Committees
See how the Trust Functions

Our governing body is the Board of Trustees who have full decision-making authority on behalf of the membership. The Board has established a number of specialist committees and working groups to help carry out the work of the charity, each has its own terms of reference. At all meetings of the Board and committees, if any of those present have a possible conflict of interest it is declared and, if necessary, that person is excluded from discussion on the relevant matter.
The Administration Committee is to provide to support to the Administrator in the day to day administration and operational development of the Trust.
Current Members
Mr David Strachan (Convenor)
Mr Jim Bennett
Miss Sam Ross (Trust Administrator)
Co-opted Members
Miss Anne Morris OBE
Communications form an integral part of all aspects of the work of the Trust, however this committee is especially focussed on internal communications – the way we keep in contact with our members – and external contacts between the Trust and the general public. This includes, but is not limited to, our online presence, contact with local press and members’ newsletters.
You can view the current communications strategy here.
Current Members
Mrs Dorothy Cassells (Convener)
Miss Karen Petersen
Mr David Strachan
Supported By
Miss Sam Ross (Administrator)
The Committee supports the Finance Convenor in reviewing key issues related to the finances of the Trust. It provides guidance and challenges to the Finance Convenor and reviews resultant forecast and actual accounts. The Committee meets on an ad hoc basis.
Current Members
Miss Karen Petersen, (Convener)
Mr Iain Lawson
Mr David Strachan
Supported By
Miss Sam Ross (Administrator)
The members of the committee arrange for Gardens in the Town to open for a day in June as the major fundraiser for the Trust. The team consists of Trustees and gardens owners without whose knowledge we would be lost. We aim to entice people to explore the gardens and hidden places in St Andrews which are not normally on display to the public.
Current Members
Lady Catherine Erskine (Convener)
Mr David Strachan
Miss Karen Petersen
Co-opted Members
Mrs June Baxter
Mr Simon Kidd
Mrs Dorothea Morrison
Supported By
Miss Sam Ross (Administrator)
The Museum Convenor has oversight of the various functions of the museum: the garden, the photograph collection, the scrap book group, the oral archive, ongoing research and the volunteers.
The Committee receives professional guidance from the Museum Curator and, in turn, provides support for the Curator with particular reference to exhibitions, special projects and plans for the future.
Current Members
Miss Jane Claydon (Convener)
Mr Ken Fraser
Miss Karen Petersen
Dr David Watkinson
Co-opted Members
Mrs Marysia Denyer
Supported By
Mrs Samantha Walker (Museum Manager/Curator)
The Project Board provides oversight and guidance to the Museum Curator/ Manager (and/or specific Project Managers) in relation to Museum specific projects. It provides an escalation route to the Board of Trustees, raising issues as appropriate. The Board meets on a bi-monthly basis or as needed.
Current Members
Mr Iain Lawson (Chair)
Mr David Strachan
Mrs Bo Fraser
Mrs Dorothy Cassells
Miss Jane Claydon
Supported By
Mrs Samantha Walker (Museum Manager/Curator)
The Planning Committee considers each planning application within the St. Andrews Central Conservation Area and Hepburn Garden Conservation Area to ensure it complies with the current Development Plan and all relevant policies. The committee also considers all strategic planning applications using the above criteria.
Retaining the character of the two Conservation Areas is very important and that includes making sure that the traditional shop fronts are not allowed to be altered in a way that would take away the character and features which play a large part in the setting of the town.
Current Members
Mr Philip Petersen (Convener)
Mr David Strachan
Co-opted Members
Mr John Peacock
The Plaques Committee’s activities are currently suspended as a consequence of lockdown. For further information on the Trust’s work with plaques in St Andrews see David Watkinson’s piece “Commemoration, Plaques and the Preservation Trust” in our Annual Report and Year Book 2019.
Current Members
Miss Jo Roger (Convener)
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