George Foulkes MP,
acting chairman of the Joint Committee, said: “We strongly believe
that charitable endeavour continues to be the cornerstone of a caring
society comprised of active citizens. Charities are valued as organisations
independent of Government. We would like to see charities playing an even
bigger role and believe that many have the potential to contribute to
the modernisation of public services and the enhancement of civic responsibility.
Our assessment of the bill and the recommendations we make are based on
a desire to see charities – and charitable endeavour and income
–
grow,
not diminish, in our country.”
Charities Minister,
Fiona Mactaggart, said that she was pleased that the Committee had backed
the bill’s proposals. “There is widespread support for the
principle that public benefit should be the bedrock of charitable status,
regulated by a strengthened, independent Charity Commission,” she
said.
“I am very confident
that we are on the right track to produce legislation that will benefit
charities, will enable them to play an even bigger role as a force for
good in society, and will encourage people to give their time, talents
and money to charities.”
These sentiments are
echoed by the NCVO, which described the report as a demonstration of the
“integrity and rigour” of the Committee, which had placed
the issue of public benefit at the centre of legislation and had “pulled
no punches over the need for existing charities to show what public benefit
they provide”.
And despite having
been criticised at times throughout the scrutiny process, the Charity
Commission also welcomed the report. “We are delighted to see the
Committee’s focus on maintaining the independence of the sector
and encouraging active citizenship,” said its chair, Geraldine Peacock.
“We welcome the report’s affirmation of the crucial importance
of an independent Commission as an essential element in this.
“We also welcome
the Committee’s desire to ensure the meaning of public benefit is
clear. Now is an exciting time for the sector and we look forward to working
with the sector and with Government towards the successful introduction
and passage through Parliament to the Charities Bill.”
Fundraising
The Institute of Fundraising (IoF) and the Public Fundraising
Regulatory Authority (PFRA) also said they were encouraged by the recommendations.
The PFRA was especially pleased with the suggestion that the Charity Commission,
rather than local authorities, should act as the “lead authority”
for granting certificates of fitness to carry out public collections,
“as this will minimise the burden on both charities and local authorities”.
However, the IoF said
that although in principle it agreed with this recommendation the Joint
Committee “doe not comment on whether philanthropic ad benevolent
organisations would also apply for certificates of fitness from the regulator”
and that this was one of several details “to be ironed out”.
Andrew Watt, head
of policy at the IoF, said: “There is still time for the sector
to engage with Government to ensure a productive outcome when the Bill
becomes law. We urge Government to honour the work of the voluntary and
community sector by ensuring this bill becomes law next year. We welcome
the Government’s commitment in bringing this Bill forward so far.”
The full report will
be due online from 4pm today via
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/jcdchb/jcdchb_reports_and_publications.cfm
