Meeting documents

Southern Rural Committee
Thursday, 22nd March, 2012 7.30 pm

Time: 7.30pm Place: Main Hall, Great Ashby Community Centre, Whitehorse Lane, Great Ashby, SG1 6NH
 PRESENT: Councillor D.J. Barnard (Chairman), Councillor A. Bardett (Vice-Chairman), Councillor John Bishop, Councillor Tom Brindley, Councillor Cathryn Henry and Councillor D. Miller.
 IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Tony Hunter, Stuart Izzard (Community Development Manager), Margaret Bracey (Community Development Officer) and Hilary Dineen (Committee and Member Services Officer).
 ALSO PRESENT: At the commencement of the meeting 14 members of the public.
Item Description/Resolution Status Action
PART I
57 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tricia Cowley, Jane Gray and Mrs C.P.A. Strong.
 Noted   
58 MINUTES
Minutes

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 January 2012 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.
 Agreed   
59 NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS

County Councillor Tony Hunter asked to address the Committee later in the meeting.
 Noted   
60 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly those giving a presentation and County Councillor Tony Hunter;

(2) The Chairman reminded the Members that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda should be declared as either a prejudicial or personal 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 prejudicial interest should leave the room and not seek to influence the decision during that particular item.
 Noted   
61 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - KNEBWORTH FESTIVAL 2012

Representatives of Knebworth Festival 2012 were unable to attend the meeting.
 Noted   
62 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - STEVENAGE AND KNEBWORTH TWINS CLUB

Mrs Kirstie Connah, a representative of Stevenage and Knebworth Twins Club, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. She informed Members that the group had submitted a grant application for £200 to purchase a metal shed in which to store their equipment, which would be placed in a Member's garden. Chells Pavilion had previously offered storage space at no cost, but had decided to charge for this facility.

Members asked where members of the group lived and whether Stevenage Borough Council had been approached for funding.

Mrs Connah advised Members that members of the group came from Stevenage, Hitchin and Walkern and that Stevenage Borough Council had been approached, but would not fund this project.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Connah for her presentation.
 Noted   
63 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - WHITWELL FOOTBALL CLUB

Mr Richard Beavis and Anne Taylor thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. Mr Beavis informed Members that the young people had been attending training sessions at the men's football club, but needed a club specifically for young people aged 16 - 18 years old. There were enough young people to form a youth team and they now had a club secretary, transport and volunteers. They had identified a place to play and now needed funding for a team football kit, venue hire, advertising and portable goals. In the longer term there was a project to create a new pitch from an area of disused land.

Members asked several questions including whether an application for funding had been made to St Paul's Walden Parish Council or other organisations, where would the equipment for the club be stored and whether the team would join a youth league.

Mr Beavis advised that they had not yet presented an application for funding to St Paul's Walden Parish Council and that the team had applied for membership of the Herts Rural Youth League.

Mrs Taylor advised that applications for funding had been made to Sport Relief, the Football Foundation and Hertfordshire County Council and that the club had a storage container in which they would keep any equipment.

The Chairman thanked Mr Beavis and Mrs Taylor for their presentation.
 Noted   
64 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - PIRTON JOYCARE GROUP

Mrs Lauder and Mrs Springer, representatives of Pirton Joycare Group, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. She informed Members that the group had been formed 15 years ago after a legacy to be used for the benefit of old people in Pirton had been received. Pirton had an ageing population and currently had two centenarians, one 99 year old and 5 people in their 80's most of whom lived in social housing or alms houses. The services offered by the group was becoming more and more important and included shopping, supporting to appointments, pension collection and writing letters and the group now only had two years funding left.

Mrs Springer advised that the group were being proactive in promoting health, happiness and welfare and in order to do this provided transport for monthly pub lunches, shopping trips and an annual outing. These events gave older people the opportunity to get out and meet other people which supported them being able to stay living in their own homes.

