Dowry Fund December 2022 - v1
Argyll and Bute Council · 6 December 2022
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 6 December 2022 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMITTEE LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT 6 DECEMBER 2022 THE THIRD MARQUIS OF BUTE’S SILVER WEDDING DOWRY FUND 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report gives Members information regarding an application which has been made to the Marquis of Bute’s Silver Wedding Dowry Fund. 2.0 RECOMMENDATION 2.1 Members are asked to consider this application to the Silver Wedding Dowry Fund, and to make whatever grant they deem appropriate. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 In 1897 the Marquis of Bute established a Wedding Dowry Fund to mark the occasion of his Silver Wedding Anniversary. The interest realised from the fund was to be used as a “Dowry” for any girl resident in Rothesay being married in December of any year. The fund was to be administered by the Provost and Magistrates of the Burgh of Rothesay and prospective applications had to be lodged before the December meeting of the Town Council. Argyll and Bute Council is now responsible for the administration of the Fund and applications are considered by Bute and Cowal Area Committee following the timetable and original conditions of the Fund. 3.2 On the presentation of the dowries and payment of the monies, which shall be made by the Provost or one of the Magistrates immediately after the marriage ceremonies, the bride and bridegroom shall be reminded by the Provost or Magistrate of the origin of the fund, and shall have read to them by the Provost or Magistrate or should they prefer it, by some other person to be named by them and authorised by him, the first eleven verses of the second chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. 3.3 Nowadays, the fund is administered by the Bute and Cowal Area Committee. Benefits can only be paid out during the month of December, and must therefore be considered at the December meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee. 3.4 Awards made from this fund have been uncommon over a number of years, with the last being made in 2020 for £500. As of 31/3/2022 the balance of the bequest stands at £9,669, which comprises of £3,400.00 restricted funds and £6,269 in non- restricted funds.
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3.5 The Fund has been advertised widely with one application received. Members are asked to consider this application which has been made to the Silver Wedding Dowry Fund. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 Members are asked to consider this application, and make recommendations on any potential grant payment which they would wish to make to the applicant. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – None 5.2 Financial – Application is in line with the requirements of the Dowry Fund 5.3 Legal – Area Committees, as Trustees, must ensure that the distribution arrangements comply with the terms of the funds/bequests, failure to do so would result in the Council being liable. 5.4 HR – None 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None 5.5.3 Islands – None 5.6 Risk – None 5.7 Customer Service – None Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal & Regulatory Support Policy Lead - Councillor Alastair Redman November 2022 For further information contact: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, 01436 658717, stuart.mclean@argyll-bute.gov.uk. APPENDICES Appendix 1 – application