CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
Registered Charity No (England & Wales): 522413 Scout
Registration No: 14626
Charity Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity name: City of Newcastle District Scout Council Other names by which known: Newcastle (City) Scouts Previous names: Newcastle Coordinating Committee Great North Scout District Newcastle East Scout District Charity registration number: 522413 (England & Wales) Scout Registration No: 14626 Operational address: c/o Scout House 39 Horsley Avenue Shiremoor NE27 0UG
Independent Examiner: Ms Niki Leach
Trustees: The Trustees who served during the year were as follows:
Dr Peter Avery District Chair Dr Peter Avery District Chair Mrs Kath Tyson District Lead Volunteer Mr Daniel Mercer District Explorer Scout Commissioner Mr Daniel Mercer Mr Andrew Bassett FCA District Treasurer Mr Andrew Bassett FCA District Treasurer Mr Robert (Bob) Tyson District Secretary Mr Robert (Bob) Tyson Ms Victoria (Vix) Wallis District Scout Network Commissioner Ms Victoria (Vix) Wallis Mr James (Jim) McDonald Mr Jonathan Portlock Mr Aidan Byrne Mrs Lorraine Metcalf Mrs Lorraine Metcalf Mr Logan O’Hara Mr Paul Coulson Mr Paul Coulson Mr Benjamin (Ben) Skaife Mr James Hill District Youth Lead Mrs Elinor Barwick Mrs Elinor (Ellie) Barwick
ex-officio to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2027 ex-officio ex-officio to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2027 ex-officio to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2025 ex-officio to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2025 ex-officio to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2025 elected to 22 September 2024 nominated to 22 September 2024 elected to 22 September 2024 nominated to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2027 elected to 22 September 2024 nominated to 22 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2027 elected to 2025 ex officio nominated to 20 September 2024 elected 22 September 2024 to 2025
CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
Structure, Governance and Management
Organisation of the charity
The charity was registered on 3[rd] July 1964 and formally changed its name in October 2011.
The District'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 ('POR') of The Scout Association.
The District 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 District covers the same boundaries as the Newcastle upon Tyne City Council.
The District comprises 21 Groups (2024:21) (separate charities delivering Scouting for Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts in local areas) for which the District Executive has an advisory and support role. The District delivers Scouting through 8 Explorer Scout Units including a Young Leader Unit (for 14 to 18 year olds), a District Scout Network (18-25 year olds) and 3 former Scout Active Support Units (SASU).
The District is managed by the District Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout District which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Trustee Board consists of the District Lead Volunteer and the District Youth Lead (both ex officio), the District Chair and Treasurer and up to 8 elected or co-opted members. Elected members (including the Chair and Treasurer) may be elected for periods of up to 3 years and may serve for a maximum of 9 years. The Trustee Board meets every 2 months.
The Trustee Board is a team of volunteers who work together, as charity Trustees, to make sure Scouts is run safely and legally. At the heart of their role is a focus on strategy, performance and assurance, working to ensure that the District is meeting The Scout Association’s overall aims and strategic goals and is well managed, carrying out its purposes for the public benefit, complying with the charity’s governing document and the law, managing the charity’s resources responsibly. The Trustee Board may appoint any sub teams it considers appropriate to assist with the objects and aims of the charity.
Trustee changes
These are shown in the reference and administrative details of the charity. New Trustees are provided with full support and induction into their role as Executive members on appointment.
CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
Risk Management
The Trustees have identified the major risks to which they believe the District is exposed; these have been reviewed periodically and systems have been established and continue to develop to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
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Damage to buildings, property and equipment. The District would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from Scout Groups within the District. The District has sufficient buildings and equipment insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
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Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through membership fees contributes to the Scout Association's national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Casual helpers are insured directly by the District.
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Reduced income. Whilst the District currently has substantial funds arising from earlier property disposals and is not dependent on current incoming revenues, it also has substantial investment income arising from a property owned by the District. There are sufficient reserves to cover all current projected developments
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The District 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 comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
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The District prepares an annual budget before the commencement of the year to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover at least the following year’s expected requirements.
Our aims and objectives
The objectives of the District are as a unit of the Scout Association.
The purpose of Scouting is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. Scouting uses a Method, which is when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
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enjoy what they are doing and have fun
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take part in activities indoors and outdoors
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learn by doing
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share in spiritual reflection
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take responsibility and make choices
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undertake new and challenging activities
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make and live by their Promise.
