**1[st] Norley Scout** 

**Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

## **1 Reference and Administration Details** 

Charity Name: **1[st] Norley Scout Group** Charity Number: **508019** Scout registration **10022862** Principal Address: **The Scout Hut, Crabmill Lane, Norley, Cheshire WA6 8JN** 

## 1.1 **Trustees** 

**Vickie Fifield** Group Chair **Verity Bowcock** Group Secretary **Lindsay Nixon** Group Treasurer **Bruce Lane** Group Scout Leader **Sheena McLean** Assistant GSL / Section Leader **Ross Heaton** Section Leader **Stephne Douglas** Section Leader 

Les Bennion, Jane Sayers, Gareth Jamieson, Rachel Hammond, Sandra Moloney-Pugh, Mark Hickinson, Vicky Oliver, Laurie Wills, Caroline Wills 

## **2 Structure, Governance and Management** 

## 2.1 **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 (POR) of the Scout Association. 

## 2.2 **Group Scout Council** 

The Group Scout Council is the electoral body to which the Group Executive Committee is accountable. Membership of the Group Scout Council is open to: 

- Scouters 

- Group Active Support Managers and members 

- Colony Pack and Troop Assistants 

- Skills Instructors 

- Administrators 

- Advisers 

- Patrol Leaders 

- All Parents of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts 

- Any other supporters, including former Scouts and their parents, admitted by the Group Scout Leader, the Group Executive Committee or the Group Scout Council 

Page 1 of 7 



**1[st] Norley Scout** 

**Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

- the District Commissioner and District Chair are ex-officio members of the Group Scout Council. 

## 2.3 **Constitution** 

The Group is a trust established under the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. 

## 2.4 **Trustee Selection** 

The trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. 

## 2.5 **Group Executive Committee** 

The  Group  is  led  by  a  Group  Scout  Leader  and  managed  by  a  Group  Executive Committee.  They  are  accountable  to  the  Group  Scout  Council  for  the  satisfactory running of the Group. 

The Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment. 

Members of the Executive Committee must act collectively as charity Trustees of the Scout Group, and in the best interests of its members to: 

- Comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association 

- Protect and maintain any property and equipment owned by and/or used by the Group 

- Manage the Group finances. 

- Provide insurance for people, property and equipment. 

- Provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fund-raising activities. 

- Promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area. 

- Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally 

- Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community. 

- Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-Committees, including appointing a Chair to lead the sub-Committees 

- Ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the Group 

- The opening, closure and amalgamation of sections as necessary. 

- And all other duties as set out in Policy, Organisation and Rules. 

## 2.6 **Risk and Internal Control** 

The Group Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed which are: 

Page 2 of 7 



**1[st] Norley Scout** 

**Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

## **2.6.1 Injury to Leaders, Helpers, Supporters or Members** 

The Group supports compliance with the Safety Policy and ensures appropriate risk assessment;  elimination,  reduction  and  control  measures  are  taken  to  reduce  the likelihood of any injuries. 

In addition, through membership fees, the Group contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy. 

## **2.6.2 Damage to Buildings, Property or Equipment** 

The  Group  would  request  the  use  of  buildings,  property  and  equipment  from neighbouring organisations.  The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. 

## **2.6.3 Reduced Income from Subscriptions and Fund Raising** 

The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fund-raising. The Group holds adequate reserves to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The committee could also raise the value of subscriptions to increase the Group income either temporarily or permanently. 

## **2.6.4 Reduction or Loss of Leaders** 

The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Group. If there were a reduction in the number of volunteers to an unacceptable level, then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of activities or sections. 

## **2.6.5 Reduction or Loss of Members** 

If there were a reduction in membership of a particular section or the Group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. 

## **3 Objectives and Activities** 

The primary objective of the Group is that of the Scout Association generally, namely: 

‘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: 

Page 3 of 7 



**1[st] Norley Scout** 

**Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

- 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 our faiths, beliefs and attitudes. 

- Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we cooperate 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 

- take 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. 

The activities of the Group are: 

- The provision of the Scouting programme for 6–14 year old members 

## **4 Achievements and Performance** 

We  are  delighted  to  report  that  Scouting  continues  to  thrive  in  Norley,  despite  all  the challenges that have been thrown at us this year!  We are lucky to have such a dedicated team of Section Leaders, delivering a varied and lively programme and making the most of the resources available locally, especially different sections of Delamere Forest and the Village Hall facility. 

