Our Offer To Your Club
Active Leeds recognises the time and commitment it takes for volunteers to run their Sports Clubs successfully. This page aims to provide a one stop shop of information and support for your sports club. If you need direct support or advice please email us at: sport.club.development@leeds.gov.uk or call on 07891270625.
Leeds Sports Club & Individual Equipment Grant
The Leeds Sports Equipment Grant is now open until Sunday 5th November 2023
*Please note clubs and individuals can only apply for 1 grant in each financial year starting 1st April.
Introduction
The Leeds sports club and equipment grant is intended to support Leeds sport clubs with the purchasing of essential equipment that is necessary for growing their sports & activities, as well as increasing membership and participation. The grant also supports individuals from the city of Leeds who are currently representing their country in their chosen sport (England or Great Britain)
The grants are administered by LCC Active Leeds, the grant panel currently consists of a small panel of LCC, Sport Leeds and local sport representatives. Please note, this grant is the replacement for the previous ‘Leeds Sports Grants’ that were administrated by Leeds Sports Federation.
The total funding pot is small and demand is likely to be high therefore, priority will be given to clubs and individuals who are located in areas of higher deprivation or those clubs who are offering activity that helps to increase participation of under-represented (in physical activity) including those with a disability, of a BAME community, and females – within these groups, young people will also be prioritised. (Clubs can apply for up to £300 of support, individuals to a maximum of £250)
Leeds Sports Club Equipment Grant - ELIGIBILITY
Who can apply?
Non-profit making sports clubs located within Leeds City Council administrative boundary
Who cannot apply?
Educational establishments (schools, colleges, universities)
What will we fund?
Grants of £100-300 for essential sports equipment only
What won’t we fund?
Items other than sports equipment such as: administration, kit, coaching/staffing, venue hire or operational running costs.
Club Constitution and governance
Eligible clubs must operate an open membership system.
Clubs working with young people and/or vulnerable adults must have safeguarding policies in place.
Applications will only be considered from clubs who are affiliated to their national or regional Governing Body and/or are a bona fide club. Applications will not be accepted from leagues.
All Sport England recognised sports are eligible but the Grants Panel may consider other sports, at its discretion.
Leeds Sports Club Equipment - GRANT CRITERIA
- Priority will be given to applications seeking to increase physical activity participation in underrepresented groups. This includes clubs located in areas of higher deprivation, people with a disability, of a BAME community, and females – within these groups, young people will also be prioritised
- Evidence of need for a grant must be submitted by telling us about how your club will use the equipment to develop participation
- Financial information: demonstrate why your club needs this funding and forward the following to: sport.club.develoment@leeds.gov.uk
Include one of the following:
- Copy of most recent audited accounts
- Bank/building society balance (showing latest income and expenditure)
- Grants will not be awarded if the panel consider the applicant to have sufficient other sources of funding or reserves of income unless there is a clear reason for this, which must be explained in the supporting information.
- The Grant awards of £100 minimum and £300 maximum.
- Where applications are made by clubs, the grant award will be deemed to have been made to that club. In no circumstances must the equipment granted be transferred to another club unless with the express permission of the Grants Panel.
- Only one grant will be awarded per financial year (1st April to 31st March).
- Clubs account details must be provided (personal accounts will not be accepted).
- No application will be considered if the applicant has already incurred the expenditure that constituted the grant claim.
- Purchase of equipment must not be made until notification of grant award. If granted, recipient clubs must provide receipts / evidence of all purchases which must not pre-date the date of grant notification when requested
- Application Forms are available and to be completed online, together with the required financial information.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Applications should be received no later than the closing date as shown on the website.
To Apply For The Sport Club Equipment Grant :
Complete your online application form here: Club Support Grant: Application Form
*Please also send a copy of your current bank accounts to sport.club.development@leeds.gov.uk as supporting information for your application.
Individual Equipment – GRANT CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY
- Individuals requesting assistance must be currently representing their country (England or Great Britain) at junior or senior level. Applications must be accompanied by a confirmation letter from the relevant National Governing Body.
