Agenda item

Induction: Bridge House Estates (BHE) Trustee Duties and Governance Arrangements

Report & Presentation of the Managing Director of BHE

 

To be considered in conjunction with the non-public appendices at Item 14.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estates presenting an induction of BHE trustee duties and governance arrangements, also receiving a presentation from Bates Wells LLP. The Managing Director of Bridge House Estates introduced the report before introducing the presentation from Bates Wells LLP.

 

The Board then received the presentation from Bates Wells LLP, which outlined the governance structure of BHE, before giving Members further detail on the general duties of charity trustees, Trustees’ investment duties, duties in connection with charity registration, other legal duties and obligations; and a briefing on good governance and the Charity Governance Code. The Board was advised that a full BHE Handbook would be produced for distribution to Members.

 

The Chair thanked Bates Wells LLP for their presentation before inviting questions from Members. In response to a question regarding potential conflicts of interest for Members of the Planning & Transportation Committee in considering matters relevant to BHE, the Board was advised that further work was to be done in this area reflecting the terms of the Supplemental Royal Charter, which made provision for a written policy on managing conflicts of interest. A Member suggested that Members of the Board who also sat on the Planning & Transportation Committee may wish to consider voluntarily withdrawing from decisions on items where there may be a conflict for the time being. The Comptroller & City Solicitor noted that Members should follow any specific requirements and advice which were in place for the Committee concerned as was already the case with the Planning & Transportation Committee. The Board then noted that the charity did not currently have express powers for social investment. The Chair commented that more clarity would be needed on this to inform decisions going forward.

 

In response to a question from a Member regarding the Supplemental Royal Charter, the Board was advised that work was ongoing with the Privy Council Office and once settled the Supplemental Royal Charter would be submitted for approval. The Chair commented that it would be helpful to see a draft if possible and advised that he would take this away to discuss.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Supporting documents: