Scouts
83rd Fife
(Cairneyhill)
Annual Report
202512026
OSCR
Scottish Charity Regulator
www.oscr.org.uk
Registered Charity
SC029771
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|**CONTENTS**||
|---|---|
|Activity Reports ............................................................................................................................................................|2 - 11|
|Trustees’ Annual Report ...........................................................................................................................................|12 - 15|
|Independent Examiner’s Report ..............................................................................................................................|16|
|Statement of Receipts & Payments .......................................................................................................................|17|
|Statement of Balances ...............................................................................................................................................|18|
|Notes to the Financial Statements .........................................................................................................................|19 - 20|
- 1 -
ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
## **From our Trustee Board Chair:**
All of our four sections have delivered an amazing range of programmes over the past year both in the Scout Hall and out and about. Please have a look at the individual section reports to find out the full range of activities the young people have been involved in over the year.
This would have been impossible if it wasn’t for all our volunteer leaders and parent helpers who give up their time to support the Sections and our Group Trustee Board. **Please consider if you are able to help support our Group.** We could really do with some support with both Hall Maintenance and Administration.
The Scout Hall is a fabulous resource for us and for the other organisation in the village who use it on a regular basis. During the past year we have made some upgrades to the front entrance of the Scout Hall and have allowed the village Gala committee to use one of our rooms for storage. Many companies have employee charitable funds – if your company offers such a scheme, please let us know as the costs of maintaining the hall and replacing our equipment increase every year.
We have to replace the personal protective equipment (PPE) that we use for activities regularly as the safety of the youngsters doing the activities is of the utmost importance to us. This year we purchased new cycling and snowsports helmets. We were fortunate to receive some grants towards these thus reducing the cost to us.
Our minibuses are a superb resource and enable us to get out and about, locally and across Europe. The new bus funded by Fife Council's Community Recovery Fund has been a wonderful benefit to all our Scouts during its first year since purchase.
There are always opportunities for those wishing to help with our uniformed Sections. Leaders are supported through training in programme delivery, child protection and safety. The structured programmes have a variety of activities, ideas and challenges to pick from and build the weekly meeting around. Leaders can be male or female and are over 18 years of age, so maybe you, a family member or friend could volunteer in the age group that suits you. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people and can help strengthen job applications by building on personal skills like teamwork, confidence and leadership. Please drop us an email if you wish further information. The more help that is offered, the more your young people will benefit.
The more you find out about the Scouting movement across the world the more you understand how amazing it is to be part of such a fantastic organisation, inspiring generations of young people to reach their potential and learn skills for life.
Finally, can we extend our thanks to all our current Leaders and volunteers for the learning and development opportunities that they offer our members as they progress through the sections. The 83[rd] Fife Scout Group in Cairneyhill is most definitely a major part of our community and we will continue to support our members to gain skills for life through progressive training awards and badges. Cairneyhill Scout Group is exceptional and we all feel very privileged to be part of it.
Please get in touch if you feel you may be able to offer to volunteer with the group.
Thank you.
**Pauline Martin Chair, Group Trustee Board**
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
## **Volunteering Opportunity**
## **Would you be able to offer a few hours to support?**
There are lots of different opportunities to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.
You may enjoy working with the young people to help them get the most out of scouting or prefer supporting behind the scenes.
**Learn new skills Meet new people Boost your career Improve your confidence**
## **Interested?** **07785-304845 or email Secretary@83rdfifescouts.org.uk**
## **Or Join the Adventure**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Beaver Scouts:
Ages: 6 – 8
Tuesday: 6.30 to 8.00 pm
beavers@83rdfifescouts.org.uk
Cub Scouts:
Ages: 8 - 10½
Monday: 6.45 to 8.15 pm
cubs@83rdfifescouts.org.uk
Scouts:
Ages: 10½ - 14
Wednesday: 6.30 to 8.30 pm
scouts@83rdfifescouts.org.uk
Explorer Scouts:
Ages: 14 – 18
Wednesday: 8.30 to 10.00 pm
cairneyhillexplorers@yahoo.co.uk
All sections are open to both males and females
**----- End of picture text -----**
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
The **Bronze Chief Scout’s Award** is the highest award in the Beaver Scout Section and this year was achieved by the following Beavers:
Amy McKenzie and Ava Souden.
