DUNDEE CHARITY the Volunteer Centre Dundee has urged the Office of Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) to move quickly to resolve the row over Trustee Indemnity Insurance.

Fears were raised on Monday an OSCR ruling would result in a reduction in the number of people willing to volunteer as trustees of charity boards if they had to pay to insure themselves against being sued. Charity boards have insured all their volunteer trustees, but OSCR says this breaches strict charity rules.

Kathryn Mackenzie, Volunteer Centre manager, responded, saying, “As a local charity funded by the Scottish Executive to make volunteering easier we are dismayed to read of OSCR’s ruling over indemnity insurance for Trustees.

“Volunteering to take on the role of governance of a charity is a rewarding and fulfiling role, however these volunteers are expected to operate in an increasingly legislative framework, for example child protection, employment law, financial regulations, data protection etc. Knowing that their personal risks are covered by the charity taking out Trustee Indemnity Insurance is one way of increasing their confidence and willingness to take part.

“Volunteer Centre Dundee has always advocated on behalf of volunteers only receiving actual out of pocket expenses, that is expenses that have been incurred solely through their volunteering activity.”

Jane Ryder, chief executive of OSCR, said they were in ongoing discussions with the Scottish Executive and were hopeful of finding a solution.