Agenda Document Pack - Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee - 26/08/2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 26 August 2024
Back to Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee — 26 August 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 20/08/2024 A hybrid meeting of the Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 26 August 2024 at 14:15. If you have any queries please contact Committee Services on (01738) 475000 or email Committee@pkc.gov.uk. THOMAS GLEN Chief Executive Those attending the meeting are requested to ensure that all notifications are silent on their device and other devices are in silent mode. Please note that the meeting will be broadcast online and recorded. The recording will be publicly available on the Council’s website following the meeting. Members: Councillor Stewart Donaldson Councillor John Duff Councillor Grant Laing Provost Xander McDade Bailie Mike Williamson Page 1 of 22
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Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee Monday, 26 August 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 PITLOCHRY COMMON GOOD FUND OF 18 DECEMBER 2019 (copy herewith) 5 - 6 5 MATTERS ARISING 6 DISCUSSION ON COMMON GOOD POLICY 7 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (copy herewith 24/225) 7 - 12 8 2019/20 TO 2023/24 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report by Strategic Lead - Finance and Business Support (copy herewith 24/226) 13 - 22 Page 3 of 22
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PITLOCHRY COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE Minute of meeting of the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee held in the Council Chamber, Ground Floor, Council Building, 2 High Street, Perth on Wednesday 18 December 2019 at 9.50am. Present: Councillors J Duff, X McDade, M Lyle and M Williamson. In Attendance: D Coyne, C Flynn, G Fogg, L Haxton, C Holgate, K Molley and J Salisbury (all Corporate and Democratic Services); A Clegg and S Merone (Housing and Environment). Councillor J Duff, Convener, Presiding. 632. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Councillor Duff welcomed all present to the meeting. 633. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest made in terms of Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 634. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minute of meeting of the Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee of 24 April 2019 (Arts. 216-221) was submitted, approved as a correct record and authorised for signature. 635. MATTERS ARISING (i) Common Good Asset Review (Art. 219 refers) G Fogg provided a verbal update on the Pitlochry Common Good Asset Review which advised that the first draft of the Asset Register is targeted for completion by the end of financial year 2019/20. A copy of the register will be shared with local elected members before public consultation commences. A report will be submitted to a future meeting of the Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee detailing all responses received once the consultation is concluded. 636. APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE There was a report submitted by Depute Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer (Housing and Environment) (19/354) asking Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee to consider one application for financial assistance from Pitlochry Girlguiding. 4 Page 5 of 22
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Resolved: (1) Pitlochry Girlguiding (i) Girlguiding and Senior Section Unit be refused a grant to support their trip to Italy in July 2020. (ii) A letter be sent to Pitlochry Girlguiding advising them of other sources of funding available. 637. 2018/19 and 2019/20 FINANCIAL STATEMENT There was a report submitted by Head of Finance (19/355) providing the 2018/19 Audited Financial Statement, and the 2019/20 and projected outturn to 31 October 2019 and projected outturn to 31 March 2020, for the Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee. Resolved: (i) The Pitlochry Common Good Fund Audited Income and Expenditure to 31 March 2019 as set out in Appendix 1 to report 19/355, be noted. (ii) The Pitlochry Common Good Fund Income and Expenditure to 31 October 2019 and the projected outturn to 31 March 2020 for Financial Year 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 2 to report 19/355, be noted. Page 6 of 22
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PITLOCHRY COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE 26 August 2024 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (Report No. 24/225) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The report asks Pitlochry Common Good Fund Committee to consider one capital grant application. 2. RECOMMENDATION 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: Proposal: Capital 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 Pitlochry Common Good Fund. 4.4 A summary of the projected surplus, committed grant funding, and the surplus remaining, is provided below: 2024/23 projected surplus £2,800 Value of grants paid and committed £0 Remaining projected uncommitted surplus £2,800 Value of funding requested and under consideration £2,000 7 Page 7 of 22
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5. PROPOSAL – CAPITAL GRANT Holy Trinity Church- Serentiy Garden 5.1 The Serentiy Garden Volunteers at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church are seeking a grant of £2,000 to contribute to works to make the garden more accessible. The disused churchyard was transformed into a garden in 2020 for the benefit and enjoyment of the local community, schools, groups, as well as church events. Since then, the garden volunteers have worked with The Pitlochry Theatre, with whom they have run children’s groups and worked together on projects including caring for one another, diversity and care for our environment. They have also supported the Drama Group at Pitlochry High School, teaching the young people improvisation skills and giving confidence which resulted in a Christmas play in the Serenity Garden. They have also supported the Mums and Toddler Group, learning through play. A number of local groups use the garden - the Mindfulness group, Pitlochry Choral Society, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Mums and toddler group, a local book group, local families and of course the Pitlochry Episcopal church for weddings, services, regular craft and other fairs, carol concerts and the Christmas nativity play. 5.2 The garden is not currently wheelchair accessible which has meant that some individuals have been excluded from enjoying the garden. The garden is flat which makes it different from other local gardens, and a good location to provide wheelchair access. The garden has some raised beds and local wheelchair users would be able to participate in gardening and maintaining these beds. Making the garden more accessible will also improve access for children in prams. In-Kind Support will be provided by volunteers. There are currently nine volunteers who contribute four hours each per week. It is hoped that a grant to support work to the garden could benefit one thousand people form the common good area, and many more from elsewhere in Peth and Kinross, as well as visitors from outwith. 5.3 The project would involve replacing the gravelled pathway with pre-cast paving slabs, levelling the new path to remove the steps and bumps and widening the gate in the wall which leads into the garden and continuing the paved path into the heart of the garden. This work will be carried out by a local business and a summary of costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Materials Quote from local company £5,364.87 Machine Hire Quote from local company £1,125 Soil extraction, construction, and dumping charge Quote from local company £1,800 Labour Quote from local company £4,800 Widening wall and fixing gate to fix Quote from local company £600 Contribution from group (from plant sales, gardening projects, and ‘nearly new’ sale £900 Contribution from visitor donations £900 Enchanted Forest Community Fund (approved) £1,500 Andie Millar’s Trust (approved) £2,000 Page 8 of 22
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Blair Athol Distillery (pending) £1,000 Land & Nature Award, A Rocha (Eco Church) (pending) £1,000 Lottery Small Grants (pending) £3,200 Funding source still to be identified £1,189.87 Total proposed expenditure £13,689.87 Funding Requested from Kinross Common Good Fund £2,000 5.4 As noted in the table above, the project still needs to identify a source for the £1,189.87 funding gap. The group are working to identify a source for this and hope that the Church may be able to support if a funder cannot be identified. Consideration 5.5 Committee is asked to consider the request in the report and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The Committee is asked to consider the applications 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 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Elaine Ritchie Strategic Lead Housing and Communities 19 July 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, Business and Finance 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 Leads for Finance and Business Support, Legal and Governance and Housing and Communities have been consulted. External 4.2 Not applicable. Page 11 of 22
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5. Communication 5.1 Not applicable. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 None. Page 12 of 22
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PITLOCHRY COMMON GOOD FUND COMMITTEE 26 AUGUST 2024 2019/20 TO 2023/24 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report by Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (Report No. 24/226) 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 This report provides the actual income and expenditure for the Pitlochry Common Good Fund for financial years 2019/20 to 2023/24; and the projected outturn for financial year 2024/25. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee is requested to: (i) Note the actual income and expenditure to the 31 March for the financial years 2019/20 to 2023/24 for the Pitlochry 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 Pitlochry 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 2019/20 to 2023/24 for the Pitlochry Common Good Fund and the projected outturn for financial year 2024/25. 4. PROPOSALS Financial Statements 2019/20 to 2023/24 4.1 As detailed in Appendix 1, a cumulative surplus of £2,295 was generated over the five financial years and the Fund balance at 31 March 2024 was £9,657. 4.2 The previously reported position to the Committee on 18 December 2019 (Report 19/355 refers) anticipated a surplus of £7,382 for 2019/20. Following the closure of the accounts, the final position in 2019/20 resulted in an overall balance of £7,393. The movement from the previously reported position was due to interest income from other endowments administered by the Council. 8 Page 13 of 22
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4.3 The Committee did not meet between 2020/21 to 2023/24. During these four years a further £946 of interest and £1,318 of contributions was received by the Pitlochry Common Good Fund. This resulted in a Fund balance at 31 March 2024 of £9,657. Financial Statement 2024/25 4.4 As detailed in Appendix 2, there is a projected surplus of £800 for financial year 2024/25, and the estimated Fund balance at 31 March 2025 is £10,457. 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 Financial Officer 02.08.2024 Clare Mailer Director Strategy, People & Resources 02.08.2024 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 The Director Strategy, People and Resources has been consulted in the preparation of this report. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 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 – Pitlochry Common Good Fund Financial Statement to 31 March 2024 for Financial Years 2019/20 to 2023/24 Appendix 2 – Pitlochry Common Good Fund Financial Statement for period to 30 June 2024 for Financial Year 2024/25. Page 17 of 22
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Appendix 1 PITLOCHRY COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2024 FOR FINANCIAL YEARS 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, & 2023/24 FY 2019/20 FY 2020/21 FY 2021/22 FY 2022/23 FY 2023/24 Audited Actual to 31 March 2020 Audited Actual to 31 March 2021 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 1,318.44£ Interest Earned 30.43£ 21.88£ 20.68£ 261.15£ 642.33£ Total Income 30.43£ 21.88£ 20.68£ 261.15£ 1,960.77£ Surplus/(Deficit) 30.43£ 21.88£ 20.68£ 261.15£ 1,960.77£ Opening Balance 1 April 7,362.26£ 7,392.69£ 7,414.57£ 7,435.25£ 7,696.40£ Surplus / (Deficit) 30.43£ 21.88£ 20.68£ 261.15£ 1,960.77£ Closing Balance 31 March 7,392.69£ 7,414.57£ 7,435.25£ 7,696.40£ 9,657.17£ 8 Page 19 of 22
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Appendix 2 KINROSS COMMON GOOD FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD TO 30 JUNE 2024 FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2024/25 Committed Projected Actual to & Under Outturn to 30-Jun-24 Consideration 31-Mar-25 £ £ £ EXPENDITURE OTHER SUPPLIES & SERVICES Financial Assistance 0 2,000 2,000 Total Expenditure 0 2,000 2,000 INCOME Other Income 600 0 2,400 Interest earned 0 0 400 Total Income 600 0 2,800 Surplus / (Deficit) for Year 600 (2,000) 800 Revenue Balance at 1 April 2024 9,657 9,657 Surplus for the Year 600 800 Projected Fund Balance at 31 March 2025 10,257 10,457 Financial Assistance Actual Amount (£) Meeting -£ Committed Amount (£) Meeting £ - Under Consideration Amount (£) Meeting Holy Trinity Church - Serenity Garden £ 2,000.00 26/08/2024 £ 2,000.00 Total 2,000.00£ 8 Page 21 of 22
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