Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick

Contact: Judith Turnbull Tel No. 01835 826556  Email:  Judith.Turnbull@scotborders.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Consider Minute of meeting held on 11 December 2018 (copy attached),

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Mr Graham Marshall, Hawick Community Council’s representative on the Sub-Committee and Ms Sara Halliday, Scottish Borders Council’s Treasury Business Partner.

 

DECISION

NOTED the appointment of Mr Graham Marshall as Hawick Community Council’s representative on the Sub-Committee.

 

 

2.

Minute

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 11 December 2018.

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute of the Meeting held on 11 December 2018.

3.

Matters Arising from the Minute

Minutes:

Heads Together

With reference to paragraph 3.1 of the Minute of 11 December 2018, the Chairman advised that Heads Together had secured funding to purchase their premises at Dovemount Place, where the charity was based. 

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

4.

Hawick Flood Protection Scheme

Presentation by Conor Price, Project Manager, on Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, Common Haugh Car Park design and Community Timber Project.

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Conor Price, Senior Project Manager, CPE Consultancy, and Steven Vint, Design Manager, Jacobs, who were in attendance to give updates on the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, Community Timber Project and Common Haugh Car Park design.

 

4.2       Mr Price began by explaining that the aim of the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme was to reduce flood risk, enhance the environment and assist communities.   He outlined the timeline for the project, explaining that over the past 18 months there had been extensive community engagement, which would culminate on 27 March when the finalised design would be presented to the public.   The programme had been adjusted slightly, which had meant a six month delay.  However, this would ensure the delivery of an enhanced project for Hawick, not only in relation to the flood protection scheme but in partnership with: Transport Scotland regarding the Flood Wall at Commercial Road; Scottish Water with the delivery of a large pumping station within sewage treatment works at Mansfield Road; Sustrans in relation to a sustainable travel superhighway; and, SNH Green Infrastructural Fund.   The next stage was on 31 May when tenders would be invited, this would conclude in November when a construction programme would be presented to the town.   The project would commence in January 2020 with completion scheduled for December 2022.  Throughout the programme, there would be engagement with the community to mitigate project risks.      In response to questions, Mr Price advised that with regard to traffic management, he would attend a meeting of Burnfoot Community Council and clarify the proposals.   With regard to the Scheme in relation to Hawick Common Good land, Mr Price would liaise with officers and circulate a plan identifying the works in relation to land in the ownership of Hawick Common Good.

 

 4.3      Mr Price then gave an update on the Community Timber Project explaining that Phase one was ongoing.  The remainder of the timber would be offered to the community through a second procurement exercise in the autumn.  In response to a question, Mr Price advised that the current phase was timber soured from Scottish Borders Council land and was being offered for use to Borders-wide community and charitable groups.  The second phase, later this year, would be trees felled from Hawick Common Good land and applications would be restricted to constituted community and charitable groups from the Teviot and Liddesdale area.  Mr Price also noted the concern that the application form was too complex and would feedback to the appropriate officers.

 

4.4       Steven Vint then updated on the suggested proposals for the Common Haugh Car Park.  The design, which had followed community vision works, focused on the optimum layout for safety, particularly in relation to school transport.   Mr Vint explained that 330 car parking spaces had been retained which included parking for disabled vehicles and electric vehicles.  The orientation of the car park would align east to west, with one way circulation, improved signage, lighting and drainage, and a dedicated footway.  During the construction stage,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Applications for Financial Assistance pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Consider applications for financial assistance from:-

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Future Hawick

There had been circulated copies of an application for financial assistance from Future Hawick requesting £5,000.00 to cover the cost of employment of Hawick Welcome hosts.  The Chairman of Future Hawick was in attendance and advised that the organisation faced extra challenges this year with the closure of the Visit Scotland centre and difficulties booking premises for fundraising events.    The Sub-Committee congratulated Future Hawick on the success of the project and agreed to award funding of £5,000.00 for the employment of hosts.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award a grant of £5,000.00 to Future Hawick for the cost of employment of Hawick Welcome hosts.

 

 5.2      Future Hawick - Town of the Horse

There had been circulated copies of an application for financial assistance from Future Hawick (Town of the Horse) requesting £2,000.00 towards a feasibility study for the redevelopment of Hawick Moor. 

 

DECISION

AGREED to award £2,000.00 towards a feasibility study for the redevelopment of Hawick Moor.

