The Regulator for Charities in England and Wales

 

CHARITY COMMISSION

SERVICE DELIVERY AGREEMENT 2001-04

 

 

B Delivering Key Results

The aim of the Commission is:

To give the public confidence in the integrity of charity.

B1 Key performance targets for 2001-02

 

OBJECTIVE

 

TARGET

1. To ensure that charities are able to operate for their proper purposes within an effective legal, accounting and governance framework.

Impact indicator. Charity resources made available for more effective deployment as a result of the Commission exercising its legal authority. (This is being trialled in 2000-01 and will be operational from 2001-02).

1a. Process a successful application for registration within an average of 95 working days in 2001-02: 92 days in 2002-03; and 88 days in 2003-04.

1b. Increase the effectiveness of the legal framework by undertaking 3,500 cases where the Commission exerts its legal authority each year to 2003-4. Of these 300 will be initiated by the Commission itself in 2001-02, rising to 350 by 2003-04.

1c. Improve the framework within which charities operate for their proper purposes by delivering at least three authoritative themed reports per year from April 2002 onwards on issues affecting the charitable sector, and ensuring compliance with their recommendations among the appropriate charities.

2. To improve the governance, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of charities.

Impact indicator. Percentage of charities deriving benefit as a result of guidance given (weighted by size). (This is being trialled in 2000-01 and will be operational from 2001-02).

2a. Improve the effectiveness of charities’ operations by undertaking 24,500 cases annually where the Commission gives substantive guidance on governance and administration by 2003-4, up from 21,800 now. Of these 2,450 will be initiated by the Commission itself, up from 2,180 now.

2b. Obtain the accounts and annual reports of the following percentages of charities and ensure that all causes for concern identified are resolved.

Annual income of Charity
£250,000
and Over		 Over £100,000 to £250,000 Less than £100,000
(and over £10,000)
In 2001-2002 100% 90% 85%
In 2002-2003 100% 92% 86%
In 2003-2004 100% 95% 87%

2c. Obtain and process database forms for 90% of all charities mailed, rising to 95% in 2003-04.

2d. From April 2002 undertake at least 600 visits to charities having a total combined income of at least £400 million per year (ie 1.8% of total income of registered charities), rising to 2.25% of total income in 2003-04.

3. To identify and deal with poor practice.

Impact indicator. Number of cases of abuse or poor practice found.

(This is being trialled in 2000-01 and will be operational from 2001-02).

3a. Increase the cost effectiveness of the Commission’s investigative resources by ensuing that at least 90% of all investigations undertaken lead to concerns being substantiated and rectified. The number of investigations will rise from 225 in 2000-01 to 315 in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

3b. Sums protected by investigations to rise from £24m to £28.6m by 2003-04, including those that arise at the instigation of the Commission rising to £2.6m.

3c. By 2003-04 identify irregularities in 6% of charities visited, and remedy 90% of irregularities within 12 months.

 

Other targets

Public confidence. By April 2002 the Commission will have developed a means of measuring public confidence in the integrity of charity and have set a target before March 2003.

Notes and Glossary

1a This average includes all detailed consideration and correspondence stages, not merely the process of entering a charity on the Register. Because of differences in procedures, a separate internal target will be set for refusals to register. It is anticipated that a combined target will be developed once computer management systems allow valid comparisons.

2a Substantive advice does not include general advice that is not tailored to the particular circumstances of a charity or group of charities, nor advice that can be wholly given through existing leaflets or other prewritten information.

2c Database forms are sent to all registered charities requiring them to provide information for the Central Register. Charities are required to submit returns to show any change or no change to their details on the Register to ensure the accuracy of the database.

2d From April 2002 the Commission will be introducing an enhanced charity visiting programme. It will supersede the existing programme of visits, building on knowledge gained, and, in particular, will provide a better focussed and more detailed insight into a charity’s affairs or administration.

3a The number of investigations planned for 2001-02 is 255.

3c Irregularities include all circumstances where the Commission has to take remedial action to correct activities by or within a charity that are outside its powers or trusts, or where standards of administration or levels of efficiency require improvement. Remedial action may require use of the department’s formal legal authority powers, or may be conveyed by advice and guidance. Activities by or within charities may range from innocent mistakes to criminal activity.

 

B2 Measuring performance

The key performance targets above are embedded within the Commission’s business plan which is closely monitored internally on a monthly basis, and reported to the Board quarterly. Additional assurance of the integrity of performance information is attained through:

  • the department’s Business Assurance unit;
  • internal audit reviews;
  • internal and external consultation with stakeholders on quality and delivery of results;
  • annual reviews of performance measures and targets.

 

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