The Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Fund Sub Committee met to discuss the financial outturn and financial plans for the Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Funds, consider applications for financial assistance from the Lochmaben Common Good Fund, and review the property and assets of both funds. Councillors also looked at the running costs of the Lochmaben Caravan Park (Kirk Loch).

Lochmaben Common Good Fund - Applications for Financial Assistance

The sub committee was scheduled to consider applications for financial assistance from the Lochmaben Common Good Fund.

It was noted that there was a free income of £1,776 available, and that the grant criteria for funding was detailed in Appendix 1 - Lochmaben Common Good Fund Grant Criteria.

The report pack included details of three applications:

• Lochmaben Wombles Community Initiative, requesting £200 towards a project to create a partnership between a number of groups and businesses to address the problem of some of the neglected corners in the town.
• Lochmaben Heritage Community Trust, requesting £200 for the replacement of a music mixer for music events at Lochmaben Town Hall.
• Community Assets Team, Dumfries and Galloway Council, requesting £1,376 towards the removal of trees providing a risk to safety at Lochmaben War Memorial.

Property and Assets of the Lochmaben Common Good

The sub committee was scheduled to discuss the property and assets that comprise the Lochmaben Common Good Asset Portfolio.

The report pack listed ten assets and properties, including:

• Victory Park, including the tennis club and bowling green pavilion
• Lochmaben Town Hall, High Street, Lochmaben
• Land at the former Paddling Pool, Mossvale, Nethermill Road, Lochmaben, leased to Lochmaben Community Garden Project
• Land at Market Cross, Princes Street, Lochmaben
• Kirk Loch Caravan Park, Castlehillgate, Lochmaben
• Car Park, Princes Street/Castle Street, Lochmaben
• Public Toilets, Castle Street, Lochmaben
• Burgh Yard, Eastgate, Lochmaben
• Public Open Space, Mill Road, Lochmaben
• Land at The Barras, Barrashead, The Barras, Lochmaben

The report pack noted that the council established an Officer Working Group in 2024 to review its statutory and non-statutory obligations in regard to Common Good, and increase transparency in regard to the existence of Common Good assets and the decisions taken in association with those assets. It was anticipated that the updated register would be published in October 2025.

The sub committee was also scheduled to discuss the ownership of the garages on Castle Street, Lochmaben, and the removal of four trees in Victory Park, Lochmaben, adjacent to the War Memorial.

The report pack stated that concerns had been raised about the trees at the back of the war memorial, and that a tree specialist had confirmed that the trees were at high risk of splitting or falling during a severe weather storm, posing a significant risk of damage to the War Memorial.

The report pack stated that officers had engaged with the Royal Burgh of Lochmaben Community Council, and intended to host joint engagement sessions to both inform the public and engage on the options for what to do with the space, once the trees have been removed.

Lochmaben Caravan Park (Kirk Loch)

The sub committee was scheduled to receive an overview of Lochmaben Caravan Park's performance and management, including a financial analysis of operating the facility.

The report pack noted that the caravan park is a council owned caravan park that sits on Common Good land, and is managed by Facilities Services. It operates for seven months per year, from April to October, and has 27 electric hook-up pitches.

The report pack stated that the total income achieved in financial year 2024/25 was £53,707, generated from sales of energy and caravan site fees. The total staffing and maintenance costs equated to £69,855.

The report pack noted that since financial year 2017/18, total capital investment of £183,293 has been allocated towards improvements to the facility, funded by the council.

Lochmaben Common Good Fund – End of Year Financial Outturn Report 2024/25 and Financial Plan 2025/26

The sub committee was scheduled to receive details of the Lochmaben Common Good Fund's 2024/25 financial outturn position, and the development of the Financial Plan for 2025/26.

The report pack noted that the fund held a cash balance of £39,715.28 as of 31 March 2025. Income through rent was received from Lochmaben Community Garden, initially via Lochmaben Community Council, to the value of £174.80 in 2024/25.

The report pack stated that the estimated free income in the financial plan for 2025/26 was £1,776, and that at the previous meeting of the sub committee, members agreed to open the fund for applications for financial assistance.

The report pack included a balance sheet, and noted that there was a loan to Lochmaben AFC with a value of £1000, which has appeared on the balance sheet historically, but with no records held with the detail of the loan.

Due to the length of time this has appeared and the absence of records, members are asked to consider giving approval to write off this debt, following the appropriate process.

Property and Assets of the Lockerbie Common Good

The sub committee was scheduled to receive a report to advise members of the property and assets that comprise the Lockerbie Common Good Asset Portfolio.

The report pack listed ten assets and properties, including:

• Golf Course, Lambhill, Lockerbie
• Land at Corrie Road, Lockerbie
• King Edward VII Park, Matthews Loaning, Lockerbie
• Lockerbie Town Hall, High Street, Lockerbie
• McJerrow Park and Store, Victoria Gardens, Lockerbie
• Former Caravan Park, Kintail Park, Glasgow Road, Lockerbie
• Car Park, McJerrow Park, Victoria Gardens, Lockerbie
• Car Park, Well Road, Adj Railway Station, Lockerbie
• Land, Rosebank Crescent, Lockerbie
• Land, Rear of 54 to 60, Victoria Park, Lockerbie

The report pack noted that the council established an Officer Working Group in 2024 to review its statutory and non-statutory obligations in regard to Common Good, and increase transparency in regard to the existence of Common Good assets and the decisions taken in association with those assets. It was anticipated that the updated register would be published in October 2025.

The report pack also noted that part of the land at the former Caravan Park is leased, and the lease expires as of 31 May 2026.

Lockerbie Common Good Fund – End of Year Financial Outturn Report 2024/25 and Financial Plan 2025/26

The sub committee was scheduled to receive details of Lockerbie Common Good Fund's 2024/25 financial outturn position and the development of the Financial Plan for 2025/26.

The report pack noted that the fund held a cash balance of £35,514.95 as of 31 March 2025. Income through rent was received from RH Youth Organisation for the land at Former Caravan Park – Kintail Park to the value of £1,400 in 2024/25. Income was not received from Lockerbie Golf Club in 2024/25, but a monthly repayment plan for the rent that has been unpaid has now been agreed with the club.

The report pack stated that the estimated free income in the financial plan for 2025/26 is £3,396, however due to decisions taken at the previous meeting, the free income has already been committed for 2025/26, relating to the management of Corrie Wood.