Charity watchdog to look into its handling of Wick Academy Development Fund wrangle
Scotland's charity watchdog is to look into its handling of the long-running wrangle over Wick Academy Development Fund (WADF) and see what lessons can be learned.
OSCR, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, described it as a complex issue but reiterated that the money in WADF's account – amounting to £140,000 – can only be distributed to registered charities in line with the fund's governing documents.
The upshot is that Wick Academy FC, not being a registered charity, will receive none of the cash.
Dan Mackay, a supporter of the Highland League club, had discussions last Friday with OSCR chief executive Maureen Mallon in what he called a "last-gasp attempt" to find a solution that would benefit the football club. But he was left disappointed and, speaking afterwards, described it as a "woeful outcome”.
Mr Mackay said: “We did have a positive meeting but, in fairness, her hands are constrained by charities legislation. OSCR will now look at what went wrong, why this has gone on for so long, and carry out a 'lessons learned' review, as I had requested.
“I personally feel OSCR has been a toothless tiger that too long ignored, or failed to act on, the many concerns brought to its attention over many years – and not just by me.”
Mr Mackay said that Mrs Mallon – who was appointed as OSCR chief executive in January 2019 – told him she too had concerns about the long timeframe.
“She thanked me for my ‘very balanced, thoughtful and dignified’ approach,” he added. “But £140,000 is a staggering loss of money. It is a bitter pill to swallow.”
In January the Court of Session, Scotland's top civil court, appointed chartered accountant Eileen Blackburn as judicial factor to manage the affairs of WADF after concerns about how it was being run.
Earlier this month she invited any registered charities within the Wick community, "whose charitable objectives are aligned to those of WADF", to register their interest in receiving funding. Interest had to be registered by May 21.
Mr Mackay argues that "morally" the money belongs to the football club as fans had invested in WADF in good faith over many years.
A spokesperson for OSCR said: “With any complex and long-running issue like this it is helpful to reflect on our progress and what lessons need to be learned. We’ll be doing this in the weeks and months ahead.
“While we acknowledge that this individual case has taken some considerable time, we’ve taken firm action to ensure that the issues raised with us will be resolved through the work of the judicial factor.
“As we explained again to Mr Mackay during this meeting, the trust’s assets can only be distributed to registered charities in line with its governing documents. Wick Academy Football Club is not a registered charity.”
Mr Mackay has since written to Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd who, following this month's election, has taken on a ministerial position in the Scottish Government that contains a sports remit.
“I have asked her to look into this as a matter of urgency, given other charities are being invited to apply for monies from WADF, and asked her to determine what the best outcome should be," Mr Mackay said.
“I am not going to get into any mud-slinging to discredit WADF office-bearers – as others have called for – but this is, by any standards, a woeful outcome.
“I’ve always maintained that morally the money belongs to Wick Academy FC. I’ve never heard anyone disagree with this. But morals don’t seem to count for anything these days.”
WADF, which has no connection to Wick Academy FC, is now dissolved.
Mr Mackay said previously that Academy supporters had been "sorely let down". They were entitled to feel cheated, he said, after "a sorry and bitter saga".