Charitable trust structures for heritage properties

Highbury Trust Public Meeting 28 October 2009

Dr Alison Millward – Reddings & Amesbury Road Residents Association and Moseley Regeneration Group

Director

Independent Board of Trustees

Director

Independent Board of Trustees

Bexley Heritage Trust

• Board of 15 people

• LB Bexley continues to own the property & is core funder of Trust

• Appointment of first independent chair was key to success – governance & fund raising background

• 8 staff

• Monthly staff meetings between Trust and Council officers

• Council Committee signs off annual business plan

• Independence unlocks funding

To develop the buildings, gardens & collections, provide a high

quality service, offering vibrant cultural sites & activities for

education and the enjoyment of everyone

FriendsFriends

Project Team

Project Board5 x English Heritage

5 x LB Hounslow5 x co-optees

Project Working Groups

To oversee the restoration, management & protection of the

House & Gardens, improve accessibility and enjoyment,

and provide long term stewardship to ensure

sustainability

Design Team

Chiswick House & Gardens Trust

• New structure required by Heritage Lottery Fund (£7.9m grant)

• Council regulations restrict councillor trustees to 2

• Friends chair = trustee

• Use of public advertisement 3 places

• LBH 99 year lease to Trust on completion of restoration

• EH proposed first chair

• Business plan was essential to winning major funding

London Borough of HaringeySole trustee

Board of Trustees

Statutory Advisory Committee

Trading Arm

Senior Officers from London Borough of Haringey

TradingArm Board

Consultative Committee

Panel

Alexandra Park & Palace Charitable Trust

• Only the 7 elected member trustees have a vote

• 3 non-voting board members

• Limited skill set of board

• Lacks continuity

• Conflicts of interest

• Complex and inefficient

• Poor governance

• High cost paid for lack of consultation when lost high court challenge

• Barrier to fund raising

To uphold, maintain and repair the Palace and maintain the Park & Palace as a place of public resort and recreation for other public purposes