The Hawick Common Good Fund Sub-Committee were scheduled to meet on Wednesday 20 August 2025, to discuss financial monitoring, a property update, and an application for financial assistance from Hawick Royal Albert Football Club. The meeting was also scheduled to consider the minute and action tracker from the previous meeting.

Hawick Royal Albert Football Club Funding Application

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for £6,000 in financial assistance from Hawick Royal Albert Football Club, a football club founded in 1947, to upgrade the floodlights at their ground, Albert Park.

According to the application form, the club needs to upgrade its floodlights to a minimum of 300 Lux to maintain its Scottish Football Association (SFA) accreditation status and potentially achieve a higher accreditation status in the future. The project would involve removing existing light fittings, replacing floodlight brackets where required, and installing 24 1000W LED lights. The application stated that the LED floodlights would offer more effective light coverage, save the club money on electricity costs, and allow the club to maintain its SFA member club status, which brings in vital income of around £6,000 per year.

The application form stated that the club had already secured £21,705 from the Scottish Football Association Facilities Fund and planned to contribute £5,000 through its own fundraising efforts.

A quote from ECO Energy Saving Solutions, included in the report pack, detailed a cost of £36,175 plus VAT for the floodlight upgrade. The quote specified the removal of existing light fittings, replacement of floodlight brackets, and installation of 24 1000W LED lights. The quote noted that the installation was weather dependent and would be carried out on one column at a time to avoid leaving the club without lighting overnight.

The club's annual accounts summary for 2023/24, also included in the report pack, showed a total income of £43,860.07 and total expenditure of £42,504.21, with a bank account balance of £5,376.46 at the end of May 2024.

The club's equity policy, also included in the report pack, stated that the club is committed to ensuring that every child who takes part in football is able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment, which promotes inclusion and protects them from harm, poor practice, exploitation, bullying or abuse.

The club's child wellbeing and protection policy, also included in the report pack, stated that the club is committed to ensuring that every child who takes part in football, in any capacity, is able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment, which promotes inclusion and protects them from harm, poor practice, exploitation, bullying or abuse. The policy stated that the club values a rights-based approach within our sport, and our child wellbeing and protection policy is based on the fundamental rights of children as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Financial Monitoring Report

The sub-committee was scheduled to review the Hawick Common Good Fund's financial performance for the three months ending 30 June 2025. The Hawick Common Good Financial Monitoring Report to 300625 provided details on income and expenditure, along with a projected full-year outturn for 2025/26 and high-level forecasts for the following two years.

The report indicated a surplus of £61,266 as of 30 June 2025, but projected a deficit of £74,633 by 31 March 2026, primarily due to planned capital improvements at Pilmuir Farm, Williestruther Cottage and St Leonards, as well as forestry restocking. Anticipated rental income for the year was £90,559.

The report also detailed that £10,758 of the £25,000 grant budget had been allocated, leaving £14,742 available for the remainder of the financial year. The value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund at 30 June 2025 was £434,543, with a forecast investment income of £21,177 for the year.

Property Update

The sub-committee was scheduled to receive an update on Common Good property. No details of the update were included in the agenda.

Minute and Action Tracker

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider the minute and action tracker from the meeting held on 11 June 2025.