The Peebles Common Good Fund Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss financial monitoring, property and estates updates, and proposals for new community projects. The meeting also included a review of upcoming events and an open forum for public discussion.

Financial Monitoring Report and Budget

The committee was scheduled to consider the Financial Monitoring Report for the period ending 31 March 2026 and the proposed budget for 2026/27. The report, presented by Director of Finance Suzy Douglas, detailed the income and expenditure for the Common Good Fund, highlighting a surplus balance of £49,721 at the end of the financial year. The report also included forecasts for the next two years and information on the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund. The Director of Finance recommended that the Sub-Committee note the financial position, agree the proposed budget for 2026/27, and note the grants distributed and the investment fund's status.

Property and Estates Updates

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates on council properties and estates. This included a report on maintenance expenditure since the previous meeting on 25 February 2026. Specific sites scheduled for discussion were:

• Kingsmeadows Toilets: The committee was to review options for the future of these facilities, with potential costs for demolition, partial reinstatement, or complete demolition and rebuild being considered. The report pack indicated that the Common Good Fund would be responsible for annual running costs, as Scottish Borders Council now covers the cost of opening the East Station Car Park toilets. A full report from the Director of Infrastructure & Environment was to be commissioned to aid decision-making.
• Victoria Park Boundary Wall Reinstatement: This was listed for discussion, with previous minutes indicating that details of a second site for bollards and contact with the Baptist Church to begin reinstatement work were to be brought to this meeting.
• Tweed Green Pavilion Gates: The maintenance and potential replacement of these gates were scheduled for review.
• Eliots Park Car Parking: An update on car parking at Eliots Park was to be provided.
• Haylodge Park Changing Facilities Proposal: A proposal for new changing facilities at Haylodge Park, potentially constructed from shipping containers and involving young people in its development, was to be considered. This initiative, championed by Aegir, aimed to replace the existing Chicken Hut with a community-focused facility and provide employability skills for young people.

Community Project Proposals

Two specific community proposals were on the agenda:

• Peebles Gutterbluids Society Memorial Garden Proposal: The committee was to consider a proposal from Mr Drew Fraser, on behalf of the Peebles Gutterbluids Society, for a 'Derek Scott Memorial Garden' in Haylodge Park. The society, which has a history of maintaining and improving local amenities, proposed planting a mix of low-growing native and ornamental trees requiring minimal maintenance. The garden would be planted during the winter of 2026.
• Tour o' the Borders Cycle Event: A request to use Tweed Green for a cycle event scheduled for 4-6 September 2026 was to be discussed. The application from Hillside Outside Ltd indicated an expected attendance of 2,500 people. The associated risk assessment and insurance documents were included in the reports pack.

Open Forum and Other Business

The meeting also included an Open Forum, allowing for matters raised via the Peebles Common Good Forum and any other business to be discussed. There were also provisions for any other items previously circulated or deemed urgent by the Chair.

The meeting was scheduled to move into private business towards the end, with a motion to exclude the public from discussions involving the likely disclosure of exempt information. This private session was to include a review of the private minute and action tracker, property maintenance quotes for items such as an access gate and roof repairs, and an estates update on the Corn Exchange retail premises and Haylodge Depot.