Agenda and minutes

Minute of meeting held on 2 August 2016 to be noted and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.) 

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 2 August 2016.

DECISION

NOTED for signature by the Chairman.

Briefing.  In attendance - David Kennedy, Woodland Officer, Forestry Commission and Hugh Chalmers, Tweed Forum.

The Chairman welcomed Mr David Kennedy, Woodland Officer with the Forestry Commission and Mr Hugh Chalmers from the Tweed Forum who were in attendance to provide Members with information about the opportunity to plant trees on areas of Lauder Common land.  Members were advised that the Forestry Commission was working to a strong agenda for tree planting at the current time, with the existing grant scheme attracting EU Funding of 50% at the current time.  Mr Kennedy explained the environmental benefits of planting, such as provision of shelter for wildlife, improved management of river flow and pollution control.  In terms of costs to the landowner, this was very much dependent on the scale and type of planting as detailed in the Appendix to this Minute.  Mr Chalmers went on to explain the process for submitting an application to the Forestry Commission and confirmed that a number of plantings had taken place across the Borders.  In response to a question from Members on the level of maintenance that would be necessary for new plantings, Mr Kennedy explained that the initial maintenance would normally last for between 5 and 10 years and grants could be available during the first 5 years.  Grants could also be available to local communities to develop walkways and paths within the plantings however, it was noted that the population of Lauder did not meet the required criteria for this funding.  Further questions arose in terms of ownership of the tree harvest when the planting was on Common Good land.  Following discussion, Members agreed that more specific information was required and Mr Kennedy was therefore invited to develop a formal proposal for consideration at a future meeting of the Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.  The proposal should include data to allow potential legal and planning issues to be addressed in advance of any formal consultation with Lauder Community Council and the wider community.  The Chairman thanked Mr Kennedy and Mr Chalmers for their attendance.

(a)          NOTED the presentation.

(b)          AGREED to receive a formal proposal from Mr Kennedy, Woodland Officer with the Forestry Commission in respect of tree planting on Lauder Common Good land for consideration.

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

There had been circulated copies of the Monitoring Report for the period to 30 September 2016 along with the full year projected out-turn for 2016/17 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2017.  Appendix 1 to the report provided a projected Income and Expenditure and showed a projected surplus of £50 for the year.  The projected balance sheet at Appendix 2 showed a projected decrease in the level of reserves of £11,443.  The property portfolio was detailed in Appendix 3, presenting a projected rental income of £10,965 for 2016/7 and actual property expenditure of £3,306 for the period of the report.  The increase from the total cash invested in the Newton Fund up to 30 September 2016 stood at £18,940 and details were included in Appendix 4 to the report.  Ms Robb advised Members that further return on investment had been received since the report was circulated and these would be included in the next monitoring paper to the Sub-Committee.  Ms Robb further advised that there were no officer concerns in relation to the Newton Fund.  Following discussion, it was agreed that a further £10,000 be invested in the Newton Fund with immediate effect.

(a)     NOTED:-

          (i)      the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2017 as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report;

          (ii)     the summary of the property portfolio as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report; and

          (iii)    the current position of the investment in the Newton Fund as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report.

(b)     AGREED:-

          (i)      the projected Income and Expenditure for 2016/17 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and

          (ii)     that a further £10,000 be invested in the Newton Fund with immediate effect.

The Chairman agreed that an Application for Financial Assistance on behalf of Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society be considered under Urgent Business.  The application was for £500 to assist with the cost of staging the annual production by Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society.  The application went on to explain that year on year, costs had been rising and in addition, the show being produced in March 2017 required a more complicated stage setting which would require a higher outlay by the Society.  In considering the application, Members noted that the accounts submitted were for 2015 and Members were of the opinion that more up to date accounts were required prior to any financial assistance being released.  It was agreed, therefore, that subject to Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society providing the required up to date accounts, financial assistance in the sum of £500 would be granted to Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society.

DECISION

AGREED that, subject to Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society providing the required up to date accounts, financial assistance in the sum of £500 would be granted to Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society.

Members noted that the next meeting of Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee would take place on Tuesday 21 February 2017.