It comes to something when a reasonable request by a Member of Parliament is denied by a national charity.
It begs the question: What have they got to hide?
Age UK have made claims that the reason they want to sell Woodcot is because of their operational costs. Yet when asked for sight of these costs, they say NO.
They can’t have it both ways… but actually it seems that they can.
Shamefully Age uk can apparently say whatever they like, unchallenged.
The Charity Commission, the body that is supposed to over see charitable institutions to make sure that they are upholding charity law - is, despite many letters of concern about what Age UK are doing with Woodcot, doing nothing.
So Age UK can and do say whatever they like safe in the knowledge that no one, not even an elected politican can force their hand. This is a dangerous precedent being set here…
Caroline Voaden MP for the South Hams who along with Salcombe Town Council, had been asking for months to see the expenses that Age UK claim are the reason why they need to sell Woodcot. Last week they finally were graced with a reply from Age UK.
Age Uk eventually after months of waiting and asking and waiting, finally decided to respond to an elected politician by saying that they aren’t going to explain their claims. They announced this week that they have no intention of releasing that information- yet they continue to say that the reason they must sell is because of the operational costs.
Considering they decided ten years ago to not relet flats as and when they became vacant, they really cannot bleat about losing money. They have presided over a loss making enterprise on purpose, even though people have been applying to live there….and now they want to cash in no questions asked.
It’s utterly disgraceful.
They have been given in Woodcot, a fabulous opportunity, one which other charities would love to have - and they are not prepared to honour the covenant or the wishes of the woman who bestowed their good fortune upon them.
If Age UK aren’t prepared to show why they can’t make a go of a multi- million pound waterfront property in probably the most sought after town in the whole country- then they really ought to stop making the claim.
So far in correspondence seen by the campaign, the expenses they claim they can’t afford, amount to a new septic tank which retails at £5k pounds, and forestry commission licences… seriously…🙄
Who do they think they are kidding? Age UK need to stop trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the local MP, council and townspeople.
Or if they aren’t prepared to justify their claims, they must stop making them.
Caroline Voaden the Lib Dem MP has worked very hard to save Woodcot, and her efforts are much appreciated by the Save Woodcot campaign.
Similarly, Salcombe Town Council have been very proactive on trying to save Woodcot, they are not just accepting Age UK’s baseless claims…
but if the charity flatly refuses to come clean about their costs, and their claims then there is precious little anyone can do.
Except never donate a penny towards them again.
#CarolineVoaden
#SalcombeTownCouncil
#AgeUK