Scouting is open to all young people between the ages of 4 and 25 years irrespective of class, ethnic origin, nationality (or statelessness) or race, gender, marital or sexual status, mental or physical ability, political or religious belief.
CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
Ensuring that we achieve our aims
A programme of activities, run by District volunteers, that furthers our purpose and method and compliments those offered by Scout Groups is provided for members of the Association for each of the sections: Squirrels 4-6 years; Beavers 6-8 years; Cubs 8-10½ years; Scouts 10½-14 years; Explorers 14-18 years; and Network 18-25 years. These activities are open to all young members in the District via their Scout Groups/Explorer Units. Some activities are restricted by their nature, in which cases places are taken on a first come, first served basis or by selection. Any selection process adheres to the Scout Association’s diversity policy and will take into account any requirements of the activity. Activities are normally financed by a range of charges, together with fundraising for larger scale activities.
Should a young person not be able to pay 100% of the activity costs this would not be a bar to participation. Detailed reports are in the Annual Report for the District.
Financial Review
After several years of planned excesses of payments over receipts by the use of a District Development Officer [DDO], the District has returned to a positive cash flow with a surplus of receipts over income totalling £28,879 compared with the budgeted deficit of £382,356, which would have been covered by the realisation of investments. The major saving was through the delayed planned development of House on the Hill which it is hoped will, at least, commence in the current year but the expenditure is expected to be partly offset by external fundraising for which a professional fundraiser has been retained. A substantial return of previous payments for the support of the DDO was received from The Scout Association whilst the support for the provision of District wide activities for the younger age groups run by the 21 groups within the District was not incurred although this was partly offset by increased support for the older age groups run at District level. The charity has not previously sort to raise funds and does not charge a subscription to its members at District level. Individual members of District Explorer Scout Units pay subscriptions (as do members of the Groups within the District) to finance their sections’ activities. Subscriptions collected by the District are passed in full to Northumberland County Scouts.
The invested funds – generated largely from property disposals in previous districts – are held pending developments within and for the District in particular with properties but provide some income in the meantime. The District Executive intends to apply substantial funds to property development and improvements within the District to improve facilities for the provision of Scouting.
The District makes grants and provides other assistance to Groups and individuals in need, to assist in achieving the objects of, in particular, personal development.
Reserves Policy
The District has cash reserves but is aware of possible short-term needs arising from the developments referred to. The Treasurer has been delegated to place available cash funds on short/medium term deposits whilst ensuring sufficient liquid funds are maintained to meet the immediate needs of the District when interest rates make this beneficial although no funds are currently available for this purpose..
In addition, the District ‘inherited’ (from a previous District) invested funds totalling £255,000 with a market value at 31 March 2025 of £899,734 (2024: £925,233) which are invested to either protect the capital or provide some income for the future. The invested funds are managed by CCLA (Church, Charity and Local Authority) fund managers.
Future Plans
The budgets for the current (2025-26) year were approved in March showing a deficit of £330,000 including provisional sums for expenditure likely to be incurred in the following 12 months in respect of the development at House on the Hill. Invested funds will be drawn on to fund these outlays as required. The actual outcome will depend on the speed with which any development of House on the Hill is achieved and also whether our tenant is able to continue to reduce the arrears that accumulated during the pandemic lockdowns.
