| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City |
| PRESENT: | Councillor Clare Billing (Vice-Chairman in the Chair), Councillor John Booth, Councillor T.W. Hone, Councillor David Kearns, Councillor David Levett, Councillor Sandra Lunn, Councillor Ian Mantle and Councillor Mike Rice. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Stuart Izzard (Community Development Manager), Claire Morgan (Community Development Officer - Letchworth and Hitchin), Ashley Hawkins (Community Development Officer - Baldock and Royston) and Hilary Dineen (Committee and Member Services Officer). |
| ALSO PRESENT: | At the start of the meeting 16 members of the public. |
| Meeting attachment |
Agrenda |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 4 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julian Cunningham, Lorna Kercher, Lynda Needham and Deepak Sangha. Councillor Lynda Needham had advised that she was undertaking a Civic duty this evening. |
Noted | ||
| 5 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 12 March 2014 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 6 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 5 June 2014 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 7 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS No other items of business were discussed. |
Noted | ||
| 8 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed all those present at the meeting, particularly those due to give a presentation; (2) The Chairman congratulated those who had been re-elected or elected on 22 May 2014; (3) The Chairman welcomed Councillor Sandra Lunn as a member of the Letchworth Committee; (4) The Chairman reminded those giving presentations under Public Participation that there was a time limit of 5 minutes per presentation, after which Councillors may ask some questions; (5) Members were reminded 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 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. |
Noted | ||
| 9 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - LETCHWORTH ARTS CENTRE Maria Iredale, CEO of Letchworth Arts Centre, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update. Ms Iredale informed Members that the Arts Centre was open 6 days a week and was available for private hire at other times. She gave a brief overview of the number and types of events held at the Arts Centre which included: 36 Exhibitions; 12 Comedy Clubs; 180 Education classes - on a room hire basis; 124 Classes - delivered by the Arts Centre; 8 Weeks of Flexible Support Fund activity and 8 related events; 8 Weeks of young peoples dance/theatre workshops 3 Outdoor stage hires 2 Coach trips 39 Holiday workshops for children 29 Music related events 19 Theatre or spoken word events 17 Schools workshops either outreach or in-house 122 Letchworth Arts and Leisure Group meetings 89 Room hires. This had all been achieved with 2 full time equivalent staff and a group of marvellous volunteers. A Councillor queried why the Arts Centre was charging hire fees for the staging which NHDC funded. Ms Iredale explained that the stage had cost £19,000, which was part funded by NHDC and that the hire fees were not only for the staging, but for the 4 people required to put it up and stage management skills offered by the Arts Centre. The Chairman thanked Ms Iredale for her presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 10 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - HERTS AT WAR Dan Hill, Herts at War, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update on some of the activities regarding the World War 1 anniversary. Mr Hill thanked the Committee for their previous support, which had enabled the development of the Herts at War website, which now included details of 3,000 people and 700 memorials. They were working hard to ensure that individual stories would be told. Herts at War now had about 100 volunteers and had received £98,000 from the National Lottery. He advised that there would be an exhibition opening on 4 August 2014 in the Arcade, Letchworth, which would then commence a tour around Hertfordshire. Members asked whether the exact dates of death were known for those listed on memorials Mr Hill informed Members that exact dates of death had been identified for all except three people listed on the memorials The Chairman thanked Mr Hill for his presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 11 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY AND BALDOCK LIONS CLUB Sandeep Shah, Steve Gear and Terry Pamment thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the Letchworth Garden City and Baldock Lions Club. Mr Gear explained that funds were being requested towards the costs of Pyrotechnics for the 30th annual firework display, due to be held on 2 November 2014 at the Herts FA County Ground, Baldock Road Letchworth. This would be advertised in the local papers, and on a local radio station as well as through leaflet distribution. The event would engage with the local community, with approximately 2,500 people attending and raise money for local charities such as Keech Cottage and Garden House Hospice. Members asked how much the event would cost and whether the Lions had asked for funding in previous years. Mr Shah advised that the main costs were £2,500 for advertising, £5,400 for fireworks and £900 for the local newspaper space. Mr Gear stated that the Lions had never requested support funding for this event from this Committee and that members of the Club worked hard to raise money through local businesses and other methods, but this was getting more and more difficult. The Chairman thanked Mr Shah, Mr Gear and Mr Pamment for their presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 12 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPASTION - HOMESTART NORTH HERTS Charmaine Rogers thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding Homestart North Herts. Ms Rogers advised the Committee that Homestart North Herts was a voluntary organisation, based in Letchworth Garden City, which supported families in Letchworth Garden City, Baldock and Hitchin with a programme of encouragement to help parents engage with their children. Homestart worked with families with low self esteem and/or problems with parenting, who could