Agenda and draft minutes

To record apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Simon Howell.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Faringdon Area Committee meeting held on 14 March 2019. 

RESOLVED: to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2019 and agree that the chairman signs them as such.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

Councillor Elaine Ware declared non-pecuniary interests for the applications by Shrivenham Fete Committee and West Vale Canal Group – Wilts & Berks Canal Trust as she was members of both groups. She would leave the room for the duration of the item.

Councillor Eric Batts declared a non-pecuniary interest for Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Tennis Club’s application as he was a trustee, and he would leave the room for the duration of the item.

To receive notification of any matters which the chairman determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chairman. 

None.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

Two speakers representing their application were present for two out of seven applications. They spoke in support of their application and had the opportunity to respond to questions from the committee. The speakers were the following:

To consider the head of corporate strategy’s report. 

The committee considered the head of corporate services’ report, which set out details of seven applications for New Homes Bonus grants. The committee noted that it had a budget of £14,963. The officer’s report had assessed each application against the grants criteria and had scored the applications against the policy matrix.

Charney Bassett Parish Council

The officer introduced the application by Charney Bassett Parish Council which sought £1,010 towards the scheme total of £2,020, representing a 50% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to public seating upgrades. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award. The officer clarified questions on whether the applicant had asked for funding elsewhere explaining that they had the required money and would fund the remaining cost themselves.

There were no speakers present for the item.

RESOLVED: To approve the officer’s recommended score of 9 out of 12 points.

Shrivenham Fete Committee

Councillor Elaine Ware declared a personal interest and left the room for the duration of the item.

The officer introduced the application by Shrivenham Fete Committee which sought £1,290 towards the scheme total of £2,580, representing a 50% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to a new stretch tent. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award.

Councillors asked questions on how many people the new stretch tent would accommodate, and the frequency of events ran by Shrivenham Fete Committee. The officer confirmed that the tent would be suitable for many people and that main events took place in the summer and winter periods, with other events taking place across the year.

RESOLVED: To approve the officer’s recommended score of 9 out of 12 points.

Ashbury Village Hall

The officer introduced the application by Ashbury Village Hall which sought £1,347 towards the scheme total of £2,695, representing a 49.98% towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to the purchase of a staging unit for Ashbury Village Hall. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award.

There was one speaker present for the item. Maggie Simons spoke in support of the application and answered questions from committee members regarding the application.

RESOLVED: To approve the officer’s recommended score of 8 out of 12 points.

Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Tennis Club

Councillor Eric Batts declared a personal interest and left the room for the duration of the item.

The officer introduced the application by Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Tennis which sought £11,500 towards the scheme total of £123,294, representing an 18.65% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to the extension and upgrade of club tennis facilities Project. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award.

Councillors asked questions on the sources for the funding of the project and a question on whether the courts would be floodlit. Officers confirmed that most of the money was through Section 106 and that the courts would be floodlit.

Councillors were also keen on promoting sustainability where possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.