 

6.

Application for use of the Common Haugh pdf icon PDF 337 KB

Consider application from the Big Kid Circus (Copy attached)

Minutes:

Big Kid Circus

There had been circulated copies of an application from the Big Kid Circus requesting permission for use of the Common Haugh from 21 July to 24 July 2019 to hold a commercial circus.  The Sub-Committee agreed the request on the condition that any damage incurred was repaired following the event.

 

DECISION

AGREED to grant a lease to the Big Kid Circus for use of the Common Haugh from 21 July to 24 July 2019.

 

7.

Williestruther Loch - Boardwalk pdf icon PDF 261 KB

To consider request from Hawick Community Council. (Copy attached).  

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a letter from Hawick Community Council advising that Hawick Community Council had secured funding to provide a boardwalk around Williestruther Loch.  However, the Community Council had not appreciated the necessity for ongoing maintenance work and insurance cover for the boardwalk.   Hawick Community Council were therefore offering to gift the boardwalk to Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee in order that future maintenance work and insurance would continue.   Members discussed the request and asked that Hawick Community Council provide an indication of the annual costs for maintenance and insurance of the boardwalk.  The Managing Solicitor would advise on the terms of agreement for the lease of the land. 

 

DECISION

AGREED that the Hawick Community Council’s proposal be considered at the next meeting when further information would be provided.

 

8.

Monitoring Report for nine months to 31 December 2018 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Consider report by Chief Financial Officer. (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 Hawick Good Fund Sub-Committee for the nine months to 31 December 2018, a full year projected out-turn for 2018/19 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2019.   Appendix 1 to the report provided the projected income and expenditure position and showed a projected surplus of £12,514.00.  Appendix 2 showed a projected decrease in reserves of £27,077.00.  Appendix 3 provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income for 2018/19 and actual property expenditure to 31 December 2018.  Appendix 4 showed the value of the Kames Capital Investment Fund to 31 December 2018, in response to a question regarding the Fund’s performance, Ms Halliday advised that the unrealised loss was due to continued volatility in investment markets.    In response to a question regarding the ownership of Wilton Lodge Park, Mr Kirk advised that he would investigate outwith the meeting. 

 

            DECISION

 

AGREED the projected income and expenditure for 2018/19 in Appendix 1 to the report as the revised budget for 2018/19.

 

NOTED within the appendices to the report:-

 

the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2019 in Appendix 2

 

     the summary of the property portfolio in Appendix 3; and

 

the current position of the Kames Capital Investment Fund in Appendix 4.   

 

 

9.

James Wilson Statue

Consider update from Property Officer

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of 11 December 2018, the Property Officer, Frank Scott, advised that Live Borders had agreed to placement of the James Wilson Statute at the Heritage Hub.  However, unfortunately, the previously agreed location was not suitable.    The Heritage Hub had suggested, as an alternative, that the statue be positioned at the side of the building under the canopy.   Mr Scott circulated photograph of the site, for information and advised that the relocation would cost in the region of £1,565.00.    Following discussion, the Sub-Committee, noting that there was CCTV at the location, agreed that the statue be moved to the alternative position, under the canopy. Once relocated, the previously agreed repairs to the statue would be carried out.      

 

DECISION

AGREED:

(a)          to request that the Property Officer arrange for the relocation of the James Wilson Statute to the side of the Heritage Hub; and

(b)          once relocated the repairs to the statue be completed.

 

10.

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 Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act”,

Minutes:

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 the Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act. 

 

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

 

 

11.

Hawick Golf Club

Consider  update on Hawick Golf Club’s business plan from Secretary of Hawick Golf Club.

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received an update on the Golf Club’s business plan.

 

 

12.

Private Minute

Consider Private Minute of the meeting 11 December 2018. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

Members approved the Private Minute of the Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 11 December 2018.

 

13.

Proposed Servitude over Pilmuir Farm and St Leonard's Horse Gallop

Consider report by Service Director Assets and Infrastructure. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received copies of a report by the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure.

 

14.

St Leonards Steading and Buildings

Consider report by Service Director Assets & Infrastructure.  (Copy attached).

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received copies of a report by the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure and made a recommendation to Council.

 

15.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 28 May 2019.

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Hawick Common Good Fund Sub Committee was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 28 May 2019 at 4.00 pm. 

 

 

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