The Innerleithen Common Good Fund Sub-Committee met on Thursday 28 May 2026 to discuss the financial report for the year ending 31 March 2026 and receive an update from the Memorial Hall Support Group. The committee noted the draft financial report, which detailed a depreciation charge of £61,051. Significant progress was reported by the Memorial Hall Support Group, who are in the process of forming a charity to manage the hall and are working to address maintenance issues and improve the hall's utilisation.

Financial Report

The committee received a report from Catriona Ewen, Statutory Reporting & Treasury Business Partner, detailing the draft financial position of the Innerleithen Common Good Fund for the year ended 31 March 2026. The report indicated a depreciation charge of £61,051, which is an accounting adjustment and does not represent a cash transaction. The committee noted that the finalised accounts would be presented after the statutory audit and approval of the Scottish Borders Council accounts. The report also highlighted that the Innerleithen Memorial Hall was recognised as a Common Good asset on 1 April 2015, with Scottish Borders Council retaining liability for insurance and maintenance costs, while Live Borders manages operating costs and income. The committee agreed to note the draft income and expenditure for 2025/26, the draft balance sheet value as at 31 March 2026, and the summary of the property portfolio.

Memorial Hall Support Group Update

James Condal, Chairman of the Memorial Hall Support Group, provided an update on the group's progress. The group is in the process of forming a charity to manage the hall, aiming to increase its usage and generate income to become more self-sustainable. They are working with Scottish Borders Council due to the hall being held in trust and are developing a business plan, with input from Gordon Donald. Ross McGinn, a member of the support group, highlighted difficulties in obtaining financial information from Live Borders, but noted that the situation had improved since Hannah Lacon began liaising between the council and the group. He also mentioned plans to market two vacant rooms in the hall, which Live Borders had not previously addressed.

Councillor Julie Pirone and Councillor Marshall Douglas expressed their support for the group's efforts and agreed to add outstanding maintenance issues at the hall, including promised boiler replacements and scheduled paintwork, to an email to Live Borders and investigate the matter. Ross McGinn also raised a separate issue regarding a hedge on a piece of common good land adjacent to the mill laid at the end of the strand, which is growing out of control and poses a risk of damaging the wall and potentially causing a flood risk. Councillor Douglas agreed to email Gareth, who handles repairs in Peebles and Innerleithen, about the mill laid issue.