WALSALL (UNIT 346) OF THE SEA CADET CORPS
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
Classified: RMG – Internal
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 522744
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Contents Page No
Report of the Trustees 2
Legal and Administrative Information 9
Acknowledgements 11
Statement of accounts 12
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Classified: RMG – Internal
Classified.. RMG - Intemal
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF WALSALL SEA CADETS (UNIT 346) OF THE SEA CADET CORPS
The Charity Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2020. The financial statements comply with both the Charity’s Constitution and the Charities Act 2011.
Aim of the Sea Cadet Corps
The aim of the Sea Cadets Corps is to give young people the best possible head start in life, through nautical adventure and fun, based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. Our aim is to develop young people and support them towards responsible adulthood.
Charitable Purpose
The charitable purpose of the Unit is to promote the development of young people in achieving their physical, intellectual, and social potential as individuals and as responsible citizens. This is achieved by the provision of education and leisure time activities using a nautical theme, based on the traditions of the Royal Navy and in accordance with the principles, ethos, and practices of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC).
In furtherance of the Purpose, the Unit offers young people a structured environment in which to develop; provides access to education and training including sailing, rowing, windsurfing, paddle sports, power boating, seamanship, navigation, marine engineering, cooking, music, first aid, drill, piping, and public services; it provides opportunities for young people to obtain a range of qualifications and a wide range of opportunities for community involvement.
Public Benefit
The trustees continue to give regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit ‘Charities and Public Benefit’ provided by the Unit in relation to the charitable purpose of the Sea Cadets movement as set out in the activities and achievements as outlined in this report.
To achieve its aim the Unit encourages recruitment of young people from all backgrounds and abilities including where possible, and within the realms of Health and Safety, those with disabilities and develops their skills and abilities by:
- Regular structured activities with a nautical theme
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Enabling young people to take part in activities connected with the wider Sea Cadet Corps
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Movement such as waterborne activities, events and competitions at district, area, and national levels
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Availability of formal achievements whilst completing courses to earn badges and promotions
Organisational Achievements and Performance
Trustees Report – Chairman’s Report Mr P Perry
Thank you all for attending the 2022 Annual General Meeting here at Walsall Sea Cadets I aim to give you an insight into our achievements during the year from April 2021 to March 2022 and our vision for the next year ahead
The year started with a change in not only command of the unit but also a change in all the key roles on the staff side PO Lawes was given the challenge of getting the unit reopened and back to face to face parading as soon as possible She and the adult volunteers rose to the challenge and the unit was back to face parading within a month of her taking up post
During the year we have welcomed several new adult instructors into the unit CI C Bates CI P Lunn CI J Edwards PO E McDonald PO C James Sgt M James and Sgt J Riches We also said goodbye to several adult instructors in Sgt M Edge Sgt A Foulkes and PO J Hodgetts and CI S Ellison the trustees would like to thank them for all their efforts whilst part of Walsall Sea Cadets
Also, during the year, the unit management committee saw 2 trustee’s leave as Mr. P Farmer and Mr. D Wyatt both decided to step down and we take this opportunity to thank them for their work whilst on the UMT Joining us as trustee’s during the year where Mr. K Badhan and Miss A Dodsworth
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The unit reopened in April 2021 in a good financial position having taken every opportunity to obtain government lockdown grants the previous year This helped us fund equipment to help us be covid secure when we reopened as well as contribute to our project fund for when our longer lease is secured
The unit again moved boating locations to join with Sandwell and Dudley in a joint venture at Swan Pool Sandwell Valley This as lead to an increase in boating activity which will be covered in the Commanding Officers report
The unit reopening as allowed us to start to rebuild links with the community Whilst the number of community events was limited, we were able to support the local mosque with their charity walk for peace which also raised funds for the unit We welcomed back the Prince’s Trust who have run several courses which we have also supported with and they have also delivered lessons with our youngsters and this is something we are looking to develop We were also able to pay our respects at remembrance day at both the cenotaph and also the John Henry Carless memorial This is the first steps in getting back into the community and something we have built on in this current year
During the year the unit suffered 2 break in’s These saw the loss of a recently purchased tv’s and a third parties’ property This led to us increasing our security in the unit by positioning cctv’s initially in temporary locations to deter any future attempts the third part is currently taking the unit to small claims court over the loss of his property something the unit is fully contesting
As was mentioned at the last AGM we had an in-principal agreement to a 25-year lease and were working to make that a reality While lockdown initially put this on hold, we have now engaged a solicitor to act on our behalf and are actively pursuing the council to resolve this matter at the earliest opportunity This will then allow the unit to move forward with our plans to develop the building
Last year we highlighted several projects for the year ahead and this is how we progressed with them
Secure a long-term lease as we will be in the final year of the existing one, the unit as engaged a solicitor and are looking to get this completed by the end of the year
Apply for more grant funding We applied for 2 grants and were successful with a 100% success
Develop boating opportunities in the unit We have had our first full year as part of the Sandwell Valley hub and are now in a second year This is a venture that will hopefully grow and lead to greater boating experience for the cadets
Continue to grow cadet numbers Our numbers have grown slightly over the year with regular information evenings been used to engage with cadets and parents We have also had the support of the Sea Cadets Growth and development team to help us with this.
