2023-03-31-accounts

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

From 1[st] April 2022 To 31[st] March 2023

Section A	Reference and administration details
Charity name	1stAshton (Lord Gerard's Own) Scout Group
Other names the charity	1stAshton Scout Group / 1stAshton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group
is known by
Registered Charity	517134
Number
Scout Association	11562
Group Registration
Number
Charity's principal	1stAshton (Lord Gerard's Own) Scout Group
address	Scout Association, Ashton Scout Hut
	Liverpool Road
	Ashton in Makerfield
	Wigan
	WN4 9LP
Correspondence	Andrew Linster
address	8 Ware Close
	Ashton in Makerfield
	Wigan WN4 8XU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole
		year
Barry Kay	Chairman
Eileen Heyes	Group Scout Leader
Andrew Linster	Treasurer
Mary Smith	Cub Scout Leader (Thursday)
Andrea Linster	Trustee
Kevin Smith	Scout Leader (Wednesday)

1[st] Ashton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group Registered Charity No. 517134, The Scout Centre, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan Email gsl@ ashtonscouts.org.uk, Incorporated by Royal Charter No. 306101 Patron HM The King President HRH The Duke of Kent Founder Robert Baden Powell OM Chief Scout Bear Grylls Working in partnership with Wigan Council – Building the future Together

Names and addresses of advisors
Type of advisor	Name	Address

There are currently no advisors to the Scout Group

Section B	Structure, governance, and management
Type of governing	The Group's governing documents are those of the Scout Association.
document	They consist of a Royal Charter (4 January 1912), which in turn gives
	authority to the by-laws of the Association and the Policy, Organisation
	and Rules of the Scout Association.
How the charity is	1stAshton (Lord Gerard's Own) Scout Group was established under a
constituted	Declaration of Trust dated 21 September 1949 and a Charity in its own
	right on 31stJanuary 1986. The Group is a trust established under its
	rules that are common to all Scout Groups/Districts.
Trustee selection	The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation
method	and Rules of the Scout Association.
Additional	The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee, the members
governance	of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group 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 meets every 1 to 2 months.
	This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout
	Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is
	responsible for:
	The maintenance of Group property;
	The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
	The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
	Group public occasions;
	Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
	Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
	Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are
	elected.
Risk and internal	The Group Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which
controls	they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and

1[st] Ashton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group Registered Charity No. 517134, The Scout Centre, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan Email gsl@ ashtonscouts.org.uk, Incorporated by Royal Charter No. 306101 Patron HM The King President HRH The Duke of Kent Founder Robert Baden Powell OM Chief Scout Bear Grylls Working in partnership with Wigan Council – Building the future Together

systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:

Reduction or loss of members. The Group prov

ides activities for all young people aged 6 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group.

Damage to the building, property, and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. The Group minibus is insured with a fully comprehensive policy and Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is paid.

Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy for members. In addition, the Group has additional insurance to cover non-member helpers and supporters for personal accident and medical expenses. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.

Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.

Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario, the complete closure of the Group.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

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.

1[st] Ashton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group Registered Charity No. 517134, The Scout Centre, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan Email gsl@ ashtonscouts.org.uk, Incorporated by Royal Charter No. 306101 Patron HM The King President HRH The Duke of Kent Founder Robert Baden Powell OM Chief Scout Bear Grylls Working in partnership with Wigan Council – Building the future Together

Public benefit The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under statement both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

Section D Financial Review Accounting policy The accounts have been drawn up on the receipts and payments basis with a statement of the assets and liabilities and is consistent with the previous year. The accounts are drawn up in accordance with the requirements of Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association and reflects the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). Reserves Policy The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months running costs. With the significant increase in energy costs and general inflation since the end of the Covid restrictions, the reserves have been increased by 25% circa £10,000. Section E Additional information Insurance Public Liability Insurance is provided directly by the Scout Association, the current certificate is displayed on the notice board. Building & Contents Insurance and Personal Accident & Medical Expenses Insurance for non-member helpers have been arranged through Unity Insurance Services Ltd via The Scout Association. Additional insurance was taken out to cover liability for the ride on lawnmower. As the Group now use a local company to maintain the grounds the insurance lapsed in November 2016. Although the Group retains the lawn mower it is no longer used. Banking Bank accounts in the name of the group are held with the Natwest Bank plc. We have a Current account and a Reserve account which is registered to receive interest paid gross and with a minimum of 2 signatures for any withdrawals. Individual sections have their own bank accounts, and are with NatWest and TSB.

