Trustees' Annual Report
For the period
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| 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 |
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| Slemish District Scout Council | |||||||||||||
| 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 |
Trustee Name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Chair | |||
| Steven Millar | District Commissioner | ||
| Alex Chestnutt | District Treasurer | ||
| Bill McCullough | Nominated | ||
| Leslie Carswell | Nominated | ||
| Sandra Lorimer | Elected | ||
| Eugene Neeson | Elected | ||
| Sam Wilson | Elected | ||
| Declan Larkin | Nominated(under 25) | ||
| David McConkey | Elected | ||
| Adam Steele | Elected | ||
| Adam Bond | Elected | ||
| Michel Balmer | ADC Explorers |
Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice)
Type of advisor Name Address
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)
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How the charity is constituted
(e.g. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed by, elected by)
The District is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, 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 Trustee Board, the information, where relevant, about: 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. The Board consists of 2 independent representatives, Chair Policies and procedures adopted for: and Treasurer, along with nominated, elected, ex-offico, and a) the induction and training of trustees; co-opted (if co-opted to take on the responsibility) and others b) trustee' consideration of major risks with required skills / knowledge, and meets every four and the systems and procedures to months. manage them Members of the Trustee Board complete the 'Trustee Training' module within the first 5 months of joining the Board. This District Trustee Board 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.
| Section B Structure, governance and management (continued) |
Section B Structure, governance and management (continued) |
|---|---|
| Risk and Internal Control The District Trustee Board 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 |
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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 C
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
Objectives and activities
The Purpose of Scouting
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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 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: - 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 There are 12 Groups within Slemish District with a total membership of 865 including 666 members are under 18. This represents a 7% increase on last year following the severe dip caused by Covid 19 in 2021. Part of that increase was due to the establishment of the Squirrel Section into Scouting for 4-6 year olds and strong growth in the Cub section. Each of the 12 Groups within the District were very active, 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)
You may choose to 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 by funding all training costs. 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
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| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
The 12 months in this reporting period have seen the District get back to normal pre-Covid levels of activity, but there continues to be challenges for everyone. The ‘cost of living’ crisis has continued to create financial pressures at Group level, ‘double jobbing’ due to insufficient adult Leaders across all Sections is an ongoing issue, implementing the Transformation agenda, and an increasing focus on policies and processes following the Great Orme inquest, all place additional demands on volunteers. However, despite these challenges, Slemish District has achieved a lot in the past year that will be highlighted through this report and those of the Sectional Lead Volunteers (or ADC’s). It was very encouraging to see a further 5% increase in the District membership to 865 in the January census comprised of 666 young people (+6.6%) and 199 adults (0%) following the severe dip recorded in 2021. However, numbers are still approx. 5% lower than those recorded pre-pandemic in 2020 (701). The increase in numbers of young people was mainly driven by a rise in Squirrel (10%) and Cub (23%) numbers but this masked a drop in the Scout (-12%) section that will have a negative impact on Explorer Scout membership in the years to come. In 2022/23 there were 4 District Executive meetings, 2 GSL meetings, a District AGM, 1 All Leaders meeting and Section planning meetings. Some Slemish Leaders competed their Woodbadge training and several completed First Aid training while others have gained Hill Walking, Nights Away, Archery and Water Activity Permits. Log Service awards ranging from 5 to 50 years were presented to a large number of Leaders, and one Leader was awarded the Silver Wolf in recognition of distinguished service to Scouting. A full District programme of activities, events and competitions for each Section took place throughout the year. Thirty eight (38) Night Away events were held across all 12 Groups in the District during the summer, autumn, winter and spring of 2023/24. Young people from all Sections gained Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Chief Scout Awards in addition to Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. During the summer, 4 Explorer Scouts from 5th Ballymena, and 6 young Leaders (3 from 5thBallymena and 3 from 1stRandalstown) attended the World Jamboree in South Korea as pat of the Scouts NI Unit and International Service Team respectively. |
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| Section E | Financial Review |
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| Quantify and explain any designations 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 donated. |
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Details of any funds materially in deficit (circumstances plus steps to eliminate)
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; The District Trustee Board 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. • investment policy and objectives
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 Deputy District Commissioner Date 0 4 1 1 2 4
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