NICVA's response to draft Charities (NI) Order 2006

As part of the 2006 consultation process, the Department co hosted various seminars with NICVA in Belfast, Londonderry/Derry, Newry and Omagh to give charities, and those working with them, the opportunity to discuss how the new regulations would affect their organisations. NICVA’s response to the draft Charities (NI) Order 2006 is informed by these consultation seminars and also from the work on the previous year’s consultation paper on the Review of Charities Administration and Legislation in Northern Ireland and the ongoing work of its Governance and Charity Advice section.

In summary, NICVA welcomed the provisions of the draft Order, which provides statutory definitions of charity and charitable purpose, establishes a Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and a Charity Tribunal, creates a Register of Charities for Northern Ireland, and introduces the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (a new form of charitable body) and sets out new rules with regard to fundraising and collections. NICVA had reservations however about the independence of the new Commission and strong concerns about the tight thresholds that were outlined for auditing requirements