2025-03-31-accounts

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1[st] Framwellgate Moor Scout Group

Trustees Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2025

Charity Number: 520693 (England & Wales)

	Page
Reference and Administrative	3
Information
Structure, Governance, Management	3-6
Objectives and Public Benefit
Risk Assessment, Financial Review and	6-7
Trustees Responsibilities’
Achievements and Performance and	7-8
Plans for the coming year
Declaration	9

1. Reference and Administrative Information

1.1 Status : The Group was established in the early 1950’s and was first registered with the Charities Commission on 3 April 1963 under the Charity Number 520693.
1.2 The Charity is part of the Scout Association, and the District Reference Number is 11665.
1.3 Principal Address : The Hut, 24 Newcastle Terrace, Durham DH1 5EG
1.4 Bankers:
1.4.1 Lloyds Bank, Durham Market Place, 19, Durham DH1 3NL

2. Structure, Governance and Management

2.1 1[st] Framwellgate Moor Scout Group is governed by the Policy, Organisation and Rules (P.O.R.) of the Scout Association, which provides the framework in which all U.K. Scouting operates. As a charity the Group is also governed by Charity Commission legislation.
2.2 Within the Group there are a number of adult leaders and supporters, who give their time and expertise voluntarily, without remuneration, to help the development of young people. The Group is led by the Group Lead Volunteer, whose role is to co-ordinate the Group’s activities and to ensure continuity and development.
2.3 All leaders and trustees are subject to satisfactory DBS checks and are required to undergo training that is appropriate for their role. This includes ongoing refresher courses in safety and safeguarding every 5 years and, for leaders, first-aid every 3 years.

Executive Committee : The Group’s Trustee Board consists of [9] members of which 4 who fulfil Principal Roles are also the formal trustees of the charity.

The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer, Group Lead Volunteer (GLV), the parent representative of each of the Group’s sections, the Leader of the Explorer Scout Unit that is linked with the Group, a Facilities lead and nonuniformed members who are appointed in accordance with the rules and guidance of the Scout Association. The Committee meets regularly to fulfil the duties listed below.

2.4 Members of the Trustee Board act collectively and some as charity trustees of the Scout Group, and in the best interests of its members to:
2.4.1 comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association;
2.4.2 comply with Charity legislation (including the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate);
2.4.3 protect and maintain the property and equipment owned by and/or used by the Group;
2.4.4 manage the Group’s finances;
2.4.5 arrange appropriate insurance for people, property and equipment;
2.4.6 provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate and thrive. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fundraising activities;
2.4.7 promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area;
2.4.8 manage and implement the Safety Policy locally;
2.4.9 ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community;
2.4.10 appoint and manage the operation of any sub-committees, including appointing Chairpersons to lead the sub-committees;
2.4.11 appoint Group advisers, other than those who are elected;
2.4.12 ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the Group.

2.5 The following list indicates the current Trustees and those who served during the year ending 31 March 2025.

Name	Principal Role on the Committee	Appointed
J Collins	Chair	9thJuly2023
L Callaghan	GSL	1st September 2023
Andrew Page	Treasurer	13th September 2024
Malcolm Johnson	Secretary	2ndOctober 2025
Sam Redgate	Parent Rep / Grants	1 September 2024
Aidan Wilkinson	Youth Rep	2ndOctober 2025
Nick Bucknall	Explorer Leader	1st September 2024
Richard Baker	New Build Manager 1	er 1stJanuary2025

2.6 Objectives : The objectives of the Group are as a unit of the Scout Association. The Aim of The Scout Association is:
2.6.1 “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.”
2.7 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.
2.8 As Scouts we are guided by these values:
2.8.1 Integrity: We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
2.8.2 Respect: We have self-respect and respect for others.
2.8.3 Care: We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
2.8.4 Belief: We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.

2.8.5 Co-operation: We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.
2.9 Public Benefit: 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.

3. Risk Assessment, Financial Review and Trustees Responsibilities’

3.1 Financial Review : Further information is given in the annual accounts, but a summary of receipts and payments for the year ending 31 March 2025 is:

	Restricted	Unrestricted	Total 2023/24	Total 2022/23
	£	£	£	£
Receipts	-	105,318.62	73,521	62,808
Payments	-	(93781.67)	(77,083)	(73,758)
Net Position	16133	11,536.95	(3,562)	(10,950)

3.2 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 of running costs. The trustees consider that the Group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months of running costs in the General Fund to cover imminent payments and urgent building repairs should they arise. At 31 March 2025 the un-restricted balance stood at £92,154.18 which satisfies this policy
3.3 Investment policy : The Group adopts a low-risk strategy to investment, keeping funds in mainstream banks. However, all of its funds currently sit within Lloyds to allow for expediency of releasing funds should any building work go ahead.
3.4 Signatories to bank accounts : Payments or withdrawals from the Group’s bank accounts require authorisation by one of the following people:
3.4.1 Treasurer, Chairman and Group Lead Volunteer.

