Commission announces inquiry into orphanage charity

Press release

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Children Care Centre, over concerns about the charity’s failure to submit accounting information

The charity primarily aims to relieve the suffering and advance the education of children at the Amod Orphanage in India by providing equipment, food and resources.

The charity has failed to submit its annual returns to the Charity Commission for the financial years ending in March 2020 and 2021. Its accounting information for the financial years ending in 2018 and 2019 were filed 988 and 623 days late respectively. The trustees’ failure to submit these accounts on time meant the charity was included in the Commission’s ‘double defaulter class inquiry’, during which they were clearly informed of the legal requirements to submit the charity’s accounting information.

In February 2021, the Commission issued the trustees with advice and guidance on completing the charity’s accounts, and informed them that it intended to monitor their actions regarding the filing of the outstanding financial information. Despite this, the trustees defaulted on their legal duty to submit annual returns for the financial years ending in March 2020 and 2021.

On 8 June 2022, the Charity Commission therefore opened a statutory inquiry, which will examine the extent to which the trustees have:

  • complied with their statutory reporting duties including the submission of the charity’s annual reports and accounts to the Commission
  • complied with an order of the Commission under section 84
  • acted in accordance with their legal duties and been responsible for misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration and management of the charity

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

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were.

ENDS

Notes to editors

  1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.

Published 28 June 2022



Help shape the future coastal defences at Yaverland and Shanklin

Press release

Residents and visitors on the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to share their views on the coastal frontages at Shanklin and Yaverland.

Shanklin esplanade, Isle of Wight, 2022

Shanklin Esplanade, Isle of Wight 2022

The Environment Agency, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, are working together alongside industry experts to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion to over 600 properties in Shanklin and Yaverland.

Both projects are still in the development stages, so gathering what people value most about these important coastal frontages now is invaluable.

Nick Gray, Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Solent and South Downs Area, said:

This is a critical time for residents and businesses to get involved and have their say on the future of flood protection at Yaverland and the coastal erosion at Shanklin Esplanade.

The project team is seeking people’s thoughts on the potential opportunities to improve the natural and built environments as part of the schemes.  Feedback will help to develop the plans before further public consultation takes place in Spring 2023.

The questionnaires can be found on Environment Agency Citizen Space here: Isle of Wight Coastal Defence Schemes Information Page

Cllr Jonathan Bacon, cabinet member responsible for the environment, said:

These projects are the first of several schemes we will be developing to help communities become more resilient to climate change and the risks of flooding. They aim to ensure a sustainable future for the coastal frontages at Shanklin and Yaverland that current and future generations can enjoy.

We would encourage anyone who uses or has an interest in these areas to have their say so that we can capture the public’s early ideas, concerns, and recommendations.

The closing date for responses is Sunday 31 July 2022 for Shanklin and Wednesday 31 August 2022 for Yaverland. Paper copies can also be found within Shanklin and Sandown libraries.

Published 28 June 2022



Artificial Intelligence and IP: copyright and patents

Following this consultation, the Government intends to amend copyright law to make it easier to analyse material for the purposes of machine learning, research and innovation. This will promote the use of AI technology, and wider “data mining” techniques, for the public good.

Data mining is where software is used to analyse material for patterns, trends and other useful information. The Government intends that anyone with lawful access to material protected by copyright should be able to carry out this analysis without further permission from the copyright owner. Among other uses, data mining can be used when training AI systems. For example, machine-learning software which has been trained on large repositories of computer code is able to intelligently suggest new code to programmers.

This data mining provision will take advantage of the UK’s ability to set its own copyright laws now that we have left the EU and will put the UK’s copyright framework among the most AI and research friendly in the world. It will help make the UK a location of choice for data mining and AI development, supporting the Government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader in AI innovation and research.

This initiative is targeted and will preserve wider copyright protection, including copyright owners’ ability to control who has access to their works. It will bring benefits to a wide range of stakeholders in the UK, including researchers, AI developers, and cultural heritage institutions.

The consultation also considered the extent to which inventions and creative works which are generated by AI should be protected by patents and copyright. The Government has decided that no changes will be made to the UK’s patent inventorship criteria or copyright computer generated works provisions at this time. It will keep AI technical development under review to help ensure that UK inventorship rules continue to support AI innovation and will seek to advance discussions internationally to support the UK’s economic interests.

