Commission appoints interim managers to South Gloucestershire charity

The Shire Way Community Association aims to advance education and provide leisure and recreational facilities for the inhabitants of Sodbury, Yate and Westerleigh.

The regulator opened a statutory inquiry into the charity in January 2022, over concerns about the trustees’ management of the charity’s resources and financial affairs. All of the trustees have since resigned, leaving the charity unable to function. The Charity Commission has now appointed interim managers to the charity as part of its inquiry.

Charles Turner and Paul Barber of Begbies Traynor were appointed as interim managers on 18 July 2022. Their responsibilities include securing the charity’s assets and reviewing its financial viability. The outcome of the financial viability assessment will inform their next steps, either implementing new governance arrangements or, if it is found to no longer be viable, winding the charity up. This may include engaging with external third parties with regard to future arrangements for the charity’s key property assets.

The Commission’s inquiry into the charity continues. It is the Commission’s policy to publish an inquiry report upon its conclusion.