New trust to take over running of RAF Banff heritage organisation

PLANS to create a charitable organisation by merging the Banff Airfield Trust and the RAF Banff Association have been backed by councillors.

The move is to enable the two groups to combine their efforts to progress a project to develop a centre or heritage trail at Boyndie to showcase the wartime history of RAF Banff at the former World War II airfield and at other associated sites along the Moray Firth coast.

It would see the present Banff Airfield Trust wound up, it would merge with the association, and the new organisation would manage their shared aims and objectives.

Local members at last week’s Banff and Buchan area committee meeting unanimously agreed to the creation of the Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and chairman, Councillor John Cox, said it was a very positive step forward.

A report before councillors said: "Aberdeenshire Council became involved in the creation of Banff Airfield Trust during initial consultations with interested parties, namely the RAF Banff Association, Whitehills and District Community Council, the Seafield Estate, the Boyndie Trust, local council members and the planning service.

"At that time, a view was taken that Aberdeenshire Council could assist in bringing the trust into being and should be represented on any subsequent trust formed, given its interests in the local historic environment, regeneration and economic development.

"Recent discussions between the trustees of Banff Airfield Trust have indicated that the trust’s objectives may now be better served through combining its resources with the RAF Banff Association."

It added: "The association is already an integral part of the trust’s objectives in collating and providing artefacts and information in connection with the airfield, and is also a charitable organisation.

"As such, there would be considerable benefit in the two organisations combining their efforts to progress the project and develop awareness of RAF history connected to the site at Boyndie."

The local authority is planning not to be part of the new group and a recommendation will be made to full council for it to be removed as a trustee.

"It is considered that the remaining trustees are most appropriately placed to secure the Banff Airfield Trust objectives and advance the development of the site at Boyndie Airfield. Aberdeenshire Council has no rights or interest to the land or assets held by the trust," added the report.

"The council’s primary involvement in this matter was to assist in the set-up of Banff Airfield Trust and so far as those duties are concerned, its obligations and interest in the matter is at an end."

Funding from the 100-day pledge of £23,000 secured by the trust for their plans will be transferred to the new SCIO.