Chamber and committees

The Executive has recently published an analysis of the public consultation on the recommendations in the report of the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission (the McFadden report). Whilst the majority of respondents agreed with the general thrust of the report's recommendations, it is clear that a number of the proposals need some refining if they are to be translated into durable practice. Officials are now approaching the organisations which have agreed to participate in the Charity Law Advisory Forum which I announced on 23 October 2001. The published analysis will provide important context for the forum's work. We will be expecting the forum to provide advice on the practical aspects of implementing the recommendations in the McFadden report to enable ministers to decide how best to proceed. That advice will be key, not only to the analysis of issues and proposals for legislation but also to the eventual successful implementation of reforms. In addition to the responses received to the public consultation on McFadden, the forum will have available to it the outcome of our Social Economy Review and any relevant recommendations arising from the Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit's report on charities and not-for-profit organisations.The following organisations have agreed to be represented on the forum: Association of Charity ShopsAssociation of Chief Officers of Voluntary Organisations in ScotlandAssociation of Chief Police Officers in ScotlandBritish Heart FoundationCapability ScotlandCharity CommissionChurch of ScotlandCOSLACouncils for Voluntary Service Scotland Inland Revenue (Charities)Institute of Charity Fundraising ManagersLaw Society of ScotlandRoman Catholic ChurchRoyal Botanic Gardens EdinburghRoyal Society for the Protection of BirdsScottish Charities OfficeScottish Charity Finance Director's GroupScottish Council of Independent SchoolsScottish Credit Union PartnershipScottish Federation of Housing AssociationsVolunteer Development Scotland.