Agenda item

Consider a request for financialassistance received from The Woodend Garden Association.  (copy attached.)

3.0     FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

3.1     The Woodend Garden Association 

          There had been circulated copies of an application received from the Woodend Garden Association in the sum of £1,090 together with a copy of the planning statement, estimated start up costs, proposed plan for the Garden and a copy of the Woodend Garden Association constitution.  The application explained that the Woodend Garden Association had been formed in respect of all occupants residing at numbers 43,44,45,46,47,48,49 and 50 Broomlea, Kelso TD5 7RB to provide an environment where the community could work together to take join action for common benefit;  to protect members from damage, trespass and theft; to organise functions for members of the association to meet socially; take such steps as may be required by the Local Authority for the good management and cultivation of leisure gardens in Terms of the Lease; to raise funds by any lawful means excluding permanent trading and that all funds raised be used for the upkeep of the garden or donated to an agreed charity. The application went onto explain the aims of the Woodened Garden Association and that every Household would pay an equal proportion of the setup and on-going running costs determined by the Committee.  There were no funds held by the association and the grant sought was to prepare the ground by removing tree stumps, ploughing, rotavating and levelling the plot, erection of a boundary fence, raised beds and to plant hedging.  The households at 43,44,45,46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 would pay an equal proportion of further setup costs and on-going running costs.  The Pensions and Investments Manager stated that the Local Authority would not pay a grant to an individual and that a bank account would require to be set up prior to any payment being made.  Miss Moir, Solicitor stated that the application to the Common Good was, in her opinion, premature as planning consent had not been given and that although the Heads of Terms had been agreed the lease had not been finalised.  The Pensions and Investments Manager further highlighted that should the Woodend Garden Association cease, there required to be provision in the Lease to ensure that the ground was restored to its former condition and use.  Following considerable discussion the Committee agreed to support the project in principle, however prior to any grant being paid, the Woodend Association required to:-

(i)            Open a Bank Account in the name of the Woodend Garden Association 

(ii)           Confirm in writing that the Lease had been agreed and signed

(iii)          Confirm in writing that the Planning permission had been granted.

          DECISION

          AGREED in principle to support the project and prior to any grant being paid the Woodend Association required to:-

(i)            Open a Bank Account in the name of the Woodend Garden Association 

(ii)          Confirm in writing that the Lease had been agreed and signed

(iii)         Confirm in writing that the Planning permission had been granted.

          DECLARATION OF INTEREST

          Community Councillor Weatherston declared an interest in the following item of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and took no part in the discussion, other than to clarify the amount charged for the Booklet.

3.2     Kelso and District Amenity Society

There had been circulated copies of an application from the Kelso and District Amenity Society in the sum of £495 for the reprinting of Walter Scott’s Kelso booklet.  The application explained that the booklet was originally printed in 2005 with the intention of selling it to raise funds to allow the printing of a free leaflet which included a map of the Scott Trail.  The free leaflets had proved very popular with visitors and had been reprinted every two years.  The Walter Scott Booklet had not been printed since 2005 and there were only 12 remaining copies.  The application therefore requested a grant to allow the reprint of 500 copies.  The quotation from the printers was in the sum of £695 and £200 towards the costs had been secured from Charity Begins at Home.  Following discussion the Sub-Committee agreed to award £495 to the Kelso and District Amenity Society towards the cost of reprinting the Walter Scott Booklet. 

DECISION

AGREED to support the application for financial assistance from the Kelso and District Amenity Society in the sum of £495 towards the cost of reprinting the Walter Scott Booklet.

          The meeting closed at 5.30 p.m.