Agenda and minutes

Minute of Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 29 June 2016 for noting.   (Copy attached.)

The Minute of Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 29 June 2016  had been circulated.

DECISION

NOTED. 

Consider report by Chief Financial Officer providing details of the income and expenditure for the Peebles Common Good Fund for the three months to 30 June 2016 and full year projected out-turn for 2016/17 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2017.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing  details of the income and expenditure for the Peebles Common Good Fund for the three months to 30 June 2016 and full year projected out-turn for 2016/17 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2017.    

Appendix 1 to the report provided a projected Income and Expenditure position.  This showed a projected surplus of £7,109 for the year.   Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected Balance Sheet to 31 March 2017.  It showed a projected decrease in the reserves of £30,330.  Appendix 3 to the report

provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income for 2016/17 and actual property expenditure to 30 June 2016.   Appendix 4 to the report showed the value of the Newton Fund to 30 June 2016.   The Capital and Investments Manager answered Members’ questions.   There would be an opportunity for Members to ask questions in relation to the Newton Fund at a seminar being held on 19 October 2016.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)          the projected Income and Expenditure for 2016/17  as detailed in  Appendix 1 to the report as the revised budget for 2016/17;

(b)          to note the projected Balance Sheet value as at 31 March 2017 as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report;

(c)          to note the summary of the property portfolio as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report; and

(d)          to note the current position of the investment in the Newton Fund as detailed in  Appendix 4 to the report.

Reconsider application for financial assistance from Bonnie Peebles.   (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 3(b) of the Minute of the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 29 June 2016, there had been recirculated copies of an  application for financial assistance from Bonnie Peebles in the sum of £10,000 towards the cost of their Scott Brash Sculpture to commemorate his tremendous achievements as a world class showjumper.  Mrs Avril Murray  and Mrs Margaret Wightman,   Bonnie Peebles were present and explained that fundraising to date amounted to £13,397.  The statue which was being commissioned by Kevin Paxton, Blacksmith would cost approximately £22,000 plus vat and there would be additional costs relating to ancillary items such as plaques, plinth, time capsule and planting of flower beds.    Mr Paxton had assured Bonnie Peebles that there would be no maintenance required for 25 years because the statue would be acid washed and galvanised.   The statue would be situated near the road at the entrance to The Bridges, opposite the Tweeddale Garage.   It was noted that the Peebles Common Good Fund would have no liability for the ongoing maintenance of the statue.   Members were supportive of the application but were mindful that £10,000 amounted to nearly half of the money available for grants and agreed that a grant of £6,500 be made to Bonnie Peebles.  Mrs Murray and Mrs Wightman were advised to explore other areas of  grant funding from the Council.  They were further advised that if they had difficulty in raising the full sum that they should notify the Common Good Fund Sub-Committee accordingly.

DECISION

AGREED to grant the sum of £6,500 to Bonnie Peebles towards the cost of their Scott Brash Sculpture.

Consider letter dated 3 August 2016 from Mr Martyn Lawrie, Project Manager on behalf of Peebles Golf Club.   (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a letter dated 3 August 2016  from Mr Martyn Lawrie, Project Manager on behalf of Peebles Golf Club advising of the proposed development of a Swing Studio and 3 Practice Bays adjacent to the existing practice area.    The Golf Club proposed to submit a planning application to the Council by Mid-August 2016.

DECISION

NOTED.

Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Chairman  was of the opinion that the items dealt with in the following paragraphs should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to make an early decision.

With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of Meeting of the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of  25 May 2016 , the Chairman advised that  Mr Jeremy Cunningham, Sustrans  and Mr David Fyfe at Moy Hall had been exchanging letters regarding the proposed path route at Moy Hall. This had become a protracted process and it was not clear that a solution had been found.   Mr Cunningham asked if the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee could defer making a decision regarding the revised access to the Memorial.

DECISION

NOTED. 

Community Councillor Hayworth advised that members of the public had recently noted the frequent use of Kingsmeadows Road car park for overnight parking of camper vans.  It  was confirmed that people were staying overnight in the camper vans.   Members agreed that before any enforcement measures could be undertaken, that the Chief Legal Officer liaise with Mr Jim McQuillin, Team Leader Road Safety and Traffic Management to seek clarification of the terms of the existing Traffic Regulation Order for the car park.

DECISION

AGREED that the Chief Legal Officer liaise with Mr Jim McQuillin, Team Leader Road Safety and Traffic Management to seek clarification of the terms of the existing Traffic Regulation Order for the car park and report back to a future meeting of the Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

There had been tabled at the meeting copies of a briefing note by the Chief Legal Officer advising it was understood that the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District Community Council had raised concerns regarding cycling in Victoria and Hay Lodge Parks, Peebles.

The briefing note considered whether any legal issues would arise if there was a need or desire to intervene and regulate cycling in these areas. It identified that issues would arise both in relation to Common Good law and under the Land Reform (S) Act 2003

Members discussed the briefing note. 

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)     to note the briefing note; and

(b)     that before considering the recommendations in the report that the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District Community Council be asked to  consider hosting a meeting to ascertain  local  views on cycling in Victoria Park and Hay Lodge Park, Peebles and advise the Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of their findings.