THE SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
COMPANY NUMBER: NI026154 CHARITY NUMBER: XR11142 CCNI NUMBER: 101206
THE SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOT HAVING A SHARE CAPITAL)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Officers and Professional Advisors | 3 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report incorporating the Directors’ Report | 4-8 |
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 9
THE SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| The Board of Directors | Mandy McCann (resigned 30 March 2023, appointed 4 April |
|---|---|
| 2023, retired 19 September 2023) | |
| Joseph Corey (resigned 19 February 2023) | |
| Kieran McCann (retired 19 September 2023) | |
| Tony Smith (resigned 31 March 2023) | |
| Annette Byrne (retired 19 September 2023) | |
| Charles McGuinness (retired 19 September 2023) | |
| James Kitson (appointed 11 November 2021, retired 19 | |
| September 2023) | |
| David Clarke (appointed 11 November 2021, retired 19 | |
| September 2023) | |
| Rónán McGibbon (appointed 19 February 2023) | |
| Mary Hogg (appointed 1 March 2023) | |
| Christina Woods (appointed 23 September 2023, resigned 5 | |
| October 2023) | |
| Paul Mannion (appointed 23 September 2023, resigned 5 October | |
| 2023) | |
| David Monaghan (appointed 23 September 2023) | |
| Ciaran McAuley (appointed 23 September 2023) | |
| Patrick Kidney (appointed 23 September 2023) | |
| Ned Brennan (appointed 23 September 2023) | |
| Raymond O'Donnell (appointed 5 October 2023) | |
| Paul Conlon (appointed 5 October 2023) | |
| Secretary | Charles McGuinness (appointed 10 July 2021, retired 19 |
| September 2023) | |
| Ciaran McAuley (appointed 23 October 2023) | |
| HMRC Charity Number | XR11142 |
| Company Number | NI~~02~~6154 |
| CCNI Number | 101206 |
| Registered office | NICVA |
| 61 Duncairn Gardens | |
| Belfast | |
| BT15 2GB | |
| Auditor | Grant Thornton |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| & Statutory Auditors | |
| 13 -18 City Quay | |
| Dublin 2 | |
| Bankers | Bank of Ireland |
| Belfast City Branch | |
| Belfast | |
| BT1 2BA |
THE SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
THE TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT, INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS’ REPORT
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The directors present their report and accounts for the period ended 31 December 2023.
The accounts are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in Note 2 to the Financial Statements and comply with the Charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, FRS 102 and the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP).
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Charity undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Charity, in the event of the same being wound up while it is a member, or within one period while it ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Charity contracted before it ceases to be a member, and out of costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves, such amount as may be required not exceeding £10.
The members, who are also trustees for the purpose of Charity Law, who served during the period were:
| Rónán McGibbon | Raymond O’Donnell | Annette Byrne |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Hogg | Paul Conlon | Charles McGuinness |
| David Monaghan | Mandy McCann | James Kitson |
| Ciaran McAuley | Joseph Corey | David Clarke |
| Patrick Kidney | Kieran McCann | Christina Woods |
| Ned Brennan | Tony Smith | Paul Mannion |
If appropriate, new members, and directors, are invited onto the Board at the Directors’ discretion. There are no specific requirements regarding skill or experience, however the current directors recognise the importance of a diverse and competent Board and this will impact upon any nomination. Those who are invited will be involved with The Scout Foundation (NI) and will be held in high regard for their work. New Board members receive induction training upon membership to the Board.
The members have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.
THE TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT continued
SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Objectives of the Charity
The objectives of the Charity are to inform, promote and develop the aims of Gasóga na hÉireann/Scouting Ireland CLG, whom are dedicated to enabling and empowering young people to realise their full potential, through its core values based on the Scout Promise and Law, fostering active citizenship and helping create a better community, society and world.
Achieving Scouting Ireland's Objectives
Supporting our Volunteer Members: Through the provision of training, programme material and resources including administrative support.
Youth Participation: By encouraging the development of youth participation structures at all levels including resources.
