Agenda item

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

It was noted that the Area Board had a budget of just over £78,000 for the 2010/11 municipal year.

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. The Board members then voted on each application.

In relation to the application from Circular Arts it was confirmed that the project had received emergency funding in 2009/10 from the Arts Council, and that the size of the project was dependent on the funding available at the time.

It was moved and seconded that the application from Circular Arts be approved, subject to condition 2 as set out on page 35 of the agenda. An amendment was moved that points 4, 5 and 6 (as set out on page 35) be added to the decision as informatives, setting out the context of the decision and advising that Area Boards could not fund running costs, nor support events on an annual basis.  Upon being put to the vote, the amendment to the original motion was agreed.  However, upon being put to the vote, the amended motion was NOT CARRIED.

A view was expressed that the issues set out in points 4, 5 and 6 should apply to all applications for grant funding and should be included on all decision correspondence to applicants.

Decision

Circular Arts was awarded £5,000 towards Lanterns for Salisbury 2010, to cover the cost of materials (£2,700) and a contribution of £2,300 towards professional fees.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants criteria 2010/11 and would allow this well-established and well-supported community event to take place in 2010.

(Note – In relation to the above decision, Councillor Richard Clewer requested under Council Procedure Rule 92 that his vote against the motion be recorded in the minutes).

Decision

Casa de Samba was awarded £3,800 to set up a Salisbury community samba band open to people of all ages.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants criteria 2010/11 and would allow this community project to proceed.

Decision

The application from Salisbury Baroque Concert Society for £1,000 towards an educational Baroque Weekend was REFUSED.

Reason – It was not considered that the application demonstrated sufficiently widespread community benefit.

Decision

YMN Creative Juice was awarded £874 towards a free day of arts workshops and performances for young people.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants criteria 2010/11 and would allow the event to take place at no cost to participants.

In relation to the application from Bemerton Heath Resident’s Association, the applicant advised that there were revised figures relating to the annual accounts, as set out in the application form on page 69 of the agenda.  These would be confirmed in detail with the Community Area Manager.

Decision

Bemerton Heath Residents’ Association was awarded £904 towards setting up a bike club.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants criteria 2010/11 and would allow this initiative to be set up, bringing wide-ranging benefits to the community.

During consideration of the application from Wessex Community Action, and following a reference to GROW, Councillor Paul Sample declared a prejudicial interest in the matter, as he provided professional services to GROW.  Councillor Sample left the room for the remainder of the consideration of the item.

It was noted that the project outlined in the application was very similar to a service provided by the Council under contract with another organisation.  The contract had been subject to a tender exercise, for which Wessex Community Action had bid unsuccessfully.  Concern was raised that to award the grant for this project would duplicate the work contracted to GROW and so undermine a previous decision of the Council.

Decision

The application from Wessex Community Action for £3,875 to create and manage volunteer bank was REFUSED.

Reason – As this would duplicate a service already provided by the Council under contract with another organisation.