1st Bistre Scout Group
Skills for Life
1st Bistre Scout Group Annual General Meeting Reports 2020 - 2021
1st Bistre Scout Group
Welcome to another year of Zoom AGM.
So again I would like to introduce myself to those who have not met me before. I am Tara - the Chairperson for the Exec team and this is my second year as chair, and as I said last year what a year! My stepson is in Scouts and I wanted to be able to do something to support him.
The Exec team have met every month via zoom to discuss all things scouting, risk assess and plan for all eventualities to ensure that your children would be safe when we were able to return to scouting and keep them interesting in everything that scouting has to offer.
I want to say that the leaders have given time and effort into planning all the sessions’ that be for in person or via Zoom so thank you to each one of them.
Massive thank you has to go to Tamsin who keeps all the leaders in line and makes sure that everyone has what they need and are supported. This group would not function without her.
There are going to be things coming up in the near future that we are going to need big support with. Our hut is showing its age and is in need of either a massive overall or we will need a new one in the next few years to ensure that we are safe and following all precautions for all our members. Other scouting groups have done something similar in the last few years so we are looking for some family members to set up a task group to help manage this, both in the planning and fundraising stages. This is going to be a big task but it will benefit the members for years to come as this hut has done. So please let us know if you are able to help in any way!
We recently held the “Love a hut day” so a big thank you to everyone who came along and helped. I'm sure you will agree the hut much better with a new coat of paint and the outside areas looking much tidier.
As scouting parents we are a massive part of the group so thanks to each and every one of you who have helped your children navigate zoom scouting, joined in with making Pizza’s, armpit fudge and all the other things that they have been doing.
If you have time to support the scouts more than we would really like more people to come on board as parent Helpers and leaders. We also need new parents for the Executive team - if you think you can commit to this then please let us know.
Thank you to all of you who have attended tonight.
Tara Denton Chairperson 1[st] Bistre
1st Bistre Scout Group
Another year over and again a year of Covid-19 !
It was lovely to get to the Yellow phase and meet at the Scout HQ . Scouting outside is what we do best but even that posed challenges for the leaders - social distancing in hoops. Non contact activities all posed challenges to us all. Constant risk assessing and hoping everyone was safe - but we did it. The leadership team pulled it off and I am so proud of them all. Scouts were even able to get Kayaking for a couple of sessions at Park in the Past, which was so lovely to see .
Our group member numbers have been quiet stable - we’ve lost a few but gained to replace.
Our section numbers are healthy and all members are working towards their top awards.
It’s been lovely to see Scouts, Cubs & Beavers being awarded the top awards Scouts Section: 4 Chief Scouts awards Cubs Section: 5 Chief Scouts silver awards Beavers Section: 2 Chief Scouts Bronze
Not to mention all the challenge, activity & staged badges that have been ordered throughout the year. Well done to all our young members & leaders for all the hard work put into the balanced programme .
On the Leadership team - we’ve recruited a few new members into our adult leadership team. We welcome Karen in Beavers & Andy in Scouts. We are really desperate for more leaders especially in the Cub section along with the Scout section; we welcome anyone wanting to help deliver skills for life to our young members.
Scouting is now Green which will hopefully see us back to some sort of normal scouting life with camps and activities being planned for the near future..
I'd like to take this time to thank all the leaders in everything they have done for our group during the past 12 months & throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s definitely not been easy but hopefully now we can relax a bit and enjoy Scouting in Bistre ..
Thank you also to the parents who have supported us in everything we have done .
Tamsin Harrison Royle (Stitchy) Group Scout Leader
1st Bistre Scout Group
ANNUAL OFFICERS' REPORTS AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
Group Treasurer's Report
2020-2021
Treasurer: Claire Maclaren
1st Bistre Scout Group
1st Bistre Scout Group - Year Ending 31st March 2021
Annual General Meeting Wednesday 6th October 2021
Treasurer's Report
The current treasurer is Claire Maclaren, who is hand over from the previous treasurer, Gavin Broughton on 1[st] September 2020.
Banking Arrangements
All of the Group's monies are administered through bank accounts held with the HSBC Bank (Shotton branch). The Group currently has two accounts.
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HSBC Community Account is used as our current account.
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A second HSBC Community Account is held for fundraising purposes.
Petty Cash
To enable flexibility and efficiency of administration a cash float of around £100-200 is held by the Treasurer for the purchase of small items. In addition, each section holds cash balance of £50 for sundries and small items. This has increased from £20 to allow more flexibility during the COVID pandemic. Purchases of sundry items for the Hut are currently made through the treasurer’s float.
Balances
In the year to 31 March 2021 money paid into the bank accounts exceeded money paid out by £16,106. The balance of monies held in the bank and in cash increased from £9,466 at the start of the year to £25,552 at the end of the year.
Income
The Income and Expenditure Accounts have been prepared in the same format to those of last year. It is intended that monies received from parents towards the cost of camp activities should be paid straight in and then straight out of the bank. This is reflected in the “other income” figure.
