Community Leisure UK play fair on tax

Community Leisure UK, the members’ association that specialises in representing non-profit-distributing leisure and culture trusts across England, Scotland and Wales, has been certified as an accredited Fair Tax Mark business, following their successful assessment against the Fair Tax Mark criteria.

The association – whose members are registered charities, societies or CICs, operate everything from community swimming pools, gyms and sports pitches to libraries, museums, heritage buildings and children’s centres – has joined a growing movement of Fair Tax Mark organisations. Community Leisure UK now sit alongside FTSE-listed businesses like SSE, United Utilities and Marshalls; high-street names like The Co-op, Richer Sounds, Timpson Group and Lush; and small independents, social enterprises and co-operatives.

Paul Monaghan, Chief Executive, Fair Tax Mark said: “We are happy to announce the Fair Tax Mark certification of Community Leisure UK.

“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, 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 sectors should have honest, transparent and responsible tax arrangements. Therefore it is important that The Sports and Recreation Trusts Association trading as Community Leisure UK demonstrates and discusses our tax arrangements. We will continue to work alongside Fair Tax Mark – their work and what they stand and fight for. 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”

Paul Monaghan continued: “Paying the right amount of tax is about fairness. Far too often tax is presented as a burden, rather than an essential component that helps glue our society together.

“It is estimated that annually, due to corporate profits being shifted to tax havens, corporate tax revenue losses in the UK amount to at least £7bn. Just think of the funding for public services that could be made available if that tax was paid as it should be? That’s why it’s so important we celebrate and support those responsible businesses and organisations who are doing the right thing when it comes to tax.”