Report on the progress of CTC charity application 2012 Jan 6
PhilipBenstead1
Posts: 6
Report on the progress of CTC charity application 2012 Jan 6.doc (ver 2)
Cyclists’ Touring Club
CTC Council progress to convert the CTC into a charity.
Dear CTC Members
You may remember at CTC AGM 2011 A motion was passed that stated “This AGM authorises Council to take the steps necessary to register the Club as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and to merge the Club with CTC Charitable Trust to become a single, charitable organisation.”
Please find below the text of an email that rejected the application for CTC charitable status in England and Wales it was received by CTC Headquarters on 18th October 2011.
The original letter can be found at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BDr ... 4x5UE/edit
Please place this link in your browsers; you do not need a Google mail account to view.
At bottom of this email are additional links below that give you access to suggest on what you can do and other documentation if need.
The rejection letter etc has not been seem by most Director/Trustees of the CTC, why is this?
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Look at the end of the letter for suggestions.
This letter etc has been sent to CTC local group offices in UK and uploaded to CTC Forum, YACF, and Cycle Chat and Google UK rec. discussion forum under the title
Report on the progress of CTC charity application 2012 Jan 6
Apologies if this is an unwanted email or you have received duplicates, it is important, but if you do not wish to receive any additional email on this subject reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.
I would be grateful for an acknowledgement of safe receipt.
Philip Benstead
START OF REJECTION LETTER
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Title 0/5020287/331958 Application for registration: The Cyclists' Touring Club CC: 00361617
Subject Cyclist's Touring Club FAO: Caroline Jones - W/5020287/331958 Application for registration: The Cyclists' Touring Club CC: 0036151
Dear’
Further to my email of 06 October, we have completed our review of the application and supporting information.
I have explained in correspondence with ?????? that in order to be established as a charity an organisation must have objects which are exclusively charitable and for the public benefit. If any part of the objects of an organisation are not charitable or if it is established in part for private benefit then it is not established as a charity.
In this case, the meaning of the objects is not entirely clear and in determining their meaning, it may be appropriate to consider the activities undertaken by the organisation. Our guidance in 'Charities and Public Benefit' sets out our approach in such cases from section D4.
Objects
The objects of the company set out an initial object 'to promote cycling, cycle touring and fellowship among cyclists for the public benefit' but describe those objects as a means to further other charitable purposes.
The first further object is then stated as: the advancement of amateur sports which involve physical or mental skills or exertion by:
Promoting, assisting and protecting the use of bicycles, tricycles and other similar vehicles on the public roads and public rights of way;
and
Promoting and safeguarding the interests of riders of bicycles, tricycles and other similar vehicles;
and
Encouraging cycling and cycle touring as a means of adventure, recreation, character training and other forms of education, to stimulate by any possible means interest and participation in the interest and participation of young persons in cycling, and to promote cycling competitions, rallies, rides and other events.
It is difficult to understand precisely from the drafting of the objects which elements or subsections of the objects may be considered as objects of themselves and which elements a means to achieve objects.
It is also the case that not every means of advancing amateur sport will be for the public benefit. For example promoting the individual rights and interests of cyclists may be directed to the private benefit of cyclists.
Given the structure of the clause neither is it beyond doubt that the first stated object of promoting cycling, cycle touring and fellowship among cyclists for the public benefit is simply a means.
The second sub object is stated as:
The promotion of the conservation and protection of the environment by any charitable means including but not limited to
Promoting and increasing appreciation of the countryside and places of public interest,
and
Establishing and protecting access thereto by cycle and on foot, and Preserving and improving amenities,
and
Taking appropriate action to advance this charitable aim in Parliament and in and before Government departments, local and other public authorities, bodies and officers, landowners, developers and others
The first and fourth of the means are political activities, which extend to securing or opposing any change in the law or in the policy or decisions of central government or local authorities. The extent to which such means are directed towards conservation or the protection of the environment or other activities which the company will undertake in that respect is not apparent. The political activity would appear to be an object of its own right rather than subsidiary and in support of other activities undertaken in furtherance of a charitable purpose. A charity may not have a political purpose.
Our guidance in CC9 'Speaking Out' sets out the principles on this point in summary at section B.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/pub ... s/cc9.aspx
Clause 1.8.3 is for the advancement of education ..and the promotion of any plans, measures schemes or proposals to that end.. The promotion of particular opinions, views or proposals is not education in the sense accepted by charity law.
Our guidance in 'The Advancement of Education for the Public Benefit' sets this out from section C5.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Lib ... du1208.pdf
Clause 1.8.4 is for the preservation and protection of health ... by any means. The reference to 'any means' would extend beyond that which would confine the object of public benefit. It would allow either unlawful, private or political objects. Indeed the enforcement of rights as referenced in the wording may be capable of being either of private benefit or political.
