In the speech she acknowledged that charities are facing challenges of an unprecedented scale.
Also that “the pandemic has shown that charities make a vital contribution to public life: whether large, national charities, relied on to provide life-saving services; or small, local community groups innovating and helping people, in support of a common cause. “
Explaining that the “entire charity sector is dependent upon – literally fuelled by – public support; whether the impulse of people to offer money, expertise, support, time to help; or the tax benefits charities receive. “
The chief executive emphasised the link between public support and public expectation of charities. Demonstrating that the public need well governed, efficient and accountable charities that they can support with confidence.
Further in the speech the chief executive referred to an online form for charities which was introduced in June 2020 to report serious incidents, which means the commission now receives the information they need up front, and don’t have to enter into protracted correspondence with charities before they can arrive at an initial assessment.
Further details of the charity commission’s serious incident procedures can be found in the “Reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission during the coronavirus pandemic guidance: “ which can be accessed here.
The Chief Executive also mentioned that the gov.uk site isn’t always easy to navigate, and their guidance in the past has not always been as accessible and focused as it now needs to be.
The charity commission are immensely proud of the new 5-minute guides they launched in November 2020. They cover what they are calling the ‘core syllabus’ of charity management, spanning the basics that they expect all trustees to be across, including, of course, the basics of financial oversight for trustees. Further details of the 5 minute guides can be found in VAL’s blog Trustees Week 2020 – What’s new to read and action, which can be accessed here.
In her final comments the chief executive alluded to the introduction of a facility allowing charities to apply for a postponement of their annual reporting deadline. Spelling out that the facility couldn’t remain in place forever, but nor is it coming to an end imminently.
Details of the charity commission’s new story back in March 2020 explaining how to request this can be found here.
In addition the charity commission “Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector “ may also be useful to read in context to this. The guidance can be accessed here.
Further details of the speech delivered at the ICAEW charity conference can be accessed here.