Charity watchdog assessing leisure centre concerns

The charities watchdog has confirmed it is "assessing information" about a councillor who helped reopen a leisure centre.

The Charity Commission said it was aware of concerns about the involvement of Robert Waugh who fronted the reopening of Gateshead Leisure Centre in June.

The cash-strapped facility closed in 2022 but returned in June after it was taken over by Gateshead Active.

The Labour councillor said he had "not been informed about any concerns" by the regulator, but would "cooperate with any organisation".

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: "We are aware of concerns about the former chair of trustees of Gateshead Active and are assessing information available to us to determine any next steps."

Waugh worked as the chair of trustees and was appointed chief executive officer in 2023.

The charity confirmed Waugh no longer held either position and said it was "working closely" with the council and the commission, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The leisure centre closed due to council budget cuts, but reopened when Gateshead Active took over the site in a community asset transfer.

Waugh said he initially worked as Gateshead Active's CEO in a voluntary capacity and became a "paid member of the team in April this year".

He lost his Saltwell seat in May last year, then returned to the council two months ago at a by-election in the neighbouring Bridges ward.

"To avoid any conflict of interest it was always the plan for me to step down as a trustee, which I did earlier this year," he said.

"I have been in regular contact with the board of Gateshead Active but have not been informed of any concerns.

"I will cooperate with any organisation to address any concerns that may be had and have reached out to the Charity Commission for any information."

Details about the nature of the concerns have not been publicly disclosed.

Michael Lamb, leisure services director at Gateshead Council, said the local authority was "working with Gateshead Active trustees on appropriate next steps they may wish to take".

He added the council had "full confidence" in the charity's trustees.

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