The Island’s MP Andrew Turner is to meet with senior officers from the Charity Commission next week following the collapse of Island Volunteers and its subsidiary companies including Solent TV in June. Mr Turner has been contacted by former employees who have voiced concerns about how the organisation was run and questioned whether the Charity Commission should have been more involved at an earlier stage. The Charities Commission’s role is to regulate the administration and affairs of registered UK charities.
Mr Turner said
“I want to find out if the collapse of Island Volunteers and the subsequent loss of jobs could have been avoided. As long ago as 2002 BBC Children in Need turned down a grant application, at least in part because they had concerns about the future financial viability of the organisation, and in 2003 Community Solutions, the training arm of Island Volunteers, was judged by the Adult Learning Inspectorate to be providing ‘unsatisfactory’ leadership and management. I want to investigate whether the Charities Commission should have picked up such warning signs before it is too late. If anybody has any other information they want brought to the attention of the Charities Commission they are welcome to contact me on 530808. Whilst I have no interest in conducting a ‘witch hunt’ it seems that nearly all of the money involved was public money in one way or another and it is important that proper account is given of how that money was spent.”
END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
