THE boss of an under-fire charity has announced she will leave her role as chief executive next year due to ill health.

Tracy Rudling, who has helmed Community 360 for 14 years, shared a post on LinkedIn on Saturday to say she will be taking early retirement – but will remain in post for another six months before handing over to her successor.

Mrs Rudling’s resignation comes during a turbulent year for Community 360, with the charity currently facing a compliance case from the Charity Commission after concerns were raised about related party transactions and other potential conflicts of interest.

The regulator opened the case after the charity’s financial statements showed Community 360 had loaned Mrs Rudling £206,341 during the financial year ending March 2023.

Questions were also asked about the involvement of Mrs Rudling’s husband, Gordon Rudling, who became a person of significant control of Godden and Rudling Building Services in 2021.

Mr Rudling’s business received £257,263 between April 2018 and March 2023 to carry building works and rent out office space for the charity.

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

Shortly after the charity came under scrutiny, it was announced it would stop running a café at the primary care centre in Turner Road so it could focus its efforts on a town centre hub.

One member of staff said he was told his job was safe, only to then be made redundant.

Then, earlier this month, Colchester Council announced it had ditched Community 360 as its main partner for the redevelopment of the Holy Trinity Church in Colchester city centre.

Six directors have also left the charity in the last seven months, records from Companies House show.

Mrs Rudling said in her LinkedIn post that stepping down “had not been easy” and that she had mixed emotions about her decision.

She wrote: “After 31 incredible years at Community360, I have made the decision to take early retirement due to ill health from the charity and my role as Chief Executive Officer.

“The decision has not been easy, but it is the right time for me to focus on my health and wellbeing and spend time with my two new beautiful grandsons.

“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to lead this fantastic organization and work alongside such dedicated and passionate colleagues.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together – when I took over as CEO in March 2010, the Charity was turning over £300K and we had a workforce of 13, last year we finalised our books at £5million and offered paid employment to 115 local people.

“The emotions are mixed, as you can imagine, but the summer proved very difficult for me and my immune system, so I am taking some much-needed rest.

“I am so proud of all that we have achieved, from providing vital support to our community throughout the pandemic, to establishing the One Colchester Hub to create a welcoming space for residents to access our services, and to tackling social isolation by expanding our community transport offering across Essex.

“The growth and support to our most vulnerable people has been my focus for over 31 years.

“I want to thank all past and current colleagues for making these 31 years so special.

“I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing team of volunteers, who make our charity what it is – none of our work would be possible without their service.

“I will remain in post for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition for this wonderful charity, and will leave with confidence knowing that Community360 will continue to work hard to create sustainable change that makes a difference to people’s lives and that gives people the strength to live thriving and fulfilling lives.

“I’m sure I will bump into you over the next six months.”