The Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee approved the use of the Underhaugh for the Tunes by the Teviot community festival. The committee also noted a concern regarding the security and maintenance of public toilets in the common good area, which will be discussed at a future meeting.

Application for Use of Underhaugh

The sub-committee approved the application for the use of the Underhaugh, also known as the Wee Haugh, by the volunteer-led organisation Tunes by the Teviot for a community festival. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 15 August 2026, from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Councillor Watson McAteer, Convener of the Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee, temporarily took over the chairing of the meeting due to Councillor Clair Ramage declaring an interest as a board member of Escape Youth Cafe.

Councillor Stuart Marshall expressed his full support for the application, stating, Tunes of the TV, certainly growing arms and legs over the past few years. The town, it's something now that the town is looking forward to having. He added that he believed this would be the final step in organising the event and wished the organisers success. Councillor McAteer seconded the motion to approve, highlighting it as a very successful event from a volunteer group. Councillor Neil Richards also commented positively, describing it as a great little event and it's a fantastic venue, I think. It's going to grow.

The application details confirmed that Tunes by the Teviot is an unincorporated association focused on delivering community events that promote arts, culture, and wellbeing for Hawick and the surrounding area. The organisation aims to create accessible opportunities for residents of all ages, with a particular focus on families, young people, and those facing barriers to participation. Any surplus income generated is reinvested to sustain future events and distributed to local community groups and initiatives. All other event requirements, including event plans, security, insurance, and risk assessments, had been approved by Place Bookings, Events, and Licensing at Scottish Borders Council, and blue light services were aware of the event.

Public Toilets in the Common Good Area

Councillor Stuart Marshall raised a concern regarding the security and ongoing maintenance costs of the public toilets in the common good area. He noted that this issue had been raised at the Hawick Community Council the previous week and requested that it be added to the agenda for a future meeting. Councillor McAteer confirmed that the matter had already been forwarded and that it would be discussed at the next common good meeting. He acknowledged the importance of addressing the issue, stating, we seem to be on this circle and we're not getting out of it to address it because it's very much a public necessity, a public toilet, and it's the last one we have. So we need to keep it. The cost of repairing vandalism to the toilets was described as having cost the public person a very small fortune.