Agenda and minutes

Consider a request for financialassistance received from Jedburgh Leisure Facilities Trust (on behalf of Jedburgh Legacy Group).  (Copy attached.)

              APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

1.2         Jedburgh Leisure Facilities Trust       

              There had been circulated copies of an application from the Jedburgh Leisure Facilities Trust on behalf of the Jedburgh Legacy Group.  The application explained that JLFT was a member of the Jedburgh Legacy Group, which included representatives from a large number of community organisations within Jedburgh and was hosting this bid on their behalf.  The Group wished to consult with the residents in Jedburgh and District on the proposal for the Jedburgh Community to take over the Town Hall, Library and other public services including the running of the public toilets, grass cutting of green areas and maintaining floral displays.  The proposal would improve the quality of life and increase access to activities, events and services and the consultation would be following best practice in community empowerment.  The bid was in the sum of £1,840 to cover the production costs of a 4 page centre pull-out in the Jed Eye Christmas Issue, with information on the Town Services proposal and a questionnaire (2000 copies), plus 1500 additional copies of the questionnaire for distribution around the area.  Drop boxes would be organised in multiple locations around the town to facilitate the return of the completed questionnaire.  The article in the Jed Eye would also publicise the online version of the questionnaire via Survey Monkey, which was being provided by the Bridge as a contribution in kind. 

1.3      Councillor Scott sought evidence that the Jedburgh Legacy Group had applied for funding elsewhere prior to approaching the Common Good.  He raised the matter of the £30,000 which had already been awarded to the Jedburgh Leisure Facility for improvements.  Mr George Burt who was present on behalf of the Jedburgh Leisure Facility and had completed the application explained that the Leisure facility had submitted the application on behalf of the Legacy Group as it was a relatively new group.  The £30,000 referred to by Councillor Scott was specifically for the refurbishment of the swimming pool for which they were very grateful.   Mr Burt went on to refer to a previous meeting with Scottish Borders Council Officers during which they discussed the transfer of assets to the Legacy Group and had suggested that the Group apply to the Common Good Fund for a grant to finance the community survey.   Councillor Hamilton thanked Mr Burt for his explanation and sought clarification on the costings contained in page 2 of the application in terms of the amount for the survey monkey being given in kind by the Bridge.  Councillor Hamilton raised concerns that this was a retrospective application, there appeared to be overlaps between the previous survey held in February 2020 and the proposed survey and the results of the survey held in February had not been shared.  Mr Burt explained that the original survey had been very specific about the closure of the Library and the new survey would include more in depth questions about how the facilities were used by the Community and was being seen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.