Agenda Document Pack - Perth Common Good Fund Committee - 05/05/2025
Perth and Kinross Council · 5 May 2025
Back to Perth Common Good Fund Committee — 5 May 2025 and its agenda
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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 Perth Common Good Fund Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 05 May 2025 at 13:30. 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 Chris Ahern Councillor Liz Barrett Councillor Peter Barrett Councillor Andy Chan Councillor Stewart Donaldson Councillor Eric Drysdale Councillor Grant Laing Councillor Iain MacPherson Councillor Carol Mair Councillor Ian Massie Councillor Sheila McCole Depute Provost Andrew Parrott Councillor John Rebbeck Page 1 of 54
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Perth 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 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3 MINUTE OF MEETING OF PERTH COMMON GOOD FUND OF 3 FEBRUARY 2025 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 8 4 MATTERS ARISING 5 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (copy herewith 25/106) 9 - 28 6 2024/25 AND 2025/26 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report by Strategic Lead - Finance and Business Support (copy herewith 25/107) 29 - 36 7 DISPOSAL OF COMMON GOOD MOVEABLE PROPERTY AT 1-5 HIGH STREET, PERTH Report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (copy herewith 25/108) 37 - 54 Page 3 of 54
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Perth Common Good Fund Committee Minute of hybrid meeting of the Perth Common Good Fund Committee held in the Council Chamber, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 3 February 2025 at 1.30pm. Present: Depute Provost A Parrott; Bailie C Ahern; Councillors L Barrett, P Barrett, A Chan, S Donaldson, I Macpherson, C Mair, I Massie and J Rebbeck. In Attendance: S Doyle and S Kimmet (Culture and Community Services); F Lambie, A O’Brien and D Coyne (all Finance and Business Support), A Taylor, S Dockerill and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Apologies: Councillors G Laing, E Drysdale and S McCole. Depute Provost A Parrott, Convener, Presiding. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener 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 Councillor A Chan declared a non-financial interest in Item 5 Para 5.7 (Perth Chinese Association). 3. Minute of Meeting of the Perth Common Good Fund of 25 November 2024 for Approval The minute of meeting of the Perth Common Good Fund of 25 November 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 (25/20) providing details of four small grant applications received. Small Grants (1) Perth Festival of the Arts Resolved: Perth Festival of the Arts be awarded a grant of £2,281 towards their Community Stage and free shows in Perth City Centre. (2) Perth Chinese Association 3 Page 5 of 54
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Resolved: Perth Chinese Association be awarded a grant of £4,655 towards their Chinese New Year Celebrations which recently took place on 25 January 2025. (3) Hearts and Minds Resolved: Hearts and Minds be awarded a grant of £1,536 towards their 2025 Clowndoctors in the Classroom project at Fairview Primary School. (4) The Scottish Brass Band Association Motion (Depute Provost A Parrott and Councillor P Barrett) The Scottish Brass Band Association be awarded a grant of £2,500 to assist with the hire of Perth Concert Hall for their March 2025 Regional Contest. Amendment (Bailie C Ahern and I MacPherson) The Scottish Brass Band Association be awarded a grant of £5,000 to assist with the hire of Perth Concert Hall for their March 2025 Regional Contest. In terms of Standing Order 21.5 a roll call vote was taken. 5 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Councillors L Barrett, P Barrett, I Massie and J Rebbeck. 4 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Bailie C Ahern, Councillors A Chan, I MacPherson and C Mair. 1 Member abstained as follows: Councillor S Donaldson Resolved: In accordance with the Motion. 6. 2025/26 Budget and 2024/25 Financial Statement There was a submitted report by the Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (25/21) (1) seeking approval of the budget for 2025/26 for the Perth Common Good Fund and (2) providing details of the Income and Expenditure to 31 December 2024 and the projected outrun for financial year 2024/25. Resolved: (i) The Perth Common Good Fund Budget for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report 25/21, be approved, subject to the Financial Assistance – Cost of Page 6 of 54
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Living category being revised from £23,267 for 2025/26 to £30,000 with the consequent impact on the planned deficit. (ii) The draft Budgets for the Perth Common Good Fund for 2026/27 and 2027/28, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report 25/21, be noted. (iii) The projected Income and Expenditure to 31 March 2025, as set out in Appendix 2 to Report 25/21, be noted. IT WAS AGREED THAT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED DURING CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN ORDER TO AVOID THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION WHICH IS EXEMPT IN TERMS OF SCHEDULE 7A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1973. P1. Proposed Assignations of Two Ground Leases of Common Good Land at Harbour Road, Perth: Landlord’s Consent There was a submitted report by the Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/22), seeking approval to grant landlord’s consent to the Council’s tenant, Daltrade Limited, for assignations of two ground leases at Harbour Road, Perth to Castlecroft Securities Limited. Resolved: Landlord’s consent to Daltrade Limited to assign two ground leases at Harbour Road, Perth totalling 0.916 acres to Castlecroft Securities Limited, be approved. ~~~~~~~~ Page 7 of 54
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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: Perth Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 5 May 2025 Report Title: Application for Financial Assistance Report Number: 25/106 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 Perth Common Good Fund Committee to consider seven small grants, two cost of living, and three capital grant applications. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: (i) 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 6: Proposals: Cost of Living Grants • Section 7: Proposals: Capital 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 to administer this land and property "having regard to the interests of the 5 Page 9 of 54
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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. The Perth Common Good Fund is larger and receives a much higher number of applications than the other Funds. Therefore, additional criteria are applied to assist with assessing applications (See Appendix 1). 4.4 The 2025/26 Budget for the Perth Common Good Fund was approved at the Committee meeting on 03 February 2025 (Report 25/21 refers). A summary of the approved Financial Assistance budget, committed grant funding, and the budget remaining, is provided below: 2025/26 Financial Assistance Budget St John’s Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Cost of Living Grant Capital Grants £2,000 £20,000 £17,500 £17,500 £75,000 £30,000 £50,000 Value of grants paid and committed St Johns Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Cost of Living Grant Capital Grants £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 Remaining Financial Assistance Budget St Johns Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Cost of Living Grant Capital Grants £2,000 £20,000 £17,500 £17,500 £75,000 £30,000 £50,000 Value of funding requested and under consideration St Johns Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Cost of Living Grant Capital Grants £0 £0 £17,500 £17,500 £16,705.62 £5,000 £51,050 Page 10 of 54
