Residents in Wroxall have called a public meeting for this Friday (9th October 2026) to discuss the governance of the charity that runs Stenbury Hall, including a proposed vote of no confidence in its two remaining trustees.
The meeting, described by organisers as an EGM, will take place at Wroxall Church Hall at 7pm.
In response to the news, a spokesperson for Wroxall Community Association has told OnTheWight,
“The WCA do not recognise the calling of this meeting in line with its constitution, which was adopted in 2021.”
They also forwarded what they say is the “correct and current constitution”. It is not the 1988 constitution that speaks of residents automatically being members.
Why the meeting has been called
Organiser Joanne Cresswell wrote to Wroxall Community Association (WCA) on 11th September asking for an Extraordinary General Meeting, and later asked the trustees to announce one by 2nd October. She says the request is supported by more than 200 residents who signed a petition.
In an email to the trustees today, Ms Cresswell said that as no notice of a meeting had been issued by that date, residents had proceeded with their own arrangements “following advice received from the Charity Commission about the constitution on its register.”
Proposed business
According to the notice, the meeting will consider:
- WCA’s governance and the constitution being applied
- a vote of no confidence in the remaining trustees and proposed resolutions concerning their removal
- the appointment of trustees to restore the charity’s governance
- the community’s next steps concerning WCA and Stenbury Hall
The notice says any resolutions will be considered “in accordance with the applicable constitution and meeting procedures.”
The trustees, Chair Jon Steele and Treasurer Mic Prior, have been asked to confirm by 5pm on Wednesday whether they will attend, and to provide any written response they wish residents to consider.
Dispute over the constitution
The meeting follows a dispute over which constitution governs the charity.
The governing document on the Charity Commission’s public register was a 1988 community association constitution, under which membership is open to Wroxall residents aged 18 or over. It requires the Secretary to call a Special General Meeting within 21 days of a written request signed by at least 20 members. WCA does not currently have a Secretary.
WCA has told Ms Cresswell that it is “not a members’ organisation” and that its constitution does not allow people in the community “to call a general meeting nor have a vote of no confidence.” The trustees supplied a different document, a declaration of trust, which contains no membership provisions.
As reported by OnTheWight, the Commission’s register held a single signature page (signed 1st June 2022), on the same headed paper as the declaration of trust.
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission has confirmed (6th October 2026) it now holds an updated version of the constitution and that the current governing document is the 2021 constitution.
The Commission has also told OnTheWight it is “actively assessing” concerns raised about the charity.
It says it is not a mediation service, and can only become involved in a dispute in exceptional circumstances.
Article edit
1.15pm 5th Oct 2026 – WCA comment added
10.16am 6th Oct 2026 – Update to CC constitution comment added
