Capitation 2024-2025
Date: 6th Jan 2024
Author: districtteam
District Levy + Capitation 2024-2025
-It is crucial the district Books are balanced; we need our level of support to be sustainable
-However we are also very mindful of the cost of living crisis as well as the importance of making sure young people have access to scouting
-GSLS are responsible for communicating this message to groups and will field the questions and feedback directly to DC if required.
-We offer far more than most districts
-if we reduce the offering and support that groups have been crying out over the past few years then capitation will come down – but we will have more issues across all the groups
-The district offering is in direct response to ongoing dialogue with All GSLS in the district and benefits all equally.
-be that financially or support or less work
-use of the hq field is essentially free (small donations requested to cover consumables etc – this cost is shared equally – we could change to a charging mechanism – but we recognise this could possibly exclude some groups.)
-Already spoken to you all and most groups on average charge between £10-£15 per month – Meaning group income is approx. £150 per child.
-Originally capitation was low due to the fundraising we did and we took a significant percentage of the takings – Sponsored Walk, Raffle etc
-Over the years the district changed the fundraising model so all funds raised went back to groups
-Historically this was heavily subsidised by the district and even £0 over covid.
Advising for prompt payment to District following capitation
-I will send you all a breakdown after the Census
–1st March
-Bank Transfer preferred, Cheque posted
-Need financial assistance?
-To Notify DC at census Time
-Please ensure disadvantaged children are not excluded due to costs from scouts
-Reiterate groups to support this and we will waive capitation for any child who is not paying subs at group
-communicate out the support i.e. hq, District, Group
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What do we plan to do about the (District Levy) for next year as of today (This is to help all groups equally)
We regularly get people asking to help district – this is our call to answer that.
We hope to bring it down by raising more funds than we ever have before and have some ambitious ideas to tackle this – whilst in the same turn adding value to scouting locally.
-plans for shop
-Dependant on 1 Volunteer dedicated to this
-plans for minibus
-Need 1 Volunteer
-plans for fundraising
-We are running an ‘Easter Raffle’ again be emailing about this and distributing tickets shortly.
-Need 2 Volunteers
-We are also looking at grants and financial assistance
If we can get the support and volunteers – then capitation and district levy will come down substantially. Please put forward anyone you think could help or even if you wish to volunteer for aspects yourself. This is crucial to tackle the levy – we want to be as close to £0 as possible. These are roles that require no scouting experience or knowledge.
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What Support our Capitation covers (District Aspect – What does our district Do/Aim to provide – Our Offering)-
District HQ Overheads (For a building and land for use by all)
Maintenance & Sundries
Internet
Electric
Water
Insurance
Insurance
-District HQ Insurance
Explorers, Young Leaders and Network
-Ensuring every group in the district has access and opportunity to access these sections
-Equally Funded by all ensuring the same access to all
District Wide Media License (In Place)
District Wide Non Member Insurance Cover (In Place)
St Georges Day (Open to Every Member of the District)
Adult Thank You (Open to Every Adult Member of the District for Recognition and Thanks)
Adult Training/Skills Events
-Scout Skills
-Help obtaining Scout Permits
-Opening New Sections
-Supporting Struggling Sections
District Team admin expenses
Group Support
-Financial Backing and support of the district where feasible and appropriate
-Reducing admin across all groups by synergising and pooling our resources!
-In Turn saving money.
International Financial support for youth Members (10% contribution for District/County International Events, 20% for WSJ)
Digital, Advertising, Phone, Web Presence – Synergised to save all groups overhead and maximise exposure locally
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Breakdown – What is District Levy Capitation Spent on:
On Average we have approx. 850 Children in District.
Working on a basis of £12.50 per Child for District Levy
Hq Provide this transparency for what their base capitation fee covers.
In the interests of Transparency and openness- this is what our Levy Covers for this year:
District Hq: 27%
Ongoing Maintenance, Internet, Electric, Water, Insurance, Lease
District Hq Improvements: 9%
Dudley Young Leaders + 14-25 Provision – 24.31%
International Financial Support for Youth Members – 9%
Digital, Comms Presence, Overheads, Website, Phone, Lottery License, Media License, Non Member Insurance – 8.19%
District Events – 6.75%
St Georges Day – 0%
District Activity Day – Carried over from previous year – 0%
District AGM and Adult Thank You Event – 4.5%
District Development – 0%
District Team Admin and Expenses – 0%
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Following was taken into consideration:
Group Collect around £144 per member a year – Mean Average cost £12 per month
60 kids – AVG Group Size
20 kids – AVG Unit Size
£8640 Income for a group from subs £3300 AVG Capitation Bill for a group
£1728 for a unit from subs £1100 AVG Capitation Bill for a unit
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This year HQ levy is £38, West Mercia County Levy is £9.50 per child.
https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/august/funding-the-movement/
As with previous years – Lengthy discussions took place regarding the District levy and value.
This year Dudley Will will be charging £12.50 bringing the total to £60 – Which is still less than a lot of other districts and counties combined – but as above we have a plan to bring this down. Sadly the fundraising recovery from covid has not be as we would have hoped.
Other Counties Levy’s range from: £9 – £19
Other Districts Levy’s range from: £4 – £13
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To confirm the capitation fee for each member is £60 per person.