Charity regulator publishes statutory inquiry report into Woodvale & Shankill Community Housing Association Ltd
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, the independent regulator of charities in Northern Ireland, has published a statutory inquiry report into the charity, Woodvale & Shankill Community Housing Association Limited (WSCHA).
The regulator opened an inquiry* into the charity in February 2020 following concerns that the accounts and auditor’s report for the year ending 31 March 2018, which had been uploaded to the register of charities, had not been completed or signed by the independent auditor appointed by the charity.
Additional investigatory work identified further potential governance issues, particularly in relation to the distribution and control of charity monies through the charity’s four subsidiaries.
As a result, the Commission opened a statutory inquiry which looked into a number of areas including, non-disclosure of transactions with the subsidiaries, the management of potential conflicts of interest, potential private benefit of trustees and senior management, the accuracy of related party disclosures and seeking clarification around a number of irregular bank transfers.
The Commission, as a risk based and proportionate regulator, closed the statutory inquiry when it was demonstrated that the risks were properly mitigated and fully managed.
Having worked with the charity trustees since the opening of the inquiry, the Commission is content the trustees are now fully aware of their annual reporting obligations and are maintaining effective governance within the charity.
The statutory inquiry has now concluded and a full statement of the results, including the issues identified by the Commission, is available below:
Download Statutory inquiry report - Woodvale & Shankill Community Housing Association PDF (250.1 KB)
Rossa Keown, Head of Enquiries and Compliance at the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, said:
“Cases such as this present an important opportunity for all charities in Northern Ireland to take stock and for charity trustees to be aware of their responsibilities. Charity trustees are reminded of their obligation to ensure the information presented to the Commission, and by extension stakeholders and the wider public, is up to date and accurate. Furthermore, charity trustees should ensure that delivery on the charity’s objectives remains the primary focus of the charity’s activities.
“Our actions and the compliance of the charity trustees during the course of the statutory inquiry have ensured that the charity trustees are now fully aware of their annual reporting obligations, as well as maintaining effective governance within the charity.
“The Commission has published guidance on running a charity, which is specifically aimed at supporting trustees on key aspects of operating a charity effectively and in compliance with the law. In particular, this guidance highlights the need for trustees to manage conflicts of interest and to maintain and retain proper financial records.
“I would strongly advise all trustees to ensure they read this guidance and have it on hand as a reference tool, alongside their charity’s governing document.”
Ends
For more information please contact Shirley Kernan, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Communications Officer, on telephone: 028 3832 0169, mobile: 07827338978 or email: shirley.kernan@charitycommissionni.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the independent regulator of charities in Northern Ireland.
The Commission has statutory objectives to ensure trustees comply with their legal obligations in managing charities, and to increase public trust and confidence in charities. This includes a statutory function to identify and investigate apparent misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of charities, and to take remedial or protective action.
*Under statutory inquiry, the Commission may use its most stringent powers under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to address concerns about a charity. The Commission will undertake a statutory inquiry if there is serious and substantial risk to the assets or beneficiaries of a charity.
The statutory inquiry report provides a full statement of the results of the inquiry and is available in the Regulatory decisions section of www.charitycommissionni.org.uk