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5. Proposals - Small Grants Polish Scouting Association (a) – Cub Summer Camp 5.1 The Perth Polish Scouting Association are seeking £900 towards their Cub Scout Summer Camp. 5.2 Cub Scouts will be attending a camp at Douglas Wood Scouting Centre in June 2025. The camp will focus on outdoor and team-building activities as well as being historically themed allowing Cubs to work towards their Egyptian proficiency badge. A grant will help cover accommodation, transport, meals, and activity costs. As well as 22 Cubs, the camp will also be an opportunity for young leaders aged between 15 and 17 years to develop their leadership skills while supporting the younger participants. It is expected that 30 people from the Common Good area will benefit. It is hoped that support will help reduce the price that families are asked to contribute and therefore allow all cubs to attend. 5.3 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Accommodation Booking Invoice £765 Transport (renting PKC minibus) Fuel costs £100 Catering Estimate of £10 per person per day £900 Activities at Willowgate Booking Invoice £900 Materials for the program Estimate (group plan to reuse items and resources that they already own where possible) £250 Total proposed expenditure £2,915 Contribution from Individual/Group (split equally between parents) £250 Allander Trust (pending) £1,765 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £900 5.4 PSA have received £5,668 from the Common Good Fund over the previous three financial years. Of this, £2,588 was for the Cub group specifically. See breakdown below. Year Award Project 2023/24 £588 Cub Camp 2023/24 £1,000 Cub Day Trip 2023/24 £1,080 Scout Leadership Course 2024/25 £500 Boy Scout World Jamboree 2024/25 £1,000 Scout Summer Camp 2024/25 £500 Girl Scout World Jamboree 2024/25 £1,000 Cub Camp Page 11 of 54
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Consideration 5.5 It is considered that an award of up to £900 is consistent with criteria 9.7. Perth and Kinross VE-80 Celebrations 5.6 The VE-80 organising committee are seeking £22,014.05 towards the 80th Anniversary Celebration of Victory in Europe. 5.7 On 8th May 2025, the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe will be remembered across Perth and Kinross. At the beginning of the day the VE-80 flag will be raised in Perth, Blairgowrie, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Crieff, Auchterarder and Kinross. Later that day a service will be held at each site by the Lord Lieutenant or Depute Lieutenant. Each service will include the laying of a wreath, the last post, two-minute silence, reveille, piper and choir. On Sunday 11th May a Service of Commemoration will be held at St John’s Kirk led by the Lord Lieutenant. Other attendees will include the First Minister of Scotland, veterans, youth groups, and army, navy and RAF representatives. 5.8 A fringe event celebrating VE-80 will also take place in Perth City Centre on 11th May with vintage WW2 vehicles, music from the era, Perth & District Pipe Band, and Perthshire Brass. In addition to this the St John’s Bell will ring and the Carillon will be played throughout the day. 5.9 It is expected that the events will be attended by 1,500 people from the Common Good Area, 3,200 from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross, and 800 people from outwith Perth and Kinross. 5.10 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Flags/Flagpoles/Wreaths/Beacons Purchased £4,880.05 Advertising/Printing/Street Dressing Quotation £1,750 Pipers, Bugles, Choirs, Carillon Quotations £3,460 Additional Military Fringe Area including Dressing Quotation £5,450 Street Entertainers & Stewarding Quotation £6,474 Total proposed expenditure £22,014.05 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £22,014.05 5.11 The VE-80 Organising Committee have not received funding from the Common Good Committee in the previous three financial years. Consideration 5.12 It is considered that an award of up to £8,805.62 is consistent with criteria 9.2a. Page 12 of 54
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Perth Salute 5.13 The Perth and Kinross Council Events Team are seeking their annual Common Good allocation of £17,500 towards the City of Perth Salute. 5.14 Inspired in 2017 by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo outreach performance in the city, a decision was made for Perth to create its own event. The City of Perth Salute is set to return for its 6th year to Perth City in June 2025. The parade of international pipe and military bands are joined by local bands from across Perthshire, in this free family event. The event consists of a parade which will commence from the South Inch to the North Inch, along Tay Street. The event culminates in an arena performance on the North Inch. The parade features international marching bands as well as guest bands from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Steel bands, jazz bands, Mariachi bands, accordion band and Samba aim to bring a carnival feel to the parade. Local bands will also take part including Perthshire Brass, the Black Watch ACF Band, and Perth and District Pipe Band. There will also be representation from the Sea Cadets, Army and Air Cadets as well as Boys Brigade, Scouts, and Girl Guides along with the junior elements of these youth organisations. Outside of the arena there is a fringe event which consists of vintage militaria and vehicles. 5.15 It is expected that 5250 people from the Common Good Area will attend the event, with a further 2250 attending from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross and 2000 from further afield. 5.16 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Hire of Grandstanding for Arena Quotation £16,500 Stewarding Quotation £4,250 Hire of adequate PA system Quotation £4,000 Tracking Quotation £5,500 Visitor Signage Quotation £1,000 Arena acts and bands Quotation £13,750 Additional Military Fringe Area Quotation £5,300 Parade Entertainers Quotation £7,600 Questionaries and Economic Analysis Quotation £1,500 Total proposed expenditure £59,400 Contribution from PKC Events Budget £41,900 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £17,500 5.17 The PKC Events Team have received £17,500 towards the City of Perth Salute in the previous three financial years. See details below. Year Award Project 2024/25 £17,500 City of Perth Salute Page 13 of 54
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Consideration 5.18 It is considered that an award of up to £17,500 is consistent with criteria 9.2a as well as their annual budget allocation. Perth and Kinross Mela Association 5.19 The Perth and Kinross Mela Association are seeking their annual allocated budget of £17,500 towards the annual Mela Celebrations. 5.20 The summer Mela Festival, which will be held this year on 29th June, is a celebration of world music, dance, and culture which features a colourful parade and day of celebrations at the North Inch. The event offers various types of music, dance, food, and crafts to bring all communities together. The aim is to create closer ties within Perth and visibly celebrate culture, inclusion, and diversity by inviting the local community to participate in culturally inclusive activities and events, promoting cultural harmony. 5.21 The event is free to the public to attend and in previous years has attracted 10,000 visitors from across Perth and Kinross as well as further afield. It is estimated that 7000 people form the Common Good Area will benefit from the event. 5.22 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Main stage, sound & lighting Quotation £9,500 Dance Acts & Musicians Quotation £12,000 Toilet Hire/Waste Facilities/First Aid/Security/Barriers Quotations £8,000 Stalls Quotation £4,500 Decorations & flags Quotation £2,500 Total proposed expenditure £36,500 National Lottery funding (pending) £19,950 In-kind contribution from performers £6,000 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £17,500 5.23 Whilst awarding the full £17,500 would put the festival in surplus, the Association would like to apply their full allocation and will only claim for any shortfall not covered by other funding. 5.24 The Perth Common Good Fund has approved £44,800 towards the Perth Mela Festival in the previous three financial years. Prior to forming the Mela Association fund was applied for by the partner organisations. See details below. Page 14 of 54