Clause 1.8.5 is for the promotion of cycling ... Catering for the needs of cyclists would appear to extend beyond what is charitable, for example for provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare, and is directed towards private benefit of cyclists. The further provision of benefits appears to be of a private nature.
Activities
I have outlined the ambiguous nature of the objects. The company has existed as an organisation to benefit and promote the interests of its members. The website refers at 'Converting CTC to a Charity' to 'supporting membership and campaigning' as its charitable activities.
There appears to be a misunderstanding of as to the nature of charitable purposes and public benefit. An organisation established to provide benefits for its members is not a charity being directed towards private benefit. The 2006 Act has not changed the nature of public in public benefit (as suggested on the company's website). Similarly, the campaigning appears in part to be directed towards political purposes which cannot be a charitable purpose.
The Club has established a charitable organisation to undertake such of its work as is directed towards charitable purposes.
However the Club itself is not established for exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit. It is a members' organisation established to promote the interests of its members and provide them with benefit. It is not therefore established for exclusively charitable purposes or the public benefit.
Summary
I am sorry to tell you that, for the reasons given above, we feel bound to reject the application for registration. Our decision has taken account of all information, evidence and argument received.
If you think our decision is wrong, you can ask us to review it by writing to the Final Decision and Tribunal Coordinator at
enquiries@charitvcommission.asi.nov.uk,
or by using our online application form at
www.charitvcommission.gov.uk/reviewprocform.aspx
Alternatively, you may appeal against our decision to the First-Tier Tribunal (Charity).
Further details about our decision review procedure and the First-Tier Tribunal (Charity) can be found on our website at
www.charitv-commission.gov.uklAbout_us/ ... r_decision index.aspx
Yours sincerely
Caroline Jones
Registration Division
Tel: 01 823 345458
Fax: 01823 345003
www.charitvcommission.aov.uk
END OF REJECTION LETTER
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
For more information go to
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7xjRG ... M5MTJhNDcz
Philip Benstead
Telephone: 020-7630-0475
Mobile: 0794-980-1698
Email: philipbenstead1@gmail.com
Address: Victoria,
London, SW1P 1PG
Cyclists’ Touring Club
CTC Council progress to convert the CTC into a charity.
Dear CTC Members
You may remember at CTC AGM 2011 A motion was passed that stated “This AGM authorises Council to take the steps necessary to register the Club as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and to merge the Club with CTC Charitable Trust to become a single, charitable organisation.”
Please find below the text of an email that rejected the application for CTC charitable status in England and Wales it was received by CTC Headquarters on 18th October 2011.
The original letter can be found at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BDr ... 4x5UE/edit
Please place this link in your browsers; you do not need a Google mail account to view.
At bottom of this email are additional links below that give you access to suggest on what you can do and other documentation if need.
The rejection letter etc has not been seem by most Director/Trustees of the CTC, why is this?
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Look at the end of the letter for suggestions.
This letter etc has been sent to CTC local group offices in UK and uploaded to CTC Forum, YACF, and Cycle Chat and Google UK rec. discussion forum under the title
Report on the progress of CTC charity application 2012 Jan 6
Apologies if this is an unwanted email or you have received duplicates, it is important, but if you do not wish to receive any additional email on this subject reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.
I would be grateful for an acknowledgement of safe receipt.
Philip Benstead
START OF REJECTION LETTER
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Title 0/5020287/331958 Application for registration: The Cyclists' Touring Club CC: 00361617
Subject Cyclist's Touring Club FAO: Caroline Jones - W/5020287/331958 Application for registration: The Cyclists' Touring Club CC: 0036151
Dear’
Further to my email of 06 October, we have completed our review of the application and supporting information.
I have explained in correspondence with ?????? that in order to be established as a charity an organisation must have objects which are exclusively charitable and for the public benefit. If any part of the objects of an organisation are not charitable or if it is established in part for private benefit then it is not established as a charity.
In this case, the meaning of the objects is not entirely clear and in determining their meaning, it may be appropriate to consider the activities undertaken by the organisation. Our guidance in 'Charities and Public Benefit' sets out our approach in such cases from section D4.
Objects
The objects of the company set out an initial object 'to promote cycling, cycle touring and fellowship among cyclists for the public benefit' but describe those objects as a means to further other charitable purposes.
The first further object is then stated as: the advancement of amateur sports which involve physical or mental skills or exertion by:
Promoting, assisting and protecting the use of bicycles, tricycles and other similar vehicles on the public roads and public rights of way;
and
Promoting and safeguarding the interests of riders of bicycles, tricycles and other similar vehicles;
and
Encouraging cycling and cycle touring as a means of adventure, recreation, character training and other forms of education, to stimulate by any possible means interest and participation in the interest and participation of young persons in cycling, and to promote cycling competitions, rallies, rides and other events.
