17[th] Sale Scout Group
Annual Report 2021
AGM Sunday 27 June 2021 Registered Charity Number 509583
17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Contents
Annual General Meeting Agenda ...................................................................... 2 Group Scout Leader’s Report .............................................................................. 3 Assistant Group Scout Leader’s Report ............................................................... 4 Section Reports ...................................................................................................... 5 Beaver Section ................................................................................................... 5 Cub Section ........................................................................................................ 7 Scout Section .................................................................................................... 10 Statutory Information ........................................................................................... 13 Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended 31st March 2021 ....................... 17 Minutes of the Previous AGM ............................................................................. 21
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Annual General Meeting Agenda
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Introduction
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Apologies for absence
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Approval of the minutes of the previous AGM
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Presentation of audited accounts
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Approval of annual report and adoption of audited accounts
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Group Scout Leader’s remarks
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Election of Group Secretary
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Election of Group Treasurer
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Election of members of the Group Executive Committee
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Approval of the GSL’s nominations for membership of the Group Executive Committee
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Appointment of Accounts Examiner
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Adoption of Standard Constitution POR 3.23
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District Representative
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Presentations
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AOB
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Group Scout Leader’s Report
In a year when the Covid-19 pandemic has severely limited our activities, I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to making it a successful year all the same.
Firstly, thanks to all the Leaders for their efforts to keep Scouting going by running online meetings and setting the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts challenges to occupy some of their time starting with rainbow pictures at the start of lockdown and later video clips showing how they could try a new skill, gain a new badge or just have fun at home. Thanks to the Young People for getting involved with these activities and to all the parents who helped with them, often with quite a bit of IT support required!
Thanks also to all the Leaders for rising to the challenge of complying with the Scout Association’s requirements for Covid-19 risk assessments, preparing the building and liaising with parents to get us into the position of being the first group in Sale approved to restart face-to-face meetings and particularly to Stuart for producing the first draft of our risk assessment and to Martin for working with our Sale District colleagues to improve it further to a version which they were happy to approve.
I have been particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of our Leaders and Executive Committee members not only to tackle all these challenges but also to come up with several ways to take advantage of the building not being used during the summer lockdown.
Firstly, thanks to Stuart who arranged for a group of construction workers he knows (who kindly volunteered their time for several days) to replace our toilet facilities on a new layout with Stuart and Martin getting involved with the work. Thanks to Martin for replacing the double fire escape doors on the side of the hut and furthermore for arranging with Trafford for us to be allowed access to the woodland area next to our hut, part of which we have now made safe to use for a limited range of activities. Thanks also to Georgie our Secretary for keeping us on the straight and narrow in so many different ways and communicating with parents, to Paul our Treasurer and Martin our auditor for keeping our finances in order during a difficult year, to Mark for looking after the grass and planting around the building, to Dave Hannigan for his support with OSM, to Carol for arranging activity days, ordering badges and presenting major awards and to any parents who have helped in any way and anyone else who I’ve forgotten to mention.
Richard Taylor Group Scout Leader
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Assistant Group Scout Leader’s Report
I took on this role as Assistant GSL to help Richard run the group in November 2020 after Ian Moore stepped down from GSL. I would like to thank Ian for all of his hard work over the years with the 17[th] Sale Scout Group.
I have been able to visit all Sections this term, some on Zoom, and have invested Cubs and Beavers into the Group. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be able to award Chief Scout Bronze and Silver Awards Beavers and Cubs -- this is the highest award that they can achieve in their Sections and to hand out lots of badges.
In November we were still in lookdown and I wondered if the Young People would return to scouting after we got back to face-to- face meetings. I’m pleased to say that all Sections are up and running and at full capacity. This is down to all the excellent work that all the Leaders do in preparing and running the meetings to provide an interesting programme for all the Young People to take part in the Group.
I would like to thank all the Young People and parents for your continued support in this last difficult year.
Carol Gilbert Assistant Group Scout Leader
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Section Reports
Beaver Section
Aquila Colony
Aquila Beaver Colony has a had a very strange year during Covid-19. We were able to provide Zoom meetings to our Beavers and cover several badges. The Beavers especially enjoyed scavenger hunts. Several of our Beavers took part in our virtual Pirate Camp during the summer.
