**THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **CHARITY INFORMATION** ## **Registered Office:** ## **Independent Examiner:** ## **Solicitors** **177 Newton Road Great Barr Birmingham B43 6HN** **M Cupitt FCCA Lancaster Clements Limited Certified Accountants Stanley House 27 Wellington Road Bilston Wolverhampton West Midlands WV14 6AH** **Enoch Evans 6-9 Hatherton Road Walsall WS1 1XS** **1** **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** |**Note**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Voluntary Income**
**Membership Subscriptions**
**2a**
**Donations**
**2b**
**Income from charitable activities**
**2c**
**Income from generating funds**
**Investment income**
**2d**
**Other**
**2e**
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Cost of generating funds**
**Cost of charitable activities**
**3a**
**Governance**
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE**
**TRANSFERS**
**Transfer between funds**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE**
**OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES**
**OTHER INCOME RESOURCES GAINS AND**
**LOSSES**
**Unrealised gains/(losses) on investment**
**assets**
**7**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**Fund balances brought forward at**
**1 April 2020**
**FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT**
**31 MARCH 2021**|**Total**
**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**43,321**
**-**
**43,321**
**40,512**
**19,531**
**4,120**
**23,651**
**2,300**
**5,109**
**-**
**5,109**
**30,152**
**233**
**-**
**233**
**420**
**709**
**-**
**709**
**580**| |---|---| ||**68,903**
**4,120**
**73,023**
**73,964**| ||**500**
**-**
**500**
**428**
**25,891**
**-**
**25,891**
**69,680**
**800**
**-**
**800**
**800**| ||**27,191**
**-**
**27,191**
**70,908**| ||**41,712**
**4,120**
**45,832**
**3,056**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| ||**41,712**
**4,120**
**45,832**
**3,056**
**388**
**-**
**388**
**(1,141)**| ||**42,100**
**4,120**
**46,220**
**1,915**
**118,756**
**323,626**
**442,382**
**440,467**| ||**160,856**
**327,746**
**488,602**
**442,382**| **2** ## ||BALANCE|SHEET|||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||31 March|2021|||| ||||2021||2420| ||Note|t|f|t|I| |UNRESTRICTEDFUNDS|||||| |General fund|4||80,597||62,753| |Designatedfunds|4||80,25S||56,003| ||||To$56||118,?5-6| |RESTRICTEDFUNDS|5||327,746||323,626| ||||4sq"6ot||MZ3U| |Representedby:|||||| |FIXEDASSETS|||||| |Tangible assets|6||294,174||- 287,808| |lnvestments|7||15,427||25,670| ||||30[66it||@| |CURRENT ASSETS|||||| |Stocks|I|2,356||2,863|| |Debtors|9|1,275||275|| |Balance at bank|10|273,247||186,222|| |||2'?G{||18-SJ6-0-|| |LessCREDITORS:amountsfalling|||||| |duewithinone)lear|11|97,877||60,456|| |NET CURRENTASSETS|||179,001||128,904| ||||488.602||@| **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** ## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **a** _**Status**_ **The County is a Registered Charity, No. 524648.** ## **b** _**Consolidation**_ **The accounts do not consolidate West Mercia Scout County Limited, a company limited by shares, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Mercia Scout County. This is due to the Company being dormant for the period.** - **c** _**Basis of Accounting**_ **The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 Juley 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.** **The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and Charities Act 2011.** ## **d** _**Tangible Fixed Assets**_ **Provision for depreciating fixed assets held for use by the Charity is made at annual rates calculated to spread the costs (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 costs:-** |**▪**|**Buildings**|**2%**| |---|---|---| |**▪**|**Office equipment**|**10%**| |**▪**|**Training Team equipment**|**10%**| **All tangible fixed assets are used for charitable purposes.** - **e** _**Stocks**_ **Stocks of badges and books have been estimated at the lower of costs and net realisable value.** - **f** _**Investment Income**_ **Dividends, interest and rents are credited as income when received.** **4** **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** ## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued** - **g** _**Cashflow Statements**_ **In accordance with Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) the County is not required to produce cashflow statements.** - **h** _**Designated Funds**_ **The County has designated certain funds for specific purposes but which are not legally separate funds.