Payment to trustees debated at Commission event

Finance | Tania Mason | 14 Mar 2008

Three charities that make payments to their trustees argued the case for doing so against three that don’t, at a seminar organised by the Charity Commission last week.

The debate, before an audience of around 50 invited sector representatives, was arranged to help the Commission revise its guidance on trustee remuneration.

The revision has been prompted by the impending implementation of the part of the Charities Act 2006 that governs payments to trustees. From next year, charities will be allowed to pay their trustees for goods and services without the need for a separate power or authority from the Charity Commission.

Delegates at the seminar, which was introduced by Commission chair Dame Suzi Leather (pictured), heard the Anchor Trust, CfBT Education Trust and RNIB espouse the benefits of making payments to trustees. The RNIB, for instance, pays a daily allowance to blind trustees for loss of earnings.

They then heard counter-arguments from Oxfam, MHA Care Group and Sense, which all boast voluntary boards.

A Commission spokeswoman said: “There were compelling arguments both in favour and against and the issue clearly remains a hot topic, generating strong opinions on both sides. The Commission will now be considering all the views aired and how best to reflect these in the revised guidance, due out early next year.”

A full write-up of the day’s discussions will be posted on the Commission’s website within the next few weeks.

Directory: Charity Commission | Oxfam | Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
Who's Who: Tania Mason | Suzi Leather

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