Science & Innovation Minister George Freeman said:

Now that the UK has the ability to set our own copyright laws for the first time in decades, we want to ensure the UK continues to have one of the best intellectual property frameworks in the world. IP is key to innovation.

That’s why, following our consultation earlier this year, we intend to bring the law up to date, embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid developments in technology. The UK will continue to engage with partners around the world, seeking to lead global conversations as we unleash our potential as an innovation nation.

Our new UK rules on copyright and data mining will act as a catalyst for our innovators to flourish, helping ensure the UK’s IP system remains a powerful enabler for ground-breaking R&D.

David Prosser, Executive Director, Research Libraries UK, said:

The UK is a global research powerhouse and researchers are ready to take advantage of powerful new AI and text and data mining techniques.  The proposed changes to copyright announced today will allow us to harness the potential of new, innovative computational tools and significantly advance UK research and innovation.

Dame Wendy Hall, acting AI Council Chair said:

The AI Council’s AI Roadmap recommended that the Government should consider how to redefine intellectual property to incentivise investment and attract world-class talent to develop leading AI products and services here in the UK.

The proposed changes to copyright law announced today will enable the UK’s IP framework to remain relevant, adaptable and keep pace in a changing world. Most importantly, it will encourage UK industries to invest strategically in AI research, development and innovation, with the aim of becoming globally competitive.

Notes to editors:

  • the Government consulted on issues relating to intellectual property and AI from October 2021 to January 2022. The consultation followed the Government’s Call for Views on AI and IP in 2020 and was in line with its commitment under the Innovation Strategy and National AI Strategy published in 2021
  • the consultation asked if the law takes the right approach to protecting inventions and creations made by AI, and whether steps should be taken to make it easier to use data mining techniques, including machine learning, with copyright material
  • a summary of the responses received to the consultation is published on GOV.UK, with the Government response
  • rights holders will still be able to control and charge for access to their works and will be able to control their wider use. The only change is that they will no longer be able to charge extra specifically for the ability to mine them


Island communities across the UK to come together in Orkney for first Islands Forum

Press release

Island communities across the UK have been invited to the first Islands Forum meeting in September.

Lighthouse on Westray, one of the Orkney Islands, above the steep cliffs of Noup Head.
  • New Islands Forum created to level up island communities and work together on shared opportunities and challenges
  • Representatives from island communities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the devolved governments have been invited to join the Islands Forum
  • First meeting will take place in Orkney in September

Island communities across the UK have today (28 June 2022) been invited to the first Islands Forum meeting in September.

The Islands Forum will help to level up island communities by encouraging collaboration to tackle common challenges such as connectivity, infrastructure, demographic trends and explore opportunities including the transition to net zero. It will also allow the UK government to hear and learn from island communities to inform future policy.

Orkney has been chosen as the location for the first Islands Forum, which will be chaired by Secretary of State Michael Gove.

The UK government has invited council leaders and chief executives of island communities in all parts of the UK to take part in the first Forum. The devolved administrations will also have a key role, with ministers from the Scottish and Welsh governments and the Northern Ireland Executive invited.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove MP said:

Island communities contribute a huge amount to the UK and often face common challenges. Our new Islands Forum will bring communities together and give our islands a stronger voice.

Whether it is the requirement for better transport connectivity or opportunities for economic development, I want to hear directly from island communities across the UK what they need to unlock their full potential.

The UK government’s goal is to unite and level up our whole United Kingdom, from Shetland to the Scillies. This new forum will make sure that our islands are placed right at the heart of our levelling up mission.

Several projects in island communities are set to benefit from cash injections through levelling up funds. This includes:

  • £48.4 million for the Isles of Scilly to upgrade sea links between the islands and the mainland, including replacing the ferries and delivering harbour improvements, and £440,000 through the UK Community Renewal Fund for their new museum and cultural centre.
  • £5.8 million for East Cowes Marine Hub project in the Isle of Wight, which sits within the proposed Solent Freeport zone. The funding will futureproof the marine engineering hub, creating jobs and boosting productivity.
  • Anglesey has seen a boost of £2.7 million through the UK Community Renewal Fund for 6 projects including schemes to develop youth enterprise and provide high quality Health and Social Care education.
  • £173,400 to Argyll and Bute Council for investment into the West Coast UAV Innovation Logistics and training hub, which helps explore using drones to transport medical supplies to islands.
  • The Western Isles was awarded more than £166,000 to fund projects for the Port of Ness Harbour and Horshader Community Asset Development.

Invitations have been sent to representatives from the following islands:

Nation Member Island(s)
England Isle of Wight Council Isle of Wight
England Council of the Isles of Scilly Isles of Scilly
Scotland Highland Council Skye, Rum, Raasay, Eigg, Muck, Canna, Sanday
Scotland North Ayrshire Council Arran, Great Cumbrae
Scotland Argyll & Bute Council Bute, Islay, Mull, Coll; Colonsay; Danna; Easdale; Eilean da Mheinn; Erraid; Gigha; Gometra; Inchtavannach; Innischonan; Iona; Jura; Kerrera; Lismore; Luing; Oronsay; Seil; Shuna (Luing); Tiree; Ulva
Scotland Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Western Isles
Scotland Orkney Islands Council Orkney Islands
Scotland Shetland Islands Council Shetland Islands
Wales Isle of Anglesey County Council Anglesey
Northern Ireland Rathlin Development & Community Association, NI Department for Infrastructure Rathlin Island

Published 28 June 2022



Chris Boardman named permanent National Active Travel Commissioner alongside other senior Active Travel England appointments

Chris Boardman will continue to inspire the nation into getting about on foot and by bike after being appointed as permanent National Active Travel Commissioner alongside several other senior officials, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced today (28 June 2022).

Chris, who has served as Interim Commissioner since January 2022, will head up the new executive agency alongside Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Danny Williams and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Louise Wilkinson.

Over the past decade, the Olympian has been one of the country’s most prominent active travel advocates and has served in Greater Manchester as Transport Commissioner and Walking and Cycling Commissioner.

Danny Williams, who is expected to be confirmed as Active Travel England’s CEO shortly, has spent over 25 years leading media businesses, including setting-up a start-up and developing large and high performing teams within global corporations.

In his spare time, Danny has been advocating for change in how villages, towns and cities approach walking and cycling. He was a member of the Mayor of London’s Roads Task Force.  

Louise Wilkinson has a long career in strategic finance and accounting within the civil service and local government. Most recently she has worked for the Cabinet Office as a Deputy Director of Finance.  

Active Travel England also today announced Graham Grant as its Director of Planning and Development. Grant, currently Assistant Director of Transport at Newcastle City Council, is expected to take up his post in the autumn. He joins Brian Deegan, who was announced as Director of Inspections in May 2022.

Confirming the appointments, Cycling Minister Trudy Harrison said:

Today’s appointments are another great step for Active Travel England as it continues to make sure getting around our towns and cities on foot or by bike is an easy and attractive option.

Chris, Danny, Louise and the rest of the incoming team are hugely respected experts in their field and are dedicated to making people-friendly streets a reality. I wish them every success and will do all I can to support them.

Chris Boardman said: 

I am thrilled to be announced as permanent National Active Travel Commissioner and to be given this incredible opportunity. To help change the travel culture of a nation is by far the most important thing I have ever, or will ever, be involved in.

For cycling and walking to become the natural choice for shorter journeys, people must feel safe and the options must be easy.

Active Travel England aims to help local authorities across the country deliver that environment, so that people can get to schools, shops and workplaces under their own steam. That’s the kind of place people want to live and the freedoms they want for their children.

Danny Williams added: 

If you were to put down on paper my dream job, this is it. I’m passionate about building successful teams from the ground up and I have been an active travel advocate for the past 20 years. It’s a huge privilege to be able to combine those interests as CEO of Active Travel England.

I want to support councils to be bold and create an environment that is going to change people’s everyday lives for the better. It doesn’t get more exciting than that.

Louise Wilkinson added: 

I can’t wait to take on the role of COO at Active Travel England and be part of this exciting journey. This is something I really believe in and I am proud to be part of a team that will help transform active travel and deliver real change. 

I will be focusing on putting in place all the things we need to succeed and to ensure that councils and other delivery partners are supported every step of the way.

Last month DfT announced that millions of people across the country will benefit from cleaner air and cheaper ways to travel and keep active thanks to £200 million of government funding for 134 new active travel schemes.

Active Travel England will oversee delivery as part of its ambition to drive up the standards of infrastructure across the country and make walking, wheeling and cycling the easiest choice for local journeys.   

Chris Boardman has been appointed with immediate effect. Danny Williams and Louise Wilkinson are expected to take up their posts in August.