The **Silver Chief Scout’s Award** is the highest award in the Cub Scout Section and this year no awards were made.
The **Gold Chief Scout’s Award** is the highest award in the Scout Section and this year was achieved by the following Scouts:
Cameron Burns, Christopher Evans and Tia Skiffington
The **Platinum Chief Scout’s Award** is the first award in the Explorer Scout Section and is comparable to the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It was awarded to the following of our Explorers:
Meggan Creilly, Cara Dove, Julian Evans and Rory Morrison
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
Scouting in Cairneyhill is delivering on the priorities identified in the Fife Youth Work Strategic Plan as can be evidenced by the badges and awards gained and the activities carried out throughout the year by all four of our sections.
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
## **Beaver Leadership Team:**
**Team Leaders:** Jade Roe-Baynham Laura Hempleman
## **Regular Young Leaders:**
Christopher Evans, Rose Malcolm and Rory Morrison
## **Ages** 6-8
Our numbers have been steady this year and currently we have 18 Beavers attending weekly. We are very short of uniformed leaders and would like to encourage anyone willing to help on a more regular basis to step forward; we are very grateful for all the parents who have signed up for their PVG and are taking their turn on our rota to ensure that we have sufficient adults to keep everyone safe.
Summer Term 2025 Beavers enjoyed spending time outdoors pond dipping, playing outdoor games and cooking on fires in the nearby woodlands; when the weather wasn’t so great, we spent time visiting the fire station learning how to stop, drop and roll as part of our safety badge and had a go in the fire engine! On another evening, we were handling reptiles as part of our animal friends’ badge. There was lots of fun on the Gala float as we dressed as a deck of cards for the Magic Theme of Cairneyhill Gala Day and the rain didn’t dampen our spirits. In June Beavers enjoyed Group Camp at Fordell Firs where we did grass sledging, bell boats, caving and orienteering. After the summer in the autumn term we heard about their holidays, and had an overnight camp at Culross stables where we enjoyed some of the lovely baking on offer and some games. The following morning, we enjoyed a local walk and visited Pittencrieff Park and had a backstage tour of the Peacock enclosure leaning all about how to care for the birds. After the October holidays we worked on my world challenge badge and learned about different countries enjoying food from around the world including Singapore and Sweden, we celebrated St Andrews Night, enjoyed a nighttime walk in the Devilla Forrest with headtorches and song singing. There was also a couple of indoor evenings with the climbing wall and trampoline and a Christmas crafts evening where we made Christmas cards to send to local care homes. The term was finished with a trip to Hollywood bowl as a Christmas treat.
We had a very busy term at the start of 2026 with Junk Modelling, Burns’ Night, Chinese New Year and Pancake Day involving lots of food. We worked on our space badge learning about different planets and space buggies and worked towards our global issues badge and learned how to help our planet. Founders’ Day at church was well attended and everyone enjoyed being in the parade.
Our weekly programme allows the Beavers to complete the necessary requirement for their various challenge awards and to gain some activity badges. They can also work on activity badges at home and in other clubs that they are members of. Parents have access to OSM (Online Scout Manager) where they can track badge progress as well as see the programme and risk assessments for all our activities.
A huge thank you to our Young Leaders without whom we really couldn’t have coped – they come along each week, undertaking the volunteering element of their Scouting and Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and run games as well as bases for the Beavers on whatever the night’s theme is. Final thanks are to Karen Sapsed who acts as the Treasurer for the Beavers (another willing volunteer who gives her time to chase up Subs, submit GiftAid claims and make all the necessary payments). This frees up the Leaders time to organise the weekly meetings and complete the necessary risk assessments so that we can keep all your youngsters safe and sound.
**Jade Roe-Baynham & Laura Hempleman Beaver Scout Section Team Leader**
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
## **Cub Scout Leadership Team:**
**Temporary Team Leaders:** Alan & Lynn Davidson
**Team Members:** Caroline Donaldson, Ronan Dunn & Dan Johnstone **Young Leader:** Fergus Dove **Ages:** 8 to 10 ½
## **Growth and Achievements**
Throughout the past year, the Cub Pack has taken part in a wide range of exciting, challenging, and community-focused activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and practical skills. The programme balanced outdoor adventure, creative projects, personal development, and service to others, giving every Cub the chance to try something new and grow in their own way.
