;

Cub Scout Packs - Under Eight Year Olds

Golden Jubilee Badges - 2003 World Scout Jamboree Badges

Census 2002 - Two Methods

Awards for All - Queen's Golden Jubilee

Start Up Grants - Help for New Sections

British Groups Abroad - Fellowship Support

Camp Site Wardens - Council Website

Treasurers - Barclays Bank - Good News

Activities - British Mountaineering Council

Water Activities - Funding Available

Commonwealth Institute - Resource Centre Offer

Change Your Mindset - Activity Pack Feedback

Baden-Powell House - Coffee Break

Join-in-Jamboree - Resource for All

Sea Scouts - Funding to Keep Afloat?

GNAS Archery Gilwell Course

Communicators - Badge Course

Scout Holiday Homes Trust - Offers

New Year Honour - George Purdy, CBE

Committee News

Committee of the Council

Membership Management:

Co-location:

Audit Committee:

PRI Publications - Pricing Policy:

British Youth Council Scout Delegation:

SCOUTING Magazine:

European Scout Conference:

Overseas Branches - St Kitts and Nevis:

Old uniform - disposal:

Better Scouting for More Young People:

Next full meeting of the Committee:

The following note is part of the Programme Points information circulated with this edition of Talking Points. It has been reproduced here because of its significance for all Groups.

Q. What is the current position with under eights taking part in the Cub Scout Pack? How does this affect linking activities with the Beaver Scout Colony?

This note provides clarification and briefing on the issue. It supercedes all other information and advice which you may have heard or been given previously, and is taken from a letter circulated to Counties and Areas in December 2001

At issue is the Children Act 1989 which states (in summary) that young people under the age of eight years, may not be out of the care of their parents for more than two hours, unless that care provision is registered with the local authority under the Act and open to inspection by OFSTED. The Act applies to England and Wales. Similar legislation applies in Northern Ireland & Scotland.

The current situation

Despite strenuous efforts by UK HQ to obtain a definitive answer, there remains no statutory definition of 'care' in the Act. Therefore it is still unclear whether the regulations apply to Cub Scout meetings. It is unlikely that we will be able to get a definitive answer and therefore we must continue to advise Leaders not to have under eights at Cub Scout meetings.

The "two hour" rule applies from the time an under eight is placed in the 'care' of another to the time that the parent resumes that care. This will often be longer than the actual Section meeting. So our advice to the Movement must remain - as are the current rules - that under eights should not attend Cub Scout meetings.

Guidance

When giving advice to Leaders and other Members of the Movement in England and Wales the following paragraph may help.

"At the current time, and despite numerous efforts by Headquarters, it has not been possible to get a clear statement from the Department for Education and Skills that under eights may attend Cub Scout meetings on a regular basis without the possibility that the Pack may need to register as a 'care' provider with the local authority. We are therefore continuing to advise that under eights should not attend Cub Scout meetings. This is in order to protect Leaders from potentially contravening the Act."

It is tempting to get into a discussion about the "two hour" rule. This is very unhelpful as it can appear to provide a loophole. Any local interpretation of the Act could result in our Leaders contravening the law. Our position remains (as it always has been) that Leaders should not have the responsibility of making these decisions - hence the clear unambiguous statement above.

This advice will need to stay in place until the relevant authorities are able to provide absolute clarity on whether Scouting activities are exempt under the Act. This may never be obtained.

Link activities

Given the above link activities between the Beaver Scout Colony and Cub Scout Pack will need to be handled very carefully. Two positive suggestions are that older Cubs could attend Beaver Scout meetings to explain to the Beavers about how the Pack operates and what they can expect when they become a Cub. It would also be possible for Beavers to attend Pack meetings with their parents in attendance. This approach has the benefit of enabling the Beavers to be part of the Pack meeting and provides an opportunity for the parents to meet the Leaders and for them to see what happens at a Pack meeting.

Sleepovers

Exemptions in the Act indicate that The Scout Association's rules and guidelines for Sleepovers are unaffected.

If you have any questions about this issue or are concerned in any way please do not hesitate to contact the Programme & Development Department Programme Team for further clarification.

• HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee badge may be worn on uniform [front of shirt/blouse, top of left side above World Membership Badge].
• The Operation Sattahip Join-in-Jamboree Badge may not be worn on uniform.
• UK Jamboree Contingent members only may wear the UK Contingent badge on their contingent uniform. They may also wear HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee Badge.

In keeping with established protocols for the wearing of national awards, and the Association's own practice for the wearing of its long service and good service awards, HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee badge is to be worn nearest to the buttons of the shirt/blouse and the Jamboree badge nearest to the sleeve.

Any other occasional badges permitted for wear by County Commissioners under Policy, Organisation and Rules, Rule 63.1, during the year 2002 should also be worn as above, namely on the front of the shirt/blouse, top of left side above the World Membership Badge and nearest to thesleeve with HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee badge nearest to the buttons.

The annual census of membership of the Association at 31 January provides a snapshot of the number of members in Scouting. Districts, Counties, Areas and Headquarters use this information for a variety of purposes, including the development of the Movement and the collection of membership subscriptions.

