1st Stocksfield Scout Group ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018-19 https://1ststocksfiieldscouts.org.uk 1st Stocksfield Scout Group Annual Report & Accounts 2018-19 Contents CONTENTS 1 ABOUT THE GROUP 2 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE 5 Beavers 5 Cubs 5 Scouts 5 Adult Leaders 6 SCOUT HUT 7 Progress Update 7 Grants and Supporters 7 Interim Arrangements 7 FINANCIAL REVIEW 9 Reserves Policy 9 Extra Income 9 Investment Policy 9 Gift Aid 9 Audited Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ending 31 March 2019 10 Bank Accounts 11 NOTICE OF APPROVAL 11 1 1st Stocksfield Scout Group Annual Report & Accounts 2018-19 About the Group Formed in 1964, the 1st Stocksfield Scout Group is based in the village of Stocksfield, in rural Northumberland. Part of Hadrian Scout District, we believe in preparing young people with skills for life. We encourage our young people (aged 6 to 14 years old.) to do more, learn more and be more. The Group comprises Suzanne Richardson Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, Secretary The Aim of The Scout supported by adult leaders Philippa Harpin Association is to promote and a Group Executive Treasurer the development of young Committee. It is registered Carole Thirlaway people in achieving their full as a charity (number Helen Schooler physical, intellectual, social 522405) with the Charity John Walker – until July and spiritual potentials, as Commission. 2018 individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of Principal Address Advisors the local, national and The Scout Hut Bruce Lenton – District international communities. Guessburn Commissioner Stocksfield Dr Ben Mitchell – Gift Aid The Method of achieving Northumberland the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable NE43 7QS External Auditor and attractive scheme of Ronnie Gibson progressive training, based Note at the time of this report work on the new hut on the Scout Promise and Governing Document was nearing completion but Law and guided by adult The Group’s governing remained a building site. As leadership. documents are those of The such an interim address is Scout Association. They provided here. Each week, Scouts give consist of a Royal Charter, over 460,000 young people which in turn gives Interim Address the opportunity to enjoy fun authority to the Bye Laws of and adventure while c/o Murray the Association and The developing the skills they 27 Apperley Road Policy, Organisation and need to succeed, now and Stocksfield Rules of the Scout in the future. We’re talking Northumberland Association. about teamwork, leadership NE43 7PG www.scouts.org.uk/por and resilience – skills that have helped Scouts become Website Nature of Charity everything from teachers https://1ststocksfieldscouts. The Group is a trust and social workers to org.uk established under its rules astronauts and Olympians. which are common to all 2018-19 Trustees Scouts. We believe in bringing Dr Malcolm Murray people together. We Group Scout Leader Charity Objectives celebrate diversity and Mrs. June Hunter The objectives of the Group stand against intolerance, Group Chair are as a unit of The Scout always. Association. 2 1st Stocksfield Scout Group Annual Report & Accounts 2018-19 We’re a worldwide there are funds available for of the appointments and is movement, creating uniform and activities so responsible for: stronger communities and that young people are not inspiring positive futures. excluded from activities if • The maintenance of they are unable to pay. Any Group property; Public Benefit Criteria private benefits of Scouting • The raising of funds The Group meets the are incidental. and administration Charity Commission’s public The benefits of Scouting are of Group finances; benefit criteria under both further demonstrated • The insurance of the advancement of throughout this report. persons, property education and the and equipment; advancement of citizenship Selection of Trustees • Group public or community development The Trustees are appointed occasions; headings. in accordance with The • Assisting in the Policy, Organisation and recruitment of The Scouting Movement Rules of the Scout leaders and other complies with two key Association. adult support; principles set by the • Appointing any sub Commission regarding The Group is managed by committees that public benefit: the Group Executive may be required; Committee, the members of • Appointing Group 1. Identifiable benefit which are the ‘Charity Administrators and Advisors other than The way in which Scouting Trustees’ of the Scout those who are is carried out helps young Group which is an elected. people develop towards educational charity. As their full potential; this charity trustees, they are benefit is directly linked to responsible for complying Risk & Internal Control the Purpose of Scouting. with legislation applicable The Group Executive to charities. This includes Committee has identified 2. Public benefit the registration, keeping the major risks