Agenda item

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider the below applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme:

·       Chilton Chicks, £2,500 towards a toddler group storage shed in Chilton Foliat.

·       Greatwood Charity, £3,500 towards CCTV.

·       Kennett Valley Village Hall, £5,000 towards an outdoor gym.

Members considered applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme as outlined in the agenda pack.

It was noted that there was insufficient remaining funding to support all three applications in full. However, due to an underspend of £2,750 on a previous grant award the total overspend, if all grants were to be awarded in full, would be £1,028.50, rather than £3,778.50 as noted on page 61 of the agenda pack.

Chilton Chicks - £2,500 towards a toddler group storage shed in Chilton Foliat

Sam, from Chilton Chicks toddler group in Chilton Foliat, spoke in favour of their application. The representative explained that they had ‘hatched again’ in September 2021 after a 10-year absence. The group, supporting around 40 families, was based in a community clubhouse previously supported by the Area Board.  She reported that the location of their existing sheds on school property restricted the number of volunteers that were able to help set up play equipment. A newly located shed would help parents to keep an eye on their children and make it logistically far easier to set up equipment.

Decision

To award Chilton Chicks £2,500 towards their toddler group storage shed in Chilton Foliat.

Reason

The grant awarded met the funding criteria for 2021/22.

Greatwood Charity - £3,500 towards CCTV

Sasha from the Greatwood Charity explained that they were an equestrian charity that had been delivering education for around 16 years by using racehorses and animal assisted intervention to help children, young people and adults. Between 150 and 200 learners were assisted by the charity each year across a number of counties and were able to obtain qualifications. They reported that they had developed an equine based stress reduction programme and were trialling it with the police. It was explained that additional CCTV cameras would help them to deliver overnight accommodation for mental health and wellbeing courses by enhancing safeguarding of vulnerable learners.

During the discussion members welcomed the initiative. In response to a question about the level of the charity’s financial reserves, it was reported that their draft accounts showed that they had around 81.6 percent of their 12 month running cost reserves, so they were below the recommended amount.

Decision

To award Greatwood Charity £3,500 towards CCTV.

Reason

The grant awarded met the funding criteria for 2021/22.

Kennet Valley Village Hall - £5,000 towards an outside gym

David from Kennet Valley Village Hall explained that they had an existing meeting area and fitness equipment that were well used by the community and was particularly popular with teenagers. Unfortunately, the equipment was now feeling the effects of time, so they planned to purchase new outside gym equipment as well as a meeting shelter. They requested funding to go towards the new equipment and the groundwork costs of around £5,000.

During the discussion members welcomed the initiative. However, as there was not enough funding available in the budget for the financial year and as they had previously supported the hall with grant funding, they were minded to support the other two applications in full and award the remaining balance to Kennet Valley Village Hall. The representative from the village hall thanked the Area Board for their support towards the outdoor gym as well as for previous grants for utilities and ventilation.

The Chairman did not vote of this application as she had declared an interest as a referee for a Postcode Lottery application for the village hall. 

Decision

To award Kennet Valley Village Hall £3,971.50 towards Kennet Valley Village Hall Outside Gym.

Reason

The grant awarded met the funding criteria for 2021/22. Insufficient funding was in place to award all three Community Area Grant applications in full.