Constitution
Contents
| CONTENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL | type of organisation, Scottish principal office, name, purposes, powers, liability, general structure | clauses 1 – 14 |
| BOARD (CHARITY TRUSTEES) | number, eligibility, initial charity trustees, appointment/retiral, termination of office, register of charity trustees, office-bearers, powers, general duties, conflicts of interest, remuneration and expenses, code of conduct | clauses 15 – 46 |
| DECISION-MAKING BY THE CHARITY TRUSTEES | notice, procedure at board meetings, technical objections to remote participation, resolutions agreed in writing/by email, minutes | clauses 47 – 74 |
| DECISION-MAKING BY THE CHARITY TRUSTEES AS MEMBERS | AGMs and other members’ meetings, notice, procedure, voting at members’ meetings, technical objections to remote participation, written resolutions, minutes | clauses 75 – 101 |
| ADMINISTRATION | sub-committees, operation of accounts, accounting records and annual accounts | clauses 101 – 108 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | winding up, alterations to the constitution, interpretation | clauses 109 – 114 |
General
Type of organisation
- The organisation will, upon registration, be a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO, 1-tier).
Scottish principal office
- The principal office of the organisation will be in Scotland (and must remain in Scotland).
Name
- The name of the organisation is “Bilingual Family” (SCIO, 1-tier)
Purposes
4. The organisation’s purposes are to
(a) advance education and the heritage, culture and science:
Bilingual Family will advance the understanding of the benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism for children and young people and provide accurate, research-based information and advice to parents of bilingual children and to professionals supporting bilingual and multilingual children and families.
(b) advance human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation and promote equality and diversity:
Bilingual Family will promote language equality and diversity to give every child the chance to learn and use their heritage language(s) alongside the main language(s) of the community they live in, as stated in UN’s Convention of the Rights of the Child, article 30.
Powers
5. The organisation has power to do anything which is calculated to further its purposes or is conducive or incidental to doing so.
6. No part of the income or property of the organisation may be paid or transferred (directly or indirectly) to the charity trustees – either in the course of the organisation’s existence or on dissolution – except where this is done in direct furtherance of the organisation’s charitable purposes.
7. Clause 6 does not prevent the organisation making any payment which is permitted under clauses 41 to 44 (remuneration and expenses).
Liability of charity trustees
8. The charity trustees of the organisation (in their capacity as members – see clause 12) have no liability to pay any sums to help to meet the debts (or other liabilities) of the organisation if it is wound up; accordingly, if the organisation is unable to meet its debts, the charity trustees will not be held responsible.
9. The charity trustees have certain legal duties under the Scottish Charities Act; and clause 8 does not exclude (or limit) any personal liabilities they might incur if they are in breach of those duties, or in breach of other legal obligations or duties that apply to them personally.
General structure
10 The structure of the organisation consists of the BOARD – who hold regular meetings, and generally control the activities of the organisation; for example, the board is responsible for monitoring and controlling the financial position of the organisation.
11 The board also appoints charity trustees to fill vacancies, and the people serving on the board (in their capacity as members of the organisation – see clauses 12 and 14) have power to make changes to the constitution itself.
12 The people serving on the board are referred to in this constitution as CHARITY TRUSTEES – and they are also the MEMBERS of the organisation for the purposes of the Scottish Charities Act.
13 Under the provisions of this constitution, no-one can be a member unless they are also a charity trustee of the organisation; and if anyone ceases for any reason to be a charity trustee of the organisation, they automatically cease to be a member.
14 The Scottish Charities Act requires certain decisions to be taken by the charity trustees in their capacity as members of the organisation.
Board
Number of charity trustees
15 The maximum number of charity trustees is nine.
16 The minimum number of charity trustees is three.
Eligibility
17 A person will not be eligible for appointment to the board if they are:
(a) disqualified from being a charity trustee under the Scottish Charities Act; or
(b) an employee of the organisation.
