2023-03-31-accounts - 1st Marple Scout Group

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Registered Scout number: 10010395 Charity number: 512057

1[st] Marple Scout Group

TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31[st] March 2023

1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2023

Administrative details

Charity name 1[st] Marple Scout Group Registered Charity No 512057

Principle Address 1[st] Marple Scout Group Headquarters Memorial Park Marple Stockport, SK6 6BE Charity Number 512057 Group Registration 10010395 Scout District Stockport District (Goyt until December 2018) Scout County Greater Manchester East

Trustees

Trustee Name Office Dr Richard Thorpe Chair Ex-Officio David John Rainsbury FCA Treasurer Ex-Officio John Dawson Group Scout Leader Ex-Officio Keith Frazer Group Administrator Co-opted Judith Pauline Roberts Secretary Ex-Officio John Spreckley Co-opted Dan Hopwood Elected as a Parent Representative Julian Taylor Elected as Quartermaster Ed Spreckley Elected as Youth member Katy Spreckley Beaver Representative Ex-Officio Marina Griffin Cub Representative Ex-Officio Tommy Tognarelli Scout Representative Ex-Officio George Brady Network Representative Ex-Officio John Mills Elected member Stu Jupe Elected member

Address for Correspondence

2 Kings Drive Marple Stockport SK6 6NQ

1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2023

Independent Reviewer

Tina Mcauley Chartered Certified Accountants

Principal Bankers

Barclays Bank and National Westminster Bank

Structure Governance and Management

Introduction

1[st] Marple Scouts was founded in 1908 and has existed on substantially the same site for 115 years. The Group was until late 2017 part of Goyt District Scout Council but was transferred into Stockport District Scout Council in January 2018. The change in District resulted in us changing how we present our accounts these changes were first reflected in the 2017/18 accounts.

The Group Executive

The Group is run by a Group Executive Committee. Collectively this group acts to further the group’s aims as an educational charity. The trustees of the charity are responsible for ensuring that all decisions made by the Group Executive Committee comply with the current legislation governing and applicable to charities whilst at the same time ensuring observance of the common rules, as set out in the Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules (POR).

All the executive committee members act as trustees. The Executive consists of three nonuniformed, independent representatives – these being the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Uniformed members include, the Group Scout leader and Group Administrator, together with representatives from each of the eight sections (i.e. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts) as well as a representative for the two District Explorer Units that Marple Scouts host. In 2019 the Executive Committee re-elected two members and co-opted another member. The executive also has a youth representative amongst it number and a representative from a County based Network Unit.

The Executive undertakes the necessary training as recommended by the Scout Association and are familiar with Essential Information for Executive Committees.

The Executive Committee meets approximately every three months and manages the administrative burden of the Group, including the Group’s finances; insurances; the setting of subscription rates; approving the annual accounts; fund raising, governance; health, safety and safeguarding matters; the maintenance of the Headquarters Building; relations with the public; the management of risk and the appointment of any advisors who might have specialist skills as appropriate.

Executive Committee Members 2021

Dr Richard Thorpe Chair Ex-Officio David John Rainsbury FCA Treasurer Ex-Officio John Dawson Group Scout Leader Ex-Officio Keith Frazer Group Administrator Co-opted Judith Pauline Roberts Secretary Ex-Officio John Spreckley Co-opted Dan Hopwood Elected as a Parent Representative Julian Taylor Elected as Quartermaster Ed Spreckley Elected as Youth member Katy Spreckley Beaver Representative Ex-Officio Marina Griffin Cub Representative Ex-Officio Tommy Tognarelli Scout Representative Ex-Officio Paul Marshall Explorer Representative Ex-Officio George Brady Network Representative Ex-Officio

John Mills Elected member Stu Jupe Elected member

Method of appointment and induction of Trustees

In early 2018, commensurate with the retirement and recruitment of a number of new officers 1[st] Marple Scout Group began a process of review and instituted a gradual process of change to the appointment of trustees and members of the Executive Committee. This process has now been completed. The governance review has led to changes in the way our finances are reported and scrutinised, together with a review of the number and skill set of our trustees. Governance changes are ongoing and recent changes made are recorded in this 2022/2023 report to the Charity Commission. Another aspect of our focus on governance was a review of our estate and a decision taken to refurbish the Scout Headquarters in Memorial Park. This last year has again led to us securing grants which we can report has led to the competition of the project to refurbish the inside of the Scout Headquarters. These accounts show monies received for the purposes of this refurbishment.

Objectives

The objectives of the Group are as a branch of The Scout Association. 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.

