6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## Annual General Meeting ## April 2024-2025 Charity Number 524744 ## 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## Agenda ## **1. Introduction and welcome** ## **2. Apologies for absence** ## **3. Governance topics** - a. Approve the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 27/09/2024 - b. Adopt the model constitution from Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) - c. Note the Group’s financial year - d. Agree the number of members that may be appointed to the Trustee Board - e. Agree the quorum for future meetings of the Group Scout Council ## **4. Review of the previous year** - a. The Group Lead Volunteer’s review of Scouts in the 6th Holme Valley - b. Receive and consider the Annual Reports, including the annual Statement of the Accounts ## **5. Making appointments** - a. Appoint the Group Chair. - b. Appoint the Group Treasurer. - c. Appoint members of the Group Trustee Board - d. Appoint the Independent Examiner ## **Closing remarks** 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## **Annual General Meeting** ## **Minutes of meeting held 27 September 2024** ## **1. Attendees:** Kat Finlayson (GSL) Lynne Bradbury (acting Chair),Vicky Booth (Secretary) Simon Wears, Abi Wears, Tom Parish, Lucy Crowder, Chris Penn, Emily Penn, Isobel Jamieson ## **2. Welcome from the chair:** All reports handed out and distributed to attendees LB: Welcome to Members of the Group Scout Council and Guests especially ## **3. Apologies for Absence:** LB: Apologies have been received from Alan Lane (Chair), Barry Suddick, Ian Higgins, Jill Falkingham, Andy Lowe, Simon Kirby, Louise Palmer (Treasurer) and their names will be included in the notes of this meeting ## **4. Approval of the minutes of the previous AGM:** LB: The minutes have been previously reviewed by the Group Executive Committee at their first meeting after the previous AGM and so I propose that the minutes are taken as read and ask the Group Scout Council to agree that they are a true record of that meeting Seconded by Chris Penn ## **5. Governance topics:** ## **5a. To adopt the model constitution from Policy, Organisation and Rules** LB: In line with the recommendation from Scout Headquarters. I propose that we adopt the model constitution from Chapter 5 of Policy, Organisation and Rules. A copy of this was available for review and inspection prior to this meeting, and copies are also available at the meeting. Seconded by Tom Parish ## **5b. Note the Group’s financial year** LB: Members of the Group Scout Council are asked to note that our charity’s financial year is 1April to 31 March. ## **5c. Agree the number of members that may be elected to the Trustee Board** LB: The Group Scout Council must agree at its AGM the number of people that can be elected to the Trustee Board. Following good practice recommendation from the Charity Commission is a trustee board should have a minimum of 5 and no more than 12 trustees in total This includes ex officio and coopted members. The group scout council must approve the numbers to be appointed to the trustee board. The outgoing council recommends 8 people are appointed and I propose that the Group Scout Council approves that recommendation. Seconded by Lucy Crowder ## **5d. Agree the quorum for each of the Group Scout Council (including this AGM), meetings of the Group Trustee Board, meetings of any sub-committees** LB: The Group Scout Council must agree at its AGM the quorum – the minimum number of Group Scout Council members that must be present at a meeting of the Group Scout Council. The recommendation from the outgoing Trustee Board is that the quorum should be set at 8 persons. The Group Scout Council is asked to approve that recommendation. Seconded by Simon Wears ## **5 Review of the previous year** Receive and consider the Annual Reports an accounts - GSL report prepared by Kat Finlayson - Squirrel report prepared by Abi Wears - Beaver report prepared by Lucy Crowder - Atlas Cubs report prepared by Becky Driver - Thor Cubs report prepared by Jo Hilton-Jones - Scout report prepared by Ian Higgins - Explorer report prepared by Lynne Bradbury - Accounts report prepared by Richard Simpson (Independent Examiner) Question from CP on the financial statements: Are the minibuses included in the financial statements? Answer from VB – the minibuses are not included in the financial statements as assets as allowed to be expensed via income and expenditure in year of purchase. They are included on the asset register and therefore included at replacement value for insurance purposes ## **6 Making appointments** LB: notes to the Group Scout Council members present that this part of the meeting sets the charity up to be well-led during the period until the next AGM. Particularly, the Group Scout Council appoints a Trustee Board to ensure good governance for the charity over the next year. LB: notes that the Group Scout Council