## Trustees' Annual Report ## For the period From (start date) **0 1 0 4 2 3** to end date **3 1 0 3 2 4** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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
**----- End of picture text -----**
## 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
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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 1 LT700001 (14 September 2024) **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| 2 LT700001 (14 September 2024) 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, 3 LT700001 (14 September 2024) 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: 4 LT700001 (14 September 2024) |• 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) 5 LT700001 (14 September 2024) |You**may choose**to 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
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