Policy & Governance: 19.07.21 | The Almshouse Association

The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact / requires action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable. Please find below our latest summary:

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

English Housing Survey, 2019 to 2020 – social rented sector – MHCLG has published the English Housing Survey, 2019 to 2020: social rented sector, which reports on the characteristics and circumstances of social renters in England.

Building Safety Bill – The Building Safety Bill has been published (explanatory notes). The Bill takes forward the Government’s commitment to reform the building safety system and changes to the Architects Act 1997, the Housing Act 1996, and will establish a National Regulator for Construction Products and a New Homes Ombudsman.

Charities

Annual Charity Commission research on public trust in charities – The Charity Commission has welcomed research findings suggesting trust in charities is continuing to recover after hitting an all-time low three years ago. But the regulator says trust remains fragile, and that charities must respond to underlying public expectations if they are to fully return to levels of trust last seen a decade ago. Maintaining trust within the communities we serve, through high standards is vital to ensure that our charities continue to receive the support necessary to provide relief to those in need. Almshouses have provided this high standards as cornerstones of the communities they work in for hundreds of years, we must strive to continue this work in perpetuity.

Annual returns – The Charity Commission’s 2021 charity annual return service is now available. The Commission has also updated the document that lists the questions in the annual return: see its Guidance: Prepare a charity annual return.

Covid-19 and charity AGMs – The Charity Commission has updated its Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector in relation to Annual General Meetings disrupted by the pandemic. Specifically: “We recognise that for some charities virtual meetings are not a viable solution, nor are socially distanced face-to-face meetings. In such instances, trustees may consider they have no choice but to cancel or postpone their AGMs and other critical meetings. If you do consider such a decision is necessary, you should follow any rules in your charity’s governing document that allow for postponement, adjournment or cancellation. If there are no such rules, but you decide that this is still the best course of action for your charity in the current circumstances, you should record the reasons for this decision to demonstrate good governance of your charity. This is particularly important if it is not possible to hold your AGM which may make it difficult for you to finalise your annual reports and accounts.”

Taxation and Finance

Proposed Accounting Direction for registered providers of social housing – The Regulator of Social Housing has published a consultation – closing 21 September – on proposed updates to the existing Accounting Direction. The responses to the Accounting Direction 2019 consultation identified a number of issues that were outside of the scope of the changes proposed at the time. RSH will review the proposed changes to the Accounting Direction in light of the responses received to the consultation. Any changes that may be made to the Accounting Direction will come into force for accounting periods commencing 1 January 2022. Members who are also Registered Providers may wish to respond to the consultation.

Posted 19 July 21