Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer seeking the Executive’s approval for a draft scheme for the administration of the Anglesey Welsh Church Act Fund was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance summarised the background to the establishment of the   Welsh Church Act Fund which was formed when the Welsh Church Act 1914 disestablished the Church in Wales and transferred assets to the County Councils. The fund was set up in 1922 but the assets were not fully distributed until 1996.The fund continued to be administered by Anglesey County Council until local government reorganisation in 1974 when the funds relating to Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, most of Meirionnydd and parts of Denbighshire were brought together under the control of Gwynedd County Council. On local government reorganisation in 1996, the assets held by Gwynedd County Council were to be distributed to the three successor authorities. The report outlines the issues that have arisen with regard to the disaggregation of the existing Gwynedd County Council Fund and the valuation of three pieces of land which have taken a length of time to resolve; those issues have now been resolved and confirmation received that the Fund can be apportioned between the three related parties of Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd so that they may establish their own individual funds for the intended charitable purpose as defined.

The Portfolio Member said that on 25 May, 2019 the Council received a cash sum as its share of the Fund with the remainder of the assets transferred to the Council being made up of two pieces of land. It will be necessary for the Council to approve a scheme for the administration and application of the funds available. A proposed scheme is attached at Appendix B to the report. The combined Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy Welsh Church Fund was a registered charity and it will be necessary to set up a new charity for the Anglesey Welsh Church Act Fund.

The Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer highlighted that although the Fund continued to be administered by Gwynedd Council, grants were awarded based on decisions taken by the Isle of Anglesey County Council.

It was resolved –

•           To approve the draft scheme as attached at Appendix B to the report and to delegate the power to the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Member for Finance to –

•           Complete the necessary arrangements to have the scheme approved and to set up the charitable body.

•           To make any changes required by the Charity Commission or legal advisors to the draft scheme in order to complete the process, provided that the changes do not conflict with the principles of the draft scheme. Where any required change changes the principles reflected in the draft scheme, further approval will be required by the Executive before the changes to the scheme are adopted.

•           To request the Head of Function(Resources)/Section 151 Officer to obtain independent advice on how best to maximise the investment returns from the land and cash held in the Fund.