A report was received that provided an update of a review by the Council’s legal team of the governance arrangements for King George’s Field (Mile End) charity. A summary of the discussions is outline below:

The Board:

v  Noted that the Council has undertaken a review of the governance arrangements on behalf of the King George’s Field Trust.

v  Noted that there are two King George’s Fields charities, both of which are registered with the Charity Commission: (1) The King George’s Field, Mile End charity, registered number 1077859 (“the Mile End charity”); and (2) the King George’s Field – Stepney (Tredegar Square, Bow) charity, registered number 1088999 (“the Tredegar Square charity”). The Council is the sole trustee of both charities pursuant to the governing documents detailed in this report.

v  Noted that on 28 February 2000, the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales ordered under the Charities Act 1993 that the charity known as King George’s Field, Mile End, at Stepney in the London borough of Tower Hamlets be administered according to a specified scheme (“the 2000 Scheme”).

v  Noted that the 2000 Scheme refers to the objectives of the Fields in Trust, those objectives have now been updated and it is therefore desirable for the 2000 Scheme to be amended to reflect these changes. Furthermore, there may be a requirement to make additional amendments to the 2000 Scheme.

v  Noted an overview of the key findings that have informed the recommendations that have been made for consideration by the Board.

v  Reviewed the summary of recommendations (Appendix 1) to agree which of the recommendations should be applied and sanction Director of Legal and Corporate Director of Children and Culture to progress these recommendations.

v  Agreed that once it has been decided which recommendations detailed in  Appendix 1 are to be taken forward it would then (i) apply to the Charity Commission to change the King George’s Field Mile End “2000 Scheme”; (ii) authorise the Corporate Director of Children and Culture and the Director of Legal to apply to the Charity Commission to change the King George’s Field Mile End “2000 Scheme”.

The Chair of the Trust then Moved and it was:-

RESOLVED to:

1.    Review the summary of recommendations (Appendix 1 of the report refers) to decide which of the recommendations should be implemented and authorise Director of Legal and Corporate Director of Children and Culture to progress these recommendations.

The Board agreed to the following actions regarding each of the recommendations/advisory notes:

KGF1 – reviewed and noted

KGF2 – did not authorise the merging of the two charities. However, the Board reviewed and authorised the Director of Legal to apply to the Charity Commission for a uniting direction if required for administrative and financial purposes.

KGF3 - reviewed and noted

KGF4 – reviewed and not approved

KGF5 – reviewed and no additional/separate delegation to be given to officers. Current Council scheme of delegation to be applied to the Charity. Approval to be sought from the Charity Commission to allow for an amendment of the “2000 Scheme”.

KGF6 - reviewed and noted

KGF7 – reviewed and authorised the Director of Legal and Corporate Director of Children and Culture to apply to the Charity Commission for an amendment of the “2000 Scheme” in relation to the charitable objectives

KGF8 - reviewed and noted

KGF9 – reviewed and not approved

2.    Authorise the Corporate Director of Children and Culture and the Director of Legal to apply to the Charity Commission to change the King George’s Field Mile End “2000 Scheme” when it is known which recommendations referred to in Appendix 1 are to be taken forward.

3.    Note and have regard to, the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit Guidance (Appendix 2 of the report refers).