The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into a parish church charity after concerns were raised over its financial controls.
On 4 June, the commission opened an inquiry into the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity with St. John, Micklegate and St. Martin Cum Gregory, York, following concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity.
The charity, known as the Holy Trinity Micklegate PCC, is a Church of England parish church that registered with the commission in 2018.
Financial data filed with the commission shows that its total income has fallen sharply since 2021, from £173,000 that calendar year to £18,800 in 2024.
‘Serious concerns’ about previous financial management
The regulator said it initially engaged with the Holy Trinity Micklegate PCC after the latter had failed to submit its annual accounting information for the financial years ending 31 December 2022 and 2023.
During its engagement, the regulator received a report from the charity’s current trustees which highlighted “serious concerns” about its previous financial management.
It has now escalated its compliance case to an inquiry, which will examine its administration, governance and management.
The inquiry, announced yesterday, will look at whether the charity is being managed per its governing document and has a sufficient number of willing and capable trustees.
It will consider the robustness of the charity’s financial management, management of potential conflicts of interest and connected party transactions and whether there has been any unauthorised personal benefit.
The investigation will also determine whether the charity has suffered any financial losses as a result of any misconduct or mismanagement by the trustees.
Civil Society has contacted the Holy Trinity Micklegate PCC for comment.
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