Agenda item
Property
Consider verbal update report from Estates Officer.
Minutes:
5.1 There had been previously circulated a letter received from a member of the community making a request to rent the grazings known as Refuse Tips 1 and 2. The Estates Officer, Ms Stewart was present and explained the details around the land in question. Refuse Tip 1 was vacant and required topping and spraying. Refuse Tip 2 was vacant, but animals on the Calfward Park grazings were able to cross the burn and access it at present. Refuse Tip 2 had previously been rented by the person renting Calfward Park for three months of the year. A fence was to be erected across the base of Refuse Tip 2 as part of the previously agreed woodland planting scheme. A water pump would need to be installed before the fence was constructed and Ms Stewart would co-ordinate this. Members agreed that the application to rent Refuse Tips 1 and 2 should be progressed with the interested party and Members delegated powers to Ms Stewart to make contact with both tenants to put the necessary arrangements in place, in consultation with the Sub-Committee Members.
DECISION
AGREED that powers be delegated to the Estate Officer, in consultation with the Sub-Committee Members, to arrange the necessary tenancy agreements.
5.2 Ms Stewart advised that the Tree Consultant dealing with the Lauder Burn had proposed that he provide a report on the condition of the poplar trees adjacent to the road at a cost of £200. It was noted that it was likely that some branches would require to be removed.
DECISION
AGREED the payment of £200 to the tree consultant to carry out this work.
5.3 With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 31 July 2019, Ms Stewart advised that the areas for the proposed woodland scheme on Lauder Common had now been agreed with the tenant. Hugh Chalmers of Tweed Forum presented the scheme to the Community Council in November and would now submit the report to the Woodland Trust. Ms Stewart was now in negotiations with the tenant to reduce the rent to reflect the reduction in grazing area and once agreed this would be legally documented in a Minute of Agreement. Ms Stewart advised that fees for the work had previously been estimated at £1.5k. However, this had increased and following negotiation amounted to £2,836k.
DECISION
AGREED to:-
(a) progress the woodland and negotiations with the tenant; and
(b) meet the increased fees of £2.836k.
5.4 It was reported that the Scottish Kennel Club had requested use of Lauder Common land for an event from Tuesday 24November to Sunday 29 November 2020.
DECISION
AGREED to give consent to Scottish Kennel Club.
5.5 Ms Stewart advised that a request had been received to erect 3 telecommunications telegraph poles on farmland adjacent to Lauder Golf Club in return for a payment of £614.25. Ms Stewart advised that this payment was the maximum payable in terms of the relevant legislation.
DECISION
AGREED to allow the installation of three telegraph poles.