Guidance Notes

A trustee board that is aware of its powers, duties and responsibilities and the impact it can have on the sustainability of an organisation is better placed to lead the charity to achieving its stated objects and making the intended positive impact on society.

Each charity requires a body of trustees to lead and govern the organisation. The Charities Act 2011 defines trustees as ‘…the persons having the general control and management of the administration of a charity’ (s.177).

This guidance note offers an example of a specimen letter of declaration by a new trustee.

When considering a merger, trustees should give some thought as to what the structure of the new charity will be – if indeed there is to be a new charity.

This guidance note provides a specimen strategic agenda for charity boards to adapt for their own purposes to improve the discussion and decision making of board meetings.

Guidance for charities in using best practice principles to define the role and responsibilities for the charity treasurer – charity terms of reference and example documents.

This guidance note provides a step-by-step approach for academy trusts to amend their articles. It covers the legislative issues affecting academy trusts derived by education, charity and company law and the oversight bodies with an interest in the regulation of academy trusts (as exempt charities and companies limited by guarantee).

This guidance note offers model terms of reference for the remuneration committee of a charity registered in England and Wales.

In this paper, the role of the governance professional takes centre stage in promoting and embedding a virtuous circle of good governance in a charitable entity.