Agenda

Consider Minutes of Scottish Borders Council held on 21 February and 29 February 2024 for approval and signing by the Convener.  (Copy attached.)

Consider Minutes of the following Committees:-

(a)     Community Planning Strategic Board                  16 November 2023

(b)     Hawick Common Good                                        22 November 2023

(c)     Chambers Institution Trust                                   29 November 2023

(d)     Scrutiny and Petitions Committee                        7 December 2023

(e)     Pension Board                                                      12 December 2023

(f)      Pension Fund                                                        12 December 2023 

(g)     Pension Fund                                                        17 January 2024

(h)     Chambers Institution Trust                                   24 January 2024

(i)      Eildon Area Partnership                                       25 January 2024

(j)      Cheviot Area Partnership                                     31 January 2024

(k)     Tweeddale Area Partnership                                6 February 2024

(l)      Executive Committee                                           13 February 2024

(m)    Chambers Institution Trust                                   28 February 2024

(n)     Peebles Common Good Fund                              28 February 2024

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

Consider report by Director Education and Lifelong Learning. (Copy attached.)

Consider report by Director Resilient Communities. (Copy attached.)

Consider report by Director Infrastructure and Environment. (Copy attached.)

Consider report by Director Infrastructure and Environment. (Copy attached.)

Consider report by Director Resilient Communities. (Copy attached.)

Consider report by Director Resilient Communities. (To follow.)

Consider report by Director Resilient Communities. (To follow.)

Consider Motion by Councillor Mackinnon in the following terms:-

“This Council notes that:

1.    The scientific consensus is clear that human activities are primarily responsible for accelerating global climate change, and that the climate crisis now represents one of the preeminent threats to global civilization.

2.    The International Energy Agency stated in its May 2021 report “Net Zero by 2050” that in order to reach that goal there should be no new oil or gas fields, or new coal mines, as of that moment.

3.    Global governments and the fossil fuel industry are currently planning to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil and gas by 2030 than can be burned if the world is to limit warming to 1.5°C and avert catastrophic climate disruption, and such plans risk undoing the work of our Council to reduce GHG emissions.

4.    A new global initiative is underway calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would plan the end of new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C, and accelerate equitable transition plans globally.

This Council recognises that:

5.    Our entire community will be affected by the impacts of continued fossil fuel expansion and resulting climate change,  but particularly those who also face socioeconomic and health inequities, and our youth and future generations have the most to lose from a lack of immediate action to stop fossil fuel expansion.

This Council believes that:

6.    New fossil fuel infrastructure and expanded reliance on fossil fuels exposes communities to untenable risks to public health and safety at the local and global levels; and that the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction.

This Council resolves to:

7.    Reaffirm our commitment, as part of our climate emergency response, to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in the green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonize our economy.

8.    Formally endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and make that endorsement public.

9.    Call on the Scottish Government to also endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

10.  To write to COSLA and raise our serious concerns about the impact of the climate emergency on local authorities and the need for a planned phase out of fossil fuels, and to call on them to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

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.”

Consider private Section of Minute of Scottish Borders Council held on 21 February 2024.  (Copy attached.)

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

(a)     Hawick Common Good                                        22 November 2023

(b)     Chambers Institution Trust                                   29 November 2023

(c)     Pension Fund                                                        12 December 2023 

(d)     Chambers Institution Trust                                   24 January 2024

(e)      Chambers Institution Trust                                   28 February 2024

(f)      Peebles Common Good Fund                              28  February  2024

(Please see separate Supplement containing private Committee Minutes.)

Consider the recommendation made by the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee at its meeting held on 28 February 2024 in relation to the sale or lease or purchase of Common Good land or property of a value greater than £20,000, or in respect of grants or loans or major items of expenditure above £20,000.

(Copy attached.)

Consider report by Director People, Performance and Change. (Copy attached.)