What do you think is the County biggest achievement in the past year?

I am very pleased with the way in which the county is not just offering Scouting to more and more young people, but that the quality of that Scouting is getting higher and higher.  I am particularly pleased with the development work undertaken by our County Development Officer, Anna King, which brings benefits, not just through the direct work into the projects that Anna undertakes, but reinvigoration and enthusiasm passed on in the local area around the projects. Together, every adult in the county has had a part to play in this ongoing improvement in the quantity and quality of Scouting we offer, and I am very grateful to all our adult leaders for what they do.

What difference do you think the County has made to the work done by adults in Scouting during the past year?

The County has been keen to support Districts in promoting and embracing a modern approach to Scouting.  The County now offers better support to adults through events such as the County Support Day (we hope to hold another one in the Autumn) and the work of the County Advisory Teams.  Looking to the future, under the management of Adrian Austin, I believe that the quality of adult leader training will be enhanced, and reviewed to ensure that all the modules delivered are provided in the best possible way, so that they are relevant to the job being done by those attending them.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I am very pleased with the new County Development Plan, and I am looking forward to working with members of the County Team to start putting the plan into practice. We now have a stronger County Senior Team, with an enthusiasm to look wider, and I hope their presence in the Districts will be more evident in the year to come.

I am also looking forward to the transition from Fellowship to Scout Active Support Units and the opportunities that this offers to recognise the important work that members of these parts of Scouting do.

The third thing that I am looking forward to is following the progress of the County Jamboree Unit as they prepare for the adventure of a lifetime at the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011.  You can read more about the unit in the Around the County section of the web site this month.

What challenge are you most looking forward to in the next twelve months?

I am looking forward to seeing a higher profile of County (and District) activities so that all young people in Scouting are aware of the fantastic opportunities that exist in Scouting beyond their own group. 

In the coming year there will be many other challenges both for the County and for each District and Group, but as a team I am sure that we will be able to face them together as we continue to provide each young person in Scouting the support, encouragement and programme to help each one in striving to reach their full potential.  Thank you all for what you are doing, and continue to do each week to help young people really get the most out of life.

Tom Harding

County Commissioner