Agenda item

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, which conform to the Authority’s Grants Policy approved by Cabinet on June 14th 2016.

Sergeant Guy Westwood delivered a presentation on behalf of Hertfordshire Constabulary of criminal statistics and the challenges facing the force within the Southern Rural Committee area.

 

Mrs Vicky Wyer of Churchgate Resurgance PB delivered a verbal presentation on ideas for Hitchin’s Churchgate area as two bids were being prepared by officers for submission as Expressions of Interest to the Future High Streets Fund.

 

A representative from Home-Start Hertfordshire was not in attendance at the meeting at the public participation stage of the meeting.

 

Mr Edison Jefferies, Breachwood Green Cricket Club, gave a verbal presentation in support of the grant application for £780 towards the cost of maintenance of the supporting two families in need in the South Rural area.

 

A representative from Breachwood Green Village Hall was not in attendance at the meeting.

 

Mr Chris White, FC Comets, gave a verbal presentation in support of the grant application of £998 towards the cost of purchasing additional goal posts.

 

Mr John Rolands, Kimpton Folk Festival, gave a verbal presentation in support of the grant application for £2500 towards the cost of putting on a community event.

 

Mrs Julie Targett and Mrs Renata Crome, Knebworth town twinning, gave a verbal presentation in support of the grant application for £1,125 towards the cost of the incoming visit from guests of the twinning town of Chatelaillon-Plage.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.         The following grant funding to the organisations outlined below:

 

a)         £920 to Home-Start Herts towards the cost supporting two families in need in the Southern Rural Area as outlined in 8.1.1 of the submitted report;

 

b)         £1,248 to Breachwood Green Village Hall, of which £390 was from Councillor Claire Strong’s Ward Member Budget, towards the purchasing of a defibrillator and training to use the machine as outlined in 8.1.2 of the submitted report;

 

c)         £1,125 to Knebworth town twinning, of which £390 was from Councillor Lisa Nash’s and £390 was from Councillor Steve Deakin-Davies’ Ward Member Budget, for support for the incoming visit from guests of the twinned town of Chatelaillon-Plage as outlined in 8.1.3 of the submitted report;

 

d)         £998 to FC Comets Football towards the cost of purchasing additional goals posts as        outlined in 8.1.4 of the submitted report;

 

f)          £390 from Councillor John Bishop’s Ward Member Budget to Kimpton Folk Festival towards the cost putting on a community event as outlined in 8.1.5 of the submitted report;

 

g)         £780 to Breachwood Green Cricket Club towards the cost of maintenance of the Cricket Club Facilities to be split as follows: £265 from Councillor David Barnard’s Ward Member Budget, £265 from Councillor Faye Frost’s Ward Member Budget and £250 from the main development budget, as outlined in 8.1.6 of the submitted report.

 

2.         That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Southern Rural Area be endorsed

 

3.         The Committee support the grant application of £350 to Offley Tennis Club for a leaf blowing machine, not included within the agenda, which could be determined under officer delegation.

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour, 11 minutes and 47 seconds

 

The Senior Communities Officer presented a report to advise the Committee of the current expenditure and balances of the Area Committee budgets; to inform the Committee of recent requests received for Area Committee Grant Funding, made by community groups and local organisations, which conformed to the Authority’s Grants Policy approved by Cabinet on June 14th 2016; and to advise the Committee of the activities and schemes with which the Community Officer had been involved.

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      HOME START HERTS

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there were none proposed other than those detailed in the report. 

 

As no one was in attendance at the meeting for ‘public participation’ the Committee did not receive a presentation.  However, the Senior Communities Officer noted that a good presentation had been delivered to the other area committees and had determined to award Home Start Herts a grant.  There were two people on the waiting list and the grant would provide a volunteer to support a family for six months.  This would provide a vast amount of support to these families and would be part funded by the County Council. 

 

There was concern expressed by some Members of the Committee regarding how the grant accorded to the eligibility criteria:

 

The following Councillors took part in the debate:

 

·         Councillor Bishop

·         Councillor Henry

·         Councillor Frost

·         Councillor Nash

·         Councillor Strong

 

RESOLVED:

 

That grant funding of £920 be awarded to Home Start Herts towards the cost supporting two families in need in the Southern Rural Area as outlined in 8.1.1 of the submitted report;

 

At 8.58pm the meeting was adjourned for a comfort break.  The meeting resumed at 9.02pm.

