### Concerns Raised Over Cardiff Care Home Charity Led by Local Councillor
A Cardiff-based care home charity, Cartref Limited, chaired by Conservative councillor Joel Williams, has come under scrutiny after failing to submit its annual accounts and return on time, sparking concerns about financial record-keeping and governance. The matter first came to light following a report by the Charity Commission, which cited issues highlighted by Cartref’s independent examiner surrounding the charity’s delayed submission of essential financial documents.
According to the Charity Commission’s report, Cartref Limited, which previously operated two care homes in Cardiff—one on Station Road in Llanishen and the other on Lake Road East in Roath—was 75 days late in handing in its accounts. This delay occurred amidst the challenging closure of both care homes, a situation attributed by trustees to a sharp decline in resident numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The independent examiner raised significant concerns, stating that he could not obtain the usual accounting records required to prepare and examine the charity’s financial accounts. In his formal assessment, he noted the absence of crucial access to the company’s accounting software, payroll details, sales ledgers, and purchase invoices. As a result, the accounts had to be prepared based primarily on bank statements and documents from the property sales following the closure of the homes.
In a statement to the public, Coun Joel Williams confirmed that after the closure of both residential sites, the charity was supported by an administrator who acted as its bookkeeper. However, Williams acknowledged that despite repeated efforts, the trustees were unable to retrieve the necessary financial records from this individual. Williams explained that the trustees had been “treading carefully” due to the personal circumstances of the administrator, a course of action supported by the charity’s legal advisers.
The Charity Commission’s own summary referenced “matters of concern” as brought to their attention by the independent examiner. The examiner’s report stated, “Until records are inspected, I cannot confirm whether accounting records were kept as required by law or whether the accounts accurately reflect those records.” Trustees have since indicated that the process of securing the missing documentation is ongoing.
The closure of Cartref’s care homes in 2023 was marked by uncertainty and difficulty. Falling admissions, attributed in large part to the lingering effects of the pandemic, left both sites financially unviable. Williams remarked, “Due to the pandemic and national challenges affecting the care sector, Cartref Care Home had run at a loss for several months.” He added that trustees sought professional guidance and prioritised the welfare of staff and residents throughout the closure process, including securing full redundancy payments for all impacted employees and aiding residents in finding new accommodation.
Following the sale of the care homes, the resulting proceeds were used to settle outstanding debts, enabling the charity to meet its financial obligations. Williams has maintained that Cartref Limited will continue its charitable work as a grant-making body, investing the remaining funds in line with its aims.
While the charity has assured both regulatory bodies and the public that professional and legal advice has been consistently obtained, the issue of missing accounting records remains unresolved. Trustees have affirmed their commitment to transparency and to fulfilling all duties required by the Charity Commission, but the situation has undeniably raised questions about oversight and the safeguarding of records during periods of organisational upheaval.
Looking ahead, Cartref’s trustees have pledged to investigate the matter further and update future financial accounts if the missing records are recovered. In his closing remarks, Williams reiterated the seriousness with which the charity approaches its governance obligations, stating: “The trustees are aware of our responsibilities as trustees … and take these duties very seriously.”
The situation at Cartref Limited serves as another example of the ongoing pressures faced by charities, especially in the wake of a global pandemic, as well as the importance of robust record-keeping and oversight to maintain public trust and regulatory compliance. The Charity Commission continues to monitor the case as Cartref works to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding their financial documentation.