2026 02 25 Revenue Estimates 2026-27 - Common Good Funds and Trusts (classification removed)
North Ayrshire Council · 25 February 2026
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 25 February 2026 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 25 February 2026 North Ayrshire Council Title: Revenue Estimates 2026/27 – Common Good Funds and Trusts Purpose: To advise Council of the anticipated annual income and expenditure of the Common Good Funds and Trusts administered by North Ayrshire Council and seek approval for the level of funding to be made available for disbursement during 2026/27. Recommendation: That Council: (a) approves the 2026/27 revenue estimates for the Common Good Funds and registered Charitable Trusts detailed in Appendix 1; (b) approves the amounts available for disbursement noted at paragraphs 2.10 and 2.11; (c) agrees to capital spend from the dormant and low value Trusts and Common Good Funds, and instructs officers to seek approval from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) prior to the disbursement of any grant which would result in the winding up of a Trust (d) note that a review of trusts governing documents is currently underway. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 The Council is the custodian of the Common Good Funds for the former burghs of Ardrossan, Irvine, Largs, Millport, Saltcoats and Stevenston and a number of charitable Trusts, which are largely composed of bequests made many years ago. 1.2 This report provides Members with an overview of the financial position of each Common Good Fund and Charitable Trust and recommends the level of expenditure which can be disbursed from each for 2026/27.
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1.3 The Common Good Funds and Trusts make annual disbursements of grants to groups and individuals. The level of funding available for these grants is normally set at the net annual income of each Fund or Trust after meeting their expenditure commitments. For Common Good Funds, where the expenditure commitments exceed the annual income, the recommended budget for grant disbursement reflects the level of disbursements in previous years or £5,000, whichever is the greater. 1.4 In order to encourage the utilisation of funds across communities, in particular where the Trusts have been dormant or have low levels of income, it is recommended that, with the exception of those Trusts with significant balances, the full balance of the Trusts are approved as available for disbursement. Any disbursement which utilises the full capital balance will result in closure and will require the approval of OSCR. Approval is currently being sought from OSCR for the winding up of the James Dyer Simpson Fund, H Watt Trust and JH Watt Trust. During 2025/26 and 2026/27, the funds within Dalry Trust, Kilwinning Trust, Kilbirnie & Glengarnock Trust, Largs Trust, Douglas Sellers Trust and Anderson Park Trust will likely be exhausted. Approval will be sought from OSCR for the disbursement of any remaining capital and winding up of these Trusts. 1.5 The external investments held by the Charitable Trusts have been assessed against the Trust Investment Policy 2025/26 and two investments within Margaret Archibald Bequest were sold as being inconsistent with the policy. Capital was reinvested within North Ayrshire Council’s Loans Fund during 2025/26. These funds are invested for the full benefit of the trust. 2. Background 2.1 The Council is the custodian of the Common Good Funds for the former burghs of Ardrossan, Irvine, Largs, Millport, Saltcoats and Stevenston. The purpose of the Common Good Funds is to benefit the general population within the defined areas of each of their respective towns. 2.2 At its meeting on 15 May 2024, Council approved the allocation of £0.452m from Irvine Common Good Fund to meet the costs of essential works required at Seagate Castle. £0.156m works have been completed during 2025/26 to date and it is expected the balance will be required to allow the completion of the works during the remainder of 2025/26. 2.3 At its meeting on 26 February 2025, Council approved the allocation of £0.055 from Ardrossan Common Good to meet the cost of heating and lift repairs. On 11 February 2026 a further £0.030m was requested at Council and subsequently approved. It is expected that these costs will be required to allow the completion of works during the remainder of 2026/27. 2.4 The Common Good Funds make annual disbursements to groups and individuals based on approved criteria. Current practice has been for the levels of grant available for disbursement to be determined after all expenditure commitments and projected income from assets has been assessed with any remaining surplus made available for trustees to disburse and ensuring that capital balances are left intact. The
