We think we know where we’re going!
Wrexham District Scout Council Annual Report & Accounts 2022/23
Front page: 6th Wrexham leaders showing the way.
From the District Chairperson
It feels like hardly any time at all since our last AGM! Whilst we continue to be in a “will we, won’t we be moving” holding game, we have been able to take some actions to hopefully help the district.
Last autumn, the District Executive (as we were then) agreed to provide further support to Groups to help ease costs for young people. We provided each Group with two rucksacks full of camping kit which we hope are being put to good use and will have enabled some young people to take part in Nights Away activities where otherwise they may have not been able to.
We also offered “snack money” to Groups prior to Christmas, however had only a few takers and decided that this level of support was not needed. A uniform swop Facebook page was also established.
We were also able to make a contribution to funds for the World Scout Jamboree. I know it wasn’t the experience hoped for, however also know that those who attended will look back on this in future years with a sense of pride and developed resilience.
Alongside these initiatives, we provided details of the District Quiet Fund to Group Scout Leaders. We have been
fortunate that Peter Fox, a former Wrexham Scout, continues to support us with this. I’m pleased to report that we have supported six applications and would encourage everyone to remain abreast to individual needs and to reach out to discuss how we can help ensure that everyone continues to enjoy and gain from Scouts.
Over the year, we have continued to promote the use of the HQ building and thanks go to Lisa Jones for managing bookings. We have been fortunate to secure a regular user, St Mary’s Playgroup who are now using the hall four mornings a week. The rental we receive helps secure the building and enables us to consider how best to secure and maintain this (whilst waiting on a possible move of course!).
Since the start of the year, our efforts have been focused on supporting and preparing for Transformation. We assumed the mantle of the District Trustee Board in June and have started to focus more on the governance aspects as now required. Having checked all our policies are in place and in line with Scouts rules, refreshed our risk
assessments and established a detailed governance risk register, we are in good shape to move forward as a Trustee Board. These policies and documents have been shared both with Area and our own Groups and I hope that there are helpful in helping you make similar moves.
and at a recent meeting we agreed on a
reserves policy to help with any future move. We have also started to consider how we can further support units although this conversation is at an early stage and will continue to be a focus for us as we move into the new year.
I’d like to thank everyone who has supported Moz and myself this year. Special thanks need to go to Karen and Dave Cheesbrough who have decided to step back from being Trustees as they look to move closer to family in the future. You have both had a long association with Wrexham Scouting and I know your contributions will be missed. Thanks also go to Lisa who is standing down. We look forward to seeing you continue to help in other capacities.
I look forward to continuing to work with everyone over the next year and strive to make Scouts the best it can be for our young people. Please do reach out with ideas, requests and suggestions. Together always achieves more.
Nicola Morris Chair, District Trustee Board
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1st Rhosnesni Beavers coming face to face with nature
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From the District Lead Volunteer
It’s been a funny year as my time supporting Wrexham District as Lead Volunteer has at times taken a back seat to my role as Transformation Lead for Clwyd. It’s only when I’ve sat down to look back at the last 12 months for this report that I’ve realised how much has happened.
We’ve been changing the way we do things as we move over to the new structures, so in March we held our last ever District Team meeting made up of Commissioners, and started moving to the new team structures.
This is all very new and will take time to get used to, but we’ve already seen people getting involved in District teams who hadn’t previously been involved in supporting Scouts outside their own Sections.
Throughout the year what was our District Executive Committee, and is now our District Trustee Board, have worked tirelessly to support Scouts in Wrexham. We are so lucky to have Nicola our District Chair who has done so much to work through the changes, support Groups and help those challenged by the cost of living crisis.
Karen our District Treasurer has put so much time working with groups hiring our headquarters, helping with shop
orders and much more, and sadly let us know this would be her last year as District Treasurer as she and her husband Dave - an equally valued Trustee - will be moving away.
Paul our District Secretary stepped in to help with the Appointments Advisory Committee and had done an amazing job keeping this going until we no longer require it next year, together with his work on our District headquarters building.