can admit other persons to membership. Chair advises that name(s) are nominated as members of the Group Scout Council. Show of hands to approve. These are persons who are to be admitted as members of the Group Scout Council in addition to the ex officio list in POR Rule 5.4.2.5. Members of the trustee board have been agreed - GSL: Kat Finlayson - Treasurer: Louise Palmer (agreed for another year) - Secretary: Vicky Booth (agreed for another year) - Chair: The committee does not currently have a Chair - Leaders: Lynne, Barry, Ian, Lucy, Abi, Simon - Elected: Alan lane ## **7 Closing Remarks** LB: thank all for attending and outline any arrangements for the rest of the event. Page 2 of 2 pages ## **Group Lead Volunteer Report 2024/2025** ## 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) I would like to say a massive thank you to all our Leaders from Squirrels through to Explorers for their continued commitment to Scouting and our Young Members, you all do a fantastic job, and all sections have had a busy year, completing lots of badges and having lots of fun! Most sections are now full - with more wanting to join. There are just a few spaces in the older sections, but emails will be sent out soon to those on the waiting list to fill them up. Our 4-6 year old members in Squirrels have had a fantastic year and they have recently been joined by Charlie & Charlotte who will be helping Abi lead the section, while Darren has moved up to help with Beavers, where Lucy is still doing an amazing job. We were joined by Simon – initially to help with the admin of the group, managing waiting lists and responding to enquiries, but after joining the Beaver leadership team, and then the Squirrel Team too, he seems to be here just as much as I am. Thank you so much for all the time and hard work you have put into helping the lower sections and trying to get us more organised!! Thor Cubs have had a difficult year; we have sadly said goodbye to Gareth and Jamie, thank you to both for their help over the past year. Jo has been fantastic in her role as leader despite struggling along with Joy helping in the background to keep the section running. She has now been joined by Kirsty M – who after helping most weeks as a parent has undertaken the training to be a fully-fledged leader and we have hopes of another parent following in her footsteps so watch this space! Thor have also had a lot of help from Kirsty G who is there most weeks, despite being on the leadership team for Atlas Cubs. Atlas Cubs haven’t had quite as much of a struggle, but we are still low on Leaders – Tom had to step down due to a new job, a big thank you to him for all his help over the years in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and on the Trustee Board. This left just Becky, Kirsty and Vicky, who have had a busy year as you can see in their report. Jill has been getting to grips with her new role as Team Leader for Scouts and along with Ian and Simon they make a super team. They ran a very successful Quiz Night that was enjoyed by all and will hopefully be holding another one next year. Barry and Lynne are doing a great job at running the Explorers, they too make a brilliant team – Barry coming up with lots of wacky ideas and Lynne taming them enough to complete the Risk Assessments! The Trustee Board have not been quite as busy this year; one of our minibuses drastically failed its MOT and we had to let it go, so we are on the lookout for a replacement minibus - if you know of any or feel you could help in our search, please get in touch. Alan stepped up as chair, but then moved to Scotland, and unfortunately it was just too big a commute for him to continue! We wish him the best of luck in the future. So again, we are down a chair – if anyone thinks they can help with organising the running and maintenance of the building please let me know!! 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) The Group has been involved in lots of events this year… The Leaders got together and hosted a Halloween Fun Day, with lots of games, pumpkins, toasting marshmallows and Jacket potatoes with chilli, we had a great day and are holding another one this year – so watch out for your invite! There was a good turnout at the Remembrance Service thank you to all for attending and looking so smart, we will be doing the same again this year, so please add the date to your diary. The Honley Christmas Fayre was again a huge success, and we look forward to organising it again this year, if you would like to hire a table we still have a couple free so please let Louise know. We held our Christmas Carol Service in Trinity Church, thank you once again for hosting this. We had a good turnout and it was lovely to see everybody take part – especially with the whole church joining in with the 12 days of Scouting. I also need to thank Barry for stepping in at the last minute, as I wasn’t much use with no voice! There was a brilliant response yet again