- Applications from individuals will only be considered for specialist sports equipment or costs associated with representing their country in international competition.
- Grant awards for individuals will not be for more than £250 per applicant.
- Where there are several applicants from one club for attending the same event then the maximum award per club will be £500.
- No application will normally be considered if the applicant has already incurred the expenditure that constituted the grant claim.
- All Sport England recognised sports are eligible but the Grants Panel may, in exceptional circumstances, consider other sports, at its discretion.
To Apply For The Individual Equipment Grant:
LEEDS SPORTS GRANTS: APPLICATION FORM FOR INDIVIDUALS
*Please also send a copy of your NGB confirmation letter to: sport.club.development@leeds.gov.uk as supporting information for your application.
If your club would like to strengthen your existing playing membership, develop new activities and teams or even start a new alternative sport within your club, then we can help. Our officers have a wealth of experience in identifying funding, setting up and sustaining new sports programmes. This includes sports camps, school-club links, formal and informal sessions to a variety of targeted groups.
If you would like to discuss your ideas with one of our officers, or be entered into the mailing list please contact: Sport.Club.Development@leeds.gov.uk.
Capital Funding For Your Facilities
Our officers can provide advice* to your sports club in developing a successful funding application to help upgrade and maintain your facilities. We can advise your club on identifying the correct funding stream, attaining tenure of land, updating constitutions, providing sport development and business plans, as well as how to meet the various criteria required by funders when developing a successful application.
*Please note our priority will be to support clubs based in and servicing the more deprived communities in the city.
If you are planning a capital project and would like support and advice from our officers, please contact Sport.Club.Development@leeds.gov.uk
Funding Leeds
The free and easy way to find funding
Funding Leeds is a public and third sector partnership - helping the voluntary, social enterprise, and community sectors in Leeds find the funds to achieve their vision.
Quick Guide to Funding
Active Leeds Sport Club Development
A Quick Guide to Funding
A guide to local, regional, and national funding schemes to support the development of sport, physical activity and recreation in Leeds
The table below provides a quick reference guide for local sports clubs, not for profit groups and other community-based organisations that are involved, or would like to be involved in developing and actively promoting sport and recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
This could be improving facilities such as grass and all-weather pitches, changing rooms or multi use games areas (Capital Funding), recruiting and training more coaches and volunteers, purchasing kit and equipment, setting up a new team and organising sporting activities for young people and adults, particularly groups who are traditionally underrepresented in sports such as women and girls, disabled people, black and ethnic minorities. Some funding organisations are also keen to support projects in the most disadvantaged areas of the city, where there is a clear lack of facilities and opportunities to take part in sport and recreation.
This list is by no means exhaustive, as there may be other funding which specifically support projects for things such as volunteering, children and young people etc. but the aim is to provide organisations, both large and small with a starting point, when looking for project funding to support capital and revenue projects, where sport, physical activity and recreation is the main focus. In the first instance, potential applicants should look at the funding websites (where applicable) to find out more about the schemes and which ones are most likely to match their project ideas and/or call the funder to see if you are eligible to apply and that the scheme is still running.
