New charitable constitution adopted by CfPS

Last updated:29 April 2010

CfPS registered its new charitable memorandum and articles of association this month with Companies House and the Charity Commission. The Charity Commissioners are satisfied that the work CfPS carries out benefits the public as a whole, (a requirement under the Charities Act 2006), and have agreed two strategic charitable purposes which sit under an overall mission statement:

The Centre for Public Scrutiny is an independent charity whose mission is to promote better scrutiny for better government and the public benefit. This will achieved by:

1. Advancing education in the principles and practice of public scrutiny and accountability, maintaining a national centre of expertise and promoting national debate and networks; and
2. Promoting the development of and improving the practice of public scrutiny and accountability within government and public services, including promoting standards of professional conduct.

In line with CfPS’ newly acquired charitable status, its Board will welcome three new independent directors or trustees to support its work and charitable objectives, effective from 9 April. These join our existing directors from CIPFA (Steve Freer), LGA (Stephen Jones) and LGIU (Andy Sawford), chaired by Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP:

• Andrew Bacon, a partner in local government at BT
• Jim Clifford, a partner at Baker Tilly, a leading charitable accountancy firm
• Vicki Lawson-Brown, an independent consultant, specialising in mediation, complaints resolution and ombudsman work (still to be formally confirmed by the Board in May).

We are also in the process of recruiting a further trustee with legal knowledge to be our new Company Secretary.

Apr 2010