Content

Decision:

1.        Adopt the
conflict of interests policy in respect
of decisions it takes as a charity trustee; and

2.        Recommends the
adoption of the conflict of interests
policy by each of the charities for which Guildford Borough Council
is a trustee.
Reason(s):
1.                
As a
trustee Guildford Borough Council has a responsibility to ensure it
has in place robust mechanisms for making trustee decisions which
are in the best interests of the charity.  A decision taken by a trustee who has not acted
properly where there is a conflict of interest could be challenged
by the Charity Commission or another interested party and have
legal and regulatory consequences.

2.        The
recommendations in this report will assist in fulfilling the
trustee duty to act only in the best interests of the
charity.  It will ensure that conflicts
of interests are identified, prevented and recorded
transparently. 

3.        To enable
Guildford Borough Council to fulfil its duties in respect of best
value and continuous improvement in respect of its interests in
charities.
Other options considered and rejected by the
Executive:
The Committee could choose not to adopt a
conflict of interest policy.  This would
mean that Guildford Borough Council was not following guidance from
the Charity Commission and present a risk in relation to the
management of conflicts of interest. 
Details of any conflict of interest declared by
the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation
granted:
None.