We returned to face-to-face outdoor meetings but again were forced to go back to Zoom meetings. Since March 2021 we have been able to run face to face meetings again and we have been working on our Safety and Gardening badges and Outdoor and Adventure Challenge badges.
Eight Beavers during lockdown completed their Chief Scout Bronze Awards and a total of 204 badges were presented from April 2020 to March 2021.
Ten Beavers have moved up to Cubs during the year. We currently have 12 children on our own colony waiting list and 23 on the general Beaver waiting list, ranging from 3 years old to 7 years old.
We will continue to work towards the Chief Scout Bronze Award and several staged badges.
I would like to say a big thanks to Jay for his support and help throughout the year and as Leaders we would like to thank all our parents for their support during this very difficult time.
Joanne Gray and Jay Garner
Beaver Scout Leader and Assistant Beaver Scout Leader
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Hercules Colony
Numbers took a slight dip this year with large numbers moving on to Cubs. We have taken on a lot of Beavers from other Colonies’ waiting lists and are building up our numbers again, we will be full by September 2021.
This year we have had 4 Beavers awarded the Chief Scout Bronze Award, with a total of 131 badges awarded in total.
We've had to adapt our meetings and activities this year to Zoom and as much outdoor activity as possible when we were allowed back at the Scout Hut. Unfortunately, online meetings do not suit all, but we had some kids who really enjoyed them and came to the fore. It was also great that younger siblings could join in too. We did lots of craft activities online, lots of adapted games such as 'Kim’s Game', scavenger hunts, drawing and Lego building challenges. At Christmas I was able to send round craft activity packs so we could create an advent calendar and tree decorations.
Now we are back at the scout hut we've been doing games that build leadership, problem solving and creativity. We've also done some gardening - planting tomato seeds and we'll build on that now we have the raised vegetable beds, planting onions and potatoes and looking at how plants grow. We've also started some archery which we will build on through the year.
Dave Rawnsley (Badger) and Dave Roberts (Zippy) Beaver Scout Leaders
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Cub Section
Orion Pack
This has been a very strange and challenging year as we started the year in lockdown due to Covid-19. We still have managed to have a very busy year for the pack with lots of activities that the Cubs have enjoyed. We have run a full programme between Zoom and face-to-face meetings.
At the moment there are 26 in the Pack.
We had 3 Cubs Jack Taylor, Louis Wallis and Jason Lo gain the Chief Scout's Silver Award this year. This is the highest award in Cubs.
We have run a Bake-Off with microwave blueberry muffins, mug chocolate cake and pizzas and an online tea party for the families. We had two speakers, one from the Guide Dogs. The Cubs learnt how puppies are trained into becoming guide dogs. But the one the Cubs enjoyed most was Troy Wood`s talk on space (this was for the Astronomer badge) and went on for an hour and a half. I have never seen the Cubs so engaged and ask a lot interesting questions. In the end I had to end the meeting otherwise it would have gone on all night!
It was very amusing to watch the Cubs make a sandwich using the hand that they do not write with. We have sent challenges out for the Cubs to complete at home - domino rally, egg drop, tallest tower, make a moving car and to invent a board game.
There was also Chil’s group scarf challenge, jumping Sinderland Brook and my two week challenge where they had to do something different each day.
All camps were cancelled but we did the Great At Home where the Cubs set up camp at home and had to complete different activities . We also took part in the Guinness book of Records attempt to have the biggest number of young people to sleep out on a Saturday night. The record was broken by over 2000.
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Family Camp unfortunately didn`t take place so we did a Virtual Family Pirate Camp at home, with a scavenger hunt around Sale. We did lots of challenges and a virtual camp fire.
During the year we have awarded 179 badges including DIY (these badges took over a year to complete due to lockdown) Air Activities, Road Safety, Disability Awareness, Athletics, Chef, Pioneer, Backwoods Cooking, Astronomer and lots of Challenge badges and the Great Indoor Badge. This was a special one to cover lockdown.
I set up a badge hunt in Woodheys Park and we had about 70 families take part, not just from the 17th Sale Group.
