The Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss financial monitoring, woodland management, and the naming of a new site. The meeting also included updates on various common good properties and a review of past minutes and actions.

Monitoring Report for 3 Months to 30 June 2026

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Director of Finance detailing the income and expenditure for the Hawick Common Good Fund for the three months ending 30 June 2026. The report included a full-year forecast for 2026/27 and projections for the following two years. Appendix 1 of the report outlined the total income and expenditure, forecasting a deficit of £69,462 by the end of 2026/27, improving to a deficit of £1,206 by the end of 2028/29. Appendix 2 provided forecast property costs, with £13,585 spent to 30 June 2026 and a further £56,515 forecast for the remainder of the year, offset by anticipated rental income of £98,151. Appendix 3 detailed the approved grant budget for 2026/27, with £5,000 remaining available. Appendix 4 showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund at 30 June 2026, standing at £480,220, with a forecast investment income of £21,177 for the year, demonstrating a growth and an unrealised gain of 4.63%. The report recommended noting these financial positions and forecasts.

Woodland Management Plan

An update on the common good woodland management plan was scheduled for discussion. The report highlighted several discussion points, including the feasibility of thinning in the golf course area and the need for access. It also raised concerns about avoiding further felling around the golf course until restocked areas were established, and the necessity of weed, rabbit, hare, and deer control. The report questioned the realism of Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) due to a lack of natural regeneration and noted the absence of consultation or measures relating to the block adjacent to the Whitlaw Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). General recommendations included deer and grey squirrel control, planting robust mixtures with similar growth rates, and avoiding fast-growing spruce in areas around the golf course. Specific recommendations for operations, compartments, and areas were also detailed, alongside a map of the Hawick Common Good Woodlands.

Common Haugh Toilets and Sluice

The agenda included separate items for discussion regarding the Common Haugh Toilets and the Common Haugh Sluice. These items were allocated 10 minutes each.

Naming of the Gap Site

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider the naming of a site referred to as the Gap Site. This item was expected to take 10 minutes.

Minute and Action Tracker

The meeting was set to review the minutes from previous meetings held on 17 June 2026 and 22 July 2026 for approval and signature by the Chair. An update on actions from the Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee action tracker was also to be considered. Additionally, a tracker of returned evaluation forms from groups that had been awarded financial assistance was to be noted.

Hawick Moor Racecourse

Correspondence regarding Hawick Moor Racecourse was scheduled for consideration.

Property Update

An update on Common Good property matters was also on the agenda.

The meeting also included provisions for Any Other Items Previously Circulated and Any Other Items which the Chair Decides are Urgent, followed by a section for Private Business which would require the exclusion of the public from the meeting. This private session was to include the consideration of the private sections of the Minute and Action Tracker, as well as an update on Hawick Moor Racecourse and a general Property Update.