Proposed changes to the Constitution of Churches Together in Lichfield and District
Background:
1. In the near future, a new Standard of Recommended Practice for Charity Accounting
(SORP) will be coming out, and the burden of reporting on Charity accounts is going
to be much tougher. We are a tiny charity with a turnover of about £3,000 each year.
If we move to cash accounting – only reporting on what goes into and comes out of
the bank during the year - the accounts would be very simple, outside the scope of
the SORP, and any new treasurer would find reporting straight forward. Currently, our
accounting year, in line with our Constitution, runs from January to December. Our
major project and item of expenditure during the year is the Christmas Day Together
meal. It is difficult to get all the invoices paid, and the cheques through the bank by
31 st December (it doesn’t normally happen until the end of January). Therefore, it is
suggested that we change the accounting year to March.
2. We recently applied to become a member of Support Staffordshire, to access funding
advice and other support. The application process includes looking at the applicant’s
constitution. At present, our application is pending until we add two clauses in the
Constitution; a not-for-profit clause and a dissolution clause i.e. if CTiL ceases to
operate, how any remaining bank balance would be distributed.
Proposed change:
FINANCE
Each member church shall pay such annual sum to Churches Together in Lichfield & District
as shall be agreed at the Annual Meeting of the Forum. The financial year shall be from
January to December. Change to April to March. Cheques shall require the signature of any
of two of the four authorised signatories, who shall be members of the Enabling Group. An
honorary auditor shall be appointed at the Annual Meeting.
Proposed Additional Clauses:
1. NOT FOR PROFIT
Churches Together in Lichfield and District operates on a ‘not for profit’ basis. All
funds raised by and for the charity will be used to further the aims and objects of the
charity.
2. DISSOLUTION OF CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD AND DISTRICT
a) A motion to dissolve Churches Together in Lichfield and District must be circulated
in writing (both electronically and as a hard copy) to Member Churches at least three
months before it is considered at a special meeting of Member Churches, at which
the support of at least 75% of Member Churches is required for the motion to be
successful.
b) In the event of the dissolution of the charity, any residual funds should be
allocated to Christian charitable organisations designated by the Enabling