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SHIRLEY and DISTRICT (UNIT 481) OF THE SEA CADET CORPS TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 507868
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF SHIRLEY and DISTRICT (UNIT 481) OF THE SEA CADET CORPS
The Charity Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The financial statements comply with both the Charity’s Constitution and the Charities Act 2011.
Aim of the Sea Cadet Corps
The aim of the Sea Cadets Corps is to give young people the best possible head start in life, through nautical adventure and fun, based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. Our aim is to develop young people and support them towards responsible adulthood.
Charitable Purpose
The charitable purpose of the Unit is to promote the development of young people in achieving their physical, intellectual and social potential as individuals and as responsible citizens. This is achieved by the provision of education and leisure time activities using a nautical theme, based on the traditions of the Royal Navy and in accordance with the principles, ethos and practices of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC).
In furtherance of the Purpose, the Unit offers young people a structured environment in which to develop; provides access to education and training including sailing, rowing, windsurfing, paddle sports, power boating, seamanship, navigation, marine engineering, cooking, music, first aid, drill, piping, and public services; it provides opportunities for young people to obtain a range of qualifications and a wide range of opportunities for community involvement.
Public Benefit
The trustees continue to give regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit ‘Charities and Public Benefit’ provided by the Unit in relation to the charitable purpose of the Sea Cadets movement as set out in the activities and achievements as outlined in this report.
To achieve its aim the Unit encourages recruitment of young people from all backgrounds and abilities including where possible, and within the realms of Health and Safety, those with disabilities and develops their skills and abilities by:
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e Regular structured activities with a nautical theme
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e Enabling young people to take part in activities connected with the wider Sea Cadet Corps
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e Movement such as waterborne activities, events and competitions at district, area and national levels
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e Availability of formal achievements whilst completing courses to earn badges and promotions
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Organisational Achievements and Performance
Trustees Report
Chairman’s Report
I’m pleased to report Shirley unit has had a good year. In February we won the Stephenson Trophy, which is an award that recognises the best unit in the South West Area. We last won this prestigious award 50 years ago.
Our cadet numbers remain at the limit we are allowed to have, and our adult volunteer numbers remain stable, with a few new additions.
Our finances remain strong and well managed both from an income point of view and expenditure. Finding new income streams is proving difficult and some of our current ones are an area of concern. Being a charity doesn’t make us immune from cost increases, particularly with our overheads.
The sea cadet corps have once again supported us in helping to upgrade some of our facilities, notably our armoury. A mention must also go to Solihull Council who have once again supported us through the NCIL scheme to improve our building.
As always, Shirley Sea Cadets has some ambitious plans for 25/26, we would like to see our facilities further improved at Olton Mere, as well as the purchase of a new mountain bike trailer. The weed and low water levels throughout the summer months at Olton Mere drastically impacted on our water training programs, seeking alternative venues cost us financially, something we never budgeted for.
Despite the issues we encountered, | believe the unit coped extremely well thanks to the dedication of our adult volunteers and the understanding of our cadets and their parents.
Commanding Officer’s Report
This has been a challenging year with our training, but a satisfying year. Our Cadet numbers are gradually rising as we have a steady flow of enquiries to join us. We however do have a young and inexperienced crew at present, but hopefully this will bode well for the future. We have again engaged with our wider community in volunteer days with RBL, Lions, local church and community services in their charity events. We also have had unit days away from the unit and CTP and enjoyed time as a unit encouraging parents to attend and support us. The UMC has again supported the staff and cadets this year and their enthusiasm and willingness to help, has not gone unnoticed by all. We have had a difficult year boating with Low water and weed infestation at both the waters we use, although this doesn't always reflect in the return for qualifications but does in the quality of boating, we have done. We have been able to make good use of the Midland Boat Station with the Manager there helping us whenever he can. This has also helped with our use of National courses. It has also been great to see our unit programme for Offshore still being utilised and the cadets enjoying that experience, with cadets attending a range of vessel’s including the Royalist, the Power vessels and small yacht’s. We have again this year been affected by the fact we have had a number of the senior cadets in their exam year and this has affected some of the time they have spent at the unit or keenness to do additional courses, we hope now to see an upturn in their commitment as they have so much to offer our younger cadets. CVQO has seen the initial ground work start to take hold and has reflected in those that wish to take part being enrolled on which ever course they are eligible for, having put in place everything we needed to. We now have all our eligible cadets registered but we now have a better understanding of what is required in this process. The Team are disappointed in general with our attendance for District and Area courses this year; with this being out of our, and the district/area control due to instructor levels, having taken advantage of these courses in the past, due to course cancellations and the available spaces when the courses have run. In all | am really happy with the progress the unit has made after such a successful year last year.
