Ten things you didn’t know about the College

1. The College has three core purposes

We lead, represent and support psychiatrists, promoting the expertise of the profession to governments and other agencies. We set standards through education, training and research, and promote best practice in mental health care. And we collaborate with work with service users, carers and their organisations to champion improvements in services and educate the public. The College does not have a regulatory or disciplinary role – a common misconception among members of the public.

2. The College is a registered charity

The College was granted charitable status in 1963 (Charity registration number: 228636). You can find information about the College, including its financial history, trustees, charity framework and accounts on the Charity Commission website.

3. The College Officers are not paid

College Officers give their time for free and juggle College work around their clinical and other commitments. College regulations state that no money shall be given to any officer or member of the Central Executive Committee except for out-of-pocket travel and subsistence expenses incurred when attending meetings.

4. The annual cost of a prestigious address in Belgrave Square is £500

The College moved to 17 Belgrave Square in 1974. The leasehold to the building was purchased for £725,000, with major improvement carried out in 1980s, costing the College additional £550,000. The College pays £500 ground rent for the building each year. However, the lease is due to expire in 2034 and one of the College’s biggest challenges is finding money to secure premises beyond this date.
Contact: Communications and development manager

5. Membership subscriptions are not the College’s main source of income

In the year ending 31 December 2008, the College collected £3,998k in membership fees – accounting for just under 30% of the College’s total income of £13,540k. The rest of the College’s income comes from research and quality improvement, education and training, publications, exams, investments, and miscellaneous income such as prize funds, donations and gifts.
Contact: Director of finance and operations.

6. Anyone can get involved in the College’s work

Members are the lifeblood of the College and we could not function without them. A good proportion of our 15,000 members are involved in the College’s work, but we are always keen for more people to become involved. Trainees may like to consider becoming involved in the work of the Psychiatric Trainees Committee. On a geographical spectrum, many members choose to become involved via their local Division. Other members may choose to work via our Faculties and Sections, or to join Special Interest Groups.
Contact: Membership development manager.

7. The College is a democratic organisation

Elected roles in the College are open to Fellows and Members. Co-option allows associates of the College to contribute as well. Some committees will also have specific roles for trainees or for affiliates of the College.
Contact: Membership development manager.

8. 17 Belgrave Square has 4 meeting rooms

Visitors to Belgrave Square may be familiar with the Library and the 4 public meeting rooms: the Dining Room and linked Members Room on the ground floor, the Council Room on the first floor, and the Warren Suite in the basement. All these rooms are available for hire. But most of the rooms at Number 17 are taken up by staff – 84 of the College’s 167 staff are based here. Members who visit the College are welcome to ask for a tour for the building around the Communications and Policy, Finance and Operations, Membership Relations, and Publications and Website departments.
Contact: Facilities Department

9. The College has 8 offices across the UK

Belgrave Square is the College’s HQ but there is a second large office also located in London. Standon House in Aldgate, east London, accommodates 71 members of staff who work for the College Centre for Quality Improvement and the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, and who manage the London, Eastern and South Eastern Divisions. A further 12 staff are located in Divisional Offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds and North Somerset.
Contact: Director of membership relations.

10. The Privy Council must approve changes to the College’s bye-laws

The College's governing documents (reflecting its status as a Royal Medical College) are its Supplemental Charter, Bye-Laws and Regulations. Any changes to the Supplemental Charter must be approved by the Queen in Council – that is, at a meeting of the Privy Council with Her Majesty actually present. Any changes to the Bye-Laws must be approved by a meeting of the Privy Council as well, but can be effected by an "order of Council" rather than an order in Council".  Before these steps, proposals are sent to the College’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and to the College's AGM. Changes to Regulations, in contrast, can be approved just by CEC.

December 2009