Governance Matters

New edition of Charity News

Editor — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:33:19 +0000

The Charity Commission have issued the latest edition of their newsletter in a new format. Copies are available here.

The new edition includes articles on:

HCA newsletter subscriptions

Editor — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:54:57 +0000

With the change of regulator you may want to register for the HCA newsletter which covers a range of issues including subjects previously covered by the TSA. You can register for the newsletter here.

WM Housing Group seek Group Company Secretary

Editor — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:36:37 +0000

WM Housing Group are seeking a Group Company Secretary. to be based in either Coventry or Bromsgrove,

The role pays up to £50,000 pa and the closing date is 3 May 2012. More details here.

New Regulator arrives

Editor — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:03:56 +0000

The Tenant Services Authority has now passed its regulatory responsibilities to the Regulation Committee of the Homes and Communities Agency. In her final letter to providers as Chief Executive of the TSA Claer Lloyd-Jones explains about the transfer, the revised regulatory framework and about two new publications. One on tenant scrutiny and co-regulation and another about options for accountability with tenant panels.

The TSA website remains as a record of activity but confirms that the TSA has now closed.

New definition of a charity to affect tax reliefs

Editor — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:21:18 +0000

From 1 April 2012 HMRC will be using a new definition of a charity for tax exemptions and charitable tax reliefs.

Those involved in the charity’s finances must be “fit and proper” people.

More information here.

Charities Act 2011 now in force

Editor — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:28:41 +0000

The Charities Act 2011 came into force on 14 March 2012.

It replaces:

most of the Charities Acts 1992, 1993 and 2006
all of the Recreational Charities Act 1958

Find out more about the changes and what you need to do here.

Important changes for I&P Societies

Editor — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:59:29 +0000

Important changes will affect the registration of Industrial & Provident Societies. The Legislative Reform (Industrial and Provident Societies and Credit Unions) Order 2011 which came into effect on January 8. and s1 of The Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 2010 will, when commenced, draw a line under existing registrations and require the registration team at the FSA to be satisfied that all societies subsequently registered under the I&P Act are either co-operatives or community benefit societies.

The National Housing Federation is seeking its members views on the effects of these changes and has written to Associations about them. If you are a member of the NHF and haven’t been contacted you can find out more by contacting Stephen Bull, Head of Governance at the NHF.

HAs lead the way on transparency

Editor — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:28:42 +0000

The National Housing Federation have issued a briefing on all the ways in which Housing Associations have led the way in the transparency of their business. details here.

NHF Company Secretaries Conference

Editor — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:22:31 +0000

This will be held on 26 June 2012 at the Hotel Russell. Speakers include:

David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation on the current economic climate and the expectations of your board to maintain control

Andrew Cowan, Partner at Devonshires on how to attract equity capital

Emma Tarran, Partner at Trowers and Hamlins on the legal, regulatory and good practice developments

Miles Templeman, Chair of Shepherd Neame on governance thinking in the private sector.

More details here.

Reminder to notify changes to Governing Instruments

Editor — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:59:45 +0000

The TSA is reminding all non profit registered providers that, even where TSA consent is not required, they must still notify the TSA if amendments are made to their governing rules or articles.

More information here.