;

Gilwell House - Headquarters for HQ

New Scout Group Buildings - VAT

Local Rules Survey - Collection of Data

Scout Football - Remaining Onside

ScoutBase UK - Continued Growth

Every Camp Should Have One - Millennium Song

Information Centre Birthday - New Catalogue

Young People First - Second Edition

Wood Badge - Limited Edition

Holiday Homes Trust - Developments

The National Lottery Charities Board - Main Grants Programme

Explorer Belt Expedition 2001 - Polish Project

No Annual Camp? - No Equipment?

Gift Aid for Membership - Subscriptions

Sea Scout General Fund - Non Recognised Groups

Footsteps of the Founder - Scouting Heritage Tours

RNVR Youth Sail Training Trust - Assistance Offered

Support Scouting - Pickabook Ltd

Posters Promotional Tool

National Scout Sailing Regatta - Tyne 2000

Gilwell Tours - Expert Guides

Collecting Cans - Last Call

Multi Purpose Vehicles - Scouts May Not be People!

Committee News

Uniform Consultation: and Programme Review

Chief Scout George Purdy laid a Foundation Stone for the new Headquarters offices at Gilwell Park on Sunday 7 May, marking a significant step forward to streamline the organisation of the UK Scout Association. The two-storey building, 'Gilwell House', is scheduled for completion in November this year and to be fully operational early in 2001. It will eventually house 115 staff with the relocation of jobs from Lancing on the South Coast and the central London offices. The 50 staff moving in will join the 65 staff already working at Gilwell Park. Baden-Powell House Hostel in central London will continue to provide a location for young people from all round the world to stay in the capital.

Commenting on the event, Derek Twine, Chief Executive of the Scout Association said: "Plans to concentrate all the staff at one location have been debated and discussed for years. The advantages of now being housed under 'one-roof' include much greater integration of common services, more effective inter-departmental working, and efficiency improvements, all of which will enable us to deliver better support to the half-million strong UK Scout Movement.

The new building has been carefully designed to blend in with the existing Grade 2 listed 'White House' and to complement the other buildings on the estate with its low profile and sympathetic design features.

The Association has been in discussions with Customs & Excise since the beginning of January about the VAT position of Scout buildings.

At present we are waiting for confirmation about some points of detail. Once this has been received we will let you know the full results. However one of the primary conditions for granting zero-rating will be that the new building will be available for use by other local community groups and not be exclusively for Scout use. Most lottery grant aid is subject to the same condition.

If you have an imminent building project and wish to discuss the VAT position, please contact the Chief Accountant at Baden-Powell House. For others the final result of the discussions will be published in Talking Points in due course.

A Headquarters working group has been set up to review the formation and use of local rules. The review does not include - at this time - any rules published in Policy, Organisation and Rules. The group is currently collecting data. It is interested to hear from Leaders who perceive that local rules additional to those in POR are putting a barrier in a way of Members undertaking programme activities.

Please write, fax or email to The Secretary at Baden-Powell House by the end of June giving details of the rule; whether it is a County/Area/District or Group rule; and why you think the rule is a barrier. (email: secretary@scout.org.uk) A separate request has been sent to all Counties/Areas and to a hundred selected Districts.

Members of the Programme and Development Department recently met with the Development Officer representing the Football Association. The Football Association recognises that The Scout Association is an independent Association which is not affiliated to the Football Association. The Football Association is however concerned that the traditional 11-a-side game may not be appropriate to the mental and physical development of young people under 11 years of age.

The Programme and Training Department support this view and would commend the mini soccer approach to Leaders and Commissioners in the Beaver Scout and Cub Scout Sections. The endorsement of mini soccer does not affect the independence of The Scout Association but is better described as the 'adoption of best practice for the Beaver Scout and Cub Scout age range'. In addition the availability of Junior Team Managers Courses of between 10 and 13 hours duration may be appropriate to some of our Leaders.

The opportunity was taken to raise the topic of mixed sex football provision for those involved in the Scout and Venture Scout Sections. It was noted by the Football Association's representative, who did not believe that any dispensation to The Scout Association would be forthcoming. The Scout Association is unlikely to formally affiliate to the Football Association while this is the case. Information on mini soccer is available from the Information Centre, Gilwell Park.

