Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Rosetta Road, Peebles

Contact: Louise McGeoch Tel: 01835 825005  Email:  lmcgeoch@scotborders.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Consider Minutes of Meetings held on:-

 

(a)     27 February 2019; and

(b)     27 March 2019

 

(Copies attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 27 February and 27 March 2019 had been circulated.

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minutes.

 

2.

Monitoring Report for 12 Months to 31 March 2019 pdf icon PDF 226 KB

Report by Chief Financial Officer on financial monitoring for the 12 months to 31 March 2018.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

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 2018/19 including balance sheet values as at 31 March 2019, and proposed budget for 2019/2020.  Appendix 1 to the report provided the actual income and expenditure for 2018/19 which showed a projected surplus of £44,630 for the year, which varied from the projected surplus figure reported at the 27 February 2019 meeting, due to an increase in rental income as well as lower than anticipated grant expenditure.  Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2019 which showed an increase in reserves of £11,643.  Appendix 3 to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing actual rental income for 2018/19 and actual property expenditure to 31 March 2019.  Appendix 4 to the report showed the value of the Kames Capital Investment Fund to 31 March 2019.  The Treasury Business Partner highlighted the main points in the report and explained that income included a rebate from Kames Capital of £452 which had been reinvested to purchase an additional 422 units.  The proposed budget for 2019/20 proposed a budget of £19,500 for grants based on the average amount awarded over the last few years.  Councillor Haslam proposed that this figure be increased to £29,500 and this was unanimously approved.

 

DECISION

AGREED to:-

 

(a)       note the actual income and expenditure for 2018/19 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       approve the proposed budget for 2019/20 as shown in Appendix 1 to the report subject to the amount for grants and other donations being increased to £29,500;

(c)       note the final balance sheet value as at 31 March 2019 detailed in Appendix 2 to the report;

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

(e)       note the current position of the Kames Capital investment fund in detailed in Appendix 4 to the report.

 

MEMBER

Councillor Small joined the meeting.

 

3.

Applications for Funding pdf icon PDF 7 MB

Consider applications for funding from:-

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3.1     Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band

          There had been circulated copies of a request from Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band for funding totalling £10,000.  Tracey Thomson representing the applicants advised that it was coming up for the Pipe Bands Centenary Year and it was proposed to buy new equipment and uniforms.  The application also covered the rental for new accommodation.  Members discussed the request and agreed that as the proposed property had not yet been legally acquired by the new owners no funding would be provided at this time for rental.  However, they would consider a further application for this element at the appropriate time.  It was proposed that funding of £6,500 be awarded at this time and this was unanimously agreed.

 

          DECISION

          AGREED:-

 

(a)     to grant funding of £6,500 to the Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band; and

 

          (b)     that consideration would be given to a further application to assist with rental payments once the building had been legally acquired by the new owners.

 

3.2     Old and New Horizons

          There had been circulated copies of a request by Tweed Wheels on behalf of Old and New Horizons for funding of £5,000.  The group organised day trips for older residents who struggled to use public transport and did not have access to a car.  The funds were to be used to continue the service which had previously been provided by volunteers.  Members queried whether staffing costs could be funded and also requested a detailed breakdown of how the funds would be spent.

 

          DECISION

          AGREED to continue the application to obtain more detailed information.

 

3.3     Tweedgreen

          There had been circulated copies of a request by Tweedgreen for funding of £600.  Tweedgreen were a local environmental group working to create a more sustainable and resilient community.  The funding was to be used to hold a public event involving relevant stakeholders to share best practice around making housing more sustainable, affordable, creative and attractive.  Members agreed to approve the request.

 

          DECISION

          AGREED to grant funding of £600 to Tweedgreen.

 

3.4     Peebles Slot Car Racing Club

          There had been circulated copies of a request by Peebles Slot Car Racing Club for funding of £1571 to secure club premises.  James Crawley founder of the Club outlined how the club would operate and that it covered all generations.  Members noted that the accommodation the club hoped to secure was in the same property as the Pipe Band above and agreed that they could not grant money until the property was in the ownership of the new operator.  However, Mr Crawley was encouraged to resubmit his application one he had a proper tenancy agreement.

 

          DECISION

          AGREED that funding would not be provided at this time but that a further application be submitted once a proper tenancy agreement was in place.

 

3.5     Peebles Rugby Club

          There had been circulated copies of a request by Peebles Ruby Club for funding of £5880 to fund the replacement of the existing boilers in the changing pavilion.  Jim King and Steven Matthews spoke in support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Common Good Fund Land

Consider:-

 

(a)     Peebles Callants plans for planting at Neidpath Grazings;

 

(b)     Peebles Community Trust proposal for alternative use for Elliots Park Grazings; and

 

(c)     Request from Peebles Highland Games to site equipment container at Haylodge Park.

Minutes:

4.1     Peebles Callant’s Plans for Planting Neidpath Grazings

          The Chairman advised that he and Councillor Bell had met with the Callant’s Committee on site.  The Callant’s Club representatives advised that the trees would be provided by the Woodlands Trust.  The issue for the Club was the commitment to look after the trees in perpetuity which was something he could not commit future generations to do.  The Estates Surveyor proposed that she meet the Callant’s Club representatives on site and would prepare a report on the future use of this land and other land held by the Common Good Fund for consideration by the Sub-Committee at their next scheduled meeting.  The Chairman also requested that the fence on the site be checked.

 

          DECISION

          AGREED that:-

 

(a)     the Estates Surveyor meet with the Callant’s Club representatives on site to consider the planting proposals; and

 

(b)     the Estates Surveyor prepare a report on the future use of all Peebles Common Good Fund land for consideration at the next scheduled meeting on 21 August 2019.

 

4.2     Elliots Park Grazings

          In the absence of Community Councillor Hayworth there was no discussion.  However, it was noted that the future use of this land would be included in the report at (b) above.

 

4.3     Request from Peebles Highland Games to Site Equipment Container at Haylodge Park

          It was reported that a request had been received from Peebles Highland Games to site a container at Haylodge Park to hold equipment.  A letter and site plan provided by Scott Watson on behalf of the Highland Games was circulated at the meeting.  Councillor Haslam requested a scale drawing showing the impact of the container on the site.  She expressed concerns regarding the fire escape for the adjacent building and the visual impact on visitors to the Park.  It was agreed that the Estates Surveyor would liaise with the Highland Games Organisers and would bring back a report providing the information requested.

 

          DECISION

          AGREED to defer consideration until a report detailing the full impact of the container on the adjoining buildings and visual amenity of the park was provided.

 

 

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