Memorandum from Alzheimer's Society, Tyne
& Wear (DCH 215)
Thank you for your letter requesting feedback
from the branch on the Draft Charities Bill. I am pleased to have
the opportunity to comment.
Broadly speaking I support the comments made
by the NCVO, which our national Society has contributed to. However,
as a local branch manager I have tried to give each of your points
some consideration and address those which will have the greatest
effect on our work:
— Trading: The Alzheimer's Society
already has incurred the cost of setting up a trading company
but a relaxation in the administrative burden would be welcomed,
particularly as we only derive a small amount of our income from
primary purpose trades. For example, Christmas cards, which members
of the public will buy in order to contribute to our funds. A
relaxation in this area could not be seen as increased competition
to commercial traders or damage public confidence.
— Delivery of Public Services: The
factors which could limit us in this area are the increased burden
of public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance
for trustees. Also, the failure to share risks between the service
provider and the commissioning body could deter many from becoming
involved in this area. The burden of irrecoverable VAT for charities
delivering public services would also mean that we start from
a disadvantaged position.
— Fundraising: I am concerned as
to how the extension of "public place" to cover supermarkets
would affect our collections. In the past we have been able to
fundraise very successfully in this area.
I hope you have found these comments useful
and I thank you again for this opportunity to be involved.
Johanne Mears
Branch Manager
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