For further information or advice, or for general funding enquiries please contact Active Leeds on: sport.club.development@leeds.gov.uk / chris.gott@leeds.gov.uk
Grant Provider | Type | Amount | Who can apply | Information | Contact/ Website Details |
SPORT ENGLAND Small Grant | Participation, Equipment, coaching, small capital | between £300 and £15,000 | Sports clubs, Community Groups | Sport England want to support projects that bring communities together and provide sport and physical activities for people who may be less physically active via awards of between £300 and £15,000. Therefore, we want applications from projects that demonstrate how they connect with their communities, make best use of the existing skills and assets in an area, and will provide the biggest possible impact to those who need it most. We also want projects to show how they've sought to reduce their impact on the environment through the goods and services they use to deliver the activity. | 03458 508508 Small Grants Programme | Sport England Open until June 2023 |
SPORT ENGLAND Active Together | Crowdfunding | Up to £10,000 | Sports clubs, community groups & individuals | A £7.5 million fund, with up to £10,000 in match funding, as part of a support package to help clubs and organisations set up and run crowdfunding campaigns related to Covid-19, such as for a loss of income due to the pandemic. | Sport England: Places and Spaces | Crowdfunder UK |
SPORT ENGLAND Places & Spaces Fund | Crowdfunding Capital | Up to £10,000 | Voluntary Sport Clubs | A £7 million pot with up to £10,000 available in match funding for Crowdfunder projects, as part of a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games package to help community sport and physical activity groups improve places and spaces across England | Places and Spaces | Sport England 03458 508508 |
SPORT ENGLAND Together Fund | Together Fund support is now designed to enable further recovery and growth up until March 2023. | Aimed At 4 key audiences: Lower socio-economic groups Culturally diverse communities Disabled people People with long-term health conditions. | This fund exists to help to reduce the negative impact of coronavirus and help community groups working with our target audiences to grow and help more people. Funding for community groups to find new ways to support people to be active Offering advice and training support I increasing resilience, capacity and capability of delivery bodies | Together Fund | Sport England | |
National Lottery Community Fund (Awards for All) | Participation / small capital grants | £300 - £10,000 | Voluntary Sports Clubs | National Lottery Funding can help you to make a difference in your community. National Lottery Awards for All offers funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities. We will fund organisations with great project ideas that: Shape the places and spaces that matter to communities Bring more people together and build strong relationships in and across communities Enable more people to fulfil their potential by working to address issues at the earliest possible stage | 0345 4102030 |
Foundations & Charities | |||||
Poundland Foundation Kit 4 Kids | Kit | £750 | children’s sports clubs or organisations. | The scheme awards 250 grants to sports clubs/organisations to provide equipment and kit to help children get active. | Register interest at: |
Postcode Community Trust | Participation / Capital | £500 - £20,000 | Charitable Registered Sport Clubs | Postcode Community Trust provides project based funding in Great Britain under the themes 'Improving community health & wellbeing, Arts & physical recreation and Reducing isolation. There are two funding rounds a year during which organizations’ can apply. Those successful at Stage 1 progress to Stage 2. If successful at Stage 2 the organisation will receive the total funds requested in their application. | Apply for a grant | Postcode Community Trust Re Opening 2023 |
Greene King IPA Proud To Pitch In | £3,000 | grassroots and community sports clubs | Every pint we sell* will add 10p to our fund supporting local clubs from the ground up, providing them with the tools they need to continue to play the sport they love. From football, rugby and cricket to roller hockey or netball, we want to support as many local teams across the UK as we can with donations which can go a long way to keeping everyone in action | Proud to Pitch In | Greene King Current Round Open Until 8th January 2023 | |
Tesco Community Games | Participation / Equipment | £1500 | Tesco Community Grants is open to charities and community organisations | Eligible applications with a focus on supporting children and families could be for example; a local school needing food for a children’s breakfast club, a voluntary organisation working with families to run holiday clubs, a charity supporting young people with specialist advice to manage mental health, a brownie or scout group needing new tents or a youth sports club needing new equipment | Apply for a grant – Tesco Stronger Starts (tescocommunitygrants.org.uk) |
Landfill – Capital | |||||
Caird Peckfield | Landfill Capital | £50,000 maximum | Not for profit organisations Sports clubs | Grants will be available for community and environmental projects. For capital projects only This grant is only available to organisations within 5 miles of the site in LS25 4DW. Please do a postcode check on their website to check your clubs eligibility. | Caird Peckfield Community Fund Grantscape |
