Agenda Document Pack - Crieff Common Good Fund Committee - 05/05/2025
Perth and Kinross Council · 5 May 2025
Back to Crieff Common Good Fund Committee — 5 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Ambition | Compassion | Integrity Our vision is for a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Council Building 2 High Street Perth PH1 5PH 28/04/2025 A hybrid meeting of the Crieff Common Good Fund Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 05 May 2025 at 13:15. If you have any queries please contact Democratic 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: Bailie Rhona Brock Councillor Stewart Donaldson Councillor Noah Khogali Councillor Grant Laing Page 1 of 20
Page 2
Page 2 of 20
Page 3
Crieff Common Good Fund Committee Monday, 05 May 2025 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/SUBSTITUTES 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3 MINUTE OF MEETING OF CRIEFF COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE OF 25 NOVEMBER 2024 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 6 4 MATTERS ARISING 5 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (copy herewith 25/104) 7 - 12 6 2024/25 & 2025/26 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report by Chief Finance Officer (copy herewith 25/105) 13 - 20 Page 3 of 20
Page 4
Page 4 of 20
Page 5
CRIEFF COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Crieff Common Good Fund Committee held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 25 November 2024 at 2.35pm. Present: Councillor S Donaldson and Bailie R Brock. In attendance: S Kimmett (Housing and Communities), A O’Brien, F Lambie and D Coyne (all Finance and Business Support), A Taylor, S Dockerill and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Apologies: Councillors N Khogali and G Laing. Councillor S Donaldson, Presiding. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Councillor S Donaldson welcomed all those present to the meeting and apologies for absence were noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST In terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct Bailie R Brock declared a non- financial interest in Item 5.1, paragraph 5.7 (Richmond Community). 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF CRIEFF OF 29 JANUARY 2024 FOR APPROVAL The minute of meeting of the Crieff 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. APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (24/332) asking Crieff Common Good Fund Committee to consider two small grant applications for financial assistance. (i) Strathearn Autism Group Resolved: Strathearn Autism Group be awarded a grant of £459 towards their three group trips. HAVING PREVIOUSLY DECLARED AN INTEREST IN THE FOLLOWING ITEM, BAILIE BROCK TOOK NO PART IN THE DISCUSSION THEREON. (i) Richmond Community 3 Page 5 of 20
Page 6
Resolved: Richmond Community be awarded a grant of £500 towards the costs of their Christmas Party. POST MEETING NOTE Due to Bailie Brock declaring an interest in the above item and being unable to take part in the decision, following discussion with Councillor Donaldson it was agreed to contact the remaining Members of the Crieff Common Good Fund Committee by email, being Councillors Khogali and Laing, to seek their approval of the proposal to award Richmond Community a grant of £500. Councillor Khogali confirmed in writing on 30 November 2024 he was happy to agree with Councillor Donaldson’s proposal. 6. 2023/2024 & 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS There was submitted a report by the Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (24/333) (1) providing an update on the final outturn for Financial Year 2023/24, (2) seeking approval of the budget for Financial Year 2024/25; and (3) providing details of the income and expenditure to 30 September 2024 and the projected outturn for Financial Year 2024/25. Resolved: (i) The unaudited Income and Expenditure to 31 March 2024 for the Crieff Common Good Fund for the 2023/24 Financial Year, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report 24/333, be noted. (ii) The Crieff Common Good Fund budget for Financial Year 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 2 to Report 24/333, be approved. (iii) The Income and Expenditure for the Crieff Common Good Fund to 30 September 2024, and the projected outturn to 31 March 2025, as detailed in Appendix 2 to Report 24/333, be noted. ~~~~~~~~ Page 6 of 20
Page 7
PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Crieff Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 5 May 2025 Report Title: Application for Financial Assistance Report Number: 25/104 Report Author: Sarah Kimmet, Community Empowerment Officer communityempowerment@pkc.gov.uk Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead for Housing and Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The report asks Crieff Common Good Fund Committee to consider three grant applications. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: Consider the grant applications 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 Grants • Section 8: Conclusion • Appendices 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 5 Page 7 of 20
Page 8
