# Charities Bill published

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/12/21/charities-bill-published/
- Published: 2004-12-21T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Charity Commission has welcomed the publication of the Charities Bill, and the
Government response to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations which is also published
today.
The Charities Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 23 November 2004
and includes a number of provisions. It is designed to produce greater empowerment
of the charitable sector and includes a defined role for the Charity Commission 
both to ensure compliance and engender accountability.

 

 

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Its publication is a further step in the process of it becoming law.

 

 

The Commission says that the Bill will “provide greater freedom for charities to
operate within a more flexible legal framework which will help them respond to changes
in society.”

 

 

It establishes a new structure for charities – the Charitable Incorporated Organisation
which will simplify administration and reduce risk for charities which want to be
companies.

 

 

It provides new descriptions for charitable purposes, and places benefit to the 
public at the heart of charitable action. This latter provision has generated considerable
debate, particularly over the future of private schools as registered charities.

 

 

The Bill also includes, for the first time, a new role for the Charity Commission
as part of a modernised regime to regulate anyone collecting funds in public places
for good causes.

 

 

Geraldine Peacock, Chairman of the Charity Commission, said: “We warmly welcome 
the Government’s statement that the Commission’s independence is of paramount importance
for the proper regulation of charities and for public confidence in charities.

 

 

“We welcome the increased flexibility for charities to evolve and grow. Charitable
endeavour is at the heart of modern society. The Bill provides a legal structure
and support framework to enable charities to feel the pulse of the communities they
serve and help individuals to achieve their aspirations.”

 

 

The text of the Charities Bill, Explanatory Notes and the Government’s response 
to the findings of the Joint Committee is available online from the Parliament UK
website (under Public Bills) and from the Home Office.

 

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