1[st] Fatfield Scout Group Annual Report & Accounts Year to 31[st] March 2025
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1[st] Fatfield Scouts Group Annual Report & Accounts Year to 31 March 2025
Trustees – ex officio Chair
Secretary Treasurer
Group Scout Leader Group Lead Volunteer Beaver Section Leaders Cub Section Leaders Group OSM Administrator Scout Section Leaders
Mrs A Star (Apr 24-Nov 24) Mrs P Monaghan (Nov 24 onwards) Mr M Ridley (Up to Nov 24) Mr P Noble(Apr 24-Jan 25) Mrs A Dickinson (Jan 25 onwards) Mr M Madden (Up to Nov 24) Dr M Ridley (From Nov 24 onwards) Mrs K Turnbull (Apr 24-Nov 24) Mr N Stoker (Apr 24-Nov 24) Ms L Heckles (Nov 24 onwards) Mr L Wilson (Apr 24-Nov 24)
Trustees – nominated
Youth / Under 25’s Representative Nominated / Parent Representatives
Mr T Horsfall Mr K Wilson Mr M Madden Mr S Thompson
Bankers
CAF Bank
Scout registration number
22571
Charity registration number
507923
Charity principal address
1st Fatfield Scouts Duxbury Park Fatfield Washington NE38 8BJ
Contact name
Mrs A Dickinson
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1[st] Fatfield Scouts Group Annual Report & Accounts Year to 31 March 2025
Trustees Report
Introduction
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Type of 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.
How the charity is constituted
The group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
Trustee selection methods
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Objectives of the Group
The group was established in 1941 by the adoption of the POR by the founding group leaders, who acted as trustees. The group’s aim, in common with that of the Scout Association, is the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people.
Organisation
The group is managed by the trustees, who meet on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of day to day running. The leaders of the group are trustees by virtue of their position as a leader. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
Risk and Internal Control
The trustees assess the major strategic and operational risks faced by the group on an ongoing basis and react as necessary to mitigate these risks. We arrange insurance to cover liability, personal accident and injury to young people and leaders as well as adequate insurance cover for camping and activity equipment.
In addition to comprehensive insurance provision, the group also has in place systems of internal control that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, this includes two signatories for all payments.
Public Benefit Statement
The group meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the citizenship or community development headings.
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1[st] Fatfield Scouts Group Annual Report & Accounts Year to 31 March 2025
Trustees Report (cont.)
Review of activities and future developments (prepared by the Treasurer)
The group’s census at 31[st] January 2025 showed our membership numbers including leaders as 143; a decrease of 10 compared to January 2024.
Membership numbers and subscriptions have not been restored to pre-Covid levels, meaning a reduction in income compared with previous years.
Total subscription income for 2024/25 was £9,683.61 (2023/24 £10,490) and is comparable to post-pandemic levels. An uplift to subscription payments was agreed from February 2025 alongside the introduction of a new Squirrels section which should lead to increased subscriptions for 2025/26.
The Group has submitted a claim to the Gift Aid scheme to cover the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 Scouting financial years totalling £6207.44; thank you to all members who continue to support the use of the Gift Aid scheme.This income has been committed to site development across 2024/25.
In terms of payments, utility costs increased by 18% in 2023/24 to £3,059.93 (2023/24 £2,597), attributable to increased global energy prices. Gardening and maintenance costs decreased for a consecutive year to £200.12 (2023/24 £584) as several members of the group have now increased their volunteer time to maintain the site.
Insurance costs for the premises and minibus increased to £3,482.05 (2023/24 £3,213).
Policy on reserves and current position
In general, it is the group’s aim to maintain sufficient funds to ensure the success of its activities and provide a contingency to support equipment replacement and unforeseen expenses at short notice.
Current balances as at 31 March 2025 are higher than what would normally be considered necessary to maintain day to day activities for the Group. The Scout Association recommends six months operating costs to ensure a Group can operate during unforeseen circumstances. For 1[st] Fatfield this is considered to be around £8,000 to £9,000.
The Group currently has balances totalling £34,809.92 (2023/24 £31,102), this increase on last year is due to retrospective receipt of Gift Aid for three Scout financial years in March 2025. The balances ensure the group has sufficient funds to invest in the current and future membership, with a commitment to site and programme development. The Trustee Board has funding set aside as a contribution to support the future replacement of the minibus.
In addition to cash reserves held, the Group also sets aside approximately £2,500 each year within its budget as a contingency should additional work to the building or equipment repairs etc. be required.
Grantmaking policy
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The group does not have a policy in respect of making grants.
Investment policy
The group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments. The group has therefore adopted a risk-averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies.
Post Balance Sheet events.
The group continues to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic through a reduced number of members although this has started to improve with growth in the younger sections i.e. Squirrels and Beavers.