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Consideration 5.25 It is considered that an award of up to £14,600 is consistent with criteria 9.2a with up to £17,500 being in line with their annual budget allocation. Royal Voluntary Service 5.26 The Royal Voluntary Service are seeking £5,000 towards training and other costs associated with running a community minibus. 5.27 RVS coordinate 150 volunteers across Perth & Kinross to specifically support the elderly community. They run lunch clubs, social clubs, a Home From Hospital service, the Support You At Home service, and Strength and Balance classes as well as supporting 10 council run sheltered housing complexes with entertainment. 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. 5.28 It is estimated that more than 1000 individuals from the Common Good area will benefit from the support, with a further 500 people from wider Perth and Kinross and 50 from elsewhere benefiting. 5.29 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 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 Crieff Common Good Fund (pending) £500 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £5,000 5.30 The Royal Voluntary Service have not received funding from the Common Good Fund in the previous 3 financial years. Year Award Organisation 2022/23 £9,000 Perth Chinese Association 2023/24 £20,000 Perth Minorities Association 2024/25 £15,800 Perth and Kinross Mela Association Page 15 of 54
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Consideration 5.31 In line with Criteria 9.8, the Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. Polish Scouting Association (b) – Scout Summer Camp 5.32 The Polish Scouting Association are seeking £1,000 for the 64th Polish Girl Guides and the 44th Polish Scouts towards their summer camp. 5.33 The Camp, scheduled for 29th June – 12 July 2025 at Links Farm, Meiklour will provide a structured outdoor learning experience for 25 participants from Perth, emphasizing leadership, teamwork, self-reliance, and personal development through medieval-themed activities. The camp will involve various activities including water sports, horse riding, historical reenactments, and daily scouting skills development. Participants will be responsible for meal preparation, teamwork exercises, and practical camp maintenance, fostering independence and cooperations. Further, the program for the camp includes teamwork-based competitions, campfire discussions, outdoor skill-building and adventure activities. This is all important for the young people as many of the members come from urban backgrounds with limited access to extended outdoor experiences. The camp provides an essential opportunity to experience nature in a supportive environment and provides positive activities for during the summer break. 5.34 The camp has local support, and a local farmer has provided the campsite free of charge. In return the group will make a small donation to the local church. Funding towards the camp will help reduce overall costs for parents, making the camp more accessible. The camp will be run by the volunteer scout leaders. 5.35 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Accommodation Donation to local church £300 Food Estimate £2,500 Materials Estimate £1,000 Water Activities Quote from Under the Scottish Sky £750 Horse Activities Quotation £1,000 Portable Toilets Quotation from Scotloo £2,278,20 Total proposed expenditure £7828.20 Allander Trust (pending) £2,500 Gannochy Trust (pending) £1,050 Contribution form participants (£115 per participant) £2,875 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £1,000 Page 16 of 54
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5.36 PSA have received £5,668 from the Common Good Fund over the previous three financial years. Of this, £2,580 was for the Scout groups specifically. See breakdown below. Consideration 5.37 It is considered that an award of up to £1,000 is consistent with criteria 9.7. Perth Autism Support 5.38 Perth Autism Support are seeking £1,000 towards their summer program for young people. 5.39 Perth Autism Support are the only autism specific support service for children and young people in the area, and aim to address gaps in the support of autistic young people and their families across Perth and Kinross. They currently support over 250 young people a week through social opportunities as well as supporting young people and families through one-to-one support, education support, and employability skills and training. 5.40 They are currently seeking funding for their summer program which will give the opportunity for autistic children and young people living in Perth to access day trips across Scotland. Trip destinations are planned based on feedback form young people and include Megginch Castle, Dynamic Earth, Active Kids, and the National Museum of Scotland, among other things. The programme will run for six weeks and there will be at least one day trip per week. These programmes ensure that autistic young people have the same out-of-school social opportunities as peers and siblings which are often unavailable to autistic young people due to lack of capacity to support on an individual basis and costs associated with this. It is hoped that by attending the activity days the children and young people will develop increased confidence, improved social skills, improved communication skills, and increased emotional regulation skills. Developing these skills will lead to the young people being able to bring all of their strengths and skills to the Common Good area and be active members of the community with limited barriers. 5.41 For some of the young people a trip outwith Perth would be too overwhelming and therefore they will have the opportunity to attend local activities. Perth Autism Support have a partnership agreement in place with Wonder World Perth as well as good working relationships with other local activity providers Year Award Project 2023/24 £588 Cub Camp 2023/24 £1,000 Cub Day Trip 2023/24 £1,080 Scout Leadership Course 2024/25 £500 Boy Scout World Jamboree 2024/25 £1,000 Scout Summer Camp 2024/25 £500 Girl Scout World Jamboree 2024/25 £1,000 Cub Camp Page 17 of 54
