Proud of service of Commission
GARETH Davies raises some interesting points in ‘Views of Wales’ (July 25). He quite rightly advocates for the fundamental role that volunteers play within their communities, and emphasises the importance of fully researching a charity before one engages with or donates to it. The Charity Commission facilitates this by publishing an online charity register, where charities’ accounts and other information are readily available.
It’s also true that challenges are posed in regulating effectively the ever-increasing number of charities on our register (currently almost 170,000) with a budget that has fallen by 50% over the past decade. We are working hard to overcome these, specifically by using digital technology to increase efficiency and enable staff members to concentrate on high-risk work. Unfortunately, difficulties still exist and the Commission remains overstretched.
However, as the Commission’s board member for Wales and a native Welsh speaker, I find his comments regarding the Commission disheartening. We have four offices across England and Wales; our office in Newport operates bilingually and employs a staff member with responsibility for Welsh engagement. We publish key guidance in Welsh and our online annual return service for charities is also available bilingually. We hold a bilingual public meeting in Wales each year, most recently in Cardiff and Llandrindod Wells, where the public and charity trustees can ask questions of the Commission’s Chairman, board members, directors and senior staff. These meetings are well attended with almost 200 guests earlier this summer. We also work closely with the Welsh Government and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action to support charities in Wales and ensure their views are represented.
Mr Davies makes valid points about the importance of charitable endeavour and transparency, but I do not recognise his description of the regulator. I am proud of the high-quality service that the Commission strives to provide to charities in England and Wales despite its stretched resources.
Eryl Besse Deputy Chairman Charity Commission for England
and Wales