Date: Wednesday, 1st July 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: North Berwick Community Centre
Attendance
Present:
Brett Walker, Kevin Gibson, Kirsty Towler, Lauren Cowie
Apologies: Lisa McLure, Jamie Govan, Nick McCashin
____________________________________________________________________________
- Approval of Minutes – 3rd June 2026
Proposed – Brett , seconded – Kirsty
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2. Matters Arising
WC quotes, including Portakabin and The Ridge.
Architect drawings may be required to move forwards.
Kevin MacKenzie – architectural technician – Kirsty can make introductions for Brett and Kevin for this – rates may be far less than an architect.
The Ridge are local so keen to work with them if possible. Costs may be more than a modular option.
Brett to continue chasing Scottish Fire and Rescue regarding land ownership and potential access for the WC project.
Brett having trouble contacting the contact for Fire & Rescue. Brett continues to push them for more information on the site.
Do ELC consider that they own the land given the ‘land prescription/adverse possession’ rules in Scotland – Brett & Kirsty will look into this.
Board to discuss funding options for the WC project and potential sources of funding.
Still to action
Jamie to align the completed skills profile with the asset transfer guidance and business plan.
Jamie to update at next meeting
Kevin to follow up the information sources identified through Doug Haig, including Mark Neilson and Ross Macdonald.
Info back from Mark Nelson though still missing the updated plans. Insurance, repairs, lift costs etc are not included.
Kevin and relevant board members in working group to obtain costs, plans, parking information, asbestos report, council surveys, title deeds, valuations, floor plans and property boundaries.
As above
Kevin to progress signing of the terms of engagement with the Joint Working Group on 10th June 2026.
Second version was sent to the working group and they had a query which Kevin has responded to and asked for suggested additions – they have not responded.
Board members attending the 10th June meeting to raise all relevant questions with the Placemaking Team and Joint Working Group.
See minutes for the JWG meeting.
Board to vote by WhatsApp poll on submitting a note of interest for the Hope Rooms and Community Centre.
The board all agreed an Expression of interest should be submitted.
Has Nick put an EOI in for the Hope Rooms?
Nick to progress marketing activity to increase online community membership, including A5 flyer options and potential distribution routes.
These have been printed – Brett, Lauren & Kevin took these to start delivery.
Brett delivering to the Cala’s and Walker’s, Lauren will do the Council scheme. See how many new people we get on skool then order more if successful.
Nick and Kevin to continue progressing the North Berwick Together Card and approach more high street businesses.
Nick may have done this last week – update needed
Brett to await the Brown Forbes application outcome and approach other funders for the WC project.
Due October 2026
Lauren to look out for North Berwick Trust funding application responses.
Application successful – £5,982 for start up costs
Kevin to contact Action Porty regarding the former police station and potential community purchase process. Kevin to also gather information on the Police station for other board members to discuss.
Kevin has been trying to connect with them.
Expression of Interest for Police Station – Kevin going to get advice on this from DTAS (Ruth Evans).
Board to gather departmental costs and build these into a proper profit and loss for the Community Centre and Hope Rooms options.
Nick has info and costs.
3. Strategic Streams
The existing strategic streams remain as follows and should be reviewed following Kathy Duncan stepping down:
- Funding and finance: Kevin Gibson
- Portfolio acquisition: Kirsty Towler
- Governance: Lauren Cowie
- Skills and resources: Lisa McLure
- Project delivery: Nick McCashin
It was agreed that the board will continue to progress the immediate information gathering before requiring detailed one page updates from each strategic lead.
4. CDC, CCMC and NBYP Working Group
No movement since last meeting – see JWG minutes.
5. Community Consultation / social media
What is comms strategy for social media – to discuss and plan in due course.
6. Directors & Helpers
Skills gaps – filling these and target community who may be able to fill these gaps – Jamie?
7. Community Centre Comparisons
Kevin shared these
7. AOCB
Phase 3 funding – Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Lottery, Lottery Heritage all being considered for phase 3 of the Coastal Path – £65,000 – £70,000. The Board agreed to go ahead with submitting application.
Kevin has had a meeting with the Scottish Land fund to look into Capital Acquisition – new fund coming soon. He also met with DTAS – they both advised to look at one project at a time to have a better chance of securing funding.
Agreed to renew membership with DTAS – £50
Visits to Pennypit/Port Seton / East Linton Halls – Lauren sent email out – Kevin happy to visit these centres.
Kevin in discussions with GVA to learn more about their set up.
Discussions around the potential 3 assets – Community Centre, Police Station and Hope Rooms – the CDC may need to decide which one of these assets they want to focus on. Community Consultation may be needed to do this.
Huge concerns around the costs of NB Community Centre – Kevin has done some comparisons with other centres. NB Community Centre is very likely to be extremely expensive to run, especially utilities / repairs, this may make it unsustainable and rely too heavily on funding.
EOI for the Hope Rooms – Has Nick done this?
ACTION FROM MEETING
- Kirsty to make introductions with Kevin MacKenzie & Brett
- Brett to continue to contact Fire & Rescue regarding land
- Kirsty to consult a lawyer regarding adverse possession.
- Board to discuss funding options for the WC project and potential sources of funding.
- Nick – EOI in for the Hope Rooms?
- Kevin getting info about Porty and Balerno Police station CAT’s
- Nick – updates for the NB Together Card businesses
- Kevin – visit PennyPitt, PortSeton, Prestonpans and East Linton – Lauren share the email.
- Social Media comms strategy – Nick?
- Jamie – filling skills gaps
8. DONM
Wednesday, 5th August 2026, no access to North Berwick Community Centre due to CanDo Playscheme. – Lauren emailing Doug to see if the Hope Rooms can be booked.
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 –
Wednesday 7th October 2026 –
Wednesday 4th November 2026 –
Wednesday 3rd December 2026 –