Former vicar ordered to repay Nechells Regeneration Project money

A CHURCHMAN has been ordered to repay £800,000 which went missing from a project for the disadvantaged.

Former vicar Canon David Collyer consented to the judgement when agreement was reached after four weeks of a civil trial at Birmingham High Court.

The action had been brought by Midlands Regen Ltd, the fund-raising and delivery arm of the Nechells Regeneration Project, a one-time public baths complex turned into a centre to help one of the most deprived communities in Birmingham.

Canon Collyer, a former treasurer of Birmingham Cathedral, was previously chairman of Midlands Regen.

In a parallel move he was in August arrested and bailed by West Midlands Police.

The case has outraged those involved in the Birmingham and Black Country Community Foundation, the charity behind the Nechells Regeneration Project.

Tim Watts, multi-millionaire chairman of the Pertemps recruitment group and BBCCF life president, said the actions of Canon Collyer were “unforgiveable”.

He went on: “This is a man who calls himself a Christian who has sadly acted in a very un-Christian like manner.

“This was money which disappeared when it should have gone to the poor and needy of Nechells, an inner city ward which is desperate for all the help it can get. I wasn’t having that. I was determined to bring this matter into the open and get redress. That has been achieved.”

Mr Watts has in the interim pumped in £1m of his own money to keep the project afloat.

David Bucknall, BBCCF chairman and another prominent Birmingham businessman, said he felt “let down”.

He went on: “It is a disappointment and a sorrow that this project has to an extent been blighted by what has happened.

“The Nechells Regeneration Project has aided well over 1,200 long term unemployed to get a job and offered nursery facilities and training to 700 parents. Street crime in that area is now lower than at any time since World War II.

“What has happened has led to deviation from the focus of making it even more relevant and vibrant. Now we have to get that back.”

Mr Bucknall said the Nechells Regeneration Project had been left with debts of £1.25 million and had been forced to take a loan out to cover the discrepancy.

The court heard that the original claim was far higher – approaching £2m. However, it was conceded that a figure in excess of £600,000 had gone on justified spending. The figure that Canon Collyer was ordered to pay also took account of settlement monies received on a connected claim, also relating to Nechells Baths.

Confirming the order in open court, His Honour Judge Charles Purle QC also awarded costs against Canon Collyer which are to be determined at a later date.