Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Newtown St. Boswells

Contact: Louise McGeoch Tel 01835 825005  email  lmcgeoch@scotborders.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Convener's Remarks.

Minutes:

The Convener congratulated:-

 

(a)     Chris Bell from Amey and Richard Parry form Transport Scotland who had received the Highways Award for “Road Safety Scheme of the Year” for the BGH Junction;

 

(b)     Caroline Dunmar and Pauline MacFarlane (who could not be present), from the West Linton Village Nursery who had been awarded an Early Learning and Childcare Innovation Award by Children’s Minister Maree Todd for their ground breaking peer mentoring staff programme;

 

(c)     Kate Pearson, Sam Elliot and Bryan McGrath (who could not be present) for their work on the Tour of Britain:

 

(d)     Ray Cherry and Ian Sharp for their work on the Jim Clark Museum project;

 

(e)     Ray Cherry and Ralph Nicholson who had been awarded a SPACES Award for their work on the Support Bases at Galashiels Academy;

 

(f)      Paul Frankland, David Murphy and Dale Johnstone for their work on the Melrose 3G Pitch project; and

 

(g)     Paul Frankland, David Johnston, Roy Thomson and Rodney Pow for their work on the A72 Dirtpot Corner project.

 

DECISION

AGREED that congratulations be passed to those concerned.

 

2.

Minute pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Consider Minute of Scottish Borders Council held on 26 September 2019 for approval and signing by the Convener.  (Copy attached.)

 

Minutes:

The Minute of the Meeting held on 26 September 2019 was considered. 

 

DECISION

AGREED that the Minute be approved and signed by the Convener.

 

3.

Committee Minutes pdf icon PDF 25 KB

Consider Minutes of the following Committees:-

 

(a)     Tweeddale Area Partnership                              27 August 2019

(b)     Police, Fire & Rescue and Community Safety

          Board                                                                  30 August 2019

(c)     Berwickshire Area Partnership                          5 September 2019

(d)     Pension Fund                                                     12 September 2019

(e)     Pension Fund Board                                           12 September 2019

(f)      Community Planning Strategic Board               12 September 2019

(g)     Eildon Area Partnership                                     12 September 2019

(h)     Local Review Body                                            16 September 2019

(i)      Jedburgh Common Good Fund                         16 September 2019

(j)      Executive                                                           17 September 2019

(k)     Major Contracts Governance                            17 September 2019

(l)      Kelso Common Good Fund                               17 September 2019

(m)    Teviot & Liddesdale Area Partnership                17 September 2019

(n)     Civic Government Licensing                              20 September 2019

(o)     Audit & Scrutiny                                                 23 September 2019

(p)     Cheviot Area Partnership                                   25 September 2019  

(q)     Planning & Building Standards                           7 October 2019         

(r)      Executive                                                           8 October 2019

(Please see separate Supplement containing the public Committee Minutes.)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the following Committees had been circulated:-

 

Tweeddale Area Partnership                                                 27 August 2019

Police, Fire & Rescue and Community Safety Board          30 August 2019

Berwickshire Area Partnership                                             5 September 2019

Pension Fund                                                                        12 September 2019

Pension Fund Board                                                              12 September 2019

Community Planning Strategic Board                                  12 September 2019

Eildon Area Partnership                                                        12 September 2019

Local Review Body                                                               16 September 2019

Jedburgh Common Good Fund                                            16 September 2019

Executive                                                                              17 September 2019

Major Contracts Governance                                               17 September 2019

Kelso Common Good Fund                                                  17 September 2019

Teviot & Liddesdale Area Partnership                                   17 September 2019

Civic Government Licensing                                                 20 September 2019

Audit & Scrutiny                                                                    23 September 2019

Cheviot Area Partnership                                                      25 September 2019

Planning & Building Standards                                              7 October 2019

Executive                                                                              8 October 2019

 

DECISION

APPROVED the Minutes listed above.

 

4.

Police Scotland

Presentation by Chief Constable Iain Livingstone.