Following a census review meeting in June 2001 with a number of County and District Secretaries there will be two options for recording and forwarding the 2002 data - by paper or electronically via the Internet.

The choice of which method Groups use should to be discussed with the District Secretary or Census Co-ordinator. Using the paper-based system, Groups will return forms to the District.

The December 2001 issue of SCOUTING Magazine contains a more detailed article about census collection process. Information has been mailed to Districts.

Census data should be entered electronically no later than 14th February or have reached Headquarters on paper - via District and County/Area - by the same date. Local arrangements for data collection should also be checked with District and County/Area Secretaries.

The Queen's Golden Jubilee takes place in 2002. The Awards for All (Lottery Grants for Local Groups) programme is willing to support projects which have been inspired by the Jubilee and meet one or more of the following themes:

• involve all sections of the community
• embrace the multicultural nature of society
• encourage a sense of community spirit and wide community involvement
• promote or provide service to others
• engage young people

If you feel your project meets one or more of the Golden Jubilee themes listed above and will be taking place in 2002, please contact Awards for All (Lottery Grants for Local Groups) by calling 0845 600 20 40 or The Scout Association, Fundraising Department at Gilwell Park for further details.

Since September 1998, new Sections opening have been eligible to apply through the Field Development Service for a £50 Start Up Grant. Since that time, over 500 grants have been issued for new sections all over the UK. The grants are paid out in the form of Outdoors vouchers.

As of January 2002, these grants will also be available for new Explorer Scout Sections and Scout Network Sections. Although there is an element of opening a new Section to aid retention of existing members into older sections, recruitment of new members to the Association is also sought in the requirements for obtaining a grant.

More information and copies of the new form are available from the Scout Information Centre or the Field Development Service at Gilwell Park.

Have you been involved in British Groups Abroad? Would you be willing to offer active support to them, through a Scout Fellowship? Do you want the opportunity to share your experiences?

The Scout County of British Groups Abroad will hold a meeting on 23 February, 2002, at Youlbury Scout Camp, Oxfordshire, to gauge interest in the establishment of a BGA Scout Fellowship. If you are interested please contact the BGA County Team on rspargo@netcentral.co.uk.

The Council of Camp Site Wardens was set up in 1986 to promote and publicise the Scout and Guide Association Camp Sites in all aspects and improve the standards at all member sites that provide facilities, advice and activities.

The Council has launched a web site www.ccsw.org.uk. It contains campsite information with links to their own web sites and also a series of links to scouts.org.uk, scoutbase.org.uk and guides.org.uk.

The Council of Camp Site Wardens has over 120 member sites, and would like to hear from any other campsites or centres who would be interested in joining. Simply e-mail your details to info@ccsw.org.uk or visit the website.

I have now received assurances from Barclays that the special arrangement providing free banking services for Scouting which has been in existence since 1994 remains UNCHANGED.

Barclays Small Business Team have been instructed to advise all local branches with immediate effect. This applies to all Sections, Groups, Districts and Areas, campsites and Fellowships etc.

David McCarthy
Director of Finance

This year Scouts will be able to benefit from increased access to important mountain safety and good practice information thanks to a new arrangement with the British Mountaineering Council. As part of a programme designed to bring the two bodies closer Scouts will be able to join the BMC at half the full members price, whilst also gaining access to the BMC Information Service.

To back this arrangement up the BMC will be publishing a special catalogue of its mountaineering publications and safety packs. This will incorporate special prices for Scouts and Scout Groups and so make it much easier to keep up with key advice. Finally Scout leaders will have access to a BMC telephone information line designed to help answer the fullest range of mountaineering and hill walking enquiries. Look out for more on this in the next issue of Talking Points.

Details have just been received of a new fund to help Sea Scouts and other Scout Groups engaged in water activities. The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, a City of London Livery Company wishes to support young people in maritime or waterborne activities. They will give grants to help with the purchase of boats and other equipment. Please telephone the Fundraising Department for further details. Applications must be made to the Fundraising Department at Gilwell before the end of April 2002 for inclusion in the next round of grants.

The Queen's Golden Jubilee Pack contained a leaflet with information and a membership form for The Resource Centre at The Commonwealth Institute. We have arranged that Members of The Scout Association will be offered concessionary membership of the Resource Centre at £10.00 per annum. This will be based on individual membership. They have a multimedia collection offering a range of 20,000 resources including books, atlases, posters, CDs and audio and videotapes. Many of these are available through their loan collection. Full details are available in the red leaflet Find out about the Commonwealth mentioned above.

The Department of Health wants to know what you think of the Change Your Mindset activity packs produced jointly with The Scout Association. The pack examines the issue of mental health problems.

Have you or your Group used the Change Your Mindset pack? If so what have you learned about mental health problems and discrimination? Did you enjoy using the pack? Has the pack helped you think differently about mental health? Have you any suggestions for improvements?

Please can you email your responses to mindout@forster.co.uk using the title FEEDBACK TO ACTIVITY PACKS. All comments will be treated in confidence - you don't need to give your name but please can you give your age and the location of your Group.

