Yet again somebody is anonymously posting fabricated and/or unsubstantiated comments on Facebook in the name of Datchet Parish Council. I have copied and pasted the article below but firstly as Chair of – and in defence of – the DRCCT, I can offer some facts as follows:
Today the External Auditor is investigating whether the DPC AGAR submission is correct. The LGA 1972 s139 (3) prohibits the Council from accepting Charity assets, thus DPC never were, are not and cannot be the owners of the Sabatini Land. In fact DPC have no claim to or control over the DRCCT or DRCCT assets. Consequently DPC needs to remove DRCCT assets from DPC asset register and take action to inform External Auditor, the Charity Commission, the Land Registry and their Solicitors.
In the hope of clarifying the position an EXTRAORDINARY DATCHET PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HAS BEEN ARRANGED – DATCHET HALL – MONDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2026 – 7.00pm
The Datchet Parish Council statement on Facebook is reproduced below:
Datchet Parish Council
Public Statement
1 October 2026
In response to concerns raised by residents, we feel it is necessary to state our position regarding DRCCT; why we voted unanimously to remove the two councillors from their positions within DRCCT, and why we have taken legal measures to protect residents’ assets.
This matter began in 2024 when the then new Parish Clerk requested clarity from the then DRCCT board to explain the relationship between the two entities, and local authorities role as sole trustees, as well as liabilities associated to becoming a charity trustee so that new councillors could understand the governance framework. Their response to these questions was – to leave it alone.
Since raising these concerns, the Clerk has been subjected to unacceptable behaviour, including bullying, harassment and verbal abuse from the two councillors who made up the DRCCT Board.
In response, the DRCCT trustees voted unanimously to remove the two councillors from their positions on the DRCCT Board.
Rather than step aside, they ignored the motion, refused to surrender DRCCT assets and instead initiated legal proceedings against DPC in May 2025.
Again, in response to their actions, DPC acting in capacity as sole trustee has commenced formal legal proceedings to protect Datchet residents and their assets.
We are limited in what we can say while the legal process is ongoing, but we are consulting with the Charity Commission and are following the appropriate procedures.
Our priority remains to protect Datchet residents, their charities, their assets and our staff.
