Introduction

1st Burnmoor Scout Group are a registered unincorporated educational charity and a member of the Scout Association, delivering activities for young people from its Scout Hut at [PROMPT: location]. The group secured a Youth Investment Fund (YIF) capital grant to refurbish its existing building, including external works, to create a more suitable and sustainable activity centre. Given the scale of the investment, trustees wanted to better understand their personal liabilities and how risks could be effectively managed during the project.

Central Support Offer – Identifying the Need

The Scout Group is overseen by a committed trustee board, with limited paid or specialist capacity supporting finance and project management on an ad‑hoc basis. As an unincorporated charity, trustees were concerned about the risk of being personally liable for decisions or claims arising from the refurbishment project. The board wished to explore whether incorporating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) was possible, and if not, how trustee liability and organisational risks could be mitigated effectively.

Support Provided

Through the YIF Central Support Offer, PG Collective provided specialist governance, charity law and risk‑management support tailored to the context of an unincorporated Scout Group.

PG Collective is a values‑led consultancy supporting charities, community organisations and social purpose ventures through periods of transition and change. They provide practical, plain‑English support across governance, organisational development and strategy, helping organisations strengthen foundations while remaining compliant with regulatory and sector‑specific requirements.

PG Collective first explored whether the group could incorporate while remaining a member of the National Scout Association. This work established that, due to the provisions of the Scout Association’s Royal Charter, member organisations must remain unincorporated charities, meaning incorporation was not an available route to reducing trustee liability.

In response, PG Collective worked closely with a long‑standing board member to develop a tailored governance handbook for the group. This set out:

  • The liabilities of trustees of unincorporated charities
  • The systems of support available through the Scout Association
  • How trustees can reduce personal risk through strong governance, compliance with the Association’s Policy, Organisation and Rules, and effective systems and processes
  • The importance of board skills, training and trustee indemnity insurance

PG Collective also carried out a skills audit of the existing board, making recommendations to strengthen trustee capacity, and drafted a risk register using the Scout Association’s framework, informed by a risk‑based survey of trustees.

The Result and Impact

As a result of the support, trustees gained clarity and reassurance about their legal responsibilities and personal liabilities. The board is now better equipped to manage risk proactively, oversee the refurbishment project with confidence and fulfil its duties effectively throughout the delivery of the YIF‑funded capital works.

Additional Impacts

The Scout Group now has:

  • Clear, accessible governance guidance tailored to its structure
  • Improved understanding of risk management and trustee duties
  • A strengthened board with clearer skills coverage
  • A practical risk register embedded in governance processes

Together, these changes have increased confidence, resilience and long‑term security for the organisation.

What They Said

“PG Collective’s expertise in governance and charity law was instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities surrounding incorporation and trustee liability. Their practical advice and collaborative approach have empowered our trustees with the tools and confidence to fulfil their duties responsibly and effectively.”
 Trustees, 1st Burnmoor Scout Group

For media enquiries contact:
press@sibgroup.org.uk