;

Surface Water Drainage Charges - Opening Floodgates?

Camping Fees - To VAT or Not To VAT

Minibuses Abroad - Lack of Clarity

Minibus MOT - New Test Requirements

Troop Leadership Course - PL Power

Trainer Warrants - 1999 Cut-Off

The National Lottery Charities Board - Main Grants Programme

Employer's Liability - Are You Covered?

Scout Electronics Badge - Free Support

Into the Spotlight - Auditions activated

Going to Press - Good News

First Aid - Getting Kitted Out

Learn to Sail - Use the Experts

Jamboree - Get The Badge

Join the Jamboree - Get The Book

August Camp - It's Never Too Late

YHA Membership (England & Wales) - Special Offers Still Available

The Scout Network - Field Trial Ends

World Scouting - Continued Growth

Note for Web Watchers - http://www.scout.org

Use of The Scout Badge - Variety minimises our impact

Committee News

Going for Growth:

Support Services:

Membership Cards:

Voice For Young People:

Long Service Awards:

Ten Year Rule:

Reimbursement of Legal Costs:

Finance:

Chief Scout's Committee:

Appointments:

Future Meetings:

It has come to our notice that Severn Trent Water (and possibly North West Water as well) are in the process of changing the system for calculating surface water drainage charges for non-domestic properties so that instead of linking the charge to the rateable value of the property, the charge will be based on the total site area of the property. This could lead to a big increase in water service charges for any Scout Headquarters or Camp Site occupying a large area of land. However, it is possible to claim a lower service charge if no surface water from the property drains into a public sewer.

Headquarters is not yet sure of the extent to which Scout properties may be affected by the new system of charging. It would be helpful if any Scout Group, District or County which has been invoiced with a large increase in the water service charges would write to the Legal Department at Baden-Powell House with details.

The Chief Accountant at Baden-Powell House advises that The Association has been informed recently that the YMCA Tribunal decision is no longer effective. The position is now as follows:-

1. Camp fees charged by Scout campsites to members of the Scout Movement are exempt. This includes adult Scout members and members of any national Scout Movement which is a member of the World Organisation of Scout Movements. This does not include Guides, Boys Brigade etc. whose camp fees are standard-rated (subject to what follows) when camping at Scout campsites.
2. Education and training provided by an eligible body is exempt. Eligible bodies include local authorities, most schools and also Scouting and Guiding charities. Goods or services which are closely related to the supply of exempt education and training may also be exempt. A camping fee which is an integral part of a training course could therefore be exempt. This would include the supply of camping to an "eligible body" (e.g. a school) which was running a training course at a Scouting campsite. (Both the school and the campsite have to be "eligible".)

There are a few cases where a Scout campsite has been set up as a company; in these special cases the technical issues are complex and advice should be sought.

People planning trips abroad in their minibuses should be aware that The Scout Association has received conflicting advice from the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) as to whether or not permit minibuses, used for hire or reward, may be driven outside the United Kingdom by a driver without a full PCV licence (D) or a new category D1 licence with no hire or reward restriction.

The DVLA advises that permit minibuses used for hire or reward cannot be driven outside the United Kingdom unless the driver has passed a test for category D or D1. However, the Road Haulage Division (International) has advised the Association that provided an Own Account Certificate is held, there will be no difficulty in driving a minibus under a restricted D1 licence outside the United Kingdom! The Scout Association is currently in contact with the DETR and is awaiting advice.

Further information will be provided as soon as we are in receipt of a definitive statement.

The requirement to fit seatbelts to forward facing seats in minibuses and coaches was announced in the April 1996 edition of SCOUTING Magazine. In order to ensure that seatbelts have been safely installed, the Government has introduced new Legislation requiring the quality of the installation of seatbelts whether fitted as a consequence of the 1996 Regulations or voluntarily to be checked at the vehicle's first MOT test after 31 July, 1998.

