No Code Website Builder Clarification for Residents and Users of Charity Facilities – The Charity’s Confirmed Legal Position (20/10/2026)
We are aware that various statements and interpretations of the Charity’s governing document are circulating online. For the benefit of residents and users of Charity facilities, we wish to set out the confirmed legal position clearly and calmly.
1. Governance under the 1921 Charity Commission Scheme
The Heacham Club Charity is governed by the Charity Commission Scheme dated 29 April 1921. Under the Scheme, the Trustees are responsible for the control and management of the Charity and its property. The Central Club and its Council manage day to day social club activities, but they do not have voting rights over the Charity, its Trustees, or the Scheme.
2. Appointment of Trustees
The Charity Commission has been fully informed of how each current Trustee was appointed. This information was provided in detail in early June 2026 in response to the Commission’s questions. The Commission has raised no concerns about these appointments and continues to deal with the current Trustees as the lawful governing body under the 1921 Scheme.
3. Role of subscribing members
Subscribing members of the Central Club do not have voting rights over the Charity, its Trustees, or the governing document. They have no legal authority or entitlement to elect Trustees, amend the Scheme, or determine governance matters. Their role relates solely to social club usage and activities. The Central Club rules were created by the Trustees and remain subject to amendment by the Trustees or with the Trustees approval as required. Any individuals who were subscribing members under the original Scheme in 1921 would no longer be living today, and the term does not create an ongoing governance class within the Charity.
4. The meeting held on 20 September 2026
This meeting was not convened under the Scheme and has no legal effect. Only the Trustees may call meetings relating to the Charity’s governance or its future structure.
5. County Court judgment
The County Court has confirmed the Trustees’ right to possession of the Charity’s land and buildings. This judgment supports the Trustees’ authority under the Scheme and confirms that the Charity’s property must be managed by the lawful Trustees.
6. Modernising the Charity
The Trustees are working with the Charity Commission to modernise the Charity’s governance structure in a lawful and transparent way. Any changes will follow the correct legal process and will be submitted to the Commission for approval.
Residents are encouraged to rely on official Charity communications rather than unofficial online commentary. If you have questions, please contact the Trustees directly.
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Public Clarification: The Lawful Position of the Heacham Club Charity (October 2026)
The Trustees of the Heacham Club Charity wish to provide a clear and factual update for residents, members of the Central Club, and the wider community. Recent online posts and documents have created confusion about the Charity’s governance, and it is important that the correct position is set out plainly.
1. The Charity’s Governance Is Defined by Law
The Heacham Club Charity is governed by the Charity Commission Scheme dated 29 April 1921. Under this Scheme:
• There is no membership body with voting rights over the Charity.
• The “Council” (now referred to by some as the “Central Committee”) does not have authority to appoint or remove Trustees.
• Trustees may only be appointed in accordance with the 1921 Scheme or under the Trustee Act 1925 when Scheme positions are vacant.
• Any changes to the governing document must be approved by the Charity Commission, not by a public meeting.
These rules are not optional — they are legally binding.
2. The Trustees Appointed Under the 1921 Scheme Remain the Lawful Trustees
The current Trustees are:
• Reverend Veronica Wilson
• Neil Fisher
• Peter Full
• Jay Watkins
These Trustees are recognised under the 1921 Scheme, by the Charity Commission and by the Court. No other individuals hold Trustee status.
3. The EGM Held on 20 September 2026 Has No Legal Effect
An Extraordinary General Meeting held by members of the Central Club on 20 September 2026 purported to “elect” an “Interim Trustee Group”.
For clarity:
• The Charity’s governing document does not permit central club members to elect Trustees.
• The Council/Central Committee has no authority to create new Trustees.
• Any declarations signed by individuals claiming to be Trustees have no legal standing.
• The Charity Commission has not recognised any such appointments.
The individuals named at that meeting are not Trustees of the Charity.
4. The Charity’s Identity Has Been Misrepresented Online
A new Facebook page has recently appeared using the name “Heacham Club Charity” and presenting information as though it were official.
To avoid confusion:
• The Charity’s official website is heachamclubcharity.co.uk
• The Charity’s official Facebook page is facebook.com/heachamclubcharityofficial
• Any other pages or websites using the Charity’s name are not official and do not represent the Charity or its Trustees.
