Scouts
5th Urniston (Aquilrfer)
ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
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## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT - 1[ST] APRIL 2021 TO 31[ST] MARCH 2022**
Charity Name: 5[th] Urmston (Aquilifer) Scout Group Address: The Lighthouse Eeasbrook Urmston Manchester M41 9JA Registered Charity Number: 521691 HQ registration Number: 18054
Names of the Trustees who manage the charity
**Trustee Name Office** Christine Winterbottom Group Scout Leader Tom Pickles Chair Rachel Ellis Secretary Zoe Bond Treasurer Margaret Marshall Group Administrator Jane Wilson Member Chris O’Neill Member Bob Wilson Member
Names of Holding Trustees, who hold the land and property in trust
John Irlam John Ironmonger David Till Christine Winterbottom
## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The Group's governing documents are those of 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.
The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee, 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 Committee consists of three independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders (if opted to take on the responsibility) and parent representation and meets every month.
This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
- The maintenance of Group property;
- The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
- The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
- Group public occasions;
- Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
- Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
- Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
## **Risk and Internal Control**
The group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include two signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **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.
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.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Chair’s Report**
I would like to begin by sending everybody involved in Scouting at 5[th] Urmston all of our very best wishes - as well as extending, on behalf of the Executive Committee (The Exec), our thanks for ALL of you who have been involved Scouting at 5[th] Urmston during the past year.
It’s wonderful to see us being back to ‘business as usual’, with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers all enjoying their time down at 5[th] Urmston. Of course, COVID hasn’t gone away so it’s important to continue to follow whatever rules apply at the time. Nonetheless, it’s a relief to be as close to our pre-pandemic world as possible.
As this is my final Chair’s Report, I’d like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to EVERYONE who contributes, to the ongoing success of 5[th] Urmston; leaders, children, parents, helpers, the list really is endless…
It really is important for everyone to know that, whilst sometimes unseen, all help is hugely appreciated and definitely never taken for granted.
Whilst I’m stepping down as Chair, I won’t be far away and look forward to catching up with you around Urmston every now and then.
Once again, thank you for your continued support.
## **Tom Pickles, Group Chair**
**Treasurer’s Report**
Our year end accounts show an overall loss of £2.755.
## Income
Overall Group income for the year is lower than last year, however last year included a £10k Covid 19 grant received from Trafford Council. Section income has increased this year as the Group opened up after restrictions. Total income for the year was £34k.
## Expenditure
Group expenses have increased this year compared to last year. This was driven by the increase in maintenance cost and section activities. However, maintenance/activates were reduced due to Covid 19 restrictions last year. Total expenditure was £37k
Thank you to all that have supported the group despite the challenges of the past couple of years.
We will continue to review out Gift Aid documents this year. If you have not already signed a Gift Aid form, or if your form is out of date, we may request that you sign a new one. Gift Aid allows us to claim an extra 25% of your donations/subscriptions from the government at no extra cost to you (we can even claim back for prior years).
Thanks to all who regularly donate as part of the monthly donation scheme. These extra funds help improve and maintain our facilities. If you would like to donate (any amount is welcome), please ask myself or any of our Leaders for our deposit account details. It is easy to set up a regular standing order and we would be very grateful - remember the Gift Aid form means we receive even more.
The audited accounts are attached as an appendix to this report.
## **Zoe Bond, Group Treasurer**
**Group Scout Leader’s Report**
This will be my last report as Group Scout Leader as I am standing down from this role at the end of September. I am very pleased to report that Gary Armstrong has agreed to take it on, I know he will do a great job! He has been associated with the group ever since he joined as cub scout. He moved through all the sections and was my assistant at Remus Cubs for many years. The group will also benefit from his experience as an Assistant District Commissioner and his involvement in a local Cricket Club.
I am delighted that we have managed to get all the sections meetings up and running again this year after the COVID restrictions were lifted. You will see from the individual section reports that they have been very busy indeed, it has been fantastic to have everyone back together - enjoying the wonderful facilities that we are so lucky to have. I have really enjoyed seeing, and hearing about, everything that all the section members have been doing.
This year we welcomed Rachel Ellis to our Executive Committee as Group Secretary, she is a superb addition to the team and is doing a great job keeping us organised.
