| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock |
| PRESENT: | Councillor I.J. Knighton (Chairman), Councillor John Harris, Councillor S.K. Jarvis, Councillor M.R.M. Muir and Councillor A.D. Young. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Ashley Hawkins (Community Development Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Officer) |
| ALSO PRESENT: | 6 members of the public, including 2 speakers for Public Participation. |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 48 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Councillor M.E. Weeks sent his apologies for absence. |
Noted | ||
| 49 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 January 2014 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 50 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no additional business raised at this Meeting of the Baldock and District Committee. |
Noted | ||
| 51 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the speakers for Public Participation, Members and NHDC officers; (2) The Chairman then reminded Members that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and they are required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest which requires they leave the room under Paragraph 7.4 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote. The declarations of interest must be made either at this point of the Meeting or immediately preceding the relevant item on the Agenda. |
Noted | ||
| 52 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The Chairman welcomed Mr Paul Wheeler, Chairman of the Management Committee of the Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Nursery and Pre-School, based at Hartsfield Junior Mixed and Infant School in Clothall Road, Baldock. Mr Wheeler introduced the four members of the Management Committee who had accompanied him to this Meeting, and explained that that Merry-Go-Round was a registered charity which had been established 25 years ago and currently catered for over 70 children in total. They had already funded the laying of new grass and new paving slabs, and now needed financial resources for durable playground equipment which met Early Years criteria, to replace the outdated equipment in the outdoor play area. Mr Wheeler reminded the Committee that the organisation, as a charity, was not-for-profit and constantly replaced electrical equipment. He assured the Chairman that the lease renewal was in hand and progressing. The Chairman thanked Mr Wheeler for his presentation and informed him that the grant application relating to Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Nursery and Pre-School would be considered later on the Agenda at Item 6. The Chairman then welcomed Mrs Karen Pettyfer, Chair of the Rushden Village Hall Committee. She explained that the Village Hall was the centre of the unique 200-strong community that was Rushden, and every month throughout the year a barbecue and games night was held there. For use of the patio throughout the year, they require a permanent awning as a cover over the patio at the rear of the Village Hall. Mrs Pettyfer explained that all sorts of events are held in the Village Hall and those attending include people from the neighbouring villages. She explained that the cost of a suitable permanent fire-retardant awning was £2,500, and a grant application had been submitted for £900. The Chairman thanked Mrs Pettyfer for her presentation and informed her that the grant application would be considered later on the Agenda at Item 6. RESOLVED: (1) That Mr Paul Wheeler, Chairman of the Management Committee of Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Nursery and Pre-School be thanked for giving a presentation to the Committee in support of the grant application submitted by the organisation; (2) That the grant application relating to Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Nursery and Pre-School be considered later on the Agenda at Item 6. (3) That Mrs Karen Pettyfer, Chair of the Rushden Village Hall Committee be thanked for addressing the Baldock and District Committee in support of the Village Hall Committee's grant application; (4) That the grant application relating to Rushden Village Hall Committee's grant application be considered later on the Agenda at Item 6. |
Noted | ||
| 53 |
CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT Report Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D The Community Development Officer (CDO) for Baldock and District presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services. He went through the budget spreadsheet and the Area Committee Work Programme 2013/2014, reviewing the progress of the schemes and events both held in the past and proposed for Baldock and its surrounding area. The Committee was reminded that this was the last District Committee Meeting in the current Civic Year and funds held for over two years needed to be reallocated. Some of these amounts could be large. They could go into funding Baldock Town projects, Arbury projects and Weston community facilities. The CDO ran through the projects, activities and schemes, mentioning the Farmers Markets which recommenced on Saturday 8 March; the poor take-up of stallholders for the weekly Wednesday market - it was being considered changing this to Saturday, but many stallholders already went to much bigger Saturday markets; the slow progress of the Baldock Town Partnership Memberships, the numbers having fallen by almost 200 since January this year; the delay in preparation and circulation of the Baldock Town Guide, which will include a calendar of events. The CDO reminded the Committee that future events would include the Baldock Pancake Race on 4 March as well as the aforementioned Farmers Market on 8 March. Matters had progressed with Sale Drive, and following adoption of the land in question Hertfordshire Highways would receive the necessary funds to enable the project to go onto the 2014/2015 Work Programme. The third Baldock Beast Multi-Terrain Half Marathon had been a success and a DDA-compliant stair lift for Avenue Park had been costed at £6,500. The Avenue Park Committee had part funded the project and would be looking for the remainder in the near future from the Baldock and District Committee, Herts County Council Locality Budgets and Section 106 monies. The toilets in the Bowels Club at Avenue Park had been signed off and agreed. It was expected that this project would receive Capital Budget approval at the Cabinet Meeting on 24 March, using Section 106 monies. Grant Funding The Baldock and District Committee were then requested to note the list of funding applications, with special mention made of the Avenue Park's Youth Wing project above. Finally, the CDO went through the current levels of unallocated funds within the Committee's Ward Discretionary 2013/2014 Base Budgets. The Chairman thanked the Community Development Officer for his report and for his efforts on behalf of the people of Baldock and the surrounding District. RESOLVED: (1) That the activities and schemes with which the Community Development Officer has been involved be noted; (2) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards within the Area Committee Development Budget spreadsheet attached as Appendix 1 be noted; (3) That the Committee acknowledges the recent grant award of £1,179 to 1st Baldock Scout Group to assist with the purchase of a patrol tent, a marquee and associated equipment, for use by both 1st and 2nd Baldock Scout Groups; (4) That the Committee acknowledges the recent grant award of £400 to Ashwell Music Festival to assist with the publicity costs for promoting the two-week event. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION: (1) To ensure that the Committee are kept informed of the work of the Community Development Officer; (2) This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation, assists in the effective financial management of the Baldock and District Committee's budget and ensures actions are performed within the Authority's Financial Regulations and the guidance in the Grants Policy; (3) Production of this report is a requirement of the ‘Priorities for the District' in which the Community Development Officer is required to produce a formal report to the Area Committee in line with the Civic Calendar. |
Agreed | ||
| 54 |
GRANT APPLICATION - MERRY GO ROUND RESOLVED: That the sum of £1,250 be awarded to Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Nursery and Pre-School to assist with the purchase of new age-appropriate and durable play equipment for the refurbished garden area. It was agreed that this would be funded by Baldock Town and Baldock East Wards in the usual split of 76% from Baldock Town and 24% from Baldock East. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 55 |
GRANT APPLICATION - RUSHDEN VILLAGE HALL RESOLVED: That the sum of £900 be awarded to Rushden Village Hall to assist with the purchase of an awning for the rear of Rushden Village Hall. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||