Tees VaLLey North Scout District Scout CounciL Tees Valle North
Annual Report and Accounts
2022
Tees Valley North District Scout Council
Trustees:
Ex Oficio:
District Chair Allan Neal Ex-officio all Sub Committees District Commissioner Paul Elliott District Secretary Helen Trelfall District Treasurer Helen Ryder District Explorer Scout Adviser Dave Yardley Elected Margaret Elliott Mark Anderson Michael Watson Colm Simpson Nominated Anthony Elliott Co-opted Bankers Yorkshire Bank PLC 46 High Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1SE Investment Account The Scout Association Gilwell Park, London, E4 7QW Independent Examiner Colin Griffiths Stranton Business Centre,
Scout Association Registration 015610 Charity Registration Number 511937
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2022
Structure, Governance and Management
The District'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 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 Executive Committee, 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 Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the District Commissioner, District Explorer Scout Commissioner, nominated and elected members and meets 6 times a year. This District Executive Committee exists to support the District Commissioner in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and it responsible for: -
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The maintenance of administration of District Finance.
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The maintenance of the District Property
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The Insurance of persons, property and equipment.
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District public occasions.
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Assisting in the recruitment of Leaders and other Adult Support;
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Appointing any Subs Committees that may be required.
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Appointing District Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
The District has in place systems of internal controls that 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.
The Purpose and Values of Scouting and the Scout Method.
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
As Scouts we are guided by the values of : Integrity - Respect - Care - Belief - Co-operation.
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting
and: -
(1) Enjoy what they do and have fun.
- (3) Learn by doing
(5) Take responsibility and make choices
(2) Take part in activities, indoors and outdoors
(4) Share in spiritual reflection
(6) Undertake new and challenging activities
- (7) Make and live by their Promise.
Achievements and Performance
Well, it looks like we are on top of that COVID pandemic thing. All those disruptive restrictions which impacted our ability to deliver scouting are finally becoming fading memories.
So, what has the new team done in its first year to create a strong foundation?
Financially we are being guided by Helen Ryder as our District Treasurer. She has brought our accounting into the 21[st] century. She is enabling us to present and analyse our transactions effectively. Our charity trustees can now discharge their oversight responsibilities with confidence. Helen Threlfall is getting to grips with and working hard as our District Secretary. Margaret Elliott is managing our external bookings for the headquarters. One might think of Macbeths three witches ……. Hubble, Bubble, toil and……. Well, they are a bit frightening to this outsider but by gum they get the work done!! No of course they are not witches they are all angels. Helen, Helen and Margaret Thank you so much for all your hard work for Tees Valley North.
It was very sad to see that the 9[th] Billingham Scout Group had closed in 2021. One of our first major tasks was to oversee the disposal of their equipment and the return of their headquarters to Stockton Borough Council. We are finally just about there and wrapping up the last few legal details.
The scout shop is coughing its way back into life again and thank you to those volunteers who are resuscitating it so we can get our uniforms and badges again. With the help of Chloe and Kat from 8th Billingham we will hopefully have a fully operational scout shop once again.
What does all this have to do with scouting and the young people? Well-read on
Paul was asked to lead our district last year just as we were getting back to normal. I being an old (?) an experienced (?) DC was asked to help Paul as the Acting District Chairman during his first formative months. Did I need to be involved? – Not at all - Paul has been surefooted from the off. He has re-established the scouting district network. He talked to our Group Scout Leaders to see what was needed. We are running section activities again, awards are being awarded, and wasn’t the Dragonfest District Camp a triumph! The District Explorers are back at it – Dave Yardley as ever keeping things moving along. Thank you to Dave and his team.
The district team is very sparse so how has this all been achieved? We are being supported by leaders and helpers from every group in Tees Valley North. Their willingness to help Paul by organising and committing to district activities and events is making a huge difference to our performance. Thank you all - It’s magnificent and long may it continue.
Tees Valley North Scout District is in good shape. Please continue to help Paul and Anthony as they build on this great foundation to meet the challenges ahead.
The District strives to support the 8 Scout Groups and 3 Explorer Units within its boundaries, encouraging them all to attend both District and County events and activities.
Financial Review
I have spent my time updating processes and systems used so that Accounts can be clear and transparent to those that need to see the Districts position regularly. I believe in clarity and transparent accounting at all times. I appreciate this is a drastic change from what people are used to but I’m happy supporting our District in the move to a more modern approach, the scout shop is next.
Its taken some time to get my head around the different groups and structures but thanks to Paul for patiently explaining it all.
As I started halfway through the financial year ending 31 December 2022, much of the detail isn’t as detailed as I would have liked. The current financial year however will be much more detailed. I have already spoken to our Explorer groups about bringing their bookkeeping under the District and enabling them to concentrate on their groups. As I already have to account for this at year end it’s simpler to do this as we go.