ScoutBase UK, the Association's official website, delivered more than 1,000,000 pages of information in the first 10 weeks of 2000. Between 80% and 90% of the traffic to the site comes from the UK but visits from more than 100 countries have been registered. The ListServer facility, which enables Members to subscribe to regular news and information messages by email, currently has 11,000 readers. To subscribe, log-on to www.scoutbase.org.uk and click on the 'Get Talking Points by email' icon.

The Scout Association's Millennium Song, titled "We'll be together", is now available from the Information Centre in tape form. Priced £6, this is a special recording suitable to be sung at camps. It has already been tried and tested at Into the Spotlight held at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

The Scout Information Centre recently completed its first 12 months of service to the Movement. Over the last year it dealt with over 70,000 enquiries. Demand for services continues to grow each week, and currently 19% of all enquiries are from first time customers. For a copy of the new catalogue telephone 0845 300 1818 or go to www.scoutbase.org.uk/trading/resource/index.htm.

The Information Centre can also email you direct with a copy. Send a message to info.centre@scout.org.uk with the word 'catalogue' in the subject bar. The Centre is open for 12 hours a day 08.00 to 20.00 during the week and 09.00 to 12.00 on Saturday mornings.

The Young People First yellow card is one of the Movement's most essential items for Leaders. As stocks of the current card are used up, a second edition will become available. This original 1994 version is still valid so you can continue to use the copy you already have. The second edition includes, a revision to the 'Dos' and Don'ts' part of the card's code of behaviour section to include guidence on appropriate adult relationships with young people within a position of trust. Details were published in the April edition of SCOUTING Magazine. The revised card is also published on ScoutBase UK (www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/ypf.htm)

The Information Centre is now able to offer limited presentation sets of woodbeads. To ensure the ongoing health of one of the few remaining Gilwell oaks some important tree surgery had to be carried out. This work has generated a small amount of timber which has been used to produce a supply of Gilwell Oak woodbeads. These woodbeads come ready tied with a friendship knot on a superior quality leather thong. The beads are mounted in a presentation box and come with a certificate of authenticity incorporating a picture of Baden-Powell beneath a Gilwell Oak. The price of each Wood Badge is £35.00 inclusive of postage and packaging.

Four, new, specially adapted caravans have been brought into service by the Scout Holiday Homes Trust, the charity dedicated to helping families with a disabled member who would benefit from an inexpensive stay in a popular holiday resort. Much of the funding was contributed by Scouts from all round the UK during St George's Day Service collections in 1999 and other local fundraising efforts. These are much appreciated by the Trust, as is the work of the volunteer Scout teams who provide active local management and support for the facilities. The new vans are at Burnham-on-Sea, Exmouth and St. Austell. Information about Holiday Homes Trust is available on the ScoutBase UK website (www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq-info/holhomes/intro.htm) or by telephoning 020 7590 5152.

The current themes are Community Involvement and Poverty & Disadvantage. An application pack covering both themes is available by phoning 0845 791 9191.

The Board run a continuous grant making process and there are no closing dates for the request or submission of application forms. The minimum grant is £500 and more than half the grants given to date have been under £50,000.

Prior to submission of your application, it is highly recommended that a draft copy be shared with the Fundraising Department at BP House, who are experienced at providing guidance on making applications.

Further information can be obtained by sending an A5 Stamped Addressed Envelope to the Fundraising Department at BP House. For help and advice please contact The Scout Association Lottery Line on 020 7590 5123. If you are based in Scotland please contact Scottish HQ on 01383 419073 for assistance.

Thinking about attempting your Explorer Belt expedition in 2001? If you are, Poland is a great place, it is reasonably inexpensive to get to and the cost of living is relatively low compared to the UK. A 19 day trip, inclusive of flights, is possible with the 'Explore Poland 2001' project. For details contact Chris Noble, 23 Britannia Way, Westward Ho, Bideford, Devon EX39 1UP (email chrisnoble@clara.net).