** ## **i** _**Restricted Funds**_ **Restricted Funds are funds subject to specific trusts either declared by donor or through an appeal.** - **j** _**Donations, Legacies and Similar Income**_ **Donations, legacies and similar income resources are included in the year which they are receivable, which is when the Charity becomes entitled to the Resource. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.** ## **k** _**Incoming Resources**_ **All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Grants receivable are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) in the year for which they are received. Deferred income represents amounts for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which it has been received.** - **l** _**Expenditure**_ **All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure. All costs have been directly attributed to one of the categories of resources expended in the SOFA. The Charity is not registered for VAT and accordingly expenditure is shown gross of irrecoverable VAT. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the Constitutional and Statutory requirements of the Charity and include Independent Examination fees.** ## **m** _**Investments**_ **Investments are included at market value at the year end. Any gains or loss on revaluation is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.** **5** **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** ## **2** ## **INCOMING RESOURCES** |**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**a** **_Membership Subscriptions_**
**Subscriptions**
**Less:**
**Paid to The Scout Association**
**Rebate to Districts**
**b** **_Donations, Grants and Similar Income_**
**Grants:**
**General**
**Donations:**
**Headquarters building and equipment fund**
**c** **_Activities in Furtherance of The Charity's Objects_**
**Training Fees**
**Other activity income**
**d** **_Investment Income_**
**Quoted investments**
**Short Term Investment Service**
**Building Society interest**
**Other deposit interest**
**e** **_Activities for Generating Funds_**
**Retail/mail order/e-bay sales**|**2021**
**£**
**186,901**
**(141,104)**
**(2,476)**
**43,321**
**19,431**
**100**
**19,531**
**4,120**
**23,651**
**3,663**
**1,446**
**5,109**
**-**
**53**
**19**
**161**
**233**
**709**|**2020**
**£**
**182,304**
**(139,260)**
**(2,532)**| |---|---|---| |||**40,512**| |||**-**
**-**| |||**-**
**2,300**| |||**2,300**| |||**9,489**
**20,663**| |||**30,152**| |||**168**
**82**
**31**
**139**| |||**420**| |||**580**| **Of the total income of £73023 (2020: £73968) £68903 (2020: £71668) related to unrestricted funds and £4120 (2020: £2300) related to restricted funds.** |**3**
**RESOURCES EXTENDED**
**a** **_Cost of Charitable_**
**_Activities_**
**Training costs**
**Other activity costs**
**Development**
**b** **_Support Costs_**
**General overheads**
**Administrative costs**|**Direct**
**Deprec-**
**Support**
**2021**
**2020**
**Costs**
**iation**
**Costs**
**Total**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**181**
**1,004**
**1,185**
**12,998**
**2,172**
**7,400**
**15,134**
**24,706**
**56,682**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| |---|---| ||**2,353**
**8,404**
**15,134**
**25,891**
**69,680**| ||**Cost of**
**Generating**
**Other**
**Funds**
**Training**
**Activities**
**Total**
**Total**
**4,789**
**-**
**-**
**4,789**
**7,294**
**10,345**
**-**
**-**
**10,345**
**13,696**| ||**15,134**
**-**
**-**
**15,134**
**20,990**| **Support costs have been allocated across the different activities on the basis of specific costs.** **Of the total expenditure of £27,191 (2020: £70,908) related to unrestricted funds and £Nil (2020: £Nil) related to restricted funds.** **6** ## **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** |**4**
**UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**
**_Designated funds_**
**Training team**
**Badge Secretary**
**World Jamboree Unit**
**Scouting activities**
**support fund**
**Section activities fund**
**Development**
**Explorer Explosion fund**
**Cub Gibraltar fund**
**Archery fund**
**Recovery Fund**
**General Fund**|**YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
**Expendi-**
**Transfers/**
**B/F**
**Income**
**ture**
**revaluations**
**C/F**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**19,623**
**3,663**
**1,185**
**-**
**22,101**
**12,729**
**848**
**500**
**-**
**13,077**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,500**
**1,500**
**0**
**10,105**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**10,105**
**4,067**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**4,067**
**909**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**909**