to which proper accounts and they believe the Group is Scouting is a national making returns to the exposed. These have been movement open to young Charity Commission as reviewed and systems have people aged 6-25 and appropriate. been established to mitigate adults. Full membership is against them. The main restricted to young people The Committee consists of areas of concern that have and adults who are willing three independent been identified are: to make the Scout Promise. representatives, Chair, The Association enables Treasurer and Secretary those in poverty to benefit 1. Damage to the together with the Group from Scouting; while the building, property and Scout Leader, individual Association charges a equipment section leaders and parents’ subscription to its members, The Group would request representatives. It meets the benefits of Scouting are temporary use of buildings, every 3 months. not constrained by the property and equipment member’s inability to pay. from neighbouring This Group Executive Locally, there are organisations such as local Committee exists to support arrangements to waive churches, schools and other the Group Scout Leader in subscriptions and other Scout Groups. meeting the responsibilities costs for those who cannot The use of these alternative afford to pay. Nationally, venues may limit the range 3 1st Stocksfield Scout Group Annual Report & Accounts 2018-19 of activities the Group is there would have to be a reasonable assurance able to offer. contraction, consolidation or against material a closure of a Section. mismanagement or loss, The Group has sufficient these include 2 signatories buildings and contents The group has in place for all payments and insurance to mitigate systems of internal controls comprehensive insurance against permanent loss. that are designed to provide policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. 2. Injury to leaders, helpers and members The Group contributes to the Scout Association’s national accident insurance policy (through capitation fees). Risk assessments are undertaken before all activities. 3. Reduced fundraising income The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the Group on an on-going basis, either temporarily or permanently. 4. Reduction or loss of leaders Like all other voluntary organisations, the Scout Group is totally reliant on having sufficient trained adult volunteers to run and administer its activities. The Scout Association defines minimum adult to child ratios. If the number of leaders fell to an unacceptable level in a particular Section, or the Group as a whole, then 4 1st Stocksfield Scout Group Annual Report & Accounts 2018-19 Achievements and Performance Beavers, Cubs and Scouts continue to operate a wide and varied programme offering exciting opportunities for our young people. For the first time in the Groups history, members of all three sections have obtained the highest award – The Chief Scout’s Award. Adult Leaders are enthusiastic and display a wide range of skills. The Group is well supported by parents and the community. Beavers They impressed with their welcome return of some old roasted pineapple and favourites: the international Beavers caters for young muffins baked inside an Scout Bowling people aged between 6½ orange. They visited “Jambowlree” competition, and 8½ years of age. The Newcastle United football night hikes and constructing Beavers have had an stadium and BBC television things out of spaghetti. exciting programme this studios. They held their first Thanks to the support of year. They have learnt how camp at Whittonstall. Scout parent Tina Evans, a dairy farm works, Highlights include William we had a fantastic survival questioned an astronomer Jefferson gaining his Chief weekend camp – despite about the starts in the sky Scout Silver Award with the freezing conditions. and learnt to kick sample several others close behind Highlights were definitely fish and other invertebrates him. The Cubs have grown the pheasant goujons and with the Tyne Rivers Trust. in confidence, looked each cooking on Swedish They have also been after each other and worked candles. learning new games, new as a team. songs and honing their Competition was fierce for cooking skills. Rob Warr our second annual Cub Scout Leader Midwinter MasterChef The quality of the competition held in programme can be seen in Scouts Wheelbirks Woods. Both the fact that this year an Scouts caters for young Stocksfield patrols amazing 13 Beavers gained people aged between 10½ performed strongly in the their Bronze Chief Scout’s and 14½ years of age. District Night Hike –we Award. Numbers in the Scout successfully retained the Rhian Craddock Section remain at a record trophy for the third year in a Beaver Scout Leader high, with 26 young people row. The Troop also (including 5 girls). Two excelled at the District Cubs Scouts: Archie Murray and Mountain Biking challenge – Oscar Mitchell received their Cubs caters for young winning the team trophy Chief Scout’s Gold Award.