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disbursement of funds from the capital balance would normally require Council approval. However, this would result in a lower budget for disbursement in all Common Good Funds, with the exception of Stevenston. It is, therefore, recommended that the budget for grants in each Common Good Fund is set at the level of disbursements in previous years or £5,000, whichever is the greater. This will result in a reduction in capital balances over the year for most Funds. 2.5 In the case of Irvine Common Good Fund, the level of expenditure exceeds the level of income. In order to maximise the benefits to the community, it is proposed that the budget for grant disbursement is set at a level which reflects previous years’ disbursements. Charitable Trusts 2.6 The Council also administers a number of Trusts which are largely composed of bequests made many years ago. Of these Trusts, there are only two which accrue significant levels of income; the Spier’s Trust and the Margaret Archibald Trust. The Spier's Trust was founded in 1936 for the administration of Spier's School, Beith and for the provision of certain educational grants and bursaries within the local area comprising the parishes of Beith, Dalry, Dunlop, Kilbirnie, Lochwinnoch and Neilston. The purpose of the Margaret Archibald Trust is "to apply the capital and income from time to time, at the discretion of the Council, for the charitable purpose of persons in need who have attained sixty-five years of age, living in the Parish of Dalry, Ayrshire". 2.7 The remaining Trusts comprise four town Trusts, covering Dalry, Kilbirnie & Glengarnock, Kilwinning and Largs, which provide assistance to persons in need within the defined area of each fund; the North Ayrshire Council Trust, which incorporates a further seven smaller funds; two minor Trusts and a number of sundry bequests listed on Appendix 2. 2.8 Historically a number of Trusts have experienced periods of dormancy where no grant applications have been received. OSCR is keen that charities fulfil their charitable purposes and the Council’s external auditors have previously expressed concern about the continued lack of activity in these Trusts. If no other action is taken, the annual external audit fee and administrative charges will eventually exhaust these Trusts. As such, the utilisation of available funds through a particular project which complies with the Trust’s purposes should be considered. It is, therefore, recommended that, with the exception of those Trusts with significant balances, the full balances of the town and minor Trusts are made available for disbursement. It should be noted that any disbursement which would result in the winding up of a registered Trust must be approved by OSCR before the relevant Locality Partnership agrees the grant. For those Trusts with significant balances, it is proposed that the budgets for grant disbursement are set at a level which reflects previous years’ disbursements. 2.9 It is projected that the funds within Dalry Trust, Kilwinning Trust, Kilbirnie & Glengarnock Trust, Largs Trust, Douglas Sellers Trust and Anderson Park Trust may be exhausted during 2025/26 or 2026/27. Approval will be sought from OSCR for the disbursement of any remaining capital and winding up of these Trusts as appropriate.
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2.10 The following table summarises the anticipated income and expenditure for each Common Good Fund and Trusts and the proposed budget for grant disbursement for each: 2.11 The remaining smaller trusts administered by the Council are listed in Appendix 2. Projected income for 2026/27 is £640 and during 2025/26, thus far, there have been no disbursements. Therefore, the full balance of £15,697 is available for disbursement during 2026/27. 2.12 OSCR have advised that a review of our governing documents for trusts should be completed every three years. All charity trustees should have a copy of the governing documents and understand the rules contained within. A review lead by Legal Services is currently underway. 2.13 The external investments held by the Charitable Trusts have been assessed against the Trust Investment Policy 2025/26, and two investments within Margaret Archibald Bequest were sold as being inconsistent with the policy. Capital was reinvested within North Ayrshire Council’s Loans Fund during 2025/26. These funds are invested for the full benefit of the trust. Details of the external investment market valuations at 31 December 2025 are provided in appendix 3 for information. 3. Proposals 3.1 That Council: (a) approves the 2026/27 revenue estimates for the Common Good Funds and registered Charitable Trusts detailed in Appendix 1; Estimated Balance at 1 April 2026 Estimated Income 2026/27 Estimated Expenditure 2026/27 Available for Disbursement Estimated Balance at 31 March 2027 £ £ £ £ £ Common Good Fund Ardrossan 443,226 62,586 (87,930) (30,347) 387,535 Irvine 704,188 86,703 (208,218) (41,041) 541,632 Largs 452,966 33,696 (28,470) (10,000) 448,192 Millport 70,827 2,798 (585) (5,000) 68,040 Saltcoats 9,383 186 (78) (5,000) 4,491 Stevenston 229,733 25,946 (1,898) (24,048) 229,733 TOTAL 1,910,322 211,915 (327,179) (115,436) 1,679,622 Registered Charitable Trusts Dalry 1,603 12 (289) (1,326) 0 Kilbirnie & Glengarnock 2,852 1 (24) (2,829) 0 Kilwinning 0 0 0 0 0 Largs 2,152 12 (294) (1,870) 0 Speir's Trust 73,217 6,887 (1,572) (5,315) 73,217 Margaret Archibald Trust 274,031 17,461 (2,649) (14,812) 274,031 Douglas Sellers Trust 175 0 0 (175) 0 Anderson Park Trust 24 0 0 (24) 0 NAC Charitable Trust 39,146 3,868 (435) (3,433) 39,146 TOTAL 393,200 28,241 (5,263) (29,784) 386,394
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(b) approves the amounts available for disbursement noted at paragraphs 2.10 and 2.11; (c) agrees to capital spend from the dormant and low value Trusts and Common Good Funds, and instructs officers to seek approval from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) prior to the disbursement of any grant which would result in the winding up of a Trust (d) note that a review of trusts governing documents is due within 2026.
