2024-03-31-annual-report

Trustees' Annual Report

For the period

From (start date) 0 1 0 4 2 3 to end date 3 1 0 3 2 4

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Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name 5th Ballymena (St Columba's) Scout Group
Other names the charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 1 0 3 7 9 8
HQ registration number
Charity’s principal address St Columba's Church
Doury Road
Ballymena
Postcode B T 4 3 6 S U
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15	Trustee Name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
	AndyClarke	GroupLead Volunteer
	Paula Speers	Chair
	Ceara Thompson	Treasurer
	Ben MacDonald
	Ciara McDonnell
	Nic Dallat
	Heather Clarke
	Helen Weir
	Aaron Coates
	Paul Houston
	Emma Weir
	DannyBryson
	Caroline Dallat	Secretary

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

(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)

Type of advisor Name Address

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Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed by, elected by) (e.g. trust, association, company) (e.g. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted Type of governing document	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, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

Policies and procedures adopted for: a) the induction and training of trustees; b) trustee' consideration of major risks and the systems and procedures to manage them You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

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 10 Trustees (including 2 Ex Officio Trustees, and 2 co- opted Trustees) and meets every 4 months. 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 well-managed, 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.

Section B	Structure, governance and management (continued)
	Risk and Internal Control (Specimen 1)
	The Group Trustee Board has identified the major risks
	to hich the belie e the Gro p is e posed these ha e

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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. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. 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. 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. Risk and Internal Control (Specimen 2) 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 payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

Section C 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,

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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.

Squirrel Scouts are for ages 4 to 6. Their programme includes games, crafts and badge work. The Chief Scout's Acorn Award Summary of the main activities in is the highest Award they can achieve. relation to these objects Beaver Scouts are for ages 6 to 8. Their programme includes games, crafts and badge work. The Chief Scout's Bronze Award is the highest Award they can achieve. Cub Scouts are for ages 8 to 10. Their programme includes games, crafts, badge work and outdoor activities. They take part in District events. The Chief Scout Silver Award is highest Award a Cub which can achieve before they move on to Scouts Scouts are for ages 10½ to 14. A step up from Cubs, Scouts have a wide variety of activity badges to earn. These take a lot more effort and commitment to achieve. Scouts like to get outdoors as much as possible and always look forward to camps. The Chief Scout Gold Award is highest Award a Scout can achieve. The Explorer age group is between 14 and 18. This older age group are part the District Explorer Unit and along with biweekly meetings in the group they partake in various adventurous activities at District level. The top Award they can achieve is the King's Scout Award.

Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

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• policy on grantmaking; • contribution made by volunteers; • policy on investments. Public benefit statement
	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 Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year Section E Quantify and explain any designations Details of any funds materially in defici (circumstances plus steps to eliminate) Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves	Achievements and performance
	All sections worked towards their Top Awards and successful Young People who worked hard throughout th year earned them for their appropriate section.
	Financial Review
	The Group held reserves of circa £8.6k against this at the year end which is just above the level required to operate the Group effectively during a normal annual cycle, this will be due to the scouting year not matching the financial year and some actiivity fees still to come up of the monies held at year end. Reserves Policy The Group had a successful year and the Group Accounts are in a healthy state due to several successful fundraising activities having taken place during the year, and no significant items of expenditure incurred. Income and expenditure in 2024 was circa £19.5k and £20k. 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 or there would be an unexpected financial demand. The Trustee Board therefore considers that the Group should hold a sum equivalent to 12 months normal running costs in the region of £5.5k.
	t Not relevant

Further financial review details (optional information)

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

The Group Trustee Board 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 Trustee Board considers the cash flow requirements. Investment Policy (Specimen 1) 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 adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies. Investment Policy (Specimen 2)

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) Date Position (eg Secretary, Chair)	Aaron Coates	Aaron Coates	Aaron Coates	Aaron Coates	Aaron Coates	Aaron Coates	Paula Speers
	Aaron Wallace Coates						Paula Speers
	Group Lead Volunteer						Group Chair Person
	2 7 1 1 2 5
	2	7	1	1	2	5

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