The Charity Commission has escalated its intervention at a Liverpool-based charity to a full statutory inquiry.
In 2022, the Commission opened a compliance case into Eldonian Community Trust Limited over concerns about its governance.
On 21 August 2024, the regulator escalated its case into an inquiry, which will investigate the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal duties in respect of the charity’s administration, governance and management.
The inquiry will also look at whether there is a sufficient number of trustees who are willing and capable of managing the charity and have managed it in accordance with its governing document.
In addition, it will determine whether the trustees are complying with their legal obligations for the content, preparation and filing of the charity’s accounts and other information or returns.
Eldonian Community Trust Limited forms part of a wider network of organisations linked to the Eldonian Community village in Liverpool.
The charity was incorporated in 1987 and its purposes are to advance education and establish or secure a community centre.
The Commission said that several entities operate under the “Eldonian” brand but only Eldonian Community Trust Limited is a registered charity falling within its remit.
According to the regulator’s website, Eldonian Community Trust Limited has eight trustees and its reporting is overdue by 42 days.
Between September 2018 and September 2022, the charity’s total income fell from £17,640 to £0, while its total expenditure decreased from £22,680 to £2,706.
The regulator said: “The Commission understands that the trustees of Eldonian Community Trust Limited intend to challenge the Commission’s decision to open an inquiry.”
Civil Society could not contact the charity for comment.
Related articles