Sue from our District Leadership Team has continued the work on our potential HQ move, has done so much work at our amazing Cox Wood campsite - along with Chris, Gerry and the rest of the Cox Wood Crew - and has always been there to support and give great advice.
To all those and the other members of the Trustee Board and District Team, a massive thank you!
Early in 2023 we held our usual gathering of adult volunteers and changed it up a bit with various workshops instead of one big plenary session, the aim was that people would be more comfortable speaking up in smaller groups. It went down very well but we were a bit rushed so less workshops next time!
Ethan and Meg our Youth Leads ran a session on Youth Shaped where they gained lots of new ideas; Andrew showed how Online Scout Manager can save volunteers time and effort; Sue focus grouped our work on improving communications in the District; and
1st Rassett Cubs pumpkin carving
Steve shared his plans for improving the Explorer Scout provision in Wrexham.
Throughout the year we’ve also had fantastic events for the Sections including: a chaotic but fun Christmas Celebration at Tŷ Pawb; the annual District Panto at the Stiwt; Beavers trips to Explore! and Greenwood; a Cubs DIY day and water camp; Scouts Frost Camp and Explorers running Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions.
We had a large representation at ScoutsCymru’s Cub Fun Day and at their water events, and K2 Explorer Scouts travelled to Croatia for a week of amazing activities in the sun.
Croatia wasn’t the furthest Wrexham Scouts travelled as we were lucky enough to have 9 Explorer Scouts and one adult attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea. You’ve all no doubt heard that this event didn’t go to plan, but we were incredibly proud of the way our representatives made the best of the situation.
As well as visits abroad, we had our own visitors when Moore Scouts, 5th Roscommon, from Ireland camped at Cox Wood for a week. They had a packed programme including visits to Eryri, white water rafting in Llangollen and even abseiled down Anfield football stadium. Scouts from Wrexham popped down to say hello and they got on so well a reciprocal visit is planned for next year.
Thanks to Colleen, Sue, Andrew, Steve, Butch and Pete for making these essential joint activities happen.
In May we were once again lucky enough to have members of Wrexham District selected to attend an event of National importance when Dave and Siân travelled down to London to help out at His Majesty’s Coronation. Thanks both for bearing the rainy weather and also thank you to Daniel and Harriet who volunteered but sadly weren’t selected.
In November we held a meeting for those who may be interested in starting a Squirrels Drey in Wrexham. There was a huge attendance, with lots of interest and a couple of months later we opened our first Drey at Bishop’s Own, with a second just opening at 1st Rhosnesni last month. Welcome to all our little Squirrels - we hope you’re having an amazing time.
I’d like to end by saying a huge thank you to every single volunteer in Wrexham Scouts. What I’ve mentioned above mostly neglects to acknowledge the real week in week out activities in the Sections and Groups which are of course the real magic and where the bulk of our energies go. Just because they’re not listed doesn’t mean they’re any less important or appreciated.
They’re what Scouts is all about - new adventures every week.
David Morris Lead Volunteer, Wrexham Scouts
4 74 K2 Explorer Scouts on the RiverSevern CuisÈ
From Cox Wood Campsite
A busy year at the campsite with bookings returning to pre-Covid levels and income from camping and activities topping £16,700.
The Cox Wood crew welcomed a few new volunteers and had a busy year of maintenance and development of the site with improvements in the archery area and main courtyard at the start of the year.
us to prepare a grant application which was unfortunately unsuccessful, but we learnt later in the year that Mr Fox would support our plans to develop the cabin over the next 12 months.
Thank you to all the volunteers who give their time each Thursday to keep the site looking beautiful and running smoothly, to our manager Chris who deals with all the booking and activity requests and of course to the permit holders who attend to run activities for campers.
Sue Lister Cox Wood Team
A generous donation from Mrs Fox allowed us to have the Oak cross in the chapel restored by a local carpenter and it should be good for another 25 years.
A backwoods area was also developed and new equipment for Bushscout activities was purchased with a generous donation in memory of Wyn Blaze, Scout Leader and latterly group chair at 1st and then 41st Wrexham.
An area has also been created for tomahawk and angels target sports and Bushscouts Cymru have used our campsite as their North Wales Bushscout Hub for training local volunteers in Bushscout skills and target sports.
