Charities and Public Service Delivery (CC37)

The purpose of this consultation

The Commission has recently published new draft guidance Charities and Public Service Delivery (CC37) - PDF (128KB).

This guidance is intended to replace Charities and Contracts (CC37). It is a complete revision in a new format, reflecting changes within the charitable sector and changes in the relationship between charities and the public sector. The draft guidance is a practical guide to the legal and good practice issues that charities need to be aware of if they are planning to deliver services under a funding agreement with a public authority.

This guidance does not represent a change to the Commission’s policy; hence there is no requirement for formal consultation. However, as best practice, we would value feedback from charities, the wider voluntary sector, public authorities and from the public on the content of this guidance to ensure it is useful and clearly written.

What do we want from this consultation?

We would value feedback and welcome comments on any aspect of the guidance, and particularly on the following points:

1. Does the guidance address issues that would be helpful to you in thinking about public service delivery?
2. Are there any relevant issues that are not covered in the guidance and which you feel should be included?
3. Do you feel that the guidance clearly sets out the legal and best practice requirements involved in public service delivery? If not, what could be done to improve the guidance?
4. Are there other sources of information, guidance or help that should be signposted in the guidance?

How, where and when to send comments on this document

We would be grateful for all replies in writing or by e-mail, which should be sent to:

Monica Davidson
Charity Commission
Harmsworth House
13-15 Bouverie Street
London
EC4Y 8DP

or Email Monica Davidson

Responses are requested by 5 January 2007.

Where appropriate we encourage you to provide evidence to support your response. If you are a representative group, it would be helpful if you could provide a summary of the people and organisations you represent with your response.

Please note that responses, including the name and address of respondents, may be made public unless confidentiality is specifically requested.

Monitoring responses to this consultation

We are keen to take account of the opinion of everyone who can help us develop our policy and guidance. However, we know that we don't always hear from those representing the black and minority ethnic sector who could make a contribution.

We are taking steps to make sure that everyone who wants to do so has the opportunity to contribute to our consultations, but we need some help. In order to monitor the responses to this consultation will you please complete and return the monitoring form.

It is not compulsory to complete this form but, if you do respond, we will ensure that it is detached from your consultation response on receipt and that the information remains confidential. Alternatively you can send this form separately to: Terry Wiles, Customer Services Manager, Charity Commission, Woodfield House, Tangier, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4BL.

What will happen at the end of the consultation period?

We will consider the feedback we receive and use it to complete the revision of Charities and Public Service Delivery (CC37). We plan to publish the revised guidance in February 2007.

Consultees

A copy of this consultation document has been sent to a number of key sector umbrella bodies and other organisations and individuals who have expressed an interest in the subject. If you think there are other interested parties who should be consulted, please let us know.

Further information

If you have any further queries about this consultation, please contact:

Neal Green
Charity Commission
Harmsworth House
13-15 Bouverie Street
London
EC4Y8DP

Telephone number: 020 7674 2343, Email Neal Green

or

Caroline Cooke
Charity Commission
Harmsworth House
13-15 Bouverie Street
London
EC4Y8DP

Telephone number: 020 7674 2487, Email Caroline Cooke

If you have queries about any other aspect of the Commission's work or would like to order any of our publications, please telephone Charity Commission Direct on 0845 300 0218.

This consultation has been designed to comply with the six consultation criteria in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation:

1. Consult widely throughout the process, allowing a minimum of 12 weeks for written consultation at least once during the development of the policy
2. Be clear about what your proposals are, who may be affected, what questions are being asked and the timescale for responses
3. Ensure that your consultation is clear, concise and widely accessible
4. Give feedback regarding the responses received and how the consultation process influenced the policy
5. Monitor your department's effectiveness at consultation, including through the use of a designated consultation co-ordinator
6. Ensure your consultation follows better regulation best practice, including carrying out a Regulatory Impact Assessment if appropriate.

Respondents are invited to comment on the extent to which the criteria have been adhered to and to suggest ways of further improving the consultation process. If respondents have comments or complaints about the consultation process they should contact:

David Hale
Charity Commission
Harmsworth House
13-15 Bouverie Street 
London
EC4Y 8DP

Telephone number: 020 7674 2470, Email David Hale