Agenda item

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Remaining Budgets:

Community Area Grants:

Young People Grants:

Delegated Funding

The Board is asked to note any funding awards made under the Delegated Funding Process, by the Strategic Engagement & Partnership Manager, between meetings due to matters of urgency:

ABG1537 - Sustainable Calne were awarded £539 towards a tree planting project in the Stokes Croft children’s play area.

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

As the Area Board were not able to hold a formally constituted meeting, it was agreed to move consideration of the grant applications to the start of the agenda. The Area Board noted the budgets remaining for allocation and heard from representatives in attendance, who gave a brief overview of their projects and were questioned by the Board. The members of the Area Board present were invited to indicate whether they were supportive of the listed projects.

In response to questions about whether an extraordinary meeting would need to be held to approve the applications, the Democratic Services Officer provided reassurance that efforts would be made to try to progress the grant applications. Options could include asking the Leader of Wiltshire Council whether he would be able to approve funding via delegated authority.

Community Area Grants

Consideration was given to the following applications made to the Community Area Grants Scheme.

Calne Men’s Shed requesting £500 towards the purchase of an oscillating cutting tool, drill and impact driver kit.

The Acting Chair of Calne Men’s Shed explained that they were in need of additional equipment having moved to a new premises the previous year. She noted that they did have an existing drill and impact driver kit but there were often queues to use the equipment.

Alan Hill from Calne Town Council noted that they supported the application.

The Wiltshire Councillors present noted that they were supportive of the application and noted that the Men’s Shed did great things for the community.

Calne Tennis Club requesting £2,885 towards court refurbishment.

Club Directors Derek Warnett and Claire Bielby explained that their courts had been built in 2014 and were very well used, so were now showing wear and tear. They noted that they wanted to restore the non-slip playing surface. The total cost of repairs would be in excess of £12,000. The club supported people of a wide range of ages, including over 70s and under 10s.

The Wiltshire Councillors present noted that they were supportive of the application.

Young People’s Grants

Consideration was given to the following applications made to the Young People’s Grant Scheme.

Calne Wordfest requesting £565 towards Youth Tale Trail Storytelling

In the absence of the applicant, Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager, Ros Griffiths, explained that the group aimed to run four sessions with a storyteller practitioner. They also wished to carry out street-based work with pupils at Kingsbury Green Academy.

Cllr Tom Rounds indicated that he was supportive of the project. The Chairman did not comment, having declared an interest.

The Open Blue Trust requesting £2,100 towards the Open Blue Bus in Calne

David Sanburg explained that they planned to bring the bus to Calne Town Centre for an hour on Friday nights to offer a range of activities for young people.

Alan Hill stated that Calne Town Council was in favour of the project. 

The Wiltshire Councillors present also indicated that they were supportive of the application.

Delegated Funding

The Area Board noted the following funding award which had been made between meetings under the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager Delegated Funding Process, due to a matter of urgency:

Sustainable Calne had been awarded £539 towards a tree planting project in the Stokes Croft.

Forthcoming Application

Celia from the Pocket Park Project highlighted that they planned to bring an application to the next meeting. She reminded the Area Board that Joseph Priestly had discovered oxygen when he was living in the town and explained that a number of commemorative events were being planned to mark the 250^th anniversary. Possible events included murals, a community quilt and a music and art festival.