It is difficult to understand precisely from the drafting of the objects which elements or subsections of the objects may be considered as objects of themselves and which elements a means to achieve objects.
It is also the case that not every means of advancing amateur sport will be for the public benefit. For example promoting the individual rights and interests of cyclists may be directed to the private benefit of cyclists.
Given the structure of the clause neither is it beyond doubt that the first stated object of promoting cycling, cycle touring and fellowship among cyclists for the public benefit is simply a means.
The second sub object is stated as:
The promotion of the conservation and protection of the environment by any charitable means including but not limited to
Promoting and increasing appreciation of the countryside and places of public interest,
and
Establishing and protecting access thereto by cycle and on foot, and Preserving and improving amenities,
and
Taking appropriate action to advance this charitable aim in Parliament and in and before Government departments, local and other public authorities, bodies and officers, landowners, developers and others
The first and fourth of the means are political activities, which extend to securing or opposing any change in the law or in the policy or decisions of central government or local authorities. The extent to which such means are directed towards conservation or the protection of the environment or other activities which the company will undertake in that respect is not apparent. The political activity would appear to be an object of its own right rather than subsidiary and in support of other activities undertaken in furtherance of a charitable purpose. A charity may not have a political purpose.
Our guidance in CC9 'Speaking Out' sets out the principles on this point in summary at section B.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/pub ... s/cc9.aspx
Clause 1.8.3 is for the advancement of education ..and the promotion of any plans, measures schemes or proposals to that end.. The promotion of particular opinions, views or proposals is not education in the sense accepted by charity law.
Our guidance in 'The Advancement of Education for the Public Benefit' sets this out from section C5.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Lib ... du1208.pdf
Clause 1.8.4 is for the preservation and protection of health ... by any means. The reference to 'any means' would extend beyond that which would confine the object of public benefit. It would allow either unlawful, private or political objects. Indeed the enforcement of rights as referenced in the wording may be capable of being either of private benefit or political.
Clause 1.8.5 is for the promotion of cycling ... Catering for the needs of cyclists would appear to extend beyond what is charitable, for example for provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare, and is directed towards private benefit of cyclists. The further provision of benefits appears to be of a private nature.
Activities
I have outlined the ambiguous nature of the objects. The company has existed as an organisation to benefit and promote the interests of its members. The website refers at 'Converting CTC to a Charity' to 'supporting membership and campaigning' as its charitable activities.
There appears to be a misunderstanding of as to the nature of charitable purposes and public benefit. An organisation established to provide benefits for its members is not a charity being directed towards private benefit. The 2006 Act has not changed the nature of public in public benefit (as suggested on the company's website). Similarly, the campaigning appears in part to be directed towards political purposes which cannot be a charitable purpose.
The Club has established a charitable organisation to undertake such of its work as is directed towards charitable purposes.
However the Club itself is not established for exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit. It is a members' organisation established to promote the interests of its members and provide them with benefit. It is not therefore established for exclusively charitable purposes or the public benefit.
Summary
I am sorry to tell you that, for the reasons given above, we feel bound to reject the application for registration. Our decision has taken account of all information, evidence and argument received.
If you think our decision is wrong, you can ask us to review it by writing to the Final Decision and Tribunal Coordinator at
enquiries@charitvcommission.asi.nov.uk,
or by using our online application form at
www.charitvcommission.gov.uk/reviewprocform.aspx
Alternatively, you may appeal against our decision to the First-Tier Tribunal (Charity).
Further details about our decision review procedure and the First-Tier Tribunal (Charity) can be found on our website at
www.charitv-commission.gov.uklAbout_us/ ... r_decision index.aspx
Yours sincerely
Caroline Jones
Registration Division
Tel: 01 823 345458
Fax: 01823 345003
www.charitvcommission.aov.uk
END OF REJECTION LETTER
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
For more information go to
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7xjRG ... M5MTJhNDcz
Philip Benstead
Telephone: 020-7630-0475
Mobile: 0794-980-1698
Email: philipbenstead1@gmail.com
Address: Victoria,
London, SW1P 1PG
0
Comments
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Er OK. So you want to register an organisation that is not a charity as a charity. They said no, rightly it appears.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Agree with cooldad - CTC should not be a charity, though I would argue that they are no different than others like roadpeace or sustrans which should not be either. Often these applications are about finding ways to payroll the directors in a more tax efficient way. However, I suspect an experienced consultant in these matters could tweak the above to make it fly. CTC simply needs to be for the benefit of all cyclists and it would likely be home dry.0
