Trustees' Annual Report
For the period
From (start date) 10th September 2024 to (end date) 17th September 2025
| Section A | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details | Reference and Administration Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charity name Other names the charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) HQ registration number Charity’s principal address |
Alderley & Knutsford District Scout Council Alderley & Knutsford District Scouts 5 2 0 1 5 1 1 2 2 1 0 7 2 6 |
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| 97 London Road | ||||||||
| Holmes Chapel | ||||||||
| Cheshire | ||||||||
| Postcode | C | W | 4 | 7 | B | G |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)
| Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Relton | Chair | |
| Bruce Tulley | Treasurer | |
| Janet Williamson | Trustee | |
| Ian Ross | Trustee | |
| Janet Nicholson | Trustee | |
| Steve Wilkinson | Trustee | |
| Roger Turner | Trustee | |
| TonyLeadbeater | Trustee | |
| Will Burnham | Ex Officio | |
| Katie Davies | Ex Officio | |
Type of advisor Name Address
1 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Section B Structure, Governance and Management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
(e.g. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted
The District's governing documents are those of the 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.
(e.g. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed by, elected by)
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Additional governance issues
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
Policies and procedures adopted for: a) the induction and training of trustees; b) trustee' consideration of major risks and the systems and procedures to manage them
The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, 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 Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 8 Trustees (including 2 Ex Officio Trustees) and meets every 3- 4 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete the Scout Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This District Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run highquality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.
Risk and Internal Control
The District Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the District is exposed, these are reviewed on an ongoing basis at Board meetings and systems have been established to mitigate against them. Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
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.
2 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
| Section C | Objectives and Activities |
|---|---|
| Summary of the objectives of the charity set out in its governing document |
The Purpose of Scouting Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, |
| empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. | |
| The Values of Scouting | |
| As Scouts we are guided by these values: | |
| Integrity -We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy | |
| and loyal. | |
| Respect -We have self-respect and respect for others. | |
| Care -We support others and take care of the world in which | |
| we live. | |
| Belief -We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes. | |
| Co-operation -We make a positive difference; we co- | |
| operate with others and make friends. | |
| The Scout Method | |
| Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with | |
| adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and: | |
| - enjoy what they are doing and have fun | |
| - take part in activities indoors and outdoors | |
| - learn by doing | |
| - share in spiritual reflection | |
| - take responsibility and make choices | |
| - undertake new and challenging activities | |
| - make and live by their Promise. |
Summary of the main activities in relation to these objectives
The District is comprised of 13 Scout Groups, 5 Explorer Scout Units and a Scout Network providing Scouting provision for boys and girls aged 4 to 25. The District provides management and governance oversight along with training provision for all Scouting activities within the District. Scouting programmes are supported with shared equipment including a minibus and a Scout shop for uniform and badges.
In addition, the District organises District wide events such as camps and supports overseas trips.
Additional details of the objectives and activities
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
The charity has no salaried staff and is run entirely by voluntary contributions of time which amounts to approximately 6500 hours per year.
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policy on grantmaking;
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contribution made by volunteers;
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policy on investments.
Public benefit statement
The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
3 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Section D
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Achievements and Performance
The Trustee Board has undergone its first full year since the amalgamation of Alderley and Knutsford into one charity and has continued the process of settling in the administration and governance of the combined board whilst putting in place all the new measures prescribed by the Scout Association for trustee boards.
At the September 2024 AGM treasurer, Bruce Tulley was appointed to the trustee board having been a co-opted member since April. The consolidated accounts have been operating successfully for 12 months and we are continuing to make improvements in the processes. The redundant Knutsford Gang Show bank account has been closed and the assets transferred to the District and further processes are being put into place to streamline the inclusion of the Knutsford bonfire accounts into the District.
The main focus has been on developing the risk register and much progress has been made on identifying and mitigating the perceived principal risks facing the charity. Areas for attention have included climbing wall inspections, fire assessments and air rifle storage.
