Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Janine Paterson (Vice-Chairman).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Janine Paterson (Vice-Chairman).

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 6 March 2017.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 6 March 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 6 March 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 18 May 2017.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 18 May 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 18 May 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Members should notify the Chairman of other business which they wish to be discussed by the Committee at the end of the business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chairman will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

There was no other business notified.

Members are 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.

(1)   The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the general public and the public speakers for Public Participation, He also welcomed Members of the Committee and the Community Officer.  He advised that Graham LaRoche, (Balstock) would not be addressing the meeting as that particular Grant Application had been withdrawn. 

(2)   The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(3)  The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

(1)   The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the general public and the public speakers for Public Participation, He also welcomed Members of the Committee and the Community Officer.  He advised that Graham LaRoche, (Balstock) would not be addressing the meeting as that particular Grant Application had been withdrawn. 

(2)   The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(3)  The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

Graham Kingham and Martin O’Connor thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding Baldock Town Football Club Business Plan.

The Chairman thanked Mr Kingham and Mr O’Connor for their presentation.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the Baldock Town Football Club Business Plan be supported, in principle;

(2)   That once the Business Plan has been read fully by all Committee Members, a list of questions would be collated and sent to the Football Club, with a view that a meeting be held between the Football Club and Committee Members within the next 4 weeks.

(3)   That the final Business Plan be considered by the Committee at its next meeting on 4 September 2017 and, if supported, it be passed to the NHDC Chief Executive for further consideration.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

Graham Kingham and Martin O’Connor thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding Baldock Town Football Club Business Plan.

They brought attention to the proposed expansion of Baldock and the influx of residents for which this new venue would service. They informed the Committee that the Baldock Town Youth Teams were struggling as they were unable to service all of the teams due to lack of space. They felt that there were insufficient leisure facilities in Baldock and were currently spending between £15,000 and £20,000 in rent and expenses to give the youth of the Town an opportunity to play and compete in sporting activities elsewhere.  They advised that the proposed venue would be built as close to Baldock Town Centre as possible, catering for both able-bodied and children with disabilities.  The proposed site would provide a wide range of sporting activities. As well as Football, it would include Rugby, Cricket, Netball and Hockey.

They pointed out that the proposed facility, once built, would be self-funding within a 10 year plan.  Various Members of the Committee made suggestions for funding.

Mr Kingham and Mr O’Connor encouraged Councillors to look at the Plan and support it.

The Chairman thanked Mr Kingham and Mr O’Connor for their presentation.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the Baldock Town Football Club Business Plan be supported, in principle;

(2)   That once the Business Plan has been read fully by all Committee Members, a list of questions would be collated and sent to the Football Club, with a view that a meeting be held between the Football Club and Committee Members within the next 4 weeks.

(3)   That the final Business Plan be considered by the Committee at its next meeting on 4 September 2017 and, if supported, it be passed to the NHDC Chief Executive for further consideration.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

No one was present to address the Committee to give a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application.

No one was present to address the Committee to give a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application.

Christchurch Baldock was a registered charity who were seeking funding support of £200 from the Baldock & District Area Committee to assist with costs for running a free week long Summer Camp Holiday Club at Knights Templar School.  Christchurch Baldock had been running the Holiday Club since 2005 for which over one hundred children Reception age to Year 6 and their families benefitted from this project.  

As with the next item, (Minute 11) Members were disappointed that no one from the organisation was present to address the Committee.  In future, they asked that grant applicants be advised that failure to attend the meeting to present their application could jeopardise any funding being approved.

No one was present to address the Committee to give a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application.

No one was present to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application.

Hinxworth Allotment Group was an unregistered Charity, who were seeking funding support of £200 from the Baldock & District Area Committee to assist with the purchase of a Heavy Duty Lawn Mower.  This would be used to maintain the walkways and surrounding area around the well used allotments in good order, helping also to reduce the risk of injury in the long grass.

Regarding attendance, please see minute 10 above.

Mrs Christine Adams thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Weston Village Hall.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Adams for her presentation.

Mrs Christine Adams thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Weston Village Hall, pointing out that Weston Village Hall was built and had been operating since 1927 and had approximately 2,000 users hosting a variety of activities including a Cinema Club with over 100 members.  Whilst a number of improvements had been made over the years, including a new infra-red heating system reducing their running costs greatly, the building was very poorly insulated, for which they would like to secure the requested funding of £1,000 to help address this.

The total cost of the Project was in the region of £16,087, they had already secured £8,000 through Lottery Funding and £5,000 on a 3 year repayment loan basis from Weston Parish Council.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Adams for her presentation.

Mr David Green thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Sandon Sports and Social Club.

