Prepared 11th December 2024
Trustees' Annual Report
For the period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024
Section A Reference and administration details Charity name: 1st Thornbury Scout Group Registered charity number: 900432 Charity’s principal address: c/o 4 Mallow Close Thornbury Bristol South Gloucestershire BS35 1UE
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Chapman | Group Chair | ||
Fiona Rees |
Group Secretary |
||
| Rob Mills | Group Scout Leader |
||
| Kathryn Gow | Group Treasurer |
||
Hayley Gibson |
Deputy Treasurer |
||
| Andrew Covell |
Trustee-Section Leader |
||
| Ruth Wong | Trustee-Section Leader | until 31/07/2023 | |
Laurence Blackwell |
Trustee-Section Leader | ||
| Owen Luke | Trustee-Section Leader | until 31/12/2023 | |
| Jessica Johns | Trustee |
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the Charity's Trusts
The Group's governing documents are those of the 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.
The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,
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Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Prepared 11th December 2024
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 and 5 Trustees (including the Group Scout Leader, 2 individual section leaders and parent’s representation) and meets every 6 times a year.
Members of the Trustee Board complete Being a Scouts Trustee learning within the first 6 months of joining the Board.
This Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is wellmanaged, 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. Their support helps other volunteers run high-quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.
Risk and Internal Controls
The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss.
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities.
Reduced income from fund raising. 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.
Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.
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Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Prepared 11th December 2024
Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group.
Section C Objectives and activities
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: 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 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:
-
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
-
make and live by their Promise.
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Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Prepared 11th December 2024
Section programmes have been full and varied, with plenty of traditional scouting activities, across all age ranges according to their abilities. One of the primary objectives of the scouting programme is to give young members the opportunity of at least one night away from home. We have achieved this in the last year, with two joint Beaver hut sleepover, two joint cub sleepovers, a joint weekend camp for cubs, three joint weekend camps for Scouts and Laurence is off at the end of term for the traditional week’s summer camp.
Plenty of time has been spent out of the hut, at Filnore woods, Mundy playing fields, Woodhouse, as well as local hikes. There’s also been lots of exciting activities across all sections, - Airhop, Ninja warrior, climbing, Woodhouse assault course and of course plenty of fire making, and outdoor cooking. These are all the activities which makes Scouting what it is – challenging our young people to get out of their comfort zones, learning and doing stuff with others and achieving their goals.
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
In our annual census as at the end of January, we returned a total of 145 young members, an increase of 10 over the previous year Currently - 51 Beavers, 38 Cubs, and 63 Scouts (more than census but figures skewed by movements cycle) We are running at full capacity and we have a waiting list of 57 Beaver age children and below.
Trustee Board Overview.
•This year, there has been an update and renewal of our lease for the land at Park Road where our Scout Hut (Sinclair Hall) is located and where the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet, •AtkinsRéalis who funded a full building condition survey of Sinclair Hall and the Ron Paine Annex. This enables us to understand where investment is most likely to be required in the future. •We have commissioned an electrical survey, asbestos survey and fire risk assessment. All electrical actions have been carried out, there were no actions from the Asbestos survey and the fire risk assessment is still being finalised but all immediate suggestions were actioned the same day.
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Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Prepared 11th December 2024
Financial Overview
In 2023/24 we have completed the integration of the section bank accounts into the Group Account which has enabled full visibility of the Scout Group’s finances, as required by both the Scout Association and the Charities Commission.
Whilst there is still some work to be done to streamline the processes, it is vastly improved on previous years.
This new visibility of funds allows us to provide some extra information around how the Scout Group is funded and how those funds are then used to create a meaningful experience for all the Young People and Volunteers who are associated with the group. For this year, it will be a snapshot only, but in future years we will have the ability to compare year on year.
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 Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum equivalent to 4 months running costs, circa £10,000.
The Group held reserves of approximately £29,259 against this at year end. This is above the level required for operating expenses. However this can be explained by the Group raising funds for future developments to the scout hut.
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
f f f
The Group Executive regularly monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the group obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn, before doing so the Group Executive considers the cash flow requirements.
