Agenda item

An update from Gareth Smith, Property Maintenance, on the budget and costs to date of Burgh Hall renovations.

4.1     With reference to paragraph 2.1 of the Minute of the meeting 22 February 2023, there had been circulated a spreadsheet of costs of the Burgh Hall renovations. The Chair reiterated that the Wi-Fi and header tank costs were not to be met from the Burgh Hall budget and the spend to date was just under £130k.  Mr Smith confirmed that here would be some additional costs associated with reinstating the stage lights and stage curtains.  The funding for the Burgh Hall work was as follows: £100k from Place Based Investment Program and £29k from the Chambers Institution Trust.  Fiona Colton (Live Borders) confirmed that further discussion was to be had to determine the funding of the Wi-Fi wiring installation and the 2 year maintenance contract.  The cost of the maintenance contract was to be considered as part of the Service Level Agreement between Live Borders and the Chambers Institution Trust with the cost to be recovered from the income generated by the Burgh Hall for Live Borders.

4.2     Gareth Smith confirmed that the Burgh Hall was to be handed back to Live Borders on 21 April 2023.

4.3     With reference to paragraph 3.8 of the Minute of 25 January 2023, Localities Development Coordinator Kenny Harrow had proposed that the appointment of a facilitator became part of Peebles ‘Place Making Plan’ process which allowed access to the facilitators appointed to Scottish Borders Council’s approved list.  Mr Harrow agreed to prepare a proposal as part of a wider Peebles Place Making Plan to the next meeting on 10 May 2023.

4.4     With reference to paragraph 2.2 of the minute of 22 February 2023, Sam Coe reported there was to be a workshop on 24 March that involved Page\Park Architects, Live Borders and the Beneficiaries Group to discuss the core uses and possibilities for the Burgh Hall and to prioritise its competing use and needs.  Photographs of the interior of St Andrew’s Church, Blackadder were shared by way of illustration of the space afforded by the installation of a complete first floor – one of the proposals to be considered with Page\Park.  The Church was of a similar size to the Burgh Hall with a vaulted ceiling and large stained glass windows on the gable ends and side walls.

4.5     The Chair reported that the Beneficiaries Group had discussed the formation of a sub group to prepare a business plan for the Chambers Institution Trust going forward. Currently there was a Service Level Agreement between Live Borders and Chambers Institution Trust that facilitated the running of the Burgh Hall.  The Chair sought approval for the formation of the sub group which was agreed.

DECISION:

(a)     NOTED the update and AGREED to postpone the installation of automated window blinds to a later phase of work once additional funding had been identified.

(b)     NOTED the briefing paper and that the Burgh Hall was to be handed back to Live Borders on 21 April 2023.

(c)     AGREED to consider a proposal from the Localities Development Coordinator to contract an SBC approved facilitator as part of a wider Peebles Place Making Plan at the next meeting on 10 May 2023.

(d)     AGREED to the formation of a sub group of the Beneficiaries Group to prepare a business plan for the Chambers Institution Trust.