Agenda and minutes

Minute of meeting of 18 March 2021 to be approved (copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 18 March 2021.

DECISION

APPROVED the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

Consider report by Executive Director Finance and Regulatory (copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of a report by Executive Director, Finance & Regulatory that provided details of the income and expenditure for the Galashiels Common Good Fund for the 3 months to 30 June 2021, a full year projected out-turn for 2021/22, and projected balance sheet values as at 31 March 2022. Appendix 1 to the report provided the projected income and expenditure for 2021/22. This showed a projected surplus of £3,433 for the year. Appendix 2 to the report provided a projected balance sheet as at 31 March 2022 and showed a projected decrease in reserves of £50,876. Appendix 3a to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio and a projected rental income and projected net return for 2021/22 together with actual property income to 30 June 2021. Appendix 3b to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio and a projected property expenditure for 2021/22 and actual property expenditure to 30 June 2021. Appendix 4 to the report provided a breakdown of the property portfolio detailing projected property valuations at 31 March 2022. Appendix 5 of the report showed the value of the Aegon Investment Management Investment Fund to 30 June 2021.

DECISION

NOTED:-

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

(b)       the projected balance sheet value as at 31 March 2022 in Appendix 2 to the report;

(c)       the summary of the property portfolio in Appendices 3 and 4 to the report; and

(d)       the current position of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund in Appendix 5 to the report.

Verbal update by Estates Surveyor.

3.1       With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 18 March 2021 the Estates surveyor, Josephine Stewart, gave a verbal update on the proposal to harvest the mature trees at Ladhope. She explained that she had attended a meeting with the Golf Club and Agriforest, a forestry contractor. They had discussed a number of issues concerning the practicalities of extraction, including potential risks and access routes to the woodlands. Two potential routes of accessing the trees had been identified. These being, access via the Golf Club road or alternatively, over the top of Ladhope moor. Following considerable discussion, the Estates Surveyor undertook to instruct Agriforest to carry out research and produce a report on the financial implications of the two options, in order to fully inform the Members.  The charge for this options appraisal work would be approximately £1k.  Members discussed alternative methods of funding an access road over the moor and the potential for it to become a walking route.  It was noted that the Community Council had previously discussed plans for walking routes and it was suggested that the Community Council be approached to ascertain if any progress had been made.  It was agreed that a Special meeting of the Common Good Fund Sub-Committee be arranged once the information had been received from Agriforest.

3.2       Ms Stewart went on to explain other matters relating to the golf course. Minor repairs were required to the wall on the east side at the golf course, the cost of which would be shared. Discussions were also ongoing regarding the potential erection of a storage shed, details of which would be reported back at a future meeting.

3.3       Ms Stewart moved on to issues arising from woodland planting. Tweed Forum had produced a report that recommended that more hand weeding was carried out to deal with the undesirable growth of certain plant species. The Ecology Officer would draw down funds from the Penmanshiel fund to retain a maintenance contractor for the next 3 years to carry out the required weeding.

DECISION

(a)     AGREED that:-

          (i)      the Estates Surveyor would instruct Agriforest to prepare a report on the two options of extraction as detailed above; and

          (ii)     that a special meeting be arranged once the information was available.

(b)     NOTED the verbal property update.

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

The Chairman suggested that an item be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the Sub-Committee to explore the possibility of placing renewable energy sources on Common Good Fund owned property.

DECISION

NOTED.

“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 it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as Public Document Pack 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 the appropriate paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

7.         PROPERTY UPDATE

The Sub-Committee received updates pertaining to Common Good Property.

Verbal update by Estates Surveyor in respect of private business.