Agenda item

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Steve Letten, Members Support Officer will give an update on the Knighton Community Meeting Budget.

There will be a report back on the Cinema at Holbrook Hall which has previously received funding from the Community Meeting

The following budget applications have been received:

·        Ray Clarke, Expenses to Set Up Sponsored Walk, £50.       Appendix B1

·        Stoneygate Baptist Church, Equipment for Youth Work,        Appendix B2

£608.99.

·        Stoneygate Baptist Church, Repairs to Roof Prior                 Appendix B3

To Kitchen Refurbishment, £3,466

·        Knighton Parochial Church Council, Holbrook Hall                 Appendix B4

Repairs, £1,500 - £9,100.

·        Knighton Park Sensory Garden Project, HorticulturalAppendix B5

Training Project, £250.

·        West Knighton Senior Citizens Group, Outings for                 Appendix B6

Forthcoming Year, £580.

·        Knighton Church Rooms, Cost of Transport for                       Appendix B7

Outings and Subsiding Outing, £600

·        Local Young People, Goalposts on Chiltern Green,               Appendix B8

£2000

Steve Letten, Member Support Officer presented the budget for the Community Meeting.

Steve reported that there had been eight applications submitted for funding. He went through the applications and gave details of the bids. The following bids were submitted:

1)     Stoneygate Baptist Church, Equipment for Youth Work, £608.99.

A representative from the Church was present to explain the application. He commented that equipment was needed for the use of indoors. There was currently a youth worker that was being employed by the Church who would be running the services. Members were in support of the application and felt it would provide a good service for the area.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £608.99 be allocated from the Ward Community Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

2)     Stoneygate Baptist Church, Repairs to Roof Prior to Kitchen Refurbishment, £3, 466

Members agreed to support the application in principle however the level of support was not agreed as they felt more information such as quotes were required.

RESOLVED:

                        that more information on the application be obtained. 

3)  Knighton Parochial Church Council, Holbrook Hall, Repairs, £1, 500 -  

     £9, 100

A representative from the Church explained that the money was needed for urgent repairs to the roof. He stated that a feasibility study had been undertaken for the medium term and there were plans to refurbish the building. The access ramp to the building was currently not meeting the current standards and therefore needed investment. Members were in favour of entering into a partnership with the Parochial Church Council (PCC) over the next two years to see how community funding could be made available to support the scheme. Members said they would like a partnership approach with the PCC and would like to see plans of the development and an opportunity to meet the PCC. They also said they would need an undertaking that the hall would remain open in the medium to long term. In this way if the hall were closed for any reason e.g. for property development on the site, then the Council could ask for any money provided to be reimbursed.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £1500 be provided initially subject to the conditions above from the Ward Action Plan Fund and subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

4)     Ray Clarke, Expenses to Set Up Sponsored Walk, £50

Steve stated that the application was for the cost to administer the sponsored walk. Members felt that they could not agree to funding the application as it would set a precedent of supporting running and administering costs of charities however they recognised the work and agreed that it be looked into whether funding could be provided for items such as equipment which would help sustain activities in the longer term.

RESOLVED:

that the application not be supported in it’s initial form however it be looked into whether funding could be provided to help sustain activities in the longer term.

5)     West Knighton Senior Citizens Group, Outings for Forthcoming year, £580.

A representative from the Group explained that they had experienced difficulties in hiring coaches for their activities. Members were in support of the application however they stated that as part of the funding rules, it would be difficult to provide funding on a continuous basis. Steve commented that he would try to investigate alternative transport arrangements and future funding for the group after next year.

RESOLVED

that the application be supported and £580 be allocated from the Ward Community Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

6)     Knighton Park Sensory Garden Project, Horticultural Training Project, £250

Members were in favour of supporting this application.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £250 be allocated from the Ward Community Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

7)     Local Young People, Goalposts on Chiltern Green, £2000

Members queried how the figure of £2000 had been calculated. Representatives who had submitted the application commented that they had spoken to Council officers who had helped calculate how much was required. Residents queried whether local schools could be used however it was noted that this would be difficult as schools were closed during the summer holidays. Members supported the application and asked that it be looked into whether the work, could be combined with the work done by youth workers and the football foundation. It was also agreed to look into planting new shrubs.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £2000 be allocated from the Ward Community Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

8)     Knighton Church Rooms, Cost of Transport for Outings and Subsiding Outing, £600

Members were in support of the application however stated that as part of the funding rules, it would be difficult to provide funding on a continuous basis. Steve commented that he would try to investigate alternative transport arrangements for the group after next year.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £600 be allocated from the Ward Action Plan Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

A representative from Holbrook Hall provided a progress report on the Cinema project which he had previously received funding for from the Community Meeting. The equipment and relevant licences for displaying films had now been obtained and the first film would be showing on 5 December. He added that in the new year a club would be set up.