Organisational Structure
Individual members join a local group of Gasóga na hÉireann/Scouting Ireland CLG. In the Northern Province there are four scout counties and forty-six local groups, and these groups and counties are supported by Scout Foundation (NI) and by Scouting Ireland’s provincial management support team.
Management and Decision Making
The Board manages the affairs of The Scout Foundation (NI). The Board meets regularly. The Board is assisted in discharging its duties by a number of committees whose membership comprises of volunteers.
The Scout Foundation (NI) employs a senior administrator whose role is to oversee the operations and administration of The Scout Foundation (NI) and who reports directly to the Board of the Scout Foundation (NI).
Related parties and Other Entities
The Scout Foundation (NI) is associated with Gasóga na hÉireann/Scouting Ireland CLG, a company incorporated in the Republic of Ireland.
SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
THE TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT continued
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Public Benefit
Scout Foundation (NI) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Its main purpose is the Advancement of Education and the advancement of citizenship and/or community development.
The benefits which flow from this purpose include the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, to improve society. Scout Foundation (NI) supports an extensive variety of services to Scouts Groups in Northern Ireland. It supports the delivery of a wide range of programme opportunities that help the development of individual potential, encouraging community involvement and providing opportunities for young people to be listened to and have their say.
In providing these services there is no known risk of unintended consequences.
The benefits of this purpose are provided to children, young people and volunteers without distinction of origin, race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or ability, in Northern Ireland.
Scout Foundation (NI) is confident it has met its public benefit requirement by, among a wide range of activities:
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(i) The provision of training to volunteers
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(ii) Direct support to local Scout Groups
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(iii) Providing Provincial programmes for young people
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(iv) Supporting youth empowerment and participation
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(v) Supporting local Scout Groups governance requirements
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(vi) Forming collaborations with other organisations to enhance the service that we deliver
Volunteer members
The Scout Foundation (NI) recognises and appreciates the commitment of the members of the Northern Province.
It is not possible to put a monetary value on this voluntary effort, but it is essential to enable the Scout Foundation (NI) to achieve its core objectives.
SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
THE TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT continued
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The main risk to the Charity’s future income is the decrease or rescinding of the grant received from Education Authority of Northern Ireland.
The members have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.
Achievements and Performance
The Charity has successfully developed strong links with the community and its funders. Overall, the Charity remains in a strong financial position.
Financial Review
The Financial results for the period are shown on Pages 13 - 15.
The members consider that the Charity has sufficient resources and assets available, which are adequate to fulfil the Charity’s obligations.
Unrestricted funds are needed to:
-
(i) Provide funds that can be designated to specific projects to enable these projects to be undertaken at short notice, and
-
(ii) Cover administration and support costs, without which the Charity could not function.
The members consider it prudent that the unrestricted fund should be sufficient to avoid the necessity of realising fixed assets held for the Charity’s use.
The level of reserves is monitored by the Directors on a regular basis.
SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
THE TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT continued
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Disclosure of Information to Auditors
Each of the directors have confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have undertaken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditors are aware of such information.
Reserves
Restricted and unrestricted reserves at the end of the period decreased from £161,088 at 31 August 2022 to £144,738 at 31 December 2023.
Events after the end of the reporting period
There have been no significant events affecting the Charity since year end.
Going concern
Cash flow forecasts have been prepared by management which indicate that the Charity is expected to have sufficient cash flows to meet its obligations for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The directors have a reasonable expectation, based on its present liquidity position, that the Charity has adequate resources to meet its commitments over the next 12 months from the approval of these financial statements.
Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of preparation in the financial statements for the 16-month period ended 31 December 2023.
Auditors
The auditors, Grant Thornton, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
Small companies note
In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the board on 28[th] October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Rónán McGibbon Director
SCOUT FOUNDATION (NI) COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES
16-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. Under Company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies for the Charity financial statements and then apply them consistently;
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act, 2006. 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.
Signed by order of the board
Rónán McGibbon Director
Mary Hogg Director
Date: 28[th] October 2024