The ACT2 (Aberdeenshire Charities Trust) met on Thursday 20 November 2025 to review the financial performance and applications received by the trust between the financial years 2021/2022 and 2024/2025. The trustees agreed to close specific funds that had been exhausted and to consider the future of funds that were close to depletion.

ACT 2 Update - Financial Years 2021/2022 to 2024/2025

The Aberdeenshire Charities Trust (ACT2) reviewed its financial position and the applications it had received over the past four financial years. The report presented to the trustees detailed the financial performance, including the overall balance of the trust, which stood at £455,125.55 as of 31 March 2025, comprising a revenue balance of £257,946.75 and a capital balance of £197,178.80. The total funding awarded across the four financial years ranged from £12,365.95 in 2021/22 to £23,961.06 in 2022/23, with a decrease to £16,203.23 in 2024/25. No donations or additional funding were received during this period, other than deposit interest.

A significant aspect of the review was the identification of funds that had become exhausted or were close to exhaustion. The trustees agreed to close specific funds that had no remaining revenue or capital, as detailed in the report's Paragraph 3.3.5. These exhausted funds were spread across various wards and purposes, including Any ACT 2 purpose, Prevention or relief of poverty, and Relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

The report also highlighted funds that were close to exhaustion, with balances of less than £2,500. The trustees were asked to consider what action, if any, should be taken regarding these funds, as listed in Paragraph 3.3.4. These included funds for the Advancement of public participation in sports, Prevention or relief of poverty, and Advancement of arts, heritage, culture or science.

The trustees noted the actions taken by officers and the ongoing action plan, which included updating the ACT 2 pages and forms on the council website, creating an application database, and developing a communication strategy to increase awareness of the trust and its available funding. A review of the ACT 2 application process, the accessibility of funds, and the sustainability of the trust was also planned for the 2025/2026 financial year.

The meeting also confirmed the minutes from the previous ACT2 meeting held on 18 November 2021. The trustees reaffirmed their commitment to the Public Sector Equality Duty, agreeing to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between those who share protected characteristics and those who do not. They also agreed to consider the contents of any Integrated Impact Assessments provided when making decisions.