Can trustees delegate their responsibilities?
The short answer Trustees can generally delegate certain powers to agents or employees, but will and must always retain the ultimate responsibility for running the charity. In more detail Delegation powers: Trustees always have the ultimate responsibility for running their charity. But they generally have the power to delegate certain powers to agents, subject to their governing document, and any relevant legislation. The Trustee Act 2000 says that trustees of unincorporated charities can delegate: • carrying out a decision that the trustees have taken; • the investment of assets, including land subject to the trust; • raising funds for the trust other than by the profits of trade which is an integral part of carrying out the trust’s charitable purposes; or • any other function prescribed by an order made by the relevant Secretary of State. Dealing with third parties: Someone acting as a delegate or agent of the trustees should always make clear in dealings with third parties that they
