Trustees’ Annual Report 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Contents
Trustees’ Annual Report 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025................................................................................ 1 Contents ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 Section A: Reference and administration details .................................................................................................. 2 Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity............................................................................... 2 Names and addresses of advisers ................................................................................................................. 2 Section B: Structure, Governance and Management ........................................................................................... 3 Type of governing document ........................................................................................................................ 3 How the charity is constituted ...................................................................................................................... 3 Trustee selection methods ........................................................................................................................... 3 Additional governance issues ....................................................................................................................... 3 Risk and Internal Control .............................................................................................................................. 3 Section C: Objectives and Activities ...................................................................................................................... 4 Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document .................................................. 4 Public benefit statement .............................................................................................................................. 5 Section D: Achievements and performance ......................................................................................................... 5 Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year ............................................................ 5 Section E: Financial Review ................................................................................................................................... 5 Reserves policy ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Investment Policy ......................................................................................................................................... 5 How expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity .............................................................. 6 Section F: Other Information ................................................................................................................................ 6 Plans for future periods ................................................................................................................................ 6 Section G: Declaration .......................................................................................................................................... 6
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Section A: Reference and administration details
| Section A: Reference and | administration details | |
|---|---|---|
| Charity name: | 2nd Acomb (St. Stephen’s) | Scout Group |
| Registered charity number: | 524830 | |
| HQ registration number: | 14342 | |
| Charity’s principal address: | Behind Acomb Church Hall | |
| Front Street | ||
| Acomb, York | ||
| YO24 3BX | ||
| Names of the charity trustees | who manage the charity | |
| Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
| Rebecca Lincoln | Group Scout Lead Volunteer | |
| Robert Dickenson | Chairman | |
| Charlotte Walker | Treasurer | |
| Janet McPherson | General | |
| Russell Odom | Deputy Chair | |
| Lisa West | Administrative Lead | |
| Rachael Paxton | Health & Safety Lead | |
| Marsha Roworth | Fundraising Lead | From 12 July 2024 |
| Sarah Brogan | General | |
| Jason Rose | General | From 12 July 2024 |
| Shannyn Brogan | Youth Ambassador | |
| Alex Bradford | Youth Ambassador | From 12 July 2024 |
| Beverley Wright | General | To 11 July 2024 |
| Sarah Barnes | General | To 11 July 2024 |
| Susan Oxlade | PCC St Stephen's Church | To 11 July 2024 |
Names and addresses of advisers
| Type of advisor | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Barclays Bank PLC | 1-3 Parliament Street, York. YO1 8SE |
| Bank | Lloyds Bank PLC | 2 Pavement, York. YO1 9UP |
| Insurance broker | Unity Insurance | Suite 8, The Quadrant, Business Park, 60 Marlborough Road, |
| Lancing. BN15 8UW |
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Section B: Structure, Governance and Management
Type of 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 of The Scout Association.
How the charity is constituted
The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
Trustee selection methods
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Additional governance issues
The Group is managed by the Group Trustee Board, the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer, Group Scout Lead Volunteer (Ex Officio), Administrative Lead, two Youth Ambassadors, and 6 other Trustees and meets every 3 months.
Members of the Trustee Board complete “Being a Trustee in Scouts” learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. They work within the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. Their support helps other volunteers run high-quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.
Since 1988 the Group have owned Redmire Station House in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, under a Declaration of Trust with 4 Trustees. A team of volunteers are responsible for the day to day running, maintenance, financing and hiring of the property. This team reports to the Group Trustee Board.
The Group is currently investigating options for a major refurbishment or relocation of our HQ building, and a team has been formed to research, plan, fundraise and manage the project. This team also reports to the Group Trustee Board.
Risk and Internal Control
The Group Trustee Board maintains a robust and detailed Risk Management process, policy and Risk Register. Risks are managed under a continual cycle of identification, review and remediation. The notable risks to which they believe the Group is exposed are:
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Lease for HQ with church has expired. There are no concerns over renewal on either side of the relationship; with agreement of the church, we have engaged a solicitor to draft a new lease and expect to provide this to the Church in the near future.
