Common Good Funds

The origins of Common Good Funds in Scotland are late 15th century and they have been identified as all "property of a Royal Burgh not acquired under statutory powers or held under specified trusts".

Until 1975 the Town Councils of those Burghs in Moray having Common Good Funds managed them. Moray District took over until 1996 when The Moray Council took over responsibility. The Members of the Council are in a similar position to Trustees.

The Moray Council is responsible for the administration of 9 Common Good Funds;

Buckie (PDF)    Cullen (PDF)   Dufftown (PDF)    Elgin (PDF)    Forres (PDF)    Findochty (PDF)    Keith (PDF)    Portknockie (PDF)

Common Good Annual Accounts 2022-23 (PDF)

Common Good Annual Accounts 2021-22 (PDF)

Common Good Annual Accounts 2020-21 (PDF)

Common Good Annual Accounts 2019-20 (PDF)

Common Good Annual Accounts 2018-19 (PDF)

The Council holds each of the separate Common Good Funds as assets in the form of land and buildings as well as in cash.  The current policy of the Council, as regards the distribution of the annual income available from those assets was established by the Policy and Resources Committee on 20th June, 2001.

At that time the Committee noted that the true value of money depreciates over time and therefore in an attempt to keep pace and at the same time be able to make a reasonable level of grants from the income available the Committee agreed a policy of  two-thirds of the annual income available being distributed with the remaining one-third being retained for contingencies and for addition to the capital sums being retained.

When considering applications for grants, each application should be considered on its own merits.

Whilst custom and practice have in effect established certain principles in each case and particularly  in unusual cases, the Council must consider whether or not it is a " reasonable judgement" for them to consider making a disbursement from the relevant Common Good Fund.

In using a "reasonable judgement" for the "benefit of the Community" this can include expenditure on:-

a. Civic Ceremonials and hospitality provided it is reasonable.
b. Maintenance of public parks where they form part of the Common Good.
c. Donations to local philanthropic institutions.
d. Erection of memorial or ornamental statues and meeting the costs of maintenance.
e. Street decorations within the old Burgh.

It is essential to use the reserve generated from the Funds to maintain the land and buildings held as assets.

Application Forms

View and download a Common Good Grant Application Form (PDF) (23.5 KB)

Alternative formats:

Common Good Grant Application Form (Word) (29.0 KB) 

For further information please contact Accountancy using the contact details below.