North Berwick Trust 'keen to get information out' after concerns

The trust, which comprises members of the local community, including six community councillors, has been criticised recently for not providing information on its work or its members' identity.

North Berwick Trust holds, in trust, 103 acres on the south side of the town’s Grange Road. The trust aimed to sell this land to the highest bidder in order to then utilise the funds it received for charitable purposes, for the benefit of the people of North Berwick.

Last month, a group, ‘North Berwick Trust interest group’, was set up online, and a meeting was held in the town.

The interest group hopes to get a better understanding of the workings of the trust, and who is involved.

And at a meeting of North Berwick Community Council, trust members were encouraged to make more information widely available to the public.

Ward councillor David Berry, said: “I think the problem is many local people now have a very jaundiced view of the trust. I would suggest some information be made available.”

Michael Ellis, one of the community councillors who is not a trustee, said: “I do not want to know any secrets.

“I just want to know the information that is available by buying the access to the accounts.”

Malcolm Baker, trustee and member of the community council, said that the trust was in “a difficult position”.

He added: “We are as keen as anyone to put information out there for people.

“We are in a difficult position, though, and it all needs to come through the lawyers.

“There is a meeting [this] week, though.”

Mr Ellis proposed the community council take the issue forward and give out more information – such as names of the trustees.

And Bill Macnair, NBCC vice-chairman, said: “I think Sheila [Sinclair, community councillor] is working on something for the June newsletters so hopefully we can publish that.

“I would like to propose a vote of confidence in the trust and the trustees.

“They have been through some very difficult times."