Issue - meetings

Consideration to a report which provided an update, following an informal approach to the Charity Commission, to advise of positive discussions with Action Together who had confirmed a willingness to work with the Council for a targeted public consultation to be undertaken to ascertain where funds from a future sale of the property could be distributed.   The Charity Commission had confirmed that the approach, if adopted, would not be inconsistent with the provisions of Section 67 of the Charities Act 2011 and provided guidance as to how the consultation should proceed.  If the consultation proceeded with the Commission’s directions and provided clear research of evidence and need, and compatibility amongst local charities, there was every expectation that the Council would grant a scheme which provided a power of sale to allow the distribution of proceeds from a future sale of the property. 

The Committee was asked to consider the response from the Charity Commission, and if satisfied, proceed to instruct officers to commence a formal targeted consultation exercise and report back to the Committee on the outcome of the consultation process in due course.  Consultees included Action Together and the Oldham Interfaith Forum and others.  Members also suggested Oldham Youth Council and Uniformed Organisations for engagement with young people. 

Option Considered

The Committee were not required to consider options in this case owing to the fact that the Council was acting in its capacity as Charitable Trustee and not in its capacity as a statutory body acting under local government legislation.

RESOLVED that officers be authorised to carry out a consultation exercise on behalf of the Charitable Trustees of 146 Werneth Hall Road on the proposal to widen the objects of the charity to include:

“To advance the education of the public by grant funding charities offering training and learning in the life skills necessary to manage financial hardship, social or economic deprivation, social exclusion or poor mental or physical health.”