Charities minister Stuart Andrew has told MPs that he shares their regret that Girlguiding has decided to sell its five activity centres in the UK and cease overseas operations.
At a Westminster debate held yesterday, Andrew said he understood “the disappointment about the lack of consultation” over the charity’s decisions but said its “board tells us that it has not taken the decision lightly”.
Andrew also responded to a suggestion by a fellow MP that the Charity Commission could intervene.
This comes after Girlguiding last month confirmed its decision to close its five activity centres and put an end to its 100-year-old British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) operations, despite calls for the youth charity to reconsider.
Disappointment over closures
Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said at the debate: “Girlguiding is closing down opportunities for young women and girls who would otherwise struggle to afford them.
“This decision comes after the body blow to Girlguiding that is the move to end their overseas operation, which serves thousands of girls across the world and has been doing so for decades.
“Both of these utterly bizarre decisions came after no real warning and no consultation with members.”
Girlguiding consulted affected staff over the summer on its closure plans.
However, BGO said in a statement last month: “We continue to hope [...] that the organisation will take time to reflect on the management and communication of these actions, as we hope that no other part of our still-respected sisterhood will ever have to face such a situation.”
Andrew said at the debate: “Members present will have been disappointed to learn that Girlguiding has decided to sell its five activity centres in the UK and cease overseas operations.
“Having seen at first hand the benefits that young people can gain by participating in programmes hosted by organisations such as Girlguiding, I share that disappointment.
He added: “Girlguiding is an independent organisation and its board of trustees has a fiscal responsibility to take decisions in the organisation’s best interests in order to secure its future and the safety of its members. The board tells us that it has not taken the decision lightly.
“That said, I understand the disappointment about the lack of consultation, which would enable people to make their views known.”
Charity Commission ‘a last resort’
Conservative MP Julian Lewis asked Andrew whether “we have to look to the Charity Commission as a last resort to see whether the mismanagement can, even now, be limited in its terrible effects”.
Andrew responded by saying that anybody can raise any case with the Commission, but said Girlguiding’s decision to close the five activity centres “is due to the significant capital investment required to ensure that they are fit for purpose, but it also reflects the ongoing running costs in the light of low levels of demand from Girlguiding groups”.
“It is anticipated that funds from the sale of the activity centres, valued collectively at around £10m, will be invested in a range of activities to support the future of Girlguiding and its members, including adventures away from home,” he said.
“One of the challenges of trying to answer a debate about a decision made by an independent organisation is that there are limits to what I am able to say.”
Civil Society has contacted Girlguiding and the Charity Commission for comment.
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