GLAD all over

Liz Choppin

Questions have been raised about the pan-disability organisation Greater London Action on Disability (GLAD), which is still a registered company and awaits a £30,000 legacy despite not carrying out any disability-related work.

GLAD was thought to be defunct after a loss of core funding and investigations by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Metropolitan Police. GLAD acknowledged at the time that its own review had highlighted “a number of issues regarding governance, internal management and financial issues” (Disability Now, May 2005). A DWP spokeswoman said that its investigation of “employees of GLAD who were claiming assistance under the access to work scheme” led to “overpayment recovery action” but that no criminal prosecution ensued.

Companies House and the Charity Commission have confirmed that the organisation is still on their books. Adrian Whyatt, current chair of GLAD, said the organisation’s demise had been “grossly exaggerated”, despite the fact that it is not holding meetings or functioning as a disability organisation.

Mr Whyatt confirmed that the organisation is awaiting the £30,000 legacy and will use it to pay off its debts, but that decisions on how to use any remaining funds would be made at a later date. It is not clear how much money GLAD owes to creditors. Mr Whyatt revealed that the legacy would be paid into an account with one signatory, who sits on the board of trustees. GLAD is also entitled to 25 per cent of profits from any future sale of the building near London Bridge where it was based until 2005.

A number of prominent campaigners have concerns. Faryal Velmi, co-director of Transport For All, said: “Why is a shell of an organisation being kept alive by a small group of people when a new pan-disability organisation in London is in advanced stages of planning?”

Ruth Bashall, co-chair of the disability independent advisory group of the Met Police, wants more information on how the legacy will be spent.

Mr Whyatt admitted that GLAD is “semi-dormant” but said he feels that its existence would put pressure on the new London disability organisation and “push them in the direction we’d like them to go”.

The new body is due to launch in early summer as a non profit-making social enterprise. London Councils has provided funding to secure new premises and start recruiting board members and a chief executive. The launch follows a consultation with 150 London user-led organisations.