Initial charity trustees
18 The individuals who signed the charity trustee declaration forms which accompanied the application for incorporation of the organisation shall be deemed to have been appointed by the members as charity trustees with effect from the date of incorporation of the organisation.
Appointment/retiral
19 The board may at any time appoint any person (subject to clause 15 and providing they are not debarred under clause 17) to be a charity trustee – by way of a resolution passed by majority vote at a board meeting.
20 At the conclusion of the first AGM, one third (to the nearest round number) of the charity trustees shall retire from office; the question of which of them is to retire shall be determined by some random method.
21 At the conclusion of each AGM (other than the first): any charity trustees appointed during the period since the preceding
(a) AGM (but excluding those re-appointed under clause 23 during that period) shall retire from office;
(b) out of the remaining charity trustees, one third (to the nearest round number) shall retire from office.
22 The charity trustees to retire under paragraph (b) of clause 21 shall be those who have been longest in office since they were last appointed or reappointed; as between persons who were last appointed/re-appointed on the same date, the question of which of them is to retire shall be determined by some random method.
23 A charity trustee who retires from office under clause 20 or 21 at the conclusion of an AGM shall be eligible for re-appointment under clause 19 at the next board meeting.
24 A charity trustee vacating office at the conclusion of an AGM will be deemed to have been re-appointed at the board meeting which next follows unless:
(a) they advise the board that they do not wish to be re-appointed; or
(b) a resolution for the re-appointment of that charity trustee was put to the board meeting and was not carried.
Termination of office
25 A charity trustee will automatically cease to hold office if:
(a) they become disqualified from being a charity trustee under the Scottish Charities Act;
(b) they become incapable for medical reasons of carrying out their duties as a charity trustee – but only if that has continued (or is expected to continue) for a period of more than six months;
(c) they become an employee of the organisation;
(d) they give the organisation a notice of resignation (either in writing or by email);
(e) they are absent (without good reason, in the opinion of the board) from more than three consecutive board meetings – but only if the board resolve to remove them from office;
(f) they are removed from office by resolution of the board on the grounds that they are considered to have committed a serious breach of the code of conduct for charity trustees (as referred to in clause 45); or
(g) they are removed from office by resolution of the board on the grounds that they are considered to have been in serious or persistent breach of their duties under section 66(1) or (2) of the Scottish Charities Act.
26 A resolution under paragraph (f) or (g) of clause 25 shall be valid only if:
(a) the charity trustee concerned is given reasonable prior notice (in writing or by email) of the grounds upon which the resolution for their removal is to be proposed;
(b) the charity trustee concerned is given the opportunity to address the meeting at which the resolution is proposed, prior to the resolution being put to the vote; and
(c) at least two thirds (to the nearest round number) of the charity trustees then in office vote in favour of the resolution.
Register of charity trustees
27 The board must keep a register of charity trustees, setting out:
(a) for each current charity trustee:
(i) their full name and address;
(ii) the date on which they were appointed as a charity trustee; and
(iii) any office held by them in the organisation.
(b) for each former charity trustee – for at least 6 years from the date on which they ceased to be a charity trustee:
(i) the name of the charity trustee;
(ii) any office held by them in the organisation; and
(iii) the date on which they ceased to be a charity trustee.
28 The board must ensure that the register of charity trustees is updated within 28 days of any change:
(a) which arises from a resolution of the board; or
(b) which is notified to the organisation.
29 If any person requests a copy of the register of charity trustees, the board must ensure that a copy is supplied to them within 28 days, providing the request is reasonable; if the request is made by a person who is not a charity trustee of the organisation, the board may provide a copy which has the addresses blanked out – if the organisation is satisfied that including that information is likely to jeopardise the safety or security of any person or premises.
30 The members of the organisation are identical to its charity trustees – and therefore the organisation does not require to keep a separate register of members.
