Commission’s third stakeholder survey continues upward trend

(Immediate Release - 11 May 2009)

The Charity Commission’s third stakeholder survey, published today, shows a continued improvement in its ratings against key activities, as assessed by a range of external stakeholders.

The survey, conducted by DHA Communications, interviewed 66 people from across the charity sector, in Whitehall and Westminster, the charity sector media and those who provide specialist charity guidance and advice. Results showed the following improvement in the Commissions ratings compared to the last survey in 2006:

• Ensuring charities’ compliance with the law – up 11% to 66%
• The quality of service delivery – up 7% to 71%
• The quality of our partnership working – up 5% to 65%

The Commission’s overall effectiveness is now rated at 68%, up 5% from 2006.

The ratings dropped slightly – 1% in both cases - against the Commission as a strategic regulator (now at 69%) and for the quality of our information and communications (now at 72%).

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission, said:

“ Public trust and confidence in charities is vital and a key factor in this is ensuring the sector is seen as effectively regulated. I’m encouraged that our external stakeholders share our belief that we are on the right track and our regulatory approach and strategy to improve services is continuing to bear fruit.

However, we should never become complacent and I very much welcome the challenge of improving further – aiming to be viewed as an ‘8.5’ organisation in future. We’ll be looking particularly at enhancing our capacity as a knowledge and information-driven regulator, further increasing charities’ accountability and transparency, and developing our website service, especially for smaller charities.”

The previous two stakeholder surveys, conducted in 2004 and 2006, were used to help develop the Commission’s strategic direction. This survey will again help inform our strategic response over the next few years.

‘Delivering effective regulation for the sector and the public: Third external stakeholder survey’ is available from the Charity Commission’s website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk.

 Ends.

Notes to Editors

1.The Charity Commission is the independent regulator for charities in England and Wales. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk for further information or call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218.

2. DHA Communications was commissioned to undertake the Stakeholder Survey, undertaken biennially, and interviewed stakeholders between December 2008 and March 2009. A full list of those interviewed is included in the published survey.

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