Ordinary MOT garages (Class IV) will not be able to carry out installation examinations, so minibuses normally taken into these Testing Stations will be required to be tested by either a Local Vehicle Inspectorate Testing Station or a specially authorised MOT Testing Station. Vehicles will revert to being tested under their usual arrangements in subsequent years unless, of course, additional belts have been fitted since the previous MOT test. We are advised that Class IV Testing Stations will be offering checks to the new MOT standards for 12 on minibuses and 34 on larger vehicles, on a voluntary basis. The quality of seatbelt installation and their condition will also be subject to roadside and other checks by the Vehicle Inspectorate and Police from 1 August, 1998.

Further detailed information is available from the Licensing and Roadworthiness Policy Division (DETR), Zone 2/05, Great Minister House, 76 Marsham Street, LONDON SW1 P4DR. Telephone 0171 271 4653.

Has your Scout Troop heard of the Troop Leadership Course? It is a complete course for Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders and Leaders, training people in programme planning, individual and team responsibilities, and establishing and running Patrol Leader Councils. The pack, available from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park for £8.75, includes all the material and worksheets necessary to run this interesting and valuable course. The course, together with resources like the Ruff Guide (also available from the Resource Centre) can seriously alter the way your Troop is organised and run. Why not ask your District/County Training Team to get hold of a copy and organise the course? It would be a fun way for Leaders and Patrol Leaders to get to know each other better and operate effectively as a team.

A reminder to holders of Leader Trainer and Assistant Leader Trainer warrants that these expire at the end of 1999. This means that Membership of The Scout Association also ceases at this time for those who only hold these warrants. Whilst we are sure that many of those potentially affected are well aware of the situation this is a timely reminder to ensure that no-one gets surprised.

The current round is for the theme "Community Involvement". Application Packs have been available since 19/01/98 by phoning the Charities Board on 0345 - 919191.

The Board now run a continuous grant making process which means there are no closing dates for the request or submission of application forms. This round is expected to run for a couple of years.

"Community Involvement" appears particularly relevant for many Scouting projects. The types of project which may be considered for funding are: new buildings, extensions, repairs and renovations, Leader training, volunteer recruitment, increasing Group membership, etc. Projects which benefit the wider community (i.e. those available to other community groups in addition to Scouts) tend to be viewed more favourably than those which solely benefit Scouting.

The Charities Board no longer require applicants to obtain a permission letter from Headquarters to be eligible for assessment. However, the Board has commented on the high standard of Scouting applications due to this past requirement. It is therefore highly recommended that a copy of your application be sent to the experienced Lottery Team at BP House prior to submission for help and advice where appropriate. Without the pressure of a submission deadline every opportunity to improve upon applications should be taken.

"Community Involvement" fact sheets are available by sending a S.A.E. to the Finance & Marketing Department at BP House. For more details or advice please contact the Scout Association Lottery Line on 0171-590-5123.

During a recent series of workshops on Health and Safety issues, the question was repeatedly raised regarding the relevance or applicability of statutory Employer's Liability Insurance. It is clear that this is an area which is widely misunderstood.

Any Scout/Group/District/County which directly employs a person is required, by law, to arrange Employer's Liability Insurance. This applies irrespective of whether a formal contract of employment exists. It can include employment without direct monetary remuneration (eg., a Warden who receives free accommodation).

There is no hard and fast rule. However, if it can reasonably be argued that an individual is undertaking a task for a benefit, then an employment situation will almost certainly exist and the Employer will need to arrange Insurance. This applies even to an employment situation where a parent spends two hours a week cleaning the Group headquarters and gets paid a few pounds for the work.

If you believe that you may have an employer/employee relationship, contact Scout Insurance Services at Lancing or the Personnel Manager at Baden-Powell House for advice.

A Leaders Resource Pack has been produced by Comet Group plc, the sponsors of the Scout Electronics Badge. The pack includes a colour guide to the badge and gives help and guidance on how Scouts can complete the requirements of this badge.

The pack was launched at the recent National Scout Conference, and is available free of charge from the Scout Office at Gilwell Park (0181 524 5246).

