Interim Common Good Listing 2022

Overview

This is a copy of the consultation seeking views on the Common Good registers for the former Burghs of the Scottish Borders.

This consultation opened on 21 December 2021 and closed on 31 March 2022.

Background:

All former Burghs have a 'Common Good' which comprises the land, buildings, art, artefacts and funds which were owned and managed by the Burgh Council on behalf of the residents of the Burgh. The Burgh system was extinguished in 1975 but the assets owned by the Burgh at that date continue to be owned by the Common Good, which is administered by Councillors who sit as Common Good Trustees.

Following an investigation of the assets held by Scottish Borders Council, we have prepared a draft asset register for each former Burgh. We have considered title deeds (for land and buildings), museum records and old Burgh minutes. Where an asset was donated to the town, prior to 1975;  where it was purchased from Common Good funds; or where it has historically  been used by the people of the town as a public asset , we have determined that the asset should form part of the Common Good.

What happens next

All consultation comments will be considered at a meeting of each Common Good Sub-Committee which will take place in Spring/Summer 2022. The committee will decide then whether any assets should be added to the register (or removed). We will then publish the final register within 6 months of the closing of this consultation.

Please note that if any additional information comes to light after the publishing of the final register, the register can be amended to include newly identified assets.