## **Outdoor Adventures**
The Cubs enjoyed several outdoor experiences, beginning with a hike at Preston Island after an evening learning basic navigation, countryside code, and “Leave No Trace” principles. Other outdoor activities included a flag american football night and a rugby evening.
## **Community and Service**
A key part of the last term focused on giving back. The Cubs took part in a community litter-pick, helping clean local parks and paths, the cubs collected 6 full binbags of litter from arounds the village and also found an iPhone!
## **Skills and Creativity**
Indoors, the programme included hands-on sessions such as first aid basics, knot-tying, map reading, and simple DIY tasks. Creative evenings allowed Cubs to design and make stop motion videos.
Over the year, the Cubs collectively earned dozens of activity badges ranging from emergency aid and athletics through to the communicator badge, reflecting the diversity of the programme. Many Cubs progressed in confidence, teamwork, and independence, with several preparing to move up to Scouts.
## **Pack Leadership**
There have been a number of changes over the past year with Amanda Fyfe moving on and Dunfermline District supporting the Pack on a temporary basis – huge thanks to Alan and Lynn Davidson for all that they’ve done to support us. We’ve welcomed back Caroline Donaldson who was with the Cubs in Cairneyhill previously and we’re really lucky to have the regular help of Fergus our Explorer Young Leader. Several of the parents have stepped up and taken out PVG’s so that they can assist and ensure that our adult ratios are met each week. Thank you.
Moving forward we need additional adult volunteers to step forward to become Leaders so that Alan and Lynn can step back and return to their District duties. If you are interested in finding out more, please speak to any of the Cub Leadership Team who can give you more information. Full training is provided and you don’t have to be there every week as Scouting offers flexible volunteering to suit your work and family commitments. If you have younger children you can’t leave at home, they can come along with you and are fully insured.
## **Special Events and Celebrations**
The Pack participated in Group events including the annual Founder's Day and Remembrance Day Parades and our Group Camp at Fordell Firs in June. We also attended a District Cub Fun Day at nineacres campsite in Crook of Devon.
The more leaders we have, the more opportunities we can provide for your youngsters, so please help us grow the Cub Team in the year ahead.
## **Dan Johnstone, Cub Scout Section Team Member**
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
## **Scout Section Leadership Team:**
**Team Leader:** David Salthouse **Team Members:** Jane Dove, Loki Hamilton **Ages:** 10 ½ to 14
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society with a strong focus on the outdoors.
Scouts aims to build and develop young people’s confidence, sense of adventure and outdoor skills, as well as encouraging them to explore their beliefs and attitudes and be creative. It offers them the independence to put these skills into practice at camps and even on international trips.
Through youth led example, we encourage Scouts to have a say in planning and developing the activities and projects they want to take part in. This gives them the chance to put their teamwork and leadership skills into practice. Scouts are encouraged to work together and take the lead on all sorts of projects, from community-based work to planning games and activities for their meetings.
**Challenge and Activity Awards** – The core training programme for all Scouts is based around completion of 9 Challenge Awards and obtaining staged or activity badges to earn the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.
Much of the programme set to accomplish these awards rely on patrol activity, camping and other traditional scouting activities. The Scouts completed over 90 Challenge, Staged and Activity badges this year. We were very proud to see 3 Scouts achieve the Chief Scout’s Gold Award this year. Congratulations to Tia Skiffington, Christopher Evans and Cameron Burns. Tia and Christopher have now moved on to Explorers and we look forward to hearing of more success for them in the coming months and years.
All the Scouts completed their Personal Challenge, Skills Challenge Awards and Emergency Aid this year as well as the Physical Recreation award which involved different physical tasks completed over several evenings including the dreaded ‘bleep test’ at the beginning and end of the activity. Many scouts also completed individual awards based on
their pursuit of other activities and pastimes outside of scouting. This is very much encouraged to help provide a blend of scouting and personal activities to develop more skills for life.
