Agenda and minutes

Consider minute of meeting held on 15 December 2020.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 15 December 2020.

DECISION

NOTED the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

Consider Briefing Note on the results of the public consultation.  (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 4(a) of the Minute of 15 December 2021, there had been circulated copies of a briefing paper by the Principal Solicitor and the Estates Surveyor advising on the results of the public consultation carried out in terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 in respect of the proposal to change the use made of part of the Lauder Common, by the undertaking of a scheme of woodland planting on areas of land currently used for grazing.  28 responses to the consultation had been received comprising 23 respondents who were in support of the proposal, 1 respondent who was not in support of the proposal and 4 respondents who were unsure.  On the basis of the responses received the Sub-Committee Members agreed that they were happy to proceed with the planting scheme.  The Chairman advised that he had spoken to Hugh Chalmers suggesting that he led a walk around the area to answer any questions and he was happy to do this.  The Estates Surveyor advised that in terms of funding a positive response had been received from the Carbon Fund.  The required legal paperwork for the Lauderhill Sheep Company had been prepared. Hugh Chalmers was obtaining 3 tenders for the woodland works and the plan was to carry out bracken spraying in July.  The Chairman commented that Lauder in Bloom wished to get involved and suggested that a community planting event be arranged.  In terms of the next steps it was noted that there was a gap between scheduled meetings which would require the organisation of an additional meeting in early April to allow the necessary final decisions to be made.

            DECISION

            AGREED that:-

(a)     in light of the outcome of the public consultation to proceed with the change of use of the land on Lauder Common to allow the proposed tree planting scheme;

(b)     the Estates Surveyor liaise with Hugh Chalmers regarding a guided walk around the area to explain the proposals; and

(c)     a further meeting be arranged for early April to make the final decision relating to the Scheme.

Update by Estates Surveyor.

With reference to paragraph 4(d) of the Minute of 15 December 2020, the Estates Surveyor advised that 2 quotes for the work had been received, the lowest being £5,600.  The works were to 11 trees and included reducing the crowns and removing dead wood.  An aerial bat specialist would be required to deal with any bats that might be found but it was hoped that this would cost no more than £1k. With regard to having the trees regularly inspected in future it was not possible to add these to the existing Council contract so further work would be done to get a best value solution to carry out this work.

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)     the tender for the works on the trees at Lauder Burn be accepted;

(b)     the services of an aerial bat special be obtained with the cost to be reported back to the Sub-Committee; and

(c)     that the Estates Surveyor report back on the best option for future inspection of the trees.

With reference to paragraph 4(c) of the Minute of 15 December 2020, the Estates Surveyor reported that she had spoken to Lauder Golf Club and was amended the lease to reflect the actual position on the ground.

DECISION

NOTED.

Before proceeding with the private business, the following motion should be approved:-

“That under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act.”

DECISION

AGREED under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the business detailed in the Appendix to this Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

Consider Private Minute of meeting held on 15 December 2020.  (Copy attached.)

The private minute of the meeting held on 29 September 2020 was noted.

Consider report by Service Director Assets and Infrastructure.  (Copy attached.)

Members approved negotiation of lease to be followed by public consultation.

Members delegated powers to the Estates Surveyor in consultation with the Sub-Committee to conclude a lease for grazing land know as Refuse Tips 1 and 2.