Office-bearers
31 The charity trustees must elect (from among themselves) a chair, a vice-chair, a treasurer and a secretary.
32 In addition to the office-bearers required under clause 31, the charity trustees may elect (from among themselves) further office-bearers if they consider that appropriate.
33 All of the office-bearers will cease to hold office at the conclusion of each AGM, but may then be re-elected by the board (after the AGM) under clause 31 or 32.
34 A person elected to any office will automatically cease to hold that office:
(a) if they cease to be a charity trustee; or
(b) if they give to the organisation a notice of resignation from that office (either in writing or by email).
Powers of board
35 Except where this constitution states otherwise:
(a) the organisation (and its assets and operations) will be managed by the board; and
(b) the board may exercise all the powers of the organisation.
36 A meeting of the board at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the board.
Charity trustees – general duties
37 Each of the charity trustees has a duty, in exercising functions as a charity trustee, to act in the interests of the organisation; and, in particular, must:
(a) seek, in good faith, to ensure that the organisation acts in a manner which is in accordance with its purposes;
(b) act with the care and diligence which it is reasonable to expect of a person who is managing the affairs of another person;
(c) in circumstances giving rise to the possibility of a conflict of interest between the organisation and any other party:
(i) put the interests of the organisation before that of the other party; or
(ii) where any other duty prevents them from doing so, disclose the conflicting interest to the organisation and refrain from participating in any deliberation or decision of the other charity trustees with regard to the matter in question;
(d) ensure that the organisation complies with any direction, requirement, notice or duty imposed under or by virtue of the Scottish Charities Act.
38 In addition to the duties outlined in clause 37, all of the charity trustees must take such steps as are reasonably practicable for the purpose of ensuring:
(a) that any breach of any of those duties by a charity trustee is corrected by the charity trustee concerned and not repeated; and
(b) that any charity trustee who has been in serious or persistent breach of those duties is removed as a charity trustee.
Conflicts of interest involving charity trustees – general
39 The board must use every effort to ensure that conflicts of interest involving charity trustees (including those which relate to individuals or bodies connected with charity trustees) are identified at the earliest opportunity and appropriately managed; the following provisions of this constitution are of particular relevance:
(a) clauses 40 and 43 require charity trustees to declare any personal interest which they may have in any transaction or other arrangement with the organisation;
(b) clause 63 prohibits a charity trustee with a personal interest in a proposed arrangement from voting on the question of whether the organisation should enter into that arrangement;
(c) clause 42 (reflecting similar provisions contained in the Scottish Charities Act) sets out restrictions and conditions for any arrangement under which remuneration would be paid to a charity trustee (or where the charity trustee might benefit from remuneration paid to a connected party).
40 In addition to complying with the provisions referred to in clause 39:
(a) the board must maintain a register of charity trustees’ interests;
(b) the chairperson of each board meeting must invite declarations of interest, shortly after the start of the meeting;
(c) the minutes of each board meeting must record any conflicts of interest which have been declared at the meeting, and must set out in detail how any such conflicts of interest have been managed.
Remuneration and expenses
41 No charity trustee may serve as an employee (full time or part time) of the organisation; and no charity trustee may be given any remuneration by the organisation for carrying out their duties as a charity trustee.
42 Where a charity trustee provides services to the organisation or might benefit from any remuneration paid to a connected party for such services:
(a) the maximum amount of the remuneration must be specified in a written agreement and must be reasonable;
(b) the board must be satisfied that it would be in the interests of the organisation to enter into the arrangement (taking account of that maximum amount); and
(c) less than half of the charity trustees must be receiving remuneration from the organisation (or benefit from remuneration of that nature).
43 Provided they have declared their interest – and have not voted on the question of whether or not the organisation should enter into the arrangement – a charity trustee will not be debarred from entering into an arrangement with the organisation in which they have a personal interest where that is not prohibited by clause 41 or 42; and (subject to clause 42 and to the provisions relating to remuneration for services contained in the Scottish Charities Act), they may retain any personal benefit which arises from that arrangement.
