More than a third of Bermuda's charities have been classed as 'delinquent' after failing to keep their accounts in order.

Up to 150 non-profit organisations have been 'named and shamed' in a Senate report. They include the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Bermuda Hospitals Board; Bermuda Police Benevolent Fund; Bermuda Sloop Foundation; and Gina Spence Productions in Christ — the president of whom is Gina Spence Farmer, the Senator to ask for the list.

The report revealed 98 organisations failed to submit their accounts within a year, with 149 failing to do so within six months of the fiscal year end.

Non-profit organisations classed as 'delinquent' are believed to include several linked to members of Parliament.

Under Government moves, those charities who now fail to submit their annual accounts on time could have their status revoked.

The lists of 'delinquent' organisations were provided by Sen. Wayne Caines, Junior Minister for Labour and Immigration, in response to a Parliamentary Question by Sen. Gina Spence Farmer, Shadow Minister for Community and Cultural Affairs.

Sen. Spence Farmer asked for the names of registered charities which had failed to submit accounts to the Registrar General within six months and one year of their last financial year, as required by The Charities Act 1978.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Sen. Caines said: "When I looked at the list I was very concerned. This is something we clearly need to be quite aware of. We do not want people submitting to charities and then to question the work of their charities, because their charity is not filling in the remit of the law."

Referring to the presence of Sen. Spence Farmer's organisation on the list, Sen. Caines said: "The person who asked the question this morning has also found herself on the list.

"What this does highlight is that there are a number of charities listed with Government that also find themselves on the list as well.

"We have to ensure their charity status is regular and they are up-to-date. This has to be sorted out, as out of 407 charities on the Island, 151 are delinquent."

Among those defaulting a year later were: the Bank of Bermuda Foundation; Bermuda Foundation; Bermuda Olympic Association; Bermuda Police Benevolent Fund; the Bermuda Regiment Charitable Trust; Bermuda Sloop Foundation; the Coalition of the Protection of Children; Focus; Freemasons Fund for Bermuda; Gina Spence Productions in Christ; Hope Ministries; Project Action; the Resident Family Council; the Scout Association; and Youth Forum.

Those failing to file accounts six months later included: Age Concern; Bermuda Arts of Centre at Dockyard; Bermuda Bible Society; Bermuda Hospitals Board; Bermuda Island Games Association; Bermuda Sailing Association; Hamilton Rotary Club; and Women's Resource Centre (formerly Rape Crisis Centre).

Sen. Spence Farmer was unavailable for comment last night, but in her Parliamentary Question she asked Sen. Caines "what steps, if any, the Government proposes to take to ensure that charities comply with the reporting requirements of The Charities Act 1978?"

He said notices are sent out before the fiscal year end to remind charities "of their responsibility in law". If the statements have not been received reminder cards are posted, requesting receipt of accounts within 30 days. Letters are also sent out "periodically" to remind charities of their financial obligations.

Sen. Caines added that the Government wanted to "strengthen these efforts". If a 'delinquent' charity did not act within the 30 days notice period, a telephone call would then determine "what steps if any are being taken to bring the charities into compliance at the earliest opportunity".

Sen. Caines said those organisations failing to comply within 90 days of the initial reminder would be given notice that their registration was to be cancelled within 15 days — "unless they show cause to the satisfaction of the Charity Commissioners why their registrations should not be cancelled".

Such cancellation however, would "not prejudice the rights of those charities affected to submit a new application for registration at a later date".