charity number 524827
WHARFEDALE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
District Commissioners – Tim Haskins and Paul Jennings Chairman - Mike Roberts
Secretary - Chris Carver . . . secretary@wharfedalescouts.org.uk
ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021
District Commissioners’ Report 2021
Taking over as DC is always going to be a daunting prospect. Doing so part way through the year in the middle of a global pandemic with society locked down and scouting only available via zoom was not going to make it easier, and too big a job for one person. We have therefore moved to a joint DC team and hopefully you will all see the benefit of the ‘two for the price of one’ model. We owe our sincere thanks to Dominic our predecessor and Acting DC Ian Womersley for making the transition as painless as possible.
Whilst it is too early to be certain, at the time of writing, there are promising signs that the worst of the pandemic may be over. Most of our groups are now back to meeting face to face. Numbers of leaders and young people are increasing fast, although there is still some way to go to reverse the numbers dropped during the pandemic. This is testament to the resilience and dedication of the team of scouting volunteers in the District, so thank you to all of you.
Our District Centres at Curly Hill and Reva our now fully operational again. Both have made the best of an unfortunate situation to improve their facilities whilst normal activities have been on hold. It was also pleasing to see Curly Hill being actively used to support the wider community, in particular by welcoming the LS29 special needs support group who became regular visitors. Many thanks to the hard working teams at both of these Centres. It is also great to see that Hag Dyke, a special place to many of us in the District, is back up and running again due to the hard work of the 1st Ben Rhydding team.
The Executive Committee adjusted well to the move to online meetings. It is now great that we have the opportunity to meet in person again, although we do recognise that not everyone is comfortable to venture out, so the ‘hybrid’ style of physical and online meetings may continue for a while. Thank you to the whole committee, but especially to Chris our secretary and Alan our treasurer for taking on these important behind the scenes roles without which we could not continue. Our particular thanks go to Mike Roberts for doing such a great job as District Chairman for many years – opinions seem to be divided on quite how many! His are very large shoes to fill when he steps down after this AGM.
Looking to the future, we are looking to put together a five year development plan for the District. Please bear with us while we do this, and we will also be asking for help and ideas from everybody, do please look out for our requests.
Paul Jennings and Tim Haskins
District Commissioners
When I took over the role of ADC Beavers in February 2020, I never imagined how dramatically Scouting and the world In general would change.
However, Beaver Leaders in the district rose to the ever changing challenges of lock downs and easing of restrictions along with getting to grips with Zoom and new risk assessments. Where increased responsibilities at work and shielding allowed, they have managed to deliver a varied programme of meetings using Zoom and the great outdoors.
Meetings have included cooking, space badge, scavenger hunts, games and even a virtual sleepover using Zoom and once they were able to meet face to face again grass sledging, litter picking, wide games, roasting marshmallows, fire-lighting and similar camping-type activities. One Colony even managed to make a scarecrow for their church’s 200th birthday celebrations scarecrow display.
Hopefully things will get back to something like normal in the coming year and we will all be able to work together to resume Scouting as usual.
Tina Reed - ADC Beaves
below are four pictures taken during Beaver Zoom meetings
Well this year has been different!
I don’t think many of us would have heard of Zoom 18 months ago let alone used it but here we are now almost experts!
There was Virtual Big Camp, Hike to the Moon and lots of County organised activities! I had never been to a virtual camp fire or stood outside my house and renewed my promise! We are all never too old to learn new skills.
During all the lockdowns and subsequent weeks most of the Wharfedale units have been meeting on Zoom, as I say. The have baked, used What 3 Words, scavenger hunted round their own houses, and camped in bedrooms and gardens. There has been a great deal of badge work completed whilst trying to live a life with scouting activities and skills in.
Unfortunately, members of the Otley unit were unable to meet and the district has had to close the Menston unit, due to lack of numbers. We hope we can re-open both in the not too distant future.
The good news is there is now a new thriving unit at Addingham, which opened in February and we hope they continue to grow.
Now is the time to plan for the future and look for volunteers to help deliver scouting for all as we move forward and develop “Skills for Life” in our young people.
Pam Newman
District Explorer Scout Commissioner
Wharfedale Network Unit has not met this year and hopefully in Autumn 2021 we can start and look at the way forward.
