Agenda item

Broad Chalke PC requesting £656.60 towards a finger post replacement

Decision

To award Broad Chalke Parish Council £656.60 towards a finger post replacement.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Tisbury PC requesting £1,250 towards a speed indicator device (SID)

The clerk of Tisbury Parish Council spoke in favour of the scheme. 

Decision

To award Tisbury Parish Council £1,250 towards a speed indicator device.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Compton Chamberlayne Parish Meeting requesting £500 towards a new streetscence and notice board

The Chairman of Compton Chamberlayne Parish Meeting spoke in favour of the scheme, explaining that it would involve new fingerposts to replace existing metal signs, as well as the replacement of the notice board in the village. He also clarified that the total cost of the project would be around £4,000.

Decision

To award Compton Chamberlayne Parish Meeting £500 towards a new finger post and the labour element of the project.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Swallowcliffe PC requesting £420 towards pedestrian gates

The Chairman of Swallowcliffe Parish Council spoke in favour of the scheme noting that the money would go towards replacing seven old stiles with pedestrian gates in order to improve accessibility.

Decision

To award Swallowcliffe Parish Council £420 towards the upgrade of seven

stiles to pedestrian gates.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Tisbury Amateur Swimming Club requesting £7,500 to improve disabled facilities

A representative from the swimming club spoke in favour of the scheme explaining that the money would be put towards a wet room with access for wheelchair users. She noted that they had had a query from a local school because the existing facilities would not be suitable for one of their disabled children. It was explained that match funding of £7,500 would be provided by the club.

During the discussion it was noted that grants in excess of £5,000 could be awarded in exceptional cases. Members noted that the pool was an important asset that was used by the wider community and not just Tisbury residents. Given the higher amount being requested, members sought assurance about the long-term viability of the pool and the representative confirmed that it was well used all year round and demand was growing. The CEM reminded the Area Board that they had earmarked £15,000 from the 2020/21 budget for rights of way and leisure projects, so the £7,500 would come from that fund.

As the facility was leased from Wiltshire Council, it was noted that enquiries had been made about whether making a facility disabled compliant could be covered by the maintenance budget but were informed that this would only cover the existing facilities.

Decision

To award Tisbury Amateur Swimming Club £7,500 towards disabled facilities at Tisbury Swimming Pool.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22. The scheme was considered to be an exceptional case, so a figure in excess of £5,000 could be awarded.

Wilton Bowls Club requesting £3,000 towards a replacement mower

The secretary of Wilton Bowls Club spoke in favour of their application, explaining that the existing mower had technical problems and that it was necessary to cut the grass four times a week during the season.

Decision

To award Wilton Bowls Club £3,000 towards a replacement mower for the club’s green.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Wilton Community Centre requesting £837 towards a portable stage and trolley

Gary Nunn, a representative from Wilton Community Centre, spoke on behalf of their application, stating that it would be beneficial to a number of their user groups. He also noted that they had now received a grant of £500 from Wilton Town Council.

Decision

To award Wilton Community Centre £837 towards a portable stage and trolley.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Fovant Youth Club requesting £220 towards equipment and storage

Decision

To award Fovant Youth Club £220 towards equipment and storage.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

West Tisbury Parish Council requesting £12,000 towards Stubbles Play Area

The clerk of West Tisbury Parish Council spoke in favour of their application, explaining that flooding had damaged the surface of the play area and forced them to temporarily close the park. She informed the Area Board that a recommendation had been made that the surface of the play area should be replaced but their insurance only covered the play equipment itself.

During the discussion questions were asked about the overall cost of the project and the clerk confirmed that £46,000 would cover the entire cost including the play equipment. Members were keen to support the project but has reservations about funding in excess of the £5,000 maximum guideline.

Decision

To award £5,000 to West Tisbury Parish Council towards West Tisbury Stubbles Play Area.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Sedgehill and Semley Parish Council requesting £1,500 towards a Right of Way improvement programme

A representative from Sedgehill and Semley Parish Council spoke in favour of their application.

Decision

To award Sedgehill and Semley Parish Council £1,500 towards a rights of way improvement programme.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Sutton Mandeville PC requesting £162.50 towards a finger post replacement

Decision

To award Sutton Mandeville Parish Council £162.50 towards the refurbishment of a finger post at the top of Panters Road.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Sutton Mandeville Parish Council requesting £900 towards pedestrian gates for Sutton Mandeville footpaths

Decision

To award Sutton Mandeville Parish Council £450 towards pedestrian gates for Sutton Mandeville footpaths.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Wylye Parish Council requesting £1,500 for disabled access improvements for the River Wylye Walk

Representatives from Wylye Parish Council spoke in favour of their application, noting that they planned to replace four existing gates that limited access to the walk for disabled users.

Decision

To award £1,500 to Wylye Parish Council towards improved disabled access at the River Wylye Walk.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22.

Mere Platinum Jubilee Committee requesting £2,300 towards a Queen’s Jubilee fete

Kit Stallard, a member of the jubilee committee, spoke in favour of their application, explaining that it was a community wide project sponsored by both the town council and church council in Mere. It was hoped that the celebration would attract up to 1,500 people.

During the discussion members considered whether it was fair to support the scheme in Mere without offering similar support to other areas throughout the Area Board, particularly in rural areas. However, members did note that they were keen to support jubilee events and felt that they would be popular. They were also encouraged that the scheme had the backing of Mere Town Council. Given that the application was for a revenue grant, questions were asked about the longer-term impact and Mr Stallard confirmed that tree planting was planned as part of the jubilee celebrations.

A proposal was put forward to refuse the application, but this was then withdrawn. Members felt that they would welcome the opportunity to have a discussion about supporting jubilee events across the Area Board, as they would then be in a better position to judge the application from Mere Platinum Jubilee Committee.  The CEM noted that the Area Board had earmarked £2,500 for Jubilee events.

Decision

To defer consideration of an application of £2,300 by Mere Platinum Jubilee Committee towards Mere Queen’s Jubilee Fete.

Reason

To allow for discussion of the allocation of the £2,500 set aside to support jubilee events. Contact would then be made with the applicant once the discussion had taken place.

Nadder Community Energy requested £650 towards Tisbury Electric Car Club

Gus from Nadder Community Energy spoke in favour of their application, explaining that they were a valuable resource for those with limited available transport and were also less polluting.

During the discussion the CEM noted that there was £650 left in the Health and Wellbeing budget for the year, so a request from Wilton Men’s Shed was considered before taking a vote.

Wilton Men’s Shed requesting £650 towards revenue funding

Sara from Wilton Men’s Shed spoke in favour of their application. She noted that a contribution had been made by Wilton Town Council and that they were expecting to increase their membership and build a partnership with the local veteran’s centre.

Members were keen to support both applications, so favoured splitting the payment over two financial years in order not to exceed the Health and Wellbeing budget for 2021/22. 

Decision

To award £650 each to Nadder Community Energy (towards Tisbury Electric Car Club) and Wilton Men’s Shed, but for the payments to be spread over 2 financial years (£325 each per year).

Reason

The applications met funding criteria for 2021/22 but insufficient funding was in place to fully support both applications in the financial year.