Agenda Document Pack - Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee - 25/11/2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 25 November 2024
Back to Blairgowrie 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 Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 25 November 2024 at 14:00. 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 Bob Brawn Councillor Stewart Donaldson Councillor Grant Laing Councillor Tom McEwan Councillor Caroline Shiers Page 1 of 22
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Blairgowrie 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 APPOINTMENT OF CONVENER 2 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 4 MINUTE OF MEETING OF BLAIRGOWRIE COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE OF 4 OCTOBER 2021 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 6 5 MATTERS ARISING 6 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (copy herewith 24/330) 7 - 12 7 2021/22 TO 2023/24 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report by Strategic Lead - Finance and Business Support (copy herewith 24/331) 13 - 22 Page 3 of 22
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL BLAIRGOWRIE COMMON GOOD FUND 4 OCTOBER 2021 BLAIRGOWRIE COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE Minute of special meeting of the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Monday, 4 October 2021 at 10.30am. Present: Councillors B Brawn, J Duff, M Lyle and C Shiers. In Attendance: D Coyne, L Davison, C Flynn, L Haxton, K Molley, A Brown, L McGuigan, B Parker and M Pasternak (all Corporate and Democratic Services). Apology: Councillor T McEwan APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CONVENER With Councillor T McEwan having submitted apologies, the Committee agreed that Councillor B Brawn be appointed Acting Convener for this meeting. Councillor B Brawn, Acting Convener, Presiding. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Councillor B Brawn welcomed all present to the meeting and an apology was noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST In terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, Councillor C Shiers declared a non-financial interest in item 5. 3. MINUTES OF PERVIOUS MEETINGS (i) The minute of meeting of the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee of 19 June 2019 was submitted and approved as a correct record. (ii) The minute of special meeting of the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee of 30 August 2021 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 5. SIR WILLIAM MACPHERSON There has been a request from Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council to change the name of Riverside Park to Sir William Macpherson Park. 4 Page 5 of 22
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL BLAIRGOWRIE COMMON GOOD FUND 4 OCTOBER 2021 Resolved: The change of name of Riverside Park to Sir William Macpherson Park, be agreed. 6. 2021/22 Financial Statement There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance (21/175) including the 2021/22 Financial Statement to 30 August 2021 which includes the projected outturn to 31 March 2022. Resolved: The projected outturn and anticipated Revenue Account Balance for the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund for the year to 31 March 2022 as set out in Appendix 1 to report 21/175, be noted. ~~~~~~ Page 6 of 22
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Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee 25 November 2024 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing & Communities (Report No. 24/330) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The report asks Blairgowrie Common Good Committee to consider one small grant application for financial assistance. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • 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 Blairgowrie 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 Wisecraft (PKAVS) 5.1 Wisecraft are seeking a grant of £765 towards hall hire costs for their weekly yoga sessions at St Catherine’s church. 5.2 Wisecraft work with people aged 16+ who are struggling with mental health and wellbeing. They facilitate engagement in meaningful and therapeutic activities including horticulture, woodwork, gastronomy, fitness, nutrition, and arts. They aim for people to have better physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, to have better connections with the wider community, and to gain access to new skills and training which will help them move on to positive destinations. 5.3 The grant would be used towards hall hire for the weekly yoga and movement classes which take place at St Catherine’s Blairgowrie. The classes run for 45 weeks per year for up to 12 clients per session. An intergenerational care approach is taken by their qualified yoga and Pilates instructor. Current funding for the project comes to an end in December 2024 and the charity, who already fund the £616.50 employee salary for the 45 hours, does not have the capacity to cover hall hire. Grant funding will mean that attendees will not be asked to make a direct contribution thus, making the class more accessible. It is estimated that 25 people from the Blairgowrie Common Good area will benefit. 5.4 Costs are detailed in the table below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Hall Hire from January 2024 – January 2025 £17 per week for 45 weeks £765.00 Total proposed expenditure £765.00 Funding Requested from Blairgowrie Common Good Fund £765.00 Consideration 5.5 Committee is asked to consider the request in the report and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. 2024/25 projected surplus £800 Value of grants paid and committed £0 Remaining projected uncommitted surplus £800 Value of funding requested and under consideration £765.00 Page 8 of 22
