Agenda item

RESOLVED: that

1) Members agreed a contribution of £7920 (6% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital budget to Castle Cary Town Council towards the Fair Field project, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A and the following additional condition:-

That the applicant consults the Senior Play and Youth Officer on the design of the proposed Youth Facility prior to installation.

(Voting: Unanimous)

2) Members agreed a contribution of up to £5000 (36% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to Horsington Parish Council towards the refurbishment of Horsington Pond, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A.

(Voting: Unanimous)

3) Members agreed a contribution of up to £10,000 (11% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to South Barrow PCC towards the refurbishment of South Barrow Church, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A and the following additional condition:-

That the applicant provides assurance that the facility will be available as a community facility for a minimum of 15 years in line with SSDC grant policy as set out in appendix B.

That the applicant agrees to the terms of a clawback arrangement to safeguard the AEC investment.

(Voting: 7 in favour, with 2 abstentions)

REASON: to consider requests for capital grants from Castle Cary Town Council, Horsington Parish Council and South Barrow Parochial Church Council.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer addressed the Committee to present his report. He advised that there was a slight amendment to page 41 of his report; additional S106 money for Castle Cary and Ansford was now available and had been omitted from the financial implication details. The report should read ‘If members agree the recommendations set out in this report, a sum of £2967 (not £887) will remain to be allocated.’

It was suggested that the three grant applications would be discussed in turn.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation slide, presented a landscaping plan which provided details of The Fairfield Project.

He advised members that the proposal would be advantageous to younger residents by providing additional facilities. He also pointed out that it was unlikely that an alternative site could be found. 

Penny Steiner, Castle Cary Town Councillor, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the project. She explained to members that residents would like to see the land, jointly owned by the two Councils, to remain as open space and welcomed the project for facilities such as a pump track.

There were no questions from members.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer summarised the application made by Horsington Parish Council towards funding for pond improvements. He explained that the pond is currently dredged approximately every 6 or 7 years.

Charles James, a representative of the Parish Council addressed the Committee. He explained that the current process of de-silting the pond was destroying the wildlife and hoped that a silt-trap at the top of the site would stop this from happening. He also pointed out that the proposal included a safe dipping area for children, would encourage wildlife such as water voles and newts and would create a nice feature for the village.

Ian Snowden, a member of the Parish Council and the project group, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the application. He explained that the community would benefit from the project and pointed out the silt trap would be accessible from the road which would make maintenance easier.

Councillor William Wallace, Ward Member, supported the scheme. He agreed with the comments made and advised members that the pond attracted tourists and was popular with local residents.

Councillor Tim Inglefield, Ward Member, offered his support for the project and complimented the Parish Council for their work carried out so far.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer summarised details of the grant application made by South Barrow Parochial Church Council towards reordering the St Peter’s Church to provide a meeting space. 

He pointed out that the parish already had access to a village hall at North Barrow, but pointed out that funding had been found from a number of other sources and that the project was ready to go.

During the discussion, it was suggested that a clawback condition should be included to safeguard to AEC investment.

It was proposed and seconded that members agreed the capital grants as detailed in the officer report, subject to an additional clawback condition on the application for South Barrow Church.

RESOLVED: that

1) Members agreed a contribution of £7920 (6% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital budget to Castle Cary Town Council towards the Fair Field project, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A and the following additional condition:-

That the applicant consults the Senior Play and Youth Officer on the design of the proposed Youth Facility prior to installation.

(Voting: Unanimous)

2) Members agreed a contribution of up to £5000 (36% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to Horsington Parish Council towards the refurbishment of Horsington Pond, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A.

(Voting: Unanimous)

3) Members agreed a contribution of up to £10,000 (11% of the total project costs) from the Community Capital Budget to South Barrow PCC towards the refurbishment of South Barrow Church, subject to the standard conditions set out in appendix A and the following additional condition:-

That the applicant provides assurance that the facility will be available as a community facility for a minimum of 15 years in line with SSDC grant policy as set out in appendix B.

That the applicant agrees to the terms of a clawback arrangement to safeguard the AEC investment.

(Voting: 7 in favour, with 2 abstentions)