Scouts ee ANNUAL REPORT 2023- 2025 th 20 Dundee (Coldside) Scout Group Scottish Charity Number SC050999 www.20thdundeescoutgroup.org.uk www.facebook.com/ 20thscoutgroup ## **Trustees’ Report** Chair Treasurer Risk Management Data Management Group Lead Volunteer The following members left the previous Group Executive due to change of structure as of 24th April 2024. Trustees present their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 – an extended year due to the Group changing their Year-end as agreed at the previous AGM. This report is prepared in accordance with the Constitution of the charity and the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice – ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ and complies with applicable law. ## **Structure, governance, and management** The Scout Group is an unincorporated registered charity governed by its constitution. ## **Trustee Recruitment and Appointments** Trustees are appointed at the AGM or Co Opted at Group Trustee Board Meetings held throughout the year. They can be nominated or identified and asked to become a Trustee. Trustees are appointed through an open process. ## **Objectives and Activities** The object of the organisation is: “Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.” ## **Charitable Purpose** The advancement of education", "The advancement of citizenship or community development" ## **Summary of the main activities in relation to these objectives** It carries out activities or services itself. ## **Achievements** The group has continued to provide a wide and varied programme for its members despite the challenging financial climate. Several members across the group have gained their Chief Scout Awards the top awards available to them. Through funding received and money saved the group have been able to invest in new tents and camping equipment to improve the opportunities available to our members. Page 1 of 14 ## **Financial Review** The group is in a strong financial position despite the continuing cost-of-living crisis effecting many members and the knock-on effect. The monthly fees have stayed the same and at present still allow the group to cover all our outgoings and maintain a healthy bank balance. At present the group carries out no fundraising activities but if an opportunity or the need arose this would be reviewed. ## **Reserves Policy** The group aims to keep enough money within its accounts to operate for a full year without any income. ## **Risk Management** The identifiable financial risks to the group are loss of income from a drop in numbers, thus active recruitment is always ongoing to keep membership numbers at a sustainable level. Monthly fees are kept at a level required to cover costs but are under review and an increase will be considered if required. Page 2 of 14 ## **Report of the Independent Examiner** For the 20[th] Dundee Scout Group for the year ended the 31[st] of March 2025 ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent 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’s trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(d) of the 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 Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 seeking 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: - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44 (1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of 2006 Accounts Regulations, and - 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 attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 30[th] April 2025 Page 3 of 14 ## **Group Lead Volunteer** This report is longer than normal as covers a longer period due to the decision to change the financial year to allow for the Annual General Meeting to be held in the summer months. This allows more scope as to the options available and hopefully better weather to encourage larger attendance. The change from Group Executive to a Trustee Board proved less daunting than first feared and has passed by quite smoothly. This change meant several members of the previous Group Executive did not move over to the new Trustee Board. Their support was greatly appreciated, and I thank them all for that. New members have joined the Trustee Board but as always, we are looking for more which would allow us the opportunity to develop the group even more. Both the Trustee Board and Leader’s within the group have worked tirelessly to put all the required changes in place for governance and compliance and we will all benefit from this going forward. Despite all this going on in the background the programme provided for the young people has continued to be exciting and varied. Leader availability at times is a challenge but this is often overcome from leaders across the group pulling together to help each other out. There have been the usual camps and day trips as well as many new and exciting activities both within the hall and out. It is great to see the group being well represented in District Events and doing well within them. We have welcomed new leaders into the group and are presently in healthy position with leader numbers. Looking ahead the long-awaited group trip to London is nearly upon us and for the first time Beavers have been invited on such a trip swelling the anticipated numbers to 40. Fundraising is well underway to help us provide our members a trip to remember. Thank you to everyone who has supported the group in any way to help it continue to provide its members all that scouting has to offer. Page 4 of 14 ## **Treasurer** ## Annual Treasurer Report 1st November 2023 – 31st March 2025 The duration of these accounts has been extended because the group