Agenda and minutes

To note any substitution of Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22.

There was no substitution of Members for the meeting.

To note any apologies.

There were no apologies.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2016 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

No urgent business had been notified.

At the end of the meeting a discussion took place regarding the start time of future Grants Board meetings.

It was agreed that, in order to not exclude Members who worked, but also to take into account that some Board meetings could be long, future meetings of the Grants Board would commence at 7.00pm.

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

No declarations of interest were declared by Members.

No urgent business was received.                                        

To consider the applications for Community Grants.

Members considered the report of the Director (Finance and Operations) which contained feedback for previous Grants awarded; four applications for small community grants and details of the remaining budget in 2016/17.

1^st Northaw Scouts

An application for £2,000 had been received to be used as a contribution the work needed to move the two detached buildings to the rear of the main building which would improve the visual impact of the approach to the Scout HQ. 

During discussion Members expressed the view that they were in favour of the application however they did not wish to pre-empt any planning permission application or decision and that the balance of £1,200 for the project would be raised prior to release of the grant.

AGREED a Community Grant of £2,000 subject to the points raised above.

Dance Motion

An application had been received for £2,000to provide a week long dance school in Hatfield during the summer holidays.

Members discussed the application and considered that the application did not meet the Grants Board criteria and raised a number of concerns. 

Officers were asked to obtain answers to the following:

·         Where would the classes be held?  Does the venue have the required health and safety certification?

·         Where would the performance be held?

·         Are bank details and details of signatories available yet?

·         A copy of the constitution of the school would be required.

·         Is Ms Davis a paid staff member?

·         Did Ms Davis intend to teach the classes?  If so, would she be paid in the capacity of a teacher?

·         If Ms Davis was to be paid, had she obtained agreement for this from the Charity Commission?

AGREED that subject to satisfactory answers to the above queries and concerns, and evidence that the balance of the funding for the project could be raised in advance of its release, a grant of £2,000 would be paid.

Girlguiding WGC Guessens

An application had been received for the sum of £2,000 as a contribution to the redevelopment of the hut for which planning permission had been received.

Members noted that 80% of the funding had been raised for this project and they asked officers to obtain information on where this funding had been sourced.

AGREED that, subject to receiving the above information, a grant of £2,000 would be made.

Manna Food Bank

An application for £2,000 had been received from the Manna Food Bank as a contribution to salary costs, the purchase of food and part payment of rent.

Members commented that the applicant, who was a trustee of the charity, should not receive a salary and they asked for clarification on who the salary was to be paid to.

There were also some concerns that the bank account details had not been provided and they asked officers to obtain this information.  (It was noted that the meeting date had been brought forward, so shortening the time for submission of some documents in support of the application).

Members discussed food banks in general and there was some concern  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Board/Committee 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 XX 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.

Applications for the Community Grant Scheme.