Agenda item

To consider the head of corporate services’ report. 

The committee considered the head of corporate services’ report, which set out details of seven applications for New Homes Bonus grants. The committee noted that it had a budget of £16,974. The officer’s report had assessed each application against the grants criteria and had scored the applications against the policy matrix.

Marcham Community Group

Councillors Catherine Webber and Richard Webber declared non-pecuniary interests in this application and left the room for the duration of the item

The officer introduced the application by Marcham Community Group which sought £9,701 towards the scheme total of £53,057, representing a 18.28% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute towards the provision of furnishings for the village hall. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award.

There was one speaker present for the item. Adam Grady spoke in support of the application and answered questions from committee members regarding the application.

Councillors discussed the item and advised Mr Grady on additional sources of funding available from other organisations.

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended scoring of 10 out of 12 points

Sutton Courtenay Village Hall

The officer introduced the application by Sutton Courtenay Village Hall which sought £3,810 towards the scheme total of £7,620, representing a 50% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to improvements of the village hall. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award.

There were two speakers. Rita Atkinson and Mary Warrington were present for this application. The speakers spoke in support of the application.

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended scoring of 9 out of 12 points.

Abingdon Carousel Family Centre

Councillor Samantha Bowring declared a non-pecuniary interest and left the room for the duration of this item.

The officer introduced the application by Abingdon Carousel Family Centre which sought £3,904 towards the scheme total of £7,808, representing a 50% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to the provision of the installation of a sensory room to help facilities for special needs children. The officer explained the scoring recommendation, the subsequent suggested award and clarified questions from members regarding new homes bonus scoring and how the receipt of other funding impacted on the officer recommendation.

There were no speakers present for the application. The committee debated the item.

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended scoring of 8 out of 12 points.

Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Tennis Club

The officer introduced the application by Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Tennis Club which sought £11,500 towards the scheme total of £123,294, representing a total contribution of 9.32%. This fund would contribute to the extension and upgrade of club tennis facilities. The officer explained the scoring recommendation, the subsequent suggested award and answered questions from the committee. The officer clarified that applications for funding from other committees within the authority did not impact on this application and that each committee would need to treat each application as a separate project. Additionally, the officer clarified questions regarding the number of new homes built in the area and the constituents who used the facility.

There were no speakers present for the application. The committee debated this item.

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended scoring of 7 out of 12 points.

Abingdon Rugby Club

The officer introduced the application by Abingdon Rugby Club which sought £10,000 towards the scheme total of £52,247, representing a 19.14% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to the provision of replacement showers and the refurbishment of changing rooms at the club. The officer explained the scoring recommendation, the subsequent suggested award and clarified a question from the committee explaining that the gender of users of the facility does not impact the scoring given in the report.

There were no speakers present for the application. The committee debated this item.

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended score of 6 out of 12 points.

Damascus PCC

The officer introduced the application by Damascus PCC which sought £7,722 towards the scheme total of £15,444, representing a 50% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to the provision of new furniture and fittings for the community church room. The officer explained the scoring recommendation, the subsequent suggested award and answered questions from the committee about the score reduction for religious organisations which limited the score to two points as per the scoring criteria.

There was one speaker present for the application. Janet Knowles spoke in support of the application. The speaker answered questions from the committee.

Councillors debated this item.

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended score of 6 out of 12 points.

Kennington Playgroup

The officer introduced the application by Kennington Playgroup which sought £7,457 towards the scheme total of £14,914, representing a 50% contribution towards the total cost. This fund would contribute to the provision of an outdoor play area upgrade. The officer explained the scoring recommendation and the subsequent suggested award. There were no speakers present for the application. 

Resolved: To approve the officer’s recommended score of 5 out of 12 points.

Having approved the scoring of each application against the grants criteria, the committee went on to consider the amounts that should be awarded to each applicant. Due to the restricted budget available, the committee was unable to award grants to each applicant. As a result, the committee awarded grants to the highest scoring applications.

Resolved:

a.)  To award New Homes Bonus Grants as follows:

b.)  The following applicants receive no New Homes Bonus Grant on this occasion:

-          Abingdon Rugby Club

-          Damascus PCC

-          Kennington Playgroup