Agenda item

The Deputy Leader

AGREED        To defer making a decision with regard to the grant request from 1^st Willingham Scout Group, as more information was required on the change of grant use.

The Leader AGREED the following grants

*The Leader AGREED that in the event of The Gamlingay Post project folding, the capital equipment purchased with the grant should be given to the parish council.

The Leader AGREED that the £286 remaining in the budget, should be carried forward into next year’s funds.

The Sustainable Communities and Partnerships Manager introduced this item which considered the final applications for funding from the Community Chest Grants Scheme during 2014/15.

1^st Willingham Scout Group

It was noted that a grant of £1,500 had been awarded for internal building works, but this had not received planning permission and so the 1^st Willingham Scout Group had applied for a change of use of the grant funding to camping equipment. As a local member for Willingham, the Leader left the room and the Deputy Leader chaired the meeting. The following points were made:

·         £1,500 appeared to be a large amount of money for camping equipment.

·         It was unclear if other funding schemes had been considered for this equipment.

·         There was no clear demonstration of need for this equipment.

·         The 2015/16 Community Chest Grant funding would become available from April.

The Deputy Leader

AGREED        To defer making a decision with regard to the grant request from 1^st Willingham Scout Group, as more information was required on the change of grant use.

The £1,500 was returned to the 2014/15 Community Chest Grant fund, bringing the total amount available to £9,461.

The Leader highlighted the fact that £18,994 had been applied for but only £9,641 was available. For this reason he stated that the maximum individual grant he would award on this occasion was £1,000. He considered each grant in turn.

Fen Drayton Parish Council: Upgrade showers in the pavilion

The Leader expressed his support for this grant, as it would encourage greater use of the pavilion and had the potential to benefit a wide range of organisations. Additionally Fen Drayton was a relatively small parish.

1^st Highfields Caldecote Scouts and Barrington Scouts: camping equipment

The Leader expressed his support for the Scouts and for these two applications. It was suggested that £1,500 was a large amount of money for camping equipment, in comparison to the other applications. It was recommended that the applicants could attempt to do a joint bulk purchase of camping equipment.

Girton Parish Council: install a footpath for school children

The Leader stated that funding towards this initiative should be the responsibility of the County Council and not this authority.

Longstanton Parish Council: restoration of two village pumps

The Leader expressed his support for the restoration of these two Grade 2 listed village pumps.

Over Community Association: refurbishment of toilets

It was suggested that Over Community Association should ensure that the charges for use of their facilities cover the costs of refurbishments.

St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church: renovation work

The Leader expressed his reservations with regard to this application as he considered that alternative funding could be available, possibly from Papworth Everard Parish Council.

Longstowe Parish Council: installation of notice boards

The Leader expressed his support for this application as it helped communication in a relatively small parish.

The Countryside Restoration Trust: purchase of picnic benches

The Leader expressed his support for this application which would encourage visits from children.

Cottenham Charities: gate at allotment entrance

Councillor Lynda Harford explained, as a Trustee of Cottenham Charities, that the gate would improve security at the allotments which has suffered recently from thefts. Councillor Harford then left the room whilst the decision was made. The Leader expressed his support for this crime prevention initiative.

Weston Colville Parish Council: installation of play equipment

The Leader supported this application, as the Council had funded several similar initiatives.

Sawston Youth Group: contribution to annual residential event

The Leader expressed his reservations for this application as he thought it was for ongoing revenue costs and so did not meet the conditions of the scheme. He considered that alternative funding streams were available.

Gamlingay & Hatley PCC: installation of disabled toilet in churchyard

The Leader expressed his support for this application, as the facilities were used by the wider community. It was noted that the toilet would be non-flushing and eco-friendly.

The Gamlingay Post: IT equipment to produce a local newsletter

The Leader supported this application which would greatly assistant communication in the village. He noted that the grant would be used to purchase a MacBook and recommended that if the project folded, the MacBook should be given to the parish council. It was hoped that a newsletter could mention the grant awarded by the Council in one of its editions.

The Leader AGREED the following grants

*The Leader AGREED that in the event of The Gamlingay Post project folding, the capital equipment purchased with the grant should be given to the parish council.

The Leader AGREED that the £286 remaining in the budget, should be carried forward into next year’s funds.