Agenda item

Consider recommendations regarding funding applications from:

·                Liddesdale Ladies Amenities Group

·                Perfect Harmony

·                Elliot Clan Society

(Copy attached.)

8.1       The chair invited Ms Marion Short, the Chair of Community Fund Pot B Assessment Panel to provide a summary of the applications which had been considered at its meeting on Tuesday, 31 January 2023.

8.2       Teviot and Liddesdale Ladies Amenities Group

The application from the Teviot and Liddesdale Ladies Amenities Group requested £1,500 to help meet the costs of replacing the Christmas lights on nine trees around the main square in Newcastleton.  The panel had examined the details of the application meticulously and considered that the efforts to raise other funding from the local community should be commended.  The display had ceased to operate due to the failure of the equipment.  Ms Short highlighted that the Group had made donations to various other groups and charities within the locality, and therefore the application was recommended for approval subject to the condition that the funding was ring fenced for use solely on the Christmas lights project.  Those in attendance unanimously approved the recommendation. 

8.3       Perfect Harmony

Perfect Harmony, a group which performed concerts in nursing homes, sheltered housing, day care centres, and other similar locations, had applied for £3,000 to assist with the costs of delivering their events.  Ms Short explained that the Assessment Panel were strongly in favour of the activities of the group, however, due to a lack of information, considerable areas of concern remained unaddressed.  The Group had applied to the Eildon Area Partnership for £1350 to provide 6 concerts.  The application for Teviot and Liddesdale would enable 2 concerts to take place.  Given the lack of application of a pro-rata rate, and the Group’s considerable financial reserves, the Assessment Panel had recommended to defer the application.  Ms Jardine explained that she had discussed the application with Perfect Harmony.  Each individual care home, or similar facility, was required to apply to Perfect Harmony, and pay membership fees, for performances.  Perfect Harmony were in the process of confirming the number of facilities which would be registered with them in Teviot and Liddesdale for 2023/24.  Attendees expressed their hope that the group would submit a revised application in the future. 

8.4       Elliot Clan Society

The application from the Elliot Clan Society requested £2,000 to assist with the costs associated with an event celebrating an Elliot gathering.  In considering the application the Panel had felt concerned at the lack of evidence of any other fund raising for the event.  The Panel had felt that there was not sufficient detail in the application, and due to that ambiguity had recommended not to approve the application.  The group had ring fenced £8,000 for the officers to attend a dinner, whilst other members of the public would be required to pay to attend.  Councillor McAteer explained that he had been in discussion with the Elliot Clan Society regarding their application, and stressed that the individual responsible for completing the forms had been unwell. There was considerable debate regarding the appropriateness of Elected Members approving applications contrary to the recommendations of the Assessment Panel.  Attendees expressed their concerns at an application being approved which had not followed the defined procedure.  The Chair of the Newcastleton Community Council explained that they had discussed the merits of the application and were unanimous in their support. Councillor McAteer, seconded by Councillor Smart proposed that the application be approved using the remaining funds of from Pot A - Newcastleton in place of funding from Pot B. This was unanimously approved. 

DECISION

AGREED:

(a)       to grant Teviot and Liddesdale Ladies Amenities Group £1,500;

(b)       that the application from Perfect Harmony was not approved ; and,

(c)       to grant Elliot Clan Society funding of £1,919 from Pot A – Newcastleton, of the Neighbourhood Support Fund.