44 The charity trustees may be paid all travelling and other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with carrying out their duties; this may include expenses relating to their attendance at meetings.
Code of conduct for charity trustees
45 Each of the charity trustees shall comply with the code of conduct (incorporating detailed rules on conflict of interest) prescribed by the board from time to time.
46 The code of conduct referred to in clause 45 shall be supplemental to the provisions relating to the conduct of charity trustees contained in this constitution and the duties imposed on charity trustees under the Scottish Charities Act; and all relevant provisions of this constitution shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the provisions of the code of conduct in force from time to time.
DECISION-MAKING BY THE CHARITY TRUSTEES
Notice of board meetings
47 Any charity trustee may call a meeting of the board or may ask the secretary to call a meeting of the board.
48 At least 7 days’ notice must be given of each board meeting, unless (in the opinion of the person calling the meeting) there is a degree of urgency which makes that inappropriate.
49 If charity trustees are to be permitted to participate in a board meeting by way of audio and/or audio-visual link(s), the charity trustees must, in advance of the meeting, be provided with details of how to connect and participate via that link or links; and (particularly for the benefit of those charity trustees who may have difficulties in using a computer or laptop for this purpose) the charity trustees’ attention should be drawn to the following options:
(a) participating in the meeting via an audio link accessed by phone, using dial-in details (if that forms part of the arrangements);
(b) (where attendance in person is to be permitted, either on an open basis or subject to a restriction on the total number who will be permitted to attend) the ability to attend the meeting in person.
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Procedure at board meetings
50 No valid decisions can be taken at a board meeting unless a quorum is present; the quorum for board meetings is three charity trustees, present in person or via an audio and/or audio-visual link.
51 An individual participating in a board meeting via an audio or audio-visual link will be deemed to be present in person (or, if they are not a charity trustee, will be deemed to be in attendance) at the meeting.
52 If at any time the number of charity trustees in office falls below the number stated as the quorum in clause 50, the remaining charity trustee(s) will have power to fill the vacancies or call a members’ meeting – but will not be able to take any other valid decisions.
53 The chair of the organisation should act as chairperson of each board meeting.
54 If the chair of the organisation is not present within 15 minutes after the time at which the meeting was due to start (or is not willing to act as chairperson), the vice-chair will act as the chairperson, if the vice-chair is not present, the charity trustees present at the meeting must elect (from among themselves) the person who will act as chairperson of that meeting.
55 Every charity trustee has one vote, which must be given personally (subject to clause 61).
56 All decisions at board meetings will be made by majority vote.
57 If there is an equal number of votes for and against any resolution, the chairperson of the meeting will be entitled to a second (casting) vote.
58 The board may if they consider appropriate (and must, if that is required under clause 60) allow charity trustees to participate in board meetings by way of an audio and/or audio-visual link or links which allow them to hear and contribute to discussions at the meeting, providing:
(a) the means by which charity trustees can participate via that link or links are not subject to technical complexities, significant costs or other factors which are likely to represent – for all, or a significant proportion, of the charity trustees – a barrier to participation; and
(b) the board must use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that all charity trustees have access to one or more means by which they may hear and contribute to discussions at the meeting.
60 A board meeting may involve two or more charity trustees participating via attendance in person while other charity trustees participate via audio and/or audio-visual links; or it may involve participation solely via audio and/or audio-visual links.
61 Where a charity trustee is participating in a board meeting via an audio or audio-visual link, they may cast their vote on a given resolution orally, or by way of some form of visual indication, or by use of a voting button or similar, or by way of a message sent electronically.
62 The board may, at its discretion, allow any person to attend (whether in person or by way of an audio or audio-visual link) and speak at a board meeting notwithstanding that they are not a charity trustee – but on the basis that they must not participate in decision-making.
