1st Wolds Scout Group
Annual Report of the Trustee Board
Financial Year: 1st March 2024 to 28th February 2025
Reference and Administration Details
Charity Name:
1st Wolds Scout Group
Registered Charity Number:
702351
Principal Address:
Wymeswold Scout Hut, Wymeswold
Trustees during the Financial Year:
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Group Chair – (Vacant)
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Tom Emmet
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Simon Birchall (Group Treasurer)
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Jayne Arnold
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Carol Black
-
Shaun Black
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Peter Blount (GLV)
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Marisa Heald
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Jason Smith (Newly appointed)
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Jon Borzacchiello (Departed)
Key Volunteer Positions:
-
Group Lead Volunteer: Peter Blount (stepping down, recruitment in progress)
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Scrutineer/Independent Examiner: Vacant
Structure, Governance and Management
1st Wolds Scout Group operates as part of The Scout Association, governed by the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The Group is managed by a Trustee Board consisting of up to 10 members who meet regularly to oversee the Group's activities, finances, and strategic direction.
The Group Scout Council comprises all parents of youth members, trustees, and appointed members. The Annual General Meeting was held on 6th May 2025 at Wymeswold Scout Hut, with 15 parents in attendance.
During the year, the Trustee Board maintained close working relationships with Charnwood Scouts District, receiving valuable support for major events and camps. The Group continues to benefit from district expertise and resources.
Governance Developments:
Two key trustee positions require filling: Group Chair and Scrutineer/Independent Examiner. A formal recruitment process supported by the district is underway for the Group Lead Volunteer position following Peter Blount's decision to step down from this role while continuing as Scout Leader.
Objectives and Activities
The Group's charitable objectives align with The Scout Association's purpose: to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society through the Scout Method.
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:
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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:
The Trustees confirm they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The Group provides scouting opportunities to all young people aged 6-14 in the local community, regardless of background, promoting skills development, outdoor education, and community engagement.
Sections Operating:
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Beavers (6-8 years): Two colonies (Tuesday and Thursday)
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Cubs (8-10.5 years): Two packs (Monday and Wednesday)
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Scouts (10.5-14 years): One troop (with second troop launching Wednesday 2025)
Achievements and Performance
Celebrating 86 Years of Scouting
2024/25 marked the 86th year of scouting at 1st Wolds. The Group has grown to over 140 young people across five sections (nearly six with the upcoming Wednesday Scouts), demonstrating sustained community engagement and the strength of our youth programme.
Section Highlights:
Beavers
Activities included exploring conkers, mini beasts, and traction engines, high wires adventure, cold weather camp in the hut, carol concert at the local care home, animal and habitat exploration through rambling, new Spanish games, and extensive outdoor activities throughout the summer term.
Cubs
Programme delivered mini-raft building, fire lighting, Burton to Barrow walk, biscuit making, Christmas camp, spring roll making, money box crafts, laser quest, bowling, Chinese New Year celebrations, care home visits, drumba sessions, Science Museum trip, and learning about famous local people including Bob Allison (Air Ambulance Society Chair). Cubs raised funds for Air Ambulance and Cancer Research through a £5 per cub investment scheme.
Scouts
Activities encompassed rope games, night-time hiking, Easter activities, kayaking, team work challenges, problem solving exercises, survival skills, pancake making, Burns Night, Chinese New Year, and anti-bullying education.
Recognition and Awards:
Carol Black was awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn in recognition of outstanding service to Scouting, reflecting the high calibre of adult volunteer leadership within the Group.
Annual trophies were awarded across all sections recognizing achievement, attendance, and team contribution, celebrating the accomplishments of young people including Beaver of the Year awards to Max Abraham and Sophie Hamilton, Cub of the Year to Edward Staples and Toby Abraham, and Best Scout to Evie White.
Major Events and Community Engagement:
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Annual Duck Race raised approximately £900, the best result ever (compared to £429 previous year)
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Successful Bonfire Night event on 1st November
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Annual Beach Party held 7th July
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Remembrance Sunday parade on 9th November
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Multiple care home visits delivering intergenerational connection
Volunteer Recognition:
The Trustees express gratitude to all leaders, assistant leaders, occasional helpers, young leaders, parents, and supporters. Special thanks to Shaun Black for extensive additional work, Liam for health and safety guidance, Rebecca for facilities maintenance, and departing leaders David Bradshaw, Jon Borzacchiello, and Lesley Blount for their dedicated service.
Financial Review
The financial statements for the year ending 28th February 2025 were presented to and approved by the Annual General Meeting. The accounts were prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and Charity Commission requirements.
