Agenda item

To consider the head of corporate strategy’s report on applications for Capital Community Grants and New Homes Bonus Grants.

NEW HOMES BONUS GRANTS SCHEME

 

 

The Pump House project in Faringdon, requested equipment and furniture for the venue, in particular a digihub.

 

Officers recommended this as a high priority for funding.

 

John Nightingale, a trustee for the project, spoke to the meeting. He gave a history of the project. The project focussed on youth activities, but included a venue for Age Concern, CAB, Scout movement, toddlers, babies, families etc. The Pump House had become a community hub. They were seeking funding for furniture for the digihub mainly for the benefit of youth and the elderly.

 

The committee asked questions of clarification of the speaker about the nature and use of the equipment proposed, and whether other funding options had been explored

 

The committee discussed the item.

 

The committee proposed and seconded a motion to award a grant in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. On being put to the vote, this was approved.

 

RESOLVED: To grant £1217 to the Pump House from the New Homes Bonus Fund.

 

 

Faringdon Town Council – Play area improvements in Oakwood Park.

 

Sally Thurston, the Town Clerk spoke in support of the application.

 

The committee asked questions of the applicant, a summary of the responses is below:

·           No s106 monies had been applied for to fund this project, as the town council had made requests for s106 money for other projects.

·           No money to fund this project had been applied for from elsewhere.

·           The town council’s general purpose reserves were within the amounts recommended by the town council’s auditors.

·           Safety surfacing would be compacted rubber.

 

The committee debated this item.

 

The committee were advised by officers that, as well as agreeing funding, it also had the option to reduce the amount of money awarded, or to award no money if there was a belief that the organisation had enough money to fund the project itself.

 

The committee proposed and seconded a motion to award a grant in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. On being put to the vote, this was approved.

 

RESOLVED: To award £4546 from the New Homes Bonus Fund.

 

 

Community First Oxfordshire - The officer introduced this Oxfordshire wide project. One day per week would be allocated to the Vale area. The application scored well. The organisation had a reasonable amount of money in its reserves, but the officer was satisfied that this was accounted for.

 

The committee debated this application, in summary below:

·           The organisation currently receives a partnership grant

·           Community First visit community projects and halls and advise on funding and efficiency and on marketing and general business planning.

·           They are currently in receipt of funds from Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and West Oxfordshire district councils and are in discussions with Oxford City.

·           The funding is just for 12 months, and the applicant is aware that, within the policy, this is the only time we can fund this post from the NHB scheme.

 

The committee proposed and seconded a motion to award a grant in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. On being put to the vote, this was approved.

 

RESOLVED: To award £1343 from the New Homes Bonus Scheme.

 

 

Councillor Cox joined the meeting.

 

 

CAPITAL GRANT SCHEME

 

Uffington Parish Council – Conversion of a basketball court into a multi-use games area.

 

The organisation could contribute up to £335, which would make up the deficit in the funding, this means that the score could increase in the organisation’s contribution, but there would be no need for an uplift in funding.

 

Parish Councillor Paul Coad spoke in support of the application.

·           The village lacked facilities for young people.

·           Consultation had been undertaken.

·           Monies in the parish’s bank account were largely committed to other projects.

 

The committee debated the application.

·                The amounts of money required were clarified.

 

The committee proposed and seconded a motion to award a grant in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. On being put to the vote, this was approved.

 

RESOLVED: To award £1004 from the Capital Community Grants fund.

 

 

Buckland Memorial Hall

 

There was no public speaker for this item.

 

The committee debated this item.

·           Money had previously been given for a different scheme in 2008.

·           The applicant had confirmed that they had the £16,636 to put towards the project.

 

The committee proposed and seconded a motion to award a grant in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. On being put to the vote, this was approved.

 

RESOLVED

To award £9750from the Capital Community Grants fund.

 

 

Buscot Park Cricket Club

 

The score was limited as the community benefit was only to existing members and the facilities were being replaced like for like.

 

The committee were reminded to take each application on its own merits, rather than based on what money would be available for future applications.

 

RESOLVED

To award £1,158 from the Capital Community Grants fund

 

 

The Grants Officer reminded councillors that both schemes are currently open for a third round of applications until 7 November 2016, which the committee meetings booked for January 2017.

 

The Faringdon Area’s budgets for this final round are NHB - £20,164 and CG - £6,584.