Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gary Grindal, Terry Hone, Paul Marment and Deepak Sangha.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gary Grindal, Terry Hone, Paul Marment and Deepak Sangha.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 5 December 2018.

To follow.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 5 December 2018 that were distributed to Members be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman at the next Letchworth Committee Meeting.

The Committee and Member Services Officer advised that the Minutes for 5 December 2018 had been tabled. However, to enable time for Members to read these Minutes, they would be formally agreed at the next meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 5 December 2018 that were distributed to Members be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman at the next Letchworth Committee Meeting.

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 those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

(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 those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

(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.

John Wyer gave a verbal presentation regarding the redevelopment of Churchgate and of the market of Hitchin.

John Wyer thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update on the progression of the redevelopment of the Churchgate and Hitchin’s market as follows:

•           The aim is to create a new community hub focussed on arts and wellness, with a proportion of social housing to aid young people.

•           The vision for the market is to create a new creatively curated market in a light airy building with an independently operated street food hall.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

•           Councillor Daniel Allen

•           Councillor Mike Rice

•           Councillor Julian Cunningham

•           Councillor David Levett

In response to the questions raised Mr Wyer advanced:

•           That the market does not intend to compete with the businesses of Letchworth.

•           The bid area is for the whole centre but the phase one bid covers only the feasibility to examine this project in more depth.

Graham Fisher – CEO of the Heritage Foundation, Pam Burn – Trustee Board Member of the Heritage Foundation and Doctor Tim Ramsbottom gave a verbal presentation regarding the future high street fund and draft bid for Letchworth.

Graham Fisher, Pam Burn and Dr Tim Ramsbottom thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update on the progression of the Letchworth future high street fund as follows:

•        Letchworth is currently one of the worst performing high streets in the District when compared in terms of vacancies, footfalls and retailer dissatisfaction.

•        They aim to create a health hub by relocating public services into the town centre. This in turn will increase footfall in the area.

•        It is a two phase programme, firstly consisting of a new combined GP practice, followed by introducing ancillary health practices.

•        The prediction is that footfall will increase by 5000 for phase one, and then on at a rate of 15% each week as the project expands.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

•        Councillor Daniel Allen

•        Councillor Kate Aspinwall

•        Councillor Sue Ngwala

•        Councillor David Levett

•        Councillor Helen Oliver

In response to the questions raised those presenting advanced:

•        There will be ample space for doctors and ambulance vehicles. With regards to transport for the public, they will be reliant upon the multi-storey car park, the bus stop outside and they will also look into the possibility of minibus transport for regular clinic use.

•        There is no private healthcare funding involved, the project is primarily property led and paid for over time by the NHS.

•        The aim is that this is a solution to the issue of access to GP appointments.

•        Moving forward the group is looking to seek patient consultation.

•        The group could not confirm whether this would affect a satellite surgery running outside of the Town Centre.

Pauline Kellet gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Home-Start Hertfordshire.

Pauline Kellet thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Home-Start Hertfordshire as follows:

•           Home-Start are a well-regarded charity, who recruits and trains volunteers to support families in their own homes.

•           They are seeking funding to cover half of the costs of working with the six families on the waiting list in Letchworth for a period of six months.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

•           Councillor Mike Rice

•           Councillor Julian Cunningham

•           Councillor Sue Ngwala

•           Councillor Lynda Needham

•           Councillor Ian Mantle

In response to the questions raised Ms Kellet advanced:

•        That any funding from this committee will only relate to those families in Letchworth.

•        They are diversifying their income by various different methods of fundraising.

•        The families are often referred to the charity by social care and health professionals.

•        That in 2017/18, Home-Start Hertfordshire supported 323 families, which included 767 children.

Bal Singh gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for the Khalsa Football Academy.

Bal Singh thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for The Khalsa Football Academy as follows:

•        They are a group attempting to focus on hate crime, racism, anti-social behaviour.

•        They applied for funding to produce young role model leaders aged 14-18 to aid special needs children and to also create a hub for parents and carers.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

•           Councillor Mike Rice

•           Councillor Julian Cunningham

•           Councillor Sue Ngwala

•           Councillor Lynda Needham

•           Councillor Ian Mantle

•           Councillor David Levett

•           Councillor Daniel Allen

•           Councillor Kate Aspinwall

In response to the questions raised Mr Singh advanced:

•        That they had previously set up a disability programme for female participants.

•        The tutor and coach are different roles as the tutor applies accreditation whereas the coach coordinates the weekly events.

•        Their funding from the health lottery is ringfenced around the mentoring programme only.

•        The special needs programme is still in it’s early stages as a pilot project.

•        They are currently not applying for funding from the FA as their bursaries do not relate to the special needs programme.

•        There is no other group in Hertfordshire that offers the same provisions for children with Autism.

•        The youth leaders themselves would also have the opportunity to gain accreditation.

SweenieGunasekera gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding for the North Herts 50 + Forum.

SweenieGunasekera thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for North Herts 50+ Forum as follows:

•        The group aims to bring together elderly people to give them guidance and to also combat loneliness.

•        They have requested funds for publicity, advertising and social media campaigns to recruit new members who may be isolated and lonely.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

•           Councillor Julian Cunningham

•           Councillor David Levett

•           Councillor Daniel Allen

•           Councillor Kate Aspinwall

In response to the questions raised Ms Gunasekera advanced:

•        Their membership fee is used to cover the cost of the halls and guest speakers.

•        Their quote for publicity includes the creation of a website.

•        They are working with Hertfordshire County Council on the Connected Lives Initiative.

•        The group was established in 2010, and they are still using the same funds granted to them from Comic Relief from this date. 

To receive an oral presentation from the Letchworth Town Centre BID Manager.

Unfortunately, Patricia Saunders was unable to attend the meeting to make a presentation.

Unfortunately, Patricia Saunders was unable to attend the meeting to make a presentation.

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITIES 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.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth be noted;

(2)       That any unspent funds from the 2018/19 financial year be allocated to Community Initiatives

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

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

(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.

The Communities Officer presented the report entitled Grants and Community Update and drew attention to the following:

BUDGETS

Members considered the Area Committee Budget.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth be noted;

(2)       That any unspent funds from the 2018/19 financial year be allocated to Community Initiatives

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

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

(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.

RESOLVED: Unanimously agreed that grant funding of £5000 be awarded to Home-Start Hertfordshire, to cover the six months of care for Letchworth Families.

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

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £5000 be awarded to Home-Start Hertfordshire, to cover the six months of care for Letchworth Families.

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

RESOLVED: That Khasla Football Academy be requested provide more information in order for the Committee to make an informed decision about the allocation of funds.

REASON FOR DECISION: To support the work of the local community and clubs.

RESOLVED: That Khasla Football Academy be requested provide more information in order for the Committee to make an informed decision about the allocation of funds.

REASON FOR DECISION: To support the work of the local community and clubs.

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1200 be awarded to the North Herts 50+ Forum to cover the costs of their advertising and website set up.

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

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1200 be awarded to the North Herts 50+ Forum to cover the costs of their advertising and website set up.

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

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

No Ward matters were raised by Members.

No Ward matters were raised by Members.