The Charity Commission has appointed an interim manager to Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission (BHHC) as part of an ongoing investigation.
BHHC’s bank accounts were frozen as the commission opened a statutory inquiry in July last year to investigate concerns including the charity’s handling of a potential legacy gift left by a former trustee.
The commission is investigating whether the charity’s governing document is fit for purpose and whether any failings or weaknesses identified in the administration of the charity are a result of misconduct or mismanagement by its trustees.
Today, the commission announced it has appointed Pippa Garland of Russell Cooke as interim manager to the charity, who will undertake certain duties in line with the charity’s governing document, to the exclusion of any trustees.
Garland will take any steps immediately necessary to secure the property of the charity including taking control of and managing all assets of the charity.
She will administer the charity until such time as there are validly appointed trustees.
After the governing document of the charity is amended by the commission, confirming the charity’s membership, Garland will hold a general meeting at which a new board of trustees will be appointed.
She will report to the commission on a regular basis and discharge such other related general functions as the commission may reasonably request.
The commission’s inquiry into the charity remains ongoing.
A message on BHHC’s website from committee member Jolanta Duda says the charity had to postpone an extraordinary general meeting in August last year while the commission’s investigation was completed.
“Several breaches of our constitution have been identified, along with the misuse of BHHC funds by former trustees, now referred to as ‘trustees in breach’,” the message reads.
“We have sought clarification from the Charity Commission on whether it is appropriate to continue paying our membership fees into the same bank account, which is currently frozen, for outgoing payments.”
Civil Society has asked Duda for further comment.
