Ashton Community Trust suspends three staff as PSNI review fraud report in £7m north Belfast social enterprise with 250 employees

A north Belfast community trust has suspended three staff while police enquire into an allegation of fraud.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 19th Mar 2020, 06:30 BST
Updated 19th Mar 2020, 09:43 BST
Ashton Community Trust board chair Joy Allen said three members of staff had been suspended.Ashton Community Trust board chair Joy Allen said three members of staff had been suspended.
Ashton Community Trust board chair Joy Allen said three members of staff had been suspended.

The news comes after an external inspection by a project funder found “some irregularities relating to personnel”.

The claims relates to Ashton Community Trust in the New Lodge area, which had an income last year of £7.3m and employs 250 people.

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Det Chief Insp Ian Wilson told the News Letter: “Police have received a report in relation to an allegation of fraud and enquiries are continuing.”

A Department for Economy spokesman confirmed there is an ongoing investigation and said it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The board of directors/trustees of the trust confirmed that three members of staff have been put on “precautionary suspension” due to the “external inquiry”.

Chairperson of the Board, Joy Allen, said: “Following an external inspection by one of our project funders some irregularities relating to personnel were discovered. This led to an external inquiry which is now on going.

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“We are very keen to have this matter dealt with as expeditiously as possible for the sake of our hard working staff and the public we serve. We are determined that none of the valuable work carried out by the Ashton Trust should be impeded in any way and our funding partners agree with our approach.

“We have appointed an interim manager to support our employees in the delivery of our services. The Board, management and staff are giving full cooperation to the current inquiry.

“In parallel to this external inquiry the Board has also asked its auditors to review personnel structures within the organisation. Ashton’s funders and partners have been kept informed.”

As the matter is ongoing and affects personnel further comment is inappropriate, she added.

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“The Board is totally committed to full accountability and the inquiry will have no impact on the services provided by the Ashton Trust to the community.”

The trust’s CEO Paul Roberts is on the Belfast North steering group of the Social Investment Fund (SIF) along with other representatives from the DUP, Sinn Fein, business, statutory and community sectors.

The trust was the lead partner for £3.7m of SIF grants, to develop social economies and childcare and family support. Other services it provides include training and employment, victims and mental health and youth and arts programmes.