Item 13 Representation on Outside Bodies
West Dunbartonshire Council · 27 March 2024
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Regulatory & Regeneration West Dunbartonshire Council – 27 March 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Representation on Outside Bodies 1. Purpose 1.1 The Council is asked to consider making a nomination to the Blindcraft Trust. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Council is asked to nominate an elected member to the Blindcraft Trust. 3. Background 3.1 A request has been received from Glasgow City Council seeking the nomination of an elected member to serve on the BlindCraft Trust which was established in order to carry out the testamentary wishes of John Leitch by a private Act of Parliament in 1825 which established an Asylum for the Blind in the City of Glasgow - Act George IV CAD44 (private). 4. Main Issues 4.1 The Blind Persons Act 1920 imposed a duty on local authorities to make arrangements for the promotion of the welfare of blind person’s resident within their area, a responsibility which was carried out in combination with other Councils. 4.2 In 2012 Glasgow City Council applied to the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) to obtain charitable status to formalise the arrangements in relation to the funds and therefore must comply with the requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) and Trust legislation. The Trustees in this case hold the funds in trust for the purposes set out in the Trust Deed. A paper detailing the background and history of the Blindcraft Trust is appended to the report. 4.3 The Council areas covered by the Blindcraft Trust are the following: Argyll & Bute Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, East Ayrshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Stirling Council and Falkirk Council. Each of these areas have an opportunity to nominate a Councillor to service as an ex officio Trustee to the Trust. The Trust meet twice per annum and meetings take place in spring and in winter. The Council is therefore invited to nominate an elected member to serve on the Blindcraft Trust. ITEM 13
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5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 The elected member nominated to serve on this outside body will be entitled to claim reasonable expenses incurred when attending meetings. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There are no risks associated with the recommendations of this report. However, failure to nominate a member to attend the Trust may result in reputational damage to the Council. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 Screening complete – EIA not required. 9. Consultation 9.1 Officers in the Legal and Finance sections of the Council have been consulted on the content of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 The Council’s representation on the BlindCraft Trust will help contribute towards achieving the Council’s strategic priority: • Inclusive and Adaptable. Alan Douglas Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Date: 29 January 2024 Person to Contact: Carol Ann Burns Senior Democratic Services Officer Email: carol-ann.burns@west-dunbartonshire.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1 - Background and history of the Blindcraft Trust. Background Papers: Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) Wards Affected: None.