Members association Community Leisure UK – which represents leisure and culture trusts across the country – has been certified as a Fair Tax Mark business, following its successful assessment against Fair Tax Mark criteria.
The association comprises not-for-profit member organisations that operate everything from community swimming pools, gyms and sports pitches to libraries, museums, heritage buildings and children’s centres.
It has joined a growing movement of Fair Tax Mark organisations, including FTSE-listed businesses and high-street names – like the Co-op Group, Richer Sounds, Timpson Group and Lush – and small independents, social enterprises and co-operatives.
The Fair Tax Mark is an independent certification scheme that recognises organisations that demonstrate they are paying the right amount of corporation tax in the right place, at the right time.
Paul Monaghan, chief executive of Fair Tax Mark said: “As part of the accreditation process, Community Leisure UK has published their first Fair Tax Mark statement. This details a new tax policy, which commits them to shun tax avoidance.
“They have also provided a numerical tax reconciliation and accompanying narrative, which further emphasise their commitment to leading tax transparency practices. From now on Community Leisure UK will publish their full annual accounts and include further detailed disclosures in their next report.
“We’re delighted that they are showing leadership on tax transparency and sharing their position on tax with their members and others across the leisure industry and the third sector.”
Cate Atwater, chief executive of Community Leisure UK said: “One of the association’s four values is transparency, and as the members association for charities and societies in public leisure and culture, we firmly believe the sector should have honest, transparent and responsible tax arrangements.
“Therefore it is important that we demonstrate and discusses our tax arrangements. In our world, transparency of tax and intra-group arrangements are critical for the future of public leisure services that prioritise people and community infrastructure, not hidden profit distribution.”
Co-ops which have gained the Fair Tax Mark include retail co-ops East of England, Midcounties, Scotmid and Radstock; Energy4All, Co-operatives UK and the Co-op Party.
