South Down District Scout Council Trustees, Annual Report The ti"ustee i'eport for the chai.ity for tlie pei'iod 0114123 3113124 Seetion A Reference and administration Registei"ed charity name Charity reg. numbei. Pi"incipal office South Down District Scout Council 103947 109 Milltown road, Belfast, BT8 4ST The trustees The trustees who served foi. the period are listed as follows: Mr. J. Mcmullen (Chaii.) Mrs. E. Mcclimonds (Seci'etaiy) Mi"s. S. Smyth (Treasui'ei") Mr. R. Watson (Acting Commissioner) Ms. T. Mccall Mr. A. Hale Mr. C. McElroy Mr. R. Ferris Ms. L. McQuaid Mi.. M. Fei"i'is Mrs. F. Gi'aham Ms. Y. Patterson
Mi.. M. Caii"ns Mi". R. Mastei"s Mi.. M. Scott Section B Structure overnance and mana ement The Disti'ict's govei.ning documents ai"e those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Chaitei", which in turn gives authoi'ity to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Oi"ganisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The Disti'ict is a trust established under its rules which al'e common to all Scouts. The Ti"ustees are appointed in accoi'dance with the Policy, Oi'ganisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The Disti"ict is managed by the District Trustee Boai'd, the meinbers of which ai"e the 'Charity Trustees, of the Scout Disti'ict, which is an educational chai"ity. As charity ti'ustees they al'e responsible foi. complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the i"egists'ation, keeping propel" accounts and making i"eturns to the Charity Cominission as appi"opi'iate. The Trustee Board consists of 3 independent i'epi"esentatives, Chaii", Treasurer and Seci"etary, togethei. with the Disti'ict Commissionei", Gi"oup Scout Leaders, individual section leadei"s (if opted to take on the i"esponsibility) and parents, representation and meets every 2 months. Membei's of the Tiustee Boai"d complete 'Essential Information foi. Executive Committee, and 'Trustees' online training within the first 5 months of
joining the Board. This District Ti'ustee Board exists to support the Disti'ict Coinmissionei" in ineeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible foi": The mainteiiance of District pi"opeity (cui"rently none). The i'aising of funds and the administration of Disti"ict finance. The insurance of pei'sons, property and equipinent. District public occasions" Assisting in the i'eci'uitment of leadei's and othei. adult suppoit. Appointing any sub-committees that may be required. Appointing Disti'ict Administrators and Advisoi's other than those who are elected. Risk and Internal conti.ol The Disti"ict Trustee Board has identified the majoi" i"islcs to which they believe the District is exposed, these have been i"eviewed and systems have been established to initigate against them. The main ai.eas of concern that have been identified al'e: Damage to the building, propeity and equipment. The Disti'ict woiild request the use of buildings, pi"operty and equipment froin neighboui'ing oi"ganisations such as the chui'ch, cominunity centre and othei" Scout Gi'oups. Similai" i"ecipi'ocal ari'angements exist with these oi'ganisations. The Gi'oup has sufficient buildings and contents insui'ance in place to mitigate against pernianent loss. Injuiy to leadei's, helpers, suppoi.ters and membei"s. The District, through the
capitation fees, conti"ibutes to the Scout Association's national accident insiirance policy. RRslc Assessments al'e undeitaken before all activities. Reduced income from fund raising. The District is pi"imai"ily reliaiit upon income fi'oin subsci'iptions and fundi"aising. The Disti'ict does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a majoi. reduction in income. The Trustee Boai'd could i.aise the value of subscriptions to inci'ease the income to the Disti'ict on an ongoing basis, either temporai'ily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leadei's. The Disti'ict is totally i'eliant upon volunteei's to ruli and administer the activities of the gi'oups. If thei'e was a i'eduction in the number of leadei's to an unacceptable level in a paiticulai" section or the gi.oup as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation oi. closui'e of a section. In the woi'st case scenai'io, the complete closure of the Group. Reduction oi. loss of illembers. The Disti"ict provides activities foi" all young people aged 6 to 18. If thei'e was a i'eduction in membei.ship in a paiticulai" section oi. the gi'oup as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation oi. closui"e of a section. In the woi.st case sceiiario, the coinplete closui'e of the Gi'oup. Section C Ob ectives activities and Public benefit. The Purpose of Scouting Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in theii" pei"sonal
developinent, empowei'ing thein to inalce a positive conti'ibution to society. The Values of Scouting As Scouts we ai"e guided by these values: Integrity - We act with integrity. we ai"e honest, trustwoithy and loyal. Respect - We have self-i'espect and i'espect foi" others. Care - We support othei"s and talce cal'e of the world in which we live. Belief - We exploi"e oui. faiths, beliefs and attitudes. Co-operation - We inake a positive diffei'ence; we co-operate with othei's and make friends. The Scout Method Scouting talces place when young people, in partnei'ship with adults, woi'k together based on the values of Scouting and: enjoy what they are doing and have fun. take pai"t in activities indoors and outdoors. leai"n by doing. shai"e in spiritual reflection; take responsibility and make choices. undeitake new and challenging activities. malce and live by their Pi'omise. The main activities in relation to these objects are: Encoui"age and develop gi.oups within South Down by ensuring that the i.ules
and governance of the movement ai"e adhei'ed to. Support Gi'oups to delivei" a quality progi'amme; Be visible, approachable and liave an open mindset. Be open to change and challenge any action which is not in the interests of Scouting" Pi"ovide opportunities foi" Gi"oups to come togethei" foi" Disti"ict events. Public benefit statement The Gi"oup ineets the Charity Comniission's public benefit ci"iteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship oi. community development headings. Section D Achievements and erformance With the continued i"ecovery froin Covid, oui. Disti"ict now supports 8 gi'oups with 30 sections and an Explorer Unit. 7 Squirrel Dreys with 73 young people. 8 Beavei. Colonies with 106 young people" 8 Cub Paclcs with 131 youiig people. 7 Scout Troops with 82 young people. l Explorer Unit with 14 young people. This gives us an overall total of 406 young people and 79 adults. Our goal going foiwai"d is to exceed the 2024 membei'ship count, although the
st process to officially close the l Di'uingooland Scout Group is cui"i"ently undei'way. Section E Finance reserves and investment The District's aspii"ation on i'eserves is to hold siifficient resoui.ces to contiiiue the chai'itable activities of the Disti'ict should income and fundi'aising activities fall shoit. The District Trustee Boai'd considers that the group should hold a suin equivalent to 12 inonths, running costs, circa £2,000.00. The Disti'ict held i"eserves of appi"oxiinately £3,000.00 against this at year end. Investinent olic The Disti"ict's Incoine and Expenditui"e is veiy sinall and, as a conseqiience, does not have sufficient thnds to invest in longei'_term investments such as stocks and shai"es. The Disti"ict has theL'efore adopted a low risk strategy to the investinent of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainsti'eam banks or building societies or The Scout Association's Shoit Tei'm Investment Service. The District Trustee Boai"d regularly inonitOL'S the levels of banlc balances and the interest l'ates i"eceived to ensui'e the Disti"ict obtains inaximum value and incoine from its banking ai"i"angements. Occasionally this may involve using an account that i'equii'es a period of notice
before funds may be withdi"awn, befoi"e doing so the Disti'ict Ti"ustee Boai"d considei's the cash flow i'equirements. Seetion F Declaration The ti'ustees deCI.e that they have approved the trustees, repoit as above. Signed on behalf of the charity's ti"ustees. Mr. J Mcmullen Chaii. of South Down Disti'ict Scout Council Date 1610112025