The Scottish charity sector is being urged to participate in a series of consultations launched today by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

The series includes consultations on the following subjects:

• establishing an accurate charity register – the consultation document sets out the current position as stated by the Inland Revenue, plus an analysis of the Annual return issued by OSCR in April 2005. It asks what further enquiries OSCR should undertake and how accuracy could be ensured;
• consents and notifications – featuring an explanation of how and when a charity may need OSCR consent, plus guidance of how OSCR decides whether to grant or refuse consent; and
• the public benefit test – including initial guidance as to how OSCR will determine whether a charity meets the charity test, and an outline of how the regulator plans to deal with new applications. In addition it gives proposals for a rolling review of existing charities.

Jane Ryder, OSCR chief executive, says: “For many the temptation will be to respond on the public benefit test alone, but I would urge respondents to comment as widely and in detail on all three documents. OSCR wants to devise practical, workable and proportionate processes which are as user-friendly as possible within the framework of the legislation.

In addition to a series of informal focus groups taking place around Scotland between now and January, a number of regional events are to be held beginning with Glasgow on 28 November. The consultation closes 31 January and the results will be considered by OSCR before it takes on its new functions, expected in April 2006.

For a copy of the consultation documents and a full list of event dates, visit www.oscr.org.uk or call 01382 220446.