- The correct DRCCT Trustees names are recorded on the Charity Commission website here.
- The correct DRCCT address and contact details are recorded on the Charity Commission website here.
- Previous Annual Reports can be downloaded from here.
I can confirm that the DRCCT owns the land and the buildings on the Sabatini Land. I can also confirm that the previous agreement between DRCCT and DPC in accordance with the ‘Division of Responsibilities’ document will need to be reviewed. It will also be necessary to renegotiate (or create) leases for the various DRCCT buildings.
I am concerned that Datchet Parish Council continues to use the Datchet Parish Council web site to publish false and incorrect information about the DRCCT here (‘Statement from DPC’) and here (‘DPC takes action’).
Finally – I am concerned that DPC deletes and/or hides relevant documentation.
Ewan Larcombe (DRCCT Chair) 26th October 2025
TEXT from DPC web site: (here)
DRCCT
Published: 12 May 2025
Statement from Datchet Parish Council regarding the unofficial DRCCT website
Please be advised that the website www.drcct.org is not an official site of the Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust (DRCCT). It was created without the approval or consultation with the new interim DRCCT Management Committee or Datchet Parish Council (DPC). The DPC is the sole legal and managing trustee of the DRCCT, as listed by the Charity Commission, and is legally responsible for the charity’s management and assets. As the DPC or the official committee does not authorise the website, its content should not be considered impartial or necessarily factual. For official information about DRCCT, please contact the DPC Clerk.
Update on new DRCCT Management Committee
The DPC, as the sole managing trustee, dissolved the previous DRCCT Committee following serious governance issues, including an upheld complaint of bullying and harassment of DPC staff. Former committee members are refusing to cooperate and thus are blocking the smooth transition of the operation of the Village Hall complex. The DPC urges the former committee to cooperate to ensure a full and proper handover. If this continues, the DPC will implement its legal options. The DPC seeks to avoid unnecessary legal action, which would be detrimental to the charity and the community.
TEXT from DPC web site: (here)
Datchet Parish Council Takes Action to Ensure Proper Governance of the Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust (DRCCT) and Safeguard Staff Welfare.
Datchet Parish Council (DPC), in its legal capacity as the sole managing trustee of the Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust (DRCCT), has taken the necessary and considered decision to
dissolve the current DRCCT Committee. This action has been taken with the paramount objective of ensuring the proper governance of the charity and, crucially, to safeguard the welfare of Datchet Parish Council staff.
This difficult decision to dissolve the current DRCCT Committee has been necessitated by serious concerns regarding the behaviour of certain individuals within the former committee, which has had a detrimental impact on Datchet Parish Council staff. The DPC has a fundamental duty of care to its employees and is committed to ensuring a safe and respectful working environment. An investigation by the DPC’s staffing committee upheld a complaint of bullying and harassment against a member of the DRCCT Committee (Monica Davies) arising from their communications with a DPC staff member. Furthermore, there have been other instances of concerning behaviour towards DPC staff by two members of the DRCCT Committee (Monica Davies and Ewan Larcombe), creating an unacceptable and intimidating environment.
“We have a fundamental duty of care to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for everyone, and we will take firm action to protect them from any form of bullying or abusive behaviour, regardless of its origin” – David Buckley DPC Chairman.
Given its legal responsibility as the sole managing trustee, Datchet Parish Council must take all necessary steps to protect its staff and ensure the effective governance of the DRCCT in accordance with its objectives. Consequently, the Council has had to dissolve the current DRCCT Committee.
The DPC will now move swiftly to establish a new DRCCT Committee comprised of individuals committed to the charity’s aims and able to work collaboratively and respectfully. This new
committee will operate under the understanding that the Datchet Parish Council is the sole trustee and will maintain the independence and status of the DRCCT as a charity serving the
community of Datchet.
We expect that the outgoing members of the DRCCT Committee will act in the best interests of the charity, the community, and the village by ensuring a smooth and efficient handover of all
relevant information, documentation and administration processes to the newly formed committee. This cooperation is vital to ensure a seamless transition and no disruption to the running of the Village Hall and other buildings within the complex, which provide important services and facilities for the residents of Datchet.
Background
The Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust was established in 1967 and it purchased the land known as the Sabatini Land with the aim of promoting the social, moral, and physical wellbeing of the people resident in the village of Datchet and the surrounding district. The Sabatini Land is legally owned by the DRCCT, and whatever is on the land belongs to the charity, including the Village Hall complex.
Comments
Ian Bacon who is the new interim Chairman of the DRCCT Management Committee said – “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.”
DPC Chairman David Buckley said – “Datchet Parish Council remains committed to the objectives of the Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust and to ensuring that the Sabatini
Land and its facilities continue to benefit the community for which they were intended.”
These are the [nine] DPC members that voted for this action –
Chairman – David Buckley,
Lead for Properties – Darren Sanders,
Lead for Cemetery – Caroline Wise,
Lead for Events – Andrew Clemins,
Cllr Glover,
Cllr Young,
Cllr Bacon,
Cllr Loveridge
Cllr Whelan