We are pleased to report that the Group is in a sound financial position. Future capital expenditure is taken into account in our budget. The Trustees are provided with sound administration in respect of its obligations according to POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules), including insurance, fundraising, and maintenance of Group property.

1[st] Ashton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group Registered Charity No. 517134, The Scout Centre, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan Email gsl@ ashtonscouts.org.uk, Incorporated by Royal Charter No. 306101 Patron HM The King President HRH The Duke of Kent Founder Robert Baden Powell OM Chief Scout Bear Grylls Working in partnership with Wigan Council – Building the future Together

Investment and financial policy

The Group Executive regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the group obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements.

The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks / building societies.

Review of the 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

During the year:

Financial position and Group premises

As well as the Ashton Summer and Christmas Fayre the Group also undertaken the first annual Beer Festival which was a big success.

Further plans will be discussed at future Executive Committee Meetings.

Overall, the Group is very good financial health.

Future Plans

Future plans are discussed regularly at the Executive Committee meetings. Due to the National Lockdown, the Executive Committee cannot meet face to face so communication is via zoom and other online methods.

1[st] Ashton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group Registered Charity No. 517134, The Scout Centre, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan Email gsl@ ashtonscouts.org.uk, Incorporated by Royal Charter No. 306101 Patron HM The King President HRH The Duke of Kent Founder Robert Baden Powell OM Chief Scout Bear Grylls Working in partnership with Wigan Council – Building the future Together

Section F Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Barry Kay (Chairman) .................... ........................... Eileen Heyes (Group Scout Leader) ....... .............. Andrew Linster (Treasuer) .............. ............................ Date ...........................23 January 2024...............................

1[st] Ashton (Lord Gerard’s) Scout Group Registered Charity No. 517134, The Scout Centre, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan Email gsl@ ashtonscouts.org.uk, Incorporated by Royal Charter No. 306101 Patron HM The King President HRH The Duke of Kent Founder Robert Baden Powell OM Chief Scout Bear Grylls Working in partnership with Wigan Council – Building the future Together

1st Ashton Lord Gerard's Scout Group Balance Sheet at 31st March 2023

LAST YEAR	ASSETS THIS YEAR		LAST YEAR	LIABILITIES	THIS YEAR	THIS YEAR
£29,458.68	HEADQUARTERS £27,985.75		£72,877.38			£72,877.38
£1,472.93	LESS DEPRECIATION @ 5% £1,399.29			LESS EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE		£6,424.13
£27,985.75	£26,586.46
£9,515.39	EQUIPMENT £8,790.64
£251.99	ADDITION £1,533.57
£9,767.38	£10,324.21
£976.74 £8,790.64	LESS DEPRECIATION @ 10% £1,032.42 £9,291.79
£26,009.16 £1,600.12 £915.68 £28,524.96 £7,576.03 £36,100.99	MONIES NATWEST BANK CURRENT £32,889.61 NATWEST BANK RESERVE £1,607.14 CASH IN HAND £1,350.92 TOTAL OF GROUP FUNDS £35,847.67 SECTION BALANCES £7,575.59 TOTAL AMOUNT IN GROUP £43,423.26
£72,877.38	ASSETS £79,301.51			LIABILITIES		£79,301.51
Accounts prepared by .............................................…Andrew Linster (Treasurer)
Signature of Chairperson……………………..................…...……..Barry		Kay (Chair)

Depreciation is shown in accordance with accounting procedures. However, this does not necessarily reflect the realistic value of the Headquarters and land owned by the group.

