Why we believe becoming a CIO is the right step for our charity

At the upcoming Annual General Meeting, on Wednesday 25^th November 2026, members will be asked to vote on an important proposal: that CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire adopts a new legal structure and becomes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Before bringing this recommendation to members, the trustees sought advice from a solicitor with expertise in charity law to ensure that all available options were carefully considered and that any proposed changes would be in the best interests of the charity. Following that advice, and after detailed discussion, the trustees unanimously concluded that converting to a CIO would provide the most appropriate, efficient and sustainable legal structure for the organisation moving forward.

The recommendation is not driven by any change to the charity’s purpose or activities. Rather, it reflects a desire to modernise our governance arrangements, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and ensure that the charity’s resources remain focused on delivering our charitable objectives. The trustees believe that becoming a CIO will help place the charity on a stronger footing and provide a governance framework that is better suited to the needs of a modern voluntary organisation.

A stronger foundation for the future

CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire is currently both a registered charity (1094975) and a company limited by guarantee (4496754), a structure that was commonly adopted by charities when incorporation was needed to protect trustees and members. Whilst this arrangement has served the charity well for many years, it also means that we must comply with the regulatory requirements of both the Charity Commission and Companies House.

The CIO structure was introduced specifically for charities in England and Wales and has become an established and widely adopted model across the sector. It retains the benefits of incorporation, including a separate legal identity and protection for trustees and members, while reducing administrative complexity by bringing regulation under the Charity Commission alone.

A number of CPRE branches and many other charities have already adopted CIO status because it better reflects the needs of modern voluntary organisations. The trustees believe it is now the most appropriate structure for a charity of our size and nature.

Moving to CIO status would not change what we do or why we do it. Rather, it would allow us to spend less time and resource on regulatory compliance and more on delivering our charitable objectives and protecting the countryside we care about.

Simpler administration and reduced regulatory burden

One of the most significant advantages of becoming a CIO is that the charity would no longer be required to maintain dual registration with both the Charity Commission and Companies House.

As a CIO, we would:

• Have a single regulator, the Charity Commission.
• No longer be subject to company law filing requirements.
• Avoid increasingly complex Companies House reporting obligations.
• Benefit from administrative arrangements designed specifically for charities rather than commercial organisations.

This would reduce bureaucracy and allow trustees and volunteers to focus their efforts on the charity’s work and impact.

Better protection for those who serve the charity

Like the current structure, a CIO is an incorporated body with its own legal identity. This means the charity itself can enter into contracts, hold assets and employ staff.

Importantly, trustees and members continue to benefit from limited liability protection, provided they act properly and within the scope of their responsibilities. This helps protect those who generously give their time and expertise in support of the charity.

More appropriate financial reporting arrangements

Changes to Companies House requirements and accounting regulations are making company reporting increasingly detailed and time-consuming.

As a CIO, and provided our annual income remains below the current £250,000 threshold, the charity would be able to continue using the simpler receipts-and-payments accounting method rather than full accrual accounting. Given that CPRE PDSY does not hold significant assets, the trustees believe this is a proportionate and practical approach that maintains transparency while reducing unnecessary administrative complexity.

Supporting future growth

The CIO structure is widely recognised by funders, partners and other organisations within the voluntary sector. It provides a robust governance framework that supports effective decision-making and organisational resilience.

The trustees believe that adopting CIO status will ensure that the charity remains well-positioned to pursue funding opportunities, form partnerships and continue its work effectively in the years ahead.

What will stay the same?

It is important to emphasise that this proposal does not change the charity’s purpose, values or priorities.

Our charitable purpose will remain:

“To promote and encourage for the benefit of the public the improvement and protection of the English countryside and, in particular, the area within the branch boundaries and its towns and villages, and the better development of the rural environment.”

Our commitment to protecting and enhancing the countryside remains unchanged. The charity’s work, campaigns, membership and local focus will continue as before.

The proposal is about ensuring that the legal structure supporting that work is fit for purpose and capable of serving the charity effectively into the future.

Changes to the constitution

As part of the transition to CIO status, the trustees have taken the opportunity to review the charity’s governing document to ensure it reflects current best practice and supports the effective operation of the charity in the years ahead.

The vast majority of the existing Memorandum and Articles have been carried forward into the proposed CIO constitution, preserving the principles and governance arrangements that have served the charity well. The review has also enabled a small number of practical updates to ensure the constitution remains relevant, efficient and fit for purpose.

The key updates include:

• Removing references to the ‘Friends of the Peak District’ in the clauses relating to the admission of new members.
• Updating the quorum for members’ meetings from 25 members to 10 members, helping to ensure business can be conducted effectively while maintaining appropriate member representation.
• Introducing a maximum trustee board size of 10 trustees, providing clarity and supporting effective governance.
• Updating the quorum for trustee meetings to two trustees, or one-third of the trustee board (whichever is greater), helping to maintain decision-making capability while preserving appropriate oversight.

Taken together, these changes will help create a governance framework that is practical, proportionate and better suited to the needs of the charity, while preserving the charity’s core purpose and values.

Members are encouraged to review the draft constitution ahead of the AGM and consider how these updates will help ensure the charity remains effective, resilient and well governed in the years to come.

Read the draft CIO guidance

Why your vote matters

The trustees believe that becoming a CIO is a sensible and forward-looking decision. It will preserve the protections of incorporation while simplifying administration, reducing regulatory burden and providing a governance structure that is specifically designed for charities.

By voting in favour of the proposal, members will be helping to create a more efficient, resilient and sustainable organisation, allowing CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire to focus its resources on protecting and enhancing the countryside for future generations.

The trustees therefore unanimously recommend that members vote in favour of the proposal at the Annual General Meeting.