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Montgomeryshire AM backs Charity Commission's campaign to improve accountability
July 22, 2009 12:00 AM
Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates is urging local charities to become more accountable to donors and the public. Last year over 1,000 of the 9,000 charities in Wales were late in sending their accounts to the Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in Wales and England. To combat this, the Commission's Wales Office has launched a campaign to improve accountability by contacting Welsh charities that have not sent in their information.
All registered charities must send financial information every year to the Commission. This information can then be accessed on the online Register of Charities by anyone who wants to find out more about a charity. The register entry of any charity that is late in sending the Commission its financial information is marked with a red banner.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Mick Bates, said:
"There are over 400 charities in Montgomeryshire, carrying out a huge range of activities, from delivering meals-on-wheels to teaching children about local wildlife. Many of these charities rely on the generosity of local people to continue with their work. It's really important that people feel involved with and informed about the ways in which charities spend donations and the best way of finding out about this is to look at the Register of Charities on the Charity Commission website."
Harry Iles, Head of the Charity Commission Wales Office, said:
"We have a fantastic tradition in Wales of helping charities and many people do this by donating money. It is essential that charities demonstrate to donors they are transparent, accountable and well run; they can do this by ensuring that their entry on the Register of Charities is up-to-date.
"Getting accounts in on time has become even more important for charities as funds become harder to find. We are calling on all trustees to look at their register entry on our website and check that they have sent all their documents in on time. A red banner may be the deciding factor for someone who wants to support the charity, so we want all Welsh charities to stay out of the red."
The new Charity Commission initiative aims to improve the timely submission of accounts and annual returns by Welsh charities. The Commission will also be working with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and charity funding organisations in Wales to publicise the campaign. The Commission's overall goal is to ensure charities are effective, accountable and well-run so that they can continue to make a vital contribution to every aspect of life in Wales.
Notes:
1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator for charities in England and Wales. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk for further information or call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218.
2. All charities must keep their Register details up to date. Those with income under £10,000 do this by submitting an annual update form. Charities with income over £10,000 are required to submit an annual return and accounts. For financial years ending after 1 April '09 charities with income between £10,000 and £25,000 will only be required to submit an annual return. The accounts of all charities must be available on request.
3. The Charity Commission's Wales office is on the 8th Floor, Clarence House, Clarence Place, Newport, South Wales, NP19 7AA
4. In January this year the Charity Commission published a report on the Welsh charitable sector, A snapshot of charities in Wales. The report includes a range of previously unpublished information on the activity of Welsh charities registered with the Commission, including the following key findings:
• There are just over 9,000 registered charities in Wales;
• They have a combined income of just under £1bn;
• 90% of them carry out their work solely in Wales.
5. This press release is also available in Welsh.
6. The Charity Commission's mission is: to ensure charities' legal compliance, enhance charities' accountability, encourage charities' effectiveness and impact and to promote the public interest in charity.
7. In June 2009 The Charity Commission published its 'Big Board Talk' - 15 questions all charities need to ask. Go to: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/tcc/ccnews29check.asp
8. 98% of the public feel that the role of the Charity Commission is important.
(Ipsos MORI research, May 2008)
9. There are over 4 million visitors a year to the Charity Commission's website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk
For further information on this story please contact Sarah Gibbs on 020 7674 2332
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