To achieve charitable status, organizations have to comply with strict charitable objectives.
The Charities Commission provides model rules. The rules whose objects most closely meet the Somerleyton Trust’s objectives are below. The Trust’s objectives not included will be achieved through policies, the framework agreement and business plan.
Model rules – Objects:
The Trust’s Objects are specifically restricted to the following:-
3.1 the business of providing and managing housing (which may include social housing) and providing assistance to help house people and associated facilities, amenities and services;
3.2 the promotion for the public benefit of urban or rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation (and in particular the Area of Benefit) by all of or any of the following means
3.2.1 the relief of poverty in such ways as may be thought fit;
3.2.2 the relief of unemployment in such ways as may be thought fit, including assistance to find employment;
3.2.3 the advancement of education, training and retraining particularly among unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience and support where practical and necessary;
3.2.4 the provision of financial assistance, technical assistance, or business advice or consultancy in order to provide training and employment opportunities for unemployed people in cases of financial or other charitable need through help:
3.2.4.1 in setting up their own business, or
3.2.4.2 to existing businesses;
3.2.5 the creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and/or land for use on favourable terms;
3.2.6 the maintenance, improvement or provision of public amenities;
3.2.7 the provision or assistance in the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large and/or those who, by reasons of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities;
3.2.8 the provision of public health facilities and childcare;
3.2.9 the promotion of public safety and prevention of crime;
3.2.10 such other means as may from time to time be determined subject to the prior consent of the Charity Commission; and
3.3 to develop the capacity and skills of the members of the community in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society;
3.4 to provide maintain and equip gardens, landscaped areas, open spaces, playgrounds, recreational amenity spaces and other elements of the public realm within the area of the Development for the benefit of the inhabitants thereof;
3.5 the promotion of any other charitable purpose.
Can the Trust achieve charitable status with the proposed activities including management of market homes and commercial space?
Yes. Legal advice has confirmed that the proposed objectives and activities are capable of achieving charitable status.