Trustee Declaration

The Charity Commission requires charity trustees to sign a declaration to confirm they:

• are willing and eligible to act as trustees
• understand their charity’s purposes
• have passed any checks required if the charity works with children or vulnerable people

Declaration Form - if you have not already signed a copy of the form please do so now. The form can be found under the "Policies" page and can be downloaded. However, the simple way to make the declation is to follow the email link below. In forwarding the email you confirm that you agree to the terms.

Make your Declaration by email.

The Essential Trustee

One of the requirements referred to in the Declaration is that Trustees comply with their responsibilities as set out in the Charity Commission’s guidance ‘The essential trustee (CC3)’.

Background to CIO

The Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is a relatively new legal structure designed specifically and only for charities. It offers the benefits of limited liability making it easier to recruit and retain trustees, and legal personality making it easier to hold property and enter contracts. CIOs are solely registered with and regulated by the Charity Commission, meaning a reduction in regulation for charities that want the benefits of incorporation.

New Constitution

A charity’s governing document is a legal document. It works as a rulebook, setting out:

• its charitable purposes (‘objects’)
• what it can do to carry out its purposes (‘powers’), such as borrowing money
• who runs it (‘trustees’) and who can be a member
• how meetings will be held and trustees appointed
• any rules about paying trustees, investments and holding land
• whether the trustees can change the governing document, including its charitable objects (‘amendment provisions’)
• how to close the charity (‘dissolution provisions’)

Safeguarding Guidance

Another requirement is that Trustees have read and understood the Charity Commission’s safeguarding guidance.