**Outings and Visitors** – We managed a packed programme including walking trips around Devilla, cycling around Loch Leven, fishing at Balmule, hovercrafting at Craigluscar, swimming and Laser Tag at Falkirk, rafting at Townhill Lock, golf range at Forrester Park, Church Parade for Founder’s Day and Remembrance Sunday to name but a few! No year would be complete without our trip for Aberdour’s Silver Sands beach for the end of year party and this year was no exception. Several Scouts also attended Scotland national team football games at Hampden Park this year.
**Expeditions and Camps** – We had a number of Scouts attending the Adventure Camp over the May bank Holiday weekend at Strathallan Castle. Our summer camp this year was held at Waddecar Campsite near Preston. Thanks to Loki and also, again, to Jade for coming with us and well done to all the scouts (and Harry) who were able to enjoy much better weather conditions this year. We also attended the Group Camp at Fordell and Tia, Christopher and Cameron organised their own overnight camp as part of their final Chief Scout Award challenge. This included preparing their own route, menus, shopping and equipment. Their route back from Crook of Devon included saving a sheep who had become entangled in fencing wire. Well done for going out of your way to make sure the sheep was ok.
**Community and International** – We have continued our support for environmental and community activities with cooking lessons from Martin at the Culross Community Bakery at The Stables, vegetation clearance work with West Fife Woodland Group and visit from the Police to talk about online safety and cyber security. This year we again created Christmas cards for residents in local care homes.
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
**Numbers** – Our numbers have remained broadly constant over the year. We have said goodbye to Scouts as they move up to Explorers as well as welcoming a similar number up from Cubs and also direct joiners. There remains pressure to retain all those due to come up and those already in the section with the list of school and extra-curricular activities open to young people of this age. Thanks to all the parents for juggling their taxi roles getting everyone to the right place at the right time.
**Thanks** - Thanks to Jane and Loki who have provided regular support to the section throughout the year – not least for Jane as social media and creative content manager (even if she didn’t know she’d signed up for the role!!). Also, to Jade who has helped out on several occasion over the year as well as for summer camp. Thanks also to the parents who have turned up to support the weekly programme when we have needed a bit more help some evenings.
There are always opportunities for parents to assist in several roles, including as parent rep on the Group Trustee Board, helping in the background with hall maintenance or on a more regular basis to support the Troop. There are also opportunities to help support the fundraising for the section. This can help with cost of camps or some of the more adventurous activities the Scouts identify in their programme planning. If any parents feel they may be able to undertake any additional support with the Troop, please let us know so that we can discuss the various ways in which this support can be given.
Lastly, it would be remiss not to recognise the support that both the Trustee Board and other uniformed leaders within the Group have provided this year. Often unsung and hidden from view this support is integral to the success of the Troop and the Group overall.
Thanks for your support in and I’m sure all the Scouts are really looking forward to 2026 - 27 which promises to be packed full of the usual assortment of indoor and outdoor activities, camps and challenges
**David Salthouse Scout Section Team Leader**
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ACTIVITY REPORTS **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
## **Explorer Scout Leadership Team:**
**Team Leader:** Callum Farquhar
**Team Members:** Jerry Aird, Ronan Dunn, Bob Henderson, Andy Morgan and Sue Salthouse
## **Ages:** 14-18
It’s been another busy year. We have participated in a huge variety of national and District activities over the year and are delighted that ten of the Unit have been selected to represent the District at the Blair Atholl International Patrol Jamborette in July 2026. Christopher Evans and Rosa O’Neill have also been selected to represent the Region at the World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027. Congratulations!
**Outdoor & Adventure:** We’ve continued lots of local hikes along the West Fife Woodland Way, Fife Pilgrims’ Way, local hills and on the Coastal Path. We’ve mountain biked at Glentress and cycled around Loch Leven. We’ve kayaked, canoed and paddleboarded at Lochore Meadows, rafted at Townhill Loch and climbed in the Scout Hall. We had a busy weekend in the Lake District caving and hiking and try to be out and about every week throughout the summer and autumn terms.
**Community Service:** We’ve worked closely with West Fife Woodland Group and undertaken a number of environmental projects locally within Valleyfield Woods. We’ve also worked with Cairneyhill in Bloom when they needed our help. Great work everyone. Some of our members help weekly as Young Leaders with the other Sections Throughout the year we’ve provided a marquee hire service; stewarded and provided the baggage service for running races; and provided leaflet deliveries to local organisations and this has brought in much-needed funds.
