## 


Charity number: 520349 

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## 

**This was a year of many changes.** It was a year where we started to come out of COVID restrictions in earnest. For the first part of the year COVID restrictions were in place for face to face to meetings, so sections met every week but with half of the youth members meeting alternate weeks. 

It was also a year that towards its end, resulted in a change of leadership when in February Gavin Heckles stepped down as GSL, after over 10 years with the group,  and I was asked to take on the role. Alistair Constable then stepped into the Deputy GSL role. 

For the first time in recent years our youth membership actually decreased,  by around 6% from 118 to 110 (from the Jan 2021 to Jan 2022 census) and our leader numbers also slightly decreased in this time. This was likely multifactorial but there was a planned reduction in the number of children being accepted into the beaver sections after the increased numbers last year. Despite this , overall, we have a low attrition rate of members through to scouts and our projected future numbers in the scout section (which is fed from our two cub sections and these in turn by our two beaver sections) meant that in Feb 2022 we also took the step of opening a second Scout section to accommodate our large numbers of young people. This was to ensure that the quality of our programme and delivery was not affected. This raised some challenges both in terms of leader resources and organization and resulted in a restructure of the leadership teams and when we could deliver these meetings to enable us to fit in six sections across three nights. However, in consultation with parents and leaders the transition went smoothly, and with some movement between the sections we were able to ensure that all youth members could be accommodated within the group. Numbers are predicted to rise throughout next year and we still have approximately sixty young people on the beaver scout waiting list. 

Over the summer, COVID restrictions 

restriction’s continued to be relaxed and restrictions on nights away were removed from August 2021 which meant that we could restart nights away once again. We came back with a bang with a group camp at the end of August at Moor House with sixty beavers and cubs and around twenty scouts camping for 1, 2 and 3 nights, respectively. It was a hugely successful and enjoyable camp and being outdoors meant we could celebrate some freedom from COVID restrictions. In total between August 2021 and March 2022 we delivered around 250 youth member nights away across all the sections 

We have continued to deliver an exciting & varied programme throughout the year with an emphasis on adventure. Sessions went back to being delivered to all children weekly. Many activities have been delivered across the sections from first aid to snow tubing, litter picks to night hikes, pioneering to scuba diving and crafts to cookery. Many of our youth members went on to gain their chief scout awards despite the restricted programme for almost two years of their scouting journey because of COVID. 

This is all thanks to an amazingly dedicated and enthusiastic group of adult volunteers. I would like to thank them on behalf of all our members but would  also like to add my personal thanks for both their patience and their support this year, which has involved such significant change for the group. 

## **Jennifer Wright GSL** 


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## 

## **1st Consett Scout Group 31 March 2022** 

## **Trustees –** 

**Chair** - Michael Varley **Treasurers** – Tina Townson & Jackie Haggan **Secretary** – Letitia Chapman-Ward 

**Beaver leader Rep** – Rosie Crolla (Became a scout leader Feb 2022) **Cub leader Rep** – Chantelle Robertson 

**Scout leader Rep** -Alistair Constable (became deputy GSL Feb 2022) **Parent Rep** – Neil Jukes 

**Parent Rep** – Judith Liddle **GSL** – Gavin Heckles – (Resigned Feb 2022) 

**Deputy GSL** – Jennifer Wright (became GSL Feb 2022) 

## **Bankers** 

**Independent examiner Charity Registration Number** 

Barclays  Bank Plc Mrs C McCormick 520349 

## **Contact Name & Address** 

Dr Jennifer Wright GSL Scout HQ, Constance St, Consett DH8 5DU 

info@consettscouts.org.uk 

www.consettscouts.org.uk 


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## 

## **The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2022.** 

adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks. 

## **Review of activities and future developments** 

The legal and administrative details of the Group are shown elsewhere in this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association (POR), and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (2005). 

It has been another remarkably busy year for the group with lots of activities and overnights Overall, our accounts remain healthy, and we can subsidise many of the activities within the sections. We have been able to restart HQ and minibus bookings which does generate a small income. 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

We need to claim the last three years gift aid which we are in the process of doing and restart fundraising within the sections as well as apply for funding/grants where we are eligible and able to do so. 

The Group was registered with the charity commission on the 9 April 1965 under the Scout Association Trust Deed 1955.  The Group is managed by the Group Executive committee the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees.’ Trustees are appointed in accordance with POR. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping of proper accounting records and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate. The committee comprises  both nominated and elected representatives as required by POR. 

Clearly problems such as the rise in both cost of living and the energy crisis means that we need to monitor our finances carefully over the next year and a slight increase in membership fees may have to be considered. 

## **Policy on reserves** 

The reserve fund remains the same as last year, at £5,000. 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 building running costs. 

## **Aim and objectives** 

The Group’s aim, in common with that of the Scout Association, is the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people. 

