DCH 32 - Comments from the Health Foundation
COMMENTS FROM THE HEALTH FOUNDATION (Members of both
ACEVO & NCVO) - also by fax These comments are submitted In
response to an email from ACEVO requesting our input into the
evidence to be presented to the Joint Committee. Regretfully we
were unable to meet ACEVO's deadline to assist with the preparation
of their paper but would like to contribute our views on the particular
points raised by ACEVO: 1. The Role of the Charity Commission:
should the Commission focus more closely on regulating the sector,
rather than retaining a more proactive role in promoting good
practice in charities?
No; it should continue to do both but is likely to
be more successful through effective proactive work than simply
acting as an enforcement authority. 2. Governance: there is likely
to be little provision in the bill to support or facilitate effective
governance in the sector. Is this a gap that should be remedied?
I think this means that there is likely to be little
in the way of prescribed governance. In a sector of such varying
organisations, the one-size-fits-all approach is inappropriate;
and achieving effective governance practice through flexible guidance
and example is probably the better route. 3. Trading companies:
the government does not intend to implement the recommendation
to allow charities to undertake all trading within the charity,
despite 84% support during the consultation. The reason given
is that the resulting tax advantages would offend against the
principle of a level playing field for small businesses. Should
we encourage government to revisit this recommendation?
We support retaining the separation of pure trading
activities from charitable activities.
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