Unable to arrange a camp in July or August? Short of Leaders or equipment? Then take advantage of a full week activity, with instruction and equipment, indoor accommodation and all meals. Details from Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, Kielder Water, Hexham. NE48 1QZ

From 6th April 2000 a new system to reclaim tax on membership subscriptions came into force. This is a simplification of the previous Gift Aid scheme and can be used to claim back tax on the Group subscription plus the amount passed to District, County/Area and Headquarters. A Group does not need to be a registered charity to reclaim tax via Gift Aid.

A parent, who must be a taxpayer, need only complete a simple form called a Gift Aid declaration and once payment is received, the Group can reclaim the tax. The declaration can be used to reclaim tax on subscription payments received after 6th April 2000, even if the declaration is completed after this date.

Deeds of Covenant signed by parents before the 6th April are still valid and they need not complete a Gift Aid declaration. If a parent has signed a Covenant on or after the 6th April, they must also complete a Gift Aid declaration in order for the Group to reclaim the tax. The new arrangements are much simpler to operate than Deed of Covenant scheme. The declaration is not a legal document and the parent will not have to supply any personal tax information. We would therefore strongly advise all Groups to consider operating this scheme as it will increase the value of subscriptions to the Group by almost 30%.

For a copy of the fact sheet and sample declaration (approved by the Inland Revenue) please send a small stamped addressed envelope to the Fundraising Dept at B-P. House.

The purpose of this fund is to assist non-Royal Navy recognised Sea Scout Groups (there is a separate fund for Royal Navy recognised Groups)

to obtain boats and equipment and develop Sea Scout Training.

For an application form please send a stamped addressed envelope to June Wakeford, Grants Secretary, The Scout Association, Churchill Industrial Estate, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8UG.

There are still places available on the two guided Heritage Tours, August 21st -25th and September 11th - 15th. These have been specially created for anyone interested in Baden-Powell and the history of the Movement. For further details please contact Paul Moynihan or Pat Styles, Archives, Baden-Powell House. Email archives@scout.org.uk).

The Trust assists underprivileged, worthy, promising and special needs young people aged between 13 and 18 years to participate in sail training courses and offshore activities. Applications from older persons are only considered in exceptional circumstances. For further information and an application form please send a stamped addressed envelope to: The Hon. Secretary, The RNVR Youth Sail Training Trust, Willington, Beds MK44 3QT.

Pickabook Ltd is an internet bookshop with a general catalogue of over 200,000 titles and immediate access to over 4 million books. Most books are offered at a discount of 20% off the recommended retail price and are dispatched within 24 hours. In addition there are weekly special offers of up to 30% off selected titles and monthly pre-publication offers.

Pickabook has a corporate policy whereby customers can request a percentage of their spend be donated to a charity. When a customer places an order they can choose a charity from a list which includes The Scout Association and Pickabook will donate 2½% of the sale to the chosen charity. The site can be accessed at: www.pickabook.co.uk

A new general promotional poster called "Want Adventure" is available from the Information Centre priced at £1.95 each or £3.95 for five. Prices include postage and packaging.

The 3rd South Shields Sea Scouts are inviting participants to the National Scout Sailing Regatta to be held 27-28 August 2000 within the safe confines of Tyne Harbour. Details and pictures are available on their website www.tyne2000.freeserve.co.uk. Information can also be obtained from David Rowe, 7 Basil Way, South Shields, NE34 8UA. Email: 3rdsoshields@tyne2000.freeserve.co.uk

During the summer months of June, July and August, visitors to Gilwell will be able to take part in a 90 minute guided tour of the site. This is an opportunity learn more about Gilwell Park, the home of Scouting in the UK. You will be able to visit the White House, a building dating from the 17th century and containing much exciting Gilwell memorabilia charting the history of Scouting. You can also visit the Colquhoun International Centre, a focus for training for Scouters today. Finally there is the opportunity to explore over one hundred acres of beautiful woodland which is the Gilwell Park Campsite. Tours take place on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. They costs £7 for adults and £4 for under sixteens. For further information and bookings please contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818. Email info.centre@scout.org.uk.

Headquarters is disposing of a stock of collecting cans and associated material. These come in packs of 10 Collecting Cans, 70 Tamper Proof seals and 50 Collector Cards.

