The Aberdeenshire Educational Trust Sub-Committee met on Friday 15 May 2026 to review the Trust's financial position and future expenditure plans. The committee noted the strong financial standing of the Trust, with an unaudited balance of over £4.4 million, and approved proposed expenditure plans for 2026-27. Key decisions included agreeing to instruct officers to review application forms and the website to improve the application process and raise awareness of available support.

Aberdeenshire Educational Trust Financial Update and Future Planning

The Sub-Committee received a comprehensive update on the financial position of the Aberdeenshire Educational Trust (AET) as at 31 March 2026. Fiona Massey, Team Leader of Strategic Finance, presented the report, supported by Wendy Evans, Strategic Finance Accountant. The Trust remains in a strong financial position, with an unaudited balance of £4,444,968. During the 2025/26 financial year, a total of £146,898 was awarded in grants, with the largest proportion supporting travel grants, followed by funding for further education, sports facilities, school excursions, and clubs.

The report highlighted the continued progress made in responding to earlier audit concerns, specifically those raised by Audit Scotland in 2021, by increasing the range and value of awards and making better use of the Trust's resources to support its charitable purpose. The committee was assured that trust funds are managed effectively, demonstrate appropriate stewardship of resources, and satisfy external audit expectations.

The Sub-Committee formally agreed to the proposed expenditure plans for 2026-27, which were developed following an informal budget meeting held on 24 April 2026. A significant decision was made to instruct officers to review the Trust's application forms and website to improve the application process and enhance awareness of the support available. This includes ensuring application forms clearly align with the AET's charitable purposes and capturing necessary information for informed decision-making. The review of the website aims to improve accessibility for prospective applicants.

The meeting also noted that no grant was received from The Robb's Trust during 2025/26, although an approach had been made. The Sub-Committee agreed to keep the action log item related to The Robb's Trust open until an update is received.

The Sub-Committee agreed to the following recommendations:

• Note the financial position of the Aberdeenshire Educational Trust as at 31 March 2026.
• Note the progress made in expanding grants awarded and utilising balances held following Audit Scotland's concerns raised in 2021.
• Agree to the proposals set out in paragraphs 3.8 to 3.10 of the report, which outlined the proposed expenditure plans for 2026/27.
• Agree to instruct officers to review application forms and the website to improve the application process.

Action Log Review

The Sub-Committee reviewed the action log, which tracks outstanding actions from previous meetings. Fiona Massey provided an update on each item.

• Item 1: Aberdeenshire Educational Trust – Grant Funding Awards: This action relates to further information requested regarding an application from The Robb's Trust. The Sub-Committee noted that no update had yet been received from The Robb's Trust and agreed to keep this item on the action log.
• Item 2: Aberdeenshire Educational Trust – Financial Update: This action required officers to provide assurance on how Trust funds meet best value requirements and satisfy external audit expectations. A paragraph included in the financial update report was deemed to cover this, and the item was removed from the action log.
• Item 3: Aberdeenshire Educational Trust – Grant Funding Awards: This action involved reviewing grant funding application forms to provide greater clarity on the ownership of the organisation making the application. This is still a work in progress due to ongoing workloads and will remain on the action log.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Sub-Committee agreed to adopt the resolution regarding the Public Sector Equality Duty, as outlined in the agenda. This involves having due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between those who share protected characteristics and those who do not. Members also agreed to consider the contents of any Integrated Impact Assessment provided when reaching decisions.

Minute of Previous Meeting

The minute of the meeting held on 6 March 2026 was approved as a correct record of proceedings.

Exempt Information

The Sub-Committee agreed to exclude the public and media representatives from the meeting for Item 6 of the business, which concerned Aberdeenshire Educational Trust Grant Funding Awards. This was on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to applicants for, or recipients of, financial assistance from the Council.