Agenda and minutes

Consider application from Selkirk Regeneration Company (copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of an application from Selkirk Regeneration Company (SRC) for a grant of £11,258 to overcome a funding shortfall for a project within the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) programme. The application explained that Selkirk Regeneration Company was a community-based charitable company with the main purpose of providing benefit to Selkirk and the surrounding district.  The Company was actively involved in both the Selkirk Business Improvement District (BIDs) and CARS initiatives. The Selkirk CARS Project was currently supporting a range of heritage and conservation based regeneration activities within the town. SRC had recently managed to acquire two derelict commercial properties (1 Tower Street and 5 Tower Street) fronting the A7 within the town’s Conservation Area. These properties, along with a privately-owned upper flat (3 Tower Street) formed a prominent building group identified as a priority project in the CARS Action Plan – with the removal of external blight and renovation of the building fabric being a key element in transforming the local environment.  Mr Colin Gilmour, Selkirk CARS Project Officer, was in attendance to give further information and answer Members’ questions.  The total project cost for the work, confirmed by competitive tender, was £93,760.  After scrutiny and identified cost savings this was reduced to £79,508.  After contributions (including £8,000 from SRC resources) and a confirmed grant from CARS of £52,250 the shortfall to carry out the project was the sum requested of £11,258.  Members discussed the application and were in support of the proposal which would improve the appearance of buildings in this prominent part of the Conservation Area. Mr Yallop confirmed the projected surplus within Selkirk Common Good accounts which would accommodate this payment.

DECISION

APPROVED a grant of £11,258 to Selkirk Regeneration Company to overcome a funding shortfall for a project within the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) project.

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 keep Members informed.

2.         SELKIRK HILL MANAGEMENT GROUP

            It was confirmed that Selkirk Hill Management Group annual accounts had been received and the annual payment from Selkirk Common Good for maintenance of the hill authorised.

DECISION

NOTED