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such as Perth Leisure Pool, Perth Museum, Scotland All Strong, the Workship, Willowgate, and No3 which allows them to provide this opportunity. 5.42 It is hoped that 60 children and young people from the Common Good area will benefit, with a further 25 from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross taking part. 5.43 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Staffing Costs Hourly Rates £5187.84 Management Costs Hourly Rates £2949.96 Minibus hire and Travel Expenses 2024 Travel Costs Report – Day trips – paid by Perth Autism Support £522.98 Venue Entrance Fees As listed on venue websites £657.25 Total proposed expenditure £9318.03 Tesco Ground Work UK (pending) £1,000 Three Guineas Trust (pending) £6,000 Contribution form participants (split between participants based on funding gap). £1,318.03 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £1,000 5.44 Perth Autism Support have not received funding from the Common Good Fund in the previous 3 financial years. Consideration 5.45 It is considered that an award of up to £1,000 is consistent with criteria 9.7. 6. Proposals – Cost of Living Grants Open Circle – Perth Baptist Church 6.1 Open Circle are seeking £2500 towards catering costs from September 2025 to July 2026. 6.2 Open Circle is a volunteer run group which provides a safe space for older people to come together and share a meal, providing an opportunity for people to build relationships and create a sense of belonging in the community. They aim to address social isolation as well as challenges to mental wellbeing, nutrition, socialisation and lack of warmth that can be faced by older people, especially those living alone. 6.3 Open Circle provides a two-course meal every month for 10 months of the year. The meals are made either by volunteers on Church premises or by an outside caterer. Rising costs associated with providing hot meals as well as overhead costs are creating pressures which are not viable to pass on to attendees. Attendees do provide small donations, but these have begun to reduce as a result of the cost-of-living crisis as well as the removal of the winter fuel allowance. Following the meal there is a speaker and an activity for Page 18 of 54
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the attendees. There are often costs associated with the activities such as purchasing materials for indoor gardening and crafts. Speakers are often used as signposting opportunities from attendees to learn about other service which may be of benefit to them for example the ‘Stride for Life’ walks organised by Live Active, or Footwise a podiatry service offered at the church. 6.4 The Open Circle Committee is supported by Perth Baptist Church and there is no charge to the group for the use of the facilities or for the time which the community Pastor spends supporting the group. 6.5 It is estimated that up to 55 people from the Common Good Area will benefit, with a further 15 people from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross benefiting from the project. Open Circle aim to further increase these numbers in 2026 onwards. 6.6 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Catering Catering Invoices averaging £300 per month x 10 months £3,000 Total proposed expenditure £3,000 Contribution from Individual/Group (donations) £500 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £2,500 6.7 Perth Baptist Church have received £2,000 from the Perth Common Good Fund in the previous three financial years. See details below. Consideration 6.8 In line with Criteria 9.8, the Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. Perth College 6.9 Perth College is seeking £2,500 towards The Big Project for the academic year 2025/26. 6.10 The Big Project is a support system which provides free access to essential food and toiletries for students and their families. Student representatives and support services have highlighted access to basic necessities as a growing issue due to the rising cost of living. The programme provides accessible collection points across the campus that are discreet and dignified spaces where students can collect items freely. The programme is currently in its third year, with previous funding coming from local businesses and funders such as The Gannochy Trust. Year Award Project 2023/24 £2,000 Holiday @ Home Page 19 of 54
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6.11 The initiative supports not only students, but also their families, with some students collecting items which are taken home for family meals. It is estimated that the initiative supports 200 families from the Common Good Area each week. 6.12 Funding will help to stock essential non-perishable food items and hygiene products and promotion of the initiative. As well as promoting wellbeing and dignity the project aims to encourage equity and inclusion, build a supportive college community, enhance academic success, encourage social responsibility by raising awareness of social issues, and strengthen community partnerships. The college seek partnerships with local businesses and organisations with the aim of creating a long-term community-support model. The remainder of the funding needed for the academic year will be sought from local businesses. 6.13 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Weekly food and toiletries Budget of £150 x 36 £5,400 Total proposed expenditure £5,400 Funding Gap – will approach local businesses £2,900 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £2,500 6.14 Perth College have not received funding from Perth Common Good Fund in the previous three financial years. Consideration 6.15 In line with Criteria 9.8, the Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. 7. Proposals – Capital Grants South Perth Allotments 7.1 South Perth Allotments are seeking a grant of £3,000 to help with repair works to their fencing. 7.2 South Perth Allotments are a community run allotment facility providing benefits for their members including mental and physical wellbeing, social interaction, and teaching self-sufficiency in vegetables and soft fruits. Excess vegetables are given to a local church to help with the soup kitchen, and the church will soon have its own plot to support this further. The allotments are also a place where refugees have volunteer opportunities and they have helped with painting fences, keeping communal areas tidy, and other general tasks. There are currently 34 people from the Common Good area involved in garden. Page 20 of 54
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7.3 It has become apparent that the fence posts supporting the fencing had not been originally lodged in the soil with appropriate protection. This has caused rot which led to part of the fence near the neighbouring gardens collapsing. The group used their own funds to repair these twelve posts. The recent storm has highlighted that the rest of the fence posts have also rotted and are no longer able to support the fencing. There are 50 posts which need to be replaced. As with when replacing the previous posts, the labour will be carried out by a local tradesman who is a close friend of the allotments and will provide the work at a reduced rate. 7.4 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Wooden post, cement, labour £60 per post. Based on invoice from local tradesman from repair of previous posts. £3,000 Total proposed expenditure £3,000 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £3,000 7.5 South Perth Allotments have not received support from the Common Good Fund in the previous three years. Consideration 7.6 It is considered that an award of up to £750 is consistent with criteria 10.4. Methven Karate Club – Kyokushin Celtic Warriors Taiko Drummers 7.7 The Kyokushin Celtic Warriors Taiko Drummers are seeking £800 towards new drums and drum repairs. 7.8 The Kyokushin Celtic Warriors Taiko Drummers are a growing Japanese Taiko Drumming Group consisting of 20 adults and young people from the Common Good Area and 14 from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross. The group take part in local fetes and shows including Chinese New Year and have performed for the past three years at the Perth Mela Festival. The group are now in need of some more drums, as well as new skins for some of their current drums. The group are seeking funding to buy materials, and the members will use these to themselves make and repair the drums. 7.9 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Cow Skins Quote for skins and postage £800 Barrels to make new drums Costs from local supplier £200 Paint, fiberglass and resin Estimate £100 Upholstery nails Estimate £50 Bachi Drumsticks Estimate £50 Total proposed expenditure £1,200 Contribution from Individual/Group (from club funds) £400 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £800 Page 21 of 54
