Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Tatler, seconded by Councillor Pirone proposed that Councillor Douglas be appointed as Chairman of the Innerleithen Common Good Fund Sub-Committee. There being no other nominations, Councillor Douglas was appointed as Chairman and took the Chair.

DECISION

AGREED that Councillor Douglas be appointed as the Chairman of the Innerleithen Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

Consider Minute of Meeting held on 15 December 2021. (Copy attached).

The Minute of Meeting of the Innerleithen Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 15 December 2021 had been circulated.

DECISION

APPROVED the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

Consider report by Director, Finance and Corproate Governance. (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by Director, Finance and Corporate Governance which provided details of the assets held by the Innerleithen Common Good Fund as at 31 March 2022, a full year revenue out-turn for 2021/22 and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2023.  Appendix 1 to the report provided the actual Income and Expenditure account for the year to 31 March 2022. Appendix 2 to the report provided an actual balance sheet value as at 31 March 2022.  It showed a decrease in the reserves of £31,230 which was due to the annual release from the Revaluation Reserve.  In response to a question regarding arts and artefacts uncovered as a result of the consultation on Common Good assets, Ms Wilson confirmed that the Principal Solicitor had headed up that exercise and that a report outlining the result of the consultation would be brought to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee. 

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)          to note the actual income and expenditure for 2021/22 in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)          the proposed budget for 2022/23 as shown in Appendix 1 to the report;

(c)          to note the final balance sheet value as at 31 March 2022, and projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2023 in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(d)          note the summary of the property portfolio in Appendix 3 to the report.

Consider proposal to install 2 secure bicycle parking pods within the grounds of The Memorial Hall, Innerleithen. (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a proposal by ESO Sports to install 2 secure bicycle parking pods within the grounds of the Memorial Hall, Innerleithen.  ESO sorts was based in Innerleithen and had secured funding from Cycling Scotland for the pods.  A representative of the group was not present due to the timing of the meeting.  Mr Ross McGinn of the Memorial Hall User Group explained that the proposals had been extensively discussed with the User Group, and that a location had been identified that was suitable.  Members explained that there were no objections from Planning, and that discussions had been held with the Community Council, who were in favour of the pods.  The Estates Surveyor recommended that a brief agreement with ESO Sports should be sought regarding the placement of the pods.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the proposal to install 2 secure bicycle parking pods within the grounds of the Memorial Hall, Innerleithen

Mr McGinn provided an update on maintenance and upkeep of the War Memorial Garden.  The upkeep for the gardens had been carried out by a group of volunteers, who had felt that the gardens were an important asset that should be maintained.  A project was planned to restore the gardens to the state that they were originally laid down, however the progress had been slower than anticipated, and the upkeep of the gardens in their current state required attention.  Members agreed to write to the Parks Department of Scottish Borders Council to request that assistance was provided to help with the maintenance of the gardens.  In response to a question regarding the funding being sought by the Group for the major project, Mr McGinn explained that the project had been priced at £60k, and that the funding was being sought from a variety of different funding sources.  Mr McGinn confirmed that the clock at the Hall had been returned from repair work and was due to be installed.

            DECISION

            AGREED that the Members of the Innerleithen Common Good Fund Sub-Committee would write to the Parks Department seeking assistance with maintenance issues at the War Memorial Gardens.