(a) Subscriptions
The Group's funding primarily relies on subscriptions from our members and it is important that subscriptions are paid on time. As a Charity the Group is dependent upon subscriptions to function. Subscriptions are currently used to pay for annual membership of the Scout Association, insurance, badges, craft resources and equipment used during weekly sessions.
The rate of subscription, per month, is £12 for each child attending the group, payable from the first month of attendance.
Subscriptions continue to be charged monthly and are collected primarily by Standing Order. This ensures that weekly section meetings can start on time without leaders having to collect cash, and also for ease of administration and monthly accounting.
1st Bistre Scout Group
(b) Fundraising Activities
The Group have successfully a fundraising activity this year despite the restrictions.
- A Santa Float was run for the fifth year, which has been well received by the public and raised £2810.86 (with costs of £210).
Supporters of 1[st] Bistre can raise money for the group by logging on to the Easyfundraising website before shopping on-line. There was £49.83 raised this year. To date we have received £547 from this source. This has reduced in recent years so could be communicated to all members to advise of this.
Fundraising is an essential form of income for the Group not only in keeping the cost of subscriptions low but also to assist the Group in purchasing/replacing equipment.
It takes a lot of organisation and dedication from those volunteering to run such activities (before, during and even after the event) so parents are encouraged to support the Group giving time, skills and ideas, and also by attending some (or all) of the monthly meetings.
(c) Gift Aid
The Group are able to claim a Gift Aid refund from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as a registered charity This last claim submitted was in March 2017 and during April 2017 £6,163 was received relating to 2015 and 2016. A return is due to be submitted for 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 with an estimate of £2,500 per year to be reclaimed.
Expenditure
(a) Rent
Flintshire County Council charges the Group a 'peppercorn' rent of £120 and this cost has remained the same for the last three years.
(b) Utilities
Over the financial year the costs for utilities was £1,811 which is lower than last year’s figure of £1912. Rates have remained constant.
The age and construction of the hut make it difficult to be energy efficient but fixed tariffs for both gas and electricity in March 2019 should prove beneficial in keeping these costs relatively static over the next 2 years.
(c) Insurance
The buildings and contents cover is with Alan Boswell Group (Abib Instalments on statements) insurance premium for the year 2019-20 was £830, a decrease of £136 on the previous year’s figure of £966. This cover is for building and contents insurance, as well as all the equipment when away on camp.
1st Bistre Scout Group
The Group also have policy to cover the trailer with Unity (£76 per year), who provide specialist cover for Scout groups.
(d) Minibus, trailer and associated costs
Last year the minibus replaced at a purchase cost of £6,340. The current value of this asset is £5027 with a cost of £1268 for depreciation (20%) Minibus costs for the year totalled £839.63, which included general maintenance, servicing, tax, etc.
(e) Activities, Equipment, Badges
This year, the Group has spent approximately £3013 on activities, badges, camping kit and other equipment for outdoor activities, when compared to £1909 for the previous year. The increase is predominantly due to the purchase of the canoeing equipment.
(f) Internet
The Group maintain an internet connection with Plusnet as the broadband provider. The Leaders as also registered to the on-Line Scout Management forum which facilitates better record keeping, collating and monitoring members progress relating to badges, activities etc.
(g) Annual Capitation (Membership Fee)
At the end of each financial year annual membership fees must be paid to Flintshire District Scout Council. These fees cover insurance and other costs associated with membership of The Scout Association.
The amount to be paid depends upon the number of members in the Group. Costs for membership £55 per member. This is an increase of £4.50 per member from the previous year. The total membership charge paid in February 2021 was £2585 based on 47 members.
Debtors/Creditors
This year subscriptions owed to the Group as at 31[st] March 2021 totalled £146. Strict control has been maintained on subscriptions.
Administration
Provided these submitted accounts are accepted by this meeting, they will be used for the completion of the Annual Return to the Charity Commission.
Claire Maclaren
Group Treasurer
30/06/2021
1st Bistre Scout Group
What can I say about the last year….? Certainly, eventful for everyone in all walks of life and Scouting has been no exception!!!
Our Beavers have shown an incredible amount of resilience during this time when we have had to consider our methods and approach to be able to continue providing a programme of activities for our members, which has mainly taken the form of virtual sessions through Zoom. They also had the opportunity to complete some badge work at home to keep them busy during these uncertain times and hopefully allowed them the opportunity to escape the mundane home schooling.
As a group of leaders, we have also been able to put on a virtual group camp for 1st Bistre Scout Group during the initial lockdown that allowed us to think ‘outside the box’ and provide an array of online activities, sometimes using breakout rooms for each age group, to provide a sleepover camp with a twist on our usual format. Onwards and upwards now ………….
We have recently been able to restart face to face meetings where we have been able to welcome new beavers to our colony to help us grow and expand as a group. Along with our new beavers, we also welcome new assistant leaders and section assistants to help lead our section going forward and bring new innovative ideas and bring more fun and adventurous activities into our sessions, that encompasses he essence that scouting portrays.
