How can a village action group fundraise and manage spending transparently

[Jungfraujoch]

How to fundraise? We are a non charity/no committee village action group. Thinking of setting up a gofundme or similar but how do we then transfer money out to pay for professional services (eg planningconsultants) but make it transparent?!

It sounds like what you want to set up is a parish council.

Does one exist in the village, or are you trying to set up in competition? If so, what will you be doing differently to the parish council, and why?

Yes there is a parish council that covers our village and one other.
we want to fundraise to fight a housing development in our village. There is only a speculative proposal from the developer so far but formal planning application is expected late summer. Until that is submitted the parish council has to remain impartial is my understanding. We need to start this now!

I think you need to at least have a constitution so you can look transparent. If you are raising money then as a group you will have to have a bank account or you are really open for funding to not be visible. You really should have a committee who can make decisions, help with community engagement etc. if you are looking to pay consultants then it could be a lot of money so you need to have clear evidence of this decision making. The charity commission does have good advice. Also speak to your local cvc- community voluntary organisation as they will help with governance and also know other groups that you could speak to

Thank you! Yes a constitution was what I was thinking but couldn’t remember the name!