OSCR Announces Charity Review

21 September 2007

 

Scotland’s charity regulator has begun to review the charitable status of 23,500 charities.

OSCR has named the National Trust for Scotland, the Scottish Youth Hostel Association and 11 independent schools among the first 30 charities to be reviewed in its Rolling Review of charitable status. Three residential care providers and three museums will also be considered along with a number of charities selected at random from the Scottish Charity Register.

In July 2007, OSCR announced the outcome of its pilot process which assessed 16 volunteer charities. Head of Charities, Marieke Dwarshuis, said that the selection of charities announced today demonstrated the risk-based approach of the Rolling Review:

‘OSCR has consulted widely on its proposals for the Rolling Review, she said. ‘The feedback received from charities, professional advisers, charity trustees and members of the public is that our risk-based approach is appropriate.

‘On that basis, we have identified several types of charities that may present risk or uncertainty in the context of the charity test,’ she added. ‘The review of charitable status will enable us to determine whether they meet the charity test and can remain on the Scottish Charity Register.’

Of the 11 independent schools on the list announced today, two - George Heriot’s School and Merchiston Castle School - had originally volunteered to take part in OSCR’s pilot process but their charitable status was not reviewed at that time.

The Rolling Review will see every Scottish charity assessed against the new charity test specified in the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

The first full cycle of Rolling Review is estimated to take seven to ten years to complete. This first priority phase (Phase 1a) will be completed in May 2008, with a second priority phase (Phase 1b) due for completion by January 2010. All remaining charities will be assessed between then and May 2014.

PHASE 1a CHARITIES

OSCR has announced the following charities for assessment in the first phase of the Rolling Review of charitable status:

Schools

SC022723 Regius School
SC005339 Glasgow Steiner School Ltd
SC007957 Lomond School Ltd
SC002922 Hutchesons Educational Trust
SC04463 Jordanhill School
SC011463 George Heriot’s Trust
SC016580 Merchiston Castle School
SC037867 Gordonstoun Schools Limited
SC014611 St Mary’s Music School Trust Ltd
SC017417 Governors of Donaldson Trust
SC010904 St Leonards School

Residential Care Services

SC010314 Queens House Residential Home
SC016007 Isobel Fraser Residential Home
SC013208 Cosgrove Care Ltd
SC013035 Servite Housing Association

Museums

SC000639 Bute Museum Trustees
SC006185 Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust Ltd
SC018225 Ullapool Museum Trust

Charities With Membership Structure (for individuals)

SC007410 National Trust for Scotland
SC013138 Scottish Youth Hostels Association
SC033661 Kilwinning Community Sports Club
SC000942 Scottish Rock Garden Club
SC003275 Biggar Music Club

Randomly Selected Charities

SC029625 Willows Animal Sanctuary
SC010556 Sylvia Aitken’s Charitable Trust
SC017622 Edinburgh Interfaith Association
SC008228 Providing For People in Paisley
SC032270 Andarroch Trust
SC032302 Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust
SC002970 Robertson Trust

In addition, OSCR will work with the Scottish Pre-school Play Association (SPPA) to conclude review work on all SPPA affiliated charities. This will allow OSCR to finalise its approach to groups of charities ahead of Phase Two of the Rolling Review.

Further information on the Rolling Review of charitable status, including OSCR’s Pilot Report and relevant policy statements, can be viewed at: www.oscr.org.uk.

ENDS

Issued by OSCR, The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Quadrant House, 9 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY. Telephone: 01382 220446.

For further information contact Mark Simpson at OSCR on 01382 346890 or 07724 150 833 or email: mark.simpson@oscr.org.uk

 

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