Chil and I would like to thank all of the Cubs and the parents who stayed with us throughout the Zoom meetings coming on each week even if they didn’t like Zooms and for taking part in all we asked them to do.
I would like to thank Mark Wallis and the parents who helped at the meetings, when we were back to face-to-face meetings. Without you I would not be able to run Cubs or give the Cubs exciting activities. Also, to all the Cubs who keep coming back each week.
Carol Gilbert (Akela) Cub Scout Leader
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Polaris Pack
Despite the very trying circumstances of the pandemic, Polaris Cubs successfully awarded 4 Cubs with their Chief Scout Silver Award and awarded over a hundred badges. The Cub camp planned for Urmston in April had to be cancelled and was replaced with camping at home.
Zoom meetings and the launch of a YouTube channel helped to keep us all connected, along with making use of the Badges at Home function on Online Scout Manager. Many of the Cubs joined 60,000 others in the world record attempt for #campathome in April. We worked on several of our outdoors badges, including Pioneering and Backwoods Cooking. Several Cubs used their time at home to help out parents and earned their Home Help badge. This saw three Cubs achieve their Chief Scout Silver Award but unfortunately we had to wait until we got back face-to-face meetings to award the badges in person at a special party, held with Orion Cubs in October.
The summer months were geared towards the Family Camp in June. I loved setting up the treasure trail from the hut and dressing up as a pirate to distribute the resource packs for the camp. It was lovely to see so many families (over 30) complete the trail and collect their treasure.
Autumn was a very mixed time. September and November being spent on Zoom and October and December back at the hut. Road safety was the order of the day on the Zoom meetings, whilst at the hut we got creative for the Halloween party and worked on our communication skills back at the hut.
Zoom meetings were the order of the day again in January and February. Working on our International and Disability Awareness badges. Meetings resumed again at the start of March. A range of socially distanced team building games, as we started work on Our Teamwork Challenge Award, including playing goalball to complete the Disability Awareness badge. March saw the awarding of the fourth Chief Scout Silver Award of the year.
Stuart Bateman (Bagheera) Assistant Cub Scout Leader
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Scout Section
Scout Troop
The Year that we learned how to ‘Mute All’
On 16[th] March 2020, we learned that all Face-to-Face meetings, activities and camps were cancelled due to Covid-19. 17[th] Sale Scouts were amongst the first to take Scouting online, we had no idea just how long the suspension would last for and so our initial online meetings were poorly structured, many of our Troop instantly went off the idea of Scouting online … understandable to some extent, Scouting has always been about practical activities, outdoors … not sitting in front of a screen, Leaders too were in a similar position, we could have taken the same decision as other Troops in other Groups up and down the Country and simply put a hard stop on all activities until we were permitted to resume, or we could attempt to keep the Troop engaged (albeit with severely depleted numbers) by learning how to transform the Scouting programme into a virtual facsimile. Prior to the pandemic, our Troop numbered 20 Scouts with typical attendance of 90% plus.
April 2020
Our initial virtual meetings were very much a live trial, basic quizzes, and discussions / presentations. Typical attendance was around 8 Scouts.
May 2020
The realisation that this was not going to be a short-term distraction led to Leaders getting more creative, introducing aspects of the traditional Scouting programme into virtual meetings, virtual map reading and virtual first aid became a thing. Attendance rarely rose above 8 Scouts.
June 2020
The hope of a summer return to real Scouting diminished, we were now faced with the very real prospect that the suspension might last until the end of the summer term, we ceased planning parallel programmes and again tried to uplift the real programme into a virtual context, the disappointment was being reflected in attendance, our low point coming in at just 5 Scouts attending.
July 2020
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Peak camping season and tents remained unpitched, campfires unlit and wide games un-played. We saw out the term with more ingenious virtual activities and more young people losing interest in Scouting. Over the summer break, either through age or a lack of interest, we lost a total of 10 Scouts from our Troop.
September 2020
Covid’s grip on the world had loosened somewhat over the summer months, there was genuine hope that the Scouting readiness level of Red would be upgraded to Amber very soon. 17[th] Sale were amongst the most proactive of groups, working and reworking Risk Assessments and Action Plans. Virtual meetings went ahead throughout September and an injection of some Cubs moving up swelled out virtual meeting attendance to occasional double figures.