During the year we lost Carroll O’Neill from the committee. She has been involved in the Group for many years. A big thank you to Carroll for all the service she has given to the group.
I am also sad to report that Tom Pickles – our Group Chair – has told us that he will be stepping down before the AGM. Tom has been a fantastic Chair and we will miss him at our meetings. I am pleased that he is not cutting his ties with the group completely – we will still have his help in the background.
The members of the Service Crew, as always, have done a fantastic job at keeping the grounds looking beautiful all year. Thank you all, for all your hard work. My thanks to Connor O’Neill, who - despite his many other roles within scouting - has continued with his commitment to the Crew and has been very good at keeping me up to speed with the many things that have happened in the last 12 months.
I have to say a particular thank you to Liz Armstrong. I am so grateful to her for taking on Remus Pack as well as continuing to run Romulus. I don’t know how she has coped - she is amazing! But this was only ever intended to be temporary. We really need to find someone to take on the leader role for Remus, if anyone would like to know more about what this involves please contact Gary or myself. In the meantime, we would be grateful for any extra help for her – if you can help, even in a small way, please let us know.
I must also give my thanks to Margaret Marshall, she has been a constant on the committee since I took on the role of GSL and has helped me enormously. She has been (amongst many other things) our go to person for ensuring that all the regular servicing gets done (fire extinguishers, lift, central heating, tree surveys to name but a few). She also oversaw the emptying of the cess pit – not a pleasant job and one which I’m sure we can spare her from next time!
Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the leaders, committee and members of the service crew for all that they do for the group. I wish I had the space to thank them all individually. They truly are an exceptional team. I am proud to have worked alongside them. We are very lucky to have such dedicated volunteers.
## **Tina Winterbottom, Group Scout Leader**
It is with great sadness that we record the deaths of four of our Group during 2021-22:
## **Roy Martin**
‘Uncle Roy’ has an impressive scouting record having been awarded his 50 years’ service award on 24[th] January 2019. He began his scouting life as a member of 1[st] Davyhulme Scout Group in around 1943. He took on his first leadership role at 1[st] Davyhulme in 1954, later moving to 2[nd] Davyhulme as scout leader. Throughout the rest of his life he remained a supporter of both groups and always attended their AGM’s to ensure he kept up with their progress.
He was never one to shy away from taking on responsibility and became part of the District Team. He took on the role of Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts on 29[th] July 1979. He excelled in this role and later took on the role of Assistant District Commissioner for Training, helping to shape the district’s future. Along with this District role he became part of the County Training Team. He took the role of Group Scout Leader at 5[th] Urmston in 1992 and steered us through some difficult times. Following this he joined our Service Crew.
Roy had the ability to talk to anyone and engage with them. He was not shy in telling you what he thought but had that knack of saying it in such a way that you didn’t take offence. Many of us will have felt his vice like arm grip that preceded such encounters!
He was awarded his Silver Acorn on 23[rd] April 2017, presented to him at the St. George’s Day Parade. In the citation for that award, written by our District Commissioner, Roy was described as the best District Commissioner Urmston had never had.
We will miss him.
## **John Rees (Taff)**
Taff became involved in 5[th] Urmston when his son Michael joined the Group as a Cub back in 1966. (His grandchildren William, Elizabeth and Thomas were also all members of the Group.) During his long association with us he held many roles including Group Scout Leader, Treasurer and Secretary. Following these roles he became a member of the service crew – which he continued for as long as he could. Even when his mobility prevented his regular attendance at crew he still attended as many group occasions as he could – arriving on his mobility scooter.
Taff had a love of camping and the great outdoors which he shared with us at many of our camps. At one of our Kids and Keepers Camps, in 2004, he joined in with the climbing activity at the age of 72 - despite having his best shoes on! He was in demand on raft building activities due to his knowledge of knots. He was also popular with the catering teams – he always arrived with his knife sharpening tools and made sure that all the blades were as sharp as they could be.
Taff was often found behind the scenes cooking barbecues and lamb roasts at many events. He invented a bicycle pedal powered spit roaster to ensure the even roasting of the lambs and would sit for hours pedalling to keep the spit turning. (This was later modified to use an electric motor).
