Agenda and minutes

The Chairman varied the order of business as shown on the agenda and the Minute reflects the order in which the items were considered at the meeting.

Minute of Meeting of 2 March 2016 for noting.  (Copy attached.)

The Minute of Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 2 March  2015  had been circulated.  With reference to paragraph 5 (b) of the Minute, Councillor Bell proposed and it was agreed that the words ‘ and discuss other options’ be added to the end of the decision, to reflect the discussion.

DECISION

NOTED the Minute subject to the above amendment. 

Re-consider report by Service Director Commercial Services giving information

on a request to site a catering van in the Kingsmeadows Car Park. (Copy

attached.)  Further information to be provided relating to the TRO.

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 2 March 2016, there had been re-circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Commercial Services advising of a request to site a catering van in the Kingsmeadows Car Park, Peebles and recommending that the request be refused due to the Traffic Regulation Order in place which prohibited trading in the car park.  The report advised that the solum of the Kingsmeadows Car Park was a Common Good asset and rental income from the car park went to the Common Good fund.  The car park was subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which prohibited trading in or near the parking spaces.  A catering van trader had requested to use the car park for the sale of food and drink which would be contrary to the TRO.  The Team Leader Road Safety & Traffic Management quoted from the TRO, made in 1976, and advised that this prohibited trading over the whole area of the car park.  The reason for the TRO was not apparent.  Mr McQuillin added that it was possible to add an amendment to the TRO to permit trading by changing the articles.  Such a procedure would require full public consultation and approval by the Tweeddale Area Forum.   Members noted that there were also TROs in place which affected other areas of Peebles and that it would be useful to receive information to enable a full review of these.

DECISION

AGREED to refuse to authorise the granting of a ground lease for a catering van in the Kingsmeadows Car Park, Peebles due to the Traffic Regulation Order that prohibits trading in the car park

Re-consider application from the Lieutenancy of Tweeddale.   (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 5(b) of the Minute of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 2 March 2016, there had been re-circulated copies of an application for financial assistance from the Lieutenancy of Tweeddale in the sum of £1,350 towards providing every child in primary education in the 3 Peebles Primary Schools with a specially designed £1 coin to mark The Queen’s 90^th Birthday.   The Lord-Lieutenant of Tweeddale, Professor Sir Hew Strachan, was present at the meeting to give further information.  The Lord Lieutenant explained that, since submitting the application, he had ascertained that the Mint were in fact producing specially designed £5 crown coins to mark the event rather than £1 coins.  This increased the cost of the project to in excess of £4,000, but at present the Lieutenancy would still fund half the cost for coins for all the Peebles Primary School pupils.  Another option apparent from the discussions with the Mint was that, as the design of the current £1 coin was to be replaced in 2017 there would be a very limited production of £1 coins in 2016.  The 2016 coins were therefore likely to have a collector’s value but would not be of a specific design for The Queen’s 90^th Birthday.  The Lord Lieutenant went on to update Members  on responses he had received from Community Councils in the Tweeddale area in respect of events planned to celebrate the occasion.  Members discussed the application and how they felt the Common Good Fund should contribute towards celebration of the event.  After lengthy deliberation they agreed not to contribute towards the provision of coins.  It was instead felt that it would be appropriate to plant a tree, or group of trees, in Victoria Park and install a plaque made by a local stonemason to commemorate the occasion. It was noted that there was already a tree in the park planted for Queen Victoria.  It was agreed that the Common Good Fund should contribute up to £1500 for this project and that the details be agreed with the Neighbourhood Services and the Council’s Tree Officer.  Members expressed the wish that the Lord Lieutenant would carry out the planting at what could be an organised celebratory event on 12 June involving local children.  The Lord Lieutenant indicated his agreement with the proposal and confirmed that he would alert the Deputy Lieutenants about what would be required on 12 June.  The involvement of Peebles Community Council in the event would also be sought. 

DECISION

AGREED that in respect of commemoration of The Queen’s 90^th Birthday:-

(a)        not to contribute towards the purchase of commemorative £5 coins for pupils in the three Peebles Primary Schools;     

(b)       to grant up to £1500 for the planting of a tree(s) in Victoria Park and provision of a plaque ; and

(c)       that details of the tree planting and organisation of a celebratory event  be agreed with officers in Neighbourhood Services and in liaison with the Lord Lieutenancy.

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.

5.1       PLANNING APPLICATION

Mr Hayworth drew Members’ attention to concern about proposed removal of trees associated with a planning application submitted by the Tennis Club. Mr Hastie indicated that the Planning Authority and the Estate Management Section were aware of the details relating to the application.

DECISION

NOTED

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 item of business on

the grounds that it involves 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 6  of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

Private Minute of Meeting of 2 March 2016 for noting.  (Copy attached.)

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

The private section of the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee Minute of 2 March 2016 was noted.