Trustees' Annual Report
For the period
| From (start date) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 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 |
|||||||||||||
| 17th Stretford(1st Lostock)Scout Group | |||||||||||||
| 9 Poppywood Avenue | |||||||||||||
| West Timperley, Altrincham | |||||||||||||
| Cheshire | |||||||||||||
| Postcode | W | A | 1 | 4 | 5 | Y | U |
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)
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Osborne | Chair (Acting) | ||
| Robert Jackson | Treasurer | ||
| Matthew Osborne | Lead Volunteer | ||
| Brian Thorpe | Appointed Trustee | ||
| Graham Jenkins | Appointed Trustee | ||
Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)
| Type of advisor | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary | Patricia Whaites | 9 Poppywood Ave, Cheshire. WA14 5YU |
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
(e.g. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods
(e.g. appointed by, elected by)
The Group'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 Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Additional governance issues
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 Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group 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 (Acting), Treasurer and 3 Trustees (including 1 Ex Officio Trustee, and 2 Appointed Trustees) and meets every 3 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete 'Being a Scouts Trustee' learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This Group 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
Using a process of risk management, the Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed. These risks have been reviewed and systems established to mitigate against them. The main risk areas identified and their mitigations are: -
Damage or deterioration of building, property & equipment due to age or misuse. The Group undertakes regular audits of the building which is leased from the local metrolopolitan borough council, regularly updates the inventory of Group owned equipment and makes inspections before use.
2 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
| Section B | Structure, governance and management (continued) |
|---|---|
| The Group carries and manages sufficient funds to ensure critical building maintenance within our responsibility is progressed, highlight's to the landlord areas that they are required to repair and maintian and ensures they are progressed, replace consumable equipment or a regular basis and sufficient building and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group, through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy as well as purchasing additional insurance for non-members when required. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is reliant upon income from a levy applied to national membership fees, income from building hire and occasional fundraising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities for approximately 2-years should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the Group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leaders. The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Group. The Trustees actively continually recruit volunteers into vacant positions. If there was a reduction in the number of volunteers to an unacceptable level that results in poor or gaps in governance, the Group would seek to initially engage support from the County. In the worst case scenario the Group would come under the governance trusteeship of the County until such time additional volutneers can be recruited.. Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 18 currently. If there was a reduction in membership affecting a particular Group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group. Loss of financial control and fiancial mismanagement. 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, a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered, budget control over spend in line with agreed terms and strong accountancy control. |
3 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
| Section C | Objectives and activities |
|---|---|
| Summary of the objects 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. |
| Public benefit statement Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects Additional details of the objectives and activities 4 LT700001 (27 February 2024) |
In 2023, we made a positive difference to two young people attending the 25 WSJ in Korea, enabling them to grow in confidence and be empowered in making positive contributions to society. Our youth membership has increased only in the Cub section by +5 to 35 with beavers dropping to 1 to 27 and Scouts remaining static at 17. Scouts are able to deliver training allowing them to complete expedition requirements and their top awards. We are supporting our volunteer learning by helping volunteers to fufill their mandatory learning obligations and provide safe enjoyable indoor and outdoor activities where everyone gains Skills For Life. Despite this we lost 4 adult volunteers and our overall group numbers remain unchaged since 2023 at total membership of 95. |
|---|---|
| Our Group is functioning, and viable but needs attention. Ensuring we have strong Group team continues to be a priority and will be the main focus over the next 2 years whilst continuing to offer excellent scouting opportunities for our young people. During this time, we will make use of organised county, regional and national events to support our programmes and begin a programme of growth and development projects and activites. Our current volunteers are our hero's and we will support and recognise them at everyopportunity. |
|
| 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. |
|
| Section D | Achievements and performance |
|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
|
| Our group remained static in terms of growth in the period Jan 2023 to Jan 2024 compared to Jan 2022 to Jan 2023 with 95 members. We had a small decrease in Adult volunteer numbers of -4 to 16. We still have some work to do too hit our January 2019 high of 112 members and growing adult volunteer numbers is our joint priority alongside offering active and engaging sectional and group programmes so that we can enjoy increased success in top award achievement. This is will be achieved by growing the group through a group camp in 2025, an international expedition to Kandersteg in Switzerland in August 2026 for members aged 14-24, exploring the opportunity to start a Squirrel drey and supporting our young leaders/adults in the 14-24 age range. These focus areas will be our priority through to 2026. |
|
| Section E | Financial Review |
| Quantify and explain any designations Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves |
This is continuously reviewed by the trustees on an annual basis and decisions to return excessive reserves into the current budget to benefit the charities aims will be made. The Group held reserves of approximately £43 400 against this at year end. This is slightly above the level required for operating expenses. However this can be explained by anticipated increases in future training spend required to support transformation and, general trend in higher inflationary rises. 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. The Group Trustee Board considers that the Group should hold a sum approximating 24 months running costs, circa £35 000 to £40 000. |
| No funds are in or close to being in deficit |
5 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Further financial review details
Detail of the income, expenditure and balance sheet is provided as an addendum to this report.
