The Charity Commission has appointed interim managers at a Merseyside transport charity as part of an investigation over spending concerns.
Merseycare Transport Services, placed under statutory inquiry in June, has had Gareth Harris and James Dowers of tax firm RSM brought in as interim managers to the exclusion of its trustees.
The 2009-registered charity continues to be probed amid accusations that its spending does not match its charitable objects, and it has too few trustees.
Merseycare, which helps people with specialist mobility needs in the Wirral, is also being investigated over a potential breach of its governing document as part of the inquiry.
Harris and Dowers’ appointments took effect on 12 October and will remain in place until the commission changes or ends the order.
The interim managers will be tasked with protecting the charity’s assets and reviewing its finances.
They will examine its governance and operational arrangements to assess whether changes are needed to protect the charity and its beneficiaries.
Harris and Dower will also consider the charity’s longer-term viability and report regularly to the commission.
The charity remains on regulatory alert and has three trustees visible on its Charity Commission listing – an increase of one since August, when the inquiry opened.
It had a total income of £1.92m in the year to 31 March 2025, marginally below its expenditure of £1.98m.
Merseycare was established with the support of Wirral Borough Council and operates a contracted minibus service.
Civil Society has approached the charity for comment.
