Agenda

To receive apologies for absence.

To receive from individual councillors acting as the Trustee, in respect of any items included on the agenda for this meeting, declarations of disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct. A copy of the form for completion is attached to submit in advance to customer.services@farnham.gov.uk.

Alternatively, members are requested to make declarations of interest on the relevant form to hand to an officer before the start of the meeting. The Trustee is reminded that any member of the Trust declaring a disclosable pecuniary interest is required to withdraw from the meeting unless a dispensation has been granted.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 30th October 2025 at Appendix A.

To consider applications received for funding in the financial year from 1^st April 2026. A summary of the applications is attached at Appendix B. The intention is to allocate funds from the interest earned.

In 2025/26 the Trust allocated £33,257 in grants and interest/dividends of just under £32,947 was earned. In the previous year (2024/25) there was interest/dividends of just under £32,808 and grants made of £22,893.

The Trust has already agreed to allocate up to £10,000 per annum for the Artist in Residence scheme (the Trustee may agree to deal with this ongoing commitment separately) 2026/27 will be the fourth year of the five-year programme.

Applications totalling £46,891 have been received with a total project cost of £61,124. It is proposed that grants of £34,366 be awarded. Whilst the proposed allocations are higher than the interest/dividends earned, it should be noted that funding in the previous two years was lower than interest/dividends earned.

The Trustee’s view is sought.

Now in its third year, the Artist in Residence programme is part of a 5-year plan to support artists and create new work inspired by the Farnham community and further develop longstanding ties to craft as an art form. The first residency (Dr Fiona Byrne) was in glassmaking and the second (Christina Lorenzet) in ceramics.

The Artist in Residence for 2026 is American-born Anne Wolf, a metalsmith who has been creating custom mokume-gane wedding rings, jewellery and one-of-a-kind metal art objects since 1991. A welcome reception will be held for Anne on Wednesday, 4th February and her residency will run for 4 weeks.

The second Lantern Festival celebrated the close of October Craft Month and brought together residents in an extraordinary show of collective expression and festivity, reinforcing Farnham’s reputation as a World Craft Town. 1000 lantern kits were distributed to both community groups and individuals to make their own lanterns using their creativity and craft skills. The project aims to foster community, combat loneliness and improve mental wellbeing.

Despite the weather, over 1,500 people gathered in Gostrey Meadow and joined the parade to St Andrew’s Church making it one one of Farnham Town Council’s most successful community events.

To agree the appointment of R. J. Smith, FCA of Milne Eldridge & Co as the Independent Examiner for 2025/26.

The date of the next meeting will be confirmed in due course.