Agenda Document Pack - Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee - 25/11/2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 25 November 2024
Back to Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee — 25 November 2024 and its agenda
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Securing the future… • Improving services • Enhancing quality of life • Making the best use of public resources Council Building 2 High Street Perth PH1 5PH 19/11/2024 A hybrid meeting of the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 25 November 2024 at 13:30. If you have any queries please contact Committee Services on (01738) 475000 or email Committee@pkc.gov.uk. THOMAS GLEN Chief Executive Those attending the meeting are requested to ensure that all notifications are silent on their device and other devices are in silent mode. Please note that the meeting will be broadcast online and recorded. The recording will be publicly available on the Council’s website following the meeting. Members: Councillor Stewart Donaldson Councillor John Duff Councillor Grant Laing Provost Xander McDade Bailie Mike Williamson Page 1 of 22
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Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee Monday, 25 November 2024 AGENDA MEMBERS ARE REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO DECLARE ANY FINANCIAL OR NON-FINANCIAL INTEREST WHICH THEY MAY HAVE IN ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCILLORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT. 1 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3 MINUTE OF MEETING OF ABERFELDY COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE OF 29 APRIL 2024 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 6 4 MATTERS ARISING 5 DISCUSSION ON COMMON GOOD POLICY 6 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (copy herewith 24/326) 7 - 14 7 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report by Strategic Lead - Finance and Business Support (copy herewith 24/327) 15 - 22 Page 3 of 22
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ABERFELDY COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 29 April 2024 at 1:45pm. Present: Councillors J Duff and S Donaldson, Provost X McDade and Bailie M Williamson. In Attendance: L Haxton and J Dudgeon (Housing and Communities); D Coyne (Finance and Business Support), J Guild, A Brown, M Pasternak and S Dockerill (Legal and Governance). Apologies: Councillor G Laing. Councillor J Duff, Convener 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Councillor J Duff welcomed all those present to the meeting and an apology was noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF ABERFELDY COMMON GOOD FUND OF 29 JANUARY 2024 FOR APPROVAL With an amendment made to Item 5 Applications for Financial Assistance to read: “Resolved: (i) Feldyroo Aberfeldy Parkrun – The individual applicant, with support from Feldyroo, be awarded £3400 to help set up and register a Parkrun in Aberfeldy, with prioritisation being given to the registration fee”, the minute of meeting of the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee of 29 January 2024 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 5. APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE There was submitted a report by the Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (24/137) asking Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee to consider the grant application and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. Resolved: Breadalbane Academy be awarded a grant of £500 to help support a group of pupils undertake an excursion to Poland, to learn about the history and legacy of the holocaust. 3 Page 5 of 22
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6. 2023/24 AND 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS There was submitted a report by the Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (24/138) provides the projected outturn for Financial Year 2023/24, and the estimated income and expenditure for Financial Year 2024/25. Resolved: (i) The projected Income and Expenditure to the 29 February 2024 for the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund for the 2023/24 Financial Year, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted. (ii) The estimated income and expenditure for the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund for the 2024/25 Financial Year, as set out Appendix 2 to the report, be noted. Page 6 of 22
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Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee 25 November 2024 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing & Communities (Report No. 24/326) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The report asks Aberfeldy Common Good Committee to consider one small grant application for financial assistance. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: (i) Consider the application and agree any financial assistance to be awarded 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background / Main Issues • Section 5: Proposals: Small Grant • Section 6: Conclusion 4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 4.1 Perth and Kinross Council owns land and property which forms part of the Common Good of the former burghs in Perth and Kinross and has a statutory duty in terms of section 15 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 to administer this land and property “having regard to the interests of the inhabitants” of those former burghs. This duty also applies to the administration of the associated Common Good Funds. 4.2 The Common Good Funds have traditionally demonstrated their support to local residents and organisations by distributing grants. These grant awards allow individuals and local organisations to carry out a wide range of community-based activities. 4.3 Applications to Common Good Funds vary across the different former burghs of Perth and Kinross. This report is for the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund. 6 Page 7 of 22
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4.4 A summary of the projected surplus, committed grant funding, and the surplus remaining, is provided below: 5. PROPOSALS – SMALL GRANTS Birks Cinema Trust 5.1 Birks Cinema Trust are seeking £2,500 towards their Mezzanine floor extension project. 5.2 The Birks Cinema Trust owns and operates the Birks Cinema and Café in Aberfeldy. Its main purpose is to provide access to world class film and cultural activities for the local community. As a community hub for the town, it offers and hosts a diverse range of activities delivered by the Trust and by other community organisations. These range from serving as a warm bank in the winter, Gaelic language events, Lego club, and yoga for neurodivergent people. 5.3 The current Mezzanine first floor is open to the ground floor which limits the types and timings of event which can be held due to noise. Additionally, a recommendation has come from Warm Connects that enclosing the first floor would reduce heat loss and improve the eco efficiency of the building. There would also be benefits to fire safety. Following consultation with relevant stakeholders on how to deliver financial sustainability for the Trust, increased space was identified. 5.4 With the newly separate first floor the Birks would have an additional space for up to 50 people and hope to expand their offerings of live music performances, lectures, and discussion groups. 5.5 Other local community groups will be involved in the project and will produce the soft furnishings and finishes. 5.6 It is estimated that 1400 people from the Common Good Area would benefit from this project. 2024/25 projected surplus £5,700 Value of grants paid and committed £500 Remaining projected uncommitted surplus £5,200 Value of funding requested and under consideration £2,500 Page 8 of 22