for the Christmas Tree collection, and with brilliant teamwork we got them all collected in record time – a massive thank you to the leaders who gave up there Saturday to run around in the rain and get covered in pine needles! After the success of last year, the St George’s Day celebrations had a similar afternoon of fun organised by the district, we had a good turnout, but it would be brilliant if more of our members could join in the fun next year. In the summer we joined the District Camp at Woolley Edge, It was a huge success with nearly 70 of Honley Young members joining in. The weather was glorious, if not a bit too hot in a Tent, and the leaders and parents who helped did a superb job –we couldn’t have done it without you, so thank you! It really has been a great year; we have a brilliant group of Volunteers here at Honley and I really am proud to be part of the Team. I seem to have spent most of this report saying thank you or asking for help, but without the help, support and all the time that our volunteers put in, Honley wouldn’t be able to give all our young members the experiences and adventures that we do, so we really do need you! If you would like to join us, either in the section meetings, on the Trustee board, fundraising or just to help with the maintenance of the building, you will be more than welcome, and any time you can give would be very much appreciated. I look forward to working with you for another fun filled year in scouting, Kat Finlayson ## 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## **Squirrel Report 2024/2025** ## **Current Leaders: Abi Wears, Simon Wears, Charlotte Watson, Charlotte Lodge** In the past year we have welcomed 12 new Squirrels, with some already leaving us to move to Beavers both within our group and elsewhere in the district. We welcomed new leaders while saying bye to Darren at the end of summer as he is moving to Beavers. We have now increased our numbers to 15 Squirrels and divided into Nests – Red, Yellow & Blue. This past year we have had visits from PC Newsome, visited Crossland Moor air field where the squirrels got to sit in a private plane and learn about flying. We have also been orienteering as well as lots of arts and crafts within the hut. A few Squirrels went to Sundown Adventure park with the Beavers & Squirrels around the county and behaved very well whilst being so excited. We also had most of our Squirrels at the district camp for the day, with lots of smiling faces and wishing they could camp over. We have handed out 179 badges (not including membership) that include Space Explorer, Superchef, stage badges for Swimming, Hikes & Air Activities as well as our challenge badges. 6 of our Squirrels earned their highest award – The Golden Acorn. We are looking forward to more activities this year with the county organizing acorn planting as well as a trip to Whistlestop Valley for the Squirrels. We have another visit planned from PC Newsome in her wildlife officer capacity, looking at planets and bonfires as well as a special treat of a visit from Creature’s Ark to learn about different animals. 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## **Beaver Report 2024/2025** **Current Leaders: Lucy Crowder, Claire Hallas,** Andy Lowe, Simon Wears, Darren Webb Since the last AGM meeting, we have run a packed itinerary getting the Beavers out and about as much as possible. We have been out for several walks, including nature walks, litter picking, pond dipping, woodland activities and grass-sledging. The always popular fire lighting has happened a few times and in the summer term we were lucky enough to visit Crosland Moor Airfield, where all the Beavers got the opportunity to sit in the pilot’s seat of a plane! We ran another very successful Elf Camp in Dec. The Beavers were put into groups and had to make their own pizza for tea as well as put up their own tent and make their beds. We made various Christmas related crafts and played lots of games and watched a Christmas movie with hot choc. I can’t say a huge amount of sleep was had. Getting up to go to the toilet seemed to be a real novelty for the first couple of hours for them! It was great fun, and we plan to run it again this year! Throughout the year we have had help from our young leader Tess, who is brilliant at getting stuck in and running the games with the Beavers. I’m very pleased and proud to say we have three Beavers who have achieved their Bronze award, before they left us to join cubs in summer. Well done, William, Rose and Sydney. They were the first Bronze awards I have given out during my time as leader. We said goodbye to Nicola during the year as her job promotion made it harder for her to attend. Thank you for all your help and input Nicola, it is appreciated! We have just welcomed Darren to the leaders’ team. He has been leader at Squirrels but has migrated over to help us in Beavers, and he is a very welcome addition. We are still focusing on working