All of the Trustees have completed the new updated safety training as required by the Scout Association as well as the requisite trustee training modules. The District has invested in new resuscitation equipment to improve the delivery and availability of first aid training within the District. Over the last period the District has been involved in implementing a new digital system along with Scouting across the UK to improve the volunteering experience by providing volunteers with new digital tools which will help support them with the management of membership data, induction of new volunteers and learning. The transfer to the new system has proved challenging and time consuming for the District leadership team and further work remains to be done into the next period before we begin to realise the full benefits of the new system.
The District Scout Shop has become a regular fixture at Chelford Scout HQ and continues to provide a popular and worthwhile resource for the leadership team and parents.
District leaders team have continued to support events and activities across the District, including the District camp, and also in the local community such as marquees for the Knutsford Music festival. The District minibus has undergone regular maintenance ensuring that it complies with current legal and safety requirements. The team are also trialling an online booking system.
Operationally it is encouraging to report that the membership of young people in the District remained steady in the year overall, with some gains and falls within Groups, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Group volunteers and District team. The provision for Squirrels, the newest section for the 5-6 year olds, has been expanded in this period to 4 Groups. In June a very successful District camp took place over a weekend at Tatton Park attended by over 550 young members from 11 Alderley and Knutsford groups. Also this summer several Groups from the District had planned overseas trips and over 70 Scouts and Explorer Scouts experienced camping, activities and international friendship at Kandersteg Scout Centre in Switzerland.
4 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Section E Financial Review Brief statement of the charity’s policy on Reserves Policy reserves The District Trustee Board's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the District should income and fundraising activities fall short. The District Trustee Board considers that the District held reserves at year end well above the level required for ongoing operating expenses.
Quantify and explain any designations Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate)
| Further financial review details | |
|---|---|
| Youmay chooseto include additional | |
| information, where relevant, about: | Investment Policy |
| • the charity’s principal sources of funds | |
| (including any fundraising); | The District's Income and Expenditure is relatively low and |
| as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in | |
| longer-term investments. The District has therefore adopted | |
| a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds | |
| are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building | |
| societies or The Scout Association's Short Term Investment | |
| Service. | |
| • how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; |
The District Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the |
| District obtains maximum value and income from its banking | |
| arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an | |
| account that requires a period of notice before funds may be | |
| withdrawn, before doing so the District Trustee Board | |
| considers the cash flow requirements. | |
| • investment policy and objectives; |
| Section F | Other Optional Information |
|---|---|
| Plans for future periods (details of any | The trustees have initiated a move to divest the land owned |
| significant activities planned to achieve | by the charity at Alderley Edge in order to reduce risk |
| them) | exposure. This is at the early stages and is expected to be a |
| lengthy process over a number of years. | |
| District is looking at future proposals to permanently locate | |
| the Scout Shop on land behind Chelford Scout HQ for ease | |
| of administration and to improve storage. | |
| One of the event marquees is planned to be replaced in the | |
| next period for the continued support of District and | |
| community events. |
5 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
~~ee~~ Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Martin Relton Position (eg Secretary, Chair) Chair Date 17th September 2025
6 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
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Alderley and Knutsford Scouts
31/03/2025 31/03/2025 31/03/2024 31/03/2024
Income and Expenditure £ £ £ £
Subscriptions
Received from Groups and Units 62,042.60 106,677.50
Less: Paid to County and HQ (54,325.00) (92,707.50)
Total Subscriptions Retained 7,717.60 13,970.00
Income
Interest 0.00 10.78
Swimmer Badge Testing 425.00 1,215.00
World Scout Jamboree 0.00 740.50
Minibus (Including Hire, May Day 50%, and Car Boot Sale) 8,253.06 7,663.51
Bonfire 15,774.61 19,444.62
Wilmslow Running Event 0.00 700.00
Camp 0.00 21,970.00
Climbing 76.00 1,107.00
District Dinner 624.20 476.00
Other Income 1,843.52 34,713.99 1,244.80 68,542.21
Expenditure
Swimmer Badge Testing 360.97 1,081.31
World Scout Jamboree 0.00 1,670.00
Minibus 3,158.64 514.63
Bonfire 15,774.61 19,444.62
Wilmslow Running Event 0.00 382.70
Camp 257.67 22,423.24
Climbing 203.25 436.00
Website 180.00 180.00
District Dinner 672.30 941.85
Insurance 114.00 0.00
Other Expenditure 2,303.37 23,024.81 4,480.68 51,555.03
Net Income over Expenditure 11,689.18 16,987.18
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Notes to the accounts
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Capitation (subscriptions) - In 2024, there were 2 payments in 1 year, as the separate Knutsford and Alderley accounts didn’t show the 2023 monies. We started up the new Bank account for Alderley and Knutsford in Febrauary 2023 and transactions were in this new account.