The Scouting Programme is provided to young people between the ages of 6 and 25. The Beaver Section covers the ages 6 to 8, Cubs cover 8 to 10 and a half, Scouts cover 10 and a half to 14, Explorers cover 14-to-18-year old’s (coordinated by the Scout District) and Network covers 18 to 25 year old’s (also coordinated by the Scout District and County respectively).

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.

Review of Activities by the Group Scout Leader

Earlier this year, we sadly lost our dear friend and fellow Scouter John Spreckley. John was a hugely influential figure in the Group for decades. He is remembered with fondness by all who knew him, for his commitment and dedication to Scouting, and was a true follower of the promise, always doing his best.

John was honoured by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of outstanding service to the community of Marple, especially for supporting young people in Scouting and the Gang Show.

John served as Cub and Scout Leader at 1st Marple Scout Group, also a key player in the production team for the annual Gang Show. John was awarded the Silver Wolf, for services to Scouting of the most exceptional nature. An award which he deserved many times over.

It has been a very busy year for 1st Marple Scout Group as our leaders have continued to entertain, coach and enthuse our young people, providing a high-quality Scouting experience.

We currently have 187 young people taking part every week across the sections, with 58 Beavers, 61 Cubs and 68 Scouts. We do also have a substantial waiting list with a total of 178 young people eagerly waiting to join us. We want as many of them as possible to be able to take part and enjoy the benefits that Scouting offers them both now and throughout their lives, but we are constrained in that aim by time, premises and leader availability.

	31/01/2021	31/01/2022	31/01/2023
Beaver Scouts	43	60	58
Cub Scouts	63	78	61
Scouts	40	63	68
Total Youth Membership	146	201	187

These numbers do not include Explorer Scouts or Network members as they are formally registered at District level. There are two Explorer Scout Units and one Network section meeting weekly at Marple Scout Hut.

We have an energetic group of leaders with a team of 45 adults involved regularly – some attend every week and others on a less regular but equally valuable basis.

Most of our sections have benefited over the year with Young Leaders. These are young people under the age of 18 who are Explorers or undertaking assignments for their Duke of Edinburgh Award with college. They have been most excellent and an important part of our Leadership Teams for which we thank them.

Our volunteer leaders continue to deliver high quality programme in a safe environment, enabling young people to learn new skills while having fun. We are not going to dwell on the myriad activities undertaken by the sections, but they were fun, educational, challenging and (did we say) fun! One of the absolute 2023 highlights for me has been The Three Cheers Marple Gang Show. Many thanks to everyone involved.

We are very lucky to have the use of the Scout Hut in the Memorial Park and I must especially thank John Mills and Keith Frazer and the Building Management Committee for their hard work over many years.

I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated help during the year from Phil Sumner, District Commissioner and Paul Barnes, Deputy Chair of Stockport District.

The AGM is an opportunity to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you. We acknowledge and thank leaders (and other volunteers) - in our Group - who continue to support our young people. There have been challenges during the year, notthe-least the many occasions where a shortage of adult volunteers adds an additional strain on others who are committed to supporting our young people. That opportunity to support our young people as they grow and develop is exactly why we all do it! Of necessity, there are those that undertake two (or more) roles. I was told it’s only one night a week and a week’s annual camp. We all know that, in reality, it’s a voluntary commitment that is far, far greater.

It is very difficult to measure the extent (and value) of this commitment. One way is to look at the number of years of adult service as recorded on our database. Such records are as good as the data inputted but a quick analysis reveals that our adult volunteers have given in excess of 650 personyears to Scouting in Marple (or elsewhere). For others, including parents and other supporters, such information is scant. There are a few volunteers in Marple with service approaching 50 years. For

some their journey has been much shorter but whatever the commitment has been - and will be - it is much appreciated.

It is appropriate at this time I mention, particularly, three adult volunteers:
David Rainsbury has supported Marple Scout Group for over a decade as Treasurer. David’s attention to detail is noteworthy, ensuring our accounts are fit-for-purpose. The role of Treasurer is often a demanding one - responding to the many requests from leaders.
Richard Thorpe has supported Marple Scout Group for over a decade. We recognise his commitment as Chairman and valuable contribution – thank you for undertaking such a key role. Everything that has been achieved is much appreciated.
Katy Spreckley is stepping down as Beaver Scout Leader. Our enormous thanks to Katy, for all the time and energy you have given to Beavers. It was a pleasure for me to present Katy with the Award for Merit in 2021.

The year ahead looks very exciting for 1st Marple Scout Group, with leaders planning a great programme, including a Norway adventure for Explorer Scouts (August 2023) and a skiing trip to Austria for the Scouts (February 2024).

Scouting is about having fun, learning skills for life and building community – we all strive to achieve these aims. The job of keeping this successful Scout Group alive and healthy is a continuous challenge. To keep the levels of volunteer support healthy and this Group’s future bright, I urge any parent or family member to come along and feel free to help for whatever amount of time you have to give.