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Continue to develop the unit to improve the cadet experience the unit as actively promoted National area and district courses as well as linking up with other units to deliver joint training activities Now lockdown is a thing of the past, we are confident we can build on this past year
Our aims for the year ahead will be
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1) To secure the 25-year lease
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2) To secure funding towards development of the unit and improve training equipment
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3) Increase the number of trustee’s
The year as been one of change on all 3 sides of the unit Instructional, unit management and cadets However the unit as again moved forward and developed and as we head towards our 80[th] year is in a good position to progress even further in the coming year
The task of running the charity becomes bigger and more demanding each year especially as we aim to develop and expand the unit and the sea cadet experience that we offer to our youngsters as a result at times during the year It as felt that many of the tasks have fallen on to my shoulder’s Hopefully with the support of the new trustees who have joined in the last few months and the ones that are joining us at the AGM we can moving forward all take on the work load and all play a part in moving the unit forward
Once again, a big thank you for all who have supported the unit over the last 12 months
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Trustees Report – Commanding Officers Report CPO L Lawes
Financial Review Treasure’s report Mr K Badhan WALSALL SEA CADETS’ TREASURES REPORT AGM 2022
This is the treasures report for the period 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022
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INCOME
During this year our Income was £30,587.86 which was a decrease of £295.22 on the previous year’s £30,883.08 Our subs increased by £1,170 to £4,065 following our reopening of the unit in April and we have a process in place to address any non-receipt issues more quicker than was done previously Grant Income was down by £3,182 as the COVID grants ceased ,As we were able to get back out into the community our events income increase from nil during lockdown The most successful Christmas raffle for a number of years saw our and fundraising income increase by £978.23
The unit currently as no income stream form Gift Aid and this is something that our new treasurer is looking into
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure for the year was down by £5,108.59 This was mainly due to there been no major building projects and improvements carried out as there had been in the previous year in preparation for the building to reopen. This is something that will hopefully change in the next couple of years when we secure our longer lease However to facilitate this the unit’s ability to secure grant funding to deliver these projects will also need to develop
The minibus is getting older and the cost to keep it on the road will only increase the spend this year was an increase of £573.72 on the previous year when it was not used for most of the year Replacing the bus for a newer model will very soon become a more viable option
Bank Charge increase as our bank increase their monthly charge something, they have reversed in this current financial year
Our bills to Walsall council increase on the previous year as we restarted trade waste collections that were suspended during lockdown Also 2 of 20/21’s rates payments were made in 21/22 as due to lockdown the DD was set up late
Our utility bills increase by £1,940.37 due to several factors
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1) Reopening of the unit following lockdown
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2) An issue with the smart meter for our electric supply resulting in it giving inaccurate readings
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3) Both Gas & Electric bills going out of contract during the year and a delay in changing to a new contract
Our Electric meter as now been changed to a working smart meter and there is now a process in place to ensure the gas meter is read when it is required to be
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Both our Gas and Electric contracts are now on 3-year fixed contacts which should give us some stability during the current energy crisis
Increase in the cost of our broadband as also lead us to move to a cheaper supplier Reopening the unit as resulted in the increase in Nutty and catering supplies from £0 to the £487 this is mainly for staff refreshment but also food and refreshments for cadets on Remembrance Sunday and Christmas and for the Annual awards evening
The £750 donation to the Prince’s trust last year that was questioned at the previous AGM was 5 Sea Cadet IT Grants paid to cadets’ parents during lockdown to help cadets take part in virtual sea cadets the wording in last year’s accounts summary was changed to reflect that this was changed in the accounts the £100 shown this year is the donation the unit made to help one course with its fundraising that was mentioned at the time
Building Maintenance was down £7,271.56 and spend on equipment by £1,842.89 Our Insurance premiums increased by £50 during the year
SAVINGS ACCOUNT
The savings account income grew by £11,203.64 which was a combination of grant income and interest
SUMMARY
The unit is in a good position financially as it heads towards its 80[th] year During the coming year we aim to look at getting the unit an income from gift aid and developing our grant writing skills to help us increase our income and deliver a better unit and cadet experience
Reserves Policy
The trustees continue to review the charity’s requirements for reserves considering the main risk to the organisation, that being a reduction of income. The trustees have established a policy whereby the reserves in total that are not invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Unit, should be up to the equivalent to 6 months overhead costs of the charity.
