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.

Peter Cozens, Members Support Officer, will provide an update on the 2010/11 Community Meeting budget.

Application 1

Applicant:       King Richard III Infant and Nursery School

Proposal:       Installation of Cycle Racks for children and adults

Amount:          2 Minipods (to store 7/8 bikes each) – £1,500

Summary:       It is proposed to install a selection of cycle racks for the children and adults of the school, to enable them to keep their bikes safe throughout the school day.  This idea was suggested by a number of parents and further research suggested that a cycle rack would inspire other children and parents to use this healthier mode of transport.

A travel plan was created, which outlined the School’s intentions and research results collected from a large selection of parents, staff and pupils.

Staff also were very keen on this idea and, of those staff living close enough to cycle to school, a significant number would consider this if there was a safe and secure place to store their bikes throughout the day.

Various options for cycle racks have been investigated and a company found called ‘Cyclepods’, whose design for the racks appeared to be in keeping with the school’s bright and inviting appearance.

Along with the installation of the cycle racks, it is planned to develop the safe use of bikes in the School’s teaching.  Ideally, it Is hoped to invite in an external group of people who specialise in teaching bike safety to younger children and maybe link this up with a whole school ‘Bike Safety Week’, as well as linking in with the local police officers, who have offered to come into school and security mark the children’s bikes.

It is aimed to complete all aspects of this project by the end of the spring term, to encourage children, parents and staff to ride their bikes to school during the nicer weather that the summer term usually brings.

Application 2

Applicant:       Churches Together

Proposal:       Churches Together Youth Club

Amount:          £1,256.43

Summary:       The Youth Club will meet at the Robert Hall Memorial Church Hall every Friday at about 8.00 pm after Christmas during term time.  It will be aimed at secondary school children, who come from all backgrounds in the area.  The Youth Club aims to teach them basic morals for life and create friendships for those who may not have any.

It is planned to spend the money requested on things such as instruments, craft material and games, which it is hoped will help people to work together, or just create friendships.  It also is intended to have some relaxed time and some teaching.

The organisers say they will know it is successful if they see the young people working together and enjoying themselves.  They feel that the Youth Club could really benefit some of the young people who perhaps do not have many advantages by providing them with bonds with other children.

a)     Street Pastors

Peter Cozens, (Members Support Officer with Leicester City Council), reported that an application for funding from the Street Pastors for £447.48 for an extra rubbish bin outside Mario’s Chippy, Braunstone Gate had been approved under the Council’s urgency procedures from the Ward Action Plan budget.  This bin had been installed.

b)    King Richard III Infant and Nursery School

The meeting was reminded that both Ward Councillors had declared interests in this application, (see minute 24 above).  In view of this, Peter Cozens, (Members Support Officer with Leicester City Council), introduced the application.

AGREED:

                  that funding of £1,500 be supported from the Ward Community Fund to King Richard III Infant and nursery School towards the installation of cycle racks.

c)     Churches Together

Some concern was expressed at the proposal that, if approved, the grant towards the Churches Together Youth Club should come from the Community Cohesion Fund, as there could be some communities that would not want their young people meeting at church facilities.  However, it was noted that, although facilities at the mosque were well used by young people, in general facilities for teenagers in the area were limited.

AGREED:

                  that funding of £1,256.43 be supported from the Community Cohesion Fund to Churches Together towards establishing a Churches Together Youth Club.

d)    Braunstone Gate Traders

The meeting noted that, since the agenda had been circulated, an application had been received from the traders on Braunstone Gate for a grant of £2,520 towards having 18 lit Christmas trees above premises on Braunstone Gate.

The grant requested would cover the one-off costs of the project, (such as the brackets for fixing the trees to the premises, lights and cabling) and, as this was the first year, the trees.  Participating traders would contribute £50 per tree this year, (the total cost of each tree being £190), but would buy their own trees in future years.

Although not all traders in the road were participating in the project, there would be a fairly even spread of trees along Braunstone Gate.  They would be held in brackets, at an angle to the walls of the premises, just above first floor height.  Each trader would pay their own electricity costs.

The meeting welcomed the work being done to improve the area, but expressed some concern that a significant part of this funding was for the trees, which could not be used next year.  It therefore was suggested that the traders should be asked to fund 50% of the costs, with a grant covering the other 50%.  However, as it was felt that this project would help traders in Braunstone Gate to build on work already done to encourage businesses to work together and would improve the festive feel, and thereby the profile, of the area, it was

AGREED:

                  that funding of £2,520 be supported from the Ward Community Fund to the Braunstone Gate traders for the purchase of Christmas trees and associated equipment for use on premises on Braunstone Gate.