Agenda item

The report sought Cabinet Member approval for a minor amendment to the Articles of Association of Haringey Culture Collective (HCC), a charitable company established to support the delivery and legacy of Haringey's London Borough of Culture 2027 programme.

Cabinet approved the Articles of Association of Haringey Culture Collective on 15 July 2025. Following subsequent engagement with the Charity Commission as part of the charity registration process, it had been identified that the organisation's charitable objects required amendment before charitable status could be granted.

In order to be charitable, an organisation's objects must be worded precisely, must fall within recognised charitable purposes under the Charities Act 2011 and must accurately reflect the charitable purposes that the organisation will pursue. These principles had been established through charity law and case law over many years. The Charity Commission had recommended an alternative form of words which the Cabinet Member is asked to approve, set out at Appendix 1.

The Cabinet Member was also asked to approve the appointment of additional independent Trustees, following an open recruitment process overseen by the Board of Trustees of HCC. The biographies of the recommended candidates are set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1.            Approve the amendment to Article 4 (Objects) of the Haringey Culture Collective Articles of Association as set out in the Special Resolution attached at Appendix 1.

2.            Authorise Haringey Culture Collective to take all necessary steps to implement the amendment, including completion of the Special Resolution and any associated filings with Companies House and the Charity Commission.

3.            Approve the appointment of the recommended independent Trustees whose biographies are set out at Appendix 2.

Reasons for decision

The amendment was required to enable Haringey Culture Collective to secure charitable status.

In order to be charitable, an organisation's objects must be drafted with precision, must fall within recognised charitable purposes under the Charities Act 2011 and must accurately reflect the charitable purposes being pursued. Following consideration of Haringey Culture Collective's governing document, the Charity Commission had advised that the current objects should be amended before charitable status could be granted.

Approval of the amendment will support the registration of Haringey Culture Collective as a charity, provided greater clarity regarding its charitable purposes and ensured the organisation's governing document accurately reflects its intended activities.

Appointment of Trustees to HCC as a Council-founded charity fell to the Council, based on the recommendation of the organisation’s governing body. The HCC Trustee Board on 27 May 2026 considered the outcome of the recent open recruitment exercise and recommended a shortlist of candidates for final interview by the Chair and CEO before final recommendations would be put to the Council for approval.

This was a non-key decision as it did not result in significant expenditure or savings and did not have significant effects on communities living or working in two or more wards beyond those already considered and approved by Cabinet when establishing the organisation. The Trustee positions were unpaid and voluntary.

Alternative options considered

Retain the existing Articles of Association approved by Cabinet on 15 July 2025

This option was not recommended because the Charity Commission had advised that the charitable objects required amendment before Haringey Culture Collective could be registered as a charity. Retaining the existing wording would therefore risk preventing Haringey Culture Collective from obtaining charitable status. This would have implications for the organisation's governance arrangements and its ability to operate as the charitable vehicle established to support the delivery and legacy of Haringey's London Borough of Culture 2027 programme. The proposed amendment was therefore considered necessary.