Welcome to the Charity Commission’s strategic review site. The Commission’s funding is to reduce by 33% in real terms over the next four years – a reduction of around £8 million. Cuts at this level mean we can’t just keep going as we are. We have developed this site to help you shape the Commission’s future.
Thursday 4 November 2010
Should another body take on any of the Commission's functions?
This is an open question for discussion - Is there another body or bodies that could, or should, take on any of the functions currently carried out by the Charity Commission?
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Other bodies might take on the "softer" roles, but what other body has the statutory powers and experience to take on the Commission's regulatory and compliance roles?
ReplyDeleteNot sure why we need someone else? If it's just a cost cutting exercise then that should be said.
ReplyDeleteMore work to be done by Charities & we want to change the people who monitor them. Recipe for disaster.
No. The C.C. is doing a good job.
ReplyDeleteMichael C.Webb
I have already posted on the poor performance of the CC compared to the CIC regulator: No it's not doing a great job right now.
ReplyDeleteThe CC has expertise around Charity Law, and this is its crown jewels. It needs to focus on supporting grass roots groups in getting the best out of the tax system.
Secondly it needs to look at how it redefine 'charitable' so that large charities, effectively operating as private enterprise can be de-registered.
It is effectively rewarding tame government contractors (big charities, often nationals) with an opt-out of Corporation Tax whilst punishing CICs that were set up to support communities.
I'm starting to think that (1) a 'Lite' version of a charity is required for smaller groups under the control of the CIC regulator, and (2) larger charities must demonstrate that they are not simply 'outsourcers' for work otherwise done by government.
The only area of 'cutting' I can see benefit charities is not necessarily aimed at the CC but the three main government departments we have had to deal with - CC, HMRC, Companies House. All three required virtually the same information over and over again. We only just found out that HMRC will not accept that we are 'charitable' despite our registration without filling in a 12-page form and submitting the articles and memorandum of association that have already been sent to the CC and CH. If anything comes of this there should be better sharing of information, avoiding the need to duplicate our annual accounts to three different government departments.
ReplyDeleteFor misconduct and mismanagement issues, then the Commission must surely be the body to investigate? I want to be sure that the money I donate to charity actually gets there; and if there is a problem (of a serious nature), then I want to know that the regulator (with all its specialist staff), is going to deal with it. I think it should do more to name and shame - which can be a deterrant in itself. It should also fine people for gross misconduct (quite aside from anything the police might do, if matters are thought to be of a criminal nature). I don't agree that it's a poor regulator, only out to serve the big charities. One look at its inquiry reports (on this site), shows that some of those cases were obviously large charities. Isn't it the law that defines what is charitable? I don't think the Commission can overturn the law in this respect. Surely (if it needs to save money), a way to do it would be for it to direct charities to other agencies (perhaps even other charities), to get general advice and guidance on things such as tax. Then it could better use its funds in going after those who deceive and cheat and misconduct themselves? I want to see it being more robust. I want to see it using its powers to get rid of miscreant trustees - yet it seems too scared to do this. Maybe it suffers from risk-itis?
ReplyDeleteThe CiC Regulator? You have got to be joking - they charge for services and after 5 years of operation have only 4000 registered CiCs - compare that the 180,000 registered charities running at 7000 new charities/year by the Commission...oh and by the way their website is atrocious
ReplyDeleteThe CC should carry on and work more efficiently within the funds available.
ReplyDeleteNo - I also feel the CC basically does a good job (although far too soft on late filing and seems to investigate some tiny entities which is probably not the best use of resources). The website is excellent and very focussed, there are 180,000 charities to look after, I feel it warrants its own regulator. Perhaps there should be an annual return fee as with Companies House - there would need to be a cost benefit analysis regarding the cost of administering it.
ReplyDeleteShould another body take on any of the Commission's functions?
ReplyDeleteThere is avoidance by certain staff to deal with critical problems imho.
We think that in this time of limited resources and funding that it is difficult to imagine an effective transfer of regulatory responsibilities to another body. A single body is preferred for its single source of expertise and consistent approach to charity regulation.
ReplyDelete