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Reserves Policy
The trustees continue to review the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risk to the organisation, that being a reduction of income. The trustees have established a policy whereby the reserves in total that are not invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Unit, should be up to the equivalent to 6 months overhead costs of the charity.
The level of these reserves has been determined by the need to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and also for the charity to carry out all of its legal obligations.
At the end of March 2025, the total of the charity's reserves stood at £30,306 of which £7,340 was restricted and £22,966 unrestricted.
The financial strategy of the trustees continues to be that of building the reserves which will be achieved by continually reviewing overheads, exploring additional means of income and further fundraising. The trustees will continue to take all necessary actions with regard to the prevailing economic climate.
Structure, Governance and Management
Units of the SCC are formed solely by volunteers in local communities. Each Unit is a selfsupporting youth organisation and an independent charity with a central support management and training structure provided primarily by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC). The unit becomesa part of the SCC by virtue of its’ affiliation to the MSSC, the parent body of the SCC. In accepting this affiliation, the unit undertakes to comply with all regulations issued by, or on behalf of, the MSSC Council.
The Unit was registered as an unincorporated charity (Charity Number: 507868) on 24th August, 1978 and is governed by a constitution approved by the Charity Commission of England and Wales. A revised constitution issued by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets was ratified by the Board of Trustees between meetings in December 2017 in order to meet the deadline of 318t December 2017.
Recruitment and Appointment of the Trustees
Trustees serve and are re-elected on an annual basis. A minimum of 4 office holders: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Commanding Officer. UMT office holders are elected at the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting (AGM). UMT members are elected from the membership of the Sea Cadets Unit which is drawn loosely as being those with an interest in the unit. The constitution lays down specific controls for UMT membership and will be observed for all future recruitment.
In the event of a vacancy arising during the year (known as a casual vacancy), the trustees have the power to appoint new trustees. A trustee will serve until the date of the next AGM, after which the post will be filled by election.
The trustees are represented by a wide range of individuals drawn from the local community. Trustees have the power to appoint additional trustees to act jointly with them for all purposes. A trustee whose term of office has expired can be appointed for a further term of office.
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Responsibilities of the Trustees
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity (Accounts Reports) Regulations 2008.They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf on 13" October 2025
wey, hs.
Simon Marland, Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Legal and Administrative Information
Charity Details:
Charity Name: Shirley & District Unit No. 481 of the Sea Cadets Corps Charity Status: Unincorporated Registered Charity No: 507868 Registered Office and 9 Velsheda Road, Operational Address: Shirley, Solihull West Midlands B90 2JL Telephone Number 0121 733 7115 Email: enquiries@shirleyseacadets.org.uk Website www.sea-cadets.org/shirley
Trustees: Chair: Mr Simon Marland Treasurer: Mr lan Langston Secretary: Mrs Anne Hart Trustees: Mr Neil Merchant Mr Kenneth McNally Mrs Barbara Doveston Miss Mandy Harrison Mr Christopher Hughes President: Mr Trevor Beattie Holding (Custodian) Trustees: The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) Independent Examiners: Thomas & Young Limited Bank: Lloyds Shirley Branch
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Acknowledgements
Shirley and District Unit 481 of the Sea Cadets Corps would like to publicly acknowledge and thank the following organisations and donors for their financial support during 2024/2025 financial year.
Air Cadets 492 Squadron Baron Davenports Groundwork UK (Tesco) Mr Anthony Dovaston Mr Harry Black Mr William Langston Mr. and Mrs. Golder MSSC Pastures New Quilting Pheonix Dragonboat Sainsburys VETS Sheldon Café Shirley Lions Sky Elevators Solihull Mayoral Charity Fund Solihull MBC The Patrick Trust Warwickshire Masons Worcestershire Masons
No final report would be complete without acknowledging the efforts and dedicated service of the adult volunteers who make the unit a success. For any Sea Cadet Unit to succeed it is fully reliant on its teams to work together. Our uniformed and civilian instructors, management team and unit assistants all have one common aim, that of delivering the best experience for our young people.
In this modern age, time is a precious commodity and like with all teachers and trainers there is a lot goes on behind the scenes, outside of parade times and over weekends that is not observed but makes the difference.
