Over 100 members were at an Extraordinary General Meeting in the Clubhouse on 30 October, to discuss the potential acquisition by the Club of a 40-year lease over the course and building from East Lothian Council. This Community Asset Transfer is aimed at securing the long-term future of the Club, and improvements to our course and facilities, against the backdrop of increasingly depleted Local Authority resources. This is intended to take effect from the beginning of the 2025 season.
Committee members explained the work they had undertaken on the Club’s behalf over the past 2 years in discussions with ELC, and in preparing financial forecasts etc in preparation for the CAT. There was then a lively Q&A session looking at various aspects of the proposal. Several members took this opportunity to thank the Committee members for all their hard – and of course voluntary – work on this.
Following the meeting, all members were sent copies of the full minutes, including all of the Q&As. There followed an online poll of the membership, which closed at midnight on Monday 4th November. In this poll there was a 66,2% return of eligible votes. Yes votes were 321 and No votes 8, a vote of 97.6% in favour of proceeding with the CAT. The votes were verified independently of the Committee.
Further updates will follow regarding how we move forward in the procedures involved in the Community Asset Transfer process.