He was awarded the Medal of Merit, the Bar to the Medal of Merit and The Chief Scout’s 40 Years’ Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service to Scouting – all well-deserved awards.
We will miss him.
## **Jonathan Platt**
Jonathan was a lifelong member of 5[th] Urmston having joined as a Cub Scout at 8 years old. Not only did he move up through every section of the Group – but he also went on to be leader in every section and a member of the Executive Committee during his Scouting career.
Along with the positions he held in our Group, he has been a District Training Advisor, Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts, a member of the County Scout Council Executive and a member of the Scout Active Support. He became District Commissioner for Urmston in 2009 and following this term he took on the role of District Chair. Even during his time in these District and County roles, he was always a part of the 5[th] Urmston family - we relied on him for advice and were proud to have his friendship.
His dedication to the movement has been outstanding and so it was fitting and well-deserved that he was awarded the Silver Acorn in 2017 – one of the highest awards in Scouting.
He helped lead the Greater Manchester West Scout County Expedition to Malawi in 2018. The aim of the expedition was to provide a water supply to a local village and to plant an orchard for them. The expedition was a great success and helped to provide a sustainable future for the village. The elders of the village have named the Orchard in honour of Jonathan which will now forever be called “Platt’s Field”.
We will miss him.
## **Susan Owen**
Sue joined us as an assistant leader at Willow Beavers in 2008 and very quickly became part of our 5U family. In 2010 she moved to Remus Cub Pack where she was known very appropriately as Raksha (Mother Wolf) until she became Akela in 2017.
She also joined the group Executive Committee and, as if she hadn’t taken on enough, she was soon involved in helping the District Cubs with organising competitions – becoming a District Cub Scout Leader, alongside her role in our Group, in 2017.
Sue always went the extra mile to make sure that all her cubs got the most of scouting. Many of the parents have told me how grateful they were to her for all that she did to make sure that their child was included in everything, how well she knew them, and how good she was at praising them when they had achieved something that was difficult for them.
In everything that Sue took part in she was always involved from start to finish, from planning to cleaning up. At all our events, before we had chance to even think about it, Sue would be in the kitchen getting on with the washing up. We could never beat her to it and once she was installed at the sink it was very difficult to stop her!
She was awarded the Medal of Merit at our AGM in 2021 for her outstanding service to Scouting – this was much deserved.
We will miss her.
**Beaver Colonies**
After a long break due to COVID we were all very excited to start running beavers again. we took over from Alison (Shanto) who’d been doing the amazing job of running both colonies for many years.
We have worked on a range of challenge badges this year focussing on the World badge for the first term. Each colony spoke with someone who served our community. Thank you to Bethan Evans and Karen Greatrex, the kids really enjoyed talking to you about your roles as a doctor and nurse. Thanks for answering all of their questions! The beavers then focussed on their own emergency aid learning how to make 999 calls and which emergency services might be needed as well as how to bandage and put someone in the recovery position (we remember how to do this using: I need some help, I have tooth ache and I need a wee!).
It was a shame that the carol service was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. Both colonies had worked hard to prepare their performances, choosing the poems as colonies. However, we had a lot of fun with our Christmas activities of biscuit decorating and mini Christmas tree making.
In January, we started to focus on our Cook badge as we’d normally have had a cooking competition to attend. Although this was again cancelled due to COVID, the beavers did a fantastic job making Eton mess, macaroni cheese and peppermint creams. Everyone was very sensible with the gas stoves and sharp kitchen knives using the kitchen safety that we’d practiced at the start of the year. We’ve also tested their teamworking and problem-solving skills with puzzles, games and a lighthouse building competition.
The beavers chose their own activity badges ready for the summer term. Willow voted for the Experiment badge and Aspen, the Air Activity badge. They’ve also voted to name the cuddly toy beavers (made by Alison) that are taken home by someone each week: Brownie (Mondays) and Bobby (Thursdays).
We’d like to thank all of our leaders and young leaders for their help, time and enthusiasm. We really wouldn’t be able to do this without you. Special thanks also go to Alison Evans for all of your help and guidance. Your amazing meeting plans and resources have been wonderful and really helped us to get into the swing of things.
We’d also like to thank all of the parents for their support, especially those who volunteer to help with meetings, and our amazing beaver scouts who make all of this effort so worthwhile. We are really looking forward to doing it all next year.
