Two sports charities that operate ice rinks are being investigated by the Charity Commission over concerns with their governance, financial management, and independence.
Bison in the Community and Staffordshire Winter Sports Club, who share several trustees, both operate multiple ice rinks in the Staffordshire area.
The Charity Commission intially opened regulatory compliance cases into both charities in October 2025, after concerns were raised relating to both charities’ governance, financial management, and independence.
Concerns were also raised relating to the charities’ ice rink pricing and the public’s ability to access their services.
After reviewing both charities’ bank transactions, the regulator has now escalated its engagement with Bison in the Community and Staffordshire Winter Sports Club to full statutory inquiries.
A Bison in the Community spokesperson said of the commission’s inquiries: “The trustees are aware the Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into both Bison in the Community and Staffordshire Winter Sports Club.
“The relevant people, with the support of the regulated auditors, will be meeting with the Charity Commission in the upcoming weeks, when we will provide the evidence that demonstrates that the structure in place meets all legislative requirements.”
According to Bison in the Community’s most recently filed accounts to the year ending 31 December 2024, it transferred just over £4,000 to Staffordshire Winter Sports Club, while it was also recorded that Staffordshire Winter Sports Club owed Bison in the Community just over £46,000.
“Transactions are at arms length and due to the unique nature and inter-relationships of the charities concerned, there is an element of recharge between them to cover seasonal and common activities and events,” the accounts read.
Staffordshire Winter Sports Club has also been approached for comment.
