. Signed ... Fl Lgwrcnce A.C.A. Dale . A. Lawr•rKo LIB Dlp IP H. Lawr•n¢• ACA Cty.a..loiod Accoknnlanl S. Icjwrence ACCA Page 13 of 13 23P Bimiingham Il Castte Bromwich) Scotst Gioup Trustees. AnnuaLReport &Accounts 2024-2025