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← 1st Marple Scout Group

2025-03-31-accounts

Registered Scout number: 10010395 Charity number: 512057

1[st] Marple Scout Group

TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

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

Address for Correspondence

2, Kings Drive, Marple, Stockport SK6 6NQ

Independent Reviewer

Tina Mcauley Chartered Certified Accountant, The McInnes Partnership

Principal Bankers

Barclays Bank and National Westminster Bank

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Structure Governance and Management

Introduction

1[st] Marple Scouts was founded in 1908 and has existed on substantially the same site for 116 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 Trustee Board (formerly known as the 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 Trustee Board 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 members of the Trustee Board are currently registered with the Charity Commission as trustees. The Trustee Board comprises; two non-uniformed independent representatives, the chair and the treasurer; the Group’s Leader Volunteer (and unusually, as our Group is a large one two Assistant Lead Volunteers); representatives from each of our eight sections (i.e. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts); a representative for the two District Explorer Units that Marple Group host and a representative from the County Network Unit that Marple Group also hosts. In 2024 the Trustee Board co-opted two additional members to take advantage of their experience and co-opted one other for the same reason. The Trustee Board also has a youth representative amongst it number.

The Trustee Board undertakes the necessary training as recommended by the Scout Association and all members are familiar with Trustee induction (formerly known as Essential Information for Executive Committees).

The Trustee Board 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.

Trustee Board Members 2024

Debbie Spreckley Lead Volunteer - Ex-Officio Richard Thorpe Chair David Rainsbury Treasurer Judith Pauline Roberts Minute taker/secretary Michelle Maryan Representative for Beavers Marina Griffin Representative for Cubs Adi Tognarelli Representative for Scouts Paul Marshall Representative for Explorers

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Harry Burnyeat Representative for Network James Maryan Youth Representative Julian Taylor Quartermaster Keith Frazer Group Administrator Ed Speckley George Brady John Mills Elected member Stu Jupe Elected member

Method of appointment and induction of Trustees

Trustees are reviewed annually. Some members change as a natural part of their changing role within the Group, others through the election and co-option process and more recently through changes brought about through changes to the Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules. Previous governance reviews have led to changes in the way our finances are reported and scrutinised, and we have a continuing overview of the skill sets of our trustees. Governance changes are ongoing. For example, the most recent changes can be seen in our 2023/2024 report to the Charity Commission. Another aspect related to governance is the recent attention we have had to pay to our estate. The building of a new swimming pool in Memorial Park, together with the purchasing and leasing of a small parcel of land in connection with this, has led us to commission an architect to see how our buildings might be enhanced to make more of the space we occupy.

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).

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.

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Group Lead Volunteer’s Report 2024-2025

Debbie stated that she was proud of the way the Group operates, particularly in keeping the children happy. She commented that we now have 2 qualified axe throwing permit staff, Alec and Ed. She thanked them for this additional training and was looking forward to the Group being able to access this activity. She highlighted the positivity of the Gang Show and the Ball and thanked all those involved in ensuring the success. In commenting on the Group’s numbers, she stated that there was a waiting list, and that the “clumping” was now at the Explorer level. It is a pity that each year many don’t make it into scouting, however there is hope that this could be resolved with the new build and that addition of 2 rooms upstairs. She concluded with heartfelt thanks to all the leaders and helpers, stating that it could not be done without them.

Group Lead Volunteer’s Report

We are proud of our Scout Group. Not just because of the rich and varied programme that is offered to our members, but also because of the role that our group and our members play in supporting the wider Marple community. So in addition to a brief review of the programme that our units have delivered since our last AGM, I would like to take the opportunity offered by our annual report to highlight some of our wider community activities. If this report is light on the details of our programme, I do not wish it to be interpreted that we take our volunteers for granted. They are amazing. Their enthusiasm is matched only by their imagination in planning and delivering their weekly meetings and other events and we are truly grateful for everything they do.

Our programme

Our 10 sections continue to deliver a bewildering variety of activities to our members. I 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: As ever, camping remains core to our programme, and our units have been as busy as ever. I would like to make special mention of the leadership teams that organised group trips to Disneyland Paris in May, summer camps to Kibblestone (Cubs) and Keswick (Scouts) and to Network for staging the ever-popular Battle of Marple camp. It’s joint events like these that allow our rather large Scout group to maintain an intimacy that many small groups struggle to achieve. 1[st] Marple is not just about large events, though; all our units have delivered nights away with their section, both on familiar ground and new territory, and there are too many to list here. When they’re not camping our units have been hiking, and bowling, and cooking, and visiting the theatre, and axe throwing, and sailing, and making models, and starting fires and all manner of other things.

