Agenda and minutes

Consider the appointment of Chairman.

Councillor Bell, seconded by Councillor Chapman, proposed that Councillor Anderson be appointed as Chairman.  Councillor Haslam, seconded by Councillor Small, proposed that Councillor Tatler be appointed as Chairman.  There being an equality of votes for both candidates the decision was taken by lot.  This was done by a cut of the cards in which Councillor Tatler was successful.

DECISION

DECIDED that Councillor Tatler be appointed as the Chairman of the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

Consider the appointment of Vice-Chairman.

Councillor Tatler, seconded by Councillor Bell, proposed that Councillor Anderson be appointed as Vice Chairman and this was unanimously approved.

DECISION

AGREED that Councillor Anderson be appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

Minute of Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund of 1 March 2017 for noting.   (Copy attached.)

The Minute of Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of 1 March 2017 had been circulated.

DECISION

NOTED. 

Consider report by the Chief Legal Officer on the current Traffic Regulation Orders in relation to Car Parks in Peebles.  (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 23 November 2016, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Legal Officer outlining the current Traffic Regulation Orders in relation to car parks in Peebles which had been prepared in response to concerns regarding the use of the car parks for overnight stays by caravans and camper vans.  The report covered all car parks although it was noted that only 3, namely Kingsmeadows, Greenside and Tweed Green were in the ownership of the Common Good Fund.  Ms Kubala, Solicitor highlighted the regulations as they applied and advised that the Team Leader Road Safety & Traffic Management was carrying out a review of all Traffic Orders with a view to reducing the number and simplifying the regulations.  The Common Good Fund did not have the power to vary Traffic Regulation Orders but they could respond to any consultation process.  Members agreed that they should participate in any consultation process and in due course could erect advisory signs regarding overnight stays.

DECISION

(a)        NOTED the Traffic Regulation provisions for car parks in Peebles.

(b)       AGREED to:-

(i)         participate in any future consultation process regarding the review of Traffic Regulation orders; and

(ii)        consider the erection of advisory signs once the review had been completed.

Consider quotation for repairs to toilets at Hay Lodge Park, Peebles.  (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 23 November 2016, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Legal Officer outlining the current Traffic Regulation Orders in relation to car parks in Peebles which had been prepared in response to concerns regarding the use of the car parks for overnight stays by caravans and camper vans.  The report covered all car parks although it was noted that only 3, namely Kingsmeadows, Greenside and Tweed Green were in the ownership of the Common Good Fund.  Ms Kubala, Solicitor highlighted the regulations as they applied and advised that the Team Leader Road Safety & Traffic Management was carrying out a review of all Traffic Orders with a view to reducing the number and simplifying the regulations.  The Common Good Fund did not have the power to vary Traffic Regulation Orders but they could respond to any consultation process.  Members agreed that they should participate in any consultation process and in due course could erect advisory signs regarding overnight stays.

DECISION

(a)        NOTED the Traffic Regulation provisions for car parks in Peebles.

(b)       AGREED to:-

(i)         participate in any future consultation process regarding the review ofTraffic Regulation orders; and

(ii)        consider the erection of advisory signs once the review had been completed.

Consider report by the Chief Financial Officer.  (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 year 2016/17 including balance sheet values as at 31 March 2017 and proposed budget for 2017/18.  Appendix 1 to the report provided the actual income and expenditure for 2016/17.  This showed a surplus of £22,300 for the year, which was significantly more than the £6,777 surplus forecast in the monitoring report to 31 December 2016 and was primarily due to an underspend against the grants budget caused by the timing to 2 large grant payments as detailed in the report.  Appendix 1 also showed a projected deficit of £367 for 2017/18.  Appendix 2 provided a balance sheet value as at 31 March 2017 which showed a decrease in the reserves of £16,088, mainly due to depreciation. Appendix 3 provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing actual rental income and property expenditure to 31 March 2017 where applicable and the 2016/17 depreciation charge.  Appendix 4 showed the value of the Newton Fund to 31 March 2017.  Mrs Robb, Capital and Investments Manager advised that KPMG had been asked to carry out some peer comparison in respect of the Newton Fund given recent performance.  Although they were currently meeting their targets there was some concern for the future and a report on what alternative options there might be would be submitted to Council for consideration.  Mrs Robb answered Members questions and commented on the ethical investment policy.  In response to a request for a set of criteria for applications for funding Mrs Robb advised that work was ongoing to produce a criteria and application form which could be used for all types of grants administered by the Council.

            DECISION

(a)        AGREED the proposed budget for 2017/18 as shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

(b)       NOTED:-

            (i)         the actual income and expenditure for 2016/17 in Appendix 1 to the report;

            (ii)        the final balance sheet value to 31 March 2017 in Appendix 2 to the report;

            (iii)       the summary of the property portfolio in Appendix 3 to the report; and

            (iv)       the current position of the investment in the Newton Fund in Appendix 4 to the report.

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.

Mr Graham reported that it had been necessary to replace the fountain pump at a cost of £491.94 and that a further £160 would be required for associated electrical and joinery work.

          DECISION

          NOTED and approved the works required to repair the fountain.

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 paragraph 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.

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

Declarations of Interest

          Councillor Tatler and Community Councillor Hayworth declared an interest in the following item of business in terms of section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the Chamber.  Councillor Anderson took the Chair.

Private Minute of Meeting of 1 March 2017 for noting.   (Copy attached).

The private section of the Minute of 1 March 2017 was approved.

With reference to paragraph 8 of the private section of the Minute of 1 March 2017, the Estates Surveyorbriefed Members on the current position regarding the lease of the Old Corn Exchange, Peebles,   Members agreed to confirm their previous decision regarding the permanent lease and not to use the property for any other purpose.