## **Rachel Winterbottom (Wendy), Aspen Colony Tina Winterbottom (Rikki), Willow Colony**
**Cub Packs**
2021-2022, a year of very mixed emotions for sure.
Outside face-to-face meetings started again in April 2021 – such fantastic news for all. Some old faces, lots of new faces and bundles of energy to get back into things properly. While the weather was still cool, we met around the campfire – it made for a cosy, intimate setting and it was just perfect being together again in our beautiful grounds.
So much to catch up on and for some, only a year to complete their badgework so the leaders met to make a plan.
Highlights of our programme included:
**Disability awareness** : the cubs spent a few weeks looking at how different disabilities affect people and what they can do to help. They learned a song in Makaton. They had a go at reading braille. They painted pictures with their toes and they followed a blind trail. Certainly, very eye opening.
**Naturalist badge** : 4 walks down Urmston meadows over a period of 3 months to learn about the country code and how to identify trees and flowers and to look at how the surroundings change with time.
**Knotting and catapults** : Lessons on how to tie knots and lashings and then, in teams, building a catapult to see how far we can launch a bean bag. Let’s just say the cub scouts could probably jump further than their catapults can launch
**Skills Nights** : We’ve had a few of these, where the cubs step up to the plate and lead a meeting, teaching other cubs a skill that they have. I love these sessions – it’s brilliant to hear them explain so enthusiastically to others about something they can do and are passionate about. We had some fantastic topics including bicycle maintenance, cooking, skateboarding, computer game programming, cartoon drawing, sports skills and many more.,
**DIY badge** : Possibly never to be repeated. We learned about different tools: how to use them and safety. With our skills we made 2 items – a key storage frame and a bird feeding house. Huge thanks to Phil who organised 50 kits for the bird houses and to Skip and Woody for helping out at cubs the weeks we were cutting picture frames. Although it was hard work, I believe there was a huge amount of satisfaction with the outcome.
**Communicator badge** : Over a few weeks we looked at sending messages via email, text message, WhatsApp etc. We took down phone messages, learning about the importance of detail and we tested ability to remember a simple phrase after 10 minutes. Based on the messages I read it’s amazing how many parties I go to dressed as a banana!??
**Scientist Badge** : We built electrical circuits, investigated how to prove that hot air rises, grew cress and looked at the effects on our plants if they went without water and / or light and made balloon rockets and investigated the impact of different materials on them. Great fun.
**Other activities** included fire lighting, backwoods cooking, nature models, bug hotels, shelter building, healthy eating, printing book covers, Christmas decorations, religious festivals, planting sunflowers
Then came the bitter blows – the sudden lives lost of 2 of our cub leaders – Jonathan (Chil) Platt and Susan (Akela) Owen. Me personally, I lost 2 very special friends who I’ve shared scouting with since I started in the group as a venture scout at 16. This was, and still is, a massive blow to the group and especially the cub section. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the kind messages and offers of support shown during a truly awful time.
Jonathan and Susan were both very dedicated scouters and positively touched many lives during their service. I will be forever grateful for the support they both offered me over the years and I do, and will continue to, miss them both terribly.
My thanks go to all the other cub leaders (Connor, Debbie and Issy), student leaders (Victoria and Maegan) and young leaders (Freya, Sadie and Ben) for their help and support each week, and to other leaders in the group for helping out when we have been short handed.
## **Liz Armstrong, Akela**
## **Scout Troop**
We had another strange year that made Scouting a bit more challenging than usual but easier than the year before!
Masks was the theme at the start of the year, but we got through it! We still managed to do lots of Scouting activities and progress through the program to push all our Scouts to gain their Chief Scouts gold awards.
We entered the first competition for 2 years which was the County Camping and Backwoods Cooking competition, which was an enormous success with a 1[st] place finish!
Remembrance parade was back, and we had an exceptionally good turnout. We also got to personally meet the local Police and Ambulance service as two of our Scouts felt a little ill at the service.
We also entered the County Football Competition and again a 1[st] place finish!
We did a local area litter pick and collected over 20 bin bags of rubbish, unsurprisingly masks being the most common item found discarded.
