Agenda and minutes

Minute of meeting held on 7 June 2016 to be noted and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.) 

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 7 June 2016.

DECISION

NOTED for signature by the Chairman.

(Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of an Application for Financial Assistance on behalf of Lauderdale Community Council.  The Application explained that a Programme of events had been organised to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday in June 2016.  This programme had been initiated at short notice and it was now acknowledged that budgeting and securing funds to cover all costs for the events had proved challenging.  The total cost of the programme was £6,181.51 and funds raised through various other sources amounted to £5,152.28.  This left a shortfall of £1,029.23 and Lauderdale Community Council was therefore requesting that Lauder Common Good Fund provide financial assistance to this amount.  Discussion followed and Members discussed the circumstances leading up to the development of the celebration programme and the difficulties encountered when planning such events at short notice.

DECISION

            AGREED that the application for financial assistance from the Lauder Common Good Fund submitted by Lauderdale Community Council be approved in the sum of £1,029.23.

Briefing by Scottish Borders Council's Estates Manager.

There were circulated copies of a briefing note by the Council's Estates Section providing Members with information about the current situation in relation to the landscaping of Lauder golf course and the control of vermin on that site.  Mr Hastie, Estates Manager was in attendance to provide additional explanation to Members.  Lauder Golf Club agreed a new 25 year lease of the golf course in 2011 and under the terms of that lease, the Golf Club was responsible for the landscaping of the course and the control of vermin.  This year the golf club had encountered problems with deer eating newly planted trees around the course and the club secretary had therefore requested permission to shoot the deer as a method of control.  Mr Hastie explained that, although the golf club was responsible for controlling vermin, its committee wanted to ensure that Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee had no objections to a planned and properly controlled cull of deer.  Assurances had been given that any shooting of deer would be by an experienced, licenced deer stalker and would be carried out in a safe and responsible manner.  The usual times for shooting deer were at dawn or dusk and this would be when the golf course was closed.  Warning signs or notices would be displayed around the golf course during the proposed shooting times.  The proposed contractor was Mr McDaid who also provided the same service for the Forestry Commission.  Mr Hastie informed Members that he expected to receive copies of Mr McDaid's certificates, licences and a method statement within a few days.  Members were informed that a number of options such as high fencing and individual tree protection by fencing had either been considered and rejected by the golf club or tried but had been unsuccessful.  Members went on to discuss relevant health and safety issues in respect of carrying out a cull and timelines for commencement of the exercise.  Members subsequently indicated some concerns and requested further information about the number of trees at risk and the number of deer likely to be culled.  It was agreed that a site visit be arranged to allow Members, golf club officials and the contractor, Mr McDaid to meet and discuss these matters further.

DECISION

AGREED that the Estates Manager arrange a site visit to allow Members, golf club officials and the contractor to meet and discuss these matters further.

Members noted that future meetings of Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee would take place on Wednesday 28 September 2016 and 14 December 2016