*Applicable to members with Heat Networks only*

Members are reminded that if you have been classed as a Heat supplier (if you supply heat/hot water to some or all of your residents’ dwellings via a communal boiler or some other type of communal heating source) you must submit an updated notification for every four year period following first notification.

To confirm, if you submitted a notification for a network in 2015, you must re-submit a notification for the network in 2019 when requested. Alternatively you can use this form

The sections on the notification form on cost effectiveness do not need to be completed but the remaining notification requirements still apply.

Further information on Heat Network Regulations can be found on our website https://www.almshouses.org/news/the-heat-network-regulations/ and on the government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/heat-networks

There is currently a public consultation on a revised methodology for assessing the cost effectiveness of metering for district and communal heat networks . The Almshouse Association will be responding on behalf of members and if you have any comments please contact Chris Targowski (Head of Policy and Engagement) on christargowski@almshouses.org

Posted 21 Nov 2019

Election special

Now that the election has been confirmed for 12 December 2019, we are issuing a reminder to all charities of their particular responsibilities in the weeks ahead.

The Commission is aware that the political context for this election is very different from that which people may have experienced in the past, which makes it all the more important that trustees read both our guidance on campaigning and political activity and the particular guidance that applies during an election (PDF, 606KB). We’ve also published lessons learned during the last election in 2017.

It is legitimate and healthy for charities to speak up for the causes they serve. But appearing to take a political position on either side could risk undermining public confidence in charity as something special, an issue which our chief executive made clear in her recent blog.

As well as your responsibilities under charity law, you need to be aware of the rules on what is called ‘third party campaigning’ under electoral law, which may affect your charity. The Electoral Commission has worked closely with charities to produce ‘Non-party campaigners: where to start’, using real-life case studies to provide advice to charity campaigners.

Charity Commission of England and Wales

Posted 12/11/19

Investments:  NAACIF gains shareholder approval to convert to new structure

At the EGM on 4^th October, it was confirmed that 99% of shareholder votes received voted in favour of M&G’s proposals to convert the present NAACIF Almshouses Fund into the new Charity Authorised Investment Fund (‘CAIF’) structure. 

The target date for completion of these changes is Monday 18^th November.  On these changes Richard Macey, Director of Charities at M&G, commented

“We are delighted to have received such resounding support from our existing Almshouses investors to proceed with the changes we have proposed.  I am confident that the new fund, to be re-named The M&G Charity Multi Asset Fund, will continue to provide Almshouses with consistent and competitive returns for their long-term reserves.  The key aspects of these changes that I would draw Trustees’ attention to are threefold; first, manager Jenny Rodgers will have a wider choice of different global assets from which to construct the portfolio, thereby increasing diversification; secondly, we are opening access to all UK charities; finally, we are reducing our annual charges from around 0.60% to 0.50% per annum.  M&G remains absolutely committed to helping our Almshouses clients make the most of their endowments and, after 57 years under the NAACIF fund banner, I am very much looking forward to an exciting future under the new regime.”

If individual investors have any further questions regarding these plans, please contact Richard directly on 020 3977 3623 or email him at charities@mandg.co.uk

Key Decisions made at the most recent Almshouse Association Board Meeting are posted on ‘Latest News’ on our website for all registered member charities to access.

At the Board Meeting held on 19th September 19 at the NCVO in London, the following Key Decisions were made:

1. The Board supports the recruitment of a part-time campaign manager on a fixed term contract.
2. The Board supports an office move to suitable new accommodation.
3. The Board endorsed loans and grants paper as recommended by F&GP.
4. The Board supports a budget towards almshouse research.

A record of all Key Decisions made at Board Meetings (from June 18 onwards) can be found in ‘Current Issues’.

Published: 9 Oct 19

NAACIF – upcoming fund changes

M&G are proposing changes for the future management of assets.  Key among these are to broaden the investment mandate across a wider range of global assets, reducing annual fees from 0.60% to 0.50%, and opening access to all UK charities under the new fund name “M&G Charity Multi Asset Fund”. Shareholders have been invited to vote ahead of the EGM scheduled for Friday 4^th October.  If members have any questions, please contact Richard Macey at M&G directly on 020 3977 3623 or charities@mandg.co.uk

Our News item of 23 March 2019 advised almshouse charities that the Association had been in discussions with the BBC regarding their interpretation of legislation on concessionary licences (ARC licences) . Click here for news item.

The Association was pleased to be able to report to our members that we had received a letter from the BBC accepting the Association’s interpretation of the law. We can now confirm that the TV Licensing website has been updated to make it clear that almshouse charities established before 1 November 1949 qualify for a concessionary licence.

Click here for further details on concessionary licences

Posted 16 Sept 19

Welsh Government confirms that the almshouse charities are exempt from the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

In July 2019, Nick Phillips, the Chief Executive of the Almshouse Association, wrote to the Welsh Government asking them to confirm that any legal issues relating to the appointment of beneficiaries of Welsh almshouses are dealt with under existing charity law rather than the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

The Welsh Government has responded to confirm that this will be the case and a copy of the letter can be found here and supporting information here.

The resolving of this issue is vital not only to Welsh almshouses but to the wider almshouse movement as it reaffirms the position that almshouse residents are appointed as beneficiaries of the charity.

The Almshouse Association has called on the Government to make it clear in planning policy that almshouse charities are a recognised form of affordable housing.

In a written submission to the Committee’s inquiry into long-term delivery of social and affordable rented housing, the Association stated that:

In order to encourage more almshouse charities to build more affordable homes and encourage investment in housing from non-government funds, all almshouse charities should be regarded as affordable housing for planning purposes.

The Almshouse Association, July 2019

The full report can be found here

Click here for further information on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s enquiry.

Posted: 15 July 19