We had our Christmas party at Lazer Quest which was enjoyed by all. Even the leaders got a bit competitive!
The New Year came around and we decided a few nights away were in order, so we booked Ashworth Valleys indoor accommodation and did a Winter camp with some fun activities and Scouting skills mixed in.
The Lord Derby Competition returned in the Spring, and this is a test of Teamwork, Team Spirit, Leadership and Scouting Knowledge gaining 1[st] place again! This helped show that as a leadership team we have the right scouting program in place within our Troop.
We have gained two new leaders this year, Dan Easdon, after a few years away returned to 5[th] Urmston to become Assistant Scout leader. I am so grateful to have Dan back as he brings new energy and ideas to the leadership team. Also, James Cooke, who after both his girls joined Scouts decided he wanted to join too as a leader!
As ever, I am always proud and grateful of the troop leadership team which includes Fran, Dib Dob, Phil, Jackie, and Ivan. Thank you, you are amazing! Without these people volunteering their time we could not give young people the experiences which Scouting has to offer.
## **If anyone wishes to give volunteering a go, please contact us at Scouts@5thurmstonscouts.com**
On a final note, two of our Scouts, Emma Counsel and Owen Hodgett, after interviews and selection days, were selected to go to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea in 2023!
## BRAVO!
## WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
**Mike Ellis, Scout Leader**
**Explorer Unit**
_“Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance his wisdom can provide.”_
## _**William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act 3, Scene 6**_
Words, 400 years old, which held an uncomfortable resonance for so many over the period in which I now consider as I write this report. The report for the year 2020-2021 can simply be summarised in an ominous way with the phrase “Nothing to report” as we were prevented from meeting by the pandemic and lockdowns. Looking to 2021-2022, when restrictions were lifted, to varying degrees, we returned to a new system of keeping distance; wearing masks; routine hand sanitisation and a far greater awareness of the fragility of our ability to deliver a programme to engage and inspire our Young People. A significant positive for the Unit came about during our restricted return as we gained a strong addition to the Leadership Team: Luke Monaghan. From his own experience through Scouting as a youth member, to his enthusiasm and experience with an array of sporting activities, Luke has brought in a new dynamic energy which has helped to keep us motivated and looking for new ways to provide the Explorer Scout Experience each week.
Axe Throwing
Even with restrictions on how we were able to operate, and a seemingly endless list of requirements for documented processes, it is a testament to the skills on hand across the whole Group’s Leader cadre that we were able to provide so much of a “Scouting Programme” for the Explorers and the other sections. Notably, after operating a ‘Lateral Flow Processing Line’, we were able to return to Langton in the Lake District for our “Not Coniston” activity weekend with a number of the Explorers alongside a selected few older Scout Troop members. We have also had Unit members applying to,
and being selected for, the Greater Manchester West contingent who will be heading to South Korea for the World Scout Jamboree in 2023.
Amongst this though is one of the proudest moments I have experienced with Aquilifer Explorer Scout Unit:, when we collectively cycled (on exercise bikes) the length of the SUSTRANS Lands’ End to John O’Groats cycle route **1,200 miles** , in a staggeringly impressive **28 hours and 15 minutes** ! Having had to postpone the challenge attempt (%-you Covid!), and overcoming the challenge of finding a sufficient quantity of suitable bikes (huge thanks to all the parents and supporters across the Group who helped us with this!); the Explorers really came out in force and found a common purpose in obliterating our targets on this fundraising challenge.
Ultimately my biggest debt of gratitude is to the Explorers themselves. The Explorer Scout Unit is made by what you desire, and the programme driven through your imagination. Thank you all for bringing your enthusiasm and energy to the meetings, attending regularly throughout the year is no mean feat when so many demands are placed upon your time between home, school, work and other extra-curriculars.
As always, I’ll close with a toast and plea: “The adventures awaiting, the challenges we’ll overcome, and the memories to be made for recall as campfire tales for years into the future!” Because we will share stories over a fire, laughing about the mishaps, and wondering how close to insanity we were thinking that “ _that_ ” would be a good idea! If you too, dear reader, happen to have a couple of hours spare (not necessarily every single week) and would care to offer any assistance to help keep the Unit running well, either actively or on an administrative level, please do feel free to get in touch, try it out for a while and see if it would be something you want to continue volunteering with!
