1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
1[ST] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP
Group Executive Members
Ex Officio
Chair Secretary Treasurer Group Lead Volunteer Beaver Lead Volunteer Cub Lead Volunteer Scout Lead Volunteer Explorer Lead Volunteer
Mrs Emma Little Ms Rebecca Cowley Fiona Slater Mr Douglas McIntyre Ms Lea Scott Ms Sam Carter (resigned 2.8.24) Mr Mark Lloyd Mr Robin Kennedy
Elected
Ms Victoria Welsh Dr Jane Halpin Mrs Jane McIntyre
Nominated
Ms Dizzy Peverley Mr Andy Gray (resigned 2.8.24) Mr Simon Harrison (appointed 13.9.23) Miss Georgia Turnbull (appointed 2.11.24)
Bankers
Scout Registration number Charity Registration Number Contact name and address
NatWest Bank Plc
2558 520716 Mr Douglas McIntyre 59 Burnhope Road Washington NE38 8DZ
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024.
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).
Objectives of the Group
The Group was formed in 1916 by the adoption of POR by the founding Group leaders, who also acted as Trustees. The Group’s aim, in common with that of the Scout Association, is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
Organisation
The Group is managed by the Trustees, who meet regularly to discuss all aspects of day to day running. The leaders of the Group are Trustees by virtue of their position as a leader.
Investment powers
The Group’s investment powers are set out in POR.
Review of Activities
The Group continues to thrive, thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteer teams. They are committed, across all sections, to giving the young people the best possible experiences. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them wholeheartedly for all that they do in giving up their time for the benefit of their young people.
Behind the leadership teams there is the Trustee Board, formerly Group Executive committee. This comprises a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Trustee members. It is their responsibility to ensure the Group is managed satisfactorily, is financially secure and to ensure that everything is in place to ensure Safety and Safeguarding of all members. They also ensure that all the necessary resources are in place to support the volunteers. Not all of the Trustee board hold volunteer roles in Sections and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their continued work and support.
Becci Cowley has been our Secretary for a number of years and has done a sterling job. Unfortunately, the role of Secretary has been discontinued as part of restructuring of the Trustee Board. Becci was also struggling to balance her commitments between family and other things so decided to stand down. I would like to acknowledge and thank Becci for all that she has done over the last few years. She will be continuing in role with Beavers and Squirrels, I am delighted to say.
NUMBERS
Pre Covid, we had in excess of 100 young people through two Beaver colonies, two Cub packs, a Scout Troop and Explorer Unit. Since Covid our numbers have diminished, in the lower
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
sections particularly. As a result of that and the shortage of adult volunteers we had to close a Beaver Colony and Cub pack.
Whilst not relevant to the accounting year we opened a Squirrel Drey in October 2024 with an initial target of 12 young people. That is coming along nicely.
At Census in January 2023 we had 88 yp.
In January 2024 the numbers had dropped to 79.
As at today we have 74 plus 9 Squirrels registered on OSM.
Adult volunteer numbers are reasonably healthy, thanks to a combination of young people taking leader roles once they have turned 18, a number of adults having upgraded their roles and a few additional adults having been recruited. Sadly, the Cub Team is the one with the least numbers. I have aspirations to reopen the second Beaver Colony and Cub Pack again but without additional volunteers that is not practical at this time. Both second sections would need to be reopened at the same time to give satisfactory opportunity for transition between the sections.
At September 2024 we had a total of around 43 adults registered with the Group. Of these 29 are active, the remaining holding Occasional Helper roles.
Sam Carter resigned her role earlier this year because of various pressures on her time. She did a great job. Thomas took over the Leadership and has blossomed in the role supported by his Team.
Simon Harrison joined our Group about a year ago as my Deputy Group Scout Leader, having resigned his role earlier from 1st Eppleton Scout Group. His knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and drive are boundless and he has added a whole new dimension to the management team. Simon is also a Training Advisor and it is thanks to his unqualified support and coaching that a number of our new volunteers have moved swiftly though their training to complete their roles. I can’t thank him enough for all that he has done and will continue to do.
Last but not least I would like to thank my wife Jane, who continues to support, guide and encourage me in my role. That has been unwavering over a period of over 30 years.
CHANGES
Scouting is undergoing a number of changes:-
-
Changes to the constitution and responsibilities of the Trustee Board are to be implemented subsequent to this AGM. The role of the Trustees will be restricted to Governance and Safety. Routine management matters will be dealt with by a new Support Team.
-
Compass, the Scout Association database for adults, has been in place for a number of years. That is now offline pending the roll out of a new digital system that will radically transform the way that we work. Roll out will begin in phases from late November and is scheduled to be rolled out to all members by 2 December 2024.
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
- Lastly, Scouting is being moved to a Teams based structure. As part of that the names of roles is changing, eg The Group Scout Leader becomes Group Lead Volunteer. The Section Leaders become Team Leaders. The Assistant Section Leaders and Section Assistants will all become Team Members. Training will be restructured in keeping with this. The way we recruit new volunteers is also to be overhauled.
We await the roll out of the new system to assess the overall impact.
Policy on reserves
In general, it is the Group’s aim to maintain sufficient funds to ensure the success of all of its activities and to provide a contingency to support equipment replacement and unforeseen expenses at short notice. A sum of £1,500 has been designated as this contingency. Currently we have a healthy balance, thanks to the benefit of the Grant support referred to earlier.
