East Lothian Council is looking for someone to help oversee the Dr Bruce Fund, which was established under the provision in the will of Charles Key Bruce, dated December 19, 1826.
He studied in Musselburgh before making his fortune in east India. When he died, he bequeathed £2,000 to a permanent fund from which the interest was to be used to give poor relief to people in the town.
His estate was placed in the management of the High Court of Chancery. In 1832, an arrangement was made where two magistrates of Musselburgh, the minister of the parish of Inveresk, and the sheriff of the county of Edinburgh were appointed as a local committee to administer the fund.
Following local government reorganisation in 1973, the trust came under the administration of East Lothian District Council and, later, East Lothian Council. Since that time, the elected councillors for Musselburgh have acted in a decision-making capacity for the trust.
A council spokesperson said: “The trust seeks to alleviate poverty in the Musselburgh area by providing small grants during more financially pressing times of the year, especially around Christmas time, to nominated local residents.”
As of March 31 last year, the trust had unrestricted funds of £17,182.
In the 2023/24 annual audit report of the council, Audit Scotland reported that the council could consider the external appointment of a trustee to the Dr Bruce Fund.
“We are now seeking to appoint a lay member of the public to the board of trustees,” the council spokesperson said.
“The lay member will help oversee the fund’s activities and support effective governance. They will play a key role in ensuring the fund continues to deliver its objectives for Musselburgh residents, working alongside the existing trustees and council employees.
“This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting local charity work, with a commitment to public service and community values, to play a key role in the activities of the Dr Bruce Fund.”
To apply to join the Dr Bruce Fund Board, contact the council at meetings@eastlothian.gov.uk by January 30.
The council has faced criticism in recent years from Audit Scotland for failing to promote the fund effectively, as reported in the Courier.
Despite having an estimated £20,000 in the bank, the charity made only small awards to the same two individuals each year between 2016 and 2022 of between £25 and £40 each.
Last year, it was reported that the trustees had increased the number of grants issued after facing criticism.
The Dr Bruce Fund is audited annually by the financial watchdog because it is a registered charity where members of East Lothian Council are sole trustees.
At its height, it was widely used in the town and was mentioned during 19th-century hearings into the Poor Law in Scotland.