26 October 2001
In its latest report on the commission, which follows a highly critical assessment in 1998, the NAO notes 'welcome progress' in meeting more of its key business targets and improving the accuracy of its register.
'However,' it warns, 'weaknesses remain, particularly in the commission's investigation work.' It added: 'We found that the commission did not always carry out an appraisal of the potential risks to identify if a broader examination was needed.'
The commission should also follow up all inquiry cases which identify serious weaknesses to ensure that remedial action had been taken.
It had taken steps to introduce more stringent checks of applications from organisations seeking to register, but it criticises the commission's Liverpool office, where only 66% of cases handled were deemed acceptable.
'The Charity Commission has achieved much since the Public Accounts Committee's last report,' said comptroller and auditor general Sir John Bourn. 'There is scope for further action to improve the scrutiny of charity finances and its oversight of the work of charitable trustees.'
PFoct2001
