The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into
Plymouth Islamic Education Trust (PIETY).
The charity works, amongst other things, to advance the faith of
Islam in Plymouth and the counties of Devon and Cornwall.
The Charity Commission's engagement with PIETY began in 2014,
when the charity had repeatedly failed to comply with statutory
reporting requirements.
Prior to the opening of this inquiry, PIETY had, on two separate
occasions, been placed in the Commission's ‘double defaulter'
inquiry for charities that have failed to file their annual
documents for two or more years in the last five years.
Despite significant regulatory engagement on this matter by the
Commission, the trustees have consistently demonstrated that they
are either unwilling or unable to comply with their legal
duties.
The inquiry will examine the extent to which the trustees are
complying with their legal duties in respect of the
administration, governance, and management of the Charity and in
particular:
- The trustees' compliance with their legal obligations for the
content, preparation and filing of the Charity's accounts and
annual returns.
- The extent to which the trustees have complied with
previously issued regulatory guidance.
- To identify if there has been any misconduct and/or
mismanagement in the administration of the Charity.
The scope of the inquiry may be extended if additional regulatory
issues emerge during the Commission's investigation.
ENDS Notes to
editors
- 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. Find out more: About us - The Charity
Commission(www.gov.uk)
- On 20 March 2025, the Charity Commission opened a statutory
inquiry into the Charity under section 46 of the Charities Act
2011 as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has
been misconduct and/ or mismanagement in the administration of
the Charity.
- 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.
- An inquiry will investigate and establish the facts of the
case so that the Commission can determine the extent of any
misconduct and/or mismanagement; the extent of the risk to the
charity, its work, property, beneficiaries, employees or
volunteers; and decide what action is needed to resolve the
concerns.
- Double defaulter and other inquiry reports are published on
gov.uk
