Charitable Funds Committee Assurance Report - November 2024
Meeting: Trust Board – Public Meeting (Corporate Trustee)
Date: 6 November 2024
Report Title: Charitable Funds Committee Assurance Report
Agenda Item: CT24/11/8.1
Committee Date: 16 October 2024
Meeting Chair: Chris Brook, Non-Executive Director & Committee Chair
Meeting Quorate YES
Purpose: Assurance
Recommendation: The Board is asked to receive assurance from the business discussed at the meeting and to review the matters for escalation and referral.
Link to Strategic Objective:
- Be an exceptional place to work, volunteer and learn
- Provide outstanding quality of care and performance
- Be excellent collaborators and innovators as system partners
- Be an environmentally and financially sustainable organisation
Summary of Items Considered at the Meeting:
| Issue | Consideration | Resolution/Outcome | Assurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charitable Funds Governance & Effectiveness | The committee was asked to consider commencing a governance and effectiveness review to ensure that the Trustee is delivering it’s legal and statutory responsibilities. | The committee agreed that this would be a beneficial activity to conduct, and it was agreed to proceed. It is a good moment in time to assess and ensure there is better clarity on how the Charity operates. It is noted that this is an internal review, and it was recommended that internal audit review in due time too. | Good |
| Charity Activity Update | The committee reviewed a number of items and activities the team is progressing to improve the effectiveness, the impact or the running of the charity. | A summary of the key items: New finance system in place to improve the effectiveness of the charity; As part of the condition of some grants, the Trust has to be in support of the items we are applying for. A decision-making guide is in the process of being established to ensure alignment with the Trust at the appropriate point; The team are preparing, reviewing or progressing a number of grant award possibilities such as putting in place a CPR desk within every EoC; Reviewing opportunities with a Wellbeing Grant from NHS CT that is upcoming; Embedding Community First Responders with the necessary cars and falls equipment ahead of the winter; Welfare Wagons are being used more frequently and have been well received. They are working well across every region, except Luton and Bedford where they need to recruit volunteers. | Good |
| Communications and Engagement | Communications and engagement play an important role in raising the profile of the charity. | The charity launched a new Facebook page in September to compliment the other social channels we have. There have been some excellent features pushed through that channel so far. There is a plan to get a ‘Just Giving’ widget added to the new Trust website to encourage donations too. | Good |
| Charity Finance Update Report | The committee was updated on the monitoring and management of the charitable funds. | 5-months up to 31 August 2024. Income of £157k has been received against £210k expenditure, leading to a net £53k expenditure. The general fund balance stands at £454k, with total reserves of £1.6m. | High |
