Trustees of branches

Some charities are ‘branches’ of other charities. For example, some national charities have a system of local groups or affiliated members.

If the branches have their own governing documents and separate registered charity numbers then the governing body or ‘local committee’ of each branch is the trustee board of that branch.

If the branch does not have its own governing document or separate charity number but is constitutionally part of the national charity, then the 'local committee' of the local branch are not trustees. The trustees of the national charity are ultimately responsible for the charity as a whole, including its local branches.