Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

This report includes the returns required for each of the Charities/Charitable Trusts administered by the Council. The four Charities/ Charitable Trusts are; Hitchin Town Hall Gymnasium and Workmans Hall Trust, King George’s Field Hitchin, Smithson Recreation Ground and Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Collection. The Charities Sub-Committee approve the accounts and annual reports prior to submission to the Charities Commission, if a return is required.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities):

(1)   Approved the information required by the Charities Commission for the four registered charities, so that the returns can be submitted prior to the 31st January 2024 deadline.

(2)   Noted the requirement for those charities with gross income of more than £25k in their financial year to have their accounts independently examined and, as this applies to King George’s Field and Hitchin Town Hall Gymnasium and Workman’s Hall, instructed this to be undertaken for those accounts for 2022/23. This will be undertaken by the Shared Internal Audit Service (SIAS).

REASON FOR DECISION: To facilitate the submission of approved returns to the Charities Commission.

Audio recording: 3 minutes 0 seconds

The Service Director – Resources presented the report on Annual Accounts and Returns for Council Charities along with the Appendices 1-3.

In response to questions from Councillor Ian Albert, the Service Director – Resources, advised that:

·       Revaluation was carried out on a regular basis, usually every five years.

·       The Council would fund any capital costs as and when they arose via a contribution into the charity.

·       The contribution from the Council matched the unrestricted funds.

·       Restricted funds had a balance because of the asset value of the charities.

·       Restricted funds cannot be touched as they were funds that sit within a charity and were tied up in the asset value.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed, and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded, and following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities):

(1)   Approved the information required by the Charities Commission for the four registered charities, so that the returns can be submitted prior to the 31st January 2024 deadline.

(2)   Noted the requirement for those charities with gross income of more than £25k in their financial year to have their accounts independently examined and, as this applies to King George’s Field and Hitchin Town Hall Gymnasium and Workman’s Hall, instructed this to be undertaken for those accounts for 2022/23. This will be undertaken by the Shared Internal Audit Service (SIAS).

REASON FOR DECISION: To facilitate the submission of approved returns to the Charities Commission.