2022-12-31-accounts - Stockton, Thornaby And District Scout Council

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Stockton, Thornaby & District Scout Council Registered charity no. 524704

Accounts for period 1[st] Jan – 31[st] Dec 2022

Accounts for period 1[st] Jan – 31[st] Dec 2022 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 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Phillip Hobson		1stJan 2022 – 6thApr 2022
Pauline Hyam		1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Diane Jinks		1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Shaun Jones	District Commissioner	1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Antony Moody		1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Margaret North		1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Neil Scott	District Chair	1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
John Trotter		1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022
Steven Trotter		1stJan 2022 – 31stDec 2022
Paul Turner	District Treasurer	1stJan 2022 – 27thNov 2022
Nicholas White		1stJan 2022 - 31stDec 2022

Bankers:[Barclays Bank PLC ] Cambridge & Counties Bank 49 High Street Charnwood Court Stockton-on-Tees 5b New Walk TS18 1AG Leicester LE1 6TE[Virgin Money ] 46 High Street Stockton on Tees TS18 1SB

Independent Jane Ascroft Chartered Accountant Examiner: Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT

Trustees Annual Report

Structure and Governance

take responsibility and make choices
undertake new and challenging activities
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.

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

Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects:

The District has continued to focus on returning to quality Scouting following the COVID-19 pandemic.

With few restrictions remaining and all sections and groups meeting in person again, young people of all backgrounds have been provided with exciting opportunities to help them

challenge themselves, learn new things, grow in confidence and develop skills for life. Top awards such as the Chief Scouts awards, Duke of Edinburgh awards and Queen’s Scout award demonstrate that our young people have taken part in all manner of activities that might be new to them, worked together to achieve and explored faith, respect and the world we live in.

High attendance at our District led activities and our growth in membership show that our activity offering continues to engage and inspire our young people.

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.

learn by doing
share in spiritual reflection

Achievements and Performance

2022 has been a great year for Scouting in Stockton, Thornaby & District.

After two years of postponement, we finally managed to deliver our ‘Big Weekend’ district camp. This event saw over half of our membership come together for a weekend packed with fun and, adventure and opportunities to make new friends.

Young people have taken part in all manner of activities within their own groups including a wide range of camps and trips. Our District events programme has also returned, with the Cub section holding a football competition towards the end of the year, the Beavers holding a fun day in the autumn and their ever-popular trip to the play factory just before Christmas.

Our young leaders continue to excel, proving to be valuable members of their leadership teams. They grow in confidence and ability all of the time and can be found in a wide range of sections across the District.

Our communications team have again been busy this year, providing their services to all manner of events across the country. Their work for organisations outside of Scouting is constantly challenging public perceptions of Scouting and raising awareness of our District. The income received from these events allow the team to provide services to Scouting at events such as the ‘Big Weekend’.

Our District campsite and shop have both continued to be consistent, valuable assets to all 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 the changing financial climate and continue to reflect on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purposes and amount of amount of reserves held is outlined below:

12 months running costs for the District; this is to act as a buffer in times of financial difficulty. Based on the 2023 District budget this amount is equal to £4,499 but the trustees have elected to round this up given current rates of inflation and hold a fund of £5,500 .
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 2023 campsite budget this is equal to an amount of £11,521 which has again been rounded up to £12,000 to account for the current rates of inflation.
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.
Emergency fund; learning from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic the trustees feel that it is important to have a flexible reserve that can be utilised in a range of circumstances should it be required. An amount of £8,310 is currently 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 Trustee Board before any amount is provided. The above totals £46,310 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:

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.
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 Trustee Board. The amount currently set aside for this purpose is £3,500 .
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), these are increasing and the trustees acknowledge that nothing lasts forever and wish to set aside funds for their replacement and renewal as and when the need is identified or arises. The amount currently set aside for this purpose is £6,000 .
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 £62,000 is currently allocated to this fund.
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 £20,000 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 £9,077 is currently allocated within the District’s designated funds for this purpose.

The total level of allocated reserves therefore equals £140,810 . The actual level of reserves held at 31st December 2022 equals £141,287 .

