Congleton Museum Lock Sabotage Triggers Governance Investigation

Congleton Museum is at the center of two parallel inquiries as police review a potential security incident and regulators assess how the museum is run.

Cheshire Police confirmed that a key broke off inside the door lock at Congleton Museum. Officers say they are treating the incident as part of a broader inquiry into the museum's activities.

The museum described the damage as sabotage, but staff were able to regain access and a local locksmith later repaired the door.

Separately, the Charity Commission has opened a compliance case into Congleton Museum Trust amid concerns about governance, tied to a dispute among trustees.

Within the dispute, supporters have called for founding trustee Ian Doughty to resign amid claims he altered the locks and attempted to suspend other trustees.

Anne Gubbins, speaking for the seven trustees, said the situation was getting out of hand and required careful management.

A board-commissioned report called the recent events a serious incident and said the matter has been shared with the Charity Commission.

The regulator confirmed it has opened a compliance case to review governance concerns at the museum trust.

Arts Council England has told the museum it has been added to its risk register, indicating heightened scrutiny of the sector.

Contested claims and responses

Mr Doughty has repeatedly declined to comment, arguing there is a misinformation campaign against him. He described the independent report as fake and claimed the museum is not at risk.

He said the project supporting the museum has benefited from decades of volunteer work and should continue. He also said he reported alleged unauthorized payments from the museum's bank account to police.

Ms Gubbins said the payments covered grant-funded work and the author of the independent report, and were made in line with normal procedures.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said investigators are reviewing a fraud allegation related to the museum and that inquiries are ongoing.

Further updates may be provided by local outlets as the case develops.

Expert comment: A governance analyst notes that disputes like these test the resilience of small charity boards. Independent oversight and transparent procedures are essential to safeguard public trust in cultural institutions.

Short summary: The Congleton Museum faces regulatory and police scrutiny amid a trustee dispute and concerns about governance. The outcomes will hinge on how the charity strengthens controls and governance procedures. Authorities stress the importance of robust financial management to protect public funds.

Key takeaway: Governance concerns and a police inquiry intersect at Congleton Museum, highlighting the need for strong oversight in community cultural charities. BBC News