Agenda and minutes

1.       MINUTE

                   There had been circulated copies of Minute of the Jedburgh Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 23 May 2023.

                   DECISION

                   AGREED to approve the Minute of Meeting held on 23 May 2023.

Minute of Meeting of 29 May 2023 to be agreed and signed.  (Copy attached.)

          2.      ACTION TRACKER

                   With reference to paragraph 2 of the Minute of 23 May 2023, Community Councillor Taylor advised that an alternative repairer had yet to be identified.  It was agreed that the balance of £500 would remain allocated but not paid in the meantime.  Should the repairs to the ceremonial robes be unable to progress for a prolonged period the Common Good would consider re-payment of the Grant.

  2.1   The Democratic Services Officer was requested to seek grant evaluation forms from the following;-

·         Jedburgh Community Trust – awarded £3,000

·         Jedburgh Rotary (Birl and Beer Festival) – awarded £1,500

·         Jedburgh Community Council – Christmas Lights – awarded £2,300

·         Jethart Festival – awarded £5,000 (2022)

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)          the balance of £500 in respect of the repairs to the Ceremonial Robes remain allocated but unpaid;

(b)          Democratic Services Officer seek funding evaluation forms from the following:-

·          Jedburgh Community Trust – awarded £3,000

·         Jedburgh Rotary (Birl and Beer Festival) – awarded £1,500

·         Jedburgh Community Council – Christmas Lights – awarded £2,300

·         Jethart Festival – awarded £5,00 (2022)

          (c)       that completed actions be removed from the Tracker.

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

3.0     MONITORING REPORT FOR 3 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2023

3.1     There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director of Finance and Procurement which provided the income and expenditure for the Jedburgh Common Good Fund for the three months to 30 June 2023, full year projected out-turn for 2023/24, and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2024.  Appendix 1 provided the projected income and expenditure position for 2023/24 and showed a surplus of £34,241 for the year.   Appendix 2 provided a projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2024, which projected a decrease in reserves of £47,278.  Appendix 3a provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected rental income and projected net return for 2023/24.  Appendix 3b provided a breakdown of the property portfolio showing projected property expenditure of 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 showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund to 30 June 2023, which highlighted a total return of 16.5%, although a Capital Return of -11.3%.  The Statutory Accountant was present and answered Members questions. 

              DECISION

NOTED.

.

Application and supporting papers  (Copies attached)

            APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

4.1       JETHART CALLANT’S FESTIVAL

          There had been circulated copies of an application for Financial Assistance from the Jethart Callant’s Festival for a grant of £6,000 towards the costs of the 2023 Festival.  The application, which had previously been submitted on an annual basis, advised that the festival covered a 3 week period of horse rideouts, ceremonial events and public entertainment for all ages – dances, family days, swimming gala, bike run etc. which gave the residents the opportunity to come together and celebrate the history and heritage of the Town as well as attracting visitors to the Town.  The application detailed the actual costs of the Event in 2022.  The non-income generating costs of the event which included hire of Principals horses, Principals Uniforms, purchase of bunting, hire of halls and trophies/rosettes were highlighted.  The total amount raised from Patron donations totalled £2,865.22, a grant of £6,340.58 for bunting and the Community Annual Grant of £6.500.00 had been paid.  There followed considerable discussion regarding the amount requested, which was rising year on year and the festival demonstrating sustainability.  It was acknowledged that the festival was important and beneficial to the Town and the Organising Committee had introduced a sponsorship initiative and increased awareness of the patron’s scheme together with increased fund-raising events.  Members highlighted the events running at a loss and were reluctant to be a permanent funding source.  It was noted that grants of £4,500 had been paid in September 2019 and £5,000 in 2022.

          DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)          to award a grant of £6,000 to the Jethart Callant’s Festival for 2023;

(b)          that a letter highlighting concerns about the sustainability of the festival and the events running at a loss be sent to the Festival Committee;

(c)          that an evaluation form be submitted.