BIFFA Award Recreational | Landfill / Capital | Total cost of project must not exceed 200k inc vat | Not for profit organisations Sports clubs | Projects under the Recreation theme can include building works within communal areas such as sporting clubhouses (such as kitchen and toilet facilities) which have a wider community use and are not for the sole use of sports club members. It generally includes projects that benefit people within their free time. Under this theme an applicant will have to show evidence of wider community use, involvement and consultation. . Please do a postcode check on their website to check your clubs eligibility | No longer supports outdoor sport facilities but does support clubhouse projects Home Page - Biffa Award (biffa-award.org) 01636 670000 |
Veolia Environmental Trust | Landfill / Capital | Average £20,000 – £40,000 | Not for profit organisations | Includes Play and recreation: e.g. play areas, skateparks, Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs), sports grounds, pavilions or changing rooms . Please do a postcode check on their website to check your clubs eligibility | 01902 794 677 |
WREN – FCC Community Action Fund | Landfill / Capital | £2,000 - £100,000 | CASC registered clubs Only | Previously known as WREN, FCC Communities Foundation was established in 1997 The FCC Community Action Fund provides grants of between £2,000 and £100,000 to not-for-profit organisations for amenity projects eligible under Object D of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). Please do a postcode check on their website to check your clubs eligibility | Apply (home) (fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk) 01953 717 165 |
Leeds City Council | |||||
Wade's Charity | Landfill / Capital Revenue | £300 Small Grants Up to 6k Large Grant Covid Recovery Grant | Not for profit organisations | Wades are constrained to only support projects which are working with people residing in the pre-1974 boundary of the City of Leeds. This area equates roughly to Leeds postcodes LS1 to LS17 Covid Recovery Grant for charities and charitable organisations in Leeds (not CIC’s) who have been effected by covid 19 over the past two years and are now offering opportunities for children and young people to enjoy physical activities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Activities must be delivered by charities/charitable organisations/sports clubs in postcodes LS1-LS17. | Home page | Wade's Charity at the Heart of Leeds (wadescharity.org) 01937 830295 |
Love Leeds Parks | Activities & Capital | £2500 | Not for profit organisations | Love Leeds Parks is a charitable initiative which supports community – led enhancements to public parks and green spaces in Leeds | Love Leeds Parks |
Leeds Sports Equipment Grant | Equipment | £100 - £300 clubs Up to £250 Individuals | Affiliated sports clubs & individuals representing their country | Sports kit and equipment – clubs / Individuals, open 3 times per financial year | Active Leeds Sports Club Resources |
LCC Community Committee Grants / Wellbeing Funding | Capital / Participation | Small & Large Grants | Sports clubs and groups | Community Committees represent local communities around Leeds and can provide funding for local sport projects dependent on local need. In the first instance clubs will need to approach their local councillors or community committee officers to discuss a possible application | Communittee Committees . |
Discretionary Rate Relief For Leeds Sports Clubs | Discretionary Grant | Dependant on Rateable Value | Leeds Based Sports clubs | The Council has the discretionary power to grant rate relief for non-profit making organisations who occupy premises for the purposes of recreation. | Mob 07891 270625 |
National Governing Bodies | |||||
FA Facilities Fund | Capital | £500,000 | Football Clubs, Professional Clubs Community Trusts, Multi-Sport Clubs Local Authorities, Educational Establishments, Registered Charitable Organisations, Not For Profit Companies, Unincorporated not for profit organisations. | The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund provides grants for building or refurbishing grassroots facilities, such as changing pavilions and playing surfaces for community benefit, with money provided by the Premier League, The FA and the Government (via Sport England) and delivered by the Foundation. Includes: Grass pitches drainage/improvements Pavilions, clubhouses and changing rooms 3G Football Turf Pitches (FTPs) and multi-use games areas Fixed floodlights for artificial pitches. | What we fund | Football Foundation |
FA Small Grants | Capital | £25,000 | Local authorities Educational establishments Grassroots football clubs (not including those in the FA National League System) Professional and semi-professional Football Clubs and their associated Community Organisations (from Premier League to Conference), to support their community outreach programmes. | The Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund Small Grants Scheme awards grants of up to £10,000 for the provision of capital items, or to refurbish/improve existing facilities. The scheme can pay for: Replacement of unsafe goalposts Portable floodlights Storage containers Changing pavilion/clubhouse refurbishment and external works* Grounds maintenance equipment Pitch improvement works (natural and artificial surfaces)* Fencing. | What we fund | Football Foundation |