towards Bronze Awards for as many Beavers as possible. We continue to try to offer a varied program of fun and different activities and have some exciting things lined up this year. Beavers is still very popular at the minute, and we have a huge waiting list which we’re trying to get through! Simon does a very good job of managing our incoming and outgoing Beavers. Thank you to all the leaders and parents who have helped throughout the year, it is only as successful as it is because of the team effort behind it and I think we have a great team! ## **Thor Cubs Report 2024/2025** 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) Current Leaders: Joy Fieldsend, Jo Hilton-Jones, Kirsty Gedney, Kirsty McLean ## **Activities – highlights** Autumn term showed the Cubs’ versatility: we were naturalists, scientists, and (backwoods) cooks. We did teamwork challenges, learned about our local area, undertook wellbeing activities and yoga, and made Christmas decorations. And played lots of games, went to the panto and visited Huddersfield Fire Station. In Spring term we were den-builders, chefs, climbers (went bouldering). And made bird-feeders, planted seeds, undertook challenges, played lots of games and furthered our local knowledge. PC Newsome and colleagues joined us for a special session on wildlife protection and rescues. Summer term was busy. We made the most of better weather being outdoors as much as possible, learning new wide games and playing more familiar ones. Activities included grass-sledging, undertaking our cyclists badge, and creating wildlife inspired fence decorations to support Friends of Honley Open Gardens weekend. We continued with great support from local partners, with balsam bashing and naturalist sessions with River Holme Connections. We had another great visit from PC Newsome and colleague with the cubs being handcuffed, refreshing their Water Safety knowledge and exploring the new Ranger vehicle with all its equipment. The year finished with the traditional water challenge games, water fight and hot dogs on the open fire – we limited our water consumption & used it is as a water conservation education opportunity. ## **Camps** A joint Spring Camp with Atlas Cubs was held at Scammonden Activity Centre again at the start of Summer term (Friday evening to Sunday late morning). Activities included a long hike, tent pitching, map reading, indoor climbing, cooking and evening entertainment. Thors Cubs joined the celebratory District Summer Camp, enjoying the wide range of activities. ## **Members & Investitures** Membership was at 20, with 7 new Cubs since September 2024 ## **Badges** 124 badges were awarded over the year, including 13 for nights away, 10 for fire safety and local knowledge, 9 artist, 7 hikes, scientist and naturalist, and 5 team leader and personal challenge badges. 4 were awarded their Chief Silver Scouts award. ## **Leavers/Leadership Changes** We’ve had substantial changes of this year. Gareth and Jamie finished volunteering in Summer term – many thanks to them for our their contributions over the years. Thankfully Kirsty Gedney, a lead for Atlas Cubs, stepped in as regular leader for Thor in Summer term. Kirsty McLean continues to volunteer at sessions, and our former Akela, Joy, has continued to volunteer by providing administrative support, helping to manage communications and badges. Jo continues in the leader role. Christopher, our long-time young leader stopped volunteering with us in Autumn after years consistently supporting us. Sam joined us as a young leader for spring and summer term and Michael slightly later one. We appreciate all the support of our young leaders. A big thank you to all the parents and carers who have supported us over the year at the Wednesday sessions, the camps and additional activities we’ve undertaken over the year. We couldn’t have done what we have without them. A huge thank you to Thor Leaders for being a superb team. And finally…a massive thank you to Thor Cubs for joining in, making a difference and having fun! _Jo_ ## 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## **Atlas Cubs Report 2024/2025** ## **Leaders: Becky Driver, Kirsty Gedney, Vicky Booth** ## Highlights The summer term the cubs enjoyed highlights of cycling and balsam bashing. With River Holme Connections as well as kite flying at Castle Hill. Earlier in the year we visited Coddy’s farm for sausage making and were visited by Huddersfield Astronomy society for an interesting talk on space. This year the Atlas and Thor cubs came together in April for an indoor camp at Scammonden where we enjoyed a hike, games, tent making, map reading and a talent show together. For Halloween the cubs enjoyed a day of crafts and party games, den building and hikes Atlas cubs really enjoy backwood cooking and we offer this on a regular basis as all the cubs really enjoy the process of starting fires and cooking on them. ## Badges The cubs have all earned Skills, World, Teamwork