The Charities and Trusts Committee of Staffordshire Council met on Tuesday 11 November 2025 to approve the annual accounts for 13 educational endowment charities and to grant a licence for alterations at Queen Elizabeth Mercian School. The committee approved the annual accounts for the endowment charities and agreed to a licence for the installation of solar panels at the school.

Endowment Charities Annual Accounts 2024-2025

The committee approved the annual accounts for the 13 educational endowment charities for which Staffordshire County Council acts as custodian trustee. Melanie Stokes, Head of Finance, explained that the council is responsible for the investment and administration of these charities, and the approval of the accounts is a requirement for submission to the Charities Commission. She highlighted that for charities with an income exceeding £25,000 per year, a trustees' report and an internal audit report are also required.

Councillor Robin Hall raised a point about the lack of expenditure recorded for several charities, including the Stone and Lanes Foundation Endowment, Broodsea Middle Academy Charity, Burton on Trent Educational Charity, and Joan and Peter Harris Music Trust. Melanie Stokes clarified that charities may be saving for larger projects, such as the Stone and Lanes Foundation Endowment's previous plan to fund a theatre. She assured the committee that schools are informed of the available funds, and if there is a period of no expenditure, the council will contact them to remind them of the charity's purpose and provide the trust deed.

A specific concern was raised regarding the Burton on Trent Educational Charity, which currently has no scheme in place. Melanie Stokes explained that this charity originated from the sale of school land, and the income is being held. The council is considering whether to continue administering the charity or to wind it up and donate the funds to a similar charity in Burton. This process would require approval from the Charities Commission.

Councillor Byrne and Councillor Hall expressed a desire for more proactive communication regarding the charities' plans and potential projects, suggesting that such information would be beneficial for the committee to understand the allocation of funds.

The committee resolved to:

• Approve the annual accounts for the 2024-2025 financial year for the 13 charities where Staffordshire County Council is the custodian trustee.
• Approve the trustees' annual reports for the three charities that are required to submit such reports to the Charities Commission.

Queen Elizabeth Mercian School - Licence for Alterations

The committee considered an application from Landau Forte Charitable Trust, as tenant, for a licence for alterations under an Academy lease dated 19 February 2023. The application sought permission to install solar roof panels and associated equipment on the roof of the Elizabeth Block at Landau Forte Academy, located on Ashby Road, Tamworth, B79 8AH.

The council, as landlord, needed to grant consent for the installation on the portion of the property owned by the County Council. This was necessary because the property is held under trust and leased out. The proposed works are part of a wider initiative by the Landau Forte Charitable Trust to install solar panels across the school, with no direct cost to Staffordshire County Council.

Councillor Hall reviewed the associated risks and liabilities, noting that insurance appears to be covered and independent structural safety assessments have been conducted. He was satisfied that the works would not significantly disrupt school use, as similar installations are already underway elsewhere in the school.

The committee agreed to:

• Grant a licence for alterations to enable the installation of solar roof panels and company equipment on the roof of the Elizabeth Block.
• Delegate approval to the Assistant Director for Commercial Land Assets to agree the final form of all documents required to complete the licence for alterations.