63 A charity trustee must not vote at a board meeting (or at a meeting of a sub-committee) on any resolution which relates to a matter in which they have a personal interest or duty which conflicts (or may conflict) with the interests of the organisation; they must withdraw from the meeting while an item of that nature is being dealt with.
64 For the purposes of clause 64:
(a) an interest held by an individual who is “connected” with the charity trustee under section 68(2) of the Scottish Charities Act (husband/wife, partner, child, parent, brother/sister etc) shall be deemed to be held by that charity trustee;
(b) a charity trustee will (subject to clause 65) be deemed to have a personal interest in relation to a particular matter if a body in relation to which they are an employee, director, member of the management committee, officer or elected representative (or a body in relation to which they are a major shareholder or have some other significant financial interest) has an interest in that matter.
65 Where a subsidiary of the organisation has an interest in a particular matter which is to be considered by the board, a charity trustee who is also a director of that subsidiary will not be debarred from voting on that matter (unless they have a different personal interest in that matter, unrelated to their position as a director of that subsidiary).
Technical objections to remote participation in board meetings
66 This constitution imposes certain requirements regarding the use of audio and/or audio-visual links as a means of participation and voting at board meetings; providing the arrangements made by the board in relation to a given board meeting (and the manner in which the meeting is conducted) are consistent with those requirements:
(a) a charity trustee cannot insist on participating in the board meeting, or voting at the board meeting, by any particular means;
(b) the board meeting need not be held in any particular place;
(c) the board meeting may be held without any particular number of those participating in the meeting being present in person at the same place (but, notwithstanding that, the quorum requirements – taking account of those participating via audio and/or audio-visual links – must still be met);
(d) the board meeting may be held by any means which permits those participating in the meeting to hear and contribute to discussions at the meeting;
(e) a charity trustee will be able to exercise the right to vote at the board meeting by such means as is determined by the chairperson of the meeting (consistent with the arrangements made by the board) and which permits that charity trustee’s vote to be taken into account in determining whether or not a resolution is passed.
Board resolutions agreed in writing or by email
67 A resolution agreed to in writing (or by email) by a majority of the charity trustees then in office shall (subject to clauses 68 and 69) be as valid as if duly passed at a board meeting.
68 A resolution under clause 67 shall not be valid unless a copy of the resolution was circulated to all of the charity trustees, along with a cut-off time (which must be reasonable in the circumstances) for notifications under clause 69.
69 If a resolution is circulated to the charity trustees under clause 68, any one or more charity trustees may, following receipt of a copy of the resolution, notify the secretary that they consider that a board meeting should be held to discuss the matter which is the subject of the resolution; and if any such notification is received by the secretary prior to the cut-off time:
(a) the secretary must convene a board meeting accordingly, and on the basis that it will take place as soon as reasonably possible;
(b) the resolution cannot be treated as valid under clause 67 unless and until that board meeting has taken place;
(c) the board may (if they consider appropriate, on the basis of the discussions at the meeting) resolve at that board meeting that the resolution should be treated as invalid, notwithstanding that it had previously been agreed to in writing (or by email) by a majority of the charity trustees then in office.
Minutes of board meetings
70 The board must ensure that proper minutes are kept in relation to all board meetings and meetings of sub-committees; and that a proper record is kept of all resolutions agreed to in writing or by email under clause 68.
71 The minutes to be kept under clause 70 must include the names of those present; and (so far as possible) should be signed by the chairperson of the meeting.
72 The records of resolutions kept under clause 70 must include the names of those charity trustees who agreed to the resolution (as well as the names of any charity trustees who stated that they disagreed with the resolution); and should be signed by the chair of the organisation.
73 The board shall (subject to clause 74) make available copies of the minutes, and records of resolutions, referred to in clause 70 to any member of the public requesting them.
74 The board may exclude from any copy minutes, or records of resolutions, made available to a member of the public under clause 73 any material which the board considers ought properly to be kept confidential – on the grounds that allowing access to such material could cause significant prejudice to the interests of the organisation or on the basis that the material contains reference to employee or other matters which it would be inappropriate to divulge.