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:

During 2022 the trustees reviewed the District’s funds and determined that current funds were insufficient for longer term investments. The trustees have adopted a risk adverse strategy whereby funds are invested in a mixture of short term cash bonds (1-2 years) and instant access savings accounts using mainstream, financial services compensation scheme registered, banks or building societies in order to get as best return as possible. 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:

N Scott Neil Scott District Chair

S Jones

Shaun Jones District Commissioner

Independent Examiner’s Report

I report on the accounts of the District for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes set out on pages 25-29 .

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] May 2023

Receipts and payments account summary

Total Receipts Total Payments Receipts less payments Balances brought forward at 01/01/22 Balances carried forward at 31/12/22	TOTAL 2022 £ 66,176 (50,241) 15,935 188,770 204,705	TOTAL 2021 £ 52,959 (21,446)
		31,513 157,257
		188,770

These accounts were approved by the trustees on 25[th] May 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

N Scott

S Jones

Neil Scott District Chair

Shaun Jones District Commissioner

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 £ 24,025 (22,442) 1,583 177 177 9,412 5,557 - - - - - 14,969 - - 2,667 26 2,693 19,422	Designated funds £ 4,577 - 4,577 9 9 - - 17,392 608 2,342 1,926 18,614 40,882 - 10 - 1,277 1,287 46,754	TOTAL 2022 £ 28,602 (22,442) 6,160 186 186 9,412 5,557 17,392 608 2,342 1,926 18,614 55,850 - 10 2,667 1,303 3,980 66,176	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

Payments summary

Activities Pybus Campsite Shop Communications team Fairfield Pirates ESU Egglescliffe Aliens ESU Fairfield Vikings ESU Events Other activity costs Overheads Printing, postage, stationery & telephone Electricity Insurance Storage Professional fees Repairs and maintenance Travel Room hire Equipment Other costs TOTAL PAYMENTS	General funds £ 71 5,099 - - - - - - 5,169 67 1,459 1,466 - 300 1,892 434 60 5,134 605 11,422 16,591	Designated funds £ - - 428 650 2,474 2,419 22,621 - 28,591 41 1,741 1,769 - - 2,168 (2,158) 1,498 - 5,058 33,650	TOTAL 2022 £ 71 5,099 428 650 2,474 2,419 22,621 - 33,761 110 1,459 3,208 1,769 300 1,892 2,603 (2,098) 6,632 605 16,481 50,241	TOTAL 2021 £ 2,953 4,990 8,178 1,463 2,321 1,033 - -
				20,979
				64 - 86 - 240 - 38 40 - -
				467

				21,446

Statement of assets and liabilities

Bank and cash funds District current account Pybus current account Shop current account Virgin Money account Cambridge & Counties 1 year bond Cambridge & Counties 2 year bond Communications team current account Communications team savings account Fairfield Pirates ESU current account Fairfield Vikings ESU current account Egglescliffe Aliens ESU current account Events current account Other monetary assets Cash (Shop) Cash (Fairfield Vikings ESU) Cash (Fairfield Pirates ESU) Debts due to the District Debts due to the communications team Authorised expenses Communications team Fairfield Pirates ESU Fairfield Vikings ESU 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 £ 34,226 22,061 3,305 28,334 28,333 28,333 - - - - - 4,958 149,551 33 - - 697 - 730 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Designated funds £ - - - - - - 34,471 9,077 3,548 1,886 5,863 - 54,844 - 267 10 - 115 277 3,943 290 100 4,333 - - - - - - - - - - -	TOTAL 2022 £ 34,226 22,061 3,305 28,334 28,333 28,333 34,471 9,077 3,548 1,886 5,863 4,958 204,395 33 267 10 697 115 1,122 3,943 290 100 4,333 662,750 33,644 6,368 5,585 4,086 5,000 51,720 11,500 12,468 5,194 798,315	TOTAL 2021 £ 34,631 21,431 2,950 85,000 - - 21,232 9,069 3,520 1,771 4,975 4,025
				188,694
				33 44 - - -
				77
				- - -
				-
				586,109 27,279 5,342 5,220 3,681 5,000 49,802 11,500 12,695 4,722
				711,350

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 in the 2021 accounts. This has been reversed in 2022 as following legal advice this was the last year where we could be considered liable.

1 Warren Cottage (£569,922) / Teesdale Building (£92,758). 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