Thank you for your commitment and continued support.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
SHIRLEY and DISTRICT (UNIT 481) OF THE SEA CADET CORPS.
| report on the financial statements of Shirley and District (Unit 481) of the Sea Cadet Corps for the year ended 31°t March 2025 which are set out on pages 10 to 14.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
| report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
| have completed my examination. | 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:
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e accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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e the accounts do not accord with those records.
| 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.
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Mark McLean FCA
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Date: | \0 \ (Cras
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On Behalf of
Thomas & Young Limited, Chartered Accountants
Carleton House, 266-268 Stratford Rd, Shirley, B90 3AD
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SHIRLEY & DISTRICT (TS GAMECOCK) NO. 481 OF THE SEA CADET CORPS Receipts & Payments Account for the period 1 April 2024 to 31° March 2025
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS | 5 | £ | |||
| Donations | 1 | 21054 | 7000 | 28054 | 43302 |
| Fundraising | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1702 |
| Charitable Activities | 3 | 17041 | 680 | 17721 | 14579 |
| Generated Income | 4 | 13660 | 0 | 13660 | 15893 |
| Investments | 5 | 226 | 0 | 226 | 163 |
| Ward Room Receipts | 6 | 2551 | 0 | 2551 | 2184 |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 54533 | 7679 | 62213 | 77823 | |
| PAYMENTS | |||||
| Raising Funds | ¢ | 1156 | 0 | 1156 | 1401 |
| Charitable Activity | 8 | 14379 | 1436 | 15815 | 15712 |
| Overheads | iS) | 16434 | 0 | 16434 | 15051 |
| Maintenance | 10 | 11988 | 69 | 12057 | 27542 |
| Other | 14 | 730 | 3220 | 3950 | 606 |
| Governance Costs | 12 | 830 | 0 | 830 | 3405 |
| Ward Room Expenditure | 13 | 2026 | 0 | 2026 | 3874 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 47542 | 4725 | 52267 | 67591 | |
| ASSETS & INVESTMENTS | 14 | ||||
| Fixed Assets | 2915 | 3611 | 6526 | 17311 | |
| Investment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2915 | 3611 | 6526 | 17311 | ||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 50457 | 8336 | 58793 | 84901 | |
| Net incoming resources | 4076 | -657 | 3419 | -7078 | |
| Transfer between funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cash funds from last year | 18890 | 7997 | 26887 | 33965 | |
| TOTALCASHFUNDS | 22966 | 7340 | 30306 | 26887 |
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SHIRLEY & DISTRICT (TS GAMECOCK) NO. 481 OF THE SEA CADET CORPS Receipts & Payments Account for the period 1° April 2024 to 31°* March 2025
| ASSETS & LIABILITIES | Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Current Account | 7452 | 7452 | 4306 | ||
| Bank Savings Account | 13187 | 7340 | 20528 | 20301 | |
| Unit Petty Cash | 328 | 328 | 162 | ||
| Ward Room Account | 1733 | 1733 | 1062 | ||
| Ward Room Petty Cash | 266 | 266 | 1055 | ||
| 22966 | 7340 | 30306 | 26887 | ||
| OTHER MONETARY ASSETS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| INVESTMENT ASSETS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE | CHARITY’S OWN USE | CURRENT VALUE | |||
| Land & Buildings | £1,657,500 | ||||
| Boats | £20,600 | ||||
| Vehicles | £15,300 | ||||
| Computers | £2,655 | ||||
| Bikes | £5,400 | ||||
| Other Equipment | £33,596 | ||||
| LIABILITIES | |||||
| IndependentExamination | £750 |
All assets and liabilities relate to unrestricted funds apart from bank balances as analysed above.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees at their meeting on 13/10/2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Mr Simon Marland, Chair
Mr lan Langston, Treasurer
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SHIRLEY & DISTRICT (TS GAMECOCK) NO. 481 OF THE SEA CADET CORPS
Notes to the Accounts