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5.7 Costs are detailed in the table below. Although an award from the Common Good Fund would still leave the project with a shortfall, the Trust are in talks with various funders to make up this funding gap. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Building costs Quote following tender exercise £68,833 Professional Fees (architect and structural engineer) Quote £9,860 Staff Costs during closure period (5-week closure period expected for works to be completed) Historic time records using Real Living wage for non- salaried staff £26,000 Total proposed expenditure £104,693 Contribution from Individual/Group (from unrestricted funds) £7,800 SSEN Griffin and Calliachar Fund (approved towards total of staff costs and contribution to other costs) £79,832 Funding Requested from Aberfeldy Common Good Fund £2,500 Consideration 5.8 Committee is asked to consider the request in the report and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The Committee is asked to consider the application and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. Page 9 of 22
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Authors Name Designation Contact Details Sarah Kimmet David Stoke Community Empowerment Officer Service Manager Communities 01738 475000 EPLCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Elaine Ritchie Strategic Lead Housing and Communities 25 October 2024 APPENDICES • None Page 10 of 22
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION, AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment None Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) None Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan 1.1 The proposals will contribute to the Community Plan’s aim of safe, healthy and inclusive communities and the outcome of communities will have improved quality of life. Corporate Plan 1.2 The proposals will contribute to the Corporate Plan’s priorities of tackling poverty and supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 The Strategic Lead, Finance & Business Support has been consulted and has indicated agreement with the proposals. The recommendations contained within this report will be funded from the 2024/25 Financial Assistance budget. Page 11 of 22
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Workforce 2.2 Not applicable. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 Not applicable. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 This section should reflect that the proposals have been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome: Assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. Sustainability 3.5 Not applicable. Legal and Governance 3.6 Not applicable. Page 12 of 22
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Risk 3.7 Not applicable. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Strategic Lead, Finance and Business Support and the Strategic Lead, Legal and Governance have been consulted. External 4.2 Not applicable. 5. Communication 5.1 Not applicable. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 None. Page 13 of 22
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Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee 25 November 2024 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report by Chief Finance Officer (Report No. 24/327) 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 This report provides details of the income and expenditure to 30 September 2024 and the projected outturn for financial year 2024/25 for the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Committee is requested to: (i) Note the projected income and expenditure to the 31 March 2025 for the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. 3. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 3.1 This report provides an update on the projected outturn for financial year 2024/25. 4. PROPOSALS Financial Statement 2023/24 4.1 Report 24/138 considered by Committee on 29 April 2024 included an anticipated Fund balance at 31 March 2024 of £125,600. An accrued offer of £700 in Financial Assistance from financial year 2019/20 was declined by Aberfeldy Scouts at the year end. Following the year-end allocation of interest on the Fixed Term deposit and the Fund’s Revenue balance, the surplus increased by an additional £326 from projections. The final Fund balance at 31 March 2024 is, therefore, £126,626. Financial Statement 2024/25 4.2 As detailed in Appendix 1, there is a projected surplus of £2,700 for financial year 2024/25, and the estimated Fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £129,326. 4.3 There is one application for financial assistance to be considered at this meeting, and this has been included in the projected expenditure. 4.4 The projected surplus has changed from the previously reported surplus of £5,200, a movement of £2,500. The movement is due to the additional financial application under consideration. 7 Page 15 of 22
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Author(s) Name Designation Contact Details Fiona Lambie Accountant CHXFinance@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Scott Walker Chief Finance Officer 6 November 2024 Page 16 of 22
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement None Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment Yes Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Corporate Plan 1.1 The Council’s Corporate Plan 2022 – 2027 lays out seven outcome focussed strategic objectives which provide clear strategic direction, inform decisions at a corporate and service level and shape resources allocation. They are as follows: • Tackling poverty • Tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places • Growing a sustainable and inclusive local economy • Enabling our children and young people to achieve their full potential • Protecting and caring for our most vulnerable people • Supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing • Placing communities at the heart of how we work 1.1 This report relates to all objectives. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report. Page 17 of 22
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3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) and has been assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Act. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. Sustainability 3.5 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. In terms of the Climate Change Act, the Council has a general duty to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and the community, environmental and economic impacts of its actions. 3.6. The information contained within this report has been considered under the Act. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 No consultation has been necessary in the preparation of this report. 5. BACKGROUND PAPERS 5.1 No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (other than any containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to any material extent in preparing the above report. Page 18 of 22
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6. APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Financial Statement for period to 30 September 2024 for Financial Year 2024/25. Page 19 of 22
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Appendix 1 ABERFELDY COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2024/25 Projected Actual to Outturn to 30-Sep-24 31-Mar-25 £ £ £ EXPENDITURE OTHER SUPPLIES & SERVICES Financial Assistance 0 3,000 3,000 Total Expenditure 0 3,000 3,000 INCOME Interest earned 0 0 5,700 Total Income 0 0 5,700 Surplus / (Deficit) for Year 0 (3,000) 2,700 Revenue Balance at 1 April 2024 126,626 126,626 Surplus for the Year 0 2,700 Projected Fund Balance at 31 March 2025 126,626 129,326 Financial Assistance Actual Amount (£) Meeting -£ Committed Amount (£) Meeting Breadalbane Academy - Trip to Krakow June 2024 500.00£ 29/04/2024 £ 500.00 Under Consideration Amount (£) Meeting Birks Cinema Trust 2,500.00£ 25/11/2024 £ 2,500.00 Total 3,000.00£ Financial Assistance Under Consideration and Committed 7 Page 21 of 22
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