For a number of years, the small charity for which I work has paid for a Christmas meal for the Trustees, staff and volunteers at a local independent restaurant at a cost of approximately £35 per head. It's a way of thanking everyone for all their hard work throughout the year and is the only occasion in the year when everyone is in the same place at the same time.

We have a new treasurer who is a stickler for rules and regulations, which I'm not saying is a bad thing. She has contacted the Charity Commission about this meal for guidance as in her view, Trustees should not have their meal paid for. As a result of this, the response from the Charity Commission is that the Charity is not allowed to pay for a meal for anyone, trustee, staff or volunteer.

I would like to know what others' experience of such events has been, what is your current practice and if you have had any contact with the Charity Commission about this area.