The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into a Bristol-based shelter after concerns were raised over poor financial controls, conflicts of interest and ‘related party transactions leading to potential significant private benefit’.

The inquiry into Bristol Sheltered Accommodation and Support Ltd was opened in April but only announced now due to a decision to release no new inquiries during the pre-election period.

It was opened following concerns raised with the Commission, and with Bristol City Council, over the charity’s operations.

The charity provides “shelter and support to the homeless people of Bristol”.

The Commission will examine the administration, governance and management of the charity by its trustees. The inquiry will assess whether the appropriate financial controls are in place and are being properly managed by the trustees, and whether conflicts of interest have been identified and properly managed.

It will also look to see whether there has been unauthorised private benefits arising from related party transactions, and whether the charity has complied with the Commission’s specific regulatory advice and guidance regarding payments to trustees and connected persons, or with the provisions of the charity’s governing documents.

It will also assess whether there has been any misconduct or mismanagement on the part of the trustees, or those acting in the administration and management of the charity.

According to the charity’s most recently filed accounts, for the year ending March 2014, two trustees received payments of £52,000 between them during the year.

The accounts say that both husband and wife, Michelle and Sally Zamparelli, were remunerated as employees, and that the charity was in the “process of seeking permission from the Charity Commission for an ongoing remuneration arrangement now that Mr Zamparelli is a trustee”.

The charity, which was formed in 2010 and last year had an income of £980,000, refused to comment on the inquiry.