Agenda item

The Committee is asked to receive and consider report 259/05 of the Strategic Director attached.

Introduction and Report Summary

The purpose of this report is to set out the current budget position for the Abingdon Area Committee for Community Grants and to invite Members to consider and determine the grant application received since the last meeting; and to consider and determine parish cleansing bids received for 2006/07.

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 remaining budget for 2005/06 is £12,755.48;

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

The NET, Abingdon, £4,500, towards the cost of running a Saturday evening session for young people, Social Agenda, Town & Village Vitality priority

(c)        Members are asked to note that three applications have been received for a grant of £500 or less and, in accordance with the Council’s policy, these are being considered under delegated authority by the Head of Innovation & Enterprise in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, and that information on any grant awarded will be provided verbally at the meeting;

(d)        Members are asked to note that the budget for the Abingdon Area Committee for the next financial year, 2006/07, is £28,220 as determined by the Executive at its meeting on 3 March 2006, based on the percentage of the electorate in Abingdon at 1 January 2006; and

(e)               Members are asked to consider and determine the bids for parish cleansing in 2006/07 which comply with the criteria, noting that any grants awarded will be allocated from the 2006/07 budget.

Councillors Peter Green, Peter Jones, Monica Lovatt, Janet Morgan, Julie Mayhew-Archer and Laurel Symons 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.

The Committee received and considered report 259/05 of the Strategic Director, the purpose of which was to set out the current budget position for the Abingdon Area Committee for Community Grants and to invite Members to consider and determine the grant application received since the last meeting; and to consider and determine parish cleansing bids received for 2006/07.

The report was considered as follows: -

1.         Grant application – The NET, Abingdon

It was reported that the County Council would fund workers but not activities or equipment.  Overhead costs would be met by the NET.  A grant had been sought from Abingdon Town Council and it was thought that any grants received would cover the total capital costs and running costs.

In terms of sustaining the project, it was reported that the NET had indicated that grant awards this year would give the organisation “breathing space” and that other sources of funding could be secured for the future when there would be no capital costs.

Consultation with young people had identified that a cinema was needed in Abingdon.  It was estimated that up to 150 people could attend each film showing.  It was noted that the project was aimed at a 13 – 19 year old age group.  It was noted that there were no funds available from the Community Safety Partnership as all funds had been allocated.  It was noted that it was difficult to quantify the exact costs of the project, for example the hire costs of films had not been included.  The NET would not be charging admission fees although there would be a membership fee.

It was noted that £4,500 was sought towards the capital costs of the project.  It was considered that funding towards capital costs would be appropriate although there was less support for funding running costs as this might set a precedent for future years.  Consideration was given as to whether a grant offer should be subject to matched funding by the County Council, although this suggestion was not supported.

2.         Applications for £500 or less

            The Committee was advised of three applications for £500 or less as follows:-

3.         Parish Council Cleansing Bids

It was noted that Appleford was undertaking a small amount of work only.

RESOLVED

(a)                     that the Committee’s remaining budget for 2005/06 of £12,755.48 be noted;

(b)                     that such funds as are required be transferred from the environmental agenda to the social agenda to meet the grant award as set out below;

(c)                     that the following grant be awarded: -

(d)           that it be noted that three applications have been received for a grant of £500 or less and in accordance with the Council’s policy, these are being considered under delegated authority by the Head of Innovation and Enterprise in consultation with the Chair of the Committee;

(e)           that it be noted that the budget for the Abingdon Area Committee for the 2006/07 financial year is £28,220.00 as determined by the Executive at its meeting on 3 March 2006, based on the percentage of the electorate in Abingdon as at 1 January 2006;

(f)                       that the bids for parish cleansing in 2006/07 which comply with the criteria, be determined as set out below, it being noted that the grants awarded will be allocated from the 2006/07 budget: -

(g)                     that the Executive be asked to approve that any unspent budget in the 2005/06 financial year may be carried forward to the 2006/07 financial year for allocation by the Abingdon Area Committee.