Agenda and minutes

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

The following substitution of a Board Member had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:-

CouncillorS.Thusu for E.Boulton.

To note any apologies.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors E.Boulton and A.Dennis.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2019 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

CouncillorJ.Caliskan declared a non-pecuniary interest in the application from Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Service as the applicant was known to her.

CouncillorL.Chesterman declared a non-pecuniary interest in the applications from Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Service and Breaks Manor Youth and Community Centre as the applicants were known to her.

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) detailing the applications for Community Grants.

Eight applications from voluntary groups had been received for Annual Community Grants. These grants were limited to a maximum of £20,000 per application, however, the Board was able to increase this should it be deemed appropriate.

The total amount available for Grants Panel to allocate for the financial year 2020/21 was £218,270. These funds were split into Annual Grants and Small Community Grants.

The amount ring fenced for Small Community Grants was £44,000, Citizens Advice had a ring fenced budget of £95,000 and the overall budget available for Annual Grants was £79, 270.

The total value of all eight applications exceeded the budget available.

Breaks Manor Youth and Community Centre

Breaks Manor Youth and Community Centre had applied for a grant of £10,500 to reinstate damaged areas of fencing around the perimeter of the Centers field area.

The Board appreciated that the Center did a lot of good work, particularly with young people and would need to make the grounds secure. They also recognized the need to provide recreational facilities for young people.

Due to concerns about sustainability of the project, the Board felt that the Center should be advised to use the reinstated fenced amenity space to provide additional sustainable income.

AGREED a grant of £10,500.

Cuffley Hall Management Committee

Cuffley Hall Management Committee had applied for a grant of £1000 for the cost of replacing the Small Hall floor which was over 30 years old.

The Board would have liked detailed information on the demographic of users and charges for users.

The Board unanimously agreed to refuse the application due to budget restraints but would like to encourage Cuffley Hall Management Committee to make an application for a Small Community Grant, including details of users and charges for users.

REFUSED the application.

Welwyn Hatfield Community Volunteer Service

WHCVS had applied for a grant of £19000 to support the services they provided including the Community Car Scheme, Volunteer Centre, Let’s Chat and support to the voluntary sector.

Due to budget restraints and other higher priority Community Grant applications, the Board could not grant the full amount applied for but would encourage the WHCVS to apply for a Small Community Grant in addition to the Annual Grant.

AGREED a grant of £9000.

Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme CIC (HPPP)

HPPP had applied for a grant of £4938.44 to pay for specialist speakers to provide advice and guidance to parents. The funding would also be used to pay for the venue in which to hold the support group and to buy resources for children accompanying their parents.

The Board appreciated the work of HPPP but had concerns about the sustainability of the project. The Board felt that the cost of the speakers were very high and could be reviewed.

AGREED a grant of £3938.44.

Home-Start Hertfordshire

Home-Start Hertfordshire had applied for a grant of £12217 to be used to fund a home-vising service, using family Mentors from the local community for 20 families (approximately 48 children).

The Board noted that Home-Start Hertfordshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.