Stockton, Thornaby & District Scout Council Registered charity no. 524704
Accounts for period 1[st] Jan – 31[st] Dec 2021
Accounts for period 1[st] Jan – 31[st] Dec 2021 Reference and Administrative Details
Scout Association Registration No: 15607
Charity Registration No: 524704
Contact Details: Mr S Jones
26 Briardene Court Stockton-On-Tees TS19 8UX
Trustees:
| Trustees: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Office (if any) | Dates Served |
| Alan Atkinson | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 | |
| Phillip Hobson | 16thApr 2021 – 31stDec 2021 | |
| Pauline Hyam | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 | |
| Diane Jinks | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 | |
| Shaun Jones | District Commissioner | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 |
| Antony Moody | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 | |
| Margaret North | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 | |
| Neil Scott | District Chair | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 |
| John Trotter | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 | |
| Steven Trotter | 16thApr 2021 – 31stDec 2021 | |
| Paul Turner | District Treasurer | 21stJun 2021 – 31stDec 2021 |
| Nicholas White | 1stJan 2021 - 31stDec 2021 |
Bankers:[Barclays Bank PLC ]
49 High Street Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1AG
[Virgin Money ] 46 High Street Stockton on Tees TS18 1SB
Independent Examiner:[Jane Ascroft ]
Chartered Accountant Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT
Trustees Annual Report
Structure and Governance
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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.
Type of governing document:
The District's governing documents are those of the The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. How the charity is constituted: The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed by, elected by): The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Objectives & Activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document:
The purpose of Scouting: Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects:
During 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic continued to prevented the District from moving forward with many of its plans. The trustees have continued to focus on protecting the resources of the District as best they can so that these plans can be realised in the future and the fun, adventure and challenge of Scouting offered to more young people than ever before.
Once restrictions started to ease the focus began to shift to ensuring that every group in the District was supported to ensure a safe return to in person activities.
Throughout the year, the young people in our Groups and Units have continued to enjoy a varied programme delivered online in the beginning of the year and then in person by the Autumn. This is evidenced by the range of awards and badges that have been earnt during this time.
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:
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enjoy what they are doing and have fun
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take part in activities indoors and outdoors
Public benefit statement:
The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
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learn by doing
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share in spiritual reflection
Achievements and Performance
2021 was another strange year for Scouting with pandemic restrictions changing throughout the year.
Whilst we were not able to resume our programme of District events, our groups and units have been able to offer Scouting to our young people virtually in the early part of the year and then in person by the Autumn.
The District team have continued to work hard to support groups where needed with updates and guidance.
Our governance and financial management arrangements continued to allow the trustees to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on operations. continued to meet regularly via video conferencing to discuss matters affecting the District and to react to the ever changing landscape.
In the latter part of the year work has started on developing a new investment plan to ensure that the District is able to generate a stronger financial return on it’s reserves whilst building reserves for larger expenditure.
Due to restrictions in place for the majority of the year Pybus campsite has continued to have reduced income and reports a slight loss in the year however was able to attract a number of bookings from new customers in the Autumn term and into 2022. The shop and the communications team have both reported a surplus for the year with the communications team having a particularly strong season as the event industry started to return to normality. All of these resources continue to be valuable assets to the members of our District.
Financial Review
Reserves policy:
The trustees have identified the need for the District to hold reserves for a variety of purposes and have reviewed this in light of lessons learned and vulnerabilities identified as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The purposes and amount of amount of reserves held is outlined below:
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12 months running costs for the District; this is to act as a buffer in times of financial difficulty. Based on the 2022 District budget this amount is equal to £4,891 but the trustees have elected to round this up and hold a fund of £5,000 .
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12 months running costs for Pybus Campsite; this again is to act as a buffer in times of financial difficulty or should there be a problem affecting the use of and/or access to the site (such as disease or unusual weather conditions). During the course of the pandemic the trustees have gained a better understanding of the actual running costs of the site whilst it is not used which is considerably lower than the budget for a “normal” year. Despite this, they feel it necessary to hold the full budget amount to act as a buffer and based on the 2022 campsite budget this is equal to an amount of £7,181 which has again been rounded up to £8,000 to account for the current rates of inflation.
