Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period
From 01/01/2025 to end 31/12/2025
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name: BOSTON DISTRICT SCOUT ASSOCIATION
Registered Charity No: 508364 HQ Registration No: 013302 Charity’s principal address 2 Laceys Close
Leverton
Boston, Lincolnshire PE22 0BE
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for a whole year |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Keane | Chair | 01/01/25–30/11/25 |
| Lesley Rutter | Treasurer | |
| Steve Elwood | ||
| Beth May | ||
| Robert Johnson | ||
| Susan Morrison | ||
| Norma Daft | ||
| David May | ||
| David Richardson | ||
| Type of advisor | Name | Address |
| Financial | Sue Chester | |
Section B Structure, governance and management
The District's governing documents are those of the 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 District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District which is an educational charity. 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 Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 7 Trustees (including 2 Ex Officio Trustees, and 2 co-opted Trustees) and meets every 3 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run highquality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.
Section B Structure, governance and management (continued)
Risk and Internal Control
The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the District is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
Damage to Woodhall Campsite, property and equipment. The District would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The District has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
Reduced income from fund raising. The District is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The District does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could increase different fund-raising events to improve
income.
Section C Objectives and activities
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:
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 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
-
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 District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
Section D Achievements and performance
During the last year young people and the volunteers of Boston District have been on many adventures and have enjoyed multiple opportunities to explore and grow. All 9 Scout Groups and the Explorer units have held camps individually and as part of the wider District and County Scouts community. District Scouts camp in May 2025 was attended by almost 100 young people. All enjoying a camp filled with activities and fun. The District Cub Scouts attended various District organised activities, included a science day, campfire challenge and District record breakers. The highlight of the year was the County Lincub camp held near Lincoln. Almost 1000 young people and adults attended. Beaver scouts took part in group and section camps and sleepovers, and also attended taster day at Lincub. We were pleased to open a new Squirrel Scout drey at 4[th] Boston Scout Group. This section opened with 10 young people and now runs with 19.Explorer Scouts have seen good growth through the last 12 months. They helped with activities at District Scout camp, attended Carrington steam rally and earned a donation by helping park cars, and enjoyed a summer camp. Our District campsite has had a new perimeter fence fitted to comply with the safe premises audit. Scouting in Boston saw a 6% overall growth at our January census.
Section E Financial Review
The District's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Trustee Board considers that the District should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs, circa £21k.
The District has spent £21,000 this year from reserves set aside and also donations received to complete the fencing in of Woodhall Scout Campsite. This has brought the campsite up to current standard required by the Scout Association.
The District Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the District obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn, before doing so the Group Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements.
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Section F Other Optional Information
NONE
Section G Declaration
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Steve Elwood Lesley Rutter
Signatures ………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………..
Temp. Chair Treasurer
Steve Elwood Lesley Rutter
Full Names ………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………..
Date --------------20 [th] January 2026-------------------------------
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Receipts to 31st December 2025
| Receipts to 31st December 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Current Year | Previous Year |
||
| MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS | |||
| Subscriptions Received | 21692.00 | 23373.00 | |
| Less Paid to County | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| 21692.00 | 23373.00 | ||
| INVESTMENT INCOME RECEIVED | |||
| Bank Interest | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Scout Assoc'n Short Term Investment Service | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| OTHER INCOME | |||
| Woodhall Campsite | 1708.00 | 3768.95 | |
| **1708.00 ** | 3768.95 | ||
| SECTION INCOME | |||
| Squirrels | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Beavers | 0.00 | 870.00 | |
| Cubs | 859.70 | 0.00 | |
| Scouts | 2403.00 | 2637.00 | |
| Explorers | 0.00 | 84.00 | |
| Network | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| **3262.70 ** | 3591.00 | ||
| SUNDRY RECEIPTS | |||
| Sundries | 2162.44 | 0.00 | |
| Fundraising | 30.00 | 0.00 | |
| 2nd Boston Bus repayments | 0.00 | 1950.00 | |
| Donations/ Grants Received | 9600.00 | 1061.00 | |
| PayPal Giving | 317.48 | 0.00 | |
| Badges | 59.00 | 151.90 | |
| Generator Sale | 0.00 | 400.00 | |
| OTHER RECEIPTS | **12168.92 ** | 3562.90 | |
| **38831.62 ** | 34295.85 | ||
| HSBC Income | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Virgin Money Interest | 277.71 | 199.93 | |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR | 39109.33 | 34495.78 |
Payments up to 31st December 2025
| Payments up to 31st December 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEMBERSHIP FEES PAID WOODHALL EXPENSES Rent Rates Light, Heat & Water Insurance Repairs & Renewals SECTION EXPENSES Squirrels Beavers Cubs Scouts Explorers & Young Leaders Network TRAINING TRUSTEES/ADMIN CHARGES OTHER EXPENSES Badges Scout Equipment & Renewals Donations Fundraising Expenses Development Sundry Expenses Equal Cards Payments TOTAL PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR |
This | Last | 2024 | ||
| Year | |||||
| 22229.00 100.00 69.99 180.25 1001.81 3628.05 |
|||||
| 4980.10 0.00 469.12 160.00 2187.54 250.00 0.00 |
|||||
| 3066.66 22.50 |
|||||
| 22.50 1285.75 |
|||||
| 714.54 0.00 1400.00 0.00 213.20 0.00 |
|||||
| 2327.74 710.63 |
|||||
| 54732.87 | 34622.38 |
Woodhall Expenses
Gate alteration £450, Gas Safety Checks £182.86, Flail repair & service £600, Cesspool £175, Fire Safety Equipment Serving £188.94 Cleaning Refunds £40 Fencing installation £21,012
Boston District Scout Association
| Receipts & Payments Account Summary up to 31st December 2025 Total receipts to date Total payments to date Net receipts to date £ Cash, bank and similar funds brought forward £ Cash, bank and similar funds carried forward £ Lloyds Bank Account Virgin Money CharitySavings Account £ Total in Banks Equal Debit Cards Account Balance £ Total Bank Funds at 31st December £ |
2025 Current Year £ 39109.83 54732.87 -15623.04 £ 48988.81 £ 33365.77 £ 11289.90 22075.87 33365.77 £ 436.28 £ 33802.05 £ |
2024 Previous Year £ 34495.78 34622.38 -126.60 £ 49115.41 £ 48988.81 £ 27190.65 21798.16 48988.81 £ 931.04 49919.85 £ |
|---|---|---|
we
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Boston District Scout Association
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Boston District Scout Association for the year ended December 2025
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Boston District Scout Association you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Boston District Scout Association accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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
I have completed my examination. I 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the [Insert Scout Group/District name] as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do 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. L 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: ies a Names Jurw i Ath, bse owt) Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (ifany): FLL Address: Yo= Gevrole ZPomel[o][ Toe] ha[he][CAAAEE,][Livtitd][Lone,][ far,] 6[J,][ Lieto] (eat CAA[she] Date: A