‘SERIOUS concerns’ raised over a charity’s reduction in services for disabled people in Ripon are being investigated by the Charity Commission.

Ripon Community Link (RCL), which provides day care services to people with complex needs, has withdrawn support for 12 of its most vulnerable service users and has made around a dozen staff redundant.

The charity cited the move as a means of securing its future but parents were left angry at being given less than two weeks notice to find alternative care for their children.

An action group set up via facebook has called for the resignation of the charity’s board of trustees, claiming that there has been a lack of transparency over the changes.

The Charity Commission has been called in to investigate and a spokesman for the Government body said: “The Commission is aware of serious concerns about Ripon Community Link.

“We have a regulatory compliance case open to look into the financial management of the charity and the trustees’ handling of the withdrawal of services.

“The charity has reported the issues to the Commission and as part of our case we are seeking to ensure that they have been fully and frankly reported.

“We recognise the distress that this has caused to those affected, and want to reassure families that we are working to address the regulatory concerns as a matter of urgency.”

In an open letter published on facebook, the Ripon Community Link and Ripon Walled Garden Action Group called for a vote of no confidence in the charity’s board of trustees.

Elizabeth Goddard of the group said: “We are really happy that the Charity Commission are involved, we lobbied for it quite heavily and we are continuing to help with the investigative process.”

She added: “There are still very deep concerns running among our members.”

As part of the reorganisation, RCL will appoint an interim Chief Executive and adopt the working title of Ripon Walled Garden.

Kathryn Harrison, RCL Chair of Trustees, said: “Because of the Charity Commission’s involvement it would be inappropriate for us to make any comment at this stage.”