The Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee of Scottish Borders Council is scheduled to consider its financial performance and future budget. The meeting will also include an update on the development of a Woodland Management Plan and a general property update.

Financial Performance and Budget

The Sub-Committee is scheduled to review a draft monitoring report covering the 12 months to 31 March 2026, alongside the draft budget for the upcoming year, 2026-27. This report, prepared by the Director of Finance, details the income and expenditure for the Lauder Common Good Fund. According to the report, the cash position at 31 March 2026 shows a deficit of £74,225. This is an improvement on the previously forecast deficit of £148,799 for the full year, attributed to delays in works at Shepards Cottage.

The report also outlines forecast income and expenditure for the next two years, projecting a deficit balance of £137,229 at the end of 2026/27, reducing to £94,573 by the end of 2028/29, assuming no additional spend and an unchanged grant budget. Property income, primarily from rentals, is detailed, with £11,091 received by 31 March 2026. Property expenditure for the same period was £34,466, with significant planned upgrades for Shepards Cottage at Lauder Common Farm contributing to a forecast expenditure of £78,400 in 2026/27.

The report indicates that £1,000 of the grant budget for 2025/26 remains unspent. The Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund's value at 31 March 2026 is noted as £251,151, with investment income of £13,372 received to that date, outperforming the target of 5%. The report highlights that the fund's value has significantly improved since March 2025, when it showed an unrealised loss. The financial information presented is subject to external audit.

Woodland Management Plan

An update on the development of the Woodland Management Plan is scheduled to be considered. Further details on this item are expected to follow.

General Property Update

The Sub-Committee is also set to receive an update on matters relating to the Common Good property portfolio. This follows previous discussions on specific properties such as Shepherd's Cottage at Lauder Common Farm.

The meeting is scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at 2:00 pm. The public business of the meeting will be livestreamed and recorded.

The members of the Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee are Councillor David Parker (Chair), Councillor Jenny Linehan, Councillor John PatonDay, and Mr Alastair Smith from Lauderdale Community Council. Enquiries regarding the meeting can be directed to William Mohieddeen.

The documents related to this meeting can be found at:

• Agenda frontsheet
• Public reports pack