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7.10 Neither Methven Karate Club nor the Kyokushin Celtic Warriors Taiko Drummers have received funding from the Common Good Fund in the previous three financial years. Consideration 7.11 It is considered that an award of up to £300 is consistent with criteria 10.3. St Ninian’s Cathedral 7.12 St Ninian’s Cathedral are seeking £50,000 towards a new heating system. 7.13 St Ninian’s is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Cathedral places a strong emphasis on worship and community outreach. As the building with the highest carbon footprint in the Scottish Episcopal Church the Cathedral is on a journey towards reaching Net Zero by 2030 and as such are looking to instal solar panels and upgrade the heating system for the Cathedral and the neighbouring Gateway building which is owned by the Cathedral. The Gateway building is leased to PKAVS, with the charity Mindspace currently using the building. They would like to install a Co2 air source heat pump which would operate like a mini district heating system heating both buildings. As well as the environmental benefits, an award would benefit not only they 207 Cathedral members, 150 of whom are from the Common Good Area, but also the many people who visit the buildings for the charity outreach programmes. In addition to Mindspace using the Gateway Building, there are several groups who use the Cathedral to meet on a weekly basis including: PKAVS Young Carers, Chanson Chamber Choir, Camerate Orchestra, Alcoholics Anonymous, Rowan Consultancy, PKAVS and Mindspace team meetings. 7.14 It is hoped that works will begin in summer 2025, and an award from the Common Good Fund will strengthen applications to other funders for the remaining funds. 7.15 A breakdown of costs applied for is detailed below. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Design, supply and install of high temperature Co2 heat pump Quote provided by Connaught FM £4,233.60 Removal of current system and installing new pipework and tanks – Cathedral Building Quote provided by Connaught FM £24,782.40 Removal of current system and installing new pipework and tanks – Gateway Building Quote provided by Connaught FM £22,142.40 Electrical Works Quote provided by Connaught FM £20,262 Heat pump equipment Quote provided by Connaught FM £120,750 Page 22 of 54
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Design, supply, and install of solar panels Quote provided by Connaught FM £41,535.90 Total proposed expenditure £233,706.30 Benefact trust (pending) £50,000 Scottish Episcopal Church Provincial building grant (pending) £50,000 Notional Churches Trust Cherish Fund (pending) £50.000 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £50,000 7.16 St Ninian’s Cathedral have not received funding from the Common Good Fund in the previous 3 financial years. Consideration 7.17 It is considered that an award of up to £50,000 is consistent with criteria 10.4. 8. Conclusion The Committee is asked to consider the applications and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. 9. IMPACT VALUE ASSESSMENT Perth_Common_Good_Fund.pdf 10. Appendices 10.1 Perth Common Good Fund Criteria – Appendix 1 Page 23 of 54
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Appendix 1 PERTH COMMON GOOD FUND REVISED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CRITERIA 1. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the Perth Common Good Fund Committee. 2. Within the boundary of the Perth Common Good area and if funding is available, applications will be considered from individuals and groups for projects or activities which demonstrate benefit to the residents of the City of Perth. 3. The Perth Common Good area is restricted to Elected Member Ward 10 Perth City South, Ward 11 Perth City North, and Ward 12 Perth City Centre. Applications for financial assistance from individuals residing or groups operating outwith the boundary of the Perth Common Good area must clearly demonstrate that the project or activity to be undertaken will provide benefit to the residents of the City of Perth. 4. Applications for financial assistance from schools and school groups (e.g. Parent Councils) within the Perth Common Good area will be considered regardless of where participating pupils reside. 5. The Financial Year for the Perth Common Good Fund covers the period 1 April to 31 March. The Perth Common Good Fund Committee meets five times per year to consider applications for financial assistance and other business matters; Committee meeting and application deadline dates are 5 Page 25 of 54
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available on the Council’s Community Grants webpage via the following link: http://www.pkc.gov.uk/pkgrantsdirect. 6. Applications for financial assistance must be submitted to the Perth Common Good Fund Committee in advance of the project or activity taking place. Retrospective applications where expenditure is incurred during the time between the application submission deadline date and the date of the Committee meeting will be considered however the applicant must be aware that funding may not be approved by Committee. 7. A separate Capital Grants fund will be maintained to support applications for financial assistance towards the funding of building improvement works, and the acquisition of equipment. Applications for Capital Grant funding assistance should be submitted to the first Perth Common Good Fund Committee meeting of the new financial year, which normally takes place during April or May. The Capital Grants fund will normally close until commencement of the next financial year, however the Committee may consider late applications if Capital Grant funding remains available. 8. The following conditions shall apply to all applications for financial assistance: 8.1 The application for financial assistance must demonstrate that the funding will provide benefit to the residents of the City of Perth. The Perth Common Good Fund Committee must be satisfied that all disbursements from the fund meet this requirement and the Committee decision in this regard is full and final. 8.2 The Perth Common Good Fund should not be viewed as a resource to supplement the funding of Council services; applications for financial assistance from Council services are therefore not encouraged. Any application submitted by a Council service will be considered by the Perth Common Good Fund Committee on its own merits. 8.3 Applicants who are seeking funds to purchase resources, or undertake capital projects are asked to demonstrate that they are sourcing these from local providers where these can reasonably meet their needs. 8.4 All awards of £400 or less will be paid in advance, but recipients must complete an end of grant monitoring form and provide evidence of spend based on their initial application Awards greater than £400 must be claimed on completion of the project and within three months of the activity taking place. The claim should include an end of grant monitoring form and evidence of spend, based on the initial application. Funding for awards not claimed will be returned to the Fund. 9. Small Grants: 9.1 Applications for financial assistance will be considered by the Perth Common Good Fund Committee in line with the criteria below: - Page 26 of 54
