2024-03-31-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 2024

1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2024

Administratve 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 Ofce Dr Richard Thorpe Chair Ex-Officio David John Rainsbury Treasurer Ex-Officio John Dawson Group Scout Leader Ex-Officio Keith Frazer Group Administrator Co-opted Judith Pauline Roberts Secretary Ex-Officio Dan Hopwood Elected as a Parent Representative Julian Taylor Elected as Quartermaster Ed Speckley 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

Address for Correspondence

18, Ellesmere Avenue Marple, Stockport SK6 7AN

1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2024

Independent Reviewer

Tina Mcauley Chartered Certified Accountant, The McInnes Partnership

Principal Bankers

Barclays Bank and National Westminster Bank

Structure Governance and Management

Introducton

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 Executve

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.

The Executive undertakes the necessary training as recommended by the Scout Association and are familiar with Trustee induction (formerly known as 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.

Executve Commitee Members 2024

Dr Richard Thorpe Chair Ex-Officio David John Rainsbury Treasurer Ex-Officio John Dawson Group Scout Leader Ex-Officio Keith Frazer Group Administrator Co-opted Judith Pauline Roberts Secretary Ex-Officio Dan Hopwood Elected as a Parent Representative Julian Taylor Elected as Quartermaster Ed Speckley 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 inducton 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 2023/2024 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 have led to the completion of the project to refurbish the inside of the Scout Headquarters. These accounts show monies received for the purposes of this refurbishment.

Objectves

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).

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.

Group Lead Volunteer’s Annual Report

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Dawson, who stepped down as Group Scout Leader last year. John’s association with 1st Marple Scout Group dates back to the late 1980’s when he joined our Group as a Cub Scout. Following an active career as a youth member John became an equally active leader both within 1st Marple, Goyt (latterly Stockport) district and Greater Manchester East Scout County. John accepted the role of Group Scout Leader in 2022 and despite presiding over a period during which the administrative demands of Scouting increased significantly, continued to be active in the leadership of Marple Explorers and in the organisation of foreign trips. If we attempted to summarise the impact that John has made on our Scout Group over the past forty-something years we really wouldn’t do it justice, so I’ll keep it short and say thank you again for your service and leadership.

1st Marple Scout Group continues to thrive, and remains one of the largest groups in the northwest. In recognition of both the size of our Scout Group and of the ever-increasing demands on Group Leadership when seeking a replacement Group Scout leader, we decided to co-opt three of them! Our Group Lead Volunteer role (as it is described today) has been filled by myself, Judith and Stu,

as you may have seen communicated when we took on the role earlier this year.

Our early months in office have been “interesting”. The outcome of the coroner’s inquest into a fatal accident during a Scouting activity on Great Orme in 2018 was published in February and has led to increased scrutiny and oversight over all activities carried out by Scouting. We would like to take this opportunity to commend our leaders for responding positively to changing rules and guidance and continuing to provide an active, challenging and safe environment for our young people. We would like also to recognise the support provided by the Stockport Scout District team in helping us navigate the changes and for their continued support and encouragement – which extends far beyond approving paperwork and communicating new regulations.

We’ve taken to circulating a termly bulletin containing highlights of our unit’s activities, so will keep the summary for this report brief; we choose to highlight a few of our more high-profile and adventurous activities as an illustration of the rich programme offered to our young people, and of the continuing positive impact that our Scout Group has on the local community: Since our last AGM all sections have been camping. Quite a lot. We didn’t make an exhaustive list of where they’ve been for this report, but we counted at least 8 different camp sites across 3 countries. Together with Marple Guides we’ve staged our annual Gang Show and delivered another successful community Bonfire and Firework display in Brabyns Park. We’ve hosted a folk band, a weekend Railway Exhibition and an Adventure Film Festival. Our Scouts and Explorers have been Skiing in Austria, Camping in Scotland and in the Netherlands and our Scout Network were successful winners of the annual Dragnet competition, fending off the challenge from 46 other Explorer and Network teams from across the country. All this in addition to regular unit nights where our young people have learned new skills, sampled adventurous and educational activities and developed their teamwork and leadership skills.

Scouting in Marple is in great health. We are fortunate to count nearly 350 members and volunteers associated with our Group. Our youth membership is limited by the need to maintain manageable unit sizes – to maintain safe ratios of Leaders to youth members, to allow delivery of the rich and challenging programme that we’ve referenced earlier, and due to the constraints of space available at our Headquarters. We continue to maintain a significant waiting list which unfortunately exceeds our capacity.

acity.
	31/01/2021	31/01/2022	31/01/2023	Current
Beaver Scouts	43	60	58	42
Cub Scouts	63	78	61	80
Scouts	40	63	68	77
Total Youth Membership	146	201	187	199

In addition to the 199 youth members registered directly with 1st Marple, we host 40 Explorers and 22 Scout Network members that are formally registered at District level as required by Scouting rules. We view this as a technicality only – our two Explorer units and Network unit are as much a part of our family as are our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

And making it all happen are a small army of leaders and volunteers. We are blessed with 35 energetic and enthusiastic leaders running our weekly unit meetings and an equally unstoppable team of 47 adult volunteers, including our Executive team, which ensure our facilities are maintained (and improved), that our paperwork is up to date, that our finances are in order and that our leaders have the help and support that they need to continue to deliver the spectacular programme that we’ve become accustomed to.

