Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

To advise the Committee on the current expenditure and balances of the Area Committee budgets.  To bring to the Committee’s attention details of recent requests received for Area Committee Grant Funding, made by community groups and local organisations, which conform to the Authority’s Grants Policy approved by Cabinet on June 14th 2016.

Councillor Jim McNally and The Communities Engagement Officer updated the Committee on recently held, and forthcoming Baldock Community Events.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That funding should be initially allocated from the 2018/19 carry forward and not the 2019/20 base budget;

(2)       That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Baldock be endorsed.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team;

(2)       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 June 2016.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 1 Hour 17 Minutes 9 Seconds

The Communities Engagement Officer and Councillor Jim McNally updated the Committee on recently held, and forthcoming Baldock Community Events.  The Communities Engagement Officer stated that Baldock was very much a community town that punched above it’s weight in terms of the activities that take place, he further stated that these events were mainly due to Baldock Events Forum and provided updates on the following:

·                Big Lunch;

·                Baldock Cycle Challenge;

·                Street Food Heroes;

·                Baldock 5km Rat Run;

·                Baldstock Community Music Festival; and

·                Baldock Fair

Councillor Jim McNally reported that Balstock Community Music Festival was, and remained, the largest free festival in Hertfordshire.  Five nominated charities had each received an equal share of £12,500 raised that year.  Going forward, Balstock intended to take place two years on, one year off.  Councillor McNally confirmed that Balstock would return next year in 2020.  Councillor McNally further informed:

·         Baldock Christmas Fair – would take place on 7 December 2019, followed immediately by The Lights Ceremony Switch On.  The Christmas Tree was being provided through Baldock Events Forum and Baldock Rotary Club would be dressing the tree.

·         New Event – Formal Black and Gold Ball – would take place on 16 November 2016 and held in St Mary’s Church Hall.  The charity that had been nominated that year and would benefit from proceeds was named as Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.  Tickets were strictly limited to 88 people.

·         Community Fireworks – would take place on 9 November 2019, at a new venue – St Mary’s Junior School.  Tickets were priced at £5 per person, (advance purchase on-line) or £7, (purchased on the night).  Profits would be split amongst Community Schools.

On behalf of Baldock and District Committee, Councillor Michael Muir thanked The Communities Engagement Officer for all of his time and hard work that went into assisting with the hugely successfully run events.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That funding should be initially allocated from the 2018/19 carry forward and not the 2019/20 base budget;

(2)       That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Baldock be endorsed.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team; and

(2)       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 June 2016.