Decision Maker: Executive Shareholder and Trustee Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 27, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Decision: 1.        Adopt the conflict of interests policy in respect of decisions it takes as a charity trustee; and 2.        Recommends the adoption of the conflict of interests policy by each of the charities for which Guildford Borough Council is a trustee. Reason(s): 1.                 As a trustee Guildford Borough Council has a responsibility to ensure it has in place robust mechanisms for making trustee decisions which are in the best interests of the charity.  A decision taken by a trustee who has not acted properly where there is a conflict of interest could be challenged by the Charity Commission or another interested party and have legal and regulatory consequences. 2.        The recommendations in this report will assist in fulfilling the trustee duty to act only in the best interests of the charity.  It will ensure that conflicts of interests are identified, prevented and recorded transparently.  3.        To enable Guildford Borough Council to fulfil its duties in respect of best value and continuous improvement in respect of its interests in charities. Other options considered and rejected by the Executive: The Committee could choose not to adopt a conflict of interest policy.  This would mean that Guildford Borough Council was not following guidance from the Charity Commission and present a risk in relation to the management of conflicts of interest.  Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted: None.