The Lauder Common Good Fund Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to review the fund's financial performance and discuss woodland management plans. The committee approved the draft monitoring report and budget for the upcoming financial year, noting a reduced deficit due to project delays. They also received an update on the development of woodland management plans for areas managed by the fund.

Draft Monitoring Report and Budget Approval

The committee reviewed the draft monitoring report for the 12 months ending 31 March 2026 and the proposed budget for 2026-27. Catriona Ewen, Statutory Reporting and Treasury Business Manager, presented the financial details. The report indicated a deficit balance of £74,225 at 31 March 2026, which was an improvement on the previously forecast deficit of £148,799. This improvement was attributed to delays in works at Shepherd's Cottage, which are now scheduled for the 2026-27 financial year.

The forecasts for future years show a projected deficit balance of £137,000 at the end of 2026-27, reducing to £95,000 by the end of 2027-28 and £96,000 in 2028-29, assuming no additional spend and unchanged grant budgets. Rental income for the year was £11,091, in line with expectations. Property expenditure totalled £34,466, with significant planned expenditure on Shepherd's Cottage deferred to the next financial year. The Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund showed a value of £251,000 at 31 March 2026, an increase of £21,000 from the previous year, with investment income outperforming targets at 5.32%.

Councillor David Parker, Chair of the Sub-Committee, sought clarification on whether the £50,000 contribution from Scottish Borders Council towards Shepherd's Cottage had been accounted for in the budget. Ms Ewen stated she would need to refer this to colleagues in the estate team for confirmation. The committee agreed to approve the proposed budget for 2026-27 and noted the information contained within the report.

Woodland Management Plan Update

Steven Adelaide, a woodland consultant, provided an update on the development of woodland management plans for areas managed by the Lauder Common Good Fund. He had visited several woodlands and presented his initial findings and recommendations. Mr. Adelaide highlighted the need for ongoing maintenance of previously felled and restocked areas, including tree shelter maintenance and protection against pests such as deer, hares, and rabbits. He noted that approximately 80% of pine planted in compartment one had been damaged by rabbits and hares, suggesting replanting after fencing and clearing the area.

Recommendations for future work included thinning and potential felling in areas such as Lauder Hill Woods and a narrow strip of woodland near the cemetery in three to five years' time, with a view to replanting with native broadleaves. He also suggested felling mature poplar groups in compartments 10 and 11 within three to five years, again with replanting in mind, and noted the potential need to involve an ecologist due to bat habitats. For Burn Mill Hawk, Mr. Adelaide suggested clearing elder on a steep bank and planting native broadleaves to improve the woodland's structure and diversity.

Josephine Stewart, Estates Strategy Manager, confirmed that instructions had been given for rabbit-proof fencing and that she would liaise with Tweed Forum regarding the management of woodlands planted by them. She also requested an indication of potential costs for future works to aid prioritisation. Mr. Alastair Smith, a member of the Lauderdale Community Council, expressed interest in undertaking work at Burn Mill Hawk, potentially funded by a grant, and asked for clarification on the specific areas for elder removal. Mr. Adelaide provided a map indicating the relevant areas. Councillor Jenny Linehan questioned why initial fencing had not been rabbit-proof, to which Ms. Stewart responded that it was not necessarily the case and that future installations would consider rabbit issues. The committee agreed to receive further updates from Ms. Stewart on prioritisation of the woodland management proposals.