(Immediate Release 14 July 2010)
Cardiff University has today become the first of a new wave of Welsh educational institutions to be registered by the Charity Commission following the implementation of the Charities Act 2006.
Universities have always been charities but previously did not have to register with the Commission as they were accountable to their funder, HEFCW (Higher Education Funding Council for Wales). However, the Charities Act 2006 changed the way in which these charities are regulated in order to improve accountability across the whole sector.
Harry Iles, Head of the Charity Commission’s Wales office, explains:
"We have been working closely with HEFCW and representatives of all the universities to ensure that the registration process runs smoothly. It has been a great benefit to discuss our role as the regulator and outline the new reporting requirements. Following registration, the public will be able to access information about the universities’ governance and accounts on our website in the same way as for all other registered charities and this is invaluable for promoting a better understanding of the work they do.
"The income of the charity sector in Wales is also hugely affected by the registration of the universities. At present, the income for the 9,000 plus registered charities in Wales is approximately £1bn. Once all the Welsh universities are registered with the Commission, this figure will rise to £2.2bn – more than double the current income."
Dr Christopher Turner, Director of Registry, Governance and Students at Cardiff University adds:
"Cardiff University is pleased to have represented the HE sector in Wales in working so productively with the Charity Commission on the registration process. Whilst initially we were daunted about the prospect of being registered with the Charity Commission, we have worked closely with both its Wales Office and the Registration Division to ensure we fully understand our responsibilities as trustees and what it means to be a registered charity. We share the Commission’s view that it’s vital for the charity sector to be transparent and accountable to the public who support and benefit from it."
As well as the universities in Wales, all the student unions with an income over £100,000 are now required to register with the Commission and, shortly, work will begin to register the Further Education Institutions.
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PR 48/10
Notes to Editors
1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk for further information or call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218.
2. Our mission is: to ensure charities’ legal compliance, enhance charities’ accountability, encourage charities’ effectiveness and impact and to promote the public interest in charity.
3. The Charity Commission is developing a joint working agreement with HEFCW which will set out relative roles and functions.
4. Apart from a named few, universities in England will not register with the Charity Commission and will continue to be regulated by HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England).
5. Cardiff University is now registered charity no. 1136855.