Agenda item

Radio Ninesprings Grant Application (Executive Decision)

Decision:

RESOLVED:

That members agreed to grant up to £11,675 from the Area South Capital Grant allocation, to Radio Ninesprings towards the cost of setting up the new community radio station.

 

Reason:

To consider funding towards the cost of setting up the new community radio station Radio Ninesprings.

 

(voting: 9 in favour, 6 against, 0 abstentions)

Minutes:

Steve Haigh from Radio Ninesprings addressed the committee and explained to members the benefits of a local radio station for Yeovil including providing hands on experience and benefits to Yeovil College students and the opportunity for advertising for local businesses.  He explained this was a ‘not for profit’ organisation and hoped the radio station would be up and running later in the year and that the funding would go towards stage 3 of the project to provide sound proofing and complete fit out of the studio at Yeovil College.

 

The Specialist - Strategic Planning then presented the report explaining the rigorous assessment process undertaken.  He believed all relevant detailed information had now been received to support the application to achieve the shortfall in the cost of setting up the new community radio station.

 

During discussion he noted the comments from members and responded to questions including:

 

·         Appreciated the concerns raised regarding the sustainability of the station should the figures not be met, however assured the costs can be met through advertising and sponsorship and satisfied that all information had now been provided.

·         Confirmed £36,000 had already been received from various other funding partners as set out in the agenda report.

 

The Communities Lead explained the independent application process undertaken by the Authority and explained the history of the application and how the need had been established.  She advised members that this application was before them in line with the discretionary grants scheme and it was for members to decide the way forward with this application.

 

During member’s discussion, several comments were made including the following:

 

·         Noted the length of time this application had taken, however noted the broad community support and other funding partners.

·         Concern raised regarding the location of the transmitter.

·         Yeovil was in need of a local radio station and need to embrace and support it.

·         Concern over the large amount of money requested.

·         Concern over the sustainability of the project, however noted this was a registered charity and not for profit organsisation.

 

During discussion it was initially proposed and seconded to approve the application with a grant up to £1000.  However on being put to the vote this was lost by 4 votes in favour, 11 against and 1 abstention.

 

A subsequent proposal was then made to approve a grant for up to £5000.  On being put to the vote this was also lost by 6 votes in favour, 8 against and 2 abstention.

 

At the conclusion of the discussion it was proposed and seconded to approve the grant application as per the officers’ recommendation.  On being put the vote this was carried by 9 votes in favour, 6 against and 0 abstentions.

 

 

RESOLVED:

That members agreed to grant up to £11,675 from the Area South Capital Grant allocation, to Radio Ninesprings towards the cost of setting up the new community radio station.

 

Reason:

To consider funding towards the cost of setting up the new community radio station Radio Ninesprings.

 

(voting: 9 votes in favour, 6 against, 0 abstentions)

Supporting documents: