;

The 88th Annual Report of the Committee of the Council of The Scout Association for the year ended 31st March 1997.

THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION

Incorporated by Royal Charter - Registered Charity No. 306101

• Introductory Information
• Message from the Chief Scout
• Census of Membership
• Introduction by the Chairman, Committee of the Council
• Annual Report

Note a copy of the Accounts of the Association can be obtained from Headquarters.

Bankers: Barclays Bank plc, Belgravia Knightsbridge Branch, PO Box 4578, 155 Brompton Road, London SW3 1XD

Auditors: Neville Russell, Chartered Accountants, Raffety House, 2-4 Sutton Court Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4TN

Investment Managers: Cazenove Fund Management, 3 Copthall Avenue, London EC2R 7BH

Investment Powers: The Association's Royal Charter authorises it to invest funds of the Association not immediately required in pursuance of its objects and to use the services of a private investment manager or firm.

Insurance Brokers: Willis Coroon, London Ltd., 10 Trinity Square, London EC3B 3AX

The Scout Association exists by authority of a Royal Charter granted by King George V in 1912 and supplemented by further Charters granted by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. These Charters give authority to the Bye Laws of the Association which are approved by Her Majesty's Privy Council. The Bye Laws, in turn, authorise the making of rules for the regulation of the Association's affairs. The rules are laid out in The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

The Aim of the Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.

The Method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law.

The formal Report and Accounts cover the activities directly controlled by The Scout Association (Charity Number 306101). The activities of the Scout Councils of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales together with Scout Counties/Areas, Districts and Groups are not reflected in the accounts. These bodies are autonomous charities which are affiliated to The Scout Association which together form the Scout Movement in the United Kingdom.

The management of the business of the Association is vested in the Committee of the Council. The Committee comprises twelve members elected by the Council of the Association at its Annual General Meeting and ex-officio and co-opted members. The total number of ex-officio and co-opted members must not exceed the total number of elected members.

Chairmen and members of sub-Committees are appointed annually by the Committee of the Council.

Ninety years of Scouting.

Ninety years of helping young people to grow up and develop into adults who will make a positive contribution to the community in which we live. In this Report we outline our progress and achievements in just one of those years. The words and pictures go a long way in recording the splendid efforts of the countless numbers of individuals who devote so much of their time and energy to Scouting. Nevertheless the Report cannot do full justice to the service and commitment of the adults in Scouting.

I thank them each for what they have done and also for their continuing service as we move forward towards the Millennium and beyond that to the year 2007 when we will be celebrating 100 years of Scouting.

W. George Purdy (Chief Scout)

For the year ended 31 March 1997

For the year ended 31 March 1997

We want to make Scouting at its best available to more young people. To that end, the deliberations of the Committee of the Council are focused on supporting the work of well over a hundred thousand Leaders and other adults who make Scouting happen in their communities.

This year we have completed the largest experiment in the local delivery of Scouting ever carried out by the Association, in the Scout Counties of Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire. The lessons we have learned will inform our re-examination of how best to support good Scouting in some ten thousand local Groups. As we look towards the Millennium, with our outline plans for the year 2000 already published, we have continued with our long term re-evaluation of all aspects of our programme for young people. The Committee's work to support the evolution of a historically "boys only" movement into a truly co-educational organisation for young people aged from 6 to 25 is well advanced, and should start to bear real fruit in the coming year.

Looking even further ahead, we are working towards securing the World Jamboree in the year 2007, the Centenary of Scouting, for the United Kingdom. Our proposals to the World Organisation of the Scouting Movement will be formalised in 1999. We shall be setting targets for the growth of Scouting during the intervening years.

For part of the last year, we were without a Chief Executive. In noting our welcome to Derek Twine to Baden-Powell House in his new role, I should like to place formally on record the Association's thanks to its staff for all their hard work, particularly during the period when they were without a "boss". During the year, we also said good-bye to Nigel Stevenson, our Secretary, and welcomed David Shelmerdine as his successor: and shortly after the close of the reporting year, Stephen Peck was welcomed to Gilwell to succeed Derek as Director of Programme & Training.

In the formal parts of this report we record our stewardship of the Association's central resources, while illuminating that account with snapshots of successful Scouting all over the country. For some years now, our Venture Scout Section has been saying "Venture Scouting works". The truth is that all good Scouting works: it is the Committee's responsibility to help to make it happen.

