Agenda item
Property Update
Minutes:
5.1
The Estates Surveyor provided a Property Update for
Members.
5.2
Lauder Football Club
SB Contracts had estimated £4,440.50 to remove the final area
of concrete pavement and replace it with tarmac as the final stage
of works. Three new benches would be
installed by the football club. Members
were happy to approve this spend from the Lauder Common Good
Fund.
5.3
Storm Arwen
Ms Stewart was liaising with woodland contractors for work on key
areas with Michael Middlemiss. Mr
Middlemiss represented Lauder Hill
Sheep Company and had taken immediate action necessary for their
business which was estimated at £300 to
£400. There was an underbudget on fencing which would allow Mr
Middlemiss to proceed with the
necessary works. There may be
additional costs but this wouldn’t be clarified following
assessment by the forestry contractor, some of which might be
offset by the value of the wood. The
Estates Surveyor advised there may be an opportunity to harvest or
to replant with trees or other plants.
5.4
Tree Planting
Ms Stewart advised that the planting by Tweed Forum would not be
impacted by Storm Arwen. With regard to The Queen’s Green
Canopy Project, the provision of trees from the Crown, had been
confirmed for March 2022. It was noted
that the planting at Lauder Burn was on track.
5.5
Asbestos on Stow Road
With reference to paragraph 3.1 of the Minute of 24 August 2021, Ms
Stewart reported SB Contracts had paid for the collection of
asbestos due to its proximity to the road so there would be no
impact on the Common Good Fund Budget.
5.6
Whitlaw Farm
It was noted that Tricia Hill, Estates Surveyor was liaising with
the owner of Whitlaw Farm regarding
their felling proposals.
5.7
Lauder Public Hall
With reference to paragraph 3.3 of the Minute of 24 August 2021, it
was noted that there had been no further feedback from Live Borders
on progressing with a sublease.
Councillor Parker and Mr Smith advised that there had been a change
of personnel in the Leisure Centre Committee and they were unlikely
to pursue proposals for the Public Hall.
5.8 Lauder Town Hall Electrics
Ms Stewart advised that
Jonathon Jones, Property Officer had visited the hall and had
advised that the electrics could be changed but the cost would fall
to the Common Good Fund. In response to
a request by Mr Smith for 2 LED lights, Ms Stewart advised that
these could be provided. It was agreed
to delegate authority to Ms Stewart in consultation with Members to
install these lights subject to the provision of
costings.
5.9
Lauder Golf Club
Members agreed to delegate authority to Ms Stewart in consultation
with Members for the installation of a kissing gate at Lauder Golf
Club.
5.10 Lauder Cycling Club
With reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of 2 February 2021, Ms
Stewart advised that there had been further contact regardinga
lease of land adjacent to the fire station. She had been trying to get the Cycling Club to
provide a plan and it was noted thatplanning permission would be
required to approve proposed use of land for a cycling track and a
public consultation would also need to be undertaken.
5.11 Lauder Common Shootings
Ms Stewart advised that the shootings on Lauder Common were currently leased for £12,000 per annum. The current tenant had asked for rent reduction due to a lack of business from the pandemic. Members agreed to refuse the request, review the lease situation and report to the Sub-Committee at a later date.
DECISION
AGREED to:
(a)
NOTED the update.
(b)
AGREED to:
(i) accept the estimate from
SBContracts £4,440.50 for the
final stage of works at Lauder Football Club;
(ii) delegate authority to the Estates Surveyor in consultation with Members to install 2 LED lights at Lauder Town Hall subject to the provision of costings;
(iii) delegate authority to Ms Stewart in consultation with Members for the installation of a kissing gate at Lauder Golf Club; and
(iv) refuse a rent reduction for the Shootings on Lauder Common, and to review the lease situation at a future meeting.