This is a resource from the free Charity Excellence Framework online toolkit. If your board meets 4 times a year for 2 hours, that's less than 10 hours a year but, ultimately, you're responsible for everything. One way to ensure that you meet your key responsibilities is to have reserved powers. That is, those matters, which may only be dealt with by the Board as a whole and may not be delegated.

Listed below are a range of issues that may be included. 

·       Organisational and any other underpinning strategies.

·       Annual business (operations), budget and risk management plans.

·       Annual Accounts and Directors’ Report.

·       Appointment of the auditor/independent examiner and annual audit report.

·       Major projects.

·       Contracts in excess of £xk per annum, or longer than x years.

·       Major changes to the …………. Service Level Agreement, MOU etc.

·       Ratification of appointments to Committees.

·       Creation of trading or other subsidiary.

·       Opening of bank accounts or other forms of investment, loans.

·       Changes to staff remuneration and benefits, and approval of any ex gratia payments/settlement agreements.

·       Appointment or dismissal of the CEO. 

·       Complaints or grievances raised against the CEO.

·       Public Disclosure Act (Whistleblowing) submissions.

·       Contract awards, payments etc to trustees, their close personal associates or company.

·       Purchase, disposal or other land or property transactions.

·       Key policies, such as the H&SW, safeguarding, data protection.

·       Any decision to continue trading, where a material concern exists regarding insolvency.

·       Changes to the governing document. 

In dealing with such matters, the Board will (as always) ensure that it has:

·       The power to do so. Board powers are usually in its governing document.

·       Complied with its legal and regulatory obligations, and its own policies.

·       Ensured that all relevant, available facts and information are considered. 

The Charity Excellence Framework online toolkit, enables trustees to assess every aspect of governance, with downloads/links to a huge range of governance resources. The toolkit, its resources and quality mark are completely free.