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Capitation - All Income and payments were made before 31 March 2025
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Bonfire Income - we again had late income - and balance on the account has been paid back in 25-26 to the Knutsford Scout groups - adjustment made to the accounts
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Alderley Explorer account - still not included in the accounts, and we need to add it next year
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Total Funds of £84,763.45 includes Minibus account £18,213.83 and World Scout Jamboree £740.50
Alderley and Knutsford Scouts
STATEMENT OF FUNDS
12 MONTHS TO 31ST MARCH 2025
£ STERLING
| 31/03/2025 | 31/03/2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPENING BALANCE | 73,074.27 | 56,087.09 | ||||
| EXCESS OF INCOME (LOSS) | 11,689.18 | 16,987.18 | ||||
| CLOSING BALANCE | 84,763.45 | 73,074.27 | ||||
| REPRESENTED BY | ||||||
| ALDERLEY AND KNUTSFORD BARCLAYS CURRENT | 81,336.13 | 70,186.64 | ||||
| 81,336.13 | 70,186.64 | |||||
| CREDITORS (Bonfire net income to be paid to Knutsford Scout Groups) | (7,822.61) | (9,674.62) | ||||
| DEBTORS (Bonfire Income) | 11,249.93 | 12,562.25 | ||||
| CLOSING BALANCE | 84,763.45 | 73,074.27 | ||||
| Variance | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Other Accounts | ||||||
| Knutsford Explorer | As at 31/12/24 | As at 31/12/23 | ||||
| Opening Bank Balances Deposit | 8,613.55 | 12,806.70 | ||||
| Current | 192.18 | 184.87 | ||||
| 8,805.73 | 12,991.57 | |||||
| Receipts | 7,621.95 | 10,617.43 | ||||
| Payments | (7,786.42) | (14,803.27) | ||||
| Total | 8,641.26 | 8,805.73 | ||||
| Closing Bank Balances | Deposit | 8,527.87 | 8,613.55 | |||
| Current | 113.39 | 192.18 | ||||
| 8,641.26 | 8,805.73 | |||||
| Scout Shop | As at 31/03/25 | As at 31/03/24 | ||||
| Opening Bank Balances Current | 4,151.09 | 1,814.31 | ||||
| Receipts | 11,951.52 | 12,181.72 | ||||
| Capitation refunded | (2,561.50) | 0.00 | ||||
| Payments | (9,372.67) | (9,844.94) | ||||
| Total | 4,168.44 | 4,151.09 | ||||
| Closing Bank Balances | Current | 4,168.44 | 4,151.09 | |||
| Creditor (Capitation received in error) | 0.00 | (2,561.50) | ||||
| Revised Balance | 4,168.44 | 1,589.59 | ||||
| Bruce Tulley Treasurer 31 August 2025 |
BWATddey | Rebecca Strong Auditor / Scrutineer 8 September 2025 |
RA.Strong | RA.Strong |
LT700006 - Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees (January 2024)
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Alderley & Knutsford District Scout Council
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Alderley & Knutsford District Scout Coucil for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Alderley & Knutsford District Scout Council you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Alderley & Knutsford District Scout Council accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Alderley & Knutsford District Scout Council as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection 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:
Name: Rebecca A. Strong
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any):
Address: Sandbach, Cheshire
Date: 8[th] September 2025