The Charities and Trusts Committee of Staffordshire County Council met on Tuesday 9 June 2026. The committee considered funding for the Stafford 14-19 Partnership, the refurbishment and leasing of the Nicholson Institute in Leek, and the granting of a lease for part of Dosthill Playing Field and Recreation Ground.

Stafford Education Centre Charity - Stafford 14-19 Partnership

The committee considered a funding request of £181,559 for the Stafford 14-19 Partnership for the 2026-2027 academic year, with a further request of £172,993 for 2027-2028, subject to fund availability. This funding is to support the partnership's work in providing post-16 education for young people in Stafford, with a focus on raising aspirations for those at risk of not being in education, employment, or training (NEET) and supporting gifted and talented students. The Stafford 14-19 Partnership presented their updated five-year business plan (2024-2029), highlighting successes in A-level results and university/apprenticeship acceptance rates. Concerns were raised regarding the justification for the funding increase and the current NEET rate. Financial details were provided, indicating that while the requested amount was affordable from current balances, it exceeded the forecast annual income, leading to a reduction in the held balance over time. The committee approved the updated Stafford 14-19 Partnership Business Plan (2024-2029) and the funding request. They also authorised Staffordshire County Council's Assistant Director for Skills and Employability to approve the release of funds, subject to the successful delivery of the 2026-2027 operational plan.

Nicholson Institute

The committee agreed to proceed with a competitive process to identify a tenant for the lower ground floor of the Nicholson Institute in Leek, which is undergoing refurbishment. The refurbishment, funded by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, is expected to be completed by September 2026. The Nicholson Institute is a Grade II* listed building held in trust for use as a public library, museum, and for arts and education. The lower ground floor, previously used by Leek College, requires refurbishment. Staffordshire County Council, as the sole trustee, will seek expressions of interest from arts-related organisations. A short-term lease will be granted until wider arrangements for the property are finalised following Local Government Reorganisation. The committee approved the delegation of authority to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to comply with Charity Commission requirements, including potentially varying the governing document. A business case for the lease will be reviewed via email, accompanied by an external valuer's comments, before final approval. The space is approximately 86.23 square metres for one studio and 53 square metres for the other two. The rental is expected to be a peppercorn rent, with the tenant covering utilities and contributing to maintenance. The council will need to approach the Charity Commission for consent to grant the lease.

Dosthill Playing Field and Recreation Ground

The committee approved the grant of a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent for part of Dosthill Playing Field and Recreation Ground to the Fierte Multi-Academy Trust, which runs Dostill Primary School. This formalises the school's long-standing use of the land for recreational purposes and as a playground. The land has been informally used by the school since the late 1980s. Concerns were raised about the 125-year lease term and the potential permanent loss of the land to the community. It was explained that academies are registered charities and can receive leases at less than best consideration, and the lease would be conditional on the land being used for educational purposes, reverting to the county council if the academy ceased to operate. The committee agreed to apply to CISWO and the Charity Commission for consent to grant the lease and, if necessary, vary the governing document. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to agree and complete the final form of the lease. Concerns were raised about the land being predominantly a concreted playing area rather than green space, but it was noted that the deed allows for recreational use. The lease will be registered at the land registry, and any change in academy operator would require a formal assignment.