1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2025
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Section A – Reference and administration details
Charity name: 1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group (“the Group”) Charity registration number: 505048 HQ registration number: 10015007 Contact address: c/o Neil Garnham 34 Churchgate Goosnargh Preston PR3 2BD
Members of the Trustee Board (members served for the whole year, unless otherwise stated)
Nik Birkby Chair Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe Group Lead Volunteer Neil Garnham Group Treasurer Becky Clayton Tom Elcomb Sarah Halliwell James Halliwell Cath Joyce Cheryl Marland Steve Pike
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Section B – Structure, governance and management
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.
Constitution:
The Group is a charitable trust, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (‘the Charity Commission’) and established under its rules, which are common to all Scouts.
Selection of trustees:
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Governance:
The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee (“the Committee”), the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Group which is an educational charity. As trustees, the Committee is responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes registration, the keeping of proper accounting records and for making all required returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Committee, which typically meets once every 3 months, consists of 2 independent representatives: the Chair and Group Treasurer together with the Group Lead Volunteer and individual section leaders.
Members of the Committee complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' training within the first 5 months of joining the committee.
The Committee exists to support the role of the Group Lead Volunteer and is responsible for:
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The up-keep and maintenance of Group property;
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The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
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The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
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Group public occasions;
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Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
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Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
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Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Risk and internal control:
The Committee has 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 risk that have been identified are:
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Damage to buildings, property or equipment. Whilst the Group progresses plans for a new, permanent home, the Group rents meeting space from two local community facilities. Other facilities are potentially available in the local area, in the event that these facilities become unavailable. The Group maintains sufficient contents insurance to mitigate against loss of equipment.
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Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. Through its annual capitation fees, the Group contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy. In addition, risk assessments are undertaken before all activities.
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Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions. The Group aims to hold a reserve equivalent to at least 12 months operating expenditure to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Group prepares annual budgets and, in conjunction with the review of these budgets and forecasts, the Committee can adjust the subscriptions charge as required, to mitigate any potential shortfall in income.
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Reduction or loss of leaders. The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer its scouting activities. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section, or across 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. However, the Committee aims to ensure that resources are allocated across the Group to maximise the opportunity for young people to participate across all sections. Furthermore, the Group currently has a strong leadership team and has a record of being able to recruit new leaders where short term issues arise.
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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 or, In the worst case scenario, the complete closure of the Group. However, the Group continues to experience strong demand from the local community, in particular across the younger sections, and mitigates this risk by providing a broad range of activities and experiences for young people that cannot easily be replicated elsewhere.
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Section C – Objectives and activities
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.
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:
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Integrity We act with integrity, we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
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Respect We have self-respect and respect for others.
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Care We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
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Belief We explore our faiths, beliefs and at udes.
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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:
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enjoy what they are doing and have fun;
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take part in activities indoors and outdoors;
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learn by doing;
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share in spiritual reflection;
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take responsibility and make choices;
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undertake new and challenging activities; and
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make and live by their Promise.
Activities:
During the year, the Group’s sections have undertaken a wide range of educational and engaging activities in relation to these objectives. Our programme is structured around the Challenge Awards and activity badges set out by The Scout Association, with the aim that all members have the opportunity to achieve the Chief Scouts Award for their section, e.g. Acorn in Squirrels, Bronze in Beavers, Silver in Cubs and Gold in Scouts.
Squirrels (ages 4–6) focused on early development through play, songs, stories, and themed activities. They explored topics like seasons and animals and had first adventures, such as visiting a cricket ground and exploring Waddecar. These experiences help build confidence, friendships, and key values like kindness and teamwork.
Beavers (ages 6–8) enjoyed an exciting year of hands-on learning. They camped, tried bouldering, learned water safety and first aid, and discovered the world of bees. Team games helped build trust and communication. Through every activity, Beavers gained independence and grew in confidence.
Cubs (ages 8–10½) took on greater challenges. They built shelters, lit fires, hiked, cycled, and learned first aid. One highlight was a cultural evening focused on Maori traditions, led by Lynley who is from
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
New Zealand. Cubs also made progress toward their Silver Awards, developing independence and resilience.
Scouts (ages 10½–14) led more of their own activities. Their programme included canoeing, backwoods cooking, navigation, air rifle shooting, and a night hike. They won a first aid competition and helped plant wildflowers at Whitechapel Village Hall. More Scouts are now working toward their Chief Scout’s Gold Award.