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Shortage of leaders. All existing sections are currently reasonably well covered, and we have a strong pipeline of Young Leaders. However, there’s certainly space for more, and with more leaders we
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could open a second Squirrel drey to accommodate young people currently on the waiting list. Recruitment activities are always ongoing.
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Bookings for Redmire may not cover costs. The Trustee board are taking legal and professional advice, and are reviewing options for maximising the contribution of Redmire towards our charitable objects.
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HQ age and state of repair. The building dates from the 1960s and is showing its age. It is too small in its current configuration to accommodate all the activities we would like for the number of young people we have. It could eventually become unusable without major work. We have formed a team to investigate options for refurbishment, rebuild or relocation, and then manage the resulting project.
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Cyber-attack. The Group uses reputable suppliers for our IT systems, and the IT team who manage them are experienced professionals. However, we have no policy which standardises good practice for our configuration and usage of these systems. This is being written, and thereafter we will audit all systems’ configurations and usage against it, and correct any issues found.
Section C: Objectives and 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:
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Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
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Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
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Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
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Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
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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
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learn by doing
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share in spiritual reflection
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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
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.
Section D: Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The Group continues to run 8 sections, with 54 wonderful, dedicated adult volunteers enabling 133 young people to gain Skills For Life through Scouting in Acomb and surrounding areas.
Following mechanical failures of both of our Group minibuses, a major fundraising drive has allowed us to replace these with two new (to us!) minibuses and a baggage van. We are grateful to all the organisations and individuals who supported us.
The Group has renewed its sponsorship agreement with St. Stephen’s Church.
After a generous donation and considerable time and effort from our dedicated volunteers, we have a new kitchen in HQ almost ready to use. Many thanks are due to all concerned.
We have taken new opportunities for our young people to get involved with a broader range of activities than ever before. Amongst many other things, our Cubs and Scouts have created a podcast with LNER, we took the Scouts to the National Space Centre, the Squirrels took part in a national trial with the National Railway Museum of their new Early Years activities.
Section E: Financial Review
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 Trustee Board has updated its reserves policy this year, and considers that the group should hold free reserves equivalent to 3 months group running costs, circa £4,000 and approximately 12 months’ running costs of Redmire, amounting to £11,000. Free reserves are defined as the total group reserves, less any restricted or designated funds and after adding or deducting the amount due to or from future trips and the amount expected to be due in capitation fees relating to past months.
The Group held free reserves of £31,874 against a target of £15,000 at year end. The Group is cognisant that it is necessary to have a Scout hut which is fit for the future of the group, and so reserves in excess of target will be required to allow the planning and work to commence on a project to deliver this.
Investment Policy
The Group believe that they have no need to invest in longer term investment other than the Freehold Asset. The Group will therefore hold funds in deposit accounts with immediate access, trying to maximise any interest.
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How expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity
Expenditure has focussed mainly on operational expenditure of running and maintaining the Scout hut, purchasing and maintaining the two minibuses and the van, running scouting activities, including scout camps and operating Redmire.
Redmire has been a key venue for scout and other youth groups' camps for many years, and the expenditure here has focussed on keeping it operational both for the continued benefit of the Group and to maximise rental income to offset the costs.
Section F: Other Information
Plans for future periods
Over the next few years, the Group plans to undertake a major capital project to improve the situation of its HQ building and make it fully fit for purpose once again and for the next few decades.
We are investigating opening a second Squirrel Drey, as we have a large waiting list for this age group.
