35th Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group Trustees Annual Report April 2021 to March 2022
## 1 **Reference and Administration Details**
Charity Name: **35[th] Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group (The Group)** Charity Number: **524797** Scout registration **10010090** Principal Address: **Scout Centre, Edgefield Road, Sheffield S7 2BT**
## **1.1 Trustees**
Acting Chair & GSL Dean Maragh Secretary Rebecca Sowter Treasurer Roger Brown Assistant Treasurer Robert Sowter Leader Sarah Sheard Leader Nicola Gurney
The persons named above also form the Group Executive Committee.
## 2 **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **2.1 Governing Document**
The Group’s governing documents are those of 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 (POR) of the Scout Association.
## **2.2 Group Scout Council**
The Group Scout Council is the electoral body to which the Group Executive Committee is accountable. Membership of the Group Scout Council is open to:
- Scouters
- Group Active Support Managers and members
- Colony Pack and Troop Assistants
- Skills Instructors
- Administrators
- Advisers
- Patrol Leaders
- All Parents of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts
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35th Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group Trustees Annual Report
## April 2021 to March 2022
- Any other supporters, including former Scouts and their parents, admitted by the Group Scout Leader, the Group Executive Committee or the Group Scout Council
- the District Commissioner and District Chair are ex-officio members of the Group Scout Council.
## **2.3 Constitution**
The Group is a trust established under the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
## **2.4 Trustee Selection**
The trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association _**.**_
## **2.5 Group Executive Committee**
The Group is led by a Group Scout Leader and managed by a Group Executive Committee. They are accountable to the Group Scout Council for the satisfactory running of the Group.
The Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment.
Members of the Executive Committee must act collectively as charity Trustees of the Scout Group, and in the best interests of its members to:
- Comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association
- Protect and maintain any property and equipment owned by and/or used by the Group
- Manage the Group finances.
- Provide insurance for people, property and equipment.
- Provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fund-raising activities.
- Promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area.
- Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally
- Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community.
- Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-Committees, including appointing a Chair to lead the sub-Committees
- Ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the Group
- The opening, closure and amalgamation of sections as necessary.
- And all other duties as set out in Policy, Organisation and Rules.
## **2.6 Risk and Internal Control**
The Group Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed which are:
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35th Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group Trustees Annual Report April 2021 to March 2022
## **2.6.1 Injury to Leaders, Helpers, Supporters or Members**
The Group supports compliance with the Safety Policy and ensures appropriate risk assessment; elimination, reduction and control measures are taken to reduce the likelihood of any injuries.
In addition, through membership fees, the Group contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy.
## **2.6.2 Damage to Buildings, Property or Equipment**
The Group has demonstrated, through the period of COVID restrictions, that, if required it is capable of operating without the use of a physical meeting place for a protracted period of time. This experience would help it survive if the Scout Centre were to become unavailable due to damage in the future. The Group could also request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations.
## **2.6.3 Reduced Income from Subscriptions and Fund Raising**
The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fund-raising. The Group holds adequate reserves to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The committee could also raise the value of subscriptions to increase the Group income either temporarily or permanently.
## **2.6.4 Reduction or Loss of Leaders**
The Group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the Group. If there were a reduction in the number of volunteers to an unacceptable level, then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of activities or sections.
## **2.6.5 Reduction or Loss of Members**
If there were a reduction in membership of a particular section or the Group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section.
## 3 **Objectives and Activities**
The primary objective of the Group is that of the Scout Association generally, namely:
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35th Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group Trustees Annual Report
## April 2021 to March 2022
‘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 cooperate 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.
The activities of the Group are:
- The provision of the Scouting programme for 6–18 year old members
## 4 **Achievements and Performance**
Due to the continuing effects of COVID the group’s activities were severely curtailed in the 21-22 year, to an extent that could have threatened the continued existence of the group. The Trustees are pleased to report that the commitment of the leaders, parents and members has enabled the Group to weather this particular storm, albeit with some difficulty, and it now looks forward to the resumption of a more normal level of activity in the coming years.
