Minutes of the
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of CUMBRIA SCOUT COUNCIL
held on THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2013 at 7.30 pm.
at The Lakes School, Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere
PRESENT
Graham White
Tim Leader
John Over
Marion Dixon
County
County
County
County
Commissioner
Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Dignitaries and Guests:
Cllr Alan Barry, Chairman, Cumbria County Council, and Mrs Pia Barry
Cllr John Thompson, Chairman, Eden District Council
Cllr William (Bill) Bacon, Mayor, and Mrs Valerie Bacon, Mayoress, Allerdale Borough Council
Cllr Colin Thompson, Mayor, and Mrs Brenda Thompson (Mayoress), Barrow Borough Council
Cllr Ray Bloxam, Mayor, and Mrs Olive Bloxam, Mayoress, Carlisle City Council
Sarah Dunning (Cumbria Scout Ambassador), Chief Executive, Westmorland Ltd.
Helen Holmes (Independent Examiner) Stables Thompson & Briscoe Accountants
Chris Harris JP TD Regional Commissioner (North West)
together with over 40 leaders and supporters of Scouting (as per attendance sheet).
1. Matthew Pimblett opened the meeting by reading ‘Imagine there is a bank account that credits your
account each morning …’ (author unknown).
2. Roy McNamara, vice-President, welcomed Mayors and Mayoresses, Vice Presidents, special guests and
everyone involved in Cumbria Scouting, thanking them for their help and support over the year.
3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE are listed at the end of the minutes.
4. MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held Thursday 27th September 2012 were
approved and signed by the County Commissioner.
5. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2012/2013
Tim Leader presented the Annual Report and Accounts to the Council. An additional Annual Review of
Scouting Activities for 2012/13 has been published this year.
Membership has grown by 3% which is the highest in the northwest, and second highest in England.
Facilities have made a positive financial contribution and work continues at Ennerdale to safeguard
the River Ehen environment. Thanks were made to the Service Team who meet regularly to maintain
the centre. Unfortunately, following a review of the usage of Bark House, the Executive has agreed
not to renew its lease with the National Trust in July. Tim thanked Ian McQueen who had managed
Bark house for many years but who has recently had to step down due to ill health and he therefore
wished him a speedy recovery.
Two full-time Development Officers have been employed for the West Coast Scout Development
Project and the South Cumbria Scout Development Project. Other development initiatives are to be
put into practice by the members of the County team, led by Graham White.
The County Executive has carried out a major review of Governance which has led to the drawing up a
new constitution which will seek to fully embed the County’s youth involvement structures and
improve links to Districts.
Other achievements include:
A County Conference held for all adults involved in Scouting.
‘youthINK’, a County Youth Forum has been established.
29 members attained Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, 7 at Gold.
Four members attained Explorer Belts in Europe and ten members attained Explorer Belts as part of an
expedition to Nepal.
Cumbria Leaders and Cubs were joined on a training course by the Duchess of Cambridge at Great
Tower.
Bear Grylls joined young members from throughout the county at Cumbaree.
Tim announced that one of the main objectives for the county for this coming year is to support the
work of ‘youthINK’, the County Youth Forum, and establish youth forums in Districts and provide even
greater opportunities for young people to be involved in decision making. Other objectives include a
review Adult Training to make training more accessible; the recommendations of the review of County
Governance will be implemented; to capitalise on the opportunities provided by the county’s two
development projects; and Leaders and young people are to be selected to attend the 23rd World
Scout Jamboree to be held in Japan during 2015.
Finances:
Incoming resources
Membership subscriptions
2011/12
2012/13
9,921
10,665
Grants and Donations
56,919
30,951
Facilities
30,307
32,689
County Activities
15,437
8,876
Other income
(mainly Jamboree/International Activities)
11,177
29,513
123,761
112,694
Total
Resources expended
2011/12
2012/13
Governance and administration
19,445
20,682
Development
35,405
33,099
Facilities
29,898
29,285
County Activities
21,373
18,382
Other
(mainly Jamboree in 2010/11)
4,621
30,594
Capital projects
13,721
1,374
Total
124,463
133,416
Total Assets
31 March
2012
31 March
2013
Fixed Assets
474,015
472,001
Other Restricted Funds
15,364
3,698
Other Designated Funds
150,067
131,310
Other Unrestricted Funds
55,150
68,239
Total
694,596
675,248
Income is £20,722 less than expenditure mainly due to the planned investment in development
projects and initiatives.
Capital investment of £1,374
Assets of the County decreased by £19,348
The Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for 2012/13 were received by the council.
