10 October 2015
The next implementation of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act took place on 10th October 2015.
One major part of this implementation will make changes to - and simplify - the 'consent to act' procedure for officers on appointment and incorporation.
For newly appointed directors and secretaries, a statement will be added to the relevant submission (whether made on paper or by electronic means) that the Company has evidence that the appointee has consented to act in that capacity.
Companies will be required to agree to this statement. This will replace the current consent to act procedure of providing a signature on forms and personal authentication (the 'three-of-seven') on electronic filings.
There will be no need for the 'three-of-seven' for consent to act from LLP members on incorporation. There will be a 'consent to act' statement on the LLIN01 and it will be made by whoever is signing the LLIN01 or making the electronic application ('either a solicitor engaged in the formation of the LLP or anyone who subscribed his name to the incorporation document'). That person will need to authenticate the filing in exactly the same way as they do now.
The existing provisions - the 'three-of-seven' items of personal information - will continue to be required for the subscribers to the Memorandum of any new Company whether limited by shares or by guarantee. If that subscriber is a corporation then the 'three-of-seven' items will continue to be required for the person who has the authority to act on behalf of that corporate entity.
A guideline to further implementations and timescales can be found at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-small-business-enterprise-and-employment-bill-is-coming
We will keep you updated as this progresses through Parliament.