This Trustees’ Report has been approved by the Trustee Board and signed on its behalf by:
Dr Peter John Avery (Chair)
Andrew Graham Bassett (Treasurer)
16 July 2025
Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of City of Newcastle
District Scout Council
I report on the accounts of the Council (Charity Number 522413) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on sub- pages 1 to 3.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Nicola Leach 33 Amberley Gardens Cochrane Park Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7JR
16 July 2025
2024
CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Financial report for the Year to 31 March 2025
Receipts and payments
| Receipts and payments | Receipts and payments | 2024 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Restricted | Unrestricted Restricted | Year (allsections) | ||||||
| Tot | ||||||||
| al | ||||||||
| Funds | ||||||||
| Receipts | £ | £ | ||||||
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||||||||
| Membership subscriptions | 87,159 | 87,159 | 72,737 | |||||
| Less paid to County/TSA | (76,816) | (76,816) | (76,816) | (76,816) (65,414) |
(65,414) | |||
| Net membership subscriptions | 10,343 | 10,343 0 |
10,343 | 10,343 7,323 |
7,323 | |||
| Donations | 2,543 | 4,850 | 7,393 | 4,833 | ||||
| Gift Aid | 1,139 | 1,139 | 1,818 | |||||
| Legacies | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total | 14,025 | 14,025 4,850 |
18,875 | 18,875 13,974 |
13,974 | |||
| Grants | ||||||||
| Newcastle City Council | - | - | - | |||||
| Other grants | 2,000 | 750 | 2,750 | - | ||||
| Sub total | 2,000 | 750 | 2,750 | - | ||||
| Fundraising (gross) | ||||||||
| Badge Sales & Commissions | 770 | 770 | 505 | |||||
| Explorers | - | - | 60 | |||||
| SASU | 56 | 56 | 402 | |||||
| Other fundraising activities | 3,701 | 3,701 | 3,904 | |||||
| Sub total | 4,527 | - | 4,527 | 4,871 | ||||
| Investment income | ||||||||
| Interest Received | 5,352 | 5,352 | 5,487 | |||||
| Property Rent income | 72,590 | 72,590 | 67,679 | |||||
| Sub total | 77,942 | 77,942 - |
77,942 | 73,166 | ||||
| Receipts from Charitable Activities | ||||||||
| District Uniformed: | District Uniformed: Explorers |
33,537 | 33,537 | 32,549 | ||||
| Network | Network 299 |
299 | - | |||||
| SASU | SASU - |
- | - | |||||
| Gang Show | Gang Show 25,232 |
25,232 | 14,604 | |||||
| Section Activities: | Squirrels | - | ||||||
| Beavers | - | - | - | |||||
| Cubs | - | - | - | |||||
| Scouts | - | - | 50 | |||||
| 2/more sections together | - | - | 284 | |||||
| Leader Training (adults) | 711 | 711 | 255 | |||||
| Leader Training (Yls) | - | |||||||
| Loans repaid | 400 | 400 | 5,294 | |||||
| St George's Day & Carol Serv's | - | - | - | |||||
| Sundry | - | - | 1,559 | |||||
| Ford Camp Site | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total | 60,179 | - | 60,179 | 54,595 | ||||
| Total Gross Income | Total Gross Income | 158,673 | 5,600 | 164,273 | 146,606 | |||
| Asset and investment sales, etc. | - | |||||||
| Total receipts | Total receipts | 158,673 | 5,600 | 164,273 | 146,606 |
Page 1 of 3
2024
CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Financial report for the Year to 31 March 2025
| **Unrest ** | **icted ** | Restricted | Total Funds |
Year (all sections) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payments | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Charitable Payments | - | ||||||
| Insurances | 52 | 52 | - | ||||
| District Uniformed: | Explorers | 46,881 | 100 | 46,981 | 38,889 | ||
| Explorers Equip't | 3,179 | 524 | 3,703 | - | |||
| Section Activities: | Squirrels | 350 | 350 | - | |||
| Beavers | 450 | 450 | - | ||||
| Cubs | - | - | - | ||||
| Scouts | - | - | - | ||||
| 2/more | sections together | 2,241 | 2,241 | 1,207 | |||
| Gang Show | 27,684 | 4,750 | 32,434 | 28,457 | |||
| Network | 704 | 704 | 131 | ||||
| SASU | 24 | 24 | - | ||||
| Leader Training (adults) | 3,149 | 3,149 | 1,043 | ||||
| Leader Training (Yls) | 3,474 | 3,474 | 3,199 | ||||
| Property Costs | 13,198 | 13,198 | 9,549 | ||||
| Growth & Development | Officer | (8,423) | (8,423) | 43,151 | |||
| GDO expenditure budget | - | - | 999 | ||||
| Postage, stationery& Administration | 14,590 | 14,590 | 11,033 | ||||
| Digital, & Media (web PR | etc.) | 3,992 | 3,992 | 5,511 | |||
| Travel Expenses | 292 | 292 | - | ||||
| St George's Day & Carol Service | - | - | - | ||||