On these occasions there’s always a temptation to reel off a list of specific thank you’s, which I’ll try to avoid. Not because we aren’t grateful (we truly are) but because doing so might give the false impression that we know the detail of the time and effort spent by each of our volunteers and in some way are able to rank them. We value every one of you. Thank you for everything you do to ensure the success of our movement.

I would like to finish by remembering, as mentioned in Richard’s report, the recent and sad losses of Tommy Tognarelli and Gerald Fletcher. Both gave long and distinguished service to 1st Marple Scout Group and to our community. They were fantastic ambassadors for our movement, great role models and will be sadly missed.

Our organisation flourishes thanks to volunteers who give their time freely and enthusiastically to achieve a common goal – Scouting is about having fun, learning skills for life and building community. It works because we do it as a team, and it feels like we do a pretty good job of it. So from me, it’s “well done” and Thank You!

And if, by chance, you’re sat here and not already involved, come and speak to me later and we’ll welcome you into our Scouting family. Debbie Spreckley Group Lead Volunteer

Awards and Achievements in the year

Chief Scouts Commendaton for Good Service David Rainsbury Ed Spreckley Richard Thorpe

Thirty Years Service John Dawson Andy Spreckley

Twenty Five Years Service Paul Marshall

Twenty Years Service Mark Statham

Ten Years Service Alison Fletcher Judith Roberts

Five Years Service JJ Crowther David Edwards

Chairman’s Report

Firstly, I must apologise for not being here in person at this year's AGM (it won't happen again!)

I'd like to begin by thanking those Leaders who stood up to the plate to volunteer their services when the District asked for volunteers to take on the role of Group Scout leader. This role has never been an easy job, given the size of the group and the decision to split the role into areas of responsibility under a Group Scout Leader lead supported by two assistant group Scout leaders has I think made the job more manageable and attractive given the workload involved.

Debbie, in her report has comprehensively outlined last year's scouting activities and I would just like to reiterate my thanks to all leaders and helpers who have contributed to ensuring that 1st Marple Scouts remains successful. Its success is not only in the programmes it runs for the units but also in the contribution it makes to wider community of Marple through activities such as Gang Show, the Community Bonfire as well as hosting activities such as Marple Adventure Film Festival and the model Railway Exhibition. Each in their own way, not only give a great deal of enjoyment but also provide important income streams that help enable us to run Scouting. These wouldn’t happen but for the energy and dedication of those Leaders who continue to give their own time to make these activities a success and we are extremely grateful to them for this.

In relation to buildings, since last year there has been some significant progress with our plans to buy the 10 m² of land at the rear of the headquarters. We have also made a decision to license the currently spare land at the back of the Headquarters and around the Senior Citizens Hall. The thinking behind this, in part, is to replace the green triangle between us and the clinic that we will lose when the swimming pool is finally completed. The 10 m² we will purchase, and this will enable us to build up at the back and marginally increase the size of our stores, but it will more importantly enable us to reroof across the whole of the large hall, and removing the flat rooves on the current stores and garage. I'm pleased to be able to say that solicitors have been appointed to draw up the paperwork and when an opportunity presents itself, we will move to complete this work.

On the swimming pool front I can also report that we had gone from having almost no communication with the council in relation to what is happening and what access we would be likely to have to now, almost having too much! Currently, communication is on a daily basis! The reason for this, as you will already know, is because the council have asked us if they can use space within the Scout headquarters to accommodate a temporary library for the next 18 months. Again, as you will know we've responded to this request positively and we're currently working with the council to ensure that the building meets the standard required for the public. The Group Executive responded positively to the Council’s request to hire space for two reasons. Firstly, we considered that it would be for a limited time only and secondly it would public spirited of us to help out the Council who were in a difficult position. As you are aware, we consulted widely with leaders before making a final decision and we can report that the vast majority responded positively to the proposed arrangements. We are reassured that there will be no disruption to our Scouting calendar, and we have put in place safeguards within our agreement that enable us to re-visit the arrangements if problems arise.

To conclude this report, the Group remains financially strong and Scouting in Marple remains much in demand. When thanking the leaders we also need to thank those members of the Executive who oversee other important aspects involved with running the Group, specifically, the training, overseeing our finances as well as the day-to-day maintenance of the Scout Headquarters. These activities often go all unseen, yet it is also done by volunteers.

I would also like to express sadness at the loss of two popular leaders this year – both to cancer. In their different ways both touched the lives of many Scouts and helped to pursue the aims of Scouting the reason we are all here.

Independent examiner’s report

The review performed considered the accounts for the year ending 31 March 2023. This report relates to an independent examination carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. The examination was conducted in accordance with the Directions given by the Charity Commission of England and Wales.