## **Risk management** 

## **Public benefit** 

The trustees have identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them.  The Group 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 a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure that insurable risks are covered. 

The objectives of the group are as a unit of the Scout Association. 

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. In partnership with adults, young people take part in fun indoor and outdoor activities. They learn by doing, by sharing in spiritual reflection and by taking responsibility. They make choices, undertake new and challenging activities, and they live their Scout Promise. 

## **Approval of the trustees’ report** 

Approved by the trustees on 10 January 2023 and signed on their behalf by: 

The Trustees have complied with the duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission and the trustees have paid due regard to this guidance in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. 

## **Dr J Wright Group Scout Leader** 

## **Investment policy** 

The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore 

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## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of 1st Consett Scout Group** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **31 March 2022** . 

As the charity's trustees, 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 Trust’s 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. 

I have completed my examination.  I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: 

   - _**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**_ 

- ·3 _**the accounts did 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 p roper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

## **Mrs C McCormick** 

Howden Bank Farm, Maiden Law, County Durham 

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## 

|BALANCE SHE|ET||
|---|---|---|
||**31st March 2022**|**31st March 2021**|
||**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted**|
|||**funds**|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Cash funds**|||
|Cheque account|22,328.26|9,284.13|
|Deposit account|5,534.34|5,533.78|
|HQ Account|11,001.35|12,065.08|
|**Total Bank Accounts**|**38,863.95**|**26,882.99**|
|Cash in hand (Sections)|0.00|146.04|
|Cash in hand (Group)|0.00|19.13|
|**Total Group Cash**|**0.00**|**27,048.16**|
|**Liabilities**|**0.00**|**0.00**|
|**Net Assets**|**38,863.95**|**27,048.16**|
|**Unrestricted Funds**|||
|Brought forward|**27,048.16**|**8,787.65**|
|Incoming resources - page 7|**38,915.76**|35,426.77|
|Outgoing resources - page 8|(27,099.97)|(17,166.26)|
|Carried forward|**38,863.95**|**27,048.16**|



The Group notes that we own the building that we operate from jointly with 1st Blackhill (St Aiden's) Scout Group. The above Accounts include the 1st Consett Scout Group share of the costs, income and cash funds in relation to the HQ building. The Group also owns a minibus. 

The above account and accompanying payments and receipts were approved by the Trustees on 7 March 2023 and signed on their behalf by:- 

Group Scout Leader Group Chair 

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## 

## **31st March 2022 31st March 2021** 

||**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Donations, legacies and similar income**|||
|Membership subscriptions|13,095.00|11,630.00|
|Gift aid|0.00|2,669.91|
|**Sub total**|**13,095.00**|**14,299.91**|
|**Grants**|||
|General|102.56|245.66|
|COVID|10667.00|13,342.63|
|**Sub total**|**10,769.56**|**13,588.29**|
|**Fundraising**|||
|Events|1,552.14|0.00|
|**Sub total**|**1,552.14**|**0.00**|
|**Activities**|||
|General activities and camps|10,685.50|810.86|
|Refunds from prior year|0.00|4,947.00|
|Sundry|296.00|0.00|
|**Sub total**|**10,981.50**|**5,757.86**|
|**Other income**|||
|Bank interest|0.56|2.54|
|HQ Income|2,517.00|1,725.37|
|Minibus|0.00|52.80|
|**Sub total**|**2,517.56**|**1,780.71**|
|**Total receipts**|**38,915.76**|**35,426.77**|
|**Less total payments**(Page 8)|**(27,099.97)**|**(17,166.26)**|
|**Net income/(outgoings) for the year**|**11,815.79**|**18,260.51**|



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**31st March 2022 31st March 2021** 

## 

||**31st March 2022**<br>|**31st March 2021**|
|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Premises Costs**|||
|Utilities|1,193.44|620.99|
|Insurance|1,702.18|1,017.21|
|Repairs and cleaning|1,949.61|2,709.03|
|**Sub Total**|**4,845.23**|**4,347.23**|
|**Activities**|||
|Youth Programme and Activities|18,512.48|963.94|
|Purchase of Badges & Uniform|1,609.68|1,587.32|
|Purchase of Equipment|725.17|61.27|
|Refunds for prior year|0.00|1,573.75|
|Membership fees|0.00|6,145.50|
|**Sub Total**|**20,847.33**|**10,331.78**|
|**Administration Expenses**|||
|Miscellaneous|307.50|471.11|
|Bank charges|748.48|379.28|
|**Sub Total**|**1,055.98**|**850.39**|
|**Fundraising Expenses**|||
|Fundraising Expenses|0.00|0.00|
|**Sub Total**|**0.00**|**0.00**|
|**Minibus Expenses**|||
|Minibus Running Costs|351.43|1,636.86|
|**Sub Total**|**351.43**|**1,636.86**|
|**Total payments**|**27,099.97**|**17,166.26**|



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Scouts
1st Consett Scouts
Jp•