5. The Trustees Have Acted Transparently Throughout
The Trustees have:
• kept the Charity Commission informed of all significant developments;
• acted with full transparency during the eviction proceedings involving Heacham Club Ltd;
• complied with the possession order granted by the County Court on 4 June 2026;
• continued to work towards a modernised governance structure to be implemented once Heacham Club Ltd vacates.
The Trustees remain committed to lawful governance, openness, and the long term protection of the Charity’s assets for the benefit of the village.
6. A New Management Structure Will Be Introduced
Once Heacham Club Ltd vacates the premises in accordance with the court order, the Charity will:
• integrate the management of the Central Club into the Charity’s trading arm;
• introduce a new management structure allowing central club members to participate appropriately;
• ensure transparency, accountability, and proper oversight.
This will be done with Charity Commission approval and within the legal framework of the 1921 Scheme.
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Why the Trustees Took Legal Action Regarding Heacham Club Ltd (September 2026)
The Trustees of The Heacham Club Charity have a legal duty to protect the Charity’s land, buildings, assets and reputation, and to ensure that the recreation ground is managed for the benefit of the whole community in accordance with the 1921 Scheme.
Over a number of years, serious concerns arose regarding the way Heacham Club Ltd was operating on Charity premises. These concerns included:
• Lack of financial transparency, including repeated difficulties obtaining accurate or complete financial information relating to activities carried out on Charity land.
• Failure to comply with the Charity’s governing document, including decisions made without Trustee approval and actions taken outside the scope of the Scheme.
• Operational decisions that restricted community access, particularly where developments or changes to the recreation ground were undertaken without permission and to the detriment of other sports and village activities.
• Failure to cooperate with Trustees, including refusal to engage constructively on matters relating to governance, compliance, and the shared use of Charity facilities.
• Concerns about regulatory compliance, including licensing, planning, and other statutory obligations connected to activities carried out on Charity land.
Despite many attempts to resolve these issues through discussion, correspondence and formal mediation, the situation did not improve. The Trustees were left with no practical means of ensuring compliance with the Scheme or protecting the Charity’s assets while Heacham Club Ltd remained in occupation.
For these reasons, and only after all other avenues had been exhausted, the Trustees were required to seek legal possession of the Charity’s land through the County Court. On 4 June 2026, the Court granted possession forthwith in favour of the Charity.
The Trustees recognise that this has been a difficult period for the village and are committed to restoring stability, transparency, and proper governance. Our focus now is on ensuring that the recreation ground is managed in a way that is fair, safe, and accessible for all residents and community groups.
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Police Complaint Concerning Heacham Club Ltd (September 2026)
In 2024 the Trustees submitted a formal complaint to Norfolk Constabulary regarding matters connected to the operation of Heacham Club Ltd on Charity premises. This was in accordance with Charity Commission guidance. Norfolk Police have now confirmed that the case has been closed at local level and has been passed to the Professional Standards Department for review.
The Trustees will continue to cooperate fully with any enquiries and will provide updates when further information is received.
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Modernising the Charity’s Governance (September 2026)
The Heacham Club Charity is governed by a Scheme dating from 1921. While the Scheme remains legally valid, it no longer reflects modern charity governance standards. The Trustees have therefore begun the process of preparing a Replacement Scheme, which will update and clarify the Charity’s structure, responsibilities, and decision making processes.
Once the Replacement Scheme is approved, the Trustees intend to progress towards becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This will provide clearer accountability, improved regulatory compliance, and stronger protection for the Charity’s assets.
This work is being carried out in consultation with the Charity Commission and will proceed once ongoing court matters have concluded.
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Protecting Charity Assets for the Community (September 2026)
The Trustees have a legal duty to safeguard the Charity’s land, buildings, and facilities for the benefit of the whole community. Over recent years, concerns arose regarding the way Charity assets were being used and managed by the previous facility operator. These concerns included compliance, transparency, and the impact on other community groups.
The Trustees are now implementing a programme of improved asset stewardship to ensure that the recreation ground and associated facilities are managed safely, fairly, and in accordance with the Charity’s governing document. This includes clearer oversight, modernised policies, and long term planning to protect the Charity’s resources for future generations.
If you have questions or would like further information, please contact the Trustees at:
trustees@heachamclubcharity.co.uk
Or call and leave a message on 01485 784901
All notices are dated and archived for public reference.
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