Charity regulator opens investigation into significant financial concerns at London church
The Charity Commission today announced its inquiry into Citygate Christian Outreach Centre (charity number 1111470).
The charity runs a church in Beckenham, London.
The Commission opened an inquiry after identifying that the trustees had given an individual over £900,000 via unsecured loans. Concerns were also identified by the regulator around the charity’s awarding of payments and other financial benefits to trustees and others connected with the charity.
The Commission opened this inquiry on 20th August 2021 to examine:
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decision-making in relation to the unsecured loans
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if there has been any financial loss to the charity
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whether potential conflicts of interest in relation to financial transactions have been handled appropriately
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if there has been any unauthorised private benefit to the trustees and/or connected parties
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whether the trustees have complied with their governing document and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law
The regulator may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge. The opening of an inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing.
The charity was originally investigated as part of class inquiry in March 2021, after it failed to file its accounts. These accounts have since been submitted.
It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were.
Reports of previous inquiries are available on GOV.UK.
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Notes to Editors
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The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.
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How the Charity Commission reports on its regulatory work provides information around how and when we report on our work