LTA | Loan | £250,000 | Affiliated Clubs | The ‘Helping Hands Grant’ recognizes that current economic times are difficult and provides a mechanism for clubs to apply for a small grant of between £500 – £1,500 for eligible Capital Projects (for example a new set of rugby posts, redecorating the changing rooms etc) with the club matching the grant on a £ for £ basis. | Read More On Tennis & Padel facility funding & advice (lta.org.uk) |
RFU / Rugby Football Foundation Helping Hand Grant | Capital | £1500 | Affiliated Clubs | The ‘Helping Hands Grant’ recognizes that current economic times are difficult and provides a mechanism for clubs to apply for a small grant of between £500 – £1,500 for eligible Capital Projects (for example a new set of rugby posts, redecorating the changing rooms etc) with the club matching the grant on a £ for £ basis. | (englandrugby.com) |
The England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) Interest Free Loan Scheme | Loan | Cricket clubs with a junior section* – £1,000 - £50,000 Cricket clubs without a junior section – £1,000 - £20,000 | Affiliated Clubs | The England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) Interest Free Loan Scheme provides finance to clubs for capital projects to help them build and ensure a sustainable future. All scheme applicants must demonstrate that funds will be used to benefit the general community and not just a small group. | England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) - The Official Website of the ECB |
Other useful websites and information | |||||
Funding Leeds Search Engine | Search Engine | Sports Clubs | Funding Leeds provides a search engine for all types of funding for voluntary and community organizations in Leeds | Home | Funding Leeds (idoxopen4community.co.uk) | |
Clubmark Accreditation | Sports Clubs | Sport England recognizes and values the commitment made by sports clubs to develop high quality, welcoming environments for young participants. | Sport England Club Matters | ||
CASC | Sports clubs | If your sports club registers with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) you can benefit from various tax advantages, for example claiming back tax on Gift Aid donations, tax relief on the Corporation Tax you pay on income and capital gains, and non-domestic rates relief | cascinfo | ||
Yorkshire Sport Foundation | Sports Clubs | All sport related information including funding, volunteering, coach education, sports programmes, club information etc. | Funding for clubs | Yorkshire Sport |
Active Leeds Sport Club Development Governance for Sports Clubs 2020
Sports Clubs come in all shapes and sizes. They can be hundreds of years old, with hundreds of members or set up last summer by a few friends or like-minded people.
Naturally, those in charge of running the club often focus on things like getting more members, better coaches and improving or finding facilities. But what’s often forgotten is the actual structure of the club – how it is legally set up?
Do you know how your club is set up in the eyes of the law? Is your club set up in a way that suits it best? Here are a few options available to sport clubs and the advantages and disadvantages.
*All potential funders will need to understand what type of governance you have, as well as what type of dissolution clause (winding up arrangements) you have in place.
Unincorporated Associations: https://www.gov.uk/unincorporated-associations
If your club has not taken any steps towards setting up a company, or getting any special status, you are most probably one of these. Often called a private members’ club, unincorporated associations are, simply put, a group of people bound together by the constitution (or rules) of the club.
This means that, to the law, the club is not a legal entity in its own right and so any contract the club enters into must be done so by a member of the club. This is normally a member, or members of the committee.
So what are the advantages of being an unincorporated association?
•Very little admin – no need to file annual returns and there is no outside scrutiny of the club’s actions.
•Lots of flexibility – the constitution (rules) of the club can be whatever the club wants, and can be changed at any time by the members.
•Eligible to be a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) – more on this later.
But what are the disadvantages of being an unincorporated association?
•Ownership issues – the club wouldn’t have a separate legal identity from its members. This means it can’t own any assets like land or property. Instead its members do, and if those members leave the land has to be transferred back to someone else in the club.
•Members will be personally liable – because the members have to enter into contracts in their own name, and not as the club, if something goes wrong or the club breeches a contract, a claim can be made against that member. This risk is particularly apparent in personal injury claims. Members are also jointly and severally liable for claims. This means one member could be forced to pay all of the clubs debts if the other members can’t pay.