Pam Newman Network Leader
CURLY HILL CAMP SITE & CENTRE
We had been anticipating another busy year in 2020/21 however, with the COVID-19 situation worsening, on March 17[th] 2020, the decision was taken to close Curly Hill until such time as government restrictions were relaxed and we were able to reopen. With many of our bookings being from schools and voluntary groups we decided to offer a full refund on prepaid deposits. This has already paid dividends in new bookings from the goodwill this generated. However, at the start of the pandemic we never expected that we would remain closed for overnight stays for over a year!
With little prospect of reopening and extended lockdown we looked for other ways to utilise the wonderful facilities at Curly Hill for the benefit of the community and after discussions with LS29 Charity we reopened the Curly Hill Centre and grounds as an emergency respite centre for the families of children with additional needs. LS29 are a local charity that specialise in organising activities for children with special needs and by working in partnership with them we were able to offer our facilities for use by families over the summer months. Centre and grounds were made Covid safe and activities delivered by LS29 staff and volunteers based from Curly Hill. These activities provided an opportunity for young people and families to spend time outdoors in a safe and secure environment. It was for some, the only opportunity they had to play outside for several months. Many LS29 families have additional health needs meaning they needed to shield and take extra precautions too. It was quite an isolating time for many people in the group. At Curly Hill they could enjoy the space and activities on offer, and see friendly faces to welcome them and chat from a distance if needed.
Feedback from participants was fantastic and made me feel so proud to have been part of the project:
“Visit enabled us to have the space and chance to explore a different environment away from our home! And to meet other people (the staff) to talk to and be able to relax as a family, which enabled our child, to be themselves. So "thank you" from the bottom of our hearts. We can't wait to go again!“
Apart from LS29 the site remained closed for all of 2020/21, only reopening for limited outside Day/Evening use from April 12[th] this year. During this period our valued team of volunteer wardens has continued to meet in line with Covid regulations and have done a fantastic job in keeping the building & site in good order ready for when we could reopen. Following completion of a full risk
assessment and implementation of necessary social distancing procedures we have recently reopened to day visitors and are very much looking forward to welcoming our first campers from May 17[th] , subject to relaxation of the lockdown rules.
I am very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to Curly Hill once more so that they can experience the wonderful facilities we have.
Jeremy Ince Chair Curly Hill Sub Committee
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
SECTION A General Information
VICE PRESIDENTS
Marie Storr
TRUSTEES: Ex-Officio members of the District Executive Committee Chairman Treasurer Secretary District Commissioners
District Explorer Scout Commissioner & District Scout Network Leader
Michael Roberts Alan Pratt Chris Carver Tim Haskins Paul Jennings Pamela Newman
TRUSTEES: nominated by the District Commissioner District Executive Committee District Executive Committee District Executive Committee District Executive Committee District Executive Committee District Executive Committee
Charlie Barnes Peter Bennett Catherine Britton Angela Pickard Thomas Pickard Tina Reed
TRUSTEES: elected
Appointments Sub-committee District Executive Committee Covid-19 Risk Assessments SASU Manager District Executive Committee District Executive Committee
Richard Bleasdale Peter Dickinson Dominic Dobson Jeremy Ince Christine Paterson Matthew Phillips
DISTRICT APPOINTMENTS SUB - COMMITTEE
Chairman Secretary
Richard Bleasdale Elizabeth Archer
BANKERS
Unity Trust Bank plc, 9 Brindley Place, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2HB
CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES
Scout Association Trust Corporation, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London, E4 7QW
DISTRICT REGISTRATION NUMBER WITH THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION: 16623
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 524827
CONTACT NAME AND ADDRESS
Mr. Chris Carver, 17 Courthouse Street, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3AN
SECTION B
Wharfedale District Scout Council Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021
Wharfedale District Scout Council is constituted under the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
Wharfedale District Scout Council is a registered charity established, and with Trustees appointed, in accordance with these Rules.
Wharfedale District Scout Council continued throughout the year to provide leadership, advice and support for the ten Scout Groups in its District and in the local communities within its boundary.
The Trustees have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit in deciding what activities to undertake. The District meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship and community development headings.
Wharfedale District Scout Council manages and administers Curly Hill Campsite and Centre and also Reva Water Activity Centre for the benefit of members and the community.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The affairs are managed by the District Executive Committee (the trustees) through a number of sub - committees. A member of the Executive Committee should serve on each sub - committee. The committees support the District Commissioner and Assistant District Commissioners who have responsibility for certain areas of the District activity.