I would like to thank all the leaders, along with Group Executive members and supporters who have demonstrated continued commitment to Scouting in Marple.

John Dawson – Group Scout Leader

Awards and Achievements in the year

Silver Wolf

Keith Frazer

Keith received the Silver Acorn in May 2022. He has variously been:

Assistant Section Leader
Group Venture leader
County Network Administrator
Group Scout Leader
Up to 2003 he was directly involved in the Gang Show and similarly with the Bonfire

Silver Acorn

Andy Spreckley

Fifteen Years Service

Chris Plumb Jonathan Nolan Stuart Jupe

Ten Years Service

Joe Ward

Five Years Service David Rainsbury John Mills

Chairman’s Report

The period 2022/23 saw the Group finally returning to what might be seen as fully operational following the disruption caused by the pandemic.

The Group’s units were, for the first time in a long time, able to plan their usual diet of activities for members and all the Group’s fundraising activities were restarted during the year.

Our first fundraising activity was the plant sales. Learning from the necessity of having to organise and with electronic payment online during the pandemic, this activity was well supported and thanks should go to Ed Spreckley and his team for their efforts this year. St George’s day followed and we can report a good turnout.

In November after an absence of two years the Group, together with Marple Guides organised our 50th anniversary community bonfire. With a new bonfire team and a new format, the bonfire proved a resounding success. Thanks should go to all members of the new committee as well as all those who help on the day to make this event the success it proved to be. The major innovations were internet purchase of tickets and bar code scanning of tickets on the gate(s) which ensured that we know how many people who had attended and no cash was held at the venue.

In November Tommy and Adi Tognarelli, ran another Marple Adventure Film Festival in the Scout Headquarters. Spread over two evenings, and following the success from the year before, this event was quickly sold out. The event made a significant contribution to Group funds and thanks should go to Tommy and Adi and all those who helped on the night for their efforts.

The period 2022/23 was a period when those Scouts who were attending the World Jamboree in Korea did their fundraising. One fundraising activity of note organised, and managed by those who attended was a model railway exhibition in the Scout Headquarters. Suggestions have been made that this event should become an annual staple for the group. Attended by young and old, thanks should go to Ed, Aiden, Charlie and Ben for their efforts in making this event such a success. The last year has seen some movement on the development around the swimming pool (community hub) in memorial park. I am pleased to report that we now have a clearer idea as to what is being planned and how it will affect the Scout Headquarters. Useful contacts have been made with local councilors as well as with officers from Stockport Council. We are now much more confident that our plans to re-roof the main hall and enlarge our stores will come to fruition sooner rather than later.

To conclude, I can report that the Group remains in a strong financial situation and with waiting lists for all units Scouting continues to be much in demand in Marple and the surrounding area. Of course, this would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the very many volunteers that work to make the experience of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network as good as it can possibly be. Thanks need to also extended to parents and helpers as well as to members of the executive committee in particular John Dawson who stood down from his role as Group Scout Leader.

I would like to remember all those who passed away during the last year in particular John

Spreckley. John had been connected to Scouts for nearly 70 years from being a Scout himself to taking on various roles with the Group.

Richard Thorpe Chair – 1[st] Marple Scout Group Executive Committee

1ST MARPLE SCOUTGROUP CHARtTY NUMBER $11057 INCOME and EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD I APRIL 2022 to YI MARCH 2023 INCOME Members Subscriptlons HMRCTax Clalm Gang Show Bonfire Plant Sales Rent of Scout Hut Donations Re£*ved Fundraisin8 Bank Intere# The 8 units of S¢outin8 Grant 18.852.S6 4,307.63 13,012.31 16,085.87 3,722.15 3,360. 2,010.20 142.99 14,941.99 TOTAL INCOME FOR THE PERIOO 76.436.IX) EXPENDITURE Stockport 0SstrSct Capltatlons Gan8 Show Bonfire Plant Sales Donations made The 8 unSts of ScoiJtin8 Group runnln8 Costs Scout Hut running cos15 9.630.50 11.951.70 6,756.72 2.439.45 5tK>.00 20,59D.66 7.405.05 26.747.76 TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE PERIOD 46,021.84 SVRPLUS INCOME OVER EXpENDuRE .9,585.84 FINANCED BY: OPENING BALANCE AT I APRIL 2022 ADD SLIRPLUS INCOME 102,7fJJ.06 -9,585.84 aosip4G BALANCE AT 31 MARCH 2023 93.114.22 I have examSned these accounts and the records on which they are based and £ertify that they constiiLrte a true recoré of the s)rne The Mclnnes Pèrtnership Chartered Certified Actountants