Section G: Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signature Full name Robert Dickenson Russell Odom Position Chairman Deputy Chair Date 7[th] July 2025
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2nd Acomb (St Stephen's) Scout Group (Charity no. 524830)(Charity no. 524830) Receipts and Payments Account
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2nd Acomb (St Stephen's) Scout Group (Charity no. 524830)(Charity no. 524830)
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year from 1st April 2024 To 31st March 2025
Receipts and payments
2024/25 2023/24
Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted
Unrestricted
Funds - Funds - Funds - Funds - Funds - Total funds Total funds
funds
Redmire Minibus Utilities Scouts Kitchen
£ £ £ £ £ £
Receipts
Donations, legacies and similar
income
Membership subscriptions 19,788 - - - - - 19,788 17,658
Individual Donations 702 - - - - 2,349 3,051 3,944
Point of Sale donations 189 - - - - - 189 171
Gift-in-kind 1,000 - - - - - 1,000 -
Raffle - - - - - - - 115
100 Club 280 - - - - 283 562 252
Gift Aid 2,956 - - - - - 2,956 3,177
Fundraising Events - - 80 - - - 80 2,439
Sub total 24,914 - 80 - - 2,632 27,626 27,757
Grants
Ward Grant - - - - - - - 3,500
Other grants - - 7,500 - - 500 8,000 1,745
Sub total - - 7,500 - - 500 8,000 5,245
Trading Income
Stalls - - 570 - - - 570 340
Sale of donated stock - - - - - - - 120
Uniform sales - investiture 235 - - - - - 235 -
Hire of Scout Building - - - - - - - 8
Hire of vehicle 935 - - - - - 935 415
Hire of Redmire 13,258 - - - - 13,258 13,336
14,428 - 570 - - - 14,998 14,218
Income from Charitable Activities
Scouting Activities - in Year 6,730 - - - - - 6,730 12,099
Scouting Activities - Future 4,353 - - - - - 4,353 3,850
Scouting Activities - Refunds - - - - - - - -
Group Socials - - - - - - - -
Sub total 11,082 - - - - - 11,082 15,949
Investment income
Bank interest 547 - - - - - 547 369
The Scout Association Short Term
- - - - - - - 10
Investment Service
Other investment income - - - - - - - -
Sub total 547 - - - - - 547 379
Total Gross Income 50,970 - 8,150 - - 3,132 62,252 63,548
Asset and investment sales, etc. - - 1,500 - - - 1,500 -
Total receipts 50,970 - 9,650 - - 3,132 63,752 63,548
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2nd Acomb (St Stephen's) Scout Group (Charity no. 524830) Receipts and Payments Account
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Receipts and Payments Account
For the year To
from 1st April 2024 31st March 2025
Receipts and payments
2024/25 2023/24
Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted
Unrestricted
Funds - funds - funds - funds - Funds - Total funds Total funds
funds
Redmire Minibus Utilities Scouts Kitchen
£ £ £ £ £ £
Payments
Charitable Activities
Membership subscriptions paid on 8,514 - - - - - 8,514 8,100
(National/County/Area/District)
Camp costs - in year 6,247 - - - - - 6,247 13,733
Camp costs - future 5,975 - - - - - 5,975 2,868
Group Socials 186 - - - - - 186 -
Section Running costs 818 - - - 1,989 - 2,807 2,035
Adult support and training - - - - - - - 40
Rent 250 - - - - - 250 812
Asbestos survey 384 - - - - - 384 -
Electricity, Gas and Water 2,041 - - 1,093 - - 3,135 655
Insurance 993 - - - - - 993 1,110
Fire Prevention Costs 88 - - - - - 88 495
Repairs and Renewals 39 - - - - 751 789 71
Materials & Equipment - - - - - - - 498
Legal costs - Gift in Kind 1,000 - - - - - 1,000 -
Transport - Insurance & Licence 1,900 - 2,664 - - - 4,563 208
Transport - Fuel 476 - - - - - 476 674
Transport - Repairs 302 - 178 - - - 481 352
Printing, photocopying 73 - - - - - 73 226
Web Site 258 - - - - - 258 285
Badges 1,128 - - - - - 1,128 2,232
Uniforms - - - - - - - 424
AGM and trustee expenses 123 - - - - - 123 126
Go Card, OSM & other costs 1,476 - - - - - 1,476 1,609
Other costs detail 3 - - [ - - - ] - - -
Sub total 32,271 - 2,842 1,093 1,989 751 38,946 36,554
Fundraising expenses
Donation platform costs 30 - - - - - 30 155
100 Club Prizes 280 - - - - - 280 144
Sub total 310 - - - - - 310 298
Trading expenses
Redmire running costs 13,458 - - - - - 13,458 10,926
Redmire administration costs 918 - - - - - 918 797
Redmire building works 8,107 - - - - - 8,107 2,354
Sub total 22,484 - - - - - 22,484 14,077
Total Gross Expenditure 55,064 - 2,842 1,093 1,989 751 61,739 50,929
