Burgess Land grants back after four-year wrangle

With the issues surrounding the Burgess Land seemingly being ironed out, the trustees have revealed that they are now in a position to make money available to good local causes.

There have been lengthy discussions at Town Council over the administration of the Trust after historical financial problems were uncovered by the current town clerk.

But a lot of work behind the scenes has brought the 260-year-old Trust back on line, and it now looks set to move ahead for the purpose it was set up for – to support the town.

“The Burgesses’ Land Trust is delighted to announce that after a gap of four years it is again offering community grants of up to £500,” a spokesperson told us.

“If you are involved with a group which includes providing services exclusively or in part for the young, the elderly or people with disabilities and you operate within the areas of Welshpool, Trewern, Guilsfield or Castle Caereinion, this scheme could well appeal to you.

“Grants cannot be made to individuals or for-profit organisations.”

When problems came to light last year, a public meeting was attended by more than 70 concerned residents after it was claimed at a town council meeting that a previous administration of the Burgess Lands Trust had potentially lost almost £400,000 due to failed investments.

That meeting concluded that a new independent board of trustees be appointed to manage the multi-million-pound fund that should be used for the good of Welshpool.

A year on, the new entity provided an optimistic update that one of the three failed investments in a renewable energy company that went out of business could be recovered, and that grants can soon be available again for good local causes.

Full details of the scheme and an application form may be obtained by writing to: The Burgesses’Land Trust, The Cockpit, New Street, Welshpool, SY21 7SF. You can also email tony@montgmeryshire.eu.

For some background on the Burgess Land Trust wrangle, please read our previous story here.