The Chairman thanked Mr Green for his presentation.

Mr David Green thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application of £750, (half of the total estimated cost) for repairs to Sandon Sports and Social Club.

Mr Green informed the Committee that The Pavillion had been opened by The Duke of Edinburgh in 1951 and was home to the Village’s thriving boys and girls Cricket Club and resident Football Teams.  They ran several yearly social events and were very well supported by the whole of Sandon Community.  

He pointed out that, after inspection, The Pavillion required new lockable windows for the rear of the building, as the originals were rotten, together with several minor external repairs.

The Chairman thanked Mr Green for his presentation.

There was no representative from Balstock in attendance as their Grant Application had been withdrawn.

There was no representative from Balstock in attendance as their Grant Application had been withdrawn.

To receive a quarterly oral update on Baldock Community events.

Councillor McNally explained that replacing the Baldock Town Partnership and launched in March 2017 was Baldock Community Events.

Councillor McNally explained that replacing the Baldock Town Partnership and launched in March 2017 was Baldock Community Events who had held their first event, a luncheon that had provided for 300 people. He stated that the feedback had been extremely positive and providers were very impressed with the whole organisation.  He further informed the Committee that the accounts would be published in August and, as in previous years, there would be an expected small loss.

Councillor McNally communicated to the Committee that the Town Centre Manager had resigned. He stated that the position had been advertised and they were now waiting for applicants.  He further mentioned that they were also looking to recruit a Fund Raising Director and an Events Manager/Director.

Councillor McNally confirmed that the next Baldock Community Event would be The Baldock Cycle Challenge to be held on 23 July 2017.

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, POLICY AND GOVERNANCE.

To bring to the Committee’s attention details of recent requests received for Area Committee grant funding by community groups and local organisations, which conform to the Authority’s Grant Policy approved by Cabinet on 14 June 2016.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That all grants be allocated from the respective wards 2016/2017 carry over funds until they are depleted; and

(2)   That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston and District be endorsed;

REASON FOR DECISION:To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Baldock and District area.

The Communities Officer (CO) introduced the report of the Strategic Director of Finance, Policy and Governance and informed the Baldock and District Committee of recent requests received for Area Committee grant funding by community groups and local organisations which conform to the Authority’s Grant Policy approved by Cabinet on 14 June 2016.

The Communities Officer advised that, inclusive of the 2016/17 Carry Forwards, the Ward Budgets for 2017/18 would be:

Arbury –                                   £1,767

Baldock East -                         £2,922

Baldock Town -                        £6,359

Weston & Sandon -                  £3,553

RESOLVED:

(1)   That all grants be allocated from the respective wards 2016/2017 carry over funds until they are depleted; and

(2)   That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston and District be endorsed;

REASON FOR DECISION:To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Baldock and District area.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £200 be awarded to Christchurch Baldock taken in proportionate shares from the Baldock Town and Baldock East Ward Budgets toward the costs of running a Free Holiday Club at Knights Templar School for children Reception age to Year 6.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £200 be awarded to Christchurch Baldock taken in proportionate shares from the Baldock Town and Baldock East Ward Budgets toward the costs of running a Free Holiday Club at Knights Templar School for children Reception age to Year 6.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That grant funding of £200 be awarded to Hinxworth Allotment Group to assist with the costs towards the purchase of a Heavy Duty Lawn Mower.

(2)   That, subject to the agreement of Councillor Paterson, funding for (1) above be taken from the Arbury Ward Budget.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That grant funding of £200 be awarded to Hinxworth Allotment Group to assist with the costs towards the purchase of a Heavy Duty Lawn Mower.

(2)   That, subject to the agreement of Councillor Paterson, funding for (1) above be taken from the Arbury Ward Budget.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,000 be awarded to Weston Village Hall from the Weston & Sandon Ward Budget towards the cost of Insulation works to the Village Hall as part of the Refurbishment Project.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,000 be awarded to Weston Village Hall from the Weston & Sandon Ward Budget towards the cost of Insulation works to the Village Hall as part of the Refurbishment Project.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £750 be awarded to Sandon Sports and Social Club from the Weston & Sandon Ward Budget towards the cost of new windows and external repairs to the Club Pavillion.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £750 be awarded to Sandon Sports and Social Club from the Weston & Sandon Ward Budget towards the cost of new windows and external repairs to the Club Pavillion.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

GRANT APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

GRANT APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

To receive any oral reports from Members regarding Ward matters and Outside Organisations.

                  County Council Locality Budget

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had committed £90,000, being the whole of his County Council Locality Budget.

                  County Council Locality Budget

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had committed £90,000, being the whole of his County Council Locality Budget.