**124**
**1,219**
**720**
**-**
**623**
**8,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**8,000**
**446**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**446**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**19,431**
**19,431**
**56,003**
**5,730**
**2,405**
**20,931**
**80,259**
**62,753**
**63,961**
**24,786**
**(20,931)**
**80,597**
**118,756**
**69,691**
**27,191**
**-**
**160,856**|**YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
**Expendi-**
**Transfers/**
**B/F**
**Income**
**ture**
**revaluations**
**C/F**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**19,623**
**3,663**
**1,185**
**-**
**22,101**
**12,729**
**848**
**500**
**-**
**13,077**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,500**
**1,500**
**0**
**10,105**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**10,105**
**4,067**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**4,067**
**909**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**909**
**124**
**1,219**
**720**
**-**
**623**
**8,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**8,000**
**446**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**446**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**19,431**
**19,431**
**56,003**
**5,730**
**2,405**
**20,931**
**80,259**
**62,753**
**63,961**
**24,786**
**(20,931)**
**80,597**
**118,756**
**69,691**
**27,191**
**-**
**160,856**| |---|---|---| |||| |||**56,003**
**5,730**
**2,405**
**20,931**
**80,259**
**62,753**
**63,961**
**24,786**
**(20,931)**
**80,597**| |||**118,756**
**69,691**
**27,191**
**-**
**160,856**| **The above funds have been set aside by the County Executive to be used for their particular purpose.** ## **5** |**RESTRICTED FUNDS**
**Headquarters building and**
**equipment fund**|**1 April**
**Movement**
**31 March**
**2020**
**Incoming**
**Outgoing**
**Transfer**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**323,626**
**4,120**
**-**
**-**
**327,746**| |---|---| **The Headquarters Building and Equipment Fund is set aside to show the amount invested in tangible fixed assets as this is not available to be used for revenue expenditure.** ## **6** |**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
**_COST_**
**At 1 April 2020**
**Additions**
**Disposals**
**At 31 March 2021**
**_DEPRECIATION_**
**At 1 April 2020**
**Charge for the year**
**Eliminated on disposals**
**At 31 March 2021**
**NET BOOK VALUE**
**At 31 March 2021**
**At 31 March 2020**|**Training**
**Land and**
**Office**
**team**
**buildings**
**equipment**
**equipment**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**344,378**
**32,918**
**23,747**
**401,043**
**14,770**
**-**
**-**
**14,770**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| |---|---| ||**359,148**
**32,918**
**23,747**
**415,813**| ||**64,486**
**27,416**
**21,333**
**113,235**
**6,571**
**829**
**1,004**
**8,404**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| ||**71,057**
**28,245**
**22,337**
**121,639**| ||**288,091**
**4,673**
**1,410**
**294,174**| ||**279,892**
**5,502**
**2,414**
**287,808**| **7** ## **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** |**YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
**7**
**FIXED ASSETS INVESTMENTS**
**_Quoted Investments_**
**Market value at 1 April 2020**
**Increase/(Decrease) in market value**
**Market value at 31 March 2021**
**Historical cost at 31 March 2021 £2,150**
**(2020: £2,150)**
**_Unquoted Investments_**
**Scout Association investment**
**Tipton & Coseley Building Society**
**Total investments at market value at 31 March 2021**
**8**
**STOCKS**
**Badges (estimated)**
**Books**
**9**
**DEBTORS**
**Prepayments**
**Sundry debtors**
**10**
**BALANCE AT BANK**
**Yorkshire Current Bank**
**Training Team Current Account**
**Barclays Prime Account**
**Cater Allen Private Bank**
**Barclays WJ Account**
**11**
**CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year**
**Accrued expenses**
**Deposits**|**2021**
**£**
**1,287**
**388**
**1,675**
**3,536**
**10,216**
**13,752**
**15,427**
**2,100**
**256**
**2,356**
**1,275**
**-**
**1,275**
**116,395**
**20,692**
**71,627**
**63,656**
**877**
**273,247**
**897**
**96,980**
**97,877**|**2020**
**£**
**2,428**
**(1,141)**| |---|---|---| |||**1,287**| |||**14,186**
**10,197**| |||**24,383**| |||**25,670**| |||**2,600**
**263**| |||**2,863**| |||**275**
**-**| |||**275**| |||**78,743**
**17,210**
**60,129**
**29,263**
**877**| |||**186,222**| |||**1,580**
**58,876**| |||**60,456**| **8** **THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** |**12**
**ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Investments**
**Current assets**
**Less: Current liabilities**
**13**
**EMPLOYEES REMUNERATION**
**Total remuneration for the year**
**Salary**
**Social Security costs**
**Pension Contributions**
**The average number of paid staff for the year**
**14**
**TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES**
**Remuneration paid to trustees**
**Expenses paid to trustees for travelling expenses**
**Number of trustees reimbursed**
**15**
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REMUNERATION**