Approval of the trustees’ report
Approved by the trustees on 6th September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs A Dickinson Group Treasurer
Dr M Ridley Group Lead Volunteer
1st Fatfield Scouts Annual Report and Accounts
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Year 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Actual | Actual | |
| Total receipts for the year | 29,519.18 | 24,928.99 |
| Total payments for the year | (25,811.35) | (26,284.66) |
| Net receipts + / - payments for the year | 3,707.83 | (1,355.67) |
| Cash, bank and similar funds at start of year | 31,102.71 | 32,639.02 |
| Cash, bank and similar funds at end of year | 34,809.92 | 31,102.71 |
The above account and accompanying statements of assets and liabilities were approved by the trustees on 6th September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Dr M Ridley, Group Lead
Mrs A Dickinson, Group Treasurer
1st Fatfield Scouts Annual Report and Accounts
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Year 31 March 2025
Receipts
| Membership and subscription income Membership subscriptions Less paid - Capitation Total membership subscriptions Other Income Investment income - bank interest Gift aid Donations Grants Neckers / Hoodies income Fund raising Hire of scout hut Hire of minibus to external groups Camping Activity income Total other income Total receipts for the year |
2025 2024 £ £ Actual Actual |
|---|---|
| 15,390.11 15,885.97 |
|
| -5,706.50 -5,395.50 |
|
| 9,683.61 10,490.47 |
|
| 729.81 671.02 |
|
| 6,207.44 0.00 |
|
| 180.00 0.00 |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 0.00 24.30 |
|
| 3,157.20 3,267.70 |
|
| 546.62 198.50 |
|
| 6,520.00 10,073.00 |
|
| 2,494.50 204.00 |
|
| 19,835.57 14,438.52 |
|
| 29,519.18 24,928.99 |
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1st Fatfield Scouts Annual Report and Accounts Year 31 March 2025
Payments
| Premises Utilities Rates - council tax Cleaning Insurance Ground rent Gardening Repairs and Maintenance Site development Broadband Scout District Loan Total premises expenditure payments Administration Expenses Group activity payments Group activities Equipment purchases Neckers / Hoodies / Scout shop items Training Camping Fund raising AGM and other meetings Minibus use Other Total group activity payments Minibus payments Insurance Repairs and Maintenance Fuel Road fund license Bank charges |
2025 2024 £ £ Actual Actual |
|---|---|
| (3,059.93) (2,597.00) |
|
| (5.00) (41.71) |
|
| (236.69) (392.44) |
|
| (2,414.68) (2,252.75) |
|
| (43.95) (5.00) |
|
| (209.87) (584.62) |
|
| 0.00 (414.00) |
|
| 0.00 (543.00) |
|
| (384.00) (386.91) |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| (6,354.12) (7,217.43) |
|
| (255.17) (245.91) |
|
| (6,088.05) (3,646.00) |
|
| (4,006.89) (964.00) |
|
| (806.26) (826.00) |
|
| (40.00) (160.00) |
|
| (6,208.32) (9,556.00) |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| (22.50) 0.00 |
|
| (357.60) (984.80) |
|
| (17,529.62) (16,136.80) |
|
| (1,067.37) (960.52) |
|
| (190.36) (1,243.24) |
|
| (189.71) (315.76) |
|
| (165.00) (165.00) |
|
| (60.00) |
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(1,672.44) (2,684.52)
Total minibus payments
Total payments for the year
(25,811.35) (26,284.66)
1st Fatfield Scouts Annual Report and Accounts Year 31 March 2025
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Monetary assets Cash account Minibus account Deposit account Scouts and Cubs floats Total monetary assets Non-monetary assets Scout Headquarters Minibus Total non-monetary assets Liabilities Net Assets |
2025 2024 £ £ |
|---|---|
| 9,635.76 651.19 |
|
| 281.33 236.78 |
|
| 24,892.83 30,214.74 |
|
| 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 34,809.92 31,102.71 0.00 0.00 2,250.00 2,500.00 |
|
| 2,250.00 2,500.00 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 37,059.92 33,602.71 |
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1[st] Fatfield Scouts Group Annual Report & Accounts Year to 31 March 2025
Notes to the Accounts
Accounting Policies
-
Income shown in the Receipts and Payments Account is before deduction of any expenses.
-
Non-monetary assets shown in the Statement of Assets & Liabilities were given an estimated valuation by the trustees based on their knowledge of the assets involved and their age and condition.
-
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities, as applicable to the Group.
-
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
Independent Examiner's Report
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of 1st Fatfield Scout Group
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Respective 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(2) of the Charities Act 201 (the
2011 Act) but that an independent examination is needed, in accordance with the financial rules of the charity.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
-
Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
To state whether particular matters have to come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 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 a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
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 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.
John Edwards 2 Rose Cottages Windlass Lane Washington Tyne and Wear NE37 1BD
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August 19th 2025
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