We welcomed four new members to the Executive Committee after last year’s AGM – Vicky, Mark, Laurie and Caroline - all of whom successfully completed their mandatory training modules. 

It has undeniably been a challenging year and while Zoom meetings helped retain some sense of cohesion among the different sections, it really did prove to be no real substitute for Page 4 of 7 



**1[st] Norley Scout** 

**Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

face to face meetings.  As soon as it was possible to meet again in September 2020, albeit in small numbers, the Leaders seized this opportunity and were the first in the District to do so. 

Ross took the lead on working up numerous, highly detailed, Covid-19 risk assessments that were required in advance of re-starting face to face meetings, and for this we are hugely grateful.  These risk assessments have to be produced for every different location or venue that is being used by Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and detail the procedures to be followed for every aspect of the meeting, from arrival to pick-up and the activity in between.  They identify the potential risks and how they are to be mitigated (i.e. hand sanitising, equipment sanitising, safe distancing, etc). 

It quickly became apparent that the existing Scout Hut at Crabmill Lane was not going to be fit  for  purpose  due  to  its  limited  size  and  alternative  indoor  premises  were  sought. Fortunately, we were able to secure regular weekly bookings at the Norley Village Hall instead, which has been mutually beneficial. 

This also helped to galvanise our thinking about the new Scout Hut project as it became clear that we need to press ahead with this as soon as possible.  At a meeting in December 2020 representatives from The Executive Committee met with representatives from JNCOT and it was agreed that we would have our own standalone building, built to our specification, to be available for lending out when not required by us.  This requires a small amendment to the existing planning permission, and we still need to draw up the requisite User Agreement. Progress continues. 

Fundraising was curtailed this year as the Covid-19 Lockdown meant the 2020 Plant Sale could not take place.  We were able to assist JNCOT again with sales of the Norley Christmas Quiz though, helped in large part by the quiz having been made available in a digital format so sales could be completely contactless. 

The  Chair  would  like  to  thank  all  the  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  for  their continued support, and to thank Bruce for his endless patience and support as Group Scout Leader. 

Our biggest thanks for this year must go to the Leaders for the way they adapted the programmes so that Covid-19 didn’t stop them from delivering the best Scouting experiences they could to our young people, and to the Parents for helping to enable their children to get online to participate in the virtual meetings and support them with their badge activities at home,  and  to  all  our  brilliant  Beavers,  Cubs  and  Scouts  for  doing  their  best  and demonstrating such resilience and determination in the face of adversity. 

## 4.1 **Public benefit statement** 

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 5 of 7 



**1[st] Norley Scout** 

**Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

## **5 Financial Review** 

## 5.1 **Reserves Policy** 

The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to **6 months running costs, circa £7,500.** 

The Group held reserves of approximately **£19000** against this at year end. This meets the **level** required for operating expenses. 

## 5.2 **Investment Policy** 

The Group's Income and Expenditure is normally very small and as a consequence does not normally have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares.  Grants have boosted the total this year. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies or The Scout Association's Short Term Investment Service. 

## **6 Optional section for any future significant activities or major projects** 

The  Group  continues  to  progress  the  project  for  the  planned  replacement  of  the existing HQ building which is no longer fit for purpose.  However, as it is some time since the last estimated costs were considered it has been decided that it would be prudent to re-examine the case for replacement of the current building on the existing site in order to ascertain that we are obtaining best value for money overall.  We have engaged a specialist buildings surveyor to assist with this and will discuss in detail at the next Group Committee meeting. 

## **7 Declaration** 

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees: 


## **Signature:** 

**Date:** 29\06\2020 

Page 6 of 7 



**1[st] Norley Scout** 

## **Trustees Annual Report Group From 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

Full Name: **Bruce Lane** Position: Group Scout Leader **Signature: Date** : 29\06\2020 

Full Name: **Vickie Fifield** 

Position: Group Chair 

_**If either the GSL or Group Chair roles are vacant the signatories can be other members of the Group Executive**_ 