| AGM and trustee expenses | 1,049 | 1,049 | 1,004 | ||||
| Donations & Gifts | 242 | 242 | 200 | ||||
| Other Grants | 3,774 | 3,774 | 3,846 | ||||
| Travel etc. Grants | 2,714 | 2,714 | 3,200 | ||||
| Loans Advanced | - | - | 5,461 | ||||
| Sundry | 8,937 | 8,937 | 2,809 | ||||
| Hardship Fund | - | - | |||||
| Sub total | 128,553 | 5,374 | 133,927 | 159,689 | |||
| Fundraising expenses | |||||||
| Badges | - | - | 544 | ||||
| Badge rebates | 12 | 12 | 15 | ||||
| Explorers | 747 | 747 | 573 | ||||
| Other District sections | 708 | 708 | 994 | ||||
| 1,467 | - | 1,467 | 2,126 | ||||
| Total Gross Expenditure | 130,020 | 5,374 | 135,394 | 161,815 | |||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 28,653 | 226 | 28,879 | (15,209) | |||
| Transfers between | funds | ||||||
| Invested | - | ||||||
| Cash funds last year end | 71,490 | 12,681 | 84,171 | 99,380 | |||
| Cash funds this period end | 100,143 | 12,907 | 113,050 | 84,171 |
Notes
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Donations and grants from individuals and charitable trusts include (sums in excess of £499): W A Handley CT; Proctor & Gamble; Freemasons of Northumberland; Ted Potts Memorial Fund; Jim Screen Dynorod; R W Mann Trust
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Restricted funds include £12,681 (2021 £12,681) in respect of rent/maintenance deposit in respect of Osborne Road lease. The remaining restricted funds relate to the Newcastle Gang Show.
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No Trustees receive any remuneration. 5 Trustees received expenses in connection with their Scouting roles amounting to £408 (2024-4: £207)
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CITY OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
| 31 March | 2025 | 31/03/2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total funds | ||
| funds | funds | funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cash funds | |||||
| Bank current accounts | 99,790 | 12,907 | 112,697 | 83,757 | |
| Bank Deposits | - | - | - | ||
| Cash/Floats | 353 | - | 353 | 414 | |
| Total cash funds | 100,143 | 12,907 | 113,050 | 84,171 | |
| Other monetary assets | |||||
| Rent & Badge Debtors | 18,686 | - | 18,686 | 37,100 | |
| Debtors for District activites, etc | - | ||||
| Loans to Groups: | 400 | 400 | 800 | ||
| Overpaid training | - | - | |||
| Total other monetary assets | 19,086 | - | 19,086 | 37,900 | |
| Investment assets | |||||
| Investment property - detail | |||||
| Osborne Road (insured value) | 2,566,550 | - | 2,566,550 | 2,479,758 | |
| Quoted investments: | |||||
| COIF Investment Accumulation Units | 557,852 | - | 557,852 | 569,159 | |
| COIF Global Equity Accumulation Units | 119,571 | - | 119,571 | 124,868 | |
| COIF Ethical Investment Income Units | 222,311 | - | 222,311 | 231,206 | |
| Other investments - detail | |||||
| Total investment assets | 3,466,284 | - |
3,466,284 | 3,404,991 | |
| Non monetary assets for charity's | own use | ||||
| Badge stock | 144 | - | 144 | 460 | |
| Land and buildings: | - | ||||
| Silver Lonnen (insured value) | 260,755 | - | 260,755 | 254,893 | |
| Scouting equipment, furniture etc. | 23,559 | - | 23,559 | 23,006 | |
| Other | - | - | |||
| Total non monetary assets | 284,458 | - | 284,458 | 278,359 | |
| Liabilities | |||||
| Accounts not yet paid | 482 | - | 482 | 2,901 | |
| Expenses incurred but not invoiced | 426 | - | 426 | - | |
| Subscriptions due 11 April | 76,610 | - | 76,610 | 69,270 | |
| Loan - detail | - | - | - | - | |
| Other liabilities- accrued costs | - | - | 410 | ||
| Total liabilities | 77,518 | - | 77,518 | 72,581 |
Notes
Contingent liabilities and future obligations
The District has a 99 year lease on the premises at House on the Hill from 5 August 2021 with an option to terminate on 5 August 2031. There is therefore a contingent liability of £8,419.
There is a contingent liability in respect of the premises at Foundry Lane (Gang Show) being a period of 6 months from the date of notice. Assuming these accounts are accepted by the end of June, there is a contingent liability equivalent to 9 months rent at 31 March 2025 amounting to £3,360.
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 16 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Peter Avery , Chair
Andrew Bassett , Treasurer
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