Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Fiona Henderson Tel: 01835 826502  e-mail:  fhenderson@scotborders.gov.uk

Link: teamsliveevent

Items
No. Item

1.

Minute pdf icon PDF 379 KB

Consider Minute of meeting held on 25 May 2021 (to follow).

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 25 May 2021.

 

DECISION     

APPROVED the Minute of the meeting held on 25 May 2021 for signature by the Chairman.

 

2.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 3.3 of the Minute of 25 May 2021, in respect of the application for financial assistance from Borders against Racism, the Pensions and Investment Manager sought Guidance in terms of the name of the project.  While fully supportive of the application, the Sub-Committee had raised concerns that the project name did not refer to Hawick and the significance of the commemoration of the speech by Frederick Douglass which took place in Hawick.  The Sub-Committee were unanimous that the project contain Hawick within its title.

 

DECISION

AGREED that the Pensions and Investment Manager liaise with Borders against Racism to agree the name of the project.

 

3.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order

Verbal presentation from Graeme Johnston, Lead Officer - Access and Transport.

Minutes:

Mr Graeme Johnstone, Lead Officer Access and Transport was present at the meeting to discuss with the members a proposal to introduce a Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders to cover the use of car parks by Motorhomes and Camper vans using public car parks between June and September.  Mr Johnstone explained that due to the Covid restrictions on travel abroad, people were opting to hire motorhomes and camper vans to visit Scotland this summer.  Campervans and Motorhomes were allowed to park in the Common Haugh to encourage visitors to the Town, however due to a large area currently unusable due to the flood prevention scheme, a more formal approach was being proposed.   The members were very supportive of motorhomes and campervans using the Common Haugh and there was an existing regulation restricting their stay to 48 hrs.  The members thought it unnecessary to introduce further restrictions which could potentially result in fewer visitors Hawick.  Following considerable discussion it was agreed that Mr Kirk and Mr Johnston liaise on the existing regulations for the Common Haugh in terms of Campervans and Motorhomes.

 

DECISION

AGREED that:-

 

(a)     no further regulations were required;

 

(b)     Mr Kirk and Mr Johnston liaise in terms of the regulations on the use of the Common Haugh by Caravans and Campervans; and

 

(c)     Authority be delegated to Officers to remove the restrictions on the Common Haugh until the end of September 2021 to encourage visitors to stay in Hawick.

 

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Ramage declared an interest in the following item of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the meeting during consideration.

 

4.

Financial Assistance pdf icon PDF 290 KB

 

Consider application for financial assistance from Escape Youth Project.  (Copy attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

4.1     Escape Youth Services

There had been circulated copies of an application for financial assistance from Escape Youth Services in the sum of £4,865 towards the supply and fitting of double glazed windows and doors to lower level of building plus upper level front door.  The application explained that Escape Youth Services was a locality wide youth provision delivering youth work opportunities throughout the Teviot and Liddesdale area of the Scottish Borders to young people aged 9-18.  They offered a drop-in facility for young people in the main town of Hawick, which was a direct response to local needs in 2005 and offer additional 1:1 support, group work in schools and the community, holiday activity programmes and a variety of skills-based projects.  The vision was to enhance the lives of young people, building a positive future, by developing and sustaining a supportive service where young people can succeed and increasing the range, quantity, and quality of youth-led provision.     The project to upgrade the premises had been completed in stages when funding had been available and phase one was complete.  Phase two was nearing completion and the funding was required to replace the remaining single glazed windows and main door.    The works would future proof the building and enable current and potential new users to benefit from the improved environment and energy costs would be improved and the building would be weather tight and secure.  The quotes received for the for the works were from local companies which stated their products were sustainable, thermal efficient with A ratings therefore reducing carbon emissions and a 10 year guarantee for the products was provided.  Sian Snowden, Manager was present via microsoft teams to answer member’s questions.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award £4,865 towards the supply and fitting of double glazed windows and doors to lower level of building plus upper level front door.

URGENT BUSINESS

Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Chairman was of the opinion that the item dealt with in the following paragraph should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to make an early decision or to keep Members informed.

 

5.

Common Haugh

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of an application for use of the Common Haugh, together with COVID Guidelines and a risk assessment from Slaters Showtime Funfair on the following dates:-

Monday 26th July 2021 (pull on)

Tuesday 27th July 2021(build up day)

Wednesday 28th July 2021 (open day) (1pm-9pm)

Thursday 29th July 2021 (1pm-9pm)

Friday 30th   July 2021 (1pm-9pm)

Saturday 31st July 2021 (1pm-9pm)

Sunday 1st August 2021 (1pm-5pm)

 

5.1       The Funfair was a locally family funfair based in the Scottish Borders which attended local fairs annually around the Scottish Borders.  Mr Martin Slater who was in attendance via Microsoft Teams explained that there would be one entrance and one exit, hand sanitiser would be provided for use before entering the ride and after the ride and Stewards would be provided to count the public onto and off the rides.  The Estates Manager explained that following a brief discussion with the Safety Adviser, the funfair could go ahead if the Scottish Borders was in Level 1 or Level 0 and this would be monitored, a licence would also be required.  Members raised concerns about the safety of the public within the car park when vehicles would be using the car park.  The Estates Manager agreed that consideration would require to be given to which area of the Common Haugh was to be used as there would be an area for Motor Homes and car parking.   Further discussion with Mr Slater would be held to determine the exact area to be sectioned off for the Funfair.

 

DECISION

AGREED:-

 

(a)     that the Funfair could be held at the Common Haugh, Hawick as long as the Scottish Borders was in Level 1 or Level 0 on the dates listed.

 

(b)     that further discussion on the exact location of the funfair at the Common Haugh be undertaken between Slaters Funfair and Estates.

 

(c)     That the Funfair operate on the following dates:-

Monday 26th July 2021 (pull on)

Tuesday 27th July 2021(build up day)

Wednesday 28th July 2021 (open day) (1pm-9pm)

Thursday 29th July 2021 (1pm-9pm)

Friday 30th   July 2021 (1pm-9pm)

Saturday 31st July 2021 (1pm-9pm)

Sunday 1st August 2021 (1pm-5pm)

 

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

 

6.

Private Business

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received updates on matters pertaining to Common Good properties.

 

 

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Scottish Borders Council

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