Companies Limited By Guarantee: https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/setting-up
By registering your club as a company limited by guarantee, your club gains a separate legal entity from its members. This means that the constitution (or rules) of the club become its articles of association and that the club can enter into contracts and hold land. Each member also guarantees to pay a small amount of money if the club becomes insolvent (often £1) but no shares are issued as the club is owned by its members. A club cannot distribute any profits it may make to members, but if any claims are made against the club, the members will only have to pay the amount of money they have guaranteed.
So what are the advantages of being a company limited by guarantee?
•Limited liability – because it’s the club and not members who have entered into the clubs contracts, members are not personally liable for the full amount. Members only have to pay the amount that they guaranteed when setting the club up – provided they haven’t broken company law.
•Eligible to be a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), again more on this later.
But what are the disadvantages of being a company limited by guarantee?
There is more admin – now clubs have to file annual accounts, an annual return and directors’ details at Companies House. Every time a director is appointed or removed that also has to be filed and fines are made for late filing. Because the club is now a company, directors (i.e. the committee members) have duties and responsibilities according to company law.
Companies Limited By Shares: https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/setting-up
A club that becomes a company limited by shares is often favoured by semi-professional or professional clubs. And it is exactly the same as a company limited by guarantee except it’s owned by shareholders.
So what are the advantages of being a company limited by shareholders?
•Shares can be bought and sold – depending on any restrictions that you may have put in your article of association; shares can be bought and sold. Investors can more easily invest in the club and dividends can be paid.
But what are the disadvantages of being a company limited by shareholders?
•Membership share issues – every time a member joins a share has to be issued and each time a member leaves their share must be transferred to someone else or redeemed. Shares cannot be advertised and sold publicly.
•Controlling the club – if anyone gains 50% of the shares then they can control the board of directors. If they have over 75% they can change the clubs constitution.
•Not eligible to be a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) – more on this later.
Social Enterprise: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-a-social-enterprise
You must choose a business structure if you’re starting a business that helps people or communities (a ‘social enterprise’). If you want to set up a business that has social, charitable or community-based objectives, you can set up as a:
Community interest company (CIC) If you’re setting up a small organisation like a sports club or a voluntary group and don’t plan to make a profit, you can form an ‘unincorporated association’ instead of starting a business. A CIC is a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders. To set up a CIC, you need to apply to Companies House, and: include a ‘community interest statement’, explaining what your business plans to do create an ‘asset lock’- a legal promise stating that the company’s assets will only be used for its social objectives, and setting limits to the money it can pay to shareholders Charitable Incorporated Organisation The main advantage of a CIO is the limited liability afforded by an incorporated form, alongside the lower administrative burden associated with being regulated by the Charity Commission alone, and not by Companies House. (see details below)
Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC): https://www.gov.uk/register-a-community-amateur-sports-club/overview
Since 2001 community-based amateur sports clubs have been able to take advantage of tax reliefs by registering as a CASC. A club is eligible to become a CASC if it is: open to all of the community, amateur and non-profit making, given to a sport’s governing body, another CASC or charity if it is wound up.
So what are the advantages of being a CASC?
•Gift Aid can be claimed on donations from individuals – which means the government adds 28.5p to every £1 donated. However, this can’t be applied to membership fees.
•Eligible for Business Rate Relief – Local Authorities can give relief of at least 80% and some up to 100%.
•Tax exemptions – lots of tax exemptions and reliefs and CASCs also do not pay tax on interest earned in bank accounts.
So what are the disadvantages of being a CASC?
•Permanence – after registration with HMRC, CASC status can’t be undone. Open membership – Clubs have to allow anybody to be a member and have equal opportunity to use club facilities – unless the level of facilities means there is no more room for members or it can be proved members would be disruptive. Fee levels must also be low enough so everyone has the opportunity to join.
•Players must be amateur – expenses can be paid but nothing more.
•No social members – all paying members must be playing members.
•Extra administration if annual income is above £5000 – clubs must register with the Charity Commission and submit annual accounts as well as comply with charity law.
Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) What is a CIO? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-types-how-to-choose-a-structure
Charitable Incorporated Organizations or CIOs are a relatively new legal structure available for groups that wish to be incorporated. It can be chosen instead of registering ad a charity and then as a company as well. CIOs have been designed to allow groups them register just once with the Charity Commission as an incorporated form of charity which is not a company. Therefore cutting out the need to register with and report to Companies House. Reduced administrative burden is proposed as just one of the benefits of becoming a CIO. In addition to this, the CIO would have its own legal personality and so can enter into contracts in its own right rather than in the name of individual trustees. Trustees will also have limited liability. CIO members still have key rights in law and under the Constitution and trustees are still responsible for managing the organisation (note that trustees for CIOs will only be trustees, they will not have the dual role of Company Director).
Pros Cons Need only register with Charity Commission Not as straightforward as running an unincorporated association or a charitable trust Need only comply with Charity Law Not as suitable for charities wanting to issue debentures Limited liability for trustees and members Does not come into existence until registered with the Charity Commission – therefore you cannot open a bank account etc. in its name until it is fully registered Legal personality - enabling it to conduct business in Cannot be an exempt charity its own name, rather than the name of the trustees Submission of accounts and registers - for groups under £5,000 may involve a lot more work Suitable for small to medium sized organisations which employ staff and/or enter into contracts - simpler than establishing a charitable company May not be suitable for large/complex charities Charities can transfer the ownership of any trading subsidiary company to the CIO. CIO legislation makes no provision for the maintenance of a register of charges - may make more it difficult to borrow. Flexibility, for example, CIO constitution can allow for decisions at meetings to be by consensus Members of a CIO will not have rights to receive accounts, call meetings, vote by proxy, demand a poll and remove a trustee unless the constitution expressly provides them. Smaller CIOs can prepare receipts and payments accounts (under £250,000 annual income), while smaller charitable companies must prepare accounts on the accruals basis. CIO can only change its written constitution with a written members resolution unanimous vote rather than 75% as a company Regime for electronic communications with members is also less rigid than the regime that applies to charitable companies’ i.e you can email all members without receiving permission first. Type Legal Status Required Documentation for Legal Unincorporated Associations Private members clubs with a committee – may have a set of rules and a constitution None – the committee and/or members cannot enter into land transactions / contracts or hold assets on behalf of the club Trustees are required – at least 2 – to hold the land/assets or enter contracts on trust for the club. Retired or deceased trustees must be replaced by the committee appointing new trustees. Club rules & constitution Full names and addresses of the trustees Copy of the trust deed Incorporated Associations Company Limited by Guarantee Company is a legal entity and can contract / hold assets in its own name. Articles of Association must be checked to ensure company has capacity to enter into the transaction concerned (e.g. to buy, sell or lease land) Articles of Association Director(s) Registration at Companies
House
Articles of Association Company Name (in full) Company Registration Number Company’s registered address Contact at company with correspondence address Company Limited by Shares As above As above As above Community Interest Company As above As above As above Charitable Incorporated Organisation CIO is a legal entity and can contract / hold assets in its own name. As above although registration will be with Charities Commission rather than Companies House As above although registration will be with Charities Commission rather than Companies House Other Community Amateur Sports Club May be incorporated or unincorporated – see above for information If incorporated – see company information If unincorporated – see trustees information If incorporated – see company information If unincorporated – see trustees information Charities May be incorporated or unincorporated – see above for information Registration with the Charity Commission Charity Registration Number Charity’s registered address Contact at charity with correspondence address PLUS company information as above if incorporated
Leeds City Council can provide discretionary rate relief for your sports club, based on a sport development criterion. We can also advise your club on the benefits of becoming a Community Amateur Sport Club (CASC) as well as on other governance models for your club.
If your club would like to apply for DRR, or to be a CASC please contact: Chris Gott chris.gott@leeds.gov.uk
You can easily access all the latest updates and information to help develop your club on Twitter External link opens in new window@LCCSportDev. If you would like to receive our e-newsletter please leave your email address at Sport.Club.Development@leeds.gov.uk
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