**Matt Woodhams, District Explorer Scout Leader Alex Marsden, District Assistant Explorer Scout Leader Luke Monaghan, District Assistant Explorer Scout Leader**
**Service Crew**
Since our last report, the Service Crew are pleased to say that despite COVID-19 still being ever present (in fact, at the time of wiring, one of our members is self-isolating) we have manged to resume maintenance activities on Monday evenings and Thursday daytimes to the point where we can almost say it’s business as usual!
We are now regularly seeing 7 or 8 service crew members on a Monday evening and are pleased to report for the second year running that we have swelled our numbers with a further 2 crew members who are regularly putting time in on a Monday evening. We have also seen a new member joining the ranks of the retired crew who meet on a Thursday. This puts the total number of service crew members at 10 for the first time in several years and has brought the average age of service crew members down even further than last year! We are, however, always on the lookout for additional help and it would be useful to be able to call on willing parents from time to time for specific jobs. If you feel you might be able to help, please email chris-oneill@outlook.com to get in touch.
During the year we were sad to see the death of Roy Martin who has been involved with the group and the service crew particularly in recent years. and we will miss his helpful advice telling us “You don’t want to be doing it like that!”. We were also saddened to see the death of John Rees who was also a long-time member of the group and service crew for many years. Both Roy and John will be sadly missed by all of us.
## **Camping Site**
We reported the effects of climate change in last year’s report and have seen further issues in the last 12 months with significant rainfall again causing flooding on the fields and water damage to buildings and equipment on the grounds (toilet block, range and outside workshops and stores). The service crew have worked hard to repair and restore the damage caused and to clear the mud and slurry that the floods brought into the buildings. The service crew are currently looking at flood defence options to prevent re-occurrence of flood waters getting into buildings. Routine grass cutting and tree management has continued this year and we have seen several trees on site that have needed additional expert skills of a local team of tree surgeons to support us in managing.
## **Headquarters**
Since the last report, the group has needed to spend a significant amount of money on the security shutters the cover the building. The shutters have needed on-going repairs almost since the building was opened and the large shutters in the main room have seen extensive re-building and repair works which will now hopefully stand the test of time but have come at a cost. Over the latter part of the
winter (February 2022) we have needed to replace the decking at the far end of the HQ; an exercise that was completed over several weeks, as the wooden planking that was originally in place had become rotten and dangerous. There are several handrails that need to be attended to but this is work that will take place towards the end of 2022 along with the replacement of the fence running down the side of the path outside the HQ. Work has now started to repair the main entry ramp and steps to the HQ as there is significant corrosion in the sub frame. It is expected that this task will take some months to complete and will also be an expensive job.
## **Equipment**
Our working equipment has continued to receive tender loving care, which has included maintenance of mowers and repairs following use and the flood damage referred to above. The mowers, tractors and dumper are all regarded by the crew as ‘workhorses’ and are key to the work that takes place on the site, so it is important to keep these in good working order.
## **Members**
Connor O’Neill Chris O’Neill Brian Timms David Porter John Thatcher James Cooke Luch Visentin Jack Rimmer* Mark Counsell* John Milligan*
*Our new members
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
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 6 months running costs, circa £24,000.
The Group held reserves of approximately £90,000 against this at year end, £80,000 of which is unrestricted. This is in line with accepted standards for operating expenses to cover unforeseen circumstances.
## **Investment Policy**
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies.
## **DECLARATION**
The trustees declare that they have approved the report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees,
Rachel Ellis Secretary
Christine Winterbottom Group Scout Leader
## **5TH URMSTON (AQUILIFER) SCOUT GROUP**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022**
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|Independent Examiners Report|2|
|Statement of Income and Expenditure|3|
|Balance Sheet|4|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|5 - 6|
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of 5[th] Urmston (Aquilifer) Scout Group**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 5[th] Urmston Scout Group for the year ended 31[st] March 2021.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the 5[th] Urmston Scout Group 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 5[th] Urmston Scout Group 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 examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the 5[th] Urmston Scout Group as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do 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.
