The Dalbeattie Common Good Fund Sub Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss the fund's property portfolio, financial performance, and options for maximising income. The meeting will focus on the Dalbeattie Common Good Fund, which is used to award grants that benefit the inhabitants of the former Burgh of Dalbeattie.

Dalbeattie Common Good Fund - Maximising Free Income

The sub-committee is scheduled to discuss a report on options for maximising the level of free income available for distribution by the Dalbeattie Common Good Fund. According to the report, the cash balance held by the fund as of 31 March 2025 was £55,461.38. The fund's income is derived solely from interest generated by this cash balance, which is held within the council's loans fund. The estimated interest for 2025/26 is £2,348.38.

The report outlines a few options for increasing the fund's income:

• Postponing applications: The report notes that the number of applications to the Common Good Fund has been relatively low in recent years. The sub-committee could choose to postpone applications for a few years to allow the balance, and therefore the interest earned, to increase.
• Generating income from land or property: The sub-committee may wish to explore opportunities to raise income by utilising the existing portfolio of common good property more effectively, such as through leases or rentals. The report cautions that some council services currently utilise Common Good assets, and any increase in rental charges could have a direct financial impact on the council.

The report states that the cash balance is not currently large enough to make significant investments.

Dalbeattie Common Good Property Update

The sub-committee is scheduled to receive an update on the Dalbeattie Common Good property portfolio. The report includes an overview of all properties listed in the portfolio, as well as details on tenure, valuation, repairs, condition, and insurance.

The Dalbeattie Common Good Property portfolio consists of the following properties:

• Dalbeattie Town Hall, High Street, Dalbeattie
• Land, Public Open Space, Urr Road, Birch Grove, Dalbeattie
• Colliston Park, Boat Shed and Pavilion, Mill Street, Dalbeattie
• Blair Youth Centre, Munches Park, John Street, Dalbeattie
• Car Park, 04, Water Street, Dalbeattie
• Car Park, John Street, Dalbeattie
• Car Park, Alpine Street, Dalbeattie
• Dalbeattie Offices, 04, Water Street, Dalbeattie
• Land, Craigmath, Dalbeattie
• Rounall Wood, Dalbeattie
• Land for Cadet Hut, Blair Street, Dalbeattie

The report also notes the following assets were sold in 2023/24:

• Car Park, Mill Isle Street, Dalbeattie
• Land at Craigmath

Dalbeattie Common Good Fund - Financial Outturn 2024/25 and Quarter 1 Monitoring for 2025/26

The sub-committee is scheduled to review the Dalbeattie Common Good Fund's financial performance. The report provides details of the fund's 2024/25 final outturn position and Quarter 1 monitoring for 2025/26, including the remaining free income.

According to the report, the fund held a cash balance of £55,461.38 as of 31 March 2025. The fund received £2,589.90 in income in Loan Fund Interest.

The estimated free income for 2025/26 was £2,348.38. Following an award of £1,260 to the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) Dalbeattie Branch towards the 80th Anniversaries of VE¹ and VJ Days² in 2025, the remaining free income available for disbursement in 2025/26 is £1,088.

The report notes that Dumfries and Galloway Council does not currently charge an annual administrative fee for the financial and secretariat support provided to the sub-committee, but that this is currently under review.