Risk management
The Trustees assess the major strategic and operational risks faced by the Group on an ongoing basis and react to mitigate these risks. Through the Scout Association we arrange insurance to cover liability, personal accident and injury to young people and leaders as well as adequate insurance cover for camping and activity equipment and the Group’s minibus.
Grant making policy
The Group does not have a policy in respect of making grants.
Approval of the Trustees report
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.
E M Little
Mrs E Little Group Chair 17[th] November 2024
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR TO 31 March 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716)
Receipts and payments account
Year start date Year end date
For the year
1st April 2023 To 31st March 2024
from
Receipts and payments
2023/24 2022/23
Unrestricted
Unrestricted funds
funds
£ £
Receipts
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership subscriptions 13,705 16,152
Donations 85 170
Legacies - -
Gift Aid 3,420 2,317
Other similar income - -
Sub total 17,210 18,638
Grants
Maintenence grant - -
Other grants - 1,692
Sub total - 1,692
Fundraising events (gross)
Events income 11,369 6,295
Section income - -
Other fundraising activities - -
- -
Sub total 11,369 6,295
Scout hut income
Hire of building 1,125 875
Hire of minibus 1,452 593
Other Scout hut income - -
Sub total 2,577 1,468
Investment income
Bank interest 421 177
Bank compensation - -
The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service - -
Other investment income - -
Sub total 421 177
Total Gross Income 31,577 28,270
Asset and investment sales, etc. - -
Total receipts 31,577 28,270
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR TO 31 March 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716)
Receipts and payments account
Year start date Year end date
For the year
1st April 2023 To 31st March 2024
from
Receipts and payments
2023/24 2022/23
Unrestricted
Unrestricted funds
funds
£ £
Payments
Charitable Payments
Membership subscriptions paid on (National/County/Area/District) 3,911 4,268
Youth programme and activities 15,008 8,770
Adult support and training 45 372
Rent and Rates 38 72
Water and Sewerage 460 158
Electricity and Gas 745 955
Broadband 501 378
Insurance 953 1,042
Cleaning 1,432 1,590
Repairs and Renewals 10,555 5,616
Materials and equipment 3,414 2,531
Badges and neckers 969 1,044
Minibus and trailer expenses 2,399 1,945
OSM fees 234 264
GoCardless fees 619 688
AGM and trustee expenses - -
Miscellaneous - 256
Sub total 41,282 29,948
Fundraising expenses
Detail 1 - -
Detail 2 - -
Detail 3 - -
Other fundraising costs - -
Sub total - -
Total Gross Expenditure 41,282 29,948
Asset and investment purchases, etc. - -
Total payments 41,282 29,948
Net of receipts/(payments) - 9,705 - 1,678
Cash funds last year end 38,199 39,877
Cash funds this year end 28,494 38,199
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
| 1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716) | 1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716) | 1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716) | 1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716) | 1st Washington Scout Group (Charity no. 520716) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Receipts and ** | payments account | |||
| Year start date | Year end date | |||
| For the year from |
1st April 2023 |
To | 31st March 2024 | |
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | ||||
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |||
| Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Cash funds | ||||
| Bankcurrent account****4502 | 853 | 860 | ||
| Bankdeposit account****3117 | 25,730 | 36,646 | ||
| Bankdeposit accounts*6336 and*4588 | 420 | **101 ** | ||
| EqualsMoney account | 1,370 | 558 | ||
| Cash/Floats | 122 | 34 | ||
| Total cash funds | 28,494 | 38,199 | ||
| Other monetary assets | ||||
| Taxclaim | - | - | ||
| Debts duefromthe County/Area/District/Group | - | - | ||
| Insurance claim | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Investment assets | ||||
| Investment property-detail | - | - | ||
| Quotedinvestments | - | - | ||
| Other investments - detail | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Non monetary assets for charity's own use | ||||
| Badge stock | - | - | ||
| Shop stock | - | - | ||
| Otherstock | - | - | ||
| Land and buildings | 125,000 | 125,000 | ||
| Motor vehicles | 3,000 | 3,500 | ||
| Scouting equipment,furniture etc | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||
| Other | - | - | ||
| Sub total | 143,000 | 143,500 | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Accountsnot yet paid | - | - | ||
| Expensesincurred butnotinvoiced | - | - | ||
| Subscriptionsnot yet paid | - | - | ||
| Loan -detail | - | - | ||
| Other liabilities | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Total net assets | 171,494 | 181,699 | ||
| The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 17th November 2024 and signed on their behalf by |
||||
| Signature | Print Name | |||
| E M Little | E M Little | Chair | ||
| F M Slater | F M Slater | Treasurer | ||
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
Notes to the Accounts
Accounting policies
-
Income shown in the Receipts and Payment Account is before deduction of any expenses.
-
Non-monetary assets shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities has been given as an estimated valuation by the Trustees based on their knowledge of the assets involved and their age and condition.
-
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2000) for Charities, as applicable to the Group.
-
The receipts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
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1[st] WASHINGTON SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 March 2024
Independent Examiner's Report
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of 1st Washington Scout Group
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) but that an independent examination is needed, in accordance with the financial rules of the charity.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
-
have not been met or
-
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
John Edwards
2 Rose Cottages Windlass Lane Washington Tyne and Wear NE37 1BD
November 12[th] 2024
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