The crew worked with a group of students from Wrexham University to investigate the development of the old blue cabin to transform it into an accessible camping barn for small groups of all ages. The students helped
An update on Explorer Scouts
2023 has seen another great year for Explorer Scouting in Wrexham, with both of our regular units (K2 & Atlas) running very active programmes throughout the year. Unfortunately, our Bryn y Pys Unit in Overton was formally closed due to the leaders having to step away to focus on other priorities – we thank them for the time they were able to commit to the unit and recognise that making such decisions are never easy.
Programme highlights for our Explorer sections include attending the Area winter ball way back a the start of the year, several Duke of Edinburgh/Chief Scout’s Platinum & Diamond expeditions throughout the year, paint-balling with the rest of Clwyd and K2 were even lucky enough to experience their first international trip to Croatia since the pandemic.
Looking ahead to 2024 we will have another busy year but do still have a huge opportunity to improve the bridging program for Scouts transitioning to Explorers as there does still feel like a disconnect here with many young people holding back in the Scout section post-14. To support with improving this we are actively looking for someone to join the 14-24 team who would be willing to take on that challenge – if you think it could be you, then please get in touch.
thank you to the team of dedicated leaders who look after the Explorer Scouts provision here in Wrexham, the time you volunteer is appreciated greatly by the many young people who benefit from our programme.
Steve Love 14-24 Team
One of the real success stories for Wrexham Explorer Scouts in the last 12 months has been the establishing of Glyder Fawr – our Young Leader Unit, which is being led by Marie & Kavan who also lead the Young Leader provision in Flintshire. Their leadership and approach has brought some much needed stability to the Young Leader offer in Wrexham and I know this is appreciated by the young people themselves as well as leaders of the sections they support.
Annual Accounts 2022/23
1st Esclusham Scouts at RAF Cosford
Wrexham District Scout Council – Year Ended 31 March 2022
| Receipts | |
|---|---|
| Donations, legacies and similar income | |
| Membershipsubscriptions | £30,580.50 |
| Less: Membership subscriptions paid on (National/County/Area) | £31,724.00 |
| Net membership subscriptions retained | -£1,143.50 |
| Donations | £1,269.08 |
| Sub total | £125.58 |
| Sale of Hanmer Scout Hut | £0.00 |
| Youth StrategyGrant - ActivityTraining | £0.00 |
| Sub total | £0.00 |
| Fundraising/Miscellaneous | |
| Scout ShopSales | £10,120.09 |
| District activities | £5,557.56 |
| Cox Wood | £19,120.29 |
| Explorer Scout Unit | £45,861.88 |
| BrynyPys | £380.00 |
| Sub total | £81,039.82 |
| Investment income | |
| Bank interest | £78.60 |
| Training | £225.00 |
| District HQRent & Car Park Rent | £5,221.00 |
| Sub total Total Gross Income Total receipts Receipts and payments |
|
| Payments | |
| District Headquarters | £13,533.10 |
| Coxwood Campsite | £14,313.57 |
| Explorer Scout Units | £28,426.40 |
| Bryn Y Pys | £636.80 |
| Rewards | £61.00 |
| OSM & Digital / AVOW | £1,106.15 |
| District Grants & Donations | £5,645.29 |
| Training | £0.00 |
| Support Teams, Training& Administration | £1,464.70 |
| £0.00 |
| Depreciation | £0.00 |
|---|---|
| International Camp | £1,800.00 |
| Sub total | £66,987.01 |
| Miscellaneous | £196.00 |
| Scout Shop- Cost of Sales & Expenses | £9,391.59 |
| Badge Secretary- Cost of Sales & Expenses | £0.00 |
| Sub total £9,587.59 Total Gross Expenditure £76,574.60 Assets and Purchases - Grant Assisted £0.00 Total payments £76,574.60 Net of receipts/(payments) £10,115.40 Fund Balances brought forward £111,349.46 Fund Balances carried forward £121,464.86 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year |
|
| £9,587.59 | |
| £76,574.60 | |
| £0.00 | |
| £76,574.60 | |
| £10,115.40 | |
| £111,349.46 | |
| £121,464.86 | |
| Cash at bank & in hand | £121,514.86 |
| The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service | £12,250.00 |
| Total cash funds | £133,764.86 |
| Sub total | |
| Net Assets Less Liabilities Represented by:- General Fund |
|
| £133,764.86 | |
| £133,764.86 |
The above receipts and payments account were approved by the Trustees on 4th October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr David Morris Mrs Karen Cheesbrough
Welsh and Danish Scouts meet at the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea
Last year…
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Bradley Cricket Club on Sunday 25th September 2022
Apologies for absence
No apologies were received.
