August 25, 2022

As trustees of charities (and directors of social enterprises) you have overall control of the charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.

A governance review is an opportunity for you to reflect on your charity’s governance arrangements. For example, a review might update your charity’s governance arrangements to account for changes in your organisation’s size. A review is also a useful means of ensuring that you keep up with latest best practice or changes in the law.

Bates Wells have a free downloadable guide to carrying out a governance review which includes:

• DIY governance review – Look back at decisions your trustees have made over the last year. Do you have clear records and did you follow Charity Commission guidance?
• Refreshing your constitution – dusting off your governing documents
• How and when to delegate – The board is ultimately responsible for the decisions and actions of the charity but it cannot and should not do everything
• The chair and chief executive – Effective management: the chair and chief executive
• Managing board disputes – How to manage disagreements

Download the guide here