## **39[th] Fife Scout Group**
## **Annual Report & Financial Statements**
## **for the**
## **Year Ended 31 March 2025**
**Charity No: SC007504**
Page 1 of 11
## **39th Fife Scout Group Trustees Annual Report Year Ended 31 March 2025**
The Trustee Board has pleasure in presenting their annual report together with financial statements and the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Reference and Administration details**
Name: 39th Fife Scout Group
Hall address: Carron Grove, Dunfermline, KY11 4LN.
Registered address: Hartley House, Viewfield Terrace, Dunfermline, KY12 7HY.
## **Trustees**
|**Trustee Name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**|
|---|---|---|
||Group Lead Volunteer||
||Chair|Co-opted 02/09/2024|
||Treasurer||
||Trustee||
||Trustee|Resigned 27/01/2025|
||Trustee||
||Trustee||
||Trustee|Resigned 27/01/2025|
||Trustee||
||Trustee||
||Trustee||
||Trustee||
||Trustee|Co-opted 02/09/2024|
||Trustee|Co-opted 02/09/2024|
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Scout Group is constituted and its governing documents are those of 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 trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
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 regulator as appropriate.
The Group Trustee Board exists to make sure that the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal
Page 2 of 11
requirements and the organisation ’ s policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high quality and safe programmes that gives our young people skills for life.
## **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 two signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risk is covered. In line with nation-wide changes to Scouts governance, a Group-level Risk Register was put in place by the Trustee Board during the year.
## **Purpose**
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
As Scouts, we’re guided by our values, which are:
- Integrity: We act with integrity. We’re 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.
- Cooperation: We make a positive difference. We co-operate with others and make friends.
## **The Scout Method**
Scouts takes place when young people, in partnership with adult volunteers, work together based on the values of Scouts to:
- 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.
## **Activities and Achievements:**
The sections meet weekly during terms time as follows:
- Squirrels – Wednesday
- Beavers – Monday
- Cubs – Tuesday
- Carron Scouts – Wednesday
- Afton Scouts – Monday
- Explorers – Thursday
The group continues to see all sections fully subscribed, with a sizeable waiting list for Squirrels and Beavers.
The sections ’ badge work is very popular with our young people with a total of 1266 challenge and activity badges awarded and 28 Chief Scouts Awards during the year. The help of parents and carers to complete badges at home is much appreciated by the leaders.
Page 3 of 11
|**Section**|**Badges**|**Chief Scouts Awards**|
|---|---|---|
|Squirrels|212|8|
|Beavers|251|4|
|Cubs|364|9|
|Carron Scouts|117|1|
|Afton Scouts|281|6|
|Explorers|47|0|
|Total|1266|28|
Our much-awaited postponed international camp finally took place in July 2024, with 36 members plus leaders travelling to the Netherlands for a range of Scouting-focussed activities as well as trips to Amsterdam and a theme park. Planning for international camp 2027 is already underway!
## **Fundraising:**
A key role of the trustee board is to support the Group with their fundraising to provide the best resources and activities for all members. Our main fundraisers this past year have been Scout Post which continues to prove popular and The Christmas Fayre which was well supported. We thank parents / carers for their continued support with gift aid. As well as supporting a varied programme of activities for our young people the fundraising has ensured we can continue to keep the hall well maintained. This year we have installed new fire alarms, internal and external CCTV and a Wi-Fi mesh to support ever-increasing needs, along with the substantial purchase of new tables and benches.
## **Leadership:**
On behalf of the Trustee Board, I would like to thank all of our leaders whose dedication and hard work is the foundation of the 39th Fife. We have seen new leaders join the group which ensure we can continue to provide a vibrant and fun place for our young people. With the Group fully subscribed and demand continuing to be high, we need to recruit more leaders in the coming year.
On behalf of the Trustee Board, I would like to say a special thank you to who is stepping down at AGM as Group Treasurer after eight years of service in this role! worked hard behind the scenes to keep the finances on track and invoices for our numerous activities paid, and we are very grateful for his commitment. We are delighted that will continue as a trustee with us.
## **Financial Review**
The Group’s finances are in good shape, with the minibus and hall hire by other groups and community users adding useful regular income.
The Group does not require substantial cash reserves given it has:
- Regular and reliable income from monthly subscriptions
- A well-maintained hall
- Fairly predictable overhead outgoings
- Separate fundraising and member contributions being the usual source of funds for specific events.
Page 4 of 11
The Trustee Board considers that reserves of £3,000 are sufficient to cover any unexpected outgoings and working capital. Thus, unrestricted reserves at year end 31 March 2025 of £8,125.47 are ample and funds are available for planned hall maintenance and any investment in standard equipment needed over the next year. Nevertheless, with deficits recorded in each of the last two years, the Trustee Board took the decision at its March 2025 meeting to increase subscriptions, which had stood at £8 per month since January 2021, to £10 per month. This will allow the Group to continue to offer the best service to its members as costs keep rising, whilst providing for hall improvements and additional equipment purchases over the next few years.
