Author: Pulse Assent

The Charity Commission (‘the Commission’) opened a statutory inquiry into Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (‘the charity’) on 18 August 2016. This was to examine regulatory concerns regarding the granting of an easement in August 2014 for access rights over part of the charity’s land at a significant undervalue and the consequent potential financial loss to the charity.

The Commission was also concerned about an ongoing dispute within the trustee body relating to the easement that might impact some trustees’ decision making and the group’s effectiveness and ability to work together.

On 31 May 2017 the Commission appointed an interim manager to consider the trustees’ decision not to take further action in respect of the loss suffered by the charity following the granting of the easement. The charity’s trustees remain responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity.

The interim manager’s duties include:

• reviewing the information supplied to the trustees’ legal advisers;
• considering whether the decision was taken properly and was in the best interests of the charity;
• obtaining further legal or valuation advice for a new decision to be properly made if required; and
• making recommendations as to whether further action on this matter is proportionate and in the interests of the charity

The interim manager’s work at the charity continues. He has spoken to current and ex-trustees and other relevant parties and reviewed a substantial level of documentation. Having presented a progress report to the Commission, he is gathering further information on valuation matters before submitting his final report.

The Commission is aware that elections for new trustees for the charity are due to take place in February 2018 and that the deadline for applications to stand is 2 January 2018 if applicants wish their details to be published and sent out with the ballot papers by the Electoral Reform Services. The actual deadline for candidates as specified in the charity’s 1990 election bye laws is ‘not less than two weeks before the date of the election’ ie 14 February 2018.

The Commission is providing this update to help potential candidates decide whether to stand. It would encourage those with appropriate knowledge and skills to consider standing.

The Commission hopes that after the election all the elected and appointed trustees will work together to take the charity forward. This would include considering mediation to resolve any outstanding issues within the trustee body and putting into place any actions issued by the Commission.

The Interim Manager will submit a final report to the Commission when he has gathered further information on valuation matters and completed his review. The Commission will, subject to the Interim Manager’s findings, look to close the inquiry as soon as is reasonably practicable. We cannot put a definite timescale on this at present but envisage it being within the first six months of next year.

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 its findings and conclusions.

Ends

PR 84/17

Notes to editors

1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see the about us page on GOV.UK.
2. Search for charities on our check charity tool.
3. Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the Commission access to a range of investigative, protective and remedial legal powers.

Thousands of UK Armed Forces personnel, many of them based in Scotland, are working this Christmas to help keep Britain safe at home and around the globe.

Over 100 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) are currently deployed to Iraq where they are undertaking a training and mentoring role to counter Daesh terrorists.

They left for the task from their base at Glencorse Barracks in Penicuik, near Edinburgh earlier this month to join more than 600 British soldiers in the country in non-combat roles, helping to train Iraqi forces. Over the last three years UK forces have helped train over 58,000 Iraqi Security Forces.

Meanwhile the Fife-based Scots Dragoon Guards are playing a key role as part of the UN Peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Also in the Gulf, two Clyde-based Minehunter ships are serving over the festive period.

2018 marks a busy year for Scottish units, as of January, four of the seven Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland as well as the Scots Dragoon Guards and the 19 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish Gunners) will be deployed on operations overseas where they will not only be developing the defensive capabilities of the UK’s allies but also playing a critical part in assuring the security of the UK.

Since 1969 the UK has also had a submarine on patrol for every minute of every day, providing the UK’s nuclear deterrent and this Christmas is no different. As you read this a submarine is underwater on patrol. As one submariner based at Clyde said “It will be odd spending Christmas onboard the boat, but the Navy are never off duty and its part of the job. We’ll make sure we do Christmas properly but I will be thinking of my wife and wee boy back home in Glasgow.”

In total around 5,000 UK sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen and airwomen are serving on operations across the globe from Somalia and South Sudan to Kuwait and Ukraine.

Troops based in Scotland will be busy at home as well as abroad and as ever the Squadrons of the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert will be on duty at RAF Lossiemouth, many of them ready in their green flight suits waiting for the call to scramble.

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said:

I pay a huge tribute to the brave servicemen and women from across Scotland who are away from their families over the festive period – and throughout the year – to keep us safe. I offer a heartfelt ‘thank you’, commend their professionalism and wish them a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Commanding Officer, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Lt Colonel Dominic Coombes said:

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is currently deployed on Operation TOSCA as part of the United Kingdom’s commitment to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Christmas will always be a bittersweet time for those deployed and their families back at home, but while we miss our loved ones in Scotland and elsewhere, we will come together as a Regimental family to make the most of an opportunity to enjoy Christmas as a collective. At the same time, we’ll redouble our efforts in our operational role as we go into the New Year and the latter stage of our tour before looking forward to returning home in time for Easter.

Also sending messages home were:

Squadron Leader Karen Swanston, deployed to Afghanistan, who said: “I’d like to say a big Hi to my parents at home in Hawick, my nieces Isobel and Katie. Merry Christmas!”

Corporal Musson, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Cyprus: “I’d love to say hello to my wife and three kids and I cannot wait to see you in January for your holidays.”

Drum Major Gordon Prescott, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Cyprus: “I’m going to be out here for Christmas, so I just thought I’d take this moment to wish my wife, Jill, a happy Christmas, love you loads. Merry Christmas to the rest of the family as well.”

Trooper Knowles, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Cyprus: “Wishing a great Christmas to all my friends and family at home in Scotland.”

Plans under consideration include:

• Ensuring that licensed dog breeders must show puppies alongside their mother before a sale is made.
• Tightening regulations so that puppy sales are completed in the presence of the new owner – preventing online sales where prospective buyers have not seen the animal first.
• Insisting licensed dog breeders can only sell puppies they have bred themselves.
• Regulating adverts, including on the internet, by ensuring licensed sellers of all pets, including puppies, include the seller’s licence number, country of origin and country of residence of the pet in any advert for sale.

Legislation introducing these proposals could be brought forward early in the New Year.

Measures to tackle unethical and cruel puppy smuggling across borders will also be explored. And plans will also address the breeding of dogs with harmful genetic disorders.

These proposed reforms will apply tighter requirements to more breeders and sellers and will tackle the sale of weak underage puppies, the breeding of unhealthy dogs and dogs with severe genetic disorders, requiring much veterinary treatment and causing much angst, cost and upset to the new owners.

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

Any unscrupulous mistreatment of animals is disturbing – so in our drive to achieve the highest animal welfare standards in the world, we continually look at what more can be done. The arrival of a happy, healthy puppy, as I know myself, is a memorable time for a family – but it’s absolutely right we do everything we can to eradicate animal cruelty from our society. The proposals my government is developing will be an important step forward.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

At this time of year it is all too easy to be moved by images online or adverts in the local press advertising new born puppies looking for a home for Christmas. But what we don’t see is all too often a sad history of mistreatment and malpractice. That is why we are looking at how we can go further to crack down on unscrupulous breeders so pet owners will have no doubt their new dogs have had the right start in life.

This is one part of our efforts to ensure we have the highest animal welfare standards in the world. We have also ensured CCTV cameras will be mandatory in all slaughterhouses and will increase prison sentences from six months to five years for animal abusers.

In addition, the Government can today confirm it will take forward proposals put out for consultation earlier in the year to improve how the pets are bred and sold. This included a ban on the sale of puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks, which will now extend to include rabbits, as well as compulsory licensing for anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs.