Risk and Internal Control
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Risk and Internal Control.
Safety and assessing risk is an integral part of every activity we undertake, training for this commences as part of the appointment process, all adult leaders and helpers are required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check, and training continues on an ongoing basis.
In addition to the activity based risk the Group Executive Committee has identified the major risks to which they believe the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:
Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request the use of buildings, property and equipment from neighbouring organisations such as the church, community centre and other Scout Groups. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in place to mitigate against permanent loss. It can be noted that during the year the group has continued a regular maintenance and upgrade programme on the HQ, with a view to improving facilities available to our members, whilst also further minimising risk to them at the same time. We have also stored equipment on behalf of another local group Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. There have been no incidents requiring a claim during the year Reduced income from fund raising. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The Committee could raise the level of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. The Group Executive monitors the income and expenditure requirements at each of its meetings. Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario the complete closure of the Group. As reported in the GSL report, volunteer help is extremely important but very hard to come by, there has not been a requirement to reduce any sections resulting from this. Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 6 to 18. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst-case scenario the complete closure of the Group. There have been no particular problems to report. This situation is being monitored by the Group Scouter's meeting and the Group Executive. Internal Controls. The group has in place systems of internal control that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss, these include 2 signatories for all payments and a comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered |