Warminster Town Council received an urgent request from the Dewey Trust trustees and the Investec fund manager about releasing capital funds.
With the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Chairman of Finance and Audit, the clerk instructed Farnfield’s solicitors to raise £100,000 from the capital of the portfolio. If required, another £20,000 can be taken from the income balance to leave about £55,000 for WTC grant awards.
Harold Dewey, past chairman of Warminster Urban District Council left a legacy for the benefit of the Warminster community. Originally, disbursements were made by West Wiltshire District Council but after the creation of district councils, the payouts were devolved to Warminster Town Council.
But two years ago, new trustees needed assurance such disbursement was properly in the gift of Warminster Town Council rather than Wiltshire Council as the successor to West Wilts District Council.
Wiltshire Council decided it has no claim to the legacy and advised current trustees the legacy is rightly disbursed via the town council.