So far, we have seen a fantastic start to our programme full of fun activities, with activities such making bug hotels of the natural and man-made variety, meetings out of the hut at alternative scouting sites, investing of new beavers and leaders, along with walks around local forest walks to name just a few. Our summer term so far has certainly been jampacked and seen us complete a number of badges that we have been able to award in the last few weeks, with more to follow before the end of term, There are a few weeks of fun activities planned to take us to the end of the our scouting term leading to our summer holiday period.
We hope that we will see everyone back Autumn term, where we will endeavour to ensure that we continue to provide an action-packed programme that keeps our beavers attentions illuminated to continue their Scouting journey in the future.
Watch this space for communication/emails from us soon as we can as we are looking to include a few additional fun-filled activity sessions over the summer break to keep our beavers taste for scouting alive in the coming weeks following such a horrendous lockdown and unprecedented time that we hope never to see again!!!
The Beaver Team
1st Bistre Scout Group
Cubs report 2020-21
It’s been a yr and a half for all in the cub section!
Zoom well …… we’ve baked, painted, built Lego creations; we’ve had parents placed in the recovery position!
We made it and come out of the other side!!
As Cub leaders I can’t thank the parents enough for what has been such a hard time for all , you have supported us so much …
It seems strange that we’ve been back face to face now for a yr and we’ve crammed so much in ,
We’ve learnt a new way of scouting & staying safe .
Are most exciting event recently was the Captain Clay brick catherall’s quest!! The cubs and leaders enjoyed this so much, and to be able to dress up as pirates and hike around Buckley was so much fun.
The Cubs have achieved so much and we are super proud of each and every one of them.
Congratulations to the cubs who received their Chief scouts silver award …
The Cubs Team
1st Bistre Scout Group
Firstly I’d like to thank the parents for all their support over the past yr - it's been a hard one.
Our programme has had us busy over zoom & face to face,
I'm not sure who enjoyed the zoom sessions more! The parents or the scouts.. Trying to teach Map work over zoom was an interesting activity!! But honestly parents you’ve been amazing.
Pizza in a cardboard oven who’d of thought it was possible But WOW how amazing were they?
Our numbers have stayed consistent over the year despite the current situation.
The leadership team has grown we’ve welcomed Andy to the section who has been a great asset.
We currently need more leaders to help out as Elliot has now gone back to university, Phil & Andy work shifts which some weeks does put us short so more would be nice..
We said goodbye to some scouts who moved on to Explorers well done to them for completing their Chief scouts gold Award under covid-19 .. a tough challenge to complete in normal circumstances..
Thank you again
Phil Harrison Royle (Skip )
The Scout Team
1st Bistre Scout Group
Fusion Explorers May 2020- July 2021 what a year. With a Leadership of 3 leaders with an average of 15 Explorers over the year with 4 new scouts moved up from 1st Bistre. Overall it's been a challenging, but fun and exciting year with activities including but not limited to an arrangement of fun online activities, Experiments badge, Cooking, camp, D of E, and End of term activities. Before briefly returning back in late September face to face to lead to a great turn out by all and continued scouting activities such as hiking and map work, team building and problem solving, knife work, escape room and communication impact badge.
With another lock down at the beginning of 2021 we look forward to the face to face activities in April. With the return to face to face in 2021 allowing more amazing scouting to continue with the explorers giving back to the local community by carrying out works to the Flash scrub garden.
Continued work by the explorers has led to the completion of 4 Bronze D of E awards with a Silver Award due at the end of July once completed our Silver/Gold Expedition. Which will go towards their higher diamond, platinum and queen scouts awards within scouting.
With the easing of lockdown measures we will continue to support scouting guidance and continue to carry out scouting activities and to get out there.
Explorer Leadership Team
1st Bistre Scout Group
Registered Charity No. 511008
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Statement of Accounts for Year Ending 31st March 2021
| Income and Expenditure Account | |
|---|---|
| Income Monthly Subs Fundraising Grant Gift aid Other Income TOTAL INCOME RECEIVED Expenditure Maintenance - Grounds and Buildings Insurance - Buildings Minibus, Tax, Repairs, Diesel and Other Associated Costs Insurance - Minibus Rent and Utilities Equipment, Activity Expenses, Programmes and Training Badges and Uniform Fundraising Sundries Internet and Associated Costs, On-Line Scout Management Annual Membership Donations Depreciation (20%) Minibus Unpaid Subscriptions Written Off EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR |
2020/21 2019/20 2018/2019 £ £ £ 5,462.00 9,439.00 12,405.00 3,277.58 5,222.37 2,957.38 20,000.00 - 4,316.90 - - 92.83 593.01 537.61 |
| 28,832.41 15,254.38 20,216.89 |
|
| 919.43 1,616.48 3,228.00 830.85 955.98 793.91 839.63 1,369.58 697.15 708.44 608.87 732.17 1,811.54 1,912.31 2,015.28 3,013.92 776.65 2,273.74 75.20 1,132.69 741.66 448.71 221.00 1,416.90 437.58 124.20 432.37 395.98 458.74 597.08 2,832.50 3,057.00 4,747.00 30.00 65.50 1,268.00 31.35 - 56.00 280.00 13,637.78 12,294.85 18,020.76 |
|
| 15,194.63 2,959.53 2,196.13 |
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