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)     The Members Support Officer will provide an update on the Ward Community budget for 2012/13; and

b)     The following grant applications are submitted for consideration:-

Application 1

Project:           40^th Anniversary Celebrations

Applicant:      East Leicester Dance Group

Amount Requested: 

Summary:

In March 2013 the Group will be celebrating 40 years of providing tuition and performing arts in dance experience to children and young people across the north east of Leicester.

As well as putting on a show for parents in April, the Group would like to hold a celebration event for dancers past and present.  This event will be free, in appreciation of the support received from dancers and parents over the years.

The Group is not seeking funding from any other source, but will be holding fundraising events, such as raffles, table top events and breakfast events.

A request also has been made to Humberstone and Hamilton Community Meeting for a grant of £500 towards this event.

Application 2

Project:           LE5 Boxercise – Fitness for All Proposal

Applicant:      The Forgotten Estates Community Association

Amount Requested: 

Summary:

The Forgotten Estates group want to establish a Boxercise/Fitness centre in the LE5 postcode area.

Boxercise is an exercise class based on the training concepts boxers use to keep fit.  Classes can take a variety of formats, for example shadow boxing, skipping, hitting pads, kicking punch bags, press-ups, shuttle runs and sit-ups.

Most Boxercise classes are aimed at men and women of all ages and fitness standards, as no class involves the physical hitting of an opponent.  It is a fun, challenging and safe workout for everyone, no matter what their size, shape or sex.

As this will involve starting from scratch, various pieces of specialist equipment are needed.  For example, mats, boxing gloves, skipping ropes, boxing ring, sit-up benches, buckets, head guards, hand raps (tapes), boxing pads, running machine dumbells, medicine balls, exercise bike, punch bags and shadow boxing mirrors will be needed.  the projected cost of this equipment is £12,000.

The project will be available to anyone within the LE5 postcode catchment area.  It is particularly hoped to work closely with recognised youth providers in the area and to encourage young people not in employment, education or training to become involved.

The project will be delivered by qualified instructors, all of whom will be fully CRB checked.

Sessions will be run between 5.00 pm and 9.30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  An under 12s programme will be offered as an after-school club activity over a 5 day period.  Once the project is established it is hoped to also introduce a weekend programme of activity.

For those wanting to move on towards boxing, it is intended to establish a boxing only section.  This will operate under full ABA rules and regulations.

Funding applications are being made to both Community Meetings in the LE5 postcode area and fundraising activities are being held to meet the shortfall in funding.

Surinder Singh, Member Support Officer, presented the latest position with regard to the Ward Community Budget.

Applications for funding had been received for consideration and funding was approved as follows:

·         40^th Anniversary Celebrations – East Leicester Dance Group

Amount          £500

This application was approved.

·         LE5 Boxercise – Forgotten Estates Community Association

Amount          £3,500 (joint bid with one other ward)

This application was approved in the sum of £1,750

·         Scout Hut Refurbishment Project – Thurnby Lodge Community Forum

Amount          £2,600

This application was approved.

Surinder advised that, following the above approvals; £6,555 remained in the Ward Community Budget.

Councillor Fonseca encouraged community groups and representatives to submit bids for funding before the end of the financial year.