DCH 170 Central Council of Physical Recreation
(CCPR)
CCPR
One voice for sport and recreation
RESPONSE TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE
ON THE DRAFT CHARITIES BILL
The Central Council of Physical Recreation
(CCPR) is the umbrella body for 270 national organisations for
sport and recreation; it represents and promotes voluntary sector
sport and recreation, which accounts for 26% of all volunteering.
CCPR welcomes the publication of the
Draft Charities Bill and broadly supports the proposals contained
therein.
In particular, it is pleasing to see
the intention for the Bill to recognise the contributions of those
charities specifically which offer charitable purposes in and
through sport.
However, CCPR would ask the Joint Committee
to consider the possibility of re wording the purpose (Part 1,
2g) "the advancement of amateur sport", since we believe
that this particular wording might cause confusion with the existing
fiscal provisions for "Community Amateur Sports Clubs"
(CASCs). We believe that the wording of the purpose should make
absolutely clear, the distinction between sport and recreation
as a charitable purpose and CASCs. This would also prevent inadvertent
requirement for CASCs to register as charities, when such is not
their purpose.
The Draft Bill also has not provided
a final approach to the treatment of those bodies covered by the
existing Recreational Charities Act.
CCPR therefore would suggest that wording
along the lines of "promotion of charitable sport and recreation"
be considered. This would allow interpretation and guidance from
the Charity Commission, so that the distinctions between charitable
sport/recreation organisations can be preserved, and the distinct
benefits for each retained. This is particularly important, as
the number of sports clubs registered as CASCs, exceeds 1500 (1509
as of today), with more to follow. This has been a very positive
way, especially for small, local clubs, to retain resources which
otherwise might have been lost; and has been administratively
convenient for the government departments dealing with CASCs.
Since the measure was implemented less than 2 years ago, with
strong cross-party and sectoral support, it would be regrettable,
were any drafting in the Bill inadvertently to detract from these
benefits to the voluntary sector sports system.
CCPR would be happy to provide further
information on this issue, should this be required.
Margaret Talbot, PhD OBE ERSA
Chief Executive
June 2004
CCPR (central council of Physical Recreation)
is the umbrella body for 270 national governing and representative
bodies of sport and recreation. Its role is to represent and promote
the interests of voluntary sector sport and recreation.
For further information, please contact:
ccPR, Francis House, Francis Street,
London SWiP iDE
T.020 7854 8500 F.020 7854 8501 Web:
www.ccpr~orci.uk E: admin@ccpr.org.uk
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