Community backs priest

11:01pm Friday 15th February 2008

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A community has rallied to the side of an under-fire night shelter.

The Argus revealed the priest in charge of a homeless shelter in Hove resigned over allegations that money he gave to a homeless addict was used to buy drugs.

Father Alan Sharpe will remain as vicar of St Patrick's Church in Cambridge Road, Hove, but has stepped down as chairman of Lorica, the charity he created to serve the homeless of Brighton and Hove.

Homeless clients and a charity leader tonight backed the vicar.

But The Argus can reveal two members of staff resigned from the charity last year following "serious allegations".

A Lorica spokesman said: "The Trust commenced an investigative process at which point the individuals concerned resigned.

"Legalities prevents the Trust from commenting on the specifics of this case.

"The Trust's policies ensure all allegations are treated seriously and investigated fully.

"The disciplinary procedures followed in all cases do not allow for any inappropriate relationships and dismissal could result if investigations reveal such activities."

Phil Lower, project leader at homeless charity Off The Fence, based in Portland Road, Hove, said St Patrick's was good for the city.

He said: "St Patrick's has been a real boon for the homeless and rough sleepers of Brighton and Hove, particularly in the winter with its night café.

"It means there's somewhere for people to go in and get out of the cold and rain, and be able to sleep. They really have helped hundreds over the years.

"It's been a great service they've done. They provide a stepping stone to bringing real change and I really hope that work continues. The fact St Patrick's has been there to help people going through difficult problems is really admirable."

Brighton and Hove City Council's decision to withdraw £200,000 of its funding in 2005 left it on the brink of disaster.

At the time, Father Alan said: "We may be able to persuade the council to keep us funded until the end of the financial year in April but we don't know what will happen after that.

"It is vital we have financial support from the council each year to keep our operation going and keep people off the streets, especially in winter."

Today there was no answer at Father Alan's home in Cambridge Road, Hove.

It has emerged Father Alan's son Stephen, who is the charity's chief executive officer (CEO), was taking home almost £60,000 a year at the time.

Jacqueline Sylvia, the vicar's daughter, was also earning £21,000 a year as a personal administrator.

In comparison Andy Winter, CEO of charity Brighton Housing Trust, currently earns £67,000 a year for running a charity with a turnover almost eight times that of Lorica at £8.8 million.

Councillor Paul Elgood, who resigned as a board member of the charity after just two meetings in January, said he had concerns about how the charity was being run.

He said he was unaware of the salaries while trying to raise funds for the charity and trying to secure the return of council funding.

He said: "I am disappointed it has come to this situation as a number of us helped to get funding at times.

"They did seem to go from crisis to crisis in terms of financing.

"When they were coming to us over their funding crisis we were not aware of the salaries but we did what we could in good faith.

"We need an open and full investigation and all the facts need to be put into the open so they can be scrutinised.

"And we need a public debate on the future of the facilities in Cambridge Road."

Worries have also been raised about the number of family members involved in the charity.

The chairman of the board was Father Alan, who sat alongside son-in law Father Keith Sylvia.

The CEO of Lorica is Father Alan's son, Stephen, and the secretary is his sister Jacqueline.

Mr Winter said it would be inconceivable for any of his family members to work in his organisation.

He said he would not comment directly on the allegations, but added: "Trustees should be independent - it would be inconceivable for a family member of mine to be on our board.

"It would be difficult for a member of my family to be an employee.

"A family-run business can do whatever they like but when you receive public funds you have to be transparent in all your dealings."

A spokesman for Lorica said the salaries were appropriate and the charity was transparent and properly run.

He said: "There are currently seven elected members on the board of trustees with a broad range of day-jobs including a lawyer, an HR director, an accountant, a chartered psychologist and two priests.

"There is only one trustee related to the Sharpe family - Father Keith Sylvia.

"Charity Commission Section 26 Orders authorise the remuneration of Stephen Sharpe and Jacqueline Sylvia.

"Their salaries are publicised in the annual reports and are set and reviewed by the board of trustees excluding the one family member and without the CEO or Trust Administrator present.

"The trustees are confident the remuneration set for Stephen Sharpe's role as CEO and Jacqueline Sylvia's role as trust administrator and company secretary are both appropriate for the organisation and in the context of comparable roles in other organisations."

The Argus has also been told that at the time funding was withdrawn in 2005, councillors had concerns over how the service was being run.

Following a campaign for the council to continue funding, councillors decided to give the home another chance with £50,000 tied to improvements in dormitories and new targets.

The homeless shelter brought in accommodation "pods", often seen in Tokyo, which attracted national attention.

The Queen, Tony Blair and David Cameron have all visited the shelter in recent years.

During his visit last February, Mr Cameron pledged to help charitable organisations such as St Patrick's.

He took a tour of the homeless shelter in Cambridge Road and met people staying there. He also viewed the new pods.

Ed Mitchell, the former newsreader who spent months on the streets of Hove homeless last year, said the work of such charities was vital to saving lives.

He said: "I've never met Father Alan but I know as a homeless person just how important it is to get help from these services.

"It was the Christian charity Off The Fence that helped me but it's the help of these religious and other organisations that gives homeless people a chance.

"They can be the difference between life and death. That may sound strong but it's absolutely true. If it hadn't been for them I'd still be sleeping on a bench now."

Tributes have also poured in to The Argus website in support of Father Sharpe.

A typical example reads: "Father Alan helped me many years ago when I was recovering from a nervous breakdown and alcoholism. Father Alan helped me get back on my feet and yes they did help financially - not with beer money but with food parcels.

"Father Alan helped me respect myself and also helped me get a flat in Brighton. I, as well as many others who went through the nightshelter, have returned as volunteers in the past.

"Father Alan has nothing but my respect as I have never met a man of God so dedicated to the true meaning of Christianity."