New guidance on decision-making for charity trustees aims to help protect them if something goes wrong. It's Your Decision, the latest publication by the Charity Commission, explains the key principles that the courts and the Commission expect trustees to apply when they are making significant or strategic decisions. It covers areas that can be overlooked in decision-making, such as whether trustees have relevant powers to carry out their plans, potential conflicts of interest, and making informed decisions based only on relevant considerations. Trustees who can show that they have followed the principles in making their decisions are unlikely to be held personally responsible for what went wrong. The guidance also covers practicalities, such as making sure meetings are properly conducted, recording decisions accurately, and what to do if trustees disagree. The guidance aims to help increase trustees' confidence when making decisions, and inform their processes.
