Sanctions imposed on Good and New Shop by Charities Regulator

The Charities Regulator has confirmed that it has imposed intermediate sanctions on the Good and New Shop in Letterkenny.

Staff from the compliance and enforcement unit carried out an on-site visit to the Good and New Shop recent and found that the shop was not in compliance with its legal obligation to maintain proper books of account.

Yesterday, February 13, the notice was accepted by the trustees of the charity and the contravention is to be rectified not later than March 26.

A number of requirements have also been laid down including introducing regular financial reporting, ensuring that all financia;l reports are scrutinised by the trustees under a standing agenda item – “financial performance and position of the charity” as part of all trustee meetings.

The task of keeping proper books of account is to be assigned to a ‘person(s) with the appropriate skills and experience’.

“While I note the good work undertaken by the charity in providing much needed transport services to cancer patients in the Donegal region, the charity trustees need to take immediate steps to ensure proper books of account are being maintained and that procedures are introduced, which will facilitate them in providing the appropriate financial scrutiny and oversight of the charity,” Charities Regulator Chief Executive John Farrelly said in a statement.