2023-03-31-annual-report - Slemish District Scout Council

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Trustees' Annual Report

For the period

For the period	od
From (start date) 0 1	0	1	0	4	2	1
Section A			Reference and administration details
Charity name Other names the charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) HQ registration number Charity’s principal address			Slemish District Scout Council 1 0 3 7 3 7
			49 BALLYBOLLEN ROAD
			BALLYMENA
			Co. ANTRIM
			Postcode				B	T	4	2	2	R	F

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22	Trustee Name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
		District Chair
	Steven Millar	District Commissioner
	Alex Chestnutt	District Treasurer
	Bill McCullough	DeputyDistrict Commm
	Leslie Carswell	DeputyDistrict Commm
		District Secretary
	Eugene Neeson	Nominated
	Sam Wilson	Nominated
	Edwin Mitchell	Nominated
	Ellie Hughes	Nominated(under 25)
	David McConkey	Elected
	Aaron Coates	Elected
	DannyBryson	Elected
	Victoria Walker	Elected
	Adam Bond	Elected
	Paul Houston	Elected
	Helen Weir	ADC Beavers
	Heather Clarke	ADC Cubs
	Mark Dick	ADC Scouts
	Michel Balmer	ADC Exploters
	Adam Gault	ADC Activities
	AndyClarke	ADC PR

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

Type of advisor Name Address

1 LT700001 (1st February 2017)

Section B		Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
		The District'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.
(e.g. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted		The District is a trust established under its rules which are
		common to all Scouts.
(e.g. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods		The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy,
(e.g. appointed by, elected by)		Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Additional governance issues (optional	information but encouraged as best practice)
You may choose to include additional		The District is managed by the District Executive Committee,
information, where relevant, about:		the members of which are the ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout
		District 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.
Policies and procedures adopted for:		The Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary (Chair & Secretary currently
a) the induction and training of trustees;		vacant) together with the Group Scout Leaders, individual
b) trustee' consideration of major risks		section leaders (if opted to take on the responsibility) and
and the systems and procedures to		others with required skills / knowledge, and meets every four
manage them		months.
		Members of the Executive Committee complete_'Essential_
		_Information for Executive Committee'_training within the first 5
		months of joining the committee.
		This District Executive Committee exists to support the
		Groups in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments
		and is responsible for:
		The maintenance of District property;
		The raising of funds and the administration of District finance;
		The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
		District public occasions;
		Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult
		support;
		Appointing any sub committees that may be required;
		Appointing District Administrators and Advisors other than
		those who are elected.

2 LT700001 (1st February 2017)

Section B Structure, governance and management (continued)	Section B Structure, governance and management (continued)
	Risk and Internal Control The District Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which they believe the District 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 District would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The District has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Additional accident insurance is provided at District level for Occasional Helpers not covered by the Scout Association policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Reduced income from fund raising. The District is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The District does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee 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 District is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the District. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section Group or the District 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 in the District. Reduction or loss of members. Groups provide 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. Risk and Internal Control The group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all cheques and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

Section B
Structure, governance and management (continued)

Risk and Internal Control
The District Executive Committee has identified the major
risks to which they believe the District 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 District
would request the use of buildings, property and equipment
from neighbouring organisations such as the church,
community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal
arrangements exist with these organisations. The District has
sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to
mitigate against permanent loss.
Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The
District through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout
Associations national accident insurance policy. Additional
accident insurance is provided at District level for Occasional
Helpers not covered by the Scout Association policy.
Risk Assessments are undertaken before all
activities.
Reduced income from fund raising. The District is primarily
reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The
District does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of
activities should there be a major reduction in income. The
Committee 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 District is totally reliant
upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the
District. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to
an unacceptable level in a particular section Group or the
District 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 in the District.
Reduction or loss of members. Groups provide 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.
Risk and Internal Control
The group has in place systems of internal controls that are
designed to provide reasonable assurance against material
mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all
cheques and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure
that insurable risks are covered.

3 LT700001 (1st February 2017)

Section C		Objectives and activities	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:
		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
		- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
		- learn by doing
		- share in spiritual reflection
		- take responsibility and make choices
		- undertake new and challenging activities
		- make and live by their Promise.

Summary of the main activities in relation
to these objects		Slemish District has 13 Groups within the District with a total
		membership of 764 including 542 members are under 18.
		This represents a 7% increase on last year following the
		severe dip caused by Covid 19. While there was a limited
		District programme of activities and events due further waves
		of Covid 19 in Spring and Autumn 2021, Scouting began
		returning to normality with 'face to face' Scouting. Each of the
		Groups within the District were active within the restrictions
		placed on them, and many young people were able to gain
		the top awards across the Sections
Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
Youmay chooseto include further
statements, where relevant, about:
• policy on grantmaking;
• contribution made by volunteers;
• policy on investments.		The District supported Groups in the development of leaders
		to facilitate programmes for the development of their
		members byfundingall trainingcosts.

4 LT700001 (1st February 2017)

Public benefit statement

The District 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	Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year The 12 months in this reporting period have continued to be challenging for everyone. All Groups resumed ‘face to face’ Scouting in the Spring / Summer of 2021, but many had to stop again due to the lockdowns and further waves of Covid 19 in the Autumn and Winter. In addition, ongoing financial pressures at Group level, and some adult Leaders not returning have added to the challenge. The District and most of the Groups in it availed of the very generous financial support made available from the Education Authority to ‘kick start’ youth programmes by purchasing equipment, holding summer camps, and organising activity days or other events for members. Many of these took place at Crawfordsburn Scout Centre and Brackenhill Activity Centre. At District level, a very successful and enjoyable canoe expedition through the Great Glen in Scotland was attended by 21 Explorers and a team of adult leaders in August. Four young people from the District have been selected to represent Scouts NI at the 2023 World Jamboree in South Korea, along with 6 adult leaders who will also attend as part of the International Service Team. The Squirrel Section officially join the Scout Association in September 2021, and there are 4 thriving Drey’s enjoying exciting and fun programmes within Slemish District.
Section E	Financial Review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on
reserves	Reserves Policy
	The District's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources
	to continue the charitable activities of the District should
	income and fundraising activities fall short or there would be
	an unexpected financial demand. Work is ongoing to identify
	needs and utilise restricted funds in the spirit of which they
	were originally donanted.
Quantify and explain any designations

Details of any funds materially in deficit
(circumstances plus steps to eliminate)

5 LT700001 (1st February 2017)

Further financial review details (optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
• the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
• how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; • investment policy and objectives

The District Executive regularly monitors the levels of bank balances, interest rates received and returns from investments to ensure the District obtains maximum value and income from its investment arrangements.

Section F Other Optional Information

Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them)

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Steven Millar							Leslie Carswell

Position (eg Secretary, Chair)	District Commissioner							DeputyDistrict Commissioner

Date		0	8	0	2	2	3

6 LT700001 (1st February 2017)