## **Approved by the 39th Fife Scout Group Trustee Board on 12 May 2025 and signed on its behalf**
Page 5 of 11
## **39th Fife Scout Group Independent Examiner’s Report Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the 39th Fife Scout Group**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 11.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- a. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
- b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Page 6 of 11
## **39th Fife Scout Group Annual Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2025**
|**39th Fife Scout Group**
**Annual Accounts**
**Year Ended 31 March 2025**||
|---|---|
|**RECEIPTS**
**Note**
**Voluntary Income**
Subscriptions
Donations/Gift Aid
**3**
**Fundraising**
**4**
**Grants**
**5**
**Group Activities**
Scout Programme
**6**
International Camp
**7**
Hall hire
Minibus hire
**Investment Income**
Bank Interest (gross)
**Total Receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
**Cost of Fundraising**
**8**
**Voluntary Expenditure**
Scout Association Census
**Group Activities**
Scout Programme
**9**
International Camp
**10**
Running costs
**11**
Cleaning & materials
Repairs & maintenance
**12**
Minibus
**13**
Bank interest (gross) & charges
**14**
**Total Payments**
**Surplus / Deficit for year**
**15**|**Year Ended**
**31 Mar 2025**
Year Ended
31 Mar
2024
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
Unrestricted Restricted
**£**
**£**
£
£
**14,726.62**
**0.00**
15,760.00
0.00
**6,900.91**
**0.00**
3,849.19
0.00
**7,275.95**
**250.00**
5,496.24
0.00
**99.00**
**2,500.00**
0.00
0.00
**17,237.27**
**0.00**
20,865.18
0.00
**0.00**
**7,007.33**
0.00
15,755.50
**4,331.25**
**0.00**
3,843.75
0.00
**1,452.00**
**0.00**
2,544.77
0.00
**0.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00|
||**52,023.00**
**9,757.33**
52,359.13
15,755.50|
||**484.32**
**0.00**
285.38
0.00
**7,474.50**
**0.00**
7,438.50
0.00
**23,956.11**
**0.00**
26,366.73
0.00
**0.00**
**34,532.63**
0.00
2,851.85
**13,571.22**
**0.00**
9,225.52
0.00
**1,407.42**
**0.00**
2,878.45
0.00
**3,198.13**
**0.00**
4,950.95
0.00
**3,328.08**
**0.00**
3,688.95
0.00
**100.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00|
||**53,519.78**
**34,532.63**
54,834.48
2,851.85|
||**-1,496.78**
**-24,775.30**
-2,475.35
12,903.65|
Page 7 of 11
|**BALANCES**
**Cash & Bank Balances**
Balance at start of year
Surplus / Deficit for the year
Balance at year end
**Comprising**
Group Current Account
**15**
OSM Payment Card Account
**Other Assets (quoted as**
**insured values)**
Camping equipment
Other Contents
Buildings
Minibus|**Year Ended**
**31 Mar 2025**
Year Ended
31 Mar
2024
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
Unrestricted Restricted
**£**
**£**
£
£
**9,622.25**
**25,895.16**
12,097.60
12,991.51
**-1,496.78**
**-24,775.30**
-2,475.35
12,903.65|
|---|---|
||**8,125.47**
**1,119.86**
9,622.25
25,895.16|
||**6,357.11**
**1,119.86**
7,655.88
25,895.16
**1,768.36**
**0.00**
1,966.37
0.00|
||**8,125.47**
**1,119.86**
9,622.25
25,895.16|
||**17,865.00**
17,688.53
**22,394.00**
22,171.47
**482,511.00**
467,097.00
**15,600.00**
15,600.00|
||**538,370.00**
522,557.00|
## **Approved by the 39th Fife Scout Group Trustee Board on 12 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:**
Page 8 of 11
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **1. Funds**
The Group maintains a Treasurer's account with Bank of Scotland for most transactions. Prepaid cards held by a number of the leaders are managed through the Online Scout Manager platform. No cash is held.
## **2. Trustees Remuneration &**
## **Expenses**
The Trustees did not receive any remuneration or payment of expenses related to their position during the period.
## **3. Gift Aid**
Gift Aid was previously claimed post-year end, with £3496.91 received for the 2023-2024 year in April 2024. However, with the move to OSM for collecting monthly subscription fees, all regular income eligible for Gift Aid is now received very early in each month, so the claim for 2024-2025 was submitted in-year, resulting in a further £2944.00 received in March 2025. Over 90% of members have made a Gift Aid declaration. Gift Aid is an important part of the Group's income and members will continue to be encouraged to make a declaration if they are eligible.