Minutes:

The Convener welcomed Chief Constable Iain Livingstone to the meeting. A paper providing an update on the key issues relating to policing in Scotland was tabled and the Chief Constable highlighted the main points.  He explained the financial challenges being faced which had seen around £200m being lost since 2012, which was equivalent to the cost of 3 of the legacy forces prior to the formation of Police Scotland.  However, the force had increased in numbers with 1000 new officers.  Savings had been made by reducing the numbers at higher ranks from 34 to 11.  The early years had been dedicated to the harmonisation of provision across Scotland and this had been too rigid in the beginning; it was now recognised that one size did not fit all.  There were specialist officers that could be deployed if required to deal with particular incidents like homicides, sieges or events such as the Jim Clark Rally.  The Community Officers should be the first port of call but specialist officers would be provided when required.  The threats facing the public were changing.  Children were no longer safe in their bedrooms with the increasing rise in cybercrime so police were needed where the crimes were being committed - this included organised crime and terrorism.  Public support was needed to provide a service fit for the modern era.  The Chief Constable answered Members’ questions on a range of topics including online crime, the benefits of the CAT team, diversity of officers and dealing with calls from the public.  The Chief Constable ended his presentation by explaining the way policing was provided needed to change.  Around 2.5m calls were received each year and it was essential to provide the right type of support.  There would be greater use of mobile devices by officers which would allow them to stay out in the community.  These were being brought in on 4 November in the Borders following successful trials elsewhere.  Detection rates across Scotland were good with every murder having been solved.  The Convener thanked Chief Constable Livingstone for his presentation.

 

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.

 

5.

Budget Planning Assumptions 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Consider report by Chief Financial Officer.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing an initial high level assessment of the broad planning assumptions being used in developing the revenue and capital plans for 2020/21 and future years.  The Chief Financial Officer advised that in light of the current political uncertainty it was now unlikely that the budget settlement would be received on 12 December as this was the date of the General Election.  A briefing on Capital Expenditure was to be provided for Members after the Council meeting.  The report explained that key assumptions regarding the budget fell into the following categories:

 

·                Local Government Finance Settlement - Revenue Support Grant (RSG) and Non-Domestic Rates (NDR);

·                Council Tax levels;

·                Pay inflation (agreed nationally);

·                Non-pay inflation (e.g. PPP contract, care home contracts, utility costs);

·                H&SC funding;

·                Borrowing Limits to support capital investment;

·                Major changes required to capital plan with respect to Schools and Investment in the Care estate.

 

Each of the categories above had been reassessed in line with the latest information available with any resultant financial implications being included in the first draft of the 2020/21 budget papers.  Further reports would be brought forward to Council as part of the budget development process for 2020/21.  Members noted the current positon.

 

DECISION

NOTED the planning assumptions being made for the revenue and capital budget planning process for 2020/21.

 

6.

Alcohol In Designated Public Places Consultation : Stage 1 Report pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Consider report by Service Director Regulatory Services.  (Copy attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of 20 December 2018, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Regulatory Services providing an update on the responses to the consultation on Alcohol in Public Places and to determine the next steps.  The report explained that following agreement by the Council to conduct a full consultation on whether an alcohol byelaw should be introduced in the Scottish Borders it was decided that a two stage consultation would be commenced. The initial stage establishing two matters:

 

·                Whether the consumption of alcohol in public places was a problem that required to be addressed?

·                Would preventing alcohol being consumed in public help meet the licensing objectives?

 

Depending on the results of that Stage 1 consultation a second stage consultation might then be carried out to consider options in more detail. The results from Stage 1 were set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  Whilst the responses to Stage 1 indicated a wide variety of views on the matter, there was considerable support particularly from key stakeholders to progress to Stage 2.   Members discussed the proposals in detail and were divided in their views as to whether the Council should progress to stage 2 of the process.

 

VOTE

 

Councillor Greenwell, seconded by Councillor A. Anderson, moved that the recommendations (a) and (b) (ii) in the report by approved with the addition of Eyemouth and Peebles to the towns where pilots would be carried out.

 

Councillor Jardine, seconded by Councillor S. Hamilton, moved as an amendment that no further action be taken.

