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

a)      Representatives of Fullhurst College have been invited to the meeting to give feedback on how the previously approved grant to the College’s Hardship Fund has been used.

b)     The Members’ Support Officer will provide an update on the 2011/12 Community Meeting budget.

c)      The following applications for grants are submitted for consideration:-

Application 1

Applicant:      Stonham Project Leicester – Glazebrook Road

Project:           Life Skills Training

Amount requested:

The total cost of 9 modules is £77, making the total cost for the two clients £154

Summary:

This project targets homeless people who live in Stonham’s move-on property in Mountcastle Road.  The central idea is to offer training to all clients in the project, a total of 2 people. 

The training will offer a wide range of life skills to help them access further training, work and a move to their own accommodation.  All parts of the course would be accredited by the open College Network, (which is recognised by employers), and cover such topics as life skills, confidence building, successful tenancy management and assertiveness.  There will be nine elements in total and each element will be worth one credit towards the overall qualification.

The training material needs to be bought for each client, as this covers the cost of accreditation for each individual.  Project workers from the Stonham Project will deliver the training.

This scheme will have very positive benefits for the residents, as there is little or no provision of this type of learning or education provided by mainstream providers, so this project will help break down one of the many barriers that homeless people face.

The learning can take place on an individual level, or in a group situation, as it is completely flexible to each resident’s need.  Some of the residents find group learning too intrusive, so in this situation one-to-one tutoring and support can be provided.

There will be two people who benefit and for some this will be their first qualification.  Giving residents a chance to achieve something of this nature will not only increase their knowledge, but will help to motivate them and give a sense of success and achievement.

Consideration has been given to using the City Council’s Supporting Tenants and Residents (STAR) service, but this training is less intensive and does not give the clients an official qualification.  The courses for which funding is sought are tailor made to each client, with the distance learning modules working alongside Stonham support plans.  For example if a client has money issues, this would be highlighted on their support plan and they would be put forward for the debt module in the programme.

In addition, STAR’s training generally focuses on pre tenancy work, which will be explored with clients, but Stonham also will be looking at other support areas that the client has.  Stonham has approached STAR in the past regarding pre tenancy training for the clients, (which is run by the service user group Rise and Shine,) but they charged £850 to put on the sessions.

Applications have been made to other Wards for similar funding for clients in those Wards, but no other sources of funding are being investigated by the Stonham Project.

Application 2

Applicant:      David Kayemba

Project:           Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club

Amount requested:

The overall amount being applied for is £1,800 with this being divided between the Wards from which the young people come. 

The amount being requested from Westcotes Ward therefore is:-

Summary:

Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club is a football team that plays at Victoria Park. It comprises of 48 Members who come from mixed cultural backgrounds. The group consists of mainly unemployed young men using sport as a diversionary activity, breaking down community safety issues, minimising anti-social behaviour alongside building self-esteem and confidence in those who participate.

At present, the Club has 8 members in Westcotes Ward, 6 in Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, 5 in Castle/Highfields, 6 players from Beaumont Leys, 4 from Knighton Fields and 4 from Tudor Road.  The Club also has supporters in Westcotes, as it trains at Bede Park at times.

The group leader has been personally funding the group, but has also been providing information and guidance by assisting with the issues that the young people have had, including employment, domestic issues and health.

The group is under threat of closure if it is not able to find the funds it needs. The league in which the group participates started on 28 August and the funding is needed to allow the club to participate.  It supports vulnerable young people who are making the transition from their home cultures to living in the UK.

The applicant has attempted to get local sponsorship, but due to the economic downturn and reduction in income for local businesses, this has been unsuccessful.

a)     Fullhurst College

The Meeting noted that representatives of Fullhurst College had sent their sincere apologies that they could not be the meeting to give feedback on how the previously approved grant to the College’s Hardship Fund had been used.  However, they had advised that:-

·           Approximately 10 uniforms had been provided to date, mostly to new starters;

·           Recipients were not means tested, but their background was checked with their former primary school;

·           A uniform swap shop had been started at the end of the summer term; and

·           Second hand uniform would be sold at the College’s Christmas and summer fetes.  The proceeds from this would be reinvested in the Fund.

b)     2011/12 Community Meeting Budget

Elaine Baker, Democratic Services Officer with Leicester City Council, reported that grants totalling £2,830 had been approved up to the date of this meeting.  Consequently, £12,170 remained in the Ward Community Budget for 2011/12.

c)     Grant Applications

The following applications for grants were then considered:-

i)       Stonham Project Leicester – Life Skills Training

AGREED:

                   that a grant of £154 to Stonham Project Leicester be supported for the provision of life skills training for residents at the Project’s Glazebrok Road property.

ii)     David Kayemba – Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club

The Meeting noted that applications for assistance towards the purchase of nets, corner flags, kits, balls and other equipment, and towards costs associated with running the Club had been made to several Wards, as players came from various parts of the City.

David Kayemba addressed the meeting, explaining that, at present, the Club did not have any children’s teams, but it was hoped that it could in the future.  Matches currently were played in Victoria Park.  Bede Park was used for training.  However, the Club hoped to find facilities further away from residential properties.

AGREED:

                   that a grant of £360 to Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club be supported towards the purchase of nets, corner flags, kits, balls and other equipment, and towards costs associated with running the Club.

iii)    Ward Members – Cycle Racks on Bede Street

Councillor Connelly presented a verbal report of a request from members of the public for cycle racks to be provided on Bede Street, outside the new Co-op store, so that cyclist could secure their bikes while they went shopping.  It was proposed that two racks should be installed, at a cost of approximately £250 each.  The bollards currently there would not be removed.

AGREED:

that a grant of up to £500 be supported for the installation of two cycle racks on Bede Street.

iv)    Ward Members – Cycle Racks on Hinckley Road

Councillor Connelly presented a verbal report of a request from parents of pupils at King Richard School III School for cycle racks to be installed on Hinckley Road, near its junction with Andrewes Street.  At present, vehicles often parked on the pavement at this location, which obstructed the view of people using the junction or pedestrian crossing.  It was felt that putting cycle racks there would keep the junction clear, as well as encouraging people to cycle to the shops.

In reply to concerns raised at the meeting, the Police confirmed that there was sufficient parking in the vicinity, so there was no need for vehicles to park on the pavement at that location.

AGREED:

                   that a grant of up to £500 be supported for the installation of two cycle racks at the above location.