GOVERNANCE

The Lowde Music Trust Limited was incorporated on 18 May 2012 (company number 08075265) and subsequently registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (registered charity number 1166852) on 29 April 2016.

The charity is a constituted as a company limited by guarantee. It is governed through a memorandum and articles of association and a board of Trustees.

The Lowde Music Trust exists for the following purposes:

1. To advance the education of young people in the subject of music and creative performance in such ways as the charity trustees think fit, including:
   1. Awarding to such persons scholarships, maintenance allowances or grants or support services and equipment not normally provided by the statutory authorities, or
   2. Facilitating mentorship and providing support for their education (including the study of music or other arts), in furtherance of that education or to prepare for entry to any occupation, trade or profession on leaving any educational establishment.
2. To aid in relief of sickness and the preservation of health among young people through:
   1. Direct financial support for the use or the promotion of music as therapy, or,
   2. Through other charitable organisations through financial means or partnering support; or,
   3. By providing and assisting in the provision of facilities, support services and equipment not normally provided by the statutory authorities.
   4.  

During the period (2018-19) the Trust has undertaken a series of activities and actions in support of this purpose, all of which have been approved by the Trustees as being to the public benefit. These activities include: managing and running events, fundraising activities, and making grants and donations.  All of the activities are highlighted in detail in the report below.

The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

The Policy on Grant Making is available. This policy outlines the criteria by which the trust will distribute funds to eligible individuals, organisations or projects. 

LMT is governed by a board of trustee directors. An appointed Managing Director who has delegated responsibility for day-to-day activities, but not grant making decisions

All decisions on grants, donations and funding given by the trust are made by the main trust board. 

The charity is run on an entirely voluntary basis, and the only costs incurred were statutory accountancy and admininstration fees.

None of the trustees hold title to property belonging to the charity at the date of this report and during the period. 

Trustees may be appointed or re-appointed at any time the Board at a meeting and hold office for a period not exceeding three years, with the option of standing for re-election for further periods of three years. 

Trustees are recruited based on approaches made by or to the Board. The Board seeks to maintain a diversity of skills within its membership including trustees with experience in the charity sector, music business and broader business sector who can, collectively:

1. understand the needs of the community it is seeking to benefit;
2. evaluate the merits of those applying for grants/awards;
3. enhance the ability of the charity to attract funding; and
4. ensure appropriate governance of the charities activities.