Group highlights included Remembrance Sunday, the District St George’s Day parade, and regular involvement in county and district events such as Challenge days, ice skating, and District and County camps. Across all sections, young people have shown energy, growth, and commitment. Their progress this year has been outstanding.
Each section plays a crucial role in supporting young people through key stages of development. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, progress, and resilience shown by our members throughout the year.
Section D – Achievements and performance
The Group has grown again this year, with rising numbers across all sections, bringing our total numbers to 105. Growth has been highest for our Scout section, which shows that more young people are making the transition from Cubs to Scouts. This is excellent news and shows the great work being done by our Cub and Scout section teams to support this. With a change in programme we’re confident we’ll soon start seeing more young people to reach the Chief Scout’s Gold Award too. We were one of the few groups in the District to grow again in FY25, and we received a certificate to recognise this achievement.
During the year we have continued to progress our search for a permanent home and, although the tennis club site proved to be too small to accommodate a building big enough for our needs, we are pursuing a small number of alternative opportunities. We hope to be able to update further on this over the coming months.
We completed the demolition of our old building in October 2024, and have since handed back our leasehold interest in the site to Lancashire County Council with effect from the end of 2024, albeit some legal formalities are still to be concluded. We have also found a new site for our container at Back Lane Farm, which will also give us stability going forward.
As such, the Group once again enters the new year in a strong position, with record numbers of members, supported by a hard-working and dedicated team of leaders and with new opportunities for a new, permanent home being actively pursued. In the interim, the Group remains fortunate to have access to both Whitechapel Village Hall, and Whittingham & Goosnargh Sports & Social Club, from where we have successfully run our weekly sessions for the past three years. We’re also lucky to be close to both Beacon Fell and Waddecar, which we use on a regular basis.
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Section E – Financial review
Basis of preparation
The Group prepares its financial statements using the receipts and payments method, which is permitted for groups with income less than £100,000 per annum.
Financial performance
During the year ended 31 March 2025, the Group generated record receipts of £29,107 (2024: £24,977) and, after payments of £26,318 (2024: £26,245), recorded net receipts of £2,789 (2024: net payments of £1,268).
Receipts for the year included membership subscriptions of £15,258 (2024: £12,169), gift aid of £3,290 (2024: £2,283) and bank interest of £1,641 (2024: £921). In addition, a grant of £2,400 was received from Lancashire County Council as a contribution towards the cost of demolishing the former scout hut, and contributions of £6,445 (2024: £6,746) were received towards camps and other activities.
Payments during the year included £4,830 (2024: £7,327) in relation to the demolition of the vacated scout hut (to which Lancashire County Council contributed the grant of £2,400 mentioned above), and £2,295 (2024: £1,126) in for planning and advisory fees associated with the proposed new group headquarters at the tennis club, which is no longer being pursued. This expenditure (net of the £2,400 grant income) was funded from the designated reserve.
In addition, expenditure of £6,128 (2024: £6,311) in relation to camps and other activities were directly funded from the additional receipts noted above. As such, underlying running costs for the Group totalled £12,413 for the year (2024: £11,461). The increase in underlying expenditure principally arose from higher capitation fees.
Consequently, total funds increased from £44,963 at 1 April 2024 to £47,752 at 31 March 2025. This movement represented net receipts of £8,165 within the general fund (2024: £5,842), offset by net payments of £5,377 (2024: £7,109) funded from the designated reserve. £5,377 (2024: £4,109) of the surplus receipts generated within the general fund were transferred to the designated buildings reserve at the end of the year, leaving a balance of £30,000 in the designated reserve (2024: £30,000). After this transfer, general funds increased by £2,789 to £17,752 (2024: £14,963).
Reserves policy
The Group aims to maintain general funds in reserve equal to approximately 12 months of running costs in order to enable the Group to continue its charitable scouting activities in the event of a temporary reduction in income, or through a period of exceptional costs.
At 31 March 2025, the Group held general funds of £17,752 (2024: £14,963), representing 17.2 months of underlying running costs (2024: 15.7 months), by reference to the latest 12 month period (excluding expenditure related to the building and that directly attributable to separately funded activities such as camps).
1[st] Goosnargh Scout Group Trustees’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Investment policy
The Group maintains a modest level of reserves together with, currently, a designated fund earmarked to help finance a new permanent home for the Group. Since the Group does not have sufficient assets available to invest for the longer term, the Group seeks to maintain a high degree of short term liquidity with a low level of risk.
