Agenda and minutes

Minute of Meeting of 27 June 2023 to be agreed and signed.   (Copy attached.)

1.            Minute and Action Tracker

1.1       There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Kelso Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 27 June 2023.

         DECISION

         AGREED to APPROVE the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

Review Action Tracker.  (Copy attached.)

1.2      Action Tracker

The Action Tracker had been circulated. The Chairman advised that an e-mail had been received from the Woodland Trust, which had suggested that the Borders Forest Trust may be a more appropriate route.  The Chairman had emailed and had telephoned and would update at the next meeting. 

1.3       In terms of the actions in respect of the Pinnaclehill Woodland, it was reported that the invoice for the initial work had been paid, although only part of the work had been carried out due to time and the crown lifting by the steps and riverside was not completed.  Mr Wilkinson to be contacted for confirmation that all the work had been undertaken as per original quote. Further work requiring to be undertaken would require a quote being obtained and submitted to the Kelso Common Good for approval.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)          that confirmation be sought that the crown lifting by the steps and riverside had been completed;

(b)          that Mr Wilkinson confirm whether further work was required to address Residents claims of encroaching trees; and

(c)           that should further work be required, a quote would be obtained for approval.

Consider report by Director of Finance and Procurement.  (Copy attached.)

2.0     Monitoring Report for 3 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2023

2.1     There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director of Finance and Procurement providing details of the income and expenditure for the Kelso Common Good Fund for the 3 months to 30 June 2023, a full year projected out turn for 2023/24, and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2024.  It was highlighted that the Grants and Other Donations table contained in para 4.5 of the report was incorrect and the correct table is contained below;-

2.2     Appendix 1 to the report provided the projected Income and Expenditure position for 2023/24, which showed a surplus of £8,280 for the year, which was less than previously reported due to an increase in the property repairs budget. Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected balance sheet as at 31 March 2024 and showed a projected decrease in reserves of £70,108. Appendix 3(a) to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income and net return for 2023/24, and actual property income to 31 June 2023. Appendix 3(b) provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property expenditure for 2023/24, and actual property expenditure to 30 June 2023. Appendix 4 provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property valuations at 31 March 2024. Appendix 5 detailed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 30 June 2023. The Statutory Accountant highlighted the main points in the report and answered Members’ questions.

DECISION

NOTED

(a)             the actual income and expenditure for 2023/24 in Appendix 1 as the revised budget for 2023/24;

(b)             the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2024 in Appendix 2;

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

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

Initial discussion regarding the Toilet Block at Croft Park, Kelso at the request of Councillor Weatherston.

3.0     CROFT PARK TOILET BLOCK

Councillor Weatherston had requested that the future of Croft Park Toilets, Kelso be added to the agenda as a result of a casual approach from Kelso RFC late in 2022 about taking over the toilets located at Croft Park, Kelso. In terms of background, it was explained that the President of the Club, Mr Neil Hastie, had had some informal discussions with Councillor Weatherston regarding the future of the public toilets at Croft Park, Kelso. The Club already had a steel container situated at Croft Park in which equipment etc was stored for training and matches at the park and had also installed floodlights a number of years ago. The idea which the Club was putting forward was to create a hub within the toilets so that when there were training sessions or games, the facility could be opened as a toilet, storage and to provide refreshments for spectators. The pitches at Croft Park were an integral part of the club and used by the Mini section, Youth Section, Girls and Ladies Sections and Senior Section. 

3.1     Following discussion, the Common Good were in favour of investigating the matter further following receipt of a formal detailed proposal which would be subject to community consultation and a formal lease.

DECISION

AGREED that no further action could be taken until a formal, detailed proposal had been received from Kelso RFC.