One highlight of the 21-22 year was the receipt of a substantial grant from Children in Need, for the purposes of refurbishing the Scout Hut and replacing and improving the Group’s fleet of kayaks.
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35th Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group Trustees Annual Report
## April 2021 to March 2022
## **4.1 Public benefit statement**
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.
## 5 **Financial Review**
## **5.1 Reserves Policy**
The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £5,000.
The Group held reserves of approximately £40,000 at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However this can be explained by the receipt of a £35,000 grant from Children in Need, to support a number of specific items of planned expenditure. This grant income was fully expended in the following financial year, on the purposes for which it was claimed.
## **5.2 Investment Policy**
The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small and as a consequence, does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies or The Scout Association's Short Term Investment Service.
## 6 **Declaration**
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
## **Signature:**
**Date:**
Full Name: **Dean Maragh**
Position: Group Scout Leader
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35th Sheffield (St Oswald’s) Scout Group Trustees Annual Report
April 2021 to March 2022
**Signature:**
**Date** :
Full Name: **Roger Brown** Position: Treasurer
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2021-22 2020-21 2019-20
Capital balances (Starting yr balances)
Unity (current account) 5,091 1,799 1,317
Scout Association account (savings) 1,495 1,482 3,043
Total £6,586 £3,281 £4,360
Annual income
Subs, camps and activities 5,049 6,720 20,319
Hut hire 0 0 321
Gift Aid 1,632 4,167 3,373
Misc income 300 11,232 2,279
Grant 35,212
Interest (from Scout Assoc. savings) 26 13 77
Total £42,219 £22,132 £26,370
Expenditure
Maintenance (474) (11,136) (934)
Rates (91) 0 (352)
Utilities (791) (900) (2,512)
Insurance (2,178) (2,110) (3,900)
Group running costs (2,713) (395) (11,697)
Misc expenditure (498) (405) (442)
Cleaning 0 0 (2,774)
Membership to Scout Assoc (2,079) (3,880) (4,838)
Total £(8,824) £(18,826) £(27,449)
Ending yr balances
Unity (current account) 38,459 5,091 1,799
Scout Association account (savings) 1,522 1,495 1,482
Total £39,981 £6,586 £3,281
Net surplus (should be £0) £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
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Inde
end•nt Emamlnees Re
rt to the Trustees af 35th Sheffleld St. O ald's
out Grou
I rÈPOrt to Ihe Trustees on my examlnatlon of thè atcounts of the 35, SheffiEld St. Oswal(fs for thÈ
year ended S" April 2022,
Responslbllltles and basls of the report
As ihe CharStyTrustees of the 35 Sheffield St, Oswald's y(iii aré résponsible lor the preparatlon of
Ihe aLcuunts In accordance wlth the requirements of the Ch&rilit5 Acl 2011 Act'l.
I report In respect ot my examination of ihe 35, Sheffleld St. Oswald's Bccoonis carried out under
sÈctlon 145 of Act and In carrying out my exaffilnatlon I have lollowed all the appllcable dlrectlons
8iven by the Charity Commission UlKler section 145151 Ibl of the Aci.
Independent Examlnee$ Statement
I have completed my examlnaiion. I conflrm that no mhterlal matters have come to my attentlon In
connecilon wlth the examlnailon 8ivln& me cause ta belleve that in any material Spert:
l. AccouniinB records were not kept In respect of tho 35, Sheflleld Sl. 05wald'5 as requlred b
sertlon 130 01 the Act,, or
2. The Accounts do nol accord wlth those recor(Es,
I have no concerns and come aCf055 no matlers In Connection wilh the examtnatlon io which
tletttlon should be drawn In th15 reyort In order to enable a proper UndersndIn of ihe account5
to be reached
SiEned'.
Oavld Mlchaèl Cassels
4 LJw50n Road, Sheffield, 510 5BW
24"Jonuary 2023