The Scout Association Trust Corporation (SATC)

The Scout Association Trust Corporation (SATC) is a company that offers a property holding service to all Scout Groups, Districts and Counties ('Scout Units'). In this role, the SATC enters legal agreements to hold property and sign documents on behalf of Scout Units. This usually includes freehold arrangements (property ownership) or leasehold arrangements (as tenant or landlord).

If your Scout Unit is looking to engage the SATC or already has property with the SATC then please review the About the SATC, Custodian Trusteeship, and Engaging the SATC sections before moving onto the relevant link for the matter you are looking to progress.

Key points regarding the SATC:

• The SATC is a custodian trustee company which holds property on behalf of Scout Units. It is a bare trustee and agent of the Scout Unit it holds title for.
• The SATC has no ability to act without formal instruction from the Scout Unit it holds title for.
• If SATC holds title, then members of the local Scout Unit cannot sign documents or enter agreements relating to the property held. Only the SATC directors/trustees can sign documents.
• Local Scout Units maintain full control over the property that the SATC hold on their behalf. The SATC will have limited knowledge of the property held on behalf of the Scout Unit.
• The benefits to using the SATC are outlined in the About the SATC section. These are legal compliance, ease of administration, document security, and easy transfer of property when Scout Units move or close.
• If documents are held with the SATC then a Scout Unit can request copies or originals from the SATC. Please see the Deed Requests section.
• Local Scout Units do not need to use the SATC. They can appoint 2-4 holding trustees if they prefer as per POR clause 5a.3.1.4.
• Despite the SATC holding title, the Scout Unit is solely responsible for all matters concerning the property including:
  
  • (if leased) paying rent, property maintenance, and any other terms of the lease,
  • (if owned) any costs relating to the property (including tax although charity relief may be available),
  • disputes that arise,
  • property insurance,
  • compliance with the terms of any agreements (leases, easements, funding agreements, sales, purchases etc),
  • updating the land register,
  • submitting SDLT forms,
  • the cost of professional advice or work (lawyers, surveyors, agents, tradespeople etc), and
  • compliance with the Charities Act 2011 (especially in respect of a charitable disposition and obtaining a s119 report/qualified advisor report).
• There are costs associated with instructing/engaging the SATC. These are outlined in the Fee Schedule. These fees are to cover the administrative legal costs the SATC incurs from the Scout Association legal team each time they process a matter.
• The Scout Association legal team are unable to provide legal advice to local Scout Units due to their role in advising the SATC and the Scout Association. They can provide general guidance especially in relation to Scout policies and the SATC’s role.
• The matters the SATC can be involved in are outlined on these webpages. If there are any matters that you are unsure about or questions about the SATC and its role, please contact the SATC.