Cambridgeshire is the heart of East Anglia!
There are over 7,000 members of the Scout Association in Cambridgeshire, including 1,400 Beaver Scouts, 1,800 Cub Scouts, 1,400 Scouts and 300 Explorer Scouts and members of the Scout Network.
There are 1,300 adult volunteers making this happen working directly to deliver the youth programme and to provide management and administrative support.
This makes Cambridgeshire Scouting one of the largest co-educational youth movements in the County. County AGM 2012The Annual General Meeting of Cambridgeshire County Scout Council will take place on Tuesday 25/06/11. The venue is to be confirmed. Papers for the meeting will be available on this page in due course. To download the AGM papers from last year (2011) please click here. Here are the reports from last years meeting: If you would like us to post you a copy of the AGM Reports, then please contact chris.ward@cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk HQ Membership Services & Programmes On-lineThe County Team is looking at ways it can support more of our adult volunteers to access the support and resources on www.scout.org.uk
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Advice on AGM proceduresAt the 2010 Executive Support day some points were raised regarding AGM Procedures. Advice from POR and other sources of good practice is set out below. Minutes The Minutes of an AGM can only be approved at the following AGM. Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting, (typed and circulated; these do not need proposing, the Chairman will ask the meeting for 'approval to sign'. The minutes can not be formally approved at any other committee meeting as it is the AGM and the membership will be different. Accounts The AGM is “to receive and consider the annual report of the Group/District/County Executive committee including the annual statement of accounts” The Executive committee must scrutinise the accounts and approve them at a meeting prior to the AGM, the accounts will then form part of the executive committee’s report to the AGM. The Chairman gives the Executive Report and the Treasurer the Accounts. (These are not proposed and seconded the AGM is simply asked to approve them usually by a show of hands). Two further points regarding AGMs. 1. There should be no matters arising at AGMs as anything brought up at a meeting should be dealt with by the Executive committee at its subsequent meetings. 2. There should not be Any Other Business as the AGM is a formal reporting and appointment meeting, not a general committee meeting. If a committee feels there should be the opportunity for members to raise issues even though strictly speaking an AGM is not the forum, then in the notice calling the meeting it should be stated that if anybody wishes to raise an item of AOB the secretary should be informed in advance and the time clearly stated usually 24 hours minimum. |
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The County Team
At the heart of the structure are the District Commissioners, the key managers of Scouting in the County. The DCs are supported by the County Commissioner and the County Team. The DCs are currently as follows:
- Cambridge - Pam Butler
- Crafts Hill - John Lamoon
- Cromwell - John Nicoll
- Ely - David Briston
- Fenland - Jonathan Harwood
- Granta - Position Vacant
- Hinchingbrooke - Paul Robbins
- Medehamstede - Chris Pallister
- Nene - Trevor Watson
- Newmarket - Steve Taylor
This team is supported by five Deputy County Commissioners who report to the County Commissioner in the respective areas of Adult Support, the Youth programme, Adult Training, Communications and Non section Activities. The five Deputy County Commissioners are as follows:
- Adult Support - Di Wisbey
- Youth Programme - Phil Garrett
- Adult Training - Chris Halliday
- Communications - Chris Ward
- Development - David Briston
Executive Structure in Cambridgeshire
The County Scout Council
Cambridgeshire County Scout Council is the electoral body which supports Scouting in the County. It is the body to which the County Executive Committee is accountable.
Membership of Cambridgeshire County Scout Council is open to:
Ex officio Members
- County President;
- County Vice-Presidents;
- Chief Commissioner;
- County Chairman;
- County Commissioner;
- County Secretary;
- County Treasurer;
- Deputy County Commissioners;
- County Scout Network Commissioner;
- County Training Manager;
- Assistant County Commissioners;
- County Scouters;
- County Skills Instructors;
- County Advisers;
- County Administrators;
- Chairmen, County Scout Fellowship(s);
- Local Training Managers;
- District Commissioners;
- District Chairmen;
- District Secretaries;
- District Treasurers;
- District Scout Fellowship Chairmen;
- Chairmen of each District Troop Leadership Forum;
- Chairmen of each District Explorer Scout Committee;
- Chairman of the Scout Network Committee.
Nominated Members
- the number of persons to be elected annually by the County Scout Council from each of the following categories is decided by the County Scout Council.
- persons recommended by the County Commissioner in consultation with the County Chairman.
- County Scout Network Members nominated by the County Scout Network Conference.
- County Scout Fellowship Members nominated by the County Scout Fellowship(s).
- Scouters nominated by District Scout Councils, in Cambridgeshire each District Scout Council is asked to nominate the following to the County Scout Council.
- One uniformed Scouter
- One non-uniformed representative
- Two members aged between 18 and 25 years.
- Explorer Scout Members nominated by District Explorer Scout Meetings.
Co-opted Members
- the County Scout Council may co-opt members annually. Such co-opted members may include representatives of organisations with whom it is desired to maintain co-operation eg Girlguiding UK, religious bodies, other youth organisations and Local Education Authorities.
- members are nominated by the County Commissioner.
- the number of members co-opted must not exceed the total of Ex officio and Nominated Members.
Invited Member
- the Field Development Manager/Officer.
The County Scout Council must hold an Annual General Meeting within six months of the financial year end to:
- approve the Annual Report of the County Executive Committee, including the annual statement of accounts;
- approve the County Commissioner’s nomination of the County Chairman and nominated members of the County Executive Committee;
- elect a County Secretary unless the County Secretary is employed by the County Executive Committee;
- elect a County Treasurer;
- elect certain members of the County Executive Committee;
- elect a representative(s) of the County Scout Council to serve as Nominated Members of the Council of The Scout Association;
- elect a representative of the County Scout Council to serve as Nominated Youth Member on the Council of The Scout Association;
- appoint an auditor or independent examiner or scrutineer as required.