DECISION-MAKING BY THE CHARITY TRUSTEES – IN THEIR CAPACITY AS MEMBERS
Annual general meetings
76 The board must convene a meeting of the charity trustees – in their capacity as members of the organisation – in each calendar year; that meeting will be called an annual general meeting or “AGM”.
77 The gap between one AGM and the next must not be longer than 15 months.
78 Notwithstanding clause 76, an AGM does not need to be held during the calendar year in which the organisation is formed; but the first AGM must still be held within 15 months of the date on which the organisation is formed.
79 The business of each AGM must include:
(a) a report by the chair on the activities of the organisation; and
(b) consideration of the future strategy for the organisation, including a review of key risks and opportunities.
80 The board may convene any other meeting of the charity trustees – in their capacity as members of the organisation – at any time.
Notice of members’ meetings
81 At least 14 clear days’ notice must be given of any AGM or any other members’ meeting.
82 The notice calling a members’ meeting must specify in general terms what business is to be dealt with at the meeting; and
(a) in the case of any resolution falling within clause 90 (requirement for two-thirds majority) must set out the exact terms of the resolution; and
(b) in the case of a resolution to alter the constitution, must set out the exact terms of the proposed alteration(s).
83 The reference to “clear days” in clause 81 shall be taken to mean that, in calculating the period of notice:
(a) the day after the notices are posted (or sent by email) should be excluded; and
(b) the day of the meeting itself should also be excluded.
84 Notice of every members’ meeting must be given to all the charity trustees; but the accidental omission to give notice to one or more charity trustees will not invalidate the proceedings at the meeting.
85 Any notice of a members’ meeting which requires to be given to a charity trustee – in their capacity as a member of the organisation – under this constitution must be:
(a) sent by post to the charity trustee, at the address last notified by them to the organisation; or
(b) sent by email to the charity trustee, at the email address last notified by them to the organisation.
86 Clause 49 shall apply where notice is being given in relation to a members’ meeting at which charity trustees (in their capacity as members of the organisation) are to be permitted to participate by way of audio and/or audio-visual link(s).
Procedure at members’ meetings
87 The provisions of clauses 50, 51, 53 and 54 (quorum, chairperson) shall apply in relation to all meetings of the charity trustees in their capacity as members of the organisation.
Voting at members’ meetings
88 Every charity trustee shall have one vote in their capacity as a member, which must be given personally (subject to clause 92).
89 All decisions at members’ meetings will be made by majority vote – with the exception of the types of resolution listed in clause 90.
90 The following resolutions will be valid only if passed by not less than two thirds of those voting on the resolution at a members’ meeting (or if passed by way of a written resolution under clause 96):
(a) a resolution amending the constitution;
(b) a resolution approving the amalgamation of the organisation with another SCIO (or approving the constitution of the new SCIO to be constituted as the successor pursuant to that amalgamation);
(c) a resolution to the effect that all of the organisation’s property, rights and liabilities should be transferred to another SCIO (or agreeing to the transfer from another SCIO of all of its property, rights and liabilities);
(d) a resolution for the winding up or dissolution of the organisation.
91 If there is an equal number of votes for and against any resolution, the chairperson of the meeting will be entitled to a second (casting) vote.
92 A resolution put to the vote at a members’ meeting will be decided on a show of hands – unless the chairperson (or at least two other members present at the meeting) ask for a secret ballot.
93 The chairperson will decide how any secret ballot is to be conducted, and they will declare the result of the ballot at the meeting.
94 The provisions of clauses 57 to 60 (remote participation) shall apply in relation to participation and voting by charity trustees in their capacity as members of the organisation and in relation to participation and voting by any proxy appointed by a charity trustee (in their capacity as a member of the organisation).
