PotBoilers are being Shortchanged!
The PotBoilers
are the commoners that own the moor.
The Explanation HERE shows of the reasons why the Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee is not fit to
look after the PotBoiler’s Moor/Money and should be a
charity.
Do you
think the running of the Moor should be a CHARITY? Y/N link
At present it is an unincorporated association as against a charity Links are to UK government definitions
After many years our voices have not been heard by the
leave well alone brigade! Now we feel it is time to go public with the fact
that the Potboilers of Hatherleigh Moor have been short changed for years.
While many are happy to receive an unexpected few quid just because they
brought a particular house (known as a PotBoilers
house) in Hatherleigh. This money came out of the Potboilers account held by
the Hatherleigh Moor Management on behalf of all the PotBoilers
that same account paid out money to the farmers who fed their animals on
the moor!
All payments from the PotBoiler account should
be approved by ALL the PotBoilers not just the committee.
This could lead to a vast increase of money going to
The PotBoilers’ Good Causes.
The Hatherleigh
Moor Management Committee have made Payments of £518,628.35 (See who got what Here)
1. They awarded their Chairman and Other committee
members near £150,000 pounds for feeding THEIR
stock on the moor!! Evidence Here
The reason given by the
Secretary for the large sums given to the graziers is that ONLY the graziers can claim these grants?
The TRUTH is that the Hatherleigh Moor
Management Committee claim on behalf of ALL the PotBoilers
so why is the money distributed without reference to ALL the PotBoilers!
This has been confirmed by the Rural Payments agency (see letter from Defra here)
It clearly
states that as a Group of people that keep the moor in a state suitable for
grazing, which is also required by the constitution. (which was endorsed
by UK government, unlike their new one)
The
graziers can claim on their own farm application but they would receive far
less.
Even if
there were no graziers on the committee the committee could still claim the
grants from DEFRA.
2.
Produced a New
constitution without approval from the UK government and to the detriment of PotBoilers Evidence/argument
here
3.
Not become a charity,
although acting like a charity without the scrutiny applied by the Charity
Commission Argument here
4.
Kept their
dealings secret, by not using modern technology to contact their members. Evidence here
5.
Kept their dealings unaccountable by
co-opting members and electing on mass thereby keeping many from joining the
committee. Evidence here
Mr Geoffery
Cleverdon and other graziers with the Lady of the Manor, met privately and
concluded that only Graziers would claim these grants but give half back to the
Potboilers. In the new constitution they claim that an unknown European law
allows that to happen. Had this been the case, Defra would not have issued
their instruction as to who could claim. This is a false claim by Hatherleigh
Moor Management Committee.
(with the 2023/2024 schemes
there is no excuse see the Government SFI-23_handbook HERE) This we understand they do not wish to apply for this
grant. If they did they would have to form a regulated association with all PotBoilers acknowledgment as laid out in the handbook
on page 129 onwards. If it was a charity it would be a mere formality! See here
The THEFT Act clearly states:-
A person is guilty of theft if
he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of
permanently depriving the other of it.
According to the police, they
have claimed these grants legally, which we do not dispute BUT The Hatherleigh
Moor Management Committee distributed
the money according to their wishes not those of the Potboilers who are
the legal and moral recipients of the monies (They claim to be working for the
benefit of the PotBoilers) The police say this is
a civil matter so they cannot get involved. This is very debateable as they
concentrated on the allocation of the funds NOT on what Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee
did with the money!
We have done our best to raise
this issue with various authorities including the Moor Management Committee and
the only changes that has taken place is all payments are now made by cheque
and introducing a new constitution to try and make their actions morally
acceptable. (It is arguably that the new constitution is invalid as the
original one was implicitly approved by the UK government when they handed back
the moor to the Potboilers.)
Copies of documents mentioned are available from the menu and/or from links within the site.
You can find out If you live in a potboiler house by sign up to LOmpit with your address the system will tell you. Alternatively, you can check with Devon County Council.
Along with the case for a new constitution and making administration of the moor into a charity, which would make all their payments open and above board with independent scrutiny by the Charity Commission. (This has been rejected by the current Management)
If anything is not factual on this site we call on the
Secretary of the Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee to correct the record in
writing. (he has been sent an email informing him of his right to reply) In the
past Mr. G. Cleverdon has not replied to our solicitors letter or allowed it to
be raised at an AGM. (this also cost the PotBoilers
as he employed a solicitor)
The Future
The future has many opportunities which will benefit ALL POTBOILERS see Rural
Payments Document HERE
This clearly states that if the Committee keep the moor in good condition, costs averaging £2,000/ £3,000 a year, they can claim on behalf of all the Potboilers, their electorate. We suggest they ask for volunteers to increase the biodiversity of Hatherleigh Moor. In the form of a rewilding exercise. Many activities could involve the school and other Hatherleigh Clubs and Societies!
We hope this campaign when successful will improve the communal environment of Hatherleigh and make the moor a wildlife haven! Controlled by the PotBoilers through a democratic elected committee.
If you wish to contact us please use the contact facility from the MENU on www.hatherleighmoor.co.uk. or leave a comment/join in the chat!
MORE INFORMATION
JOIN the CHAT here
THE EXPLANATION? here
Why not become a charity? here
Is
their self-written constitution valid? here
Where
the PotBoilers money goes? here
Why
are they scared? here
Who
are they accountable to?
here