Income Generation:
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Membership subscriptions increased to £52 per member, reflecting the national capitation fee increase
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Fundraising events generated significant income, notably the Duck Race (£900) representing 109% increase year-on-year
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Generous support received from Wymeswold Parish Council, Farmers Tractor Race, and Duck Race Committee
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Gift Aid continues to provide valuable additional income, with renewed emphasis on encouraging participation
Capital Investment:
Significant safety and security improvements were completed at the Scout Hut during the year, ensuring a safe and secure environment for youth activities.
Future Investment Plans:
The Trustees have identified priority capital projects including kitchen refurbishment, hall floor replacement, and accessibility improvements to entrance/exit and toilet facilities. These projects will enhance the quality of facilities for all users and ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
Financial Management:
The Trustees thank Simon Birchall (Group Treasurer) for his diligent financial management and ongoing work to secure value for money in all Group expenditure. Financial controls remain robust, with regular monitoring and reporting to the Trustee Board.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees maintain reserves to ensure the Group can continue to operate effectively, meet its obligations to members, and fund planned capital improvements. The reserves policy is reviewed annually to ensure adequacy given the scale of operations and planned facility investments.
Risk Management
The Trustees have examined the major strategic, operational, and financial risks facing the Group. Key risk management activities include:
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Comprehensive health and safety procedures with ongoing expert guidance
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Enhanced facility security measures implemented during the year
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Robust volunteer recruitment and retention strategies, including succession planning for key leadership roles
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Robust membership monitoring. If there was a reduction of membership in a particular section or group as a while then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section.
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Reduced income from fundraising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently.
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Regular safeguarding training and compliance with Scout Association policies
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Financial controls and regular budget monitoring, including 2 signatures on all payments
Current Risk Focus: Recruitment for Group Chair, Scrutineer, and Group Lead Volunteer positions represents a priority governance risk being actively managed through formal recruitment processes supported by the district.
Plans for Future Periods
Programme Expansion:
Launch of Wednesday Scouts section in late 2025, expanding capacity and providing additional opportunities for young people aged 10.5-14 years.
Facility Development:
Progress planned capital projects including kitchen refurbishment, hall floor replacement, and accessibility enhancements to ensure facilities meet current standards and support growing membership.
Leadership Development:
Complete recruitment for Group Lead Volunteer, Group Chair, and Scrutineer positions to ensure strong governance and operational leadership. Continue welcoming and developing new volunteer leaders across all sections.
Fundraising:
Build on successful 2024/25 fundraising with continued Duck Race, Bonfire Night, and other community events. Enhance Gift Aid participation to maximize income for youth programme investment.
Trustee Responsibilities Statement
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare
financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the charity will continue in operation
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure the financial statements comply with applicable requirements. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Trustee Board and signed on its behalf by:
Chair of Trustees
(Position currently vacant - report approved by Trustee Board)
Date: 6th May 2025
1st Wolds Scout Group | Registered with The Scout Association
1st Wolds Scout Group (Charity no. 702351) Receipts and payments account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
01/03/2024 | To | 28/02/2025 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| Receipts | 2023/24 Unrestricted funds £ 14 684 4 182 - 3 979 6 789 29 634 - - - 1 404 9 194 - 55 - 10 653 - 78 204 3 727 4 009 59 - - - 59 44 355 - 44 355 |
2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||||
| Membershipsubscriptions | 14 684 | 18 160 | ||
| Donations | 4 182 | 5 230 | ||
| Legacies | - | |||
| Gift Aid | 3 979 | 2 513 | ||
| Youth Programme Events/Charges | 6 789 | 10 100 | ||
| Sub total | 29 634 | 36 003 | ||
| Grants | ||||
| Maintenenacegrant | - | |||
| Othergrants | - | |||
| Sub total | - | - | ||
| Fundraising events(gross) | ||||
| Duck Race | 1 404 | 1 098 | ||
