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.
a) The Members Support Officer will present an update on the 2011/12 Community Meeting budget.
b) The following applications for grants are submitted for consideration:-
Application 1
Applicant: Gulam Mohammed Lockhat
Proposal: As Salaam Women’s Events
Amount: £151
Summary:
This application was considered at the meeting held on 28 March 2011, when a grant of £249 was agreed, (minute 49(b) referred). It also was agreed that, as insufficient funds remained in the budget at that time to support the application in full, consideration should be given at this meeting to whether the balance of the funds requested could be granted. This would be a further £151.
a) Funding towards the cost of hiring the hall at Christ Church, Nursery Road to hold a monthly meeting and provide refreshments for Asian women living in Thurncourt Ward
In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of Asian families, particularly Muslim families, moving into the area. Approximately 90 such families have been identified in and around the area. Whilst men can meet up and network, there are limited opportunities for Asian women to do this. As most have only just moved to the area and are dispersed, there is a degree of isolation. With increasing unemployment, there is an even greater risk of isolation as incomes for families are reduced and the cost of maintaining contacts becomes more difficult.
To address this, As Salaam has begun a programme of meetings aimed at Asian women in the area. These take place on the first Sunday of each month and refreshments are provided. They enable mutual support networks, such as sharing child minding or school runs, to be established.
To date, a number of individuals have borne the cost of room hire and have provided refreshments. Once fully established, it is intended to make a nominal charge for this activity. The charge will need to be nominal to ensure that those with a limited income are not discouraged from attending.
Approximately 30 – 40 women attended the first couple of events.
b) Funding towards the cost of hiring Thurnby Lodge Community Centre for an Eid party for women and children in the area
This will be an annual event, after Ramadaan and is a way of getting all the Muslim women and children in the area together for a celebration. The cost of the food, etc will be met entirely from donations, so this request is only for funding for the hire of the Community Centre.
These proposals will help build a community spirit and confidence, especially amongst Asian women, as a precursor to them and As Salaam playing a part in improving an understanding of cultures and helping to promote good citizenship and cohesion.
As Salaam relies on donations but will pay for refreshments and, if possible, pay the balance of the accommodation charge. This will keep the cost to individuals to an absolute minimum. At previous events, participants have been asked to make a donation if they could. This practice will continue if possible so as not to discourage attendance.
Application 2
Applicant: Gulam Mohammed Lockhat
Proposal: Outing for Young People who are part of As Salaam
Amount: £300 for the hire of a single deck coach
(based on quote received from Confidence Coaches)
Summary:
This application was considered at the meeting held on 28 March 2011, (minute 49(a) referred). It was agreed that, as insufficient funds remained in the budget to support the application at that time, it should be deferred to this meeting.
The request is for funding to cover the cost of hiring a coach to a theme park or the seaside in the summer.
In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of Asian families, particularly Muslim families, moving into the area. Approximately 90 such families have been identified in and around the area.
As Salaam provides supplementary education for approximately 62 children, using facilities at Thurnby Lodge Community Centre. The classes operate 5 days per week. The cost of tutors and accommodation is met from donations and fees.
It is proposed to take some of these children, many of whom are from families on low incomes and benefits, to a theme park or on a trip to the seaside. The cost of entrance to the theme park or seaside attraction will be met through a small charge and from donations from the community. Charges will be kept to a minimum, in order not to discourage attendance.
Application 3
Applicant: Silver Threads Monday Club
Proposal: To take club members on a day trip to a place of interest
Amount:
|
Item |
Cost (£) |
Actual or Estimate? |
Request to Ward Meeting (£) |
|
Bus |
370 |
E |
370 |
|
Contribution towards entrance fees |
130 |
E |
130 |
|
TOTAL |
£500 |
|
£500 |
Summary:
This application was considered at the meeting held on 28 March 2011, (minute 49(c) referred). It was agreed that, as insufficient funds remained in the budget to support the application at that time, it should be deferred to this meeting.
The proposed day trip would be available to all Club members and other senior citizens from Thurnby Lodge.
No funding has been sought from other sources.
Application 4
Applicant: Thurnby Lodge Tenants and Residents Association
Proposal: Driver Assessment and Wheel Clamping Course (Minibus use)
Amount:
|
Item |
Cost (£) |
Actual or Estimate? |
Request to Ward Meeting (£) |
|
Membership |
12 |
A |
12 |
|
Driver Assessment x 2 |
66 |
A |
66 |
|
Wheelchair Clamping Course |
36 |
A |
36 |
|
TOTAL |
£114 |
|
£114 |
Summary:
This application was considered at the meeting held on 28 March 2011, (minute 49(f)(ii) referred). It was agreed that, if volunteers came forward before this meeting, this application would be approved through the Ward Members’ delegated authority, but that if no volunteers could be found in that time, the application would be resubmitted to this next meeting.
As the Council has not been advised of any volunteers, the application is resubmitted for consideration.
The application is for two drivers to have driver assessment and wheelchair clamping courses, to enable them to hire a mini bus from Leicester City Council Community Transport for monthly outings to various places of interest.
If successful, this will be extended to all other groups at the Community Centre.
