Agenda item

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme, as follows:

·       Kennet Valley Hall, £5,000 towards a new ventilation system.

·       Ramsbury Cricket Club, £5,000 towards new practice nets.

·       Ramsbury Recreation Centre, £5,000 towards two new tennis courts.

·       Marlborough Festival 2022, £5,000 towards a detailed event plan.

Members considered applications for the Community Area Grants Scheme as

detailed in the agenda pack. It was noted that there was only slightly over £17,000 of funding remaining for the financial year, so it would not be possible to support all of the grants in full.

Kennet Valley Hall - £5,000 towards a new ventilation system

The Treasurer of Kennett Valley Hall spoke in favour of their application noting that the new system would monitor CO2 and regulate the amount of air in the building, which would have health benefits, especially during Covid-19. He explained that they had been awarded £10,000 match funding by the National Lottery.

Ramsbury Cricket Club - £5,000 towards new practice nets (deferred from the previous meeting)

A representative from the cricket club explained that they currently had a single practice net which restricted their ability to grow their membership and deliver youth programmes. The club had decided to proceed but was heavily reliant on loans and had limited financial reserves.  

Ramsbury Recreation Centre - £5,000 towards two new tennis courts (deferred from the previous meeting)

A representative from the tennis club explained that progress towards funding the project had been made since the previous meeting, but that a requirement for deeper than anticipated footings for the new courts had led to a cost increase of £30,000.

Marlborough Festival - £5,000 towards a detailed event plan

Representatives from the community interest company outlined their plans for the festival including a range of music stages as well as food and drink pavilion. They explained that the money requested would go towards an event plan which would be a reference document and community asset.

During the discussion points included:

• Members welcomed the applications.

• Questions were asked about the current ventilation available at the village hall and it was noted that it had been well supported by the Area Board.

• It was asked whether the additional infrastructure would increase revenue of the sports clubs.

• Given the limited finances available several applicants were asked whether half of the money would allow them to proceed and what funding had been sought from alternative sources.

• Members welcomed the idea of a festival but felt that Marlborough Town

Council would be best placed to support the project at this stage.

• Members noted that they would have liked to have stronger evidence of consultation between the music festival organisers and the wider community. It was noted that the support of Marlborough Town Council and High Street retailers would be required in order for the necessary road closures to take place.

• Given the limited Area Board finances available, concerns over road closures and the development of the plans at the time of the meeting, members were not in favour of supporting the application from Marlborough Festival at this stage.

Decision

1. To award £2,500 of a requested £5,000 to Kennet Valley Hall towards a new ventilation system.

2. To award Ramsbury Cricket Club £2,500 of a requested £5,000 towards new practice nets.

3. To award Ramsbury Recreation Centre £2,500 of a requested £5,000 towards two new tennis courts.

Reason

The approved applications met the funding criteria for 2021/22