Investment Policy
The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The Group therefore adopts 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.
The Group Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the Group 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 Group Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements.
6 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
| Section F | Other Optional Information |
|---|---|
| Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them) |
|
| In the coming year, the Group is to start planning a group camp for 2025 and will contribute to the planning of an international event for 14-24 taking place in 2026. We will prioritise supporting Group development and growth. We will ensure we have adequately first aid qualified individuals and will deliver transformation to the new structure. We need to grow the number of volunteers in key Group roles and support Sections through the national transformation. We also will increase the number of top awardsgained throughout all sections. |
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) Date Position (eg Secretary, Chair) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D D M M Y Y |
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| D | D | M | M | Y | Y |
7 LT700001 (27 February 2024)
Stretford District Scout Council BALANCE SHEET 2023/24
| BALANCE SHEET 2023/24 | BALANCE SHEET 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS AS AT 01/04/23 Cash in Hand Current Account Scout Investment Account District Network Badge Account Cash Surplus on Year TOTAL |
REG. CHARITY No. 521675 £ ASSETS AS AT 31/03/24 £ 26.58 Cash in Hand 21.83 11006.89 Current Account 11080.95 10000.00 Scout Investment Account 10298.89 657.09 District Network 657.09 361.59 Badge Account Cash 306.90 313.51 Deficit on Year TOTAL £ 22,365.66 £ 22,365.66 |
|
| £ 22,365.66 |
| Badge Account | |||
| £ | |||
| Cash at 01/04/23 | 361.59 | ||
| Expenditure | 4,605.07 | ||
| Donation from Main Account | 200.00 | ||
| Expenses | 0.00 | ||
| Sales | 4,350.38 | ||
| Cash at 31/03/24 | 306.90 | ||
| Stock | |||
| Stock at 01/04/23 | 1,934.97 | ||
| Stock at 31/03/24 | 2,249.67 | ||
| N.B. Stock has no net realisable value as an asset for reporting in Balance Sheet |
| Stretford District Network Scouts | Stretford District Network Scouts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BALANCE SHEET 2023/24 | ||||
| REG. | CHARITY No. 521675 | |||
| ASSETS AS AT 01/04/23 | £ | ASSETS AS AT | 31/03/24 | £ |
| Cash in Hand | 120.94 | Cash in Hand | 120.94 | |
| Current Account | 536.15 | Current Account | 536.15 | |
| Surplus on Year | 0.00 | Deficit on Year | 0.00 | |
| TOTAL | £657.09 | TOTAL | £657.09 |
Stretford District Scout Council BALANCE SHEET 2023/24
| BALANCE SHEET 2023/24 | BALANCE SHEET 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS AS AT 01/04/23 Cash in Hand Current Account Scout Investment Account District Network Badge Account Cash Surplus on Year TOTAL |
REG. CHARITY No. 521675 £ ASSETS AS AT 31/03/24 £ 26.58 Cash in Hand 21.83 11006.89 Current Account 11080.95 10000.00 Scout Investment Account 10298.89 657.09 District Network 657.09 361.59 Badge Account Cash 306.90 313.51 Deficit on Year TOTAL £ 22,365.66 £ 22,365.66 |
|
| £ 22,365.66 |
| Badge Account | |||
| £ | |||
| Cash at 01/04/23 | 361.59 | ||
| Expenditure | 4,605.07 | ||
| Donation from Main Account | 200.00 | ||
| Expenses | 0.00 | ||
| Sales | 4,350.38 | ||
| Cash at 31/03/24 | 306.90 | ||
| Stock | |||
| Stock at 01/04/23 | 1,934.97 | ||
| Stock at 31/03/24 | 2,249.67 | ||
| N.B. Stock has no net realisable value as an asset for reporting in Balance Sheet |
| Stretford District Network Scouts | Stretford District Network Scouts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BALANCE SHEET 2023/24 | ||||
| REG. | CHARITY No. 521675 | |||
| ASSETS AS AT 01/04/23 | £ | ASSETS AS AT | 31/03/24 | £ |
| Cash in Hand | 120.94 | Cash in Hand | 120.94 | |
| Current Account | 536.15 | Current Account | 536.15 | |
| Surplus on Year | 0.00 | Deficit on Year | 0.00 | |
| TOTAL | £657.09 | TOTAL | £657.09 |