1st Ashton (Lord Gerard's) Scout Group

Receipts and Payments Accounts for the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
LAST YEAR RECEIPTS THIS YEAR LAST YEAR PAYMENTS THIS YEAR
£1,580.00 REC6 Rec_Building_rental £1,920.00 £0.00 EXP1 Minibus_purchase £0.00
£0.00 REC7 Rec_Sponsored_events £0.00 £892.99 EXP2 Minibus_ins_fuel_tax £1,986.23
£0.00 REC8 Rec_Minibus_sponsorship £0.00 £59.00 EXP3 Minibus_repair_maintenence £341.49
£1,200.00 REC9 Rec_Minibus_donations&activities £1,890.00 £3,752.50 EXP4 Capitation_to_district £5,850.00
£1,448.93 REC10 Rec_Brunch_Christmas_Summer_fair £3,317.53 £0.00 EXP8 Capitation_in_respect_of_transf_explorers £150.00
£0.00 REC11 Rec_Charitable_collections £0.00 £1,164.36 EXP9 Exp_Insurance £1,241.47
£0.97 REC12 Rec_Interest £8.06 £250.34 EXP1 Exp_Water £91.55
£927.50 REC13 Rec_HMRC_Gift_Aid £1,907.25 £2,296.94 EXP1 Exp_Gas_Electric £3,258.51
£621.06 REC14 Rec_Social_events(inc_bingo) £633.61 £588.90 EXP1 Exp_Cleaner&cleaning_products £1,030.88
£0.00 REC15 Rec_Special_Camp £1,826.45 £16,153.80 EXP1 Exp_Repairs_&_maintenance £4,680.16
£13,697.00 REC16 Rec_Cental_local_government_grants £0.00 £3,434.83 EXP1 Exp_Purchase_uniform_badges_etc £5,014.81
£0.00 REC17 Rec_Sale_of_equipment £0.00 £423.30 EXP1 Exp_Brunch_Christmas_Summer_fair £1,091.58
£506.31 REC22 REC_Donations £850.85 £0.00 EXP1 Exp_charitable_donations £600.00
£8,169.00 REC23 REC_Subscriptions £14,255.70 £201.95 EXP1 Exp_social_events £676.22
£8,173.01 REC24 REC_Conts_to_camps_activities £16,252.54 £20.00 EXP1 Exp_wreath £25.00
£0.00 REC25 REC_Repay_loan_from_Ash_Exp £0.00 £8,694.79 EXP1 Exp_trips_camps_food_activities £18,287.34
£0.00 REC26 REC_Tesco Groundwork_rest_grant £0.00 £0.00 EXP2 Exp_Special_camp £0.00
£0.00 REC27 REC_Beer_Festival £20,389.71 £714.27 EXP2 Exp_Leader_training £632.00
£733.85 EXP2 Exp_website_gocardless £1,457.58
£0.00 EXP2 EXP_loan_to_Ash_Exp £0.00
£0.00 EXP2 EXP_Tesco Groundwork_rest_grant £0.00
£0.00 EXP2 EXP_Beer_Festival £8,964.61
£0.00 EXP3 EXP_Audit_fees £550.00
£36,323.78 SUBTOTAL £63,251.70 £39,381.82 SUBTOTAL £55,929.43
£2,197.68 DEPRECIATION £898.14
£5,255.72 EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE / INCOME EXCESS INCOME/EXPENDITURE £6,424.13
£41,579.50 £63,251.70 £41,579.50 £63,251.70
----- End of picture text -----

1st Ashton Lord Gerard's Scout Group Balance Sheet at 31st March 2023

Total receipts for the year Total payments for the year Net receipts (payments) for the year Cash, bank and similar funds brought forward Cash, bank and similar funds carried forward	This Year 63,251.70 £ 55,929.43 £ 7,322.27 £ 36,100.99 £ 43,423.26 £	Last Year 36,323.78 £ 39,381.82 £ 3,058.04 -£ 39,159.03 £ 36,100.99 £

The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the

Trustees on………23 January 2024………and signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………. ……………………………….. Andrew Linster (Treasurer) Barry Kay (Chair)

1st Ashton (Lord Gerard's) Scout Group

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of 1° Ashton (Lord Gerard's Own) Scout Group On accounts for the year ended 31.03.2023 Charity no (if any) 517134 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 31 March 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charty's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's arLounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention in connection wtth the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respert.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements con￿mIng the fomi and content of acwunts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the arxounts give a Irue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 22.01.2024 Name: Michael Nels Relevant professional qualificatton{s) or body (if any): FCA- ICAEW.. Membership Number 1307113 IER Oct2018

Address: 5 The Glades, Clipsley Lane Haydock, St. Helens WA11 OST Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charty accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. I can confirm the books and reconys were found to be complete, comprehensive, accurate and gwe a true and fair view of the financial position of the organisation throughout the 22-23 accounting period. The only thing to note is that a payment of £299 was made to Hindley Embroidery during the year but the supporting documentation could not be prnV￿ed It was thought that a pictu￿ was taken of the I￿1p1, but it did not save correctly to the invoice file. However, we have traced this payment to the CO￿espOnding bank transact￿n. Therefo￿, we can confimi that this was a bona fide business transaction and no further action required. IER Oct 2018