The sub - committees are
Appointments Advisory Sub-committee Curly Hill Activity Centre and Campsite Sub-committee Reva Water Activity Centre Sub-committee District Explorer Scouts Sub-committee Development Sub-committee District Awards Sub-committee Scout Active Support Unit committee
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
A full review of the year is published as a separate booklet.
The support of Scouting in the District was carried out at a surplus of £22,194 (2020: £3,265). The amount of £12,218 was added to unrestricted reserves.
GOVERNANCE COSTS
The management costs of the charity are considered minimal and are not reported separately since the assessment of the costs would be arbitrary.
RESERVES
Reserves are being held to ensure that the level of activity can be maintained for at least one year, without income through a policy to hold between 75% and 100% of one year's gross expenditure.
FUTURE OPERATION OF THE CHARITY
The trustees are of the opinion that the funds are sufficient to continue activities through the ensuing year.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The District Executive Committee and the District Team operate within the safety regulations of the Scout Association. The risks to the operation and management of the district have been assessed and kept under review and plans are in place to mitigate or eliminate the effect of potential risks.
STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE TO ACCOUNTS EXAMINER
Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the examination of the accounts, but of which the examiner is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the examiner is aware of such information.
Mike Roberts - Chairman Wharfedale District Scout Council
Wharfedale District Scout Council
Account Summary for the Year End 31st March 2021
| Wharfedale District Scout Council Account Summary for the Year End 31st March 2021 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Total Receipts & Accrued Income | 87,587 | 74,511 |
| Total Payments and charges | (65,393) | (71,246) |
| Net Surplus for the year | 22,194 | 3,265 |
| Surplus brought forward | 57,254 | 53,989 |
| Surplus carried forward | 79,448 | 57,254 |
| Notes to accounts:- | ||
| Profit on badge sales (inc Curly Hill and Reva) | 0 | 465 |
| Surplus on Curly Hill camp site in year | 14,938 | 10,355 |
| (Deficit)/Surplus On Reva Sailing Centre in Year pre-depreciation charge | 14,828 | 1,742 |
| Boat Depreciation Charge in year against Reva Boat Reserve | 8,953 | 8,953 |
The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on ……................. 2021 and signed on their behalf by :-
Mike Roberts Chairman
Alan Pratt Treasurer
Income for year ending 31st March 2021
| Membership Subscriptions Subscriptions from groups Membership Fees Reva Investment Income Received Bank Interest Donations and Grants Donations - Reva Donations Other Donations - Curly Hill (not inc Amortised Grants) Activities Curly Hill Income Curly Hill Badge Sales Reva Tuck Shop Reva Badge Sales Net income from events Sailing Fees and course Other Income Badge Sales Activities of Scout Active Support Unit Sundry Reva Income Total Income for year |
2021 2020 £ £ 35,143 36,025 200 35 35,343 36,060 69 322 21,151 5,490 0 447 24,320 0 45,471 5,937 403 22,124 0 688 0 775 0 48 0 3 0 6,508 403 30,146 0 1,035 0 506 6,301 505 6,301 2,046 87,587 74,511 |
|---|---|
Expenditure and Charges for Year ending 31st March 2021
| Curly Hill Camp Site Utilities Insurance Repairs, Renewals and Maintenance Sundry Depreciation on Toilet Block Curly Hill badge purchases, net of stock movement Reva Sailing Centre Insurance Rent and Utilities Equipment expenditure & Repair Repairs to Ground and Buildings Course Expenses Training Sundry Tuck Shop Purchases Depreciation on Landrover Discovery Depreciation on boats and Equipment Activities, Donations and Grants Donations towards Jamboree Events Other Expenses Scout Active Support Scout Active Support Equip Repair Badge Purchases AGM License Fees and Journals Training Neckers, other Sundry expenses Subscriptions payable to County Interest Payable Total Expenditure & charges for year |
2021 2020 £ £ 3,216 4,450 1,612 998 3,933 5,545 0 0 1,024 1,024 0 440 9,785 12,457 4,151 4,880 1,734 2,690 5,258 1,105 0 0 0 668 0 0 1,430 1,066 0 625 250 585 8,953 8,953 21,777 20,572 0 200 0 44 0 244 42 104 0 1,557 0 866 0 334 1,135 1,079 0 0 0 173 312 702 32,270 33,086 33,759 37,901 72 72 65,393 71,246 |
|---|---|
Statement of Assets & Liabilities at 31st March 2021
| Fixed Assets Land and Buildings Boats and Equipment Landrover - Reva Current Assets Monetary Assets Bank Accounts Bank Deposit Account Prepaid Expense Account Non-Monetary Assets Sundry Debtors & Accrued Income Badges Stock Liabilities due within a year Net Group Subscriptions in advance Deferred Income Sundry Creditors Total Current Assets Liabilities due more than a year Deferred Income Net Assets Reserves Brought Forward at 1st April Surplus/(Deficit) in Year Reserves carried forward at 31st March |
