By Matt Smith

A WELL-known Redditch charity is under investigation by the Charities Commission.

An inquiry into the management of Redditch Council for Voluntary Service (RCVS) is being carried out after a complaint by a member of the public.

A Charity Commission spokesman said: "Upon initial examination, the issue was passed to the investigations department and an inquiry was opened last month and is ongoing."

Meanwhile, RCVS is already facing closure as it struggles to meet running costs of up to £60,000 and is in danger of losing vital lottery cash to the tune of £119,000 over the next two years.

In December, RCVS - which offers funding advice and information on how to set up voluntary organisations - was refused a £45,000 bid by Redditch Council's major grants panel.

Panel member Councillor David Cartwright said: "We had various questions for the RCVS which were not satisfactorily answered."

If the charity does not meet its core costs such as heating, rent and salaries, the lottery could pull the plug on its three-year grant.

A lottery spokesman said: "Because of the group's change of circumstances with core funding, we are waiting to hear what the charity resolves before we make a decision."

RCVS chairman Robert Rainbow said: "The executives had a meeting on March 25 and we have organised another meeting on April 23 to discuss the future of the service.

"Four redundancy notices have already been given.

"We have two options - either to accept the RCVS executives' decision to close or find alternative funding to continue. But this will have to be found in two weeks."

Mr Rainbow would not comment on the Charity Commission inquiry.