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

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

Councillor S.Thusu for Councillor S.Markiewicz.

To note any apologies.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S.Markiewicz.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2020 (previously circulated).

The Executive Member, Resources, addressed the Board and requested that they considered how to encourage more minority groups and groups from underprivileged areas to apply for both Annual and Small Grants so that any necessary changes could take place before the round of Grants in 2022.

It was agreed that the Community Partnerships Manager would produce a paper with some ideas regarding this and circulate to Members for their agreement within the next six weeks. If Members had any suggestions prior to this, they would contact the Community Partnerships Manager.

An additional Board meeting in June was agreed to discuss the Youth Action Grants to enable the funds to be used prior to the summer holidays.

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

Members received a report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) which detailed the applications that had been received for Small Community Grants and Youth Grants.

The 2020/21 Small Community Grants Criteria had been slightly adjusted to provide opportunities for those community organisations who have been negatively affected by COVID-19 to apply for assistance.

There was £247,400 in total available during the financial year 2020/21 to be awarded through the grants process.

£175,034 of this was ring fenced for the distribution of Annual Grants payments to those organisations awarded their grant during the 2019/20 awarding judgement period.

In 2020/21 there would be no Queens Jubilee Awards being distributed. These funds (£6,000) would be moved into the Small Community Grants pot.

This means that £52,366 was available for the Grants board to distribute to organisations requesting funding through the Small Community Grants fund.

The remaining £20,000 was allocated to the Youth Action Fund for 2021.

Both Youth Action Grants and Small Community Grants were limited to a maximum of £2,000 per application, however the Board was able to increase this should they deem it appropriate.

In the first round of Small Community Grants back in August 2020 the Grants Board awarded a total of £19,815. Leaving a total of £32,551 available to be distributed during round two of the Small Community Grants fund.

This was the first round of funding for the Youth Action Grant.

In total £20,130 has been applied for in this round of funding for the Small Community Grant Applications.

Small Community Grants Round Two

Digswell Archive

Digswell Archive had submitted an application for a grant of £1000 to cover expenses relating to setting up the database of historical information through a website.

The Board felt that bit was a good application and liked the idea of encouraging young people to get involved in local history.

AGREED a grant of £1000.

Falcon Judo Club

Falcon Judo Club had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 for the cost of renting the hall and to cover costs generated by the Covid-19 situation. The grant would also be used to retrain volunteers and subsidise membership and equipment for vulnerable children.

The Board felt that the application was good and full of enthusiasm and that the group was inclusive.

AGREED a grant of £2000.

Herts Ability

Herts Ability had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 for staff costs, rent and overheads and equipment costs.

The Board were aware that this organisation had been providing a great service for many years, helping the elderly and disabled community.

AGREED a grant of £2000.

Hertfordshire Boat Rescue

Hertfordshire Boat rescue had applied for a grant of £1790 towards the cost of Support Centre rent, vehicle and boat insurance, building service charge, fuel, floating lines, flood rescue boat craft and boat maintenance.

The Board felt that this was a good application and were glad that the group had reapplied for this grant.

AGREED a grant of £1790.

Welwyn Rugby Football Club

Welwyn  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.