 

Councillor Haslam moved that the vote be taken by Roll Call and this was unanimously approved.

 

MOTION

AMENDMENT

Councillor Aitchison

Councillor Brown

Councillor A. Anderson

Councillor S. Hamilton

Councillor H. Anderson

Councillor Haslam

Councillor Bell

Councillor Jardine

Councillor Chapman

Councillor McAteer

Councillor Drum

Councillor Miers

Councillor Edgar

Councillor Mountford

Councillor Fullarton

Councillor Parker

Councillor Greenwell

Councillor Penman

Councillor C. Hamilton

Councillor Richards

Councillor Laing

Councillor Rowley

Councillor Moffat

Councillor H. Scott

Councillor Paterson

Councillor S. Scott

Councillor Ramage

 

Councillor Robson

 

Councillor Small

 

Councillor Tatler

 

Councillor Thornton-Nicol

 

Councillor Weatherston

 

                                                                                                                                          

The Motion was carried by 19 votes to 13.

 

DECISION

DECIDED to:-

 

(a)     instruct officers to proceed to Stage 2; and

 

(b)     that the Stage 2 consultation should consider the introduction of a pilot Alcohol Byelaw for specific towns only, being Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick and Peebles.  The period after which the pilot should be reviewed would also form part of the Stage 2 consultation.

 

7.

Order of Business.

Minutes:

The Chairman varied the order of business as shown on the agenda and the Minute reflects the order in which the items were considered at the meeting.

 

8.

Care Home Investment Update pdf icon PDF 104 KB

Consider report by Service Director Assets and Infrastructure.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Assets and Infrastructure on the prioritised investment requirements in the care home estate, with the exception of Deanfield in Hawick which had already been approved by Council, for consideration as part of the forthcoming financial planning process 2020/21.  The report set out the current condition, the capital upgrade requirements and the annual revenue budget required to maintain the interior and exterior fabric of the Council’s Care Homes to an appropriate standard.  The investment proposed would not only improve the quality of the homes but would extend their useful lifespan in the medium term.  The report demonstrated that a capital investment of approximately £1.52m would be required to maintain the interior and exterior of the four remaining homes to bring them up to an appropriate standard.  It also indicated that ideally a revenue budget of £1600 per bed per annum would be required to maintain the homes to that standard, which would be in line with typical industry standards.    The Care Home estate consisted of five homes located in Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Innerleithen and Kelso.  The facilities were opened during the 1960’s and 1970’s with the most modern ones opening in the 1980’s.  A full condition survey had been undertaken on all the Care Homes which had identified that over the next five years a significant number of works would be required to bring them up to an appropriate standard.   The Care Home estate required investment to improve its current condition.   Conditions across the estate varied, for example, fixture and fittings throughout were aged, kitchens were in need of replacement or doors and windows required replacement.  Decoration was required both internally and externally.  Individual bedrooms and bathrooms/ensuites may require complete overhaul to meet modern care standards or new furniture may be required throughout.  The investment required included appropriate elements of the building fabric, plant, plumbing and wiring.  Prior to discussion, the Chief Executive commented on a recent inaccurate press report on care homes which had been published without any comment being sought from the Council and caused unnecessary concern for clients and their families.  The Service Director confirmed that no emergency works were required and all care homes were currently fit for purpose and that these works were required to keep them at an acceptable standard.  Councillor Haslam proposed that recommendation (c) be amended to add the words “be considered as part of the budget process” and this was unanimously accepted.  Members welcomed the report.

 

DECISION

AGREED:-

 

(a)     to note the current condition of the Care Home Estate;

 

(b)     the requirement to prioritise capital investment in the estate to bring it up to an appropriate standard and that this would be considered as part of the capital financial planning process for 2020/21 and future years; and

 

(c)     that the requirement for an annual revenue budget of typically £1,600/bed/annum to maintain the properties at that appropriate standard be considered as part of the budget process.

 

9.

