Charity Commission Urges Cardiff Council on Maindy Park Trustees (Cardiff, 2026)

Key Points

• Cardiff Council serves as the sole trustee of Maindy Park charity, which manages land including the historic Maindy Velodrome built for the 1958 Commonwealth Games.
• The Charity Commission has issued formal advice to the council, urging it to complete an independent governance review, consult beneficiaries, and separate its roles as trustee and local authority to avoid conflicts of interest.
• Concerns raised by locals and campaigners from ABC Maindy Park and Save Maindy Velodrome groups focus on mismanagement, prioritisation of council needs like school expansion over charity purposes, and poor conditions at the velodrome.
• Previous council plans to expand Cathays High School onto Maindy Park land, including a potential land swap with Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina, faced strong opposition and have been dropped or put on hold.
• In April 2026, an Information Tribunal ordered the council to release documents on its Charity Commission correspondence related to the land swap, citing public interest.
• The Charity Commission continues to receive complaints about service levels and governance at Maindy Park, but clarified it does not handle individual service complaints.
• Campaigner Jeremy Sparkes accused the council of damaging public trust by prioritising its interests.
• Council spokesperson stated it is conducting the governance review within the Commission’s requested timescale.

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) May 6, 2026 – The Charity Commission has issued urgent directives to Cardiff Council regarding its trusteeship of the Maindy Park charity amid ongoing complaints from locals about governance and site conditions.

Why Has the Charity Commission Written to Cardiff Council?

The Charity Commission contacted Cardiff Council following concerns raised by residents over its role as sole trustee of Maindy Park charity, which oversees land featuring the historic velodrome. As reported by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, campaigners opposed council plans to extend Cathays High School using Maindy Park land, prompting scrutiny of the council’s handling of the trust. In a letter seen by Civil Society, Christine Barker, Head of Regulatory Authority, confirmed ongoing risks of reputational damage, relationship friction, and confusion due to the council’s dual roles.

Christine Barker wrote:

“On 13 April this year we issued further formal advice to the trustee. This sets out the steps we expect it to consider and act upon as a matter of urgency to address governance risks and ongoing disputes and complaints. We have emphasised the importance of the trustee clearly separating its role as trustee of the charity from its role as local authority, to avoid confusion and conflicts of interest.”

What Are the Main Concerns About Maindy Park Governance?

Locals, through groups like ABC Maindy Park, have accused the council of mismanagement by prioritising its needs, such as using trust land as a school car park, over the charity’s recreational purposes. The land was gifted in 1922 by the Marquis of Bute with covenants restricting use to park, open space, recreation, or playground, and registered as a charity in 1966. Plans to bulldoze the velodrome for school expansion were vigorously opposed, leading to the formation of Save Maindy Velodrome campaign.

Speaking to Civil Society, ABC Maindy Park member Jeremy Sparkes said:

“Its interests as local authority have been given precedence over those of the charity. Public trust and confidence has been hugely damaged and it cannot be repaired while the council continues to act as sole trustee.”

Sparkes added to Nation.Cymru:

“It is high time that council leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, dropped the veil of secrecy over the council’s stewardship of the Maindy Park Trust, its charity assets and the land swap proposal that he has championed which always appeared to be driven more by the financial advantage for the council than it was by the best interests of the Trust and its beneficiaries.”

When Did the Charity Commission First Raise Issues?

In July 2025, after concerns articulated in February 2025, the Commission engaged the council and expected an independent review of governance arrangements. Formal advice under section 15(2) of the Charities Act 2011 was issued in November 2025. The review is underway, with the council keeping the Commission updated on terms of reference and timescales.

The Commission has strongly recommended consulting beneficiaries to inform decision-making and sharing the review summary post-completion. In August 2024, the Commission wrote to all English and Welsh councils about breaches in trustee duties, setting urgent steps.

What Is the Status of School Expansion Plans?

Council plans to expand Cathays High School from 1,072 to 1,450 places, including new buildings on Maindy Centre site adjacent to the park, drew 494 consultation responses by March 2020. A Section 42 Legal Notice was issued on 26 June 2021, and Cabinet resolved on 14 October 2021 to proceed. However, BBC News reported in January 2025 that new site plans axed threats to the velodrome, delighting campaigners.

Campaigners urged withdrawal of a Charity Commission application for a land swap with Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina, which remains on hold pending information. The Commission noted the council’s use of trust land as overflow parking for the school and is exploring alternatives.

How Has the Council Responded to Complaints?

A Cardiff Council spokesperson told Civil Society:

“A governance review of the Maindy Park Trust [the charity] is being undertaken within the timescale requested by the Charity Commission.”

The council has faced Freedom of Information requests, some denied initially but overturned.

In April 2026, an Information Tribunal, chaired by Judge Marks, ordered release of documents on land swap correspondence, ruling public interest in accountability outweighs burdens. It found no evidence of harassment and presumed disclosure under Environmental Information Regulations. Jeremy Sparkes commented:

“The Tribunal has clearly established that the level of public interest in having this information disclosed far exceeds any wish on the part of the council to keep hidden from the people of Cardiff its stewardship of the Maindy Park Trust.”

Christine Wyatt of Save Maindy Park submitted requests turned down by council and Information Commissioner, leading to the tribunal win. The panel criticised the council’s handling methodology.

What Role Does the Velodrome Play?

Maindy Velodrome, the last 1958 Commonwealth Games structure in Wales, has hosted major events and trained world-class cyclists. Complaints persist about its condition and access, restricted with charges by GLL. The Commission advised on ongoing service complaints but directed them to trustees.

Why Separate Trustee and Local Authority Roles?

Barker emphasised:

“We have emphasised the importance of the trustee clearly separating its role as trustee of the charity from its role as local authority, to avoid confusion and conflicts of interest.”

Risks include reputational damage and beneficiary friction. Sparkes called for modern governance with independent trustees.

The Association of Beneficiaries of the Covenanted Land at Maindy Park & Maindy Park Trust was recognised by council for community voice.

Background of the Development

Maindy Park was gifted in 1922 by the Marquis of Bute to Cardiff Council with covenants for recreational use only, registered as charity in 1966 with council as sole trustee. The velodrome dates to 1958 Commonwealth Games. Tensions arose from 2021 school expansion proposals conflicting with charity objects. Campaign groups formed, raising governance issues via MS Rhodri ab Owen in February 2025. Commission engagement followed, with advice in 2025 and April 2026 letter amid tribunal ruling.

Prediction: Impact on Local Residents and Beneficiaries

This development requires Cardiff Council to undertake and share an independent governance review, potentially leading to structural changes like independent trustees. Local residents and beneficiaries, including velodrome users and park visitors, may gain better consultation in decisions affecting recreational facilities. Transparency from document releases could rebuild trust, while separation of roles might prevent future conflicts between education needs and charity purposes. Ongoing complaints about site conditions could prompt service improvements if addressed via the review. Community groups like ABC Maindy Park may influence outcomes through recognised channels.