Agenda and draft minutes

Due to Cllr Cochrane having submitted apologies and not being present at the meeting, Cllr Douglas assumed the Chair.

Minutes of meetings held on 13 November and 29 November 2023 to be agreed and signed. (Copies attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Minutes of the Meetings held on 13 November 2023 and 29 November 2023.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minutes for signature by the Chair.

Review Action Tracker. (Copy attached.)

2.1       There had been circulated copies of the Selkirk Common Good Fund Sub-Committee Action Tracker.  With regards to paragraph 2 of the Minute of the Meeting held on 15 June 2022, the Solicitor advised that insurance covered buildings but not ground.  Buildings cover did not extend to statues and monuments.  There were public liabilities cover for activities undertaken by the Council on the land and where artwork is part of the collection, this was covered by the Council’s insurance policy which may be collectively or individually depending on value.  The Solicitor advised they would return to the insurers to request more specific information based on the asset register.

2.2       With regards to paragraph 3 of the Minute of the Meeting held on 7 June 2023, the Property Officer advised that proposals had been submitted to Heritage officers to strip the paint coverings on the Walter Scott monument.  There were around three or four layers of paint and would cost a significant amount of money therefore the views of Heritage officers were sought.

2.3       The action with regards to paragraph 2 of the Minute of the Meeting held on 15 February 2023 was to remain on the action tracker with the responsible officer to be changed to Kirsten Robertson.

2.4       The actions with regards to paragraph 2 (iii) of the Minute of the Meeting held on 13 September 2023 and paragraph 2 of the Minute of the Meeting held on 15 June 2022 were to be combined with the Solicitor and the Statutory Reporting and Treasury Business Partner sharing responsibility.

2.5       With regards to paragraph 2 (i) of the Minute of the Meeting held on 13 September 2023, the Statutory Reporting and Treasury Business Partner advised that depreciation charges carried over the remaining life of the asset and were reviewed every year end.  This wouldn’t cover work to bring the flat up to standard but would be reflected in the next review of the asset value.

DECISION

NOTED the Action Tracker.

Consider report by Director Finance and Procurement. (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director Finance and Procurement that provided details of the income and expenditure for the Selkirk Common Good Fund for the nine months to 31 December 2023, a full year projected out-turn for 2023-24, projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2024 and proposed budget for 2024-25.  Appendix 1 of the report provided the projected income and expenditure position for 2023-24 which showed a projected deficit of £3,473 for the year, which was more than the deficit figure reported at the 29 November meeting, as a result of an increase to the Central Support Charge.  Appendix 2 of the report provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2024 which showed a projected decrease in reserves of £142,749.  Appendix 3a of the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio which showed projected rental income and projected net return for 2023-24 and actual property income to 31 December 2023.  Appendix 3b of the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio which showed projected property expenditure for 2023-24 and actual property expenditure to 31 December 2023.  Appendix 4 of the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio which showed projected property valuations at 31 March 2024.  Appendix 5 of the report showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 31 December 2023.

DECISION

(a)       AGREED the proposed budget for 2024-25 as shown in Appendix 1 of the Report;

(b)       NOTED:

(i)        the actual income and expenditure for 2023-24 in Appendix 1 of the report as the revised budget for 2023-24;

(ii)       the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2024 in Appendix 2 of the report;

(iii)      the summary of the property portfolio in Appendices 3 and 4 of the report; and,

(iv)      the current position of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund in Appendix 5 of the report.

Consider verbal update on Common Good owned property.

The Property Officer advised that minor repairs including to loose slates had been undertaken at Linglie Farm.

DECISION

NOTED the update.

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.”

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 the Appendix to this Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

Private Minutes of meetings held on 13 November and 29 November 2023 to be agreed and signed. (Copies attached.)

The Sub-Committee considered the Private Section of the Minutes of the Meetings held on 13 November 2023 and 29 November 2023.

Review Action Tracker. (Copy attached.)

The Sub-Committee considered the Private Section of the Selkirk Common Good Fund Sub-Committee action tracker.

Consider verbal update on Common Good owned property.

The Sub-Committee considered an update by the Property Officer.