Agenda item

To consider community grants with the opportunity for questions from the public.

It was noted that the Area Board had around £17,000 left in the budget for Community Area Grants for 2009/10.

The Chairman invited a representative from each of the grant applicants to give a brief overview of their project to the Board. After each of the applicants had spoken, the Chairman invited questions and discussion, then asked for a show of hands from those present to reflect public opinion.  After having heard from all of the applicants, the Area Board members voted on each application.

In relation to the application from Bike Events Ltd, Members sought confirmation that the Board was able to award grant funding to a Limited Company.  It was considered that the event would bring substantial benefit to Salisbury, in particular the sponsorship money which would be raised for Salisbury Hospice.  As such, and on balance, Members supported the application subject to confirmation that grants could be awarded to commercial organisations.  (NOTE – subsequent to the meeting, it was confirmed that the grants criteria permit awards to commercial organisations under exceptional circumstances where the project is deemed to demonstrate a wide community benefit.)

It was also noted that the Cycling Opportunities Group for Salisbury (COGS) could be involved with preparation and support of this event in future years.

Decision

Bike Events Ltd was awarded £5,000 towards a one-day cycle ride events in the Salisbury Area, with participants raising money for the Salisbury Hospice through sponsorship.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2009/10 and would permit this fundraising event to take place.

Decision

SuKosta was awarded £4,800 towards “Our Time” participatory theatre workshops for the elderly.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2009/10 and would permit this project for older people to take place.

In relation to the application from “It’s on in the Field”, the applicant confirmed that this was not a profit-making event, and that all surplus funds would be donated to the Stars Appeal charity.

Decision

“It’s on in the Field” was awarded £5,000 towards a sports, music and business extravaganza held on 30 May 2010 to showcase Salisbury’s greatness.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2009/10 and to support this event involving a wide selection of the community.

In relation to the application from U-too Community Business Ltd, it was noted that the funding requested for subscriptions related to start-up costs to allow the existing facilities to be retained and repaired.  It was emphasised that the Board would not be able to fund these in future years as they would constitute on-going revenue costs.

Decision

Subject to the submission of a revised application form, clarifying the project income/expenditure figures to the Chairman’s satisfaction, U-too Community Business Ltd was awarded £3,090 to provide IT facilities to teenage parents and previously homeless young people in Salisbury.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2009/10 and would permit the young people and residents of the Foyer to benefit from up to date IT facilities.

The Chairman commented that following the award of the above grants, a small amount would left in the budget for Community Grants.  However, this was part of the money earmarked for Salisbury Community Area Partnership (SCCAP), and it was anticipated that SCCAP would apply for this at the March meeting.