Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were recorded from Councillors Paul Bizzell, Richard Gibson, Peter Green, Alison Rooke and Richard Webber.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 October 2005, (previously circulated with the Council Summons dated 14 December 2005). 

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 October 2005 were adopted  and signed as a correct record subject to the words “(Vice-Chair)” being removed and replaced after the name Jim Halliday in the list of Members present.

To receive any declarations of Personal or Personal and Prejudicial Interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

In accordance with Part 2 of the Local Code of Conduct and the provisions of Standing Order 34, any Member with a personal interest must disclose the existence and nature of that interest to the meeting prior to the matter being debated.  Where that personal interest is also a prejudicial interest, then the Member must withdraw from the room in which the meeting is being held and not seek improperly to influence any decision about the matter unless he/she has obtained a dispensation from the Standards Committee.

Members declared interests as follows:-

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.

(1)        Urgent Business

The Chair reported that in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 and Standing Order 21(4), she had agreed to accept an item of urgent business regarding a grant application in respect of the Abingdon Science Partnership – Schools 2006 Science Fair. She had agreed to accept this as an item of urgent business in view of the funding support for the partnership having been withdrawn and the urgent need to seek emergency funding with the Science Fair being held in March and a decision being required thereon before the next meeting of the Committee (Minute Ab.31).

(2)        Chair’s Announcements

The Chair announced that the Head of Innovation and Enterprise had received correspondence from Colin and Fran Trinder on behalf of the Peachcroft Christian Centre advising that contracts were to be signed shortly with Latimer Construction Limited giving an anticipated start date of 13 February 2006 with completion estimated for October 2006 in respect of works to the Christian Centre.  Members were asked to note that their £25,000 grant had been fundamental in making the project viable and thanks to the Council for its contribution were recorded.

The Chair announced that N Power had indicated that it would not dump fly ash in the Radley Lakes.  However, Councillor Gervase Duffield, who was the Council’s representative on the Didcot Power Station Local Liaison Committee, advised that he thought that N Power had suggested that it would still dump in one lake but not the other and therefore clarification on this would need to be sought.

Any statements and/or petitions from the public under Standing Order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting.

(Councillors Laurel Symons, Janet Morgan, Tony de Vere and Mary de Vere had each declared a personal interest in part of this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34 they remained in the meeting during its consideration.)

(Councillor Mike Badcock had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in part of this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34 he withdrew from the meeting during Clare Harding’s statement in support of the Abingdon Science Partnership grant application.)

The Committee was advised that notice had been received from three members of the public that they each wished to make a statement at the meeting as follows:-

1.         Elizabeth Hanscombe made a statement in support of the grant application in respect of the Abingdon Musical Festival Association.  She reported that the Abingdon Musical Festival was now in its ninth year and was proud of the prestige it brought locally during the Annual Arts Festival and also of its reputation as a friendly and informal event.  It was commented that a wide range of participants of all ages from beginners right up to those who had already reached a high standard were welcome.  She referred to the dreams of soloists to perform in front of a symphony orchestra and commented on the delight when in 2004 the conductor of the Abingdon Symphony Orchestra had suggested collaboration.  An application had been made to the Awards for All Programme and a generous grant had been received which had assisted in several rewarding occasions, details of which were outlined.  It was considered that a similar venture should be repeated in 2006 although the festival was not eligible for a second lottery grant.  She commented on their gratitude for grant awards in previous years, commenting that details of all sponsors were highlighted on all published material.

2.         Clare Harding made a statement on behalf of the Abingdon Science Partnership.  She explained that the fair was a Science Fair held in the Guildhall and had been running for several years.  About 50 schools provided interactive activities and this year the theme of the fair would be “My Incredible Body”.  It was anticipated that approximately 1,000 children would attend and there would be guest speakers and activities to take part in.  She commented on the enjoyment experienced by the children and on the ability of teachers to have a chance to demonstrate their work.  She commented that the fair was useful for sharing ideas and was a good partnership link between schools and teachers working together in science which was unusual.  She explained that the fair highlighted the importance of educating children especially with regard to science and outlined the reason for the shortfall of funding for this year.

3.         Mr Wilkinson made a statement in support of the grant application from the Abingdon Concert Band.  He explained that the band had been operating for many years and had attended many events.  He referred to the enjoyment experienced by the local community and provided details of the players  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Any questions from members of the public under Standing Order 32 will be asked at the meeting.

None.

Introduction & Report Summary

At its meetings on 13th July and 11th October the Abingdon Area Committee resolved that it should further consider the idea of a prospectus setting out the Committee's priorities in giving support to the local community.

This report provides further information which will assist the Committee in developing the prospectus.

The contact officer for this report is Toby Warren, Head of Innovation & Enterprise (Tel: 01235 547695).

Recommendations

(a)        Members are requested to determine the final content of the prospectus.

(b)        Members are requested to determine the need to convene an Abingdon Area Forum meeting in order to facilitate public consultation on the content of the prospectus.

The Committee had before it report 219/05 of the Strategic Director on targeting grants for the benefit of Abingdon and the surrounding area.

RESOLVED

that consideration of this report be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

Introduction and Report Summary

The purpose of this report is to set out the current budget position for this Committee in respect of Community Grants and to invite Members to consider and determine the grant applications received since the last meeting.

The contact officer for this report is Lorna Edwards, Community Strategy Officer (Tel: 01235 547626).