Plans for the show at a prestigious venue in London are well in hand. Details of the auditions are now available. There are nine regional auditions around the country including Scotland and Northern Ireland and auditions for directed items for groups of 40 or more young people. There are also video auditions. Please do not send videos without an application form. If you want more information or an application form for any of the auditions contact the Spotlight Office at Gilwell Park.

Each year Scouting gets about 50,000 press mentions, mainly in local papers. So far this year, the number generated is about 10% higher. The art of hiding Scouting light under a bushel may be dying.

May SCOUTING Magazine contains an updated version of an article first published in July 1994 regarding first aid kits and their contents. Further details are in Fact Sheet FS140048 (March 1996) available from the Resource Centre.

During August a number of Royal Yachting Association Courses will be run for Levels 1-5. Full accommodation at Hawkhirst Adventure Camp on Kielder Water at a cost of 130 per person. Please contact Derek Langford, 01434 250217 or fax your details to 01434 250350.

Operation Los Andes is an initiative being run by The Scouts and Guides of Chile, aimed at helping Scouts from less advantaged countries to attend the Jamboree in December 1998. They are asking all national Contingents to the Jamboree to contribute to a fund, which will enable poorer Scout countries to send a representative.

As part of the British fund-raising effort, a Jamboree badge has been designed which can be worn on the Scout Uniform. This can be purchased at a cost of 75p from Scout Shops Limited. The total sale of Jamboree badges to the Movement has been 21,000 so far. This leaves about 450,000 members without a badge.

Scout Shops Limited have sold 2,700 copies of the Join-in- Jamboree book. The book is divided into four parts: World Scouting, Latin America, Chile and Jamboree! Each section contains fun and interesting activities aimed to help Colonies, Packs, Troops and Units participate in the Jamboree experience. The book is also available at £4.25 (including postage) from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park. 25p from each badge and book sold will go towards Operation Los Andes.

The special membership offers to the Scout Association have now entered their fifth year. Many Scout Leaders have been encouraged to include Hostelling in their programmes for the first time through the free Group Membership. Having tried Hostelling, it has now become a regular part of many Groups' activities, especially during the winter months. The Group membership can be used by all Sections within a Scout Group.

Free membership is available to Scout Groups. The normal price is £10.00. All adults helping in a Group holding a Group Membership may apply for an individual YHA membership for the Under 18 price of £5.00, normal price of £10.00. This also applies to YHA Family Membership. The cost is £5.00 per parent. All children under 18 are enrolled free and have their own membership cards.

Half price individual membership is offered to Scouts going into the Venture Scout Section in 1998. The cost of £2.50 enables a new Venture Scout to go Hostelling independently.

Free individual membership is offered to all those becoming a Queen's Scout in 1998. Details of this offer will be included in the information pack sent to all Queen's Scouts before the Windsor Parade.

Free County/District Training Group Membership is available to facilitate the use of Youth Hostels for County and District training and meetings.

Please note: Leaders wishing to renew their existing Group Membership on expiry may do so free of charge but should write 'SCOUTS FREE' on receipt of the renewal notice they receive from the YHA and return it without payment.

Details and application forms for all these offers are available from YHA Customer Services, Trevelyan House St Stephen's Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL1 2DY. Tel. 01727 845047.

The field trial of The Scout Network has ended. The twelve month long experiment looking into a possible new provision for the 18 to 25 age range, ceased at the end of March. A comprehensive evaluation process with the 400 Network members has taken place. The information gathered from this will be fed into a report which will be presented to the Programme and Training sub-Committee on 1 July 1998. Further developments will be communicated through Talking Points and SCOUTING Magazine. If you have any comments about The Scout Network field trial in particular, or Scouting provision for 18 to 25 year olds in general, then please contact The Scout Network Office at Gilwell Park or email scoutnetworkgp@cix.co.uk.

The National Scout & Guide Organisation in the Slovak Republic (7,500 members) and the Georgian Organisation of the Scout Movement (1,000 members) both became the 147th and 148th member countries of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in December, 1997.

