Agenda item

Jayne Linney, Members Support Officer to the Area Committee, will give an update on the current position of the Area Committee Budget.

Details of Budget requests received since the last meeting are attached as follows: -

D1       - Netherhall Access Project.

D2       - Netherhall Theatre Dance Group.

i)            Willowbrook Activity Centre          

Graham Cornish stated that an application had been submitted in September 2007 to obtain funding to enable the Centre to open one additional night per week until the end of the year. The Area Committee had supported the application but had stated that they were prepared to fund 50% of the requested sum, but would require 50% matched funding from Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS). Graham stated that he had heard nothing since.

Jayne Linney, Members Support Officer stated that she was still awaiting a response from CYPS.

It was Agreed that £1200 be allocated to this project, provided that a further £1200 is provided by Children and Young People’s Services.

ii)            Thursday Drop-in Groups (Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre)

            End of Year Lunch

The Chair reported that this application for funding for £200 had been refused at the last meeting on the grounds that the Group had previously received Area Committee funding. This was stated to not be the case and was in fact a first application.

It was Agreed that £200 be granted.

iii)            Netherhall Access Project

A budget proposal was presented in the sum of £2000 from Dolphin Private Hire to establish a partnership between a local business (Dolphin Private Hire) and local people to provide transport twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for elderly and disabled residents. These residents would be collected from their homes anywhere on the estate and taken to the local shopping centre, doctors surgery, lunch club etc. Return trips could be booked as well as a free service for pre-booked emergency appointments. The sum requested was estimated to be sufficient to operate the scheme for one year.

Following discussion it was stated that the scheme should extend to Thurncourt Ward to cover Humberstone residents.

It was Agreed that £2000 be allocated to this proposal, subject to Councillor Potter, Councillor Scuplak and Jayne Linney meeting to work up the proposal in greater detail, and look to include residents of Humberstone.

iii)            Pallisade Fencing – Wintersdale Road/Perkyn Road

Councillor Allen stated that there was currently fencing on one side of this footpath adjoining Willowbrook Park but the proposal was to install fencing on the other side of the footpath and estimates were likely to be in the region of £9,000.

Discussion took place regarding the future maintenance and the fact that if the City Council installed the fencing they would be liable for future maintenance.

It was Agreed that, subject to funding being available and subject to the residents affected being satisfied with the fencing, that the proposal be supported.

iv)            Invitation to Participate in a Production at Sadlers Wells Opera             House

A proposal for £3080 was presented on behalf of the Netherhall Theatre Dance Group to take 42 local children who attend the group and who have been invited to Sadlers Wells to join a Mardi Gras Festival.

It was Agreed that the proposal be supported in the sum of £985.

v)         Ball Court Lighting

Councillor Mugglestone stated that a potential proposal would be to install lighting at the Netherhall Centre Ball Court.

Jayne Linney, Members Support Officer stated that provisional costings had been obtained and the likely cost would be in the region of £20k and the Area Committee Budget would not be able to support this level of funding.

vi)        TV facilities at Thurncourt Residential Home

Councillor Scuplak stated that a proposal to provide a new TV at this residential home had now been withdrawn.

vii)            Columbine Road – Provision of Football Posts and lining

It was reported that a request had been received to fund the provison of football posts and lines at Columbine Road.

Councillor Mugglestone stated there proposals in the Council Budget to build a pavilion and 3 pitches at this location. Jayne Linney stated that she would follow this up.

viii)            Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre – Healthy Eating            £1,200

A verbal proposal was put forward at the meeting for the provision of milk and fruit to youths attending after-school sessions at Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre, as part of a healthy eating exercise. It was stated that there were currently 5 after-school sessions per week during term time, representing 42 weeks per year at  £30 per week.

It was agreed that a sum of £1,200 be granted in respect of the above application.

ix)               Balance of Funding

It was Agreed that the balances remaining in the Area Committee Budget, estimated at approx £2,200, be allocated towards the provision of lighting at the Netherhall Centre Ball Park.