**Skills:** During the winter nights we’ve undertaken a variety of activities from Karaoke and board games nights to cooking either inside or up the woods. We particularly enjoyed an evening at the Bakery at Culross Stables making scones and pizzas. We’ve played badminton and table-tennis and undertaken What3Words exercises around the village. Individually, everyone completes a personal skill for their awards and there is a wide range from music to cooking being undertaken.
**International:** In April 2025 we held our Annual Snowsports Expedition to Sweden and returned again in February 2026 flying the new route from Manchester into Scandinavian Mountains Airport. In February the snow was superb in the minus 25 degrees sunshine and all 30 attending had an amazing week.
Our 2025 Summer Expedition was attending the Norwegian National Jamboree where we enjoyed a week near Govik making lots of new friends, followed by a week winding our way homeward via Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium with activities en route including Monopoly around Copenhagen, city sightseeing in Hamburg, and the Fantasialand Theme Park before getting the ferry back across the channel and heading home.
2026/27 is looking as busy with Blair Atholl for 2 weeks in July and our planned summer expedition to Japan scheduled for three weeks in August. And the Explorers are keen for another snowsports week in Sweden in February 2027.
**Badges and Awards:** We are delighted to be awarding a huge number of Nights Away Badges at this year’s AGM recognising the huge number of overnight residentials that the Explorers attend. 5 gaining 75 nights; 7 gaining 100 nights; 2 gaining 125 nights and Fergus Dove gaining his 250 nights. In addition, we are awarding 4 Platinum Chief Scout’s Awards, the equivalent of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
My thanks to the Trustees who look after the Governance of the Group ensuring that we have vehicles, equipment and a building to use and for preparing and filing our accounts with OSCR and GiftAid claims with HMRC.
Thanks to everyone who has helped the Unit over the past year – as always, it’s been a pleasure to work with the Explorers, giving them a place to belong and helping them gain Skills for Life.
## **Callum Farquhar Explorer Scout Section Team Leader**
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ACTIVITY REPORTS
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026**
On Thursday 31st July 2025, a special ceremony was held at the official residence of the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh to honour our Explorer Scout Team Leader. Callum Farquhar was presented with the **Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays** , one of Japan’s most prestigious national honours.
The award, conferred by the Government of Japan and presented by **Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda** recognises Callum’s outstanding contributions over more than three decades to **youth exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the UK,** particularly between Japan and Scotland.
During the ceremony, **Consul General Takeda** highlighted Mr Farquhar’s exceptional record of service and the deep respect with which he is held by both the Government and people of Japan.
In addition to his involvement with Japan through Scouting, Callum is Treasurer of the Japan Society of Scotland and regularly gives Japanese Cultural lessons to Primary Schools throughout Scotland.
Our Explorers are heading to Japan this coming summer to attend the 19[th] Nippon Jamboree in Hiroshima Prefecture before some sightseeing in Tokyo and Kyoto and spending some time with our Scouting friends in Iwate Prefecture. Those participating in the expedition have been attending regular training sessions and learning about the language, culture and customs of the country as well as how to keep themselves safe from tsunamis and earthquakes. They have learnt a lot about the food, tried many delicacies and practiced eating with chopsticks. They are very excited about the upcoming adventure and busy fundraising for it. They are looking forward to sharing their experiences with the younger sections on their return to Scotland.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements together with the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31[st] March 2026.
## **Reference and administrative details**
|**Charity Name**|83rd Fife (Cairneyhill)|Scout Group|
|---|---|---|
|**Charity Number**|SC029771||
|**Principal Address**|Northbank Road||
||Cairneyhill||
||Dunfermline||
||KY12 8RN||
|**Website Address**|www.83rdfifescouts.org.uk||
|**Current Trustees**|Alan Davidson|Acting Group Lead Volunteer|
||Pauline Martin|Chair|
||Gail Dunn|Joint Treasurer|
||William Dunn|Joint Treasurer|
||Jeremy Aird||
||Linda Evans||
||Jade Roe-Baynham||
||Karen Hopkins||
||David Salthouse||
||Karen Sapsed||
|**Trustees for the Scout Group**|Callum Farquhar|Region Lead Volunteer|
||Drummond Cox|Chair|
||Michael Brougham|Treasurer|
|||of East Scotland Region for the time|
|||being and their successors in office|
|**Bankers**|Bank of Scotland||
||1 Bothwell Street||
||Dunfermline||
||KY11 3AG||
|**Independent Examiner**|Andrew Dove||
||2 Greenbank||
||Main Street||
||Low Valleyfield||
||KY12 8TZ||
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing Document**
The Group is an unincorporated recognised Scottish Charity and is governed by the terms detailed in the constitution of The Scout Association (incorporated by Royal Charter in 1912) and as detailed in its Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR). It is a member of The Scout Association having accepted the aims of the Association. We are one of eleven Scout Groups in Dunfermline District which is part of East Scotland Region.
