Here is our latest round-up of updates from the Charity Commission. Please explore the below wider sector news and developments and if there is anything you would like to discuss the Charities team is always here to help.
Orlando Fraser speech ‘Many voices working together, with purpose’ – Key themes from the speech:
- The Commission aims to prioritise nurturing relationships with trustees;
- The regulator wants to widen the pool of trustees, aiming to recruit people of all backgrounds, skills and perspectives;
- Long term change in Commission’s relationship with trustees.
Many voices, working together, with purpose – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
New Annual Return Questions – updated questions on the annual return to reflect changes following a formal consultation with charities and the public
New charities’ Annual Return now available – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Setting up ‘My Charity Commission Account’ – useful guidance on how to set up and use your new Charity Commission Account to access online services on behalf of your charity, including setting up a third party account for advisors such as solicitors, accountants and auditors.
Setting up ‘My Charity Commission Account’ – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Changes to Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO) Constitutions – Regulations setting out what should be included in governing document for a CIO
New Quiz for Trustees to Test Knowledge – the regulator has released a new Trustee Quiz to enable trustees to test their knowledge of their duties and responsibilities
Charity Commission launches new quiz for trustees to test their knowledge – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
New Guidance on Social Media Use – the Charity Commission has issued new guidance on charities’ use of social media and makes clear that charities should have a social media policy in place
Regulator publishes new guidance on charities’ social media use – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Statutory Inquiries
Inquiry launched into Blood Bike charity – The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into Devon Freewheelers, the official Devon Blood Bikes charity after inconsistencies were identified in its accounts along with a number of related party transactions.
Inquiry launched into Blood Bike charity – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Report published for Birmingham Education Trust – Charity Commission inquiry finds serious financial mismanagement at charity which only filed one annual return in twenty three years and the management fell significantly below the standard expected of charity trustees. As a result, husband and wife trustees have been removed and disqualified from acting as trustees of any charity.
Husband and wife trustees removed from Birmingham education charity – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Report finds serious historic misconduct and/or mismanagement at Care4Calais – the regulator concludes that the former trustees are responsible for several instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement following an inquiry which opened in August 2020
Wider Sector Updates
Levelling up delays to ‘exacerbate’ gap between charities in richer and poorer areas – delivery of projects to support levelling up across the UK are behind schedule and local authorities are unlikely to complete projects by original deadline
Increasing number of people in UK donating to charity, CAF reports – around 71% of Britons surveyed said they had donated in the past month
Increasing number of people in UK donating to charity, CAF reports (civilsociety.co.uk)
Charity Commission may intervene if trustees refuse philanthropic donations, chair says – Regulator may intervene if trustees demonstrate “personal squeamishness” around sources of philanthropic funding
‘Profound’ gender imbalance in the charity, says researchers – there is a ‘profound’ gender imbalance at UK charities due to women being underrepresented in positions of power despite the sector’s largely female workforce, researchers have warned.
‘Profound’ gender imbalance in the charity sector, say researchers (civilsociety.co.uk)
In-depth: Ethical considerations for charities using AI – many charities are already using AI and seeing the benefits however trustees must be aware of the risks and issues such as bias, misinformation and transparency
In-depth: Ethical considerations for charities using AI (civilsociety.co.uk)
Getting ready for the new Procurement Act 2023 – the Procurement Bill received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and is now the Procurement Act 2023. The Cabinet Office has suggested a go-live date of October 2022 (with a six month notice period ahead of that date). Some useful resources:
- Government paper ‘Getting Ready for the New Procurement Act’ Getting ready for the new Procurement Act: what contracting authorities can do now to help prepare themselves for the forthcoming changes (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- Government resources page on transforming public procurement Transforming Public Procurement: the official learning and development offer – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)