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12 months fixed running costs for the Communications Team; whilst the communications team is self-sufficient and aims to keep 12 months running costs in reserve within its own accounts the trustees feel that it is important to hold funds towards the essential costs of rent and insurance should the team fall into financial difficulty. An amount of £4,500 has been allocated for this purpose.
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COVID recovery fund; The trustees have identified that some costs associated with the pandemic may not yet have become clear and may not do so for some time. As such, they feel it necessary to put funds aside to ensure the continued recovery of Scouting in our District. These funds are to be used at the discretion of the trustees for any purpose which is caused by or exacerbated by the pandemic and extends to “return” events designed to generate a buzz around Scouting.
An amount of £10,000 has been allocated to this fund.
- Groups hardship fund; the trustees acknowledge that whilst the District has no legal obligation to financially support any group which falls into financial difficulty it is in the best interests of the young people within such a group if they have the ability to do so. The trustees have allocated a reserve fund of £15,000 to which any group/unit within the District falling into financial difficulty may apply. Any such application will be carefully assessed by the District Executive Committee before any amount is provided.
The above totals £42,500 of static reserves that are to be spent in times of financial difficulty or challenge.
The trustees have also set aside further reserves for the purposes of improving, furthering and developing the provision on offer within the District as follows and will look to increase the balances held in such funds annually from any surpluses accrued:
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Creating and developing new provision; initially established using the closing balance from a former Scout Group the trustees hold a small fund that is for the purpose of starting and developing new Scouting provision. This fund can be used to help with costs of taster events, start-up costs and training for leaders in new groups. A fund of £4,000 is set aside for this purpose.
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Subsidy of District events and activities; The purpose of this fund is to aid the District in providing large-scale whole District events without having to charge the young people attending the whole amount. This can include a St George’s Day event and any other event identified by the District team and expenditure approved by the District Executive Committee. The amount currently set aside for this purpose is £3,000 , although in the 2022 budget £1,000 of this allocated to support the ‘Big Weekend’ camp.
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Replacement of District equipment and resources; whilst the District owns a limited
amount of equipment and resources (aside from those at Pybus Campsite which are addressed separately below), the trustees acknowledge that nothing lasts forever and wish to set aside funds for the replacement and renewal of equipment and resources as and when the need is identified or arises. The amount currently set aside for this purpose is £3,000. In 2020 the District received a grant of £2,000 towards equipment to be used at the District camp which, although this will be spent in full during 2022, has been added to this fund to give a total of £5,000 .
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Pybus expansion and improvement; this fund is held for the purposes of expanding and/or creating new facilities at Pybus Campsite. This includes major building projects, new facilities and new equipment. An amount of £60,000 is currently allocated to this fund.
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Pybus maintenance and development; this fund is held for the purposes of allowing the District to maintain and develop the existing facilities at Pybus Campsite. This includes the repair and replacement of plant, machinery and equipment as well as larger maintenance works which may fall outside of the scope of the annual budget. An amount equal to £18,000 is currently allocated to this purpose.
Though the designated funds are not counted within the District’s total reserves, the trustees acknowledge, on the advice of the communications team, that the van and equipment they use has a limited useful life and as such funds should be set aside regularly towards the eventual renewal/replacement of these items. An amount of £9,069 is currently allocated within the District’s designated funds for this purpose.
The total level of allocated reserves therefore equals £132,500 . The actual level of reserves held at 31st December 2021 equals £141,062 .
This policy will be reviewed at least annually however it may also be reviewed at other times
should a new risk, need or opportunity be identified by the District Executive Committee.
Investment policy:
The District does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The District 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 to get as best a return as we can. This then enables us to reduce the overall amount per person that we need to collect by way of the District levy each year and offer the camp site facilities to our District Groups/Units at a preferential rate.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
P Turner Paul Turner District Treasurer
N Scott
Neil Scott District Chair
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report on the accounts of the District for the year ended 31[st] December 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes set out on page s 19-22 .
