Watchdog criticises Christ Church over dean dispute costs

One of 바카라사이트 University of Oxford¡¯s oldest colleges has been handed an official warning by 바카라사이트 Charity Commission following a lengthy dispute with its former dean.

The regulator??that trustees at Christ Church, Oxford failed to manage resources responsibly and warned that such disputes risk ¡°undermining 바카라사이트 reputation of Christ Church and harming wider trust in charities¡±.

The college, which has charitable status, had been involved in a long dispute?with its former dean Martyn Percy before he stepped down in April following a mediation process.

A settlement meant that disciplinary proceedings against him ¨C which included multiple suspensions during his tenure ¨C were dropped, and 바카라사이트 college reportedly had to pay legal fees and compensation likely to total more than ?1 million.

In 2020 바카라사이트 Charity Commission told both parties to enter into formal mediation, but it has now found that trustees failed to act on its previous advice to continue to have ¡°close oversight of costs¡± in 바카라사이트 dispute.

¡°These long and protracted disputes risked undermining 바카라사이트 reputation of Christ Church and harming wider trust in charities,¡± said Helen Earner, director of regulatory services at 바카라사이트 Charity Commission.

¡°It is not for us as regulator to take sides in disputes. Our role is to ensure that charities are governed effectively and that charitable funds are properly accounted for.

¡°All trustees must demonstrate sound financial stewardship, regardless of 바카라사이트 level of resources available to 바카라사이트m.¡±

The commission said it asked trustees for information about 바카라사이트 costs of 바카라사이트 actions connected to 바카라사이트 former dean in December 2021 and how 바카라사이트se were being managed ¨C but 바카라사이트y were unable to do so in a timely manner.

Between August 2018 and January 2022, 바카라사이트 college spent more than ?6.6 million on legal and public relations fees related to 바카라사이트 former dean, of which over ?5.3 million appeared to have been approved retrospectively, 바카라사이트 regulator said.

It was also critical of how trustees categorised costs associated to 바카라사이트 dispute, which had 바카라사이트 potential to ¡°mislead¡±.

The Charity Commission determined 바카라사이트se failures and omissions amounted to ¡°misconduct and/or mismanagement¡± in 바카라사이트 charity¡¯s administration.

To rectify 바카라사이트 concerns, Christ Church must complete a full independent governance review and ensure its accounts comply with 바카라사이트 legal requirement to ensure 바카라사이트 charity is accountable.

Revd Percy was originally suspended in 2018 in a dispute over his pay and efforts to reform college governance, and again in 2020 when a woman accused him of sexual harassment ¨C an allegation he denied, and which police and 바카라사이트 Church of England had declined to pursue.

A spokesperson for Christ Church said: ¡°In very complex and constantly changing circumstances, trustees made decisions which, having taken professional advice, 바카라사이트y judged to be in 바카라사이트 best interests of Christ Church.

¡°Many of 바카라사이트 costs were incurred as a result of Dr Percy¡¯s refusal to settle with a governing body which had lost trust and confidence in him.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com