DCH 172 SOUTH HAMS VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM
MEMBERS
Memorandum
To: SCRUTINY
UNIT
CC:
From: SOUTH
HAMS VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM MEMBERS
Date: 8/9/2004
Re: DRAFT
CHARITIES BILL
Confidential
Please find attached the response of members of South
Hams Voluntary Sector Forum to the Draft Charities Bill
1)Public Benefit
The term public benefit, which sounds like it applies
to a large public majority be changed to 'benefit to the public'
which could be more easily applied to communities of interest
or geographical.
That the term public benefit be defined in the act,
to make it easier for the charity commission to implement it.
The definition should be wide, so that it does not preclude small
groups or shuts doors to eg. Rural community groups.
It was felt that schools which benefit from charitable
status should provide a fixed % of scholarships. Facilities should
be shared with the community. Could State schools become registered
charities?
2)Proposed Charitable Purposes
It was noted that the term
- animal can be defined on a wide spectrum from
including all living beings down to only mammals.
- 'religion' can include a number of diverse beliefs
held by varying numbers of people
There is no reference to community safety eg youth
distraction organisations, which could be included in e) or added
to paragraph 3b)
j) includes a number of groups, but not all, eg gay/lesbian
groups or gender specific groups.
3)Trustee Renumeration
Concern was expressed that if it is made easier for
trustees to be paid
- There is more likelihood of conflict of interest
between taking control and responsibility for the charity and
being employed or contracted by the organisation
- There will be less definition between voluntary
organisations and small businesses, making the voluntary sector
more vulnerable to increasing requirements of over professionalism,
affecting the grassroots work of voluntary community organisations
4)Plain English
Members requested the bill be available in Plain
English
5)Credit Unions
Credit Unions should be allowed to apply for charity
registration. The proposed changes, CICs or CIOs should allow
for this.
Comments collected from members by Jill Davies,
Development worker, South Hams CVS, 13 Leechwell St, Totnes, Devon
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