Agenda and minutes

Consider Minutes of Meetings held on 8 June and 12 July 2022.  (Copies attached.)

1.      MINUTES         

         The Minutes of Meetings of Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 8 June and 12 July 2022 had been circulated.

         DECISION

         APPROVED for signature by the Chairman. 

Consider report by Acting Chief Executive.  (Copy attached.)

          FINANCIAL MONITORING FOR THE 3 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2022

          There had been circulated copies of a report by the Acting Chief Executive providing details of the income and expenditure for the Peebles Common Good Fund for the three months to 30 June 2022, a full-year projected outturn for 2022/2023 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2023.   Appendix 1 provided the projected income and expenditure position for 2022/23 and showed a projected deficit of £8,757 for the year.  Appendix 2 provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2023 and showed a decrease in the reserves of £310,696.  Appendix 3a provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income and projected net return for 2022/23.  Appendix 3b provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property expenditure for 2022/2023 actual property expenditure to 30 June 2022.  Appendix 4 provided a breakdown of the projected property valuations at 31 March 2023.  Appendix 5 showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 30 June 2022.  The Treasury Business Partner highlighted the main points in the report and answered Members questions.  In response to a question from the Chairman as to whether some of the cash reserves should be invested it was suggested that this would be premature until the full costs of the renovations to the bungalow at Jedderfield were known

          DECISION

          AGREED:-

(a)       the projected income and expenditure for 2022/2023 Appendix 1 to the report as the revised budget for 2022/2023;

(b)       to note the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2023 in Appendix 2 to the report;

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

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

Consider request for funding from Peebles Stroke Club.  (Copy application attached.)

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

          There had been circulated copies of a request for funding from Peebles Stroke Club who were seeking £600 to assist them to get back up and running following Covid.  Mags Mills from the Group was present at the meeting and explained the purpose of the Group.  She advised that they had previously enjoyed the use of free accommodation at the NHS Haylodge facility.  Unfortunately due to fire safety issues this accommodation was no longer available.  They had been able to secure a replacement at the Drill Hall although there would be a cost which still had to be confirmed.  Ms Mills answered Members questions and advised the Bridge had helped them look for alternative funding but they had been too late to apply for one which might have been suitable.  Members were happy to support the application but also suggested that there could be other avenues of funding for the Group.  The Chairman undertook to provide email addresses for Mr Harrow and Ms Lacon from the Community Engagement Team and Councillor Begg suggested the “Make a Difference Movement Foundation”.

          DECISION

          AGREED to approve a grant of £600 for the Peebles Stroke Club.

Update by Estates Surveyor.

          PROPERTY UPDATE

4.1     Park Bookings

          The Estates Surveyor advised that the following park bookings had been made for September and October:-

·         Tour O The Borders, Tweed Green

·         Peebles Highland Games, Haylodge Park             

·         Family Day, Victoria Park

·         Funfair, Victoria Park

·         Tweedlove Bike Festival, Tweed Green

·         Bike Festival, Haylodge Park

·         Trail Run, Haylodge Park

          In response to a question from Community Councillor Maudsley it was confirmed that the camping offered as part of the upcoming Tweed Love Festival was not on land owned by the Common Good Fund.  However, it was agreed that an item be included on the agenda for the next meeting to discuss the policy of charging for the use of parks owned by the Common Good Fund as it was noted that the current Council Policy only levied charges for the use of parks by funfairs and circuses.

          DECISION

          AGREED

4.2     Jedderfield

          The Estates Surveyor advised that final costs were being obtained for the works to the Bungalow and these would be reported at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.  With regard to Paragraph 5 of the minute of 8 June 2022, she confirmed that regular annual inspections of the property would be carried out.

          DECISION

          NOTED.

Consider further information received regarding erection of Memorial to “Witchcraft” Accused on Tweed Green.  (Copy attached.)

5.       REQUEST TO LOCATE PEEBLES MEMORIAL TO “WITCHCRAFT” ACCUSED ON TWEED GREEN

          With reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of 8 June 2022, the Chairman welcomed Elisa Smith and Simon Ritchie to the meeting.  Copies had been circulated of the proposed location and design of the memorial.  Mr Ritchie advised that the plaque would be situated away from the tree so no roots were damaged and a small circular wall would be constructed around the tree to protect it from visitors to the Memorial.  The Callant’s Club had agreed to construct the wall and would also maintain it.  Members were supportive of the proposals but asked that checks be made with the Planning Officer and Tree Officer to ensure there were no permissions required prior to construction,

          DECISION

          AGREED in to the siting of a memorial to the “witchcraft” accused on Tweed Green subject to there being no need for planning permission or any objections from the Tree Officer and on the basis that the Common Good Fund were not responsible or any future maintenance.

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.”

          Private Business

          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

6.       PROPERTY UPDATE

          The Estates Surveyor updated Members on a tenant issue.

Update by Estates Surveyor.