and Adventure challenge badges as well as Activity badges which include Artist, Entertainer, Navigator, Science and Athletics badges. Plus cycling, hikes, personal challenge, digital maker and more Two cubs have received the highest award at cubs, which is the Silver Award, and 2 after moving up. A credit to the cubs and the team for making this happen. ## Membership Currently Atlas Cubs have 18 members and 2 young leaders ## Leadership Becky has been leading the group since it started 9 years ago. Kirsty has been assistant lead for 4 years and Vicky joined the group last summer. We really appreciate all the support we receive from parent helpers, especially when we are doing fires and hikes as we cannot do these activities without their help. We look forward to another year of building on this year’s successes! 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## **Scout Report 2024/2025** ## **Leaders: Jill Falkingham, Ian Higgins, Simon Kirby** We have a good team of Scouts and have organised plenty of outdoor activities for them to enjoy. We’ve combined some of our camps with the Explorers, the winter one held at Scammonden activity centre proving a huge success. Unfortunately we missed the Marsden 3 Peaks this spring but we’ve managed plenty of hikes throughout the year. The Scouts took part in an expedition to Whitley Beaumont followed by a survival camp. It was great to see the Scouts successfully navigating their way from the hut at Honley to Whitley Beaumont at Lepton, organising their hammocks and preparing their own food. At the end of October we’ll be heading to North Yorkshire for another joint camp with the Explorers. Our main focus at Scouts is team building, learning more advanced skills and continuing to enjoy the great outdoors, whilst encouraging them to work towards some of the more challenging badges. We also aim to ensure all our Scouts leave us with the confidence to move up to Explorers after achieving their Gold Award 6th Holme Valley (Trinity Church, Honley) ## **Explorers Report 2024/2025** ## **Leaders: Barry Suddick, Lynne Bradbury** Explorers have had another successful year. District camp was the highlight of the year taking part in paintballing and socialising with other explorer units. The explorers also supported the scouts, camping with them as they completed their expedition badge. Any opportunity to sleep in hammocks. Winter camp saw snow but this time they enjoyed a full Christmas dinner after a long hike and slept in a building rather than in tents. Throughout the year, at the scout hut, the explorers have updated their first aid knowledge, completed challenges set by Barry and cooked up a feast on the campfire. They have also enjoyed hiking, wood and carrot carving and using the air rifles under the watchful eye of Barry. The explorers have had a great year and looking forward to the forthcoming year with changes ahead as a number of them are turning 18. We are looking forward to welcoming the scouts who will move up when they turn 14. 6th Holme Valley Scout Group Analysis of Receipt5 and Payments 2024 Recelpts Subscriptions 19,670 Glft Aid 1,898 Fund RBising 2,214 Attivities 3,992 Donations MB Donations other donations 3,050 1,084 4,134 Grant Income Sundry Income linc room hire 44 Interest 31,952 Expenses Premises Costs Light and Heat Insurance c.leaning Property Repairs Roofing Alarm rnaintenance Other 1,288 2,574 551 14,372 65 285 19,135 Training, Uniforms & Badges 1,551 Activities 6,902 Minibu5 Expenses Insurance Fuel Repairs RFL 900 172 1,876 330 3,278 Administration H3G Website Ac.countant Go Cardle5s Charges Postage and n Cost lopllonall Cvrrent value Details B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to which relatès Amount du• Details When dv¢ o tlonal B5 Liabilities by one or tru5188s on behalf of all the trustees SKJnature Print Name Date of roval CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 1810912025 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteasl members of 6TH HOLME VALLEY {TRINITY CHURCHI SCOUT GROUP On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charity no (if any) 524744 Set out on pages I report to the truslees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 31 March 2022 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounls in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounls carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material mallers have examiner's statement come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect-. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and conlenl of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 1810912025 Name: Richard Simpson Relevant professional qualificationls) or body lif any): ACCA Address: Relative Accountancy Ltd Headrow House, 19 Old Le6ds Road Huddersfield, HD1 1SG IER Oct 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charily accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. None IER Oct 2018