Date: Wednesday, 3rd June 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: North Berwick Community Centre
Attendance
Present:
Brett Walker, Nick McCashin, Kevin Gibson, Jamie Govan
Apologies: Kirsty Towler, Lauren Cowie, Lisa McLure
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- Approval of Minutes – 1st April 2026
Proposed Kevin , seconded – Brett
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2. Matters Arising
Train Station WC Quotes
Brett provided an update on the WC quotes. Quotes and estimated costs received or discussed include Healthmatic and Rise, with Portakabin and The Ridge still to be obtained. The current estimated range is approximately £69,000 to £112,000. The modular build option was noted at around £90,000, with groundworks expected to be around £20,000.
Brett has also chased Scottish Fire and Rescue regarding land ownership and how the CDC could potentially obtain access to the land required for the WC project. Funding options and the source of any required funding still need to be discussed.
Asset Transfer Guidance, Flyer, Marketing and Occupancy Report
Nick confirmed that he has shared the asset transfer guidance and the flyer again for marketing purposes. Nick has also sent the occupancy report by email and to the Joint Working Group members.
Skills Profile
Jamie provided an update on the skills profile. All board members have now completed this. The next step is to align the skills profile with the asset transfer guidance and the business plan when submitted.
Meeting with Doug Haig, East Lothian Council
Kevin updated the board following the meeting with Doug Haig from East Lothian Council. It was noted that there should be four or five sources of information to gather from relevant leads, including Mark Neilson and Ross Macdonald.
The board agreed that costs need to be obtained. The discussion with Doug also covered plans, parking, asbestos, title deeds, valuations, an up to date floor plan and confirmation of the property boundaries.
Terms of Engagement
Kevin confirmed that the terms of engagement are complete and have been sent to the Joint Working Group for signing at the meeting on 10th June 2026.
Information Sharing Agreement
The information sharing agreement has been shared. No further feedback has been received at this stage.
Placemaking Team
A meeting with the Placemaking Team is scheduled for 10th June 2026. Relevant questions and objectives remain in progress and will be raised at that meeting, including issues around plans, parking, asbestos, surveys, costs and property boundaries.
Strategic Leads
The board agreed that work is still progressing as a team to gather the required information and agree the assets being pursued before strategic leads bring back their detailed updates.
Brown Forbes Application
Brett gave a brief update on the Brown Forbes application. The CDC is still waiting to hear back. Brett will also approach other potential funders in relation to the WC project.
North Berwick Trust Application
It was noted that North Berwick Trust will be sending replies to funding applications and grants. Lauren is to look out for any update on this.
Police Station
The board briefly discussed the former police station and whether this could be revisited as a potential community purchase. Kevin is to contact Action Porty and revisit the available details around a potential purchase for community use.
Company Structure
Nick raised a point from an online community member about whether the CDC should formally register as a Community Interest Company. The board discussed the current structure as a company limited by guarantee, noting that no board members profit from the organisation. The agreed position is to retain the current structure for now, while recognising that this could be reviewed in future if the community preferred a different structure.
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
There was limited additional update to report. The next Joint Working Group meeting is scheduled for 10th June 2026.
The board briefly discussed submitting a note of interest for the Hope Rooms and the Community Centre, following East Lothian Council procedure and guidance. It was agreed that the board would vote by WhatsApp poll on whether to submit the note of interest.
5. Placemaking Project, Community Centre and Hope Rooms
The board discussed the need to obtain clear costs, plans, parking information, asbestos reports, council surveys, floor plans, title deeds, valuations and property boundaries to support future decision making and business planning.
All relevant costs from different departments will need to be gathered and pulled into a proper profit and loss for the Community Centre and Hope Rooms options.
6. Directors
The board discussed advertising for new directors. This was considered lower priority at present as the board has enough capacity for the immediate work, but it was agreed that anyone showing a genuine interest in joining the board would be welcomed and considered.
The board formally acknowledged Kathy Duncan, who stepped down on 24th May 2026. Kathy has been a valued member of the CDC, a strong sounding board, knowledgeable, caring and a great asset to the Community Development Company. All members wished Kathy the very best and thanked her for her contribution.
7. AOCB
Online Community and Marketing
The board discussed increasing the number of people inside the online community. Options included distributing flyers, a door delivery or postal run, and creating an A5 flyer for distribution through a potential distributor such as The Cryer or East Lothian Life, if available.
Business Association and North Berwick Together Card
The board briefly discussed the business association, the North Berwick Together Card and the need to approach more high street businesses to join the card. This remains a potential early funding or income stream for the CDC.
ACTION FROM MEETING
- Brett to obtain further WC quotes, including Portakabin and The Ridge.
- Brett to continue chasing Scottish Fire and Rescue regarding land ownership and potential access for the WC project.
- Board to discuss funding options for the WC project and potential sources of funding.
- Jamie to align the completed skills profile with the asset transfer guidance and business plan.
- Kevin to follow up the information sources identified through Doug Haig, including Mark Neilson and Ross Macdonald.
- 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.
- Kevin to progress signing of the terms of engagement with the Joint Working Group on 10th June 2026.
- Board members attending the 10th June meeting to raise all relevant questions with the Placemaking Team and Joint Working Group.
- Board to vote by WhatsApp poll on submitting a note of interest for the Hope Rooms and Community Centre.
- Nick to progress marketing activity to increase online community membership, including A5 flyer options and potential distribution routes.
- Nick and Kevin to continue progressing the North Berwick Together Card and approach more high street businesses.
- Brett to await the Brown Forbes application outcome and approach other funders for the WC project.
- Lauren to look out for North Berwick Trust funding application responses.
- 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.
- Board to gather departmental costs and build these into a proper profit and loss for the Community Centre and Hope Rooms options.
8. DONM
Wednesday, 1st July 2026, GP Room, North Berwick Community Centre.
Wednesday, 5th August 2026, no access to North Berwick Community Centre due to CanDo Playscheme.