The Charities and Trusts Committee of Staffordshire Council approved a funding request of £181,559 for the Stafford 14-19 Partnership and agreed to proceed with leasing out the lower ground floor art studio at the Nicholson Institute in Leek. The committee also approved the formalisation of a lease for part of the Dosthill Playing Field and Recreation Ground to Fierte Multi-Academy Trust.

Stafford Education Centre Charity - Stafford 14-19 Partnership

The committee approved 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 particular focus on raising aspirations for those at risk of not being in education, employment, or training (NEET) and supporting gifted and talented students.

Lindsay Harris, 16-18 Programme Manager at Staffordshire County Council, presented the request, explaining that the funding increase includes £8,571.53 for un-transferred funds from the previous financial year and additional investment in the raising aspirations element. Matthew Mason, Headteacher at Sir Graham Balfour High School and Chair of the Partnership Executive Group, highlighted the partnership's success in A-level teaching, with an average point score higher than the Staffordshire County average, and high university and apprenticeship acceptance rates.

Councillor Thomas Baker asked about measurable improvements to justify the increase, to which Lindsay Harris responded that the aim is a further reduction in NEET rates. Councillor Catherine Brown, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture, questioned if the funding was sufficient and if more money could be made accessible. Helen Wilson, Senior Finance Business Partner, confirmed that while the requested amount is affordable from current balances, it is reducing the overall balance and would be unaffordable in the longer term at that rate.

The committee also approved the updated Stafford 14-19 Partnership Business Plan 2024-2029 and authorised the 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 competition to identify a tenant for the lower ground floor art studio at the Nicholson Institute in Leek. The building is undergoing a significant refurbishment, funded by the Government's Levelling Up Programme, and the intention is to lease the lower ground floor to an arts-related organisation that will work collaboratively with other local arts groups and the existing tenants of the building.

Gail Edwards, Strategic Delivery Manager for the County Council, explained that the Nicholson Institute, a Grade II* listed building, has been bequeathed for arts, library, and educational purposes. The refurbishment aims to revitalise the building, including the library on the ground floor and the museum and art gallery on the first floor, which are run by Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council respectively. The lower ground floor, previously used by Leek College for arts education and storage, requires refurbishment to be made lettable.

Councillor Thomas Baker raised questions about the size of the space, potential rental costs, and existing interest. Ian Turner, Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets, stated that there had been three expressions of interest from local arts charities and groups. He also noted that a peppercorn rent was suggested in a previous valuation, with the tenant covering utilities and contributing to maintenance. The space comprises three connected studios, with limited access and not fully DDA compliant, although a disabled toilet has been installed.

The committee approved a series of recommendations, including running a competition for a tenant, approaching the Charity Commission to vary the governing document if necessary to enable the lease, and delegating approval to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to comply with Charity Commission requirements and finalise the lease.

Dosthill Playing Field and Recreation Ground

The committee approved the formalisation of a lease for part of the Dosthill Playing Field and Recreation Ground to Fierte Multi-Academy Trust, which runs Dosthill Primary School. The land, known locally as the Broom, has been informally used by the school for recreational purposes and as a playground for decades, with the school and trust covering maintenance costs.

Vanessa Rigby, Senior Solicitor of Legal Services, explained that the charity's objective is to provide a playing field and recreation ground for the benefit of children and inhabitants of Dostill and surrounding areas. The school wishes to formalise its use of a specific area, which is fenced off for safeguarding reasons and only accessible via the school.

Councillor Catherine Brown expressed discomfort with a 125-year lease, questioning if break clauses could be inserted and if the land was being permanently given over to one stakeholder. Ian Turner clarified that the lease would be for as long as it is used as a school, and if the school ceased to operate, the land would revert to the county council. He also confirmed that academies are registered charities and can be granted leases at less than best consideration.

The committee agreed that the grant of the lease to Fierte Multi-Academy Trust aligns with the charitable objectives and is in the best interests of the charity. They granted approval for an application to be made to CISWO and the Charity Commission for consent to grant the lease and, if necessary, to vary the governing document. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to comply with the requirements of CISWO and the Charity Commission and to agree and complete the final form of the lease.