John Bevan (Chairman, Committee of the Council)

The Scouting Contribution

This year many of the events we record indicate the way the Association is changing and moving forward. There has also been much reflection and consideration of the future.

We have celebrated the 80th birthday of the Cub Scout Section, launched our first Internet website, started a major review of the programme we offer young people, provided advice on lottery funding and financial matters, and worked on safety in outdoor activities and of young people in general. Our centres in London and Northumbria have provided safe environments for Scouts and others to enjoy challenging activities.

We have made submissions to government and lobbied MPs, often in partnership with others in the voluntary youth sector. We have been on television, radio and in the newspapers, mostly for the right reasons but sometimes, sadly, as a result of tragedy. Whatever the cause, we have regularly made the news.

Valuing a Contemporary Movement

Young people experience Scouting in their local community - in cities, towns and villages throughout the United Kingdom. Each week nearly 500,000 boys and girls enjoy activities provided by a dedicated team of volunteer Leaders. Behind the scenes thousands of other adults provide support.

We are aware that in recent years there are fewer young people taking advantage of Scouting's opportunities. This is being addressed as a priority since we believe in the value of Scouting's contribution to contemporary society. We are "Going for Growth".

Making a Contribution - to Individuals

Young people enjoy the activities. As they do, the Movement helps them to 'grow up' and instils a sense of values and a way of living that will stand them in good stead in their adult years.

Membership of Scouting is voluntary but parents and educationalists have said it is needed. During the year we estimated the value of the hours our adult Leaders commit to helping young people. It was calculated that Local Authorities would need to find over £300 million annually to replace with paid youth workers the time given in some 10,000 Scout Groups. Add to this the local charitable fundraising conducted by each Scout Group and the scale of the Association's contribution to the community begins to emerge.

The range of activities that these Groups offer to young people is astounding. It is a fact of life that what many Scout Leaders classify as 'ordinary' Scouting provides a wealth of opportunity and challenge to young people.

It has been estimated that over 2 million camper/nights are achieved each year. Every summer a range of International Camps enable young people from all over the United Kingdom to meet with Scouts and Guides from around the world to share many different cultures, customs and experiences. Venture Scouts organise, plan and fundraise for themselves to go round the world on expeditions. They make a selfless contribution to local communities and bring back for themselves and others new dimensions of understanding and awareness of their own potential as citizens of the world. Examples include the Tuffley, Gloucestershire Venture Scout Unit who spent three weeks building classrooms in the Dominican Republic and six Venture Scouts from Hornchurch, Essex who teamed up with a local youth group to build a dormitory at a polytechnic in the heart of Maasailand, Kenya.

The Norfolk expedition to Namibia was a different approach where the idea was to work with the people of a developing country rather than to provide buildings or other material infrastructure. "The enthusiasm of the local youth and their Leaders was infectious. It made everyone determined to give of their best no matter what difficulties were experienced."

Making a Contribution - in Inner Cities

Part of the ethos of Scouting has always been to generate partnerships within the community, with individuals and other organisations. Experience has shown us that success with new ventures is not guaranteed but that has not stopped us trying.

A Leader said of a typical project, "We have seen the motivation of participants increase, we have been delighted to have helped a number find work and all within very tight budget constraints. It has been very satisfying but with greater resources we could do much more."

Where crime, unemployment and behavioural problems might have led to the exclusion of some individuals we have been determined to show what Scouting can achieve.

With an average of 12 members, the St Marks Challengers Project in Leicester has been working with boys aged between 11 and 16 who come from an estate in a tough area of high unemployment. With a steady and skilful introduction to Scouting activities the Leader has created over the past four years a functioning Scout Troop. The young people have now raised money for charity and they now write and produce their own community magazine. In support of the project liaison with other organisations including Social Services, the Police, and the Probation Service has been very important.

Other urban areas in which access programmes are underway include Southampton, Boston in Lincolnshire, Salisbury, Portsmouth, London, Liverpool, Oldham, Newcastle, and Hull. Success occurs where Scouting is flexible in how it delivers its programme to young people whose lives are constrained and driven very differently to 30 years ago.
 

