Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That the Committee endorsed the actions taken by the Community Engagement Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Baldock.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement 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 by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

(3) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.

The Community Engagement Officer presented the report entitled ‘Grants and Community Update’ and advised:

·         Paragraph 7.3 of the report shows the amount of funding available including a carry forward from the previous year;

·         Members are permitted to allocate from their wards or combine the budget and approve and advise grants as they come through;

·         Paragraph 8.1 details the future grants, including applications from the Baldock Fire Support Group, Haven and the Young at Heart Group;

·         8.2 included some mistakes which have now been rectified – use of Royston rather than Baldock;

·         8.2.2 – Baldock Beast Marathon; the numbers were down in previous years as it was held in October rather than February due to COVID restrictions;

·         8.2.3 – Update on the Eco Fest on the 7^th May. This year was a bigger event than last years;

·         8.2.4 – Baldock Festival is back in town over three weeks, which finishes with the Baldock Street Fair;

·         8.2.5 details the Baldock Big Lunch, which was the biggest so far; 450 people sitting down for lunch. Marquees were brought in due to the bad weather.

·         8.2.6 Baldock CEO has identified £26k from S106 Play Space to assist Ashwell Parish Council in finding funding for new play equipment for the recreation ground;

·         8.2.9 highlights next year’s Tractors on Christmas Lights Tour; organisers hoping to raise £60,000. Will be more activities earlier in the day to attract more public.

Councillor Michael Weeks commented that everyone that had attended the Baldock Big Lunch had enjoyed themselves despite the bad weather.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Michael Weeks

·         Councillor Michael Muir

·         Councillor Alistair Willoughby

In response to questions from Members the Community Engagement Officer advised:

·         That he is going to be assisting with the Baldock Cycle Challenge on the Saturday and Sunday;

·         Deadlines for grant applications across the year will be sent out to Members

·         Groups can now apply at the committee’s discretion rather than not being able to apply for another 2 years.

RESOLVED: That the Committee endorsed the actions taken by the Community Engagement Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Baldock.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement 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 by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

(3) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.