The packs themselves are free, but a charge of £10.15 per pack is made to cover the cost of delivery, packaging and handling. Cans and materials are only available in the quantities outlined above. There is however, no limit to the number of packs that can be ordered. Don't delay as there are just 25 packs remaining. Orders will be dispatched on a first come first served basis and are subject to availability. Cheques should be made payable to The Scout Association. Please send your order along with details of a daytime delivery address to the Fundraising Department at Baden-Powell House.

We have become aware that some agencies are expressing concern at the use of, so called, 'People Carriers' to transport Scouts. Part of the concern seems to be that passengers in the rearmost seats might be vulnerable in a rear impact and that their escape might be impeded by the seats in front. No agency has expressed a similar concern about two door cars.

We have now heard that the insurers of a company owned people carrier, allocated to a member of the Movement, have stated that they will not cover the vehicle if it is used to transport Scouts and/or Guides. Whilst we have no reason to believe that the insurers of privately owned people carriers will apply similar restrictions, we would recommend ALL vehicle owners and users to check, with the vehicle insurers, their attitude to the carriage of Scouts. When doing so, remember to tell the insurer that your involvement is voluntary (part of you social activities) i.e. that you are not paid.

If you require any further help and advice, contact Scout Insurance Services in Lancing.

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park over the weekend of 6/7 May.

Following a presentation on the Budget proposals for the year 2000/2001, the majority of the meeting was then concerned with two major issues: Programme Review and Uniform Consultation. Samples of the proposed uniform will be presented to young people attending camps this summer and to local group meetings throughout the summer and autumn period. The Budget was accepted. After the meeting the following letter was sent out in order to update Members:

This letter is to bring you fully up-to-date on the arrangements for consultation about our proposed new uniform, and to give you early information on major decisions about our new programme.

At its meeting last weekend the Committee of the Council gave further consideration to the arrangements for the Movement-wide consultation about uniform. The Committee confirmed the timetable. The consultation will start following the Committee's June meeting, and will run for the period July to November as already notified to County and Area Commissioners. The consultation will be supported by the distribution of a questionnaire to the Talking Points distribution list of some 34,000 recipients; inserting the questionnaire in SCOUTING Magazine; and making it available on ScoutBase UK, in Scout Shops branches, and upon request from the Information Centre. It is not too soon to put in place local arrangements for appropriate discussions in Counties/Areas, Districts and Groups.

The Committee spent most of its time considering the final report of the Programme Review Group, which is based on the receipt of over 17,000 responses to its questionnaire, and on further work with focus groups. On the basis of the recommendations in the report the Committee agreed:

• that Scouting for young people should in future be provided in five age ranges, or Sections, with core ages 6 - 8; 8 - 10½; 10½ - 14; 14 - 18; and 18 - 25, with considerable flexibility in transfer ages especially between the third and fourth sections;
• to an outline programme plan for all five Sections, culminating, as now, in a (revised) Queen's Scout Award;
• to the centrality of Scoutcraft and camping throughout the revised programme, with strong cross linking with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in the relevant age ranges;
• to reaffirm the importance of peer leadership, as given, for example, by Sixers and Patrol Leaders;
• to the retention of the Group structure as the local basis for providing Scouting for young people, particularly in the first three Sections; and
• to a widening of leadership opportunities for both young people and adults.

Within this 'headline' framework there is a considerable amount of further detailed work to be undertaken, especially where the Committee modified the recommendations of the Review Group. Some of the further detail will, it is hoped, be reported to the Committee at its meeting in June; and it is planned to make a substantial presentation to the Council in Conference in September. That presentation will begin the full roll-out to the Movement of the new programme, which will continue through the planned regional meetings, dates for which have already been notified to all Counties and Areas. The new programme will be a vital ingredient in the future development plans for Scouting at all levels.

The Committee is determined not to introduce the new programme at an operational level until the necessary support materials and framework are sufficiently in place. Accordingly, the Committee has asked me to emphasise that the implementation of the new programme is not a race! A planned and phased implementation will take place over the period 2001 to 2003, and key 'milestone' dates will be shared with the Council in September.

Yours sincerely,
John Bevan, Chairman, Committee of the Council

Next Meeting: The Committee of the Council meets next on 24/25 June 2000. The Agenda will be published on ScoutBase UK in June.