Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Evans.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Grants and Concessions Panel meeting held on 6 October 2022.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Any matters arising as a result of the previous minutes.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Mr Brigden updated the Panel on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).  Grant funding would be available for the next financial year 2023/24 to be allocated by the Grants and Concessions Panel.  A special meeting of this Panel would be arranged before the end of this financial year, in March 2023, to allocate the funding.  A decision on the Council’s application for the REPF.  A procedure for the UKSPF would be finalised in the next two weeks to enable time for applications to come in and circulated to the Panel. 

Mr Brigden confirmed later in the meeting that a total of £49,300 had been allocated from the UKSPF, which included the Supporting Local Businesses and the Community and Place grants.  The Panel would consider grant requests of £10,00 and above.

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.

Mrs Apel declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 10 funding agreement relating to Stonepillow) as a trustee of Stonepillow.

Mrs Lishman declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 9 as she had previously worked and gained financially from participation in shows at the Selsey Pavilion.

To note the financial information, fast track grants approved since the last meeting.

The Panel considered the report.  Mr Cooper drew attention to the value of applications to be considered at the meeting.  If members supported all the applications presented at the meeting totalling £58,534 there would be £40,757 remaining.

Mr Cooper drew the Panel’s attention to the grant applications which were nearing their cut-off point. Following a discussion the Panel members agreed;

·      That a 6 month extension from 26 January 2023 be granted to Lifecentre for their unspent sum of £5,000.

·      That a 6 month extension be granted to Funtington and District Village Hall for their unspent sum of £10,000 and that a progress report be reported to the next Panel meeting.

·      That a 12 month extension be granted to Feel Food Films Ltd for their unspent sum of £5,000.

For decision

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

Applicant: Fishbourne Playing Field Association

Declarations of interest: N/a

Purpose: Funding for the Lets All Play Project for equipment that is suitable for use by disabled children with a wide range of physical, sensory and social disabilities

Sum requested: £8,617

Sum approved: £8,617

Reasons: The project will improve the inclusivity of the existing play area.

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 an application.

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

Applicant: Fishbourne Playing Field Association

Declarations of interest: N/a

Purpose: Funding for the Lets All Play Project for equipment that is suitable for use by disabled children with a wide range of physical, sensory and social disabilities

Sum requested: £8,617

Sum approved: £8,617

Reasons: The project will improve the inclusivity of the existing play area.

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 an application.

For decision

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

Applicant: Wisborough Green Parish Council

Declarations of interest: N/a

Purpose: Funding towards extending the all-weather surface and creation of a mini all-weather surface.

Sum requested: £2,000

Sum approved: £2,000

Reasons: The Wisborough Green  Village Youth project will allow more young people to play sports and socially interact year-round.

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 an application.

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

Applicant: Wisborough Green Parish Council

Declarations of interest: N/a

Purpose: Funding towards extending the all-weather surface and creation of a mini all-weather surface.

Sum requested: £2,000

Sum approved: £2,000

Reasons: The Wisborough Green Village Youth project will allow more young people to play sports and socially interact year-round.

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 an application.

For decision

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

Applicant: Worthing Women’s Aid (trading as ‘Safe in Sussex’)

Declarations of interest: N/a

Purpose: Funding towards a programme of therapeutic art sessions for children staying in the Chichester refuge who have experienced domestic abuse.

Sum requested: £2,000

Sum approved: £2,000

Reasons: The project will provide an opportunity for children to express themselves through art.

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 an application.

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

Applicant: Worthing Women’s Aid (trading as ‘Safe in Sussex’)

Declarations of interest: N/a

Purpose: Funding towards a programme of therapeutic art sessions for children staying in the Chichester refuge who have experienced domestic abuse.

Sum requested: £2,000

Sum approved: £2,000

Reasons: The project will provide an opportunity for children to express themselves through art.

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 an application.

For decision

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

Applicant: Selsey Pavillion Trust

Declarations of interest: Mrs Lishman declared a personal interest.

Purpose: Funding towards the surveys to support the group in developing proposals to bring the Pavilion into community ownership

Sum requested: £5,160

Sum approved: £5,160

Reasons: To support the group to have an accurate understanding of the likely building costs and the project’s feasibility.

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 an application.

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

Applicant: Selsey Pavillion Trust

Declarations of interest: Mrs Lishman declared a personal interest.

Purpose: Funding towards the surveys to support the group in developing proposals to bring the Pavilion into community ownership

Sum requested: £5,160

Sum approved: £5,160

Reasons: To support the group to have an accurate understanding of the likely building costs and the project’s feasibility.

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 an application.

Separate to the grants pot, the Panel monitors the performance of four key

voluntary sector organisations. The Panel is asked to note the attached summary

reports.

Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA):

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of ACCA under their joint contract during 2022/23 be noted.

2.  Support release of 2023/24 funding with available associated inflationary increase (level to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council consideration of the budget).

Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC):

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of VAAC in discharging their Funding Agreement targets for 2022/23 be noted.

2.  Support release of 2023/24 funding including available associated inflationary increase (level to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council consideration of the budget).

Shopmobility (Chichester) – a service provided by Community First Wessex (CF):

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of CF in discharging their Funding Agreement targets for 2022/23 be noted.

2.  That a new Funding Agreement with a year’s duration be negotiated for 2023/24.

3.  That the organisation receives the available inflationary increase to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council.

Stonepillow (St Richard of Chichester Christian Care Association Ltd):

Mrs Apel declared a prejudicial interest as a trustee of Stonepillow and withdrew from the room when this item was discussed.

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of Stonepillow in discharging their Funding Agreement targets over the 3 years to 2022/23 be noted.

2.  That a new Funding Agreement be agreed for a further 3-year period and an appropriate agreement be negotiated.

3.    That the funding for 2023/24 is increased in line with available inflation (to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council).

Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA):

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of ACCA under their joint contract during 2022/23 be noted.

2.  Support release of 2023/24 funding with available associated inflationary increase (level to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council consideration of the budget).

Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC):

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of VAAC in discharging their Funding Agreement targets for 2022/23 be noted.

2.  Support release of 2023/24 funding including available associated inflationary increase (level to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council consideration of the budget).

Shopmobility (Chichester) – a service provided by Community First Wessex (CF):

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of CF in discharging their Funding Agreement targets for 2022/23 be noted.

2.  That a new Funding Agreement with a year’s duration be negotiated for 2023/24.

3.  That the organisation receives the available inflationary increase to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council.

Stonepillow (St Richard of Chichester Christian Care Association Ltd):

Mrs Apel declared a personal interest as a trustee of Stonepillow and withdrew from the room when this item was discussed.

RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:

1.  That the performance of Stonepillow in discharging their Funding Agreement targets over the 3 years to 2022/23 be noted.

2.  That a new Funding Agreement be agreed for a further 3-year period and an appropriate agreement be negotiated.

3.  That the funding for 2023/24 is increased in line with available inflation (to be agreed by Cabinet and Full Council).

Mr Brigden provided details of a proposal to provide a King Charles III Coronation fund for parish councils of up to £250 per application towards commemoration activities including street parties.  £10,000 would be made available to be provided from any monies left over from the Grants budget for 2022-23, topped up to £10,000 from the Grants budget for 2023-24 if necessary.  Further details would be sent to the Panel members when available.

The Panel confirmed that they were in agreement to this proposal.

To note the date of the next meeting as 29 March 2023.