October 2020
GO! For a few weeks, 17[th] Sale’s forward thinking gave our Scouts the ability to be the only Troop in the District to offer face-to-face Scouting again, with a Troop size now in excess of 20 members and a restriction on group gathering sizes, we had to split the meetings into two shorter meetings, temperatures had to be taken and distances had to be maintained. It was great to offer face-to-face Scouting to all but difficult to squeeze meaningful activities into such a short period. From a Leader’s perspective, the new face-to-face meeting proved as big a challenge as the virtual meetings as we were constantly on our guard for breaches of distancing etc.
November 2020
As November came along, so did the next lockdown, thankfully short lived but enough to remind us all of how we all need to take responsibility for preventing the spread of Covid-19, we endured 3 -4 weeks of virtual meetings before being allowed to meet in person again.
December 2020
Strange times, straight out of lockdown, we were permitted to meet indoors, something that we had previously avoided but the weather dictated that indoor meetings should be considered prudent, we again managed 3 more of our split Troop meetings before the festive period.
January 2021
New Year, new lockdown, back to virtual meetings, our numbers were further bolstered by more Cubs moving up to Scouts, attendance was still far from face-to-face” levels but it was encouraging. Troop numbers peaked at 29 Scouts though virtual meeting attendance was around 15-18 Scouts per meeting which was like playing to a packed house. Leaders had now learned to embrace online Scouting, safe in the knowledge that one day,
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
we would be back face-to-face, now was the time to check off all the badge requirements that we could do at home such as web design.
February 2021
More focus on badge criteria from home, virtual Scouting was feeling normal, attendance was steady, and programme was challenging yet achievable.
March 2021
March was the third month of continuous Virtual Scouting and from a Leader’s perspective, we were starting to clutch at straws, we had transformed as much of the programme to virtual as we could, it was becoming more and more challenging to deliver engaging virtual content … but good news was hopefully just around the corner.
Martin Odenrode (Scout Leader) , Dave Hannigan (Assistant Scout Leader) and Morgan Ecclestone (Assistant Scout Leader)
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Statutory Information
| Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details |
|---|---|
| Charity Name | 17thSale Scout Group |
| Other names the charity is known by |
None |
| Registered Charity Number | 509583 |
| Charity’s Principal Address | 9 Staines Close, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 5NP |
Trustee Details
| Trustee Details | Trustee Details | Trustee Details |
|---|---|---|
| Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
| Mr Paul Harris | Treasurer | |
| Mrs Georgina McCarthy | Secretary | |
| Mr Richard Taylor | GroupScout Leader | |
| Mrs Carol Gilbert | Assistant Group Scout Leader and Cub Scout Leader |
|
| Mrs Joanne Gray | Beaver Scout Leader | |
| Mr Dave Roberts | Beaver Scout Leader | |
| Mr Stuart Bateman | Assistant Cub Scout Leader | |
| Mr Martin Odenrode | Scout Leader | |
| Mr Mark Wallis | Assistant Cub Scout Leader | 08/11/2021 |
| Mr Andrew Slim | Parent Representative | 08/11/2021 |
| Mr David Hannigan | Assistant Scout Leader | 25/11/2021 |
| Structure Governance and Management | Structure Governance and Management |
|---|---|
| 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. The Group Constitution is based on a model constitution defined within the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association |
| How the charity is constituted | The Group is a trust established under the rules which are common to allScoutunits |
| Trustee selection methods | The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. |
| Additional governance information |
The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Group 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 Committee consists of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leader, other members either elected at the Group AGM, or co-opted onto the executive, and meets every three months. |
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Structure Governance and Management
| Structure Governance and Management | Structure Governance and Management |
|---|---|
| This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for: - • The maintenance of Group property • The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance • The insurance of persons, property and equipment • Group public occasions • Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support • Appointing any sub committees that may be required • Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected |
|
