Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no Public Questions for this meeting to consider.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th December 2024 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th December 2024 be approved as a correct record.

William Hague Trust – Demolition Update on the Hollies Buildings, Frederick Street, Werneth.

The Committee heard that The Hollies was a former Day Care Centre and has a gross site area of some 3.20 acres. Since being vacated in 2005 the property has suffered extensive vandalism and a fire and the main building was demolished in 2021.

The premises are subject to a Trust (William Taylor Hague bequest) and OMBC is the Charitable Trustee. In June 2011 the Charity Commission approved the sale of The Hollies on the condition that the capital receipt should be distributed immediately to a charity or charities established for the relieving of the sick or of poverty.

An attempt to sell failed due to a Breach of Contract.

Following intervention and advice from Building Control it was recommended that demolition of existing buildings is required. This attributable to the length of time the building was empty, damage from vandalism and fire. In September 2024 costs were obtained.

The estimated total cost of the demolition is £34,000 and these funds will be taken from the £42,500 retained from contract breach during a previous attempt to sell.

RESOLVED that, the Committee approve the recommendation outlined in the report to proceed with demolishing the existing buildings and prepare the site for housing delivery subject to further Council approval where applicable.

To consider that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that discussions may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, under paragraph(s) 3 as defined in the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

Approval of the Charitable Trust Committee required.

The Charitable Trust Committee heard a private report on the sale of property held by the Archie Brown Trust.

RESOLVED that,

1.    notwithstanding that the sale terms are not yet agreed and may not be for some months or at all, the Charity continues to attempt to sell the garage building within the curtilage of the Charity’s leasehold property at 439 Middleton road, Chadderton, Oldham OL1 1UL (HM Land Registry Title number MAN418555) to the owner for the time being of 437 Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham or to such person as such owner may direct, as recommended by Breakey Nuttall in their report dated 24 May 2024, for the sum indicated within the report subject to contract and the Committee hereby AUTHORISES AND REQUESTS Legal Services at Oldham Borough Council (supported by the Oldham Estates Team) to do all such things as may be reasonably required to progress such sale to completion.]

2.    the remainder of the Charity’s leasehold property at 439 Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham OL1 1UL (HM Land Registry Title number MAN418555) be sold at auction at a reserve price to be set in consultation with the auctioneer taking account of market conditions at that time and the Committee hereby AUTHORISES AND REQUESTS Oldham Council’s Estates Team and Legal Services at Oldham Borough Council to do all such things as may be reasonably required to progress such sale to completion.

The Trust of Mrs Sarah Anne Lees – Update on Charity Commission authority regarding expenditure of capital moneys.

The Committee received an update on Charity Commission authority regarding expenditure of capital money. The Charity Commission have issued an authority by letter on 11 March 2025 to confirm the resolution has become part of the trusts of the charity and the trustees can spend the capital subject to the resolution as if it were income. In this case the resolution applies to all of the permanent endowment

The Charitable Trust Committee must consider now how the capital monies (and accrued income) should be spent taking into account the revised objects of the Charity following the 2019 Scheme and provide instructions to the Finance Team of Oldham Borough Council in connection with decisions made.

Members will consider eligible organisations that meet the objectives of the Charity and have requested a public notification about the Trust be published to remind residents of Oldham that funds are available for relevant organisations to access.

Members noted that due to the exceptionally specific nature of the Charity objectives, the Committee may need to apply for the Charity objectives to be further widened if suitable recipients of the funds cannot be identified.

RESOLVED that,

1.    The update on Charity Commission authority regarding expenditure of capital money is noted by the Committee

2.    A public notification about the Trust to be published to remind residents of Oldham that funds are available for relevant organisations to access.