THE management of the scandal-ridden Cotswold Water Park Society has officially been handed over to a charitable organisation.

The CWPS has been completely overhauled in a bid to restore the public confidence lost when its former chief executive Dennis Grant and finance director Nick Hanson were arrested last April.

Plans were unveiled in October for the organisation to be fundamentally re-structured with existing board members stepping down and a new governing body appointed.

The CWPS has now become dormant and replaced by the already existing Cotswold Water Park Trust.

The plans were rubber-stamped at a meeting last Wednesday.

All members of the old CWPS, including the board, have now officially resigned.

Brian Atfield, ex-chairman of the society, said: "The last ten months have been a difficult time for the organisation. I would like to apologise to all who have suffered as a consequence of actions under the previous chief executive.

"The board took its responsibilities seriously, undertook a thorough review and restructure of the organisation and now that this has been completed, the board has resigned."

A nominations committee, advised by chairman of Oaksey Parish Council Robin Rogers, was formed to appoint the seven new trustees, including a new chairman, to manage the CWPT.

The recommendations for the seven new trustees were accepted at a meeting on Sunday, February 27.

Existing trustee of the CWPT Simon Pickering will act as interim chairman.

He said: "This is the right way forward for the organisation and I look forward to working with new trustees to ensure its focus returns to improving the Cotswold Water Park for all."

The new trustees include a former finance director of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency, a former director of Wessex Region for the National Trust and an independent property professional.

Matthew Millett, acting joint chief executive officer of the CWPS said he was confident the new trustees would provide the highest standards of governance.

Membership to the Trust is expected to be launched next month.

Dennis Grant has since been charged with six counts of fraud by false representation and one of obtaining money by deception. Nick Hanson died last September following a suspected heart attack.