Charities Bill becoming law soon, draft timetable on public benefit
30th October 2006, 3:26 pm
The Charities Bill had its last stages in the House of Commons last week (on 25th October). Provisionally it will briefly return to the House of Lords on 7th November for consideration of amendments made in the Commons, so completing its passage before the end of this session of Parliament.
There were no great surprises in the Commons debate (Hansard record), with amendments and new clauses agreed to reflect changes in ministerial responsibility and the accounting requirements for charitable companies. A proposal to strengthen the public benefit clause fell, with NCVO having dropped pressure for it (see http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/index.asp?id=3470) after a 3 year, rather than 5 year, review on the effects of the bill as it stands was promised by government. The Bill and amendments as proposed are at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills/200506/charities.htm.
The Charity Commission has produced three useful items on the new law, listed at http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/charbillnews.asp. A parliamentary briefing gives a very good overview of its impact, an appendix on its approach to public benefit and an indicative timetable of bringing the public benefit test into effect. It expects to publish ‘principles of public benefit’ in June 2007 after consultations, with pilot assessments starting in September 2007.