29th January 2013, 12:12 PM
Oxbeast Wrote:The thing about the Trust is that the general public already assumes that it is an arm of the state, but in fact it is unaccountable to anyone except its trustees and the charity comission. Also they have vast incomes from 3.5 million members, legacies and estates. Not that there is anything wrong with.
The Trust is indeed unaccountable to any one but it's trustees (and its members with membership open to anyone who can afford it) and the charity commission. It's vast income goes on maintaining properties that generate no income. It manages vast landscapes which generate very little if not negative income. The National Trust for Scotland is totally separate.
Yes it benefits by tax breaks given to those who leave property etc to it but the logistics and finances needed to maintain a stately home and it's surrounding park land are mind blowing. I cannot see such an independent body becoming a Government agency especially for a Government it is constantly locking horns with.