The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has opened an inquiry into Wirral based charity Merseycare Transport Services Ltd (registered charity number 1133408)
The charity was set up to provide community transport and allied training for people in Merseyside and surrounding areas who need such services because of age, sickness, disability, poverty or lack of adequate and safe public transport.
The Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the charity as it has identified governance and financial management concerns. These include that the charity appears to have too few trustees, in breach of its governing document, and that it has not complied with statutory accounting requirements and has expenditure that does not seem to align with its objects.
The inquiry will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying or have complied with their legal duties in respect of the administration, governance and management of the charity, with particular regard to:
- whether the trustees have complied with the charity’s governing document and that charity funds have been applied only in furtherance of the charity’s objects
- whether the charity’s financial controls and governance arrangements are adequate
- whether inaccurate or misleading information has been submitted to the Commission
- whether there has been misconduct, mismanagement or misappropriation of charitable funds
The scope of the inquiry can be extended if additional regulatory issues emerge.
It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing the issues examined, any action taken, and the inquiry’s outcomes.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Read further information about what the Commission does.
- On 26 June 2026, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and / or mismanagement in the administration of the charity.
- A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation.
- Reports of previous inquiries are available on GOV.UK.
- The Commission publishes a range of guidance for trustees, including managing charity finances and decision making and on what happens when the Commission opens an inquiry.