Agenda item

To note the awarding of the following grant via delegated authority:

·       RWB Environment Trust awarded £500 towards an infrared camera to allow local people to identify areas of heat loss in their homes.

To consider applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme, as follows:

·       Purton Cricket Club requesting £5,000 towards resurfacing their nets.

·       St Bartholomew’s Church Croft requesting £1,750 towards a boiler replacement project.

To consider the following application to the Youth Grant Scheme:

·       The Stay Safe Community Interest Company requesting £1,450 towards the 2023 Digital Empowerment Programme.

The Area Board was asked to vote to note a grant awarded between meetings through the delegated authority of the SEPM. On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman it was resolved:

Decision

To note the awarding of £500 to Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust towards an infrared camera to allow local people to identify areas of heat loss in their homes.

Reason – The application met Community Area Grant criteria for 2022/23.

Jason from the environment trust thanked the Area Board for the grant and noted that it had already been loaned out 20 times and helped to identify areas of heat loss in 30 properties.

The Area Board then considered the following applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme:

Purton Cricket Club requesting £5,000 towards resurfacing their nets

The Fixture Secretary, Graham Wright, and the Chairperson, Callum Wright, of Purton Cricket Club spoke in favour of their application, explaining that their nets were now 13 years old, and the top layers were in need of replacement. They explained that the nets were used by a wide range of the community, around 600 people a year, including around 100 to 130 club members. They also ran Easter training camps and worked with boys and girls at local schools. On the proposal of Cllr Lay, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved:

Decision

To award Purton Cricket Club £5,000 towards net resurfacing.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2022/23.

St Bartholomew’s Church Croft requesting £1,750 towards a boiler replacement project

Dennis, the Church Warden and Chairman of the Church Croft, spoke in favour of their application, noting that their current boiler was at the end of its life and beyond economic repair. He explained that the Croft was open to the whole community, not just the congregation, and was being used to offer a warm space during the winter.

During the discussion a member of the public raised concerns about replacing the boiler on a like for like basis and encouraged the Board to fund more eco -friendly alternatives. The Chairman proposed that the Church Croft was awarded £1,750 towards a boiler replacement project. Cllr Steve Bucknell seconded the proposal, suggesting an amendment that a condition was applied that consideration was given to alternative proposals, including heat pumps. The Chairman was happy to accept the amendment.

Decision

To award St Bartholomew’s Church Croft £1,750 towards a boiler replacement project on the condition that they first give consideration to alternative proposals, including air source heat pumps.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2022/23.

The Area Board then considered the following application to the Youth Grant scheme:

The Stay Safe Community Interest Company requesting £725 towards the 2023 Digital Empowerment Programme

The SEPM introduced the application, explaining that the project was originally due to have been based in both Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and Bradon Forest School with £1,450 being requested. However, he noted that Royal Wootton Bassett Academy would not be able to run the project this year, so the request would be for £725 to run it at Bradon Forest. Year 7 and Year 9 pupils would benefit from the initiative to improve online safety and it would also be open to all parents at the school. On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved: 

Decision

To award the Stay Safe Community Interest Company £725 towards their 2023 Digital Empowerment Programme.

Reason - The application met the Youth Grant criteria for 2022/23.