This report is made solely to the trustees in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees for my examination work.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The District’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the Charities Act);
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the District 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 you as 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 matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Jane Ascroft
Qualification: Chartered Accountant Address: Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT Date: 24[th] March 2022
Receipts and payments account summary
| Total Receipts Total Payments Receipts less payments Balances brought forward at 01/01/21 Balances carried forward at 31/12/21 |
TOTAL 2021 £ 52,959 (21,446) 31,513 157,257 188,770 |
TOTAL 2020 £ 37,775 (45,080) |
|---|---|---|
| (7,305) 164,562 |
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| 157,257 |
These accounts were approved by the trustees on 8[th] April 2022 and signed on their behalf by:
P Turner
N Scott
Paul Turner District Treasurer
Neil Scott District Chair
Receipts summary
| Membership subscriptions Less: Membership subscriptions paid on Investment income Bank interest received Activities Pybus campsite Shop Communications team Fairfield Pirates ESU Egglescliffe Aliens ESU Fairfield Vikings ESU Events Other income Gift Aid claims Donations COVID Support Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS |
General funds £ 24,558 (21,259) 3,299 113 113 2,666 5,478 - - - - - 8,143 - 500 16,335 1,566 18,401 29,955 |
Designated funds £ - - - 1 1 - - 16,283 2,076 2,059 1,400 - 21,818 - 100 - - 100 21,919 |
TOTAL 2021 £ 24,558 (21,259) 3,299 114 114 2,666 5,478 16,283 2,076 2,059 1,400 - 29,961 - 600 16,335 1,566 18,501 51,874 |
TOTAL 2020 £ 25,834 (21,266) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,568 | ||||
| 424 | ||||
| 424 | ||||
| 2,131 1,610 1,920 2,282 2,330 1,594 6,529 |
||||
| 18,395 | ||||
| 904 - 11,334 2,150 |
||||
| 14,388 | ||||
| 37,775 |
Payments summary
| Payments summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities Pybus Campsite Shop Sectional allowances Communications team Fairfield Pirates ESU Egglescliffe Aliens ESU Fairfield Vikings ESU Events Other activity costs Overheads Printing, postage, stationery & telephone Insurance Professional fees Travel Room hire Marquee and gazebo Other costs TOTAL PAYMENTS |
General funds £ 2,953 4,990 - - - - - 41 - 7,984 64 86 240 38 40 - - 467 8,451 |
Designated funds £ - - - 8,178 1,463 2,321 1,033 - - 12,995 - - - - - - - - 12,995 |
TOTAL 2021 £ 2,953 4,990 - 8,178 1,463 2,321 1,033 - - 20,979 64 86 240 38 40 - - 467 21,446 |
TOTAL 2020 £ 5,050 2,994 800 10,797 2,174 2,193 1,645 6,843 - |
| 32,496 | ||||
| 70 110 240 77 130 11,500 456 |
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| 12,584 | ||||
| 45,080 |
Statement of assets and liabilities
| Statement of assets and liabilities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank and cash funds District current account Pybus current account Shop current account Virgin Money account Communications team current account Communications team savings account Fairfield Pirates ESU current account Fairfield Vikings ESU current account Egglescliffe Aliens ESU current account Stockton Network current account Events current account Other monetary assets Debts due to the District Assets retained for the charities own use Land & Buildings: Campsite1 Contents of buildings2 Brushcutter2 Water filtration system2 Metal container2 Shop stock Radio, PA and Lighting equipment2 Marquee2 Van & trailers3 Containers2 |
General funds £ 34,631 21,431 2,950 85,000 - - - - - - - 144,012 - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Designated funds £ - - - - 21,232 9,069 3,520 1,771 4,975 - 4,025 44,681 - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
TOTAL 2021 £ 34,631 21,431 2,950 85,000 21,232 9,069 3,520 1,771 4,975 - 4,025 188,694 - - 586,109 27,279 5,342 5,220 3,681 5,000 49,802 11,500 12,695 4,722 711,350 |
TOTAL 2020 £ 18,431 21,225 2,495 85,000 8,131 9,068 2,807 1,449 5,237 389 3,025 |
| 157,257 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 530,896 25,170 4,896 4,785 3,334 5,000 47,035 11,500 15,050 4,563 |
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| 652,229 |
Liabilities
The District has no liabilities although the communications team held a balance of £3,000 in rent that is unclaimed by the previous land lord.
1 Warren Cottage (£513,443) / Teesdale Building (£72,666). The figures shown are reinstatement / insured values and not market values as per our Insurance Policy at renewal on 31[st] January. 2 Insured value
3 Van shown at market value and trailers shown at insured value