The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has appointed an Interim Manager to Newbury Park Masjid (registered charity number 1118363).
The charity was placed under statutory inquiry in June 2024 to investigate concerns about trustee elections and the charity's general governance.
The Interim Manager appointment is considered by the Commission to be the most appropriate and proportionate option to address issues within the charity during its ongoing inquiry.
The interim manager appointed, Mr Khalid Sofi of Lee Bolton Monier-Williams LLP, has specific duties to fulfil, to the exclusion of the trustees. He is tasked with:
Setting up and running a membership recruitment campaign to admit those persons that satisfy the membership criteria in the charity's governing document, while taking steps to ensure the local community are engaged in the process.
Carrying out a comprehensive review of the charity's governing document and taking steps to arrange for the governing document to be amended to ensure it provides the charity with a workable governing document that is easy to follow and implement.
Holding and facilitating an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in order for members to elect trustees in accordance with the provisions of the charity's governing document.
Following the outcome and review of the AGM, inducting the new trustees into post.
The Interim Manager was appointed in early August. The Commission's inquiry into the charity remains ongoing.