Members asked how the group intended to raise money both now and in the future

Mrs Lauder advised that the legacy had been the main source of funding with £500 per annum being received from Pirton Parish Council and some small amounts from the Lottery and NHS and that they would continue to apply for funding from wherever they were able.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Lauder and Mrs Springer for their presentation.
 Noted   
65 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - KNEBWORTH YOUTH CLUB

Representatives of Knebworth Youth Club were unable to attend the meeting.
 Noted   
66 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - HEXTON PLAYGROUP

Representatives of Hexton Playgroup had sent their apologies that they were unable to attend the meeting.
 Noted   
67 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - HIGHWAYS UPDATE

County Councillor Tony Hunter thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. He informed Members that there had been significant changes to the way in which Hertfordshire Highways identified highways issues and funding. Each County Councillor had a locality budget of £65,000 for structural works and £25,000 for smaller works. He had so far agreed to fund 4 projects including resurfacing of Great Ashby Way.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Tony Hunter for explaining the new Highways system and for his work, together with Councillor Henry in enabling roads in Great Ashby to be adopted.
 Noted   
68 CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT
Report
Appendix 1 - Budgets
Appendix 2 - Highways Work Programme
Appendix 3 - Committee Work Programme
Appendix 4 - Grant - Knebworth Festival 2012
Appendix 5 - Grant - Kings Walden Big Lunch
Appendix 6 - Grant - Kimpton Jubilee Open Space
Appendix 7 - Grant - St Pauls Walden Jubilee Event
Appendix 8 - Grant - Stevenage and Knebworth Twins Group
Appendix 9 - Grant - Lilley Soccer Goals
Appendix 10 - Grant - Knebworth War Memorial
Appendix 11 - Grant - Whitwell AFC
Appendix 12 - Grant - Pirton Joycare
Appendix 13 - Grant - Knebworth Youth Club
Appendix 14 - Grant - Cockernhoe Village Hall
Appendix 15 - Grant - Hexton Playgroup
Appendix 16 - Grant - Lilley Jubilee Event

The Community Development Manager presented the report entitled Champion News and Finance Report and drew attention to the following:

PARISH COUNCIL SUPPORT - PLANNING CONTRIBUTION FUNDING
The Community Development Manager informed Members that the Community Development Officers were assisting Parish Councils with project which may be eligible for Section 106/Unilateral Undertaking payments and drew attention to the list of projects receiving support as detailed at Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

OTHER SUPPORT TO PARISH COUNCILS/RURAL BASED GROUPS AND INITIATIVES
The Community Development Manager drew attention to Paragraph 3.2 of the report which detailed two initiatives receiving support.

JMP HIGHWAYS SRAC WORK PROGRAMME
Councillor Brindley informed Members that, as Portfolio Holder for Planning, Transport and Enterprise, he had met with the Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council, who had advised that the Joint Member panel would continue on a twice a year basis and would be expanded to include waste. He advised that the number of meetings and the number of Officers required at meetings would reduce.

With the Chairman's permission, County Councillor Tony Hunter advised that at present each County Councillor was deciding on funding projects in a different way and that it was particularly difficult to draw together all those with an interest.

BUDGETS
The Community Development Manager advised that there was £9,910 available in the 2011/12 Discretionary Budgets and that some Ward members had not yet allocated their personal budgets.

GRANT APPLICATIONS
Members accepted that this was an unusual year with Parishes and groups wishing to hold events to celebrate the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and that they wished to support these events. However they were concerned that some of the applications due to be considered were in fact just annual events, which should, after start up, be self sustaining. They were also concerned that Parish Councils were either not being approached or not agreeing to support local events and that they should be encouraged to have money available in their budget for theses types of event.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well being for rural communities be endorsed;

(2) That the Committee's budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards from the Ward Development Budgets and the allocated Visioning Budgets be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Development Officer and to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
69 GRANT APPLICATION - KNEBWORTH FESTIVAL 2012

Members were informed that the grant was to provide an enhanced programme of activities to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. They were concerned that no matched funding had been identified on the application and that the Parish Council had not been asked for a contribution.

The Community Development Manager informed Members that Knebworth Village Trust had provided £1,530 and the Festival was expected to make a profit of £700.

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £500 be made and that it be made clear that it was hoped that the Parish Council would match fund this award.

RESOLVED:
(1) That grant funding of £500 be awarded to Knebworth Festival 2012 from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of providing an enhanced programme of activities;

(2) That, as a precepting Authority, it was hoped that Knebworth Parish Council provide the further £500 required.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
70 GRANT APPLICATION - KINGS WALDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Members were advised that Kings Walden wished to take part in the Big Lunch event and that income would be raised from various events such as face painting with the Parish Council making a contribution towards costs.

