On 4 June 2025, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity with St. John, Micklegate and St. Martin Cum Gregory, York. Action was taken against the charity under S46 Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/ or mismanagement in the administration of the charity.

Extracts from the Press Release are reproduced below.

Press Release

Investigation opened into parish church after concerns raised over its financial controls

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity with St. John, Micklegate and St. Martin Cum Gregory, York

The charity, whose working name is Holy Trinity Micklegate PCC, is a Church of England parish church situated in York city centre and was registered with the Commission in 2018. The Commission initially engaged with the charity after it failed to submit its annual accounting information for the financial years ending 31 December 2022 and 2023.

During the course of its engagement, the Commission received a report from the current trustees highlighting serious concerns about the charity’s previous financial management, and it has now escalated its case to a statutory inquiry. The regulator’s inquiry will examine the administration, governance and management of the charity, with particular regard to:

• whether the charity is being managed in accordance with its governing document and has a sufficient number of willing and capable trustees
• the financial management of the charity including whether the charity has appropriate and robust financial controls in place
• the management of potential conflicts of interest and connected party transactions, and whether there has been any unauthorised personal benefit
• whether the charity has suffered a financial loss as a result of any misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees

The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge. It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing the issues examined, any action taken, and the inquiry’s outcomes.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Read further information about what the Commission does

2. On 4 June 2025, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/ or mismanagement in the administration of the charity.
3. A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation.

4. The Commission does not investigate criminal allegations which are matters for the police.

Comment

All Parish Church Councils (PCCs) are charities and as such they are subject to UK charity law and have all the benefits of charitable status. Currently, PCCs with income greater than £100,000 per annum are required to register with the Charity Commission. Parish Resources web pages provide resources to support PCCs and their members.