| Fireworks | 9 194 | 13 167 | ||
| Leicestershire Scouts ClothingSale | - | 2 883 | ||
| sum upcharges into accounts | 55 | |||
| Other fundraisingactivities | - | |||
| Sub total | 10 653 | 17 148 | ||
| Scout hut income | ||||
| Hire of building | - | 120 | ||
| Activites Provided | 78 | 20 | ||
| Refund from Drainage Contractor | 204 | |||
| ElectricityFeed in Tarrif | 3 727 | 900 | ||
| Sub total | 4 009 | 1 040 | ||
| Investment income | ||||
| Bank interest | 59 | 196 | ||
| BuildingSocietyinterest | - | |||
| The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service | - | |||
| Other investment income | - | |||
| Sub total | 59 | 196 | ||
| Total Gross Income Asset and investment sales, etc. Total receipts |
||||
| 54 387 | ||||
| 44 355 | 54 387 |
LT700002 (July 2021)
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1st Wolds Scout Group (Charity no. 702351) Receipts and payments account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
01/03/2024 | To | 28/02/2025 | |
| Receipts and payments | ||||
| Payments | 2023/24 Unrestricted funds £ 12 304 9 980 - 1 356 89 2 313 1 895 2 890 338 654 840 1 322 1 740 1 875 741 38 337 421 5 078 - - 5 499 43 836 |
2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| Charitable Payments | ||||
Membershipsubscriptionspaid on(National/County/Area/District) |
12 304 | 7 011 | ||
| Youthprogramme and activities | 9 980 | 13 802 | ||
| Adult support and training | - | 19 | ||
| Rent | 1 356 | 351 | ||
| Water and Sewerage | 89 | 122 | ||
| Electricityand Gas | 2 313 | 1 076 | ||
| Insurance | 1 895 | 1 534 | ||
| Repairs and Renewals | 2 890 | 2 828 | ||
| Materials and equipment | 338 | 410 | ||
| Administration and statiionary | 654 | 350 | ||
| Uniforms | 840 | 600 | ||
| AGM and trustee expenses | 1 322 | 742 | ||
| Legal Costs for Lease renewal | 1 740 | |||
| Badges | 1 875 | 1 535 | ||
| Bank fees(inc Gocardless and Sumup) | 741 | 1 013 | ||
| Sub total | 38 337 | 31 395 | ||
| Fundraising expenses | ||||
| Duck Race | 421 | 669 | ||
| Fire Works | 5 078 | 5 468 | ||
| Leicestershire Scouts ClothingSale | - | 2 883 | ||
| Other fundraisingcosts | - | 132 | ||
| Sub total | 5 499 | 9 152 | ||
| Total Gross Expenditure Asset and investment purchases, etc. Electrical System Refubishmnet Fire Safety Inspection/Repair Camping Equipmnet Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||
| 40 547 | ||||
| - | 3 012 | |||
| - | 3 434 | |||
| - | 1 613 | |||
| 43 836 | 48 605 | |||
| 5 782 | ||||
| 23 278 | ||||
LT700002 (July 2021)
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1st Wolds Scout Group (Charity no.702351) Receipts and payments account
| Group(Charity no.702351) payments account |
Group(Charity no.702351) payments account |
Group(Charity no.702351) payments account |
Group(Charity no.702351) payments account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year start date Year end date |
|||
| For the year from |
2023/24 | To | 28/02/2025 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 Unrestricted funds £ Cash funds Bank current account 2 104 Bank deposit account 15 392 Buildingsocietyaccount - The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service - Cash/Floats - Total cash funds 17 496 (agree balances with receipts andpayments account) ok Other monetary assets Tax claim - Debts due from the County/Area/District/Group - Insurance claim - Sub total - Investment assets Investmentproperty- detail - Quoted investments - Other investments - detail - Sub total - Non monetary assets for charity's own use Badge stock 500 Shopstock - Other stock Land and buildings 196 800 Motor vehicles - Scoutingequipment,furniture etc 17 000 Other 4 902 Sub total 219 202 Liabilities Accounts notyetpaid - Expenses incurred but not invoiced - Subscriptions notyetpaid - Loan - detail - Other liabilities - Sub total - |
2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
||
| 1 947 | |||
| 21 331 | |||
| 23 278 | |||
| ok | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| 500 | |||
| 203 246 | |||
| 18 613 | |||
| 4 000 | |||
| 226 358 | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Total net assets | 236 698 | 249 637 |
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on Xth X 200X (the date of the Executive Committee meeting that approved the accounts) and signed on their behalf by
| on their behalf by | |
|---|---|
| Signature | Print Name |
| Chair | |
| Treasurer |
LT700002 (July 2021)
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Scrutineer's Report to the Trustees of 1[st] Wolds Scout Group
I report on the accounts of the Group/District for the year ended 28[th] February 2025
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Scrutineer
As the Group's/District's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that neither the audit nor independent examination requirements of the Charities Act 2011 apply. It is my responsibility without carrying out an audit or independent examination to scrutinise the accounts and to report to you.
Basis of Scrutineer's Statement
In accordance with the directions given in the Group's constitution, I have scrutinised the records and the accounts set out on pages 1to 3
Scrutineer's Statement
In my opinion the accounts are in accordance with the records produced to me and comply with the constitution.
Name: Darren Willoughby
Address: 45 Hubbards Road, Burton on the Wolds Loughborough, Leicestershire. LE12 5AX Date: 22[nd] April 2025