Charity Commission NI Consultation on Public Benefit Guidance

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21 August 2009 - 2:27pm
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Tagged as:

• CCNI
• Charities Act
• Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
• governance
• public benefit
• public consultation
• Governance

The Charities Act (NI) 2008 provides that to be a ‘charity' an organisation must be established for charitable purposes. It further provides that these purposes are charitable only if they satisfy the test that they are for the public benefit.

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) is required to issue guidance on how it will apply the ‘public benefit' test and has published a consultation document entitled "Meeting the Charity Test - Demonstrating Public Benefit." This document sets out the Commission's views on what it needs to take into consideration when deciding whether an organisation can become, or continue to be a charity under the law of Northern Ireland.

Whether you are a charity employee, trustee, volunteer or member of the public we would like to hear your views on this draft guidance.

The launch of the consultation document and public consultation was held on Thursday 3rd September 2009 at NICVA.

Further consultation events are scheduled as follows: -

• 14th September 2009 at Newry Town Hall - 5.30 -9.00pm
• 29th September 2009 at the Millennium Forum, Londonderry - 5.30 - 9.00pm
• 5th October 2009 at the Braid Centre, Ballymena - 5.30 -9.00pm
• 8th October 2009 at the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen - 5.30 - 9.00pm
• 14th October 2009 at the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine - 5.30 - 9.00pm

Places are limited so advance booking is required for all of these events by e-mailing CCNI on admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk or by contacting 028 9051 5490.

Copies of the consultation document and summary guide will be available for download from CCNI's website - http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/ccni.htm - from 3 September. Hard copies can also be obtained by contacting the Commission Secretariat as follows:-

By telephone: 028 9051 5490
By E-Mail: admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk
In writing: CCNI Secretariat, 24-26 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GF

All comments on the consultation document should be sent by e-mail or post to the Commission Secretariat at the above address to arrive not later than Friday 27 November 2009. An optional structured response form will be provided.

Anyone requiring the consultation document in an alternative format should contact the CCNI Secretariat.