Agenda item

 

To consider the communication and grant manager’s report.

Kennington Parish Council

 

Councillor Bob Johnston stood down from the committee for this item.

 

The officer introduced the application by Kennington Parish Council for a New Homes Bonus (NHB) grant of £2,375 towards a £4,750 project to commission a feasibility study to investigate options for rebuilding the pavilion at Playfield Road.

 

Rachel Brown and Colin Charlett, of Kennington Parish Council, spoke in support of the application. They explained the parish council’s budget reserves and how they were allocated. A feasibility study had determined that the project would go ahead, but they were now considering how best to proceed.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 6 points out of a possible 12.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 37.50 per cent of the total cost, capped to £1,781, £594 less than the parish council’s request.

 

 

Cumnor Preschool Nursery

 

The officer introduced the application by Cumnor Preschool Nursery for a grant of £9,900 towards a £26,148 project to improve the outdoor play facilities at the preschool. It was noted that the preschool had applied to both the capital and NHB grant schemes, but the application was recommended for consideration under the capital scheme to allow best allocation of the budget.

 

Joanne Fellows, Chair of Cumnor Preschool Nursery, was present to answer questions from the committee.

 

The committee debated the item and agreed with the officer’s recommended scores for both the NHB and capital grant applications.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 7 points out of a possible 12, in relation to the NHB application, but to refuse a grant given that the project had been recommended for funding through the capital grants scheme.

2.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 5 points out of a possible 9, in relation to the capital grant application.

3.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 28.40 per cent of the total cost, capped to £7,425, £2,475 less than the Cumnor Preschool Nursery’s request.

 

 

Drayton Village Hall

 

The officer introduced the application by the Drayton Village Hall Management Committee for a grant of £1,422 towards a £2,844 project to improve the bar facilities and install a glasswasher at the Drayton Village Hall.

 

Ann Webb and Sue Stevens, from the Drayton Village Hall Management Committee, were present to answer questions from the committee. They confirmed that there was no financial support available from the parish council for this project.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 8 points out of a possible 9.

2.    To approve the officer’s recommended grant of 50.00 per cent of the total cost, capped to £1,422, the amount requested by Drayton Village Hall.

 

 

Botley Bridges

 

Councillors Emily Smith and Judy Roberts stood down from the committee for this item.

 

The officer introduced the application by Botley Bridges for a New Homes Bonus grant of £2,024 towards a £4,048 project to provide three ten-week family improvement courses for local residents.

 

Kim Randall and Sue Down, from Botley Bridges, spoke in support of the application and answered questions from the committee. They confirmed that they were funded through a mixture of grant applications, local fundraising efforts and small family contributions.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 7 points out of a possible 12.

2.    To approve the officer’s recommended grant of 37.50 per cent of the total cost, capped to £1,518, £506 less than the amount requested by Botley Bridges.

 

 

Abingdon RDA

 

The officer introduced the application by Abingdon RDA for a grant of £15,625 towards a £137,625 project to create a new indoor arena at the riding school.

 

Sally Scott, from Abingdon RDA, was present to answer questions from the committee. She provided a funding update and confirmed that no grants had been secured at present as final decisions for a number of applications have not yet been made. She also explained that the indoor arena had multiple uses, and that it was used by groups covering a wider area than Abingdon.

 

In response to a question from the committee, the officer confirmed that the committee could not allocate more funding to the RDA because of the funding matrix, but that the RDA were welcome to apply to other Area Committees in the Vale of White Horse for further funding.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 5 points out of a possible 9.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 8.51 per cent of the total cost, capped to £11,718, £3,907 less than requested by the RDA.

 

 

North Hinksey PCC

 

Councillors Bob Johnston and Dudley Hoddinott stood down from the committee for this item.

 

The officer introduced the application by North Hinksey PCC for a grant of £4,088 towards a £8,176 project to improve the heating, toilets and windows at St. Peter and Paul Church.

 

Dudley Hoddinott, in his capacity as a member of North Hinksey PCC, spoke in support of the application and answered questions from the committee.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 7 points out of a possible 9.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 50.00 per cent of the total cost, capped to £4,088, the amount requested by North Hinksey PCC.

 

 

Oxford Rugby Club

 

The officer introduced the application by Oxford Rugby Club for a grant of £2,820 towards a £5,640 project to install a fire safety system and emergency lighting. It was noted that the Rugby Club had applied to both the capital and NHB grant schemes, but the application was recommended for consideration under the capital grants scheme to allow best allocation of the budget.

 

There were no public speakers present for this item.

 

The committee debated the item and discussed whether Vale of White Horse residents were the primary beneficiaries of the project, or mostly people outside of the district. It was noted that 64% of membership were from the Vale of White Horse.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 7 points out of a possible 9, in relation to the capital grants application.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 50.00 per cent of the total cost, capped to £2,820, the amount requested by Oxford Rugby Club.

3.    To amend the officer’s recommended score from 7 to 9 points out of a possible 12, in relation to the NHB grant application, but to refuse a grant given that the project had been recommended for funding through the capital grants scheme.

 

 

Abingdon Royal British Legion Club

 

The officer introduced the application by Abingdon Royal British Legion for a grant of £1,400 towards a £2,800 project to refurbish the gable end on their building.

 

There were no public speakers present for this item.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 5 points out of a possible 9.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 37.50 per cent of the total cost, capped to £1,050, £350 less than the amount requested.

 

 

St. Nicolas Church, Abingdon

 

The officer introduced the application by St. Nicolas Church, Abingdon for a grant of £4,000 towards a £9,768 project to replace existing seating in the church.

 

There were no public speakers present for this item.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

·         To approve the officer’s recommended score of 5 points out of a possible 9.

·         To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 30.71 per cent of the total cost, capped to £3,000, £1,000 less than the amount requested.

 

 

Sunningwell Cricket Club

 

The officer introduced the application by Sunningwell Cricket Club for a grant of £6,692 towards a £13,385 project to install an artificial wicket and practice nets on the existing cricket ground.

 

There were no public speakers present for this item.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 4 points out of a possible 9.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 37.50 per cent of the total cost, capped to £5,019, £1,673 less than the amount requested.

 

 

Stonewater: Abingdon Foyer

 

The officer introduced the application by Stonewater Limited for a grant of £3,245 towards a £6,491 project to provide residents of Abingdon Foyer with IT and recording equipment.

 

There were no public speakers present for this item.

 

The committee debated the item. The officer informed the committee that any organisation whose application had been refused entirely can reapply to the Area Committee for the same project at a later stage. The committee agreed to make no changes to the officer’s recommendation, but requested that the organisation receive advice on future applications.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 3 points out of a possible 9.

2.    To refuse the application for a capital grant.

 

 

North Hinksey Preschool and Childcare Clubs

 

The officer introduced the application by North Hinksey Preschool and Childcare Clubs for a New Homes Bonus grant of £20,000 towards a £44,334 project to improve the outdoor play facilities at the preschool.

 

There were no public speakers present for this item.

 

The committee debated the item.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the officer’s recommended score of 8 points out of a possible 12.

2.    To approve the officer’s suggested grant of 33.83 per cent, capped to £15,000, £5,000 less than the amount requested by North Hinksey Preschool and Childcare Clubs.

 

 

The officer informed the meeting that the committee’s remaining capital grant budget was £5,568 and the remaining NHB budget is £16,503, therefore the committee confirmed that they would like to consider further applications for this balance before the end of the financial year.