Debate contribution: Charities (Amendment) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mrs Pam Cameron on 23 June 2026.

MLA: Mrs Pam Cameron
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 23 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Charities (Amendment) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5636767

Text

I welcome the opportunity to speak as a member of the Communities Committee at Second Stage of the Charities (Amendment) Bill. I thank the Minister and the Chair of the Committee for outlining the details of the Bill. I recognise the enormous contribution made by charities, churches, community groups, sports clubs, youth organisations, older people's groups and volunteers throughout Northern Ireland. They do incredible work. I see that contribution every week in South Antrim. Many such groups are run by local volunteers, trustees and committee members who give of their time to help others, support vulnerable people and keep community life going. Charity regulation matters very much. The public must have confidence that charitable funds are being used properly, that trustees understand their responsibilities and that there is effective oversight when misconduct or mismanagement occurs. However, regulation must be proportionate and not overwhelm small charities with bureaucracy, discourage people from becoming trustees or make it harder for volunteers to carry out work that benefits local communities. The Bill seeks to strike that balance. Any action to reduce the administrative burden on charities is, of course, very welcome. The Bill makes targeted amendments to the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to ensure that the framework is modern, proportionate and effective. It progresses 18 recommendations from the independent review of charity regulation, with a focus on a more risk-based approach that promotes trust and accountability without placing undue burdens on charities. A key part of the Bill is the strengthening of the Charity Commission's ability to intervene proportionately in cases of misconduct or mismanagement. The vast majority of charities operate in good faith and with integrity, but, when serious issues arise, the regulator must have the tools needed to protect charitable assets and uphold public trust. I welcome the inclusion of safeguards where powers affect individuals or organisations. There are provisions around prior notice, representations, review mechanisms and appeal routes. Stronger powers must always be matched by fairness and proportionality. I welcome the streamlining of accounting and reporting requirements. For small charities, administration can be a real challenge and burden. Trustees often balance employment, family responsibilities and voluntary service, so they need systems that are clear, manageable and proportionate to the size and complexity of the organisation. It is worth noting that the Bill repeals section 167 of the 2008 Act, providing clarity for institutions established elsewhere but operating, for charitable purposes, in or from Northern Ireland.
The Department did, of course, consult on key issues, including template reporting and section 167, and carried out a four-week consultation on the Bill. I recognise that that sought to balance engagement with the time left in the mandate, and responses were broadly supportive of the amendments made to improve proportionality and safeguards.
The Bill is not about regulation for regulation's sake. It is about protecting public confidence, supporting good governance and ensuring that the framework works better for charities, trustees, volunteers and the public. For those reasons, I support the general principles of the Bill at Second Stage, and I look forward to the Committee's scrutinising the Bill further.

515 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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