Deregistration – Has anyone been through this process?

[dunksclerk@outlook.com]

Hello!
I’m a relatively new Clerk in Kent (started November 24) and I only work in the Trustees Office 3 mornings per week.
I’ve been made aware that due to the Charity applying for and successfully receiving a grant several years ago, this has meant we are a registered provider. Our previous Clerk was told there was no way to remove ourselves from the register, but at a recent TAA course, I learned that we can!
I have downloaded all the paperwork (very usefully supplied by the TAA here), but it looks to be a rather complex process and is asking for some information that I do not know and nor, I suspect, will my Trustees as the grant was received historically to many of their appointments.
I am wondering if anyone else has been through this process and can reassure me that it is worth the pain!
Many thanks and best wishes
Michelle Sandys
Dunk’s Almshouse Charity, Hawkhurst, Kent

[Buckleberry]

Dear Michelle, I haven’t been through this process but TAA has guidance on how to deregister as a registered provider- go to “Guidance” > “Model policies/templates”, then scroll down.
Here’s the link to the page: https://www.almshouses.org/model-policies-and-templates/

• This reply was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by Buckleberry.

[dunksclerk@outlook.com]

@Buckleberry, thank you. I have already downloaded all the templates, etc. I have also received some kind advice from another Clerk who has been through the process, but it still looks to be a rather involved job! However, my Trustees have decided to give it a go so fingers crossed. Thanks again.

[Angela Farrant]

Our charity looked at de registering but we are not able to do due to some government funding we were given many many years ago. Due to the funding we will always have to remain a registered provider

[dunksclerk@outlook.com]

@Angela Farrant, thank you for your response. Since posting, I have discovered that we are in the same position. However, we have the added issue of having become incorporated (changed status to CIO) recently which appears to have triggered a request from Homes England to repay the ‘grant’ we received over 25 years ago! A warning to all Almshouses to be aware of this fact, as we had no idea this would happen and are currently trying to get legal advice.

[Sue Missin]

With regards to the process or an Almshouse who has received grant funding but who is a converting to a CIO, this is not uncommon
From a Homes England perspective the use of the grant to retain the homes as social housing does not change and therefore the grant should be able to be switched to the CIO
There is some guidance in the Homes England capital funding guide, but if uncertain please ask to speak to the Historical grants team at Homes England Grant_Notifications@homesengland.gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/capital-funding-guide/7-grant-recovery

Homes England grant funding is only available to registered providers for any newbuild developments or the purchase of new homes that will add to the homes managed by the Charity. To become registered it currently takes 18 months even if you have only recently become de-registered.

[Euan Kennedy]

Hello, Angela Farrant in particular,
There is hope for you if you read page 11 of the AA Summer Gazette, which states that you
should be able to de-register, proving you grant a mortgage to the appropriate body.
Euan Kennedy – Hibbert Almshouse Charity

[dunksclerk@outlook.com]

Thank you, Euan – I did see an article that I forwarded to my Chair & Treasurer. That’s interesting news and we will look into it further. Appreciate your feedback, thank you.

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