3.5 Independent examiner of accounts: It is intended that an independent scrutineer will be appointed to review these accounts and those prepared on an annual basis moving forwards. A professional, independent bookkeeping firm is employed to oversee financial transactions and produce annual accounts.
3.6 Risk Assessment : The Executive Committee has 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 main areas of concern that have been identified are:
3.6.1 Damage to the building, property and equipment: The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss, and in the event of temporary loss would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups, as a short-term solution.
3.6.2 Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members: The Group through the membership fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy, and also has additional cover in place. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
3.6.3 Reduction or loss of volunteers: The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District. If there were a reduction in the number of volunteers to an unacceptable level in a particular area, discipline or as a whole, then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation of activities or closure of parts of the operations.

4. Achievements and Performance and Plans for the coming year

Achievements: Over the past year all sections within 1[st] Framwellgate Moor have gone from strength to strength – numbers remain high in each section, with a good amount on the waiting list.
4.1 This year we opened up a new section, Squirrels, which caters for the 4-6yr olds
4.2 As with previous years, we have remained committed to helping and supporting the new Sacriston group to become firmly established in the area.

4.3 We continue to struggle to find more willing adult volunteers to help support the group and the young people within our sections. Thankfully with a new reinvigorated Trustee Board, we are able to take on the governance challenges.
4.4 A successful Group Camp was held at Hawkhirst with over 100 youth attending – the camp focussed on water activities, to ensure that youth were able to acquire their water activity badges.

We have held some highly successful key events in the year:

Beavers: Beaver Day Out, Climb When Ready and Beaver District Sleepover

Cubs: Cub Day Out (All Cub Packs). Pete Swinney Competition (All Cub packs), Cooper's Cup (All Cub packs) and Moor House Camp (Tue & Fri Cubs)

Scouts: County Rally 2024 (Wed Scouts in partnership with The First Glasgow and 2nd Penrith), Confido 2024 (All Scout Troops), Sub Zero 2024 (Wed Scouts in partnership with 1st Norbreck, Blackpool), Great Tower Summer Adventure Camp (Wed Scouts), Climb When Ready (All Scout Troops), Indoor Scouting competition (friday Scouts), Outdoor Scouting and Cooking Competition (Fri Scouts).

4.5 Our key focus is to ensure that the events are value for money and that every young person gets the opportunity to participate in some way. The Group run a hardship fund which is open to all members and details can be found on our website.

Thank you to everyone who has made the last 12 months a success.

Plans for the Coming Year: We are in the initial stages of planning our Group Camp for May 2027.

4.6 Work is still ongoing supporting Sacriston with the growing of their own group, looking towards starting a Scout section to complement the Beavers and Cubs sections already established.

5. Declaration

5.1 The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustee’s report above. Signed on behalf of the Trustees:

… ……………………………..

J Collins (Chair)

1st Framwellgate Moor Scout Group

Receipts and Payments Accounts

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Receipts	£
Membership subscriptions	43,997.00
Activities income	6,339.50
Camp income	35,032.72
Gift Aid	19,482.17
Donations	17.45
Other income	82.00
Bank interest received	367.78
Total Receipts	105,318.62

Payments	£
Cost of goods sold	390.00
Badges and uniform	4,062.76
Capitation fee	14,994.00
Camps expenses	23,697.88
Activities expenses	23,624.44
Session expenses	614.50
Sacriston expenses	744.08
Audit & accountancy fees	1,857.81
Cleaning	10.89
Equipment	1,678.45
Finance costs	3,097.54
General expenses	6,895.56
Insurance	2,128.07
IT costs	268.79
Motor vehicle expenses	745.12
Printing & stationery	4.99
Professional fees	1,800.00
Repairs & maintenance	175.96
Telephone & internet	360.28
Training	40.00
Travel	2,532.20
Utilities	4,058.35
Total Payments	93,781.67

Excess of Receipts over Payments: £11,536.95

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 March 2025
Assets	£
Cash at bank - Main account	29,932.28
Cash at bank - Trips account	78,354.90
Total cash at bank	108,287.18
Liabilities	£
Income account (creditor)	7,848.27
OSM expense cards (creditor)	464.68
VAT (creditor)	140.59
Total liabilities	8,172.36
Net assets	95,114.13

These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis.

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of	Charity Name 1st Framwellgate Moor Scout Group	1st Framwellgate Moor Scout Group

On accounts for the year	31 March 2025		Charity no	520693
ended			(if any)

Set out on pages	1 - 4	(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement 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.

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.

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Name: Andrew Thomas Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):

Date: 26/01/2026

Address: The Hub, New Century House, Crowther Road,Washington, NE38 0AQ

Oct 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .