The Charities Commission is ceasing its existing digital service, and from today, 31 July, charities will no longer be able to file annual returns through the old system.
The new online services platform, known as My Charity Commission Account, requires charities to set up a digital account, and charity contacts should have received an email from the following address "myaccount@charitycommission.gov.uk" with a unique link to do this.
As the rollout continues all charity trustees will start to receive similar links.
The new platform is, per the Charity Commission, designed to facilitate a more direct relationship between the regulator and trustees. The commission's intention is to ensure trustees are supported in their role, with the tools needed to run their charities well. The creation and issuing of links to the registered charity contacts and the filing of annual returns through the new platform appears to be the first step with further developments to come as part of the Charity’s Commission’s longer-term ambitions for the platform. The new approach will also help ensure better data security.
Acknowledging this is a significant change in procedure, the Commission has pre-empted any disruption by making additional staff available in its contact centre.
It will be interesting to see as this develops what additional functionality and usability the new platform offers in contrast to the old one.