Recommendations

(a)        Members are asked to note that the Committee’s current budget is £13,850.12

(b)        Members are asked to determine the grant award, the agenda and the Council priority in respect of the following:

(i)                  Abingdon Jazz Club, £500, towards the cost of monthly jazz events, Social Agenda, Town & Village Vitality priority

(ii)                Abindgon Decorative & Fine Arts, £500, towards an exhibition of children’s art as part of the Charter celebrations, Social Agenda, Town & Village vitality priority

(iii)               Abbey Brass, £500, towards the cost of repairs to the band-room portacabins, Social Agenda, Town & Village Vitality priority

(iv)              Abingdon Musical Festival Association, £400, towards the cost of a concerto class, Social Agenda, Town & Village Vitality priority

(v)               Abingdon Concert Band, £2,400, towards the cost of buying timpanis and putting on a play day to attract new members, Social Agenda, Town & Village Vitality priority

(vi)              7 Dorchester Crescent, a grant towards the cost of tree maintenance, Environmental Agenda, Town & Village Vitality priority

(c)        Members are asked to reconsider the application for tree maintenance considered at the meeting on 11 October to determine whether, in the light of further information, the award of an additional grant is appropriate.

(d)               Members are asked to note that supplementary guidance for grants supporting historic buildings, work on trees, countryside conservation and parish cleansing has been agreed and will be available to them in the near future

(e)               Members are asked to receive the report from AbingdonTown Council on their twinning activities and determine whether the grant of £2,500 agreed under the Service Level Agreement can be paid.

The Committee received and considered report 220/05 of the Strategic Director, the purpose of which was to set out the current budget position for this Committee in respect of community grants and to invite Members to consider and determine the grant applications received since the last meeting.

The Committee noted that the budget position was £14,350.12.  One Member referred to the proportioning of the budget across the environmental, social and economic agenda and proposed that the funds be re-proportioned as necessary.  The Committee supported this suggestion.

The Committee considered the grant applications set out in the report and made specific comments as follows:-

1.         Abingdon Jazz Club

It was noted that the Town Council had given a grant of £100 towards publicity.

There was some concern that a membership fee was not charged and it was suggested that an informative be added to any grant offer suggesting that this should be considered.

It was proposed by Councillor Mary de Vere and seconded by Councillor Laurel Symons that a grant of £200 be awarded but this was lost by 6 votes to 4, with 1 abstention.

It was then proposed by Councillor Mike Badcock that no grant be offered but this was not seconded.

2.         Abingdon Decorative and Fine Arts

(Councillor Tony de Vere had declared a personal interest in this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34 he remained in the meeting during its consideration).

Members supported the application.

3.         Abbey Brass

The grant award of the Town Council was unknown.  Reference was made to the comments of the Vale’s Art Development Officer and it was considered that her advice and guidance should be offered on publicity and sustainability of the group.  It was noted that the concern had been that the building used was in a poor condition and high levels of expenditure were required on maintenance.

It was proposed by Councillor Mike Badcock that a grant be offered up to the amount requested less any amount given by the Town Council with the Strategic Director being delegated authority to approve this, but this was not supported.

4.         Abingdon Musical Festival Association

The Committee had regard to the statement made earlier in the meeting by the member of the public.

Members supported the application but considered that young people should be encouraged to attend.

5.         Abingdon Concert Band

The Committee had regard to the statement made earlier in the meeting by a member of the public.

The Committee questioned the level of financial assistance sought and furthermore it was commented that a pair of tympanums might be available from another source.

At this point in the meeting it was

RESOLVED

(a)        that the meeting of the Committee do adjourn for five minutes to enable clarification to be sought from the applicant regarding a number of questions raised.

The meeting adjourned at 7.55pm.

The meeting reconvened at 8.00pm.

The Committee noted that a membership fee was charged and that following research into a set of tympanum which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

(Councillors Laurel Symons, Janet Morgan, Tony de Vere and Mary de Vere had each declared a personal interest in part of this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34 they remained in the meeting during its consideration.)

(Councillor Mike Badcock had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34 he withdrew from the meeting during its consideration.)

As referred to elsewhere in these minutes the Chair had agreed to accept this as an item of urgent business.

The Committee had regard to a letter from the Community Strategy Officer dated 25 January 2006, circulated prior to the meeting, setting out a request for grant aid towards the Abingdon Science Partnership Schools 2006 Science Fair. The Committee also had regard to the statement made earlier in the meeting by a member of the public.

Members supported the initiative but some concern was expressed that the application fell outside the grants criteria in that support was being sought towards the cost of teacher cover for the classmates of the children who would attend the fair.  Members considered that this was a County Council responsibility, although it was noted that education was an important block in the community strategy and a case could be made that supporting education was appropriate.

Councillor Gervase Duffield expressed his concern that this Council should seek to support an initiative which was the County Council’s responsibility and asked that this be so recorded in the minutes.

Members sought clarification as to other grant assistance applied for, at which point it was proposed by the Chair and

RESOLVED

(a)        that the meeting of the Committee do adjourn for five minutes to enable the applicant to answer questions of clarification.

The meeting adjourned at 8.19pm.

The meeting reconvened at 8.24pm.

By 7 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions, and 1 of the voting Members not being present during consideration of this item, it was

RESOLVED

(b)        that a grant of up to £1,800 be offered, such an amount to be reduced by the amounts awarded from other organisations for the same purpose (Economic Agenda/ Town and Village Vitality Priority);

(c)        that it be agreed that the grant award is a one off grant made due to the exceptional circumstances in this case.

None.