Agenda item

To consider community grants and bids for Councillor-led projects, with the opportunity for questions from the public.

As a result of the Area Board’s decision to fund all four bids for youth funding (item 6), there was not enough money remaining in the 2011/12 budget to fund all applications for Community Area Grants, and the Councillor-led projects as listed in the report.

Following discussion, it was ascertained that the application from the Salisbury City Band of the Royal British Legion could be deferred to the next meeting, when the 2012/13 budget would be available.  In addition, Councillor Brian Dalton offered to defer his proposal for a cycle path in Harnham; although as he would not be present for next meeting on 17 May, Councillor John Brady undertook to take it forward on his behalf. 

Of the remaining projects, it was agreed to consider first the Councillor-led project for the Jubilee celebration event (paragraph 13 of the report), and then the remaining applications in the order they appeared in the report.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board agreed to allocate £6,000 to support the Area Board’s contribution to the Diamond Jubilee celebration event on 1 May, showcasing the local community through fun and informative interactive events.

Reason – To participate in this county-wide event being hosted in Salisbury, and to showcase Salisbury’s vibrant community.

In relation to the application from Spurgeons, it was confirmed that the application was for funds to run two courses (starting in April and September).  As such, it would be possible for half the requested funding to be allocated now, and for a new application to come forward for the remaining half in the 2012/13 financial year.

Decision

Spurgeons was awarded £789 to provide funding for the Freedom Programme, a 12 week awareness raising course for women who have been affected by domestic violence.  In addition, the Area Board invited an application for the remaining half of the funding initially requested, to come from the 2012/13 budget.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would support this resource addressing an identified problem in the City Community Area.

Decision

Hoodwink Theatre Company was awarded £2,000 towards Jamboree, an intergenerational project that brings together children and senior citizens through baking cakes and jam tarts, and to link in with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would support this intergenerational project which will contribute to the City’s celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

It was noted that the application from Circular Arts was recommended for refusal, as it did not meet the criteria of providing three quotes for cost of £5,000.  Councillors commented that this requirement came from the Council’s own procurement policy, and the relevant Cabinet Member had been asked to clarify whether this needed to apply to Community Area Grants.  In the meantime, the issue was for the Area Board to determine.

It was also noted that the Area Board had funded Circular Arts on numerous occasions, regularly making exceptions to the Community Area Grants criteria to do so.  As such, the matter should be considered in a wider sense, with other solutions being considered.

As with the applications from Spurgeons, it was suggested that Circular Arts submit a further application for the remaining funding from the 2012/13 budget.

Decision

Circular Arts was awarded £1,012 towards the Sunshine project.

Reason – Although the application did not fully comply with the Community Area Grant criteria as only one quote had been provided for the cost of over £5,000, it was considered that the wide community benefit of the project justified an exception.

ACTION: Marianna Dodd