Making a Contribution - Across Cultures

Key projects have included the 8th Tower Hamlets Scout Group in London. Membership of the Group is 98% Bangladeshi. In Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Leaders came forward from the Hindu community enabling a Cub Scout Pack and Scout Group to be established.

In November 1996 the recruitment of two female Muslim Leaders enabled a mixed Scout Group to be opened in Yorkshire. In Bristol, the first Bangladeshi Group outside London opened. So that we could accommodate the needs of the community, the decision was taken to provide separate Scouting for boys and girls.

Working across cultures requires us to be responsive to cultural and religious requirements of the many communities that make up our society. It is only by reviewing and adapting our practices that we can build a vibrant Movement in urban areas. One of our Development Officers said, "I know from the contacts I have already made that there are thousands of potential members. Scouting activities can work well in any area but in some neighbourhoods only those immersed in the local culture can identify how they can be shown as relevant and exciting. At the same time as appealing to boys and girls we must attract more Leaders from across cultural communities."

The value base of Scouting has clear appeal to parents from minority ethnic groups once it is clear that Scouting is fully compatible with the practices of their own faith.

We aim to reflect within Scouting the diversity that is UK society.

Raising a Contribution

Around the country Beaver Scouts (6 - 8 years), Cub Scouts (8 - 10½ years), Scouts (10½ - 15½ years) and Venture Scouts (15½ - 20 years) have involved themselves in their communities by raising funds or providing practical help for others.

Using an imaginative array of fundraising techniques - from the sponsorship of a climb in Horley, Surrey to an exercise bike ride in Sleaford, Lincolnshire - we estimate that local Scout Groups raised more than £1 million for other charitable causes.

The beneficiaries were equally varied. A Sutton Scout Group provided £1,000 to Good Hope Hospital and a further £600 to the Leukaemia Research Fund. Dane Valley Cub Scout Pack from Macclesfield collected £100 for a scanner appeal at the local hospital.

Throughout Wales thousands of Scouts of all ages took part in the Hike for Life in aid of the Kidney Research Unit for Wales raising a fantastic £22,000.

Meanwhile the 7th Bexleyheath Scout Group contributed to the cost of repairs to their church hall which was their meeting place and Horley Scouts raised £150 for the Worldwide Fund for Nature.

In Kent, Venture Scouts helped 100 young people with special needs to enjoy an activity day. At a more local level, the Scouting Districts of Gillingham and Gravesham also organised similar events during the summer. The Scout Management Committee in Skipsea, Yorkshire will be helping to look after a new caravan specially equipped for people with special needs. It is one of 15 similar caravans or chalets at 11 sites provided by the Scout Holiday Homes Trust.

Making a Contribution Worldwide

Scouting is a Movement without borders. There are 25 million Scouts in more than 200 countries. One of the strengths of Scouting is the linking of young people by common values alongside their appreciation of the differences between cultures and individuals.

In Kent, the 4th Barnehurst Cub Pack looked to Chernobyl as part of their 'good turn' week. The Cub Scouts researched the devastating effects of radiation on the area and in particular on the children. Then they packed and sent off boxes filled with goods to the charity Hope for Chernobyl's Children.

The 9th and 29th Wallasey Beaver Scouts set up a 'Good Turn Fun Day' - now an annual event - to raise money for Busteni Boys' Orphanage in Romania. The Orphanage now has a Scout Group of its own, partly assisted by money and equipment donated by Wallasey Beaver Scouts.

Banned for more than 70 years Scouts in Russia are making a comeback and UK Scouting is contributing in many ways. One of these was by providing two weeks training to 30 Russian leaders at Youlbury International Scout Camp.

The list of fundraising and cross border activities is impressive: Nottingham Scouts provided an ambulance to Russia, Hitchin Scouts trekked in South Africa and Headley Venture Scouts' tireless efforts produced a minibus for the Pearl White Orphanage in Luxor, Egypt.

But nothing epitomises the spirit and adventure of Scouting better than the union formed between the 4th Ashford Scout Troop and the Lovallios Group from Valpovo near Dubrovnik - part of war ravaged Croatia. The groups first met when they camped together at the 1995 World Jamboree in Holland. The union was sealed with a visit to the UK by the Croatians. The Lovallios Group camped at 4th Ashford HQ, saw the sights and collected gifts including books and uniforms from the Ashford Troop.