Respectve responsibilites of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

The responsibility of the independent examiner was to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission u nder section 145 of the 2011 Act;
state whether particular matters were raised.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

The examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and sought explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

In 2023/24 no matter has come to my attention, in connection with the examination, which gives reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records for non-company charities have not been kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011, or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

No material misstatements were noted based on the information reviewed. The financial notes describing the detail of accounting practices aligns with my understanding. Proportionate consolidation has been used to consolidate the gang show and bonfire accounts. Both draw up accounts to the end of the calendar year. As the year end is not more than 3 months prior to group year-end management have chosen to consolidate these accounts directly in the group account.

The independent review was performed on current year numbers only.

The group treasurer noted that the trustees took assurance over the bonfire and gang show accounts from separate independent reviews that are performed on the accounts from these activities.

1ST MARPLf SCOUT GROUP INCOME and ÉXPENt)ITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD I APRIL 2021 to 31 MARCH 2024 CHAIUTY NUMBER 512057 INCOMÉ M¢mber5 Subscriptions HMRC Tax Claim Gang Show 8onllre Plant Sales Rent ol Scout Hut Donations Becelved 26.012.83 4.018.62 11302.58 15,997.51 4,881.10 4,555.00 2.110_71 Bank Interest The 8 unit5 of Scouting Grant 477.92 12.071.68 TOTAL INCOME FOR THE PERIOD 82,427.95 EXPENOITURE Stockport Distrirt C8Plt4tions Gdrtg Show Bonfire P5ant Sales Donations made The 8 unlts of Scoutin6 Group runnlng costs Scout Hut runnlng costs 10.379.00 6.292.20 6.795.58 3.312.63 12W.LYJ 25.109.82 6.751.00 12.535.45 TOTAL EKP£NDifuRE FOR THE PERIOO 73,375.68 SURPLUS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE 9052.27 FINANCED BY: OPENING BALANCE AT I APRIL 2023 ADD SURPLUS INCOME 93.114.22 9.052.27 CLOSING BALANCE AT YI MARCH 2024 10116&49 I have examined these accounts ar¥d the fecords on which they are based and certifythat they onsiiiute a true record ol Ihe same The Mclnnes Partnership Chartered Certified Accountant5

Notes on the accounts 2023/2024

Based on the practice followed last year the Group accounts ending March 2020 have the receipts, expenditure and assets/liabilities from the individual units consolidated into the figures and 50% of the receipts, expenditure, assets/liabilities from the Gang Show and the Brabyns Community Bonfire (these being joint ventures with Marple Guides) have also been consolidated.

Note in relaton to each line of Receipts

a. Membership Subscriptions. Subscriptions for members are paid into unit accounts and sections forward receipts to the Group for capitation payment to the District.
b. Gang Show. In normal periods this is an activity jointly organised with Marple Girl Guiding. Separate accounts are kept for the show by the Gang Show leadership team. These accounts are prepared with a year-end date of 31 December. The group accounts for 2023/24 reflect our 50% interest. There are no other assets noted as all costs associated with buying, building or maintaining costumes and props are expensed each year.
Bonfire. This is a fundraising activity jointly organised with Marple Girl Guiding. The group accounts for 2023/24 reflect our 50% interest.
Plant sales. Sales of plants (purchased from a third party and sold for a profit) is a fundraising activity. Receipts are paid directly into Group accounts.
Rent of Scout Headquarters. Receipts relate to the renting out of the headquarters building to third party lettings.
Donations received: This value relates to donations that were made directly into central Group funds. Other small donations made to Section accounts are included in the section receipts numbers.
Section Accounts (8 units of Scouting). Each of the Scout units have a bank account in order to access an agreed level of funds and prepare a breakdown of receipts, payments and assets/liabilities for inclusion in the Group accounts. The review and monitoring processes for unit accounts are being developed further in 2024.

Note on Grants

Grants received are held in reserve until the work is completed.

Note in relaton to each line of Expenditure

a. Stockport District Capitations. Subscriptions from members are paid into unit accounts and sections forward receipts to the Group for capitation payment to the District.
b. Gang Show. These figures are taken directly from the audited Gang Show accounts. See note 2 above.
c. Bonfire. These figures are taken directly from the bonfire accounts. See note 3 above.
d. Plant sales. As indicated above, this is a fund-raising activity, this figure represents the cost of the plants.
e. Donations Made. Donations have been made to support local groups.
f. The 8 Units of Scouting Accounts. See note 7 above.
g. Group Running Cost. These relate to payments in relation to District fees and also training payments for the voluntary leaders. In 2023/2024 payments to the District were made as usual.
h. Scout Headquarters running payments. This relates to gas, electrics, insurance, water, rates and scout hut building work/repairs.

Note in relaton to a reserves policy

The Group retain enough funding to cover one years running cost of the Group.

Bonfre:

The annual Brabyn’s Park Community Bonfire that takes place is managed by an experienced leadership team. Firework displays are organised and run by a professional firework display company and assistance and support are delivered by a number of the Group’s most experienced leaders. Bonfire accounts are prepared to 31[st] December each year and consolidated into the group accounts.

Gang show:

The Gang Show is managed by an experienced leadership team that have been involved in this activity for many years. The Gang Show accounts are independently prepared. The accounts are prepared to 31[st] December and consolidated into the group accounts.