Record of the Key Decisions made by The Almshouse Association Board of Trustees at Board Meetings (from June 18 onwards).

The most recent decisions are listed first:

21 May 2025, via Teams

  • Matters Arising
    • Decision: Association to review cyber response and cyber insurance.
  • Charity Housing Alliance
    • Decision: Board approved proposal to develop a wider network of charity housing organisations.
  • Resident Voice Project
    • Decision: Board approved project.
    • Action: Up to £25k allocated to support national research project; funding and sponsorship to be sought.
  • Windsor Office & Billingbear
    • Decision: Board approved Windsor office refurbishment works (subject to planning approval).

12 March 2025, London

  • Audit: Successfully completed, declared clean with no concerns
  • Financial Viability: Board confirmed strong financial position for the next 12 months
  • Government Relations: Board confirmed continuance of engagement with Government reference inclusion of almshouses in NPPF and implementation of Code of Practice.

4 December 2024 – London

  • Update The Almshouse Association Finance Policy to include the duty to approve annual reviews of investments.
  • Draft Terms of Reference, introduction and clarify scope for the new Governance and Nominations Committee.
  • Update TAA website recommending members take TAA guidance before seeking government funding.
  • Review IT/cyber risks and disaster recovery plans.

18 September 2024 – via Teams

  • Agreed to proceed with plans to search for a new freehold property
  • Agreed to undertake a planning review of Billingbear Lodge to maximise value

22 May 2024 – via Teams

  • Confirmed date, venue and budget of the 2025 Members Day Event – 1, Great St George Street, 19 June 2025
  • Confirmed instructions to CEO to investigate a voluntary accreditation scheme that would allow DLUC to support the amendment to NPPF recognising almshouses as ‘affordable housing’.

13 March 2024 – NCVO, London

  • The Almshouse Association (TAA) established a Heritage Group to consider what resources are needed to support heritage almshouse buildings over the next 50 years.
  • TAA will draft a partnership strategy to highlight the value of almshouses to Parliament and break the deadlock of recognition as affordable housing.
  • Invite all members of the almshouse family to consider applying for the trustee role at TAA.

15 November 2023 – NCVO, London

  • Build a page on website for the Member Health Check guidance notes and downloadable document. Circulate to Board.
  • The Expert Volunteer Pilot Scheme is considered successful so far. Board approved the recruitment of two more volunteers to take the Pilot Scheme forward.
  • Full risk register to be presented to the Board at the May meeting.
  • Billingbear offices are stretched. Explore new office accommodation locally.
  • Provide NP with an additional paragraph to include in the Board Away Day notes relating to ensuring TAA retains its original vision of providing independent living for the ageing population whilst considering demographic change.
  • Heritage is considered a unique and core asset to the almshouse movement. Schedule a Heritage Discussion Forum London.

20 September 2023 – via Teams

  • Update and discussion of the ‘Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023’
  • Reviewed and approved the updated Association’s Risk Register
  • Approved the holding of a High Net-worth event in 2024 and a Members Day in 2025
  • Consideration of the results of the Trustee ‘Skills survey’ and discussion of strengths and any gaps
  • Board Strategy Away Day planned

24 May 23 – via Zoom

  • To review the full copy of the risk register at the September Board meeting including risks to charities posed by Government legislation.
  • As a matter of good governance, to include the “desktop” auditor review on the next F&GP
  • Review board structure and skill set of TAA – promote board vacancies in 2024/2025. Nominations committee to undertake.

15 March 23 – NCVO, London

  • The Board of Trustees approved the Letter of Representation to the Auditors (Buzzacott)
  • The Board approved the The Almshouse Association Annual Report including the Financial statements
  • The Board reviewed and approved the following Board policies:
    • Conflicts of Interest Policy
    • H&S Policy Statement
    • Trustee Code of Conduct Policy
    • Equality & Diversity Policy

November 22

  • Approval – Member subscription increase, together with the loans to members budgets
  • Approval – Members Day ticket price at £95.00.
  • Approval – To commence recruitment of two volunteers caseworkers in early 2023 to take part in a pilot study to last for 6 months.
  • Continue pressure on DLUC to recognise the independence of charities. Response from the Charity Commission regarding Section 32 of the Social Housing Bill is pending.

September 22

May 22

  • Strategy – progress to be reported at each Board Meeting.
  • The Social Housing Regulation Bill
    • To raise concerns about the Bill to the parliamentary group.
    • Ask parliamentarians what flexibility there is within the system to amend, adjust or be exempt from this legislation.
    • Lobby for a lighter touch regulation from RSH for smaller almshouses.
  • Church of England Social Housing Plans
    • Contact the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Bishop Guli, Bishop of Chelmsford to encourage a review of Housing Association and suggest the almshouse model has served the church well for centuries.
    • Approach a local diocese and membership for support.