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £250 be made.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £250 be awarded to Kings Walden Parish Council from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of a Big Lunch Event.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
71 GRANT APPLICATION - KIMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £500 be awarded to Kimpton Parish Council from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the costs to create a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Open Space in the village.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
72 GRANT APPLICATION - ST PAUL'S WALDEN PARISH COUNCIL

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £250 be awarded to St Paul's Walden Parish Council from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee event.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
73 GRANT APPLICATION - STEVENAGE AND KNEBWORTH TWINS CLUB

Members were concerned that membership of this group appeared to come from Stevenage however they recognised that this was a relatively small amount.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £200 be awarded to Stevenage and Knebworth Twins Club from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of purchasing a metal shed for storage of equipment.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
74 GRANT APPLICATION - LILLEY PARISH COUNCIL

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £100 be made.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £100 be awarded to Lilley Parish Council from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of repairs to and relocation of goal posts and nets on the recreation ground.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
75 GRANT APPLICATION - KNEBWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

The Community Development Manager advised that contributions had been received of £2,133 from Knebworth Village Trust and £883 from Knebworth Parish Council.

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £885 be made.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £885 be awarded to Knebworth Parish Council from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of repairs and refurbishment of the village war memorial.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
76 GRANT APPLICATION - WHITWELL FOOTBALL CLUB

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,180 be awarded to Whitwell Football Club from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of creation of a youth section within the club, including a football kit, venue hire, line marker and junior goals.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Commercial Team Manager (Env Health)Community Development Officer - MB
77 GRANT APPLICATION - PIRTON JOYCARE GROUP

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,250 be awarded to Pirton Joycare from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the operational costs.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
78 GRANT APPLICATION- KNEBWORTH YOUTH CLUB

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £500 be made.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £500 be awarded to Knebworth Youth Club from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of equipment and activities.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
79 GRANT APPLICATION - COCKERNHOE AND DISTRICT MEMORIAL HALL

Councillor Tom Brindley declared a prejudicial interest as was a representative on North Hertfordshire Homes, who built the Memorial Hall. He advised that he would take no part in the debate or vote and left the room.

The Community Development Manager advised that the Memorial Hall's Management Committee now had sufficient funds to purchase the Air Conditioning System, however they were now seeking funds for the purchase of equipment such as tables and chairs.

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £1,000 be made.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,000 awarded to Cockernhoe and District Memorial Hall from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of the purchase of equipment such as tables and chairs.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
80 GRANT APPLICATION - HEXTON VILLAGE PLAYGROUP

The Community Development Manager advised Members that this playgroup raises its running costs of £2,500 year on year, but had no reserves to cover the costs of a new storage shed.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,129 be awarded to Hexton Village Playgroup from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the purchase of a new storage shed.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
81 GRANT APPLICATION - LILLEY PARISH COUNCIL

It was proposed and seconded that a grant award of £150 be made.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £150 be awarded to Lilley Parish Council from the 2011 - 2012 Discretionary Budget towards the cost of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Event.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
82 GRANT APPLICATION - WYMONDLEY PARISH COUNCIL

The Community Development Manager informed Members that Wymondley Parish Council was applying for grant funding of £300 towards the cost of a Jubilee event.

Members noted that this was within the Ward Member budget limits and suggested that this application be referred to the Ward Councillors.

RESOLVED: That the Community Development Manager be requested to refer the grant application from Wymondley Parish Council for funding towards a Jubilee event to the Ward Councillors.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
83 GRANT APPLICATION - BREACHWOOD GREEN PRE-SCHOOL

The Community Development Manager informed Members that Breachwood Green Pre-School was applying for grant funding of £1,800 towards the cost of the repair of the outside area which had been damaged in the cold weather.

Members noted that this was within the Ward Member budget limits and suggested that this application be referred to the Ward Councillors.

RESOLVED: That the Community Development Manager be requested to refer the grant application from Breachwood Green Pre-School for funding towards the repair of the outside area to the Ward Councillors.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, Community Development Officer - MB
84 GRANT APPLICATION - ICKLEFORD ALLOTMENT PROJECT

The Community Development Manager informed Members that Ickleford Allotment Project was applying for grant funding of £200 towards the cost of installing a water main.

Members noted that this was within the Ward Member budget limits and suggested that this application be referred to the Ward Councillors.

RESOLVED: That the Community Development Manager be requested to refer the grant application from Ickleford Allotment Project for funding towards the installation of a water main to the Ward Councillors.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.
 Agreed  Community Development Manager, , Community Development Officer - MB