Programme to help move into self-employment
Such a pity the Action West London Chair Rod Cahill was still on holiday and neither John Blackmore nor Indira Ellis was available for comment yesterday. NatWest bank has give a grants of £35,000 as Action West London claim they represent disadvantaged communities and will help people to learn new skills, find employment or set up their own businesses. Catalyst Housing Group bankers NatWest’s Skills and Opportunities Fund where informed on 15th December 2017 that Action West London had traded as Action Acton since 1989 when it was set up by Rod Cahill and Yvonne Johnston. Its last annual report show that it had 22 employees who found employment for only 15 volunteers in 2016. NatWest was well aware the trade union Unite is currently engaged in an industrial dispute with CHG, challenging the dishonesty and greed of Action West London’s chairman and particularly the culture of bullying and the lack of transparency in governance Mr Cahill has created throughout his businesses empire. NatWest was told Action West London chair Roderick Nicholas Cahill provides an example of how difficult it is to restore trust in the charity sector following recent controversies. Mr Cahill directly controls 22 other companies including a Registered Social Landlord now correctly termed a Community Benefits Society and Asset Owner. He is directly involved in the rent deposit scheme the Government is finally making illegal which involves his staff arranging rent deposit loans for perspective tenants and promising Catalyst Housing Limited can get them Housing Benefits because of their partnerships with local authorities. Unite are highly critical of Catalyst Housing staff are made cover social housing tenants, private renters and those involved the shared ownership schemes and the stress the constant dishonesty by CHG puts on Unite members.NatWest was told Dr John Blackmore, Chief Executive of Action West London was writing to local charities asking for their support for an expression of interest submitted to the Mayor of London to get £6.5 million from the Greater London Assembly to set up a Community Regeneration Hub to operate in the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation area. NatWest was told Action West London’s proclaims its Mission is ‘to provide opportunities for people to change their lives through Employment, Education, and Enterprise’. They claim expertise is risk management, safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries, conflicts of interest, volunteer management, complaints handling and paying staff. As the Action West London office has been closed since June 2017 there is no evidence the individuals involved have any expertise in any of these fields. NatWest bosses rather than heed my concerns about Action West London seeking more taxpayers’ money when their track record proves they do not provide services of any value have clearly chosen to continue to ensure the majority of funds received from the taxpayers are used for the personal financial benefit of Action West London trustees and bankers. NatWest bankers get their bonuses no matter the extent of failure.
Martin Cain ● 3128d0 Comments ● 3128d