Brighton Peace and Environment Centre
BPEC is now a registered company (number 6166971), thanks to the pro-bono (free) work by Simmons & Simmons.
Charity status is underway.
For clarity, the organisation will be both a charity and a company ~ there will only be one organisation. The current BPEC “association” will be closed down when the charity status is through.
Benefits of charity status:
able to claim tax back on donations
open up trust funding, as many only give to registered charities, just to make their lives easier.
Benefits of company status:
limited liability (see below for details)
The Charity Commission has guidance on charities:
(External) http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/default.asp
They prefer you use their web site, however, if you would rather speak to an advisor to resolve your enquiry please call
Charity Commission Direct on 0845 3000218 / 0207 6742409
0800-2000hrs from Monday to Friday
0900-1300hrs on Saturdays (except national holidays).
Minicom service on 0845 300 0219 for hearing impaired callers.
You can write to the Commission at:
Charity Commission Direct, PO Box 1227, Liverpool, L69 3UG
With regards to definition, roles and responsibilities of the Trustees to run the organisation, the Charity Commission states that:
(from (External) http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc3.asp )
Trustees and their responsibilities
Charity trustees are the people who serve on the governing body of a charity. They may be known as trustees, directors, board members, governors or committee members. The principles and main duties are the same in all cases.
(1) Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. [Please see Re~Cycle’s Memorandum of Association for the charitable objects]
Compliance – Trustees must:
(2) Ensure that the charity complies with charity law, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator; in particular ensure that the charity prepares reports on what it has achieved and annual returns and accounts as required by law.
(3) Ensure that the charity does not breach any of the requirements or rules set out in its governing document and that it remains true to the charitable purpose and objects set out there.
(4) Comply with the requirements of other legislation and other regulators (if any) which govern the activities of the charity.
(5) Act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets.
As a company, the liability of members and trustees is limited, except in case of gross negligence or inappropriate behaviour, neither of which is BPEC.
The Memorandum Of Association states
Brighton Peace & Environment Centre,
Address: 39-41 Surrey Street, Brighton, BN1 3PB. United Kingdom.
Tel: UK (01273) 766610
Email: info@bpec.org
Web: www.bpec.org
Company Registration No. 6166971