| |
|
|
| CURRAN
TELLS SCOTLAND'S CHARITIES SHE WANTS THEIR INPUT |
01/03/04 |
| |
The
Scottish Executive has outlined its commitment to involving the sector in
developing new legislation for its future at a major conference.
Minister for Communities Margaret Curran, told delegates during a debate
at The Gathering event that the Executive’s wants the voluntary sector to
help prepare and be consulted on the new bill, and to ensure the sector’s
demands are heard.
She said: "Charities need public confidence in their work if they are
to achieve their full potential, but they also need a regulatory environment
that supports – even liberates – them rather than tying them in red
tape."
The Scottish Executive’s new draft charity bill is due for consultation
in April 2004, and will cover wide-ranging areas include the Scottish definition
of charity, maintaining a statutory register of all charities, improvements
in the regulation of fundraising and the status and powers of an independent
statutory regulator of charities.
Interest in the charity law reform process has been heightened following
last year’s stories of mismanagement of charity funds and the debate,
hosted by Momentum, was attended by a capacity audience of almost 90.
Chaired by Alf Young of The Herald, the panel members included Margaret
Curran, MSP, Minister for Communities, Martin Sime, Chief Executive of SCVO,
Jean McFadden, who chaired the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission and
Maureen Harrison, Chair of the Institute of Fundraising’s Public Affairs
Committee.
Ian Welsh, chief executive of Momentum, says: “Much of the Scottish voluntary
sector has been campaigning for years for a comprehensive regulatory system
and as the momentum builds on the law reform process we want to encourage
debate.
"This seminar gave delegates the opportunity to hear from the key players
involved in the issues, helping to inform thinking on what we can hope to
see achieved as a result of the new legislation.
“The issue of charity law reform is at the centre of Scottish public life
this year and is important not just for the voluntary sector but for Scottish
society as a whole – including all those who regularly give to charity.”
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