Approval of minutes from the AGM held by Zoom 22nd September 2021
The minutes were proposed by Sue Lister and seconded by Anne Marie Roberts. They were then signed in to the record.
Acceptance of the statement of the accounts
The statement of accounts was presented by the District Treasurer, Karen Cheesbrough. Proposed to be accepted by Liz Dodman and seconded by Rob Dodman. Approved by the meeting.
Approval of the District Commissioner’s nomination for Chairperson
The District Commissioner (DM) nominated Nicky Morris for the post of District Chairperson. All present were in agreement.
Nomination and election of District Secretary
Paul Forret was nominated for the position of District Secretary. Proposed by Sue Lister and seconded by Ian McLean. All present were in agreement.
Nomination and election of District Treasurer
Karen Cheesbrough was nominated by Lisa Jones and seconded by Steven Brown. All present accepted.
Approval of persons nominated by the DC to serve on the Executive Committee
Sue Lister, Mike Meadows, Dave Cheesbrough and Lisa Jones. Proposed by Sian Dent and seconded by Laura Camps
Election of members to serve on the Executive Committee
Neil Curtis, Elizabeth Dodman, Steven Brown, Sam Wilde, and Ian McLean, Proposed by Arron Wright and seconded by Chris McLean. All elected.
Appointment of independent scrutineer
Karen Williams. Proposed by Mike Meadows and seconded by Ian McLean
Election of representative to to the Area Scout Council
Anne Marie Roberts. Proposed by Mike Meadows and seconded by Ian McLean
Election of Members for the Cox Wood Sub Committee
Chris Maddocks, Mike Meadows,Gerry Lister, Ian McLean, Dave Cheesbrough. Bob Hodges. Proposed by Colleen Graham and seconded by Sue Lister.
About us…
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Name of charity as listed with Charity Commission is Wrexham District Scout Council, Registered Charity number 524875.
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Names of all positions held: District Chair - Nicola Morris, District Treasurer - Karen Cheesbrough, District Secretary - Paul Forret, District Executive Committee members: Sue Lister, Mike Meadows, Dave Cheesbrough, Lisa Jones, Neil Curtis, Elizabeth Dodman, Steven Brown, Sam Wilde, and Ian McLean, District Lead Volunteer - David Morris, District Youth Leads - Ethan King and Megan Sayer, District Explorer Scout Commissioner - Steve Love
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The District’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. The District is a trust established under the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
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The trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association.
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The District is led by the District Leadership Team and managed by a District Trustee Board. They are accountable to the District Scout Council for the satisfactory running of the District.
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The Trustee Board exists to support the District Leadership Team in meeting their responsibilities.
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Members of the Trustee Board act collectively as charity Trustees of the Scout District, and in the best interests of its members to:
a) Comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association b) Protect and maintain any property and equipment owned by and/or used by the District
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c) d) Provide insurance for people, property and equipment. e) Provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fund-raising activities.
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f) Promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area. g) Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally h) Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community. i) Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-Committees, including appointing a Chair to lead the sub-Committees
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j) Ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the District
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k) The opening, closure and amalgamation of Groups as necessary. l) And all other duties as set out in Policy, Organisation and Rules.
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Risk and Internal Control.
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a) The Trustee Board is responsible for risk management and ensures a risk register and risk assessments are in place.
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b) The Trustee Board is responsible ensuring sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
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c) The District is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising.
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d) The District is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District. 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 Groups.
