Agenda and minutes

To note that Councillors R.Lass and R.Trigg were appointed Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board for the 2021/22 municipal year at the Annual Council meeting on 24 May 2021.

It was noted that Councillors R. Lass and R. Trigg were appointed Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board for the 2021/22 Municipal Year at the Annual Council meeting on 24 May 2021.

In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor R. Trigg chaired the meeting.

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

The following substitutions of Board Members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:-

Councillor F. Marsh for A. Dennis.

Councillor T.Travell for R.Lass.

To note any apologies.

Apologies for absence was received from Councillors A. Dennis and R. Lass.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2021 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2021 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.

Councillor T. Travell declared a non-pecuniary interest on the North Mymms Youth Project, as she occasionally volunteers on the North Mymms Youth and Community project.

To consider the report setting out a summary of the applications received during Round Two of the Youth Action Grants.

Members received a report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities), which detailed the applications received for Round Two of the Youth Action Grants.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered a report on the link between youth provision and anti-social behaviour at their meeting of the 28 July 2020.

One of the recommendations was to allocate £20,000 to be distributed via the Grants Board to help support voluntary and charitable organisations who provide services and activities for young people. This was agreed by Cabinet and the amount was allocated to the Youth Action Fund for 2021.

In the first round of Youth Action Grants in February 2021 the Grants Board awarded a total of £3,940, leaving a total of £16,060 available to be distributed during round two of the Youth Action Grants fund.

Youth Action Grants were limited to a maximum of £2,000 per application, however the Board is able to increase this should they deem it appropriate. In total £18,749.37 had been applied for in this round of funding for the Youth Action Grant.  This is £2,689.37 in excess of the funds available.

The Board noted that it was not always possible to award the applicant the full 100% requested. Clarification was sought on utilisation of funds and any reserves being carried forward, which the Officer explained: that this round two was the final round for the Youth Action Grants fund.

Youth Action Grants Round Two

Chancellor’s School

Chancellor’s School had submitted an application for a grant of £1985 to cover expenses relating to the Music department and buying new instruments.

Members supported the application in principle but commented that they were unable to agree the grant, as they felt that the project would not benefit the wider community and that financial assistance could be sought from other authorities/funds.

REFUSED the application.

DanceAid

DanceAid had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 to cover expenses relating to a family festival.

The Board supported that application but expressed concern in terms of the project being delivered on under a 50% of the initial grant request (funding being sought was £2,500). Further consideration was given to raising additional funding and safeguarding the project if there was to be another lockdown.  The timescales for delivering the event were taken into account.

AGREED a grant of £2000.

Dellcott Tennis

Dellcott Tennis had submitted an application for a grant of £1920 to cover expenses relating to Tennis coaching and Tennis equipment.

The Board welcomed the project and were in support of coaching but felt that it did not demonstrate how it would encourage take up from wider disadvantaged young people and how it would benefit the wider community.

REFUSED the application.

FK Dance

FK Dance were awarded £2,000 in round one of the Youth Action Grants in February 2021. Their application was for a tap dance project. Their application for this round is for a boys’ dance project.

FK Dance had submitted an application for a grant of £1400 to cover expenses for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Board decided to change the start time of the Grants Board meetings to 7.30pm in line with other meetings to make allowances for Members who worked full-time.