| Risks | The Group Executive 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 concern that have been identified are: Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group 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 Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members.The Group through the membership subscription fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. There is a health and safety management system for the Group HQ building in place to ensure the building is maintained to the required standard Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the Group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently Reduction or loss of leaders. The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular Section or 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. |
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
| Structure Governance and Management | Structure Governance and Management |
|---|---|
| Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 14. 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. In the worst case scenario, the complete closure of the Group. |
|
| Internal Controls | The Group has in place systems ofinternal controlsthat are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss; these include 2 signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. |
| Objectives and Activities | |
|---|---|
| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document |
The objectives of the Group are as a unit of the Scout Association. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects |
The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local national and international communities. The method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership |
| 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 |
| Achievements and Performance | |
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
The achievements for the year are contained in the various reports in this document |
| Financial Review | |
| 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. The Group Executive Committee considers that the Group should hold a sum equivalent to 24 months’ running costs. This is set at £9,000. The Group Executive Committee also considers that the Group should hold a sum of £5,000 to cover the end of Lease negotiations with Trafford MBC. The Group held reserves of £58,564 against these two items at year end. |
| Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) |
No funds in deficit |
| Further Financial Review Details | See the annual financial report at the end of this document |
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
| Declaration | Declaration | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’report above | ||
| Treasurer | Secretary | Group Scout Leader |
| Paul Harris | Georgie McCarthy | Richard Taylor |
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended 31st March 2021
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17th Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021 17th Sale tsandPa uila Beaver Colon - Tuesda ments for the Period ended 31st March 2021 Recei Recei From Group Executi¥t 211.(X) 2n. Paynietbts over Re1vts 0.00 £20.00 £20.00 Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2020 Assets Liabilities from Grol 18.33 BakrKe blf 11412n paynllts over Receiirts 18.33 -£18.33 -£18.33 17th Sale Hercules Beaver Colon - Thursda ments for the Period ended 31st March 2021 Recei tsandPa Recelpts over PaYnlIts £0.00 £0.00 Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2021 Cash in HarKI &3LqrKe blf 11412U Ripts ov er Payments £0.00 £0.00 Poge 18
17th Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021 17th Sale 'B' Pack Orion Cub Scouts- Monda Recei ts and Pa ments for the Period ended 31st March 2021 Re1 iiien Fr(m Group Qmp RefvThJ 21Q.(M) 72.94 54.59 350.W m¢scell¢NcS Receipts over Pawiients 12.47 £350.00 £350.00 Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2021 Cash In Hand 57.91 31arKe blf 11412n Receipts over Pawi)ents 45.44 12.47 £57.91 £57.91 17th Sale 'C' Pack Polaris Cub Scouts - Wednesda ments for the Period ended 31st March 2021 Recei ts and Pa Fr(rtn Group Qmp RefvThJ 48(I.IN) 10.29 4).29 MiscdI&)ecS Payn)lts over Receipts 7.34 £497.63 £497.63 Assets Liabilities Cash in HaTh 128.86 BarKe blf 114120 Paynnts over Recelpts 136.20 £128.86 £128.86 Poge 19
17th Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021 17th Sale Scout Troo ments for the Period ended 31st March 2021 Recei ts and Pa IA From Group Executive Committee 1112.n7 33.97 17.ljl 166. To Group Executive Committee Miscellaneous Receipts over Payments 13.91 £166.96 £166.96 Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2021 Assets Liabilities Due from GrcMJp 6.12 BalarKe blf 11412n Receipts over Paynients 2n.n3 13.91 -£6.12 -£6.12 Poge 20
17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Minutes of the Previous AGM
Minutes of the 44[th] Annual General Meeting of the Group Scout Council of the 17[th] Sale Scout Group held on Sunday 8 November 2020 on Zoom at 7.30pm
Present: Ian Moore (Group Scout Leader), Georgie McCarthy (Secretary), Paul Harris (Treasurer), Andy Atherall (District Commissioner), Richard Taylor (Assistant District Commissioner Cubs), Bob Cole (District Appointments Secretary), Roger Kettle (County Treasurer), Joanne Gray (Beaver Scout Leader), Dave Roberts (Beaver Scout Leader), Mark Wallis (Assistant Cub Scout Leader), Carol Gilbert (Cub Scout Leader), Stuart Bateman (Assistant Cub Scout Leader), Martin Odenrode (Assistant Scout Leader), Dave Hannigan (Assistant Scout Leader) and Parents/Carers – Gillian Bateman, Roger Fairclough, Andy Slim, Jayne Slim, Zongling Ji
Apologies: Martin Lupton (Auditor), Dave Rawnsley (Beaver Scout Leader), Chris Gleaves (Deputy District Commissioner)
