BLACKBURN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Chair Role: What does it entail?
Context
Blackburn Symphony Orchestra is registered with the Charity Commission in England
as an unincorporated charitable society. On advice from Making Music the society also
incorporated a limited company “Blackburn Symphony Orchestra Productions Ltd”
(please read the document first then see foot note 1)
The society has a constitution that requires the following:
1. It must be governed and run by a committee of Trustees. Only Trustees may exercise
voting rights in committee. (Trustee disqualifications are listed in foot note 2.)
2. One of the Trustees must hold the office of Chair person.
The Office of Honorary Chair
Our Chair holds one of the three Honorary Offices of the society, the others being
Treasurer and Secretary (currently Trevor Donaldson and Kenton Mann respectively).
This group share the responsibility for carrying out the day to day business of the
society as agreed with the full Trustee Committee.
The Current Role of Chair
One should bear in mind that Trustees, regardless of title/office, are all volunteers with
equal status and voting rights. In practice all tasks are negotiated, and negotiable,
ensuring fairness and best use of our talent pool. The following tasks are undertaken by
our current Chair.
1. Chairing full Trustee Committee and Honorary Officer meetings (Circa. 5 per
year).These are approximately half-termly either in person at St Mary’s or online as
appropriate.
2. Taking part in the society’s strategic planning discussions and to facilitate the
negotiation and delegation of tasks to ensure effective implementation of same.
3. Being first contact for and with soloists as prompted by our conductor and negotiating
fees within parameters set by Trustee Committee.
4. Liaising with other Northwest orchestras sharing rehearsal/concert dates and other
information as requested to minimise competition for players.
5. Co-ordinating communication between the Membership, the Trustees, the Conductor,
and current or potential stakeholders.RESPONSIBILITIES
All Trustees and directors, regardless of their office/title, share equally the fiduciary
responsibility to run the society within the law and to adhere to its constitution.
Fiduciary
The Society has made significant investments in savings bonds to protect itself against
falling into debt. Our accounts are audited. Our auditor commented –
“The charity aims to hold unrestricted reserves approximately equal to 12 months costs
and the level of reserves at 31 August 2022 was slightly in excess of this policy. The
committee is mindful that the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the cost of living
crisis ……. may affect income and costs, and it therefore believes that the current level
of reserves is reasonable.”
Constitution
All Trustees must uphold and adhere to the Society’s Constitution. The Society has
adopted a widely used Making Music constitution format/template. A copy is available
on the Members Platform in the Documents section.
1. Blackburn Symphony Orchestra Productions Company
This company was formed in order to take full advantage of HMRC Orchestra Tax Relief. This requires two Trustees
to become directors of the company. Society custom and practice has been for the Chair to be one such director but
this is not a constitutional requirement. If you accept this role you will be asked for a contribution of £1.00 and this will
be the limit of your liability in relation to the company’s activities.
2. People in the following positions are not eligible for Trusteeship
• Having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) with creditors
• Having been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty or deception
• Being an undischarged bankrupt or being subject to bankruptcy restrictions or an interim order
• Being disqualified from being a company director
• Having previously been removed as a trustee by either the Charity Commission or by the High Court due to
misconduct or mismanagement
• Being a registered sex offender
Before accepting the role of trustee you should check the Trustee Eligibility check list. (Making Music Trustee
Handbook / Charity Commission)