Convention of the South of Scotland and South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Consider report by Executive Director.  (Copy to follow.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval for the establishment of a Convention of the South of Scotland, the setting up of a South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership (REP); and to show how the REP would link into the Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership.  The report explained that in March 2019 the Leaders of Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and the South of Scotland Economic Partnership met with Fergus Ewing MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy.  At that meeting, it was agreed that a Convention of the South Scotland be formed to act as the national interface between key public sector partners in the South of Scotland and Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.  This followed the established practice in the Highlands and Islands.  The setting up of the Convention was highlighted by the Scottish Government in announcing its Programme for Government (2019/20) published on 3 September 2019.  The South of Scotland Alliance (comprising Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Enterprise and representation from the private sector) had led the development of the proposals for both a Convention and a REP.  As part of this task, the Alliance had worked with Scottish Government to understand the role that the Convention of the Highlands and Islands played in ensuring alignment across all the key public sector partners.  The South of Scotland Alliance discussed and supported detailed proposals for the establishment of a Convention of the South of Scotland and a Regional Economic Partnership at its meeting on 20 September 2019.  It was intended the REP would build on the work of the South of Scotland Alliance and be co-chaired by Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders Councils.  It was proposed the REP would comprise local public sector partners, and representatives from business, and the third sector.  The REP was where strategic interactions between the local partners and the Agency would take place.  The REP’s most important role would be to develop, agree and oversee delivery of the South of Scotland Regional Economic Strategy. It was considered that the establishment of the REP would necessitate changes to the structure of the Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership.  This was because joint partnership working on economic development would now be taken through the REP and its wide ranging membership taken from both the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.  It was proposed that the REP would replace the current Scottish BordersEconomy and Low Carbon Delivery Team and its associated sub groups and link directly into the Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership.  Mr Dickson advised that recommendation (c) should have also included the appointment of 2 members to the Convention.  Members supported the proposals.  Councillor Haslam, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved the appointment of Councillors Haslam and Rowley to the Convention of the South of Scotland and Councillors Bell, Haslam, Miers and Rowley - with Councillor Robson as a substitute - to the South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership.  This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report April 2018 - March 2019 pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Consider report by Chief Social Work Officer.  (Copy attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Social Work and Public Protection Officer containing the twelfth annual report on the work undertaken on behalf of the Council in the statutory role of Chief Social Work Officer.  The report provided the Council with an account of decisions taken by the Chief Social Work Officer in the statutory areas of Fostering and Adoption, Child Protection, Secure Orders, Adult Protection, Adults with Incapacity, Mental Health and Criminal Justice.  The Report of the Chief Social Work Officer was appended to the covering report.  The Report also gave an overview of regulation and inspection, workforce issues and social policy themes over the year April 2018 to March 2019, and highlighted some of the key challenges for Social Work for the coming year.  Mr Easingwood answered Members’ questions on a number of issues including looked after children, recruitment of foster carers, and the child poverty index.  He undertook to provide further information to Members and advised that a Public Protection Model was currently being developed.

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Annual Report.

 

11.

Response to Consultation by British Telecom on Proposed Removal of Payphones in the Scottish Borders pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Consider report by Chief Executive.  (Copy to follow.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive seeking agreement to a response to the consultation by British Telecom on public payphone removals in the Scottish Borders.  The report explained that Scottish Borders Council received details from British Telecom (BT) in July 2019 of a consultation on the proposed removal of 95 payphones in the Scottish Borders.  This was part of a wider consultation taking place across Scotland by BT on public payphone removals. According to BT, a key driver behind the consultation was the decline in the overall use of payphones due to increasing mobile phone coverage and the need to reduce costs. Ofcom, the telecommunications regulator, had delegated the responsibility for responding to public payphone removal consultations to Local Authorities.  This involved gathering views from local communities and providing a reasoned response either objecting or agreeing to the removal of payphones.              In developing the Council response on the future of the payphones identified by BT for removal, a set of risk criteria had been developed with Scottish Borders Council’s Emergency Planning service. This was because payphones needed to be seen as a key part of the resilience, emergency and community safety infrastructure of local communities. The criteria for supporting the retention of payphones based on this assessment comprised:

 

·           The quality of mobile network coverage in terms of access to the main mobile phone networks (based on an assessment of the information on the Ofcom web site).