**Fees**|**Un-**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**-**
**11,891**
**246,842**
**(97,877)**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**294,174**
**3,536**
**30,036**
**-**|**Total**
**£**
**294,174**
**15,427**
**276,878**
**(97,877)**| |---|---|---|---| ||**160,856**|**327,746**|**488,602**| |||**2021**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Number**
**0**
**£**
**-**
**269**
**Number**
**4**
**2021**
**£**
**800**|**2020**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Number**
**0**| ||||**£**
**-**| ||||**2,341**| ||||**Number**
**6**| ||||**2020**
**£**
**800**| **9** INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT THE SCOUT ASSOCiATION WEST MERCIA SCOUT COUNTY I report on th8 accounts of The Scout Association of West Mer¢ia Scout County for the year ended 31 Ma￿h 2021, which are Set OLrt on page5 2 to 9. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEESAND EXAAIINER The Charrty's trustees are r8sPOn5ible for the proparation of th8 accounts. The Charity'8 trustees consider that an audit 18 not requlred for th1$ yÈar under Sectson 144121 of the Charities Acl 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an IndÈpend8nt examination l¥ rgquired. It is my responsibility tts- examino the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act follow the procedures laid down in the General Dlre¢tions glven by the charlty Commlsslon under Sectlon 145ISllbl of the 2011 Act and $tat• whethei particular matt8rs havg come to my attention. BASIS QF INDEPENDENTEXAMINERS REPORY My examination was CaTrigd out in accordance with the General Dlrectlon8 given by thg Charity ommission. An examinauon Includes a revlew of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also Sn¢lude$ consid8ration of any unusual items or disc108ures in the accounts and 8eeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undÈrtak8n do not provide all the evldence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion Is given as to whether thg accounts prg$¢nt a 'true and fair vl•w' and the report 15 limit•d tc* those mattss set out in the $tst•m¢nt below. INDEPENDENfEXAMINER S STA TEMENT In ¢onnection with my examinatlon. no matter has comg to my attentlon.. which give me reasonable cause to believe that, In ony mat&rlal r88P8Ct, the requirements: to keep accounling rg¢ords in accordance with Sgction 130 of the 2011 Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to ¢omply with the accounting requirements ol the 2011 A¢t have not boon met. or to whith. In my opinion, attention $hould be drawn in order to enable a proper und&r8tanding of accounts to b8 reached. Lan¢a6ter Clements Limi18d C8rtified Accountants Stanley House 27 Wellington Road Bilsto olverhampton West Midlands IAV14 6AH Mark Cupltt FCCA Dlrector Lancaster Clernents Limitod 10 ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** **Charity name** : West Mercia County Scout Council **Registered charity number** : 524648 ## **Correspondent contact and address** : County Secretary c/o County Learning & Development Centre East Park Way Eastfield Wolverhampton West Midlands WV1 2DN ## **Trustees (Members of the County Executive Committee)** ## **Ex Officio** an Skidmore County Chairman Mark Bache County Commissioner Alistair Head County Youth Commissioner Rob Bailey County Treasurer Brian Davies County Secretary ## **Nominated by the County Commissioner** Lynn Richardson Dennis Evans MBE John Porter Neal Quinton ## _**Elected members**_ Frazer Pearson Christine McKechnie, Martin Homer Esmond Jones ## **Appointment of Trustees** The Trustees are appointed by West Mercia County Scout Council in accordance with Policy, Organisation and Rules (P.O.R.) of The Scout Association. