Agenda item

Richard Rogers, Community Engagement Manager, will present on some of the successes of the year and where the focus will be upon for the coming year for the Corsham community area.

To consider the following applications:

·       Corsham Village Hall: £2790, to help improve access to the Hall

·       Corsham Youth Zone: £1000, to help provide equipment for the Friday youth group

·       Colerne Boules Club: £2814.23, for their Colerne Boule Petanque Project

·       Leafy Playing Fields: £769, for youth goal posts for the under 11 team

The Chairman noted that the Campus Mosaic Project had been delayed for one year, due to the artist having been diagnosed with cancer. However following successful treatment, the artist was now able to work on the project again.

The Chairman informed the meeting that there was a mistake on the agenda; the application listed for ‘Corsham Village Hall’ was in fact for ‘Colerne Village Hall’. Ann Nicholas, Colerne Village Hall, was invited to introduce the application for £2790, to help improve disabled access to the Hall. Ms Nicholas outlined that in 2012 the Village Hall had received a £1000 grant from the Area Board to enable disabled persons to access the Hall; however, there was a desire to now extend access to disabled persons for another part of the Hall. It was explained that to accommodate for this, the current pathway would need to be widened. Ms Nicholas informed the meeting that the Village Hall had a very high usage rate; with around 300-400 people using the Hall for the monthly cinema provision.

Ben Hayday, Corsham Youth Zone, introduced the application from the Youth Zone for £1000, to help provide equipment for the Friday youth group. Those present were informed of how the Youth Zone provided regular activities on a Friday evening; such as arts and crafts, cooking and sporting activities. Mr Hayday highlighted that 70 young people were a part of the Youth Zone and this figure was continually increasing; indeed, at least 40 young people attended the regular Friday evening session. It was noted many people, including the Police Sgt, felt that the Youth Zone had strongly helped to foster positive relationships between young people in the community.

Glenys Gill, Colerne Boules Club, introduced the application from the Club for £2814.23 towards the Club’s Petanque Project. She explained that there was a large amount of public support for boules and that there was the desire for a permanent boules terrain to be situated in the town. Ms Gill outlined that boules was one of the few sports that allowed competitors to play on equal terms; because all ages and abilities could participate, either standing or whilst seated.

Bob Mullins from AFC Corsham introduced the application for £769 from Leafy Lanes Playing Fields, towards youth goal posts for the under 11 team. Mr Mullins detailed that the Club boasted 290 members ranging from age 5 to 18 and that the Club had organised their first girl section. It was explained that the Club desired to have a youth sized goal; as this would enable young people to further enjoy the game and would help to ensure a fairer game, which in turn, would help to increase the Club’s retention level.

Having been put to the vote, it was

Resolved:

       i.          To award £2790 to Colerne Village Hall, to help improve their disabled access to the Hall;

     ii.          To award £1000 to the Corsham Youth Zone, to help provide equipment for the Friday evening youth group;

   iii.          To award £2814.23 to Colerne Boules Club, for their Colerne Boules Petanque Project;

   iv.          To award £769 to Leafy Playing Fields, to provide youth goal posts for the Under 11 team.