## **Appointment of Trustees**
New trustees are recruited in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) of The Scout Association as and when required from existing and new contacts. Any newly appointed trustees are advised of the objectives and activities of the Group, and are to act in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association and the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 in force at the date of appointment. Assistance and training are provided to all new trustees and they are trained and validated in 6 Modules of The Scout Association’s National Adult Learning Scheme – Who we are and what we do; Being a Trustee in Scouts; Data Protection in Scouts; Safety; Safeguarding; and Creating Inclusion. A full Induction Pack is provided to new members covering:
- The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees
- Funding and the current financial position as set out in the latest accounts.
Trustees receive an annual update on their responsibilities.
## **Organisational Structure**
The trustees meet 8 times a year and carry out the governance functions listed in the Constitution of a Scout Group detailed at Chapter 5.d.1. of the Scout Association Policy Organisation and Rules.
## **Risk Assessment**
The Group is dependent upon receiving sufficient funding and donations to enable it to continue to work towards achieving its objectives. The Trustee Board regularly carries out an assessment of all the major risks (including those related to Health & Safety) and is satisfied that it has systems or procedures in place to manage those risks. All adults involved in the Scout Group must be members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and have had an enhanced Disclosure through The Scout Association from Disclosure Scotland within the past 5 years. All adults have also undertaken and been validated for Data Protection within Scouts to ensure that all personal data held by the Group is done so securely and in line with the current legislation. All adults are also required to complete Safety and Safeguarding Training every three years. All uniformed adults must hold a valid First Aid Certificate (renewed every three years). Written risk assessments are in place for every activity being undertaken by each Section of the Scout Group and are shared with young people and their parents. The Group has a Risk Register in place and a comprehensive Building Risk Assessment and these are reviewed annually.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## **OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES**
The vision of the Group is to empower more young people through adventure, teamwork and shared values, to take the lead on making a positive difference in the world. Our purpose is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. The Group is organised in line with the Values of Scouting which are that 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; co-operate with others, make friends.
## **Volunteers**
In addition to 19 uniformed leaders and 6 Trustees, 35 parents of young people attending the Scout Group hold PVG’s and helped with various activities to raise funds or just to help out. It is difficult to put a monetary value on this input, but the results of our volunteer help can easily be appreciated.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE**
It has been another successful year for the Scout Group with all of our members progressing through the Award Scheme, as well as gaining numerous Activity Badges. Each section has had its highlights and these are detailed earlier in the Annual Report. The Group provides a programme of activities including progression through the various Scouting awards. We link what we do to the four capacities of the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence and try to develop successful learners; confident individuals; effective contributors; and responsible citizens. Where possible we ensure that our members are achieving a number of the experiences and outcomes set by the government. In addition, we meet the priorities set in the Fife Youth Work Strategic Plan. We provide activities for those aged 6-25 in the West Fife Villages area, based in Cairneyhill, with a current membership of 89.
During the year the Trustee Board sent out an online survey to parents/carers of all the young people in our four Sections – Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. Very positive feedback was received on balance and there were a small number of suggestions of things which could be improved. This survey was one way in which the Trustees fulfilled one of their responsibilities – “Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community”.
The Scout Group in Cairneyhill provides a community facility for the village that is regularly used by the Primary School; Adult Exercise Classes; Badminton Club; Football Teams and for one–off lets. It is used as a Polling Station for elections and for local Councillor surgeries. The building is regularly used by other Scout Groups (both Scottish and Overseas) for sleepovers and our climbing wall and huge amount of activity equipment are also used by other Scout Groups. The Scout Group is also involved in the management of the adjacent MUGA which provides an all-weather Astro pitch for the local community.