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9.2 Organisation of events/games/festivals including prize awards: - a) No entry fee payable by the public: up to maximum of 40% of the total actual costs. b) Entry fee payable by the public (commercial event): up to a maximum of 20% of the total actual costs subject to the submission of an evidenced Income & Expenditure account for the event. c) In the event, that the Common Good funding of a commercial event results in a profit, the level of funding award will be reduced accordingly. d) In the event, that the commercial event is loss making, the Common Good funding may be used to underwrite the loss, subject to the level of funding approved by Committee. e) Grants will not be paid for any event/games/festival which are cancelled following the approval of funding by Committee. 9.3 Hire of hall and provision of prizes for school prize giving ceremonies – up to a maximum of 40% of total costs. 9.4 Voluntary work overseas by individuals: - 6 months or more: up to £400 per individual Up to 6 months: up to £250 per individual 9.5 Attendance at summer schools/events by individuals or groups of up to 5: More than 2 weeks: up to £150 per individual One to two weeks: up to £100 per individual 9.6 Excursions/Parties (up to two applications per year per group): - Contribution of up to 50% towards the actual costs. Each organisation is permitted a maximum of two applications during the course of a financial year. Overall grant to be capped at £10 per individual with an overall maximum grant of up to £1,000. 9.7 Visits or trips by and from School/Youth/Sport/Music groups: - For groups of between 6 and 10 people, a flat contribution of £500. For groups of 11 or more; a contribution of £50 per person to a maximum of £1,000 for youth groups, senior citizen or vulnerable groups for activities of one week or more. 9.8 Any other purpose where it can be demonstrated that there is a benefit to the residents of the City of Perth. 10. Capital Grants: - 10.1 The funding of applications for Capital Grant funding will be restricted to the available annual budget. Page 27 of 54
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10.2 It is expected that the total funding available will be fully committed at the first meeting of the Perth Common Good Fund Committee at the start of the new financial year. In the event, that funding is not fully committed, the Common Good Fund Committee may choose to either roll forward the unallocated funding to the next financial year or consider further applications during the year. 10.3 Acquisition of equipment and uniforms - consideration on merits up to a maximum of 25% of total cost, subject to the budget available. 10.4 Provision and improvement of buildings - consideration on merits up to a maximum of 25% of total cost and up to £50,000, subject to the budget available. Note that the facilities must be available to the general public. 11. Expenditure which is not eligible for funding awards: 11.1 Assistance with further or higher education fees 11.2 Charity fundraising e.g. sponsored walk/cycle/bungee etc. 11.3 Town twinning activities 11.4 Organisations with religious or political associations where there are restrictions on usage or availability 11.5 Core funding of the voluntary sector 11.6 Assistance with day to day running costs e.g. the rental of premises, employee costs etc. Page 28 of 54
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Perth Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 5 May 2025 Report Title: 2024/25 & 2025/26 Financial Statements Report Number: 25/107 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 actual income and expenditure to 31 March 2025, and the projected outturns for 2024/25 and 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 actual income and expenditure to 31 March 2025, and the projected outturn for 2024/25, as set out in Appendix 1. 2.2 Note the projected outturn for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix 2. 3. Background/Context 3.1 The budget for 2024/25 was approved by the Committee on 29 January 2024 (Report 24/28 refers). 6 Page 29 of 54
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3.2 Monitoring updates have been provided to the Committee throughout 2024/25 (Reports 24/135, 24/220, 24/235, and 25/21 refer). The reported surplus in 2024/25 was mainly due to an underspend on repairs and maintenance, financial assistance and Christmas events together with an increase in rental income, miscellaneous income and interest on investments. 3.3 The budget for 2025/26, which was approved by the Committee on 3 February 2025 (Report 25/21 refers), is based on activity in 2024/25 and adjusted for anticipated costs and availability of resources in the new financial year. 3.4 This report provides the monitoring position and projected outturn for 2024/25, as detailed in Appendix 1, and the projected outturn for 2025/26, as detailed in Appendix 2. 4. Main Issues Financial Statement 2024/25 4.1 As detailed in Appendix 1, the projected surplus for the Fund for 2024/25 is £99,693 and the anticipated Fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £2,153,874. 4.2 At the meeting on 6 February 2023, the Committee approved the earmarking of £69,500 of the 2022/23 surplus in Reserves to support applications for financial assistance for Cost of Living initiatives. A balance of £23,267 remains which has been increased to £30,000 (paragraph 4.6) and this has been carried forward to 2025/26 for further cost of living initiatives, as detailed in Appendix 2. 4.3 The year-end outturn for the Fund has been updated from the previously reported position, as noted in Section 4.4 of this report. It is anticipated that there will be further adjustments during the closure of the accounts for 2024/25, and the unaudited income and expenditure for the Fund will be reported to a future meeting of the Committee. 4.4 Following the update to Committee on 3 February 2025 (Report 25/21 refers), the surplus for the year has increased by £8,137. A summary of this movement is provided below:- • Property costs increased due to backdated Non Domestic Rates. Notification was received in March 2025 of charges for two empty Common Good properties amounting to £22,447 less a rebate due of £2,854. • £2,500 underspend on Finance Assistance due to the update of committed grant funding. • A further anticipated underspend of £6,751 on activities relating to Christmas Events. • £13,906 additional income received in January 2025 due to the reorganisation of non-charitable funds. The Charitable and Public Page 30 of 54
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Trusts Trustees approved the transfer of various non-charitable funds to where the funds could be used in keeping with the original intention of the legacy. • an additional £3,482 for Interest on Investments due to increased interest rates. Financial Statement 2025/26 4.5 Appendix 2 provides the 2025/26 Financial Statement which includes the Budget approved by Committee on 3 February 2025 (Report 25/21 refers). 4.6 At the meeting of 3 February 2025, the Committee also approved increasing the Cost of Living budget to £30,000 in 2025/26, and is now included in Appendix 2. 4.7 There is a £4,500 increase to the estimated Rents & Rates to be paid in 2025/26, which is due to the Common Good Fund being liable for the Non Domestic Rates charges for a Common Good property which is currently vacant. The only other adjustment to income and expenditure for the year, is a slight projected overspend of £1,050 if the proposed capital financial assistance projects are approved. The projected deficit for 2025/26 is, therefore, £31,013 and the estimated Fund balance at 31 March 2026 is £2,122,861. 5 Conclusion 5.1 As detailed in Appendix 1, the projected surplus for the Fund for 2024/25 is £99,693 and the anticipated Fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £2,153,874. 5.2 As detailed in Appendix 2, the projected deficit for 2025/26 is £31,013 and the estimated Fund balance at 31 March 2026 is £2,122,861. 6. Impact Value Assessment Impact Value Assessment 7. Appendices 7.1 Appendix 1 – Perth Common Good Fund – Financial Statement for the period to 31 March 2025 for 2024/25. 7.2 Appendix 2 – Perth Common Good Fund - Financial Statement for the 2025/26. Page 31 of 54