Signed:
Name:
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any):
Address:
Date:
## **5TH URMSTON (AQUILIFER) SCOUT GROUP STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
|**20**|**20/2021**|**GROUP INCOME**
Rent
Donations & Grants
Membership Fees
Interest Received
Fundraising
Gift Aid Tax & Interest
Sale of Group T-Shirts
Trafford MBC Covid Grant
**SECTION INCOME**
Subscriptions (after Membership Fees)
Fundraising
Section Activities
**TOTAL INCOME FOR THE YEAR**
**EXPENDITURE**
Insurance
Water
Electricity
Gas
Telephone/Broadband/Computer
Maintenance: HQ, Land & Equipment
Capitation Fees
Badges and Regalia
Postage, Printing and Stationery
Training Fees
Legal & Professional Fees
Bank Charges
Section Equipment
Section Activities
Sundries
Cost of T-Shirts Sold
Defibrillator
Memorial
Building Depreciation
Equipment Depreciation
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR**
**NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR**|**20**|**21/2022**|**2021/**|**2022**
**2021/**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**£**
8,006.68
1,469.10
6,700.00
2.50
-
3,000.00
-
-
10,000.00|**Total**
**£**
29,178.28
11,182.00||**Restri**
**£**
1,292.00
2,000.00|**cted Funds**
**£**
3,292.00
-|**Unrestrict**
**£**
7,933.3
932.9
6,350.0
1.3
200.0
-
205.0
3,000.0
-|**ed Funds**
**To**
**£**
**£**
7,933.29
2,224.91
6,350.00
1.28
200.00
2,000.00
205.00
3,000.00
18,622.48
10,076.50
52.50
2,440.06
12,569.06
31,191.54
4,705.65
703.46
46.84
1,113.44
557.24
5,765.07
7,001.25
390.35
72.01
430.00
-
263.85
125.17
4,368.93
-
134.42
1,300.00
136.98
7,401.28
2,723.26
37,239.21
**6,047.67**
**-**
**£**|**tal**
**£**
21,914.48
12,569.06|
|11,182.00
-
0.00|||||10,076.50
52.50
2,440.06|||
|4,801.99
527.12
1,023.90
542.68
496.78
2,779.23
7,518.00
122.00
-
-
390.80
362.85
348.88
275.44
68.00
55.66
-
-
7,401.28
2,373.58|||||4,705.65
703.46
46.84
1,113.44
557.24
5,765.07
7,001.25
390.35
72.01
430.00
-
263.85
125.17
4,368.93
-
134.42
1,300.00
136.98
7,401.28
2,723.26
**£**|||
||40,360.28
29,088.19|||3,292.00
-|||34,483.54
37,239.21|
|**£**|||**£**|||||
||**11,272.09**|||**3,292.00**|||**2,755.67**
**-**|
## **5TH URMSTON (AQUILIFER) SCOUT GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2021**
|**2020/2021**||**FIXED ASSETS**
LAND - at valuation
BUILDINGS - at WDV
EQUIPMENT - at WDV
**CURRENT ASSETS**
STOCK OF T-SHIRTS
CASH AT BANK
CASH IN HAND
PREPAYMENTS & ACCRUED INCOME
**Less: CURRENT LIABILITIES**
ACCRUALS & DEFERRED INCOME
**NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)**
**REPRESENTED BY:**
CAPITAL ACCOUNT - Balance b/fwd
- Net Income/(Expenditure) for the Year
- Balance c/fwd
REVALUATION RESERVE|**NOTE**||**2021/2022**|**Total**
**£**
347,148.43
503.36
90,353.55
11.14
20,840.69
111,708.74
11,570.44
11,570.44
100,138.28
447,286.71
386,686.71
60,600.00
447,286.71
0.00
‐|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**£**
64,500.00
283,214.76
5,067.81|**£**
352,782.57
97,259.81||2
3
4
5
6
7|**Restricted**
-
9,716.36
-
-|**Unrestricted**
**£**
64,500.00
275,813.48
6,834.95||
|637.78
88,971.90
1,062.06
17,392.30|||||503.36
80,637.19
11.14
20,840.69||
|108,064.04||||9,716.36|101,992.38||
|10,804.22|||||11,570.44||
|10,804.22||||-|11,570.44||
|378,170.30
11,272.09|||||389,442.38
2,755.67
-||
||450,042.38||||||
||389,442.38
60,600.00||||||
||||||||
||450,042.38||||||
||||||||
Approved by the executive committee on 2022
______________________________________________________Group Scout Leader - C Winterbottom
______________________________________________________Secretary - R Ellis
**5TH URMSTON (AQUILIFER) SCOUT GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## 1 **ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## a) Basis of Accounting
These accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention (modified to include the revaluation of investments) in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting by Charities".
b) Provision for depreciation of fixed assets held for use by the charity is made at annual rates calculated to spread the cost (less anticipated residual disposal value) of each asset evenly over its expected useful life.