Application 5
Applicant: Thurnby Lodge Forum
Proposal: Thurnby Lodge Annual Carnival Day
Amount:
|
Item |
Cost (£) |
Actual or Estimate? |
Request to Ward Meeting (£) |
|
Advertising |
150 |
A |
150 |
|
B/Bates Rides & Stage |
540 |
A |
540 |
|
Trafficator Disco/Sound System |
250 |
A |
250 |
|
St Johns Ambulance |
110 |
A |
110 |
|
Climbing Wall |
550 |
A |
550 |
|
SureStart (Arts, Crafts, Healthy Eating, Face Painting) |
1,200 |
A |
1,200 |
|
Photographer |
200 |
A |
200 |
|
TOTAL |
£3,000 |
|
£3,000 |
Summary:
An estate Carnival Day on Thurnby Lodge Park – 9th July 2011
The Thurnby Lodge estate schools, youth club and local associations
Thurnby Lodge Community Association also had been approached for funding
Application 6
Applicant: Mr Pat Darby
Proposal: Thurnby Lodge Rangers Football Club
Amount:
|
Item |
Cost (£) |
Actual or Estimate? |
Request to Ward Meeting (£) |
|
Football Nets |
250 |
A |
250 |
|
Football Strip (Numbered and Badged) |
420 |
A |
420 |
|
10 New Footballs |
130 |
A |
130 |
|
26 Tracksuits (2 teams) |
520 |
A |
520 |
|
TOTAL |
£1,320 |
|
£1,320 |
Summary:
To assist in the running and management of Thurnby Rangers Football Club, which is based on Willowbrook Park, off Dakyn Road, in Thurncourt Ward.
The Club has provided opportunities for young people to develop their skills as footballers over a period of 25 years, having been established in 1976. However, it has reached a critical stage and relies for its existence on goodwill and financial support that is mainly provided by its original founder, who has contributed a great deal of money and time to maintaining the grounds.
The Club is currently represented in the East Midlands Counties Division.
Application 7
Applicant: Rowlatts Hill Allotment Association
Proposal: Rowlatts Hill Allotment Society Centenary Celebration
Amount: A grant has been requested for the costs associated with clearing and renovating the site, plus publicity and the hire / purchase of gazebos, tables, chairs and toilets.
A total of £600 has been requested, split between Coleman Ward and Thurncourt Ward according to the ratio of plot holders. This Meeting is therefore asked for £200.
Summary:
The Centenary Event will be held at the Blakenhall Road site, which is the largest of the Society’s three sites, on Sunday 14 August 2011, from 10.30 am – 3.00 pm.
The event will be attended by plot holders and their friends and families, plus local people, as the Society plans to publicise the event widely. Sir Peter Soulsby, (the City Mayor), has been invited to open it.
The success of the event will be measured by the number of people who attend it and the number of empty plots that are let as a result.
Minutes:
Francis Connolly, (Members Support Officer), advised that there was £15,000 in the Ward Community Budget for 2011/12.
Five applications were presented to the meeting that had been considered at the meeting held on 28 March 2011, but had been deferred as there were insufficient funds in the budget at that time to support the applications fully, (minute 49, “Ward Community Budget 2010/11”, referred). These had been discussed by both Ward Members, who had supported them all in principle.
Two new applications also were presented to the meeting. Some concern was expressed that Thurnby Rangers Football Club was semi-professional and so paid some of its players. However, the applicant advised the meeting that, although some teams in the league in which Thurnby Rangers played were semi-professional, no-one in the Thurnby Rangers team was paid.
Two further applications had been received since the agenda for this meeting had been circulated. These were tabled at the meeting, but as they had not been received in time to be circulated prior to the meeting, it was suggested that they should be deferred.
It was noted that £500 of the grant previously approved to the Taxi Support Scheme remained to be released, which those operating the scheme felt would be sufficient to keep the scheme running until the next Community Meeting.
Francis Connolly invited anyone who wanted any information about grants from the Ward Community Budget or to submit an application for funding, to contact him.
RECOMMENDED:
1) that the following grants be approved:-
a) £151 towards As Salaam Women’s events, this being the balance of the grant requested at the meeting held on 28 March 2011;
b) £300 to the As Salaam group for the hire of a single deck coach to take young people from the As Salaam group on an outing;
c) £500 for coach hire and entrance fees for an outing for members of the Silver Threads Monday Club to a place of interest;
d) £114 to Thurnby Lodge Tenants and Residents Association for two people to attend the City Council’s Driver Assessment and Wheel Clamping Course to enable them to use community transport minibuses;
e) £3,000 to the Thurnby Lodge Forum towards the costs of an estate Carnival, held in Thurnby Lodge Park on 9 July 2011;
f) £200 to Rowlatts Hill Allotment Society towards the cost of site renovation being undertaken as part of the Society’s Centenary Celebration; and
g) £1,320 to Thurnby Lodge Rangers Football Club towards the purchase of football nets, strip, footballs and tracksuits;
2) that the applications submitted by Thurnby Lodge and District Community Association for a grant towards the operation of a Taxi Support Scheme and Allan Gratrix for the purchase of a planter seat as part of the Royal Horticultural Society Improvement Project at Thurnby Lodge Community Centre be deferred to the next meeting; and
3) that, if emergency funding is needed for the Taxi Support Scheme before the next meeting, a grant of up to £500 be approved by the Ward Councillors under the Council’s fast track procedure.