Playing field nearly lost over 1956 blunder

The 1956 blunder, relating to King George V Playing Field, had to be corrected to ensure it will continue to provide enjoyment for decades to come. Arun District Council had to act swiftly to maintain the area's legal status as a charity overseen by the National Playing Fields Association and registered with the Charities Commission to guarantee the future of the 13.5 acre site.

Felpham Parish Council chairman Cllr Paul English, also a district councillor for Felpham East, said: 'The playing field is a valuable piece of land for the community. No way do we want anything untoward happening to it.

'The only way to ensure that is to make sure that the Charities Commission has control of it. It is a very well protected site again now.'

Details of the action to avoid the playing field's removal from the commission's register are being given to district councillors next week. (JUL 18)

Arun principal solicitor Susan MacLeod states in a report that failure to continue with the field's charitable status could lead to fears it might be sold off to raise cash for the council.

'The playing field would continue to be held as public open space, the disposal of which is restricted but not to the same extent as for playing fields under the requirements of the Charities Commission.

'Accordingly, there may be some members of the public who would fear that the council in the future might have an opportunity to dispose of the land or use it for another purpose.

'To them, the saving in time and effort in submitting accounts presents a risk for the future they would not wish to be seen taken,' she comments.

Ms MacLeon says avoiding the need to compile annual accounts is the only benefit from ending the playing field's charity status.

The playing field was bought by the council's predecessor, Bognor Regis Urban District Council, in 1946. It later dedicated the field to the King George V Playing Fields Foundation, now run by the NPFA.

The signed document, dated July 3, 1956, states the field must be held forever as a memorial to the monarch.

The council declares its income and expenditure relating to the field to the Charity Commission each year as part of its obligation for running a charitable asset.

But the commission, after trawling through its records, informed the council earlier this year that it did not believe the field had been properly dedicated. The Bognor council had failed to get the secretary of state's approval for its action. Therefore, the land was not held under trust. This view has been backed by Arun's solicitor, Wendy Ashenden-Bax.

The commission insisted the error had to be corrected by June 29 by a formal declaration of trust or the field would no longer come within the NPFA's arrangements.

Arun's chairman, Cllr Graham Tyler, used his emergency powers to make the dedication three days before the deadline.