I have just spoken to the Charities Commission. I gave a general
picture of what we wanted and was informed that all our ideas are
sound.
And a very clear description of what we might do is set down here:
http://www.duport.co.uk/company-formation/charity-companies.htm
And the aims and objectives:
http://www.duport.co.uk/company-formation/charity-companies-aims.htm
This company charges 135 pounds for the service.
****
You must provide the objects (aims) of your organisation (Our team
can help with this, but first look at our examples)
You must state what will be done with any excess earnings
A minimum of 3 Officers including:
3 or more Trustees (Directors)
1 Secretary (who may be one of the Trustees) (service available)
Registered Office in the UK (service available)
****
Somes notes following my phone call to Charities Commission.
1) We should form a company limited by guarantee: that can be bought
off the shelf for about 100 quid. Note that we would have to have the
annual account audited. It the first few years the return would be be
the cut down version.
2) That company should show that it has (or will have) an income of
1,000 per annum or more. Promissory notes are accepted on the basis
that the donors are going to pay once charitable status is given.
3) The money can come from abroad.
4) The company must demonstrate that Trustees are mainly based in
England and Wales
5) The company must show evidence of bank account and registration at
Companies House, and "articles of association". The Articles should
be based on the models from the website, GD1 in particular.
6) The 1,000 figure is the minimum. Charities that turnover (have
income?) between 1,000 and 10,000 are classed as small charities.
That's about it. I am happy to ring back. Also, if anybody else wants
to ring up and ask questions, that's fine, since the staff seem to
happy to help.
***
In terms of Company Law, if the name is either of:
1) Wikimedia UK Ltd
2) Wikimedia UK Limited
with "UK" in the name, the company would have to show the
relationship to a non-UK parent or sister companies.
Gordo
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