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The level of these reserves has been determined by the need to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and for the charity to carry out all its legal obligations.
At the end of March 2022, the total of the charity’s reserves stood at £ 26,544.14
The financial strategy of the trustees continues to be that of building the reserves which will be achieved by continually reviewing overheads, exploring additional means of income and further fundraising. The trustees will continue to take all necessary actions regarding the prevailing economic climate.
Structure, Governance and Management
Units of the SCC are formed solely by volunteers in local communities. Each Unit is a self-supporting youth organisation and an independent charity with a central support management and training structure provided primarily by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC). The unit becomes a part of the SCC by virtue of its’ affiliation to the MSSC, the parent body of the SCC. In accepting this affiliation, the unit undertakes to comply with all regulations issued by, or on behalf of, the MSSC Council.
The Unit was registered as an unincorporated charity on 12/12/1963 and is governed by a constitution approved by the Charity Commission of England and Wales. A revised constitution issued by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets was ratified by the Board of Trustees between meetings in December 2017 to meet the deadline of 31[st] December 2017.
Recruitment and Appointment of the Trustees
Trustees serve and are re-elected on an annual basis. A minimum of 4 office holders: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Commanding Officer. UMT office holders are elected at the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting (AGM). UMT members are elected from the membership of the Sea Cadets Unit which is drawn loosely as being those with an interest in the unit. The constitution lays down specific controls for UMT membership and will be observed for all future recruitment.
In the event of a vacancy arising during the year (known as a casual vacancy), the trustees have the power to appoint new trustees. A trustee will serve until the date of the next AGM, after which the post will be filled by election.
The trustees are represented by a wide range of individuals drawn from the local community. Trustees have the power to appoint additional trustees to act jointly with them for all purposes. A trustee whose term of office has expired can be appointed for a further term of office.
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Responsibilities of the Trustees
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity (Accounts Reports) Regulations 2008.They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf on 29/09/2021
P Perry
Paul Perry, Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Legal and Administrative Information
Charity Details:
Charity Name: Walsall Sea Cadets (Unit 346) of the Sea Cadets Corps Charity Status: Unincorporated Registered Charity No: 522744 Registered Office and Walsall Sea Cadets Eldon House Eldon Street Operational Address: Walsall WS1 2JS Telephone Number 01922 621776 Email: CHAIR.WALSALL@OUTLOOK.COM Website https://www.sea-cadets.org/walsall
Trustees:
Chair: Mr Paul Perry
Treasurer: Mr Kumar Badham Secretary: Miss Julie Rose
Trustees: Mrs Tracey
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Perry Miss Antonia Dodsworth CPO Leanne Lawes
President: The Mayor of WALSALL Vice President Mrs Christine Mawhinney (Chair Bloxwich RNA) Holding (Custodian) Trustees: The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) Independent Examiner: Mrs Linda Green Bank: CAF BANK LTD 25 KINGS HILL AVENUE WEST MALLING KENT ME19 4JQ
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Acknowledgements
Walsall Sea Cadet Unit 346 of the Sea Cadets Corps would like to publicly acknowledge and thank the following organisations and donors for their financial support during 2021/2022
Wolverhampton College the Prince’s Trust Team HM Govt Covid Grants
No final report would be complete without acknowledging the efforts and dedicated service of the adult volunteers who make the unit a success. For any Sea Cadet Unit to succeed it is fully reliant on its teams to work together. Our uniformed and civilian instructors, management team and unit assistants all have one common aim, that of delivering the best experience for our young people.
In this modern age, time is a precious commodity and like with all teachers and trainers there is a lot goes on behind the scenes, outside of parade times and over weekends that is not observed but makes the difference.
