the caLliope crashed to the ground

May 2019 Councillor Andrew Cook's appointment to the Herne Bay Pier Trust ends - he fails to notify the board of trustees.

July 2019 Chairman Doreen Stone asks to see the Charity's accounts, then, when she is absent from a meeting Andrew Cook presents her "resignation" - without her knowledge. He claims three times to be Company Secretary and has lawful authority to accept her resignation

August 2019 Trustee Andy Harvey  becomes suspicious of recent events and large unauthorised payments made to Mr Cook, also asks to see accounts and raises concerns of conflicts of interest with 3 trustees having businesses on the Pier contrary to the charities act and the trust's constitution. The board agrees to contact the charity commission for clarification.

September 2nd Andy Harvey contacts the Charity Commission as agreed by board.

August/September 2019 Doreen Stone and Andy Harvey have further concerns on matters of material significance and ask questions about the continued signing of  blank cheques, unauthorised payments, lack of tendering for major works, and the opening of collection boxes unsupervised by lone individuals.

Treasurer David Townsend then proposes the unlawful dismissal of Andy & Doreen.

September 10th 2019 Town Crier raises concerns at the Herne Bay Forum that he has seen Doreen Stone in an extremely distressed state on the Pier after being shouted at by Andrew Cook. Two Councillors raise concerns on finances.  CCC meeting minutes make no mention of Pier discussions.

September 13th 2019 , Doreen Stone (Chairman) calls the AGM of the Herne Bay Pier Trust for 18th October so the members can be informed and vote on how the trust and Pier should be run.

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September 24th 2019 Stephen Parry, Solicitor (and founding member of the Trust) gives legal opinion that Andy and Doreen were not removed in accordance with the articles of association "by any stretch of the imagination".

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October 18th 2019 - biggest ever turnout of members for the AGM sees a new board lawfully elected witnessed by at least 6 former and current Councillors and several former Pier Trustees including concerned founder members.

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The inquorate remainder of the board refuse to recognise the lawfully elected trustees and refuse access to the accounts or office , spending thousands of Charity funds on solicitors fees to try and justify their position.

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February 4th 2021 For the fourth time Mr Townsend's group fails to comply with mediation

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April 20th 2021 Mr Townsend finally files accounts some 9 months late !! Once these are availaable they will be closely scrutinised and disussed with the new accountant.

Still no sign of him holding the long overdue AGM

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The Charity Commission is investigating.

Kent & Essex Serious economic crime directorate have opened an enquiry.

Companies House are currently considering prosecution.

ActionFraud have been advised as have the ICO,  and court action is ongoing.

Sir Roger Gale MP has also met with both the lawful trustees and the Charity Commission.

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The Trust's fomer accountants (Spain Brothers) have also raised questions about the removal of Doreen Stone and Andy Harvey, about large payments to Trustees and the amount spent on Solicitors and have now resigned !!.

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