| 1 | Introduction Ian Moore (IM) introduced the audience to our first AGM via Zoom. He made everyone aware that the meeting was being recorded. |
Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Apologies for Absence Martin Lupton, Dave Rawnsley and Chris Gleaves. |
|
| 3 | Approval of Minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting IM drew the audience’s attention to the 17thSale Scout Group Annual Report and asked everyone to refer to the minutes of the 43rdndAGM found from page 21 of the pack. With no corrections required, Dave Hannigan proposed to approve minutes and Joanne Gray seconded. The audience was asked to vote manually and the motion was passed unanimously. |
|
| 4 | Presentation of the Audited Accounts Paul Harris (PH) announced that as usual the accounts, for year ending 31 March 2020, were prepared and submitted to our examiner Martin Lupton (ML) who approved them. PH mentioned some highlights of the accounts as follows • Subscriptions were £13,676 which is approximately £1,000 up from last year. • Gift Aid increased to £3,182. PH thanked Richard Taylor for his role in claiming this money from HMRC. • The balance in our accounts was £39,871. |
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
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The surplus over expenditure was £3,410.
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This put us in a healthy financial position at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Electricity expenditure increased significantly to £948 but this included an electrical check that cost £354.
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Water charges also increased due to the water company eventually getting the billing correct.
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We held a couple of fundraising events during the year - Quiz Night and Race Night. Both raised in excess of £350 each.
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PH reminded everyone that Covid-19 has effected our income however it is not reflected in our accounts yet because we are only reporting until 31 March 2020. However, subscriptions continue to be significant at about £800 per month which approximately covers our expected expenditure for the year.
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Repairs were high at about £1,000 but this included the installation of new emergency doors costing £850.
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PH thanked ML for his help in auditing the accounts.
IM referred back to the increase in subscription income. He explained that this was not due to an increase in number of Young People but because PH and Georgie McCarthy had spent a significant amount of time working to collect outstanding monies from parents. IM expressed his thanks for this effort.
Andy Slim asked PH to confirm his understanding that the Group could continue without face-to-face meetings during lockdown as long as the subscriptions don’t fall below the current level of £800. PH explained that when the first Covid19 lockdown started the Group contacted parents and gave them the option of taking a “subs holiday”. Approximately 30% of parents took up this offer and stopped paying monthly subscriptions. PH thanked the parents who had been able to continue paying either the full or reduced amount. We do still hold a healthy balance of £39,000 but would prefer not to have to use any of this money.
5 Approval of Annual Report and Adoption of Audited Accounts Carol Gilbert proposed to approve the annual report and adopt the audited accounts and Bob Cole seconded. The audience was asked to vote using a Zoom poll and the motion was passed unanimously.
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
- 6 Group Scout Leader’s Remarks
IM addressed the audience. He remarked that although the scope of the AGM report was to the end of March 2020 he wanted to also talk about the period since then during Covid19. Every single Leader has worked above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic to keep Scouting at 17[th] Sale going despite what may have been going on in their personal lives. Using Zoom has been a challenge but the Leaders have managed to keep the enthusiasm of the Young People and kept them engaged. IM expressed his deep gratitude to the Leaders.
The Group was fortunate to receive a grant of £10,000 from the Trafford MBC Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund. We used some of this money to undertake the longawaited and much needed refurbishment of the toilets. IM thanked everyone involved.
IM reminded the audience that before the pandemic took hold he had already given his intention to stand down as GSL (Group Scout Leader) and his last responsibility would be to chair the next AGM. IM reassured everyone that he was not leaving Scouting altogether and hoped to maintain a connection with 17[th] Sale and at a District level.
Andy Atherall (AA) thanked IM for his 5 year tenure as GSL and the work that he has achieved to ensure that 17[th] Sale is a thriving Group. AA made an announcement of changes in leadership positions
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Martin Odenrode (MO) is promoted from Assistant Section Leader to Section Leader of Scouts. MO has been effectively running the Scout Section for 13 years so this appointment is well deserved.
