News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 11 September 2009
The Office of the
Third Sector today published a consultation document on a draft
Consolidation Bill, which would bring together provisions of the
Recreational Charities Act 1958, Charities Act 1993 and most of
the Charities Act 2006 into a single piece of legislation.
The aim of consolidating charity law is to make it simpler and
more accessible and will not involve significant changes in
policy. The amendments made would remove unnecessary
inconsistencies and repeal provisions which are now considered
obsolete.
Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, said:
"Through the implementation of the Charities Act 2006,
the Government has freed charities from unnecessary red tape and
introduced fair rules that treat all charities equally. The views
of all those who work with charity law will help ensure that we
develop the clearest and most user-friendly Bill as possible."
The draft Bill would restructure and modernise the existing text.
For example, provisions relating to the preparation of group
accounts by charities will be dealt with in the part of the Bill
which deals with charity accounts rather than being located in a
separate schedule. In addition, longer sections of the existing
legislation have been split in to subsections to make them easier
to understand.
The closing date for the consultation is 4 December 2009. The
Consultation document is available at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090910_charityconsolidationconsultation.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. The Government is creating a modern legal framework for
charities through the implementation of the Charities Act 2006.
For further information please see: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/law_and_regulation/charities_act_2006.aspx
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