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6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The Committee is asked to consider the application and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. 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 24 October 2024 APPENDICES • None Page 9 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. Workforce 2.2 Not applicable. Page 10 of 22
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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. 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. Page 11 of 22
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External 4.2 Not applicable. 5. Communication 5.1 Not applicable. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 None. Page 12 of 22
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Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Committee 25 November 2024 2021/22 TO 2023/24 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report by Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (Report No. 24/331) 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 This report provides the actual income and expenditure for the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund for financial years 2021/22 to 2023/24; and the projected outturn for financial year 2024/25. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Committee is requested to: (i) Note the actual income and expenditure to the 31 March for the financial years 2021/22 to 2023/24 for the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. (ii) Note the projected income and expenditure to the 31 March 2025 for the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report. 3. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 3.1 This report provides an update on the final outturn for financial years 2021/22 to 2023/24 for the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund and the projected outturn for financial year 2024/25. 4. PROPOSALS Financial Statements 2021/22 to 2023/24 4.1 As detailed in Appendix 1, a cumulative surplus of £952 was generated over the three financial years and the unaudited Fund balance at 31 March 2024 was £21,045. 4.2 The previously reported position to the Committee on 4 October 2021 (Report 21/175 refers) anticipated a surplus of £20 for 2021/22. Following the closure of the accounts, the final position in 2021/22 resulted in an overall balance of £20,145. The movement from the previously reported position was due to interest income from revenue balances administered by the Council. 7 Page 13 of 22
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4.3 The Committee did not meet between 2022/23 and 2023/24. During these two years a further £900 of interest was received by the Blairgowrie Common Good Fund. This resulted in a Fund balance at 31 March 2024 of £21,045. Financial Statement 2024/25 4.4 As detailed in Appendix 2, there is a projected surplus of £35 for financial year 2024/25, and the estimated Fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £21,080. 4.5 There is one application for financial assistance to be considered at this meeting, and this has been included in the projected expenditure. 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 14 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 15 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. 2. 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 16 of 22
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3. APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Financial Statement to 31 March 2024 for Financial Years 2021/22 to 2023/24 • Appendix 2 – Blairgowrie Common Good Fund Financial Statement for period to 30 September 2024 for Financial Year 2024/25. Page 17 of 22
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Appendix 1 BLAIRGOWRIE COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2024 FOR FINANCIAL YEARS 2021/22, 2022/23, & 2023/24 FY 2021/22 FY 2022/23 FY 2023/24 Audited Actual to 31 March 2022 Audited Actual to 31 March 2023 Unaudited Actual to 31 March 2024 Expenditure Financial Assistance -£ -£ -£ -£ -£ -£ Total Expenditure -£ -£ -£ Income Other Income Interest Earned 52£ 80£ 820£ Total Income 52£ 80£ 820£ Surplus/(Deficit) 52£ 80£ 820£ Opening Balance 1 April 20,093£ 20,145£ 20,225£ Surplus / (Deficit) 52£ 80£ 820£ Closing Balance 31 March 20,145£ 20,225£ 21,045£ 7 Page 19 of 22
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Appendix 2 BLAIRGOWRIE COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2024/25 Committed Projected Actual to & Under Outturn to 30-Sep-24 Consideration 31-Mar-25 £ £ £ EXPENDITURE OTHER SUPPLIES & SERVICES Financial Assistance 0 765 765 Total Expenditure 0 765 765 INCOME Other Income 0 0 0 Interest earned 0 0 800 Total Income 0 0 800 Surplus / (Deficit) for Year 0 (765) 35 Revenue Balance at 1 April 2024 21,045 21,045 Surplus for the Year 0 35 Projected Fund Balance at 31 March 2025 21,045 21,080 Financial Assistance Actual Amount (£) Meeting -£ Committed Amount (£) Meeting £ - Under Consideration Amount (£) Meeting Wisecraft (PKAVS) £ 765.00 25/11/2024 £ 765.00 Total 765.00£ 7 Page 21 of 22
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