Agenda, decisions and minutes

Any apologies for absence that have been received will be noted at this point.

Apologies were received from Mrs Apel.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Grants and Concessions Panel meeting held on 24 March 2021.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2021be agreed as a correct record.

Any matters arising as a result of the previous minutes.

Minute 95: Concessionary Rate Relief Application – Brick Pavilion, Bowls Club, Priory Park, Chichester: Mr Hyland informed the Panel that following their decision at the last meeting, that the Chairman could decide this application outside of the meeting, the Chairman had approved the application for a concessionary rent subsidy of £1,250 for the term of the lease to be agreed.

Members and officers are reminded to make any declarations of disclosable pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests they may have in respect of matters on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

For decision.

RESOLVED BY THE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

That Cabinet approves the Lessee’s (Chichester Festival Theatre) request for a rent subsidy as set out in Section 6 of the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

That Cabinet refuses the Lessee’s (Chichester Festival Theatre) request for a rent subsidy as set out in Section 6 of the report.

RESOLVED BY THE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

That the Panel approves the Lessee’s (Chichester Festival Theatre) request for a rent subsidy as set out in Section 6 of the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

That the Panel refuses the Lessee’s (Chichester Festival Theatre) request for a rent subsidy as set out in Section 6 of the report.

For decision.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Panel agreed at its meeting on 24 March 2021 that the Chairman of the Panel can make a decision on whether to award a Concessionary Rent Relief.

The Chairman subsequently approved the request.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

For decision

RESOLVED BY THE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

That Cabinet approves the Lessee’s (Chichester Racquets and Fitness Club) request to maintain a rent subsidy as set out in section 6 of the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

That Cabinet refuses the Lessee’s (Chichester Racquets and Fitness Club) request to maintain a rent subsidy as set out in section 6 of the report.

RESOLVED BY THE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

That Cabinet approves the Lessee’s (Chichester Racquets and Fitness Club) request to maintain a rent subsidy as set out in section 6 of the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

That Cabinet refuses the Lessee’s (Chichester Racquets and Fitness Club) request to maintain a rent subsidy as set out in section 6 of the report.

The Panel is requested to consider the individual summary sheets for applications for funding for 2021-22.

The Panel considered the report.  Mr Cooper drew attention to the value of applications to be considered at the meeting and advised the Panel that the budget allocation was a maximum of £175,000 for the financial year 2021/22 with £174,000 available.

For decision.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

Applicant: Potters – Fisherman’s Huts Development.

Declarations of Interest: N/A

Purpose: To fit out and promote new fresh fish production facilities and retail premises.

Sum requested: £7,720

Sum approved: £7,720

Reasons: To provide a sustainable facility for the business and will benefit the local economy.

Grant Conditions: Subject to a funding agreement

Alternative options considered and rejected:

The Panel considers whether or not to support every application so will always consider not granting the application.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

Applicant: Potters – Fisherman’s Huts Development.

Declarations of Interest: N/A

Purpose: To fit out and promote new fresh fish production facilities and retail premises

Sum requested: £7,720

Sum approved: £7,720

Reasons: To provide a sustainable facility for the business and will benefit the local economy

Grant Conditions: Subject to a funding agreement

For decision.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

Applicant: North Mundham Parish Council.

Declarations of Interest: N/A

Purpose: Garden Improvement Project for North Mundham Village Hall.

Sum requested: £4,250

Sum approved: £4,250

Reasons: To create an all year play area for the community nursery.

Grant Conditions: Subject to a funding agreement.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

The Panel considers whether or not to support every application so will always consider not granting the application.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

Applicant: North Mundham Parish Council.

Declarations of Interest: N/A

Purpose: Garden Improvement Project for North Mundham Village Hall.

Sum requested: £4,250

Sum approved: £4,250

Reasons: To create an all year play area for the community nursery.

Grant Conditions: Subject to a funding agreement.

Mr Evans left the meeting and did not return.

For decision.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

Applicant: Skill Mill Ltd.

Declarations of Interest: N/A

Purpose: To provide environmental improvements to public spaces in the District.

Sum requested: £6,000

Sum approved: £6,000

Reasons: To ensure improved habitat.

Grant Conditions: Subject to a funding agreement.  Funding to provide minimum of 20 work party days within the Chichester District.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

The Panel considers whether or not to support every application so will always consider not granting the application.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

Applicant: Skill Mill Ltd.

Declarations of Interest: N/A

Purpose: To provide environmental improvements to public spaces in the District.

Sum requested: £6,000

Sum approved: £6,000

Reasons: To ensure improved habitat.

Grant Conditions: Subject to a funding agreement. Funding to provide minimum of 20 work party days within the Chichester District.

That the Panel consider the future of the New Homes Bonus (Parish Allocations) Policy, and consider issues and options for consultation with parishes and/or future recommendations to Council.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CULTURE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANTS AND CONCESSIONS PANEL

That the Panel has considered the future of the New homes Bonus (Parish Allocations) Policy, and the issues and options for consultation with parishes and/or future recommendations to Council.

Mr Hyland introduced this report.  He explained that the four year extension of the New Homes Bonus (NHB) scheme was due to end after the current financial year and sought members views on the future of the scheme. If the Panel was of the view that the scheme should continue, a recommendation from the Panel to the 11 January or 1 February 2022 Cabinet meeting would be required to be made at its meeting on either 27 October 2021 or January 2022.  The Council currently had £250,000 set aside in the Council’s five year financial strategy to fund the scheme.  However, it was not known if the Government would continue to provide the Council with future NHB receipts or if the scheme would be replaced.  Cabinet was currently looking into the future of the NHB at a strategic level.   

Mr Cooper advised that the Council was still receiving NHB allocations but they were expected to decrease.  The Government’s review of Local Government finances had been delayed because of the consequences of the financial Covid 19 pandemic so, therefore, any potential replacement scheme was still not known.  This Council has been able to safeguard all the NHB funding, whilst a number of other local authorities had used it to support their revenue budget.  The Council was currently working on its five year financial strategy, from which a steer was expected on the future of the NHB.

Members discussed the three options available to them from the next financial year, as outlined in paragraph 6 of the report, and whether or not the Panel wished to cease NHB or consider extending the legacy of NHB payments it in some form.  It was noted that Option 2 could require a change to the criteria, such as increasing the minimum requirement of new homes in a Parish from five to possibly up to 50 or more, unless additional funds could be secured. A view was also expressed that the Council may find that, at the end of a three year extension, it was in a better financial position than currently.  Members discussed the need to consult with the parishes councils on any proposals.

RESOLVED

That the Panel has considered the future of the New Homes Bonus (Parish Allocations) Policy, and considered issues and options for consultation with parishes and/or future recommendations to Council.

The officers consult Parish Councils on the future of the New Homes Bonus (Parish Allocations) Scheme, were funds to be made available in future year/s their preference for extension of the scheme for one, or more years.

To note the date of the next meeting as 15 September 2021 at 9.30am.

The next meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday 15 September 2021.