·           Proximity to main arterial routes i.e. A68/A7/A1/A702/A697/A72

·           Closeness to important nationally recognised walking routes i.e. the Southern Uplands Way, St Cuthbert’s Way, John Buchan Way, Borders Abbey Way and the Berwickshire Coastal Path.

·           Usage for police and emergency service calls i.e. 101/999/111 calls based on information provided by Police Scotland and BT. 

·           Closeness to the coast or a fresh water location which was considered high risk.

·           Usage by local communities (8 and more calls over the past year).

·           Whether the payphone was the final one in a village community.

 

Each payphone had been assessed against this criteria. The Council had also carried out a consultation with local community councils and their responses had been considered.  The resultant recommendations on whether to retain, remove, or for the community to adopt a payphone, were shown in Appendix 2 to the report.  Based on this assessment 11 payphones had been identified for removal, 2 for adoption and 82 for retention.  Some community councils - particularly in villages where the only payphone had been proposed for removal by BT - had expressed an interest to adopt a payphone but this would mean the telephony would need to be removed.  Also other community councils expressed concerns about the poor maintenance and the need for payphones to be cleaned in a more effective way.  There was a need to discuss with BT whether solutions could be found to these problems particularly through closer working with local communities. 

 

DECISION

AGREED:-

 

(a)     the response as set out in Appendix 2 to the report to British  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Review of Polling Places and Polling Districts pdf icon PDF 204 KB

Consider report by Chief Executive.  (Copy attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 11 of the Minute of 28 March 2019, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive detailing the outcome of the Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations and seeking approval for various changes to be made.  The report explained that at its meeting on 28 March 2019, the Council agreed to undertake a review of its current polling districts, polling places and polling stations.  Since then, consultation had been carried out with all stakeholders and contacts for all polling places had been notified and asked to complete a detailed questionnaire to assess their suitability for continued use.  A public consultation was also carried out via the Council website.  While polling places were in a variety of venues across the Borders, overall they were in reasonable condition, fit for purpose and supported by their local community.  In light of the responses received and the review of the existing polling places and polling districts a small number of changes were proposed.  These changes mainly involved the tweaking of polling district boundaries in response to requests from electors and communities.  It was recommended that these changes be implemented when the new Register of Electors was tp be published in December 2019.  There was one change to a polling place in Peebles proposed for implementation at a later date.  The Democratic Services Team Leader advised that now that a General Election had been announced it was likely that the Register of Electors would be published earlier than 1 December and that the proposed changes to polling districts would therefore be introduced at an earlier date than proposed in the report.

 

DECISION

AGREED:-

 

(a)     to note the responses received to the consultation from the various stakeholders, as detailed in the report and Appendix 1;

 

(b)     to minor amendments to polling districts within Ward 1, Ward 4, Ward 7 and Ward 11, as shown on the maps at Appendix 2 of the report, to take effect when the new Register of Electors was published; and

 

(c)     that the Gymnasium at Peebles High School be replaced as a polling place if a suitable alternative became available.

 

13.

Motion by Councillor Drum

Consider Motion by Councillor Drum in the following terms:-

 

“The estimated cost of Mental Ill Health to UK Employers is between £33billion and £42 billion each year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point during their working life.

Councillors meet and work with constituents, external partners and other individuals who may be experiencing mental health issues.

Council previously approved awareness sessions to recognise and be more aware of Dementia and given the benefit of such interventions, we now request that Scottish Borders Council bring forward a detailed programme of officer or third sector led awareness sessions for all councillors and staff.   

This will ensure we can become more aware of the symptoms and signs in those who we meet, while carrying out our role as SBC Councillors.”

 

Minutes:

Councillor Drum, seconded by Councillor Chapman, moved approval of his Motion, as detailed on the agenda in the following terms and with the addition of the words “mental health” before awareness sessions:-

 

“The estimated cost of Mental Ill Health to UK Employers is between £33billion and £42 billion each year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point during their working life.

Councillors meet and work with constituents, external partners and other individuals who may be experiencing mental health issues.

