The Society held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 15th February 2024 in Paulton Village Hall to discuss the proposal to change our legal status to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

The committee’s aim in proposing this change was to adopt a constitution more fitting to the modern world and to provide limited personal financial liability for the Society’s trustees. The new CIO status will also put the Society on a more professional footing when dealing with fundraising and legislative bodies.

The meeting was well attended by members and following a presentation by the Secretary, Martin Turner, the proposal was put to the vote and overwhelmingly supported by those present.

The committee consequently applied to the Charity Commissioners to make the proposed changes to our constitution and to re-register the Society as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. I am pleased to report that our application has been successful and we have been granted Charitable Incorporated Organisation status. This will bring with it numerous advantages, including the ability for the Society over time to acquire any land and structures that will be necessary to support the restoration of the canal. Our new CIO constitution can be viewed on the ‘Contact us’ page.