either be referred to Homestart by GPs or self refer. They were in receipt of some core funding from the Hertfordshire County Council Family Group and had previously received funding from the Health and Wellbeing Board. Members advised that they were aware of the good work that Homestart undertook and suggested that requests for funding could be made to the Grange Community Centre and the NHS. Ms Rogers informed Members that Homestart North Herts was operated with one paid worker and two volunteers and currently supported 20 families of which a high proportion came from the Grange and Wilbury areas of Letchworth Garden City. It was part of a national organisation which included 360 schemes through the country, with volunteers completing 40 hours of preparation, including safeguarding and receiving training, supervision and support. The Chairman thanked Ms Rogers for her presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 13 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - GARDEN CITY SAMBA Anna Redmond thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding Garden City Samba. Ms Redmond thanked the Committee for previous grant funding and advised that Garden City Samba was a local community percussion group with members aged from 9 to 80 years of age. The group provided mental and physical benefits, entertainment in the Town and promoted Letchworth Garden City at other events. Grant funding of £480 was being requested for new costumes for the dancers and new publicity material, as the existing material no longer reflected the group. Members asked several questions including how many members were there, of which how many were from Letchworth; where were they based; whether the tutor still worked with them and was reimbursed Ms Redmond informed Members that there were 9 full members, 6 concessionary members, 1 child member and 8 dance members, all of whom were from North Herts and most from Letchworth. At the moment Garden City Samba practiced at St Francis. The tutor delivered tuition, directed the band, wrote the music and got the band gigs and that he was paid for tuition and directing the band. The Chairman thanked Ms Redmond for her presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 14 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - JACKIE'S DROP IN Jackie Nealon thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. She introduced Christopher and Jenney, who attended the Drop In and gave a verbal presentation regarding Jackie's Drop In. Ms Nealon advised the Committee that the Drop In started 2.5 years ago and now had 170 members who took part in activities such as selling clothes and bric-a-brac and holding a Funday. The Letchworth Garden City heritage Foundation had given the Drop In space to meet and membership was increasing at a very fast pace. The Drop In was now running computer courses and needed funding to purchase new, safe computer equipment, which was suitable for the clients to use. Christopher told Members that he cleaned tables at the Colonnade and helped out at the Drop In and Jenny said that she was good a crochet and now taught other members of the club. Members asked whether the tenancy was secure and what was the status of the Drop In. Ms Nealon advised that the tenancy was secure for 12 months, with a possible further 8 months following and that the Drop In was now registered as a charity. She invited Members to visit the Drop In at any time and attend the Funday due to be held on 21 June 2014. The Chairman thanked Ms Nealon for her presentation. |
Noted | ||
| 15 |
GRANT APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNITY UPDATE Report Appendix 1 - Budget Sheet Appendix 2 - Grant Application - Letchworth and Baldock Lions Appendix 3 - Grant Application - Home Start Appendix 4 - Grant Application - Jackie's Drop-In Appendix 5 - Grant Application - Letchworth Town Centre Partnership Appendix 6 - Grant Application - Garden City Samba Appendix 7 - Grant Application - Association of Traditional Shotokan Karate Appendix 8 - Grant Application - The North Herts Samaritans Appendix 9 - Area Committee Summary Update The Community Development Officer presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services entitled Grant Applications and Community Update and drew attention to the following: BUDGETS The Capital Visioning amount of £5,000 allocated to Jackman's Community Centre would not be released until it was confirmed that Section 106 funding could also be allocated to this project. She confirmed that there was approximately £50,000 of Section 106 monies available in Letchworth and that the Development and Control Manager would present to this Committee prior to any funds being released to Jackman's Community Centre The Memorandum of Understanding funding had been paid to the relevant groups. A report would be presented to this Committee regarding grant funding and any decisions regarding long-term funding of groups should be made after this had been considered. LETCHWORTH TOWN CENTRE MANAGER & LETCHWORTH BID Mr Boswell was leaving the position of Letchworth Garden City Town Centre Manager and was re-locating to Norwich. The Letchworth Business Improvement District (BID) were in the process of organising themselves. LETCHWORTH FESTIVAL The Letchworth Festival was in full swing, with events taking place each weekend. COUNCILLOR SURGERIES The Community Development Officer reminded Members of their wish to discuss the future of Councillor Surgeries. Members considered that residents did benefit from the surgeries and that they were always better attended when they coincided with other events in the Town Centre. They also felt that the Police should be invited to attend every surgery They asked that the Community Development Officer provide a summary of how many people attended and the topics discussed at future surgeries. In respect of timing, Members wished Councillor Surgeries to be held on a monthly basis, excepting for August, December and April. RESOLVED: (1) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards from the Development and Visioning Budgets be noted; (2) That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth Garden City be endorsed; (3) That the Letchworth Committee continue providing Councillor Surgeries on a monthly basis, excepting August, December and April; (4) That the Community Development Officer be requested to invite a representative of the Police to attend every Councillor Surgery; (5) That the Community Development Officer be requested to provide a summary of attendance and issues raised at future surgeries; (6) That the Letchworth Committee places on record its thanks to Mr Lee Boswell, the current Letchworth Garden City Town Centre Manager, for his hard work in promoting Letchworth Garden City Town Centre over the last four years and wishes him well for the future. REASON FOR DECISION: To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in Letchworth Garden City. |