Our place in the community

And when our units and leaders are not adventuring on their own, they’re getting “stuck in” in our community. Brabyns Bonfire, organised by Marple’s Scouts and Guides since its inception in 1971,

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

continues to proudly occupy its’ place as the largest bonfire and firework display in the area and our 2024 event was as successful as ever (if you haven’t yet bought your tickets for this year’s bonfire, now would be a good time to do it). We hosted Marple Adventure Film Festival. Our units have supported New Mills and Marple Rotary Club in accompanying Santa in his tours of Marple. We have delivered food hampers and carols to Marple residents. We’ve presented a folk band and a ceilidh, a train show weekend and our annual bedding plant sale. Oh, and in a lovely twist of fate, our HQ has again become the home of Marple Library in the building that Scouts acquired from them in 1975.

A special mention is saved for our 60[th] Gang Show which was staged to great acclaim at the Carver Theatre in March and gave us opportunity to celebrate with old friends including a number of those involved with our first show in 1965. Gang Show celebrations culminated in a spectacular “black tie and red necker” ball attended by past and current cast and helpers.

Our membership

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 greatly exceeds our capacity.

31/01/2021 31/01/2022 31/01/2023 31/01/2024 Current
Beaver Scouts 43 60 58 42 40
Cub Scouts 63 78 61 80 80
Scouts 40 63 68 77 77
Total Youth
Membership		 146 201 187 199 197

In addition to the 197 youth members registered directly with 1[st] Marple, we host 50 Explorers and 16 Scout Network members that are formally registered at District and County 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’re grateful to have a slightly increased number of adult members since last year, with 37 energetic and enthusiastic leaders running our weekly unit meetings and an equally unstoppable team of 47 adult volunteers, including our Trustee Board 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 details 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.

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Our Next Chapter

As I think it will be apparent from the overview of our past year of activities, our Scout Group continues to provide a fantastic, rich and adventurous programme for those that are fortunate enough to secure a place in our membership. It is a regret that many of the 170 children that are on our waiting list will be unable to join us because we simply don’t have the space to accommodate everyone in the nine youth sections that are hosted at our HQ today. We are proud of our place in Marple’s community, and excited at the prospect that in the near future we’ll be neighbours to Marple’s new Community Hub, and the redevelopment that is happening around us has given us cause to think about the next chapter for 1[st] Marple Scouts.

Plans for development of our Headquarters are taking shape to support our future vision for Scouting in Marple. They include:

There is still much to do, both in finalising the building plans and securing the necessary funding, but we’re excited to have started the journey and are looking forward to turning our vision into reality.

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 to all those that have helped make our last twelve months a success, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks. And if, by chance, you’re not already involved and like the sound of what we do, or what we’re planning, come and speak to me and we’ll welcome you into our Scouting family.

Debbie Spreckley

Group Lead Volunteer

Chair’s Report 2024 – 2025

The year 2024-25 has been another successful year. This could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of Leaders and parent helpers who have made the development and enjoyment of all those young people who participate in Scouting in Marple their priority.

1[st] Marple is fortunate in both the numbers who volunteer and the dedication of its Leaders and this is one of the reasons why 1[st] Marple has been able to develop and sustain itself over such a long period of time. Of course, this is helped by the Group’s continued commitment to the annual Gang

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Show and its close relationship to Marple Guides.

Singling out individuals is never a good idea, but thanks need to go to Debbie Spreckley, our Lead Volunteer for way she has managed, what is a new role with Scouting and coordinating the tasks that need to be undertaken, with both her assistants and the unit leaders.

Debbie, in her report, has comprehensively outlined last year's scouting activities. For my part I would like to mention the fact that over this last year we have hosted Marple Library in our headquarters building. The library has become homeless as a result of the building of the new swimming pool and at the end of last year and following an approach, a decision was made to accommodate the library with the headquarters on two days in the week. This ‘sharing of space’ (albeit for a short period of time) was in the beginning seen by some as a little contentious but I can report that the arrangement is working well, and we feel that in accommodating them we have in small measure responded to the needs of the community in the spirit of Scouting.

As in previous years, the regular staple of community related activities have taken place: the Gang Show; the Community Bonfire; Marple Adventure Film Festival; the Model Railway Exhibition as well as letting our building out to a range of regular users from fitness groups to parents with toddlers. Each in their own way, not only give those participating a great deal of enjoyment but they also provide an important income stream that help enable us to run Scouting and support our units. Of course again, a number of these activities would not be able to take place without the input and dedication of Leaders who continue to give their own time to make these activities a success and we are extremely grateful to them for this.

