Her Majesty The Queen, at a meeting of the Privy Council on 12 February 2020, has approved a Scheme detailing changes to the charity's Royal Charter, first granted by King Charles II in 1678. The charity now has a working constitution which is 'fit-for-purpose' for the 21st century.
Revisions to the Charter include various administrative changes which align our governance structure and legal powers with Charity Commission best practice, including defining the precise powers of our board of trustees (the Court of Assistants) and Governors (members), and limiting the number of Assistants to 16, each to serve a maximum of three 3-year terms.
Our charitable objects remain unchanged, which are "assistance to beneficiaries, whether directly or indirectly, in such manner as and by such means as the Court of Assistants from time to time in their absolute discretion think fit for the relief or prevention of poverty or hardship or for the relief of illness and the promotion of health, whether physical or mental."
The charity is grateful to its Governors for their engagement throughout 2019 in the process to update the Royal Charter. Clergy Support Trust received legal support in its discussions with the Charity Commission and Privy Council from law firm BDB Pitmans LLP.
The revised Royal Charter