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Appendix 1 PERTH COMMON GOOD FUND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2025 2024/25 Budget Actual to date Committed Projected Outturn Projection Over/(Under) Spend £ £ £ £ £ Expenditure Property Costs Rent & Rates 1,300 23,482 (2,854) 20,628 19,328 Repairs and Maintenance - General 15,000 (114) - (114) (15,114) Repairs and Maintenance - Moncreiffe Island 62,000 37,351 1,756 39,107 (22,893) Depreciation & Impairment 3,400 - - - (3,400) 81,700 60,718 (1,098) 59,621 (22,079) Supplies and Services Financial Assistance - St John's Kirk Carillon 2,000 - 2,000 2,000 - Financial Assistance - Perth & Strathearn Round Table 20,000 20,204 - 20,204 204 Financial Assistance - Small Grants 75,000 51,821 25,103 76,924 1,924 Financial Assistance - Cost of Living 30,280 7,013 - 7,013 (23,267) Financial Assistance - Capital Grants 50,000 27,344 13,840 41,184 (8,816) Administration Charges 15,000 15,000 - 15,000 - Legal Fees - 87 250 337 337 Printing, Stationery, Advertising and Postages 500 - - - (500) 192,780 121,470 41,193 162,663 (30,117) Christmas Events Rent, Rates & other property costs (storage for Christmas lights) 15,000 9,532 - 13,000 (2,000) Erect, Dismantle and Maintain Christmas Lights 20,000 21,458 - 21,458 1,458 Switch on Ceremony 50,000 - - - (50,000) 85,000 30,990 - 34,458 (50,542) Total Expenditure 359,480 213,178 40,095 256,741 (102,739) Income Rents, Fees & Charges 255,000 226,672 - 260,000 5,000 Miscellaneous Income - 13,966 - 13,966 13,966 Interest on Investments 60,000 73,552 7,930 81,482 21,482 Fishing Permits 900 987 - 987 87 Total Income 315,900 315,176 7,930 356,435 40,535 Surplus / (Deficit) (43,580) 101,999 (32,165) 99,693 143,273 Opening Balance 01/04/24 2,054,181 2,054,181 Surplus / (Deficit) (43,580) 99,693 Projected Common Good Fund Balance at 31 March 2025 2,010,601 2,153,874 Earmarked in Reserves:- Minimum Revenue Account Balance (1,700,000) (1,700,000) Repair and Renewal Reserve (120,000) (120,000) Projected Uncommitted Closing Balance at 31 March 2025 190,601 333,874 6 Page 33 of 54
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Appendix 1 PERTH COMMON GOOD FUND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2025 Grants Actual Small Grants Capital Grants Meeting Polish Scouting Experience - Marine Adventure 1,000£ 29/04/2024 Roverway International 2024 300£ 29/04/2024 Sri Lankan Community in Perth & Kinross 2,080£ 29/04/2024 St John's Football Club 2,420£ 29/04/2024 King James VI Golf Club - Flooding 5,769£ 15/05/2024 Email confirmation Perth & Strathearn 200 Round Table 20,204£ 29/04/2024 Children Alone Seeking Asylum (CASA) 500£ 26/08/2024 Cost of Living -Health & Wellbeing Café 1,560£ 26/08/2024 Perth & Kinross Mela Association 15,800£ 29/04/2024 Cost of Living - Ad-Lib Arts - Hardship Fund 1,800£ 26/08/2024 Cost of Living -Perth Minorities Association (PMA) 6,848£ 26/08/2024 PKC Events Team - City of Perth Salute 2024 17,500£ 29/04/2024 Our Lady's Primary School Parent Council 1,459£ 26/08/2024 Polish Scouting Association - Summer Camp 1,000£ 29/04/2024 Chansons Chamber choir 900£ 29/04/2024 Polish Scouting Association - 64th DH Girl Scouts - World Jamboree 500£ 29/04/2024 Polish Scouting Association - 44th Boy Scouts - World Jamboree 500£ 29/04/2024 Friends of Letham Primary Parent Council 1,808£ 26/08/2024 Neuro Central 320£ 26/08/2024 Cost of Living - Inch View Primary - Panto Trip 2,825£ 25/11/2024 Wednesday Tea Dance Club - Christmas Party 2024 350£ 25/11/2024 Servite Housing Tenants Group 300£ 25/11/2024 Cost of Living - Giraffe 4,500£ 25/11/2024 5th Perth Rainbows and Brownies - Hi Vis Vests 155£ 25/11/2024 Kinnoull Tennis Club 15,000£ 25/11/2024 Perth Indian Association (POI) 2,000£ 26/08/2024 Adventure Circus - Dragonfyre 3,500£ 26/08/2024 Buttons & Bows Baby Bank 4,000£ 25/11/2024 Early Years Scotland 2,004£ 29/04/2024 £ 89,559 £ 27,344 Committed Small Grants Capital Grants Meeting Our Lady's PS Parent Council 1,000£ 29/04/2024 Early Years Scotland 2£ 29/04/2024 Perth Choral Society 1,000£ 29/04/2024 Chansons Chamber choir 700£ 29/04/2024 Fair City AFC 3,840£ 29/04/2024 Adventure Circus - Dragonfyre 1,500£ 26/08/2024 Friends of Letham Primary Parent Council 547£ 26/08/2024 Peform in Perth Festival 2025 6,230£ 26/08/2024 Perth Outdoor Playgroup (POP)/Tayside Owls 618£ 26/08/2024 St John's Kirk - Spire Repairs 10,000£ 26/08/2024 St John's Kirk Carillon 2,000£ 25/11/2024 Inch View Primary - P7 Residential 1,000£ 25/11/2024 Bertha Park High Parent Angle 1,534£ 25/11/2024 Perth Festival of Arts 2,281£ 03/02/2025 Perth Chinese Association 4,655£ 03/02/2025 Hearts & Minds 1,536£ 03/02/2025 Scottish Brass Band Association 2,500£ 03/02/2025 £ 27,103 £ 13,840 Total £ 116,661 £ 41,184 Funding Approved - No longer required Small Grants Capital Grants Meeting Cost of Living - VitalityMe CIC 10,520£ 22/03/2023 10,520£ -£ Page 34 of 54
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Appendix 2 PERTH COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2025/26 2025/26 Budget Actual to date Under Consideration Projected Outturn Projection Over/(Under) Spend £ £ £ £ £ Expenditure Property Costs Rent & Rates 1,350 - - 5,850 4,500 Repairs and Maintenance - General 10,000 - - 10,000 - Repairs and Maintenance - Moncreiffe Island 37,513 - - 37,513 - Depreciation & Impairment - - - - - 48,863 - - 53,363 4,500 Supplies and Services Financial Assistance - St Johns Kirk Carillon 2,000 - - 2,000 - Financial Assistance - Perth & Strathearn Round Table 20,000 - - 20,000 - Financial Assistance - Perth & Kinross Mela 17,500 - 17,500 17,500 - Financial Assistance - City of Perth Salute 17,500 - 17,500 17,500 - Financial Assistance - Small Grants 75,000 - 14,306 75,000 - Financial Assistance - Cost of Living 30,000 - 5,000 30,000 - Financial Assistance - Capital Grants 50,000 - 51,050 51,050 1,050 Administration Charges 15,000 - - 15,000 - Legal Fees - - - - - Printing, Stationery, Advertising and Postages 500 - - 500 - 227,500 - 105,356 228,550 1,050 Christmas Events Rent, Rates & other property costs (storage for Christmas lights) 16,000 - - 16,000 - Erect, Dismantle and Maintain Christmas Lights 20,000 - - 20,000 - Switch on Ceremony 50,000 - - 50,000 - 86,000 - - 86,000 - Total Expenditure 362,363 - 105,356 367,913 5,550 Income Rents, Fees & Charges 260,000 - - 260,000 - Interest on Investments 76,000 - - 76,000 - Fishing Permits 900 - - 900 - Total Income 336,900 - - 336,900 - Surplus / (Deficit) (25,463) - (105,356) (31,013) (5,550) Estimated Opening Balance 01/04/25 2,153,874 2,153,874 Surplus / (Deficit) (25,463) (31,013) Projected Common Good Fund Balance at 31 March 2025 2,128,411 2,122,861 Earmarked in Reserves:- Minimum Revenue Account Balance (1,700,000) (1,700,000) Repair and Renewal Reserve (120,000) (120,000) Projected Uncommitted Closing Balance at 31 March 2026 308,411 302,861 6 Page 35 of 54
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Appendix 2 PERTH COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2025/26 Grants Under Consideration Small Grants Capital Grants Meeting Polish Scouting Association (a) - Cub Summer Camp June 25 £900 05/05/2025 Perth & Kinross VE-80 Celebrations May 25 £6,406 05/05/2025 City of Perth Salute £17,500 05/05/2025 Perth & Kinross Mela Association £17,500 05/05/2025 Royal Voluntary Service £5,000 05/05/2025 Polish Scouting Association (b) - Scout Summer Camp July 25 £1,000 05/05/2025 Perth Autism Support £1,000 05/05/2025 Cost of Living - Open Circle Perth Baptist Church £2,500 05/05/2025 Cost of Living - Perth College £2,500 05/05/2025 South Perth Allotments £750 05/05/2025 Methven Karate Club - Kyokushin Celtic Warriors Taiko Drummers £300 05/05/2025 St Ninian's Cathedral £50,000 05/05/2025 £54,306 £51,050 Page 36 of 54
