Agenda and minutes

Minute of Meeting of 17 November 2021to be agreed and signed.  (Copy attached.)

1.0      MINUTE

                   There had been circulated copies of Minute of the Jedburgh Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 17 November 2021.

DECISION

AGREED Minute of Meeting held on 17 November 2021.

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

2.0     MONITORING REPORT FOR 9 MONTHS 31 DECEMBER 2021 AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2022/23

2.1     There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director - Finance and Corporate Governance which provided the income and expenditure for the Jedburgh Common Good Fund for nine months to 31 December 2021, a full year projected out-turn 2021/22 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2022 and proposed budget for 2022/23.  Appendix 1 provided the projected income and expenditure for 2021/22 which showed a projected surplus of £5,184 for the year.   Appendix 2 provided projected Balance Sheet value at 31 March 2022 and showed a projected increase in the reserves of £23,164.  Appendix 3(a) provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income and projected net return for 2021/22 and actual property income to 31 December 2021.  Appendix 3(b) provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property expenditure for 2021/22 and actual property expenditure to 31 December 2021.  Appendix 4 provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property valuations at 31 March 2022.  Appendix 5 showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 31 December 2021.  Mrs Robb highlighted the main points in the report and answered Members questions.  

              DECISION

(a)       AGREED the proposed budget for 2022/23 as shown in Appendix 1;

(b)       NOTED

(i)            the projected income and expenditure for 2021/22 in Appendix 1;

(ii)          the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2022 in Appendix 2;

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

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

Consider report by Director of Infrastructure and Environment.  (Copy attached.)

3.0      ALLERLEY WELL PLAY PARK FUNDING PROPOSAL

3.1     There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director of Infrastructure and Environment which set out proposals for additional funding of £50,000 towards the Allerley Well Play Park in Jedburgh from the Jedburgh Common Good Fund.  The report explained that Since May 2018 Scottish Borders Council had, through a programme of investment, invested £2.1m, with a further £0.647m forecast in 2021/22 in enhancing the network of play areas and community spaces throughout the Scottish Borders, aimed at providing high quality facilities in strategic locations to encourage play, greater physical activity and outdoor access for children and young people.  As part of this, destination play areas had been delivered in Harestanes, Galashiels, Kelso, Peebles, Hawick, Coldstream and Newtown St Boswells, with further projects to be delivered in Jedburgh, Duns, Eyemouth and Earlston.

3.2     Delivery of the new Destination play park at Allerley Well Park was part of a suite of four play park projects included in a tender that was awarded to Wicksteed Leisure Ltd in 2020.  Scottish Borders Council had funding available of £200,000 for the new play facilities planned for Allerley Well Park in Jedburgh.  Following discussions with Elected Members, it was agreed that Wicksteed Leisure Ltd would design the new destination play park on the site of the existing small play park in Allerley Well Park.  As part of these discussions it was agreed that the value of the project would be increased to £250,000 to deliver the agreed layout plan, and that the additional £50,000 required would be requested from the Jedburgh Common Good Fund.  The proposed layout plan had been circulated to the Jedburgh & District Elected Members for consideration.  The proposed new, accessible for all, play park would include 25 separate items, including the central feature of a bespoke multi-play item, which included a 6.5m long double width slide & locally inspired climbing rockscape feature.  The new play park would cover an area of 920 square metres, surrounded by fencing and with a complete wet-pour safety surfacing.  The additional funding being requested would enhance the play park to provide more equipment and provide a greater experience for the children using the play park.  It was anticipated that the play park would be constructed in summer 2022, so draw down of funds would be in 2022/23.  Mr Blackie highlighted the main points in the report and answered Members questions.  

DECISION

*         AGREED to recommend to Council that the proposed additional funding of £50,000 be approved as a contribution for the new Allerley Well Play Park in Jedburgh from the Jedburgh Common Good.

Continue consideration of the request for Financial Assistance from Jedburgh Thistle Rugby Football Club and the following additional information requested:-

(a)  E-mail dated 10 February 2022

(b)  E-mail dated 4 October 2021

(c)   Extract of Minute of Meeting held on 13 September 2021

(d)  Application and supporting papers

              APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

4.1         JEDBURGH THISTLE RFC

With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 17 November 2021, there had been circulated copies of an application, together with copies of the Financial Statement, OSCR Financial Statement, cost plan report for the project, proposed layout of the storeroom extension and further information relating to the Sub-Committees request for further information.  As previously advised the project ‘Helping Young People Get Fit for the Future’ aimed to improve the quality of life by helping to fund an extension to the current Club premises.  Mr Norman Ker, Treasurer was present via Microsoft Teams and explained that since the last meeting with the Council, there had been several meetings of the Jed Thistle committee to discuss how to move the project forward.  The consensus from the Committee was that the Club Members and Committee had the necessary skillsets to do most of the work themselves and were in the process of gathering builders’ merchant's quotes for the materials to allow us to do this.  Although joiners would be required to undertake the work on the roof.  Mr Kerr went onto explain that by providing some of the labour themselves, the cost of the project would be reduced and would remove some of the profit margins for the various contractors, as well as the VAT amount on any labour.  The Committee felt that the Council's thoughts of an upper limit of £30K on the grant would be generous, and would be able to reduce the amount of the loan required to the original £15K contained in the original proposal.  The Club had received three of the four quotes from the builders’ merchant and an initial application had been made to Viridor.  There was no update on the plans.

4.2         The Chief Legal Officer expressed concern about the lack of clarity in terms of the cost of the overall project and the exact amount being requested from the Common Good.  Mr Kerr confirmed that he saw the Common Good as the lender of last resort and was awaiting a response from the Viridor application, which had a maximum of £25,000 pay out.  The Pensions and Investments Manager also expressed concern in terms of the amount being requested and queried the amount based on the figures being given and asked for a budget for the entire project before the Common Good could make a decision .  The Members, while supportive agreed that more specific information was required and that exact figures and grant which was being requested.

                 DECISION

                 AGREED:-

(a)          that while supportive of the project, more detailed costings were required prior to further consideration of the application.

(b)          that a further meeting would be arranged on receipt of a budget for the overall project and once the Chief Legal Officer and Pensions and Investments Manager were content that it was robust.