As such, the Group uses a combination of overnight cash deposits and short-term notice accounts (typically up to 120 days duration). The Committee regularly monitors the level of funds held by the Group and the interest rates applicable to the Group’s accounts, in order to maximise the return on its reserves within this context.
Section F – Future plans and developments
The Group remains focussed on ensuring a high quality of scouting activities and learning opportunities are available to young people across the local area through the activities and experiences available from all of the Group’s sections. In this context the Group seeks to continue to grow numbers in the smaller of the Group’s sections, whilst maintaining numbers across the larger sections, which are broadly at capacity and to expand the existing team of leaders, adding new skills wherever possible.
The Group’s other key strategic priority is to secure a new, permanent home, for the Group as soon as possible. In pursuit of this objective, the Group is currently pursuing a small number of local opportunities. Should one of these prove successful, a significant fund-raising effort will be required to secure the necessary financing to undertake the project.
Section G – Declaration
This Trustees’ annual report was approved by the Committee at the Group’s AGM, held on 2 June 2025, and was signed on their behalf by:
Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe Neil Garnham Group Lead Volunteer Group Treasurer
1st Goosnargh Scout Group Registered Charity no: 505048
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|Year ended 31 March 2025|Year|
|ended 31|
|General|Building|March|
|Receipts and payments accounts|account|fund|Total|2024|
|For the year ended 31 March 2025|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Subscriptions|15,258|-|15,258|12,169|
|Gift aid|3,290|-|3,290|2,283|
|Grants|-|2,400|2,400|1,500|
|Camp contributions|4,594|-|4,594|3,828|
|Other funded activities|1,852|-|1,852|2,918|
|Fundraising|74|-|74|1,358|
|Bank interest|1,641|-|1,641|921|
|Total receipts|26,707|2,400|29,107|24,977|
|TTT) EO]|EE)|
|Payments|
|Hut clearance and demolition|-|(5,482)|(5,482)|(7,327)|
|-|
|New building costs|(2,295)|(2,295)|(1,126)|
|Rent|(1,920)|-|(1,920)|(1,758)|
|Utilities|-|-|-|(254)|
|Insurance|(254)|-|(254)|(254)|
|-|
|Capitation|(6,041)|(6,041)|(4,992)|
|-|
|Camp expenditure|(4,416)|(4,416)|(3,566)|
|Other funded activities|(1,712)|-|(1,712)|(2,765)|
|-|
|Equipment|(964)|(964)|(1,716)|
|-|
|Leaders uniforms and expenses|(264)|(264)|(132)|
|Neckers|(197)|-|(197)|(197)|
|-|
|Badges|(1,083)|(1,083)|(1,083)|
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|Section expenses - Squirrels|(378)|(378)|(250)|
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|Section expenses - Beavers|(530)|(530)|(395)|
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|Section expenses - Cubs|(160)|(160)|(185)|
|-|
|Section expenses - Scouts|(532)|(532)|(206)|
|-|-|-|
|Fundraising expenses|(19)|
|-|
|Other expenses|(90)|(90)|(20)|
|TTT)|Total payments|EO|(18,542)|(7,777)|(26,318)|EE)|(26,245)|
|TTT)|Net receipts/(payments) for the year|EO|8,165|(5,377)|2,789|EE)|(1,268)|
|Movement in cash funds:|
|TTT)|Balance b/f at 1 April 2024|EO|14,963|30,000|44,963|EE)|46,231|
|Net income for the period|8,165|(5,377)|2,789|(1,268)|
|Transfer from general account|(5,377)|5,377|-|-|
|TTT)|Balance c/f at 31 March 2025|EO|17,752|30,000|47,752|EE)|44,963|
|Year ended 31 March 2025|Year|
|ended 31|
|General|Building|March|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|account|fund|Total|2024|
|As at 31 March 2025|£|£|£|£|
|Bank current accounts|1,752|-|1,752|7,963|
|Short term bank deposits|16,000|30,000|46,000|37,000|
|Total net assets|17,752|30,000|47,752|44,963|
|ad) Ee)|Ee|
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The above receipts and payments accounts and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees at the AGM held on 14 July 2025 and were signed on their behalf by:
Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe Group Lead Volunteer
Neil Garnham Group Treasurer
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees | Charity Name 1stGoosnargh Scout Group |
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|---|---|---|---|
| On accounts for the year | 31 March 2025 | Charity no | 505048 |
| ended | (if any) |
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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: | Date: | 30/05/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name: | William Joyce ACA | ||
| Address: | 49 Tansy Road | ||
| Whittingham | |||
| PR3 2LZ |
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