Page 7 of 7 



**1st Norley Scout Group** 

**Consolidated Income & Expenditure Accounts Year Ended 31.03.21** 

|**INCOME**||**2020/21**|**2020/21**|||**2019/20**|**2019/20**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Group Fundraising|£|24.20<br>|||_£_|_2,722.10_<br>|||
|Group Donations|£|50.00<br>|||_£_|_-_<br>|||
||||**£**|**74.20**<br>|||_£_|_2,722.10_<br>|
|**Subs**|||||||||
|Beavers|£|882.50<br>|||_£_|_1,706.00_<br>|||
|Cubs|£|1,674.00<br>|||_£_|_2,720.00_<br>|||
|Scouts|£|1,213.00<br>|||_£_|_3,120.00_<br>|||
||||**£**|**3,769.50**<br>|||_£_|_7,546.00_<br>|
|**Camps and Activities**|||||||||
|Beavers|£|31.50<br>|||_£_|_290.00_<br>|||
|Cubs|£|35.00<br>|||_£_|_1,882.68_<br>|||
|Scouts|£|1,900.00<br>|||_£_|_1,757.96_<br>|||
||||**£**|**1,966.50**<br>|||_£_|_3,930.64_<br>|
|**Uniform, Badges &**|**Handbooks**||||||||
|Beavers|£|-<br>|||_£_|_40.50_<br>|||
|Cubs|£|-<br>|||_£_|_-_<br>|||
|Scouts|£|-<br>|||_£_|_-_<br>|||
||||**£**|**-**<br>|||_£_|_40.50_<br>|
|**Donations, Sponsorship, Nominal**|||||||||
|Beavers|£|-<br>|||_£_|_-_<br>|||
|Cubs|£|250.00<br>|||_£_|_-_<br>|||
|Scouts|£|71.00<br>|||_£_|_1,157.20_<br>|||
|Group|£|21,275.00<br>|||||||
||||**£**|**21,596.00**<br>|||_£_|_1,157.20_<br>|
|**Gift Aid / Bank Interest/**||**Misc**|||||||
|Gift Aid|£|-<br>|||_£_|_-_<br>|_*_||
|Bank Interests|£|2.96<br>|||_£_|_14.60_<br>|||
|Misc (refund)|£|69.96<br>|||£|-<br>|||
||||**£**|**72.92**<br>|||_£_|_14.60_<br>|
||||||||||
|**Income**|||**£**|**27,479.12**<br>|||_£_|_15,411.04_|
|**Expenditure**|||||||||
|Fundraising|£|24.20<br>|||£|1,603.38<br>|||
|Donations|£|-<br>|||£|90.00<br>|||
||||**£**|**24.20**<br>|||£|1,693.38<br>|
|Capitation to Distric|£|2,632.50<br>|||£|2,892.50<br>|||
||||**£**|**2,632.50**<br>|||£|2,892.50<br>|
|**Camps and Activities**|||||||||
|Beavers|£|123.38<br>|||£|1,173.62<br>|||
|Cubs|£|603.43<br>|||£|2,411.21<br>|||
|Scouts|£|958.00<br>|||£|5,542.49<br>|||
|Group|£|39.95<br>|||£|50.00<br>|||
||||**£**|**1,724.76**<br>|||£|9,177.32<br>|
|**Uniform, Badges &**|**Handbooks**||||||||
|Beavers|£|59.52<br>|||£|50.10<br>|||
|Cubs|£|219.99<br>|||£|-<br>|||
|Scouts|£|60.56<br>|||£|147.63<br>|||
|Training and Unifor|£|30.00<br>|||£|-<br>|||
||||**£**|**370.07**<br>|||£|197.73<br>|
|**HQ Costs**|£|1,868.38<br>|||£|1,145.24<br>|||
||||**£**|**1,868.38**<br>|||£|1,145.24<br>|
|**Miscellaneous and**|**Equipment**||||||||
|Beavers|£|52.17<br>|||£|-<br>|||
|Cubs|£|114.58<br>|||£|277.42<br>|||
|Scouts|£|69.45<br>|||£|968.31<br>|||
|Group|£|109.98<br>|||£|-<br>|||
||||**£**|**346.18**<br>|||£|1,245.73<br>|
||||||||||
|**Expenditure**|||**£**|**6,966.09**<br>|||£|16,351.90<br>|
||||||||||
|**Excess Income**|||£|20,513.03|||-£|940.86|
||||||||||





