Agenda item

To receive and consider report 175/08 of the Strategic Director and Head of Community Strategic.

The Committee received and considered report 175/08 of the Strategic Director detailing grant applications.

One Member commented that it was clear that there was insufficient budget remaining to award grants to all of the applicants and questioned how the Committee was going to consider each one. It was agreed that the Committee would consider each application, decide whether to support the application in principle and thereafter determine an amount to be awarded.

One Member questioned the status of the applications of the Compass Café and The Vale of White Horse Foyer, which had both been awarded a grant by the Committee, subject to grant applications made to the County Council being unsuccessful. Officers confirmed that the grants which had been allocated (£3,000 to the Compass Café and £670 to The Vale of White Horse Foyer), had been deducted from the remaining budget. Officers confirmed that applications had not been made to the County Council and were unlikely to be made as there was no remaining budget.  Members therefore considered that these sums should be returned to balances.

The Committee considered each application as follows: -

Abingdon Music Festival

One Member commented that he had attended the events organised by the Festival last year and had found them to be well attended. He added that there had been a genuine feeling of all round participation and therefore he considered the application worthy of support. Other Members agreed but one Member disagreed commenting that this event targeted too small a number of people.   However on a show of hands it was agreed by 5 votes to nil that the application should be supported.

Oxfordshire Film and Video Makers

One Member questioned the benefit of the initiative for Abingdon residents. One Member advised that the projects run were well attended by local school children and considered that the experiences on offer were of benefit. One Member commented that he did not support the application and suggested that given the limited number of people likely to benefit, the Committee should not to support a grant application.  Other Members agreed and it was concluded that given the limited number of people who would benefit a grant should not be offered.

Oxfordshire Play Association

Councillors Beth Fleming had declared a personal interest in part of this item. 

In response to a question raised regarding the benefit of the Play Association it was commented that most after school clubs and toddler groups were members and this gave them an opportunity to receive play equipment. No Members spoke against the application and the Committee agreed that a grant should be offered.

South and Vale Carers Centre

One Member commented that this application should be supported as it provided a link for carers with a real presence in Abingdon. Members agreed that this project was important and that a grant should be offered.

Assisted Reading for Children in Oxfordshire

Members questioned the benefit of the scheme in Abingdon. Officers advised that the scheme was in operation all over Oxfordshire and coordinated volunteers to go into schools to help with reading. It was advised that schools were waiting for volunteers. It was noted that the scheme was present in Rush Common, Carswell, Dunmore and Sutton Courtney Primary Schools.

One Member commented that she considered that charging schools £275 was expensive and was not sure what the £1,000 sought would be spent on. She stated that she was sympathetic to the need, however did not consider that the application should be supported.  Another Member commented that reading in schools should be funded by the County Council.   Other Members agreed and it was concluded that no grant should be offered.

The Oxfordshire Playbus

One Member advised that the playbus was worthy of support, as it attended special schools in order to give students an opportunity to have experiences outside of the classroom. One Member agreed and added that the play bus attended special events if requested, such as the fun day at Dalton Barracks. No Members spoke against the application and the Committee agreed to support the offer of a grant.

Drayton Village Hall

CouncillorRichard Webber had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this application and he withdrew from the meeting room during its consideration.

One Member advised that Drayton Village Hall was well used. Members agreed that the work proposed was important in creating a more inviting atmosphere for users. No Member spoke against the application and the Committee agreed to the offer of a grant.

Parish Cleansing Grants

CouncillorRichard Webber had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this part of the item and he withdrew from the meeting room during its consideration.

Members were reminded that they had agreed to phase out the awarding of parish cleansing grants over a two year period, this being the second year.

RESOLVED

(a)               that the remaining budget for the Abingdon Area Committee be noted as £5739.72;

(b)               that the sum of £3,670 be returned to the budget for 2008/9 (proposed by CouncillorBeth Fleming, seconded by Councillor Julie Mayhew Archer and agreed by 7 votes to nil);

(c)               that the grant applications be determined as follows: -

(d)       that the grant applications which were awarded a grant by the Executive on 17 October 2008 be determined as follows: -:

(e)       that the Executive be requested to approve the carry forward of unspent grant budget from 2008/9 into 2009/10;

(f)         that the budget for the Abingdon Area Committee for 2009/10 be noted; and

(g)       that the following be awarded as additional parish cleansing grants to be taken from the 2009/10 budget, (proposed by CouncillorRichard Gibson and seconded by Councillor Tony de Vere and agreed by 6 votes to nil with 1 of the voting Members not being present): -

(1)   Appleford Parish Council - £75

(2)   Drayton Parish Council - £300.