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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: Perth Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 5 May 2025 Report Title: Disposal of Common Good Moveable Property at 1-5 High Street, Perth Report Number: 25/108 Report Author: Callum Macleod Organisational Lead: Strategic Lead, Legal and Governance ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The Report asks the Perth Common Good Fund Committee to approve the sale of a number of items of Moveable Common Good property, which have been stored in the Council premises at 1-5 High Street, Perth for a considerable period of time. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation(S) 3. Background/Main Issues 4. Impact Value Assessment 5. Appendices 2. Recommendation(s) It is recommended that the Committee:- 2.1 Note, and take account of, the responses from the Consultation carried out under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 as set out below; 2.2 Approves the sale and disposal of the items annexed to the report. It is the Officers’ recommendation that these items are disposed of by way of an auction. Failing sale by auction, it is recommended that these items are disposed of in the appropriate manner. 7 Page 37 of 54
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2.3 Taking account of the responses from the Consultation, approves the retention of the two crested chairs. It is the Officer’s recommendation that these items are retained in either the Council’s Law Library or Chambers. 3. Background/Main Issues 3.1 Historic Information/Context 3.1.1 Under the terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, every local authority in Scotland is duty bound to prepare and publish a comprehensive register of all Common Good assets within their ownership. 3.1.2 Common good assets form part of the heritable (land and buildings) and moveable (paintings, furniture, etc.) property that belonged to the former Burghs of Scotland. Common Good assets are owned by the local authority, although administered separately from other local authority funds for accounting purposes. 3.1.3 Following the recent production of the Common Good Land Register and map of heritable assets, we are now looking to extend the register to cover Moveable Common Good Property with a draft register to be published later this year. It has, however, come to our attention that we are in possession of several items of furniture at the Council’s premises at 1-5 High Street which are likely to belong to the Common Good. Some of these items are considered to have cultural significance, whilst others have either limited or no value to the Common Good. Neither the Council nor Culture Perth & Kinross have sufficient room to continue to store this furniture, most of which has been stored in the present location since 1996. Accordingly, consideration is being given to the other options, most obviously, disposal or transfer to organisations who may have a use for them. 3.1.4 A photographic inventory of these items, together with a note of their condition, is available as an annexation to this report. 3.1.5 The property proposed to be sold is accepted as having Common Good status. Accordingly, the Council was required to consult on the proposed sale terms in terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, with a view to capturing the opinions of the community in the decision-making process. This consultation ran on the Council’s Consultation Hub page for 8 weeks between the 16 September 2024 and 18 November 2024. Two responses were received. 3.1.6 One response from a member of the public indicated that they wanted the Council to retain the ten Baillies’ chairs. Having reviewed this further with Culture Perth and Kinross, they have confirmed that they have no storage space available for these chairs. It is their view that these items should be sold. Page 38 of 54
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3.1.7 The other response received was from a Councillor of this Council. Their response indicated that at least one of the crested chairs should be retained and the others sold to the highest bidder. 3.1.8 Taking account of the responses received, it is recommended that the two crested chairs are retained, and the other remaining items are sold at auction. 3.2 Options Available to Elected Members/Board members 3.2.1 Firstly, the Committee may approve the sale and disposal of the items annexed to the report. It is the Officer’s recommendation that these items are disposed of by way of an auction, subject to the retention of two Baillie’s chairs. It is the Officer’s recommendation that these two chairs are retained, possibly in either the Council’s Law Library, the Chambers or its ante room. Failing sale by auction, it is recommended that the items marked for sale are disposed of in the most appropriate way, including both sale through other means and donating to a good cause. 3.2.2 Secondly, the Committee may elect to dispose of all of the items, including the two crested Baillie’s chairs. The responses from the Consultees have indicated a desire to retain at least the chairs, so the Committee should bear that in mind when coming to a decision. 3.2.3 Thirdly, the Committee may refuse this proposal and decline to approve the sale of any Common Good Moveable items. The Committee may elect to retain all items permanently. This is not the recommendation proposed by officers, as neither the Council nor Culture Perth and Kinross have sufficient capacity to retain these items indefinitely. 3.3 Rationale for Recommendations made in Section 2 3.3.1 Neither the Council nor Culture Perth and Kinross have sufficient storage space for the majority of these items. It is recommended that the two crested chairs are retained as these hold a particular value to the history of the former Burgh Council. These chairs were former Baillie chairs, and they are of civic value, which was noted in the Consultation responses. 3.3.2 The Council is required to fulfil its statutory duties under Best Value, as set out in Section 1 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Relevant aspects of this duty include: - Making best use of public resources, including land and property. - Being open and transparent in transactions. - Ensuring sound financial controls are in place to minimise the risk of fraud and error. - Assessing the full financial consequences of decisions at an appropriate level before major financial decisions are taken or commitments entered into. Page 39 of 54
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- Demonstrating responsiveness to the needs of communities, citizens, customers, and other stakeholders, where relevant. 3.3.3 The Council is likely to secure money by auctioning a number of these items, funds which can thereafter be contributed towards the Common Good Fund for Perth. Selling the majority of these items will provide the Common Good Fund with additional income, and allow the Council to use the limited storage space that it has more efficiently. 4. Impact Value Assessment Disposal of Common Good Moveable Property at 1-5 High Street Perth - IVA Summary Report pdf.html.pdf 5. Appendices 5.1 Inventory and Condition of Common Good Moveable Property. Page 40 of 54
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1. Armed Leather Chair Quantity- 1 Good condition 7 Page 41 of 54
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2. Blue Armed Chair Quantity- 1 Good condition Page 42 of 54
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3. Blue Chair Quantity- 3 Good condition Page 43 of 54
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4. Brown Chair Quantity- 1 Fair condition Page 45 of 54
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5. Brown Leather Chair Quantity- 2 Damaged- feet missing 3 wheels on each chair Page 46 of 54
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6. Crested Chair Quantity- 10 4 chairs in good condition. 6 with damaged crests Page 47 of 54
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7. Desk Quantity- 1 Fair condition, however it has been dismantled. Page 48 of 54
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8. Face to face desk Quantity- 1 Good condition Page 49 of 54
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9. Leather chair Good condition Page 51 of 54
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10. Long tables Quantity- 4 2 in fair condition, 2 have damaged legs Page 52 of 54
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