It is occasions like this that show Scouting at its very best. In the words of 4th Ashford Leader Nick Cook - "We have a slogan for our Troop. It is a slogan that is more than just words. 'The 4th Ashford - Scouting for Peace.' "

Making it Happen

In March this year after two years careful consideration we published our equal opportunities policy. The basis on which Scouting is open to young people and adult volunteers is now clear for all to see.

At the same time we began piloting a new programme provision for 18-25-year-olds entitled The Scout Network. The programme provides an individual with self-development targets which are reviewed on a six monthly basis. Unlike Scouting as we currently know it, Network members are part of a regionalised structure rather than part of a local Scout Group or District. Members are linked together by a team based at Gilwell Park, London. It prepares regular newsletters and events and has its own website pages.

In June 1996 we also reaffirmed our commitment to co-education. Research had shown that the 68% of non-Scouts who wanted to join thought the Movement should be mixed. This majority gave us a clear signal. Single gender Scouting for boys or girls will continue, it will simply be a matter of choice within the broader context of an increasing co-educational organisation.

As a Movement concerned with individual development, we naturally stressed our determination to encourage participation from people across the community yet always ensuring our young Members are 'Safe from Harm'. The Association's well-established and rigorous procedures have continued to prove their worth.

Marking Achievement

In the course of the year more than 1,200 young men and women achieved the Queen's Scout Award. In April this year HM The Queen reviewed over 900 of them in the splendid surroundings of Windsor Castle.

Without regard for their own safety, Scouts from around the country performed outstanding actions to help both members of their own family and the community.

Cub Scout, Luke Bradley from 1st Marylebone gave first aid to his brother when he began to choke and then called the emergency services. Sean Byrne from Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, saved his mothers' life by extinguishing the flames when he saw her clothing on fire.

In Fife, Gordon Hogg, Patrol Leader, gave life saving first aid to a friend who had fallen from his bicycle and four Norfolk Cub Scouts from Kings Lynn rescued an elderly man from drowning.

These young people and 60 more received Awards for Gallantry or Meritorious Conduct.

Excellence was achieved by four Venture Scouts from Loughton, Essex who earned the Queen's Scout Award. Their community service was undertaken by making regular, and continuing, visits to London to help the homeless.
 

Updating Our Image

Recent visitors to Baden-Powell House Hostel in London will have seen the results of the major modernisation programme which began in November 1996. The new facilities now make it possible to provide an even better service to young people visiting London from home and abroad and to offer a first-class venue to anyone organising meetings, conferences, training courses and similar events in one of the best and most convenient locations in London.

Another form of modernisation has been our entry onto the Internet. Our exciting ScoutBase website (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/) is regularly maintained by a group of volunteers and since its launch in 1996 it has been 'visited' 100,000 times. Each week another fifty Members from Scouts to County Presidents register their e-mail address with our central file-server to receive the latest news and information from Headquarters.

Updating Our Information

During the year the Headquarters team has provided updates on a huge range of subjects from legal issues, insurance and fundraising, to travel opportunities, recruitment advice and international contacts. Practical assistance in meeting the new legal requirements for charity accounting was widely offered.

We handled over 1,500 media calls, helped support over 2,000 international visits and processed more than 50,000 confidential enquiries in connection with adults seeking to work with young people.

Financial Matters

The Association's Annual Accounts and Balance Sheet have for the first time been prepared in accordance with the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting by Charities, more often referred to as the Charities SORP.

In order to comply with SORP we have introduced four main fund headings - General, Designated, Restricted and Endowment.

The Restricted Fund column includes the interest earned by the Short Term Investment Service. Two thirds of the restricted expenditure is interest paid to Scout and Guide Units who are depositors with the Service; the remaining payments relate to grants by funds, administered by the Association, which have been set up at the specific request of donors over a number of years.

The Endowment Fund is small in comparison. Only its income can be utilised by the Association and this has been credited directly to the General Fund.

The Designated Fund combines the values of the Fixed Assets and the Special Purposes Fund, while the General Fund encompasses the day to day financial operations of the Association and subsidiaries.

By using the Designated Fund, the General Fund remains free of the Fixed Asset figure which tends to confuse any assessment of the available funds of the Association, and thus the Special Purposes Fund has retained its separate identity being held for exceptional expenditure on behalf of the Association. The uses to which this Fund might contribute are more clearly detailed in Note 17 to the Financial Statements.

