Agenda and minutes

Minute of Meeting held on 19 June 2018 to be noted and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.)

2.            Minute

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 19 June 2018.

DECISION

NOTED for signature by the Chairman.

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

3.            Financial Monitoring Report for 3 Months to 30 JUNE 2018

          There had been circulated copies of the income and expenditure for the three months to 30 June 2018 and full year projected out-turn for 2018/19 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2019.  Ms Robb highlighted the main points of the report and appendices.  Appendix 1 to the report provided a projected income and expenditure position, showing a projected surplus of £3,649 for the year.  Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected balance sheet as at 31 March 2019 and showed a projected decrease in the reserves of £7,844.  The breakdown of the property portfolio showing the actual rental income for 2018/19 and actual property expenditure to 30 June 2018 was shown in Appendix 3.  Appendix 4 provided details of the value of the Kames Capital Investment Fund to 30 June 2018.  Discussion followed and Ms Robb responded to Members’ requests for information.  In response to a question about the letting of common good grazing land, Annabel Scott advised that while there was someone interested in leasing the grazing, repairs to the fencing required to be carried out, which were in hand. 

DECISION

(a)     AGREED the projected income and expenditure for 2018/19 in Appendix 1;

(b)     NOTED:-

          (i)        the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2019 in Appendix 2;

(ii)       the summary of the property portfolio in Appendix 3; and

(iii)      the current position of the investment in the Kames Capital Investment Fund in Appendix 4.

Consider application by Lauderdale Library towards unavoidable running costs in excess of SBC funding.   (Copy application attached.)

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASISTANCE

LAUDERDALE LIBRARY

There had been circulated copies of an application for financial assistance submitted by Lauderdale Library in the sum of £764.  The application explained that until 2018 the Lauderdale Library received funding from investment of the Library Fund/Ormiston Fund.  This was established by SBC following the sale of Library premises in Lauder for the purpose of funding any future Library for the benefit of the residents of Lauderdale.  The undertaking was made by SBC that Library surplus running costs would be funded by the Common Good, hence the application for funding to cover the unavoidable additional running costs incurred between October 2016 and September 2017 and estimated for October 2017 and September 2018 which had previously been covered by the library fund designated for improvements to the service.  The application further explained that the Lauderdale Library, which was run entirely by volunteers, had been formed in 2002 following a survey of Lauderdale Residents on local service provision.  There was a good selection of fiction books (children/adults), reference books and historical data relating to Lauderdale with up to 70 borrowers and families.  The additional costs amounting to £764 referred to the introduction of water charges for drainage of roof water in 2017 and increased insurance premiums and electricity charges.   

DECISION

AGREED that financial assistance be granted to Lauderdale Library in the sum of £764 to cover the additional costs of drainage of roof water in 2017, increased insurance premiums and electricity charges.

URGENT BUSINESS

          Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Chairman was of the opinion that the item dealt with in the following paragraph should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to make an early decision or to keep Members informed.      

6.           BURNMILL PATH

Community Councillor Smith reported that a large tree had fallen onto the Burnmill Path, which was causing concern.  Community Councillor Smith requested that the tree surgeon inspect all the trees within the vicinity of the Burnmill Path and arrange for the removal of all trees which he considered unsafe.  Community Councillor Smith further advised that the fibre optic cable and gas main ran under the path.   

DECISION

AGREED that the Estates Officer arrange for all trees on the boundary of the Burnmill Path, Lauder to be inspected by the Council tree surgeon and all those considered to be unsafe removed.

7.           LAUDER WOODLAND /TREE PLANTING

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 19 June 2018, Councillor Meirs requested an update.  The Estates Officer advised that at the meeting on site in August, the consensus had been to plant the tree where people liked to walk.

DECISION

AGREED that an update be provided by the Estates Officer at the next meeting.

8.           COMMON GOOD LAND

The Estates Officer reported that work notification had been received that work would be undertaken by Scottish Power on the Common Good land beside the Lauder Primary School which would last 7 days.

DECISION

NOTED.