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour 26 minutes and 30 seconds

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      FC COMETS

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there were none proposed other than those detailed in the report. 

 

Councillor Frost made a statement.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That grant funding of £998 be awarded to FC Comets Football towards the cost of purchasing additional goals posts as outlined in 8.1.4 of the submitted report;

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour 28 minutes and 0 seconds

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      KIMPTON FOLK FESTIVAL

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there alternative funding options considered in addition to those detailed in the report. 

 

The following Councillors took part in the debate:

 

·         Councillor Frost

·         Councillor Henry

·         Councillor Bishop

·         Councillor Tyler

·         Councillor Nash

·         Councillor Strong

 

It was felt by some Councillors that the application could not be justified purely to reduce the cost of the ticket prices as income generated should be able to cover  costs and make a surplus even if it meant charging for some of the activities on the day. 

 

It was proposed by Councillor Tyler and seconded by Councillor Nash to offer £1,000 which on being put to the vote was lost.

 

Councillor Henry stated that the activities would not be free as the grant funding was paid for by Council Tax payers.

 

Subsequently Councillor Bishop allocated his Ward Member Budget to Kimpton Folk Festival.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That grant funding of £390 from Councillor John Bishop’s Ward Member Budget to Kimpton Folk Festival towards the cost putting on a community event as outlined in 8.1.5 of the submitted report.

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour and 36 minute and 29 seconds

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      KNEBWORTH TOWN TWINNING

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there alternative funding options considered in addition to those detailed in the report. 

 

Councillor Deakin-Davies stated that he had a declarable interest as he was a member of Knebworth Twinning Association. 

 

Councillor Nash stated that she had a declarable interest as she was the District Council representative on Knebworth Twinning Association. 

 

The following Councillors took part in the debate:

 

·         Councillor Henry

·         Councillor Frost

·         Councillor Strong

·         Councillor Deakin-Davies

·         Councillor Nash

·         Councillor Tyler

·         Councillor Bishop

 

Councillor Nash and Councillor Deakin-Davies stated that in addition to any funding awarded, they proposed to add each of their Ward Member Budget to the award.  The Committee rejected this proposal and instead agreed to award the £1125 via £390 was from Councillor Lisa Nash’s and £390 was from Councillor Steve Deakin-Davies’ Ward Member Budget with the remaining amount from the central budget. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That grant funding of £1,125 be granted to Knebworth Town Twinning of which £390 was from Councillor Lisa Nash’s and £390 was from Councillor Steve Deakin-Davies’ Ward Member Budget, for support for the incoming visit from guests of the twinned town of Chatelaillon-Plage as outlined in 8.1.3 of the submitted report;

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour, 50 minutes and 45 seconds

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      BREACHWOOD GREEN CRICKET CLUB

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there were none proposed other than those detailed in the report. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That grant funding of £780 be granted to Breachwood Green Cricket Club towards the cost of maintenance of the Cricket Club Facilities to be split as follows: £265 from Councillor David Barnard’s Ward Member Budget, £265 from Councillor Faye Frost’s Ward Member Budget and £250 from the main development budget, as outlined in 8.1.6 of the submitted report.

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour, 52 minutes and 33 seconds

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      BREACHWOOD GREEN VILLAGE HALL

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there alternative funding options considered in addition to those detailed in the report. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That grant funding of £1,248 be granted to Breachwood Green Cricket Club, of which £390 was from Councillor Claire Strong’s Ward Member Budget, towards the purchasing of a defibrillator and training to use the machine as outlined in 8.1.2 of the submitted report;

 

 

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour, 54 minutes and 43 seconds

 

GRANT APPLICATION:      OFFLEY TENNIS CLUB

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Regarding alternative options there were none proposed other than those presented. 

 

The Senior Communities Officer noted that a grant application had been received subsequent to publication of the agenda for Offley Tennis Club who had requested £350 for a leaf blowing machine.  As the amount requested was below £500 the grant could be awarded under delegated authority subject to the agreement of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Ward Members.  The Committee endorsed the application.

 

RESOLVED:

 

The Committee support the grant application of £350 to Offley Tennis Club for a leaf blowing machine, not included within the agenda, which could be determined under officer delegation.

 

In addition the Committee also

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Southern Rural Area be endorsed

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

 

To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Officer.

 

To inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee – to identify 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 awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Corporate Plan.