A WOMEN’S aid group is to close after being stripped of its funding amid concerns of “financial irregularities”.
Glasgow City Council has pulled annual support of £350,000 for a “collective” that was set up to help the victims of domestic abuse in one of western Scotland’s poorest neighbourhoods.
The local authority has also passed on a dossier about Drumchapel Women’s Aid to police, Scotland’s national public-sector financial watchdog and national charity regulator.
It is understood the council’s investigation centred on whether a shelter intended for survivors of domestic abuse was being used by third parties, including men.
Drumchapel Women’s Aid did not comment on this but blamed issues raised in the audit on an unnamed employee and warned its services would shut by the end of this month.
Some sources suggested the probe raised wider concerns about transparency of unincorporated associations and collectives in receipt of public charitable funding.
The council said money paid to the group would be transferred to bodies running similar shelters – and that there would be no net effect on services for those fleeing domestic abuse.
READ MORE: Glasgow Council 'corruption' dossier is handed to police
In a formal statement, a spokeswoman for the council said: “Police Scotland, Audit Scotland and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator have been informed of the results of a council investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Drumchapel Women’s Aid.
“The inquiry was prompted by allegations from a whistle-blower. Alternative support and accommodation will be provided for the small number of service users, as no further financial support will be given to the organisation by the council.”
BACKGROUND: Catriona Stewart on the evolving structures of women's aid in Scotland over four decades
The council’s annual report into the work of its auditors included a brief statement on the case, although it did not name Drumchapel Women’s Aid.
“An investigation has recently concluded into a third-party organisation that has been in receipt of funding from the Council for a number of years, to the value of around £350,000 per annum,” the report said.
“Internal Audit concluded that there was evidence that funding was being inappropriately used by the third-party organisation and instructed council officers to cease payments and identify an alternative service delivery option.” It added: “A report on the investigation will go to the Finance and Audit Scrutiny Committee at the appropriate time and Police Scotland have been notified. Efforts are also being made to recover monies.”
READ MORE: Soaring numbers of domestic abuse victims left homeless in Scots city
It is not clear if the council will be able to get any of its money back. The authority is not understood to have calculated how much money has been misspent.
BACKGROUND: Catriona Stewart on the evolving structures of women's aid in Scotland over four decades
Drumchapel Women’s Aid has a budget of around £500,000 a year, most of which comes from or through the council in a variety of funding streams.
It issued a response in the name of an anonymous spokeswoman. “We are aware that an investigation by Glasgow City Council has recently concluded into Drumchapel Women’s Aid,” she said. “Full findings of this audit report have not been shared with us, and current staff have not been given the right to reply.
“The audit relates to inappropriate mismanagement by a former employee. On uncovering the extent of these issues, the group proactively notified funders, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Women’s Aid and Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. The employee concerned was then suspended while a full internal investigation was conducted with support from Scottish Women’s Aid.
“Drumchapel Women’s Aid is a vital local service that supports women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse and the service has operated in the local area for almost 40 years. In May alone we supported 83 women and 46 children and young people. The council has informed us that our service will end on 31 July.
“The prime commitment of the remaining staff is to ensure continued provision of a specialist Women’s Aid domestic abuse service for women and children in the area and we are working with the council and other local women’s aid groups on this.”
BACKGROUND: Catriona Stewart on the evolving structures of women's aid in Scotland over four decades
Police Scotland, The Herald understands, is not investigating the matter. OSCR, the charity regulator, is. A spokesman said: “We have been made aware of the situation with the charity. The concerns raised are currently being handled in line with our inquiry policy.”
He added: “In line with the policy, we cannot comment any further as this may prejudice our inquiry work.”
Scottish Women’s Aid is the umbrella organisation for a whole range of local services supporting abused women and children around the country.
The Herald asked if it believed collectives – of which there are now only two remaining in its network – had adequate levels of governance.
A spokeswoman replied: “Scottish Women’s Aid work proactively to ensure that all our member groups, regardless of organisational structure, are supported to have robust and effective governance.”
BACKGROUND: Catriona Stewart on the evolving structures of women's aid in Scotland over four decades
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