| Topic: | Can the Conservators Produce the Papers, Now? | |
| Posted by: | John Cameron | |
| Date/Time: | 30/09/14 08:07:00 |
| One of the simpler aspects of my FOI request submitted 7 weeks ago was sight of the board papers that authorised the sale of the access. When any organisation, Charity or otherwise, enters into significant legal agreements (in this case for the sale and purchase of assets) they need authority. Before giving such authority, the Charity, (presumably the Putney Hospital sub committee of Devons, Horrocks and Simon), would prepare a detailed paper for the board meeting. The paper would give the background to the sale, outline concisely the terms of the transaction and most importantly why the proposal was the correct action. It would analyse the benefits and the threats, the risk and the opportunity. It would consider the position of the residents, who pay the bills. in short it would back up, for the record, the subsequent decision. All perfectly normal, straightforward, best practice corporate governance. The massive under sale of the hospital for £1 would be of particular importance, given the threat to the Conservators reputation, and the risk that at a future date, be accused of selling the access to the mates, on the cheap, and breach their fiduciary duty. Heaven forbid. So....where are the board papers, with the background papers to back it up, the record of the board discussion that followed, before the sale was authorised. The answer (drum roll please) is... nowhere to be seen. Simon Lee confirmed two weeks ago it would be published on the Conservators website, but it hasn't been. Various minutes have, but these are incomplete. I would suggest that if such a paper for the board, outlining the case for the sale of the access cannot be produced, that the Trustees are in serious trouble. And if that is the case, they should admit it now, and resign forthwith. |