Agenda and minutes

To note any substitution of Board Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

No substitutions were received.

To note any apologies.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chesterman, Birleson and McNamara.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2023 (previously circulated).

The minutes from the meeting on the 26^th July 2023 were approved as a correct record.

There was no notification for urgent business.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive a report of the Executive Director of Place.

The Board received the report of the Executive Director (Place) on the 2024/25 Annual Community Grants.

The Board agreed:

1.     To consider the Annual Community Grant applications set out in the Part 2 report and make recommendations to Cabinet; and

2.     To ensure that the fund is available widely, the maximum amount that will be supported through this fund will be £20,000 per organisation.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Board is asked to resolve:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for Item 9 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100(A)(3) and Paragraph 3 (private financial or business information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Board resolved:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for Item 9 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100(A)(3) and Paragraph 3 (private financial or business information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it was considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Under Part 2, the Board received a presentation on the grant applications which had be received and discussed.

The Board discussed each application individually. The reasons for the decisions are set out below:

17^th Welwyn Garden City Rangers

The Board agreed to grant the application £500, , subject to Cabinet agreement,  to support their work with young people

Crusaders Skate Hockey Club

The Board decided against funding this application as it was felt it was difficult to justify in comparison to some of the other applications seeking grant allocations.

First Garden Cities Home

The Board decided against funding this application as a number of other applications were offering a similar service and the organisation had already received council funds recently.

First People Housing CIC

The Board agreed to not fund this application as it was non-compliment due to no contact information.

Forever Young People

The Board decided against funding this application as the council had recently funded the organisation and the fund request was considered as for “business as usual” activities.

H’Aarts in Mind

The Board agreed they would fund the application £2,000, subject to Cabinet agreement, to continue the well-being work done for participates of all ages in the borough.

It was noted that the organisations would need to get written confirmation from the Galleria that they could continue to use the space.

Hatfield Food Bank

The Board agreed they would fund the application £5,000, subject to Cabinet agreement, as the Council regular refers residents to the organisation and the funds would support their on going heating and food costs.

Herts Disability Sports Foundation

It was noted that the organisation had previous grant money that was unspent due to conditions not yet met, or the project failing to start.

I Picture This

The Board agreed to not fund this application as it was felt the application was a significant amount of money to benefit a small number of people. A large amount of money was requested for staffing costs.

Ludwick Family Centre

The Board agreed to not fund this application as the application would require changes to the agreed lease which would cost the organisation money to apply.

It was discussed that in future bids all organisations should be required to include quotes for works wanting to be carried out.

One YMCA

It was noted that the organisation had previous grant money that was unspent due to conditions not yet met, or the project failing to start. It was felt that the application was high cost for a six week programme.

Panshanger F.C

The Board agreed to not fund this application as it was non-compliment as the current management had expired and the project was out of scope.

Pets in Need Herts

The Board agreed to not fund this application as it was non-compliment due to the funding request being for items outside of the scope.

Red Kite Rape & Sexual Assault Services

The Board agreed they would fund the application £7,500, subject to Cabinet agreement, as the impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.