Proposal to restructure The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust as a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Members attending the 2026 AGM will be asked to consider and vote on a proposal to restructure the Trust as a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Peter Anwyl-Harris, Chairman explains:
The Trust was formed back in 1982 and was structured as a charitable unincorporated association, which was a common and suitable structure at the time. This and our original Constitution has served us well for over 40 years, but times and legislation move on and, looking at the options available now, we have considered which structure would serve the Trust best for the future. Having taken legal advice, we believe that the most appropriate structure for a charity of our size and nature would be what is known as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and the proposal is to restructure as a CIO. I understand that many new charities established today register as a CIO and the Council feels that we too should move with the times and adopt the new structure. Our name will remain the same and the existing Council Members will transfer across to the new entity as will all Members of the Trust.
Useful documents:
Our solicitors, Thomson Snell & Passmore LLP have prepared a summary of the CIO restructuring process
Existing Constitution of The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust
Proposed CIO Constitution of The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust
At the AGM 2026:
To enable us to make this change, Members will be asked to approve two Resolutions at our Annual General Meeting on 16th May 2026:
A Resolution to restructure the existing Trust as a CIO, and
A Resolution to amend the existing Constitution to include a provision to allow for the Trust’s assets to be transferred to the new CIO.
The Resolutions are detailed in the AGM Agenda.
Following approval by Members, registration of the CIO by The Charity Commission is required. This may take a few months, and a further meeting will be needed to approve the transfer of the assets from the old Trust to the new CIO once registration of the new CIO is completed.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact us.
Further details about the 2026 AGM can be found here.
