Charity number: 520349
1
This was another great year for Consett Scout Group. As predicted after the opening of our second scout group early in 2022 our youth membership increased to 131 members, the largest number of young people in our history and as you would expect our adult membership has also had to increase.. We continue to have a very low attrition rate through the sections and a very long waiting list at over 50 children, which is testament to our great programme and reputation as a successful and active group.
members gaining the chief scout awards which are the highest awards in each section. This all thanks to an amazingly dedicated and enthusiastic group of adult volunteers whom I would like to thank both on behalf of all our members but whom I would like to personally thank for their ideas, skills, support and the amazing amount of time they manage to dedicate to the group, despite their busy work and personal lives. They are truly inspirational!
Jennifer Wright GSL
In total the group has completed over 320 nights away across the sections. Our nights away have been incredibly varied from beavers doing their first night away to wild camping expeditions with the scout sections, both indoor and outdoor, local and further afield at national scouting centres like Great Towers. In a first for both the centre and local scouting we even did an overnight stay at Diggerland with our beaver and cubs sections along with with Blackhill Scout group. It was a hugely enjoyable camp with over 70 young people and after a hugely busy and enjoyable day at the attraction the beavers stayed in the indoors play area and the cubs camped at the base of the Spin dizzy ride!
We have continued to deliver an exciting and varied programme with a focus on adventure. Many activities have been completed across the sections such as climbing, crate stacking, rifle shooting, archery, snow tubing as well as water activities like canoeing, wind surfing, paddle boarding and surfing. We have also continued to support the local community with food collections and litter picks as well as supporting other charities with the group selling poppies for the British Legion and the beavers sponsoring a guide dog called pudding! We have awarded over 1200 badges with 25 of our
2
1st Consett Scout Group 31 March 2023
Trustees –
Chair - Phil Harnby
Treasurers – Jackie Haggat & Tina Townson - Vacant since Nov22 Secretary – Sita Allen
Beaver leader Rep – Shaun Spence
Cub leader Rep – Emma Craig & James Hugarth Scout leader Rep -Rosana Crolla
Parent Rep – Andrew Murry Parent Rep – Judith Liddle GSL – Jennifer Wright DGSL - Alastair Constable
Bankers
Independent examiner
Charity Registration Number
Barclays Bank Plc Mrs C McCormick 520349
Contact Name & Address
Jennifer Wright GSL Scout HQ, Constance St, Consett DH8 5DU
info@consettscouts.org.uk
www.consettscouts.org.uk
3
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended
adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks.
31[st] March 2023.
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 3 October 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.
Phil Harnby
Group Chair
Investment policy
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore
4
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 2023.
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
-
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.
As Independent Examiner I was unable to obtain any documentary evidence to support the basis on which income, expenditure and cash assets are reported in the 1st Consett Accounts in relation to the HQ building shared with 1st Blackhill. I would therefore recommend to the Trustees that they ensure that there is a document specifying the allocation of HQ income, expenditure and cash assets on which to base the 2023/24 and future years’ Accounts.
I have no further 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
Date 12/10/2023
Howden Bank Farm, Maiden Law, County Durham
5
| BALANCE SHE | ET | |
|---|---|---|
| 31st March 2023 | 31st March 2022 | |
| Unrestricted funds | Unrestricted | |
| funds | ||
| £ | £ | |
| Cash funds | ||
| Cheque account | 12,424.34 | 22,328.26 |
| Deposit account | 5,546.44 | 5,534.34 |
| HQ Account | 8,788.65 | 11,001.35 |
| Stripe account | 1,457.92 | 0.00 |
| Total Bank Accounts | 28,217.35 | 38,863.95 |
| Liabilities | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Net Assets | 28,217.35 | 38,863.95 |
| Unrestricted Funds | ||
| Brought forward | 38,863.95 | 27,048.16 |
| Incoming resources - page 7 | 34,678.57 | 38,915.76 |
| Outgoing resources - page 8 | (45,325.17) | (27,099.97) |
| Carried forward | 28,217.35 | 38,863.95 |
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 3 October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:-
Group Scout Leader Group Chair
6
| RECEIPTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31st March 2023 | 31st March 2022 | |
| Unrestricted funds | Unrestricted funds | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||
| Membership subscriptions | 14,477.50 | 13,095.00 |
| Gift aid | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Sub total | 14,477.50 | 13,095.00 |
| Grants | ||
| General | 1,064.97 | 102.56 |
| COVID | 0.00 | 10,667.00 |
| Sub total | 1,064.97 | 10,769.56 |
| Fundraising | ||
| Events | 704.00 | 1,552.14 |
| Sub total | 704.00 | 1,552.14 |
| Activities | ||
| General activities and camps | 15,723.00 | 10,685.50 |
| Sundry | 147.00 | 296.00 |
| Sub total | 15,870.00 | 10,981.50 |
| Other income | ||
| Bank interest | 12.10 | 0.56 |
| HQ Income | 1,977.00 | 2,517.00 |
| Minibus | 573.00 | 0.00 |
| Sub total | 2,562.10 | 2,517.56 |
| Total receipts | 34,678.57 | 38,915.76 |
| Less total payments(Page 8) | (45,325.17) | (27,099.97) |
| Net (outgoings) / income for the year | (10,646.60) | 11,815.79 |
7
31st March 2023 31st March 2022
| 31st March 2023 |
31st March 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | Unrestricted funds | |
| £ | £ | |
| Premises Costs | ||
| Utilities | 1,175.85 | 1,193.44 |
| Insurance | 1,423.19 | 1,702.18 |
| Repairs and cleaning | 2,501.60 | 1,949.61 |
| Sub Total | 5,100.64 | 4,845.23 |
| Activities | ||
| Youth Programme and Activities | 20,361.63 | 18,512.48 |
| Purchase of Badges & Uniform | 1,739.42 | 1,609.68 |
| Purchase of Equipment | 1,129.07 | 725.17 |
| Membership fees | 13,010.00 | 0.00 |
| Leaders training | 327.20 | 0.00 |
| Sub Total | 36,567.32 | 20,847.33 |
| Administration Expenses | ||
| Miscellaneous | 299.15 | 307.50 |
| Professional fees | 120.00 | 0.00 |
| Bank charges | 954.69 | 748.48 |
| Sub Total | 1,373.84 | 1,055.98 |
| Fundraising Expenses | ||
| Fundraising Expenses | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Sub Total | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Minibus Expenses | ||
| Minibus Running Costs | 2,283.37 | 351.43 |
| Sub Total | 2,283.37 | 351.43 |
| Total payments | 45,325.17 | 27,099.97 |
Total payments
8
Scouts 1st Consett Scouts