Charity Commission

Charity Commission Personnel

The Commission will have a Board comprising a Chief Commissioner, a Deputy Chief Commissioner and up to 5 Charity Commissioners, all on a part-time basis. Minister appointed 6 Charity Commissioners on 1 June 2009.  The Charities Act (NI) 2008 stipulates that one Charity Commissioner must be a barrister or solicitor of at least 7 years standing.
The Commission will be responsible for the recruitment and appointment of staff. The structure and staffing compliment are currently being developed and details will be posted in due course.
It will take time for the CCNI to become fully operational so initially some staff from DSD will provide secretariat support. Later the CCNI will make its own appointments. The Commissioners intend to move forward with initial appointments in the coming months.
If you require any further information please contact the Charity Commission Secretariat.

Charity Commission Structure

The Commission has a Management Statement and Financial Memorandum with its sponsor department DSD which provides details about how the Commission will work. This document includes:
  • How the Commission will meet its objectives
  • Guidelines and rules as to how the Commission will carry out all its tasks
  • How and when public funds are paid to the Commission and details of how the Commission will be answerable for its work
  • The Commission's obligation in terms of accountability and transparity
The Accounting Officer for DSD will make the Chief Executive of the Commission as its Accounting Officer. The Commission will set up and look after its own internal reviews following Treasury and Department for Finance and Personnel guidance.  An independent audit committee will be set up within the Charity Commission Board.  

Charity Commission Location

The Minister for Social Development is considering where the Charity Commission will be sited.  She will look at a number of things including the Bain Review Team recommendations about the distribution of public sector jobs.

Charity Commission Budget

The CCNI has an annual operating budget of £800,000; this will largely go towards the cost of salaries and to meet the overheads of running the organisation.  It will also support the important work of providing information on the changes and requirements to be met by charities.
The budget is secured by DSD on behalf of CCNI.