March 22, via Zoom

  • It was agreed that a solicitor would review internal board policies.
  • The Board continue to work to the Code of Charity Governance.
  • The Board agreed to the creation of a Governance Committee.
  • The Board agreed to the direction of the new strategy and for the remaining monies from the 2018 strategy of to be fully utilised in the new strategy.
  • The Board approved the proposal to instruct a firm of solicitors to conduct the review, redraft, design, and maintenance of both the online version and hard copy version of the Standards of Almshouse Management document.
  • The Board approved the Annual Report (subject to final format), Financial Statements, Going Concern Letter and Buzzacott’s Letter of Representation.

11 November 2021, via Zoom

  • To explore the options of hybrid Board meetings with NCVO.
  • Standards of Almshouse Management new draft – the review timetable to be forwarded to the Board of Trustees prior to 30th November 2021.
  • Review support for members wishing to develop new almshouses and refurbish.

22 September 2021, via Zoom

  • To review all TAA Policies.
  • Appoint Simon Wilson as Away Day Facilitator to review long term strategy.

26th May 2021, via Zoom

  • Prioritise loans and grants for members with Listed Buildings.
  • Contact the Listed Buildings Property Owners Club to find any areas of common ground that can support our members.
  • Reschedule the November Board Meeting.
  • Announce the date of the members’ day at the 75th Anniversary Event
  • Find ways of supporting members who wish to explore the background of founders linked to the slave trade.

3 March 2021, via Zoom

  • The Board agreed to increase the number of Regional Champions in 2022 particularly looking at Yorkshire and other larger counties and regions.
  • Governance review at first stage considered a review of Board feedback. A workshop to review strategy was proposed for later in 2021.
  • The risk register should identify investment risks for The Almshouse Association reserves.
  • Thanks to all charities that support their staff to attend board meetings should be recognised in the Annual Report.
  • The Annual Accounts having been reviewed by auditors were approved by the Board.

17th September 2020, via Zoom

  • The decision was carried by the Board to release £20,000 from the Grant budget and for full flexibility to be granted to CEO for discretionary distribution to charities in immediate crisis up to £3,000 per case. The pilot will be reviewed after 6 months.
  • The Board voted and unanimously agreed to release a further £5,000 (above the strategic budget) to enable the data collection and Value for Money research to commence.
  • The Board unanimously agreed with the recommendation made by the F&GP to increase the Grants budget from £250,000 to £350.000.

27th May 2020, via Zoom

  • Governance review to recommence in June.
  • AGM to take place via webinar with a poll conducted prior to the meeting.  Date to be confirmed.

11th March 2020   NCVO, London N1

  • Delegated authority was given to NP to cancel or continue events based on evidence at the time.
  • The Board approved/adopted the Annual Accounts for 2019 and the Annual Report subject to minor amendments discussed. The Board approved the letter of representation to Buzzacotts.
  • Delegated authority was given to board members to register the name change from ’The National Association of Almshouses’ to ‘The Almshouse Association’ with the Charity Commission in advance of the filing with Companies House.
  • Authority was given to recruit regional champions for 9 months and to roll out nationally in 2021.
  • The new branding and logo was approved and endorsed by the Board. Roll out timing as CEO sees fit.
  • Following demand for loans and grants exceeding funds budgeted the Board approved an increase in the budget available to provide restricted funds for the provision of loans up to £1,000,000 and grants up to £250,000 for 2020.

19th September 19   NCVO, London N1

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

4th June 19     NCVO, London N1

  • In preparation for the 75th Anniversary in 2021, a Working Party has been set up which includes Board Members, David Healey and Jim Kennedy. The event will include support for almshouses to open up their garden and/or houses to gain local interest.
  • Following a recommendation by the F&GP Sub-Committee and a unanimous vote in favour by the Board, the Almshouse Association Investments will be managed by Waverton Investment Management.
  • The Nominations Committee recommended Clive Cook of St John’s Charity, Winchester to join the Board and this was unanimously endorsed.
  • A grant was given to Anglia Ruskin University, which has produced good analysis of almshouse literature. A Sourcebook has been completed in draft.

13th March 2019, NCVO, London N1

  • Board unanimously approved the Strategy and Resource budget and asked that an update on delivery should form part of the F&GP agenda and future board meetings.

15th November 18      NCVO, London N1 

  • Organisational strategy reviewed  – discussed at length and some changes made  – to be re-presented for approval at the March 19 Board Meeting
  • Proposal to appoint Willie Hartley-Russell to the F&GP sub-committee approved
  • Agreed that future F&GP meetings would be held in London
  • Noted that 2019 member subscription fees had been increased by 2% across the board
  • Following consideration by the sub-committee and the Board, Quentin Elston, Jim Kennedy, Andrew Barnes and David Healey were individually proposed and unanimously elected to the board.

13th June 18      Merchant Taylor’s Hall, London EC2R

  • The Board instructed the Directorate to prepare policy and procedure for issuing grants to member charities

Updated: 31 March 2025