Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Gibson.

To receive any declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

Councillor Jerry Patterson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 5, in particular the application from Kennington Parish Council for third party funding, in that he was a member of Kennington Parish Council.

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

None.

Any statements, petitions and questions from the public under standing order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting. 

It was noted that three members of the public had given notice that they wished to make statements to the committee.

Estelle Packwood made a statement on behalf of the Oxford Chinese Community Advice Centre. She outlined the work of the Centre and highlighted the need for continued funding and the importance of the centre to its users.

Nigel Howard made a statement on behalf of Ryder Cheshire Volunteers, in support of its application for a community grants. He gave examples of how volunteers offered companionship to those challenged by disabilities which helped to improve self esteem and social engagement.

Colin Cure made a statement in support of the application from the Oxfordshire Association for the blind. He advised members of a new project to build a resource centre and provide courses for visually impaired to enable more independent living.

To consider report 125/10 of the head of corporate strategy. 

The Executive considered report 125/10 of the head of corporate strategy and had regard to the statements from members of the public earlier in the meeting. One member commented that it was important to consider how many people would benefit from the grants in determining the allocation of grant funding. The Executive was mindful that the budget was limited and it wished allocate a grant to each application it supported to allow the projects to proceed. 

RESOLVED

(a)    to note the budget that the budget for community grants in 2011/12 for Vale wide projects stands at £20,680

(b)    to allocate £250 of the budget for the cost of grants management software.

(c)    to award community grants as follows, taking into account a reduction of 4.7%:

(d)The Executive awards no grants to Oxfordshire Play Association, Assisted Reading for Children in Oxfordshire, and the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum, as adequate funds are in place.

(e)The Executive awards no grant to Oxford Harmony as the application appeared to be of limited community benefit.

The Executive considered an application from Kennington Parish Council for third party funding in respect of the Forestside BMX track project. Councillor Jerry Patterson made a statement to the committee in support of the application and then left the meeting in accordance with the provisions of standing order 33, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest. 

RESOLVED

(f) to award a grant of £1,253 to Kennington Parish Council as third party funding 

None