Trustee's Annual Report
scouts
be pr•por•d . . .
For the period from 01 Aprfl 2022 to 31 March 2023
Section A Reference and Administration Details
Charity Name
3 Ballymena Scout Group
Charlty Number
103874
Principal Address
West Church, Ballymoney Road. Ballymena, BT43 58S
The trustees that manage the charity are-
Name
off ice
Dates acted, if not for
full year
Leslie Carswell
Mark McKane
Steven Potter
Jane Thompson
Mark Dick
Douglas Ho
Amanda Kyle
Hilary Caithness
Group Scout Leader
Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Resigned 27.09.2022
Sectlon B Structure, Governance and Management
Type of Governing Document
The Group's governlng documents are those of The Scout Assoclatlon. They consist of a Royal
Charter, which in turn glves authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy,
Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
How the Charlty is Constituted
The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.

Trustee Selection Methods
The Trustees are appointed in accordan￿ with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout
Association.
Group Exetutive Committee
The Group is managed by the Group Executive Committee. 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 Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together
with the Group Scout Leader, and a representative parent from each section of the Group.
Additionally, some members are co-opted onto the Committee from time to tlme. The Committee
meets at least once every 6 months.
The Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader In meetin8the
responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
The maintenance of Group property and equiprnent
The raising of funds and the adrninistration of Group finance
The insurance of persons, property and equipment
Group public occasions
Assisting in the recru itment of leaders and other adult support
Appointing any sub committees that may be required
Appointing Group Adrninistrators and Advisors other than those who are elected
Risk and Internal Control
General
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 payments and
comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
The Group Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which they belleve the Group is
exposed. These have been revlewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them.
The main areas of concern that have been identified are".
Damage to property and equipment
The Group would request the use of bulldings, property and equipment from neighbouring
organisations such as West Church and other Scout Groups. 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 Association's national accident
insurance policy. Risk A55essment5 are undertaken before and during activities.

Reduced income from fund ralsing
The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The Group does hold
reserves 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 or1055 of leaders
The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the actlvlties 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, consolidatlon or closure of a Section. In
the worst-case scenario, this would result in the complete closure of the Group.
Reduction or loss of members
The Group provides activit￿5 for all young people aged 4 to 15. If there were 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. this would result in the complete
closure of the Group.
Section C Objectives and Activities
The Purpose of Scouting
The purpose of Scouting is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving thelr full
physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as
members of their local. national and international communities.
The Values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrlty- We act with integrity. we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Respect - We have self-respect and respett for others.
Care- We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Cooperation - We make a positive difference. we cooperate with others and make friends.
The Scout Method Scouting takes place when young people, in partnershlp with adults, work
tO8ether based on the values of Scouting and:
Enjoy what they are doin8 and have fun
Take part in activities indoors and outdoors
Learn by doing
sha￿ in spiritual reflection
Take responsibility and make choices
Undertake new and challenging activities
Make and live by their Promise.
The Group meets the Charity Commission's public benefrt criteria under both the advancement of
education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

Section D Achievements and Performance
Group Scout Leaderfs Review
Compared with last year, our great programmes of the previous year were not as badly disrupted by
covid.
The total group numbers of young person members taken in the January 2023 census showed a total
of 46 youth members. Thls represents an increase of 6 members on the January 2022 census but is
still smaller than the January 2021 ￿nSu5 figures which was recorded as 55. The good news is that
the youn8er sections, Squirrels, and Beavers showed a significant increase over the 2022 figures,
numerically 7 extra Squirrels up to 12, Beavers 3 extra up to 13. The Cub section showed a slight
reduction, down 2 to 10 and similarly the Scout section down 2 to 11 but an extra 4 who are of
Explorer age could be added as they are recorded as the District Explorers in the census. This means
the Scout section is really 15 in size. An analysis of the ages in each of the younger sections Shows
that the ages of the members is near the upper age for the section. This wlll result in progress In
swelling the numbers in each of the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, and with the increasing number of
Squirrels being attracted throughout the year, there is movement towards the pre-pandemic
numbers levels and possibly beyond across all sections in the nearfuture.
The adult leaders showed a number of changes. In June 2022 the two Cub leaders retired meaning
that unless new leaders were found. the section could not functlon. Fortunatelyi one of the Beaver
leader4 moved up to become the new Cub Leader and an Asslstant scout leader moved down to the
Cub Sectlon such that Cubs would continue with the minimum of two leaders. New leaders, a
husband and wife team, were recruited into the Beaver section leader team. This bodes well for the
future as it Is the intention of the current Beaver leader to step down at the end of June 2023. In the
Scout section we welcomed a new young leader to the team, significantly reduclng the average age
of the Scout leader teaml
The Cub section moved their meetlng evening to a Friday at the beginning of September 2022. This
has resulted in all settions In West Church meeting on the same evening in 3 different locations in
the Church with two sections using the maSn hall consecutively. This makes it easier forthe transport
situation for parents who have two or more offspring attending different sections. It also makes it
easier for leaders from the different sections to meet, exchange ideas, decide on who Is golng up
from one section to another etc. We are grateful to our Church forfacilitating this change.
2022 was a significant year for the Troop as it was 100 years from the start of Scouting in West
Church. All sections were represented in the Church for a service on 24th April 2022, one day after
the centenary of the first official Troop meeting. A centenary summer camp was held in the Same
field in Carnlough as the first Troop camp in 1927.
Some measure of progress within the Group can be made through examining the number of badges
earned and awards gained. The younger sectlons facilitated progress towards bad8es in virtually
every night of their meeting particularly through a range of crafts and games. The difficulty In writlng
this report which is to focus on the financial year ending 31 March each year 15 that although much
progress is being made towards the Chief Scout Awards for each section many a￿ not completed
until nearlng the summer of the following year. l am convinced with the current leadership teams.
there is much more focus on these awards being Eained in all sections. The number of these awards
bein8 gained is increasing each successive year. Well done.

All sections actively participate in their section's District events and more with some of our section5
joining together forjoint activities outside the normal meeting place. These events are spread
throughout the year, not just in the later Spring time. Details of events can be seen in the reports for
each section. Good use wa5 made of the Education Authority IEA) grant monies for a number of
these activities this year and our thanks go to the EA.
Finally, our thanks go to our Treasurer, Chair and Secretary and especially to all in the leader teams
of each section for their energy. commitment and enthusiasm and further thanks go to those who
are moving on and who have ￿tired since April 2022 and are retiring this June for their
commltment, progress in facilitating more badges and awards being gained and furthering the"Skills
for Life" aims and objectives of The Scout Association.
Sectlon E Financial Review
Reserves Pollcy
The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable actlvities of
the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee
considers that the Group should hold a sum tn reserve equivalent to 2 years runnln8 Costs, circa
£5,000 in reserve.
Investment Policy
The Group's Income and Expenditure Is small and a5 a consequence does not have sufflcient 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.
Treasurers Statement
The attached account statement shows the Group Income and Expenditure details and Bank Account
balances as at our financial year end of 31 March 2023 IFY23). The Group and all Sections operate
and report on a Cash Accounting basis.
Our maln sources of income are normally from subscriptions• gift aid and fund raising.
The Group's policy to maintain reserves at approximately £5,000 continues. Reserves at 31 March
2023 were slightly hiEher due to receipt of a £2,OW donation which had not been spent by year end.
The £5,000 level of cash reserves is deemed appropriate to cover any cash flow timing issues and
also enable the Group to continue to operate for at least two years Should fundin8 such as Gift Aid
cease. The Group is also keeping this under review.

Section F Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees by-
Mr Mark McKane
Chairperson & Trustee
Date:. 26 June 2023