Fundraising bodies have launched a new joint plan for “more robust” fundraising standards in the wake of the death of pensioner Olive Cooke.

The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB), Institute of Fundraising (IoF), and Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) announced a joint action plan on Friday to “ensure the highest standards in fundraising activity across the country”.

The plans include:

• The appointment of an independent chair of the IoF Standards Committee
• A review of the rules on buying, sharing or selling data
• An overhaul of the IoF’s Code of Fundraising Practice and accompanying guidance.

At present all eight members of the Standards Committee are appointed from within the sector, and the current chair is Tanya Steele, marketing, fundraising and communications at Save the Children.

The IoF will start the process of appointing an independent chair on Wednesday. It will also decide on Wednesday whether to remove or retain Steele. She may remain as co-chair for the duration of her term, or step back to deputy.

Other steps include:

• Monitoring concerns and complaints about issues raised within the FRSB’s ongoing investigation into Olive Cooke’s death
• An investigation into the feasibility of a sector-wide mystery shopping programme across a range of methods and charities, "to drive up standards and drive out any rogue practices"
• A greater emphasis on making the public aware that fundraising is regulated and that concerns can be raised with a regulatory body.

Alistair McLean, chief Executive of the FRSB said: “In recent weeks, the public has raised serious concerns that charities are going too far, making too many asks and not making it easy enough for people to opt out of future contact. While charities have a need to ask for funds, this should never come at the expense of causing public distress.

“This is a pivotal moment for the charity sector and we welcome the recognition by the sector of the need to strengthen and tighten up the Code. Our interim investigation report, which will be published next week, will further inform the sector of any additional steps which may be necessary to ensure public trust in fundraising is maximised.”

All three organisations will consult with members and the public on how to make it easier for supporters to manage the way that charities communicate with them.

The FRSB also revealed plans to work with the Government to reach out to charities who are not members, to “ensure they embrace the best practice standards by signing up to the FRSB”.

Peter Lewis, chief executive of the IoF said: “Charities do an incredible amount of good work across the UK and personal donors are the backbone of the sector. Charities are rightly proud of the support they receive from the British public and we have to make sure donors feel they are supported in return.

“We believe the new measures we’re committing to will further strengthen charities’ relationships with their supporters and ensure the very highest levels of accountability and transparency. Tightening the Codes of Fundraising Practice will help boost fundraising standards across charities, with a new independent chair of the Standards Committee making sure it happens.”

Pensioner Olive Cooke committed suicide last month after admitting distress about persistent letters and phone calls from charity fundraisers.

The FRSB’s interim report examining the public’s concerns about fundraising practices - in light of Cooke’s death - will be released next week and presented to the IoF who have pledged to review the Code of Fundraising Practice in response to initial investigation findings.