The William Hill Trust Sub-Committee met to consider a finance report, and applications for financial assistance from Melrose Golf Club and Cycling Without Age Scotland. The meeting also included a motion to exclude the public from private business, and consideration of the private section of the minute of the meeting held on 10 April 2025.

Finance Report

The Director of Finance provided a finance report detailing the income and expenditure for the William Hill Trust Fund for the three months to 30 June 2025, with a projected full year out-turn for 2025/26, and forecast information for the following 2 years.

The report stated that Appendix 1 showed a summary of the total income and expenditure for the Common Good fund, with a surplus of £81,651 as of 30 June 2025, forecast to increase to £104,417 by 31 March 2026. Appendix 2 contained information on the approved grant budget for 2025/26, noting that £5,000 was still available for the remainder of the financial year. Appendix 3 showed the value of the Aegon Asset Management Investment Fund at £201,290 as of 30 June 2025, with forecast investment income for the year of £9,820.

The report also asked the sub-committee to consider a £90,000 contribution to the 'Power up' Project in Melrose which would provide Melrose Football Club with a new changing room facility, clubhouse, and a fully accessible community hub, subject to the project securing sufficient funding from other sources.

The report stated that Melrose Football Club (MFC) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and a volunteer-led, not-for-profit community football club that provides opportunities for junior and youth football participation for young people aged 5-16+.

The total cost of the project was estimated to be approximately £650,000, with the club applying for funding from various sources, including the Scottish Football Association (£310,000), Sport Scotland (£100,000), Scottish Borders Council (£84,000), the Football Partnership Trust (£50,000) and the Fallago Environment Fund (£19,000).

The report noted that if the grant was approved by the sub-committee, final approval from the full council would also be required, subject to confirmation of external funding.

Applications for Financial Assistance

Melrose Golf Club

The sub-committee were scheduled to consider an application for financial assistance of £9,998 from Melrose Golf Club to support their Great Crested Newts Habitat Project.

The golf club sought funding to purchase new and second-hand greenkeeping machinery, which would allow staff time to maintain the habitat for the protected species, while continuing with regular maintenance of the golf course.

The application stated that the discovery of great crested newts on the golf course had led to legal constraints, including the need for protected species surveys, a habitat management plan, and restrictions to maintenance work during the breeding period for the species.

The total cost of the project was estimated to be £15,958, with Melrose Golf Club contributing £5,960 through part exchange of existing equipment and club fundraising.

The application included the Melrose Golf Club accounts for the year ended 30th September 2024.

Cycling Without Age Scotland

The sub-committee were scheduled to consider an application for financial assistance of £5,000 from Cycling Without Age Scotland (CWAS).

CWAS is a nationwide organisation that provides rides in e-bike Trishaws to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly the elderly, who face mobility challenges and/or are lonely or isolated.

The funding would support a group in Melrose to start their own CWAS project and raise funds for their first trishaw. The group planned to recruit and train pilots to offer rides in the community, connecting with two care homes, an assisted living facility, and a residential unit for adults with learning support needs in and near Melrose.

The application stated that the rides would provide an opportunity for people with limited mobility to enjoy the outdoors and connect with their surroundings, acting as community connectors provided by local people for local people.

The total cost of a Triobike Taxi Trishaw was listed as £10,800.

The application included a copy of Cycling Without Age Scotland's signed and dated annual accounts or projected financial plan, their equality and diversity policy, and their safeguarding policy.

Minutes

The sub-committee were asked to consider the minute of the meeting held on 5 March 2025. At that meeting, the sub-committee considered an application for financial assistance of £23,498.40 from Melrose Golf Club to fund ecology surveys, preparation of habitat management plans, habitat development works, and the purchase of new more efficient greenkeeping machinery following the discovery of great crested newts on the golf course. The Melrose and District Community Council were consulted on the application and were not supportive. The sub-committee agreed not to fund the application.

The sub-committee were also asked to consider the minute of the meeting held on 10 April 2025. At that meeting, the sub-committee agreed to award Melrose Music Festival a grant of £6,750, and considered a report with regards to Gibson Park caravan park lease, and a report by Director Infrastructure and Environment regarding Melrose Tennis Club lease extension at Gibson Park.