Local people to be consulted about Common Good register

Midlothian Council is to set up and maintain a register of property and funds it holds as part of the Common Good.

Funds of more than £9,000

The only potential listings identified so far are the Common Good funds for Dalkeith and Penicuik, totalling £9,368.75.

Other assets

However, local people will be consulted to make sure any other assets, including property, are also registered, councillors heard at the full Council meeting today (Tuesday).

Centuries old

Common Good Funds in Scotland originated in the 15th century and are the assets and income of some former burghs. They represent a portfolio of land, property and investments and by law continue to exist for the common good of the local people who live there.

Supporting our communities

The General Purposes Committee administers the Common Good Funds of Penicuik and Dalkeith, which are used to support community, non-profit making initiatives in those areas.

Legal requirement

Local authorities now have a legal duty to register Common Good properties to improve transparency and to give local communities more involvement in decisions around their use and disposal.

Criteria must be met

Property can form part of the Common Good if the asset was gifted to or acquired by any of the burghs on or before 15 May 1975 and it meets a number of other criteria:

• it has been used by the general public for a long time;
• it was dedicated for a specific public purpose; and
• it has title conditions ensuring public use agreed in the original charter.

Report approved

Councillors approved the recommendation to set up and maintain the register after a public consultation.

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