The World Scout Bureau has added a new page to its Internet web site (http://www.scout.org). It provides links to national Scout organisations and associations which have web sites. Thus far there are 55 links and the list is growing almost daily.

The Scout Badge, as used on page 1 of this publication, is a derivation of B.-P.'s original design, modified over the years for practical and aesthetic reasons. However, we are not the only users of a fleur-de-lys, and so variation from the standard by different style, colour and shape all affect the impact of our organisation - particularly perception of its size, and the associated quality and consistency of service that implies. It is important that we all work to a common style and standard of visual appearance to maximise recognition.

The Design Guide booklet covers use of The Scout Badge and will help you get it right. Write for a copy, enclosing a £1 cheque/postal order to the P.R. Department at B.-P. House.

The Committee of the Council met in London on 29 April.

The Committee received proposals aimed at encouraging the growth of the Movement in the next few years. The Working Group is finalising the details which will be communicated to County/Area and District Commissioners in the next few months.

The Information Technology Steering Group has made a series of recommendations for a three phase strategy to implement better communications within Scouting. The aim is to provide Members with fast access to up-to-date resources and information, more effective communication of decisions, news and policy and to better ways to consult and provide opportunities for feedback. The first phase aims to encourage and assist every County/Area to be on-line this Autumn. Further details are to be circulated with the next Talking Points.

It is planned to have a pilot Information Centre operational during the Spring of 1999.

A proposal to provide a 1999 membership for all Members/Associate Members is to be produced for consideration at the June 1998 meeting of the Committee.

The Council of the Association is to be invited in September to consider a proposal that every County/Area Nominates a Youth Member (18 -25 years) to the Council of the Association. There will also be proposals for the election of three Youth Members of the Council to the Committee Council.

There is to be at least one new Award. Further details will be circulated in the next few months.

The current ten year maximum for County/Area Commissioners is to be extended to District Commissioners. This rule will apply to new District Commissioner warrants issued with effect from January 1999. All Warrant reviews for District Commissioners from 31 March 1999 will be such that the total period in post be not more than ten years. The Committee also encourages Counties and Districts to consider applying the same to Assistant Commissioners.

Leaders, Commissioners and members of Appointments sub-Committees who have correctly executed their responsibilities within the Child Protection and/or Equal Opportunities policies of the Association have sometime, but rarely found themselves the subject of criminal charges which at trial resulted in a 'not guilty' or 'not proven' verdict. The Committee of the Council has agreed guidelines for consideration of the reimbursement of some legal costs.

The Committee approved the revenue and capital budgets for 1998/99. Core expenditure will be 6.84m an increase of 4.9% over the previous year. The Committee was also briefed on financial aspects of the Association's activities up to and including the proposed 2007 Centenary Celebrations.

A revised remit has been agreed. The Chief Scout's Committee also acts as the Headquarters Appointments Committee.

Appointment Procedures for National Commissioners: Revised proposals for appointments have been accepted.

County Commissioners: Cheshire, Geoffrey Taylor wef 1/4/98; Rutland, Charles Underwood wef 1/3/98; West Mercia, Mrs Christine Jones wef 1/4/98.

Future Meetings of The Committee of the Council will be held on: 1998 - 27/28 June; 26 September; 7/8 November; 1999 - 13/14 February; 28 April; 26/27 June; 25 September; 30/31 October. County/Area Commissioners wishing to attend any of these meetings are invited to contact the Secretary's office.

At its June 1998 meeting the Committee of the Council will consider business which will include the following matters: Report of the Co-education Working Group; Recommendations from the 'Girls in the Scout Group' Working Group; Programme Review Group - Programme mission statement; 2007 Activities - Organisational Development; 1998 European Scout & Guide Conference - Delegation report; Bye-Laws - Approval of Amendments to place before the Council; Communication and Image - Interim Report; Local Support Services Progress Report; Membership Cards; Co-location of Headquarters.