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The primary objective of the District is that of the Scout Association generally, namely: ‘to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.’
wrexhamscouts.org.uk @wrexhamscouts E>lloy QYE>ll
Consolidation_1
Wrexham District Scout Council
| Receipts | |
|---|---|
| Donations,legacies and similar income | |
| Membershipsubscriptions | £30,580.50 |
| Less:Membership subscriptions paid on (National/County/Area) | £31,724.00 |
| Net membership subscriptions retained | -£1,143.50 |
| Donations | £1,269.08 |
| Sub total | £125.58 |
| Sale of Hanmer Scout Hut | £0.00 |
| Youth StrategyGrant - ActivityTraining | £0.00 |
| Sub total | £0.00 |
| Fundraising/Miscellaneous | |
| Scout ShopSales | £10,120.09 |
| District activities | £5,557.56 |
| Coxwood | £19,120.29 |
| Explorer Scout Unit | £45,861.88 |
| BrynyPys | £380.00 |
| Sub total | £81,039.82 |
| Investment income | |
| Bank interest | £78.60 |
| Training | £225.00 |
| District HQ Rent & Car Park Rent | £5,221.00 |
| Sub total Total Gross Income Total receipts Receipts and payments |
|
| £5,524.60 | |
| £86,690.00 | |
| £86,690.00 | |
| Payments | |
| District Headquarters | £13,533.10 |
| Coxwood Campsite | £14,313.57 |
| Explorer Scout Units | £28,426.40 |
| Bryn Y Pys | £636.80 |
| Rewards | £61.00 |
| OSM & Digital / AVOW | £1,106.15 |
| District Grants & Donations | £5,645.29 |
| Training | £0.00 |
| Support Teams,Training& Administration | £1,464.70 |
Page 1
Consolidation_1
| £0.00 | |
|---|---|
| Depreciation | £0.00 |
| £0.00 | |
| International Camp | £1,800.00 |
| Sub total | £66,987.01 |
| Miscellaneous | £196.00 |
| Scout Shop- Cost of Sales & Expenses | £9,391.59 |
| Badge Secretary- Cost of Sales & Expenses | £0.00 |
| Sub total Total Gross Expenditure Assets and Purchases - Grant Assisted Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Fund Balances brought forward Fund Balances carried forward |
|
| £9,587.59 | |
| £76,574.60 | |
| £0.00 | |
| £76,574.60 | |
| £10,115.40 | |
| £111,349.46 | |
| £121,464.86 |
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the | |
|---|---|
| year | |
| Cash at bank & in hand | £121,514.86 |
| The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service | £12,250.00 |
| Total cash funds | £133,764.86 |
| Sub total | |
| Net Assets Less Liabilities | £133,764.86 |
| Represented by:- General Fund |
|
| £133,764.86 |
General Fund
The above receipts and payments account were approved by the Trustees on 4th October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Signature Mr David Morris Mrs Karen Cheesbrough
Page 2
Miss K Williams Berthyn Cottage 1 Woodland Road Moss Wrexham LL11 6BD
4 October 2023
kazwilliams@msn.com
Mrs K Cheesbrough Treasurer Wrexham & District Scouts
Dear Mrs Cheesbrough
Audit of Wrexham and District Scout Accounts
I have now completed the audit of the Wrexham and District Scout accounts[1] and attach for your attention the Summary of Transactions for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 along with the consolidated accounts for submission to the Charities Commission.
I also enclose my invoice for work undertaken in auditing these accounts.
Should you have any queries regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact me at the above e-mail address.
Yours sincerely
Karen
Miss Karen Williams CIPFA DPA
1 See Appendix A for breakdown of accounts audited
Appendix A – Details of accounts audited
| Account Name | Bank | Account number |
|---|---|---|
| District Account | Nat West | 08130728 |
| District Account | CAF Bank | 032873 |
| Cox Wood Business Reserve | Nat West | 31296815 |
| Cox Wood | CAF Bank | 032874 |
| K2 account | Barclays Bank | 33324869 |
| Atlas account | Nat West | 90864271 |
| Atlas account | Cash | Cash |
| Bryn Y Pys | Nat West | 79574343 |