The depreciation rates currently in use are at the following rates on the straight line method:
Buildings 2% - 5% Equipment 20%
## 2 **LAND**
The land was revalued as at 31st March 1997 by Peter F Cunliffe & Co, at a market value of £64500.00
The land is stated at this value in the Balance Sheet and the surplus of valuation over cost is shown in the revaluation reserve
|3
4|**BUILDINGS**
Valuation/ Cost B/fwd
Additions
Valuation/Cost C/fwd
Accumulated Depreciation B/fwd
Charge for the Year
Accumulated Depreciation C/fwd
Net Book Value at 31st March 2022
Net Book Value at 31st March 2021
**EQUIPMENT**
Valuation/Cost B/fwd
Additions
Disposal
Valuation/Cost C/fwd
Accumulated Depreciation B/fwd
Charge for the Year
Disposal
Accumulated Depreciation C/fwd
Net Book Value at 31st March 2022
Net Book Value at 31st March 2021|**2021/2022**
**2020/2021**|
|---|---|---|
|||**£**
**£**
358,030.36
358,030.36|
|||**358,030.36**
**358,030.36**|
|||74,815.60
67,414.32
7,401.28
7,401.28|
|||**82,216.88**
**74,815.60**|
||||
|||**275,813.48**
**283,214.76**|
||||
|||**283,214.76**
**290,616.04**|
|||**2021/2022**
**2020/2021**|
|||**£**
**£**
33,119.19
33,119.19
4,490.40
0.00|
|||**37,609.59**
**33,119.19**|
|||28,051.37
25,677.79
2,723.26
2,373.58
0.00
0.00|
|||**30,774.64**
**28,051.37**|
||||
|||**6,834.95**
**5,067.82**|
||||
|||**5,067.82**
**7,441.40**|
**5TH URMSTON (AQUILIFER) SCOUT GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS cont. FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
|5
6
7
Monies owed to section leaders at year end|**CASH AT BANK**
**restricted**
**unrestricted**
**£**
**£**
DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
Group Balances
-
12,771.02
-
12,771.02
CURRENT ACCOUNT
Capital Fund
9,306.36
-
Totem Pole
-
Climbing Wall
-
In Memory
410.00
Section Balances
-
19,526.81
Group Balances
48,339.36
9,716.36
67,866.17
**9,716.36**
**80,637.19**
**PREPAYMENTS & ACCRUED INCOME**
Prepayments are expenses paid for up to a date later than the date of the accounts.
Insurance
Section Activities
Gift Aid
Rent
Maintenance
**ACCRUED EXPENSES & DEFERRED INCOME**
Deferred income relates to income received in
advance.
Section Activities
Completion costs of building
**2021/2022**|**2021/2022**|**2020/2021**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**restricted**
**unrestricted**
**£**
**£**
-
12,771.02|**restricted**
**unrestricted**
**£**
**£**
-
11,477.74|
|||-
12,771.02|-
11,477.74|
|||9,306.36
-
-
-
410.00
-
19,526.81
48,339.36|9,306.36
-
580.82
8,000.00
-
49,826.62
9,780.36|
|||9,716.36
67,866.17|17,887.18
59,606.98|
|||||
|||**9,716.36**
**80,637.19**|**17,887.18**
**71,084.72**|
||||**2021/2022**
**2020/2021**|
||||4,499.69
4,398.68
194.94
194.94
14,000.00
12,000.00
2,256.00
798.68
-
-|
||||**20,950.63**
**17,392.30**|
||||**2021/2022**
**2020/2021**|
||||1,433.04
1,433.04
9,371.18
9,371.18|
||||**10,804.22**
**10,804.22**|