Council previously approved mental health awareness sessions to recognise and be more aware of Dementia and given the benefit of such interventions, we now request that Scottish Borders Council bring forward a detailed programme of officer or third sector led awareness sessions for all councillors and staff.   

This will ensure we can become more aware of the symptoms and signs in those who we meet, while carrying out our role as SBC Councillors.”

 

Councillor Drum spoke in support of his Motion which was unanimously approved.

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Motion as detailed above.

 

14.

Motion by Councillor H. Anderson

Consider Motion by Councillor H. Anderson in the following terms:-

 

“Scottish Borders Council welcomes  the additional Scottish Government funding for the Citizen’s Rights Project and new charity, Settled, to provide support to vulnerable people and people with complex needs on obtaining settled status, particularly those in remote and rural areas.

Given the low levels of application for settled status to date, Scottish Borders Council will take a lead in ensuring that all EU nationals living, working or studying in the Borders are aware of the Settled Status scheme and are encouraged to apply.  Scottish Borders Council believes that people who have settled here from elsewhere in the EU significantly enrich our society.  They are vital to the health of our rural economy, working in the key sectors of hospitality, farming, medical and care provision.  They are welcome and the Council wants them to stay.

To that end, the Council will ensure information about the Settled Status and associated schemes are prominently publicised through our Connect Newsletter, on our website and in associated materials produced by the council for distribution to public offices, health centres and GP practices, community centres and other public venues.”

 

Minutes:

Councillor H. Anderson, seconded by Councillor Rowley, moved approval of her Motion as detailed on the agenda in the following terms:-

 

“Scottish Borders Council welcomes the additional Scottish Government funding for the Citizen’s Rights Project and new charity, Settled, to provide support to vulnerable people and people with complex needs on obtaining settled status, particularly those in remote and rural areas.

Given the low levels of application for settled status to date, Scottish Borders Council will take a lead in ensuring that all EU nationals living, working or studying in the Borders are aware of the Settled Status scheme and are encouraged to apply.  Scottish Borders Council believes that people who have settled here from elsewhere in the EU significantly enrich our society.  They are vital to the health of our rural economy, working in the key sectors of hospitality, farming, medical and care provision.  They are welcome and the Council wants them to stay.

To that end, the Council will ensure information about the Settled Status and associated schemes are prominently publicised through our Connect Newsletter, on our website and in associated materials produced by the council for distribution to public offices, health centres and GP practices, community centres and other public venues.”

 

Councillor Anderson spoke in support of her Motion which was unanimously approved.

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Motion as detailed above

 

15.

Open Questions pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

The questions submitted by Councillors Laing, Paterson, S. Hamilton and H. Anderson were answered. 

 

DECISION

NOTED the replies as detailed in Appendix I to this Minute.

 

MEMBER

Councillor McAteer left the meeting during the item above.

 

16.

Urgent Business

Minutes:

Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Chairman was of the opinion that the item dealt with in the following paragraph should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to make an early decision.

 

17.

Calendar of Meetings pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Minutes:

The Clerk to the Council advised that following the announcement that a General Election would be held on 12 December 2019 a number of meetings would require to be cancelled.  A copy of the amended calendar was tabled at the meeting.

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the amended meetings timetable as contained in Appendix II to this Minute.

 

18.

Private Business

Before proceeding with the private business, the following motion should be approved:-

 

“That under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act.”

Minutes:

DECISION

AGREED under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the business detailed in  Appendix III to this Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 6, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

 

      SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

 

19.

Minute

Consider private Section of Minute of Scottish Borders Council held on 26 September 2019.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

The private section of the Council Minute of 26 September 2019 was approved.

20.

Committee Minutes

Consider private Sections of the Minutes of the following Committees:-

 

(a)     Pension Fund                                                     12 September 2019

(b)     Major Contracts Governance                            17 September 2019

(c)     Civic Government Licensing                              20 September 2019

 

(Please see separate Supplement containing private Committee Minutes.)

Minutes:

The private sections of the Committee Minutes as detailed in paragraph3 of this Minute were approved.

 

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