Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Via MS Teams

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

Link: link to live stream

Items
No. Item

1.

Order of Business.

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.

 

2.

Request for Financial Assistance pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Consider application for funding from Interest Link Borders.  (Copy attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of an application from Interest Link Tweeddale seeking funding of £2,000 to develop an existing project to improve the quality of life of 30 members with learning difficulties aged 12-76 who lived in Peebles and 40 family carers.  Andrew Findlay, Project Co-ordinator spoke in support of the application and answered Members questions and confirmed that the funds would only be spent on Peebles residents and assistance with digital connectivity was being provided through “Connecting Scotland”.  Members were supportive of the application on the basis that the money was not used to fund staffing costs. 

 

            DECISION

            AGREED to award £2,000 to Interest Link Tweeddale, subject to the funds not being used for staffing costs.

 

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Minutes of Meetings held as undernoted to be approved and signed by the Chairman:-

 

(a)     18 November 2020;

 

(b)     25 November 2020; and

 

(c)     10 February 2021.

 

(Copies attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3.1       There had been circulated copies of the Minutes from the meetings held on 18 November, 25 November 2020 and 10 February 2021.

 

3.2       With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 17 November 2020, Councillor Anderson asked for an update on the information relating to the rental of properties.  The Estates Surveyor advised that she would need to check the paper records held at Council HQ and would hopefully have information to report at the next meeting.

 

3.3       With reference to paragraph 5.2 of the Minute of 17 November 2020, the Estates Surveyor advised that she had been in contact with the Tweed Valley Forest Festival Organisers and they had advised they were wanting to display the carving in the pavilion prior to Christmas as an advert for local wood crafters. They were going to discuss the offer to display ahead of the festival with other Forest Festival organisers but there had been no further communication from them.

 

3.4       With reference to paragraph 5.4 of the Minute of 17 November 2020, the Chairman asked if there was an update on the food vendor request.  It was agreed that this would be considered at the next meeting.

 

            DECISION

            AGREED:-

 

            (a)     to approve the Minutes for signature by the Chairman

 

            (b)     to note the updates and items for the next meeting.

 

4.

Budget Monitoring for the 9 Month Period to 31 December 2020 and Proposed Budget for 2021/2022 pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Consider report by Executive Director, Finance and Regulatory.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Executive Director, Finance and Regulatory providing the details of the income and expenditure for the Peebles Common Good Fund for the nine months to 31 December 2020, a full year projected out-turn for 2020/21, projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2021 and proposed budget for 2021/22.  Appendix 1 to the report provided the projected income and expenditure position for 2020/21.  This showed a projected surplus of £29,272 for the year, which was slightly higher than the surplus figure reported at the 18 November 2020 meeting, due to an improvement in the return on the Aegon Investment Fund.  Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2021.  It showed a projected increase in the reserves of £13,705.  Appendices 3a and 3b to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income, net return for 2020/21, actual property income to 31 December 2020 and actual property expenditure to 31 December 2020.  Appendix 4 to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property valuations at 31 March 2021.  Appendix 5 to the report showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 31 December 2020.  The Treasury Business Partner answered Members questions and confirmed that the rental income shown was based on the full invoiced amount.  Councillor Bell proposed that the grant budget for 2021/2022 be increased to £27,000 and this was unanimously agreed.

 

            DECISION

            AGREED:-

 

(a)       the projected income and expenditure for 2020/21 in Appendix 1 to the report as the revised budget for 2020/21;

(b)       the proposed budget for 2021/22 as shown in Appendix 1 to the report subject to increasing the grant budget;

 

(c)       to note the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2021 in Appendix 2 to the report;

 

(d)       to note the summary of the property portfolio in Appendices 3 and 4 to the report; and

 

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

 

5.

Property Update pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Consider update from Estates Surveyor.

Minutes:

5.1       The Estates Surveyor that a request had been received for a wayleave to install a fibre cable up the side of the track at the golf course up to Jedderfield Farm.  BT would be carrying out the work and there had been a site meeting with them and the greenkeeper.  The Golf Club had no objections but would require to provide their written permission and the works would be carried out in 6-9 months time.

 

5.2       The Estates Surveyor advised that there had been a landslide at Venlaw Quarry.  The area had been fenced off until the area had been assessed by engineers.  Community Councillor Hayworth noted that the Common Good interest seemed to be for stone extraction only and the Estates Surveyor confirmed that ownership was being examined.

 

5.3       The Estates Surveyor advised that the Property Officer had inspected the Walkershaugh Store and advised painting and pointing works were carried out. The cost for this were approximately £600 and had been included in the budget for next year.

 

5.4       Papers had been circulated regarding the positioning of the storage container for the Highland Games.  Members discussed the proposal and expressed concern regarding the size and visual impact.  It was suggested that timber cladding could be applied to allow it to blend in with the adjacent clubhouse and Members agreed to defer a decision until information was provided on possible treatments to make the container more visually acceptable.

 

5.5       Haylodge Park toilets had been inspected by the Property Officer and painting works were recommended. These had been quoted at £4000. The Estates Surveyor advised the cleaners of the toilets had been in contact about whether the toilets were to open from the 1st April as usual.

 

            DECISION

            AGREED:-

 

            (a)     to approve the wayleave at the Golf Course;

 

(b)     to note the situation at Venlaw Quarry and that there would be a report back on ownership;

 

(c)     to approve works to the Walkershaugh Store

 

(d)     to request further information from the Highland Games organisers on possible treatments to make the container more visually acceptable

 

(e)     to approve painting works to Haylodge Park toilets and to approve the opening of the toilets from 1st April

 

6.

Private Business

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.”

 

Minutes:

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.

 

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

 

7.

Minute

Private Sections of the Minutes listed below to be approved and signed by the Chairman:-

 

(a)     18 November 2020;

 

(b)     25 November 2020; and

 

(c)     10 February 2021

 

(Copies attached.)

Minutes:

The private Minutes of the meetings held on 18 November, 25 November 2020 and 10 February 2021 were approved for signature by the Chairman.

 

8.

Old Corn Exchange Shop

Consider lease of Old Corn Exchange Shop.  (Copy papers attached.)

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee approved the lease of the Old Corn Exchange Shop.

 

9.

Common Good Fund Land

Consider plan prepared by Estates Surveyor. (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

The Estates Surveyor provided draft plans as requested by Members.      

 

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Scottish Borders Council

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