Agenda and minutes

Consider Minute of 27 September 2023.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meetings held on 27 September 2023. 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minutes for signature by the Chair.

An update from the meeting on 28 November 2023.

2.1     The Chair shared the main points from the meeting of the Beneficiaries Group on 28 November 2023.  An award of £4.1m from the Levelling up Fund had been made, with a tight deadline for a proposal to be presented to the UK Government.  It was proposed  that the Chair, Councillor Pirone and Sam Coe, as a Project Group, take this proposal forward and Members agreed.  Jason Dyer was then introduced to Members.  Mr Dyer had previously worked with the Trimontium Trust, Abbotsford House restoration, Thirlestane Castle and Melrose RFC.  A biography of his work was to be circulated. The Chair proposed that Mr Dyer be engaged by Trustees to bring together a business plan, information from the feasibility study and consultations for the Chambers Institution Trust over an anticipated 10 day period.  Members agreed to the appointment of Mr Dyer subject to the standard procedures.  Crick Carleton was to provide materials on the Place Making process that related to Peebles.  In relation to the Burgh Hall, it was reported that the stage curtains were to be fitted next week.  The acoustics consultant had made a site visit and reported that the addition of stage and window curtains was to improve the acoustics and that panels would be required.  The Beneficiaries Group had no objections to costs of no more £8,500 for panel installation.  Members agreed to the cost of the supply and installation of acoustic panels.  Sanne Roberts, Heritage Officer was to be consulted also.  Sam Coe reported the support of Peebles Civic Society and Peebles and District Community Council for the proposed acoustic improvement works.  The Chair sought approval for the costs of the supply and installation of window curtains and the required scaffolding and associated joinery work, at a cost of up to £16.5k.  Members agreed to approve the costs.   There was to be an additional cost in the region of £2k following repairs to the roof leak in the hallway. No decision was made on this by Members.  Gareth Smith Property Officer was to coordinate the remaining works and liaise with the artist Susan Mitchell on the installation of her artwork in the hallway.  There had been a request from the Trimontium Trust for several Roman artefacts in the possession of the Chambers Institution Trust to be loaned for display.  Director Corporate Governance agreed to establish ownership of the artefacts in consultation with Live Borders for the next meeting of the Trustees.  Councillor Pirone reported that the progress on the business plan so far was to be shared with Council officers and Mr Dyer. 

2.2     Sam Coe presented an update of the building condition survey.  There were no accurate scale plans of the buildings at present.  A condition survey and a dimensional survey were required and options for their procurement were under consideration. It was confirmed that a full procurement exercise was to be undertaken.

2.3     The Chair reported that the John Buchan Museum had formally written to Trustees to request that consideration be given to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

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 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

Consider the Private Minute from the meeting of 27 September 2023.  (Copy attached.)

Members considered the Private Minutes of 27 September 2023.

Consider quotation for supply and installation of a daylight projector. (Copy to follow.)

Members considered a quotation for the supply and installation of a daylight projector. The matter was to be further discussed at the next meeting.

Consider quotation for supply and installation of window curtains.  (Copy attached.)

Members considered quotations and agreed the costs for the supply and installation of window curtains and the supply and installation of scaffolding.

Burgh Hall Mezzanine Study and future engagement to be considered.

Members discussed the conclusion of business arrangements related to Page\Park Architects.

Consider report and costs for installation of acoustic panels.  (Copy attached.)

Members considered a quotation and agreed the costs for the supply and installation of acoustic panels.