Youth charity fraud probe
TWELVE youth workers at a Halton charity are facing redundancy after its funding was pulled after a colleague was sacked for a conduct breach which is now the subject of a police fraud probe.
Cheshire police has confirmed it launched an investigation in connection with allegations of fraud at an organisation based at Grangeway Community Centre in Runcorn.
The Weekly News has learned the matter relates to a now-former employee at Young Addaction Halton relieved of their post earlier this year.
A spokesman for the Addaction charity at national level – now rebranded ‘We Are With You’ (WAWY) – said the staff member was sacked after an investigation last year found they had breached the organisation’s code of conduct.
He would not comment further, so as not to ‘prejudice any future legal proceedings’.
The Charity Commission, which regulates the charity sector, has also confirmed it received a ‘serious incident report’ from WAWY regarding ‘concerns of financial irregularities’.
The revelation came as someone presenting themselves as working for the charity told the Weekly News that 12 members of staff are facing redundancy after Young Addaction Halton’s local authority funding was cancelled.
They said the sacking was because of financial impropriety uncovered in January. Halton Borough Council has denied that it had pulled the funding, and said the contract had to end at some point in 2020 anyway.
WAWY’s spokesman said there are ‘likely’ to be redundancies but the exact number is not yet known.
Young Addaction Halton’s contract with Halton Borough Council will end on July 31 and not be renewed.
The local authority told the Weekly News that it served the charity its notice on April 30, and insisted the deal had to end at some point in 2020 at the latest.
A Halton Council spokeswoman said the services provided are being brought in house as part of developing an ‘integrated youth offer’.
Young Addaction Halton, which ran youth clubs at Grangeway Community Centre in Runcorn and CRMZ in Widnes, works with young people over issues such as mental health, alcohol and drugs and steering at-risk groups away from harm.
A Cheshire police spokesman said: “Officers from Cheshire police have received allegations of fraud connected to a charity based at Grangeway Community Centre in Runcorn.
“The investigation is its early stages and no arrests have been made at this time.”
A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: “We are aware of concerns about financial irregularities at We Are With You.
“The charity has submitted a serious incident report to the commission about this matter, in line with our guidance.
“We have assessed the report and, based on information available to us at this time, we are satisfied that the trustees have taken appropriate steps in response.
“We expect the trustees to keep us updated on the situation.”
The WAWY spokesman said: “Following a thorough internal investigation last year, a former member of staff’s behaviour and actions were found to be in breach of our code of conduct and organisational policies.
“Appropriate action was taken and the staff member no longer works for us.”
On the contract, he said: “We are proud of our work in Halton. Over the past 12 years our staff have supported more than 1,600 young people in the local area, making a positive difference to families across the region.
“The contracts Halton Borough Council awarded us to deliver young people’s services were due to end earlier this year.
“Due to the uncertainty of coronavirus, our contracts were extended for a short period of time until July 31.
“During this time, the council has taken the decision to change the way it manages young people’s support in the area.
“From August 1 young people’s services in Halton will be managed by Halton Borough Council.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the young people and their families in Halton and we wish the council well in supporting young people in the area in the future.”
The council has issued an assurance that youth services will continue.
The spokeswoman said: “WAWY were always aware when the contract was signed back in 2015 that it could only last until 2020 at the latest.
“We have taken the opportunity to consider how we provide youth support in Halton in the future:
“From August 1, 2020, Halton Borough Council’s early help and intervention team will provide dedicated support to young people in a holistic family way – known as the youth support and treatment service.
“Over the next few months we will be working in partnership with young people and partners to develop an integrated youth offer.
“This service currently includes Duke Of Edinburgh, Mayor Award and youth centre provision.
“Any work on developing a new service will need to recognise the financial challenges we face, the changing service needs and current and future landscape due to Covid-19. A range of activities will take place over summer for children and young people, funded from a successful holiday activities grant.”