Agenda item

RESOLVED:  That members agreed to transfer £16,000 from the Capital Reserve to the Community Grants Budget

Reason:          For allocation in 2017/18.

(Voting: unanimous)

RESOLVED:  That members agreed a contribution of up to £5,000 (33% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital budget to Horsington Parish Council

Reason:          Towards the installation of new play equipment.

(Voting: unanimous)

RESOLVED: That members agreed a grant contribution of £8,000 (25% of costs) from the Community Capital budget to Blackford and Compton Parish Meeting

Reason:          Towards the new superfast broadband installation subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A of the agenda report.

(Voting: unanimous)

RESOLVED:  That members agreed a contribution of up to £3000 (26% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to Hadspen Village Hall Committee

Reason:          Towards the provision of an extended car park, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A

(Voting: unanimous)

RESOLVED:  That members agreed a contribution of up to £2,500 (25% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to West Camel  Parish Council

Reason:          Towards the installation of an outdoor gym, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A and

·         the provision of equalities and diversity statement 

·         a direct contribution of at least £500 from the Parish Council

·         equipment should comply with the European standard for the provision of permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment which is currently EN16630:2015 and is independently tested to confirm compliance

(Voting: unanimous)

RESOLVED:  That members agreed a contribution of up to £7920 (32.5% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to Ansford Parish Council & Castle Cary Town Councils

Reason:          Towards  phase 3 of the Fairfield Project for the provision of an outdoor gym, adventure trail, planting and landscaping subject to the provision of additional quotes, standard conditions set out in appendix A and:

·         Outdoor gym  equipment should comply with the European standard for the provision of permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment which is currently EN16630:2015 and is independently tested to confirm compliance

(Voting: unanimous)

The Area Development Team Lead (East) advised that there were 6 recommendations in the report which included 5 applications for community grants that would be dealt with in turn.

Recommendation 1

The Area Development Team Lead (East) explained that is was recommended that £16,000 of unallocated capital be transferred to top-up the Community Grant Fund to help support smaller project applications which may arise.

On being put to the vote, this was agreed unanimously. One member commented that this was an essential part of area working.

RESOLVED:  that members agreed to transfer £16,000 from the Capital Reserve to the Community Grants Budget for allocation in 2017/18.

(Voting: unanimous)

Recommendation 2

The Neighbourhood Development Officer explained that the application was from Horsington Parish Council towards the installation of new play equipment. He confirmed that the application had scored well against the agreed criteria and that the project had the support of the ward member. He further advised that the Parish Council has provided significant funding and that there had been community support through fundraising.

Councillor William Wallace pointed out an error in the report. The Neighbourhood Development Officer clarified that the Parish Council had contributed £8,223 and that the application was to secure £5,000 from SSDC as a grant fund.

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously agreed that a contribution of up to £5,000 be awarded towards the installation of new play equipment in Horsington.

RESOLVED:  that members agreed a contribution of up to £5,000 (33% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital budget to Horsington Parish Council towards the installation of new play equipment.

(Voting: unanimous)

Recommendation 3

The Neighbourhood Development Officer explained that the application was from Blackford and Compton Parish Council towards the installation of superfast broadband. He felt that this was a strong application which was innovative and creative and had been scored highly with high levels of community support.

Mr T Adams, representing the Parish Meeting, addressed the Committee. He explained that the current broadband was extremely limited in the village and did not allow residents to download films or to work from home. He explained that different options had been explored before deciding that BT Open-reach Fibre would be the best option for the community. He confirmed that only 2 additional poles would need to be installed in Compton Pauncefoot and that residents will be able to use any service provider that they wish and that they would not be locked-in to using BT. He advised members that 90% of the residents within the parish had agreed to contribute towards the project costs.

Councillor Hayward Burt, Ward Member, thanked Mr Adams and commented that broadband was an essential requirement and that the high level of community support confirmed the need within the village.

Councillor William Wallace, also Ward Member, agreed with these comments.

During the discussion, members commented that all areas in the district need help with broadband, including businesses as well as households.

In response to a question, the Area Development Lead Officer confirmed that the application was for a grant rather than a loan. He suggested that a loan would not be possible as the application was from a Parish Meeting rather than a Parish Council.

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously agreed to award a contribution of £8,000 towards the installation of superfast broadband fibre equipment in Blackford and Compton Parish.

RESOLVED: that members agreed a grant contribution of £8,000 (25% of costs) from the Community Capital budget to Blackford and Compton Parish Meeting towards the new superfast broadband installation subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A of the agenda report.

(Voting: unanimous)

Recommendation 4

The Area Lead Officer explained that the scheme had applied for a lottery bid, which meant that the scheme would now score more highly.

Mr C Mounsey, Treasurer of the Village Hall, addressed the Committee. He explained to members that the village hall hosted a diverse programme of events and that the trustees managed the hall well, with their focus being to maintain and development the hall for the needs of the local residents. He explained that the hall had a lack of parking and that the majority of its users drove to the venue.

Councillor Lewis, Ward Member, offered his support to the application.

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously agreed that a contribution of £3,000 from the Community Grants budget be awarded to the Hadspen Village Hall Committee towards the provision of a car park extension.

RESOLVED: that members agreed a contribution of up to £3,000 (26% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital budget to Hadspen Village Hall Committee towards the provision of an extended car park, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A.

(Voting: unanimous)

Recommendation 5

The Area Lead Officer advised members that the application had scored well against the criteria. 

Mr L Stevens, representing the Parish Council, addressed the Committee. He advised that there was a slight error in the report and confirmed that the gym equipment was a new provision and that the application was not towards repair work. He explained that the Parish Council had limited funding to support the project and that the contributions made had been from a community fund.

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously agreed that a contribution of up to £2,500 be awarded from the Capital Grants budget to West Camel Parish Council towards the installation of an outdoor gym.

RESOLVED:  That members agreed a contribution of up to £2,500 (25% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital budget towards the installation of an outdoor gym, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A and

·         The provision of equalities and diversity statement

·         A direct contribution of at least £500 from the Parish Council

·         Equipment should comply with the European standard for the provision of permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment which is currently EN16630:2015 and is independently tested to confirm compliance

(Voting: unanimous)

Recommendation 6

The Area Lead Officer explained to members that this application had previously been considered by the Committee, but following an unsuccessful funding bid to Viridor, another application had been made to SSDC towards much needed youth facilities.

Ms J Morison addressed the Committee. She explained that the field was in the centre of Ansford and that the site was more accessible now that footpaths had been installed. She advised that the site was eventually be used by children walking to school and that funding for a pump track had also been secured.

Ms S McKenzie addressed the Committee to advise that the application would include an adventure trail, an idea which had been suggested by one of the Town Councillors’ son. 

The Chairman commended the group for their hard work. He offered his support for the application following the disappointment of the unsuccessful Viridor funding bid.  

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously agreed that a contribution of up to £7,920 be awarded to Ansford Parish Council and Castle Cary Town Council towards the provision of an outdoor gym, adventure trail, planting and landscaping.

RESOLVED:  That members agreed a contribution of up to £7920 (32.5% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to Ansford Parish Council & Castle Cary Town Councils towards  phase 3 of the Fairfield Project for the provisionof an outdoor gym, adventure trail, planting and landscaping subject to the provision of additional quotes, standard conditions set out in appendix A and:

·         Outdoor gym  equipment should comply with the European standard for the provision of permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment which is currently EN16630:2015 and is independently tested to confirm compliance

(Voting unanimous)