Date: Wednesday, 1st October 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: North Berwick Community Centre
1. Attendance
Present:
Kevin Gibson, Kathy Duncan, Lisa McLure, Brett Walker, Lauren Cowie, Kenny Miller, Kirsty Towler
Apologies:
None
2. Minutes from AGM (9th September 2025)
The minutes from the Annual General Meeting held on 9th September 2025 were tabled for approval.
Action: All Directors to review the AGM minutes and come prepared to approve them at the next meeting.
3. Appointment of Office Bearers
- Chair: Kenny Miller stepped down and was re-elected as Vice Chair.
Lisa McLure was elected and appointed as the new Chair. - Secretary: Sue Northrop, who was acting Secretary, stepped down.
Lauren Cowie was elected and appointed as the new Secretary. - Treasurer: Kevin Gibson continues in the role of Treasurer.
Kathy Duncan agreed to support Lauren with governance responsibilities.
Action:
- Lauren to email Sue to request a handover meeting. ✅ Email sent on 1st October 2025.
- Lauren to email VCEL to seek advice / support with governance compliance ✅Email sent on 2nd October 2025 – Mandy Harrington
- Lauren / Kathy to update list of Directors on Companies House – need sign in details from Sue
4. Document and Governance Handover
Items to be collected/confirmed from outgoing Secretary:
- DTAS (Development Trusts Association Scotland) membership information and contacts
- Past minutes and key documents to be uploaded to Google Drive
- Mailing list and membership records
- Any governance work already undertaken
- Can we circumvent verification process
5. AGM Follow-Up: Member Engagement
Kevin has designed a questionnaire for members to gather:
- Feedback on the AGM
- Input on NBCDC’s purpose statement and vision
- Interest in volunteering
Actions:
- Kevin to send the questionnaire to Susan (Community Centre) for circulation to members
- Lauren to share the questionnaire on NBCDC’s social media
- Kevin to provide Lauren with the questionnaire link
6. Asset Review Update
Kevin and Kenny met with Tom Reid (East Lothian Council), who provided the following updates:
- The Asset Review is running approximately one week behind schedule
- ELC will review the Asset Review and comments on 29th October 2025
- Final decisions on asset transfers are expected shortly thereafter
- Two new ELC support roles are being created:
- Grants Specialist
- Buildings Specialist
- Grants Specialist
Discussion Points:
- NBCDC will engage with these new ELC post-holders once appointed
- Tom Reid views NBCDC as a leading group in the area
- The board clarified that NBCDC and the NB Community Centre Committee are separate entities, addressing recent confusion
- The board agreed on the importance of communicating the results of the Asset Review to the wider community — particularly regarding North Berwick Community Centre, the former nursery, and the Hope Rooms
7. Engagement with Community Centre Committee
Decision:
The board wishes to invite the NB Community Centre Committee to a meeting on Wednesday, 29th October 2025, to:
- Present NBCDC’s purpose and vision
- Strengthen collaboration
- Understand the Committee’s plans for the building
- Explore how NBCDC can support their future goals
Doug Haig, who sent apologies for the AGM, will also be invited.
Actions:
- Kenny to formally invite the Community Centre Committee
- Kevin to prepare and deliver a presentation at the meeting
Note: Kenny, also Director of the Community Centre Committee, shared that Hamish Wallace of NB Trust is supportive of asset transfers.
8. Formation of Working Groups
Action:
Kevin to contact all Directors via WhatsApp to begin assigning members to working groups.
9. WC (Train Station Toilet Project)
- Kenny and Brett are working on a funding application to Changing Places
- Brett attended a relevant funding webinar
- Ownership of the proposed site must be confirmed before the application can proceed
- Brett is engaging with ScotRail to confirm ownership and obtain a letter of support
- ScotRail has already surveyed the land and confirmed necessary services are in place
Estimated costs:
- £130,000 for build
- £30,000 for groundworks
10. Coastal Path Project
- Brett continues to identify potential funders for the coastal path
- Local landowners have agreed to the proposed development
11. Potential New Board Member
Nick McCashin has expressed interest in joining the board.
Action:
- Kevin to invite Nick to the next board meeting on 15th October 2025
12. Website Development
Nick McCashin has offered to build a one-page website for NBCDC at no cost.
Action:
- Lauren to coordinate with Nick regarding content and structure
13. AOCB – Kathy requests that emails are sent to [email protected]
14. Dates of Next Meetings (DONM)
- Wednesday 15th October 2025, 7:00 PM – North Berwick Community Centre
(Apologies from Lauren Cowie, Kathy Duncan) - Wednesday 29th October 2025, 7:00 PM – North Berwick Community Centre
- Thereafter: Every 1st Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM – North Berwick Community Centre
Action:
- Lauren to book the meeting room for future dates✅
✅ Summary of Actions
| Action | Responsible |
| Review and prepare to approve AGM minutes | All Directors |
| Email Sue re: Secretary handover Email VCEL for Governance support | Lauren ✅ Lauren ✅ |
| Send member questionnaire to Susan and Lauren | Kevin |
| Share questionnaire on social media | Lauren |
| Provide link to questionnaire | Kevin |
| Invite Community Centre Committee | Kenny |
| Prepare presentation for 29th Oct | Kevin |
| Contact Directors re: working groups | Kevin |
| Confirm land ownership (WC Project) | Brett |
| Obtain letter of support from ScotRail/Network Rail | Brett |
| Invite Nick McCashin to 15th Oct meeting | Kevin |
| Coordinate website development | Lauren |
| Book venue for upcoming meetings – booked up to and including December. | Lauren✅ |