A new coffee and sandwich bar has been opened in the reception area of the B-P House Hostel in Queen's Gate, London SW7. Ideal for anyone visiting London for business or pleasure, the facility is open until very late in the evening. Whilst visiting the Hostel pick up a leaflet detailing the very reasonable accommodation charges for anyone wanting to stay in London. You might also like to have a look at the splendid new outdoor 'roof garden' that has been created adjacent to the meeting and conference rooms on the second floor.

'Share our world, Share our cultures' is the new full colour resource for all Sections packed full of fantastic international programme ideas. It an ideal way of getting everyone to join in the Jamboree. Copies are available from the Info Centre priced £4.50 (incl. p&p). Let's make Thailand 2003 a Jamboree for everyone!

The Scout Association has various funds allocated to Scout Groups across the country for an assortment of funding needs. The Trinity House Fund is specifically for non-Royal Navy recognised groups. It assists Groups in obtaining boats and equipment or helps contribute towards the cost of training courses. Due to the lack of requests, the money that is put into this fund is decreasing. If you fit into the criteria and are in need of some financial help for your Sea Scout group please contact the Fundraising Department at Gilwell Park or e-mail natasha.belenkin@scout.org.uk.

Taking place over the 23-24, and the 30-31 March 2002, this four day course costs £185. For further information about this course please contact: Gilwell Park Campsite on 020 8498 5411

Over the weekend of 22-24 February 2002, Gilwell Park Campsite will be running a residential course for Scouts covering the Scout Radio Communicator Badge. Priced at £25 each including food, accommodation and activities, this residential course is suitable for unaccompanied Scouts, either individuals or small groups.

During the course Scouts will be able to cover all aspects of the Communicators Badge and on satisfactory completion, the badge will be awarded at the end. For more information and an application form, contact the Gilwell Park Campsite on: 020 8498 5411

The Trust offers affordable accommodation to families with special needs. If you know such a family who would benefit from a holiday, why not ring the Trust Office who will happily send them a brochure.

Call Scout Holiday Homes Trust on 020 8433 7290 or email scout.holiday.homes@scout.org.uk for more details.

Chief Scout, George Purdy, has been appointed by the Queen to the honour of a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) "for services to young people," in the New Year Honours.

The following Members were elected to the Committee of the Council at the Annual Meeting in September 2001

Members of Council elected for 3 Years were:

Wayne Bulpitt, Baliwick Commissioner, Guernsey
Richard Butler, CC, Norfolk

Elected for 1 Year were:

Chris Creelman, CC East Lancs
Neil Leatherland, Nominated Member for South Yorkshire and County Chairman

Re-elected for 3 Years:

Martin Gerrard, Nominated Member, Greater London Central
Victor Thys, Nominated Member, Staffordshire

Nominated Youth Member elected for 3 years:

Craig Symonds, Nominated Youth Member, Staffordshire
Members who retired/stood down were:

Elected Members:

John Bevan, Ken Thompson, Roger Avenall
Elected Youth Rep: Claire Pepper

The following appointments were then agreed by Committee

Chairman of Committee: John Asplin, (County Commissioner Nottinghamshire.)
Sub-Committee Chairmen:
Finance: Wayne Bulpitt (Bailiwick Commissioner Guernsey)
Programme & Development: John May
General Purposes: Victor Thys (County Commissioner Staffordshire.)

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park on 1 December 2001

The Committee received a progress report on the project to create a national Membership database. The report included feedback from the five consultative workshops held during the Autumn.

The Committee received a final report on the co-location project which centralised nearly all Headquarters Departments at Gilwell Park in January 2001 and which was carried out with very little disruption to services for the Movement.

The Committee agreed to establish an Audit Committee reporting to the Finance sub-Committee. Its membership will comprise the Chairman of the Finance sub-Committee, the Treasurer, a member of the Finance sub-Committee and the Director of Finance.

The Committee agreed that the Executive Committee will decide the final cost of the PRI publications after further work has been undertaken and all costs are known.

The Committee received the delegation's report and agreed its recommendations for the coming year.

The Committee offered congratulations on the work done to improve quality of the magazine over the last year. It established a working group to look at related business issues. The group is expected to be able to report to the Committee in June.

The Committee received the delegation's report from the last Conference.

The constitution of the Branch was approved. The International Commissioner was authorised to invite the separate Branches of St Kitts and Nevis to form one Branch.

The Committee agreed that the supply of old uniform from Outdoors will cease. Sales of the old uniform have reduced to minimum levels in the weeks since the new uniform became available.

The Association will now determine the process of donating the remaining stock of uniform held by Outdoors to one or two emerging Scout Associations as previously agreed. This opportunity will also be offered to Counties/Areas and Districts who also hold stock and wish to be associated with the project. It will not be possible to extend the project to second-hand uniforms.

The Committee received and discussed proposals for three campaigns to develop Scouting. The proposals will now be developed in to operational plans for the future.

2002: 2 February [Gilwell Park - Trustee Members only];
16/17 March [Gilwell Park].