Incoming Resources

The total incoming resources for the year amounted to £10.345 million which compares favourably with a figure of £9.883 million for the previous year. During the year we have continued to be grateful for the funding received from companies and trusts including Marks and Spencer plc and the Dulverton Trust - specifically to develop Scouting within minority ethnic communities.

Looking at some of the figures in more detail it can be seen that membership fee income was slightly higher than a year ago and still accounts for a large proportion of total income. The remaining incoming revenue was generated from trading by a range of charitable activities, the commercial subsidiaries and from the return on our investments.

Investment Income of £1.555 million includes the Dividends and Interest on our Investments, Donations, Grants and Insurance Commissions. Legacies are shown separately.

The subsidiaries' net income of £924,000 is the sum total of the results of Scout Shops Limited, Scout Insurance (Guernsey) Limited and Scout Services Limited.

Scout Shops Limited

Turnover for the year ended 31st January, 1997 was some 5% higher overall than the previous year.

Retail shop turnover offset lower sales from Lancing which operates the Wholesale and Mail Order arms.

The Company increased its profit once again and made a 100% profit shedding covenant payment to the Association of £746,000. As this figure has to be calculated on the basis used by the Inland Revenue for Corporation Tax purposes, it is higher than the conventional Accounting Book Profit of £705,000. This is the highest difference ever and is one of a number of subjects that are being addressed by a special working party of the Finance sub-Committee which is charged with reviewing the Association's overall investment in Scout Shops Limited.

During the year the new Crawley shop and the remodelled and extended Colchester branch were officially opened. A further presence in East Anglia was established with the absorption of the Norwich District Scout Shop operation into a new shop in the centre of Norwich. Full use has been made of the new premises to pioneer several concepts. All three shops will trade under a new "Outdoors" corporate umbrella title.

Scout Insurance (Guernsey) Limited

Our captive insurance company made an operating profit equivalent to that of last year amounting to £159,000. The Guernsey Board has decided not to declare a dividend but to allocate £100,000 to a General Liability Reserve Fund. This will ensure that the Company continues to meet the reserve ratios required by the Bailiwick's Insurance Controller.

The Board recently agreed to repay the Association's loan of £100,000 by the end of September, 1997.

Scout Services Limited

Scout Services also experienced an excellent year. The sponsorship of badges continues to develop apace and several were supported by new clients including Marmite, Weetabix, Guardian Direct, British Energy and BUPA. Vauxhall has renewed the sponsorship of the Cub Scout Road Safety Badge and Asda has returned to the fold, this time sponsoring the Cub Scout Cook Badge.

Thanks to external sponsors, individual achievement has received a boost in the form of BUPA sponsorship of the Athlete Proficiency Badge. In launching the badge for all Scouts under 16, Olympic bronze medallist, Denise Lewis, was enthusiastic in her support: "I have been fortunate enough to reach the top flight in athletics and feel it is important athletes at my level encourage the next generation. With over 500,000 Scouts in Britain, we may even find a champion of the future." Already over 100,000 Scouts have achieved the grade and are sporting new sponsored badges.

The names of various Kingfisher Group subsidiaries such as B&Q, Superdrug, Woolworth's and Comet are all appearing on sponsored badges as an acknowledge-ment of the Group's support referred to last year.

Other Trading Activities

The trading activities figure of £2.176 million is the combined revenue from our Charitable Trading operations which are reviewed below - the costs for these operations are included as part of Direct Charitable Expenditure.

Scouting Magazine reversed its poor result of 12 months ago and came in with a significant improvement. This was regrettably offset by a deficit on the Resource Centre operation due to a variety of factors. Positive action has been taken to reduce the base cost of providing this service during the moratorium on significant programme change.

The Gilwell Camp Site turned around its adverse result of the previous year and came in with a commendable performance. Significant progress was also made in lowering the reliance of the Gilwell Conference and Activity Centre on Scouting business alone. The implementation of a Facilities Management Operation using Sutcliffes, part of the Granada Organisation, as the chosen contractor will assist in achieving this objective.

Baden-Powell House Hostel produced a deficit - an extremely rare occurrence - as a consequence of its closure for almost five months for major refurbishment.