Perhaps the next exciting new developments to take place relate to our estate. Firstly our plans to build new stores and possible even new meeting space on the current footprint is now progressing quite fast. This development will we hope give us the opportunity to considerably smarten up the outside appearance of the headquarters, something which should stand us in good stead. This is because when the NHS Clinic is demolished the public will be able to see the whole of the side of our building! With the Clinic gone, so too will be an area of green space that is now between the clinic and our building. To reclaim some green space that we can use and call our own, we have secured a license from the council to use the ‘green space’ between our building and the Senior Citizens Hall. Scouts will be able to use this for occasional outside activities. Wilmott Dixon have been helpful in clearing this land of rubble and reclamation is well under way.

Secondly over this last year we have been in touch with the Knowsley Estate in order secure a long lease for 1[st] Marple to use Cumberland Cottage. This project is exciting in that it will potentially give older scouts access to a ‘bothy’ experience as well as being able to reestablish the activities that took place at Cumberland Cottage by past generations.

As a consequence of hosting the Library our communication with Stockport Borough Council is much improved and with them using the building we have benefitted from a number of improvements thought to be essential in a public building (eg a new automatic front door, exterior lights and an internal alarm system) these will remain when the library moves out of the building.

The Trustee Board will now need to raise money to realise our plans for new space and ensure that the building of the new swimming pool does not impinge in any way our ability to operate. We are keen to ensure that we are disrupted as little as possible over the Scouting calendar, and we have

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

put in place safeguards within our agreement with the council that enable us to re-visit our arrangements should the need arise.

To conclude, 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 Trustee Board who oversee other important of running the Group, specifically, the overseeing of our training, of the finances and the general day-to-day maintenance of Headquarters. These activities often go all unseen, yet it is also done by volunteers.

Richard Thorpe

Chair of 1[st] Marple Scout Group

Awards and Achievements in the year

5 years’ Service - Jenny Haddleton (September 2024) Suzie Jupe (March 2025) Alan Apps (July 2025)

10 years’ Service - Ryan Nolan (June 2024)

Sarah Dawson (August 2024)

15 years’ Service - Ollie Hibbs (July 2024)

20 years’ Service - Mark Statham (February 2024)

25 Years Service - Mike Dyer (June 2025)

Chief Scouts Commendation - Thomas Wood (August 2024)

Wood Badge - Debbie Spreckley - GLV (September 2024) Sarah Dawson (September 2024)

Adrian Tognarelli - Scout Leader (September 2024)

Independent examiner’s report

The review performed considered the accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025. 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.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

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:

follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission u nder section 145 of the 2011 Act;

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 2024/25 no matter has come to my attention, in connection with the examination, which gives reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

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.

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Notes on the accounts 2024/2025

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 relation to each line of Receipts

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

  1. Bonfire. This is a fundraising activity jointly organised with Marple Girl Guiding. The group’s accounts for 2024/25 reflect our 50% interest.

  2. 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.

  3. Rent of Scout Headquarters . Receipts relate to the renting out of the headquarters building to third party lettings.

  4. 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.

7. 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 relation to each line of Expenditure

Note in relation to a reserves policy

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1[st] Marple Scout Group For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

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

Bonfire:

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.

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1ST MARPLE SCOUT GROUP CHARITY NUMBER 512057 INCOME and EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD : 1 APRIL 2024 to 31 MARCH 2025 £ £ INCOME Members Subscriptions 24,377.82 HMRC Tax Claim 4,442.42 Gang Show 18,158.11 Bonfire 16,419.00 Plant Sales 5,180.13 Rent of Scout Hut 4,140.87 Donations Received 3,397.89 Fundraising 280.56 Bank Interest 544.19 The 8 units of Scouting , 20,747.30 Special Hire Deal 20,000.00 TOTAL INCOME FOR THE PERIOD 117,688.29 EXPENDITURE ; Stockport District Capitations 11,232.00 | Gang Show . 15,437.18 | 7,888.39 Bonfire Plant Sales 3,424.96 Donations made 619.94 The 8 units of Scouting 30,136.12 Group running costs 4,640.53 ' Scout Hut running costs 12,198.27 y[.] TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE PERIOD » $5,577.99 SURPLUS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE 32,110.90 FINANCED BY: OPENING BALANCE AT 1 APRIL 2024 102,166.49 ADD SURPLUS INCOME 32,110.90 CLOSING BALANCE AT 31 MARCH 2025 134,277.39 1 have examined these accounts and the records on which they are based and certify that they constitute a true record of the same - We The McInnes Partnership Chartered Certified Accountants