Agenda and minutes

 Minute of 9 September 2019 to be approved (copy attached).

1.1       There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 9 September 2019.

DECISION

APPROVED the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

1.2       With regard to paragraph 4.4 of the Minute, regarding use of part of Victoria Park car park for motorbike driver training, Councillor Edgar advised that the trainer concerned had found an alternative location.

            DECISION

            NOTED

Consider report by Chief Financial Officer (copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing the details of income and expenditure for the Selkirk Common Good Fund for the six months to 30 September 2019, full year projected out-turn for 2019/20 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2020. Treasury Business Partner, Sara Halliday, highlighted the main points of the report.   Appendix 1 to the report provided a projected income and expenditure position.  This showed a projected surplus of £13,805 for the year.  With reference to the out-turn position reported at the last meeting, Ms Halliday explained that, following consultation with the Estates Surveyor, the projected expenditure on property had been amended from £71k to £35k, resulting in a surplus, rather than deficit, position at the end of the financial year.  The projected cash balance at 31 March 2020 was £84,049. Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2020, showing a projected decrease in reserves of £55,507.  A breakdown of the property portfolio, showing projected rental income for 2019/20 and actual property expenditure to 30 September 2019 was shown in Appendix 3. The value of the Kames Capital Investment Fund to 30 September 2019 was shown in Appendix 4 to the report. The fund had a -1.98% unrealised gain in market value since investment, largely due to continued volatility in investment markets.  Overall, however, taking account of the income received the fund had achieved a return of + 6.9 % since investment in February 2018.  Members discussed the report and received further clarification where requested.

DECISION

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

(i)            the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2020 in Appendix 2;

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

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

(b)       AGREED the projected income and expenditure for 2019/20 as shown in Appendix 1 to the report as the revised budget for 2019/20.                      

Copy of application attached.

There had been circulated copies of an application for financial assistance on behalf of Selkirk High School Netball Club.  It was explained in the application that the club was set up in August 2019 through the Active Schools network and with qualified Level 1 Netball Coaches.  The club was aimed at S1 and S2 pupils with the hope to widen this to S3 – S6 in the next two years.  Training was after school and the S1 and S2 teams now played in the Borders Netball League.  The aim of the club was to develop a pathway from primary to secondary school as Selkirk High School was the only secondary school in the Scottish Borders not to have a secondary netball team competing last year. Financial assistance was being sought for new kit and equipment and also support in the initial set up of the club. Members were keen to support this newly established club, noting that it had been set up under Sport Scotland’s Active Schools network.   After discussion they agreed to give a contribution of £2000 towards the cost of equipment and initial set up.  However, as the club did not currently have a bank account, the grant would be payable only once a bank account had been set up or alternatively if payment could be to a partner organisation and ring-fenced for the club by an arrangement approved by the Chief Financial Officer.

DECISION

            AGREED to grant to Selkirk High School Netball Club a sum of £2,000, subject to the arrangement for payment of the grant being approved by the Chief Financial Officer.

Verbal update from Estates Surveyor

4.1       Shawburn Toll and Embankment

The Estates Surveyor, Norrie Curtis, gave a summary of feedback to the public consultation, for ideas to tidy up the area around Shawburn Toll and Embankment.

There had been a good reaction to the consultation with approximately 250 responses.  82.4% of respondents lived in Selkirk and all were from individuals rather than from organisations.  93.6% thought that there should be changes to Shawburn Toll Embankment and there were around 240 comments/ideas about what should be done. 56.8% of respondents indicated that they would like to take part in future discussions about the Embankment.  Mr Curtis explained that the comments would be collated and brought to the next meeting for discussion.  Members welcomed the good response to the consultation and looked forward to further discussion.  Councillor Edgar drew attention to a piece of Common Good-owned amenity ground at the bottom of Shawburn Road and asked Mr Curtis and solicitor Mr Kirk to look into its alienability.

            DECISION

(a)     NOTED the response to the consultation about Shawburn Toll and    Embankment and agreed to look at this in more detail at the next meeting.

(b)     AGREED to request officers investigate the alienability of the piece of amenity ground at Shawburn Road.

4.2       Councillor Edgar advised that the Common Riding Trust was paying for a memorial to William Lindsay, who had bequeathed substantial sums of money for local benefit. The Trust was asking Members of the Common Good Fund Sub Committee for permission to install this memorial, a birdbath, in the circular garden to the right of the Victoria Hall. Members agreed to this request subject to the Trust accepting responsibility for future maintenance.  Mr Curtis confirmed that he would notify Live Borders about the proposal.

            DECISION

            AGREED to give permission for the installation of the William Lindsay Memorial in the garden ground of the Victoria Hall, subject to the Selkirk Common Riding Trust accepting responsibility for its future maintenance. 

4.3       Green Shed

Councillor Edgar drew attention of the Estates Surveyor to maintenance work still to be carried out on the Green Shed. He asked for confirmation that the tree branches had been cut back and advised that the repairs to the gutters were urgently needed.  Councillor Edgar also asked the Estates Surveyor to change the lock on the Green Shed to increase security.  He stressed that it was only the tenant, Scotts Selkirk, who should have access to the building.  Keys for new security locks should therefore be provided only to a Scotts Selkirk agreed representative.

DECISION

AGREED that the matters identified above in connection to the Green Shed be taken forward by the Estates Surveyor.