Dear Madam, - I refer to the letter of the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission published in last week’s issue of your newspaper.
Could I initially assure Mrs/Miss McCandless that I have no issue in relation to the registration of Charities which is a legal requirement under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
My disagreement lies in the fact that a considerable number of bands, including road bands, not in receipt of modest training grants from government sponsored agencies do not have the wide range of documentation specified.
Why is it not possible for the Commission to have specimen documentation which will serve the Registration process rather than having prospective applicants wade through 46 pages of Commission guidance?
I feel that everyone is aware of the function of a road band in relation to training and public performance and it is my contention that the Commission is using a “sledgehammer to crack a nut” by insisting on individual applications on the part of each band.
Many of the bands in question do not have a turnover in excess of £1,000 per annum and would be considerably accommodated in a legal process which brings them little or no financial reward.
Yours faithfully, J. S. HENDERSON President Co. Fermanagh Section Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Drummurry Gardens Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh
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