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** West Mercia County Scout Council is the electoral body that supports Scouting in the 4 Metropolitan and City Councils of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton and parts of South Staffordshire and Worcestershire. It is the body to which the County Executive Committee is accountable. The role of the County Executive Committee is to support the County Commissioner in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and to provide support for the ten Scout Districts and the Scout Network in the County. ## **Type of governing document** The West Mercia County Scout Council’s (“The County”) governing documents are those of The Scout Association. The documents consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Scout Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules (P.O.R.) of The Scout Association. ## **How the charity is constituted** The County is a trust established under The Scout Association rules which are common to the Scout Movement. ## **OBJECTIVES** As part of the Scout Association West Mercia Scout County follows the Fundamental Principles within chapter 1 of Policy Organisation and Rules as its core objectives ## **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 ## **Leader Training** The Scout County is responsible for the organisation and delivery of ongoing leader training in accordance with the guidelines of the Scout Association. This ensures that all activities run by Volunteer Leaders are conducted in such a way to ensure the safety of members. To ensure the quality of training a team of experienced leaders are appointed to carry out this important aspect of the counties function. ## **Activities** In accordance with the purpose of the Scout Association West Mercia Scout County provides challenging and fun activities that engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. These events constitute camps, visits and activities as well as International Trips and Jamoree’s. These Activities are for all sections of the Movement within the Scout County. ## **Public Benefit** The Scout County meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings. ## **Risk Review** The County Executive Committee and the leadership team under the direct control of the County Commissioner conducts an on-going review of the risks that members of the Association in West Mercia might be exposed to and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. Risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation on all projects undertaken by members and these procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of Scouting in West Mercia. The County Executive follows, without question, the policies issued by The Scout Association in relation to the safe operation and administration of all activities involving its youth and adult members in accordance with P.O.R. The County Executive keeps under review all insured risks and the policies maintained by the County Treasurer to ensure that all insurable risks are adequately covered. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Reserves Policy** The accounting practices of the County Executive Committee require that a quarterly review be conducted on the variable financial risks associated with each income stream – this being different for each income stream – and to examine the risks associated with projected expenditure for each of these income streams. This review is conducted on a regular and on-going process by the County Executive Committee on the recommendations of the Finance Sub-Committee. The Reserve Policy of the County Executive Committee requires that there be sufficient reserves to cover a minimum 12 months expenditure. ## **Investment policy** The operational funds of the County Scout Council are held in bank accounts and deposits, some British Telecom Shares are held. These are under constant review to ensure we maximise the return on all accounts and the Executive is open to consider all other investment plans as they arise. ## **Other financial review details** The main source of income for the day to day operation of the County Scout Council is a subscription paid by individual members. Grant aid is applied for to reduce the subscription where possible. ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ACCOUNTS** The purpose of this statement is to distinguish the Trustees’ responsibilities for the accounts from those of the independent examiners as stated in their report. The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on an ongoing concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions, 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 Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of error, fraud and other irregularities. ## **DECLARATION** The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report and statement above. Signed for and on behalf of the Trustees, Ian Skidmore _County Chairman_ Rob Bailey _County Treasurer_