Thank you for your commitment and continued support.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
WALSALL (UNIT 346) OF THE SEA CADET CORPS.
I report on the financial statements of WALSALL (Unit 346) of the Sea Cadets Corps for the year ended 31[st] March 2021 which are set out on pages 14 - 15
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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 Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 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 Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent examiner’s statement
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mrs Linda Green Royal Mail NWM Mail Centre Sun Street Wolverhampton WV1 1AA.
Date: 15/10/20
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees at their meeting on 18/10/2022 and were signed on its behalf by: Paul Perry Chair K Badhan Treasurer
Signature: …P Perry………………...
Signature: … K Badhan …...………...…...
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INE E>PENSE 4,C65.(0 23.269.(X) LOIO.gJ 244.43 FhrKP5Tn Itbrth"(x &rrinitxs )ts#¢ IFu9j TrdringcDU s3ilirKJauL¥ PA)atiroCt&s L02L67 L872. IGftP4d IFNF¥) INLtyT*ir LftilitiEICAS BECtri¢ L02145 581.f 3]5.(X) 2,(AX).IX) Nutty%cKk&Cthro tJ)n&ior6to FM'ThTn ildn(F&rYvint8)JKe uiprert, #c 1mjr. m1Co£ I1m&S[)n[Wptyws l £ Iix),(x) £ 07&16 £ Ls3 .c 27,877.X) 4,710. INThE 587. 'AvroLlI[YuNt6 |S4MN(S IEtsR SUMIQORY INThE 12,630.14 3.64 E>PENSE 16RCLKHt F( |IMEFE5r NSFERS FR(N 2,IXX).(M) 11,2(KJ.(M) 23B33.78 |TCffPL FLNts E>PENSES 2,{). Qirri(tJ F(xwai"d £ 21.833 78 |M(WIESON FL4ND 2fi.14 Classified.. RMG - Intemal Page. 15
WALSALL SEA CADETS’ INCOME COMPARISPON
| INCOME | 2020/2021 | 2021/2022 | DIF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadets Subscriptions | 2,895.00 | 4,065.00 | £1,170.00 |
| Grants/ Princes Trust | 26,451.00 | 23,269.00 | -£3,182.00 |
| Donations | 805.99 | 1,010.99 | £205.00 |
| Carnivals/ events etc. | 0.00 | 198.00 | £198.00 |
| Fundraising | 43.44 | 1,021.67 | £978.23 |
| Course fees | 262.00 | 126.60 | -£135.40 |
| Gift Aid (HMRC) | 0.00 | 0.00 | £0.00 |
| Nutty Takings | 0.00 | 0.00 | £0.00 |
| Other Receipts/ | |||
| Refunds | 425.65 | 581.60 | £155.95 |
| Wolves Mess Dinner | |||
| payments | 0.00 | 315.00 | £315.00 |
| 30,883.08 | 30,587.86 | -£295.22 |
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WALSALL SEA CADETS’ EXPENDITURE COMPARISPON
| 2021/20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | 2020/2021 | 22 | DIF |
| Fund raising and | |||
| events | 0.00 | 244.43 | 244.43 |
| £ | |||
| 1,267.3 | |||
| Travel & minibus | 693.58 | 0 | 573.72 |
| Bank charges. | 69.00 | 98.00 | 29.00 |
| Training courses | 422.67 | 485.00 | 62.33 |
| Sailing Club/ Boating | |||
| Costs | 416.53 | 60.00 | -356.53 |
| 1,872.5 | |||
| Walsall Council | 883.22 | 8 | 989.36 |
| Utilities (Gas, Water, | 4,484.0 | 1,940.3 | |
| Electric) | 2,543.70 | 7 | 7 |
| Broadband and | 1,023.4 | ||
| telephone | 820.45 | 5 | 203.00 |
| Nutty Stock & | |||
| Catering | 0.00 | 487.35 | 487.35 |
| Donations to Princes | |||
| Trust | 750.00 | 100.00 | -650.00 |
| - | |||
| Buildings & | 2,028.7 | 7,271.5 | |
| maintenance | 9,300.32 | 6 | 6 |
| Equipment, etc. | 4,844.42 | 2,901.5 | - |
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| 1,942.8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9 | ||
| Insurance. | 906.50 | 956.80 | 50.30 |
| Misc. costs | 135.70 | 668.23 | 532.53 |
| - | |||
| 16,677. | 5,108.5 | ||
| TOTAL EXPENSES | 21,786.09 | 50 | 9 |
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