Update on CIO Status

The previous post has generated a number of queries, so please see below an expanded note which will make it easier for Members to understand where we are and what is proposed.

As was discussed at last year’s AGM, the Society has applied to the Charity Commission for approval to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), and the draft constitution has now been approved by the Commission. It is not intended that this will make any major difference to the way in which the Society works, but it will give some of the features of a Limited Company to the Society. For instance, Trustees will now have the same limited legal protection as Directors of a Limited Company and the Society will be permitted to enter into contracts in its own right. In all other respects we are not proposing to change the way in which the Society works, and our GDPR (data protection) status will remain unchanged.

We have taken the opportunity to register a new “motto” for the Society:-  “Friends of the Brecon Beacons”. This is to try and align ourselves with other Parks Societies who are often called “Friends of….”, but without changing our name. It also may help alleviate any confusion in the public’s mind that we are an interested organisation in support of the aims of the National Park and not the Authority itself.

The new Constitution has had to be registered as required with the Charities Commission, and the Commission has issued us with a new Charity Number (1180841) to go along with it.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the new CIO at the AGM on 9th June, when we will be seeking formal approval of the new constitution for the Society. You can see the new constitution by clicking here.This draft shows the changes from the previously published version and will be the one used at the AGM.