Agenda and minutes

ORDER OF BUSINESS

          The Chair varied the order of business as shown on the agenda and the Minute reflects the order in which the items were considered at the meeting.

Minute of Meeting of 12 September 2023 to be agreed and signed.   (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Kelso Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 12 September 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. In terms of the Borders Forest Trust, the Chairman advised that he had arranged to meet Mr Dundas, The Engagement Officer on Monday, 20 November 2023 at 1 p.m. to discuss without commitment and would report back to the Common Good at the next meeting.

1.3      In terms of the actions required at the Pinnaclehill Woodland, Mr Wilkinson had confirmed that work remained outstanding.  It was unclear if the outstanding work would be covered by the invoice already paid and Mr Wilkinson to be contacted to ascertain what the outstanding work would cost.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)            to receive an update at the next meeting on the meeting with the Borders Forest Trust; and

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

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

.0       Monitoring Report for 6 MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 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 6 months to 30 September 2023, a full year projected out turn for 2023/24, and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2024.  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 30 September 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 September 2023. The Chief Financial Officer 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;

(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.

Consider a request for financialassistance received from

(Copy attached.)

Kelso Over 60s Club

3.1     There had been circulated copies of an application for Financial Assistance from Kelso Over 60s Club requesting £400 towards the Over 60’s Annual Christmas Lunch.  The application explained that the Club had been running for a number of years and the main objective was the Health and Wellbeing of the Members.  Members were encouraged to remain active as much as possible through organised events and trips.  Everyone in Kelso and the surrounding area over the age of 60 were welcome to attend the Club and a Membership fee was charged.  The highlight of the year was the annual Christmas Lunch held in Ednam House Hotel and attended by Lady Jane Grosvenor, Patron.  Each Member received a meal, a dance and a free raffle ticket which ensured that everyone received a gift.  The Committee was made up of volunteers who gave their time to run the club for the benefit of others and there were events and trips organised to allow them to feel involved.  The Club did have funds, however given the rising cost of living and the fuel crisis a donation from the Common Good would enable the event to continue.  It was acknowledged that there was a hard-working Committee of Volunteers running the club and the Annual Christmas lunch was of significant value to those who were at risk of becoming socially isolated and who look forward to this event every year. 

DECISION

AGREED to support the application for financial assistance for Kelso Over 60s Club in the sum of £400 towards the costs of the Annual Christmas Dinner in 2023.

In respect of costs of drawing up plans for disabled entrances, two new toilet blocks with disabled toilets and new unisex stalls.  (Copy attached.)

Cheviot Youth

3.2     There had been circulated copies of an application for Financial Assistance from Kelso Cheviot Youth - Kelso Hub requesting £1,800 to cover the costs of drawing up plans for the creation of a disabled entrance, two new toilet blocks with disabled toilets and new unisex stalls.  The application explained that although the project had yet to be fully costed, it had been approved by the Board of Cheviot Youth and that of the Borers Ice Rink Ltd (the landlords) and was estimated to be in the region of £50,000.  Cheviot Youth had a policy of funding reasonable small projects from its own funds.  Cheviot Youth run three service divisions Mental Health Support Services (MHSS); Training, Employability and Advice (TEA); Youth Work Services (including Community Café and Food Redistribution Programme) from the two main Cheviot bases in Jedburgh and Kelso and at two village satellite centres in Ancrum and Yetholm.

DECISION

AGREED to support the application for financial assistance from Cheviot Youth in the sum of £1,800 towards the cost of drawing up plans for the creation of a disabled entrance, two new toilet blocks with disabled toilets and new unisex stalls.

3.3     PINNACLEHILL PARK – ORCHARD PROJECT

With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 27 June 2023, there had been circulated copies of an application from the Pinnaclehill Park Orchard Association in the sum of £3,151.26 towards the purchase of Fruit Trees, Hedging plants, water storage unit, picnic table and seating mulch, compost and plant supports to establish an organic community orchard and wildflower area to be enjoyed and maintained by the residents to meet and interact with each other.   The application explained that the activities were foundational to the project, whose purpose was to create a space, which would welcome everyone living in the estate, particularly those vulnerable to isolation, providing the opportunity to meet people and enjoy spending time outdoors, in nature particularly as the biodiversity increased. 

                   DECISION

AGREED; -

(a)       to support the application for financial assistance for the Pinnaclehill Park Orchard Association in the sum of £3,151.26 towards the costs of the creation of a Community Orchard, should funding for other sources be unsuccessful;

(b)     that the grant only be drawn down on completion of a formal lease; and

(b)        that the budget for Grants and Other Donation be increased.

Update on Kelso RFC proposal for Croft Park Toilet Block

4.0     CROFT PARK TOILET BLOCK

With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of the Meeting held on 12 September 2023, the Principal Solicitor reported that the meeting scheduled to be held with Kelso RFC to discuss the Croft Park Toilet Block had been cancelled and scheduled for the following week. 

DECISION

NOTED that an update would be circulated in due course.

Consider a request for the erection of small plaque at the Tait Hall, Kelso.

TAIT HALL, KELSO – ERECTION OF FAMILY PLAQUE

Councillor Weatherston explained that the family of a late Kelso Resident who had been heavily involved in the Kelso Opera had approached him with a request to erect a small commemorative plaque inside the Tait Hall, Kelso.  Whilst the Common Good were not against it in principle, there were a number of questions highlighted i.e., where, size and Design, maintenance and cleaning of the plaque.

DECISION

AGREED that the Democratic Services Officer contact the Kelso Operative Society to obtain their views.