# NI charities bill takes another step forward

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/11/27/ni-charities-bill-takes-another-step-forward/
- Published: 2012-11-27T10:46:31+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The new Charities Bill for Northern Ireland has successfully passed through the 
next stage of the Assembly with unanimous agreement on the proposed amendments relating
to public benefit.

The progression of the Bill brings the Assembly a step closer to rectifying the 
legislative issue that has prevented the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
from putting together a public register of charities.

The Commission hopes to consult on the public benefit and registration guidance 
in spring 2013 which would allow it to begin registering all local charities in 
Northern Ireland in late 2013.

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Charity Commission Chief Executive Frances McCandless said: "The Social Development
Minister and Assembly Members rightly recognise that we are keen to begin the charity
registration process and we very much welcome this latest legislative step.

"In the meantime we will continue with our regulatory work using our present powers,
as well as preparing for a public consultation on our public benefit and registration
guidance”.

Meanwhile, the Assembly also endorsed the extension to Northern Ireland of the Small
Charitable Donations Bill which will allow Gift Aid reclaim for cash donations under
£20.

The Bill's policy objective is linked to the UK Government's Big Society agenda 
and its aim is to encourage charitable giving and to build a more socially conscious
society. The scheme will apply only to small cash donations of £20 or less and it
will be open to organisations with a good track record of claiming Gift Aid for 
at least three tax years.

There will be an annual limit of £5,000 per organisation on donations eligible for
the top-up payment

[www.charitycommissionni.org.uk](http://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk)