st 1 Avoch Sea Scouts Trustees, Annual Report 3113124 to 3113125 Charity contact information 1st Avoch Sea Scouts Registration No: 4677 Royal Navy Recognised Sea Scouts 41 Scottish Charity Number. SC039121 www.avochseascouts.scot Charity Trustees ## **Management of The Scout Group** The group's 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 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 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 Scottish charity regulator, as appropriate. The committee consists of 3 independent representatives- chair, treasurer and secretary together with the scout leaders, a sectional assistant and parents’ representation and meets every 3 months, or as required. Members of the board complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' training within the first 5 months of joining the committee. This group trustee board exists to support the group lead volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for: - The maintenance of group property - The raising of funds and the administration of group finance; - The insurance of persons, property and equipment; - Group public occasions; - Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; - Appointing any sub committees that may be required; - Appointing group administrators and advisors other than those who are elected. **The Purposes of Scouting** **3** Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, 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 co-operate 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. **4** Governance of The Scout Group Constitution 1 Avoch Sea Scout Group are governed by our constitution which sits comfortably with the values and aims above and also with the overarching governing documents and royal charter of The Scout Association. 1 Avoch Sea Scouts are proud to be affiliated to the Royal Navy for our high standards of programme and safety. Report from The Group Scout Leader Overall, our numbers remain stable. Our numbers by section are" Beavers 19 Cubs 15 Sea Scouts 25 Explorer Sea Scouts 11 Our sections team has 7 leaders, with additional supporting adults numbering 26 form the Black Isle and beyond. Group Executive 5 The sea scout group continues to deliver a wide variety of nautical and land based activities for all its sections. Beavers and cubs have taken part in a variety of district camps and activities, and the sea scouts and explorers continue to support nautical activities at district and regional level. We had representation at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea and, despite the challenges of heat and poor facilities, made the most of the alternative programmes that were put in place. We continue to work closely with 18 Inverness Sea Scouts and Forres Scout Group in the Caledonian Sea Scout Project, which delivers big boat training to scouts locally. 1 Avoch Sea Scouts continue to retain their Royal Navy Recognition and are one of only 3 such scout groups in Scotland. We are grateful to the Royal Navy for their continued support in the provision of training. ## NAVY Within the scout centre, we continue to offer community space; with funding sourced from The Highland Council, we continue to provide a mental health programme for scouting throughout the district. **7** ~~EEEE~~ **Financial review** = Opening Balance £23,498.41 Income= £70,160.45 = Expenditure £49,028.96 = Carried Forward £44,854.89 The scout group continue to maintain a reserve of £20,000 to protect against unexpected expenses due to having a large centre and fleet of boats. We are grateful to The Highland Council in providing £15,000 to support our mental health programme. We remain conscious of the high energy costs for all, and are affected by changes in business electricity rates. We continue to claim rebates in water rates and are grateful for the charitable rebates on other rates administered by the local authority. Subscriptions rates have remained at £35 a term per child and, where any family has faced financial hardship, there remains the provision for this fee to be waived, subject to the agreement of the group scout leader. There are increasing requests for fee waivers from families, and we continue to do our best to source funding to support hardship. Roughly 25% of membership fees are paid directly back to The Scout Association in relation to capitation costs. Gift aid income amounted to £838.28. Accounts prepared by the Treasurer, nd inspected b former Manager of the Rosemarkie Beach Cafe. The accounts were signed off on 11th August 2025. Statement of the charity’s policy on reserves The trustees are therefore satisfied that the charity operated within their stated reserves policy in the period ending 31 March 2025 and will continue to do so for the forthcoming year. We note, however, the significant challenges around utility costs rising and must continue to be mindful of meeting the needs of all our young people. **8** ## **Declaration** Signed on behalf of the charity trustees: Group Scout Leader ## 13/10/25 **9** 2024~2025 2023-2024 Income Donation * I nSLL£c￿c Events Events - Beavers 18,148.42 180.00 1,495.00 915.00 1,017.00 0.00 L"vei rtLJ - Events - Explorers Events - Scouts Fundraising Gift Aid 100.00 485.00 669.01 838.28 30.263..66 5,342.02 7,169.73 4,879.33 0.00 0.00 782.90 685.89 11.312.00 3,345.20 6,066.43 2,928.52 Rent Subscriptions - all sections Tuck Shop Expense Activity Equipment Admin Badges Boat Equipment Boat Fuel 0.00 0.00 24.00 332.67 120.74 1,268.62 5,648.51 533.71 567.12 0.00 'Dui'u'i I 'uo."LlO Donation Engineer- addi boat insurance Engineer- boat maintenance Engineer - mooring/crane out Es_ta.t_ps -.bJJ.il_d.i n¥7 insu.ra,nce Estates- cleaning sundries Estates - Electricity Estates - Fire and Security Estates- IT supplies & OSM Estates- scheduled maintenanc Estates - tuck shop purchases Estates ~ uniform purchases Estates- unplanned maint Estates - van fuel Estates - van ins, tax and MOT 1,141.29 282.00 1,509.20 561.30 J,:SDfi..DO 107.92 3,935.35 87.60 381.33 2,174.89 3,117.31 1,992.00 5,535.33 834.21 940.93 0.00 0.00 0.00 n...00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 )L&L￿> - Q'di I "Iyid'i) i Lei I"cl'l ILe Estates - wifi & data protecti Events Events- Beavers Events- Cubs Fvp ~ .FJ.D.l.n,r.p r_s Events - Scouts Fundraising Insurance MH Grant- mayday badges 780.23 2,130.00 547.17 195.86 13..6.0 47.58 36.20 4,750.00 397.20 0.00 3,043.92 400.00 0.00 D.D_O 0.00 0.00 1,561.51 0.00 MH Grant- MH resources MH Grant- relief work MH Grant- snacks Sections - 20th year celebrati Sections - all grp activ/cater 1,500.78 864.38 264.93 784.03 21.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 a¢LL1"￿1 i) --aii'JELLiUI i &Jausci Sections - beaver activity Sections - capitation Sections - cub activities Sections - scout activity T.rai.ni.n.g Tuck Shop Uniforms Utilities Van Van Fuet Venue Maintenance 148.32 3,519.00 203.17 80.80 204..39 0.00 0.00 0.00 140.71 0,00 0,00 0.00 0.00 .637.61 1,205.38 1,140.00 7,016.79 2,132.04 1,017.29 5,614.67 0.00 0.00 Account balances Bank of Scotland Expense Account 44,790.18 64.71 23,498.41 0.00 Summary Account balance brought forward Total income Total expenditure Net income 23,498.41 70,160.45 49,028.96 21,131.49 28,732.64 27,052.94 32,287.17 ~5,234.23 ai i i. on ui*.'uJ Accounts Prepared Bv Signature Dat,e II/DB/2.025 Accounts Inspected B Signature Date 11/08/2025