Agreed | ||
| 16 |
GRANT APPLICATION - LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY AND BALDOCK LIONS CLUB Members were generally supportive of awarding grant funding to Letchworth Garden City and Baldock Lions Club, but felt that this should be conditional on NHDC receiving publicity. It was moved and seconded that grant funding of £1,500 be awarded to Letchworth Garden City and Baldock Lions Club, on condition that the NHDC logo and name is printed on promotional materials. RESOLVED: That, on condition the NHDC logo and name is printed on promotional materials, grant funding of £1,500.00 be awarded to Letchworth Garden City and Baldock Lions Club from the Discretionary Budget towards the cost of pyrotechnics for the Community Firework Display at Letchworth Football Club. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organizations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 17 |
GRANT APPLICATION - HOMESTART NORTH HERTS The Community Development Officer advised that Homestart had received 30 percent of grant funding from the Baldock and District Committee. It was proposed and seconded that grant funding of £1,000 be awarded to Homestart North Herts and that Officers be requested to investigate ways in which she could work more closely with Homestart North Herts. RESOLVED: (1) That grant funding of £1,000.00 be awarded to Homestart North Herts from the Discretionary Budget towards the cost of providing an eight week programme of events for disadvantaged and vulnerable families: (2) That the Community Development Officer be requested to investigate ways in which she can work more closely with Homestart North Herts. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 18 |
GRANT APPLICATION - JACKIE'S DROP IN Members were pleased that Jackie's Drop In was now registered as a charity and that their accommodation for the next 12 months was secure. RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,043.00 be awarded to Jackie's Drop In from the Discretionary Budget towards the purchase of more suitable computer equipment for use by members of the Drop In. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 19 |
GRANT APPLICATION - LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY TOWN CENTRE PARTNERSHIP Prior to the item being discussed, Councillor David Levett declared a Discloseable Interest as he was a Director of the Letchworth Garden City Town Centre Partnership. He left the room for the duration of the item. The Community Development Officer reminded Members that Lee Boswell, Letchworth Garden City Manager, had made a presentation to the last meeting of this Committee and that this request was for funding towards the Christmas events. RESOLVED: That grant funding of £3,000.00 be awarded to the Letchworth Garden City Town Centre Partnership from the Discretionary Budget towards the cost of providing a programme of events leading up to Christmas, including the Christmas Light Switch On event; REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 20 |
GRANT APPLICATION - GARDEN CITY SAMBA The Community Development Officer reminded Members that grant funding was being requested by Garden City Samba to cover the cost of costumes and publicity. Members expressed some reservation about the fact that a professional tutor was being paid for his services and asked to view the accounts of the Group. After some discussion it was proposed and seconded that £485 be awarded to Garden City Samba. RESOLVED: That grant funding of £485.00 be awarded to Garden City Samba from the Discretionary Budget towards the cost of costumes for the dancers and publicity material for the club. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 21 |
GRANT APPLICATION - ASSOCIATION OF TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE The Community Development Officer advised that the grant application for the Association of Traditional Shotokan Karate would be deferred to a future meeting of this Committee as requested paperwork had not yet been received. |
Noted | ||
| 22 |
GRANT APPLICATION - NORTH HERTS SAMARITANS The Community Development Officer informed Members that the North Herts Samaritans covered the whole of the District and that each of the 5 area Committees were being asked for grant funding. Members asked for clarity regarding the need for CCTV cameras in the interview rooms. The Community Development Officer advised that this would be picture only CCTV, which was needed for the safety and security of staff or volunteers undertaking interviews. RESOLVED: That grant funding of £200.00 be awarded to North Herts Samaritans from the Discretionary Budget towards the cost of installation of Close Circuit Television at their HQ in Hitchin. REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 23 |
WARD AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS - MEMBERS' REPORTS Councillor David Levett gave a verbal update regarding the Letchworth Garden City Town Centre Partnership as follows: - The Letchworth garden City Town Centre manager was leaving; - The Letchworth Garden City BID was now set up with its inaugural meeting having taken place last month; - A new Board for the Letchworth garden city BID had been elected, which included a number of traders and would meet at least monthly; - Discussions would be taking place regarding the future of Letchworth garden City Town Centre partnership, although it would remain in place for the time being; - The Letchworth Garden City BID were working on a Business Plan and were about to advertise for a BID Manager. The Chairman thanked Councillor Levett for his update. |
Noted | ||