Agenda and minutes

Minute of 8 December 2016 to be approved and signed by the Chairman (copy attached).

1.            Minute.

1.1       There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 8 December 2016.

DECISION

NOTED the Minute.

1.2       With regard to paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Minute, the Chairman advised that both Just Cycle Ltd and the Galashiels Camera Club had managed to secure funding from alternative sources.

DECISION

NOTED.

Consider report by the Chief Financial Officer (copy attached).

2.            Financial Monitoring Report for 9 months to 31 December 2016

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing details of the income and expenditure for the nine months to 31 December 2016, full year projected out-turn for 2016/17 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2017.   Capital and Investments Manager, Kirsty Robb, highlighted the main points of the report and appendices. Appendix 1 to the report provided a projected Income and Expenditure position which showed a projected deficit of £64 for the year.  The projected Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2017, in Appendix 2 to the report, showed a projected decrease in the Revaluation reserves of £36,256 due mainly to the projected depreciation charge.  Appendix 3 provided a breakdown of the property portfolio.  There was no rental income and no property expenses for the properties owned by the Common Good.  The current position of the investment in the Newton Fund was shown in Appendix 4.  Members expressed concern about the Newton Fund performance over Quarters 3 and 4 in 2016.  The Capital and Investments Manager explained that the Newton Fund was being monitored very closely and there would be a visit to the Newton Offices later in the month to ascertain what their plan would be moving forward.

DECISION

(a)          AGREED the projected Income and Expenditure for 2016/17 in Appendix I to the report.

(b)       NOTED within the appendices to the report:-

(i)            the projected Balance Sheet value as at 31 March 2017 in Appendix 2;

(ii)          the summary of the property portfolio in Appendix 3; and

(iii)         the current position of the investment in the Newton Fund in Appendix 4.

Copy of application attached.

3.            Application for Financial Assistance

There had been circulated copies of an application for financial assistance from Nature Unlimited in the sum of £9,375.  The grant was requested to cover the costs of sessional workers, basic equipment and volunteer expenses.  The application explained that Nature Unlimited nurtured well-being, resilience and community through teamwork (den-building, games) and nature connection activities in woodlands.  Participants are supported at every stage of life, to grow and thrive helping to reduce social and health inequalities.  Sessions are run in woodlands across the Scottish Borders, which range from long-term employability programmes, family and community projects, mental health and well-being sessions to one-off events such as team building days, taster sessions and training events.  This particular funding was sought in order to provide two programmes of 15 sessions based in beautiful local woodlands for groups of up to twelve teenage girls who have, or are at risk of developing mental health issues.  One to be undertaken in spring/summer and the other in the Autumn.  The sessions were designed to build resilience and create a community for well-being by allowing participants to learn and develop at their own pace, while pursuing their own interests and connecting with nature and each other.  The Committee were of the opinion that whilst the project was worthwhile, it was not for the Common Good to fund and agreed to offer assistance to the organisation to secure funding from other funding sources.  The Chairman thanked Jan Barr for attending and wished them well with their project.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)          not to award Nature Unlimited funding; and

(b)          to assist the organisation to obtain funding from Quality of Life Funding.

Verbal Update.

3.            TREE PLANTING NEXT TO GALASHIELS GOLF CLUB, LADHOPE

With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of 8 December 2016, Mr Hugh Chalmers, Tweed Forum was in attendance at the meeting to update the Committee and answer any questions.  There were circulated at the meeting, copies of maps, highlighting the proposed Native Woodland Planting together with new deer fencing and gates, although it was explained that the maps were still at the draft stage and would include information on the best areas for views and for keeping butterflies.  The final cost will be dependent on the final design.  In response to a question about gates for area one, which did not appear on the map, it was explained that there would be special gates with no hinges erected.

DECISION

(a)       NOTED that the next stage was to agree the final design.

(b)       AGREED that the final design be brought to the next Common Good Meeting.

The meeting concluded at 5.30 pm