We also provide two 17-seater minibuses that (in addition to supporting our Sectional programmes) are also regularly used by a variety of local groups from playgroups to groups of those who are retired. Scouting in Cairneyhill is most definitely a part of the community, not apart from the community, and will continue to support others in the future.
Each Section carries out a wide range of community impact projects – sending cards to local care homes at Christmas; working with Cairneyhill in Bloom to plant and maintain the flower tubs outside the Scout Hall and throughout the village; and the older sections regularly work with the West Fife Woodlands Group to maintain the local paths that we all enjoy using on hikes.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Overview**
The accounts show a net deficit for the year of £10,076. (2025 – net deficit £55,555).
## **Charitable Expenditure in this financial year**
This year we replaced the last of the Personal Protective Equipment that our members use during adventurous activities and were grateful for grant support from the COOP to help with these costs. We held a very successful Group Camp in June at Fordell Firs, making use of the wide range of activities on offer there and using Lochore Meadows for some water activities. It was great to see all 4 Sections working together. During this past financial year, the Explorers organised two snowsports Expeditions to Sweden in April 25 and February 26 as well as attending a Jamboree in Norway in July and that explains why the Scouting programme costs are significantly higher than the previous year. The 83rd Fife Scout Group are well placed to continue to operate on a sound financial basis.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Group Trustee Board have agreed that the level of free reserves that are required to sustain operations in the event of unforeseen adverse future financial events should be three months unrestricted expenditure, (currently around £15,000), plus £10,000 whenever there is an international expedition planned in case members of the Group are stuck abroad and need repatriated as happened in 2023. Free reserves as at 31 March 2026 amounted to £22,617 (2025: £27,787) and this meets the current requirements.
## **FUTURE PLANS**
The Group remains committed to providing an exciting programme of activities for those aged 6-25 in the West Fife Villages area, giving them a place to belong and helping them gain skills for life through progressive training awards and badges. We hope to recruit additional adult volunteers in the year ahead to strengthen our leadership teams in each of the four Sections and on our Trustee Board. We are currently investigating the development of a Squirrel Drey for 4- and 5-year-olds to meet future demand from the new housing developments within the village. We look forward to representatives of the Group participating in the 2026 Scottish International Patrol Jamborette and the 2027 World Scout Jamboree in Poland.
## **APPROVAL**
This report was approved by the trustees on 17[th] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
## Pauline Martin
## **Pauline Martin**
Chair, Trustee Board
- 15 -
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of 83[rd] Fife Scout Group**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2026, which are set out on pages 17 to 20.
## **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 ("the 2005 Act") and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) ("the 2006 Regulations"). The trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation (10)(1)(d) of the 2006 Regulations does not apply.
It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section (44)(1)(c) of the 2005 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 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 connection with my examination, no matter came to my attention: -
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations, and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 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.
## **Andrew Dove, FCCA**
2 Greenbank Main Street Low Valleyfield Dunfermline KY12 8TZ 21[st] May 2026
- 16 -
## STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
## AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2026
|**Receipts**
Donations
Membership Subscriptions
Gift Aid
Other Donations
Grants
Fundraising
Trading Income
Hire of Motor Vehicles
Hire of Scout Hall
Investment Income
Other Charitable Activities
Scout Programme
**Payments**
Membership Subscriptions to
District
Charitable Activities
Motor Vehicles
Scout Hall
Scout Programme
Governance Costs
AGM Costs
Annual Report and Accounts
**Surplus/(Deficit) for Year**|Note|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
**Total**
**2026**
Total
2025|
|---|---|---|
||5|£
£
**£**
£
8,665
-
**8,665**
7,600
2,459
-
**2,459**
2,123
2,634
-
**2,634**
925
2,797
400
**3,197**
2,750
3,335
10,758
**14,093**
19,821
15,385
-
**15,385**
10,965
6,889
-
**6,889**
6,572
204
-
**204**
2,686
32,837
-
**32,837**
23,386|
|||75,205
11,158
**86,363**
76,829|
|||4,584
-
**4,584**
4,406
7,568
-
**7,568**
71,251
10,973
-
**10,973**
10,369
57,250
16,064
**73,314**
46,359
-
-
**0**
0
-
-
**0**
0|
|||80,375
16,064
**96,439**
132,384|
|||(5,170)
(4,906)
**(10,076)**
(55,555)|
The Notes on pages 19 and 20 form an integral part of these accounts.
