Agenda and minutes

There were no Apologies for Absence.

With respect to Minute 4, Councillor Bill Handley declared that the community centre applying for the grant was in his ward and that he used the centre but was not a trustee and had no conflict of interest.

With respect to Minute 5, Councillor Jose Hales declared that he was a trustee of the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme and declared a pecuniary interest as his partner was employed by the scheme. Councillor Hales declared that he would withdraw from the Committee for the discussion of the item. The same declaration applied to the part of Minute 6 that was relevant to the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme.

To authorise the Chair to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2023 as a correct record.

By affirmation, the Committee authorised the Chair to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2023 as a correct record.

The Committee was asked to consider the application to the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Fund 2023/24 from the Over Community Centre (reference XMQWGLVX).

The Climate & Environment Project Officer presented the report and informed Members that the title listed in Appendix A was incorrect but all other information listed in the appendix related to the application in question.

Following discussion regarding solar panels on the Community Centre and mitigation methods to prevent overstaying at the charge point, the Committee expressed support for the application.

By affirmation, the Committee recommended that the Lead Cabinet Member for Resources approve the application from the Over Community Centre (reference XMQWGLVX) to the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Fund and award the full amount of funding requested in Appendix A of the report (£5000).

Councillor Jose Hales offered a brief update on the proposal which did not conflict with his declaration of interest.

Cllr Jose Hales withdrew from the Committee, in line with his Declaration of Interest. Councillor Sue Ellington assumed the role of Chair

The Development Officer (Communities Team) presented the report and furthered the comments provided by Councillor Hales. The Committee felt that the recommendation was a straightforward, operational matter and that it was a good conclusion to the situation.

By affirmation, the Committee recommended that the Lead Cabinet Member for Resource allocate all remaining unspent funds from the Harston & District Village Warden Trust (HVWT) to the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme (MMWS) to provide continued support until March 2024.

Councillor Jose Hales returned to the Committee

The Development Officer (Communities Team) presented the report.

Councillor Jose Hales withdrew from the Committee for the discussion of the second part of the recommendation (allocation of funds to the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme)

The Committee discussed the recommendation to allocate £7,500 to the MMWS for the purposes of taking over the management of the HVWT. The Members discussed the purpose of the funding and it was clarified that it was to be provided through a one-off payment.

The Committee supported the proposal and, by affirmation, recommended that the Lead Cabinet Member for Resources allocate £7,500 of the £28,500 Care Together Seed Funding to the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme.

Councillor Jose Hales returned to the Committee

The Committee discussed the promotion options available and concluded that a localised approach would likely be most effective. Members discussed the needs of the various funded schemes in the district and stated that some schemes may have requirements for more than £2,000 of funding whilst others may not have the need for the full £2,000. The Committee agreed that consultation with the schemes to establish their needs would be useful in informing an approach that would ensure that the funding would be allocated in the most effective way. It was also suggested that it would be beneficial to hold consultations with Cambridgeshire County Council on how the Care Together Seed Funding could be used most effectively.

The Committee agreed, by affirmation, to defer the decision in order to gather further information from consultations and legal advisors.

The Development Officer (Communities Team) presented the report. Members made comment regarding:

•        Schemes running in deficit and the need to assess how to manage this

• The need to promote schemes and increase the number of service users

• Working with Cambridgeshire County Council on how to best fund and  manage the schemes

The Lead Cabinet Member for Resources (Councillor John Williams) and Lead Cabinet Member for Communities (Councillor Bill Handley) stated that the approach to the management of Mobile Warden Schemes would be taken away and discussed with Cambridgeshire County Council, with a decision to be made by September in advance of the budget.

The Committee commended the work of Mobile Warden Schemes and noted the report.

The Development Officer (Communities Team) presented the report. The Committee thanked the Development Officer for the report and commended the successes of the Service Support Grants.

The Committee noted the report.

The Development Officer (Communities Team) presented the report and informed Members that the application from the Melbourn County Primary School Parents Teachers and Friends Association (FXMVHNLD) had been withdrawn. The Committee reviewed applications to the Community Chest Grant funding scheme received between 6 May 2023 to 6 June 2023.

After consideration of the applications, the Committee recommended to the Lead Cabinet Member for Resources that the application from:

• Cambridge Open Art Exhibition (TCQSHLPT) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £1,880.09

• The Papworth Team Ministry (XNRGJBBD)

• Great Chishill Windmill Trust CIO (MXXWLFWB) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £2,000

• Melbourn Dynamos Football Club (WLHRBQLX) be approved and funded at the full amount request of £2,000

• Cottenham United Colts FC (SXMWXKDN) be approved and funded at the full amount requested of £2,000

• Madingley Parish Council (XNSLMRPP) be rejected as the Committee felt that it was uncertain if the management of drainage was the responsibility of the Parish Council or the leaseholder, the University of Cambridge, and that it was not appropriate to fund the proposal via the Community Chest. The Committee suggested that an application from the Parish Council for new play equipment would likely be more appropriate.

• Fowlmere Community Led Plan (NWVFGJMM) be approved and funded at the full amount of £2,000

The Chair stated that the next meeting would be held on Thursday 27 July 2023.