## **4. Fundraising Income**
Unrestricted fundraising is up nearly £1800 on last year thanks to increases in Scout Post and Christmas Fayre, plus the McTuff sponsorship activity and various collections.
|Amazon Smile
Corporate fundraising (e.g.
matched giving)
Sponsorship
Christmas Fayre
Tuck Shop
Scout Christmas Post
Funeral collection
Church Easter Breakfast|**Year Ended**
**31 Mar 2025**
Year Ended
31 Mar
2024
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
Unrestricted
Restricted
**0.00**
**0.00**
85.16
0.00
**500.00**
**250.00**
500.00
0.00
**540.50**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**2,018.05**
**0.00**
1,731.29
0.00
**114.06**
**0.00**
153.22
0.00
**3,717.34**
**0.00**
3,026.57
0.00
**173.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**213.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00|
|---|---|
||**7,275.95**
**250.00**
5,496.24
0.00|
## **5. Grants**
A grant of £2500 was received from Carnegie Dunfermline Trust to fund T-shirts and hoodies for international camp. A grant of £99 was received from Scouts Scotland towards leader training.
## **6. Scout Programme Income**
|Section/Group Activities (see
spending at note 9)
Census & Shop rebate
Miscellaneous|**16,985.89**
**0.00**
20,473.78
0.00
**0.00**
**0.00**
333.40
0.00
**251.38**
**0.00**
58.00
0.00|
|---|---|
||**17,237.27**
**0.00**
20,865.18
0.00|
Page 9 of 11
## **7. International Camp Income**
Attendee payments for the 2024 International Camp were tracked as reserved funds
## **8. Cost of Fundraising**
|Christmas Fayre
Scout Post
Explorers Tuck Shop|**Year Ended**
**31 Mar 2025**
Year Ended
31 Mar
2024
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
Unrestricted
Restricted
**49.17**
**0.00**
97.29
0.00
**11.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**424.15**
**0.00**
188.09
0.00|
|---|---|
||**484.32**
**0.00**
285.38
0.00|
## **9. Scout Programme**
Scout Programme expenditure covers specific section night activities such as visits to Fordell, or other events such as camps. Not all such activities are charged for in full, hence the expenditure is greater than the income recorded at note 6.
## **10. International Camp**
|**Expenditure**
Flights deposit
Anne Frank Museum visit
Flights balance
Accommodation & linked
activities balance
Bus travel
Additional insurance
Clothing
Theme park
Badges
Food & groceries
Euros - to attendees for
Amsterdam lunch
Refund of overpayments paid
to attendees
Refund of overpayments
donated to group|**0.00**
**0.00**
0.00
2,450.00
**0.00**
**0.00**
0.00
401.85
**0.00**
**13,669.04**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**2,089.71**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**4,106.00**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**18.50**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**2,681.00**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**2,540.23**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**126.44**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**2,227.59**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**1,014.62**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**5,620.50**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**439.00**
0.00
0.00|
|---|---|
||**0.00**
**34,532.63**
0.00
2,851.85|
## **11. Running costs**
|**11. Running costs**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Substantial investment in equipment|included new tables & benches, storage and WiFi|||mesh.|
|Utilities|**4,725.77**|**0.00**|3,074.98|0.00|
|General hall costs|**798.30**|**0.00**|425.39|0.00|
|Insurance|**1,416.43**|**0.00**|2,347.60|0.00|
|Uniform (badges)|**2,010.25**|**0.00**|2,430.83|0.00|
|Equipment|**3,535.01**|**0.00**|474.11|0.00|
|Training & leader expenditure|**1,085.46**|**0.00**|472.61|0.00|
||**13,571.22**|**0.00**|9,225.52|0.00|
Page 10 of 11
## **12. Repairs & Maintenance**
|General maintenance,
servicing etc
Carpets
Fire alarms
CCTV
Acoustic panels for echo
control
**13. Minibus**
Insurance
Tax
Fuel
Supplies
MOT & Maintenance
**14. Bank Charges**
Initial fee for additional pre-
paid cards|**Year Ended**
**31 Mar 2025**
Year Ended
31 Mar
2024
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
Unrestricted
Restricted
**1,117.96**
**0.00**
450.95
0.00
**1,382.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**563.20**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**134.97**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**0.00**
**0.00**
4,500.00
0.00|
|---|---|
||**3,198.13**
**0.00**
4,950.95
0.00|
||**1,087.43**
**0.00**
810.50
0.00
**165.00**
**0.00**
165.00
0.00
**1,027.28**
**0.00**
1,379.67
0.00
**9.92**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00
**1,038.45**
**0.00**
1,333.78
0.00|
||**3,328.08**
**0.00**
3,688.95
0.00|
||**100.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00|
||**100.00**
**0.00**
0.00
0.00|
## **15. Surplus / Deficit for the**
## **year**
A relatively small unrestricted deficit of £1496.78 is recorded for the year, but had two years' worth of Gift Aid not have been claimed in-year (see note 3) this would have been larger. This is acceptable given significant investment including in new tables/benches, carpets, CCTV, WiFi mesh and fire alarms in-year. However, given two years of deficits, the Trustee Board took the decision at its March 2024 meeting to increase the monthly membership fee (which had stood at £8 since January 2021) to £10 per month from August 2025.
A large restricted deficit of course occurred with the successful completion of the International Camp.
## **15. International Camp Balance**
The current restricted balance represents remaining funds from the 2024 International Camp plus restricted donations already received towards the next such camp, being planned for 2027.
Page 11 of 11