19th January 2005

Minute of Meeting of the Executive Committee of Tweeddale Sports Council, held on Wednesday 19th January 2005 in the Gytes Leisure Centre, Peebles

PRESENT

Mr J Noble - Chairman
Mr E Jardine Mr J McBay - Secretary
Mr M Gordon
Mr D Armour - Treasurer
Mr C Russell - Councillor
G Garvie
Mr C MacDonald
Mr D Graham
Mrs K Ritchie
Mr N Dashwood-Brady
Mrs K Murray
Mr L Johnstone

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor N Calvert, Mr J Mullins and Mrs S Horsburgh.

2. SUBMIT MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minute of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 8th December 2004 was submitted and approved.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 WEBSITE UPDATE

Mr N Dashwood-Brady intimated that the Sports Council Website Working Group had recently met and were seeking permission from the Executive Committee to proceed with the EBS proposal. After discussion it was agreed to proceed with the EBS Website proposal. It was noted that Executive Committee Members will be required to assist with updating the site on a regular basis. It was agreed that the Secretary is to proceed with the Awards For All application form to fund the construction of the site and assist with the marketing costs.

4. TREASURERS REPORT

The Treasurer reported on the financial transactions of the Sports Council since the date of the last meeting, the Treasurer recorded an overall working balance of £5,886.62. Expenditure for the period totalled £4,475, permission was still to be made into the budget for the Annual Awards evening.

5. EASTER / SUMMER SPORTS SCHEME

The Chairman intimated that he had received a letter from the Senior Sports Development Officer from the Council seeking assistance with the Summer and Easter Sports schemes. The Chairman intimated that the cost to the Sports Council was £1000 for both programmes. After discussion it was agreed that a one-off payment should be made to the Sports Development team to assist with the costs of running the programmes. The Secretary is to ensure that the Sports Council’s logo is in a prominent place on the programme.

6. ANNUAL AWARDS EVENING UPDATE

The Chairman intimated that the Annual Awards Evening is scheduled to be held on Friday 1st April at Peebles Hydro Hotel. The application forms and posters are to be circulated the week beginning 24th January 2005. The Guest of Honour to be approached is Mr Doug Smith, the former Hearts FC Chairman. If Mr Smith is unavailable, the following guests were suggested, Louise Aitken Walker, Hammy MacMillan, Julie Forrest, Janet Jack, Joyce Lindores, Ian Stark or Sir M Campbell. It was agreed the panel to decide the Award winners would meet on Monday 21st February 2005 at 7.30pm in the Gytes Leisure Centre, Peebles. The Working Group will include the Chairman, Miss H Fenton (Peeblesshire News), Mr N Dashwood-Brady, Mrs S Horsburgh, Mr C Russell, Mrs K Ritchie and Mr C MacDonald.

7. SPORTS COUNCIL BUSINESS / DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Treasurer intimated that he would like to reconvene the Sports Council Development Plan Working Group in the near future. The Groups membership includes the Chairman, Mr D Graham, the Treasurer, Mrs S Horsburgh and Mr N Dashwood-Brady. The Treasurer agreed to convene the Working Group at Council Headquarters with a working lunch.

8. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

8.1 SCOTTISH BORDERS SPECIAL OLYMPIC GROUP

There was submitted an application from Mr J Renilson, the Scottish Borders Special Olympics Team Manager who was seeking assistance with the teams attendance at the National Games in Glasgow, at a cost of £600 per athlete with a team of 36 due to represent the area. After discussion it was agreed to award £1200 towards the Special Olympic Team.

8.2 SCOTTISH BORDERS DISABILITY SPORTS GROUP

The Treasurer intimated the Scottish Borders Disability Sports Group had forwarded an invoice for £250 to the Sports Council for their Annual contribution to the work of the Disability Sports Group. After discussion it was agreed to pay the invoice.

8.3 MEETING ROOM VENUE

The Chairman intimated that the County Hotel in Peebles was offering meeting facilities free of charge to voluntary groups. After discussion it was agreed to host the March meeting at the Gytes and agree at the March meeting if a change of venue for Executive meetings is required.

8.4 REVIEW OF SPORT

The Chairman asked Councillor G Garvie to comment on the review of sport recently undertaken by the Council’s Scrutiny Working Group. The report confirmed that the Borders Council spend £22 per head of population on sport, the National average is £28.12, the Borders is the 8th lowest investor in sport in Scotland. Councillor G Garvie concluded his report by stating that he is optimistic that the figure will improve. The Chairman thanked Councillor G Garvie for his informative report.

8.5 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 23rd March 2005 at the Gytes Leisure Centre, Peebles.