The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into Wirral-based Merseycare Transport after identifying “governance and financial management concerns” at the charity, which runs 45 minibuses for children and disabled people.
Inquiry launched
The regulator announced the inquiry on Thursday, August 6, stating that the charity appears to have too few trustees, in breach of its governing document, and has not complied with statutory accounting requirements. It also noted expenditure that does not seem to align with the charity's objects.
Merseycare Transport, based on Peninsula Business Park in Birkenhead, is not to be confused with NHS trust Mersey Care. The charity had an income of £1.92m in 2024/25 and provides transport for children between home and school, as well as for people with disabilities across the Wirral.
Scope of inquiry
The inquiry will examine whether trustees have complied with their legal duties regarding the administration, governance, and management of the charity. It will also determine if charity funds have been applied only in furtherance of the charity's objects, whether inaccurate or misleading information has been submitted to the Commission, and whether there has been misconduct, mismanagement, or misappropriation of charitable funds.
The scope of the inquiry can be extended if additional regulatory issues emerge. The ECHO approached Merseycare Transport Services Ltd for comment but did not receive a response by the deadline.
