Tag: financial management

Inquiry launched into heart disease charity

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the Have A Heart Foundation 

The regulator of charities has launched an inquiry into the Have A Heart Foundation over serious concerns about its financial management.

The charity was set up in 2013 to raise awareness of and support patients with heart disease. It is based in Cheshire.

Despite engagement and guidance from the Commission, the trustees have failed to file any of the charity’s accounts since 2019.

The Commission is also concerned about the trustees’ financial record-keeping more widely, and the level of charitable expenditure.

It therefore escalated its engagement with the charity to an inquiry on 17 April 2023.

The inquiry will examine:

  • the trustees’ failure to comply with their statutory reporting duties including the timely submission of the charity’s accounts and annual returns to the Commission
  • the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal duties in respect of their administration, governance and management of the charity, including compliance with the charity’s governing document and whether the charity is operating in line with its objects
  • whether potential conflicts of interest and connected party transactions have been properly managed
  • whether there has been any unauthorised trustee benefit

The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge.

It is the Commission’s normal policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing the issues examined, any action taken, and the inquiry’s outcomes.

Scotmid Funerals partners with Ecclesiastical ahead of introduction of funeral industry regulations

Scotmid Funerals has partnered with Ecclesiastical Planning Services, which will take on the financial management of all the Scotmid Co-Operative’s funeral plans, on behalf of its existing customers. 

The move comes ahead of the introduction of new industry regulations, which will come into effect at the end of July by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  The aim of the regulations is to provide greater protection of – and clarity around – funeral plans, for the benefit of consumers. 

James Blackburn, Head of Funerals at Scotmid Funerals, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Ecclesiastical. As we transition into a regulated environment, we wanted to select a partner who shares our values and seeks to ensure the best possible service for our clients.

“We are confident that the extra protection this relationship will provide will be welcomed by our plan holders.”

Scotmid will continue to manage and oversee the physical aspects of funerals and their arrangements, as the customer facing business, allowing them to carry on providing the first-class, personal service they are known for. Ecclesiastical will assume responsibility for the overall management of the plans, including all financial elements.

Chris Clark, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Planning Services, said: “With regulations fast approaching, it’s essential that funeral director’s partner with planners who share similar values and professionalism.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Scotmid Funerals to ensure clients feel supported throughout the funeral process.”

More information can be found at www.scotmidfunerals.coop and at www.funeral-plans.co.uk/about-us/