A WATCHDOG has brought in a new temporary boss at a Flintshire charity following serious concerns about how it is run.

The Charity Commission has announced the appointment of an interim manager to Capricorn Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (including Aston, Hawarden Animal Aid) due to continued concerns about the governance and management of the charity.

Interim managers are appointed to take over the running of a charity where the commission has identified misconduct or mismanagement, or there is a need to protect the charity’s property.

The Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Capricorn Animal Rescue and Sanctuary on February 9, 2017, to examine regulatory concerns about the governance of the charity, potential unauthorised trustee benefit and whether the trustees have properly exercised their responsibilities under charity law - particularly their duty to account for the charity’s funds.

Harvey Grenville, head of investigations and enforcement at the Charity Commission said: "We are not satisfied that the current governance procedures and practices are working properly, or are likely to be rectified by the trustees.

"A decision by the Charity Commission to appoint an interim manager is not taken lightly and reflects the seriousness of our regulatory concerns.

The commission made an order on Monday to appoint Guy Hollander of Mazars as interim manager to the exclusion of the trustees.

He will take on full control of the day-to-day management and administration of the charity from the current trustee until the commission makes a further order.

Part of the interim manager’s duties will be to establish the viability of the charity and determine the most appropriate option regarding its future.

The Commission’s investigation continues.