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 A summary of the provisional 2025/26 Financial Assistance budget, is provided below: 2025/26 Provisional Financial Assistance Budget £1,500 Value of grants paid and committed £0 Remaining Provisional Financial Assistance Budget £1,500 Value of funding requested and under consideration £1,500 5. Proposals Royal Voluntary Service 5.1 The Royal Voluntary Service are seeking £500 towards training and other costs associated with running a community minibus. 5.2 RVS coordinate 150 volunteers across Perth & Kinross to specifically support the elderly community. They run lunch clubs, a Home From Hospital service, the Support You At Home service, and Strength and Balance classes as well as supporting a council run sheltered housing complex in Crieff with entertainment such as bingo and quizzes. RVS have a service level agreement with Perth and Kinross Council which includes the aim of growing the number of clients attending clubs and events. It became clear that transport to and from activities was a barrier for individuals and therefore RVS applied and were successful at obtaining a minibus through the PKC Community Minibus Scheme. They are now seeking funding to support with some of the associated costs of training drivers and running costs across the first year of use. 5.3 It is estimated that more than 100 individuals from the Common Good area will benefit from the support, with many more from the wider Perth and Kinross area also benefiting. 5.4 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Midas training Quotation £1,250 First Aid training Quotation £1,000 Page 8 of 20
Page 9
Mechanical Servicing Quotations £2,000 Insurance Quotation £1,000 Other running costs Quotation £5,000 Total proposed expenditure £10,250 Private Donor (pending) £5,000 Perth Common Good Fund (pending) £5,000 Funding Requested from Crieff Common Good Fund £500 5.5 The Royal Voluntary Service have not received funding from the Common Good Fund in the previous 3 financial years. Consideration 5.6 The Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. Strathearn Art For Experience 5.7 Strathearn Art For Experience (SAFE) are seeking £500 towards their 2025- 26 project. 5.8 SAFE is a peer support group that meets at Crieff Community Hospital and is intended to assist and facilitate people on their mental health recovery through access to and use of creative media. The group provides a safe space for adults with mental health difficulties to have tea and coffee, to socialise with members in similar situations, and help them out of isolation. For many members the cost-of-living crisis has added to their emotional and mental stress and the group is seen as a safe place where individuals can share their experience and challenges. An arts facilitator supports the group on a voluntary basis, to choose and carry out arts and crafts projects. Currently the group have 11 members who attend weekly, with others attending on a more ad-hoc basis. Coming together to talk and create has led to positive outcomes for some members of the group who have built up the confidence to gain employment or enter further education. 5.9 The group are currently seeking costs for a new project which will lead to the group creating a mixed media wall hanging of the Eppie Callum Oak Tree which can be found along Lady Mary’s Walk in Crieff. As part of the project the group will visit Stirling Castle to view and learn about other wall tapestries and techniques used. On completion SAFE will donate their wall hanging to Crieff Museum. The group narrowly missed out on funding from the Crieff Locality Participatory Budgeting Fund and are now working with the local Community Learning and Development Team to try to source other funding. 5.10 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount 100% Cotton Conservation background Quote £110 Page 9 of 20
Page 10
Materials (thread, fabric and other materials, stretching materials for preparation for hanging) Estimate £500 Bus hire (with wheelchair access) Quote £100 Entry to Stirling Castle Website £240 Total proposed expenditure £950 Contribution from group (from proceeds of previous art sales) £50 Funding Requested from Crieff Common Good Fund £500 5.11 SAFE have not received Common Good Funding in the previous three financial years. Consideration 5.12 The Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. Strathearn Arts 5.13 Strathearn Arts are seeking £500 towards a trip for their Reverb Studio group. 5.14 Strathearn Arts is a community arts centre in the heart of Crieff, providing a high-quality programme of music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, literature, dance, and cinema. They have recently finished a 6-week pilot of the Reverb Studio Project which is a youth-led project led by a local artist. They have secured funding from the Gannochy trust to continue past the pilot period. The project was set up in response to a letter signed by 100 young people from a local high school citing incidents of bullying, sexism, homophobia and other harassment. The Reverb Studio Project aims to be a space where young people can express themselves freely. It is free to attend and so far has provided an opportunity for 15 high school aged young people to meet weekly and explore paintings, drawings, spray-painted street art, textiles, screen-printing, and zine-making. The group would now like to arrange a trip to visit an art gallery or exhibition in either Glasgow or Dundee. It is hoped that around 30 young people from the Common Good Area will be able to take part in the trip. 5.15 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Entrance fees for gallery or exhibition 30 x £10 £300 Bus Hire Quote £150 Food and Drink Estimate £50 Total proposed expenditure £500 Funding Requested from Crieff Common Good Fund £500 Page 10 of 20
