OSCR publishes consultation report

22 February 2010

Scotland’s charity regulator today publishes a summary of responses to its Integrated Reporting consultation, with the vast majority in favour of change.

Read the report here.

OSCR carried out a Scotland-wide consultation of the charity sector to gather views on its proposed streamlining of charity reporting, and enhancement of information about charities it makes available to the public. All of Scotland’s 23,500 charities were informed about the process, and a series of discussion groups were held by the regulator to discuss its recommendations.

The great majority of responses were positive, and OSCR will now begin the process of implementation during 2010 with the changes due to take effect in 2011.

OSCR’s Chief Executive, Jane Ryder, said:

‘We are extremely grateful to all those who took part and gave us their views on our proposals. These were designed to balance the needs of the sector, the public, and OSCR as regulator carrying out its legal duties. It is reassuring to see such a positive response and we will continue to provide regular updates, as we work towards delivery.’

Key proposals OSCR is now working to deliver include:

- A revised monitoring programme with a streamlined annual return form
- A revised Scottish Charity Register with graphically displayed financial highlights
- ‘OSCR on-line’ – providing new on-line services for charities.

It is envisaged that the changes will be introduced in phases during 2011 and further information on this will be set out at our annual open meeting in October this year. We will also be looking for stakeholders to participate in the testing of changes and details of this will be made available on our website later in 2010.

ENDS

Issued by OSCR, Quadrant House, 9 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY. For further information, contact Mark Simpson or Morag Stewart on 01382 220446 or 07920 274498 or email communications@oscr.org.uk