16/07/10
By Andrew Holt
The Charity Commission, has today published a regulatory case report into the Arts Council of England recommending the charity develops comprehensive training for trustees
The Commission became involved when the charity informed it that a grant had been awarded to one of the charity’s trustees without the necessary authorisation.
The Commission’s involvement focused on how the unauthorised payment had occurred and what steps the charity was taking to ensure that a similar incident did not occur again.
The Commission has recommended that the charity develops comprehensive training for trustees on their duties and responsibilities relating to trustee benefits and managing conflicts of interest.
The charity has improved the checks on its grant assessment process and has confirmed to the Commission that it has updated its induction programme for new trustees.
The report highlights the importance of managing conflicts of interest for trustees as such incidents may impact upon public trust and confidence in their charity and the charitable sector as a whole.
A key aspect of managing the issue is for trustees to be open and transparent. All trustees should advise their fellow trustees of any actual or potential conflicts of interest as soon as they arise.
The Commission recommends that all charity trustees familiarise themselves with the Commission’s relevant guidance on conflicts of interest and trustee expenses and payments.
The charity’s main activities are supporting and providing funding for the arts in England.
Other stories you may find of interest:
2010 Budget: cautiously positive from the sector
The chancellor's 2010 Budget received a cautiously positive response from the sector. The Government announced in the 2010 Budget Report that following a judgement by the European Court of Justice in January 2009, UK charity tax relief's will be extended to charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs in the EU and in the European Economic Area countries of Norway and Iceland. In his Budget, the chancellor also announced the budget deficit had gone down from £178bn to £163bn, and cut growth forecasts. On public spending, he announced £5 billion in savings
Sector unease at Emergency Budget
The sector has revealed its unease at the Con-Lib Coalition's Emergency Budget. Acevo chief executive Stephen Bubb has highlighted how the most vulnerable will be worst hit by the Emergency Budget and the Charity Tax Group has warned that the increase in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 20% from 4 January 2011 will increase the ax burden of charities by at least £150 million per year. Urban Forum chief executive, Toby Blume, warned the Coalition Government’s emergency budget will hit poorer people hardest, and will place “tremendous strain” on services provided by charities and community groups.
NHS reforms broadly welcomed by sector
Ambitious plans set out by secretary of state for Health Andrew Lansley to reform the NHS during this Parliament and for the long-term, have been broadly welcomed by the sector. The White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, details how power will be devolved from Whitehall to patients and professionals. Professionals will be free to focus on improving health outcomes so that these are amongst the best in the world. Improving the quality of care will become the main purpose of the NHS. Patients will get more choice and control, backed by an information revolution, so that services are more responsive to patients and designed around them, rather than patients having to fit around services. The principle will be "no decisions about me without me".