The County Executive
Cambridgeshire County Executive Committee exists to support the County Commissioner in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and to provide support for Scout Districts and the Scout Network in the County.
The County Executive Committee is responsible for:
- promoting the development of Scouting in the County;
- arranging for harmonious co-operation between Districts and between units of the Association and with other organisations;
- the raising of funds and the administration of the County’s finance and property, including the Scout Network;
- appointing a County Appointments sub-Committee and a Chairman of such a sub-Committee;
- appointing other sub-Committees and their Chairmen as the Committee may require;
- attending to County administration, particularly:
matters relating to Leader Warrants;
the appointment of Skills Instructors, Administrators and Advisers;
registrations, membership of the Movement;
the presentation of an Annual Report and annual statement of accounts to the Annual General Meeting of the County Scout Council.
Cambridgeshire County Executive Committee consists of:
The County Executive – Ex officio Members
| County Chairman | Vacant |
| County Treasurer | Malcolm Robinson |
| County Secretary | Cindy Abbot |
| County Commissioner | Richard Hames |
| County Network Commissioner | Phil Garrett |
County Executive Members Nominated by the County Commissioner
- persons nominated by the County Commissioner in consultation with the County Chairman,
- the nominations must be approved at the County Annual General Meeting,
- persons nominated need not be members of the County Scout Council and their number must not exceed that of the elected members.
For elected members of the Executive postal elections will held prior to the Annual General Meeting. The elected members will consist of 9 of whom 3 shall be youth members (18/25).
| Di Wisbey | Deputy County Commissioner for Adult Support Di is the official deputy for the County Commissioner when he can not attend, As an ex DC for Crafts Hill she brings a wealth of experience to the committee. |
| Phil Garrett | Phil is the Deputy County Commissioner responsible for youth program development, Phil is active at many levels within the County and is the Chairman of the CamJam committee. |
| Barry Wallman | As ACC Campsites Barry is responsible for the running of the Abington camp site, he advises the committee on issues relating to this site, Barry has held many positions within the movement and was a past DC of Cambridge. |
| TBC | Chairman of the County Scout Network |
Members Elected by the County Scout Council
- members of the County Scout Council elected at the County Annual General Meeting,
- these should normally be four to six in number,
- the actual number must be the subject of a resolution by the County Scout Council. In Cambridgeshire we elect people for a 3 year period followed by one further 3 year period
| Beryl Boyce | Beryl has held many positions in Scouting including ACC Cubs and County Secretary, she is currently the County Appointments Secretary and was elected to the committee in 2005. |
| Reg Cullum | With experience in many positions in the movement Reg is currently Chairman of Granta District. Reg was elected to the committee in 2006. |
| Karen Thorpe | As the youth member Karen contributes greatly to the Committees discussions. She is a member of the Cambridgeshire Scout Network |
| Malcolm Robinson | Malcolm is County Treasurer and is a member of Medehamstede District Scout Fellowship and also Treasurer for the Peterborough Gang Show. He has many years experience as a Scouter in the Peterborough area. |
Co-opted members
- persons co-opted annually by the County Executive Committee,
- the number of co-opted members must not exceed the number of members who may be elected.
| Stella Johnson | is a GSL and an active member of Ely District |
Right of Attendance
- the Regional Commissioner, Rob Lyon, has the right of attendance at meetings of the County Executive Committee.
Invited to attend
- the County’s Nominated Member(s) on the Council of The Scout Association*,
- The County’s Nominated Youth Representative on the Council of The Scout Association*,
- Field Development Manager/Officer.
- (if not already a member of the Executive Committee)
The County Executive Committee has established the following Sub-Committees. Sub-Committees are chaired by an Executive member and consist of members nominated by the Committee in Cambridgeshire these are presently.
- County Appointments Advisory Sub Committee
- The Finance Sub Committee
- The Property Sub Committee
- Genral Purposes Sub Committee
The County Commissioner and the County Chairman are ex officio members of any sub-Committee of the County Executive Committee.
Any fund raising committee must include at least two members of the County Executive Committee, in addition to the ex officio members. No County Scouter should serve on such a fund raising sub-Committee.
Gift Aid Scheme
If your Group/Unit doesn't currently make use of the Gift Aid scheme then you are missing out on a source of “easy” (but perfectly legal) funds. Essentially Gift Aid enables you to currently reclaim 28.2p in the £1.00 on such items as Group and Unit Subscriptions. (It certainly beats standing in the rain at a car boot sale or on the door for a jumble sale etc. as a source of cash!)
I am advised that one Cambridge based Group has received over £8k in claims covering a period of 5 years and also of another Peterborough Group that gets approx. £1.2k annually by this means. (This could help meet in part Membership subscription levies or purchase new camping or other equipment for the Group). Further information about the process,including what records need to be kept etc. can be obtained via HMRC's website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities or by ringing their Helpline on 08453020203
VAT Concessions
VAT whether we like it or not does affect the costs of providing our range of programmes and events across the County and beyond.
But if you manage your own premises (or pay directly to the likes of E-on for your energy supplies) then you can seek to have the VAT charged at 5% as opposed to the now standard rate of 20%.
There are 3 bands of VAT
- 20% standard rate. This is charged against bills etc. by VAT registered suppliers of general goods.
- 5% concession rate. This is as stated above claimable against the supplies of non- domestic power supplies
- Zero rate. This applies on newspapers and children’s clothing etc.
Malcolm Robinson
County Treasurer
March 2011






