Agenda and minutes

Consider Minute of Meeting held on 10 June 2021.  (Copy attached.)

The Minute of the Meeting of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 10 June 2021 had been circulated.  With reference to paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 of the Minute the Estates Surveyor reported that Underdog had ceased trading and The Flower of Milk would not be operating until summer 2022.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

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

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Executive Director, Finance & Regulatory providing details of the income and expenditure for the Peebles Common Good Fund for the three months to 30 June 2021, a full year projected outturn for 2021/22 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2022.   Appendix 1 provided the actual income and expenditure position for 2021/22 and showed a surplus of £18,028 for the year.  Appendix 2 provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2022 and showed a projected decrease in the reserves of £53,532.  Appendix 3a provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income and net return for 2021/22.  Appendix 3b provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property expenditure for 2021/22.  Appendix 4 provided a breakdown of projected property valuations at 31 March 2022.  Appendix 5 showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 30 June 2021.  The Pension & Investment Manager highlighted the main points in the report.  In response to a query on the map of assets to match the list shown in Appendix 3a as to whether an interim version could be made available until all ownerships were checked, the Solicitor agreed to raise with the team involved to see if it could be made public with a caveat attached

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)       the projected income and expenditure for 2021/22 in Appendix 1 to the report and the revised budget for 2021/22;

(b)       to note the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2022 in Appendix 2 to the report;

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

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

Consider request for funding from Tweeddale Youth Action.  (Copy application attached.)

There had been circulated copies of an application from Tweeddale Youth Action requesting £7,840 to fund refurbishment works in their building.  Mr David Hodson was present at the meeting and explained why the works were required.  Members discussed the request and noted that the Group leased their property from the Council.  Although the Sub-Committee were supportive of the application they asked that the Estates Surveyor check the terms of the lease regarding responsibility for maintenance of the building.  Councillor Haslam, seconded by Councillor Chapman proposed that the request be approved and this was unanimously accepted.

            DECISION

            AGREED:-

            (a)     to award a grant of £7,840 to Tweeddale Youth Action; and

(b)     that the Estates Survey report back on the terms of the lease regarding maintenance of the building.

Consider general property update by Estates Surveyor.  (Copy briefing paper attached.)

4.1       Victoria Park Funfair

            A request had been received to operate a funfair in Victoria Park between 19-26 September and a fee of £801 would be charged.

            DECISION

            AGREED to approve the request subject to the operator making good any damage to the park.

4.2       Braw Brew Street Trader

            A request had been received from Braw Brew Street Trader to operate at either Kingsmeadows Car Park or Haylodge Park.  It was recommended that Haylodge Park be not approved.  Members expressed concern at the possible number of traders on site and the need to ensure that there were not more than 2 traders operating at any one time.  Members agreed that a proposal was required for the operation of mobile vendors on Common Good land and requested that the Estates Surveyor bring back a proposal  for consideration.

            DECISION

            AGREED to that a proposal covering the operation of mobile vendors operating on Common Good land be prepared for consideration before any further requests were granted.

4.3       Tweedgreen Pavilion

            It was noted that interest had been expressed in leasing the Tweedgreen Pavilion as a seasonal café.  It was suggested that this could also come under the policy requested above.  It was agreed that the Estates Surveyor could continue to have discussions with the interested party and noted that detailed proposal would be submitted if this was to be progressed.

            DECISION

            AGREED that the Estates Survey have further discussions with the interested party and that detailed proposal would be brought back for consideration in due course.

4.4       Annual Fireworks Display

            A request had been received from the Peebles Round Table to hold their annual fireworks display in Victoria Park on 6 November.  It was noted that this would require the temporary closure of the playpark.

            DECISION

            AGREED to approve the request.

Consider improved signage of sculpture funded by Common Good Fund.

Councillor Anderson, in the absence of Councillor Tatler, reported that Bonnie Peebles had requested that in return for the repair and maintenance of the Fishes Sculpture adjacent to the Eastgate Theatre that they be allowed to collect the coins thrown into the surrounding pond.  They had also requested that a new plaque attributing the provision of the sculpture to the Common Good Fund be erected.  Members agreed that a detailed request in writing was required before a decision could be taken and agreed that the matter be deferred until this was provided.

            DECISION

            AGREED to defer consideration until further information in writing was received from Bonnie Peebles.

A paper on the proposed relocation of the Peebles Highland Games container had been circulated.  However, the Chairman did not consider that the item should be considered as urgent business and asked the representatives from the Highland Games Committee to have a detailed discussion with officers on what might be acceptable on that site before a report was considered by the Sub-Committee.

            DECISION

            AGREED to defer consideration to allow further discussions with officers and that a detailed proposal by officers be brought back for consideration in due course.

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.”

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

Consider property update by Estates Surveyor.  (Copy briefing attached.)

Members received an update from the Estates Surveyor and agreed safety works at Venlaw Quarry and noted an update on Jedderfield Farm.