The William Hill Trust Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to review financial reports and consider an application for financial assistance. The meeting will also address the minutes from a previous meeting.

Monitoring Report and Draft Budget

The committee is scheduled to consider a monitoring report detailing the income and expenditure for the William Hill Trust Fund for the 12 months leading up to 31 March 2026. This report, prepared by the Director of Finance, Suzy Douglas, will also present the draft budget for the financial year 2026-27, along with high-level forecasts for the subsequent two years. The report indicates a surplus balance of £80,267 on 31 March 2026, against a forecasted surplus of £97,619. It also notes that grants distributed in the year to 31 March 2026 amounted to £31,788, exceeding the forecasted amount of £18,628. The report highlights that the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund was £212,397 as at 31 March 2026, with an investment income of £11,349 received. The financial information presented is subject to external audit.

Application for Financial Assistance from Trimontium Trust

A significant item on the agenda is the consideration of an application for financial assistance from the Trimontium Trust. The Trust is seeking £15,000 to support its Rediscovering Trimontium project. The Trimontium Trust is a charity dedicated to advancing public education through the conservation and development of Roman remains at Newstead and associated antiquities. They operate a museum in Melrose and engage in outreach activities. The requested funding would be used to purchase and build a cabin at the Trimontium Roman fort site. This cabin is intended to support access and outdoor learning activities, interpret military and civilian life, serve as a reception and muster point for guided walks, provide storage for learning materials, and act as an educational base for the construction of a replica Iron Age roundhouse. The project aims to bring economic benefit to Melrose through increased visitor numbers and voluntourism, and to the wider local economy by enhancing tourism attractions. The Trimontium Trust has a history of receiving significant funding, including grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The sub-committee will also consider the minutes from its previous meeting held on 25 March 2026 for approval and signature by the Chair, Councillor David Parker. The minutes from the March meeting indicate that the committee agreed to award £10,000 to the Melrose and District Pipes and Drums for a tour to Tebu, Spain, and £10,000 to the Melrose Music Festival for operational costs. Decisions regarding further funding for the Melrose Music Festival for subsequent years were to be considered in private business.