Issue - meetings

To consider any applications for Community Area Grant funding.

Councillor John Noeken introduced the item, as Chairman of the Grant Review Panel.

Applicants that were present were invited to speak on their applications, following which the Board discussed the application then put the matter to the vote.

Decision

Langford Parish Hall Committee was awarded £743.30 towards the cost of works needed to the parish hall, including replacement of the fire door, replacement of a rotten window and repainting of the exterior.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2010/11 and would increase the potential for use of this hall.

Decision

Brigmerston and Milston Parish Hall Committee was awarded £2,574.78 towards the cost of works to the parish hall, including to the kitchen entrance area, window replacements and main hall flooring.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2010/11 and would increase the potential for use of this hall.

In relation to the application from Shrewton Football Club, it was noted that the officer’s recommendation was for refusal, as the application had not met the Community Area Grants Criteria.  However, it was also noted that the Community Grants Scheme allowed for such applications to be approved in exceptional circumstances where an Area Board considered there to be a wider community benefit. The Grant Review Panel considered that the community benefit exception applied in this case.  It was emphasised that this would not constitute a precedent, and that all applications were considered on individual merit.

Decision

Shrewton United Football Club was awarded £1,000 towards the cost of providing a hardstanding between the recreation hall and the west end of the football pitch.

Reasons – Despite not meeting the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2010/11, the application was approved for the following reasons:

1.    The wider community benefit brought about by the hardstanding.

2.    There were a number of funding avenues which needed to be explored by the applicant to source the remaining funds required, including the Football Foundation, Sport England and the Rural Development Programme for England.

3.    Whilst a retrospective application, the applicant may not have been fully aware of the processes, criteria and timescales involved in agreeing a grant.

NOTE – Having declared prejudicial interests in the following applications, the Chairman (Councillor Mike Hewitt), and Councillor Graham Wright, left the room at this point.  In the Chairman’s absence, the Vice-Chairman took over to the end of the item.

Councillor John Smale in the Chair

Decision

Newton Toney Parish Council was awarded £990 towards the costs of providing a hardstanding basketball/netball practice area on the recreation field.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2010/11 and would support the provision of a new community leisure facility.

Decision

Durrington Town Council was awarded £2,000 towards the cost of play equipment at the recreation ground in Durrington.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2010/11 and would support the refurbishment of equipment at a well-used facility.