6. TO ADOPT THE CONSTITUTION FOR CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL
The Council were asked to consider the Chairman’s previously circulated proposed Constitution of
Cumbria County Scout Council which reflected the introduction of a County Youth Forum and Youth
Forums in Districts. The intention of the changes is to firmly link the work of the Youth Forums with
the County’s constitutional arrangements.
Proposed: Tim Leader
Seconded: Peter Watson
7. COMPOSITION OF COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL
(a) The County Commissioner’s nomination of Tim Leader as County Chairman was noted.
(b) To consider the appointment of PRESIDENT
Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria
Proposed: Graham White
Seconded: Tim Leader
(c) To consider appointments of VICE PRESIDENTS
Robin C Attwood
Roy McNamara
Canon David Dixon
Joe Rawlings OBE
Proposed: David Hughes
Joe Harris
Ron W Turner
Lord Hothfield
Seconded: Jeff Carson
David Hughes thanked the Vice Presidents for agreeing to serve for another year and for their continued
support for Scouting in Cumbria. Tribute was made to Denis Stanswood who sadly passed away earlier this
year.
(c) To note NOMINATIONS to Membership of the County Scout Council by Districts
The County Chairman explained that the County Scout Council is the elected body representing the Young
People of Cumbria and elects the County Scout Executive from amongst its members. Therefore the
Executive is accountable to the Scout Council, and each year the Council is presented with the report by
the Executive and approves it (or not).

One Group Scouter from each District
Group Scouter
Eden
Nigel Harling
Kentdale
Hilary Holliday
Reivers
Maureen White
Solway/Derwent
Mike Fitzgerald
South West Lakes
Keith King
Western Lakes
David Keenan
Workington
Phil Dryden
(d) To approve CO-OPTED members of the COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL
Representatives from:
Children’s Services Cumbria County Council
The Lake District National Park
The National Trust
The Diocese of Carlisle
County Commissioner Girlguiding Cumbria North
County Commissioner Girlguiding Cumbria South
Proposed: John Bevan
Catherine Witt
Chris Tomlin for any LDNP items
Linda Bowden
Rev. Ashley Henderson
Julie Walton (successor to Cheryl Christian)
Barbara Littlewood
Seconded: Alan Clark
(e) To elect a COUNTY TREASURER: Nomination: John Over
Proposed: Peter Watson
Seconded: Colin Partington
8. TO APPOINT HELEN HOLMES, STABLES THOMPSON & BRISCOE, KENDAL AS THE INDEPENDENT
EXAMINER
ACCOUNTS FOR 2011/2012
Proposed: Alan Clark
Seconded: David Hughes
9. TO ELECT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) To note ex officio members:
County Commissioner
County Chairman
County Treasurer
County Secretary
County Network Commissioner
(b) To approve the County Commissioner’s nominations to the Executive Committee:
Bill Arnott
Ben Hodgkiss
Colin Partington
Peter Watson
Proposed: Graham White
Seconded: Tim Leader
(c) To elect 9 members (1 nomination from each District)
Eden
Kentdale
Reivers
Solway/Derwent
South West Lakes
Western Lakes
Workington
Alan Harryman
Tim Keegan
Jeff Carson
Jan Cooper
David Hughes
To be confirmed
Alan Clark
One nomination by the District Commissioners
To be confirmed
One nomination by the County Youth Forum
To be confirmed
Proposed: Marion Dixon
Seconded: John Over
(d) To note the right of attendance of Chris Harris, NW Regional Commissioner
(e) To note those INVITED to ATTEND:
Julia Samson – Deputy County Commissioner
Richard Hirst – Deputy County Commissioner
Regional Development Manager
10. TO ELECT 2 REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COUNCIL OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION
Nominated: Colin Partington
Nominated: Ben Hodgkiss
Proposed: John Seed
(over 25)
(under 25)
Seconded: Eddie Ward
10. FORMAL BUSINESS MEETING was closed at 8.15pm by the County Chairman.
AWARDS
Awards were presented to:
Hoosiders Explorer Scouts who attended the ‘Sun Run’ in Gloucester and won Fastest Junior Team.
Harry Wharam was presented with his Pilot’s Licence.
Richard Hirst - Wood Badge – Deputy CC (Programme)
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW
Graham White reported that there would be a change in format to next year’s AGM. There would be a
formal meeting for Council members to accept formal proposals etc., followed by a separate event to
celebrate the achievements of young members to which dignitaries and guests would be invited to attend.
Graham also confirmed that his appointment as County Commissioner was due to end in April 2014 and he
reported that Chris Harris, Regional Commissioner, would be setting up a search team in the autumn and
encouraging candidates to make an application. He thanked everyone for the support he had received
during the last four and a half years and encouraged leaders to consider the role if approached.
