The Institute for Constitutional & Democratic Research Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025
Charity name: The Constitutional & Democratic Research Foundation Charity registration number: 1194293
Objectives & Activities
The Constitutional & Democratic Research Foundation (operating name: The Institute for Constitutional & Democratic Research) exists:
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To advance the education of the public in the subject of constitutions and democracy
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To promote human rights (as set out in the universal declaration of human rights and subsequent united nations conventions and declarations) throughout the world by all or any of the following means:
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Monitoring abuses of human rights
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Research into human rights issues
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Providing technical advice to government and others on human rights matters
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Contributing to the sound administration of human rights law
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Commenting on proposed human rights legislation
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Raising awareness of human rights issues
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Promoting public support for human rights
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Promoting respect for human rights among individuals and corporations
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International advocacy of human rights
In the furtherance of that object but not otherwise, the Trustees shall have power to engage in political activity provided that the Trustees are satisfied that the proposed activities will further the purposes of the charity to an extent justified by the resources committed and the activity is not the dominant means by which the charity carries out its objects.
Activities
The organisation provides advocacy, advice, information and/or research to advance the education of the public in the subject of constitutions and democracy.
Achievements and Performance
In this period the organisation carried out the following activity:
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Provided advise to members of the Senedd in developing proposals for Misrepresentation in Politics legislation
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Produced various advisory notes on legislation emerging around constitutional and democratic issues.
Financial Review
The charity received no income throughout this period. Spending of £517.66 covered fees for Director Sam Fowles to provide advice to the Senedd in developing proposals for Misrepresentation in Politics legislation.
At present the organisation holds no reserves and Trustees do not have a reserves policy in place. This is largely due to the size of the charity at present and its early stages of development. Trustees have a policy in place to confirm that no debt can be undertaken by the charity without their consent and that no debt is likely to be undertaken at present.
Structure, Governance and Management
The ICDR had three trustees across this period – Chloe Hill, Andrew Lane, and Kezia Dugdale. Kezia Dugdale resigned from the Board in June 2024. It is a CIO registered on 1 April 2021. Trustees alternate the Chair position at each meeting. The Board meets on up to 4 times a year to monitor company business and delegate day-to-day management of the organisation to Director Sam Fowles and Chief Operating Oaicer Vicki Grace. Trustees are nominated for consideration, but other Board members or staa are approved by the whole Board following an initial meeting with one or more existing Trustees.
Reference and Administration
Charity Name: The Constitutional and Democratic Research Foundation Other names The Institute for Constitutional & Democratic Research
Registered charity no. 1194293
Main address Cornerstone Barristers, 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square, WC1R 5JH Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s)
Full name(s) Andrew Lane Position Trustee Date 09.01.26