- 17 -
STATEMENT OF BALANCE
AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2026
|**Funds Reconciliation**
Balance as at 1 April 2025
Surplus/Deficit for Year
Balance as at 31 March 2026
**Bank & Cash Balances**
Cash at Bank
**Other Assets**
Fixed Assets
Debtors
**Liabilities**
Creditors|Note|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
**Total**
£
£
**£**
27,787
8,665
**36,452**
(5,170)
(4,906)
**(10,076)**
22,617
3,759
**26,376**
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
**Total**
**2026**
Total
2025|
|---|---|---|
||Note||
||6
7
8|22,617
3,759
**26,376**
36,452|
|||504,661
-
**504,661**
524,666
323
-
**323**
416|
|||504,984
-
**504,984**
525,082|
|||-
-
0
0|
|||-
-
**0**
0|
These accounts were approved by the trustees on 17[th] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
## Pauline Martin
## Gail Dunn
## **Pauline Martin**
**Gail Dunn**
Chair Treasurer
- 18 -
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## **1. Basis of Preparation**
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts & payments basis in accordance with:
- (a) The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005
- (b) The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
## **2. Fund Accounting**
- (a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.
- (b) Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the trustees have agreed to set aside for a specific purpose in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
- (c) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
- (d) The purposes of the funds are shown in Note 10.
## **3. Taxation**
- (a) The charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
- (b) The charity is not registered for VAT; thus, all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
## **4. Transactions with trustees and related parties**
- (a) No remuneration or other benefits were paid to trustees during the year, or in the previous year
- (b) No expenses were reimbursed to the trustees during the year, or in the previous year.
- (c) There were no other related party transactions during the year, or in the previous year.
## **5. Grants Received**
|Allander Youth Activities Charitable Trust
Co-op Community Fund
Cairneyhill Community Council
(Bike Equipment)
Fife Council International Youth Experience|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
**Total**
**2026**
Total
2025|
|---|---|
||£
£
**£**
£
-
-
-
1,750
2,797
-
**2,797**
500
-
-
-
500
-
400
**400**
-|
||2,797
400
**3,197**
2,750|
- 19 -
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026
## **6. Fixed Assets**
|Scout Hall
Motor Vehicles
Equipment
**Debtors**
Hall Hires
Gift Aid
Minibus Hires
**Creditors**
**Movement in Funds**
Unrestricted Funds
General Funds
Restricted Funds
Explorers Fundraising Account
Explorers Japan Account
**Total Funds**|**2026**
2025|
|---|---|
||**£**
£|
||Construction Cost
**250,000**
250,000|
||Cost Less 25% p.a.
**49,425**
65,900|
||Insurance Replacement
Value
**205,236**
208,766|
||**504,661**
524,666|
|||
|||
||**2026**
2025|
||**£**
£|
||**98**
234|
||**75**
-|
||**150**
182|
||**323**
416|
|||
|||
||**2025**
2024|
||**£**
£|
||**-**
-|
|||
|||
||As at
31/03/2025
Receipts
Payments
**As at**
**31/03/2026**|
||£
£
£
**£**|
||27,787
75,205
(80,375)
**22,617**|
|||
|||
||8,665
7,008
(12,998)
**2,675**
0
4,150
(3,066)
**1,084**|
||**36,452**
**86,363**
**(96,439)**
**26,376**|
## **7. Debtors**
## **8. Creditors**
## **9. Movement in Funds**
## **10. Purpose of Funds**
General Fund
Unrestricted funds that can be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
Explorers Fundraising & Japan Funds
Restricted funds for monies raised by the Explorers to be used by them on future activities, for example expeditions abroad.
Fife Council International Youth Experience
A restricted grant awarded towards the Explorers visit to Japan
Coop Community Fund
An unrestricted grant awarded to local community projects
Cairneyhill Community Council
A restricted grant awarded towards purchase of equipment to maintain our mountain bikes.
Allander Youth Activities Charitable Trust
A restricted grant awarded towards the purchase of safety equipment.
- 20 -
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