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Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
Prepared 11th December 2024
Section F Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
| Signed on | Signature(s) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| behalf of the | |||||||||
| charity’s | 5 | ] | |||||||
| trustees | ) | ||||||||
| Full name(s) | Kate Gow | Helen Chapman | |||||||
| Position (eg Secretary, | Position (eg Secretary, Chair) |
Group Treasurer | Group Treasurer | Chair | |||||
| Date | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
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Trustees Annual Report 2023-24
1st Thornbury Scout Group 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
| Year to 31st March 2024 | Year to 31st March 202 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Total receipts for the year | 26,822.15 | 25,629.50 |
| Total payments for the year | (27,817.48) | (22,866.42) |
| Net receipts (payments) for the year | (995.33) | 2,763.08 |
| Write Off/Outstanding Payment from Prev Yrs Accts | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Cash, bank and similar funds brought forward | 37,652.40 | 34,889.32 |
| Cash, bank and similar funds carried forward | 36,657.07 | 37,652.40 |
The above account and accompanying statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees
on ................................................... and signed on their behalf by
Group Executive Chair
1st Thornbury Scout Group 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
RECEIPTS
| This Year 23-24 | This Year 22-23 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS | 15,852.24 | 16,238.96 |
| INVESTMENT INCOME RECEIVED | ||
| Bank Interest | 387.94 | 126.42 |
| Property Rents | 1,061.00 | 230.00 |
| CAPITATION REFUND | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| DONATIONS GRANTS | 691.30 | 1,605.00 |
| TRANSPORT | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| FUND RAISING | 2,497.56 | 2,723.47 |
| GIFT AID | 1,481.99 | 0.00 |
| SECTION LOAN | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| INSURANCES (Explorer Contribution) | 1,691.00 | 1156.00 |
| RESERVE ACCOUNT DRAWDOWN | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| HALL MAINT/UTILITY REFUNDS | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| SCOUTING REFUNDS (Badges , Events and Camps | 3,159.12 | 1528.56 |
| SECTION ALLOTMENT REFUND | 0.00 | 2021.09 |
| BANK CHARGE REFUND | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| SUNDRY RECEIPTS | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 26,822.15 | 25,629.50 |
1st Thornbury Scout Group 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
PAYMENTS
| PREMISES Water/Sewage Council Charges Light/Heat Insurance (Bldg & Eqpt) Cleaning/Maint/Cap Expenditure Hire Charges Wifi SECTION ALLOTMENT SECTION LOAN SUBS REFUNDS GIFT AID COSTS TRANSPORT LEADER TRAINING SECTION ACTIVITIES LEADER UNIFORM BADGES CAMP / EVENTS PRINT/POSTAGE/STATIONERY EQUIPMENT REPAIR EQUIPMENT PURCHASE SUNDRY COSTS & AGM COSTS CAPITATION FUND RAISING EXPENSES DONATIONS BANK CHARGES RESERVE ACCOUNT DEPOSIT OSM FEES TOTAL PAYMENTS |
This Year 23-24 £ (252.00) (28.48) (3,783.23) (1,456.93) (2,229.94) 0.00 (150.60) (7,901.18) 0.00 0.00 (40.00) 0.00 0.00 (134.00) (4,258.52) (160.98) (1,172.28) (3,751.95) (12.94) 0.00 (146.38) (161.57) (7,975.00) (1,988.68) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (114.00) (27,817.48) |
This Year 22-23 £ (219.00) (89.60) (1,917.29) (1,789.90) (1,590.59) 0.00 (150.90) |
|---|---|---|
| (5,757.28) (1,880.00) 0.00 (30.03) 0.00 0.00 (60.00) 0.00 0.00 (780.34) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (3,428.57) (922.20) (7,888.00) (2,025.00) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (95.00) (22,866.42) |
1st Thornbury Scout Group 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
TOTAL ASSETS
| Bank Deposit Account(s): Current Account (Capital) Reserve Account Cash in hand Outstanding Receipts Outstanding Payments Accrual For Ground Rent Total Carried Forward Land and Buildings (Lease) - Note 1 Motor vehicles (owned) Scout Equipt, furniture, etc (owned) - Replacement Value - Note 2 |
This Year 23-24 £ 7,397.90 29,259.17 0.00 36,657.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 36,657.07 148,000.00 3,000.00 18,770.27 |
This Year 22-23 £ 8,781.17 28,871.23 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 37,652.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
||
| 37,652.40 | ||
| 148,000.00 3,000.00 18,770.27 |
Notes:
-
L&B based on 2012 revaluation for Insurance (£109,000 "Main HQ", £39,000 for "New HQ", £7,000 for Main HQ "Building Contents")
-
Reflects Scouting Equipment and "Loose" Building Contents; £19,000 Insurance Cover
England & Wales Template I: Unqualified report for a non-company charity preparing receipts and payments accounts with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the relevant financial year Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of 1st Thornbury Scout Group Scout Council I report to the twstees on my examination ofthe accounts of the 1st Thombury Scout Group for the year ended 31st March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chafitytrustees of the IstThombury Scout Group you are responsible for the pTeparation ofthe accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charibes Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respert of my examination of the IstThombury Scout Group accounts carried out under sertion 145 of thè 2011 Art and in carryin9 Out my examination I have followed all the applicable Direthons gbven by the Charity Comrnission under section 1451511bl of the ACL Independent examiner's ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giwng me cause to betiève that in any material respect accounting records were not kept in respertof the IstThombury Scout Group as required by section 130 ofthe A¢ or Z the accounts do not accord with those record& I have no concerns and have come across no ¢ther matters in connethin with the examination to which attention should te dravm in this rewt in order to enable a &ry)er understsndiTrJ ofthe a¢¢ounts to be reached. Signed.. Name". Matbknv Estrourt Pearce Relevant professional qualificati or membership of kyofessional bodies (rf any): Bank Manager. ACIB (Lapsed) Addres& 17 Chatsworth Pari Thomiwry. BristoL BS35 IJF Date: 2a2F