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.

Minute pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Consider Minute of meeting held on 20 June 2017 (copy attached),

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 20 June 2017

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute of the Meeting held on 20 June 2017.

 

2.

Financial Assistance pdf icon PDF 3 MB

 

Consider application for financial assistance from Hawick Reivers Association. (Copy attached).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of an application from Hawick Reivers Association requesting financial assistance of £3,000 towards the overall costs of Hawick Reivers Festival.  The application highlighted that there was a significant amount of volunteer time involved in organising the Festival.  Moreover, the Festival was highly valued by the local community and encouraged involvement by all ages, with the majority of attractions free to the public.    Members noted that Hawick Common Good Fund had provided a total of £20,350 towards the Festival, £9,500 in the last five years and £2,500 last year.  This year’s Festival’s estimated cost was £15k, therefore the application requested 20% funding by the Common Good.  However, it was also noted that without support, it would be difficult to continue to stage the Festival.  

 

2.2       Following discussion Councillor Marshall, seconded by Councillor McAteer, moved that a grant of £3,000 be awarded to Hawick Reivers Association.

 

2.3       Councillor Paterson moved as an amended, that a grant of £2,000 be awarded with the proviso that if the Festival made a loss the Association could request an additional grant of up to £1,000.  There was no seconder for the amendment and the motion was accordingly carried. 

 

DECISION

AGREED to award a grant of £3,000.00 to Hawick Reivers Association towards the overall costs of Hawick Reivers Festival. 

 

 

3.

Burgh Woodlot

Verbal update from Estates Surveyor.

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 20 June 2017, the Estates Manager, Mr Curtis, updated Members on progress and advised that a report would be presented to the November meeting of the Common Good. 

 

DECISION

AGREED that a report on the Burgh Woodlot would be presented to the next meeting on of the Sub-Committee.

 

4.

Monitoring Report for nine months to 30 June 2017 pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Consider report by Chief Financial Officer. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 8 of the Minute of 20 June 2017, there had been circulated a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing details of the income and expenditure for the Hawick Common Good Fund for three months to 30 June 2017, a full year projected out-turn for 2017/18 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2018.  Appendix 1, to the report, provided the projected income and expenditure position and showed a projected surplus of £26,008 for the year.  Appendix 2, to the report, provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2018 and showed a projected decrease in the reserves of £13,584.  Appendix 3, to the report, provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income for 2017/18 and actual property expenditure to 30 June 2017.  Appendix 4, to the report, showed the value of the Newton Fund to 30 June 2017.  The Senior Finance Officer, Mr Yallop, advised that KPMG had carried out an assessment of the Newton Fund and had indicated that there were more attractive options available within the market which could provide improved performance within the previously approved Investment Strategy.   As the Newton Fund investment affected all Common Good Funds, a report would be presented to Council to seek approval to undertake a procurement exercise.

 

DECISION

 

(a)        AGREED the projected income and expenditure for 2017/18 in Appendix 1, to the report, as the revised budget for 2017/18;

 

(b)       NOTED:

 

(i)         The projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2018 in Appendix  2 to the report; 

 

(ii)        The summary of the property portfolio in Appendix 3 to the report; and

 

(iii)       The current position of the investment in the Newton Fund in Appendix 4 to the report.

 

 

5.

James Wilson Statue

Verbal update from Property Officer.

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 9.3 of the Minute of 20 June 2017, the Estates Surveyor, Mr Curtis, advised that Members had agreed to situate the James Wilson statue on the triangular section of paving, outside Border Brides, Tower Knowe.  The Property Officer, Mr Scott, had discussed the location with Border Brides, who were fully supportive of the proposal.  The concrete base would be installed on or before 23 August, the statute being scheduled for delivery on 24 August.   It was suggested that Members should welcome the statue on its arrival, with a formal Unveiling Ceremony held on 15 or 16 September, when personnel from the Economist would be in attendance.  There were still family connections to James Wilson in Hawick and they would also be invited to attend the unveiling ceremony.    