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4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 Approval of the budgets will allow each Locality Partnership to disburse individual grants up to the approved levels. All income and expenditure which relates to Common Good properties must be charged to the relevant Common Good Fund. Human Resources 4.2 None Legal 4.3 All expenditure from Trusts and Common Good Funds must be for the purposes of the Trust or meet the Common Good criteria of benefitting the inhabitants of the Common Good area. Under the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024, Trustees have a duty to review all investment decisions to ensure that due regard has been given to the suitability of the investment taking account of proper advice. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The disbursement of grants to individuals and groups is in support of the general purpose of the prevention or relief of poverty by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 Any recommendations for the disposal of investments held on behalf of the Trusts are consistent with the Council’s values and will exclude investment in counterparties which have significant involvement in activities which contribute to carbon intensive industries. Key Priorities 4.6 This report directly supports the Council Plan 2023 to 2028 by providing support for communities through the disbursement of grants to groups and individuals. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 None
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United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 4.9 None Consumer Duty 4.10 None 5. Consultation 5.1 Legal Services have been consulted on the recommendations and procedures for winding up the Trusts. Mark Boyd Head of Finance (Corporate Services) For further information please contact Natalie Graham, Team Manager Corporate (Financial Management), on 01294 324533. Background Papers North Ayrshire Council Trust Funds - Investment Strategy 2024/25 – Council 18 December 2024 North Ayrshire Council Charitable Trusts: Unaudited Trustees’ Annual Report 2024/25 – Council, 25 June 2025
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Index of Common Good and Trust Funds Page Appendix 1 Common Good Funds Ardrossan 1 Irvine 2 Largs 3 Millport 4 Saltcoats 4 Stevenston 5 Trusts North Ayrshire Council (Dalry) Charitable Trust 6 North Ayrshire Council (Kilbirnie & Glengarnock) Charitable Trust 6 North Ayrshire Council (Kilwinning) Charitable Trust 7 North Ayrshire Council (Largs) Charitable Trust 7 Margaret Archibald Trust 8 Douglas Sellers Trust 8 Anderson Park Trust 9 North Ayrshire Council Charitable Trust 9 Speir’s Trust 10 Appendix 2 Sundry Bequests 11 Appendix 3 External Investments 12
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Appendix 1 Page | 1 OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION Budget 2025/26 Projected Outturn 2025/26 Proposed Budget 2026/27 £ £ £ 356,170 411,046 Projected Common Good Balance Brought Forward at 1 April 443,226 INCOME 46,000 46,668 Rental - Ardrossan Civic Centre 46,668 19,230 18,163 Loans Fund Interest (on cash balances) 15,918 65,230 64,831 TOTAL INCOME FOR THE YEAR 62,586 EXPENDITURE Property Costs 55,000 0 External Property Repairs - Ardrossan Civic Centre 85,000 Others 1,858 2,304 Administration - Charge from Finance 2,930 56,858 2,304 SUB TOTAL OF EXPENDITURE 87,930 8,372 62,527 SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR BEFORE GRANTS (25,344) 30,347 30,347 Available for Disbursement as Grants 30,347 (21,975) 32,180 FINAL SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR INCLUDING GRANTS (55,691) 334,195 443,226 COMMON GOOD BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 MARCH 387,535 COMMON GOOD FUND - ARDROSSAN
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Page | 2 OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION * For the upkeep of ground at the Moor, Low Green, Recreational Parks, Galt Avenue, Old Parish Church, Redburn Community Centre, Berry Drive
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Page | 3 OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION * For the upkeep of ground at Douglas Park.
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Page | 11 OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION Appendix 2 - Sundry Bequests Name of Funds Investment Projected Income 2026/27 Available for Disbursement 2026/27 Purpose of Bequest £ £ £ Isabella McPhee Memorial Fund 3,244 138 3,382 Largs - Annual Putting Competition (Mackerston) N Stewart 1,842 78 1,920 Provision of Liberty at Rothesay and Arran Sturrock 3,332 142 3,473 Upkeep of Springside Community Centre Clark Trophy 621 26 648 Road Safety Competition Ayrshire Accident Relief 4,391 187 4,578 Accident Relief Cast/Florist/N Child 318 14 331 No information available Miss Hanslip Bequest 1,308 56 1,364 No information available Total 15,057 640 15,697
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Page | 12 OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION OFFICIAL-PROTECT INFORMATION Appendix 3 - External Investments Margaret Archibald Bequest Sector Nominal Value (£) Market Value at 31/12/25 (£) GlaxoSmithKline plc Healthcare 1,183.00 86,335 Marks & Spencer plc Consumer Staples 400.00 4,868 Diageo plc Beverages 400.40 22,937 Barclays plc Financials 336.00 6,397 Unilever plc Consumer Staples 37.00 58,563 Total N/A 179,100 North Ayrshire Council Charitable Trust Sector Nominal Value (£) Market Value at 31/3/25 (£) JPM UK Higher Income Fund Financials 1,789.50 9,177 Merchants Trust Financials 406.25 9,685 Alliance Trust Financials 72.50 37,075 Zeneca Group plc Healthcare 67.50 37,233 Diageo Consumer Staples 217.00 12,431 Total N/A 105,602