Agenda and minutes

Monmouthshire Farm School Endowment Trust - Monday, 17th July, 2023 11.00 am

Venue: Remote Attendance

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

Election of Chair

Minutes:

We elected County Councillor Martyn Groucutt as Chair.

2.

Appointment of Vice-Chair

Minutes:

We appointed County Councillor Phil Murphy as Vice Chair.

3.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None received.

 

4.

Confirmation of Minutes pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th January 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record.

 

5.

Monmouthshire Farm School Endowment Trust Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 2023 pdf icon PDF 347 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received the final accounts for the year end 2023. 

 

In so doing, it was noted that despite the Trust Fund figure reductions, the Trust is scrutinised regularly by the Governance and Audit Committee and assurances were made that this was expected during the current financial climate and hoped to see investment gains next year.

 

Trustees were assured that any surplus grant figures were carried forward and arrangements would be made for the Auditors to highlight this fact in future annual reports.

 

We resolved to approve the accounts.

 

6.

Exclusion of the Press and Public pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Minutes:

We excluded the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12 and 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

7.

To consider a report by the Chief Officer for Children and Young People regarding applications received against the Trust Fund for the Academic Year 2023/24

Minutes:

We considered two applications received against the Trust Fund, presented on behalf of the Chief Officer for Children and Young People.

 

The Trust resolved that awards be made to the two applicants, subject to appropriate receipts and evidence of attendance being received.

 

 

Other Business

 

Reference was made to a possible future application from a young farmer requesting assistance to expand his farming knowledge.  Questions were raised due to it being outside the scope of supplementing a formal education setting.  It was recommended that the applicant contacts ‘Farming Connect’ or specific agencies such as National Resources Wales or Forestry Commission.

 

In preparation for the next meeting and the new academic year, reference was made to providing a crib sheet which would indicate to students what items were available and how much they can apply for.  Although there was potential for this to be seen more as a ‘wish list’, it was noted that the issue is being discussed with Coleg Gwent as something that could be used to raise awareness at the Registration stage.

8.

Next Meeting

Minutes:

Monday 16th October 2023 at 11.00am.