The refurbishment, which was eventually completed in May 1997, was financed by the Baden-Powell House Memorial and Investment Funds. Under SORP the Hostel's Results and Fund have been consolidated with those of the Association with whom it shares Charity Registration 306101.

Hawkhirst Adventure Centre suffered a small deficit on its trading despite extensive marketing to potential users.

The Pension Scheme credit of £244,000 represents a one eleventh write back of the Pension Fund Surplus and this practice is in accord with SSAP24.

Resources Expended

Resources expended are now recorded under headings different to previous years. Direct Charitable Expenditure as defined by the SORP extends to most of the activities and services undertaken by the Association with fundraising, publicity, management and administration of the charity only being shown as separate items. Little overall difference between last year and the current year was recorded.

Several projects and new initiatives were funded as required, in particular the work of the Programme Review Group, the 18/25 Working Group and the pioneering Scout Network experiment. The Integrated Pilot Project tested the main recommendations of the Scouting Today & Tomorrow Review by exploring ways to provide even more direct support to local Scouting.

A lower claims record enabled the Association to increase significantly the benefits available to Members under the Personal Accident & Medical Expenses Policy.

The initial impact of the imposition of the Insurance Premium Tax has largely been absorbed but the higher rate will need to be passed on.

The Association has continued its policy of keeping abreast of the developments in information technology and has made a significant investment in the Adult Membership Database and in upgrading computers and other communication facilities.

Direct Charitable Expenditure has absorbed the increased costs of our contribution to the World Scout initiatives destined primarily for Eastern Europe, although the impact was not as great as had been expected because of the improvement in the exchange rate between Sterling and the Swiss Franc in which currency the contribution is made.

As far as unrecovered VAT is concerned the figure remains very much as in previous years. Our negotiations and discussions with the Customs and Excise have not yet yielded results as far as a revised partial exemption formula is concerned. Work continues - we hope this will be finalised during the financial year 1997/98.

The total overall resources expended both for the current year under review and for last year were within £15,000 of each other - £9.345 million and £9.360 million respectively - the resultant net incoming resources on the General Fund for the year ended 31st March 1997 is £714,000.

The Funds brought forward are last year's Consolidated Balance Sheet Totals with the Investments being revalued to market value. The total funds of the Association at 31st March, 1997 amounting to £25.5 million show a healthy increase over the previous year (£23 million) despite a considerable Capital Expenditure programme on the refurbishment of Baden-Powell House Hostel and on information technology.

Transfers Between Funds

The figures here relate primarily to the Net Expenditure on Fixed Assets (Baden-Powell House Hostel and information technology), the usual transfers to the Special Purposes Funds (large legacies, pension fund surpluses and surpluses on disposal of investments).

Gains on Investment Assets

Half the sums under this heading relate to a revaluation to market value of our investments held on 31st March, 1997. This is a change in accounting practice; we have previously recorded our investments at cost value.

The Scout Association Pension and Life Assurance Scheme

The Association and the Pension Fund Trustees have ensured that the requirements of the Pension Act 1995 have been accommodated by the appropriate time deadlines. Currently members and pensioners of the Scheme are being consulted about an election of the position of two Member Nominated Trustees which is one of the many requirements of the Pension Act.

Assistance and Advice

Considerable advice and assistance was offered to a large number of Groups to assist them in seeking National Lottery Grants. In addition, there has been an unprecedented demand for assistance to supplement the specimen Outline Accounts and Guidance Notes supplied by the Accounts Working Party on the preparation of accounts to meet the new POR and Charity Accounting Regulations.

Just the Beginning

The past year has seen some dramatic changes, produced major challenges and provided us with new adventures. This is absolutely in keeping with our Movement's traditions. It is our very ability to adapt strong traditions to constantly changing needs of young people that has kept The Scout Association such a vital organisation more than 90 years after its foundation.

Communications - which can be simultaneously the backbone and the Achilles heel of a Movement as widespread and diverse as ours - are getting better. We are actively seeking to give young people a voice as part of our decision making processes. Technology is making it easier and faster to communicate throughout the Movement and respond to its requirements.

The coming year promises even more excitement - we are ready to rise to its challenges and take advantage of its opportunities. The Millennium and the Centenary celebrations of Scouting are already firmly within our sights.

With and on behalf of the Committee I thank everyone who has done so much to take Scouting forward in this past year.

Derek Twine (Chief Executive)