Scarisbrick Village Hall was established as a charity to serve the community. Over many years it has provided a venue for recreation, education, meetings and community activities for local people and surrounding areas.
Many residents recognise the hard work undertaken by volunteers and trustees, both past and present, to keep the hall operating. However, significant concerns have arisen regarding how the charity is governed and how decisions affecting the charity are made.
Reasonable people may hold different views on individual issues. Some may support decisions that have been taken, whilst others may oppose them. This petition is not about requiring everyone to agree on every decision.
Instead, it is about restoring confidence in the governance of the charity itself.
Why are people concerned?
Concerns raised by members of the community include:
• The lack of regular and widely accessible Annual General Meetings.
• Limited opportunities for beneficiaries to participate in trustee elections and governance.
• Questions regarding transparency, accountability and communication.
• Concerns regarding the use and management of charity property and facilities.
• The growing breakdown in trust between the charity and sections of the community it exists to serve.
Whether people agree or disagree with individual decisions, many believe these concerns deserve independent consideration.
What are we asking for?
We support a village hall charity that is governed in accordance with the principles expected of a modern community charity:
✓ Regular and properly advertised Annual General Meetings.
✓ Fair and open trustee elections.
✓ Transparent decision-making and communication.
✓ Proper management of conflicts of interest.
✓ Compliance with the charity's governing document and charity law.
✓ Respectful engagement with beneficiaries and community groups.
✓ Protection of charity assets for charitable purposes.
✓ Appropriate independent oversight where concerns arise.
✓ A village hall that serves both current and future generations.
This petition is not about personal attacks or hostility towards individuals.
It is about ensuring that Scarisbrick Village Hall operates in a way that commands public confidence and reflects the standards expected of a charity established for community benefit.
If you agree that the governance of the charity should be open, accountable and transparent, please consider supporting the petition.