Agenda and minutes

Consider Minute of meeting held on 17 February 2015 (copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting held on 17 February 2015.

2.        With reference to paragraph 8, of the Minute of 17 February 2015, Councillor Smith, asked that the wording be amended to read “Councillor Smith advised that it was not only noise and litter, but disturbance tothe use of the Common Haugh that was of concern”.

         DECISION

           APPROVED the Minute for signature, subject to the amendment above.

With reference to paragraph 8 of the Minute of 17 February 2015, there was further discussion on the Fun Fair.  Members reported that the area used by the Fun Fair appeared to exceed previous years.  The Estates Officer would investigate to determine if the Fair had exceeded the area specified in their lease agreement.  If the Fair had exceeded the area then there would be an additional pro rata charge.  Members also sought clarification in terms of monitoring the noise levels.

           DECISION

           AGREED

(a)      To request the Estates Officer determine the area used by the Fun Fair in terms of their agreement and notify Members accordingly; and

(b)     If the Fund Fair has exceeded the area specified in the agreement, an additional charge to be levied on a pro rata basis.

(i)            The Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award (Copy attached).

(ii)           Hawick Welcome Initiative (Copy attached).

The Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award

4.        There had been circulated copies of an application from the Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award project, requesting financial assistance of £2,000.00 to run the Animation Workshop and Award Ceremony.  The Chairman advised that the applicants had received a one-off support grant from the Community Grant Scheme in 2013, towards running costs.  This award had been conditional on the group revising its fundraising plans in future years to bridge any gap and it was therefore not eligible to revert to the Community Grant Scheme for funding.   Representatives from the project were at the meeting and advised that they had undertaken fundraising events, including requesting sponsorship from small businesses and supermarket bag packing.  The project was considering merging with The Friends of Hawick Library, and, as such, would obtain a change to their status and be eligible for charitable grants in the future.  However, the funding was required for this year’s Animation Workshop and Award Ceremony.   The Forum unanimously agreed their support for this worthwhile project and awarded a grant of £2,000.00.

         DECISION        

         AGREED to award a grant of £2,000.00 to The Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award project to run the Animation Workshop and Award Ceremony. 

Hawick Welcome Initiative

5.       There had been circulated copies of an application from Hawick Welcome Initiative  requesting financial assistance of £2,500.00 towards host operation, advertising and promotion of a campervan facility at the Common Haugh. The Chairman advised that the initiative was not eligible for funding from the Community Grant Scheme.  Representatives from the initiative were in attendance and advised that they had undertaken fundraising events including a coffee morning and a concert.  The Forum congratulated the organisers for the successful initiative which promoted a positive impression of Hawick.  There was a discussion on whether one host should occasionally be located on the High Street.  The Forum requested that a permanent arrangement for future funding of the initiative, be considered in the autumn. 

DECISION

AGREED

(a)       to award a grant of £2,500.00 to Hawick Welcome Initiative towards their running  costs; and

(b)       to determine a permanent funding arrangement for the Hawick Welcome  Initiative.

With reference to paragraph 8 of the Minute of the Meeting of 17 February 2015, the Chairman proposed a motion to suspend Standing Order No. 55(a).  Members unanimously agreed to suspend the Standing Order.

         DECISION

         AGREED to suspend Standing Order No. 55(a) to enable further reconsideration of the  least of the Market Site at the Common Haugh. 

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 item of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 4 of part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act.”

Consider Minute of meeting held on 17 February 2015 (Copy attached),

1.Members approved the private section of the Minute of 25 March 2015.

The Estates Manager will report on expressions of interest received.

The Sub-Committee considered a report by the Estates Officer

3.The Sub-Committee considered a verbal report from the Chairman.

The meeting concluded at 4.35 pm.

Tuesday, 19 May 2015 at 4.00 pm in the Lesser Hall, Hawick.