To the financial reports for year ending 31 December 2022 ……
The District had a positive year, seeing us end the year with a surplus income of £9,129.02 across the board. Most of this income has come from donations given for use of our Hall, granted this has increased the cost of Gas and Electric used, but overall has subsidized the running of the Hall greatly. Massive thank you to Margret for all her hard work managing the hall bookings. Another portion of the surplus income has come from a sizable donation of £2667, I believe this to be COVID related but have limited information on it.
The annual District Levy was done before my arrival so I can’t really comment on this income collected as I don’t have all the details.
Looking forward….
After much discussion with Paul, Anthony, Allen and the exec, I’ve agreed to set out a five-year road map of planned expenses that should be carried out to ensure running costs and maintenance bills are kept low…… Let us be proactive, not reactive. There will be a budget drawn up to reflect that once the works have been identified, accessed and agreed by the exec.
I would also like to have a joined-up approach to fund raising so as to prevent duplication and so that all groups and the district can benefit from available pots of funding. As we are very focused on our young people it would be lovely to see more district events and have all groups expand and thrive.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:-
Allan Neal
District Chair
Helen Ryder
District Treasurer
Note
The District acts as an agent for both The Scout Association and Cleveland Scout Council for the HQ and County Levies that are collected from each Group and then forwarded to Cleveland Scout Council. These sums would, unless deducted from both Total Receipts and Total Payments, distort the value of both gross income and total expenditure of the District as defined by the Charity Commission and by which The Scout Association determines the level of audit.
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
Tees Valley North District Scout Council
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
As the Charity Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirements of Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (The Act) does not apply.
It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of the procedures specified in the General Directions Given by the Charity Commissioner under Section 43 (7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Examiner's Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the account 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 no provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I confirm that no other material matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination that give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 41 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of The Act have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, or which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the accounting rules of the District's constitution have not been met.
Signed C Griffiths Name Colin Griffiths Address Stranton Business centre Hartlepool
Tees Valley North District Scout Council Profit & Los5 Accounts For the Year Ending 31" December 2022 Colin B. Griffiths Stranton Business Centre 49 Stockton Road Hartlepool TS25 ITX
Tees Valley North District Scout Council Income & Expenditure Account5 For the Year Ended 31" December 202? In accordance with instructions given to us we have prepared, wiihoui carrying out an audit, The Profit & Loss Accounts froin the aecounting records and Énfonnation supplied to us. Colin B. Griffiths Stranton Business Centre 49 Stockton Road Hartlepool TS25 ITX
Profit and Loss Teesvalley North District Scout Council Forthe year ended 31 December 2022 Turnover 2,402.05 98.92 2,667.OD 7,299.00 5ales-SubslMembership Sale5-UNilDTTnlBadgè5IShopl TotalTuFn4ver 22.708.89 575.00 3S.750.86 Cost of Sales 15D.00 iso.ty) Gr0$5 Profit 35,600.86 Administrativecosts 1.020.00 968.83 489.68 Insutafjce 300.$8 2.599.4S 331SY) Ronl 50D. 2,510.54 sUbPtionSl Memb@rthips TotalAdrnlnistraiiveCosts 16.471.84 Operating Profit 9,129.02 Profiton OrdinaryActivities Before Taxation 9,129.02 Profit aftÈrTaxation 9.129.02
Balance Sheet Teesvalley North District Scout Council As at 31 December 2022 31DEC2022 Current Assets T68.67 Hadopool ExploreiS-PettyCash 300.00 1.022.$2 1099.82 54,915.47 TotblCurren¢Assets 54.91S.47 Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 54.915.47 Total A%sÉts lesscurrent Liabilities 54,91S.47 NetAssets $4.915.47 ital and Resèrves 9,129.02 Retained Ehmings Totèlcapitaland Rosèrves 45,78E.45 54.915.47
Inde
endent Examiner's Re
ort to the Trustees of the
Tees VaLle
North District Scout CounciL
I report on the accounts of tho District for the 12 months ended 31st Decembpr 2022 which afe set out on pages
--gf this report
Respective Rc5PQn5ibilities ot Trustees Examiner
Ag tho CharityTrDstees. you aro responsible fortho preratIOn of the aco)unts'. you considerth* the audit
requirements Charitiès Att 1993 rtheActl does not apply.
Itis my respDThgibibty to state. on the b4515 of the procedure% specified ID the Generèl Dirertions Given by the Charity
Cotnmissioner under tho Act. whether particvLar tnatter5 have come to Tny attention.
Basis of Examiner's Report
My examinatR)n was corried out in accordance withthe General Directions given bv the Charity Commissi4ner5. A
examination intludes a review of the èttDunting rocords kept by thc charity and a cotnpari5on of the account
presented With th050 ro(ords. It also includ05 consideration of any unusual items ordisclosures in the ètcounts and
seekin9 explon4tions from you 3S tru5tCC5 conrnIng any 5u¢h matters. The procedur05 undertaken do nv provide
all tho evidence that would be required in audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opinion On the view
given by the acctsunt5.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connecbon with my examination. no matter has come my attention".
Which 9ives me