A charity which is being investigated by the Charity Commission for the third time in five years has said it is taking measures to improve its financial controls and governance and is “not aware of what matters cause further serious regulatory concerns”.
Last week the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic, which has failed file its accounts on time - for the fifth successive year - and is currently over 90 days late.
The Commission said it had identified further concerns about the charity’s finances and governance, which had led it to open a statutory inquiry. The charity was previously part of the double defaulters inquiry and has also been the subject of an operational compliance case after a bishop was jailed for stealing £186,000 from the church.
In a statement sent to Civil Society News yesterday the charity said it was cooperating with the investigation, has already taken measures to address issues and is confident of filing its outstanding accounts this month.
“The board is not aware of what matters cause further serious regulatory concerns as noted in the Charity Commission’s press statement of 3 May 2017 but believes that recent actions should significantly address any further concerns that the Charity Commission may have,” trustees said.
“The board intends to cooperate fully with any further requests of the Charity Commission and to accept any recommendations for the benefit of the members and wider community of Bethel.”
‘Already responded’
Bethel United Church said it has “already fully responded to the Charity Commission’s direction to provide information about its accounts, related party transactions and member churches. The board has also provided further information that may assist the Commission with its inquiry”.
It explained that its accounts for the year ending March 2016 have been prepared and will be filed this month.
“Unfortunately, issues in obtaining financial returns on time from all the member churches of the charity caused a delay in preparation as has been the case in previous years,” the charity said. “The board has for the past few years being seeking the deregistering of some member churches from the charity to avoid causing issues with filing accounts on time.
“Not all churches who intend to separately register have managed to do so within expected timescales.”
Measures taken
Bethel United Church also said it has taken steps to improve its financial controls by engaging a financial consultant and making new arrangements with its bank.
It is also seeking new trustees.
The statement said: “The board has invited members act as trustee and has received interest from members with management, financial and marketing experience, skills that would be particularly valuable for the charity going forwards.
“Some existing trustees also need to retire. The membership will have the opportunity to appoint all trustees by vote at the annual general meeting in July 2017.”
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