page 13 of14
Appendix 3
WORK PROGRAMME FOR A SCRUTINEER OR ADDITIONAL WORK FOR AN INDEPENDENT
EXAMINER
Check cash book(s) balance at the start of the year agrees with previous accounts.
Vouch a selection of payments including reimbursement of expenses.
Vouch a selection of receipts.
Test entries with bank statements.
Obtain a copy of bank reconciliation(s), check and agree with bank statement(s)
Test additions in cash book(s) and other accounting records.
Check figures entered on accounts from cash book(s)/day books via summaries or ledgers rf necessary.
Ensure all activities (including all Sections) have been accounted for and included in the above tests. If
not, ensure notes to the accounts disclose this or state it in the scrutineer's/external examiner's report
to the Trustees.
Obtain written confirmation of cash balances held by officers (i.e. any floats etc). hJiL IILI
Inspect vehicle log books.
Obtain confirmation that deeds, share ￿rtrficateS etc. are hJd securely by the holders, such as The
Scout Association Trust Corporation, bankers, solicitors, etc.
Review liabilities for reasonableness and test documentation.
Review assets for reasonableness.
]/Jl
l)/'<'lkt £h'"
Confirm that a stock count has been made of major items of equipment, badge stocks, etc.
Read relevant Minutes.
Confirm no income or receipts were subject to special restrictions which need to be shown in the
accounts.

1st Norley Scout Group
Consolidated Income & Expenditure Accounts Year Ended 31.03.21
2020121
INCOME
2019120
Group Fundraising £
Group Donations
24.20
150.00
2,722.10
74.20
Subs
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
2, 722. 10
882.50
1,674.00
11,213.00
1, 706. 00
2, 720.00
3,120.00
Camps and Activities
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
3,769.50
7,?46. 00
31.50
35.00
1,900.00
290. 00
1,882. 68
1,757.96
1,966.50
Uniform, Badges & Handbooks
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
3, 930. 64
40. 50
Donations, Sponsorship, Nominal
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Group
40. 50
250.00
71.00
£ 121,275.00
1,157.20
Gift Aid l Bank Interesu Misc
Gift Aid
Bank Interests
2.96
"Cubs Rtned Chq £
1,330.00
Misc (refund)
£ i 69.96
21,596.00
1, 1K7.20
14.60
1,402.92
14.60
Income
28,809.12
15,411.04
Expenditure
Fundraising
Donations
24.20
1,603.38
90.00
24.20
1,693.38
Capitation to Distric £
2,632.50
2,892.50
2,632.50
2,892.50
Camps and Activities
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Group
123.38
603.43
958.00
39.95
1,173.62
2,411.21
5,542.49
50.00
1,724.76
9,177.32
Uniform, Badges & Han
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
Training and Unifori £
books
59.52
219.99
60.56
30.00
50.10
147.63
370.07
197.73
HQ Costs
£ l 1,868.38
Miscellaneous and Equipment
Beavers
52.17
Cubs
114.58
Scouts
69.45
Group
£ I 109.98
1,145.24
1,868.38
1,145.24
277.42
968.31
346.18
1,245.73
Expenditure
6,966.09
16,351.90
Excess Income
21,843.03
Cubs Rturned 18119 Capitation Cheque Returned
940.86

1st Norle
Scout Grou
Accounts 2020121
Current Year
Previous Yr
Income
Income
Grou
Fundraisin
DonationslEasy Fundraislng
Bedding Plant Income
Christmas Raffle Income
50.00
24.20
90.00
2,722.10
Ca
itation Subs from Sections
Beavers
Cubs
Scouts
74.20
2 812.10
1,280.00
1,470.00
1,400.00
1,260.001
960.00
Gift Aid & Grants
Grants
Gift Aid
3,920.00
4 130.00
UNPAID by 31103119
21,275.00
Refunds
21,275.00
69.96
Bank Interest
Current Account
Reserve Account
69.96
2.96
14.60
2.96
14.60
Total Income
25,342.12
6.956.70
enditure
Activities
Leader Training and Expenses
Bedding Plant Costs
Fund Raising Other
Camp l Entry Fees
Food l Drink
Stationary
Gifts
Xmas raffle Costs
30.00
1,603.38
100.00
250.00
9.95
EQUIPMENT
Equipment
39.95
1.953.38
109.98
109.98
229.22
District Ca
itation
2,632.50
2,892.50
HQ Costs
Maintenance
Insurance
Utilities
New HQ planning costs
818.53
853.86
195.99
392.84
198.75
1,868.38
1343.99
Total Ex
enditure
4,650.81
6,419.09
NET
20,691.31
537.61
Balance
01104120201
Balance 3110312021
Cash
Closing Bank Balance
Less Unpresented Cheques (J
Closing Reserve
Opening Bank Balance Current Account 63012502
Unpaid Capitation Invoices line 314&6 (18119120 Chqs)
Opening Reserve
Net
13,160.49
5,460.00
7,250.64
20,691.31
46 562.44
39,308.84
7,253.60
DIFF
X-CHECK
46,562.44

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