Technical objections to remote participation in members’ meetings
95 The principles set out in clause 66 (technical objections to remote participation) shall apply in relation to remote participation and voting at members’ meetings, as if each reference in that clause to a charity trustee were a reference to a charity trustee in their capacity as a member and each reference in that clause to a board meeting were a reference to a members’ meeting.
Written resolutions by members
96 A resolution agreed to in writing (or by email) by all the charity trustees, in their capacity as members of the organisation, will be as valid as if it had been passed at a members’ meeting; the date of the resolution will be taken to be the date on which the last charity trustee agreed to it.
Minutes of members’ meetings
97 The board must ensure that proper minutes are kept in relation to all members’ meetings, and that a proper record is kept of all resolutions agreed to in writing or by email under clause 96.
98 Minutes of members’ meetings must include the names of those present; and (so far as possible) should be signed by the chairperson of the meeting.
99 The records of resolutions kept under clause 97 must include confirmation that all members agreed to the resolution; and should be signed by the chair of the organisation.
100 The board shall make available copies of the minutes, and records of resolutions, referred to in clause 98 to any member of the public requesting them; but on the basis that the board may exclude confidential material to the extent permitted under clause 74.
ADMINISTRATION
101 The board may delegate any of their powers to Teams; a Team must include at least one charity trustee, but other members of a Team need not be charity trustees.
102 The board may also delegate to the chair of the organisation (or the holder of any other post) such of their powers as they may consider appropriate.
103 When delegating powers under clause 101 or 102, the board must set out appropriate conditions (which must include an obligation to report regularly to the board).
104 Any delegation of powers under clause 101 or 102 may be revoked or altered by the board at any time.
105 The rules of procedure for each Team, and the provisions relating to membership of each Team, shall be set by the board.
Operation of accounts
106 The board should ensure that the systems of financial control adopted by the organisation in relation to the operation of the organisation’s bank accounts (including online banking) reflect the recommendations made from time to time by the organisation’s auditors (or independent examiners) or other external accountants.
Accounting records and annual accounts
107 The board must ensure that proper accounting records are kept, in accordance with all applicable statutory requirements.
108 The board must prepare annual accounts, complying with all relevant statutory requirements; and
(a) if an audit is required under any statutory provisions (or if the board consider that an audit would be appropriate for some other reason), the board should ensure that an audit of the accounts is carried out by a qualified auditor;
(b) if an audit is not carried out, the board must ensure that an independent examination of the accounts is carried out by a qualified independent examiner.
MISCELLANEOUS
109 If the organisation is to be wound up or dissolved, the winding-up or dissolution process will be carried out in accordance with the procedures set out under the Scottish Charities Act.
110 Any surplus assets available to the organisation immediately preceding its winding up or dissolution must be used for purposes which are the same as – or which closely resemble – the purposes of the organisation as set out in this constitution; and the named recipient body (or bodies) in the resolution for the winding-up and dissolution of the organisation must also comply with any additional requirements which apply at the time under the regulations which govern the winding up and dissolution of SCIOs.
Alterations to the constitution
111 This constitution may (subject to clause 112) be altered by resolution of the charity trustees – in their capacity as members of the organisation – passed at a members’ meeting (subject to achieving the two thirds majority referred to in clause 90) or by way of a written resolution of the charity trustees in their capacity as members.
112 The Scottish Charities Act prohibits taking certain steps (e.g. change of name, an alteration to the purposes, amalgamation, winding-up) without the consent of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
Interpretation
113 References in this constitution to the Scottish Charities Act should be taken to include:
(a) any statutory provision which adds to, modifies or replaces that Act; and
(b) any statutory instrument issued in pursuance of that Act or in pursuance of any statutory provision falling under paragraph (a) above.
114 In this constitution:
(a) “Scottish Charities Act” means (subject to clause 113) the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005;
(b) “charitable purpose” means a charitable purpose under section 7 of the Scottish Charities Act which is also regarded as a charitable purpose in relation to the application of the Taxes Acts.