REGIONAL COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW
Chris Harris, North West England Regional Commissioner, reported that the County had had the highest
growth in membership in the Region for two years running and that the newly set up Youth Forum was
leading the way in the Region. He also confirmed that the two Development Projects in the South and
West were working well. He encouraged all members to spread the message of Scouting throughout the
County to so that membership would continue to grow.
He paid tribute to Graham and thanked him for all the work he had done to help the County achieve its
goals.
CUMBRIA SCOUTING AMBASSADOR
Graham White presented Sarah Dunning, Chief Executive, Westmorland Ltd, with and i-Scout polo shirt and
hooded top and welcomed her in her role as Cumbria Scouts Ambassador.
EXPLORER BELT EXPEDITION TO NEPAL 2013
Ten Explorer Scouts travelled with Community Action Nepal (CAN), a charity set up by Doug Scott to
support the sustainability of the trekking industry in the Middle Hills region of Nepal and build schools,
health posts and shelters for porters.
They set themselves ten challenges which included keeping a personal diary, supporting CAN at the Kendal
Mountain Festival, teaching a song to Nepalese children, carrying out project work at Ghunsa school, to
design a Cumbrian flag, meeting with Nepalese Scouts research into local religions and their customs, to
take photos for the CAN website, stay safe, have fun and have no regrets!
The group organised their own fundraising which included bag packs, grant applications, organising a
lecture at the Lakes School by Doug Scott, car boot sales, sponsored walks, Gig nights and attended the
Dalston Show.
After flying to Kathmandu, they made a 15 hour journey by bus and Jeep to a CAN school at Ghunsa where
they helped with dismantling old school buildings and carrying rocks to the site of the new building.
Whilst in Nepal, the group took part in a trek led by local Sherpas and supported by porters. They visited
Bahrabise, a school run by CAN for deaf children where they met some of the students.
After returning to Kathmandu, they visited the Nepalese Scout HQ and took some time for sightseeting and
shopping.
On their return to the UK, the group were able to reflect on the benefits of their expedition to Nepal.
These included developing a link to another international scout organisation and promoting Scouting
through presentations about their trip to other groups in the County. They had worked well as a team,
taken responsibility and developed organisational skills. Each member of the group had experienced a
different culture and were now more confident to take on further challenges.
Finally, they thanked Cumbria County Scout Council for their support.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Tim Leader reported that he and Graham White had met with Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord
Lieutenant for Cumbria, who was enthusiastic and keen to support Scouting in Cumbria and very much
hoped to visit a Scout Group and Ennerdale Scout Centre in the near future, and he hoped that the County
would continue to build on its successes next year.
SIGNED: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
GRAHAM WHITE, COUNTY COMMISSIONER
DATED: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Apologies from Dignitaries and Guests:
Sir Chris Bonington, Cumbria Scout Ambassador
Mr Fred Story, Cumbria Scout Ambassador
Mr Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border
Mr Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
Sir Tony Cunningham, MP for Workington
Mr John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle and Cumbria Scout Ambassador
Mr John Woodcock, MP for Barrow in Furness
Cllr Evelyn Westwood, Chairman, South Lakeland District Council
Mr Chris Batten, Director, Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
Mr A Beeforth, Director, Cumbria Community Foundation
Mrs Cath Clarke, Chief Officer, Cumbria Youth Alliance
Mr Hein Van der Westhuizen, Cumbria Youth Alliance
SCOUT MEMBERS’ APOLOGIES
Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria (President)
Robin Attwood, vice-President
Rev Canon Dixon, vice-President
Joe Rawlings, vice-President
Ashley Henderson, Co-opted member, Diocese of Carlisle
Barbara Littlewood, Co-opted member, Girlguiding Cumbria South
Julie Walton, Co-opted member, Girlguiding Cumbria North
Chris Tomlin, Co-opted member, Lake District National Park
Bill Arnott
Tom Bell
Liam Benson
Alma Binyon
Clive Britton
Bryan Caine
Sue Cruickshank
Bill Davidson
Steve Dawson
Alison Dodd
Roger Fisher
Jackie Grundy
Alan Harryman
Hillary Holiday
Tim Keegan
David Keenan
Emma Kirkman
Yvonne Martin
Francess McIntyre
Iain McIntyre
Rob McIntyire
S McGuckin
Ian McQueen
Geoff Price
Rachel Prickett
Robert Reader
Gillian Reader
Claudia Walker
Bill Walker
Jackie Wright
Alastair Yates