A COLCHESTER charity has been dropped as the main partner for the £2.8million redevelopment of a historic city centre church as it is being probed for potential conflicts of interest.

Colchester Council has now revealed it is looking for a new partner to help shape the future of Holy Trinity Church, in Trinity Street, Colchester.

Community360 has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged in February it had loaned its chief executive, Tracy Rudling, £206,341.

It was also revealed that Godden and Rudling Building Services, a construction firm owned by Mrs Rudling’s husband, Gordon Rudling, received £257,263 from C360 between April 2018 and March 2023.

Mr and Mrs Rudlings’ daughter, Shelley Rudling, is also the charity’s head of finance.

C360 said the loan was for the benefit of the charity and the building contract was awarded to Mr Rudling after a tender process.

Boss - Tracy Rudling is the chief executive of the C360 charityBoss - Tracy Rudling is the chief executive of the C360 charity (Image: Newsquest)

Despite this, the charity is currently subject to a compliance case by the Charity Commission after concerns were raised about related party transactions and other potential conflicts of interest.

Colchester Council has now confirmed C360 is no longer the partner with the church project, saying it was “not appropriate” to proceed in light of the case, which is still being conducted.

A statement from a council spokesman said: “We are continuing to work with Community360 and meet with representatives from their board of trustees to seek assurance and progress on the governance arrangements they have in place.

“However, given the ongoing regulatory compliance case being conducted by the Charity Commission, it is not appropriate for us to proceed with the Holy Trinity Church partnership agreement we had.

“We remain open to a new application from all organisations, including C360, if they present a compelling vision for the use of Holy Trinity Church.”

A spokesman for C360 said it respected the council’s decision.

They said: “As a charity dedicated to working in partnership with the local community to make a difference to people’s lives, we have worked in close partnership with Colchester Council on many projects.

“We respect the council’s decision to progress the restoration works at Trinity Church with a different partner and we are looking forward to seeing how the new space will bring the community together when finalised.

“Our focus remains on identifying and responding to unmet need, and we welcome all initiatives to enhance the lives of people across Essex.”

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