 

DECISION

AGREED:

 

(a)        That Members welcome the James Wilson statute on its arrival in Hawick; and

 

(b)       That an official Unveiling Ceremony be arranged.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Hornshole

Verbal update from Managing Solicitor.

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 9.1 of the Minute of 20 June 2017, the Managing Solicitor, Mr Kirk, advised that the draft Disposition had been sent to the title holder’s solicitor on 24 July and was awaiting response.  Mr Kirk confirmed that he was not aware that there would be any restrictions placed on the transfer of the land.  Following discussion it was agreed that the transfer of the land be concluded within 14 days.  Mr Kirk was requested to advise the title holder’s solicitor that if the transfer was not concluded within that period, the transfer would not proceed and the title holder would remain responsible for future maintenance of the land and any legal costs incurred in relation to the Transfer.  

 

DECISION

AGREED to request the Transfer of land at Hornshole within 14 days.

 

7.

Common Haugh Car Park

Members discussion on car parking and public conveniences.

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee discussed maintenance of the Common Haugh, free car parking and the Council’s recently introduced Charging Policy for public conveniences.  Members were reminded that under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) would be responsible for maintenance of the Common Haugh car park, to similar standards applied across SBC’s entire adopted road network.    If the Sub-Committee required works carried out to a higher standard, then they would be able to fund the additional or enhanced works from Hawick Common Good Fund.  Regarding Common Haugh public conveniences, it was noted that their provision was not a statutory function.  The Sub-Committee also debated the feasibility of the Common Good taking back ownership of the public conveniences.  It was agreed to await the outcome of the six month review on the Charging Policy before discussing the matter further. 

 

DECISION

AGREED:

 

(i)         To await the outcome of the six month review on the Council’s Charging Policy; and

 

(ii)        To request officers advise Members of the feasibility of Hawick Common Good taking back ownership the Common Haugh including the public conveniences located at the Common Haugh.

 

 

8.

Property Update

Verbal update from Property Officer.

Minutes:

St Leonard’s Farm

With reference to paragraph 16, of the Private Minute of 20 June, Mr Curtis, advised that following the site meeting, repair works to the premises were being carried out. 

 

8.2       Williestruther Reservoir

With reference to paragraph 8 of the Minute of 17 May 2016, it was noted that the annual inspection had not yet been carried out, the former inspection engineer now having retired.  A new engineer had been appointed and would carry out the inspection at the same cost. 

 

8.3       Perambulation of Hawick Common – 14 October 2017

With reference to paragraph 9.4 of the Minute of 15 August, styles were still to be installed and a fencing contractor had been appointed to carry out the works. 

 

8.4       Condition Survey

With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 16 August 2016, Mr Curtis advised that condition surveys would commence the following week on all common good properties and buildings.  Once completed a five year program of works with estimated costs would be prepared for approval.

 

 

DECISION

NOTED the reports.

 

9.

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

ad defined in paragraph 9 and paragraph 6 of 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

 

 

10.

Private Minute

Consider Private Minute of the meeting of 20 June 2017. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

Members approved the Private Minute of 20 June 2017.

 

11.

Hawick Golf Club

Update on  Hawick Gold Club’s  business plan (Private minute 17 May 2016 refers).

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee requested that Hawick Golf Club attend the next meeting of the Common Good.

 

12.

Servitude over land at Commercial Road, Hawick

To consider private report by Service Director Assets & Infrastructure.  (Copy attached).

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report by Service Director Assets & Infrastructure and made recommendations.

 

 

13.

Property Update

Private verbal update by Estates Surveyor.

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee noted verbal updates and made appropriate recommendations.

 

 

CONTACT US

Scottish Borders Council

Council Headquarters Newtown St. Boswells Melrose TD6 0SA

Tel: 0300 100 1800

Email:

For more Contact Details