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AA had advertised the position of GSL in the FB group. He received a couple of responses and was delighted to announce that Richard Taylor (RT) has agreed to return as GSL with Carol Gilbert working with Richard as AGSL (Assistant Group Scout Leader). CG will continue to be Cub Scout Section Leader of Orion.
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AA also advertised for a Group Chair but unfortunately he received no responses. He urged the audience to approach anyone they knew who wanted to become involved in the Group to consider this role.
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
| 7 | Election of Group Secretary The re-election of Georgie McCarthy as Group Secretary was proposed by Stuart Bateman and seconded by Dave Roberts. The audience was asked to vote using a Zoom poll and the motion was passed unanimously. |
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|---|---|---|
| 8 | Election of Group Treasurer The re-election of Paul Harris as Group Treasurer was proposed by Martin Odenrode and seconded by Richard Taylor. The audience was asked to vote using a Zoom poll and the motion was passed unanimously. |
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| 9 | Election of Members of the Group Executive Committee IM reported that the ex-officio members of Group Executive Committee are the Group President – John Hardern, Group Secretary – Georgie McCarthy, Group Treasurer – Paul Harris. GM confirmed that Joanne Gray, Dave Roberts, Carol Gilbert, as Section Leaders, have all indicated in writing that they are willing to be on the Group Executive Committee. Martin Odenrode verbally agreed to be on the Group Executive Committee. The election of Stuart Bateman (Assistant Cub Scout Leader) and Mark Wallis (Assistant Cub Scout Leader) to the Group Executive Committee was proposed by Andy Atherall and seconded by Paul Harris. The audience was asked to vote using a Zoom poll and the motion was passed unanimously. |
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| 10 | Approval of the GSL’s Nominations for Membership of the Group Executive Committee Prior to the AGM there were no GSL nominations for the Group Executive Committee. IM urged any parents attending the meeting to consider volunteering to join and Andy Slim, parent, stepped forward. Mark Wallis proposed and Joanne Gray seconded. The audience was asked to vote manually and the motion was passed unanimously. |
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| 11 | Appointment of Auditor IM reported that Martin Lupton has agreed to carry on as Auditor. Joanne Gray proposed and Paul Harris seconded. The audience was asked to vote using a Zoom poll and the motion was passed unanimously. |
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
12 District Commissioner IM handed the floor over to Andy Atherall (AA), District Commissioner. AA thanked the Group for reacting so positively to the pandemic and for providing online meetings for the Young People. AA announced some awards • Chief Scout’s 5 Years’ Service Award for Georgie McCarthy • Wood Badge for Carol Gilbert • Merit for Exceptional Service to Scouting for Ian Moore AA suggested that there may be some more awards in the pipeline. Because the Awards’ Committee at HQ were furloughed in March, they have only just started processing them again. 13 Presentations IM spoke again about the toilet refurbishment. There were two Leaders in particular who were instrumental in getting the work done. They were Stuart Bateman who also succeeded in acquiring the help of a friend, Mark Little, who undertook a great deal of the work for free. The second person was Martin Odenrode. Gifts were presented to Stuart and Martin in appreciation for their work. Georgie McCarthy then presented Ian Moore with a gift from the Committee in recognition of his time with 17[th] Sale. 14 AOB Richard Taylor asked to say a few words. He thanked Ian for his 5 years as GSL. Richard highlighted the way that Ian ran AGMs and engaged with people. His style of leadership contributed to the recruitment of new Leaders to all Sections over the last 3 years. Richard said that he was looking forward to working with Carol in her new role. Gillian Bateman commented that as a parent she wanted to thank the Group for continuing to engage with the Young People during lockdown. She was aware that not all Groups in the District were able to do this.
Ian reminded the audience of all the incredibly hard work that was done to produce risk assessments that allowed 17[th] Sale to be the first Group in District to safely return to face-to-face meetings.
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17[th] Sale Scout Group Annual Report 2021
Georgie McCarthy thanked the parents who had given up their Sunday evening to join the AGM.
The meeting was then called to a close.
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