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| 1 | Donations | ||||
| MSSC Annual Fund/Grant | 3000 | 3220 | 6220 | 16000 | |
| Other Grants | 5900 | 2400 | 8300 | 5544 | |
| Other Donations | 12154 | 1380 | 13534 | 21758 | |
| 21054 | 7000 | 28054 | 43302 | ||
| 2 | Fundraising | ||||
| Fundraising | 0 | 0 | 1285 | ||
| Special Events | 0 | 0 | 417 | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1702 | ||
| 3 | Charitable Events | ||||
| Cadet Contribution | 11716 | 11716 | 9962 | ||
| MSSC Refunds | 5156 | 5156 | 3367 | ||
| Competition Receipts | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Course Fees | 25 | 680 | 705 | 1055 | |
| Sundry | 144 | 144 | 195 | ||
| Other Revenue Receipts | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 17041 | 680 | 17721 | 14579 | ||
| 4 | Generated Income | ||||
| Sales of Fixed Assets | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Gift Aid | 0 | 0 | 2213 | ||
| Other Refunds | fe) | 0 | 899 | ||
| Sales of Sundry Items | 268 | 268 | 0 | ||
| Contribution for Room Usage | 12225 | 12225 | 11475 | ||
| Sea Cadet Victualling | 1168 | 1168 | 1307 | ||
| 13660 | 0 | 13660 | 15893 | ||
| 5 | Investments | ||||
| Bank Deposit Interest | 226 | 226 | 163 | ||
| 226 | 0 | 226 | 163 | ||
| 6 | Ward Room Receipts | ||||
| Ward Room Takings | 1896 | 1896 | 1894 | ||
| Minibus fund from UnitAC | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Other Donations | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Special Events | 655 | 655 | 290 | ||
| 2551 | 0 | 2551 | 2184 |
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SHIRLEY & DISTRICT (TS GAMECOCK) NO. 481 OF THE SEA CADET CORPS
Notes to the Accounts
| Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| 7 | Raising Funds | |||||
| Fundraising (Victualling) | 1156 | 1156 | 1401 | |||
| Fundraising (Other) | 0 | |||||
| Special Events | 0 | |||||
| 1156 | 0 | 1156 | 1401 | |||
| 8 | Direct Charitable Activities | |||||
| Competitions | 0 | 0 | 118 | |||
| Travel & Fuel | 3272 | 32/2 | 2665 | |||
| Catering | 3192 | 3152 | 3728 | |||
| Training and Courses | 1082 | 1171 | 2252 | 2752 | ||
| Course & Subs Refunds | 0 | 266 | 266 | 50 | ||
| Uniform & Badges | 1642 | 1642 | 5/3 | |||
| Other Cadet Activities | 3501 | 3501 | 4345 | |||
| Subscriptions | & Memberships | 1730 | 1730 | 1480 | ||
| 14379 | 1436 | 15815 | 15712 | |||
| 9 | Overheads | |||||
| Council Tax | 222 | 222 | 228 | |||
| Electricity | 9629 | 9629 | 8450 | |||
| Phone & Internet | 1031 | 1031 | 1067 | |||
| Postage, Printing & Stationary | 1227 | 1227 | 1711 | |||
| IT Costs | 291 | 291 | 92 | |||
| Insurance | 4034 | 4034 | 3503 | |||
| 16434 | 0 | 16434 | 15051 | |||
| 10 | Maintenance | |||||
| Buildings | 322/ | 3227 | 22795 | |||
| Bikes | 143 | 143 | 848 | |||
| Boating | 2098 | 69 | 2167 | FAL | ||
| Vehicles | 3705 | 3705 | 1143 | |||
| Computers & Other Equipment | 0 | 778 | ||||
| H&S | 2815 | 2815 | 1261 | |||
| 11988 | 69 | 12057 | 27542 | |||
| 11 | Other | |||||
| Sundry Costs | 730 | 3220 | 3950 | 606 | ||
| 730 | 3220 | 3950 | 606 | |||
| 12 | Governance Costs | |||||
| Independent Examination | 720 | 720 | 690 | |||
| Accounts Preparation | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Legal Costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Licences | 110 | 110 | 2715 | |||
| 830 | 0 | 830 | 3405 |
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| 13 | Ward Room Expenditure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | 1823 | 1823 | 2663 | ||
| Special Events | 12 | 12 | 286 | ||
| Licences | 191 | 191 | 180 | ||
| Minibus fund | 0 | 0 | 746 | ||
| 2026 | 0 | 2026 | 3874 | ||
| 14 | Assets & Investments | ||||
| Equipment (Boating) | 611 | 3611 | 4223 | 2331 | |
| Rowing Equipment | 320 | 320 | 0 | ||
| Equipment (Bikes) | 0 | 0 | 5700 | ||
| Equipment (Camping) | 0 | ) | 0 | ||
| Gazebos | 0 | 0 | 2776 | ||
| Folding Camp Beds | 0 | 0 | 1369 | ||
| Extension Project | 0 | 0 | 2455 | ||
| Radio Mics | 242 | 242 | 1206 | ||
| Armoury | 288 | 288 | 0 | ||
| Other Miscellaneous | 1453 | 1453 | 1475 | ||
| Investment | 0 | 0 | ) | ||
| 2915 | 3611 | 6526 | 17311 |
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