Page 11
5.16 Strathearn Arts have not received funding from the Common Good Fund in the previous 3 financial years. Consideration 5.17 The Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. 6. IMPACT VALUE ASSESSMENT Crieff_Common_Good_Fund_Applications_for_Financial_Assistance.pdf Page 11 of 20
Page 12
Page 12 of 20
Page 13
Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Crieff Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 5 May 2025 Report Title: 2024/25 & 2025/26 Financial Statements Report Number: 25/105 Report Author: Fiona Lambie, Accountant Organisational Lead: Scott Walker, Chief Finance Officer ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide details of the income and expenditure to 31 March 2025, seek approval of the budget for 2025/26 and provide the projected outturn for 2025/26. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Context 4. Main Issues 5. Conclusion 6. Impact Value Assessment 7. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Note the unaudited income and expenditure to 31 March 2025, and the projected outturn for 2024/25, as set out in Appendix 1. 2.2 Approve the Crieff Common Good Fund budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report. 2.3 Note the projected outturn for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix 2. 6 Page 13 of 20
Page 14
3. Background/Context 3.1 The Committee approved the 2024/25 Budget and received a financial monitoring update for the Fund at the meeting on 25 November 2024 (Report 24/333 refers). This report provides an update on the unaudited outturn for 2024/25. 3.2 The proposed budget for the Fund for Financial Year 2025/26 is included in Appendix 2 to this report. The budget has been prepared based on activity undertaken in 2024/25 and prior years, recognising that the maximum award of Financial Assistance is £500 per application. 4. Main Issues Financial Statement 2024/25 4.1 As detailed in Appendix 1, the unaudited surplus for the Fund for 2024/25 is £1,306 and the Fund balance as at 31 March 2025 is £15,926. The £706 increase from the previously reported surplus of £600 is due to an underspend of £541 in financial assistance and an additional £165 from interest earned for the year due to higher interest rates. There may be further adjustments during the closure of the accounts for 2024/25, and any changes will be reported to a future meeting of the Committee. Budget 2025/26 4.2 Appendix 2 provides the proposed budget for 2025/26. The Financial Assistance budget has been maintained at £1,500. There are no changes from 2024/25, and the budget delivers a £600 surplus to provide a contingency for unforeseen expenditure during the year. Financial Statement 2025/26 4.3 On the basis of Appendix 2, it is anticipated that a surplus of £600 will be generated in 2025/26 and the Fund’s Revenue Account Balance is estimated to be £16,526 as at 31 March 2026. 5 Conclusion 5.1 As detailed in Appendix 1, the projected surplus for the Fund for 2024/25 is £1,306 and the anticipated Fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £15,926. 5.2 As detailed in Appendix 2, the proposed budget for 2025/26 remains the same as 2024/25 with a projected surplus for 2025/26 is £600 and the estimated Fund balance at 31 March 2026 is £16,526. 6. Impact Value Assessment Impact Value Assessment Page 14 of 20
Page 15
7. Appendices 7.1 Appendix 1 – Crieff Common Good Fund – Financial Statement for the period to 31 March 2025 for 2024/25. 7.2 Appendix 2 – Crieff Common Good Fund - Financial Statement for the 2025/26. Page 15 of 20
Page 16
Page 16 of 20
Page 17
CRIEFF COMMON GOOD FUND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2025 FOR 2024/25 2024/25 Budget Actual/Committed to 31 March 2025 Over/(Under) Spend £ £ £ Expenditure Supplies and Services Financial Assistance 1,500 959 (541) Total Expenditure 1,500 959 (541) Income Rents, Fees & Charges 1,600 1,600 0 Interest Earned 500 665 165 Total Income 2,100 2,265 165 Surplus / (Deficit) 600 1,306 706 Opening Balance 1 April 2024 14,620 14,620 Surplus / (Deficit) 600 1,306 Unaudited Closing Balance at 31 March 2025 15,220 15,926 6 Page 17 of 20
Page 18
Grants Actual / Committed Amount Meeting Richmond House - Christmas Party 2024 £ 500.00 25/11/2024 Strathearn Autism Group £ 459.00 25/11/2024 £ 959.00 Total £ 959.00 Page 18 of 20
Page 19
CRIEFF COMMON GOOD FUND PROPOSED BUDGET AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2025/26 Proposed 2025/26 Budget Actual to date Under Consideration and Committed Total Projected Outturn Projection Over/(Under) Spend £ £ £ £ £ £ Expenditure Supplies and Services Financial Assistance 1,500 0 1,500 1,500 1,500 0 Total Expenditure 1,500 0 1,500 1,500 1,500 0 Income Rents, Fees & Charges 1,600 0 0 1,600 0 Interest Earned 500 0 0 500 0 Total Income 2,100 0 0 0 2,100 0 Surplus/(Deficit) 600 0 (1,500) (1,500) 600 0 Opening Balance 1 April 2025 15,926 15,926 Surplus / (Deficit) 600 600 Projected Closing Balance at 31 March 2026 16,526 16,526 6 Page 19 of 20
Page 20
Grants Under Consideration Amount Meeting Royal Voluntary Service £ 500 05/05/2025 Strathearn Art For Experience £ 500 05/05/2025 Strathearn Arts £ 500 05/05/2025 £ 1,500 Total £ 1,500 Page 20 of 20