As Chair of Datchet Parish Council – Cllr Buckley (Reform UK) and his mainly co-opted Councillors continue their campaign to hijack the assets and control of the Datchet Recreation Centre Charity Trust. Breaking into Datchet Hall and changing the lock was not helpful in resolving the issues. We DRCCT Trustees (from April 2019) were actually excluded from the DPC Extraordinary Meeting on 21/102026 having received hand-delivered letters from Cllr Denny Loveridge. Unfortunately this dispute will continue until the DRCCT Trustees are given the opportunity to be heard and secondly that the Datchet Parish Councillors (and Clerk) listen and understand. You will find Cllr Buckley’s ‘Chairman’s Statement here (and below) that refers to changing the Charity Governance but makes no mention of LGA 1972(s139)s which restricts/prohibits the local authority from taking on the property.
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Chairman’s Statement Datchet Parish Council – 21st October 2026 Good evening. Tonight’s extraordinary meeting includes a motion dealing with upcoming expenditure relating to the Datchet Recreation Centre Charitable Trust – the DRCCT. Before considering it, I want to explain why we are here and what the Council is seeking to achieve. At the heart of this is a historic failure to resolve clearly and legally the charity’s governance, its relationship with Datchet Parish Council and the responsibilities of each organisation. The historical record shows how long this uncertainty has existed. On 6 March 2019, Cllr Ewan Larcombe proposed a Council motion instructing the Clerk to tell the Charity Commission that: “Datchet Parish Council, as a body, not individual members, is the Trustee” of the DRCCT. Cllr Monica Davies voted for it and it was carried eight votes to one. Earlier minutes also record both supporting DPC’s position as sole trustee. Those are not my words. They are the recorded minutes and resolutions of this Council. The relevant historic minutes are attached to this statement. However, the Charity Commission’s letter of 31 March 2026 – also attached – makes an equally important point. It states that it remains unclear what authority was relied upon for the 2019 appointments. It also states that a Parish Council can only assume control of, or appoint trustees to, a parochial charity with the Commission’s authority, which it says had not been provided in this case. The Commission also makes clear that being named on its Register does not determine whether someone was validly appointed. That does not resolve this dispute in favour of either party. It demonstrates why this historic uncertainty must now be resolved properly, legally and transparently. In 2024 our new Parish Clerk sought clarity over governance and liabilities. Following subsequent concerns and investigations, Larcombe and Davies were removed from their DRCCT positions in April 2025. A new management committee was appointed and a handover of records, banking arrangements and the running of the Village Hall was requested. That handover did not happen. Key records and banking arrangements did not transfer and the transition remained unresolved. Concerns about conduct towards staff continued, resulting in two votes of no confidence. This has been extremely difficult and stressful for councillors, management committee members and particularly staff. Historic uncertainty over responsibility, control and accountability has continued for far too long. The present Council and management committee are determined to resolve it through professional advice, the Charity Commission and the law. A Serious Incident Report has been submitted to the Charity Commission concerning recent events and the difficulties surrounding the transition. Throughout this process, DPC and the DRCCT management committee have sought legal input on the decisions and actions being taken, including the actions on 12 October. Those actions were reviewed at a DRCCT meeting at the Village Hall on 28th August 2026, including key-holding, security measures to protect staff and members, and practical transition arrangements. For clarity, DPC does not seek to run the DRCCT day to day. Operational matters are for the DRCCT management committee. The purpose of the Council’s involvement is to support a lawful and accountable transition and to protect the charity’s interests while the underlying governance issues are resolved. Residents have understandably raised concerns about costs. DPC has examined DRCCT bank records which indicate approximately £25,000 of charity funds has been used towards legal costs associated with this dispute. The authorisation and use of those funds will need appropriate consideration. We also sought specific advice from Wellers Law about DPC costs incurred in carrying out responsibilities for the charity. Their advice is clear: “Yes, provided the expenditure has been properly incurred for the purposes of the charity and appropriate records are maintained. The Council should maintain a detailed schedule of costs advanced on behalf of the DRCCT and ensure that any reimbursement is authorised by the charity once sufficient funds become available. “That is why tonight Council is being asked to approve a mechanism for upcoming DRCCT expenditure to be met initially by DPC, in its capacity as Sole Corporate Trustee, with all such costs recovered from the DRCCT in due course once funds are available.
- This is about transparency and accountability, and ensuring an undefined financial burden is not
simply left with the Parish Council.
There is also a wider historic financial issue. The attached 2019 Division of Responsibilities describes itself
as a framework, but placed substantial property responsibilities on DPC, including the building structure,
heating, major electrical works, drains, security systems, insurance and external maintenance. Charity-
related expenditure also appears to have been paid by DPC over the years without a clear repayment
mechanism. We need to establish the legal basis for those arrangements, what expenditure was borne by the taxpayer rather than the charity, and whether sums should have been recovered. This will return to Council through future meetings and the financial strategy review.
There is also the Sabatini Land. Larcombe and Davies attempted to register it in their names. Acting on legal
advice, action was taken to oppose that registration and protect the charity’s interest. The matter is expected
to proceed to tribunal.
Looking forward, the DRCCT needs clear, modern governance. We want to support the management
committee in establishing proper accountability and terms of reference, working with the Charity Commission
and professional advisers. That should include considering whether a Charitable Incorporated Organisation –
a CIO – would provide a clearer structure for the future.
This Council takes the legal challenge against it very, very seriously. We prefer resolution to confrontation
and will act calmly, professionally and proportionately.
But being reasonable does not mean being weak.
We will stand up for residents and staff. Where the Council is legally challenged, we will defend it. Where
community assets or public money are at risk, we will protect them.
Because proceedings remain ongoing, there are matters we cannot discuss publicly. From the Council’s
perspective, this is not personal.
It is about responsibility, accountability and protecting Datchet.
Our objective is to resolve this historic issue once and for all, establish clear governance and financial
accountability, and protect the DRCCT, the running of the Village Hall and the Sabatini Land for future
generations.
Thank you.
Documents referred to and attached to this statement:
1. Division of Responsibilities between the DRCCT and Datchet Parish Council, agreed 8 July 2019.
2. Relevant Datchet Parish Council minutes recording the historic DRCCT position up to 2019.
3. Charity Commission letter to Datchet Parish Council dated 31 March 2026