committee made the decision to change the financial year end to better suit the group. Rather than starting the accounts from 1st November to 31st October, our new annual accounts will run from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. We started the financial year on 1st November 2023 with £11885.78 and ended it on 31st March 2025 with £25217.76, resulting in an increase of £13,331.98. The main reason for the increase total is attributed to London trip contributions totalling £11,267.95. Disregarding the London income this results in a funds increase of £2064.03 from last year. Notable outgoings include Membership fees of £3088.50 in March 2024 and £3118.50 in March 2025. Notable incomes include a Scouts Scotland donation of £1700 in February 2024. Thanks again to for the help they have given to me. Page 5 of 14 The squirrels have had a busy year as usual with all our big events throughout the year. We have celebrated with our Christmas and Halloween parties as well as evenings to celebrate Chinese New Year, St Andrew’s night, Valentines, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. In November 2023 we held our first ever Squirrel sleepover. This was a big event for us as leaders and for the squirrels who came along. We had a great Christmas themed camp with baking, crafts, games, bingo, and a movie before bed. This was a great success for the small number of squirrels who joined us. One of the highlights of our year was celebrating our First Birthday since opening our Drey within the 20th Section. We had a party with Cake and goodies. During this first year and since then we have given out lots of badges over this period as well as 2 Chief Acorn awards. We have also had a few of our squirrels move up to Beavers and make their promise. As a drey we love to explore our local community, and we have had lots of visits. We have been to Camperdown Park, Macalpine Fire Station, Innoflate and Coldside Library. Every year we try to visit the Baldragon Beehive, this is one of the children’s favourite activities and they repeatedly ask when we can visit. They love the experience of putting on the keeper suits and going into the hive. We have had a few parents and carers also keen to don a suit and join them. We have also had a few visitors come into our drey to help us learn about the people who help us. We had someone visit us and tell us about her role as a postal worker. Another visitor brought Roco the therapy dog into visit us and tell us all about how he helps people. We have also attended some of the church services in the church. We have attended the Remembrance Service and the Founder’s Day services which is a great experience to be part of the two. Page 6 of 14 We have lots of exciting plans for the year ahead, bringing in some new squirrels, heading off on lots of new adventures and returning to some adventures we have already enjoyed. A busy year and a bit in the Beaver section, we have had visitors in from K9 Manhunt Scotland teaching about dogs that we meet on the street and dos and don’ts for meeting them. We visited our local fire station and were shown around a fire engine and the equipment used. We even got to fire the hose to try and move a cone. We focused most of our terms around skills such as problem solving, acts of kindness and first aid. A scenario was given to beavers to put their first aid knowledge to the test. We wrote a letter to send to someone at home and walked to our local post box and sent them home. Beavers learnt about listening to others and the importance of following rules. We learnt that not all disabilities are visible, and we asked the Beavers which disabilities they could think of that isn’t necessarily visible. As a fun way to round of terms around Christmas and summer we went out-with the hall and visited the Cinema and a local park for a BBQ. Fair to say the children loved it and even got a visit from Santa! Along with the activities and games. Beavers have enjoyed crafting over the terms in many ways. We have decorated pancakes for pancake day, using fruits and chocolate spread. We have created chalk art for bonfire night, and we even got some buckets and wooden spoons to create our own musical instruments (that was a LOUD night) Page 7 of 14 Over this period 14 Beavers were invested into the section, and a total of 62 activity badges were presented. During the period covered within this report a total of 258 badges were awarded. Included in that total, 3 Cubs were awarded the Chief Scout Silver Award. In November 2023, a team of 4 entered the District JV Muir competition. The competition involved a quiz, and we are delighted that the 20th Cubs were the overall winners, retaining the title won the previous year. In February 2024, Cubs and Scouts from the 7th, 20th and 22nd scout groups joined together for a Frosties Camp at Douglaswood Scout Centre. The 20th Cubs also joined the 5th Cubs for the international Trailjam in May 2024. Starting a Clatto Park, the trail took us through Templeton Woods and Camperdown Park. In June 2024, 2 teams were entered into the District Cub Flag again held at Douglaswood Scout Centre. Despite not winning, the 20th ‘B’ Team came a very respectable 2nd place. Other notable visits throughout the period included a trip to Dundee Mosque, Dundee Law, Camperdown Wildlife Zoo, Night Hike through Clatto Park and Templeton Woods, a visit to the RNLI and Christmas Trip to the bowling. A thank you to the Cub Leaders, for their continued support in putting together an interesting and varied programme for the Cubs to enjoy. Page 8 of 14 Scouts began the year by focusing on Online Safety, equipping our Scouts with the knowledge