Decision details

Decision:

1.                 Noted and approved the charitable accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 to be presented for approval at trustees’ meetings for each of the following charities:

·                    Burpham War Memorial Recreational Grounds Charity (304982).

·                    Guildford Sports Ground Charity (also known as Woodbridge Road Sports Ground) (305056)

·                    Public Walks and Pleasure Grounds Charity (Allen House Grounds) (305054).

·                    Arundel House (Hamilton Fellows) (200491)

·                    The Mayor’s Local Support Fund (258388)

·                    The Racks Close Open Space Charity (1058137)

2.                 Authorised the Joint Strategic Director of Finance and Assets to convene a trustees meeting for each of the charities to approve the audited accounts and annual returns and consider the audits for the charities.

3.                 Noted that the outstanding accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 had now been filed for The Racks Open Space, Public Walks and Pleasure Grounds and Burpham War Memorial Recreation Ground; and

4.                 Agreed that delegated authority was given to the Joint Strategic Director of Finance and Resources to undertake such steps as are necessary to implement any of the recommendations made by the Charity Commission in relation to all the charities of which the Council is a trustee.

Reason(s):

1         As a trustee the Council has a responsibility to ensure it has in place robust mechanisms for making trustee decisions which are in the best interests of the charity.  The recommendations in this report enable the Council to fulfil its duties accounting and reporting responsibilities whilst supporting good governance so that the Council is exercising its trustee function competently, robustly and transparently.

2.        To enable the Council to be able to fulfil its duties in respect of best value and continuous improvement in respect of its interests in charities, and to keep under review the objectives, strategies and plans, and performance of each of its companies.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

None.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.