2021 £ 320,715 16,295 750 337,760 89,718 64,738 56 154,512 1,699 825 2,524 (29,480) (4,527) (13,841) (47,848) 109,188 (57,170) 389,779 Boat & Building Reserve Surplus £ £ 264,693 102,892 (8,953) 31,147 255,740 134,039 |
2020 £ 324,617 26,898 0 351,515 58,361 69,715 56 128,132 2,403 825 3,228 (35,143) (4,527) (13,924) (53,594) 77,766 (61,697) 367,584 Total reserves £ 367,585 22,194 389,779 |
|---|---|---|
Accounting Policies & Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting Policies
Income
Income represents the monies from the activities for the Scout Council adjusted for the year to which it relates. Income received in advance for subscriptions is carried forward and charges in the year to which it relates.
Fixed Assets
Land and Buildings are included at the insurance valuation. Additional building costs incurred to extend the building facilities are capitalised.
Boats and Equipment are initially recorded at cost.
The Landrover is included at cost.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of assets over their estimated useful economic life as follows:
| on on is calculated so as to write ife as follows: |
off the cost of assets |
|---|---|
| Land and Buildings | Nil |
| Additional Building Costs | 5% straight line |
| Boats and Equipment | 10% straight line |
| Landrover | 25% straight line |
Donations received towards the tractor and boats are being amortised in line with the depreciation period of the asset, and netted off the depreciation charge within the Statement of Expenditure and Charges.
Donations received towards the cost of building additional facilities at the Curly Hill site are amortised in line with the depreciation charge within the Statement of Expenditure and Charges.
Sundry creditors, both due within one year and more that one year, include an amount of donations received yet to be credited to the Income and Expenditure Account.
Stock
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realiable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
2. Donations Received
Donations/Grants were received in the year from Central Government via Local Councils due to the COVID pandemic. These amounted to £24320 for Curly Hill and £21151 for Reva.
Further Donations were received to facilitate the purchase of a new Lawnmower for Curly Hill (held pending purchase) £16500 has been transferred to a specific reserve under Other Creditors
and will be released to surplus in line with amortisation of the cost of the new mower.
Independent Examlnees Report to the Twstees of tl Wharfedak DtstrlctSco Coundl I report on the accounts of the District forthe year ended 31" MaTd) 2021 whith are detailed in the Trustees Annual ReporL This report is made solely to thetrustees in accordance with the Charities Art 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the drity5 trustees those matters l arn 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 aCpt or assume responsibillty to arbyone other than the tharivs trustees for my examination work. Respective respon%l)ilities of Trustees and Examiner The Di5tricYs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They considerthat an audit is not required for thi5 year under the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent exaTninion 15 needed. It is my reskN)nsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 A¢ To follow the procedures laid dovm in the General Directions given bythe Charity Commissioners (under Section 145{51 (b) of the 2011 Act; and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Indepent Examin5 report My examination was (arried out iri 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 compari50n of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disdosure5 in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any 5uth matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audtt, and corisequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a '*rue and fair view" and the report is limtted to those matter5 set out in the statement below. In connection with my examination. no matter has cometo my attention: l. Whith gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any matersal respect the requirements To keep accounting records in accordan with Section 130 of the 2011 Art. and To prepare accounts whith acu)rd wtth the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met.. or 2. To which, in my opinion. attention sh¢yJld be drawn in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reache(L Name: Anthony Bradbury FCCA Quallfication: Certified Accountant Addre5s.' Messrs Hollings Crowe Storr LLP. 14 Beeth Hill. Otley West Yorkshire. LS213AX Date- i / 11 12021