and tools to stay safe in today’s digital world. This was an important and engaging part of our programme, and our young people showed great understanding and enthusiasm throughout. Instead of Halloween Parties the Scouts had a trip to the Bowling and at Christmas instead of Christmas Parties visits to the pantomime were organised and well attended. Another exciting highlight during this period was our visit to the Warhammer Store, where our Scouts got hands-on with model making. Each Scout had the opportunity to build and take home their own miniature model. Sticking to our commitment to work on practical skills, we completed another session of First Aid training, helping to ensure our Scouts are well-prepared in case of emergencies. These sessions are always valuable and help build confidence and responsibility among our young people. In early 2024 we had a Frosties Camp, where our Scouts learnt vital survival skills in cold conditions. From fire-lighting to shelter-building, the group demonstrated resilience and teamwork. While there was the opportunity to sleep in the shelters they constructed, the temperatures proved a bit too chilly. This term also saw us take on a Night Hike, testing our navigation skills. Everyone rose to the challenge, and it was great to see Scouts supporting one another through the route. We also enjoyed a trip to Perth for swimming and some well-earned chips – always a favourite! It offered a perfect mix of fun, fitness, and food, and the Scouts loved every minute. A huge well done goes to those who performed in Dundee Scout Gang Show. Our members were a credit to the group, showcasing amazing talent and confidence on stage. Back at our regular meetings, we spiced things up with a "Ready, Steady, Cook!" evening, where teams whipped up tasty creations with limited ingredients – a great test of teamwork, creativity, and Page 9 of 14 culinary courage! We also completed our Circus Skills Badge, learning to juggle, do acrobatics and more. A second cooking night followed where Scouts got hands-on in the kitchen once more. We even held a "Mocktail Evening", learning how to mix fun, fruity drinks in a fun and safe way – a real highlight of the term! We were thrilled to take part in the District Flag Competition, where our Scouts put their Scouting knowledge and teamwork to the test. In addition, several of our older members successfully completed their Expedition Challenge, with a walk in Coupar Angus. It was a big milestone for those Scouts, and we’re incredibly proud of their achievement. To round off the term and keep the circus spirit alive, we enjoyed a spectacular end-of-term treat at Circus Extreme in Riverside Park. The show was a dazzling mix of acrobatics, stunts, and laughter – a perfect way to celebrate another term of hard work and fun. The summer brought exciting opportunities for a few of our lucky members who attended the Blair Atholl Satellite Camp, getting a taste of the legendary biannual Jamboree experience. They returned full of stories, skills, and new friendships – a great milestone in their Scouting journey. Scouts enjoyed bouldering, pushing their physical and mental limits on the climbing walls, and also gave back to the community by taking part in a litter pick on Broughty Ferry Beach, showing their care for the environment. To kick off 2025, some of our brave Scouts took part in a New Year’s Day Dook, plunging into icy waters to raise funds for the group trip to Londo inn 2025. Their enthusiasm (and resilience!) was incredible. We also paid a visit to our local police station, where we received a guided tour, including a close-up look at the jail cells. The Scouts were full of questions and curiosity, and it was a great opportunity to learn more about the work our local officers do. None of the above would be possible without the continued support from Helen, Rachel and Arin. Page 10 of 14 ## **Awards** **Squirrels Chief Scout Acorn Award** **Beavers Chief Scout Bronze Award** **Cubs Chief Scout Silver Award** **Leaders** **Chief Scout Commendation for Good Service** Page 11 of 14 Accounts For the Year 1st November 2023 to 31st March 2025 Receipts and payments 2025 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 Total lunds Total funds Recel ts Donations, legacies and slmilar Income Membershi Donations Charitat)le Actmties Sub total subscri tions 14.566 150 11,089 9,653 10 1,991 Grants Maintenenace Other rants rant 1,700 400 Sub total Fundralslng events (gross) Other fundraising activities Sub total Investment income Bank Interest other investment Income Sub total 4,606 Total Gross Income Total receipts Page 12 of 14 2025 2023 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Total funds Total funds ments Charitable Payments Membership subscriptions paid on National/Counl I￿edID1striCl Youth pr ramme and actmties Rent Insurance Materials and equipment Sub total Fundraising expenses London 6,207 6,931 3,361 234 6307 16.931 13.361 2,100 7,295 2,198 428 183 12304 16,740 2,039 2,039 Sub total Total Gross Expenditure 18.779 18,779 12304 18.779 18.779 12304 Net of receipts/(payments) Transfers between lunds Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 13W2 11,886 12,036 Page 13 of 14 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 2025 2023 Total funds Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Total funds Cash funds Bank current account Totsl cash funds 25,218 25218 11,886 Non monetary assets for charl 's own use Bad e stock Scouting equipment, fumrture etc Sub totsl 857 9,000 720 9,000 Total net assets 1 *074 96.074 1 *.106 The above recelpts and payments account and ststement of assets and Ilabllltles were Pa8e 14 of 14