Working with the Charitable Sector
The Commission will have a key role in how the charitable sector is
organised. It will be very important that the Commission develops good relationships and works
in partnership with charitable organisations and other good causes. They will give advice and
guidance to help charities abide by the rules. The Commission will also encourage charities to
share their experiences with each other which will help raise standards leading to a culture where members
of the public are confident in making donations.
Public Collections
Previously charities and other community organisations
when carrying out a public collection sought a permit from the Police Service for Northern Ireland.
Under the new legislation there is a new two step process.
- Firstly a charity, philanthropic or benevolent body will seek a certificate from CCNI which if approved states that it is a fit body to carry out collections.
- Secondly for an actual collection or collections the body will seek a permit to do so.
The permit will set out the condition
under which the collection or collections are to be carried out. Initially the permits will also
be issued by the CCNI however this is likely to transfer to the new councils who will be better placed
to consider local matters in the issue of permits.
These new arrangements are not envisaged to come into force until 2011.