Asset and investment purchases,
etc. - - 14,900 - - - 14,900 -
Total payments 55,064 - 17,742 1,093 1,989 751 76,639 50,929
Net of receipts/(payments) (4,093) - (8,092) (1,093) (1,989) 2,381 (12,887) 12,620
Transfers between funds 276 49 13 (339) - - -
Cash funds last year end 34,871 8,091 1,080 2,328 - 46,370 33,750
Cash funds this year end 31,054 - 47 - - 2,381 33,483 46,370
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2nd Acomb (St Stephen's) Scout Group (Charity no. 524830)(Charity no. 524830) Receipts and Payments Account
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2nd Acomb (St Stephen's) Scout Group (Charity no. 524830)(Charity no. 524830)
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year To
from 1st April 2024 31st March 2025
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
31st March
31st March 2025
2024
Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Total funds Total funds
funds funds - funds - funds - funds - funds -
Redmire Minibus Utilities Scouts Kitchen
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Cash funds
Bank current accounts 4,178 - 47 - - 2,381 6,607 8,680
Bank deposit accounts 30,229 - - - - - 30,229 40,587
Advances (3,353) - - - - - (3,353) (3,006)
The Scout Association Short Term
Investment Service - - - - - - - (0)
Cash/Floats - - - - - - - -
Total cash funds 31,054 - 47 - - 2,381 33,483 46,261
(agree balances with receipts and payments a/c) ok ok ok ok ok ok ok
Other monetary assets
Tax claim - - - - - - - -
Debts due from the District - - - - - - - -
Insurance claim - - - - - - - -
Sub total - - - - - - - -
Investment assets
Investment property - detail - - - - - - - -
Quoted investments - - - - - - - -
Other investments - detail - - - - - - - -
Sub total - - - - - - - -
Non monetary assets for charity's
own use
Badge stock 2,487 - - - - - 2,487 2,772
Land and Buildings
At Cost 80,380 - - - - 80,380 80,380
Other Assets at Valuation
Motor vehicles 14,900 - - - - - 14,900 3,300
Scouting equipment, furniture etc 10,592 - - - - - 10,592 7,600
Trophies 100 - - - - - 100 100
Sub total 28,079 80,380 - - - - 108,459 94,152
Liabilities
Accounts not yet paid - - - - - - - -
Expenses incurred but not invoiced - - - - - - - -
Subscriptions not yet paid - - - - - - - -
Other liabilities - - - - - - - -
Sub total - - - - - - - -
Total net assets 59,133 80,380 47 - - 2,381 141,942 140,413
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 11th July 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Signature Name
Robert Dickenson Chairman
#VALUE!
Charlotte Walker Treasurer
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEE BOARD OF
2ND ACOMB (ST. STEPHEN'S) SCOUT GROUP
I report on the Accounts of the Group for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Group's Trustee Board is responsible for the preparation of the Accounts and consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
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1) Examine the Accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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2) To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charities Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act;
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3) 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 by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of accounting records kept by the Group and a comparison of the Accounts with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the Financial Statements, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning 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.
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1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.
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a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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b) to prepare Financial Statements which accord with the accounting records; and c) to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act.
have not been met; or
- 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Financial Statements to be reached.
Signed Name; Mr Richard Turpin Qualification: AAT Qualified and CIMA Student Address: 18 Balmoral Terrace Southbank York YO23 1HS Date: 20th November 2025