Agenda item

Consider Application for Financial Assistance by Lauderdale Community Shed.  (Copy attached).

3.1       There had been circulated a copy of an Application for Financial Assistance on behalf of the Lauderdale Community Shed (the Shed).  Mr John McPherson and Mr Albert Clark represented the Shed and were in attendance to provide additional information in respect of the Application.  Ms Amanda Renwick, SBC Building Community Capacity Worker had been supporting the Shed and was also present.  Mr McPherson and Mr Clark explained that following a consultation carried out locally, a need for a Community Shed that would be accessible to all residents in Lauderdale had been identified and a small committee had therefore been formed to take matters forward.  Mr Clark provided information in respect of the Shed’s Charity Registration and in terms of its Business Plan.  The Shed would be disabled friendly with suitable access and facilities.  The Shed would provide a range of activities, workshops and opportunities for sharing knowledge and socialising, and the consultation exercise had identified a number of other local groups that showed an interest in membership of the Shed.  Initially, in attempting to find suitable premises, it had become clear that there were no asset transfers available for this purpose and Mr Clark advised that the Shed had been able to make use of the Fire Station premises as an interim solution.  A porta cabin surplus to requirements and situated in the grounds of the old primary school in Duns had become available to the Shed free of charge.  The Shed would be responsible for all transportation and relocation costs from Duns to an identified site to the rear of the Leisure Centre in Lauder.  These costs included building warrant, demolition warrant, road closure notice and planning permission and were necessary before the project could progress further.  The initial amount which the Shed sought from Lauder Common Good Fund was £810.  Currently, the Shed had raised £100 towards the project.  Options for funding from other sources had been considered and further applications would be made to appropriate Windfarm Community Funds, SBC Community Grant Scheme and Awards for All but this could not be done until appropriate Planning Permission was in place.  Timing was therefore crucial so that the porta cabin could be moved from the Duns site prior to the contractor commencing development work.  There might also be an opportunity to make applications to SBC Small Schemes and Quality of Life Fund. 

3.2       Discussion followed and Members raised a number of questions.  In relation to how the Shed would financially maintain its premises, Mr Clark and Mr McPherson provided details of how proposed levels of subscriptions, fees, workshop sales, fundraising and small grants would contribute and added that there would be a shared arrangement with the Leisure Centre for electricity.  There were a number of details still awaiting confirmation, including - when the porta cabin would have to be off the site in Duns; what, if any, portion of demolition costs would the Shed be liable for; and any impact of Community Benefit.  These matters would be taken forward and further information provided as available.  The Chairman thanked Mr Clark, Mr McPherson and Ms Renwick for their attendance.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)     that a grant in the sum of £810 be awarded to Lauderdale Community Shed for the purpose of securing a building warrant, demolition warrant, road closure notice and planning permission to relocate a porta cabin from the old Primary School site in Duns to the rear of the Leisure Centre in Lauder; and

(b)     the Sub-Committee would consider further application for financial assistance for this project should there be a shortfall in other available funding.