The Slough Observer published the following article on 8/10/2025.
Datchet charity hits back after parish council claims
8th October By Katie French Editor
A charity trustee wants to set the record straight following a row with Datchet Parish Council.
Monica Davies, of Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust (DRCCT), has insisted the charity is fully compliant with Charity Commission rules and operates independently of the parish council.
It comes after Datchet Parish Council published a statement in April saying it had dissolved a committee relating to the charity following claims of bullying and harassment toward council staff.
Speaking at the time, the council said the decision was made “to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for everyone” and that a new committee would be established to oversee the charity’s operations.
Speaking out now, Ms Davies said she wanted to make it clear the parish council has “no authority” over the charity and wanted to set the record straight about the charity’s role in the community.
“This charity has been properly constituted since 1967,” Davies said. “We are the sole trustees listed on the Charity Commission website. We are a charity. The parish council is a political organisation, the two are completely separate.”
She emphasised that the DRCCT’s role is to support the community, including managing the village hall and Sabatini Land. “We’ve always worked to provide for the community and everything we do is with the community in mind,” Davies said.
The DRCCT website provides guidance on the legal framework of charitable trusts, explaining that trustees are responsible for managing assets in line with the trust deed and that the charity’s property belongs to the trust, not the council. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, review the charity’s deed, and consult the Charity Commission for clarity.
The parish council previously said the committee’s dissolution followed an investigation by its staffing committee, which upheld a complaint of bullying and harassment against a member of the DRCCT committee. Ian Bacon, interim chairman of the new committee, said at the time: “It is a privilege to step in as interim chairman during this transition, and my immediate focus will be on ensuring the smooth running of the village hall and its facilities for the benefit of the entire Datchet community.”
Mrs Davies added that the charity has provided access to council offices and buildings for community projects, including a Community Orchard, and stressed that any interference from outside parties is unwarranted.
“Our focus remains on keeping the village hall and facilities running smoothly for everyone in Datchet,” she said.
With decades of history and a track record of serving the local community, the DRCCT trustees say they are committed to transparency, compliance, and ensuring that the charity continues to benefit Datchet residents.
Slough Observer source document here
https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/25527252.datchet-charity-hits-back-parish-council-claims/
You can find additional background information here
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